Lanzarote naturist holidays: Charco del Palo & beaches

Lanzarote is the best winter sun option for British naturists. It is about four hours from the UK, warm all year, and home to Charco del Palo, a small village where nudity is part of everyday life. Add a scattering of nudist beaches and coves around the island and you have a reliable Lanzarote naturist holiday in any month.

First time? Read our first-time naturist guide before you go.

Charco del Palo: Lanzarote’s naturist village

Charco del Palo is on the north-east coast of Lanzarote, mostly in the municipality of Haría, near the villages of Mala and Guatiza. It was established around 1970 by the German entrepreneur Gregor Kaiser and was the first official naturist resort in the Canary Islands.

Nudity is permitted everywhere in the village and most people go without clothes, though it is not compulsory. Some bar and restaurant terraces in the village also welcome naturists. The atmosphere is calm and respectful.

Swimming at Charco del Palo

There is no sandy beach. The coast is volcanic rock, and swimming is safest in three places:

a large natural rock pool at the northern end of the village
a large natural rock pool at the southern end, sheltered so the water stays calm
a small pier with steps in the middle, for swimming in the open sea

The pools are tidal, so check tide times before you swim. The open sea can be rough, and the pools are the safer choice for casual swimmers. Lanzarote is also windy, and you will see small stone shelters built on the rocks for sunbathing out of the breeze.

Where to stay

Most accommodation is in privately owned bungalows and apartments, many of them in small complexes with a shared pool, which owners let when they are away. The German naturist travel company Oböna also owns an apartment complex in the village. Book through naturist travel specialists, rental sites or directly with owners.

Getting around

The village sits at the end of its own access road, about 3 km from Mala and Guatiza, which are on the bus route between Arrecife and the north of the island. A hire car makes life much easier, especially if you want to visit beaches elsewhere on the island. Parking in the village can be tight.

Lanzarote naturist beaches

Lanzarote’s naturist beaches are mostly away from the main resorts. Local guides list these as the best known:

Papagayo coves (south)

The Papagayo beaches lie in the Los Ajaches Natural Monument near Playa Blanca. Naturists mainly use Puerto Muelas, Caleta del Congrio, part of Playa Mujeres and the small coves between Playa Mujeres and Playa del Pozo. Playa de Papagayo itself is generally a clothed beach. Entry by car costs €3 per vehicle, payable by card only, and arriving early or late in the day avoids queues.

Barranco del Quíquere (south)

A rocky, undeveloped spot about a 15-minute walk along the seafront from Puerto del Carmen. There are no facilities, but the water is clear and good for snorkelling.

Playa del Risco (north)

A wild sandy beach below the Famara cliffs, facing La Graciosa. It is reached by a steep historic path that takes around 50 minutes and is only suitable if you are fit and well equipped. Take water and allow time to climb back before dark.

Other spots

Remote beaches such as Playa de la Cantería near Órzola and Janubio in the south-west are also used by naturists.

Is naturism legal on Lanzarote?

Spain has no national law against nudity on beaches, but towns can make their own bylaws. Gazette Life reports that Teguise introduced a local bylaw in 2016 that could in theory affect naturists in parts of the municipality, though it had heard of no enforcement. Stay on recognised naturist beaches, at Charco del Palo or in naturist accommodation, and cover up in towns and resorts. Rules can change, so check before you go.

Getting to Lanzarote from the UK

Lanzarote airport is about 5 km from Arrecife and has direct flights from across the UK, with easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI and British Airways serving airports including Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast. Direct flights from London take around 4 hours. Charco del Palo is in the north-east of the island, and a hire car is the easiest way to reach it.

When to go

Lanzarote is warm all year, which is its biggest draw for naturists, and it makes a natural winter escape from the UK. It is also windy, so whatever the month, pack a windproof layer and look for sheltered spots to sunbathe.

Comparing options? See our guide to naturist holidays from the UK or read about Vera Playa, another winter favourite. Back home, our naturist spas and saunas are a good way to keep warm through the British winter, and British Naturism runs events all year.

FAQs

Is there a naturist resort on Lanzarote?

Yes. Charco del Palo, on the north-east coast, is a naturist village founded around 1970 where nudity is permitted throughout. It was the first official naturist resort in the Canary Islands.

Does Charco del Palo have a beach?

No. The coast is rocky, but there are two natural rock pools and a pier with steps into the sea.

Where are the nudist beaches in Lanzarote?

The best known are the Papagayo coves, especially Puerto Muelas, Caleta del Congrio and part of Playa Mujeres. Barranco del Quíquere near Puerto del Carmen and Playa del Risco below the Famara cliffs are also used.

Is Lanzarote warm enough for naturism in winter?

It is one of the warmest places in reach of the UK in winter, but the wind can make it feel cooler. Sheltered spots and rock shelters help.

Sources

More from Go Bare: all posts, naturism guides and UK naturist beaches.