A Travel Price Comparison for Croatia Trogir vs. Novalja for Food, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Beaches

Should you visit Trogir 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 Trogir and Novalja can help you decide which place is right for you.

Trogir

Trogir is a quaint, authentic, and historic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the beaches, museums, 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.

Trogir and Novalja: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Trogir or Novalja?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Trogir. Although Trogir and Novalja are popular destinations, Trogir has more sights and attractions for tourists. Trogir is very popular for its museums, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Novalja attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Novalja is more touristy than Trogir and is popular for its crazy beach parties and popularity with the young backpacker crowd. Trogir is famous for its historic buildings and its local cuisine. It is also well known for the waterfront promenade.

How is Trogir different from Novalja?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Trogir offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The old town has some fascinating historic sights such as the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, the Clock Tower and the city gates.

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 Trogir or Novalja? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Trogir is very popular for its restaurant scene. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Trogir is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. For such a small place there's a surprising number of amazing restaurants. You won't find touristy restaurants here. Instead, locals and tourists intermingle, enjoying the same amazing dishes. There's also a number of fine dining restaurants that are affordable and high quality.

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 Trogir or Novalja Better for Nightlife?

Novalja is terrific for nightlife. Also, Trogir is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Trogir. You'll find bars and a few discos around town that keep things fun after the sun sets.

Is Trogir or Novalja Better for Resorts?

Novalja is adequate for its luxury resorts. However, Trogir 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.

Trogir is not a resort destination.

Is Trogir or Novalja Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Trogir is a town with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Novalja is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Trogir has a few snorkeling spots. There are less snorkeling trips leaving from here than from some of the larger nearby tourist destinations.

Novalja is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Trogir or Novalja Better for Beaches?

Novalja is great for its beaches. Also, Trogir is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Trogir has a beach worth visiting. You'll find some good beaches in the vicinity of town. A favorite is Pantan Beach, which is about 1.5 kilometers from town and accessible by bus. There are also beaches on Ciovo Island and the Drvenik Islands.

Is Trogir or Novalja Better for its Old Town?

Trogir is a popular place for its old town. However, Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Trogir to see the old town. The medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it sits on an island that is connected to the mainland by bridge.

Novalja does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Trogir or Novalja?

Trogir is a town with a few options for its shopping opportunities. However, Novalja is a town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

If you're looking to go shopping, Trogir has some nice offerings. There are shops and shopping centers in the area that sell the standard brands.

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 Trogir or Novalja Better for Families?

Trogir 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 Trogir. There are dessert bakeries around town that the kids will love. You'll also find historic sights and a castle. In the surrounding area there's kayaking and other water activities.

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 Trogir or Novalja Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Trogir frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This seaside town is filled with historic sights and great restaurants. Dessert lovers will appreciate the pastry shops and for those willing to head out of town, there are a number of water activities to enjoy.

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 Trogir or Novalja Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Novalja is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Trogir is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Trogir is a great town to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of affordable hostels in town. You'll find enough backpackers around town to keep things interesting and fun.

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

Trogir and Novalja both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Trogir offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a bus station in town that provides regional access to nearby towns.

Novalja has a few public transit options. There are local buses around the island or you can rent a personal vehicle like a motorbike or scooter.

Is Trogir or Novalja a more walkable city?

Trogir 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.

Trogir is a very walkable town. If you stay in the pedestrian-only old town, its easy to explore 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 Trogir Worth Visiting? and Is Novalja Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Novalja or Trogir?

How long in Trogir or Novalja?

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

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

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

One day in Trogir or Novalja?

In Trogir, you'll find museums and nightlife. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This town 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 Trogir or Novalja?

In Trogir, you'll find nightlife 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 food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Trogir 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 Trogir or Novalja?

Trogir 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 Trogir or Novalja?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the wild 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 10-Day Tours in Croatia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Croatia.

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

Which is Bigger, Trogir or Novalja?

Trogir has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Novalja. When comparing the sizes of Trogir 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.