Nude Beaches — All the Skinny: 2007
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!
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Caution!
I have to agree with most of the comments here. I first sunbathed nude in the Bahamas (out islands). They call it "going cowboy"? Anyway, it was great! Just one word of caution...if you aren't used to getting a lot of sun all at once.....use plenty of sunscreen!!! My husband spent half our honeymoon laughing at me and applying aloe vera to my entire body!
K
Atlanta, Ga USA Tue 01/01/2008
nude beaches
Leave the money belt in the hotel safe box. Naxos Greece has some great "natural" beaches. Our first time to a nude beach was in 2001, and it wasn't uncomfortable at all! Now we try to find where the nude beaches are where ever we go. Of course, most of the beaches in Western Europe are at least "topless".
Funny just how "normal" it feels to be either topless or nude when on a beach. When we actually went to a beach that was "suited" I felt like we were going into the water with our clothes on. Large, small, fat, skinny, black, white or anything else in between, we all have what everyone else has. In the appropriate places, it just shouldn't be an issue. Just seems that the more that one wants to "edit" a natural state of being nude, the more taboo it becomes.
Di Lindquist
Los Angeles, CA USA Sat 09/29/2007
topless in Spain
Sitges, Spain is a beautiful little village with a breath-taking topless beach. It is easily accessed by rail from Barcelona & definately go topless like everyone else or you'll feel...well...silly.
Donna Schiavone
Hillsdale, NJ USA Mon 09/03/2007
Behavior at Cap d Agde Beach
Cap d Agde is a beautiful place. We had our grandson with us and saw no activities that were not in line with a family beach. We were there only during the day and rented a Cabana for the day. What a way to indulge yourself. If there is behavior that is not in line with a family beach I believe you have to go find it by walking quite a ways. My grandson even asked me when we could move to the "Naked City". I truly wish we could.
Sue
Central Valley, CA USA Thu 08/02/2007
Nude beach on Fire Island, Long Island, NY
The nude beach on Fire Island, Long Island, New York, can be reached by car or boat. By car, take the Rober
Moses Causeway south to the end, then turn east and go to the last parkng lot. Park on the eastern edge of the parking lot and walk east. You can walk along the beach. Most people seem to prefer to walk alongside the remainder of the highway, then turning right at the fork in the sandy roadway used by the 4-wheel drive vehicles, then turning right again onto the beach past the lighthouse. The lighthouse will be on the north side of the island and the nude beach will be south and east of the lighthouse. There is a sign thoughtfully provided by the United States Parks Department that says "Caution: Nude Beach ahead" (if no one has removed the sign). You'll know you've arrived when you get past the sign and/or see the nude and partially nude people on the beach.
Rich
Long Island, NY USA Tue 07/24/2007
Additional nude beaches on Long Island, New York
There are additional comments on nude beaches in Long Island, New York, on this web site:
http://www.wegonude.org/ny/linysites.htmlhttp://www.wegonude.org/ny/linysites.html
Most of the nude beaches described in that article are about an hour drive east of New York City.
Rich
Long Island, NY USA Tue 07/24/2007
Nudist Beaches Article
Hey there...
I came across your site when looking for info on nudist beaches.
I have an article on my site that people might want read about the do's and don'ts of nudist beaches.
www.coolestplacestovisit.com/nudist-beaches.html
David Dutton
Murfreesboro, TN USA Thu 07/19/2007
Jones Beach field 6 also has a great almost nude section.
Hugs and kisses,
Sade
bellmore, ny USA Tue 07/17/2007
nude beach on Long Island
There is a great nude beach on Fire Island. This is easily accesible from Rober Moses State Park witha short walk to Fire Island. My wife and I go there all the time. We go nude mostly, or sometimes wearing G-strings. Try it. It is about an hour for NYC. E-mail me if you wan any more info.
rob
fire island, ny USA Tue 06/26/2007
Nude Beach Long Island
wheere is this nude beach on Long Island i live in NYC and would love to go
chris
queens, NY USA Wed 06/20/2007
Please...give the nude beach a try!
I love the nude beach and cannot imagine ever going back to wearing swimsuits again. I started going to the nude beach here on Long island four years ago, when I was 17 and finishing my freshman year in college.
After some initial hesitation about taking off my clothes in front of friends, both guys and girls, I decided to "go for it" and just get naked. It was one of the best decision I've ever made!
After you're naked for a few minutes, you actually forget that you and everyone else is nude, and simply go about your business as you would on a regular clothed beach.
I can't stress enough how great is is to enjoy a beach naked on a great summer day. Just give it a try, and you'll see for yourself.
Kimberley
Long Island, NY USA Tue 06/12/2007
NUDE BEACHES IN TUSCANY
While Italy has a ways to go to overtake France in nude beaches and resorts, the number of opportunities for nude recreation is increasing.
There are a number of nude beaches in Tuscany. The three most generally recognized and used are:
The first is Nido dell'Aquila, at the southern end of the Parco del Rimigliano, south of the town of San Vincenzo. From San Vincenzo, drive 5 km south on the highway to Baratti/Populonia. On the right will be two houses, the first restructured and named "Podere Tuscania", the second in disrepair. On the second someone has written "SPIAGGIA NATURISTA" in spray paint. Park along the roadside and walk west to the beach, then turn south. You're there.
The second is between Marina di Bibbona and Marina di Castagneto/Donoratico. From the SS1, take the exit for "La California/Bibbona". At the end of the exit ramp, turn south on the "Aurelia" highway. After about 4 km, you'll come to a roundabout. Follow the sign for "Marina di Bibbona". Go over the SS1 and through another roundabout. From this roundabout, go about 2 km, where you'll see a street to the left. There are some apartments on your left. Turn left here and follow this road to the parking lot at the end. Walk the trail to the beach, turn south and walk about 10-15 minutes until you see people nude.
The third is Marina di Alberese: A fine sand beach, part of the Parco Regionale della Maremma, located 25km South of Grosetto, near the Ombrone river. Pay for parking at the offices near Alberse village (costs about 4 euros) and try to park in the often full Marina di Alberese car park. Walk south along the beach for about 1.5km to reach the nude beach area. There is also a shuttle bus service every 30 minutes between Alberese and Marina di Alberese. The ticket cost 1,20 euros in Summer 2004.
Charles Harris
Dolce Toscana Inn
Montescudaio, Italy
www.dolce-toscana.com
Charles Harris
Montescudaio, Italy Tue 05/22/2007
Nude Beaches -- All the Skinny
Do exactly as you wish. Unless you find yourself on a truly nude beach, nobody will be paying much attention to what you're wearing or not wearing.
For those who remember the fun of running around the back yard sans clothes, go for it (but calibrate your level of freedom to those around).
For those who are intrigued, but cautious. No worries. Swimsuits are always acceptable unless you're on a designated no clothes beach. If which there are few and on to which you are highly unlikely to stumble by accident.
Truth be told, there's a bit of sport around identifying the Americans (tan lines are a pretty obvious giveaway) who are "going for it" for the first time, but back of mind is always, "Good for them!"
Eurobrat
Berlin, Germany Sat 05/12/2007
First Time Nude
Last summer I went on holiday to the South of France with my parents and my sixth form friend. We were not prepared to sunbath topless in front of my parents but as soon as my parents went out for the day we were straight down to the beach at Serignan, France. At the start of the week we were sunbathing topless but by the end we were working on our all over tans ! It was so relaxed we did not receive any attention. The French certainly have a good attitude and I only wish there was a similar attitude in Britain.
Penny
Stafford, UK Sat 05/05/2007
Bodies in Europe
I've been to Europe a number of times and have been to beaches in Italy, France, Spain, and the Netherlands. While I have seen many going topless and have been topless myself (at the embarrassment of my daughter.) I have never seen anyone nude. As for the shape of bodies in Italy, there are many middle aged women, with less than shapely bodies who wear one piece bathing suits or those who wear a bottom and go topless - needless to say, Europeans do not have the same hangups about their bodies as Americans do.
Carey
Cincinnati, Ohio USA Wed 05/02/2007
Not nude, but....
I'm going to be in Italy this summer and I'm nervous about wearing a swimsuit on the beach. (don't feel that I'll appear acceptable without abs of steel and all that) I've read that wearing a one piece swimsuit is unheard of. I have a 2 piece suit but I'm afraid I'll stand out. What can I expect to see the Italian women wearing? What about those with less than perfect bodies? Strangely enough, I think I'd feel more comfortable nude than crammed into a lycra/spandex swimsuit...
USA Mon 04/23/2007
Spain
Loved the nude beaches in Spain. Swimming without a suit is the best and sunbathing is equally enjoyable. Of course it's great to see other women enjoying the nudity as well. No tan lines PLEASE.
Susan
Halifax, NS Canada Sat 04/14/2007
Beaches / Saunas (FKK)
Lots of great places in Europe of course for clothing optional sunbathing. Most beaches I've seen from Portugal through Italy have a few topless women. In Germany many public lakes and rivers will have a few topless women sunbathers also. Men always look, but they're looking at all the women in bikinis also (usual guy thing). Don't be surprised by the age of topless women either - from children, teenagers to the very elderly. Can really be a disturbing sight if you're not expecting it.
Most family swimparks in Germany (unlike Belgium) also have a "FKK" area available for additional price which includes sauna, hot tub, and high fence enclosed outdoor area that is a mandatory nude area. Baden Baden with the Caracalla and Fredricksbad buildings are the most famous. Start at Caracalla where everyone is clothed on the first floor pools, then take a towel and climb upstairs to the second floor once you're ready (several steam rooms and hot tub - nude only). Fredricksbad has certain days that are female only, otherwise males/females go to separate sides through different massage and rinse stages and then everyone meets up together in a large roman pool.
My favorite facility is called Miramar in Weinheim, 15min to the North of Heidelberg on Autobahn 5. It is connected to large lake with an enormous FKK area that includes a fenced in section of the lake. Families go to Miramar to either stay in the minimal priced lake area with paddle boats, or go into the additional cost family area of Miramar with indoor pools and water slides. Kids can stay in the regular area while parents go into the FKK area. Note that some families with young children will be in this nude area during the hot summer months.
Remember that the culture is more on health and self care (steam and sun therapy). Don't freak out about seeing others nude and don't worry about being fat with a hairy body and war scars - just keep the towel close with you until you get more comfortable being nude in public. You may see some amazingly attractive people in these places but probably not. If you're visiting Germany or the near area, send me an email or on myspace: www.myspace.com/rmelifer
Alex
Heidelberg Germany, GERMANY Fri 03/23/2007
Best Nude resort in France
We spent 6 days in Cap d'Agde approx 100kM north of the Spanish border. This resort can have up to 40000 people in the high season(July-August) We were there in May so only 12,000 population,
the caravan park has 2,500 sites and the rest is in Villas or the Heliopolis(cheaper), the resort is all clothing optional and the beach is not optional. The big plus is that dining,beach, supermarket,shopping,swimming (3kM beach) can all be done sans clothing and there are NO pickpockets.At the entrance to the resort there are rental agencies that take care of rental properties, all you need is a key on a string is considered well dressed.
Bob M
Melbourne, Vic Australia Sat 02/17/2007
Roman-Irish Baths
This isn't a nude beach, per se, but for a fantastic nude experience, make sure you stop by the Roman-Irish baths in Baden-Baden, Germany. Rick covers it very well in his guidebook.
Bill Nelson
Aspinwall, PA USA Tue 02/13/2007
Re: First Time
I can still remember my first time (well it was only a year and a half ago) in Greece on Mykonos. Certainly my American upbringing made me a little aprehensive, somewhat insecure, but in reality, my slightly overweight mid-forties body was one of the more fit there. There is really no reason to be self-conscious about nudity in Europe, they take all in stride and will barely notice you. Sunbathing is one thing, but swimming with nothing on is the best part of the experience. Makes those times that you have to wear a suit almost confining. In France I know there are a number of famous nude zones, but also, on nearly any beach away from the main crowd and away from city beaches you will find the Naturists, feel free to join in.
Paul
IA USA Mon 01/15/2007
barcelona beach
one of my favourite beaches is right in one of my favourite cities, Barcelona. head down joan de borbon street to the main beach of barcelonetta and turn right.keep walking till you start to see the nude bodies(no more than a 3 minute walk), then just find a spot and relax. (most sites recommend a beach called del la mar, which is north of barcelonetta but it is a bit out of the way).the sand is a bit gravelly, but the beach has a life guard, showers and toilet nearby. hawkers walk up and down selling beer, water and surprisingly enough clothes! the beach is gay friendly, but used by a lot of cpls and families as well. lots of locals cycle down during their break to have lunch, a swim and sunbathe, so it can get a bit crowded at these times. the sea does not tend to be as choppy as it is in the textile side, although on occassions can be a bit rough.also jellyfish do not seem to be as popular in this part as they are further up the beaches.debris is removed from all the beaches every morning and as a rule beach is kept very clean.police run patrols along the beach for pickpockets etc. sundays tend to be a family day, and is populated on occassions by old age pensioners, drinking wine and eating snacks whilst listening to oldies on the radio.all in all, the atmosphere is very relaxed.after your time on the beach, there are plenty of bars and restaurants near by and well worth checking out.
gerrythelips
limerick, ireland Sun 01/14/2007
Frist Timer At Buff Sunbathing
I have decided I'm ready to try buff sunbathing. I have no idea what beach is best for amature buff sunbathers. I'll be in France Spring of '07. Any suggestions on where to go would be helpful. Thanks!
Danna
Kalispell, MT USA Fri 01/12/2007
An Oriental woman's experience
Like most Japanese women, I had no experience of sun bathing topless until I began living in Europe. At first I was rather surprised and embarrassed when my women friends went topless at social events, such as parties around the swimming pool in a private garden or mixed family-oriented trips to the beach. While I huddled under huge towels to change from my regular clothes to my swimsuit, they would just peel off thier clothes without any concern and spent the whole time with thier breasts uncovered. Some didn't even consider taking a bikini top, as they had no intention of wearing it.
As my working and private life in Europe also brought many occasions to dress up in evening wear to attend parties and other social events, I came to realise that it was essential to avoid white bikini strap lines on my back and shoulders, so I started to undo my bikini top while sunbathing lying on my front; however, I was very careful to do it up again every time I turned over or moved in any way that might expose my breasts.
As I became more relaxed, I often forgot or couldn't be bothered to do up my bikini top each time I reached for the suncream or had to look in my bag for a water bottle etc. Without making any concious decision to do so, I discovered that I was effectively sunbathing topless.
My European friends take topless sunbathing for granted, so it didn't seem strange to them that I was doing the same. Like them, I found myself simply peeling off my top, walking down to the sea and splashing in the waves, and even going to buy icecream wearing nothing more than bikiki bottoms.
I think it is a very enjoyable freedom and should be encouraged in places where it is not currently accepted as normal.
Akemi
Japan Wed 01/10/2007