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

Should you visit Sochi or Novalja?

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

Should I visit Sochi 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: Sochi or Novalja?

Sochi

Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.

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 Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Novalja or Sochi?

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 Sochi is $165, 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 Sochi and Novalja in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sochi $16
    Novalja $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sochi $32
    Novalja $74
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Novalja

Looking for a hotel in Sochi 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 Sochi


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: Novalja Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sochi $168
    Novalja $14

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 Sochi or Novalja?

Prices for flights to both Novalja and Sochi 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
    Sochi $33
    Novalja $40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sochi $125
    Novalja $7.14

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
    Sochi -
    Novalja $8.55


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


Which is Bigger, Sochi or Novalja?

Sochi has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Sochi 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.