The Best Disability-Friendly Places to Travel in the World

Most elderly people who rely on a mobility scooter or electric wheelchair worry that they won’t be able to travel anymore because of their limited mobility. They think that their disability and reduced mobility will be an inconvenience and they could really struggle when they are abroad.

That really isn’t the case, though. In actual fact, there are a lot of great disability-friendly locations around the whole world where you will be able to travel to. Regardless of being in a wheelchair or operating a medical scooter, you will still be able to enjoy your time traveling away from home.

To help you plan a great trip, here are some of the best disability-friendly places to travel to in the world. Which one will you visit?

Catalonia, Spain

If you fancy visiting Spain for some sun, then the best region to head to is definitely Catalonia. The whole region is known for promoting inclusive tourism, so people who do have a disability are very welcome here. The Catalonia tourist board website has heaps of information for disabled travelers, and you will find a wealth of great knowledge on the site that you will be able to use during your trip. A lot of the regular activities in Catalonia can also be done even if you do have a disability. For example, you’ll still be able to enjoy a balloon ride, explore scenic nature reserves, and enjoy some beaches that have been specially adapted for those with limited mobility.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin has undergone a lot of modernization since the devastating Second World War, so you should find that it has a very contemporary feel to it. And that means that there are a lot of modern and accessible buildings as well. You’ll be able to see the beautiful Museum Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and can check out stretches of the famous Berlin Wall. Most museums and galleries have wheelchair access and there are a lot of adapted accommodation options around the city as well.

Tokyo, Japan

In Tokyo, you will notice that modern and traditional aspects of Japanese come together. It’s certainly a very contemporary metropolis and a lot of the modern builders and tourist attractions have access for mobility scooters and wheelchairs. The public transport system around Tokyo has also got a brilliant reputation for being very accessible as well. So, you won’t have any difficulty traveling around the expansive city at all. Even most of the older tourist spots, such as the traditional temples, are now accessible as they have been specially adapted for wheelchairs with ramps.

Sydney, Australia

Another very modern and accessible city is Sydney in Australia. A huge number of tourists head to the city every year, so there is no wonder that the tourism board has done all it can to make Sydney an accessible and welcoming place. If you want to spend the day on a beach, then you can head to Bondi beach to take advantage of the beach wheelchairs that are on offer. The lifeguards will be able to bring one to you so that you are able to enjoy your time on the sand. Those in wheelchairs will also be able to gain easy access to most of the big tourist attractions, including the Sydney Opera House and the iconic Harbour Bridge.

San Francisco, United States

You might think that San Francisco would be off limits for wheelchair users as it is known for being an incredibly hilly city. However, that really isn’t the case and it has gained a lot of glowing reviews from many wheelchair travelers. The majority of its main tourist attractions are all accessible for those in wheelchairs. When the weather is good, you could easily spend a day down on the bay, especially checking out the very accessible Fisherman’s Wharf.

Paris, France

One other great European destination for wheelchair users has to be France’s capital city – Paris! One of the biggest attractions in the city has to be the Eiffel Tower. It has three levels, the bottom two of which are accessible for wheelchair users. What’s more, those with mobility issues and disabilities won’t have to pay the full entrance fee as they won’t be able to access the top level. A lot of the other big attractions, including the Louvre Museum and the Musee de l’Orangerie, are also accessible.

These are just a handful of the great disability-friendly places to visit around the world. There’s no reason to let your age or mobility prevent you from traveling!