Beach days with bassline
Novalja brings a livelier slice of island life to Croatia’s Zadar region. Set on the northern part of Pag, this coastal resort mixes clear Adriatic waters, pebbly beaches and a buzzing after-dark scene, so you can go from sunbed snoozing to sunset cocktails without changing pace too dramatically.
Zrće Beach is the big name here, famous for its open-air clubs, summer festivals and party-all-day energy. But Novalja isn’t just neon and nightclubs. Lokunje Beach sits close to town for easy swims, while Planjka-Trinćel, Straško and Caska beaches give you more sun-and-sea options when you fancy a gentler day. The town itself has a relaxed harbourfront, cafés, bars and restaurants, plus a few historic nuggets, including traces of a Roman aqueduct.
Food is classic Pag-meets-Dalmatia: grilled fish, seafood pasta, lamb, olive oil and the island’s famous Pag cheese. Expect easy-going tavernas, beach bars and plenty of places for a long, salty-haired dinner after a day in the sun. Novalja’s brilliant if you want choice. Go big at Zrće, keep it calm on the beach, take a boat trip, or head inland for Pag’s rocky, moonlike scenery. It’s Croatia with volume control.
Explore our map of Novalija