Novalja
Tips, highlights and helpful context for your planning.
Novalja – Party, Beaches & Vacation at Zrce Beach
Novalja is the most famous holiday and party destination on the Croatian island of Pag and the center for all those seeking sun, beach, and legendary nights at Zrce Beach. With around 3,500 inhabitants, Novalja is the second largest town on the island of Pag, located between Rijeka and Zadar in the Croatian Adriatic. Today, Novalja is considered one of the most popular travel destinations in Croatia – especially for party vacations in Novalja and festivals at the world-famous party beach Zrce.
Just a few minutes from the city center lies Zrce Beach near Novalja, accessible by regularly running shuttle buses or taxis. Here you will find some of the best open-air clubs in Europe such as Papaya, Noa, Kalypso, and Aquarius. International DJs, festivals, and beach parties make Novalja Zrce one of the hotspots for young travelers from all over Europe every year.
But Novalja impresses not only with parties. The town offers a beautiful promenade with restaurants, cafés, and bars, ideal opportunities for pre-drinking before the night at Zrce Beach, as well as numerous leisure activities. At the harbor of Novalja, you can rent boats, explore islands, or jump directly into the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic. The combination of beach vacation in Novalja and nightlife at Zrce Beach is unique in Europe.
Beaches around Novalja
In addition to the world-famous party beach Zrce, Novalja offers many other dreamy beaches and bathing bays. Right in the center of Novalja, there is a beautiful city beach with bars, water sports, and a shallow entry into the sea – perfect for a relaxed start to the day.
Along Primorska ul. heading north, you will find numerous small bathing bays that are particularly popular with Zrce guests. Here you can relax during the day before heading back to the clubs in the evening.
Other popular beaches around Novalja include:
Zrce Beach – the most famous party beach in Croatia
Stara Novalja – quiet sandy beaches, ideal for relaxing
Caska – historic beach with views of submerged ruins
Babe – shallow family beach
Cista – crystal-clear water, perfect for swimming
Gajac – long pebble beaches near large apartment complexes
Camping in Novalja
Camping enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy in Novalja. The largest campsite on the island of Pag, Camp Straško, is located right in Novalja. With a private beach, pool area, restaurants, and supermarkets, it is one of the most popular campsites in Croatia.
Towards Lun, there is also the quietly located Camp Navis. For more information on camping in Novalja and at Zrce Beach, visit us at zrce.de.
History of Novalja
Novalja has a history spanning over 2,000 years. Even in Roman times, the port of Novalja was an important base on the Adriatic shipping route between the eastern Mediterranean and northern Italy. The name Novalja is derived from the Latin navalis or navalia, meaning "harbor".
Particularly well-known is the Roman water supply system from the 1st century AD – one of the most significant ancient structures in the region. With the rise of tourism, Novalja has developed in recent decades into one of Croatia's most important holiday resorts.
Today, Novalja combines tradition, nature, and modern nightlife – making it the perfect place for vacation in Novalja and unforgettable nights at Zrce Beach.