A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Novalja vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Couples, Backpackers, Food, and Families

Should you visit Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a historic, breathtaking, and inspiring island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Novalja and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Novalja have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Novalja is better known for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its museums, food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Novalja and is known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Novalja is well known for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd.

How is Novalja different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is very popular for its museums and landmarks. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Mont-Saint-Michel are among the most recognizable in the world. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

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 Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

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 Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Resorts?

Novalja is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a resort destination.

Is Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Beaches?

Novalja is a great destination for the beache. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Is Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Novalja is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for hiking. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Novalja is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Novalja is not so good for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel as a family destination.

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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Novalja is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Mont-Saint-Michel makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

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 Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Novalja and Mont-Saint-Michel.

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.

While Mont-Saint-Michel offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable island. There are many stunning walks in the area.

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 Novalja Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Novalja?

How long in Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Novalja than Mont-Saint-Michel because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Novalja, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mont-Saint-Michel.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Novalja than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With nightlife around the destination of Novalja, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, you'll find food and museums. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This island offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With nightlife around the energetic town of Novalja, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mont-Saint-Michel has to offer.

Five days in Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the backpacker-filled destination of Novalja. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

A week in Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Novalja is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Mont-Saint-Michel. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Novalja and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Novalja Expensive? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Novalja or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Novalja has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Novalja and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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.