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

Should you visit Cesis or Lucerne?

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 Lucerne 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.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a historic, vibrant, and scenic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cesis and Lucerne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Lucerne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lucerne. Although Cesis and Lucerne are both popular with visitors, Lucerne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lucerne is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Cesis is known for its hiking and small town charm. Lucerne is more touristy than Cesis and is popular for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. It is also home to The Chapel Bridge. Cesis is popular for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Cesis different from Lucerne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lucerne 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 Lucerne. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Lucerne is a city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Lucerne. Food is expensive around town, but there are some unique specialties like fondue, brätwurst, and of course, chocolate. It's nice to sit out by the river and enjoy a hearty meal while you soak up the view.

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 Lucerne Better for Nightlife?

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

Lucerne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that are hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

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 Lucerne Better for its Old Town?

Lucerne is well known for its old town. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its historic old town charm.

Lucerne is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

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 Lucerne Better for Hiking?

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

Lucerne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Lucerne?

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

Lucerne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with high end shopping opportunities with everything from boutique shops to major chains. Popular items to purchase in town include chocolate, watches, jewelry, and Swiss army knives.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Lucerne Better for Families?

Both Cesis and Lucerne 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.

Lucerne offers lots of family activities. The city is filled with history and there are a number of playgrounds around town. Also make sure you pop in a chocolate shop so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat. If the weather's warm, you can also take a swim in Lake Lucerne. Many kids enjoy escaping the city and doing a day trip to the amazing Mt. Titlis, or other peaks that are nearby.

Is Cesis or Lucerne Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Lucerne frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city has many pleasant squares, excellent restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere that makes for a great couple's getaway. There are a number of nice hotels to choose from as well.

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 Lucerne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Lucerne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Prices are high everywhere in the area but there are a few hostels that attract backpackers. It's also possible to find free activities like swimming in the lake or simply wandering around town. Prices at restaurants are very high, so you'll do best to pick up food at supermarkets and prepare your own meals. Because it's a larger city, there are options that you might not find in smaller towns around Switzerland.

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

Lucerne 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 Lucerne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

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 Lucerne a more walkable city?

Cesis and Lucerne 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.

Lucerne is a somewhat walkable town. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

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

Should I spend more time in Lucerne or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Lucerne?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cesis or Lucerne?

Cesis is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Lucerne, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this active destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Lucerne?

Cesis might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cesis has to offer.

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

Cesis is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Lucerne is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Lucerne. 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 Lucerne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cesis. Since Cesis is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the scenic destination of Lucerne. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Lucerne?

Lucerne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Lucerne, 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 Lucerne?

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 Lucerne in the Summer?

Both Lucerne 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. Also, many travelers come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cesis is cooler than Lucerne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Lucerne averages at about 21°C (70°F).

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

Should I visit Cesis or Lucerne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Lucerne. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Lucerne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Cesis is generally much colder than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

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

Should I visit Cesis or Lucerne in the Winter?

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

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

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

Should I visit Cesis or Lucerne in the Spring?

Both Lucerne 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 Lucerne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cesis is much colder than Lucerne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Lucerne averages at about 12°C (53°F).

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

Typical Weather for Lucerne and Cesis