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

Should you visit Cesis or Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg 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. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a energetic, lively, and charming town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Cesis and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Heidelberg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Heidelberg. Although Cesis and Heidelberg are both popular with visitors, Heidelberg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Heidelberg is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Cesis is known for its hiking and small town charm. Heidelberg is more touristy than Cesis and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. It is also home to The Heidelberg Castle. Cesis is popular for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Heidelberg and Cesis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

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 Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

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

Heidelberg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

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 Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is renowned for its old town. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its historic old town charm.

The old town of Heidelberg is one of the most recognized in the world. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

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 Heidelberg Better for Hiking?

Cesis is a good destination for hiking. However, Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Heidelberg?

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

Heidelberg offers some nice shopping areas. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Both Cesis and Heidelberg are good 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.

Heidelberg offers lots of family activities. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Cesis or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Heidelberg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

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 Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Heidelberg is a great town to visit for backpackers. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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 Heidelberg Better for Students?

Heidelberg is a town with good options for students. However, Cesis is not popular with students.

Heidelberg is popular with students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Cesis is not popular with students.

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

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg can get you to some places easily. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

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 Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is a very walkable town. The old town is particularly 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 Heidelberg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cesis or Heidelberg?

Cesis might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cesis, one day is sufficent for most.

In Heidelberg, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this energetic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town 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 Heidelberg?

Even though Cesis is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg?

Cesis, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Heidelberg is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg?

Cesis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find nightlife and food around the character-filled destination of Heidelberg. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Heidelberg?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Cesis during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cesis is cooler than Heidelberg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 21°C (69°F).

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

Should I visit Cesis or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In October, Cesis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Heidelberg. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Heidelberg. Many visitors come to Cesis in the winter for the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

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

Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Heidelberg. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cesis for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cesis is much colder than Heidelberg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In April, Cesis usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Cesis