The 8 Best Beaches in Novalja
The numerous stunning beaches in Novalja make a vacation on Pag Island in Croatia an unforgettable experience. While most people know the famous party beach Zrce, there are many other options for enjoying the summer sun. Both in the center of Novalja and its surroundings, you’ll find several dream beaches with excellent water quality, top-notch cleanliness, and fantastic tourist amenities. Set in a spectacular coastal landscape, you can discover beautiful pebble bays, family-friendly sandy beaches, and natural rocky beaches with turquoise waters. But where are the best beaches in Novalja? What are the real insider tips, and which quiet bays are ideal for relaxing by the sea?
In this travel guide, we have compiled the absolute best beaches in Novalja on Pag Island. You’ll also find wonderful pictures, useful insider tips, and recommendations for accommodations to enhance your beach vacation.
Lokunje Beach
The Lokunje Beach, or also called Plaza Lokunje, is a beautiful beach right in the city of Novalja. Located in the tourist center, it’s just a short walk along the promenade from the old town. Here, visitors are greeted by a wonderful pebble beach with stunning water color and a vibrant holiday atmosphere. Particularly striking are the tall palm trees that give Lokunje Beach its characteristic appearance, adding a touch of the Caribbean to Novalja. This is where the young, trendy crowd gathers, and there are some cool beach bars with music where the motto is “see and be seen.”
Tip: The Kaneo Beach Hotel is a great place to stay in Novalja. Located right on the beach, it has chic design and a pool perfect for relaxing.
Babe Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Novalja is undoubtedly Babe Beach. Situated in the northern part of the town, it offers many benefits to vacationers. Set in a Mediterranean landscape with turquoise blue waters, Babe Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on Pag Island. The gentle slope of the beach makes it easy to get into the cool water. The bay is spacious, and there’s even a dog beach at the upper end. Refreshments and free sunbeds and umbrellas are available at the Baracuda Beach Bar.
Tip: The nearest accommodation is just a few hundred meters from the beach. The Sestanka Apartments are popular and offer great facilities.
Zrce Festival Beach
The Zrce Festival Beach is not only the most famous beach in Novalja, but also one of the biggest and best party beaches in Europe! Here, you can enjoy sun, beach, and sea combined with lively parties in trendy clubs. There are four large open-air clubs, Papaya, Aquarius, Noa, and Kalypso, where you can party almost around the clock during the summer months. Additionally, there are several cozy beach bars, restaurants, and snack bars. Water ski lifts, tattoo parlors, and bungee jumping provide even more action. The after-beach parties are legendary, with world-renowned DJs bringing the beach to life.
Tip: Entrance to the beach is free, and there is a shuttle bus from Novalja to Zrce. For partygoers, we recommend the Noa Glamping Resort, right in the middle of the action.
Sandy Beach Planjka Trinćel
One of the most beautiful beaches in Novalja is definitely the sandy beach Planjka Trinćel. Located in Stara Novalja, a quiet spot perfect for a relaxing vacation, this exceptionally lovely sandy beach is ideal for families with children, offering plenty of activities for all ages. At Plaza Planjka Trinćel, you can wade in the warm water, play ball in the sea, and build sandcastles. The culinary options at the restaurants and cafés are excellent, and you can also rent umbrellas and sunbeds, or go pedal boating or jet skiing.
Tip: A real insider tip for families with children is Apartments Kristina. This accommodation is very family-friendly, and the sea is just a short distance away.
Straško Beach
The Straško Beach is one of the most recommended beaches in Novalja. This beautiful long cove is located at Camping Straško, one of the most popular campsites on Pag. Stretching 1.5 kilometers, this breathtaking pebble beach is an ideal spot for a stay in Novalja. Part of the bay serves as a dog beach, and part of the coast is open to non-campers free of charge. On the upper part of Straško Beach, there is a great water sports center where windsurfing courses are offered.
Tip: There are also very nice and modern mobile homes at Camping Straško. The whole complex is fantastic and even has a large pool and restaurants.
Caska Beach
Located southeast of Novalja is the wonderful Caska Beach. The village of Caska is famous for the town that sank to the bottom of the sea. However, the highlight for vacationers is the long, sheltered bay of Caska. Here, you can enjoy a mixture of pebble and sandy beach, offering ideal conditions for swimming and sunbathing. This beach is quieter than others, making it perfect for families with children. Additionally, the blue color of the sea is truly exceptional, and together with the surrounding landscape, it gives this bay a picturesque ambiance.
Tip: A footpath leads from Caska Beach to the party beach Zrce. If you want to stay here with friends, we recommend the large apartment VILLAFUX ZRCE Novalja.
Jadra Beach
The Jadra Beach is a real insider’s tip among the most picturesque beaches in Novalja. It’s an idyllic and extremely quiet stretch of coastline on the northern tip of Stara Novalja, about 8 kilometers from the old town. This spot is ideal for peaceful beach days away from the hustle and bustle. You can enjoy an exceptionally romantic coastline with rugged cliffs and small pebble coves that make it easy to get into the cool water. The turquoise blue sea in this area is also fascinating and home to numerous fish, making it ideal for snorkeling.
Gajac Beach
The Gajac Beach, also known as Branicevica Beach, is definitely one of the best beaches in Novalja and a quiet place for a vacation on the island. This enchanting, nearly 1.5-kilometer long stretch of coastline is located in the Gajac apartment complex, built in the 1980s, southwest of Novalja. Here, you can enjoy several long pebble coves connected by a promenade. Many trees provide cool shade, and there are several green sunbathing areas. You can also enjoy water sports and refresh yourself at one of the many cafés and restaurants.
Tip: In Gajac, you will find affordable accommodation for a beach vacation in Novalja, especially the Apartment Sara M, which is only a minute from the sea.
Find the best accommodation in Novalja:
More about Croatia:
-
Top 15 Amazing Things to Do in Zadar (Croatia)
-
The 12 Best Beaches in Zadar
-
Vir, Croatia: The Small Idyllic Dream Island
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. Meaning that if you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Comments are closed.