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

Should you visit Cesis or Vilnius?

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 Vilnius 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. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking.

Vilnius

Vilnius is a undiscovered, authentic, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cesis and Vilnius: Pros and Cons

How is Cesis different from Vilnius?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Cesis or Vilnius Better for Food?

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

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.

Vilnius is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food is hearty with plenty of meat and potatoes. There are also soups and herring dishes as well as great desserts. Popular dishes in the area include cepelinai (meat filled potato dumplings), kibinai (a pastry), and potato pancakes.

Is Cesis or Vilnius Better for Nightlife?

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

Vilnius is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The large student population is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene. You'll find most of the activity centered around three streets - Vilniaus, Islandijos and Vokiečių. These areas have a number of bars and clubs, and they draw the biggest crowds.

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 Vilnius Better for its Old Town?

Vilnius has a more popular old town than Cesis.

Vilnius is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with history, architecture, and churches. It's also where you'll find Vilnius University. At the heart of the area is Pilies Gatve (Castle Street), which has shopping, cafes, and restaurants.

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 Vilnius Better for Families?

Both Cesis and Vilnius 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.

Vilnius offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of historic sights, but once your kids have had their fill, you can head to one of the outdoor or indoor play areas in the city center. There's also a toy museum and an Energy and Technology Museum that kids will enjoy. After a busy day, make sure you grab some ice cream to lift everyone's spirits.

Is Cesis or Vilnius Better for Couples?

Both Cesis and Vilnius 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.

Vilnius is a good town for couples to visit. The city is filled with viewpoints, from hill tops to towers, where you can enjoy romantic views over the landscape. You can also dine in a local restaurant or enjoy a picnic in one of the outdoor settings.

Is Cesis or Vilnius Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cesis and Vilnius 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 Vilnius. For backpackers who want to escape the crowds, this off-the-beaten path European capital is a great option. It has history, charm, and an authenticity that is hard to find in a more touristy area. It's also an affordable city, with hostels and plenty of cheap places to eat.

Is Cesis or Vilnius Better for Public Transit?

Vilnius provides more public transit options than Cesis.

You'll find some public transit in Vilnius, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Bus and trolleybuses are available.

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 Vilnius a more walkable city?

Cesis and Vilnius 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.

Vilnius is a somewhat walkable town. The old town is the most walkable part of the city.

Should I spend more time in Vilnius or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Vilnius?

It's fun to spend time in either Cesis or Vilnius. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Vilnius due to the larger number of activities and things to do.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Cesis is 1-2 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Vilnius is 1-4 days.

One day in Cesis or Vilnius?

Cesis is a small town with plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Vilnius, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic 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 Vilnius?

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. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Vilnius. 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 Vilnius?

Cesis is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

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

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. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the undiscovered destination of Vilnius. 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 Vilnius?

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 Vilnius in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Vilnius. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Vilnius for the family-friendly experiences.

Cesis is around the same temperature as Vilnius in the summer. The temperature in Cesis is usually 17°C (63°F) in July, and Vilnius stays around 18°C (65°F).

In July, Cesis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vilnius. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Vilnius receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cesis or Vilnius in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Vilnius. 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 Vilnius in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cesis is around the same temperature as Vilnius. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cesis in October are around 7°C (45°F), and Vilnius is about 8°C (46°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in October than Vilnius. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vilnius receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Vilnius in the Winter?

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

Vilnius can be very cold during winter. Cesis can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cesis is generally around the same temperature as Vilnius. Temperatures in Cesis average around -5°C (23°F), and Vilnius stays around -5°C (23°F).

In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Vilnius. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vilnius receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cesis or Vilnius in the Spring?

Both Vilnius and Cesis during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cesis for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Vilnius because of the natural beauty.

Cesis is cooler than Vilnius in the spring. The temperature in Cesis is usually 5°C (42°F) in April, and Vilnius stays around 7°C (45°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Vilnius. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Vilnius receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vilnius and Cesis