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Voykit pocket guide · Croatia
Novalja
Spend 2 days in Novalja: one day for Zrće beach clubs and nearby party scene, another for the Roman aqueduct, Gajac promenade and a quiet beach walk.
Novalja is a small coastal town on Pag island, best known for Zrće beach nightlife and a handful of historic sights. A two‑day stay lets you experience the party scene and still see the Roman aqueduct, Gajac promenade and nearby quiet bays.
- Country
- Croatia
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat, crowds)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR) since 2023. Cards work almost everywhere; carry small cash for markets, beach bars and some island taxis.
- Daily spend
- Budget €30–45 excl. bed · Mid €45–80 excl. bed · High €80+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Hrvatski Telekom, A1 and Telemach sell prepaid SIMs at kiosks (Tisak) and shops; ID required.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Fire 193 · Ambulance 194
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European round two-pin; UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Café or bar: Round up.; Restaurant: About 10% for good service, in cash.; Taxi: Round up.; Boat trip crew or guide: €5–10 per person for a day trip.; Apartment cleaning: Not expected.
- Water
- Tap water is safe and good everywhere, including islands (some small islands rely on piped or tanked water — ask).
- Toilets
- Free in cafés for customers; public toilets in old towns cost €0.50–1.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €1.5–2.5 |
| Beer (draft) | €2–3 |
| Fast‑food sandwich | €3–5 |
| Beach shuttle ticket | €1.5 |
| Scooter hire (hour) | €5–8 |
| Entry to a Zrće club (night) | €10–20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ZAD · Zadar Airport
- Main regional airport, about 60 km (37 mi) north of NovaljaMain regional airport, about 37 mi (60 km) north of Novalja
- SPU · Split Airport
- Larger international airport, about 120 km (75 mi) south of NoveljaLarger international airport, about 75 mi (120 km) south of Novelja
Typical fares
- Novalja ↔ Zrće shuttle
- ≈ €1.50 per person, walkable 2 km (1.2 mi)≈ €1.50 per person, walkable 1.2 mi (2 km)
- Scooter rental (full day)
- ≈ €15
- Car rental (day)
- ≈ €40–60, includes parking near beach
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is dominant; rental, scooters and beach shuttles (≈€1.50) are common. Walking covers the compact centre and Zrće (2 km (1.2 mi)).Car is dominant; rental, scooters and beach shuttles (≈€1.50) are common. Walking covers the compact centre and Zrće (1.2 mi (2 km)).
See and do
Known for
- Zrće beach clubs
- Roman aqueduct
- Pag island lamb and cheese
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Zrće beach | Walk 2 km (1.2 mi) east from centre or beach shuttle (€1.50)Walk 1.2 mi (2 km) east from centre or beach shuttle (€1.50) | ≈15 min |
| Roman aqueduct (partial visit) | Walk 150 m from centre, 5 min | ≈5 min |
| Gajac promenade | Walk 2 km (1.2 mi) north along beachfrontWalk 1.2 mi (2 km) north along beachfront | ≈30 min |
Sleep
- Hotel Boskinac
- 3‑star, central, good for party goers
- Villa Margareta Novalja
- Mid‑range apartments, 10 min walk to centre
- Camping Strasko
- Budget camping with beach access
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Oprostiteoh-proh-stee-teh |
| Thank you | Hvalahvah-lah |
| How much is it? | Koliko košta?koh-lee-koh koh-shtah? |
| Where is the beach? | Gdje je plaža?gdyeh yeh plah-zhah? |
| Can I pay by card? | Mogu li platiti karticom?mo-goo lee plah-tee-tee kar-tee-tsohm? |
| I need a taxi | Treba mi taksitreh-bah mee tahk-see |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and eye contact; 'dobar dan' in shops; avoid: Walking into a small shop without a greeting
- Café culture: Sit as long as you like over one coffee; avoid: Expecting the bill without asking
- Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet voices; avoid: Beachwear, flash photos during mass
- Conversation: Ask about food, sport, the islands; avoid: Comparing Croatia to Serbia or calling it 'Eastern Europe'
- Toasting: 'Živjeli' with eye contact; avoid: Looking away when glasses clink
Scams and watch-outs
- Zrće beach can be extremely crowded after 15:00; consider shuttle or walk.
- Public intoxication and occasional drug‑related incidents; stay aware of police patrols.
- Roads to hidden bays are often poor; use a suitable vehicle or stick to marked paths.
Novalja is generally safe, but the party zone sees higher alcohol‑related incidents; keep valuables secure and avoid confrontations.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Novalja yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Zrće beach clubs
- Roman aqueduct
- Pag island lamb and cheese
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Novalja official tourism site: www.novalja.hr/
- Wikidata – Novalja: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Novalja, revision 5070149 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5070149
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/novalja). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.