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

Should you visit Cesis or Geneva?

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 Geneva 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 small, authentic, and natural town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking.

Geneva

Geneva is a professional, classy, and diverse 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 Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Geneva?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Geneva. Although Cesis and Geneva are popular destinations, Geneva has more sights and attractions for tourists. Geneva is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Cesis attracts visitors for its hiking and small town charm. Geneva is more touristy than Cesis and is known for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also well known for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Cesis is famous for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Geneva 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 Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Geneva is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Geneva. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

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 Geneva Better for Nightlife?

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

Geneva has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

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 Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Geneva 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 Geneva to see the old town. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

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 Geneva Better for Hiking?

Cesis is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Cesis offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Geneva?

Geneva is renowned for its shopping opportunities. However, Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

The abundance of shops in Geneva make it a world-class shopping destination. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Geneva Better for Families?

Both Cesis and Geneva are nice to visit with kids.

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.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Cesis or Geneva Better for Couples?

Both Cesis and Geneva 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.

Geneva is a good town for couples to visit. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Cesis or Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Cesis or Geneva Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Geneva. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Cesis is not popular with students.

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

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

Geneva has a great public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

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 Geneva a more walkable city?

Geneva 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.

Geneva is a very walkable city. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored 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 Geneva Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Geneva?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cesis or Geneva?

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.

Each neighborhood in Geneva has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Lots of people come for the shopping. 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 Geneva?

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 Geneva. 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 Geneva?

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.

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

A week in Cesis or Geneva?

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 professional big city of Geneva. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Geneva?

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

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 Geneva in the Summer?

Both Geneva and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cesis is generally cooler than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 17°C (63°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

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

Should I visit Cesis or Geneva in the Autumn?

Both Geneva and Cesis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Geneva in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Cesis is much colder than Geneva in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Geneva fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in October than Geneva. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Geneva in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Geneva. Many visitors come to Cesis in the winter for the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Geneva can be very cold during winter. Cesis can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Cesis is much colder than Geneva. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cesis in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Geneva averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Geneva. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cesis or Geneva in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Geneva. Most visitors come to Cesis for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Geneva because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Cesis is generally much colder than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 5°C (42°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Geneva. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Cesis