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

Should you visit Linz 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 Linz 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.

Linz

Linz is a beautiful, cultural, and historic town. 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 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.

Linz and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Linz or Novalja?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Linz than Novalja, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Linz is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Novalja is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Linz is well known for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries. Also, Linz is famous for The Castle of Linz. Novalja is well known for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd.

How is Linz different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Linz is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Linz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

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 Linz or Novalja? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Linz. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

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 Linz or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town for its evening party scene.

People head to Novalja just to party. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Linz or Novalja Better for Resorts?

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

Linz is not a resort destination.

Is Linz or Novalja Better for Beaches?

Novalja is a well-known place for the beache. However, Linz 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.

Linz is not a beach destination.

Is Linz or Novalja Better for its Old Town?

Linz is a popular place for its old town. However, Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Linz to see the old town. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.

Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Linz or Novalja?

Linz is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Linz is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

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 Linz or Novalja Better for Families?

Linz 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 Linz. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

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 Linz or Novalja Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Linz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums to explore.

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 Linz or Novalja Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town 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 backpackers visit Linz. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

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

Both Linz and Novalja offer notable public transit options.

Linz has a few public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.

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.

Is Linz or Novalja a more walkable city?

Linz 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.

Linz is a very walkable town. The tourist areas are easy to explore on foot.

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 Linz Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Linz?

How long in Linz or Novalja?

It's fun to spend time in either Linz or Novalja. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Novalja due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Linz, and 2-4 days is enough time in Novalja.

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

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

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

In Linz, you'll find museums and food. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Novalja. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Linz or Novalja?

In Linz, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Linz has to offer.

Novalja is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Linz or Novalja?

Linz 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.

You'll find nightlife around the backpacker-filled destination of Novalja. This town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Linz or Novalja?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Linz. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Linz. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The wild town of Novalja offers nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, 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 Linz and Novalja, we can see that Linz 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 Linz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Linz 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 Linz Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Linz or Novalja?

Linz has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Linz 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.