By Sophie Foster, Deputy Travel Editor For Mailonline
08:02 06 Jul 2024, updated 08:30 06 Jul 2024
Few things ruin a beautiful location like the squeal of tyres, honking horns and the smell of exhaust fumes.
That’s where car-free islands can help – as of course they’re free of the above by default.
And there are more out there than you might expect.
These six gems, for starters, from a time-warp spot in the U.S where you can ride horse-drawn carriages to a Greek haven where anything with wheels is strictly no-no, and from a Channel Islands islet that’s heaven for stargazers to an Indian Ocean paradise boasting ‘the world’s best beach’.
Read on to discover how you can enjoy a fume-free escape…
Tresco, Isles of Scilly, British Isles
Twenty-eight miles from the Cornish coast – at the heart of the Isles of Scilly archipelago – lies the family-owned island of Tresco, where the arrival options range from boat to helicopter. (Or a very long swim.)
Car-owners must leave their vehicles on the mainland.
What will they discover once there? ‘Award-winning accommodation, deserted bays and aquamarine seas,’ according to www.tresco.co.uk.
Lying in the Saronic Islands of the Aegean Sea, this island is ‘nigh on unbeatable’, according to Ted Thornhill, MailOnline Travel Editor, thanks to its picturesque harbour, hidden coves, winding alleyways, chic shops, turquoise water – and vehicle-free roads.
All wheeled vehicles are banned on the island, with Ted noting: ‘The absence of mopeds buzzing about like hornets and cars barging their way along pretty lanes generates a remarkably tranquil and carefree vibe.
‘Children can run free and sounds that otherwise might be drowned out can clearly be heard.
‘The horseshoe-shaped harbour is gorgeous, the water packed with a mixture of cute fishing boats, speedboats, yachts and superyachts. The waters are bathwater warm, sometimes teeming with fish, and crystal clear thanks to rocky seabeds. Each day it’s a case of wake up in the hotel, leave, dive, repeat.’
Sark, Channel Islands, UK
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While cars are banned on Sark – the third smallest of the Channel Islands at just three miles by a mile and a half – visitors and residents can get around by horse-drawn carriage.
And it’s paradise for cycling and hiking enthusiasts.
Visitors can also enjoy fishing, rockpooling, clay pigeon shooting, archery and guided donkey walks. Plus, the skies are renowned for excellent stargazing conditions.
The island’s official website states: ‘Sark has a very unique character and personality, setting it apart from the other islands and the rest of the world.
‘Without the hustle and bustle of modern day life comes a wonderful sense of freedom. Stargazing on Sark is a very unique and special activity. Many people who live among street lights will have never seen the Milky Way or have experienced the wonder of true darkness with millions upon millions of stars overhead.
‘Sark is nothing short of a magical island straight out of a fairytale, ready to explore!’
Mackinac Island, Michigan, US
This Michigan island, in Lake Huron, has outlawed the use of any motor vehicle, with very limited exceptions, since 1898 – and the car-free environment helps to cement its Victorian-era charm.
The locals travel by bike, foot, horse-drawn carriage and nautical means – there are plenty of boats floating in the harbour.
The time-warp island offers plenty of hiking opportunities – there are 60 miles of trails – and stunning natural stone formations to behold, such as Arch Rock and Sugar Loaf.
Mackinac Island also has a rich military history, with visitors able to stroll through Fort Mackinac and witness demonstrations of old-style guns, says the Associated Press, which adds: ‘During the summer months, the [fort] admission also gets you into historic buildings in the main village, including a blacksmith shop and the former site of American Fur Co.
‘It’s free to walk along the streets downtown, where you’ll find shops, churches, museums and other buildings.’
For more information visit Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.
Vrnik, Croatia
Behold postcard-perfect Vrnik, a tiny gem in the Adriatic.
Toni Hrelja, founder of the rental company Villsy.com and a Croatian local, says: ‘Vrnik is a tiny island (0.11 square miles), part of a little archipelago, a Mediterranean postcard scene where seeing a pack of dolphins is nothing unusual.
‘The accommodation on the island is private, with apartments or houses to rent. There is one restaurant and a fast food bar.
‘The wonderful thing about staying on the little island is that you have the choice of absolutely disconnecting yourself or just hopping on a boat and exploring the neighbouring little places and islands.’
In the summer months, Vrnik can be reached on a regular taxi-boat from the town of Korčula.
La Digue, Seychelles
There are 115 islands in the Seychelles archipelago – but car-free La Digue is arguably the dreamiest.
In fact, travel writer Siobhan Grogan declares that it ‘has beaches straight out of a daydream’.
She adds: ‘The palm-tree-fringed sands of Anse Source d’Argent on the isle of La Digue are often named the most beautiful in the world.’
Holidaymakers at this Indian Ocean spot can meet giant tortoises, go kayaking and spot butterfly fish, porcupine fish, batfish and damselfish while snorkeling.