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

Should you visit Cesis or Sarajevo?

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 Sarajevo 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. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo is a historical, cultural, and beautiful 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 nightlife, food, and hiking.

Cesis and Sarajevo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Sarajevo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sarajevo than Cesis, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sarajevo is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Cesis is more popular for its small town charm. Cesis is well known for its medieval castle and nearby hikes. Sarajevo is well known for its worn torn past, but today it is a city that is filled with culture, natural beauty, and incredible food. Also, Sarajevo is famous for The Old Town.

How is Cesis different from Sarajevo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo. The sights in the city reflect its history and culture. Famous places to visit include Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the Latin Bridge, Kovači Memorial Cemetery, and the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sarajevo is renowned for its restaurant scene. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Sarajevo have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Bosnia isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think of food, but it is actually among the best. The dishes are heavy on meat and pastry, with the perfect amount of seasoning. Favorite dishes include Bosnian burek and cevapi. And it's easy to dine your way through this beautiful city as restaurants are very affordable.

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 Sarajevo Better for Nightlife?

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

Sarajevo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. After immersing yourself in history for the day, the nighttime offers the perfect opportunity to unwind. Locals and tourists come together at the city's many bars and nightclubs where you can listen to music, dance, or chat with locals over a cold beer.

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 Sarajevo Better for its Old Town?

Sarajevo is renowned for its old town. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its historic old town charm.

The old town of Sarajevo is one of the most recognized in the world. The city's old town, which is known as Baščaršija, is filled with a history charm that is unlike any other European city. The wooden shops, wandering lanes, and striking minarets highlight the area's beautiful culture and long-running history.

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 Sarajevo Better for Hiking?

Sarajevo is renowned for its hiking experiences. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Around Sarajevo visitors will find world-class hiking trails. If you have a way to get out of town, you'll be rewarded with a natural beauty that is untouched and pristine - a rare find in Europe. There are a number of popular trails that are popular with locals and tourists alike. While landmines remain a concern in off-the-beaten-path areas, if you stay on marked trails, they pose no real threat.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Sarajevo?

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

Sarajevo is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. This city offers a unique opportunity to shop for traditional hand-crafted good in the old town. The goods are handmade and reflect the city's long running history as a center for trade. Popular items for purchase include coffee sets, jewelry, and handmade carpets.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Sarajevo Better for Families?

Cesis is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Sarajevo is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Cesis is a family-friendly town. 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.

Sarajevo doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Older kids will really benefit from the history and cultural lessons that coincide with a visit to this beautiful city. There are also some fun activities that they can enjoy including a zoo, an indoor play area, and an amusement park not far outside of town.

Is Cesis or Sarajevo Better for Couples?

Cesis is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Sarajevo is lacking in good options for couples.

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.

Sarajevo is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Romance isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Sarajevo, but the city has amazing food and world class cultural sights that will make for a truly rewarding trip.

Is Cesis or Sarajevo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sarajevo is well known for backpackers. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sarajevo is a great city to visit for backpackers. This city is among the most culturally captivating places in Europe. Although it's often overlooked by tourists and backpackers, the affordability, stunning beauty, and unique personality make it a truly amazing place to visit.

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 Sarajevo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Public transit in Sarajevo can get you to some places easily. It includes a tram, trolleybus, bus and minibus network.

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 Sarajevo a more walkable city?

Cesis and Sarajevo both are notable 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.

Sarajevo is a somewhat walkable town. Most of the touristy areas in the central part of the city are walkable, but there are also some sights outside of town that you will need a taxi to visit.

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

Should I spend more time in Sarajevo or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Sarajevo?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cesis or Sarajevo?

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 Sarajevo, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural 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 Sarajevo?

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 Sarajevo. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Sarajevo?

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.

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

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 and shopping around the overlooked destination of Sarajevo. 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 Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cesis and Sarajevo, we can see that Cesis is more expensive. And not only is Sarajevo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sarajevo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sarajevo 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 Cesis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cesis than you might in Sarajevo.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Sarajevo?

Sarajevo has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Sarajevo, 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 Sarajevo?

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 Sarajevo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Sarajevo. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Sarajevo for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Cesis is much colder than Sarajevo in the summer. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Sarajevo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in July than Sarajevo. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Sarajevo in the Autumn?

Both Sarajevo 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. Also, many visitors come to Sarajevo in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cesis is much colder than Sarajevo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cesis in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Sarajevo averages at about 17°C (62°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarajevo. In October, Cesis usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Sarajevo in the Winter?

Both Sarajevo and Cesis during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cesis in the winter for the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Sarajevo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Cesis can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cesis is generally much colder than Sarajevo. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around -5°C (23°F), and Sarajevo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Sarajevo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Sarajevo. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Sarajevo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Sarajevo. Most visitors come to Cesis for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Sarajevo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Cesis is much colder than Sarajevo in the spring. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Sarajevo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Sarajevo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Cesis usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sarajevo and Cesis