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

Should you visit Mainz 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 Mainz 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.

Mainz

Mainz is a quaint, charming, and beautiful 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 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.

Mainz and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Novalja?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Mainz. Although Mainz and Novalja are popular destinations, Mainz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Mainz is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Novalja attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Mainz is famous for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. It is also well known for The Mainz Cathedral. Novalja is famous for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Mainz different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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 Mainz or Novalja? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mainz 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 Mainz. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

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 Mainz or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is terrific for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Mainz or Novalja Better for Resorts?

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

Mainz is not a resort destination.

Is Mainz or Novalja Better for Beaches?

Novalja is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Mainz 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.

Mainz is not a beach destination.

Is Mainz or Novalja Better for its Old Town?

Mainz 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 Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Novalja?

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

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

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 Mainz or Novalja Better for Families?

Neither Mainz nor Novalja are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

Mainz is not always a place people visit with their families. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Novalja doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. 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 Mainz or Novalja Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Mainz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

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 Mainz or Novalja Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Mainz or Novalja Better for Students?

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

Mainz is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Novalja is not popular with students.

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

Mainz 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.

Mainz has some very good public transit options. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby 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 Mainz or Novalja a more walkable city?

Mainz is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Novalja is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Mainz on foot is easy. The town is easily explored 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 Mainz Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Novalja?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mainz 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 Mainz.

One day in Mainz or Novalja?

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

In Novalja, many people enjoy the nightlife that this energetic destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Mainz or Novalja?

In Mainz, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Mainz has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Novalja. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Mainz or Novalja?

Mainz 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.

Novalja is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Novalja. Lots of people come for the nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Mainz or Novalja?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mainz. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Mainz. 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.

You'll find nightlife around the backpacker-filled destination of Novalja. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Mainz and Novalja, we can see that Mainz 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 Mainz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mainz 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 Mainz Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Novalja?

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