Which place is cheaper, Novalja or Puerto de la Cruz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto de la Cruz or Novalja?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Puerto de la Cruz and Novalja. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Puerto de la Cruz or Novalja?
Puerto de la Cruz
The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, 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 dayPuerto de la Cruz €112Novalja €58
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto de la Cruz is €112, 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 Puerto de la Cruz and Novalja in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto de la Cruz €51Novalja €31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto de la Cruz €102Novalja €62
Compare Hotels in Puerto de la Cruz and Novalja
Looking for a hotel in Puerto de la Cruz 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: Puerto de la Cruz Hotel Prices and Novalja Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto de la Cruz €40Novalja €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 Puerto de la Cruz or Novalja?
Prices for flights to both Novalja and Puerto de la Cruz 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 dayPuerto de la Cruz €34Novalja €20
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto de la Cruz €28Novalja €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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto de la Cruz €5.00Novalja €7.27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto de la Cruz and Novalja, we can see that Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto de la Cruz or Novalja?
Puerto de la Cruz has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Puerto de la Cruz 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.