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

Should you visit Toulon or Novalja?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Toulon and Novalja can help you decide which place is right for you.

Toulon

Toulon is a real world, industrial, and authentic port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Novalja

Novalja is a wild, energetic, and backpacker-filled town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife and beaches.

Toulon and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Novalja?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toulon. Although Toulon and Novalja are popular destinations, Toulon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Toulon is very popular for its museums, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, and shopping, while Novalja attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Novalja is more touristy than Toulon and is known for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. It is also well known for The Old Town.

How is Toulon different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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 Toulon or Novalja? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toulon 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 Toulon. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

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 Toulon or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Toulon or Novalja Better for Resorts?

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

Toulon is not a resort destination.

Is Toulon or Novalja Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a port city with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Novalja is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Toulon has a few snorkeling spots. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Novalja is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Novalja Better for Beaches?

Novalja is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for the beache.

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.

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Toulon or Novalja Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is a port city with a few options for its old town. However, Novalja does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Novalja?

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

Toulon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to 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 Toulon or Novalja Better for Families?

Toulon 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 Toulon. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

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 Toulon or Novalja Better for Couples?

Both Toulon and Novalja are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Toulon is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Novalja makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Toulon or Novalja Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Novalja is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

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

Both Toulon and Novalja offer nice public transit options.

Toulon has a few public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around 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 Toulon or Novalja a more walkable city?

Toulon 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.

Toulon is a very walkable port city. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

Novalja is a somewhat walkable port city. 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 Toulon Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Novalja?

It's fun to spend time in either Toulon 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 Toulon, and 2-4 days is enough time in Novalja.

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

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

One day in Toulon or Novalja?

In Toulon, you'll find nightlife and food. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Novalja. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Toulon or Novalja?

In Toulon, 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 Toulon has to offer.

Novalja is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Toulon or Novalja?

Toulon 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Novalja. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Toulon or Novalja?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the backpacker-filled destination of Novalja. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to France, The Best Budget Tours to France, 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 Toulon and Novalja, we can see that Toulon 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 Toulon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toulon 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 Toulon Expensive? and Is Novalja Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Novalja?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Toulon 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.