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

Should you visit Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a charming, scenic, and character-filled town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, 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.

Heidelberg and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Novalja?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Heidelberg. Although Heidelberg and Novalja are both popular with visitors, Heidelberg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Heidelberg is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Novalja is known for its museums, nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Heidelberg is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. It is also home to The Heidelberg Castle. Novalja is popular for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd.

How is Heidelberg different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Novalja is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

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 Heidelberg or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is an amazing town to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

Novalja has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Heidelberg offers plenty to do in the evening. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is Heidelberg or Novalja Better for Resorts?

Novalja is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is not a resort destination.

Is Heidelberg or Novalja Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Novalja for it's beautiful 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.

Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Is Heidelberg or Novalja Better for its Old Town?

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

Heidelberg has a world-famous historical area. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Novalja?

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

Heidelberg offers some nice shopping areas. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

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 Heidelberg or Novalja Better for Families?

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

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 Heidelberg or Novalja Better for Couples?

Heidelberg is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Novalja is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Heidelberg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Novalja is a good 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 Heidelberg or Novalja Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is an amazing town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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 Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

Is Heidelberg or Novalja Better for Students?

Heidelberg is a popular place for students. However, Novalja is not popular with students.

Heidelberg is popular with students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Novalja is not popular with students.

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

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

Heidelberg has some very good public transit options. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

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 Heidelberg or Novalja a more walkable city?

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is a very walkable town. The old town is particularly walkable.

Novalja is a somewhat walkable 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 Heidelberg Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Novalja?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Novalja than Heidelberg 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 Novalja.

One day in Heidelberg or Novalja?

In Heidelberg, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With nightlife around the backpacker-filled town of Novalja, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Novalja?

In Heidelberg, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Heidelberg has to offer.

With nightlife around the destination of Novalja, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Heidelberg or Novalja?

Heidelberg 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.

Novalja, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Heidelberg or Novalja?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Heidelberg. 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.

Novalja is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in 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 Heidelberg and Novalja, we can see that Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Novalja?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg 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.