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

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

Honfleur

Honfleur is a picturesque, scenic, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Novalja

Novalja is a wild, energetic, and backpacker-filled town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and beaches.

Honfleur and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Honfleur or Novalja?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Honfleur. Although Honfleur and Novalja are popular destinations, Honfleur has more sights and attractions for tourists. Honfleur is very popular for its museums, food, and shopping, while Novalja attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Novalja is more touristy than Honfleur and is popular for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd. Honfleur is famous for its influence over Impressionist art, its stunning harbor, and its beautiful buildings. It is also well known for St Catherine's Church.

How is Honfleur different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Honfleur offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Some of the most notable sights around the town include Saint Catherine's Church, Le Vieux Bassin, Notre-Dame de Grace, and the Normandy Bridge.

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 Honfleur or Novalja? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

For foodies, Honfleur is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Located on the coast of Normandy along the English Channel, seafood is a defining element for most dishes here. Foodies flock to this town for its Michelin starred restaurants as well as its local cafes and quaint eateries. For land-lovers, there's a popular local cider-braised pork that you must-try. And for dessert make sure you try the Tarte Tatin.

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 Honfleur or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Honfleur is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Honfleur has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Restaurants come to life at night when music flows out onto the streets. The town is not known for its partying, but that doesn't mean that it's a sleepy place that shuts down when the sun sets.

Is Honfleur or Novalja Better for Resorts?

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

Novalja has a few resort options worth checking out. 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.

Honfleur is not a resort destination.

Is Honfleur or Novalja Better for Beaches?

Novalja is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for the beache.

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.

You can check out the beach in Honfleur. The town sits by the estuary of the Seine and there are two beaches not far from town. Butin Beach is the closest to town and the most popular, but Vasouy Beach is more relaxed and natural.

Is the Shopping Better in Honfleur or Novalja?

Honfleur is a city 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, Honfleur has some nice offerings. It's a charming town with boutique shops, chocolate shops, and the standard tourist places that sell souvenirs and t-shirts.

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 Honfleur or Novalja Better for Families?

Honfleur 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 Honfleur. Located on the coast of Normandy, the town has boat rides, quirky museums, and Vieux Bassin, which is a beautiful and lively harbor. For kids who need to stretch their legs, there are many parks and outdoor spaces to enjoy.

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 Honfleur or Novalja Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Honfleur frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It has, arguably, one of the area's most beautiful harbors. There are also many great seafood restaurants, relaxing gardens, and spas that are perfect for couples.

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

Novalja is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Novalja. 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.

Honfleur is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll likely have more luck looking for an apartment than a hostel, so if you're looking for a place to stay with a social setting, you may be out of luck.

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

Novalja is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Honfleur is lacking in 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 generally limited in Honfleur. HO Buses travel from the outskirts or town into the center and are used mainly by locals. If you plan to head into Normandy to see the countryside, you'll want to have a car.

Is Honfleur or Novalja a more walkable city?

Honfleur 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.

Honfleur is a very walkable city. The city center is compact and easy to explore on foot. There are also many coastal walks leading out of town.

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 Honfleur Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Honfleur?

How long in Honfleur or Novalja?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Novalja than Honfleur 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 Honfleur or Novalja?

In Honfleur, you'll find museums and nightlife. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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.

The beautiful town of Novalja offers nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Honfleur or Novalja?

In Honfleur, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. 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 Honfleur has to offer.

Novalja is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Novalja, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Honfleur or Novalja?

Honfleur 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.

Novalja is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Honfleur or Novalja?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Honfleur. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Honfleur. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Novalja is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

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

Which is Bigger, Honfleur or Novalja?

Honfleur has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Honfleur 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.