A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Alesund for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Cesis or Alesund?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cesis and Alesund can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cesis

Cesis is a authentic, natural, and traditional town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking.

Alesund

Alesund is a friendly, scenic, and laid back city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cesis and Alesund: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Alesund?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Alesund. Although Cesis and Alesund are popular destinations, Alesund has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alesund is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Cesis attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Alesund is more touristy than Cesis and is known for its nouveau architecture, beautiful views, and access to the fjords. It is also well known for the Art Nouveau Center. Cesis is famous for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Alesund?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Alesund and Cesis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cesis or Alesund?

Alesund is a city with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

Alesund offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Check out the Atlantic Sea-Park and the Sunnmøre Museum. Also visit the small but interesting Fisheries Museum & Ålesund Museum.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cesis or Alesund? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Alesund is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Alesund. As Norway's largest fishing port, you'll find plenty of seafood offerings around town. A favorite is bacalao de noruega (dried and salted clipfish), but also make sure you try the lobster soup.

Cesis may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The town is small so there are a limited number of restaurants to choose from. You'll find some nice cafes and bakeries though where you can enjoy local foods and traditional Latvian dishes.

Is Cesis or Alesund Better for Nightlife?

Alesund is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Alesund has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are plenty of bars around town as well as nightclubs and live music venues.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Cesis The town is small and many travelers visit as a day trip from Riga, so you'll find limited nightlife options around town.

Is Cesis or Alesund Better for its Old Town?

Cesis is a moderate town for its historic old town. However, Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Cesis is a good place to visit the old town. The old town is small but charming and authentic. There are a few unique sites that are worth visiting as well.

Alesund does not have a historic old town.

Is Cesis or Alesund Better for Hiking?

Cesis is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Alesund is not a hiking destination.

Cesis is a good destination for hiking. The town makes the perfect base for exploring the surrounding Gauja National Park, which has many hiking and cycling trails. Two of the most well known hikes are the Baltic Forest Trail and the Camino Latvia, both or which pass through town. There are also shorter day hikes to choose from as well.

Alesund is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Alesund?

Alesund is a city with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Alesund offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of shopping streets around town including the shopping areas in Aspøya, which are known for their homemade souvenirs.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Alesund Better for Families?

Both Cesis and Alesund are nice to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cesis. The Cēsis Medieval Castle has a unique interactive set of tasks and games that the whole family can enjoy. Other fun family-friendly activities around town include adventure parks such as Supervāvere, the camel park of Rakši, and a farmhouse bakery where kids can learn about traditional baking and breadmaking.

Alesund offers lots of family activities. There's an aquarium and several great parks including Tueneset Naturlekeplass, which is near the aquarium. There's also hiking in the area and other outdoor adventures.

Is Cesis or Alesund Better for Couples?

Both Cesis and Alesund are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Cesis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are a number of outdoor activities that adventurous couples can enjoy. The medieval castle is also a unique place to explore.

Alesund is a good town for couples to visit. It's a beautiful setting with spectacular views and fun restaurants. There are many great hikes in the area, and many visitors like to use this town as a base for exploring nearby places.

Is Cesis or Alesund Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis is a popular place for backpackers. However, Alesund is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cesis. Many people visit town as a day trip from Riga, so there are a limited number of hotels and hostels to choose from. If you want to enjoy hiking and the area's natural beauty, it is recommend that you spend more time here.

Alesund is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a limited number of hostels in town so apartments may be the best option for backpackers. It's also hard to get around the region without a car.

Is Cesis or Alesund Better for Students?

Alesund is a city with good options for students. However, Cesis is not popular with students.

Alesund is popular with students. There's a small student population, which means that the group stays close and everyone is very welcoming. The town also makes a great base for exploring this part of Norway.

Cesis is not popular with students.

Is Cesis or Alesund Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alesund is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Cesis is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Alesund, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a public bus system around town.

Public transit is quite limited in Cesis. There are some bus options, but to thoroughly explore the surrounding area you'll really need access to a car.

Is Cesis or Alesund a more walkable city?

Cesis and Alesund both are nice when exploring on foot.

Cesis is a somewhat walkable place. It's fun to explore old town on foot but many places in the surrounding countryside require a car to access.

Alesund is a somewhat walkable town. The city center can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cesis Worth Visiting? and Is Alesund Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alesund or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Alesund?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cesis and Alesund. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Alesund than in Cesis. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cesis, and 2-3 days is enough time in Alesund.

Families should spend more time in Alesund than Cesis. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Alesund, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Alesund than Cesis. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Alesund that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Cesis or Alesund?

Cesis is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Alesund, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this welcoming destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Cesis or Alesund?

Cesis might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cesis has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alesund. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Cesis or Alesund?

Cesis is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Alesund is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Alesund. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Cesis or Alesund?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cesis. Since Cesis is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the welcoming destination of Alesund. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Cesis and Alesund, we can see that Cesis is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cesis Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Alesund?

Alesund has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Alesund, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Cesis or Alesund?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cesis or Alesund in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Alesund. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Alesund in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cesis is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 17°C (63°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In July, Cesis usually receives less rain than Alesund. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cesis or Alesund in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Alesund. Many visitors come to Cesis in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Alesund for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Cesis is cooler than Alesund in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Alesund. Cesis usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Alesund in the Winter?

Both Alesund and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cesis for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Alesund because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Alesund can be very cold. Cesis can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Cesis is much colder than Alesund. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cesis in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Alesund averages at about 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Alesund. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cesis or Alesund in the Spring?

Both Alesund and Cesis during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Cesis because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Alesund this time of year.

It's quite cold in Alesund in the spring. In April, Cesis is generally a little warmer than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 5°C (42°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alesund and Cesis