A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Villach for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Cesis or Villach?

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 Villach 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 authentic, natural, and traditional town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking.

Villach

Villach is a historic, nature-filled, and outdoorsy town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Cesis and Villach: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Small town charm
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty


Is there more to do in Cesis or Villach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Villach. Although Cesis and Villach are both popular with visitors, Villach has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Villach is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Cesis is known for its small town charm. Villach is more touristy than Cesis and is known for its many alpine hikes, nearby lakes, and its quaint main square. It is also home to The Villach Main Square. Cesis is popular for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Villach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cesis
Villach

Villach is a town with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

Villach offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several historical buildings in town such as the Parish Church of St. Jakob, the Holy Cross Church, and the Parish Church of St. Martin. Also worth a visit is the Museum of the City of Villach.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Cesis
Villach

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at decent restaurants in both Cesis and Villach.

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.

Villach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find the standard options of pizza and burgers around town. While the food scene isn't particularly special, the quality is decent and reliable.

Is Cesis or Villach Better for Nightlife?

Cesis
Villach

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

Villach has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The weekends are when you'll find the best nightlife. There are some local bars and clubs that come to life and attract a young crowd on a weekend night.

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 Villach Better for its Old Town?

Cesis
Villach

Villach is a town with good options for its old town. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its historic old town charm.

Many people head to Villach to see the old town. You'll find churches and gardens throughout the charming old town. At the heart of the town is the main square.

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 Villach Better for Hiking?

Cesis
Villach

Villach is well known for its hiking experiences. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Villach. The surrounding countryside is filled with both short and long hikes. You can take a short stroll or spend hours (or days) exploring the alpine scenery. Breathtaking views and peaceful retreats make this a wonderful area for hiking.

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 Villach?

Cesis
Villach

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

If you're looking to go shopping, Villach has some nice offerings. There are your standard shopping centers where you can pick up clothes or anything you may have forgotten for your trip.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Villach Better for Families?

Cesis
Villach

Villach is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cesis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Villach is a very kid-friendly town. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family will enjoy. There's kid-friendly hiking, adventure parks, nature parks, and some swimming areas.

Cesis offers lots of family activities. 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.


Is Cesis or Villach Better for Couples?

Cesis
Villach

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

Couples visit Villach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures, beautiful hikes, and stunning scenery will appreciate a visit to this area.

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 Villach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis
Villach

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

Villach is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers who enjoy the outdoor setting and beautiful hikes that are nearby.

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

Cesis
Villach

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

Public transit is generally limited in Villach. There are buses and trains in the area, but to experience the nearby nature you'll want to have a car.

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 Villach a more walkable city?

Cesis
Villach

Cesis is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Villach is a mediocre town 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.

Villach is generally not a very walkable town. Parts of the town are walkable but the surrounding natural areas are most easily accessed with a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Villach or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Villach?

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

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

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

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


  • How many days in Cesis or Villach? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cesis 1-2 
    Villach 1-3

One day in Cesis or Villach?

Cesis is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Villach, many people enjoy the nightlife and museums that this nature-filled destination offers. 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.

A weekend in Cesis or Villach?

Cesis might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cesis has to offer.

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

Cesis is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Villach is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the destination of Villach. 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.

A week in Cesis or Villach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cesis. Since Cesis is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Villach. 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.


Which place is cheaper, Villach or Cesis?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cesis is €108, while the average daily cost in Villach is €116. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cesis and Villach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cesis 47
    Villach 69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cesis 94
    Villach 138
Compare Hotels in Cesis and Villach

Looking for a hotel in Cesis or Villach? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cesis


Hotels in Villach


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Villach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cesis 30
    Villach 18

Is it cheaper to fly into Cesis or Villach?

Prices for flights to both Villach and Cesis change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cesis 41
    Villach 35
Typical Food Prices in Cesis

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cesis:


  • Lunch in town for two
    6.67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cesis 16
    Villach 15

Tours and Activities in Villach

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Villach are as follows:

  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
  • Villach Private Walking Tour with Professional Guide: $250
  • Magic Christmas Tour: $769

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cesis 17
    Villach 14


When comparing the travel costs between Cesis and Villach, we can see that Villach 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 Villach Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cesis or Villach?

Villach has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Villach, 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 Villach?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cesis or Villach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Villach. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Villach in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cesis is cooler than Villach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Villach averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In July, Cesis usually receives more rain than Villach. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cesis 17°C (63°F) 
    Villach 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Villach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Villach. Many visitors come to Cesis in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Villach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Cesis is generally much colder than Villach. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Villach fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in October than Villach. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cesis 7°C (45°F) 
    Villach 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Villach in the Winter?

Both Villach and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cesis for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Villach because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cesis can be very cold during winter. Cesis is much colder than Villach in the winter. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Villach fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Villach. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cesis -5°C (23°F) 
    Villach 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Villach in the Spring?

Both Villach and Cesis during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Cesis because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Villach this time of year.

In the spring, Cesis is much colder than Villach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Villach averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Villach. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cesis 5°C (42°F) 
    Villach 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Villach and Cesis

Cesis Villach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)