20 places to embrace your inner hippy

Wondering where to let your hippy spirit run free? San Francisco is an obvious choice Dropdown content, but there are enclaves all over the world where peace and love are rife. Here are 20 of our favourites:

1. Goa, India Dropdown content

It may be known as a party hotspot today, but Goa Dropdown content used to be firmly off the beaten track. The relaxed local culture, delicious cuisine and endless white-sand beaches have always attracted chilled-out travellers in need of a break, with an optional side of spiritual exploration.

Whether or not you’re interested in the nightlife, luckily there’s still much of the old, laidback Goa in evidence for the independent-minded traveller today.

South Goa bungalows © Dan Baciu/Shutterstock

2. Negril, Jamaica Dropdown content

This gorgeous beach may be over-developed in some places now, but it goes on for so indulgently long (it’s around four miles end to end) that you only need to wander a bit further to find yourself some peace and quiet.

If you’re feeling particularly active you can join in the water sports on offer, but you may find your schedule is soon pretty packed with sunbathing, walking and, if you're that way inclined, some meditating on this gorgeous beach in Jamaica Dropdown content.

© Shutterstock

3. Dropdown contentGlastonbury, England

Hear Glastonbury Dropdown content and you think of the festival. Of course, anyone can find their inner happy hippy at this world-famous music and arts festival, especially over in the Green Fields, but this is a year-round destination.

It’s at the heart of the "Isle of Avalon", an area rich in myths and Arthurian legends which attracts Pagans, Wiccans and all manner of New-Agers. Head up to Glastonbury Tor for ley-lines and gorgeous views, or wander along the hippy-tastic High Street.

© Guy Erwood/Shutterstock

4. Cape Maclear, Malawi

Diving, kayaking, walking, snorkelling... there’s plenty to do in Cape Maclear, but you may be content just lazing lakeside in a hammock, drinking in the stunning view of Africa Dropdown content’s third-largest, second-deepest lake. The area’s stayed pretty rustic despite its popularity with backpackers from around the world, and it’s a truly chilled, calm place to while away some time.

© Dietmar Temps/Shutterstock

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5. Kathmandu, Nepal Dropdown content Dropdown content

Nepal Dropdown content has had many troubles to contend with, not least the 2015 earthquake, but it’s always attracted spiritually curious travellers and probably always will. After all, there’s nowhere in the world quite like it – a truly awe-inspiring natural setting with a view across the Himalayas, a city full of treasures with a kind and welcoming population, and a key site in both Buddhism and Hindusim.

It’s also the perfect base for continuing your spiritual exploration, with treks to Pokhara Dropdown content and onwards to the Himalayas.

© Shutterstock

6. Dahab, Egypt

Diving in the clear waters of the Gulf of Aqaba; sharing shisha with friends in the evening; sleeping under the stars in Bedouin tents… The laidback pace of life makes Dahab Dropdown content a great place to sit back, relax and enjoy your environment.

Though unrest in the region has resulted in fewer visitors in recent years, there’s little doubt they’ll find their way back soon enough to Egypt Dropdown content.

© Shutterstock

7. Panajachel, Guatemala Dropdown content

During the sixties the lakeside Guatemalan Dropdown content town of Panajachel was so popular with itinerant hippies (mostly wandering down the continent from the USA Dropdown content) that it became known as ‘Gringotenango’.

As the civil war intensified visitor numbers dropped, but from the mid-nineties travellers started coming back in search of relaxation, stunning views of Lago de Atitlán and… well, what else do you need?

Panajachel Town and Atitlan lake with Mountains, Guatemala © Dan Baciu/Shutterstock

8. Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand Dropdown content

Just above Ko Samui Dropdown content in the Gulf of Thailand is this small island, a classic stop on the Hippy Trail. Somewhere between 1983 and 1993 (no one seems sure of the exact date, or particularly bothered) a few travellers started playing music on the beach during the full moon, and year on year the event grew and attracted more visitors. The rest (hard partying, day-glo, chemically-enhanced) is history and Ko Pha Ngan Dropdown content is now one of Thailand Dropdown content's most visited islands.

Aerial view Phang Nga bay at sunrise with mangrove tree forest and hills in the Andaman sea © Avigator Fortuner/Shutterstock

9. Siargao, Philippines Dropdown content

For real seclusion, head to Siargao Island Dropdown content in the Philippines Dropdown content. If it’s peace and quiet that you’re after, though, maybe avoid September – the island became famous after word spread among the world’s surfers that there’s a break so good they called it "Cloud 9", and the Siargao Cup global surfing competition is now held there annually.

For the rest of the year it’s sedate and beautiful, a perfect place to find some zen.

10. Dali, China Dropdown content

A low-key city by Erhai Lake, Dali Dropdown content has long been a popular stop for backpackers and hippies. It’s still not overwhelmed by tourism, despite its gorgeous surroundings and intriguing traditional architecture (the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple are a well-known symbol of the city), which means it’s still a great place to find a bit of calm.

Dali, Yunnan, China © Jakrit Jiraratwaro/Shutterstock

11. Eugene, Oregon, USA Dropdown content

Where Portland Dropdown content is hipster, Eugene is resolutely hippy. It’s the place to go for all your tie-dyeing needs, not to mention New Age philosophy, communal living and herbal remedies. There’s a lot to attract any type of traveller, but to get the most out of the city’s gorgeous natural setting and strong artistic community you should absolutely embrace your inner hippy.

Eugene, Oregon, USA © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

12. Jericoacoara, Brazil Dropdown content

Known for its dazzlingly white beach and impressive sand dunes, Brazil Dropdown content’s beautiful Jericoacoara Dropdown content has been pulling in hippies and surfers for years. It’s a great spot for windsurfing, as well, and of course for walking, sunbathing and any other chilled-out beach activity you can think of.

It’s also a national park, so it’s reasonably safe from development for now.

© ostill/Shutterstock

13. The Cyclades, Greece Dropdown content

Mykonos Dropdown content has always been a traditional stop on the Hippy Trail, but today is perhaps a bit overdeveloped and party-focused for some tastes. Luckily, there are other destinations in this group of gorgeous Greek islands Dropdown content.

Keep going to Andros, for instance, and you’ll find peace, quiet and stunning walks. If you’re really after isolation, though, aim for Anafi. It’s the last ferry stop, and the perfect place for some reflection and relaxation.

Little Venice, Mykonos, Greece © Ella Hanochi/Shutterstock

14. Lamu, Kenya Dropdown content

The small island of Lamu Dropdown content in Kenya Dropdown content has long been a prime spot for hippy travellers, and though there have been security concerns recently, it’s not hard to see the attraction. There’s not much to do other than take in the gorgeous medieval town, take leisurely dhow rides to nearby islands, and just chill out, man...

Kenya's dhow © Shutterstock

15. California, USA Dropdown content

California is in many ways the perfect place to find your hippy self. The most hardcore of hippies can chill out in accepting, alternative San Francisco Dropdown content; those who still love a bit of luxury can head to LA Dropdown content to dabble in meditation and organic green juices; literary hippies can go all Dharma Bums and scale the Matterhorn; and anyone at all can find a bit of inner peace wandering the stunning Yosemite National Park Dropdown content.

© Shutterstock

16. Christiania, Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen Dropdown content is a pretty perfect city for hippy-minded individuals: great cycling, lots of greenery, good food and a thriving music scene. If you really want to get into the hippy lifestyle, though, you need to head to Christiania Dropdown content.

This colourful city-within-a-city has been a commune since 1971, and is showing no signs of slowing down. It’s autonomous and self-governing, to an extent, and a fascinating place to see a long-term social experiment in action.

Christiania. The area occupied by hippies in Copenhagen © maisicon/Shutterstock

17. Byron Bay, Australia Dropdown content

Byron Bay Dropdown content means one thing: surfing. It’s famous for its long, sandy beach and a local life so laidback it’s almost horizontal. If you feel like even this New Agey, chilled out surfer town isn’t quite hippy enough for you, head to nearby Nimbin for colourful murals, dreadlocks and tie-dye galore.

Nimbin also happens to be known as the marijuana capital of Australia, even holding a "Mardi Grass" festival in May.

© Camila Se/Shutterstock

18. Chefchaouen, Morocco Dropdown content

Morocco Dropdown content has long been known as a destination for travellers who want to get off the beaten track. Marrakesh Dropdown content and Fez Dropdown content are the obvious places to go, but the travelling hippies of the world have long-preferred Chefchaouen Dropdown content. It’s cheap, cheerful and full of open-air markets and beautiful pale blue buildings. What’s not to like?

A view of the blue city of Chefchaouen in the Rif mountains, Morocco © Marko Razpotnik Sest/Shutterstock

19. Istanbul, Turkey Dropdown content

The only city in the world to sit on two continents, Istanbul Dropdown content has long intrigued and enticed independent travellers. The "gateway to Asia" was a key point on the Hippy Trail of the sixties, a fork in the road from where some would head back into Europe Dropdown content and others would look onwards to India Dropdown content, Thailand Dropdown content and Vietnam Dropdown content. Today it retains its independent vibe, attracting hippies, hedonists, artists and romantics from all around the world.

Vintage tram on the Taksim Istiklal street in Istanbul © Sotnikov Misha/Shutterstock

20. Gili Islands, Indonesia Dropdown content

These secluded islands off Lombok Dropdown content in Indonesia Dropdown contentare pretty perfect if you want to get away from it all. Backpackers and hippies started heading there in the seventies and eighties, and now the islands are an established destination.

They’re perfect for diving, lounging on the beach, and simply doing nothing at all.

© Shutterstock