Best Tours in Lyon

There is truly a lot to see and do in Lyon, from wine tastings and gastronomic tours, guided electric bike rides, nature tours or even bike cab rides through the streets, Lyon has it all to have a great time.

Known for being one of the largest cities in France, after Paris, Lyon dazzles its visitors with a unique charm. Discover all the options you have to do in the city in this article, in which I have gathered for you the best tours and walks in Lyon that you can't miss for anything.

Enjoy a guided walk through the center of one of the most beautiful and emblematic cities in France. Considered the capital of French gastronomy, Lyon will leave you speechless. In a tour of about 3 hours you will visit the main monuments and the most emblematic corners of the city, while a specialized local guide tells you all the historical details that have made Lyon one of the most visited places in France.

In addition to the walking tour, you will have the opportunity to ride the Fourviere Hill funicular, a perfect way to get in tune with the city and enjoy a ride on this traditional local vehicle. This is definitely one of the best things to do with kids in Lyon, as they love this funicular adventure. Take the opportunity to take some photos of the city from the top.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 34 euros per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours in total.
• Means of transport: walking tour and ascent by traditional funicular.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know one of the most classic transports of the city of Lyon.
• Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for people with reduced mobility or wheelchairs.

Always one of the best ways to get to know a city is aboard a tourist bus. Thanks to the Hop on-Hop off mode, you can get off the bus as many times as you want, travel at your own pace, and get back on at any of the stops along the route.

The best tourist buses in Lyon have an audio guide in your language, so you can get to know places like the Place des Jacobins, the Musée des Confluences, the Passerelle Palais de Justice, the Parc des Hauteurs and much more. This route has 14 different stops, close to the main attractions of the city.

As it has no roof, the bus is perfect for taking 360° photos of the city. Please note that the bus pass is 24 hours long. Don't miss this experience, as it is one of the most chosen by travelers.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 16 euros per person.
• Duration: depends on each traveler, as you can get off at the stops and explore at your own pace. The total route on board the bus lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• Means of transport: open top tourist bus.
• Advantages of this option: 360° views of the entire city and the possibility of touring at your own pace.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not have a guide in person, and does not include any refreshments.

Make the most of the city with a sensational guided tour on a modern electric bike. If you like adventure, I must tell you that this option is for you. You will have the opportunity to visit parts of the Hill and the Croix-Rousse neighborhood, nooks and crannies of the city center, you will see the most representative of the local street art, the classic traboules and countless other places.

This is one of the best bike tours in Lyon, as it also includes the possibility of tasting some of the gastronomy of the region. You can taste cheeses and sausages, accompanied by a glass of local wine.

This is a unique experience that you can not miss during your stay in Lyon. Moreover, as it is an electric bike, you don't have to be in great physical shape, since you choose when to pedal and when not to.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 63 euros per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours in total.
• Means of transport: electric bicycle tour.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to access places that are normally left out of traditional tours.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include pick up and return to your accommodation.

This is a guided tour of the city of Lyon of just an hour and a half through the highlights of the city center. You will get to see Vieux Lyon (the old city center), and places like the Tête d'Or park and all the beauty of the Rhône.

While the tour does not include tastings or refreshments of any kind, it does offer the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll through the city with a local guide who will show you all the highlights of Lyon. Groups are usually small, of no more than 10 travelers, so it is highly recommended to do it even with children, as the walk becomes most enjoyable.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 39 euros per person.
• Duration: between 90 minutes and 2 hours, in total.
• Means of transport: electric bicycle.
• Advantages of this option: the bike is fully equipped, you will not have to worry about anything. You can even request a child seat.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not include gastronomic tastings or wine tasting.

If you are passionate about the culinary universe, you can't miss one of the best gastronomic tours in Lyon. On this opportunity, you will be able to savor a Lyon lunch and visit some of the local gastronomic markets.

Groups do not exceed 12 travelers, making it a very intimate experience. In addition, with a specialized local guide, you will get to know in detail anecdotes and places linked to the culinary pleasure. With this 4-hour excursion you will have the opportunity to discover why Lyon is considered the capital of French gastronomy.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €87 per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours in total.
• Means of transport: this is a walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to savor the local gastronomy and taste exquisite wines in a small and intimate group.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not include pick-up and return to your place of accommodation.

An ideal tour for lovers of fine French wine. In this opportunity you can live a first class experience in the house of a specialized sommelier. This is a 3-hour wine tasting for very small groups of no more than 6 or 7 people. You will be able to taste wines produced in the area, from Beaujolais, Burgundy and those of the Northern Rhône.

One of the best wine tours in Lyon, as it includes tastings of cheeses, cured meats and traditional French baguettes. A must-do activity if you are eager to learn a little more about the wines of France and how to taste them.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €226 per traveler.
• Duration: about 3 hours in total.
• Means of transport: the activity takes place in the sommelier's house, a former 19th century silk factory.
• Advantages of this option: intimate experience that includes drinks and traditional food.
• Disadvantages of this option: not recommended for children.

Croix-Rousse is one of the most beautiful areas of the city of Lyon and one of those with the most stories to tell. On this one and a half hour tour you can discover all about Croix-Rousse's past, the silk trade and the revolts in the 19th century. This is a storytelling tour, where your guide will tell you stories as you wander the traboules and its quaint little streets.

Known for its rich textile heritage and vibrant artistic life, this neighborhood has attracted artists, artisans and bohemians for centuries. From its narrow cobblestone streets to its beautiful stone buildings, Croix-Rousse is a place that has maintained its authenticity over the years. During the 18th and 19th centuries, this neighborhood was home to thousands of silk workers, and Lyon's textile industry was one of the most important in Europe.

Today, many of the old factories and workshops have been transformed into artists' studios, fashion boutiques and art galleries. You'll also have a chance to see the famous "La fresque des Lyonnais" mural, which is located in Place des Terreaux at the bottom of the Croix-Rousse hill and depicts famous Lyon characters, from Roman to modern, on a huge painted wall.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €20 per traveler.
• Duration: approximately 90 minutes in total.
• Means of transport: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: you will learn about the history of one of Lyon's most famous neighborhoods.
• Disadvantages of this option: not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

This is one of the most original tours in Lyon. You will ride through the streets of Vieux Lyon aboard a bike cab for two people, where your local guide will take you to the most worthwhile places in the city. You will visit, among others, the Place Bellecour, the Place des Terreaux, the Théâtre des Celestins, the Place des Jacobins, the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon and the Longue Traboule.

If this is your first time in Lyon, this is a perfect choice to get in touch with the highlights of the city.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €24 per person.
• Duration: from 1 to 3 hours in total, you can opt for the short or the long tour.
• Means of transport: bicycle cab.
• Advantages of this option: it is a different way of touring the city, ideal for couples, as it can be very romantic.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not include pick up and return to the hotel in the short 1 hour option.

The Musée des Confluences (Musée des Confluences) in Lyon is an impressive museum of natural history, anthropology and science. The building itself is a masterpiece of modern architecture, with a glass and steel structure towering over the confluence of the Rhone and the Saône.

In this museum, dedicated to exploring the relationship between humanity and the natural world, you can enjoy a wide variety of exhibits ranging from the history of the universe to human evolution, biodiversity and culture. The exhibits are designed in an interactive way, allowing you to immerse yourself in the subject in the most complete way.

Among its attractions are an impressive collection of fossils and skeletons, including a 150-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, and a section dedicated to space exploration. There are also exhibits on world cultures, including artifacts and relics from ancient civilizations and indigenous tribes.

This is one of the best things to do in Lyon, hands down, and an amazing place to visit with kids.

Details of interest:

• Price: starting at €9 per person.
• Duration: you can visit the whole museum in 1 hour.
• Means of transport: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to see a complete skeleton of a 150 million year old T-Rex.
• Disadvantages of this option: some exhibits do not allow you to take pictures.

The best way to book this type of tour is always online. First and foremost because you can be sure that you are dealing with a reputable company, plus you save yourself the hassle of having to choose which tour to take at the time. And finally, when you buy your ticket online, you can read the comments and opinions of other travelers who have already taken the tour, and you can find out what their experience was like.

The duration of each tour is different, depending on the tour and the proposed itinerary, but in general they are around 2 to 3 hours on average.

It will depend on the selected tour, but in general this type of excursions propose a walk through the main attractions of the city, its historic center, its traboules, the Croix-Rousse district, and a commentary on the rich past and history of Lyon. It is an incredible place worth seeing. Whether you choose to do it aboard a tour bus, an electric bike, on foot or in a quaint bike cab, Lyon has it all for a luxurious few days.

Here are some tips for your trip to Lyon:

• If you have decided to visit Lyon you have probably already read something about this charming city, if not I invite you to do so, it will greatly enrich your stay.
• It is very important that you choose according to your tastes, and not for what you have been told that you should see in the city. This way you will enjoy an experience tailored to your interests and not those of others.
• Remember to wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as Lyon is a city to walk from end to end, and it is important that you are comfortable at all times.
• Don't forget to check a website to find out what the weather will be like in Lyon during your visit, so you can choose the right clothes and not carry unnecessary coats.

The costs are very diverse, depending on the type of tour you choose. You have options for 12 euros per traveler and authentic gastronomic experiences for 226 euros. There are activities and tours for all budgets.

Because it is a unique city, full of history, with enviable gastronomy and sublime architecture. With a guided tour you can learn all about the places you visit and not miss any detail.