Lyon wears its titles well: France’s second city of culture and the historic capital of gastronomy. Founded by the Romans as Lugdunum, it flourished as a commercial and silk powerhouse, leaving layers of lanes, courtyards, and grand squares to explore. Today, its UNESCO-listed Old Town, vibrant markets, and riverside promenades make a perfect 2-day city break.

Food is the city’s heartbeat. From crispy praline brioche and quenelles de brochet to hearty mâchons in bouchons, you’ll eat your way through local history. Don’t miss the covered market Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, nor the traboules—hidden passageways once used by silk workers that still whisper stories between Renaissance facades.

Practical notes: many museums and bouchons close on Mondays—book ahead for dinners. The Rhônexpress links Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport to the city in about 30 minutes, and the compact metro and tram network (TCL) makes hopping neighborhoods easy. Pack comfy shoes: cobblestones and hilltop viewpoints are Lyon’s daily workout.

Lyon

Lyon is beautifully stitched between two rivers and two hills: the Saône and Rhône; Fourvière and Croix-Rousse. Expect frescoed facades, a skyline crowned by the gleaming Basilique Notre‑Dame de Fourvière, and streets perfumed by roasting chickens and melting Comté.

• Top sights: Vieux Lyon and its traboules, Cathédrale Saint‑Jean, Fourvière Basilica and the Roman theaters, Fresque des Lyonnais, Place Bellecour, Parc de la Tête d’Or, Musée des Confluences.
• Can’t-miss bites: Salade lyonnaise, quenelles with Nantua sauce, cervelle de canut (herbed fromage blanc), saucisson brioché, pink praline tarts, and a glass of Côte-Rôtie or Beaujolais.
• Neighborhood vibes: Vieux Lyon for Renaissance lanes; Presqu’île for shopping and grand squares; Croix‑Rousse for silk-worker history and indie cafés; Confluence for modern architecture and sunset rooftops.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Villa Florentine (Vieux Lyon): Hilltop suites with sweeping views and a pool—perfect for a celebratory weekend.
• Hôtel Victoria Lyon Perrache Confluence (Perrache): Simple, stylish, and handy for river walks and the station.
• Hôtel Lyon Métropole (Saône riverside): Resort-style spa and large pool—ideal if you want wellness time.
• Hotel des Savoies Lyon Perrache (Presqu’île south): Good value base near tram and rivers.
• Aparthotel Adagio Lyon Patio Confluence (Confluence): Apartment-style stays close to La Sucrière and river barges.
• Browse apartments on VRBO (Lyon) for characterful stays—from traboule-side studios to Rhône-view lofts.
• See more hotels on Hotels.com (Lyon).

Getting to Lyon:

• Flights (global): For tickets to Lyon–Saint Exupéry (LYS) from outside Europe, compare on Trip.com (flights) and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstops: London (~1h40), Barcelona (~1h25), Lisbon (~2h10).
• Flights (within Europe): Compare fares and combos via Omio (flights in Europe). Expect €40–€150 for regional carriers depending on dates.
• Trains: Book TGV/TER on Omio (trains). Typical times and advance fares: Paris–Lyon Part‑Dieu ~2h, €29–€79; Geneva–Lyon ~2h, €24–€45; Marseille–Lyon ~1h40, €25–€60. Buses from nearby cities start around €10–€25 via Omio (buses).
• Airport transfer: Rhônexpress tram to Part‑Dieu station ~30 min, about €16–€19 one way. Taxis/ride‑hailing to Presqu’île usually 30–45 min depending on traffic.
• Getting around: TCL metro/tram network is fast; a 24‑hour pass is roughly €6–€7. Velo’v bike share offers day passes (~€3–€5) with plenty of riverside lanes.

Day 1: Arrival, Vieux Lyon’s Traboules, and a Bouchon Evening

Morning: Travel to Lyon. If you’re coming from Paris or Geneva, the train is quickest—about 2 hours via Omio (trains). Flyers from farther afield can compare global options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Drop your bags and grab a pick‑me‑up at Mokxa (specialty roaster by Place Sathonay) or Slake Coffee (creative pastries and flat whites).

Afternoon: Dive into Vieux Lyon. Start at Cathédrale Saint‑Jean, then slip through traboules—secret passages weaving courtyards and staircases once vital to the silk trade. Ride the funicular to Fourvière for sweeping views and a peek at the Roman theaters, then descend on foot via Jardin du Rosaire for photogenic terraces.

For deeper context, consider this excellent private walk:

Lyon UNESCO: Private walking tour

Expect hidden traboules, Renaissance details you’d otherwise miss, and neighborhood lore—ideal for first‑timers and photographers.

Evening: Two delicious paths:

• Bouchon dinner: Book ahead at Daniel & Denise (classic fare from Meilleur Ouvrier de France chef Joseph Viola—try the pâté en croûte and quenelles), Le Bouchon des Filles (lighter, produce‑driven take on bouchon tradition), Café Comptoir Abel (wood‑paneled time capsule), or Brasserie Georges (since 1836; choucroute and seafood platters near Perrache). Vegetarians: Culina Hortus serves refined, seasonal plates and is one of France’s standout veggie addresses.
• Guided tasting stroll: Join this evening foodie ramble through Old Town for a progressive dinner with stories in every bite: Lyon Sunset Food Tour – A Full Taste of France by Do Eat Better.

Nightcap options: sip Rhône Valley wines at La Cave d’à Côté (intimate, by‑the‑glass gems) or head to Confluence’s rooftop Le Sucre for skyline views and DJ sets on weekends. For something quintessentially Lyon, try a barges‑bar (péniche) moored on the Rhône for breezy river scenes.

Day 2: Bikes, Markets, and Riverbanks (Departure in the Afternoon)

Morning: Start with a praluline (buttery brioche studded with pink pralines) from Pralus or a warm slice of tarte à la praline at Boulangerie du Palais. Then cover major sights efficiently on two wheels with this small‑group ride that strings together Old Town, the Rhône quays, and Parc de la Tête d’Or’s lakeside paths:

2h - Electric Bike Tour of Lyon with a Local Guide

Prefer a slower pace? Stroll to the Fresque des Lyonnais mural, browse Rue de la République’s Belle Époque storefronts, and linger by the fountains of Place des Jacobins.

Afternoon (pre‑departure): Make lunch a movable feast at Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. Pull up a stool at Charcuterie Sibilia (rosette and Jésus de Lyon), Maison Cellerier (cheeses like Saint‑Marcellin and Bleu de Bresse), Coquillages Reynaud (oysters and bulots), and Maison Pozzoli (artisanal breads). Pair it with a glass of Beaujolais or a Northern Rhône Syrah and call it the ultimate Lyonnais send‑off.

With an extra hour or two, choose a quick overview or one last tasting:

• Lyon Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Audio Commentary for flexible, photo‑stop sightseeing between Presqu’île, Fourvière, and Confluence.

• Or keep it hyper‑local with a guided sip session downtown: Taste Wine in Lyon: Burgundy, Beaujolais, Rhône, and more—no driving, just expert‑led pours.

Head to the airport via Rhônexpress (~30 minutes) or roll your bag to Part‑Dieu/Perrache for trains booked on Omio. If you’re Europe‑hopping, check buses on Omio; transcontinental flyers can compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

If you extend your stay: Day‑trip north to Beaujolais’s “Pierres Dorées” villages and family domaines, or east to Annecy’s lake and canals. Museum lovers can add the Musée des Confluences (futuristic anthropology and science exhibits) or Lugdunum (Roman Lyon) next to the ancient theaters.

In two days, Lyon reveals its best: buttery pastries and market‑fresh cheeses, hillside viewpoints and riverside sunsets, Renaissance lanes and modern design. You’ll leave with pink‑praline crumbs on your jacket and a vow to return for a longer sip of Rhône Valley life.