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

Should you visit Cesis or Bonn?

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 Bonn 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. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking.

Bonn

Bonn is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and lively city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cesis and Bonn: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Bonn?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bonn. Although Cesis and Bonn are popular destinations, Bonn has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bonn is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Cesis attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Bonn is more touristy than Cesis and is popular for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. It is also well known for The Bonn Minster. Cesis is famous for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Bonn?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bonn 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 Bonn. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bonn 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 Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

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 Bonn Better for Nightlife?

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

Bonn has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals 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 Bonn Better for its Old Town?

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

Bonn is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

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 Bonn Better for Hiking?

Cesis is a popular place for hiking. However, Bonn 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.

Bonn is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Bonn?

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

Bonn is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Bonn Better for Families?

Bonn is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Bonn is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

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 Bonn Better for Couples?

Both Cesis and Bonn 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.

Bonn is a good town for couples to visit. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Is Cesis or Bonn Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis and Bonn are nice 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 Bonn. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Is Cesis or Bonn Better for Students?

Bonn is well known for students. However, Cesis is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Bonn. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

Cesis is not popular with students.

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

Bonn 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 Bonn can get you to some places easily. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

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 Bonn a more walkable city?

Bonn 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.

Bonn is a very walkable city. The compact old town is easy 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 Bonn Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bonn or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Bonn?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cesis or Bonn?

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 Bonn, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this lively 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 Bonn?

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 Bonn. 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 Bonn?

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.

Bonn is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bonn. 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 Bonn?

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 beautiful destination of Bonn. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cesis and Bonn, we can see that Bonn 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn 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 Bonn Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Bonn?

Bonn has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Bonn, 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 Bonn?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cesis or Bonn in the Summer?

Both Bonn and Cesis during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bonn in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cesis is generally cooler than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 17°C (63°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Cesis usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bonn. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Bonn in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Bonn. Many visitors come to Cesis in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bonn for the shopping scene during these months.

Cesis is much colder than Bonn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In October, Cesis usually receives more rain than Bonn. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Bonn in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Bonn. Most visitors come to Cesis for the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Bonn because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Bonn. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Bonn in the Spring?

Both Bonn and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Cesis because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Cesis is generally much colder than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 5°C (42°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In April, Cesis usually receives less rain than Bonn. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Cesis