A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Bergen for Families, Couples, Food, and Old Town

Should you visit Cesis or Bergen?

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 Bergen 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking.

Bergen

Bergen is a laid back, nostalgic, and friendly city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cesis and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Bergen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bergen. Although Cesis and Bergen are both popular with visitors, Bergen has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bergen is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Cesis is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Bergen is more touristy than Cesis and is known for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty. It is also home to Bryggen. Cesis is popular for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bergen 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 Bergen?

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

Bergen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bergen is a city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bergen. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

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 Bergen Better for Nightlife?

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

Bergen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

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 Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Bergen is a city with good options for its old town. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its historic old town charm.

Many people head to Bergen to see the old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

The old town area in Cesis is worth visiting. The old town is small but charming and authentic. There are a few unique sites that are worth visiting as well.

Is Cesis or Bergen Better for Hiking?

Cesis is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergen 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.

Bergen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Bergen?

Bergen is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bergen is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bergen is a very kid-friendly city. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.

Cesis offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Cesis or Bergen Better for Couples?

Bergen is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Bergen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.

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

Is Cesis or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis and Bergen are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cesis is a good town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bergen. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Cesis or Bergen Better for Students?

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

Bergen is popular with students. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.

Cesis is not popular with students.

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

Bergen is well known for its public transit. However, Cesis is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Bergen can get you to some places easily. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

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 Bergen a more walkable city?

Bergen is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Bergen is a very walkable city. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Bergen?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bergen than Cesis if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bergen.

One day in Cesis or Bergen?

Cesis might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Bergen, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this nostalgic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Cesis or Bergen?

Cesis is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bergen. 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 Bergen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cesis. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in Cesis or Bergen?

Cesis is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the laid back destination of Bergen. 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 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Cesis and Bergen, 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 Bergen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Bergen?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Bergen, 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 Bergen?

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 Bergen in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Cesis is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Cesis usually receives less rain than Bergen. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cesis or Bergen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Bergen. Many visitors come to Cesis in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Cesis is generally cooler than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Cesis usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen 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 Bergen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bergen can be very cold. Cesis can be very cold during winter. Cesis is much colder than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Bergen. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cesis or Bergen in the Spring?

Both Bergen 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. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

In the spring, Cesis is cooler than Bergen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Bergen averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Cesis