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

Should you visit Rabat 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 Rabat 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: Rabat or Novalja?

Rabat

While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.

Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.

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 2-Week Tours in Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Novalja or Rabat?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $44, 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 Rabat and Novalja in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rabat $27
    Novalja $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rabat $54
    Novalja $68
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Novalja

Looking for a hotel in Rabat 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 Rabat


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: Rabat Hotel Prices and Novalja Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rabat $2.10
    Novalja $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:


  • Taxi to Sale
    $3.49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat

Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer From Rabat To Fez: $109
  • One-Way Transfer from Fez to Rabat via volubilis & meknes : $196
  • One-Way Transfer from Rabat to Fez : $154
  • One-Way Transfer from Rabat to Fez via meknes & volubilis : $196
  • Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Asilah: $272
  • Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Bouznika: $87
  • Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Kenitra: $109
  • Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Larache: $254
  • Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Skhirat: $76
  • Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Temara: $65
  • Private Transfer from Rabat City to Rabat (RBA) Airport: $44
  • Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat City: $41

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 Rabat or Novalja?

Prices for flights to both Novalja and Rabat 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
    Rabat $12
    Novalja $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat

For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
  • Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
  • Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
  • Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $75
  • Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
  • Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
  • Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
  • Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rabat $2.84
    Novalja $6.48

Tours and Activities in Rabat

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.

  • Guided Bike Tour: $1.55
  • SUP Adventure Rabat (kayaking, stand up paddle , boating) VIP: $15
  • Private Cultural Walking Tour of Rabat with Licensed Tour Guide: $43
  • Private Surf Experience in Rabat: $44
  • Rabat tour ;Small Group Guided Walking tour in the City of Light: $44
  • Private Boat Tour of the Bouregreg River, a Traditional Boat: $45
  • Private Walking Guided Cultural Stroll with Licensed Tour Expert: $53
  • Private Guided City Walking Tour: $62
  • 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
  • Private Boat Guided Tour in Rabat: $65
  • Private Guided Tour in Rabat City: $76
  • Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rabat -
    Novalja $7.76


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rabat and Novalja, we can see that Novalja is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rabat is in Africa and Novalja is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Novalja would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Novalja than you might in Rabat.

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


Which is Bigger, Rabat or Novalja?

Rabat has a larger population, and is about 790 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Rabat 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.