France · 2026 itinerary
Lyon 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Lyon: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
Hidden Renaissance passageways connecting courtyards through the old town. Many are free to walk through.
🕐 Most open daily 7am-10pm (some private)
Free entry💡 The traboule at 54 Rue Saint-Jean is public and less touristy than the one at 27 Rue du Bœuf.
Hotels near Traboules du Vieux Lyon →Renaissance quarter with cobbled streets, traboules (hidden passageways), and medieval architecture. Mostly free to wander.
🕐 Accessible 24/7
Free entry💡 Use the free 'Traboules & Co' map from the tourist office to find the best passageways. Avoid the main Rue Saint-Jean on weekends—too crowded. Head to Rue du Bœuf instead.
Hotels near Vieux Lyon (Old Town) →Comptoir des Marronniers · ££
Le Voxx · ££
Deeper Into Lyon
Lyon's biggest public park with a large lake, free zoo, botanical gardens, and plenty of space to stroll or picnic.
🕐 Daily 6:30am-10:30pm (closes earlier in winter)
💡 Arrive early on weekend mornings to snag a free pedal boat on the lake before queues build.
Europe's largest outdoor fresco, a trompe-l'œil mural depicting the silk-weaving history of the Croix-Rousse district.
🕐 Always visible
💡 Look slightly right of the main mural — there's a smaller hidden tribute to local resistance fighters from WWII.
Lyon's largest urban park, with a lake, botanical garden, zoo, and rose garden. Good for a full afternoon stroll or picnic.
🕐 6:30am to 10:30pm daily (closes earlier in winter)
💡 The free zoo opens at 9am but the main gates don't unlock until 6:30am. Best visited on a weekday morning when it's quiet.
One of France's largest fine arts museums, housed in a former abbey. Permanent collection strong on Italian and French works.
🕐 Wed-Mon 10am-6pm (closed Tue)
💡 Free entry on the first Friday of each month from 6pm — arrive by 5:30pm to avoid the queue.
La Terrasse
Restaurant Léon de Lyon
Final Favourites & Departure
Fine arts museum in a former abbey, with strong collections of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the 14th to 20th centuries.
💡 Free entry on the first Friday of every month after 6pm. The inner courtyard garden is free to visit anytime and is a hidden quiet spot.
Modern museum at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Exhibits cover natural history, anthropology, and science. Striking architecture.
💡 Free entry on the first Thursday of every month after 6pm. The café on the top floor has good views without paying entry.
The Wallace
Le Flan' Ruin Pub
Getting Around Lyon
Buy tickets from the bright blue machines near the tram stop. Keep your ticket for inspection. From Part-Dieu, take Metro line B to Bellecour (10 mins), then walk 5 mins to the hotel.
Useful for short hops from the old town. Tag on with a TCL contactless card or ticket. Get off at 'Jacobins' stop — the hotel is a 3-min walk up Rue du Bât d'Argent.
The hotel is a 7-min walk from Hôtel de Ville station. Use the 'TCL' app for real-time departures. A single ticket is valid for 1 hour on all modes including a transfer.
Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals. Avoid drivers approaching you inside. Pre-book via Allô Taxi Lyon for a fixed rate.
The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Gare de Vaise metro, but if you take bus C14 from Vaise to the 'Saint-Rambert' stop, it drops you right outside.
Not a direct line for the hotel, but useful if you're heading to Part-Dieu or Stade de Gerland. Validate your ticket in the machine onboard before the doors close—fines are €60.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Lyon?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Traboules du Vieux Lyon and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Lyon?
See our full best time to visit Lyon guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Résidence Orfea, Maison Léon Bérard, Boscolo Grand Hôtel. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.