A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tenerife vs. Novalja for Nightlife, Families, Backpackers, and Resorts

Should you visit Tenerife or Novalja?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tenerife or Novalja, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Tenerife

Tenerife is a scenic, vibrant, and adventure-filled island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

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.

Tenerife and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tenerife or Novalja?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tenerife. Although Tenerife and Novalja are popular destinations, Tenerife has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tenerife is more touristy than Novalja and is popular for its volcanic landscapes, built-up resorts, and fun-filled beaches. It is also well known for Mount Teide. Novalja is famous for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd.

How is Tenerife different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Neither Tenerife or Novalja offer quality museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Tenerife. The island is filled with national parks, beautiful landscapes, and stunning beaches, but if you're not into outdoor activities, then you won't find many museums or other historical sights to visit.

Novalja offers a few options for museum-goers. It's a beach and party destination, not somewhere you go for museums or historical sights.

Is the Food Better in Tenerife or Novalja? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tenerife 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 Tenerife. Many visitors stick to the major touristy areas, eating in their resorts or other nearby restaurants. If you want to try a bit of the island's authentic Canarian cuisine, you'll need to do a little research. Head into the local areas near the markets for the best chance of finding something a little more authentic. Local dishes often include fish and seafood as well as local meats, but you'll rarely find beef as there isn't a lot of land for cows to graze on the island.

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 Tenerife or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

The fantastic nightlife scene is relatively similar in Tenerife and Novalja.

Tenerife is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island has a variety of nightclubs that range in style and personality. There are all night wild beach parties as well as laid back beach clubs and hole-in-the-wall pubs. Many bars have happy hours where you can relax with a drink and many nightclubs host famous DJs that keep the party going into the early morning hours.

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.

Is Tenerife or Novalja Better for Resorts?

Tenerife is a great destination for its resorts. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its luxury resorts.

Tenerife is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find everything from world-class resorts like the Ritz to more budget-friendly hotels and even some hostels around the island. You'll find most of the resorts on the south side of the island, which is also where you'll find the best weather.

You might not think of Novalja as a resort destination, but it has a few places. 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.

Is Tenerife or Novalja Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tenerife is a great destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Novalja is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Tenerife. A highlight of snorkeling in this area is the opportunity to swim with sea turtles. Some of the best snorkeling is in El Puertito, which is known for its many turtles and there is no shortage of organized snorkeling trips to the area. The island also has excellent scuba diving trips with a variety of shipwrecks and marine species.

Novalja is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tenerife or Novalja Better for Beaches?

Both Tenerife and Novalja have very good beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Tenerife. The island has a large number of beaches that attract tourists, particularly during the peak winter months. The island's volcanic nature means that many of its natural beaches have black sand. The golden sand from the more developed beaches typically comes from the Sahara Desert. A favorite beach on the island is the 2 kilometer long Playa de las Teresitas.

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.

Is Tenerife or Novalja Better for Hiking?

Tenerife is very popular for its hiking experiences. However, Novalja is not a hiking destination.

People visit Tenerife specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The island's volcanic landscapes mean that there are dramatic and breathtaking hikes throughout the island. Some of the best hikes are found in the Anaga Rural Park, Teide National Park, and the Teno Mountains.

Novalja is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tenerife or Novalja?

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

Tenerife is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The island's low tax rates make it a popular shopping destination for tourists. The are shopping streets, local markets, and luxury malls that you can explore.

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 Tenerife or Novalja Better for Families?

Tenerife is very popular for its family-friendly activities. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Tenerife is a very family-friendly destination. The island has many great waterparks for kids, with one of the best being Siam Park. Other family-friendly destinations include Aqualand, Loro Parque, Jungle Park, and Monkey Park. There are whale watching trips, outdoor adventures, and kid-friendly beaches as well.

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 Tenerife or Novalja Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Tenerife frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The natural beauty, great landscapes, and lively beaches make this a great island for a romantic getaway. There's hiking and outdoor adventures as well as swimming, boat rides, and even whale watching.

Novalja is a good island 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 Tenerife or Novalja Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tenerife 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.

Tenerife is a good island to visit for backpackers. The island is large enough that there are a decent number of hostels and budget-friendly places to stay for backpackers.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Tenerife and Novalja.

Tenerife has some public transit options. The island has a decent bus service that is operated by a company called "TITSA".

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.

Is Tenerife or Novalja a more walkable city?

Tenerife and Novalja are nice when it comes to walkability.

Tenerife is somewhat walkable. There are many walks on the island that make for a fun way to explore the setting.

Novalja is a somewhat walkable place. 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 Tenerife Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Tenerife?

How long in Tenerife or Novalja?

It's fun to spend time in either Tenerife or Novalja. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Tenerife due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tenerife, and 2-4 days is enough time in Novalja.

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

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

One day in Tenerife or Novalja?

In Tenerife, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The beautiful town of Novalja offers nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Tenerife or Novalja?

In Tenerife, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Novalja is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Novalja, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Tenerife or Novalja?

Tenerife is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tenerife has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Novalja is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Tenerife or Novalja?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tenerife. In Tenerife, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Novalja is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, 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 Tenerife and Novalja, we can see that Tenerife 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 Tenerife would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tenerife 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 Tenerife Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.