A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Annecy vs. Novalja for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Annecy or Novalja?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Annecy and Novalja can help you decide which place is right for you.

Annecy

Annecy is a quaint, storybook, and charming alpine town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Novalja

Novalja is a energetic, backpacker-filled, and wild town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife and beaches.

Annecy and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Annecy or Novalja?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Annecy than Novalja, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Annecy is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Novalja is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Annecy is more touristy than Novalja and is popular for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Also, Annecy is famous for Palais de l'Isle. Novalja is well known for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd.

How is Annecy different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Novalja and Annecy. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Annecy or Novalja?

Annecy is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Annecy offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Novalja. It's a beach and party destination, not somewhere you go for museums or historical sights.

Is the Food Better in Annecy or Novalja? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Annecy is very popular for its restaurant scene. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Annecy is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Novalja may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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.

Is Annecy or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its evening party scene.

Novalja is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Annecy or Novalja Better for Resorts?

Novalja is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Annecy is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Novalja offers a few options. Most of the accommodation is in the form of apartments or hostels. There are also some hotels on the island, but because the number is limited they can be quite expensive.

Annecy is not a resort destination.

Is Annecy or Novalja Better for Beaches?

Novalja is a great town for the beache. However, Annecy is not a beach destination.

Novalja is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Annecy is not a beach destination.

Is Annecy or Novalja Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is very popular for its old town. However, Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Annecy has a world-famous historical area. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Is Annecy or Novalja Better for Hiking?

Annecy is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Novalja is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Annecy. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Novalja is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Annecy or Novalja?

Annecy is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Annecy offers some nice shopping areas. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Shopping in Novalja can be found for those interested. This isn't the place to go shopping for clothing or local items. You will find some beach and souvenir shops around town though.

Is Annecy or Novalja Better for Families?

Annecy is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Annecy is a very kid-friendly alpine town. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

For families, Novalja is not always the best place to visit. While there are family-friendly places to visit like some beaches and waterparks, at its heart this is a party destination that is known for its wild parties and crazy crowds.

Is Annecy or Novalja Better for Couples?

Annecy is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Novalja is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Annecy makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Novalja is a good alpine town for couples to visit. Stunning beaches, blue waters, and surreal landscapes make this a one-of-a-kind place to visit. But romance isn't on most people's minds, as this is first and foremost a party destination.

Is Annecy or Novalja Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Novalja is extremely popular for backpackers. Famous for its wild parties that attract backpackers and young travelers, this island destination has become a hotspot for backpackers and party-goers. There are hostels around town that offer a cheap place to crash.

It's common for backpackers to visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Annecy or Novalja Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Annecy and Novalja both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Annecy offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Novalja has a few public transit options. There are local buses around the island or you can rent a personal vehicle like a motorbike or scooter.

Is Annecy or Novalja a more walkable city?

Annecy is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Novalja is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Annecy is a very walkable alpine town. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

Novalja is a somewhat walkable alpine town. 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.

For even more information, also check out Is Annecy Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Annecy?

How long in Annecy or Novalja?

It's fun to spend time in either Annecy or Novalja. In our opinion, Annecy has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Annecy than Novalja. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Annecy than Novalja. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Annecy, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Annecy than Novalja. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Annecy that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Annecy or Novalja?

Annecy is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This alpine town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Novalja. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Annecy or Novalja?

Annecy might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Annecy has to offer.

Novalja is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Annecy or Novalja?

Annecy is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Novalja. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Annecy or Novalja?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Annecy. Since Annecy is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the backpacker-filled destination of Novalja. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.

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

Which is Bigger, Annecy or Novalja?

Annecy has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Annecy 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.