Lyon in 3 days: what to see day by day
Ready-to-use 3 days itinerary for Lyon: 14 places grouped geographically into walking routes (17 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
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Day 1 · 6 h 15 min visiting · approx. 1.9 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.
- Église Saint-Nizier — 45 min visit (approx. 410 m from previous stop). Before the entrance, intricately carved portals invite you into the Gothic interior, unlike the simple facades of some basilicas.
- Saint Jean Cathedral — 45 min visit (approx. 660 m 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.
- Tour métallique de Fourvière — 45 min visit (approx. 530 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 40 min visiting · approx. 3.1 km walking between stops
- Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière — 1 h visit. 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.
- Lugdunum Musée et Théâtres Romains — 2 h visit (approx. 280 m from previous stop). It combines a museum of Roman history with adjacent, perfectly preserved theaters, offering a comprehensive archaeological experience. Hours: Tue–Fri 11:00–18:00 · Sat–Sun 10:00–18:00.
- Théâtre Gallo-Romain de Fourvière — 40 min visit (approx. 80 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.
- Odéon — 45 min visit (approx. 120 m from previous stop). Its ancient stones, touched by the setting sun, combine history with the city panorama, offering a unique spectacle.
- Place Bellecour — 30 min visit (approx. 970 m 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.
- Place Gérard Collomb — 45 min visit (approx. 1.7 km from previous stop). 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.
Where to eat along the route (Day 2)
- Les Terrasses de Lyon — Exquisite cuisine tastes different when accompanied by a panoramic view of illuminated Lyon, unavailable in ground-floor restaurants.
- Anticafé — Unlike traditional cafes, here you pay for time, and coffee, tea, and snacks are available without limits.
Day 3 · 6 h visiting · approx. 5.8 km walking between stops
- Parc de la Tête d'Or — 3 h visit. 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.
- Musée des Confluences — 3 h visit (approx. 5.8 km from previous stop). Futuristic architecture and interactive exhibitions on natural sciences and anthropology set it apart from traditional art or history museums. Hours: Tue–Sun 10:30–18:30.
Where to eat along the route (Day 3)
- La Cocagne — From the entrance, you are enveloped by the warm scent of slow-cooked dishes and broths, offering an authentic bouchon experience.
- 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.
Things to do in Lyon — all places with visit times
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