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

Should you visit Lyon or Amalfi?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Amalfi, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lyon

Lyon is a historic, beautiful, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The famous beauty of Lyon is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Lyon travel costs.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a stunning, dramatic, and charming town. You'll find world class beauty in Amalfi as well. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Amalfi travel costs.

Lyon and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Amalfi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Amalfi than Lyon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Amalfi is better known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Lyon is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere. Amalfi is more touristy than Lyon and is known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. Also, Amalfi is famous for the dramatic coastline. Lyon is well known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town.

How is Lyon different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Lyon are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Amalfi. The town is an attraction in and off itself. It's filled with charm and character and visitors spend much of their time simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lyon and Amalfi can be difficult as they are each first-rate in their own way.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lyon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Many restaurants in Amalfi have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The town's access to the beautiful sea means that many dishes use a variety of seafood. Eggplant is also a common ingredient and you'll find everything from pastas to elegant desserts around town.

Is Lyon or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Both Lyon and Amalfi are high quality when it comes to partying.

Lyon offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Amalfi has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a good number of bars and clubs in town that often have live music or DJs. Alternatively, there are also clubs that dot the entire coastline.

Is Lyon or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Amalfi has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. You'll find snorkeling trips that take you along the coastline and stop at several places so you can take a peak at the underwater world.

Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lyon or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

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

Amalfi has a beach worth visiting. The beaches tend to be pebbly and rocky. During the summer months they can get very crowded, but taking a swim is a great way to escape the heat for a bit.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Lyon or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Lyon offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Amalfi. The town is charming and filled with great shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

Is Lyon or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Amalfi is a popular spot for hiking. The coastline is filled with great trails that offer stunning views. Hiking is a top way to see the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and catch a glimpse at some of the best beaches.

Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Amalfi?

Lyon is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Lyon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Amalfi has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Lyon or Amalfi More Beautiful?

Lyon and Amalfi are somewhat similar when it comes to the first-rate scenery.

You'll find world class beauty in Lyon as well. The city climbs beautifully into the hills and offers spectacular views and charming character.

Amalfi is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The coastline is world renowned for its beautiful villages, striking cliffs, and stunning blue water. The weaving roads make for a dramatic and breathtaking drive.

Is Lyon or Amalfi Better for Families?

Lyon is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Lyon is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Amalfi offers lots of family activities. The town is positioned in the middle of the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base for exploring the area. It's also one of the larger towns so you'll find more energy and things to do with kids, including the Museum of Paper.

Is Lyon or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is an amazing town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Amalfi has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The Amalfi Coast is a world class honeymoon destination and couples will enjoy staying in the lively town of Amalfi. It's a quaint and beautiful town in the middle of everything, so you'll have access to all that the area has to offer.

Lyon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Is Lyon or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is well known for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Amalfi is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The area has a couple of hostels around, but in general this is a difficult place to visit as a backpacker. There are SITA buses that offer transportation, and because the town is in the middle of the coastline, it offers decent access to everything.

Is Lyon or Amalfi Better for Students?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Amalfi is not popular with students.

Lyon is a very popular city for students. 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.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Lyon is top-notch. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

While Amalfi offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Is Lyon or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is an amazing town 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 Amalfi on foot. It's a compact and charming town that is a bit flatter than some nearby villages so it's easy to explore on foot.

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 Lyon Worth Visiting? and Is Amalfi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Amalfi?

Both Lyon and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amalfi than in Lyon. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Amalfi 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 Lyon.

One day in Lyon or Amalfi?

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Amalfi. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Lyon or Amalfi?

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.

Amalfi is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Lyon or Amalfi?

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.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the dramatic destination of Amalfi. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Lyon or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dramatic town of Amalfi. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lyon and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Lyon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lyon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lyon and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Amalfi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amalfi than you might in Lyon.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Amalfi?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Amalfi, 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 Lyon or Amalfi?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lyon or Amalfi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Amalfi. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lyon is around the same temperature as Amalfi in the summer. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amalfi this time of the year. In Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during summer. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lyon usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lyon or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Amalfi. Many travelers come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Amalfi in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lyon is cooler than Amalfi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lyon in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Amalfi averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Lyon usually gets less rain in October than Amalfi. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Amalfi in the Winter?

Both Amalfi and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lyon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Amalfi for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lyon can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Lyon is generally much colder than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 4°C (39°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during winter. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. In January, Lyon usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lyon or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Lyon during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Lyon is cooler than Amalfi in the spring. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets less rain in April than Amalfi. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Lyon