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

Should you visit Cesis or Oslo?

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 Oslo 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. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Cesis and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Oslo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oslo. Although Cesis and Oslo are popular destinations, Oslo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Oslo is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Cesis attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oslo is more touristy than Cesis and is known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also well known for The Royal Palace. Cesis is famous for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oslo 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 Oslo. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Oslo 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 Oslo. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

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 Oslo Better for Nightlife?

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

Oslo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

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 Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Cesis is a moderate town for its historic old town. However, Oslo 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.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is Cesis or Oslo Better for Hiking?

Cesis is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Oslo 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.

Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Oslo?

Oslo is a city with a few options for its shopping opportunities. However, Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Oslo Better for Families?

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

Oslo is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

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 Oslo Better for Couples?

Both Cesis and Oslo are nice 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.

Oslo is a good town for couples to visit. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Cesis or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis and Oslo 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 Oslo. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Cesis or Oslo Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Oslo. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

Cesis is not popular with students.

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

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

Oslo has a great public transit system. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

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 Oslo a more walkable city?

Oslo 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.

Oslo is a very walkable city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

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 Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Oslo?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cesis or Oslo?

Cesis is a small town where visitors enjoy the . Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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

Cesis is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Cesis is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Oslo is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Oslo 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 Oslo?

Because Cesis is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the green big city of Oslo. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Oslo, 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 Oslo?

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 Oslo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Oslo. 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 Oslo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cesis is generally around the same temperature as Oslo. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 17°C (63°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In July, Cesis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cesis or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Oslo. 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 and the shopping scene are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

Cesis is around the same temperature as Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The cuisine are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oslo. It's quite cold in Cesis in the winter. In the winter, Cesis is cooler than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cesis in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Oslo. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cesis or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Cesis during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cesis for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Oslo in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Cesis is generally around the same temperature as Oslo. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 5°C (42°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Cesis usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Oslo. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Cesis