Vacation without car: 5 perfectly suitable destinations

No traffic jam. No breakdown. Less CO2. When you vacation without a car, you relieve your nerves and the environment. Instead, you can relax on the train, explore even the smallest alleys at your destination, and breathe in the fresh air while walking on the beach or hiking through the mountains.

According to the ADAC, one in two people still goes on vacation by car. However, the study also shows that the trend is increasingly toward train travel. The motivation to save CO2 is there. Often, the only thing missing is inspiration for what traveling without a car could look like.

Wonderful beaches, unique cliffs, cultural metropolises: We show you five dream locations where you can vacation without a car. And what possibilities there are to have a fulfilling time on site.

Vacation without a car - What are the options?

With the Deutschlandticket, it is currently cheap to get from A to B in this country. If you want to explore Europe, you have the option of taking a night train. And then there are those moments when we feel wanderlust and really want to go far away to get as far away from our everyday lives as possible and get to know completely different cultures. Although flying is the biggest climate killer when traveling, you can minimize your carbon footprint by offsetting your flight.

How we get to our destination when traveling without a car is thus already clear. The only question is: How will the time be once we get there?

Active vacation: coastal hiking, canoeing, mountain biking adventures in the mountains, climbing and hiking - if you are looking for exercise, you should take an active vacation. You will see: On vacation without a car, you can explore some areas even better. And you also support your fitness.
City trips: You've decided on a sustainable city trip in Germany or Europe - now it's time to tailor your very own "program" on site. For the first day of your vacation without a car, we recommend a CO2-neutral city tour to give you an overview. This is a really special experience on a bike tour with a local guide. You will then also see which places you particularly like and you can come back again in the following days. Walking tours, museum visits, café hopping - on foot you will see details that you would never have discovered from the "big sightseeing bus".
Day Trips: No matter what destination you choose when traveling without a car, your horizons will always expand when you also expand your vacation spot. For example, you can test trails in the surrounding area or take public transportation out.
Retreat vacation: If you want to completely switch off, a retreat vacation is just right for you. You do yoga, meditate, and enjoy the peace and quiet - far away from car noise and exhaust fumes.

Vacation without a car - These are the advantages

Maybe you know it too: The car is packed, the route is set, the vacation is about to begin. But then there are always unpleasant surprises: You're stuck in traffic, the prices at the gas stations skyrocket, and the parking garage you picked out in advance is closed. To make matters worse, you get a speeding ticket because you subconsciously stick to the German speed limit, which doesn't even apply abroad.

The good news is that these things won't happen to you when you travel without a car. There are also other advantages to traveling without a car:

Less preparation: If you book a train and accommodation, the travel planning is usually already done. It's a different story when you're on vacation with a car. You have to take care of your insurance in advance, research whether you need a vignette, check whether everything is in order with your car, plan your travel route and consider how and where you will make stops and finally park. Without a car you save a lot of time and stress before your vacation.

Manageable costs: Some of the surprises we just mentioned will not only affect your mood, but also your bank balance. You pay for your train or plane ticket once. When you go on vacation by car, the costs for gas, parking, tolls, toll stickers, wear and tear, etc. add up. It can often happen that you lose track and spend more money than your budget actually allows.

No parking: Driving is one thing. Parking is quite another. On vacation without a car, you don't have to worry about where to leave your car safely and inexpensively.

Save CO2: Not only you have many advantages from vacationing without a car. Our planet also benefits from it. With a car you cause 162 g CO2 (and other greenhouse gases) per person-kilometer. With the train in the long-distance traffic only 46 g and locally with the underground and streetcar 80 g (source: environment federal office).

Vacation without car - The 5 most beautiful destinations

You now really want to go on vacation without a car? We can absolutely understand. Therefore, here are our favorite tips for you:

#1 Vacation without car in Barcelona, Spain

Have you ever heard of the "Superblocks" in Barcelona? Since 2017, these neighborhoods have been at the heart of the sustainable mobility concept developed by the city government. Here, pedestrians and cyclists have priority. The drab gray of the street is replaced by planted raised beds, flower tubs and trees. The "reclaimed" areas become an extended living room. You can hear children instead of the noise of motors, breathe fresh air instead of exhaust fumes, and talk to residents in local cafés. A new sense of community has emerged in the superblocks.

How to explore all the sights of the "almost car-free" city? On an e-bike with a local guide, which you can easily book through Get Your Guide. On this tour, you'll ride for 2.5 hours along the cathedrals, the city hall and the promenade. But don't worry: your bike has an electric motor. So you don't have to pedal, but enjoy the freedom of exploring everything at your own pace and in the fresh air.

You want to experience action in nature? Then take a day trip - a kayak and snorkel tour on the Costa Brava. You don't need your own car. You will be picked up and brought back by a private bus.

#2 Vacation without car in Fez, Morocco

A true paradise for pedestrians is the historically grown Moroccan city of Fez. The 9,400 winding alleys are simply too narrow for cars. That's why the hustle and bustle here is dominated by carts, donkeys and flying merchants. In the course of time, the oldest and largest pedestrian zone in the world has been created here. There is no smell of gasoline in the air here, but the scent of cedar wood, leather, musk, exotic spices and melon.

The "labyrinth of senses" opens up behind entrance gates. The old town is still surrounded by defensive walls from the 13th century. It seems as if the centuries have held their breath. A cultural identity still exists here like in no other city in the world. A visit feels like an exciting journey back in time to the Middle Ages. How to find your way around? The names of the alleys indicate which market you are in: Souk el Attarine, the market for spices and medicinal herbs. Souk Chemmaine, the market for nuts, dates and figs. Souk el Henna, the market for amber, musk and henna.

But not only the alleys of the medina are absolutely worth seeing. Fez belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a place of many impressive buildings from different eras. Palaces, mosques, fountains and gates - a walk through the royal city is like a dream from 1001 nights.

#3 Vacation without car in Ghent, Belgium

As early as 1996, the Belgian city of Ghent set up a 35-hectare pedestrian center to improve the quality of life of its residents and protect the environment. Since 2017, Ghent has been virtually car-free - making it one of the pioneers in Europe.

Anyone who walks through the picturesque maze of alleys, lined with historic buildings, along the pretty canals, will quickly feel: Everything is a bit more relaxed and decelerated here. You never have to watch out for a car rolling up behind you. There are outdoor areas everywhere where you can take a break and let the historical scenery take effect on you.

An absolute must-see is the Count's Castle in Ghent. The important landmark of the city draws you into the knightly culture of the 12th century and captivates with an exciting story. The gate, the city wall, the donjon, the stables, even the count's residence is accessible to you. Behind every door a next highlight is waiting for you.

Two other beautiful sights: the Cathedral of St. Bavo and the Belfry of Ghent, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can round off your vacation without a car with sustainable accommodation, which you can find in Ghent via Fairbnb. For example, how about a themed caravan at the original indoor camping site "Treck"? Or the Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel, one of the only two hotels in Belgium with a Green Globe certification?

#4 Vacation without car in Monhegan Island, USA

For our next destination, we're drawn to the coast of Maine. Or more precisely: to the picturesque island of Monhegan Island, which is home to less than 70 people - and certainly no cars.

In the whole world there are few places that seem so quiet and at the same time have such an eventful history. In the 19th century, the island was the hotspot of many artists. They were inspired by the cliffs, the lush greenery, the view of the endless expanse of the Atlantic Ocean and the incredible sunsets. For example, Edward Hopper painted many of his works here.

The scenery has hardly changed until today. When you arrive here by ferry from Boothbay Harbor or Port Clyde, you enter an oasis of nature that almost looks as if it were completely untouched.

What is there to do on Monhegan Island? Nothing. But that's exactly what makes your vacation here without a car so special. You can hike along the coast, set up your easel on the cliffs and start painting, gaze at an incredible starry sky at night, eat the best freshly caught lobster, or chat casually with other visitors and residents. Because the island is so small, everyone here talks to each other. And it's as if they've known each other forever.

#5 Vacation without car in Koh Mook, Thailand

Thailand has the most beautiful beaches in the world - but also the most famous. At the latest since the movie "The Beach", Maya Bay, for example, has experienced an absolute hype. It is clear that this attracts many people.

Koh Mook is at least as beautiful, but much quieter. Koh Mook translates as "the pearl". That fits. The small island is really a true pearl of nature. Here, gentle tourism is still absolutely possible. And above all: your vacation without a car.

A large part of the 7 square meter island consists of untouched jungle. The coast is lined with snow-white dream beaches that are more beautiful than many a postcard. And then there's the "capital" of the island, Baan Koh Mook, with colorfully decorated wooden houses and super relaxed charm.

A highlight of the paradisiacal setting is Emerald Cave, that can only be reached by swimming. You must not be claustrophobic here, because the path is quite narrow. Snorkeling is more fun when you swim through the reef, where you can even see clownfish.

The most beautiful beach is probably Sivalai Beach.

Vacation without a car - the conclusion

When traveling without a car, there are no limits. You can freely decide where you want to go - to a car-free city, to a paradise beach, to an almost deserted island or to an exotic bazaar.

You will quickly realize how stress-free a vacation without a car can be and how many advantages it brings with it. Now there's just one thing missing to round off your next trip: our IP1 shoulder bag, the mini case made of a shatterproof shell in which you can keep all your valuables close to you - whether you're hiking or biking, in Barcelona or on Sivalai Beach, on the tracking trail or in the pedestrian zone.