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

Should you visit Innsbruck or Novalja?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Innsbruck and Novalja can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is a scenic, youthful , and adventurous city. 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, hiking, and skiing.

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. And you can't forget about the nightlife and beaches.

Innsbruck and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Innsbruck or Novalja?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Innsbruck than Novalja, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Innsbruck is better known for its skiing, food, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Novalja is more popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping. Innsbruck is more touristy than Novalja and is known for its mountain hiking, skiing, and winter sports. Also, Innsbruck is famous for The Golden Roof in the old town. Novalja is well known for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd.

The Golden Roof in the old town

How is Innsbruck different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Innsbruck or Novalja Better for Skiing?

Innsbruck is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Novalja is not a skiing destination.

People head to Innsbruck specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. This city offers easy access to excellent skiing without having to travel too far. There are 9 ski resorts around town that make up the Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck. Each resort has its own personality and style. You can reach the Seegrube mountain in about 20 minutes using the funicular and cable car.

Novalja is not a skiing destination.

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

Novalja is not a good place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Innsbruck does not have museums and landmarks.

Novalja offers a few options for museum-goers. It's a beach and party destination, not somewhere you go for museums or historical sights.

Innsbruck does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck. The city is known for the hearty and filling food that is perfect for a cold winter day. There are cafes and restaurants around old town that offer traditional dishes including käsespätzle, wiener schnitzel, and apfelstrudel. If you're ready for something a little less heavy, there are a number of ethnic restaurants to choose from outside of the old town.

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 Innsbruck or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Innsbruck is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Novalja is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Innsbruck has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. With its large student population and wide range of young visitors who enjoy high energy activities, there's plenty to do here when the sunsets. There are bars and dance clubs that stay active late into the night.

Is Innsbruck or Novalja Better for Resorts?

Novalja is a moderate town for its resorts. However, Innsbruck 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.

Innsbruck is not a resort destination.

Is Innsbruck or Novalja Better for Beaches?

Novalja is notable for the beache. However, Innsbruck is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Novalja attract visitors from all over. 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.

Innsbruck is not a beach destination.

Is Innsbruck or Novalja Better for its Old Town?

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

Innsbruck has a world-famous historical area. The old town is filled with charming restaurants and cafes as well as comfortable outdoor places to relax when the weather is nice. One of the most notable landmarks is the The Goldenes Dachl, or the "little golden roof", but the atmosphere around old town is what makes this place really special.

Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Is Innsbruck or Novalja Better for Hiking?

Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck. The city is nestled in the Austrian mountains with many beautiful hikes just outside of town. There are hikes for all skill levels that offer spectacular views of some of the best scenery in Austria.

Novalja is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Innsbruck or Novalja?

Novalja is not a good place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Innsbruck is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Novalja has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This isn't the place to go shopping for clothing or local items. You will find some beach and souvenir shops around town though.

Innsbruck is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Innsbruck or Novalja Better for Families?

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

Innsbruck is a very kid-friendly city. The city has a pleasant atmosphere with a charming old town and plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. There's also the popular Swarovski Crystal Worlds, which is fun for kids and adults alike. The Alpine Zoo and the city's many parks and playgrounds all make it a great stop if you're traveling with kids.

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 Innsbruck or Novalja Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Innsbruck frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city's old town is filled with restaurants that make for great date nights. There are also many hikes, viewpoints, and activities that are perfect for a couple's getaway.

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 Innsbruck or Novalja Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is very popular for backpackers. Also, Innsbruck is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Innsbruck. The city has a number of hostels and affordable restaurants that make it a reasonable option for backpackers and budget travelers. Outdoor activities like nearby hiking are affordable ways to spend the day as well.

Is Innsbruck or Novalja Better for Students?

Innsbruck is a great destination for students. However, Novalja is not popular with students.

Innsbruck is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city's laid back vibe and wide range of universities make it a great place for students. There are cafes, bars, and many outdoor activities that students enjoy while they're in the area.

Novalja is not popular with students.

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

Innsbruck 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.

Innsbruck has some very good public transit options. The system includes trams and buses that will take you to outlying areas around town.

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 Innsbruck or Novalja a more walkable city?

Innsbruck 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.

Innsbruck is a very walkable city. The old town is particularly walkable, and if you stay anywhere nearby, it's easy to reach it on foot.

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 Innsbruck Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Innsbruck?

How long in Innsbruck or Novalja?

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

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

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

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

In Innsbruck, you'll find food and skiing. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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 Innsbruck or Novalja?

In Innsbruck, you'll find skiing and nightlife. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Innsbruck has to offer.

You'll find nightlife around the backpacker-filled 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 Innsbruck or Novalja?

Innsbruck 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the energetic 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 Innsbruck or Novalja?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Innsbruck. Many people enjoy the food and skiing when visiting Innsbruck. 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 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vienna, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Salzburg, 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 Innsbruck and Novalja, we can see that Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Innsbruck or Novalja?

Innsbruck has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Innsbruck 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.