Nude beaches abound in Greece and there are many Greek islands with beaches where guests can sunbathe in the nude. While in practice any secluded stretch of Greek sand can be used as a nude beach, some beaches are more nude-friendly than others.
Even if you’ve never been to a nude beach before, you’ll find that Greece’s sea, sun, and incredible natural beauty make it easy to go wild . If you are a complete beginner, you may want to read what to expect. However, don’t expect to see many Greeks joining you naked, as very few residents of Greece get used to sunbathing naked. As a result, most of the naturists you find on the beaches of Greece are travelers.
Still, the practice of sunbathing in the nude is generally accepted across the country, or at least tolerated. In fact, you will find that nudity and topless sun are often found throughout Europe, which may shake some visitors to non-nude beaches.
How to find the best nude beaches
While the beaches anywhere in Greece are great for sunbathing with or without clothes on, some nude beaches in Greece and the Greek islands stand out from the rest. Fortunately, if you are looking for a more intimate nude sunbathing destination, most of the nude beaches in Greece are located on the islands rather than the mainland.
Paradise Beach in Mykonos is one of the most well-known places to lounge naked by the ocean, but you will also find a number of nude beaches clustered in southwest Crete along remote sections of the coast, including Marmara, Sweetwater (Glykanera and Glyko Nero), Preveli, Red Beach and Kommos. Crete is also home to the only ‘official’ nudist resort, the luxurious Vritomartis Hotel on Filaki Beach, and a nude apartment complex, the Kalo Kairi.
Nudist beaches on the Greek mainland and in the Peloponnese, while not impossible to find, are much rarer. Fortunately, a local celebrity known as Cap’t Barefoot carefully monitors the state of nude beaches across Greece, either personally or with ongoing reports from hundreds of insiders, and publishes the information online.
A short guide to nude beaches in Mykonos and Crete
The two main destinations for nude sunbathing on the Greek islands are located near Mykonos and Crete. In fact, Agrari, Paraga and Agios Sostis in Mykonos and Antiparos, Naxos and Paros near Crete are among the most popular nude beaches in the Mediterranean:
- Agrari – Located near the popular Elia gay nude beach in Mykonos, Agrari is a bit more isolated and sees fewer crowds, and generally welcomes the majority of gay travelers to its shores.
- Paraga – A short drive from popular Paradise Beach, which recently began to discourage nudity, Paraga still welcomes nude bathers year-round. However, more families frequent this beach in the summer, so you may want to avoid it in July and August.
- Agios Sostis – For a more intimate Mykonos getaway, the northern part of the island features Panormos and Agios Sostis beaches, which are relatively quiet except during the summer months. The latter is more nude-friendly, especially on days with smaller crowds.
- Paros: located on the quiet shores of the island of Lageri, this beach is one of the best on the Greek islands. However, it is not as friendly to nudity as its neighbor Antiparos.
- Antiparos: Like Paros, this beach is known for its crystal clear waters and sparkling shores, but it is also recognized as an official nudist beach of Greece.
- Naxos – Located on the island of the same name, Naxos Beach is a fantastic spot for naked sunbathing, but you can also enjoy Plaka and Aliko beaches while on the island, which are a bit more isolated.
Plan your own trip to Greece
When it comes to finding a nude beach, the hardest part is getting to Greece to start your adventure. After you arrive, you can simply book a cheap charter flight to a municipal airport and take a boat to one of the nearby islands.
Fortunately, many tour companies offer vacation packages that include day trips to the beach near Athens, excursions to Santorini, and even guided adventures around Greece and the Greek islands. However, if you really want to enjoy the relaxation of naked bathing, you can leave the group of tourists behind and book an intimate getaway for yourself.
If you hope to save money on your trip, be sure to compare prices to fly to other nearby European countries. Once you have arrived in Europe, the transit between countries is much cheaper. You can take a smaller train, bus, or plane to Greece from many nearby countries for much less cost than flying directly from the United States.
