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

Should you visit Cesis or Lausanne?

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 Lausanne 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 traditional, quaint, and small 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.

Lausanne

Lausanne is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cesis and Lausanne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Lausanne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lausanne. Although Cesis and Lausanne are both popular with visitors, Lausanne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lausanne is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Cesis is known for its hiking and small town charm. Cesis is popular for its medieval castle and nearby hikes. Lausanne is popular for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters. It is also home to The Olympic Museum.

How is Cesis different from Lausanne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lausanne 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 Lausanne. You'll find many great museums around town that cover a range of topics. The Olympic Museum is very interesting. You should also check out the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and the Hermitage Foundation.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Lausanne 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 Lausanne. The city is filled with delicious chocolate, cheese, and wine. Fondue is a favorite, but you'll also find cured meats on most menus. While food can be expensive, it's also high quality and usually locally produced.

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 Lausanne Better for Nightlife?

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

Lausanne has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a surprising number of clubs around town and it's not hard to find somewhere to party. The large student population and the international vibe make this a fascinating place for nightlife.

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 Lausanne Better for its Old Town?

Lausanne 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 Lausanne to see the old town. There's a relatively large historic section that has a Gothic cathedral and many quaint shops.

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 Lausanne Better for Hiking?

Cesis is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Cesis has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Lausanne?

Lausanne is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Lausanne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find luxury Swiss watch brands, jewelry, chocolate, and many other interesting things to buy. Prices can be high, but so is the quality. It's fun to look, even if you're not planning to purchase.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Lausanne Better for Families?

Both Cesis and Lausanne 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.

Lausanne offers lots of family activities. There are kid-friendly museums, petting zoos, and other fun activities in town. You can also take a boat ride or let the kids run around one of the parks in town.

Is Cesis or Lausanne Better for Couples?

Both Cesis and Lausanne 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.

Lausanne is a good town for couples to visit. The medieval old city is fun to explore. The lakefront setting also offers fun activities like boating. There are also a number of museums in town to explore.

Is Cesis or Lausanne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Lausanne is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Lausanne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular town for backpackers but there are some affordable hotels. It's also more reasonably priced than many Swiss cities.

Is Cesis or Lausanne Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Lausanne. There are 11 institutes for higher learning in town, so students make up a significant percentage of the population. The city is also full of culture, making it a very livable city.

Cesis is not popular with students.

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

Lausanne 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 Lausanne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive network of transportation options available in town including 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 Lausanne a more walkable city?

Cesis and Lausanne both are good 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.

Lausanne is a somewhat walkable town. Many parts of the city, including the historic sections, and relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Lausanne or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Lausanne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cesis or Lausanne to fill your time. In our opinion, Lausanne has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Lausanne than Cesis. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Cesis or Lausanne?

Cesis is a small town where visitors enjoy the . With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Lausanne, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this vibrant destination offers. 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 Lausanne?

Cesis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cesis, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Cesis is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Lausanne is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Lausanne. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Cesis or Lausanne?

Cesis is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Lausanne. 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 Luxury Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Lausanne?

Lausanne has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Lausanne, 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.