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

Should you visit Kefalonia 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 Kefalonia 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: Kefalonia or Novalja?

Kefalonia

With its dramatic landscapes, picturesque villages, and endless sandy beaches, Kefalonia offers a quintessential Greek island experience away from the crowds. This stunning Ionian gem has something for everyone, from outdoor adventurers to history buffs to beach bums. Kefalonia provides excellent value compared to some of Greece's more popular islands like Santorini or Mykonos. Hotels are not as expensive, and budget-friendly options are common. Eating at casual tavernas or buying fresh produce from local markets can keep food costs very reasonable, too.

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 from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Novalja or Kefalonia?

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 Kefalonia is €294, while the average daily cost in Novalja is €73. 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 Kefalonia and Novalja in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kefalonia 120
    Novalja 32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kefalonia 240
    Novalja 64
Compare Hotels in Kefalonia and Novalja

Looking for a hotel in Kefalonia 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 Kefalonia


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: Kefalonia Hotel Prices and Novalja Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kefalonia 53
    Novalja 12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Novalja

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Novalja:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Kefalonia or Novalja?

Prices for flights to both Novalja and Kefalonia 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
    Kefalonia 140
    Novalja 34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kefalonia 33
    Novalja 6.09

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
    Kefalonia 22
    Novalja 7.29


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kefalonia and Novalja, we can see that Kefalonia 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 Kefalonia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kefalonia 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 Kefalonia Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.