Which place is cheaper, Maribor or Novalja?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Novalja or Maribor?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Novalja or Maribor? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Novalja or Maribor?
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.
Maribor
Located near the Austrian border is Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia. Maribor is surrounded by hills that are filled with wine vineyards, as well as the Mariborsko Pohorje mountain. The city is split in half by the Drava River. On the left bank of the river you'll find the city's old town.
The city draws tourists from all over the world who come to enjoy the world renowned wine, old town culture, and outdoor activities which include hiking and skiing. The city is a great jumping off point for many outdoor activities and for those hoping to see the countryside. If you're more the city type, Maribor also has plenty to offer. Head to the theater for a show, sip some wine in a town square, or soak in the beauty of a cathedral while you're in the area.
Maribor's climate is humid continental with warm summers and cold winters. During the winter months the average temperature hovers around freezing. The warmest month is July, when average temperatures often exceed 20 degrees Celsius. Maribor is also one of the sunniest cities in Slovenia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovenia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Slovenia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNovalja $62Maribor $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Novalja is $62, while the average daily cost in Maribor is $81. 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 Novalja and Maribor in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNovalja $34Maribor $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNovalja $68Maribor $94
Compare Hotels in Novalja and Maribor
Looking for a hotel in Novalja or Maribor? 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.
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: Novalja Hotel Prices and Maribor Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Novalja $12Maribor $9.35
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Maribor
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Maribor:
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Gondola (for 2)$21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maribor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maribor:
- Private Transfer from Maribor to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $252
- Private transfer from Maribor to Ljubljana city: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Novalja or Maribor?
Prices for flights to both Maribor and Novalja 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
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Food Meals for one dayNovalja $21Maribor $28
Typical Food Prices in Maribor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Maribor:
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Restaurant Dinner (for 2)$26
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Gostilnica Navogalu Cafe Lunch$8.04
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Novalja $6.48Maribor $9.18
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNovalja $7.76Maribor $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Maribor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Maribor:
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Bottle of Wine$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Novalja and Maribor, we can see that Maribor 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 Maribor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maribor 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 Novalja Expensive? and Is Maribor Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Novalja or Maribor?
Maribor has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Novalja and Maribor, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.