A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belgrade vs. Novalja for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Belgrade or Novalja?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Belgrade and Novalja 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.

Where Should I go: Belgrade or Novalja?

Belgrade

Belgrade is the capital city of the Republic of Serbia. Dating back to the 4th Century BC, is has seen many changes from Celtic tribes at its earliest beginnings to Roman rule, the Ottoman Empire, and Serbian independence. Relics of its past can be seen today in Belgrade's architecture and museums, while there are also a host of contemporary activities like nightlife, clubs, cafes, and concerts.

Novalja

Novalja is a Croatian town in the north of the island of Pag in the Adriatic Sea. Novalja is known internationally as party central because of the infamous party beach, Zrce, which boasts 4 clubs open around the clock. The pumping house/techno music and dance parties typically start at around 4 pm and continue well past 2 in the morning. During the summer, many well-known DJs and groups from around the world, including Benni Benassi, Jamie Jones, and Swanky Tunes, host concerts in these nightclubs. Zrce is not just for party-goers though. Many families lay out their towels for a day at the beautiful stone beach. This Novalja beach has cafe-bars and restaurants so you can easily grab a bite to eat or quick drink at your convenience. In addition to Zrce, Novalja offers tourists a number of other gorgeous beaches. Cista and Babe and both are perfect if you're looking for a calmer location. Both of these beaches have a lot less activity than Zrce, making for a relaxing afternoon, and their waters tend to be a bit warmer too.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Serbia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Belgrade, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Novalja or Belgrade?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Belgrade is $44, while the average daily cost in Novalja is $62. 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 Belgrade and Novalja in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Belgrade $30
    Novalja $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Belgrade $60
    Novalja $68
Compare Hotels in Belgrade and Novalja

Looking for a hotel in Belgrade or Novalja? 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 Belgrade


Hotels in Novalja


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: Belgrade Hotel Prices and Novalja Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Belgrade $5.55
    Novalja $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belgrade

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Belgrade:

  • Airport Transfer in Belgrade, Serbia: $39
  • BELGRADE TRANSIT TOUR - private layover tour with return airport transfer: $130
  • Belgrade Airport transfer - Business Class: $51
  • Belgrade Layover tour with E Scooter and airport transfers: $214
  • Belgrade N. Tesla Airport (BEG) to Belgrade - Round-Trip Transfer: $70
  • Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG): Transfer to Belgrade: $144
  • Belgrade Panorama - Private Arrival Transfer and City Tour Combined: $239
  • Belgrade airport transfer: $46
  • Belgrade and Avala Mountain Full Day Layover Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $88
  • Belgrade to Belgrade N. Tesla Airport (BEG) - Departure Transfer: $35
  • Belgrade to Zlatibor private transfer by car: $251
  • Bus Transfer Between Airport and Slavija Square: $3.65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Novalja

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novalja:

  • Private Transfer from Crikvenica to Rijeka Airport (RJK): $74
  • Zrce, Private Transfer to/from Zadar Airport: $170

Is it cheaper to fly into Belgrade or Novalja?

Prices for flights to both Novalja and Belgrade 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
    Belgrade $9.21
    Novalja $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belgrade

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Belgrade.

  • E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $65
  • Private Walking and Food Tour in Belgrade: $71
  • E-Scooter Serbian Food Tour: $75
  • The 10 Tastings of Belgrade Private Food Tour : $135

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Belgrade $4.48
    Novalja $6.48

Tours and Activities in Belgrade

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

  • Skip the Line: Family Centar Sremska Mitrovica -Playroom for kids: $1.09
  • Capture Belgrade:Audio Walking Tour in the Heart of the City: $3.19
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Jack The Ripper Skip-the-Line Ticket in Belgrade: $3.27
  • Belgrade City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Self-Guided City Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.42
  • Sightseeing by open top bus: $14
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
  • Yugoslavia Communist tour: $16
  • Saint Sava Temple guided tour: $16
  • Underground Tour with Glass of Wine: $16
  • Fortress Underground Tour w/Wine Along the River: $16

Tours and Activities in Novalja

Here are a few actual costs in Novalja for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bungee Tower Ticket with Zrce Beach Panoramic Views: $32
  • From Svetojanj Bike Tour: $47
  • Standup Paddleboard Guided Tour: $47
  • From Kolan Bike Tour: $47
  • From Metajna/Pag Bay Guided Sea Kayaking Tour: $49
  • Zrce Booze Cruise - Novalja Boat Party: $52
  • Glowing Standup Paddleboard Guided Night Tour: $58
  • Pag Island Light-Up Kayak Night Tour: $62
  • Kayak and Via Ferrata Adventure: $71
  • Zrce Beach Bungee Jumping Experience: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Belgrade $21
    Novalja $7.76

Sample the Local Flavors in Belgrade

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belgrade:

  • Wines & Horses Wine Tasting surrounded by Horses: $48
  • Belgrade Reserved Pub Crawl: $49
  • Play Pub Crawl Belgrade: $49
  • RePlay Pub Crawl in Belgrade: $52
  • E-Scooter CRAFT BEER and BREWERY Tour: $53
  • Natural wine tasting with great views: $55
  • Tour of the MONASTERIES at Fruška Gora NP and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting: $55
  • Belgrade Bar Crawl: $55
  • Pearl of North Serbia, trip to Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting: $60
  • Private Wine Tasting by Party in Belgrade: $71
  • Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci private tour with wine tasting: $75
  • 3-Hour Walking Local Wine Tasting Tour: $80


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

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


Which is Bigger, Belgrade or Novalja?

Belgrade has a larger population, and is about 610 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Belgrade and Novalja, 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.