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

Is there more to do in Cesis or Tartu?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tartu. Although Cesis and Tartu are both popular with visitors, Tartu has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tartu is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Cesis is known for its hiking and small town charm. Cesis is popular for its medieval castle and nearby hikes. Tartu is popular for its vibrant student population and long running university. It is also home to Tartu Cathedral.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at decent 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?

Tartu is well known for nightlife and partying. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

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

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 Hiking?

Cesis is a town with good options for hiking. However, Tartu is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Cesis. 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.

Tartu is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Tartu?

Tartu is a university town with a few options for its shopping opportunities. However, Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Tartu has some nice offerings. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Tartu Better for Families?

Both Cesis and Tartu 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.

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?

Cesis is a town with good options for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

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.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. 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?

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

Tartu is a great university town to visit for backpackers. 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.

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 Tartu Better for Students?

Tartu is renowned for students. However, Cesis is not popular with students.

Tartu is a very popular university town for students. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

Cesis is not popular with students.

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

Tartu is a university town with good options for its public transit. However, Cesis is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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?

Tartu is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

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.

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

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 in Cesis. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cesis, and 1-3 days is enough time in Tartu.

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

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

One day in Cesis or Tartu?

Even though Cesis is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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. 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. 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. 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 lively 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, and The Best Budget Tours to Estonia.

When comparing the travel costs between Cesis and Tartu, 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 Tartu Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Tartu?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Tartu, 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 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 average around 17°C (63°F), and Tartu averages at 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. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Tartu fluctuates 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 daily temperature in Cesis averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Tartu fluctuates 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 average around 5°C (42°F), and Tartu averages at 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