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

Should you visit Lake Garda or Novalja?

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

Should I visit Lake Garda or Novalja? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a fun, energetic, and scenic lake. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Lake Garda and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lake Garda or Novalja?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lake Garda than Novalja, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lake Garda is better known for its museums, food, hiking, and shopping, while Novalja is more popular for its nightlife and resorts. Lake Garda is well known for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. Also, Lake Garda is famous for Sirmione. Novalja is well known for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd.

How is Lake Garda different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lake Garda or Novalja?

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

Lake Garda offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

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 Lake Garda or Novalja? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

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 Lake Garda or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Novalja is a must-see party destination. 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 Lake Garda know how to have a good time. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

Is Lake Garda or Novalja Better for Resorts?

Novalja is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is not a resort destination.

Is Lake Garda or Novalja Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Lake Garda and Novalja are high quality choices.

Lake Garda is considered a top beach destination. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

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.

Is Lake Garda or Novalja Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Novalja is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lake Garda or Novalja?

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

Lake Garda offers some nice shopping areas. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

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 Lake Garda or Novalja Better for Families?

Lake Garda is very popular for its family-friendly activities. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Lake Garda is a very family-friendly destination. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

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 Lake Garda or Novalja Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Novalja is a good lake 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 Lake Garda or Novalja Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Lake Garda is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

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

Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda has some very good public transit options. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

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 Lake Garda or Novalja a more walkable city?

Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is a very walkable lake. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

Novalja is a somewhat walkable lake. 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 Lake Garda Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Lake Garda?

How long in Lake Garda or Novalja?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

One day in Lake Garda or Novalja?

In Lake Garda, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This lake offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With nightlife around the energetic 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 Lake Garda or Novalja?

In Lake Garda, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda or Novalja?

Lake Garda is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Lake Garda or Novalja?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lake Garda. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, The Best Contiki Tours to 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 Lake Garda and Novalja, we can see that Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.