When we first started planning our trip, the biggest question on our minds was: where to stay in Lyon? Since Lyon is known for being perfectly walkable, choosing the right neighborhood really sets the tone for your whole experience.
Instead of just giving you a list of districts, we want to share the vibe of the four best areas where you can stay, based on what you want to see, eat, and feel while you’re here. Whether you’re a first-timer, a foodie, or a budget-conscious traveler, our guide will help you decide where to stay in Lyon to make your visit unforgettable.
👉 Currently planning your days in Lyon? Here are the 11 Unforgettable Things You Must Do When in Lyon!
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Best Places to Stay in Lyon
Just want a quick answer? Here are our top hotels (best rated):
- 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – LOGE DE L’OPERA (beautiful apartments in a perfect location and our personal pick!)
- 💎 Best Luxury – InterContinental Lyon
- 👪 Best for Families – Host inn Lyon (big apartments in the historical center)
- 🛎️ Best Boutique – Hôtel de l’Abbaye Lyon
- 🛏️ Best Budget – Cozy 1BR in Lyon Center
- 💕 Best For Couples – La Loge Du Vieux Lyon (cute studios and apartments in a perfect location)
Next up, we will do a deep dive into the best areas and neighborhoods in Lyon:
La Presqu’île: The Heart of the Action
This is the long, skinny peninsula nestled between the Rhône and Saône rivers, and for us, it’s the best answer to where to stay in Lyon if it’s your first time visiting.
Vibe:
Elegant, lively, and undeniably central. Think beautiful Haussmannian buildings, grand squares like Place Bellecour, and streets packed with high-end shops and classic bistros. It feels sophisticated and very French.
Who It’s For:
First-time visitors, shoppers, couples who want convenience, and anyone who wants to walk to almost every major site.
Why We Loved It:
You are at the absolute epicenter. Everything – museums, the opera, the best shopping streets, and bridges to the Old Town – is right outside your door. The transport links are fantastic, making it easy to reach the airport or the train station from where you stay in Lyon.
What to Expect:
This is a prime location, so accommodation here tends to be the most expensive. Because it’s so central, some parts can be noisy, but you are paying for unparalleled access.
La Presqu’île Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for First-time visitors
✨ Best Hotels – Le panorama, InterContinental, MOHOM – Bellecour, LOGE DE L’OPERA, Le Boudoir, Bayard Bellecour
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Apartments in La Presqu’île
🍽️ Where to Eat – Carmelo (Italian), Bouchon Tupin (French), Garden Bistro (French), LE F2 Restaurant (French), LyBeyrouth (Lebanese)
🍸 Where to Drink – Le Grisbi, Vivants, Pompette
🎟️ Top Attractions – Palais de la Bourse de Lyon, Science Expériences Lyon, Fontaine des Jacobins, Place de la République, Place Saint-Nizier, Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon, Basilique Saint-Bonaventure de Lyon, Fresco “The library of the city”, Passerelle Pierre-Truche, Pont Bonaparte, Célestins – Théâtre de Lyon
Vieux Lyon (Old Town): The Romantic History Hub
Crossing the Saône River from La Presqu’île immediately transports you to this stunning UNESCO World Heritage site. If you ask locals where to stay in Lyon for pure charm, many will point here.
Vibe:
Utterly charming, intimate, and medieval. It’s a maze of cobblestone streets, colorful Renaissance façades, and hidden traboules (secret passageways). It truly feels like stepping back in time.
Who It’s For:
History lovers, couples looking for romance, and foodies who want immediate access to traditional bouchons (Lyonnais restaurants).
Why We Loved It:
Staying here feels magical, especially at night when the streets are quieter and the architecture is beautifully lit. Being able to walk out and instantly find a traboule or the Miniature and Cinema Museum was fantastic.
What to Expect:
The charm comes with a few trade-offs: the streets can be crowded with tourists during the day, and noise can carry easily. Also, those beautiful cobblestones demand comfy shoes! Limited parking means it’s less ideal if you have a car.
Vieux Lyon (Old Town) Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for History lovers, couples, foodies
✨ Best Hotels – Académie Hôtel Lyon, Cour des Loges Lyon, MiHotel Tour Rose, Les Balcons de Guignol, La Loge Du Vieux Lyon, Le Jardin Suspendu
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Apartments in Vieux Lyon
🍽️ Where to Eat – Le Vieux Lyon (French), Carré Jardin (Vegetarian), Le Bœuf d’Argent (French), Fiston – Bouchon Lyonnais (French), Brasserie Gabriel (French)
🍸 Where to Drink – Big Easy, Le Florian, Berthom Old Lyon
🎟️ Top Attractions – Musée des arts de la marionnette – Gadagne, Musée Cinéma et Miniature, Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Jardin Archéologique, Traboules du Vieux Lyon, Pont de la Feuillée, Temple du Change, La Longue Traboule, Église Saint-Georges de Lyon
La Croix-Rousse: The Bohemian Village on the Hill
Set high on the plateau north of the center, the Croix-Rousse district – the “hill that works” – offers a distinct, bohemian atmosphere that feels more like a self-contained village than a city district.
Vibe:
Arty, local, and slightly rebellious. This was historically the home of the Canuts (silk workers), and you can still see the unique, high-ceilinged apartments they lived in. It’s relaxed, full of independent designers, and boasts a great daily market.
Who It’s For:
Budget-conscious travelers, repeat visitors, those who prefer an authentic local experience, and artists/creatives.
Why We Loved It:
It offers spectacular, high-up views of the city, and you truly feel separated from the tourist crowds. It’s perfect for living like a local and enjoying quieter evenings after a busy day exploring.
What to Expect:
You are on a hill, so expect to walk up steep slopes or take the metro/funicular regularly. While accommodation is often more affordable than La Presqu’île, you are slightly further from the main tourist attractions.
La Croix-Rousse Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Budget-conscious travelers
✨ Best Hotels – Le Canut Duviard, La petite Maison, Le Jardin croix Roussien, Le Croix Rousse Jacquard, Chambre 20 m2
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Apartments in La Croix-Rousse
🍽️ Where to Eat – La Familie (French), Restaurant Piedra (French), La Mère Brazier (Fine Dining), FabioeAnto (Italian), Restaurant OPALINE (French)
🍸 Where to Drink – Le Vitis Bar, Abstract, Dr. Yeast
🎟️ Top Attractions – Amphitheater of the Three Gauls, Mur des Tapis, La Maison des Canuts, Mur des Canuts, Bartholdi Fountain, Parc de la Cerisaie, Traboule et Cour des Voraces, Association Soierie Vivante, Jardin Rosa Mir, Church of Saint-Bruno des Chartreux
Part-Dieu: Modern Convenience and Food Hall Glory
Located on the East bank of the Rhône, Part-Dieu is primarily Lyon’s business and transportation hub, centered around the main train station and a large shopping mall.
Vibe:
Modern, busy, and efficient. It’s characterized by contemporary skyscrapers and quick-paced energy. While not as picturesque as Old Town, it’s undeniably practical.
Who It’s For:
Travelers arriving/departing by train, business visitors, and extreme food lovers who want easy access to the famous Les Halles Paul Bocuse food market.
Why We Loved It:
Convenience is key here. If you have an early train or want quick access to regional transport, this is an excellent choice for where to stay in Lyon. Plus, spending a morning at Les Halles is a must!
What to Expect:
It lacks the old-world charm of the other areas and can feel soulless after dark. It’s purely functional, but the transport connections are unbeatable.
Part-Dieu Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Travelers arriving/departing by train
✨ Best Hotels – Pullman Lyon, At home in Lyon, Radisson Blu Hotel, Studio BEL MOD Mont d’Or, Mercure Lyon Centre, Campanile PRIME
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Apartments in Part-Dieu
🍽️ Where to Eat – Petit Ogre (French), L’Osteria Lyon La Part-Dieu (Italian), Agastache Restaurant (French), Les saveurs du Bistrot (French), Restaurant Décalé (French)
🍸 Where to Drink – L’Artchimiste, La Kave Maltée (Beer Hall), Pineapple Room
🎟️ Top Attractions (not really an area with attractions) – Musée des Moulages, The LEGO® Store
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Lyon
Ultimately, the best decision about where to stay in Lyon depends entirely on your travel style. For your first visit, we recommend the Presqu’île for its central location and easy access. If romance and history call to you, you must stay in Vieux Lyon.
No matter which area you choose, Lyon’s excellent public transport means you’re never more than a quick metro ride away from exploring the rest of this fantastic city!
