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

Should you visit Cesis or Bern?

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 Bern 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.

Bern

Bern is a beautiful, cultural, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cesis and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Bern?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bern. Although Cesis and Bern are popular destinations, Bern has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bern is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Cesis attracts visitors for its hiking and small town charm. Bern is more touristy than Cesis and is known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. It is also well known for The Zytglogge Clock Tower. Cesis is famous for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bern is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bern. The city is filled with architecture and charming character. While you're in town make sure you visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Bern Cathedral.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bern 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 Bern. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

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 Bern Better for Nightlife?

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

Bern has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

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 Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is well known for its old town. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its historic old town charm.

Bern is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town is filled with quaint alleys and sandstone buildings. It's a compact area that flows down a hill to the River Aare.

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 Bern Better for Hiking?

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

Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Bern?

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

Bern is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The old town is filled with boutique shops and unique markets. The main shopping streets are Spitalgasse and Marktgasse and popular items to buy include jewelry, art, and watches.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Bern Better for Families?

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

Bern is a very kid-friendly city. This charming town has riverside parks and pools, a zoo, a waterpark, and kid-friendly museums that the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit nearby Gurten, a mountain with tobogganing, concerts, and a mini ski resort.

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 Bern Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Bern frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

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 Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is well known for backpackers. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bern is a great city to visit for backpackers. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

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

Bern 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 Bern can get you to some places easily. There are trams and buses that run 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 Bern a more walkable city?

Bern 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.

Bern is a very walkable city. It's fun to explore the old town on foot. It is compact enough to that you can see all of the highlights in a few hours.

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 Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bern or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Bern?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bern 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 Bern.

One day in Cesis or Bern?

Cesis is a small town where visitors enjoy the . Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Bern, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Bern?

Cesis is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Bern?

Cesis is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in Cesis or Bern?

Because Cesis is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cesis and Bern, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Cesis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cesis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cesis 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern than you might in Cesis.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Bern?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Bern, 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 Bern?

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 Bern in the Summer?

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

In July, Cesis is generally cooler than Bern. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 17°C (63°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In July, Cesis usually receives more rain than Bern. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cesis or Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Bern. 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 Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Cesis is much colder than Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in October than Bern. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Bern in the Winter?

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

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

In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Bern. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cesis or Bern in the Spring?

Both Bern 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 natural beauty are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

In April, Cesis is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 5°C (42°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Bern. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bern and Cesis