Zrce Beach on a Small Budget — How to Save Big
Zrce Beach doesn't have to be expensive
Sure, a trip to Zrce Festival Beach initially sounds like an expensive affair: flight, accommodation, festivals, food, drinks. But with a few clever tricks, you can make your vacation at the legendary party beach significantly cheaper — without sacrificing the essentials. Here are our best money-saving tips.
Tip 1: Travel in the Off-Season
The high season at Zrce Beach is July and August — and accordingly, the prices are high. Those who travel in May, June, or September can save significantly on flights, accommodations, and often even on festival tickets. Bonus: It's less crowded, the weather is still fantastic, and the atmosphere is often more relaxed and authentic.
Tip 2: Apartment instead of Hotel — with Kitchen!
Hotels in Novalja are not cheap during the season. You will fare much better with a self-catering apartment or vacation rental. This way, you can prepare breakfast and simple meals yourself and don't have to eat out three times a day.
A grocery shop (Plodine or Tommy in Novalja) costs a fraction of what you pay in a restaurant. Croatian bread, local cheese, fresh fruit — that's all you need in the morning.
Browse through our accommodations in Novalja and filter by your budget.
Tip 3: Secure Early-Bird Tickets
Most festivals at Zrce Festival Beach offer Early-Bird Tickets, which are often 30–50% cheaper than tickets at the door. Keep an eye out for the first sales phases — usually starting in January or February — and grab them immediately.
Tip 4: Pre-Game (but responsibly!)
Drinks in clubs are, of course, more expensive than in supermarkets. Many vacationers therefore have one or two drinks in their accommodation beforehand. Important: Drink responsibly and don't overdo it. By the way, there are often Happy Hour deals at Zrce Beach in the early evening — perfect for starting the night cheaply.
Tip 5: Enjoy the Beach During the Day — for Free!
One of the best money-saving tips ever: The beach itself is free. During the day, you can swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the atmosphere at Zrce Beach without spending a cent. Sunbeds and umbrellas cost extra, but your towel on the pebble beach is perfectly sufficient.
Tip 6: Share Transfers
Whether from Zadar Airport or within Novalja — share the costs for transfers. A taxi from Zadar Airport to Novalja costs around 100–140 €. With four or five people, that becomes a fair price per person. Even cheaper: Find travel companions in forums or through our flights page.
Tip 7: Take Advantage of Group Discounts
Did you know that you can often get special conditions for larger groups through ZRCE.de? Whether accommodations, transfers, or complete packages — contact us and ask about group discounts. It's almost always worth it!
What Does a Zrce Trip Really Cost?
As a rough guideline for a week at Zrce Beach on a budget:
- Flight: 50–150 € (Ryanair/Eurowings to Zadar, book early!)
- Accommodation: 150–300 € per person (shared apartment, 7 nights)
- Festival Tickets: 40–80 € (Early Bird)
- Food & Drinks: 150–250 € (mix of self-cooking and dining out)
- Transfer: 20–40 € per person (shared)
- Total: from about 400–800 € for a week in Zrce
With a bit of planning, an unforgettable trip to Zrce Festival Beach is absolutely feasible even on a small budget. It's best to start planning now!