Which place is cheaper, Novalja or Plovdiv?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Plovdiv 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 Plovdiv and Novalja can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Plovdiv or Novalja?
Plovdiv
Located in a large, hilly plain between the Rhodope Mountains in the south of Bulgaria and the Balkan Range in the central part of the country, Plovdiv sits uniquely spread across six hills. It is one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world, dating back roughly 8,000 years. Some of its best features are its ancient ruins and historic architecture.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria, The Best Adventure Tours to Bulgaria, 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 dayPlovdiv $80Novalja $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Plovdiv is $80, 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 Plovdiv and Novalja in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlovdiv $44Novalja $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlovdiv $88Novalja $68
Compare Hotels in Plovdiv and Novalja
Looking for a hotel in Plovdiv 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: Plovdiv Hotel Prices and Novalja Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Plovdiv $22Novalja $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plovdiv
Also for Plovdiv, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas: $263
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia / vice versa: $148
- Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Varna: $356
- Private Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $160
- Sofia: Private Transfer from Sofia to Plovdiv OR vice versa: $148
- Transfer Plovdiv to Sofia airport/city with a car 3+1: $98
- Transfer from Pamporovo to Sofia: $98
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Burgas city/airport with sedan/minivan/minibus: $191
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Pamporovo: $89
- Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia: $104
- Varna: Private Transfer from Varna to Plovdiv: $378
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 Plovdiv or Novalja?
Prices for flights to both Novalja and Plovdiv 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 dayPlovdiv $21Novalja $21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Plovdiv $15Novalja $6.48
Tours and Activities in Plovdiv
For Plovdiv, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Plovdiv Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Pokémon GO Private Tour of Plovdiv: $17
- Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $20
- Plovdiv Communist Walking Tour Soviet Landmarks: $20
- Guided Walking Tour: $21
- Plovdiv Private City Walking Tour Old Town & Ancient Stadium: $21
- Plovdiv guided walking tour: $22
- Private Virtual Tour in Plovdiv with a Local Guide: $32
- Food Walk: Bulgarian Food and Culture Tour in Plovdiv: $38
- Plovdiv - Private walking tour: $41
- Walking tour of Plovdiv's top attractions: $55
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 dayPlovdiv $9.57Novalja $7.76
Sample the Local Flavors in Plovdiv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plovdiv:
- Chateau Copsa Wine Tasting Tours & Activities: $21
- Plovdiv Exquisite Wine Tasting: $64
- Old Town Exploring Guide Roman Ruins & Wine Tasting: $80
- Thracian Valley wine tasting - private day tour from Plovdiv: $92
- Private Day Trip From Plovdiv To Wine Cellars And Wine Tasting: $108
- From Sofia: Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Tour With Wine Tasting: $134
- Half-Day of Horseback Adventure with Wine Tasting: $168
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Plovdiv and Novalja, we can see that Plovdiv 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 Plovdiv would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Plovdiv 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 Plovdiv Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Plovdiv or Novalja?
Plovdiv has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Plovdiv 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.