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

Should you visit Cesis or Munich?

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 Munich 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.

Munich

Munich is a bustling, high energy, and multicultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.

Cesis and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Munich?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Munich. Although Cesis and Munich are both popular with visitors, Munich has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Munich is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Cesis is known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Munich is more touristy than Cesis and is known for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also home to The Nymphenburg Palace. Cesis is popular for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Munich 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 Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Munich 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 Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

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 Munich Better for Nightlife?

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

Munich is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

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 Munich Better for Music?

Munich is renowned for its live music scene. However, Cesis is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Munich The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Cesis is not a live music destination.

Is Cesis or Munich Better for its Old Town?

Cesis is a town with a few options for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

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.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is Cesis or Munich Better for Hiking?

Cesis is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Munich 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.

Munich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Munich?

Munich is renowned for its shopping opportunities. However, Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

The abundance of shops in Munich make it a world-class shopping destination. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Munich Better for Families?

Munich is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Munich is a very kid-friendly city. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

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 Munich Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Munich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

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 Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is renowned for backpackers. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Munich. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

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 Munich Better for Students?

Munich is renowned for students. However, Cesis is not popular with students.

Munich is a very popular city for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

Cesis is not popular with students.

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

Munich is renowned for its public transit. However, Cesis is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Munich has a great public transit system. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

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 Munich a more walkable city?

Munich 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.

Munich is a very walkable city. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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 Munich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Munich or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Munich?

In either Cesis or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Munich 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 Munich.

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

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

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

One day in Cesis or Munich?

Cesis might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Each neighborhood in Munich has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city 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 Munich?

Cesis is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cesis. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Munich is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Munich has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Cesis or Munich?

Cesis is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the bustling big city of Munich. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Munich, 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 Munich?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cesis or Munich in the Summer?

Both Munich and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cesis for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Munich because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cesis is cooler than Munich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Munich averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In July, Cesis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Munich. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cesis or Munich in the Autumn?

Both Munich and Cesis during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Cesis because of the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

In October, Cesis is generally cooler than Munich. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in October than Munich. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Munich in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Munich. The cuisine are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Munich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Munich. It's quite cold in Cesis in the winter. Cesis is much colder than Munich in the winter. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Munich. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cesis or Munich in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Munich. Many travelers come to Cesis for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Munich in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Cesis is much colder than Munich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Munich. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Munich and Cesis