These Islands in Europe Have No Cars

Many people hope their vacation will offer a break from the stress of daily life. Loud engine noises and honking cars in traffic can be an unpleasant surprise. So why not play it safe and spend your vacation on an island where no cars are allowed?

We present ten beautiful islands in Europe where travelers are guaranteed not to encounter any annoying cars - with some exceptions for ambulances, police, and other public vehicles.

The Greek island of Hydra is a prime example of car-free islands. It is part of the Saronic Islands group southwest of Athens. The preferred mode of transportation on the island is donkeys, which carry everything from groceries to tourists' luggage.

The best way to get to the island is by ferry departing from Piraeus, the port of Athens, among other destinations. Thanks to the existing monument protection rules, you won't find large hotels or similar establishments on Hydra. Everything here is still pretty much authentic - perfect for relaxation.

In line with that, the Greek island offers many beautiful hiking trails that provide stunning views of the picturesque bays. If you tire of hiking, you can relax at the numerous small beaches. You won't find fine sandy beaches on Hydra, but you will find crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming.

If you must feel sand between your toes on vacation, Vlieland is the place for you. There are a full twelve kilometers of it. The Dutch island lies north of Texel and has only one inhabited village, Oost-Vlieland, with just over 1,000 residents. It is accessible by ferry from Harlingen.

Except for a bus and a few official vehicles, there are no cars on Vlieland. The preferred means of transportation are bicycles, horses, or simply your own feet. This is how visitors move around the island's many bike and hiking paths.

The next car-free island is located in a region where luxury cars and opulence are not uncommon. The Île de Porquerolles is part of the French island group of Hyères on the Côte d'Azur. Contrary to the rest of the Côte d'Azur, bicycles or your own feet are the preferred modes of transportation on this Mediterranean island. Travelers reach the island by ferry.

Offering 30 kilometers of coastline, the Île de Porquerolles provides ample swimming opportunities, though you'd best look for them in the island's north. The south boasts rocky cliffs and deep water-less than ideal for a relaxing beach day.

Whether on a bike or hiking trail, routes on the Île de Porquerolles lead through stunning nature but are also less developed. Proper hiking shoes or a good mountain bike, which can be rented from several providers on the island, are essential to enjoy touring the island.

Aside from an electric bus and a few other exceptions, you won't find cars on Hiddensee, and that has been the case for nearly a hundred years-perfect conditions for a vacation far from road traffic. Visitors can reach the island best by ferry, either from Stralsund or from Rügen. Once you've arrived on the small Baltic Sea island, relaxation can begin.

The best way to get around Hiddensee is by bicycle. You can rent one from numerous providers for a small fee. If you like to wander along the beach, you can't do it by bike but will find plenty of opportunities, as Hiddensee has miles of the finest sandy beaches. There is plenty of space for fun in the usually calm waters of the Baltic Sea.

The small island towns of Vitte, Neuendorf and Kloster are all worth a visit, offering cozy restaurants and charming shops that sell regional products and handmade souvenirs. From Kloster, visitors must head a little further north to visit the Dornbusch Lighthouse, a landmark of the island.

In the south of the island, you'll find the nature reserve Dünenheide with excellent hiking opportunities through diverse nature-perfect for unwinding.

Cars would make no sense on Alicudi, even if the residents wanted them. Small paths and natural stone steps lead from the island's harbor across the island-up to the summit of the extinct Filo dell'Arpa volcano. The Italian island is part of the Aeolian Islands off the north coast of Sicily and has just over 100 residents.

Alicudi is best reached by ferry from Sicily, and from the port, the preferred modes of transport are donkeys and mules. Otherwise, visitors explore the island on foot, which is worth it, as Alicudi offers diverse hiking trails and beautiful bays for swimming. Due to the fertile volcanic soil, you'll also find vineyards and wonderful orchards, which the hiking trails pass by.

Due to its originality and terraced slopes, the volcanic island is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. In the quiet bays, you can enjoy wonderful swimming during the summer months. Snorkeling enthusiasts will find a colorful variety of marine life in the crystal-clear water-with some luck, visitors might even spot dolphins. For those looking to dive deeper, there is a dive station at the harbor.

Off the so-called Odder Coast of Denmark lies the small island of Tunø, and if you can't find peace here, you probably won't find it anywhere. The preferred modes of transport are bicycles, tractor trailers, or simply your own feet.

These will take visitors on a roughly seven-kilometer circular hiking trail around the island, which is entirely a nature reserve. The highest point on the mini-island is called the mountain, rising 25 meters above sea level and offering a lovely panoramic view of the entire island. Only slightly smaller is the charming church tower in the village of Tunø, which also serves as a lighthouse.

The island prides itself on producing vegetables that are considered particularly rich due to the mild climate and salty sea air. In the village's harbor, interested individuals can find a fascinating smokehouse offering local products.

Those who prefer cycling to hiking can rent a bike from the bike rental, and there's also a mini-golf course and a museum to while away the time. Visitors can reach the island best by ferry, which departs from the port city of Hou and takes about an hour to reach the car-free island.

Instead of cars, horse-drawn carriages are the favored means of transportation on Juist. Everything is handled by carriages on the East Frisian island-from taxis to garbage collection to deliveries. Alternatively, you can organize a bicycle and ride to the west end of the island, for example.

Here you'll find the so-called Bill, a large sand dune where nature unfolds in its primitive form-waterbirds and seals frolic here to relax on the beach or hunt for food. For people, the Bill Estate, a locale in a beautiful red brick house, is more suitable. Here you can taste all sorts of local delicacies-the raisin bread is a must-try that every visitor raves about.

On Juist, the Wadden Sea meets the North Sea, so the island is perfect for mudflat hiking. The wonderful sound with every step, the diverse creatures in the mudflats, and the sky reflecting in the shallow water ensure that visitors can completely relax.

But a walk through the so-called Magic Forest or gazing at the sea from a rented beach chair will likely also help you unwind on Juist and enjoy a wonderful vacation.

Time to return to the Mediterranean: Along the Adriatic Coast northwest of Dubrovnik lies the small island of Lopud. Cars? None here. Bicycles, a few scooters, or electric golf carts are used. The picturesque harbor and quaint alleys in the town of the same name are also a popular destination for day-trippers from the mainland.

Because of this, solitude on Lopud is a little harder to come by during the summer months. That's also because the island features the Šunj Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Croatia. However, the Lopud Beach, directly in the center of the mentioned town, is also great for sunbathing and swimming. The botanical garden right on the promenade of Lopud is also worth recommending.

For those interested in a day trip, you can visit the famous Blue Cave on the neighboring island of Koločep. Organized tours are offered by various operators. To get to Lopud itself, the best way is by ferry from Dubrovnik, which operates several times a day.

There's far less hustle and bustle on the next car-free island. The small island of Herm belongs to the British Channel Islands and is ideal for simply relaxing. On Herm, nature is the main attraction. The tiny island, covering just 1.5 square kilometers, can be easily circumnavigated on foot while enjoying the vegetation and the fantastic sea views.

At Belvoir Bay, you'll find a fine sandy beach that invites a relaxing beach day in good weather. Another fascinating beach is the adjacent Shell Beach, where you stroll not over sand but over millions of minute shell fragments ground down by the tides.

Tourists commonly stay in The White House on Herm. The charming hotel has a beautiful garden and a wonderful view from the rooms over the island and the sea. Here, you can fuel up before your relaxed exploration tours of the island.

To visit Herm, you travel by boat. From the much larger Channel Island of Guernsey, boats from the port in Saint Peter Port head to Herm several times a day.

To end our journey to car-free islands, we head to Brittany. On the small island of Île d'Houat, not only are there no cars, but you'll also search in vain for hotels. Many visitors come for a day trip by boat from Port Navalo on the mainland. However, if you wish to stay longer in this natural paradise, private vacation houses are available for booking through various providers.

If you plan to stay overnight, you can take more time exploring the beautiful landscapes, either on foot or by bike. The hiking trail around the island takes about four hours on foot. Along the way, you'll encounter the remnants of Réduit de Béniguet at the northern tip. There's also the Menhir de Bar-Kreiz nearby.

If the term menhir doesn't immediately ring a bell, don't worry. Many probably know these stone blocks better as part of the Asterix and Obelix comics, with Obelix often lugging them around. Several menhirs can be discovered around the island.

After circling the island, the best place to relax is the beautiful sandy beach Tréac'h er Gourèd in the southeast. But the large coastal area is also great for a relaxing beach day, including a swim in the sea-without a prior hike. In the harbor town of Port de Saint-Gildas, you'll find some restaurants and bars to cater to your needs.

Note: Île d'Houat is largely uninhabited in winter. If you plan to spend time on the island, visit during the summer season when the weather is much more pleasant than in winter.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations at bettercities.net.