MY 5 FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO IN NOVALJA ON PAG ISLAND IN 2026 

If you’re thinking of visiting Pag island soon, these are my favourite things to do in Novalja, probably the most popular spot on Pag.

Novalja is one of those places that has a very specific reputation, and that’s mostly thanks to Zrce Beach, which is possibly Croatia’s most famous party beach. However, Novalja is definitely not only about nightlife, and I think it’s worth taking the time to see some of the other sides of the town and its surroundings as well. Pag is Croatia’s most unique island after all!

As a local Croatian, these are my five favourite things to do in Novalja, which can help you plan your trip to Pag in a bit more detail!

IS NOVALJA WORTH VISITING?

Yes, I definitely think Novalja is worth visiting, but whether you’ll love it depends a lot on what kind of trip you’re looking for. If you’re coming to Pag Island expecting a quiet little coastal town, you might be surprised by how lively Novalja can get in summer, especially around Zrce Beach.

But if you like having plenty of restaurants, cafés, beaches, and things to do nearby, Novalja is actually a great base for exploring this part of Pag Island. You do have to prepare yourself for plenty of young and probably drunk people around, so if that’s not your thing, I’d choose another location on Pag for a more relaxing holiday.

Every time I visit, I absolutely love spending time on Pag, and depending on what kind of trip I want, I either spend time in Novalja or completely skip it.

MY 5 FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO IN NOVALJA

EXPLORE THE TOWN

One of my favourite things to do in Novalja is simply walk around the town and see what you can discover. The centre is small enough that you can easily explore it on foot, with narrow streets, little shops, cafés, and plenty of places to stop for a coffee or a meal.

I really like walking along the waterfront, where you can sit down for a drink and enjoy the views over the sea. Novalja doesn’t have the grand historic centre you’ll find in places like Dubrovnik or Zadar, so I wouldn’t come here specifically for sightseeing, but it’s a nice place to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

TRY LOCAL FOOD

You really shouldn’t visit Pag Island without trying some of the local food, and Novalja is a great place to do it. The first thing I would order is Paski sir, the famous cheese from Pag made from the milk of the island’s sheep. The landscape of Pag is so unusual and covered in aromatic herbs, which is one of the things that gives the cheese its distinctive flavour.

You should also look out for Paska janjetina, or Pag lamb, which is one of the island’s specialties. And, of course, with the sea right there, seafood is always a good choice. I think trying local dishes is one of the easiest ways to make your trip feel more local and authentic, so definitely do that while you’re here!

PARTY AT ZRCE BEACH

Zrce Beach is the main hotspot near Novalja, and the majority of visitors come specifically for Zrce. It’s located just a few kilometres from the centre of Novalja, and it’s one of Croatia’s most famous party beaches, with several large clubs, beach bars, pools, and DJs throughout the summer.

If you’re coming to Novalja specifically for the nightlife, this is where you’ll probably spend most of your evenings. During the day, Zrce is a beautiful pebble beach with incredibly clear water, while later in the day the atmosphere completely changes when the clubs and beach bars start getting busy.

Just keep in mind that this is very much a party destination in summer, so if you’re looking for peace and quiet, there are much better beaches around Novalja.

DO THE LIFE ON MARS TRAIL

This is probably the most unusual thing you can do around Novalja, and definitely one of my favourites. The Life on Mars Trail takes you through the rocky landscape of Pag, and honestly, there are moments when it doesn’t even look like you’re in Croatia at all.

Pag is famous for its almost completely bare, moon-like landscape, created by the strong bura wind carrying salt from the sea and preventing much vegetation from growing. Because of this, the trail gives you incredible views of the coastline, rocky scenery, and the Adriatic. There are also several beaches along the way where you can stop for a swim with some unreal views!

This is a completely different experience from spending the day at the regular beach. There are different routes and lengths, so you don’t have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the area. Just make sure you bring plenty of water and avoid the hottest part of the day in summer, because there isn’t much shade.

EXPLORE BEACHES NEARBY

And, of course, you can’t come to Novalja without spending some time at the beach. One of the best things about staying here is that you have plenty of different beaches within a short drive, so you don’t have to spend every day at the same one.

Obviously, to properly explore the beaches around Novalja, you’ll want to have a car, and if you do, Cista Beach is immediately my first choice. But you can easily reach other beaches such as Strasko or even Rucica Beach if you really want something special.

If you’re without a car, Lokunje Beach and Babe Beach are both reachable on foot, and even Strasko Beach if you’re willing to take a bit of a walk!

CONCLUSION: GREAT THINGS TO DO IN NOVALJA

I know that Novalja is best known as one of Croatia’s biggest party destinations, but I definitely think it’s worth looking beyond Zrce when you come here. It’s not the biggest town, but around Novalja there are still several fun things you can do, especially if you want to explore some of the stunning beaches around Pag.

You also have to try the local food, and I think the Life on Mars Trail is a must-do when you’re on Pag. It’s not far from Novalja, so you can easily combine it with your time here.

Overall, Novalja is located on one of Croatia’s most unique islands, so even if you’re not here for the nightlife, you’ll easily find plenty of things to do and explore!