“I do like to be beside the sea, (without a single car to disturb me)…” If that sounds like a dream come true, then these car-free islands might just be paradise.
By Fiona Brutscher
Denmark, Germany, Netherlands: Oo is for Wangerooge, Spiekeroog, Langeoog… and a string of other North Sea and Baltic Sea Islands lining the Dutch, Danish and German coasts. They don’t all feature double vowels, but they will make you go “ooh!” langeoog.de
English Channel: On the narrow stretch of water between England and France lies an assortment of islands, many of them car-free, some uninhabited. Among the self-governing Channel Islands, Herm and Sark are the most famous unmotorised destinations, while the French Île de Bréhat lies at the heart of an archipelago where bikes rule the roads. visitchannelislands.com [Photo: Sue Daly]
Croatia: The Dalmatian coast is a sailor’s paradise. Those who don’t want their blissful sun- and sea-breeze-fuelled escape spoiled by the sight, sound and smell of pesky automobiles should land on the shores of one of the region’s many unspoilt islands that ban all motorised vehicles. dalmatianet.com [Photo: Hans Põldoja/Flickr]
Ireland: The Aran Islands were once car-free (and traffic is still sparse), but there are almost 500 other, mostly traffic-less, islands to be explored off the coast of Ireland, ranging from cable car accessible hiker’s haven Dursey to former monastery and current Star Wars location Skellig Michael. discoveringireland.com [Photo: Jerzy Strzelecki/Wikimedia Commons]
Turkey: Istanbul is a special city in so many ways. Switching continents is as easy as crossing a bridge, and escaping to an idyllic island is as simple as catching a ferry. The accessibility of car-free Adalar archipelago (Prince Islands) allows city-dwellers to escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, if only for a day. en.sehirhatlari.com.tr
Australia: An island (Maria Island) off an island state (Tasmania) off an island continent (Australia), this small patch of land, protected in its entirety as a National Park, is as insular as it gets. parks.tas.gov.au [Photo: JJ Harrison/Wikimedia Commons]
Hong Kong: The Outlying Islands offer a change of pace from hectic Hong Kong. Most of them don’t allow cars, and the larger ones are easy to reach by ferry – but that’s pretty much all they have in common. Each specialises in a different island experience, so do your research before you board a ferry. discoverhongkong.com
Malaysia: Not only are there no roads on the Perhentian Islands, there are no tracks that would carry any kind of wheeled traffic. Transport around the diver’s paradise is by water taxi, and any expedition on foot automatically becomes a beach walk or a jungle trek. wonderfulmalaysia.com [Photo: Arne Müseler/Wikimedia Commons]
Thailand: The Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea, quite literally named for their number (nine), lie within the Mu Koh Similan National Park. Cars are absent from all of them and some are even devoid of humans. The surrounding ocean, however, is full of heavy traffic (of the boating, diving and snorkelling variety). phuket.com
Indonesia: If you’ve ever experienced urban traffic anywhere in Indonesia, you’ll truly appreciate the blissful absence of any motorised vehicles on the three popular beach destinations known as the Gili Islands. gili-paradise.com [Photo: Jorge Láscar/Flickr]
Kenya: Even if you could take a car to Lamu, it wouldn’t get you far on the island and through the narrow streets of its cobble-stoned capital. Instead, explore the historic sites on foot, by donkey or on board a Dhow sail boat. lamutourism.org
Nicaragua: Size is relative when it comes to Caribbean islands. Big Corn Island (10 km², 6,000 inhabitants, one road) is only big when compared to Little Corn (3 km², 1,000 inhabitants, no roads, no cars). bigcornisland.com [Photo: Brian Johnson & Dane Kantner/Flickr]
Brazil: Although you can find some fantastic beaches in some of Brazil’s most populated regions, they are anything but quiet. Escape the perpetual carnival atmosphere of the Copacabana by catching a boat to Ilha Grande, just over 100 km off the coast. ilhagrande.es [Photo: Valdiney Pimenta/Flickr]
Canada: The only autos roaming North America’s largest car-free urban community are the official city service vehicles, leaving the small roads blissfully clear for traffic on two wheels or two feet. Torontonians escape to the islands to swim at the beaches, visit charming Centreville Amusement Park and view the city skyline across Lake Ontario. toronto.ca [Photo: John Vetterli/Flickr]
United States: Forget the Hamptons – Fire Island is much closer to the Big Apple and offers a sort of laid-back tranquility only car-lessness can provide. Surfing, swimming, kayaking and boating are perhaps the most popular activities, but there’s plenty of land-based fun to be hand, from hiking to cycling, tennis and volleyball. fireisland.com [Photo: Harvey Barrison/Flickr]
Mexico: The Yucatan Peninsula is already a pretty chilled-out place, but just off its coast, Holbox Island offers a whole other level of relaxation. On land, traffic is limited to golf carts. Under water, the heaviest traffic – literally – comes in the shape of whale sharks on their annual migrations. holboxisland.com [Photo: Christopher William Adach/Flickr]
China: Gulangyu Island is a colonial gem within easy reach of Xiamen. Once a foreign settlement, the former grand mansions of the traders, diplomats and administrators that once lived here now make it seem like a living museum. xiamenguide.com
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