Novalja

Novalja is a small city located on the island of Pag, on the northwest of Croatia out in the Adriatic Sea. Well known for its enthralling nightlife, it is also the perfect destination for unwinding. Once a simple fishing village, Novalja has expanded dramatically to become the most gripping summer party spot in Croatia. A lot of new apartments, snack spots, and beachwear shops have been constructed. There isn't much to do in town except for shop and stroll (admittedly so, through the beautiful medieval old town), but only a couple of kilometers away is the legendary Zrće Beach.

Nicknamed "The Croatian Ibiza," about 3km southeast of Novalja lies the Zrće Beach. Visiting the beach in the day time can be a good option, or you can indulge in a range of adventurous water sports. Here at Zrce, there are four leading clubs, namely Papaya, Aquarius, Calypso, and Noa Beach Club, with numerous bars in between. Zrće enjoys high media coverage. As a result, it is famous among celebrities and Croatian singers too. Most of them start their summer season here only. Various acclaimed DJs and many electronic and house music events are hosted by the club. Although the beach has its parking lot, one must prefer walking or using a shuttle. This is because the parking lot gets crowded at times.

Novalja, also known as the Party Capital of Croatia, justified the title due to its exciting and engaging foam and themed based parties that you just can't miss out on. The parties begin somewhere around 3 PM and go on all-day. The vibe, the people, the live performances, and the compelling pool parties will make your trip to Novalja worth it.

A bit smaller than Zrće is the beach Caska which is suitable for small families. The best part about the two beaches is that they fall in the same bay. Moreover, one can easily walk from one beach to another. If you are one of those curious travellers, Caska has a lot to offer. It is said that there are ruins of a fallen lighthouse under the sea. Although nobody has ever seen it, there are rumors about the top of the lighthouse being visible.

If you're one person who fancies music festivals, it'll be safe to say that Novalja has you covered. Well known as the Croatian festival hotspot, it has numerous music festivals happening throughout the summer season. One of the best festivals is the hideout festival, which takes place in June and features the best underground music. Apart from that, the fresh island festival is equally famous worldwide. In fact, it is the only hip hop festival in entire Europe. The Sonus festival is said to be a close runner up to the above-mentioned festivals. Sonus is conducted in late August and features a blasting dance party featuring some of the best DJs in the entire world.

Novalja isn't really the kind of place where you'd like to indulge in ticking off a sightseeing checklist but check out the above places, and you'll have nothing less than a captivating experience. It is a very safe city with respectful and most hospitable inhabitants, which will make you want to return to this location on several occasions, especially if you like to party.