5 best things to do in Lyon
The essentials of Lyon with the booking notes that actually matter — which tickets sell out, which slots are quietest, which formats reward the advance purchase. Every booking happens with the provider you choose.
Browse all Lyon activities
Attractions, tours, day trips and transport passes from major providers — instant mobile tickets.
The Lyon shortlist
- Vieux Lyon Renaissance quarter walk — the traboules (hidden passages) need a guide or a good map — they're unmarked.
- Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière — free entry; the funicular from Vieux Lyon beats the hill climb.
- Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse — the food-market temple; go hungry at a mid-morning slot before coach groups.
- Gallo-Roman theatres of Fourvière — free entry to the oldest Roman theatres in France.
- Musée des Confluences — the science-and-civilisations museum in the deconstructivist confluence building.
Flying in, Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) serves the city — attraction districts sit 30–60 minutes away at typical city speeds.
Compare Lyon activity providers
- Klook — Lyon activities — the widest catalogue, instant QR tickets, strong on transport passes and day trips.
- KKday — Lyon experiences — local-led formats and small-group tours.
- Tiqets — museums and landmarks with instant mobile entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Lyon?
Vieux Lyon Renaissance quarter walk — the traboules (hidden passages) need a guide or a good map — they're unmarked. Start there, then build the itinerary around it.
Do I need to book Lyon attractions in advance?
The headline attractions reward advance booking — timed-entry systems and quota tickets mean walk-up availability is worst exactly when you want to visit. Everything on this page links to providers showing live availability.
How many days do you need in Lyon?
Three to four days covers the shortlist above at a humane pace for a first visit; add days for the day-trip formats rather than compressing the city itself.
Is a city pass worth it in Lyon?
Run the arithmetic honestly: a pass wins when you would genuinely visit three-plus ticketed attractions in its window. Our provider links show pass options side by side with single tickets — compare before committing.