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

Should you visit Figueira da Foz 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 Figueira da Foz 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: Figueira da Foz or Novalja?

Figueira da Foz

Located along the glistening waters of the Atlantic Ocean, a bustling city thrives near its shores with towering skyscrapers guarding the city like metallic giants. Figueira da Foz, or simply Figueira, is nestled within the Columbia District and is both a city and municipality. Sheltered by the hills of Serra da Boa Viagem, Figueira is near the mouth of the Mondego River and right beside the Atlantic. Only about 40 kilometers from Coimbra, Figueira has a population of 46,600 and is the second largest city found throughout the region. Because it is a seaside city, Figueira subsists off of Portuguese as well as international tourism, maintaining its pristine beaches, supplying seaport facilities, and a plethora of restaurants, gift shops, cafes, and more. Some of the beaches include Quiaios, Cabedelo, Claridade, Costa de Lavos, Murtinheira, Leirosa, Molhe Norte, Cabo Mondego, and many more. Tourists are also attracted to Figueira because it is a well-known gambling spot in Portugal with the Casino da Figueira da Foz and the Casino da Figueira present and popular. There are also popular landmarks that are recommended by tourists to visit, such as Forte de Santa Catarina and Torre de Relogio. There is also a museum that features the history of the Figueira within the city. Whether you are looking to surf or sight-see, there is much to do in Figueira da Foz, Portugal.

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 Luxury Tours to Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Novalja or Figueira da Foz?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Figueira da Foz is €110, while the average daily cost in Novalja is €58. 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 Figueira da Foz and Novalja in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Figueira da Foz 49
    Novalja 31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Figueira da Foz 98
    Novalja 62
Compare Hotels in Figueira da Foz and Novalja

Looking for a hotel in Figueira da Foz 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 Figueira da Foz


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: Figueira da Foz Hotel Prices and Novalja Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Figueira da Foz 34
    Novalja 12

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 Figueira da Foz or Novalja?

Prices for flights to both Novalja and Figueira da Foz 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
    Figueira da Foz 41
    Novalja 20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Figueira da Foz 13
    Novalja 6.07

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
    Figueira da Foz 21
    Novalja 7.27


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

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


Which is Bigger, Figueira da Foz or Novalja?

Figueira da Foz has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Figueira da Foz 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.