When it comes to getting your kit off on the beach, Spain has a refreshingly laid-back attitude. It means you can find everything from purpose-built naturist resorts where going without is the norm, to quiet, hidden calas where it’s just an unspoken local custom. Nudist beaches in Spain are a proper part of the coastal culture, and a far cry from what we’re used to in places like the UK.
Naturist and FKK beaches in Spain: what to know
Before you start looking for a spot, it helps to understand how it all works here. Legally, at a national level, public nudity isn't a crime in Spain, but that doesn't mean you can go nude on just any beach. Plus, many local councils have brought in bylaws to ban nudity or even semi-nudity (like walking around shirtless away from the beach) on their streets. This is especially common in cities and popular tourist areas.
So when it comes to enjoying a bit of naturism, it's all about sticking to the designated naturist zones or the traditionally clothing-optional beaches where it's an accepted practice. Spain has some of the best beaches in Europe, and the quality extends to its naturist spots. You'll find many of them are clean, well-maintained, and some even have the coveted Blue Flag beaches status.
You'll often hear the term naturist, which can point to places with more of a community feel, and FKK (short for the German Freikörperkultur), which highlights the country's popularity with northern European visitors. Otherwise, a beach might just be known as 'clothing-optional'.
As for etiquette, it's pretty straightforward. The main things are to be respectful, not to stare, and it's always good practice to bring a towel to sit on, especially if you plan on grabbing a drink at a nearby chiringuito.
Top naturist beaches in Andalucia
Andalucia is a heartland for naturism in Spain, with fantastic options along both the sunny Costa del Sol and the wilder, wind-swept Costa de la Luz.
Playas de Vera, Almeria: a famous naturist resort
You can't talk about naturism in Spain without mentioning Vera Playa. This isn't just a beach; it's one of Europe's first and largest dedicated naturist resorts. You’ll find a long, wide stretch of sand backed by a whole urbanisation with apartment blocks, beach bars and restaurants where being nude is the norm. It is even home to Spain's first naturist hotel. It’s a completely immersive experience, and so well-established that many people live there year-round.
Playa de Bolonia, Cadiz
If you're after something a bit wilder, Bolonia is a spectacular nude beach. It's a huge, sweeping bay of fine white sand, famous for its enormous, shifting dune and the fascinating Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia right behind the beach. The far left-hand side of the beach (as you face the sea) is the long-established clothing-optional section. It’s an incredible spot for a more natural nude beach day, and it's close to some of the most charming coastal towns in Spain, like Tarifa and Vejer de la Frontera.
Playa de Guadalmar, Malaga's official nude beach
For those looking for a city-adjacent option, this beach is located just west of the city centre, right by the river mouth and conveniently close to the airport. It's more of an urban beach with a mix of locals and tourists, and it has a relaxed, fuss-free atmosphere. While it might not have the dramatic scenery of Bolonia, it's a straightforward and easily accessible sandy spot to enjoy the sun without tan lines.
Finding a naked beach on the Costa Blanca and Valencia
The coastline around the Costa Blanca and Valencia is famous for its string of beautiful coves, or calas, tucked away between rocky headlands. While it's a hugely popular tourist area, many of these smaller beaches have a relaxed, clothing-optional atmosphere, making them ideal spots if you know where to look.
Playa El Saler, Valencia
Just south of Valencia city, you’ll find the vast, wild beaches of the La Albufera Natural Park. El Saler beach is a long stretch of fine, golden sand backed by dunes and pine trees, and it has a designated naturist section. It feels a world away from the city bustle, offering a more natural and peaceful naked beach experience while still being easy to reach from the centre of Valencia.
Playa El Rebollo, Alicante
This is one of the most famous and well-established naturist beaches in the Alicante region, and for good reason. It’s a long, wide stretch of fine, golden sand with a wonderful system of protected dunes and a huge pine forest. It has a wild, natural feel that’s quite different from the smaller, rockier coves. Because it’s so spacious, it never feels crowded, and there are wooden boardwalks that take you over the dunes to the beach itself. Turn right for the naked area.
Playa de Torre Bellver, Castellón
Located on the Costa del Azahar between Benicàssim and Oropesa del Mar, this stretch is a beautiful string of small, secluded rocky coves, separated by reddish rocks and shaded by pine trees that come right down to the shoreline. It’s a long-standing and very respected naturist spot, with the Vía Verde del Mar running right alongside it. Beach shoes are a good idea, as getting into the wonderfully clear water over the rocks can be tricky otherwise.
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Discovering naturist beaches in Catalonia
Catalonia has a long and proud tradition of naturism, with a fantastic variety of spots dotted along its coastline. You'll find everything from wild, rugged coves on the Costa Brava, which have been clothing-optional for decades, to official, well-serviced city beaches.
Platja de l'Illa Roja, Costa Brava
Located near the town of Begur, this is one of the most picturesque naturist beaches in Spain. Its name comes from the huge reddish rock island that dominates the cove, creating a truly memorable backdrop. You have to walk a short way along the coastal path, Camí de Ronda, to get to it, which adds to its slightly wild, unspoiled feel.
Platja de la Mar Bella, Barcelona
If you're in Barcelona, Mar Bella is the official and most well-known nude beach. It's an urban beach, so it's lively, easy to get to, and has plenty of facilities. A small grassy hill helps to screen it from the main promenade, giving it a slightly more secluded feel than the neighbouring beaches. The atmosphere is very relaxed and inclusive, and it's a popular spot for the LGBTQ+ community and one of the best beaches near Barcelona.
Cala Boadella, Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar might not be the first place that springs to mind for a peaceful naturist beach, but Cala Boadella is a real gem and a world away from the town's main strips. You reach it via a short, pleasant walk down through a pine forest, which helps to keep it feeling quite separate and natural. The beach itself is a lovely sandy bay, and while it's technically mixed-use, the northern end (to your left as you face the sea) has been the accepted naturist section for decades.
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Clothing-optional beaches in the Balearic & Canary Islands
The Balearics offer those classic, stunningly beautiful coves, while the Canaries provide dramatic volcanic scenery and sunshine pretty much all year round. Both are absolutely brilliant for finding incredible clothing-optional beaches, from vast dune systems to tiny, hidden bays.
Corralejo Dunes, Fuerteventura
Corralejo Natural Park is a vast expanse of white sand dunes that roll down to kilometres of stunning coastline. Once you walk a short distance from the main road and the two big hotels, the entire area is effectively clothing-optional and hugely popular with naturists from all over Europe. The sense of space and freedom here is amazing, with the turquoise water on one side and the endless sand on the other.
Es Trenc, Mallorca
Es Trenc is probably Mallorca's most famous beach, and it looks like something straight out of the Caribbean. It’s a long stretch of soft white sand and shallow, turquoise water. It's not an exclusively nudist beach, but because it's so long, there are well-established clothing-optional sections away from the main busy areas with the sunbeds. It's part of a protected natural park, so it has managed to keep a really beautiful, unspoiled feel despite its popularity.
Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
You’ve probably seen pictures of the Maspalomas dunes – a huge protected nature reserve that looks like a slice of the Sahara dropped by the sea. The beach here is massive, and there's a very large, well-signposted official nudist section right in the middle of the dune system. You have to walk a fair bit from either the Maspalomas lighthouse or Playa del Inglés to reach it, but that's what makes it feel so special and peaceful. It’s a hub for the German FKK beach scene in Spain and a must-visit if you're on the island.
How Spanish nude beaches compare in Europe
Spain is right there at the very top when looking for a naturist-friendly holiday, and it's a strong contender for the best on the continent. While Germany might be the spiritual home of FKK, it simply doesn't have the beaches. What sets Spain apart is the sheer variety and the fantastic weather; you get thousands of kilometres of coastline offering everything from tiny, hidden calas to vast, windswept sand dunes.
If you’re exploring the Iberian Peninsula, it's also worth knowing that there are some fantastic nudist beaches in Portugal right next door, offering a slightly different but equally brilliant atmosphere.
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