Novalja holidays

How to reach Novalja

• Flight time: There are no direct flights to Novalja, but flights to the nearest airport, Zadar, take around 2 hours and 30 minutes from London.

• Transfer time: From Zadar Airport, it’s approximately a 1-hour drive to Pag, which involves a scenic drive across the Pag Bridge, offering stunning views of the Adriatic Sea.

• Price: A taxi from the airport to Pag costs around €60–€80. Alternatively, you can take a bus for approximately €10.

Weather and best time to visit Novalja

• April to June The ideal time to visit if you prefer milder weather and fewer crowds. Temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C, and there’s plenty of sunshine and next to no rainfall.

• July to August Peak season, when the island bursts into life with festivals and Novalja transforms into beach party central. It gets very hot though, with average temperatures between 25°C and 30°C. It can also get extremely crowded, while prices for both accommodation and activities are higher.

• September to November The island offers a different – certainly quieter – experience and the weather is still very pleasant, with temperatures averaging between 18°C and 25°C. There’s still plenty of sunshine and just the occasional drop of rain.

• December to March is the off-season, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 10°C. While it’s not the best time for beach activities, it’s perfect for a cultural getaway.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Croatian is the official language, but English is widely spoken in town and across Pag Island more generally.

• Local habits and customs: Novalja is known for its laid-back vibe, but be respectful of local customs, especially in more traditional areas. Casual attire is fine for most places, but dress modestly when visiting churches.

• Health and safety: Holidays to Novalja are generally safe but do take care of belongings on the beaches, especially Zrće. Use sunscreen to protect against the strong Mediterranean sun and stay hydrated.

• Currency: Croatia uses the Kuna (HRK). ATMs are available in major towns, and most places accept credit cards. It’s a good idea to carry some cash for smaller establishments.

• Getting around: The island’s southern end is connected to the mainland via the Pag Bridge. Otherwise, buses are the main form of public transport on the island, with single journey fares costing around 15 HRK. Car rental is recommended for exploring more remote areas.

• Electricity and plug types: Wall sockets in Croatia operate at 220 volts and take round, two-pin plugs. British and US travellers should purchase a continental adaptor before leaving home.

• Time zone: Novalja is in the Central European Time (CET) zone, which is one hour ahead of GMT, and observes Daylight Saving Time.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers need a valid passport to enter Croatia. No visa is required for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

The island of Pag is known above all for its distinctive hard cheese – probably the most famous in all of Croatia – as well as its lamb, but there’s plenty more great cuisine to enjoy on your Novalja holidays.

Some typical dishes

• Pag cheese: A hard, piquant sheep’s cheese, which has a taste somewhere between mature cheddar and parmesan; you’ll find it in supermarkets all over the country.

• Pag lamb: A succulent, spit-roasted delight, although it can also be grilled. Most kitchens, however, cook it on the spit, then carve out the finest cuts and serve it with potatoes and veg.

Meat dishes

• Ćevapi: Juicy rissoles of grilled minced meat served with ajvar (a pepper-based condiment) and flatbread – the classic Balkan staple.

• Peka: Slow-roasted lamb, octopus or other local goodies under an ember-covered metal lid known as a peka: this is a traditional route to a deliciously succulent meal.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Brudet: A scrumptious fish stew comprising various types of fish, to which tomatoes and wine are added. It is typically served with polenta.

• Crni rižot: One of Dalmatia's most iconic dishes, this black risotto takes its name from the main ingredient, cuttlefish ink – and the blacker the risotto, the better the taste.

Sweets and desserts

• Kroštule: Deep-fried pastry twists dusted with powdered sugar, often enjoyed during festive occasions.

• Ice cream: The Dalmatian love of ice cream is evident in the dozens of cafés and ice cream parlours lining the promenades of Pag Town and Novalja.

Local drinks

• Rakija: There’s nothing like a shot of rakija (grape brandy) to oil the wheels of social intercourse. Knock back a herb-infused travarica or carob-flavoured rogačica for a truly heart- and soul-warming experience.

• Pag wines: Whether it’s golden Žutica or the lighter Gegić, Pag wines gain their dry character from the sandy soil and provide the ideal accompaniment to Pag’s fabulous cheese.

Best things to do in Novalja

Pag island’s main resort, Novalja is a buzzing modern settlement whose Zrće beach is arguably the prime venue for Adriatic clubbing – but there are cultural diversions here too.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Vidikovac Gradac: This elevated viewpoint, high above the road between Pag town and Novalja, offers widescreen views of the whole island.

• Zrće beach: A vast, gravelly expanse with a view of the pale ochre hills of eastern Pag and the greenish Velebit mountains beyond.

The best districts

• Novalja Centre: Beaches aside, Novalja’s diminutive town centre is where all the action is, the streets packed cheek-by-jowl with shops, cafes and restaurants – a great place to while away a long morning or afternoon.

• Zrće beach: With its string of alfresco megaclubs along the beach pumping out DJ beats, the area is a veritable dance-till-dawn paradise for clubbers.

Museums

• Pag Lace Gallery: In nearby Pag Town, you can explore the intricate art of lace-making in this lovely gallery which showcases exquisite examples of a delicate craft, while offering fascinating insight into a unique aspect of the island’s cultural heritage.

Parks and gardens

• Lun Olive Gardens: Just a short drive from Novalja, the bucolic Lun peninsula is mostly covered in maquis, but it’s also famous for its olive groves, many of which are very old indeed and feature dramatically stocky, gnarled trees.

Historical monuments

• The Italian Hole: Originally a Roman settlement dating from around the first century AD, these few ancient remains include an underground water conduit – almost 1km long – also known by locals as the Talijanova buža or “Italian Hole”.

Day trips in the area

• Pag Town: A seafront promenade and pebbly stretches of beach, together with a tight grid of streets and well-proportioned Renaissance churches, are the main draws of this pleasant and relaxing holiday town.

• Zadar: Less than an hour from Pag, Zadar combines ancient and medieval heritage with a lively café culture and a go-ahead festival scene.

• Paklenica National Park: A staggeringly beautiful mountain landscape comprising an enticing mixture of karst wilderness, deciduous forests and fir-clad slopes.

Activities for families in Novalja

While the island’s beaches are in many ways the default family activity, there are more than enough cultural and physical pursuits to keep the gang entertained.

• Beaches: At the edge of Stara Novalja, Planjka beach is a long shallow curve of fine shingle and sand that faces north and is therefore protected from southerly winds. It’s a popular family beach in season and there are a couple of beach bars at the rear.

• Water sports: What could be better than a family outing by stand-up paddle board, and the beauty of Pag is that its waters are calm enough for even the youngest members to have a go.

• Interactive museums: Both the Pag Lace Gallery and the Salt Museum are worthy expeditions, offering just the right balance between fun and education.

Free things to do in Novalja

It may be small, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of free activities to enjoy both in Novalja and across the island.

• Beaches: Novalja’s main town beach is Vrtić, a stretch of fine shingle and sand just southwest of the centre. Further south is the much larger, pebbly Straško beach, site of the Straško campsite and home to extensive facilities and a naturist section.

• Free events: Pag Carnival is a special spectacle, running every Saturday from early January and culminating in three days of non-stop, costumed festivities before Ash Wednesday. You can either watch from afar or join in with the fun and get dressed up.

• Visit the markets: Immerse yourself in Novalja’s local market, where you can sample fresh produce, and perhaps pick up some souvenirs if you just fancy a cheap spend.

Nature and outdoor activities in Novalja

Pag’s easily accessible coastline and rugged interior present opportunities for all kinds of leisure pursuits.

• Hiking: The island’s stark interior is made for long walks, but be warned, it’s very exposed here so take sensible precautions.

• Kitesurfing and windsurfing: The island’s exposure to the elements makes it an excellent spot for all kinds of water-bound pursuits, especially kitesurfing and windsurfing.

• Climbing: Stogaj is the island's best-known climbing spot, offering nearly 20 marked routes, including short, easy ascents for beginners, while experienced climbers can attempt the so-called Skorpion or Spyder climbs.

• Stand-Up Paddleboarding: A popular activity around the Pag coastline, the calm waters here are perfect for both beginners and experienced paddlers alike.

• Bird-watching: The reeds and marshland of Veliko Blato provide shelter for almost 150 varieties of birdlife, including herons, great crested grebes, spoonbills and hundreds of flamingos – truly fantastic bird-watching territory.