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

Should you visit Lindau 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 Lindau 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.

Lindau

Lindau is a picturesque, fun-filled, and scenic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food.

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.

Lindau and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lindau or Novalja?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Novalja than Lindau, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Novalja is better known for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Lindau is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm. Lindau is well known for its lakefront location and quaint old town. Novalja is well known for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd. Also, Novalja is famous for Zrce Beach.

How is Lindau different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lindau is a town with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Lindau offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The town is more about it's beautiful setting than landmarks and museums, but there are some interesting sights including the harbor and lighthouse.

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 Lindau or Novalja? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lindau 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 Lindau. Head to the waterfront for the best seafood restaurants. Many restaurants use seasonal ingredients and serve local fish. The local whitefish is particularly popular. Dishes are influenced by the town's proximity to Switzerland and Austria, so you'll enjoy a hybrid of flavors and recipes.

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 Lindau or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is terrific for nightlife and partying. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options 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.

Lindau doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's not known for its nightlife scene but there are bars where you can enjoy a relaxing night out.

Is Lindau or Novalja Better for Resorts?

Novalja is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, Lindau 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.

Lindau is not a resort destination.

Is Lindau or Novalja Better for Beaches?

Novalja is a great destination for the beache. However, Lindau 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.

Lindau is not a beach destination.

Is Lindau or Novalja Better for its Old Town?

Lindau is a great destination for its old town. However, Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Lindau. The old town is located on Lindau island in Lake Constance. It has quaint buildings and many waterfront restaurants.

Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lindau or Novalja?

Novalja is not so good for its shopping opportunities. However, Lindau 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.

Lindau is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lindau or Novalja Better for Families?

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

Lindau is a very kid-friendly town. Head to the waterfront where there's a playground, stand up paddleboarding, paddleboats, and more. Kids will also enjoy climbing to the top of the Old Lighthouse or exploring the Museum of Local History.

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 Lindau or Novalja Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Lindau frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its charming old town, beautiful waterfront, great seafood restaurants, and nice hotels, couples will really enjoy a few days away at this lakefront town. It's the perfect place to have a romantic weekend.

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 Lindau or Novalja Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is terrific for backpackers. Also, Lindau is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 backpackers visit Lindau. The town has a couple of hostels and affordable hotels that make this waterfront town accessible to backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Novalja is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Novalja, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses around the island or you can rent a personal vehicle like a motorbike or scooter.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lindau. It's possible to reach town by bus or train and once you're in town you can walk many places.

Is Lindau or Novalja a more walkable city?

Lindau 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.

Lindau is a very walkable town. The town is very walkable and there are also many walks into the countryside.

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 Lindau Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Lindau?

How long in Lindau or Novalja?

It's fun to spend time in either Lindau or Novalja. Both can be explored in comparable amounts of time. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

Lindau is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Novalja. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lindau or Novalja?

Lindau might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Lindau has to offer.

Novalja is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Lindau or Novalja?

Lindau 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Novalja. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lindau or Novalja?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lindau. Since Lindau is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the wild destination of Novalja. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking 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 Lindau and Novalja, we can see that Lindau 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 Lindau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lindau 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 Lindau Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lindau or Novalja?

Lindau has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Lindau 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.