A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sigulda vs. Kemi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sigulda or Kemi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sigulda and Kemi can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sigulda or Kemi?

Sigulda

Only 50 kilometers from Riga, Sigulda can be reached by either train or bus. The town is pleasantly situated in the Vidzeme Region of Latvia in the beautiful Gauja Valley. The area is quite scenic with steep banks and cliffs, and has earned itself the title as the "Switzerland of Latvia." Don't put too much emphasis on this name, but it is a pleasant area to explore, particularly if you're looking to get outside of the city and immerse yourself in some pristine wilderness.

Kemi

Kemi is a town on Bothnian Bay in Lapland, Finland. It's known for the massive Sampo icebreaker, a giant ship built to ply the Arctic waters. The main economic activity in Kemi is centered on two large paper and wood pulp mills and on the only chromium mine in Europe. Kemi also has a claim to fame as the home of the world's largest snow castle (reconstructed every year with a different design). The SnowCastle is usually located at the inner harbor of Kemi.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Finland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sigulda and Kemi, we can see that Kemi is more expensive. And not only is Sigulda much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sigulda would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sigulda 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 Kemi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kemi than you might in Sigulda.

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

Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Kemi?

Kemi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sigulda. When comparing the sizes of Sigulda and Kemi, 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 Sigulda or Kemi?

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 Sigulda or Kemi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Kemi.

In the summer, Sigulda is around the same temperature as Kemi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sigulda in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Kemi averages at about 15°C (60°F).

Sigulda usually gets more rain in July than Kemi. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sigulda or Kemi in the Autumn?

Both Kemi and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

The weather in Kemi can be very cold. In October, Sigulda is generally much warmer than Kemi. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 7°C (45°F), and Kemi fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In October, Sigulda usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kemi. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sigulda or Kemi in the Winter?

Both Kemi and Sigulda during the winter are popular places to visit.

It's quite cold in Kemi in the winter. The weather in Sigulda can be very cold. Sigulda is much warmer than Kemi in the winter. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Kemi fluctuates around -12°C (10°F).

Sigulda usually gets less rain in January than Kemi. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sigulda or Kemi in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Kemi.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kemi. In the spring, Sigulda is much warmer than Kemi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sigulda in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Kemi averages at about -1°C (31°F).

In April, Sigulda usually receives more rain than Kemi. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kemi and Sigulda