A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Balaton Lake for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cesis or Balaton Lake?

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 Balaton Lake 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.

Where Should I go: Cesis or Balaton Lake?

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

Balaton Lake

Balaton is a major freshwater lake in Hungary and the largest lake in Central Europe with a shoreline of 197 kilometers. The region around the lake is a popular holiday destination with a great number of resort towns and high-rise hotels to accommodate visitors seeking out lakeside activities, beaches, volcanic hills, and vineyards. Some of the towns are also very historic, offering examples from eighteenth-century art and architecture to castle ruins.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary, and The Best Luxury Tours to Hungary.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cesis and Balaton Lake, we can see that Cesis is more expensive. And not only is Balaton Lake much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Balaton Lake would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Balaton Lake and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cesis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cesis than you might in Balaton Lake.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Balaton Lake?

Cesis has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Balaton Lake. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Balaton Lake, 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 Balaton Lake?

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 Balaton Lake in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Balaton Lake. Many visitors come to Cesis in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cesis is cooler than Balaton Lake. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In July, Cesis usually receives more rain than Balaton Lake. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cesis or Balaton Lake in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Balaton Lake. Most visitors come to Cesis for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Cesis is generally much colder than Balaton Lake. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in October than Balaton Lake. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Balaton Lake in the Winter?

Both Balaton Lake and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Cesis because of the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Balaton Lake in the winter. The weather in Cesis can be very cold. Cesis is much colder than Balaton Lake in the winter. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Balaton Lake fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Balaton Lake. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cesis or Balaton Lake in the Spring?

Both Balaton Lake and Cesis during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cesis this time of year.

In the spring, Cesis is much colder than Balaton Lake. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Balaton Lake averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Balaton Lake. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Balaton Lake receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Balaton Lake and Cesis