Two series TiO2-CeO2 samples were synthesized using homogeneous precipitation with urea and template-assisted hydrothermal procedures. The samples were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, XRD, UV-Vis, Raman and TPR techniques. The catalytic properties of the obtained materials were studied in oxidation of ethyl acetate and methanol decomposition. The effect of preparation procedure on the phase composition, texture, structure and redox properties was discussed in close relation with the possibilities for fine tuning of their catalytic activity.