Pedestrian zones are all the rage with urban planners and municipal governments around the world. Blame it on the high price of crude oil, Al Gore, the green movement or Kyoto but vehicles of all types are about to vamos from many large city blocks in every corner of the globe.
What we tend to forget however, is that pedestrian zones are not a new development. A lot of ancient towns and quaint hamlets have been free of cars ever since the days of Henry Ford. Residents of these little gems live differently from the rest of us and seem to enjoy a unique quality of life. No surprise then, that they represent some of the most beautiful places to visit in the world.
Here then, are the Best Car-Free Destinations in the World.
The ancient capital of the archipelago nation of Malta is a medieval town which in Europe, almost ensures it remains free of automobiles. Locals refer to Mdina as The Silent City, which without the constant hum of engines, makes sense.
The city boasts a history that dates back to over 4000 BC, which even in Europe, where the bar is set high for this type of acclaim, is truly remarkable. St. Paul’s Cathedral is the main attraction here, in addition to fine examples of Norman and Baroque architecture.
Christiana, Copenhagen, Denmark
Denmark is a haven for independent thought and expression. The Copenhagen borough of Christiana is a prime example of this spirit. With just under 1,000 residents, the 85 acre community has virtual autonomy in Denmark. Once notorious for open cannabis trade, the area is now, and always has been for that matter, a backpacker and tourist curiosity.
Before you dismiss Christiana as a quasi-colony, bear in mind the historical merits of the town. The area houses ramparts from the 17th century, which military historians consider to be among the best defence works in Europe, if not the world. However, with a formation in 1971, Christiana does exude a distinct hippie-free-love vibe, especially with the no-car regulation in effect, and for that alone, merits a walkabout.
Superb Copenhagen hotel deals are right here.
In stark contrast to quirky Christiana, Fes has perhaps the most vast pedestrian zone in the world. The vibrant imperial city with 1 million residents in Morocco contains many distinct districts and several notable car-free zones. Known in North Africa as a Medina, the zones are walled areas with labyrinthine, narrow streets, otherwise be impenetrable by vehicle and thus ideal for those on foot.
The huge, ancient Medina of Fes al Bali in particular has no peer in the world when it comes to urban car-free zones and as a whole, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Incredibly, the area contains the oldest university in the world, which dates back to 859 AD. If you do visit Fes, bring a good street map and consider a guide to help you navigate the Medina streets. Otherwise, get lost and enjoy.
Hydra, Saronic Islands, Greece
Other than garbage trucks, donkeys and water taxis provide the bulk of the transportation load on this attractive Greek island. Wealthy Athenians who long to escape the sprawl and oppressive pollution of the capital city dominate the peak season in Hydra. The island has no shortage of romance associated with it and has been the subject of numerous films and novels.
No doubt the neat, compact nature of the few villages that dot Hydra and the tiny local population has much to do with the lore. Of course, the preponderance of pedestrians and mules adds to the charm as well. If you need a break from the hype and crowds of Santorini, Ios and Mykonos, Hydra might be just the respite you need to get that quintessential Greek island experience back.
Your Greek island vacation starts here.
One would expect Venice to be the best location in Italy for pedestrians and while the city is a marvel, Cinque Terre is more in line with the rest of the list. Everyone knows Venice but these five coastal villages in the beautiful Liguria area of Italy deserve special attention. Just below the knee on the boot of Italy, Cinque Terre is one of the most picturesque areas of the country. Smack against the Mediterranean, the five pastel hillside villages abut grape and wine terraces and feature some of the best seafood anywhere in the world.
Geography and a fervent need to preserve the local way of life means that transportation routes and residential development has been severely limited in Cinque Terre. Overall for tourists, this is wonderful. Other than the train to carry you from village to village, your feet will serve as your primary mode of transportation in this exquisite part of Italy. To boot, most of the footpaths in Cinque Terre have been around for several hundred years, if not more.
Cinque Terre has some terrific hotels that fill up fast in peak season - book your room well in advance.
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August 19th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I love these old towns. I spent some time in San Gimiginano in Tuscany - it was gorgeous!
September 15th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Hey! How ’bout Mackinac Island situated in the Mackinac Strait between upper and lower Michigan in the Great Lakes. You’re just a ferry ride away from a bike and horse paradise and turn of the century ambiance. The island boasts a few hundred hardy year round residents whose winter transportation consists generally of snow mobiles once the water freezes and one of the Midwest’s premier summer hotels in the Grand Hotel (Sorry! No admittance without a tie, even if all you want to do is ogle the surroundings.)
October 7th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Wow - what a wonderful post. To think about traveling to a place that will not only transport you back into time but where automobile pollution is almost absent sounds very inviting.