Which place is cheaper, Novalja or Peniche?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Peniche or Novalja?
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 Peniche and Novalja can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Peniche or Novalja?
Peniche
Peniche is a beach destination with many attractions for travelers. First, the raging sea and the lay of the land make this a popular surfing destination. The best of many supreme beaches is Praia dos Supertubos, which has a tubular wave fit for big time international events. Peniche has also been a port since the Early Modern Age, when a fort was constructed to defend it. This monument has an absorbing history, first as a maritime defense and then a prison during the Estado Novo regime in the 20th century. The walled historic center makes for pleasant strolling, and the seaside fort where Salazar's regime detained political prisoners is a must-see for anyone interested in Portuguese history. Artisan lovers will enjoy Peniche's specialty, handmade lace, and it is even possible to see the lace-work in action. And on top of everything, Peniche also has the Berlingas Islands, a natural reserve off the coast, which are well worth a visit.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPeniche €122Novalja €58
The average daily cost (per person) in Peniche is €122, 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 Peniche and Novalja in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPeniche €50Novalja €31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPeniche €100Novalja €62
Compare Hotels in Peniche and Novalja
Looking for a hotel in Peniche 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.
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: Peniche Hotel Prices and Novalja Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Peniche €53Novalja €12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Peniche
Also for Peniche, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lisbon: Transfer from/to Peniche (Wave Capital): $128
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Novalja
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novalja:
- Zrce, Private Transfer to/from Zadar Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from Crikvenica to Rijeka Airport (RJK): $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Peniche or Novalja?
Prices for flights to both Novalja and Peniche 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 dayPeniche €41Novalja €20
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Peniche €19Novalja €6.07
Tours and Activities in Peniche
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Peniche.
- From 1-Hour Cabo Carvoeiro Boat Tour: $16
- Private Walking Tour - Footsteps of Our People: $21
- From Round-Trip Boat Tour of Berlengas Archipelago: $24
- Berlenga Island and Cave Tour: $33
- Berlengas Roundtrip and Glass-Bottom Boat Cave Tour: $33
- Berlengas Island Trip, Hiking and Cave Tour: $36
- Peniche : Walking Tour: $37
- Traction Buoy or Banana Boat Adventure: $43
- Berlengas Island Caves Tour and Snorkeling: $44
- Mountain Bike Tour: $53
- Private Jeep Tour + Tasting Offer: $53
- From Lisbon: Berlenga Grande Sightseeing Tour: $134
Tours and Activities in Novalja
Here are a few actual costs in Novalja for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Metajna/Pag Bay Guided Sea Kayaking Tour: $49
- From Kolan Bike Tour: $47
- From Svetojanj Bike Tour: $47
- Kayak and Via Ferrata Adventure: $71
- Bungee Tower Ticket with Zrce Beach Panoramic Views: $32
- Glowing Standup Paddleboard Guided Night Tour: $58
- Pag Island Light-Up Kayak Night Tour: $62
- Standup Paddleboard Guided Tour: $47
- Zrce Beach Bungee Jumping Experience: $74
- Zrce Booze Cruise - Novalja Boat Party: $52
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPeniche €12Novalja €7.27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Peniche and Novalja, we can see that Peniche 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 Peniche would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Peniche 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 Peniche Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Peniche or Novalja?
Peniche has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Peniche 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.
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.