Today it is very difficult for us to imagine life without cars. Imagining cities without cars is like traveling back in time. We are so used to the presence of cars around us that we cannot imagine a city or a village without them. But we must not forget that the benefits of living in car-free cities are many. Cities without pollution, calm and quiet, with people who have more physical activity and are also effective in maintaining the protection of the environment. You may be interested to know that even now there are areas where cars are prohibited, although the number of such cities in the world is very few, but they are still found.
Fire Island (New York – USA)
One of New York City’s summer attractions is Fire Island in Long Island Bay. Among the tourist attractions of this island, we can mention its beautiful beaches, untouched deserts and historical sights. But what distinguishes this island from other scenic areas and tourist spots in America is that Fire Island is one of the car-free cities. In this island, there is no news of the types of cars that travel in New York City, traffic and the annoying sound of car horns.
The only cars that are allowed to travel on the island are the various services and emergency ambulances only in case of emergency. The beautiful, untouched nature of Atash Island, this car-free city, attracts many tourists every year. The main tourism activities of this island are sightseeing, sailing, hiking and watching its unique wildlife. In this island, you will have to do all your activities without a car, but this lack of cars will give you the opportunity to enjoy more of the spectacular views of the Fire Island of this city without a car.
Fes El Bali – Morocco is one of the cities without cars
The largest car-free city in the world is the medieval city of Fes el-Bali. The name of this city has been registered as a world heritage in UNESCO. The reason for its worldwide fame is the ancient heritage of this city and its narrow streets. In this historical city, there are about 9400 narrow and winding medieval passages, the absence of cars among them has created a spectacular and eye-catching scene. The narrow streets of this city without cars have limited the possibility of using vehicles and you have to walk in this city. While walking through the streets and back alleys of Fes El Bali, you can also visit its mosques, restaurants and shops.
The only way to travel in Fasalbali city without a car is to use a bicycle or walk. Of course, we should also mention here that the width of some of the crossings in this city is only 2 feet, which makes it difficult to ride a bicycle.
Undoubtedly, the absence of cars in this historical city has given it a magical appearance that fascinates history lovers.
Lamu Island – Kenya
Another car-free city in the world is Lamu Island in East Africa. This island is part of the archipelago of the same name. Donkeys are the main transportation system on Lamu Island. You can talk to the owner of one of these animals and rent a donkey for several hours to tour around the island. Boats are the main access to this island.
To get around Lamu Island, you must use a bicycle or walk. The deep silence of this car-free city will bring you a pleasant peace. Just imagine that there is no traffic on this island, no honking and you don’t have to wait for a taxi to get anywhere. In the past, this island was part of the ancient trade route of the Arabs and one of the centers of the coastal civilization, for this reason spectacular historical buildings can be seen on this island. In addition to visiting the historical attractions of Lamu Island, you can also enjoy open water diving, island beach sightseeing and jet skiing.
Zermatt – Switzerland
At an altitude of 1620 meters in the Alps in Switzerland is a beautiful village called Zermatt. It is forbidden to enter and travel by car in Zermatt, which is one of the car-free cities. The ban on cars in this village is to prevent air pollution. You can go to Zermatt village using the world famous express train. Traveling by this special train alone can encourage you to this trip. During your journey with the express train, you will pass through many cities and countries and enjoy the spectacular views of the Swiss mountains, deep valleys and spectacular staircases.
By walking in the village of Zermatt, a car-free city, you can get to know the customs and traditions of this old village. Among the famous tourist attractions of this village, we can mention the magnificent view of the Mathhorn mountain. In this village, you can enjoy activities such as skiing, snowboarding and hiking in its mountain paths.
Cities without cars, La Cambercita – Argentina
La Cumbrecita is a small and spectacular city in Argentina’s Calamuchita Valley, another car-free city in the world. The appearance of this beautiful town is similar to the villages of the Alps, and the sidewalks of this city have given it the appearance of a storybook. No cars are allowed in this village. The reason for La Combercita’s fame is its Alpine style construction. The only way to get around in this spectacular and beautiful village is walking. There are 30 kilometers of paved roads in this village, which makes walking easier.
La Cumbercita has strict policies to protect the environment. Before entering the village, tourists must park their car and enter the village on foot. The main tourist activities in La Combercita are hiking and camping. Every year, many tourists go to Lacambrecita for jungle trekking, watching waterfalls and watching the beautiful night sky.
Hydra Island – Greece
The peaceful and lovely Hydra Island, in the middle of the Aegean Sea in Greece, evokes a lost paradise in the human mind. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on Hydra Island, which is one of the car-free cities in the world. This traffic ban is not only limited to motor vehicles, but no wheeled vehicle has the right to pass through the paved streets of this city. This point means that only humans and horses can travel in the middle of the city. Banning cars on this island not only prevents air pollution, but also preserves the island’s natural beauty.
You can use horses, donkeys or water taxis to get around the city without a Hydra car. If you are traveling to Hydra to relax and regain your peace of mind, walking along the coastal paths of this island will bring you to your goal. One of the reasons for the fame of Hydra Island is the eye-catching sunsets and sparkling turquoise waters of this island.
Venice – Italy is one of the most famous cities without cars
If cars move in Venice, the city as we know it will cease to exist. The romantic and beautiful city of Venice is one of the other car-free cities in the world. To travel among the islands of the city, you must use a water bus or ride a gondola boat. There is no street in Venice without a car.
Mackinac Island – Michigan, USA
Another popular summer resort among Americans is Mackinac Island in the state of Michigan. You can reach this island using small planes and boats, but you cannot go to this island with your car. Since 1898, the entry of all types of motorized vehicles to this island has been prohibited. Today, families, nature lovers, and history buffs flock to Mackinac Island for their vacations. Since then, this island has become one of the car-free cities in the world.
There are three ways to get around the island: horse-drawn carriages, cycling and walking. Seeing the rickshaws transporting people creates spectacular views, as if time is frozen in the past and modern life has not entered this island. The only vehicles that can enter this car-free city are emergency and service vehicles. The absence of motorized vehicles on Mackinac Island has made the air of this island clean and made its natural beauty to be displayed in the best way.
Baldhead Island – North Carolina, USA
When you head to Bald Head Island in North Carolina, you’ll leave your everyday worries and of course your car behind. It is forbidden to enter motorized vehicles on this island, which is one of the car-free cities. With its relaxing beaches, numerous golf courses, and quaint cottages, Bald Head Island has become a great vacation destination for American families. To get around this city without a car, you can walk, ride a bicycle or ride a sled and have a good time.
Cities without cars, Saarc-Normandy, France
Sark Island, located in the Channel Islands in Normandy in northwestern France, is another car-free city. This small island has magnificent views and is a great place for hiking and biking. There is no airport on this island. The only way to reach the small island of Sark is by boat. The only motorized vehicle that can travel on this island is a tractor. To explore this island, you can ride a tractor, or ride a bicycle or ride a horse. Of course, horse-drawn carriages also take tourists around Sark Island.
This small car-free town houses about 600 people. Most of the tourists who travel to this island rely on horseback riding and cycling to get around. Although motorized vehicles are prohibited from entering this island, they can use motorized bicycles for the convenience of disabled people who travel there.
Giethoorn – Netherlands
Giethoorn is a quiet village in the Dutch province of Orijssel, 90 km northeast of Amsterdam. This car-free city is known as the Venice of the Netherlands because, like the city of Venice, the paths of this village are made up of water canals and bridges. In this beautiful city, 180 bridges have been stretched over water canals, which have given the city a picture-like appearance. You won’t find a single car in Giethoorn.
The beautiful village of Giethoorn is located in the De Weerribbean-Wieden National Park. The countless trees in this village, along with the absence of cars, have made its air very clean and of high quality. The population of this village is about 2620 people. Silent boats take you on a tour of the water canals of Giethoorn. You can also use the bicycles that are available for rent to explore around the village.
The number of people who live in cities without cars may not be high, but they emphasize the many advantages of living in such cities. Among the advantages of living in such areas, we can mention the reduction of dependence on oil products and as a result the reduction of greenhouse gas production, the absence of cars and as a result the absence of noise pollution, driving and traffic accidents. Citizens who live in car-free cities have a cleaner environment and have more space for movement, and as a result, they are calmer people who enjoy their lives more.
Maybe not all of us can go to such cities to live, but spending vacations in cities that do not allow cars to enter, will create peace and relieve the tensions caused by city life.
