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

Should you visit Cesis or Saaremaa?

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 Saaremaa 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. 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.

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is a peaceful, relaxed, and traditional island. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

Cesis and Saaremaa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Saaremaa?

Both Saaremaa and Cesis have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Cesis is more popular for its historical sights and hiking, while Saaremaa is known for its food, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Cesis is popular for its medieval castle and nearby hikes. Saaremaa is popular for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Cesis different from Saaremaa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saaremaa and Cesis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa. Like most things on the island, traditional local food is still the norm here. The island is known for its smoked fish, homemade bread, and locally brewed beers. Popular fishes include garfish, herring, and flatfish, which you can enjoy at a local restaurant or one of the pop-up cafes that are popular during the summer months. You'll find the highest concentration of restaurants in Kuressaare, but there are still many options further out. It's also fun to visit during September during the Saaremaa Food Festival.

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 Saaremaa Better for Nightlife?

Neither Cesis or Saaremaa offer decent nightlife.

Things get quiet in the evenings 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Saaremaa The island is known for it's quiet, laid-back atmosphere, so you'll be hard pressed to find a party or active club, even during the more popular summer months.

Is Cesis or Saaremaa Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a island with good options for the beache. However, Cesis is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Saaremaa. The beaches are quiet and relaxed, even during the summer months. In town, the best beach is Kuressaare Beach. Outside of town you'll find other nice beaches such as the sandy beaches between Mändjala and Järve. The beaches in Tuhkana and Jõiste villages are also well known. For swimming, most people prefer to visit Lake Karujärv.

Cesis is not a beach destination.

Is Cesis or Saaremaa Better for its Old Town?

Cesis is adequate for its historic old town charm. However, Saaremaa 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.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is Cesis or Saaremaa Better for Hiking?

Cesis is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Saaremaa 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.

Saaremaa is not a hiking destination.

Is Cesis or Saaremaa Better for Families?

Both Cesis and Saaremaa 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.

Saaremaa offers lots of family activities. While the island is known for its slow pace, there are still a number of fun activities where the kids can run and jump. There are several outdoor adventure parks and playgrounds that are great for young legs. Check out the playgrounds in Kuressaare or head out of town for more outdoor activities. When the weather's nice you can head to Kuressaare Beach or check out the ostrich farm in Muhu.

Is Cesis or Saaremaa Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Saaremaa frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The peace and quiet of the island make for a relaxing couple's getaway. You can enjoy the outdoors and feel like you've stepped back in time as you explore the laid back island in the Baltics.

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 Saaremaa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis and Saaremaa are good 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 Saaremaa. While prices are cheap, transportation isn't great so you'll likely want to rent a car if you want to really explore the island. There are a number of rooms available for rent at an affordable price, particularly in the shoulder season, but you'll you'll only find a handful of hostels on the island.

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

Neither Cesis or Saaremaa offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cesis. There are some bus options, but to thoroughly explore the surrounding area you'll really need access to a car.

Public transit is quite limited in Saaremaa. Most people arrive on the island by ferry. There are buses on the island but they cater mostly to locals. To really explore, you'll want to have access to a car.

Is Cesis or Saaremaa a more walkable city?

Cesis is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

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.

Saaremaa is not a walkable town. While their are some walking trails, you really need a car to explore the island in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Saaremaa or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Saaremaa?

It's fun to spend time in either Cesis or Saaremaa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Saaremaa due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cesis, and 2-4 days is enough time in Saaremaa.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cesis than Saaremaa 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 Cesis.

One day in Cesis or Saaremaa?

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 Saaremaa, many people enjoy the food that this relaxed small town offers. This island 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 Saaremaa?

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 Saaremaa. 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 Saaremaa?

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.

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

A week in Cesis or Saaremaa?

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 around the calm small town of Saaremaa. 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 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia.

When comparing the travel costs between Cesis and Saaremaa, we can see that Cesis is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cesis Expensive? and Is Saaremaa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Saaremaa?

Cesis has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Saaremaa, 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 Saaremaa?

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 Saaremaa in the Summer?

Both Saaremaa and Cesis during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cesis is around the same temperature as Saaremaa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Saaremaa averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in July than Saaremaa. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Saaremaa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Saaremaa. 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 small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year.

In October, Cesis is generally cooler than Saaremaa. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Saaremaa fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In October, Cesis usually receives less rain than Saaremaa. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Saaremaa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Saaremaa. The cuisine are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saaremaa for the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. It's quite cold in Cesis in the winter. Cesis is much colder than Saaremaa in the winter. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Saaremaa fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Saaremaa. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Saaremaa in the Spring?

Both Saaremaa and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cesis for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Saaremaa in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Saaremaa can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Cesis is much warmer than Saaremaa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Saaremaa averages at about 4°C (38°F).

In April, Cesis usually receives more rain than Saaremaa. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saaremaa and Cesis