Where to stay in Lyon: best areas and neighborhoods
Open IndexLyon is divided into three large areas: the Presqu'Ile, the peninsula between the two rivers Rhône and Saône, which hosts the central district of Place Bellecour; Croix-Rousse, the hill famous for its historic silk workshops; and Fourvière, the hill overlooking the city centre and named after the Basilica of the same name.
From an administrative point of view, it has 9 arrondissements and the ones of major tourist interest are II, IV, V, and VII arrondissements. Here is everything you need to know about where to sleep in Lyon: the best areas to look for accommodation based on your needs.
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In a hurry? Here's our recommended accommodation
| Category | Recommended accommodation |
|---|---|
| 👑 5-star / luxury | Villa Maïa |
| 🛎️ B&b & mid-range | Republik Hotel |
| 🎒 Hostel and low-cost | Pilo Lyon |
| 🏡 Vacation rental / apartments | Citadines Presqu'île |
Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay
Foto di Travel365.
| Target | Area | Rates from |
|---|---|---|
| Stay on a budget | La Guillotière | €50,00 |
| Families | Fourvière | €100,00 |
| Vieux Lyon | €90,00 | |
| Place Bellecour | €80,00 | |
| Young | La Confluence | €70,00 |
| La Croix-Rousse | €70,00 | |
| La Guillotière | €50,00 |
not recommended areas: the areas to avoid are the 8th and 9th arrondissements and the nearby commune of Villeurbanne. In the 9th district, it's better to avoid the neighbourhoods of Vergoin, Vaise, Gorge de Loup, Montriboud, and Duchère for safety reasons. For a simple tourist visit, you won't have a reason to go all the way there.
Certainly, during a first trip to Lyon, the best neighbourhoods to stay in are Vieux Lyon and Place Bellecour, the most central ones and from which it's easier to move around and reach the various attractions scattered throughout the city. Obviously, they are also among the most expensive districts. The third large neighbourhood is the quiet area of Fourvière, the hill that overlooks the centre of Lyon from above.
If you're looking for nightlife and entertainment, head to La Confluence, La Croix-Rousse, and La Guillotière. These districts are the most lively: the first is located at the tip of the peninsula surrounded by the two rivers, the second is a district with a bohemian atmosphere, with clubs, shops housed in former factories, and a unique atmosphere. Finally, La Guillotière is also an excellent neighbourhood for saving money; it is the multicultural area.
Best accommodation: we have selected the best hotels, b&b, and hostels in Lyon. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
Fourvière (V arrondissement)
- Pros: Quiet, green, great views, historical sites, ideal for families
- Cons: Hilly, can be expensive, requires Funiculaire or bus for easy access
- Main attractions: Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Gallo Roman Theatre, Passerelle des Quatre Vents
- Average prices: from €100,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
Fourvière is the neighbourhood that develops on the hill of the same name and overlooks the entire centre of Lyon. The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière stands here, competing for the title of the city's most important religious building with Lyon Cathedral, located instead at the foot of the hill in the Vieux Lyon district. The neighbourhood hosts other important attractions, such as the Gallo Roman Theatre and the Passerelle des Quatre Vents.
It is a quiet neighbourhood surrounded by greenery, therefore ideal for families and those seeking tranquility. Among gardens, villas, spectacular views of the surroundings, and an old-world atmosphere, Fourvière is obviously also one of the most expensive areas of the city.
Being on a hill, it might be tiring to always move around on foot. To reach the top, the funicular is active, the Funiculaire de Lyon, which starts from Vieux Lyon and leads up to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Alternatively, you can move around by bus.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from €100,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Vieux Lyon (V arrondissement)
- Pros: Historic atmosphere, traditional restaurants, walkable, ideal for first-timers
- Cons: Can be touristy, less intense nightlife
- Main attractions: Lyon Cathedral, Rue du Boeuf, Traboules
- Average prices: from €90,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
Vieux Lyon corresponds to Old Lyon, the district that develops at the base of the Fourvière hill. It is an area where you feel like you've stepped back in time, among workshops and traditional restaurants. It also hosts important attractions: from Lyon Cathedral to the ancient Rue du Boeuf, a street lined with artisan shops. But that's not all: here you will find the traboules, characteristic covered passages of the city.
The neighbourhood is ideal for those visiting Lyon for the first time. It is certainly recommended mainly for those seeking a quiet atmosphere: restaurants and bars are not lacking, but they certainly do not attract a clientele looking for wild nightlife, but rather those who prefer to spend the evening having a glass of wine with company.
Staying here allows you to move around on foot: crossing the Passerelle du Palais-de-Justice bridge, you will reach Place de la République in a few minutes, crossing the Bonaparte Bridge, you will arrive at Place Bellecour. The area is also served by Lyon Saint Paul railway station.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from €90,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Bellecour (II arrondissement)
- Pros: Very central, walkable, close to major attractions, elegant atmosphere, ideal for first-timers
- Cons: Can be expensive, less intense nightlife compared to other areas
- Main attractions: Place des Terreaux, Place Bellecour, Palais de la Bourse, Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, Hôtel de Ville
- Average prices: from €80,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
Bellecour is one of the best areas to sleep in Lyon, especially for its location. It is located on the Presqu'île peninsula, surrounded by the Rhône and Saône rivers. The district develops from Place des Terreaux to Place Bellecour and hosts some of the city's most important attractions. Besides the two squares, nearby you will find the Palais de la Bourse, the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, and the Hôtel de Ville.
This is also an ideal neighbourhood for those staying in Lyon for the first time. Elegant, full of restaurants and bars, it doesn't offer much nightlife compared to other areas, however, you will find activity around the main squares.
Staying here allows you to primarily move around on foot: Place des Terreaux and Place Bellecour are about a 15-minute walk apart, and within this distance, you will find numerous attractions. The area is also served by metro line A, which runs through the entire district.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from €80,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
La Croix-Rousse (IV arrondissement)
- Pros: Artistic and bohemian atmosphere, lively, good for young travellers and nightlife, unique shops and bars
- Cons: Requires metro or bus to reach some central attractions, hilly
- Main attractions: Maison des Canuts museum, Mur Des Canuts mural, silk workshop heritage
- Average prices: from €70,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
La Croix-Rousse is one of the northern districts of Lyon and is the area where silk factories were once located. Today these structures have been restored and house clubs, shops, and even museums, as in the case of the Maison des Canuts museum. The neighbourhood is also decorated with wonderful murals, real open-air works of art! One of the most beautiful is Le Mur Des Canuts, known as "The Wall of the Lyonnais".
Croix-Rousse is a lively area with an artistic and bohemian atmosphere, which is why it is ideal especially for young people and those looking for some nightlife. There is no shortage of places, from brasseries to cafes, from live music venues to pubs.
Staying here means you will need to move around on foot and by public transport. The district is located in the north and to reach certain attractions it is necessary to use the metro: Place Bellecour is about a 30-minute walk away, 15 minutes by metro from Croix-Rousse station.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from €70,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
La Confluence (II arrondissement)
- Pros: Modern architecture, cultural hub, vibrant and artistic atmosphere, trendy nightlife, good for young travellers
- Cons: Requires public transport to reach central attractions, not as traditional
- Main attractions: Musée des Confluences, modern architecture, trendy bars and clubs
- Average prices: from €70,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
Confluence is the neighbourhood located at the tip of the peninsula, so called because the Rhône and Saône rivers converge here. It is a post-industrial area, completely redeveloped and modernized, becoming a reference point for art and architecture. Here you will find the Musée des Confluences, a true masterpiece of avant-garde architecture.
Cultural centers, art, exhibitions, and redeveloped areas, this neighbourhood has an artistic and vibrant soul and for this reason, it is especially recommended for young people who are perhaps looking for trendy nightlife: in addition to bars and breweries, here you will also find the Azar Club nightclub, for dancing all night.
Given its location, you will need to use public transport to get around. The neighbourhood is served by tram lines T1 and T2 and Lyon-Perrache Gare Routière railway station.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from €70,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
La Guillotièr (VII arrondissement)
- Pros: Multicultural, young and lively atmosphere, affordable prices, good nightlife
- Cons: Fewer main tourist attractions within the neighbourhood
- Main attractions: Universities (Université Lumière Lyon 2, Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3), diverse restaurants
- Average prices: from €50,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
Finally, we recommend La Guillotière, Lyon's multicultural and university district. Here, in fact, are the headquarters of the Université Lumière Lyon 2 and the Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3. There are no particular attractions, but the neighbourhood has a young and lively soul, thanks also to the presence of different communities and restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world.
Given these characteristics, the neighbourhood is especially recommended for young people, also thanks to the lively nightlife and numerous bars. But that's not all: it is a good area to stay in to save money. Prices here are lower than in the historic centre.
Staying here allows you to move around on foot or by public transport. Crossing the Pont de la Guillotière, you will reach Place Bellecour in a few minutes on foot, while for other areas it is better to use the metro. The neighbourhood is served by the green line D.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from €50,00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking
Places to stay near Lyon
The best solution, especially if you are spending just a few days in Lyon, is to stay in the city, without unnecessary travel. As we have seen, the neighbourhoods are varied, the tourist offer is high, and you can find different alternatives and solutions suitable for all needs and budgets.
Lyon is also a fairly spread-out city, with attractions scattered throughout the different districts, so you will already be partly obliged to use public transport within the city. If you want to stay outside, you will have to use the train to get back to the centre or have a rental car, but driving through the streets of Lyon is certainly not recommended, also due to parking issues.
Lyon accommodation price map
Travel Tips
- Utilize Lyon's efficient public transport system, including metro, tram, and bus.
- Consider purchasing a Lyon City Card for free public transport and entry to many attractions.
- Explore the historic traboules in Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse, but be mindful that some are through private buildings.
- Try the local Lyonnaise cuisine in a traditional "bouchon".
- Wear comfortable shoes, especially when exploring the hilly areas of Fourvière and Croix-Rousse.
- Visit the city during the Fête des Lumières in December for a spectacular light festival (book accommodation well in advance).
- Learn a few basic French phrases; while many people in tourist areas speak some English, knowing some French is appreciated.
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