Spain's cluster of Mediterranean islands are something of a hotspot for beach lovers. These beautiful Balearic beaches come in all shapes and sizes across this archipelago but all are blessed with the same sunny climate and crystal-clear azul water.
For those wanting to take full advantage of their gorgeous surrounds and bare all there are some great nudist beaches in the islands. On Mallorca, the biggest of the islands there is no shortage of hidden gems and secluded coves which lend themselves to going au naturel.
Smaller Menorca actually has more beaches than any of the other islands. That said there are no officially designated naturist beaches in Menorca but don't let this put you off. Nude bathing is tolerated at many beaches across the island.
Ibiza is often thought of as the party capital of the islands, it does however have a beautiful natural side to it. You don't need to head far from the clubbing scene to find beaches that allow you to get that all over tan.
A quick hop from Ibiza is its little sister island of Formentera. But size isn't everything when it comes to naturist beaches and basically whole island is clothing optional – meaning more than 20 beaches were you can go for a skinny dip.
Here are a handful of our favourite nudist spots on the islands...
The often quiet, secluded Aguas Blancas beach is a far cry from the resort towns on the south of the island. This long beach of fine sand gets its name (meaning "white water") from the white horse's that frequently crest the waves on choppy days. However, these prevailing winds that blow throughout the year become a welcome breeze in the summer months when this beach… read more »
Located just a stones throw away from the party island of Ibiza is the small island of Formentera. Despite its proximity Formentera can only be reached by boat and feels like a different world. There are several beautiful beaches around this unspoilt island but the Playa de Ses Illetes is the best of the bunch with its fine white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters.… read more »
You would expect a beach this beautiful to get pretty busy in the summer, but this is not the case with the exquisite little cove of Cala Escorxada. It is just that bit too far off the beaten track for its pristine white sands and clear blue waters to ever get crowded.
If you don't have a boat getting to Cala Escorxada involves at least an… read more »
Set in the far south of Mallorca, Es Trenc is a large stretch of unspoilt white sand with clear turquoise waters reminiscent of the Caribbean. Despite its remote, wild character this is still one of the best-known beaches on Mallorca and is popular with locals and visitors alike.
Es Trenc is a great family beach as the water is shallow and tends to be calm. There… read more »
Located on a remote stretch of the rugged north-eastern coast of Mallorca is an oasis of beautiful soft, white sand lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters. The beach of Cala Mesquida is a true gem with the perfect balance of a stunning setting and all the facilities you'll need for a family day at the beach.
The beach of Cala Mesquida is set in a small bay… read more »
The tiny yet idyllic cove of Caló des Mort is situated at the eastern end of Playa de Migjorn. A picture perfect semi-circular cove backed by steep rocky cliffs this is one of Formentera's worst-kept secrets.
Besides its diminutive size and rocky backdrop, what gives Caló des Mort its special feel is the colour of the water. It is almost as if somebody has turned… read more »
The attractive red rocks that back onto Platja de Binigaus make this beach's colourless sands all the more surprising. A long ribbon of elegant white between a warm turquoise sea, the orange-red rocks, and a rich green woodland beyond make Platja de Binigaus as attractive from the sea as it is on land.
Located a short distance almost immediately south of Ferreries, on Menorca's southern coast,… read more »
Also going by the name of Capifort, Cala Presili lies in the north of Menorca roughly 17 kilometres from Mahón, close to the well-known lighthouse at Favaritx on the 186-kilometre Cami de Cavalls walking trail that rings Menorca's coast. Unlike many of the beaches on the north of the island, however, Cala Presili boasts fine white sand in addition to clear, inviting waters that… read more »
Six hundred metres long by roughly 35 metres wide, Menorca's Es Grau Beach sits beside a small fishing village of the same name within the island's Natural Park of S'Albufera de Es Grau. This means visitors to Es Grau beach are able to enjoy a fine natural landscape of grassy sand dunes while being certain they'll find somewhere to enjoy a meal or a cold… read more »
Cala Macarelleta is recognised as being so beautiful that it sits within a protected Area Natural d'Especial Interes. Owing much of its recent fame to none other than an advertisement for a beer, it is nonetheless a beach which any tourist board would be happy to flaunt, and with good reason.
At Cala Macarelleta a picture-perfect view of white sands and turquoise waters vie for attention… read more »
Towards the north of Formentera the land narrows into the Trucador peninsula. On the eastern coast, before you reach Ses Illetes, is the wide sandy Playa de Llevant.
This beautiful stretch of white sand and clear blue sea has something of a wild feel. Sections of the beach are divided up into little "mini bays" by rocky outcrops which give a little bit of… read more »
Platja de Migjorn is the longest beach on Formentera, stretching along much of the island's south coast. Strictly speaking this isn't really one beach but a string of sandy coves, most of which are only separated by a few rocks. Each of these has its own character and charms, with some being more popular than others.
Migjorn stretches for nearly 6 km between Cap de Barbaria… read more »
The wild, west coast beach of Cala Torta has quite a different feel to most of Mallorca's coves and beaches. Situated amongst the rolling hills of the Llevant Peninsula this remote sandy bay has a very natural, pristine air to it.
Cala Torta is around 200 metres wide and sits between low headlands with a backdrop of dunes. As you would expect for Mallorca the sand… read more »
It is likely that the name of this beach, Cala Varques, is derived from Catalan word for cows, "vaques". Once upon a time they were the most common visitors to the beach, wandering down from the local farm to take in the scenery. Things have changed a little since those days.
Despite the remote location and fairly convoluted access Cala Varques has become quite popular over… read more »
The little island of Espalmador sits off the northern end of Formentera, just across from Ses Illetes and Llevant beaches. To some extent it is like a mirror of these beaches with the same crystal-clear shallow turquoise water and expanse of fine white sand.
Espalmador is one of the most pristine beaches in all the Balearic Islands. The whole island, along with the northern… read more »
