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

Should you visit Cesis or Tampere?

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 Tampere 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 Tampere?

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.

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Helsinki, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland.

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

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Tampere?

Tampere has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Tampere, 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 Tampere?

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 Tampere in the Summer?

Both Tampere and Cesis during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cesis in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Cesis is around the same temperature as Tampere in the summer. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Tampere fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Cesis usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Tampere. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Tampere in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Tampere. Most visitors come to Cesis for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Cesis is a little warmer than Tampere. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cesis in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Tampere averages at about 5°C (42°F).

In October, Cesis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tampere. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Tampere in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Tampere. The winter months attract visitors to Cesis because of the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Tampere in the winter. The weather in Cesis can be very cold. In January, Cesis is generally a little warmer than Tampere. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around -5°C (23°F), and Tampere fluctuates around -7°C (19°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Tampere. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Tampere in the Spring?

Both Tampere and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cesis this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tampere. Cesis is much warmer than Tampere in the spring. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Tampere fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In April, Cesis usually receives more rain than Tampere. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tampere and Cesis