A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisbon vs. Lyon for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Lisbon or Lyon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Lisbon or Lyon? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a colorful, vibrant, and stunning city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty in Lisbon as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Lisbon travel costs.

Lyon

Lyon is a cultural, quaint, and authentic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Lyon is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Lyon travel costs.

Lisbon and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Lyon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lisbon. Although Lisbon and Lyon are roughly the same size, Lisbon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lisbon is more popular for its nightlife, music, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Lyon is known for its quaint atmosphere. Lisbon is popular for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. It is also home to Castelo de São Jorge. Lyon is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town.

How is Lisbon different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lyon and Lisbon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lisbon or Lyon?

You'll find a number of fantastic museums and attractions in both Lyon and Lisbon.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Lisbon has many famous sights for visitors. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Lyon that are not to be missed. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

Is the Food Better in Lisbon or Lyon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Lisbon and Lyon can be an enjoyable experience.

For foodies, Lisbon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are many local restaurants as well as food tours and cooking classes that you can enjoy. Make sure you try the local favorites like bacalhau à brás, frango no churrasco, and pastel de nata. Given the beautiful climate, outdoor seating is also popular. Head into the less touristy neighborhoods to try some local dishes or hit up a seafood market. There are also many cafes that offer great breakfasts with fresh ingredients.

Lyon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

Is Lisbon or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Lisbon has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It is a bustling city with a lot of energy late into the night. There are countless bars, clubs, and music venues that cater to every personality type and style. Whether you want a more relaxed vibe or a raging party, there is likely an place for you.

Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

Is Lisbon or Lyon Better for Music?

Lisbon is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Lyon is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Lisbon The local folk music, fado, is popular here, but there are also venues that host almost any other style of music as well. You'll also find several fado museums around town.

Lyon is not a live music destination.

Is Lisbon or Lyon Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

Lisbon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are often overlooked by visitors, but the coastline near the city is lined with beautiful sandy beaches that are arguably among the best in the area. If you want to get away from city life, head for the water.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the fantastic old towns in both Lisbon and Lyon.

With a famous historical old-town, Lisbon offers plenty to see. The city is famous for the Alfama area, which is where you find the traditional buildings, cobblestoned streets, wandering alleyways, and steep hills. Make sure you take in the stunning view from various parts of town.

The rich history of Lyon can be explored in its historical center. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Lyon?

Lisbon is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Lisbon make it a world-class shopping destination. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Is Lisbon or Lyon More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of fantastic scenery and beauty in both Lisbon and Lyon.

Lisbon is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its bright colors and dramatic hills, many people consider it to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are many spectacular viewpoints that look out over the city.

The famous beauty of Lyon is one of the main draws. The city climbs beautifully into the hills and offers spectacular views and charming character.

Is Lisbon or Lyon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Lisbon or Lyon.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lisbon. Popular family-friendly activities include exploring Castelo Sao Jorge, visiting the aquarium, hanging out on the beach, and of course, taking the funiculars. Kids of all ages will appreciate the intricate maze of streets and lively atmosphere that this city offers. There's also the famous Livraria Lello & Irmão, which is a beautiful bookshop that is said to be an inspiration for Harry Potter. Don't expect to simply walk in, as there is often a long line to enter.

Lyon is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

Is Lisbon or Lyon Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Lyon make for a very good place to visit.

Lisbon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With it's colorful buildings and dramatic hills, this city offers a truly romantic setting for couples. There are many romantic viewpoints as well as world class restaurants that couples will enjoy.

Couples visit Lyon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Is Lisbon or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Lisbon. Hostels are abundant, and you'll have no trouble finding other backpackers to hang out with. Many hostels even organize activities and group meals for travelers. Prices are also reasonable for a large and vibrant city.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Lisbon or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Lisbon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Lyon. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

Lisbon is very popular with students. It's a lively city with a lot to see and do for international students.

Is Lisbon or Lyon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find fantastic public transit in both Lisbon and Lyon.

Visitors in Lisbon can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The metro has four lines that go around the city. There are also trams, buses, and the funiculars.

Lyon has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Is Lisbon or Lyon a more walkable city?

Lisbon is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Lisbon on foot. There are many walkable areas that aren't too hilly like Baixa, a stretch along the Tagus River, and Belém.

Lyon is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Lisbon Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Lyon?

In either Lisbon or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lisbon than Lyon because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

Families should spend more time in Lisbon than Lyon. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lisbon, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lisbon than Lyon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lisbon that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lisbon than Lyon if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lisbon.

One day in Lisbon or Lyon?

Lisbon is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint big city of Lyon. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lisbon or Lyon?

Lisbon is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Lyon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Lisbon or Lyon?

Lisbon is a vibrant big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lisbon or Lyon?

Lisbon is a colorful city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful big city of Lyon. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Lisbon and Lyon, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lisbon Expensive? and Is Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Lyon?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Lyon, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Lisbon or Lyon?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lisbon or Lyon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Lyon. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Lyon in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Lyon. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Lyon in the Autumn?

Both Lyon and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Lisbon is a little warmer than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lyon. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lisbon or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Lyon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lyon can be very cold. In the winter, Lisbon is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Lyon. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Lyon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Lyon. The spring months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

In April, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lyon. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Lisbon