Naturist Holidays

Why would you go nude on that much-needed holiday? If you’re a naturist, you’ll know the answer. But if you’re not, it can seem like a daunting prospect. Needless to say, going nude on holiday isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. However, the fact is, it’s becoming more popular by the year. Discover some recommendations on Europe’s best naturist destinations and browse top tips to make your holiday one to remember.

Nudist holidays in Heraklion, Crete

Though Crete doesn’t necessarily have nudist-only beaches, there are many swathes where naturism’s accepted. The South Coast seems to host the most, shaded by pretty tamarisk trees, which—with temperatures between 30 and 35°C in July and August—are welcomed. The village of Tertsa is particularly beautiful: a small settlement sitting in a verdant valley, it has a lovely pebble beach with clear turquoise waters, and its isolation makes it wonderfully uncrowded—though you will need to hire a car to reach it. Alternately, head west of Lentas for Ditiko Beach, where you can sit and sun yourself under its enormous lion-shaped rock.

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Nudist holidays in South Dalmatia, Croatia

Croatia is one of the world’s most naturist-friendly destinations and, considering its first nudist beach was opened in 1934, it’s not hard to see why. Summer’s the best time to visit: temperatures top 28°C, though the waters stay warm right through September. While there are dozens of official naturist swathes, most have naturist sections, so you don’t have to look too hard: simply seek out the ‘FKK’ sign (it stands for Freikörperkultur, the German phrase for Free Body Culture). A great bet is the city of Dubrovnik, as the Isle of Lokrum and the fishing village of Mlini are just 2 places to enjoy naturist beaches within a 10-mile radius.

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Nudist holidays in Mallorca, Balearic Islands

Playa Es Trenc is often lauded as Mallorca’s finest naturist beach, and with good reason: this nearly 2-mile- long stretch of soft, white sand is lapped by crystal-clear waters and backed by enormous sand dunes. Yet Playa del Mago—a small, pretty cove—was the first official nudist beach on the Balearic Island, and Es Pregons Grans is possibly the most unspoiled of them all, as it’sonly reachable via a 15-minute walk from Es Trenc and its waters and sands are breathtakingly beautiful. Of course, these are all situated in the south of the island; the north and east also offer some fantastic shores where you can strip off and cool down.

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Nudist holidays in Languedoc Roussillon, France

Some 2 million naturists venture to France every year — it’s undoubtedly the daddy of nudist destinations. Of course, it’s the south of France that has the best of everything—the beaches, the weather, the effortless sophistication—and Languedoc Roussillon is the pearl of the Mediterranean. While Cap d’Agde has often been championed as the best spot here (you can eat, shop and even bank nude in its Naturist Village), the Ile du Levant is unrivalled in beauty. A spectacular island, it boasts an expansive area called Héliopolis, where naturism’s the norm. Built back in 1931, its hiking trails and blissful shores take up almost a tenth of the entire isle.

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Nudist holidays in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Fuerteventura offers the most nudist-friendly beaches in the Canaries, and at just 37 miles off the African coast, it’s a natural paradise in all senses of the word. The Jandía Playa area is possibly the best spot for beaches, with nudists and non-nudists mixing freely on its shores. In Fuerteventura, there aren’t strictly nudist-only beaches: bikinis and bottoms are spotted amidst those choosing to bare all. The extensive golden stretch of Morro Jable, interrupted only by clusters of rocks, is particularly wonderful, but the secluded coves around Costa Calma are typically less crowded.

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