Which place is cheaper, Novalja or Santillana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Santillana or Novalja?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santillana or Novalja? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Santillana or Novalja?
Santillana
A quaint town outside of Santander in northern Spain, Santillana de Mar is renowned for its medieval architecture. One of Spain's prettiest villages, Santillana del Mar and its cobbled streets are lined with palaces, churches, and balconies full of flowers. There are plenty of traditional shops selling local specialties, and it is nearby the UNESCO world heritage site of the Altamira Caves for something a little different.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.
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Santillana Prices
Spain PricesNovalja Prices
Croatia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantillana €127Novalja €73
The average daily cost (per person) in Santillana is €127, 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 Santillana and Novalja in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantillana €60Novalja €32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantillana €120Novalja €64
Compare Hotels in Santillana and Novalja
Looking for a hotel in Santillana 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: Santillana Hotel Prices and Novalja Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santillana €17Novalja €12
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 Santillana or Novalja?
Prices for flights to both Novalja and Santillana 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 daySantillana €53Novalja €34
Typical Food Prices in Santillana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:
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Breakfast€7.00
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santillana €23Novalja €6.09
Tours and Activities in Santillana
Here are a few actual costs in Santillana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Guided Walking Tour of Santillana del Mar: $215
- Private Walking Tour of Altamira and Neocave Museum: $239
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantillana €4.29Novalja €7.29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santillana and Novalja, we can see that Santillana 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 Santillana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santillana 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 Santillana Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santillana or Novalja?
Santillana has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Santillana 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.