This is widely considered to be the birthplace of the hippie culture. San Francisco still feels these cultural effects today, both in its political outlook and in landmarks like The Strand Bookstore.
(image via Flickr)
Nepal is a favored destination of people seeking a different perspective, a new philosophy, or a change in way of life. As such, it was the epicenter of the Hippie Trail in the ‘70s. Today, you can still find hippies wandering around the “Old Freak Street” square.
(image via Flickr)
Nimbin has long been a hippie destination. Although, in recent years, it has become more of a vacation/party destination. But, there’s still Mullumbimby, Channon, Belgrave, and a lot of other towns in the area. If you’re looking for a hippie haven, you’ll definitely find one near Nimbin, if not in Nimbin itself.
(image via Flickr)
With their imaginations fueled by The Beatles’ now-legendary trip to Rishikesh, hippies descended on Goa in numbers strong enough that their presence is still felt on the culture. Today, there are vestiges of what drew them here and enclaves of them in certain parts of town.
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Hippies first descended on Zipolite in the 1960s, but instead of disbanding over the years, they’ve imbued the city with an even stronger sense of eclecticism. Between the marijuana scene and the nude beaches, this laid-back, small town remains free from crowds of visitors.
(image via Flickr)
Nelson has a long countercultural history, from a wave of Russian pacifists in 1908 to draft dodgers in the Vietnam War years. Today, the town retains its status as a countercultural icon, aided by the marijuana, the laid-back attitude, and the phenomenal ski resort nearby.
(image via Instagram)
Orgiva is the perfect place to begin exploring the three hippie communities nearby. El Morreon is home to a lot of younger people living in harmony (and buses). Los Cigarrones traditionally holds an annual Dragon Festival, but Beneficio is the most famous. It’s a captivating, commune-esque agricultural community that draws a horde of curious travelers.
(image via Instagram)
Hebden Bridge is a mill town that started faltering in the 60s, until a massive influx of hippies revitalized it. It’s a relatively-rural hub for creative professionals, the “lesbian capital of the U.K,” and the “4th funkiest town in the U.K.” This small, liberal enclave is a haven for those still hoping to live by hippie ideals!
(image via Flickr)
In the 60s, Amsterdam evacuated this village with the intent of extending the harbor out to it. When the plans stalled, a group of artists wandered in and started squatting here. Over time, it became a formal village built on the principals of the hippies who “founded” it.
(image via Flickr)
In 1971, a bunch of hippies started squatting on an old military installation and declared themselves to be an autonomous community. Denmark has just sort of rolled with it for the most part. However, residents did recently destroy the open cannabis market after a shooting in late August 2016, but the drug market will probably come back at some point.
(image via Flickr)
Glastonbury is perhaps most famous for the Glastonbury Music Festival, which dates back to 1970 when it was founded and funded by upper-class hippies Andrew Kerr and Arabella Churchill as the Pilton Pop, Blues, and Folk Festival. There’s still a strong vein of New Age and Neopagan culture running through this city today!
(image via Flickr)
A group of activists squatted on a disused military barracks in 1993 and declared the area an “autonomous social center.” While the area is autonomous and extremely liberal, it’s also well-regulated by its residents. The current mayor of Ljubljana is supportive of the community, calling it “a center of urban culture” and “a place for critical thinking [and] civic engagement...”
(image via Flickr)
The ideal hippie lifestyle looks a lot like old-timey America: small farms producing food for their own communities, goods and services made and sold locally, and small towns where everybody says “hello” to their neighbor. It may make some cultural sense, then, that Asheville, North Carolina has emerged as one of the U.S.’s top hippie enclaves.
(image via Instagram)
Gokarna is located on the Western coast of India, and it’s often regarded as a more laid-back, less-commercialized version of Goa. In other words, it’s the place that hippies want to be going when they end up in Goa. Plus, it has a beautiful beach.
(image via Instagram)
Dahab is a Bedouin village on the coast of the Sinai Peninsula. It used to be a fishing village, but it’s now known as a premiere diving location. It’s also known for being more laid back and much cheaper than the rest of Egypt. It’s been a hippie draw since the ‘70s, and that vibe lives on today in the pace and quality of life.
(image via Instagram)
For some people, the entire Pacific Northwest probably feels like a hippie hideout, but Eugene, Oregon is where all the real hippies like to hang. From co-ops to organic farming, this mid-size city is perfect for those who want to march to beat of their own drum.
In the hippie heyday of the 60s, Ibiza was the place to be. It was a hotspot for creative types of all sorts, and that legacy continues to this day. While Ibiza may be a bit more mainstream then it was back then, hippies should still feel right at home when visiting.
Hippies have been heading to El Bolson, Argentina since at least the 70s, and there’s no sign that this trend is stopping. Like many of the places on this list, the beautiful, natural views and plenty of farming opportunities is what keeps the hippies coming.
Panajachel is the perfect place for hippies looking to soak up a little sun by the water. This beautiful town is situated on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, and is also full of fun and unique marketplaces to explore for all kinds of hippie wares.
Is it any surprise that the town Ben and Jerry (of ice cream fame) call home is a hippie hideout? This place is so all-in on the culture, that you’ve got to travel to nearby South Burlington to find a McDonalds.
Since the legalization of recreational marijuana, the whole state of Colorado feels like it’s been taken by the hippies, but Boulder is still the central hub for hippie activity. And thanks to the high number of college students living in town for their studies, there is no shortage of creative, unusual activities for the wandering hippie to get into.
While we might associate hippies more with tropical climates, there are plenty in chillier locales, as well--like Vancouver, Canada. Folks have been flocking to this Canadian town since the Summer of Love, and while things may have died down a bit, there’s still plenty of fun for a modern-day hippie to find here.
Ithaca may be home to the prestigious Cornell University, but that doesn’t mean everyone in the town is that straight-laced. From farmers markets to art collectives to music festivals and more, there’s more than enough fun to be had for hippies at heart.
Sure, we can talk about the beauty of Amsterdam. The history. The culture. But there’s one reason and one reason only why hippies flock to the city, and we all know what it is: the legal drugs.
Boca Raton, Florida may be the go-to spot for retirees, but hippies know that Bisbee, Arizona is secretly the best place to live out your twilight years. From the unique architecture to the quirky residents, this is a must-visit spot for folks who march to the beat of their own drum.
