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

Should you visit Cefalu 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 Cefalu 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.

Cefalu

Cefalu is a historic, touristy, and charming fishing village. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and food.

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.

Cefalu and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cefalu or Novalja?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cefalu than Novalja, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cefalu is better known for its museums, food, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Novalja is more popular for its nightlife. Cefalu is well known for its beautiful blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and great local food. Also, Cefalu is famous for the beaches. Novalja is well known for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd.

How is Cefalu different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cefalu is a fishing village with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Cefalu offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time on the beach or getting lost in the town's charm, but if you're looking for specific sights and museums you can check out the Cathedral, Museo Mandralisca, or Tempio di Diana.

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 Cefalu or Novalja? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cefalu is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Cefalu. Despite being a popular tourist hot spot, there are still charming restaurants around town that serve up local dishes made with local ingredients. Many seaside restaurants have a charming atmosphere and a unique Sicilian flare.

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 Cefalu or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

People head to Novalja just to party. 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.

Cefalu is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The town is small and mellow without a huge party scene. There are some beach resorts with bars and clubs attached where you can enjoy a drink by the water.

Is Cefalu or Novalja Better for Resorts?

Cefalu is a great destination for its resorts. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its luxury resorts.

Cefalu is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There's a wide range of resorts to choose from including Club Med and even a nature hotel.

You might not think of Novalja as a resort destination, but it has a few places. 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.

Is Cefalu or Novalja Better for Beaches?

Cefalu and Novalja both offer superb beaches.

Many people visit Cefalu for it's beautiful beaches. The town has nice beaches with good swimming and kayaking opportunities. Some of the beaches can get quite crowded but the water is blue and the views are nice. Some of the best beaches near town include Cefalu Beach, Kalura Beach, and Lido Angeli Del Mare.

Novalja is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Is Cefalu or Novalja Better for its Old Town?

Cefalu is a great destination for its old town. However, Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Cefalu. The town is charming and small, making it a nice place to explore.

Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Is Cefalu or Novalja Better for Hiking?

Cefalu is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Novalja is not a hiking destination.

Cefalu is a good destination for hiking. There are a few walking trails outside of town but the most popular is hiking to the top of La Rocca. It's at least an hours walk to the top but from there you can enjoy one of the best views of the harbor.

Novalja is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cefalu or Novalja?

Cefalu is a fishing village with a few options for its shopping opportunities. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

If you're looking to go shopping, Cefalu has some nice offerings. It's a small, touristy town, so shopping isn't the main attraction. There are some interesting shops that are fun to pop into though.

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 Cefalu or Novalja Better for Families?

Cefalu is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cefalu. Kids will enjoy beach time or wandering down the promenade, Lungomare. You can swim or simply relax by the water. Another fun activity is to climb the nearby mountain of La Rocca. The kids might even spot a local animal.

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 Cefalu or Novalja Better for Couples?

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

Cefalu makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's natural beauty and Italian atmosphere make this a perfect couples destination. There are water activities for the adventurous as well as beautiful beaches and great restaurants.

Novalja is a good fishing village 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 Cefalu or Novalja Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options 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.

Cefalu is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's not a big backpacker vibe to the town, and you won't find tons of hostels, but there are affordable places that budget travelers can stay.

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

Novalja is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cefalu. Public transit is limited but taxis are a good alternative for getting out of town and into the surrounding areas.

Is Cefalu or Novalja a more walkable city?

Cefalu 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.

Cefalu is a very walkable fishing village. The town is small enough to explore on foot.

Novalja is a somewhat walkable fishing village. 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 Cefalu Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Cefalu?

How long in Cefalu or Novalja?

It's fun to spend time in either Cefalu or Novalja. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Novalja due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cefalu, and 2-4 days is enough time in Novalja.

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

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

One day in Cefalu or Novalja?

Cefalu is a small town with plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This fishing village offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Cefalu or Novalja?

Cefalu 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. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cefalu 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 Cefalu or Novalja?

Cefalu is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Cefalu or Novalja?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cefalu. Since Cefalu is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the energetic 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 Adventure Tours to Italy, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, 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 Cefalu and Novalja, we can see that Cefalu 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 Cefalu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cefalu 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 Cefalu Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cefalu or Novalja?

Cefalu has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Cefalu 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.