The 5 Best Hostels in Lyon

ho36 Opéra is a charming hostel situated just a stone’s throw away from the Place des Terreaux, the most iconic square in Lyon. The hostel offers a range of comfortable small or family-size bedrooms and is ideal for people travelling on a budget. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise, too, as the hostel boasts its very own trendy bar. There’s also an interior patio, filled with pot plants, wicker chairs and fairy lights, making it a great place to hang out with other guests. ho36 Opéra is just a 10-minute walk from the historic district of the city, where the Lyon Museum of Fine Arts is located.

Alter’hostel is a friendly place to stay and is nestled on the banks of the beautiful Saône River. If you want to take a ride on the Vaporetto, the only bus-boat in the city, or enjoy a relaxing waterside stroll, then you only have to step outside. There’s a whole range of cultural and festive events organised by the hostel, too, to encourage guests to mingle and make new friends. There’s also the option to rent a bike or kayak, which is a rare treat in Lyon – kayaking is a great way to explore the river. Alter’hostel is particularly good for travellers who are conscious about reducing their ecological footprint, as the hostel takes pride in their environmentally friendly toilets and rainwater is reused on the premises.

Le Flâneur Guesthouse is a fabulous hostel with 11 rooms on offer and an on-site bar. The space is perfect for street art enthusiasts as the flower-bedecked garage, the outdoor patio and even the vibrant interiors are spruced up with tasteful graffiti. There’s plenty of unique, nerdy quirks to be discovered, too, as the decor includes a Doctor Who TARDIS and a sofa plastered with geographical maps, helping you find your next travel inspiration before you’ve even finished in Lyon. Le Flâneur Guesthouse is located in the 7th arrondissement of the city in the bustling district of la Guillotière and has a range of restaurants and bars nearby.

Situated in a gorgeous 19th-century building, Away Hostel & Coffee Shop offers 22 impeccably clean rooms, including mixed dormitories with single-gender bathrooms. What’s special about this hostel is the eclectic programme of events that are organised on a daily basis to keep guests busy. This includes a fascinating range of city tours, which are perfect if you fancy exploring Lyon with a local guide. Or, if you prefer to stay inside, then you can join a relaxing yoga class organised in the hostel itself. Away Hostel & Coffee Shop is conveniently located right in the heart of Lyon, just a six-minute walk from major sights, such as the Lyon Opera, Terreaux Square and Lyon Museum of Fine Arts.

SLO living hostel has mastered the art of slow living in the sense that its spacious, pretty rooms and outdoor garden are well suited for unwinding after a hard day’s sightseeing. At the same time, SLO living is one of the liveliest, most animated hostels on this list. With no fewer than 40 guest rooms on offer, the place is always bustling with new arrivals. There are often parties taking place on the outside patio, too, so it’s perfect for people who like to socialise without having to stray too far from home. As for the neighbourhood, the hostel is located close to Bellecour Square, the Textile Museum of Lyon and Saint-Jean Cathedral, the awe-inspiring Roman Catholic church that commands impressive views across the cobbled streets of Old Lyon.