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

Should you visit Cesis or Wellington?

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 Wellington 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. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Cesis is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking. See Cesis travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Wellington travel costs.

Cesis and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cesis or Wellington?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Wellington than Cesis, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Wellington is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Cesis is more popular for its historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Wellington is more touristy than Cesis and is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Also, Wellington is famous for Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Cesis is well known for its medieval castle and nearby hikes.

How is Cesis different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Wellington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

Cesis does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Wellington is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Cesis is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Wellington. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Cesis may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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.

Is Cesis or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

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

Wellington is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in 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 Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is well known for the beach. However, Cesis is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Wellington attract visitors from all over. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Cesis is not a beach destination.

Is Cesis or Wellington Better for its Old Town?

Cesis is a decent place to visit for its old town. However, Wellington does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Cesis. The old town is small but charming and authentic. There are a few unique sites that are worth visiting as well.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Cesis or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Both Cesis and Wellington are destinations which offer notable hiking.

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.

Wellington offers some nice hiking trails. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Is the Shopping Better in Cesis or Wellington?

Wellington is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Wellington is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Cesis is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cesis or Wellington More Beautiful?

Cesis is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Wellington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Cesis is a beautiful place to visit, too. Head outside of town to experience the hiking trails and natural beauty. The park is best explored during the summer months.

Wellington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cesis or Wellington Better for Families?

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

Wellington is a very kid-friendly city. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

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 Wellington Better for Couples?

Both Cesis and Wellington are notable 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.

Wellington is a good town for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Cesis or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Wellington is a great city to visit for backpackers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

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 Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a city with good options for students. However, Cesis is not popular with students.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Cesis is not popular with students.

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

Wellington is well known for its public transit. However, Cesis is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Wellington can get you to some places easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington 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.

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Cesis?

How long in Cesis or Wellington?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cesis or Wellington?

Cesis might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cesis, one day is sufficent for most.

In Wellington, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this laid-back destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Cesis or Wellington?

Even though Cesis is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Wellington?

Cesis, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Wellington. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Cesis or Wellington?

Cesis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the funky destination of Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cesis and Wellington, we can see that Cesis is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cesis is in Europe and Wellington is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Cesis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cesis than you might in Wellington.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cesis Expensive? and Is Wellington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Wellington?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Wellington, 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 Wellington?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Cesis has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Cesis or Wellington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Wellington. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Cesis is around the same temperature as Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

Cesis usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Cesis is much colder than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cesis in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

In October, Cesis usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin April. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Cesis during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cesis for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cesis can be very cold during winter. In January, Cesis is generally much colder than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around -5°C (23°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Wellington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Wellington. The spring months attract visitors to Cesis because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

Cesis is much colder than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

In April, Cesis usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin October. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Cesis