A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Interlaken for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Cesis or Interlaken?

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 Interlaken 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 natural, traditional, and quaint town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a stunning, adventurous, and adrenaline-filled town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and skiing.

Cesis and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Interlaken?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Interlaken. Although Cesis and Interlaken are popular destinations, Interlaken has more sights and attractions for tourists. Interlaken is very popular for its skiing, food, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Cesis attracts visitors for its nightlife, historical sights, and small town charm. Interlaken is more touristy than Cesis and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. It is also well known for its many mountain views.. Cesis is famous for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Cesis or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a town with good options for winter skiing. However, Cesis is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Interlaken is a great destination to visit. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Cesis is not a skiing destination.

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

Interlaken 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 Interlaken. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

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 Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

Cesis is not a good area for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Cesis doesn't offer many options. The town is small and many travelers visit as a day trip from Riga, so you'll find limited nightlife options around town.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Cesis or Interlaken Better for its Old Town?

Cesis is a decent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Cesis is a good place to visit the old town. The old town is small but charming and authentic. There are a few unique sites that are worth visiting as well.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Cesis or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is renowned for its hiking experiences. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Around Interlaken visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

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.

Is Cesis or Interlaken Better for Families?

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

Interlaken is an extremely popular town to visit for families. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

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 Interlaken Better for Couples?

Interlaken is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Interlaken is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

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 Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis and Interlaken 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 Interlaken. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

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

Interlaken 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 Interlaken can get you to some places easily. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

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 Interlaken a more walkable city?

Cesis and Interlaken both are nice when exploring on foot.

Cesis is a somewhat walkable place. It's fun to explore old town on foot but many places in the surrounding countryside require a car to access.

Interlaken is a somewhat walkable town. The old town is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Cesis Worth Visiting? and Is Interlaken Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Interlaken?

In either Cesis or Interlaken, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Interlaken than Cesis because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cesis, and 2-5 days is enough time in Interlaken.

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

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

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

One day in Cesis or Interlaken?

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 Interlaken, many people enjoy the skiing and food that this stunning destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Cesis or Interlaken?

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 Interlaken. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Interlaken?

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.

Interlaken is a fun place to experience. In Interlaken, many people enjoy the skiing and food that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Cesis or Interlaken?

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 food and skiing around the breathtaking destination of Interlaken. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Interlaken?

Cesis has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Interlaken, 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 Interlaken?

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 Interlaken in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Interlaken. Many visitors come to Cesis in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Cesis is generally cooler than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 17°C (63°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in July than Interlaken. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Interlaken in the Autumn?

Both Interlaken and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cesis for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Cesis is much colder than Interlaken in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In October, Cesis usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Interlaken in the Winter?

Both Interlaken and Cesis during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Cesis because of the cuisine. Furthermore, the skiing and the cuisine are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

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

Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Interlaken. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Interlaken in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Interlaken. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Interlaken for the natural beauty.

In April, Cesis is generally much colder than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 5°C (42°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Cesis usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Cesis