A Travel Price Comparison for Croatia Novalja vs. Plitvice Lakes National Park for Backpackers, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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

Should I visit Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park? 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 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a scenic, world-famous, and spectacular national park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking.

Novalja and Plitvice Lakes National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Plitvice Lakes National Park. Although Novalja and Plitvice Lakes National Park are popular destinations, Plitvice Lakes National Park has more sights and attractions for tourists. Plitvice Lakes National Park is very popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Novalja attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping. Plitvice Lakes National Park is more touristy than Novalja and is popular for its stunning natural scenery which includes 16 beautiful terraced lakes. It is also well known for the terraced chain of lakes. Novalja is famous for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd.

How is Novalja different from Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Novalja is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Novalja and Plitvice Lakes National Park offer reasonable local cuisine and restaurants.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Novalja. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find a few tourist cafes near the lakes that serve grilled meats and other simple dishes. You can also grab a snack from the food stalls that are near the entrance to the park.

Is Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife in Novalja is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Resorts?

Novalja is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Beaches?

Novalja is great for its beaches. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Hiking?

Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are eight different walking routes that range in length from 3 kilometers to 18 kilometers. They take between 3 and 8 hours and are well marked.

Novalja is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Novalja is mediocre for shopping. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Families?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very kid-friendly national park. It's a fun place to explore with kids, but if you're traveling with young ones, keep a close eye on them. Also take note that it's not stroller-friendly and make sure that you arrive early to avoid the crowds.

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 Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Couples?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Novalja is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Plitvice Lakes National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a natural wonder that is beautiful and romantic to explore as a couple. It can get crowded, as it's a top tourist destination is Croatia, so make sure you arrive early to avoid the peak times.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are three hotels within the park and a handful of hostels nearby. There's also some camping options in the area.

Is Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Novalja is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are several bus stops near the park but the bus service is infrequent and can involve long trips.

Is Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park a more walkable city?

Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park on foot is easy. The park is well organized into several walking routes that can be explored in a few hours.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Novalja?

How long in Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Novalja than Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Novalja than Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

In Novalja, you'll find nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Plitvice Lakes National Park, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This national park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Novalja is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

In Plitvice Lakes National Park, you'll find . 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park has to offer.

Five days in Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll find nightlife around the wild destination of Novalja. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this 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.

A week in Novalja or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The backpacker-filled town of Novalja offers nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Plitvice Lakes National Park. Many people enjoy the when visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Croatia.

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