20 Incredible Hippie Destinations to Add to Your Travel List
Hippie culture began in the 1960s as a social movement focused on peace, environmentalism, and simple communal living. While it has faded as a mainstream identity, its values of alternative lifestyles, art, sustainability, and social freedom continue in specific communities around the world.
These places maintain cooperative living, local art scenes, and open social spaces that reflect the original countercultural ideals.
Pai, Thailand
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Pai is a small town in northern Thailand known for its relaxed atmosphere and scenic setting in the mountains of Mae Hong Son Province. It attracts backpackers and travelers interested in affordable guesthouses, hot springs, and motorbike routes. The main walking street hosts local food stalls, handmade crafts, and small cafés. Agriculture, especially rice farming, remains central to the area’s economy.
El Bolsón, Argentina
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This Patagonian town grew around artists and idealists who settled here in the 1970s. It’s surrounded by mountains and forests that feel far removed from anything fast-paced. El Bolsón still holds onto its cooperative spirit, with organic markets and community art projects shaping daily life.
Nimbin, Australia
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It’s impossible to visit Nimbin and not notice the walls. Everything is painted: storefronts, sidewalks, even the parking signs. The town rewrote its story after the 1973 Aquarius Festival, which brought thousands of students and artists promoting communal living, environmentalism, and creative self-sufficiency. Many settled permanently.
Finisterre, Spain
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At the edge of Spain’s Atlantic coast, Finisterre draws in pilgrims wrapping up the Camino de Santiago. After the long walk, many camp out near cliffs and build beach bonfires that last into the night. There’s a communal atmosphere where musicians and wanderers watch the waves crash below.
Tulum, Mexico
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Tulum’s mix of Mayan ruins and beachfront yoga studios has drawn barefoot travelers for decades. It used to be an off-grid backpacker retreat, but now features boutique eco-hotels and kombucha bars. You can still find hidden coves and DIY hostels if you know where to look beyond the beachfront.
Nelson, Canada
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Nelson is a small city in British Columbia’s Selkirk Mountains known for its strong arts community and progressive culture. It was once a mining town, but was revitalized in the 60s and 70s by artists, environmentalists, and back-to-the-land settlers. Today, it has numerous galleries, co-ops, and small cafés, along with legal cannabis shops and heritage buildings that reflect its preserved downtown character.
Chefchaouen, Morocco
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The blue-washed buildings might be what first draws travelers in, but Chefchaouen’s relaxed pace keeps them around. It became popular with European hippies in the ‘60s, and traces of that era remain in the local culture.
Eugene, Oregon
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Eugene keeps the 1960s alive in a very Pacific Northwest way. Local farmers’ markets and drum circles on campus lawns are regular fixtures. Alternative medicine and co-housing communities have become lifestyle norms. The Oregon Country Fair, held nearby, still draws tens of thousands of people every summer.
Gili Air, Indonesia
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Gili Air is one of the three Gili Islands off the coast of Lombok. The island prohibits motor vehicles and instead relies entirely on bicycles and horse-drawn carts for transport. Its economy centers on tourism, with small guesthouses, beach cafés, and diving schools. The atmosphere is informal and community-oriented.
Pokhara, Nepal
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Pokhara lies in central Nepal beside Phewa Lake, framed by views of the Annapurna mountains. The city combines outdoor tourism with spiritual and cultural life. While many travelers use it as a starting point for mountain expeditions, others stay to enjoy its calm atmosphere and lakeside setting.
Goa, India
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Anjuna Beach and its market are well known, but Goa’s identity comes from its mix of influences. The state has Indian and Portuguese heritage, which can be seen in its architecture, food, and festivals. The hippie movement of the 1960s left a lasting mark and gave rise to Goa’s music, art, and alternative communities.
Ubud, Bali
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Far from the surf towns, Ubud attracts writers and yoga teachers. The town’s focus on wellness and mindfulness is deeply woven into its daily life. Monkey Forest, art markets, ceremonial parades, and vegan cafés turn the experience into one long, incense-filled afternoon.
Christiania, Denmark
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Christiania still operates independently since its birth from squatters who took over a military base in the 1970s. It has its own economy, murals on nearly every surface, and a strong anti-capitalist ethos. Though tourism has grown, the locals remain fiercely protective of its free-town roots.
Banos, Ecuador
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Banos sits between volcanoes and waterfalls, but its free-spirited crowd gives it a lot more appeal. The town is small, but it’s packed with adventure sports, thermal baths, and hostel courtyards full of hammocks and guitars. Local shamans offer cleansing rituals, and many hostels double as art galleries.
Arembepe, Brazil
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This fishing village near Salvador hosted icons like Janis Joplin back in its hippie heyday. A small, still-functioning hippie community lives nearby in dome-like houses without electricity. The beach is wide and usually empty, and coconut water costs less than a soda.
Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
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Cat Ba is visited less often than its neighbors, and that’s part of its charm. Its economy relies on fishing and growing tourism, with seafood restaurants, small hotels, and hostels catering to travelers. The island features limestone cliffs, boat tours, and access to Cat Ba National Park.
Taganga, Colombia
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This fishing town is now a laid-back backpacker base near Tayrona National Park. It’s rough around the edges, but full of character. Hammocks hang at every hostel, and snorkeling tours are easy to book after a breakfast of fresh arepas.
Altea, Spain
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Altea, a hillside town overlooking the Mediterranean, attracts many artists. Its whitewashed buildings and winding streets are charming. Artists sell ceramics and paintings out of studios built into their homes.
Himalayas, Nepal
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Beyond the trekking trails, parts of the Himalayas still feature the 1970s traveler scene. Villages like Manang and Dharapani house meditation centers and stone huts that welcome long-term guests. The mountain air, layered with smoke and prayer flags, offers peace that’s hard to find anywhere else.
Valley Of The Moon, Sardinia
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This rocky pocket in northern Sardinia hides a loose community of nature lovers and free spirits. There are no shops and little cell service. Instead, travelers sleep in caves, cook over fires, and follow a shared etiquette based on respect and resourcefulness.