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

Should you visit Cesis or Dresden?

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 Dresden 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.

Dresden

Dresden is a park-filled, friendly, and architectural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cesis and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Dresden?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dresden. Although Cesis and Dresden are both popular with visitors, Dresden has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dresden is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Cesis is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Dresden is more touristy than Cesis and is known for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady). It is also home to Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Cesis is popular for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dresden offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's rich in culture and baroque architecture. Some of the main sights around town include Dresden Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace and Museums, the Zwinger and Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Semper Opera.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dresden 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 Dresden. The food features a number of Saxon specialties, which are typically hearty and heavy on the meat. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also appreciate the many sweets that you can find around town. You should make sure you try a Fettbemme (open faced sandwich), Eierschecke (a cake), and Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) while you're in town.

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 Dresden Better for Nightlife?

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

Dresden is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to Neustadt for the highest concentration of bars and clubs. There's a diversity of trendy clubs and casual bars. Bar hopping is easy as most places are accessible by public transit.

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 Dresden Better for its Old Town?

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

Dresden is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Much of the city's old town has been rebuilt, but that's not to say it isn't beautiful. The main square and surrounding area are where you'll find the majority of the city's main sights.

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 Dresden Better for Hiking?

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

Dresden is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Dresden?

Dresden is a city with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Dresden offers some nice shopping areas. Kunsthofpassage Dresden is a network of streets where you'll find crafts, art, and other eclectic items for sale. Prager Strasse is a popular shopping street near old town and Seestrasse is where you'll find all of the trendy brands that are popular throughout Europe. The city also has many shopping malls.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Dresden Better for Families?

Cesis is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cesis. 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.

For families, Dresden is not always the best place to visit. It doesn't have quite the abundance of activities for kids that you may find in other Germany cities, but that doesn't mean that kids will be bored. There's the Dresden Zoo, the Dresdner Parkeisenbahn (a small steam rail), and the Saxon Folk Art Museum. Families can also take a guided to of the Transparent Factory, which is owned by Volkswagon and provided information on the manufacturing of automobiles.

Is Cesis or Dresden Better for Couples?

Both Cesis and Dresden 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.

Dresden is a good town for couples to visit. Couples can explore the old town or walk through one of the city's many parks. The city has many cultural activities. In the new town you'll find many great bars and fascinating restaurants.

Is Cesis or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis and Dresden 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 Dresden. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

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

Dresden is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Cesis is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Dresden, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines 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 Dresden a more walkable city?

Dresden 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.

Dresden is a very walkable city. Particularly in the compact city center you'll find Dresden to be very walkable.

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 Dresden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Dresden?

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

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

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

One day in Cesis or Dresden?

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.

In Dresden, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this friendly 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 Dresden?

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 Dresden. 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 Dresden?

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.

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

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 friendly destination of Dresden. 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 Dresden, we can see that Dresden 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 Dresden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dresden 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 Dresden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Dresden, 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 Dresden?

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 Dresden in the Summer?

Both Dresden 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 Dresden in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cesis is cooler than Dresden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Dresden averages at about 20°C (68°F).

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

Should I visit Cesis or Dresden in the Autumn?

Both Dresden 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Cesis is generally cooler than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in October than Dresden. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Dresden in the Winter?

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

The weather in Dresden can be very cold. Cesis can be very cold during winter. Cesis is much colder than Dresden in the winter. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Dresden. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cesis or Dresden in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Dresden. The spring months attract visitors to Cesis because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Additionally, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.

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

Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Dresden. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Cesis