Lyon in 2 days: what to see day by day
Ready-to-use 2 days itinerary for Lyon: 11 places grouped geographically into walking routes (11 h 55 min of pure visiting time) with opening hours and places to eat along the way.
1 day · 2 days · 3 days · Things to do in Lyon
Open and edit this itinerary on the map (no login)
Day 1 · 6 h 30 min visiting · approx. 2 km walking between stops
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon — 3 h visit. It presents rich art collections from antiquity to the present, including numismatics, unlike the Musée d'Art Contemporain. Hours: Wed,Thu,Sat–Mon 10:00–18:00 · Fri 10:30–18:00.
- Place des Terreaux — 30 min visit (approx. 90 m from previous stop). Surrounded by the city hall and the Museum of Fine Arts, it is famous for the Bartholdi fountain, which distinguishes it from other open squares.
- Opéra de Lyon — 30 min visit (approx. 240 m from previous stop). It features a modern glass roof set on a historic facade, offering opera and ballet, unlike the nearby theater.
- Saint Jean Cathedral — 45 min visit (approx. 1.1 km from previous stop). It stands out with its astronomical clock and a combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles, which cannot be found in Église Saint-Nizier. Hours: Mon–Thu 08:15–19:45 · Fri 08:15–20:45 · Sat 08:15–19:00 · Sun 08:00–19:00.
- Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière — 1 h visit (approx. 410 m from previous stop). From its terraces, a panorama extends to the Alps, and the interior dazzles with unique mosaics and gilding, which nearby ruins do not offer. Hours: Mon–Sat 07:00–20:00 · Sun 07:00–21:00.
- Tour métallique de Fourvière — 45 min visit (approx. 180 m from previous stop). This metal tower, inspired by the Eiffel Tower, offers extensive views of Lyon, but unlike the Basilica, it is a viewpoint.
Where to eat along the route (Day 1)
- Café des Fédérations — Crowded tables and a buzz of conversations create the authentic heart of Lyon's gastronomy, serving classic regional dishes.
- Le Mercière — It embodies the quintessence of a Lyonnaise bouchon, offering simple yet flavorful and traditional dishes in a bustling atmosphere.
Day 2 · 5 h 25 min visiting · approx. 6.5 km walking between stops
- Place Gérard Collomb — 45 min visit. It offers an intimate green space for relaxation and walks, unlike the monumental Parc de la Tête d'Or or the historic Temple de Cybèle.
- Place Bellecour — 30 min visit (approx. 1.7 km from previous stop). It is one of the largest squares in Europe, serving as the central point of Lyon and a meeting place, unlike smaller squares.
- Basilique Saint-Martin d'Ainay — 30 min visit (approx. 570 m from previous stop). It is the only Romanesque basilica in Lyon, surrounded by a green courtyard, providing tranquility in the city center.
- Théâtre Gallo-Romain de Fourvière — 40 min visit (approx. 900 m from previous stop). It offers the opportunity to sit on ancient stone steps of the auditorium with a view of the city, unlike urban squares.
- Parc de la Tête d'Or — 3 h visit (approx. 3.3 km from previous stop). The extensive grounds house gardens, a zoo, a lake, and rose gardens, making it a much larger green oasis than a typical square. Hours: Apr 15–Oct 14 06:30–22:30 · Oct 15–Apr 14 06:30–20:30.
Where to eat along the route (Day 2)
- Le Café du Rhône — This is a classic Lyon café by the Rhône, where one observes the calm flow of the river, unlike the cafés in the city center.
- Anticafé — Unlike traditional cafes, here you pay for time, and coffee, tea, and snacks are available without limits.
Things to do in Lyon — all places with visit times
Other languages: Polski · Deutsch · Français · Español · Italiano · Português · Nederlands · 日本語 · 中文 · 한국어 · العربية