Lyon, France is One of the Best Places to Travels in 2023

Saône River Tristan Deschamps / ONLYLYON Tourisme et Congrès

Paris, who?

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About 250 miles southeast of the French capital lies Lyon, the country’s gastronomic capital and home to about 4,000 restaurants — dozens of them Michelin-rated.

Lyon, France's third-largest city, often gets overlooked by her bigger sister. But after you wander Lyon’s cobblestone streets and riverside docks, eat at her rustic bouchons and learn about her 20-century-old story, you might start to think that Lyon’s neighbor to the north is a bit … overhyped.

Cathédrale Saint-Jean Brice Robert / ONLYLYON Tourisme et Congrès

There are perks to being overlooked, like affordability, relatively speaking. Average roundtrip flights to Lyon run about $1,150, though you can find tickets for hundreds cheaper in the late fall and winter months. Lodging is the true star: The average hotel runs $175 per night.

For $250 a night or less, you’ll find ample splurge-worthy options. On Airbnb, you can snag a two-bedroom apartment with a spacious terrace and views of the Rhône river for just $209. If spas and room service are more your style, chambres at the luxe Hotel Boscolo Lyon, one of the city’s oldest hotels, start at 216 euros (about $230) per night.

Room and board aside, Lyon has other means of spoiling visitors.

Visible from nearly all nooks of the city, Notre-Dame de Fourvière, on its hilltop perch, beckons passersby. Heed that call and kick off your trip to Lyon by taking a free self-guided tour of the basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Then stroll around the footpaths of the Rosary Gardens, which stretch nearly 5,000 feet, and also won’t cost you a cent.

If you're a ski bum, you'll probably want to make time to explore the French Alps — which are a (gorgeous) 2-hour car ride away. If you're a ski bum who also loves to party, Electric Daisy-style, check out Rise Festival, a music festival that takes place on Europe's largest skiable glacier every December.