Sometimes it’s just nice to have a break from cars as well as the noise and pollution associated with them. Luckily, there are many destinations around the world that are perfect for this purpose.
Protected by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the old town of Fez in Morocco is the largest urban car-free area. It’s composed of almost 10,000 streets. The medieval alleys are so narrow that cars just can’t pass. That doesn’t seem to upset the locals, who simply opt for… donkeys. So if you get lost there, don’t count on Uber.
Cars are also not allowed on Fire Island, New York. Instead, people get around by foot or bike, enjoying the island’s 26 miles of coastline pollution-free.
Mackinac Island in Michigan is another car-free destination in the U.S. Well, that means almost car-free. For the exception of a few service vehicles, cars are illegal. Mackinac Island hasn’t changed much since the Victorian era, when it was one of the most popular summer resorts in the states. Visitors and residents still travel by horse-driven carriages, while local stores sell fudge based on 19th century recipes.
The Greek island of Hydra also joins the list of car-free destinations. Accessible by boat from Athens, hydra is especially popular among Greeks themselves. Nevertheless, tourists will also enjoy its traditional villages and picturesque landscapes.
Hydra, Greece, Photo Credit: Sharon Mollerus
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