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

Should you visit Cesis or Porvoo?

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 Porvoo 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 Porvoo?

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.

Porvoo

Porvoo is a city and a municipality situated on the southern coast of Finland approximately 50 kilometers east of Helsinki. Porvoo is one of the six medieval towns in Finland, first mentioned as a city in texts from 14th century. Even though Porvoo is not exactly a coastal town, it is connected to the Gulf of Finland via the Porvoo River. The river flows through the city, passing Porvoo's most well-known landmarks: the red shore houses. Historically, Porvoo has been an important center of trade. Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and evidence of its long history can still be seen and felt as you walk its charming streets. For centuries, the city has served as both a home and a source of inspiration for many Finnish artists.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Porvoo?

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

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 Porvoo in the Summer?

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

In July, Cesis is generally around the same temperature as Porvoo. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 17°C (63°F), and Porvoo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in July than Porvoo. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Porvoo receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Porvoo in the Autumn?

Both Porvoo 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.

Cesis is a little warmer than Porvoo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Porvoo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In October, Cesis usually receives less rain than Porvoo. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Porvoo receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Porvoo in the Winter?

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

Porvoo can be very cold during winter. Cesis can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Cesis is a little warmer than Porvoo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cesis in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Porvoo averages at about -6°C (21°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Porvoo. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Porvoo receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Porvoo in the Spring?

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

The weather in Porvoo can be very cold. In April, Cesis is generally much warmer than Porvoo. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 5°C (42°F), and Porvoo fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In April, Cesis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Porvoo. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Porvoo receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Porvoo and Cesis