Once the go-to clubbing spot for partygoers from around the world, Ibiza has become something of a luxury for those chasing sun, sea and sambuca shots.
In recent years, the Balearic Island – dubbed the ‘party capital of the world’ thanks to its exclusive superclubs, massive electronic music scene and 24-hour nightlife – has faced growing backlash over soaring prices.
Revellers visiting during peak season – marked by a series of opening parties at venues like Pacha, Hï and Ushuaïa – report being ‘left broke’ after paying up to £12 for a 500ml bottle of water and £20 for a vodka and coke.
Luckily, for those looking to swerve the eye-watering costs now associated with the island, there’s a cheaper option in Europe that offers all-night partying, world-class festivals, pristine beaches, and flights from the UK from just £21.
Zrce Beach, set on Croatia’s Pag Island, is fast emerging as a hotspot for both day and night clubbing.
The party hotspot is located just under an hour and a half from Zadar airport, where low-cost carrier Ryanair flies directly from major UK hubs, such as Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool and London-Stansted.
One-way fares with the budget airline start at just £21, with journeys taking approximately two and a half hours.
While Croatia might be known for its golden beaches, cultural attractions and laidback atmosphere, during the months of June, July and August, the holiday destination comes alive.
Set on Croatia’s Pag Island, Zrce Beach (pictured) is fast emerging as a hotspot for day festivals and all-night clubbing
The resort is home to a variety of beach clubs and five world-renowned clubs; Papaya, Aquarius, Noa, Euphoria and Kalypso
One-way fares with Ryanair from the UK to nearby Zadar airport start at just £21, with flights taking around two and a half hours
Each summer, thousands of partygoers descend onto the legendary beach to see some of the best electronic music talent play at notable festivals such as Hideout, Sonic, Defected and Ultra Europe.
Chart-topping DJs, such as Chase and Status, Wilkinson, Patrick Topping, and Barry Can’t Swim, have been known to headline stages the past few years, often returning the following year for even bigger show-stopping performances.
Revellers are known to get into the spirit and throw some questionable shapes during sets, as demonstrated by a partygoer in 2017 who danced by a pool with a watermelon on his head.
Music acts are also regularly spread across five world-renowned clubs; Papaya, Aquarius, Noa, Kalypso, and Euphoria – open 24 hours a day.
And the best part about a trip to Zrce? You’re less likely to go out of pocket, as not only is the nightlife affordable, the prices of drink, food, sunbeds and other amenities reasonably priced compared to Ibiza.
Most clubs in Zrce have free entry, but this is only if a beach event or festival is continuing at the venue. If no festival is taking place, entry costs only a couple of Euro, and is free to enter otherwise before 12am.
For entry into some of the island’s most prestious clubs, such as Aquarious, entry can cost as much as €10 (£8.65), while the likes of Ushuaïa and Pacha in Ibiza typically charge visitors up to €100 (£86.50) to enter.
As for drinks and food, pints of beer can be snapped up for as little as €2.30 (£2) across Zrce’s clubs, or a mere €1.30 (£1.12) from nearby supermarkets.
Thousands of festival-goers descend each year to the legendary Zrce beach to see some of the best electronic music talent from across the world
Notable festivals such as Hideout, Sonic, Defected and Ultra Europe, return each year to the Croatian hotspot
Pictured: Hideout Festival in 2023, which saw five days of celebrations across Zrce Beach on June 25-29
At Nomad Beach Club, partygoers are offered the perfect warm-up before hitting the club.
There, diners can tuck into a three-course Mediterranean feast, which includes three different drinks, for between €25 (£21.60) and €27 (£23.40) – a far cry from Ibiza’s €50 (£43.30) minimum spend requirements at venues like O Beach Ibiza.
Sunbed costs, on the other hand, are fairly high due to its status as a beach hotspot, with prices averaging around €25 (£21.53) per day.
In 2023, Zrce Beach saw its biggest edition of Hideout Festival, where tech house DJs Patrick Topping and LF System drew in the crowds.
After his energetic set, Patrick Topping said: ‘My set at Hideout was an absolute joke – I can’t believe how good it was. Wow.
‘Three hour set at the Kalypso stage in Croatia, with the crowd so bang up for it. Sunlight into dark. That is the pinnacle of vibes for me.’
LF System also told the Daily Mail: ‘We loved the location for the festival, Croatia is a beautiful country, the freedom to walk from club to club seeing so many artists play was incredible.
‘The crowd was superb, as was the sound system, we had the time of our lives.’
A British man died after taking a cocktail of drugs at Hideout Festival at Zrce Beach (pictured) on the island of Pag in 2017
But Zrce Beach isn’t being labelled the ‘New Ibiza’ purely for its party scene – outside of festival time, revellers can spend their afternoons winding down by soaking up the rays on the sand and taking dips in the sea.
The resort is also home to a variety of beach clubs, where holidaymakers can sip cocktails and chill out to downtempo music by private pool areas.
But perhaps the most unique element of the Croatian hotspot is its parties by the sea, which sees music lovers dance to garage, house, disco and techno against a stunning backdrop for hours into the early morning.
Intimate boat parties are an option for those looking to get away from the beach too, and thrill-seekers even have the opportunity to test their limits with a beachside bungee jump that offers unmatched views of the Adriatic coastline.
If you’re getting tired of Ibiza’s prices, a trip to Croatia might just be for you.
