22 Best Nude Beaches in Greece

Whilst naturism is fairly commonplace throughout the islands and beaches of Greece it is only officially endorsed in a few specifically designated spots. That said, with over 200 islands, each with any number of remote beaches and coves there is no shortage of beautiful un-official nudist beaches to choose from.

Attitudes can be quite conservative on the Greek islands which goes some way to explaining the lack of officially sanctioned naturist beaches. However, by and large the authorities are not at all interested in rounding up naturists. In fact going topless is pretty much universal throughout the islands. And provided you aren't front and centre on one of the popular family beaches you probably won't raise too many eyebrows.

Practically all of the main islands in Greece have at least one or two nude beaches. Although these won't be officially recognised many have been established for decades without incident. In fact on the island of Poutsonissi public nudity is illegal, but the law also states that to make an arrest the officer must also be naked. Suffice to say no one has ever been arrested!

The Best Greek naturist beaches...

  • Psarou Beach // Mykonos

    Psarou Beach
    © hansche

    Golden sands and family-friendly shallows of clear blue waters have made Psarou Beach a Mykonos favourite for decades. Just ten minutes' drive time south from Mykonos International Airport, its large protected bay often plays host to the yachts of the rich and famous anchoring immediately offshore.

    Although Psarou Beach is a good size at 150 metres in length, this means it still gets crowded during the… read more »

  • Anthony Quinn Bay // Rhodes

    Anthony Quinn Bay
    Michael Mayer

    Anthony Quinn Bay beach lies at the end of the narrow fjord-like bay of the same name. It comprises pockets of golden sand tucked between natural biscuit-coloured rock formations. These provide protection from even the strongest waves. Pines and other native flora offer some natural shade, alongside umbrellas and sun loungers which are available to rent.

    Well known for the clarity and turquoise colour of its… read more »

  • Red Beach // Crete

    Red Beach

    Red beach, so named because of the pinkish hue of the sand, is located just south of the better known beach of Matala. Both were firm favourites on the 1960s and 70s hippy trail and whilst Matala may have gone mainstream, Red beach still retains some of its laid back credentials.
    It's a lovely little beach set at the base of arid hillsides and limestone… read more »

  • Agiofarago Beach // Crete

    Agiofarago Beach
    © B.psycha / CC BY

    Agiofarago Beach sits at the foot of the Agiofarago Gorge, which you will need to traverse in order to reach the beach. This is an experience in itself as you hike through the vertical walls of rock. You will also pass by a number of caves where hermits from the Odigitria monastery still live today. There is also a small chapel of St Anthony there… read more »

  • Preveli Beach // Crete

    Preveli Beach
    © jarekgrafik

    Preveli Beach is possibly the most famous of Crete's beaches. Situated at the mouth of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, this is where the Grand River flows into the Mediterranean. It has a tropical landscape with a number of Theophrastus palm trees which line the river for around 500 meters before it empties into the sea.

    The beach itself is a small crescent flanked by cliffs with… read more »

  • Plaka beach // Naxos

    Plaka beach
    Random_fotos

    Generally regarded as the best beach on Naxos, Plaka is a huge stretch of fine white sand backed by low sand dunes. The waters of the bay at Plaka are calm and clear with a definite green tint. 

    Whilst there are areas of the beach with the familiar straw umbrellas and sun-beds, much of the beach still retains a relatively wild feel and is largely unspoilt. 

    The… read more »

  • Agios Prokopios Beach // Naxos

    Agios Prokopios Beach
    © photostella

    Voted the third best beach in Greece, and ranking in the top ten of a Europe-wide poll, Agios Prokopios beach remains one of the most popular beaches on the island of Naxos as much for its innate beauty as for its proximity to the island's main town of Chora (Naxos town) and the ferry port.

    Just a short drive, bus ride, cycle or stroll from Naxos… read more »

  • Glyfada Beach // Corfu

    Glyfada Beach
    dronepicr

    One of Corfu's longer runs of beach, Glyfada Beach can be found on the island's west coast. Here low dunes and grasses slip down towards the sea before being halted in their progress by a depth of beautiful flat golden sand – a relatively rare occurrence on Corfu's shingle-strewn beaches.

    Generally attracting a younger crowd, it can be quite noisy and is not a beach to… read more »

  • Paradise Beach // Mykonos

    Paradise Beach
    © Prayuth Chiarakul / 123RF

    The person who named Paradise beach was probably inspired by the soft golden sand and warm crystalline waters. Straw umbrellas and loungers adorn the waterside and there are plenty of beach-side cafes and bars. Possibly not the best family beach in the area but the nightlife is very lively.

    read more »
  • Matala Beach // Crete

    Matala Beach

    The fishing village of Matala was just that until the 1960s. However, since then, like many other things, it hasn't been quite the same! It was then that Matala became a popular destination for hippy travellers attracting the likes of Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and Joni Mitchell (who even wrote a song about it) in its heyday. 

    Many of these hippies camped out in the complex… read more »

  • Plakias Beach // Crete

    Plakias Beach

    Plakias Beach is situated on the south coast, around 36 kilometers south of Rethymno City. It is one of the most highly rated and largest beaches on Crete, with a beachfront that starts near town and runs 1.3 kilometers all the way to Cape Mouri. The beach has cool green waters with tamarisk trees running along the back of the beach. As one of the… read more »

  • Voulisma beach // Crete

    Voulisma beach
    © Vadim Indeikin / CC BY

    Voulisma Beach is located on the eastern part of Crete near the small town of Istro. Set in a beautiful sheltered bay, one of three beaches, Voulisma Beach is the main beach. With beautiful turquoise waters whihc are shallow and calm it is often called the golden beach because it has fine-grained, golden sand.

    You will find plenty od modern conveniences such as sun loungers… read more »

  • Seitan Limania Beach // Crete

    Seitan Limania Beach
    © Ellibah / CC BY

    Nestled between jagged white cliffs and seas with strong currents is Seitan Limania Beach. The name is derived from the Turkish for "Satan's harbor" due to the trechearous conditions encountered by early mariners here. Three stunning coves are located here in parallel to one another, all offering some degree of protection from the sometimes strong waves.

    Seitan Limania is 22 kilometers northeast of Chania and… read more »

  • Sweet Water Beach // Crete

    Sweet Water Beach

    Glyka Nera means "Sweet Water", and it is certainly one of the most impressive beaches in Crete. You will be in awe of the deep blue seas, near white pebbles and towering cliffs. You will need to travel to this beach by boat unless you dare to brave the hike down the precipitous cliffs. The views are incredible, but this hike is not one for… read more »

  • Aliko Beach // Naxos

    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… read more »

  • Elia Beach // Mykonos

    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… read more »

  • Issos Beach // Corfu

    Issos Beach
    Kurt Bauschardt

    Issos Beach is a quiet ribbon of golden sand some 1.5 kilometres long that is backed by gently-sloping dunes. These separate it from the forests and wetlands that surround Lake Korission, one of Corfu's most important bodies of freshwater.

    This south facing beach lies in the far south of the island, and benefits from a lifeguard presence during the high season. Issos Beach has a shallow… read more »

  • Halikounas Beach // Corfu

    Halikounas Beach
    © Simon Dannhauer

    Halikounas Beach is located at the northern end of a thin strip of land that separates Lake Korission from the sea on the southwest coast of the island. Sometimes known by the alternative name of Chalikounas, the beach is predominantly made up of yellow sand, though this does have a mixture of shingle along its three-kilometre length too.

    The largest sand beach on this side of… read more »

  • Perissa Beach // Santorini

    Perissa Beach
    Norbert Nagel / Wikimedia Commons

    Lined from end to end with sun loungers and umbrellas of thatched palm leaves, Perissa Beach is renowned for its unusual black sands. They are the result of volcanic eruptions from Mesa Vouno Mountain thousands of years ago, and create an impressive contrast with the whitewashed buildings and deep blue sea around it.

    Situated on the southeast coast of Santorini, the black sands continue into the… read more »

  • Red Beach // Santorini

    Red Beach
    Sidvics

    This unique and stunning beach was formed by volcanic eruptions and is one of the must see attractions for tourists visiting the gorgeous island of Santorini. As the name suggests, its sand has a distinct red hue. 

    Located on the southern part of the island in Akrotiri Village, Red Beach is a 20-minute drive from Fira town. If you'd rather have someone else do the driving… read more »

  • Tsambika Beach // Rhodes

    Tsambika Beach
    Falco Ermert

    Tsambika Beach is a deep-set beach with a length of around 800 metres to boot. Combining easy to love golden sands with light blue waters, it's overlooked by the ancient Monastery of Tsambika, accessible by a steep path and stairway.

    Facilities at Tsambika Beach are second to none, with a good choice of places to eat and drink, sun loungers and umbrellas to rent, and even… read more »

  • Kaminia Beach // Kefalonia

    Kaminia Beach
    © Lark Ascending

    Kaminia Beach (Paralia Kaminia) forms part of a stretch of sand extending for at least 2.5 kilometres from Kefalonia's southernmost point. One of the longest beaches on the island, visitors can be sure of finding a spot, whether close to the round hills which back it or the shallow crystalline waters it meets. Some areas can be cordoned off as the nesting sites of loggerhead… read more »