Where To Stay For Fresh Island: The Ultimate Accommodation Guide

1. Novalja: The Beating Heart

Novalja is the main town closest to the festival. This is where 80% of the festival-goers stay. It is a lively town filled with restaurants, bars, supermarkets, and fast-food joints. The streets here are busy 24/7 during the festival week.

Pros of Novalja

Everything you need is right there. The official festival shuttle bus runs constantly from the town center to Zrce Beach. It takes about 10 minutes to get to the clubs. Before the festival starts at night, the bars in Novalja are packed with people pre-drinking. If you want to be in the middle of the action and meet new people, this is the place to be.

Cons of Novalja

It is noisy. Do not expect a quiet night of sleep. It is also the most expensive option because of the high demand. You will need to buy a shuttle bus pass or pay for taxis to get to the festival, as walking to Zrce takes too long (about 40 minutes along a busy road).

2. Gajac: The Budget Friendly Choice

Gajac is a small apartment village located just down the road from Zrce Beach. It is much quieter than Novalja and feels more residential. A lot of smart students choose Gajac because of its location.

Pros of Gajac

The biggest advantage is that you can walk to the festival. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to walk from most apartments in Gajac to the club entrance. This saves you a lot of money on transport over the week. The apartments here are often cheaper than in Novalja center. It is also much easier to sleep here during the day because it is not a party town.

Cons of Gajac

There is not much to do here besides sleep and go to the beach. There are only a few cafes and small shops. If you want a big meal or a pre-party bar atmosphere, you will find it boring. You might end up taking a taxi into Novalja for dinner anyway.

3. Stara Novalja: The Chill Zone

Stara Novalja (Old Novalja) is a long stretch of calm bay located a bit further away. This is where you find the fancy villas with swimming pools and private docks.

Who is it for?

This is for older groups or people who have a higher budget. If you want to rent a massive house with a pool and have BBQ parties during the day, look here. It is very quiet and scenic.

However, the transport is a nightmare. You are far from the shuttle bus routes. You will 100% need a rental car or a reliable taxi contact to get anywhere. If you are trying to save money, avoid this area.

4. Booking Tips: Do Not Get Burned

Booking accommodation in Croatia comes with its own set of rules. Here is how to protect your wallet.

Air Conditioning is mandatory. Do not book a cheap room that only has a fan. July in Croatia gets incredibly hot. You will not be able to sleep off your hangover in a 35-degree room. Check the listing twice to ensure A/C is included.

• The Security Deposit: Almost every apartment owner will ask for a cash deposit when you arrive (usually 30 to 50 Euro per person). This covers potential damages. Keep this cash ready and do not spend it. As long as you do not smash anything, you get it back when you leave.
• Tourist Tax: This is a local government tax that is rarely included in the Booking.com price. It costs around 1.50 Euro per person per night. You have to pay this in cash upon arrival.
• Wi-Fi Reality Check: Most listings say they have Wi-Fi. In reality, the internet on the island often crashes when thousands of tourists arrive. Buy a local SIM card or an eSIM with unlimited data so you do not rely on terrible apartment Wi-Fi.

Location Comparison Table

Here is a quick summary to help you choose.