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

Should you visit Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt and Novalja can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a dynamic, diverse, and accessible city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Novalja

Novalja is a backpacker-filled, wild, and energetic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife and beaches.

Frankfurt and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Novalja?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Frankfurt. Although Frankfurt and Novalja are both popular with visitors, Frankfurt has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Frankfurt is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Novalja is known for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Novalja is more touristy than Frankfurt and is popular for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd. Frankfurt is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also home to The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Frankfurt different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Frankfurt is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Frankfurt offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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 Frankfurt or Novalja? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

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 Frankfurt or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

The nightlife in Novalja is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

The people in Frankfurt know how to have a good time. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Frankfurt or Novalja Better for Resorts?

Novalja is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Frankfurt is not a resort destination.

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.

Frankfurt is not a resort destination.

Is Frankfurt or Novalja Better for Beaches?

Novalja is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

Is Frankfurt or Novalja Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a popular place for its old town. However, Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Frankfurt to see the old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Novalja?

Frankfurt is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Frankfurt is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

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 Frankfurt or Novalja Better for Families?

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

Frankfurt is a very kid-friendly city. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt or Novalja Better for Couples?

Both Frankfurt and Novalja are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Frankfurt is a good city for couples to visit. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Novalja is a nice destination for couples. 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 Frankfurt or Novalja Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Novalja, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Is Frankfurt or Novalja Better for Students?

Frankfurt is very popular for students. However, Novalja is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Frankfurt. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Novalja is not popular with students.

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

Frankfurt is very popular for its public transit. Also, Novalja is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Frankfurt has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

While Novalja offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses around the island or you can rent a personal vehicle like a motorbike or scooter.

Is Frankfurt or Novalja a more walkable city?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very walkable city. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

Novalja is a somewhat walkable city. 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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Novalja?

It's fun to spend time in either Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt, and 2-4 days is enough time in Novalja.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt than Novalja if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Frankfurt.

One day in Frankfurt or Novalja?

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find nightlife around the town of Novalja. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Frankfurt or Novalja?

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer.

You'll find nightlife around the energetic destination of Novalja. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Frankfurt or Novalja?

Frankfurt is a great place to explore. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the wild town of Novalja. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Frankfurt or Novalja?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Frankfurt. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Novalja is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, 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 Frankfurt and Novalja, we can see that Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Novalja?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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.