Novalja is a wild town known for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation. Whether you're enjoying the nightlife, relaxing on the beaches, or taking in the beauty, we'll help you plan the ideal trip to Novalja that stays within your budget.
How much does it cost to travel to Novalja?
You should plan to spend around $80 (€73) per day on your vacation in Novalja. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $37 (€34) on meals
- $13 (€12) on local transportation
- $69 (€63) on hotels
A one week trip to Novalja for two people costs, on average, $1,114 (€1,022). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$557
€511
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2 Weeks
Per person
$1,114
€1,022
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One Month
Per person
$2,387
€2,190
-
One Week
For a couple
$1,114
€1,022
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$2,227
€2,044
-
One Month
For a couple
$4,773
€4,380
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Novalja cost?
A one week trip to Novalja usually costs around $557 (€511) for one person and $1,114 (€1,022) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Novalja on average costs around $1,114 (€1,022) for one person and $2,227 (€2,044) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Novalja will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Novalja on average costs around $2,387 (€2,190) for one person and $4,773 (€4,380) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Novalja expensive to visit?
Novalja is a popular town among visitors with a wide range of travel styles and spending habits. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
Novalja can be very expensive if you want it to be, but there are ways to cut down on your costs, like taking public transit and spending long days at the beach.
On average, budget travelers spend $31 (€28) per day, mid-range travelers spend $80 (€73) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $215 (€197) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Novalja.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Novalja is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Europe for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Novi Sad, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Avignon.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Novalja Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Novalja?
The average Novalja trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Novalja travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Novalja cost?
Novalja on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$13
(€12)
|
$34
(€32)
|
$92
(€85)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$5
(€4.57)
|
$13
(€12)
|
$32
(€30)
|
|
Food 2
|
$14
(€13)
|
$37
(€34)
|
$102
(€94)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$3
(€2.32)
|
$7
(€6.09)
|
$18
(€17)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$2-5
(€1-4)
|
$4-12
(€4-11)
|
$11-33
(€10-30)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your budget for Novalja. Many assume they can visit on a shoestring, but most travelers find that to be very challenging. Think about what matters to you when traveling. Is it staying in a resort, visiting all the attractions, or dining out at nice restaurants? These factors will determine how much you spend on your trip.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $31 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Novalja is home to plenty of hostels, including Hostel Casa La Cha and Moon Rocks Hostel. In hostels like these, you can snag budget-friendly dorm beds and enjoy a social environment, but be prepared for basic amenities.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
Couples and families on a fun trip will likely choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at popular dining spots, and visit significant museums and attractions that have entry fees. Most people who travel to Novalja will want to experience its major attractions, museums, and historical landmarks. After all, most activities are not free. So, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be about $80 per person, per day.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're used to premier amenities and elevated service, prepare to spend about $215 per day. Choosing comfortable hotels, dining at award-winning establishments, indulging in extravagant excursions, and relying on taxis or private drivers to explore the town will demand a higher price range. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Private Transfer from Crikvenica to Rijeka Airport - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Novalja
The prices for hotels in Novalja can really vary, especially during peak travel season. Off-season, the average hotel room costs $95, while during peak summer season, that average price jumps to around $177. With budget accommodations starting at $52 and luxury hotels peaking at $420, there are options for every traveler. Dorm-style hostels are often the cheapest. Traveling during the low season or booking early can help you save.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Novalja for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $69 (€63). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $34 (€32) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Novalja? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Novalja include:
- Hotel Bok starting at $167
- Hotel Terra Novalja starting at $95
- Bed & Breakfast Novalja Inn starting at $40
Novalja has a good public transit that lets you stay outside the town to save on accommodations. But you'll likely end up spending more time and money on transportation.
By skipping summer and traveling during the low or shoulder season, you'll enjoy lower accommodation rates and fewer crowds.
Transportation Budget in Novalja
Public transit in Novalja is reliable and reaches key landmarks. There are local buses around the island or you can rent a personal vehicle like a motorbike or scooter. For a budget-friendly way to travel, public transportation is ideal, provided it's near where you need to go. Taxis and rideshares are also easy to find.
Novalja is fairly walkable in some areas, which can make it easier to see some sights. In town, you can reach most places on foot, but if you want to explore further you'll need to find another way to get around.
Public Transit: 
(good)
Walkability: (good)
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $13 (€12) per person, per day, on local transportation in Novalja. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Novalja is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$13
€12
If you're traveling by car, check that your hotel offers convenient parking options.
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Private Transfer from Crikvenica to Rijeka Airport (RJK) for $73 details
- Zrce, Private Transfer to/from Zadar Airport for $168 details
How much does it cost to go to Novalja? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Novalja will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Novalja
Food options are limited and not of the best quality in Novalja. It's better not to spend too much money trying to eat out because there are other activities that are more worth your time. You'll find a lot of places to grab a quick bite to eat or a cheap meal around town. There are pizzerias, fast food, and some nicer bistros to choose from.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Novalja can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Novalja is $37 (€34) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$37
€34
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Novalja is around $37 (€34) per person, with previous travelers spending from $14 to $102. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Novalja are as follows:
- Breakfast: $4 to $11
- Lunch: $6 to $15
- Dinner: $11 to $26
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $6
Today, Mediterranean cuisine is generally regarded as one of the healthiest in the world due to the type and quality of the food and the ways they are prepared. The cuisine of Novalja, which is part of this Mediterranean cuisine, will provide a true gastronomic experience. When you visit Novalja, you should not miss visiting one of the many restaurants. From the menus of these tastefully decorated restaurants, it is highly recommended to try one of the famous local specialties such as cheese, lamb, needle macaroni, or curd strudel. You'll also feel the full magic of the Mediterranean cuisine if you opt for seafood. Among the various fish and seafood dishes, top choices include the refreshing fish soup, the Novalja brodit (fish stew), various kinds of salad, risotto and boiled or grilled fish.
A lot of hotels include breakfast in their price, but some may add it as an extra charge. The price and quality can differ from one hotel to the next. Being aware of this ahead of time can help you figure out if you'll need to shell out more money. The hotel buffet could be delicious, or you might opt for a more affordable treat at a nearby bakery or cafe.
Make a picnic to save some cash and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Just find a nearby grocery store or market, grab some fresh food, and choose a nice park or scenic area for your meal.
Opt for a water bottle rather than spending on drinks all the time. It's also a more sustainable choice.
Before embarking on a tour, ensure you know which meals are included. You might have to pay for some food yourself, and that can add to your travel expenses.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Novalja
The allure of Novalja is undeniable, especially since it offers nightlife, budget-friendly accommodations, beaches, and romance.
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Novalja typically cost an average of $6.64 (€6.09) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$6.64
€6.09
The Roman aqueduct was manually chiseled out in solid rock and is 1042 m long, about 60 cm wide, and its height varies. The aqueduct provided locals with drinkable water. For many centuries it was unused and was rediscovered in the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century it was again used for three short periods. Nowadays the aqueduct can be visited in some places and local authorities constantly work on its further revitalization.
Beach Rucica in the village Metajna It gives a feeling of being in a canyon, and it has crystal clear water and pristine sand. You can also visit Novalja's archaeological collection, which includes ancient Roman tombs, tools, and pottery, but the main sites here are the gorgeous beaches.
Besides party, Novalja and its surroundings offer interesting sights. And if you're an outdoors person, you can always rent equipment for hiking, water skiing, wind surfing, scuba diving, and cycling. Visitors can also go bungee jumping and zip-lining or rent a paddle boat, canoe, or Jet Ski.
Fresh Island Festival is Europe's number one urban beach festival, held each summer on Croatia's Zrce beach. The festival takes place in its huge, open-air clubs and aboard boats on the clear blue Adriatic Sea.
Beaches:
Numerous guests come to Novalja to enjoy the tranquil beach vibe. You'll find a mix of beaches near town including hidden gems that feel remote and undiscovered as well as wild party beaches like the famed Zrce Beach. Many beaches are pebbly or have coarse sand with turquoise blue waters.
A nice way to explore destinations in Novalja is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Zrce: Novalja Boat Party Booze Cruise for $52 details
Nightlife Budget in Novalja
People travel from far and wide to enjoy the world-class nightlife that Novalja has to offer. This is a party island, and you'll find most of the action around Zrce Beach, which is about a 20 minute drive from town. The party scene appeals to the young, backpacker crowd and there's live music, DJs, and parties that last well into the morning. Zrce Beach has a huge number of bars and clubs including three clubs that are listed on the Top 100 DJ's Magazine Best Clubs List.
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $7.94 (€7.29) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Novalja per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$7.94
€7.29
Nightlife is a blast when traveling, but scaling back on drinks can really help stretch your travel budget.
When drinking at night, be mindful of your surroundings, as pickpockets and other crimes can happen. Stay safe by sticking with a group of trusted people.
Traveling in Novalja
Novalja, Croatia
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.
Neighborhoods & Around
Novalja City Center
After a long day in the hot sun, the best place for shopping, relaxing, and a bite to eat is Novalja's center. It's a small area, but walking along the shoreline and enjoying nightly music shows in town make you wish you never have to say goodbye.
Gajac
A planned apartment community 2 kilometers away from Novalja. It has a long beachfront sidewalk ideal for jogging or walking, scenic parks for relax and picnic, and very clean beaches. It's also very quiet so it's ideal for families.
Stara Novalja
An old bay village 3 kilometer away from Novalja. Features a public beach and many private accommodations. The western part of the bay is unpopulated so there are many small beaches accessible only via boat.
Zrce
A beach located 2 kilometers from Novalja. It features three main clubs, Papaya, Aquarious and Calypso. During the day it's a normal beach with many things to do (bungee jumping, jet ski...) The party starts somewhere after 3 PM, with the so called "After beach party", which can include foam and other themed parties. Then, after midnight, it gets out of control. Zrce enjoys high media coverage so it's popular among Croatian celebrities, and many Croatian popular singers open the summer season right there. The clubs host internationally acclaimed DJs, and many electronic and house music events are held there.
Caska
A beach a bit smaller than Zrce, but more suitable for families. Basically, the two beaches are in the same bay and you can walk from one to another if you don't mind the sharp rocks bordering them. There is also an urban legend about ruins below the sea surface near Caska but no one has ever seen anything yet, although some claim that the top of the lighthouse is still visible when the sea level is low.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.