Nude Beaches - All the Skinny: 2005
Europeans are great sun-worshippers - and they seem to worship the sun best in their birthday suits. Nude and topless beaches and parks abound...so sooner or later you'll find yourself surrounded by naked Europeans. We'd love to hear your advice: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do"...or maintain your American modesty? Where exactly do you put a moneybelt when you have nothing else on? And of course, we want to know where your favorite nude or topless beaches in Europe are!
La Layet, South of France
I was holidaying in the South of France last year with my girlfriend when we accidently stumbled on a nudist beach at La Layet. Neither my girlfriend or myself had been nude on a public beach before. As there were a few people with their bottoms on we did not feel too intimidated as we stripped to our swimming costumes. However, within five minutes of getting comfortable my girlfriend felt it appropriate to remove her top and I soon removed my shorts to take a swim. It was truly invigorating being nude on what was a very crowded beach. Whilst swimming my girlfriend found the confidence to remove her bikini bottoms and with some encouragement was prepared to walk from the water completely naked. Once naked we sat down to work on an all over tan. It was a truly wonderful beach that was in no way intimidating and I would recommend it to first timers also.
Geoff
Wolverhampton, UK Fri 12/30/2005
Not all americans are silly
My girlfriend and I were completely nude at a coed german sauna last week. The Germans are so comfortable that they don't even notice they are nude. They behave as we Americans would with our suits on. Honestly, I found it refreshing and pretty cool that a culture could be so laid-back about nudity. And it makes our American prudishness seem silly. However, I'm not one to bash America. This country far surpasses Europe in a million different ways, but on this issue (and food) the European's have it right.
Bob
Chicago, IL USA Mon 12/19/2005
Nudity in Prague
A short trolley ride in Prague will take you to a stop where a short walk will take you to an old stone quarry. There were a number of nude people of various ages enjoying the beach and water there. I wish I could remember the name of the place but I assume most Prague residents would know where it is.
Jim
Anchorage, Alaska USA Thu 11/17/2005
My Experiences in Germany
I absolutely love visiting Germany, in part because of the culture's laid-back attitude towards nudity. I have attended trade shows in Hannover many times, and in each hotel I've stayed at, the sauna was officially nude and co-ed, no questions asked. A wonderful stress reliever at the end of a busy day.
In Munich, there are many public parks situated around lakes and the Isar river, many of which have officially-designated nudist areas. The English Garden is well known for its designated nude sunbathing areas, but all I ever observed there (or participated in) was just lying in the sun. I don't know what the official policy is, but what I saw was people undressing and quickly assuming the prone position. No Frisbee-toss or any other nude activity that required standing.
For that reason, I seek out the lakeside parks, either at Feringasee (on the outskirts of town, an easy walk from the Unterföhring S-Bahn station.. just follow the crowds on a warm, sunny summer's day) or the Feldmochinger See, easily reachable by U-Bahn and bus service. Both parks have large, well-marked areas for nude swimming and sunbathing. It is a safe, fun and family atmosphere, and a welcome breath of fresh air from the stuffy prudishness of the USA. Heaven!
Earl
Dayton, OH USA Sat 10/29/2005
Nude Americans
I partly agree with the last comments about nudity and nationality: British people are not as reserved as they used to be and women in particular have no problem in going completely naked on the beach. However American women are on occasion no less bold, it's just that there are fewer of them on European beaches. We have also been to the Greek islands this year and visited several nude beaches as we always do. On one of them we met two very attractive American girls one of whom had obviously not worn a bikini top for a long time and the other who was tanned all over and I suspect didn't own a swimsuit at all. They were not at all reserved and were quite at ease talking to us even though they were nude. I have to admit that there were no American males present so I can't say how they would have behaved!
Amber
Great Britain Sat 10/15/2005
Nudity & nationality
Interested to read about the various attitudes to nude sunbathing. I must admit that our American cousins are now generally regarded as being far more reserved about nudity than even we Brits. In fact on a recent holiday to Crete there were more British girls who left their bikini tops back in the hotel room than even the Germans and Scandinavians, although I suppose topless sunbathing is no big deal these days and is not unusual on British beaches too. However it's wrong to stereotype by nation and I'm sure there are many Americans who enjoy going nude - it's just that not so many of you get over here to European beaches.
For those that do we'd recommend Crete. It's a beautiful island and my wife & I were able to enjoy the freedom of all over tanning in some idyllic places in the company of various other nationalities. (If anyone out there is planning a holiday to Crete we'd be happy to share our experience with them).
Paul
UK Mon 10/10/2005
Spanish beaches
I'm not exactly sure why this is such a huge topic. In Spain, most beaches allow nudity, and yes, it can be shocking at first for an unsuspecting American, but lets look at the facts.
If you follow one rule, you'll never have any trouble: Have tact! Don't gawk at people just because they're topless, just act like its no big deal and move on. Don't take pictures, honestly: control yourself and please don't give people a reason to dislike American tourists. Besides, every beach I go to only has topless grandmas and who wants pictures of that?
Just have tact.
USA Sat 10/01/2005
Careful in your judgements
True: American Males do carry a digital camera and take pics of girls doing topless (I was with an American for business last week in Rome and I saw him in action at the beach near the hotel where we were staying)
False: I do not go to Church every Sunday (actually I NEVER go to Church); also be careful; most of the Italian girls that I know do not like to do topless and are horrified to hear about naturism; in Italy it is still "theoretically" illegal to practice Naturism; we are still suffering for the Vatican syndrome i.e. Catholic Morale is still very strong; you find naked people in parks in Denmark, Berlin and Budapest but NOT in Italian main cities! Not all Europeans behave the same; it depends from country to country and the catholic countries are (sigh!) far behind Northern Europe; it is sad to realize that there are MORE nudist beaches in the UK than in Italy
True: alone girls doing topless in Italy have to be careful; Italian men (sigh!) are sometimes a pain in the neck; they would harass any blonde girl they see on a beach even though they do not speak a word of any foreign language
Roberto
Milano, Italy Tue 08/09/2005
American modesty? or Stupidity?
European women are not afraid their partially dressed photo one day shows up in their workplace or on the internet because European men are not interested in those pictures. Why would they bother searching internet if they can simply go to the beach or any public park and see everything they want?
When I was on the business trip to Germany, our boss invited us to her house on Saturday. All women were topless at the pool, and my boss's husband changed to his Speedos in front of everybody! And nobody paid any attention or was surprised in any way, except of me of course. I was not used to that. By the way, there was NO sexual activity at that party.
For Europeans there is a difference between sex and nudity, and they do go to church every Sunday!
Atlanta, GA USA Thu 08/04/2005
picture taking at the beach
After reading Kathiryn's earlier post, I can't help to wonder what do the European women think when they were being photographed by others (American men or not). Do they feel being violated in any way, or they don't really care? Are they afraid their partially dressed photo one day shows up in their workplace, or on the internet?
AYC
St. Louis, MO USA Sat 07/30/2005
naked sun
you guys dont help me at all where do you go around seattle to lay in the sun naked besides your backyard?
joe
seattle, wa USA Sat 07/16/2005
Wreck Beach
I am from Vancouver, Canada,...
of course we have the best free nude beach in the world. It like going back 400 years in time back when the white man did not arrive to America. There is no car noise, no building view, no trace of the human. people are free and naked. It's called Wreck Beach
Mathieu Jobin
Vancouver, BC CAN Sat 06/25/2005
Worth It!
Being a small town Canadian girl, I thought it was so exciting see topless women at beaches in the Algarve. I had to try it. It was an very freeing experience. I loved it and wish Canadians were more open minded to accept it as the'norm'here.
Dee
Canada Wed 06/01/2005
Americans are funny at beaches
I live at the tip of France and only minutes from Monaco. I frequent the beaches of Nice and many other areas across Europe. Unlike many American's, we do not worry about what is or is not a topless beach, we do what is right for the situation. I can usually spot the American's- especially the men, carrying their camers wrapped up in their hands, trying to remain unnoticed as they snap a picture or two of uncovered female breasts- just a shot to take home to the boys at the office ot the bar I'm sure. American women come to the beach, keep their tops up, and then drink enough wine to convince themselves they are daring enough to remove their tops. It's fun to watch. By the way U.S. guys- we know you are taking pictures.
Kathiryn
Nice, Fr Tue 05/31/2005
Nudism allowed at all Danish beaches
Did you know that nudism is allowed by law at all beaches in Denmark? Toplessness is seen at all beaches and mixed nudism/clothing optional is seen at many beaches whereas there is quite a number of 100% nude beaches too. One of the best is the southern beach at the small west coast island R?m? (Romoe) which is a 10km long and 1 km wide sandy beach with plenty of room and perfect for long walks or runs.
Thomas
Kolding, DK Thu 05/26/2005
Clothing Optional Beaches in US Too!
Don't forget that we also have clothing optional beaches right here in certain places in the US. I always enjoy the ones near my home!
Portland, OR USA Sun 05/15/2005
Hamburg
Visiting a relative in Hamburg, we went wandering around the city and decided to rest in a park. I was quite aware that several perky young ladies were sunbathing topless.
I wondered about something: why is it we are we in North America are so hung up on bodies and boobs that a lady simply relaxing in the sun topless is hyper-sexualized into something perversely, extravagantly racy? It's so nice that these lovely German creatures can just drape themselves around on the grass and feel comfortable and unthreatened under the benevolent sky.
(Of course I was made to realize I was staring around a bit, but that's partly cultural conditioning. Honest.)
Jonas
Toronto, USA Fri 05/06/2005
Zandvoort
Zandvoort is a short train ride from Amsterdam. Take the train from Schiphol or the Central Station to Haarlem where you easily change to the train to Zandvoort. The entire beach is topfree and the FKK or nude section is at the south end and clearly marked. On a cool day you can stay in Haarlem and visit the Sauna van Egmond. See their website for directions. They have a complete sauna with two dry saunas, a steam room, an indoor pool and many other ammenities. Nudity is required.
Arlo
Seattle, WA USA Wed 04/13/2005
Topless?
In Italy, at least, being topless is the norm. However, through my experience, women who acually sunbathe topless WITHOUT a male escort are subject to harassment, jeering comments, and just flat-out staring. So endulge your hendonism with caution!
Tiffany Walz
Salt Lake City, ut USA Wed 04/06/2005
Costa de la Luz, Ca?os de Meca
Some of Spain's finest beaches are at the Costa de la Luz in Cadiz which is a national park with no building allowed near the coast. There are plenty of beautiful nudist beaches from Tarifa, to Bolonia and Ca?os de Mecca. The Costa de la Luz is the most southerly part of Europe and the weather is generally good all year round. Apart from August it is not too touristy. Apart from sunbathing the beaches are also great for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
J Whaley
Tarifa, Cadiz Spain Sun 03/20/2005
Morfa Dyffryn
I am priveledged to live about 30 miles from Morfa Dyffryn beach in North Wales, so have a few opportunities to get down there in the summer to soak up the sun, and I think it would be very difficult to find any beach as beautiful as this one.
Robin
Pwllheli, UK Sat 03/12/2005
Nude beaches Corsica Eastcoast
Corsica, East coast :Bagheera, Club Corsicana, Corsica Natura, Tropica, Piana Verde - private owned large areas along the east coast, all in one row, beautiful beach for a very long nude walk along all these.
Gerhard Svrcek-Seiler
Vienna, Austria Wed 03/09/2005
Nude lakeshores in Austria
Bad Goisernone half of the communityowned lakeshore of Hallstaettersee is "nude"; free access.Obertraun : The same.Millstatt-Pesenthein : The same on Millstaettersee, access cost some fee.Vienna : Some 10 miles of riverbank at Donauinsel. You can get there by subway U 1 - "Kaisermuehlen, from there with bus 91 A "Lobgrundtor" - something like a giant Conney Island nude.
Gerhard Svrcek-Seiler
Vienna, Austria Wed 03/09/2005
Morfa Dyffryn
I have visted a great many nude beaches all over the world but nothing can compare to the majestic beauty of Morfa Dyffryn in Wales. Beautiful golden sand, edged by dunes, mountain views and great company. It is the best I have ever seen.
Jan
New York, NY USA Fri 02/25/2005
Nude Beaches
Someone needs to add all of these places to the nude travel guide's nude beaches and resorts in europe page.
Mark
Houston, TX USA Tue 02/15/2005
Greek Island of Antiparos
One of my wife's and my favorite beaches is the beach across from the Greek Island of Antiparos directly across from Diplo Island. It can get somewhat crowded in late summer but usually no more than 100 or so in June. There are often umpromptu volleyball or soccer matches to join and there is usually one or more snack bars to provide food and drink beginning in late June. A main past time is to swim the 1/2 kilometer (maxmium depth less than two meters) or so across to uninhabited Diplo Island where only herds of goats live. Lots of inexpensive hotels and nice small restaurants on Antiparos. The "famous" cave, a short bus ride from the town, is an interesting cool spot on a hot summer day where you can read graffiti from the 1700s.
Ken and Barbie
Kansas City, MO USA Wed 02/09/2005
english beaches take some topping
my fave nudey beach is in England. we have about 13 official nude beaches. the best being Studland. see you there this summer, if you can bare it. lol!
izzy
manchester, USA Wed 02/09/2005
Byron Bay Australia
When in australia a terrific spot for nude bathing is at teatree lakes Byron bay. There is 2 big fresh water lakes for swimming and just down the road is a 16klm long legal nude beach. Great for singles,coulpes,and families. Hope to see you there.
Michael Burton
brisbane, Qld Aust Mon 01/31/2005