A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Tartu for Old Town, Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Cesis or Tartu?

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 Tartu 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 quaint, small, and authentic 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.

Tartu

Tartu is a cultural, historical, and lively university town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife.

Cesis and Tartu: Pros and Cons

How is Cesis different from Tartu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Cesis or Tartu Better for Food?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Cesis and Tartu.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cesis. 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.

Tartu may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Cesis or Tartu Better for Nightlife?

With more options to choose from, you'll find a more vibrant nightlife in Tartu.

Tartu is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

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 Tartu Better for its Old Town?

Tartu has a more popular old town than Cesis.

Tartu is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

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 Tartu Better for Families?

Both Cesis and Tartu are fun 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.

Tartu offers lots of family activities. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

Is Cesis or Tartu Better for Couples?

Both Cesis and Tartu are good 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.

Tartu is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Cesis or Tartu Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis and Tartu are comparable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cesis is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 budget travelers and backpackers visit Tartu. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Cesis or Tartu Better for Public Transit?

Tartu provides more public transit options than Cesis.

You'll find some public transit in Tartu, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

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 Tartu a more walkable city?

Cesis and Tartu both are comparable 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.

Tartu is a very walkable destination. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

Should I spend more time in Tartu or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Tartu?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cesis and Tartu. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tartu than Cesis.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Cesis is 1-2 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Tartu is 1-3 days.

One day in Cesis or Tartu?

Even though Cesis is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Tartu, many people enjoy the nightlife that this student-oriented destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This university town 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 Tartu?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tartu. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Tartu?

Cesis is a fun place to experience. Cesis is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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

Cesis is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife around the historical destination of Tartu. 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.

When is the best time to visit Cesis or Tartu?

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 Tartu in the Summer?

Both Tartu and Cesis during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Cesis because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tartu this time of year.

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

Cesis usually gets more rain in July than Tartu. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Tartu in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Tartu. The hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Cesis is generally a little warmer than Tartu. Temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Tartu stays around 6°C (43°F).

In October, Cesis usually receives more rain than Tartu. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Tartu in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Tartu. Many travelers come to Cesis for the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Tartu in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Tartu can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Cesis. Cesis is a little warmer than Tartu in the winter. The temperature in Cesis is usually -5°C (23°F) in January, and Tartu stays around -7°C (19°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in January than Tartu. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Tartu in the Spring?

Both Tartu and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cesis in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Tartu for the natural beauty during these months.

Tartu can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Cesis is a little warmer than Tartu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April are around 5°C (42°F), and Tartu is about 5°C (41°F).

In April, Cesis usually receives more rain than Tartu. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tartu and Cesis