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

Should you visit Cesis or Cologne?

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 Cologne 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. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking.

Cologne

Cologne is a fun, accessible, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cesis and Cologne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Cologne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cologne. Although Cesis and Cologne are both popular with visitors, Cologne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cologne is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Cesis is known for its hiking and small town charm. Cologne is more touristy than Cesis and is known for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also home to The Cologne Cathedral. Cesis is popular for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cesis different from Cologne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cologne 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 Cologne. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Cologne 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 Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

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 Cologne Better for Nightlife?

Cologne is well known for nightlife and partying. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Cologne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

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 Cologne Better for its Old Town?

Cologne 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 Cologne to see the old town. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

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 Cologne Better for Hiking?

Cesis is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Cologne 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.

Cologne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Cologne?

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

Cologne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Cologne Better for Christmas?

Cologne is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Cesis does not offer Christmas activities.

During Christmas, Cologne is not to be missed. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Cesis does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cesis or Cologne Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is renowned for its Christmas markets. However, Cesis does not offer Christmas markets.

People travel to Cologne specifically to enjoy its famous Christmas markets. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Cesis does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cesis or Cologne Better for Families?

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

Cologne is a very kid-friendly city. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

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 Cologne Better for Couples?

Both Cesis and Cologne are good 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.

Cologne is a good town for couples to visit. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

Is Cesis or Cologne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis and Cologne 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 Cologne. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Is Cesis or Cologne Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Cologne. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

Cesis is not popular with students.

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

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

Cologne has a great public transit system. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

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 Cologne a more walkable city?

Cologne 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.

Cologne is a very walkable city. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily 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 Cologne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cologne or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Cologne?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cesis or Cologne?

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.

Each neighborhood in Cologne has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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 Cologne?

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 Cologne. 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 Cologne?

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.

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

A week in Cesis or Cologne?

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 accessible big city of Cologne. 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 Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Cologne, 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 Cologne?

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 Cologne in the Summer?

Both Cologne and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Cologne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cesis is cooler than Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In July, Cesis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cologne. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cesis or Cologne in the Autumn?

Both Cologne and Cesis during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Cesis is generally much colder than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in October than Cologne. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Cologne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Cologne. Most visitors come to Cesis for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cologne because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Cologne can be very cold. Cesis can be very cold during winter. Cesis is much colder than Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Cologne. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cesis or Cologne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Cologne. 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 Cologne this time of year.

In the spring, Cesis is much colder than Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cologne and Cesis