Cars are convenient, but without them the streets would be quieter, the air would be fresher, and we would walk or ride bicycles and scooters more.
There are still car-free places in the world today. These are mainly resort islands and small, inaccessible villages somewhere in the mountains. So if you want to take a break from the engine, you have somewhere to hide.
1. Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy
There are no cars in this Italian village. And where would they come from here, if the village is located on the top of a hill and you can only get into it via a pedestrian bridge. But the place is extremely picturesque!
2. Halibut Cove, Alaska
The isolated village of Halibut Cove has only about 90 permanent residents, adding to the charm of this beautiful, car-free location. It is also home to one of the only floating US post offices - it turns out there are such things.
3. Lamu, Kenya
In the town of Lamu on Lamu Island in Kenya, you will be greeted by donkeys instead of cars. As soon as you set foot on the island, it becomes clear why. The roads there - or rather, the footpaths - are narrow and winding, making travel by car almost impossible.
4. Giethoorn, Netherlands
This cute village has several walking paths, cycle paths and canals for getting around. The most popular way for tourists to see the city's ancient thatched houses is to explore the canals by boat.
5. Cies Islands, Spain
Imagine that you are lying on a clean beach without crowds of tourists. Well, that's the reality on Islas Cies (also known as the Cies Islands) off the coast of Galicia, Spain. The archipelago can only be reached by boat, there are no hotels, and only 1,800 people (plus 600 holidaymakers) can visit the island per day.
8. Fire Island, New York, USA
Fire Island, located off the southern shore of Long Island, attracts travelers who prefer to hear the sound of a bicycle bell rather than the sound of a taxi horn. To get to one of the island's many beaches, hiking trails or surf spots, all you have to do is rent a bike and ride like a local.
9. Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is a popular tourist destination, but this mountain town in the Swiss Alps still takes its car ban seriously. Those who want to reach it for skiing, hiking and mountaineering will have to arrive by train, helicopter or taxi, which has a permit to use the Zermatt road.
8. Lamma Island, Hong Kong
A car-free island in Hong Kong, a city known for its tall skyscrapers, neon lights and heavy traffic? Believe me, it exists. Lamma Island is only a 25-minute ferry ride from the city center, but it feels like you're in another world. You can spend a great day there, lazing on the beach or hiking high in the mountains, but getting around the island will only have to be done on foot.
9. Holbox Island, Mexico
Just north of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico lies a tiny island with a big reputation. There are flamingos, pristine beaches and shallow waters. The lack of cars gives the place a laid-back atmosphere that fits perfectly with the sandy streets and colorful wooden houses.
10. La Cumbresita, Argentina
The village of La Cumbrecita is in Argentina, but it certainly has a European flavor - it was founded by settlers from Germany, Switzerland, France and Austria. Today, the secluded village is not only car-free, but also makes maximum use of renewable energy and a water treatment and reuse system.
11. Hydra Island (Hydra), Greece
The island is located near Athens. Once you get off the water taxi, you'll be hard-pressed to find a car or even a bike on the island. Hydra's natural springs and secluded beaches can be reached on foot or by boat.
12. Bald Head Island, North Carolina, USA
When you take the ferry to Bald Head Island, you leave your car and the norms of the mainland behind. Life moves slower here—about as slow as the island's main form of transportation: the golf cart.
13. Sark, Channel Islands
Between the islands of Guernsey and Jersey in the English Channel lies Sark, a tiny car-free island accessible only by ferry. Not only is there no traffic on the island, but there are also no street lights, so nothing gets in the way of admiring the starry night sky.
14. Chamois, Italy
Situated in the beautiful mountainous region of northwestern Italy, Chamois has a lot to offer. But what really makes this place remarkable is that it is not accessible by car. You'll have to lace up your hiking boots or hop on a cable car that will take you up the mountains.
15. Fes el Bali, Morocco
The ancient, walled historic quarter of Fes el Bali in the city of Fes consists of more than 9,000 labyrinthine streets that are too narrow for cars. It's a pedestrian area that houses a university, a mosque, plenty of eateries and the city's best bazaar.
16. Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
Mackinaw is a car-free resort island. But you can rent a bicycle or, better yet, a horse-drawn carriage. It's about as cool as it gets and only a 16 minute ferry ride from the mainland.
17. Venice, Italy
If you've been to Venice, you may have been so enchanted by the narrow canals, cobbled streets and St. Mark's Basilica that you didn't even notice the lack of cars. That's right, there are no cars in this legendary medieval city, since the main transport here is gondolas.
18. Dubrovnik Old Town, Croatia
The Croatian city of Dubrovnik has a historic, car-free Old Town district. This part of the city is surrounded by medieval walls and is a place where you can spend hours wandering around the shops and cafes, taking in the sights and feeling like you've stepped back in time.