A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Kemi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cesis or Kemi?

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 Kemi 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.

Where Should I go: Cesis or Kemi?

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

Kemi

Kemi is a town on Bothnian Bay in Lapland, Finland. It's known for the massive Sampo icebreaker, a giant ship built to ply the Arctic waters. The main economic activity in Kemi is centered on two large paper and wood pulp mills and on the only chromium mine in Europe. Kemi also has a claim to fame as the home of the world's largest snow castle (reconstructed every year with a different design). The SnowCastle is usually located at the inner harbor of Kemi.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Kemi?

Kemi has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Kemi, 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 Kemi?

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 Kemi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Kemi. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cesis this time of year.

Cesis is around the same temperature as Kemi in the summer. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Kemi fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in July than Kemi. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Kemi in the Autumn?

Both Kemi and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Kemi can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Cesis is much warmer than Kemi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cesis in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Kemi averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In October, Cesis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kemi. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Kemi in the Winter?

Both Kemi and Cesis during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cesis in the winter for the cuisine.

Kemi can be very cold during winter. Cesis can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cesis is generally much warmer than Kemi. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around -5°C (23°F), and Kemi fluctuates around -12°C (10°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Kemi. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Kemi in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Kemi. Most visitors come to Cesis for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

The weather in Kemi can be very cold. Cesis is much warmer than Kemi in the spring. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Kemi fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In April, Cesis usually receives more rain than Kemi. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kemi and Cesis