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

Should you visit Gdansk or Novalja?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gdansk or Novalja, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Gdansk or Novalja?

Gdansk

Gdansk is the capital and largest city of the Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland. The port dates back a thousand years and was an influential city in the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages. The city was essentially destroyed during World War II but has rebuilt into one of Europe's most beautiful port cities. The city now has a population of around 460,000 and is a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the globe. It is known for its impressive city center, its great museums, and its beaches that line the coast of the Gulf of Gdansk. In particular, it is a popular summer destination.

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 10-Day Tours in Poland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Novalja or Gdansk?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Gdansk is $77, while the average daily cost in Novalja is $86. 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 Gdansk and Novalja in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gdansk $30
    Novalja $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gdansk $60
    Novalja $74
Compare Hotels in Gdansk and Novalja

Looking for a hotel in Gdansk 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 Gdansk


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: Gdansk Hotel Prices and Novalja Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gdansk $9.47
    Novalja $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gdansk

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gdansk:

  • CO2-OffsetArrival Transfer from Gdansk Airport GDN to Gdansk City: $72
  • Gdansk Airport Private Transfer: $74
  • Gdansk Airport Transfers : $69
  • Gdansk Airport: Private Transfer to Gdansk, Sopot, or Gdynia: $59
  • Gdansk to Torun Private Transfer : $145
  • Bubble Football with Hotel Transfers: $99
  • Indoor Go Karting Package in Gdansk with Hotel Transfers : $131
  • Luxury Limousine Transfer from Gdansk Airport (GDN) : $137
  • Private Round-Trip Transfers: Gdansk Airport (GDN): $149
  • Private Transfer From the Port Gdynia to Gdansk Old Town: $114
  • Private Transfer from Airport Gdansk GDN to Starogard Gdanski: $144
  • Private Transfer from Gdansk (GDN) Airport to Bytów city: $250

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Novalja

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novalja:

  • Private Transfer from Crikvenica to Rijeka Airport (RJK): $130
  • Zrce, Private Transfer to/from Zadar Airport: $200

Is it cheaper to fly into Gdansk or Novalja?

Prices for flights to both Novalja and Gdansk 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
    Gdansk $39
    Novalja $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gdansk

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Gdansk.

  • Delicious Gdańsk Food Tour in Poland: $101
  • Deluxe Polish Food Tour Experience in Gdansk: $118
  • Foodpairing dinner in one of the best restaurants in Gdansk: $160
  • Gdansk Traditional Food Tour with Old Town Sightseeing: $191
  • Sopot: Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $194

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gdansk $9.03
    Novalja $7.14

Tours and Activities in Gdansk

Here are a few actual costs in Gdansk for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self Guided Legends and Liberty Gdansk Old Town Tour: $5.54
  • Discover Gdansk Walking Tour: $5.99
  • Cruises on the Motlawa River by a luxury catamaran - Gdańsk from the water side: $20
  • Cruises on the Motlawa River: $20
  • Sightseeing Cruise around the Old Town of Gdansk: $22
  • Gdansk Guided City Cruise on Historical Polish Boat: $23
  • Sunset on the Shipyard and Old Town Evening Cruise: $24
  • Sopot Walking Tour: $26
  • Main Town Gdańsk Walking Tour: $26
  • Culinary cruises - pierogi tasting Shipyard and Port: $32
  • Gdańsk: City Sightseeing Tour by Buggy/Golf Cart LIVE GUIDED 1H: $34
  • GDANSK City Tour by Golf Cart Live Guide & City Sightseeing 60min: $34

Tours and Activities in Novalja

Here are a few actual costs in Novalja for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Adriatic Sea Diving Experience: $94

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gdansk $5.26
    Novalja $8.55

Sample the Local Flavors in Gdansk

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gdansk:

  • Gdansk Pub Crawl with Free Drinks: $26
  • Polish Spirits tasting in Gdańsk Craft Distillery tawern: $37
  • #1 Pub Crawl in Sopot: $44
  • Exclusive Gdańsk Wine Tour with Polish Wine Tastings: $96


When comparing the travel costs between Gdansk and Novalja, we can see that Novalja is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Gdansk or Novalja?

Gdansk has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Gdansk 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.