The Best Nude Beaches in Europe

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  • Playa de La Cantería // Spain

    Playa de La Cantería
    ©MoveinBlue

    Facing north, Playa de la Cantería is Lanzarote's most northerly beach and has something of an edge of the world feel to it. Located close to the village of Órzola, it is a beach made of pale yellow sand, although at high tide it can look black because of a ribbon of loose volcanic rocks further back.

    Surrounded by a typical Lanzarote landscape of steep, bare cliffs, it is around 300 meters in length and forms a tight curve around pale blue shallows. Rip currents mean it is not recommended for… read more »

  • Playa Famara // Spain

    Playa Famara
    ©Victor R. Ruiz

    Playa Famara faces out into the waters of Bahia de Penedo on Lanzarote's northwest coast. Part of the Chinijo Archipelago Nature Park, it offers excellent views of La Graciosa island, which sits off Lanzarote's northern tip.

    Stretching for an incredible five kilometres, Playa Famara's yellow sands never get crowded, though in places they are mixed with ancient volcanic pebbles from the massif of rock that overlooks the shore.

    Sometimes called the Hawaii of Europe, Playa Famara is a well-known surfing and bodyboarding spot. Generally speaking, the waves are best during the winter… read more »

  • Playa del Inglés // Spain

    Playa del Inglés
    ©Jörg Bergmann

    This volcanic, black sand beach is nestled along La Gomera's western coastline, just a couple of miles north of Valle Gran Rey.

    Like most of the island's beaches, there's a shortage of facilities and amenities on the sands, which helps to keep them unspoilt. Like you'd expect though, the scenery is stunning and the sand is scattered with volcanic rocks.

    As for the waters, they're very calm and clear, and although there are no lifeguards, it's generally quite a safe spot for a swim - although do take extra care during the… read more »

  • Albuen Strand // Denmark

    Albuen Strand

    For a classic southern Danish seaside escape with beautiful camping grounds right near the beach, look no further than Albuen Strand. Situated in the southwestern coast of Lolland, it is home to one of the island's best beaches. Stretching for 7 km Albuen Strand is a sandy spit of land backed by a large lagoon. It is Blue Flag certified, boasts a rich history and natural landscape; you could say it has something for everyone.

    For fans of Medieval history, the Albuen area was a major marketplace during the Middle Ages.… read more »

  • Playa del Confital // Spain

    Playa del Confital
    ©Bengt Nyman

    This laid-back spot is Gran Canaria's most northerly beach and is fairly off the beaten track. The vast majority of beachgoers who come here are locals, and it's a popular spot for sunset picnics and family barbecues.

    In terms of facilities, there aren't any, and that's how the locals like to keep it. There's a tiny town with a supermarket and a handful of restaurants that's just over five minutes' drive away, or the busy port town of La Isleta is about the same time in the opposite direction if you… read more »

  • Playa de las Gaviotas // Spain

    Playa de las Gaviotas
    ©Beneharo Hdez.

    Located among the bare cliff faces of Tenerife's north, Playa de las Gaviotas is a nudist friendly beach with charcoal grey sand on a small curve of coastline. Although just a short distance from Playa de la Teresitas, Gaviotas is altogether a much more relaxed affair.

    Almost disappearing entirely with the waves of high tide, the beach is backed by a sloped retaining wall, which provides places to sit and enjoy the sea views if not stretch out entirely during these times.

    Best reached by private means of transport because of… read more »

  • Nessebar South Beach // Bulgaria

    Nessebar South Beach
    ©Михал Орела

    Located close to both Burgas and the famed Sunny Beach area, Nessebar South Beach is a perfect blend of old and new.

    On the one hand, you have the ancient area characterized by a rocky peninsula that offers romantic awe-inspiring views and connecting to the mainland through a narrow isthmus. In the town, you'll find everything from cobblestone streets and squares to traditional homes. The area is also home to several churches dating back to the 11th through 14th centuries which rank among the best-preserved examples of Catholic architecture on… read more »

  • Kerminihy // France

    Kerminihy
    ©chisloup

    Extending for around 2 kilometres along the central Brittany coast, the Plage Kerminihy is wonderfully undeveloped stretch of pale golden sand. To the rear there is nothing but dunes (access prohibited), and in front - the Atlantic Ocean.

    Kerminihy is the only beach in the Erdeven commune where naturism is tolerated. Although not an official nudist beach naturists have happily coexisted with "textiles" for many years.

    The northern end of the beach is bordered by the Etel river and within walking distance of the town of the same name. At this end… read more »

  • Cvitačka // Croatia

    Cvitačka
    ©Mario Knezović

    Situated about 2km from Makarska town centre is Cvitačka beach. Cvitacka is everything you would expect from a Croatian beach; crystal clear, blue water and near white sand. Well, it isn't exactly sand, more a mix of sharp pebbles and shingle. Not exactly perfect for walking on, but looks idyllic and is the reason the water is so clear along this coast.

    The beach itself is quite idyllic with the local pine forest reaching right down to the "sand". It's also fairly recognisable with the man-made jetty in the middle of the… read more »

  • Porto Ferro // Italy

    Porto Ferro
    ©Ivan84jim

    Appearing as a bite out of a largely rocky coastline, Porto Ferro Beach in the northwest of Sardinia boasts 1.5 km of golden sand, clear waters and plenty of opportunities for watersports.

    Regular swells offer good surfing conditions but inexperienced swimmers and surfers should beware of the dangerous currents. Bathers should also look out for some sharp rocks and the occasional jellyfish.

    The beach has free parking at the south end and has some good signposted hiking trails leading off in all directions. Porto Ferro is patrolled by lifeguards in summer… read more »

  • Aliko Beach // Greece

    Aliko Beach
    ©dronepicr

    Offering up one of Naxos' most naturalistic settings is Aliko Beach, backed by a protected forest of cedar and other native trees. Facing south rather than west like most of the beaches in the area, the white sands of Aliko Beach are interspersed with small occasional pebbles. While there are significant areas of submerged rock off the beach, they lie on either side of a clear zone which slopes gently into shallow water and provides plenty of space between family groups on the quiet, relatively large stretch of Naxos sand.

    It's… read more »

  • Elia Beach // Greece

    Elia Beach
    ©Squirmy2000

    The largest beach on Mykonos, Elia Beach sits on the island's winding southern coast in a large protected bay. Despite its size much of the beach's rich golden sand is occupied by sun loungers and umbrellas.

    Entry into Elia Beach's warm waters is smooth, without any sudden drop-off, and it's a popular beach to swim from to cool off after enjoying the sun. There are a good range of facilities on offer, with water sports including parasailing, windsurfing and water-skiing all easy to arrange.

    To the extreme right as you face the… read more »

  • Den Permanente // Denmark

    Den Permanente
    ©Kenny Arne Lang Antonsen

    Located in the city of Aarhus on Denmark's east coast is the man made Den Permanente beach. Designated a Blue Flag Beach in 2018 it is just a 10-minute bike ride to the city center which makes it one the most popular beach in the area.

    Den Permanente is a beach but it is also a "sea bath" - a protected area for sea swimming. This consists of wooden jetties and buildings which provide changing facilities, showers, and a life guard station. There are separate bathing areas for men and… read more »

  • Mar Bella Beach // Spain

    Mar Bella Beach
    ©Markus Tacker

    This semi-urban beach on the coastal reaches of Barcelona is located between Bogatell and Nova Mar Bella beaches. Like its neighbouring areas of golden sand, Mar Bella Beach has a good number of public facilities, including toilets, showers, a children's play area and beach volleyball courts.

    On Passeig Marítim, the promenade that runs behind Mar Bella, visitors will also find table tennis tables, a range of bars and restaurants and a sports centre. The centre offers both sailing and kayak trips along this stretch of idyllic Mediterranean coastline.

    At… read more »

  • Sant Sebastià Beach // Spain

    Sant Sebastià Beach
    ©MARIA ROSA FERRE ✿

    Noted for its modern tower and integrated cable car station (for trips up to Mount Monjuic), Sant Sebastià Beach lies in the Cuitat Vella district of Barcelona immediately along the coast from Sant Miquel Beach. One of the city's oldest and best loved beaches, Sant Sebastià comprises biscuit-coloured sands that continue for around a kilometre in length and average widths of 80 metres.

    Sant Sebastia is well equipped with facilities, with both a sports area, and a famous sports club on its doorstep that offers everything from indoor swimming… read more »