Aerial view of Tavarua, heart shaped island, Mamanucas islands, Fiji
Cover Here are the best car-free places in the world (Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images)

Tired of noisy traffic and chaotic roads? Visit these car-free places around the world

Road transport is one of the major sources of pollution in the world, from being a major contributor to climate change, to affecting the air quality and causing noise pollution. Keen to get away from the city? We found the best car-free places to visit in the world for your next holiday. 

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Peng Chau, Hong Kong

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View of Peng Chau island in Hong Kong
Above Photo: Courtesy of Getty

Hong Kong has a handful of car-free islands, including Lamma and Cheung Chau. However, to truly escape from the hustle and bustle, give Peng Chau a visit. A laidback and quiet spot, especially compared to other outlying islands in the city, this isle has a population of just over 6,000 people.

This sleepy island is filled with walking trails and hidden beaches. There’s also a growing number of people who have opted to move to there pursue personal passions, opening up new cafes, art stores and independent bookstores.

Kadavu Island, Fiji

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Aerial view of Tavarua, heart shaped island, Mamanucas islands, Fiji
Above Photo: Courtesy of Getty

Kadavu, Fiji’s fourth-largest island, is a picture-perfect holiday destination offering blue skies, white sands and beautiful ocean views, and located just a 50-minute flight away from the capital, Suva.

The island offers access to the Great Astrolabe Reef, one of the biggest barrier reefs in the world. Visitors can go snorkelling, or explore one of the many hiking trails through the rainforest. 

La Cumbrecita, Argentina

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Pine forest at Caldera de Taburiente National Park. Viewpoint La Cumbrecita, La Palma, Canary Island, Spain.
Above Photo: Courtesy of Getty

La Cumbrecita is a small hamlet located in Argentina that’s known for being the single pedestrian-only town in the country.

The area, which offers pine forests and clean air, was declared a protected ecological zone in 1996. Now, visitors are required to park their cars outside the town entrance before being allowed inside. Plenty of activities are available, including hiking to the waterfalls, tree-top climbing and zip-lining.

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Unsplash

Thailand’s popular Phi Phi Islands consist of six isles. The roads on all of the islands are for pedestrians only, with the exception of motor vehicles used for emergency services. 

Located just 45 minutes from Phuket by speedboat, the Phi Phi Islands offer beautiful, unspoilt beaches and natural rock formations.

Ilha do Mel State Park, Brazil

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Beach in Ilha do Mel (Honey Island) in Parana coast - Brazil
Above Photo: Courtesy of Getty

Ilha do Mel State Park—also known as “Honey Island”—is a tiny isle measuring just under 4 square miles in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The area was declared an ecological reserve in 1982. Only 5,000 people are allowed on the island at any given time, and some parts of the island are off-limits to visitors.

To get to the island, hop on a 90-minute boat ride from Paranaguá, a city in the state of Paraná in Brazil. Once you’re there, explore the Atlantic Forest, go for a surf on the beach, and take in the diversity of plants and animals in the area. The small island is also home to restaurants and inns.

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