Spain's paradise for pedestrians: This is the car-free city of Pontevedra

More space, peace, and quality of life: Parisians recently voted in a referendum to transform 500 of their streets into pedestrian zones. In Spain, however, the topic of transport transition is old hat—at least in some places.

It all began in tranquil Pontevedra: The provincial capital in the northern region of Galicia was once suffocated by traffic. Before 1999, there were almost as many vehicles as locals – then Pontevedra banned cars from its historic center, creating a 300,000 square meter pedestrian zone.

There are almost no cars driving in Pontevedra’s old town.

Source: IMAGO/imagebroker

Anyone driving to Pontevedra today must park outside the old town. 15,000 parking spaces are available, most of which are free. Access to the city center is only possible on foot or by bike: signs indicate the time required. Exceptions to this rule apply only to delivery vehicles and residents.

Located on the Lérez River, Pontevedra has one of Galicia's most beautiful old towns, filled with stately homes, cobbled streets, and cafés. Main attractions include the Basilica of Santa Maria, the Baroque Chapel of Virxe Peregrina, and the ruins of the Gothic Church of Santo Domingo.

The ruins of Santo Domingo.

Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos

The center of the old town is formed by the squares Praza da Pedreira, Praza da Verdura, and Praza da Leña, each five minutes away from each other. Small restaurants with outdoor seating, arcades, and 18th-century house facades add to the charm of the center.

The Praza da Leña.

Source: Getty Images

North of the three squares is the Mercado Municipal on Rúa Serra. The market hall offers fresh fish, mussels, and other seafood in the morning—a must-see for gourmets. Not far away is the Praza das Cinco Rúas: This square and the adjacent alleys are home to some of the city's most popular restaurants and bars.

The conclusion is clear: Since the Spanish city became a car-free zone 26 years ago, there have been fewer serious traffic accidents, less noise pollution from engines, and air quality has also improved significantly. In 2014, Pontevedra was named Europe's most livable city, among other things.

Other European cities have followed this example in recent years. For example, Amsterdam , Oslo, Helsinki, Zermatt, and Ghent in Belgium have traffic-calmed city centers. And in the Italian lagoon city of Venice , the infrastructure, with its narrow streets and numerous bridges, makes it simply impossible to get around by car.

So if you want to go on a city break but don't want to see many cars at the same time, these places are perfect for you.

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