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Wheelchair friendly cities: Best holiday destinations

By Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor Nov 25, 2014

Before you book your holiday, be reassured that you’ll find easily accessible hotels, attractions and amenities waiting for you.

We’ve put together a list of some of the most wheelchair friendly cities around, so you can pick the perfect holiday destination and start looking forward to your trip.

1. Seattle, America

In a city that’s known for its ‘green living’, you’ll also find plenty of progressive policies. The city is quite car-centric, but it also has an excellent public transit network that is widely accessible and offers great coverage. Enjoy picture perfect scenery and lively cultural attractions safe it the knowledge it will be easy to get from A to B.

2. Grenoble, France

A city nicknamed the ‘Capital of the Alps’ might not sound like the best place to visit if you’re in a wheelchair or travelling with someone who is, but Grenoble has put considerable effort into making the city welcoming for disabled holidaymakers. Many hotels are well equipped and the airport is accessible as are many of the attractions. The city’s wheelchair policies earned it a commendation from the European Commission.

3. Ljubljana, Slovenia

For a less conventional holiday spot, why not head to Ljubljana? Slovenia’s capital city is extremely well equipped, offering everything from Braille signs at bus stops to public transport audio and video stop announcements. Another great initiative is the capital’s city centre tactile maps. Find out more about accessible tourism in Slovenia and look forward to a welcoming stay.

4. Paris, France

There was a time when the capital of France was well known for its lack of accessibility but the city has been working hard to correct this deficit. Most buses are now equipped with ramps and the majority of metros are barrier-free (have a look at this accessibility map before travelling). Many of the city’s biggest and most stunning tourist spots have ensured they are wheelchair accessible too, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe.

5. Singapore, South East Asia

There are many cities in South East Asia that are wheelchair friendly, but Singapore is quite possible the best. Its status has a lot to do with the fact that the city-state first introduced a universal code for barrier-free access for all more than two decades ago – giving Singapore plenty of time to have perfected its wheelchair friendly Metro and attractions.

6. Munich, Germany

Getting around is particularly easy in Munich, as the public transport is nearly 100 per cent barrier-free. Get around using the U-Bahn and S-Bahn or on the trams – although its best to look out for the newer models as there are still a few older trams that aren’t accessible. The city has plenty of wheelchair friendly attractions, including the Englisher Garten Park, the old Frauenkirche and Nymphenburg Palace.

Have you been to any accommodating and well-equipped wheelchair friendly cities recently?

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Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor

Hello there! I’m Rachel and I’m the Assistant Editor for Silversurfers. I work behind the scenes to bring interesting, informative and entertaining subject matter to the Silversurfers community. I hope you enjoy the features we have shared with you. Please feel free to comment below and share your thoughts with us, we love to hear from you!

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