The most beautiful nudist beaches in Europe

Red Beach - Crete

Red Beach in Crete is about as secluded as it gets. Named after its dark red sand, it was recently dubbed one of the best nude beaches in the world by the Travel Channel. The beach, which is situated in southern Crete near the town of Matala, is around 300 metres long and can be reached either by boat or on foot. It is around a 25-minute walk from Matala, but the path is reasonably steep and there’s also a scramble over rocks involved. However its beautifully clear waters and gorgeous surrounding caves make it worth the effort. If you’re planning to visit, remember to take refreshments along with you. Red Beach’s remote location means it isn’t the easiest place to get snacks from.

Playa de Migjorn - Formentera

Nude sunbathing is common in the Baleriacs, so most of the beaches on Formentera island are unofficially nudist. Playa de Migjorn is one of the most picturesque beaches thanks to its crystal clear turquoise waters, and white sands. It is located on the south side of the island and is almost eight kilometres long, so you won’t find it hard to find a private spot for sunbathing. This beach is popular with families and couples and is also a great snorkelling and diving spot.

Find out more about Formentera as we take a closer look at Ibiza’s secret hideaway.

Es Trenc - Majorca

Es Trenc is one of Majorca’s most famous beaches and also happens to be an official nudist beach, with several areas designated to naturists. Situated between the villages of Ses Covetes and Sant Jordi, it’s around a 40-minute drive from Palma and stretches across three kilometres. The water along Es Trenc is shallow, so it’s suitable for children and is usually very busy during the summer months.

Es Cavallet - Ibiza

Es Cavallet was named as the first nudist beach in Ibiza back in 1978 and is a stunning sight to behold. The long white sandy beach is around a 10-minute drive from Ibiza town and located in the Salinas Nature Reserve, which is filled with sand dunes, pine forests and salt flats. It’s a pretty lively beach and is also a bit of a celebrity hang-out spot thanks to its two trendy restaurants La Escollera and El Chiringuito.

Planning a visit to the island? Here’s a guide to how to spend 48 hours in Ibiza.

Patara Beach - Turkey

Patara Beach is the largest on the Turkish Riviera and is considered the most impressive. The beach is located in the ancient settlement of Patara and the Roman and Lycian historical ruins are just a 15-minute walk away. It’s also a protected nesting site for sea turtles, so building near the area is strictly prohibited, making it a pretty secluded and idyllic location. Patara Beach has become an unofficial nudist beach over the years due to its sheer length and remoteness. It extends for 18 kilometres, so there are many huge and discreet sections that are often filled with nudists. If you’re keen to pay a visit, it’s easy to get to from Kalkan in Antalya, which is just a 20-minute drive away.

Want more inspiration?

Take a peek at the best places for beach and culture or a scroll through our top holiday destinations for 2018.

Author: Tamara Hardingham-Gill