Naturist holidays: where to go from the UK

British summers are short and our naturist beaches are often a long walk down a cliff path. That is why so many of us look abroad for naturist holidays. Within two to four hours of most UK airports you can be at a naturist village in France, a nudist beach resort in Spain or an FKK campsite in Croatia, with reliable sunshine and somewhere you can spend the whole day without a swimsuit.

This guide covers the main options for travellers from the UK, how long it takes to get there, and what to check before you book. If you have never tried naturism at all, start with our first-time naturist guide, and if you want to practise closer to home, browse our UK naturist beaches first.

Types of naturist holidays

Most trips fall into one of four types:

Naturist villages and centres: enclosed sites with their own beach, shops, pools and restaurants, where nudity is the norm. France and Croatia have the most.
Resort towns with a naturist zone: apartments, a hotel and a naturist stretch of beach, as at Vera Playa in Spain or Charco del Palo on Lanzarote.
Beach holidays: an ordinary hotel near beaches where naturism is official or traditional, common in Portugal and Greece.
Naturist cruises: a whole ship chartered for clothing-optional sailing.

Flight times from the UK

Scheduled direct flight times from London, as listed by airlines on booking sites, are roughly:

Béziers Cap d’Agde (south of France): about 2 hours
Pula (Istria, Croatia): about 2 hours 10 to 2 hours 20 minutes
Almería (for Vera Playa): about 2 hours 45 to 2 hours 55 minutes
Faro (Algarve): about 2 hours 50 minutes
Corfu: about 3 hours 5 to 3 hours 20 minutes
Lanzarote: about 4 hours 10 minutes

Many of these routes are seasonal, so check what is running from your nearest airport before you plan dates.

France: naturist villages and centres

France is the obvious first choice for naturist holidays from the UK. It has large, well-run naturist centres on both the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, and many of them are set up for families.

On the Mediterranean, the naturist village at Cap d’Agde covers around 70 hectares with about 2 km of sandy beach, a marina, shops and restaurants. Our Cap d’Agde naturist village guide explains how it works for first-timers. Nearby, Le Sérignan Plage Nature near Béziers is a five-star naturist campsite with direct beach access.

The Atlantic coast is quieter and greener. The Centre Hélio-Marin at Montalivet was founded in 1950 and is described as the oldest naturist centre in France. Euronat, also in the Gironde, covers 335 hectares of pine forest with direct access to the beach. La Jenny at Le Porge has a nine-hole naturist golf course, and Arnaoutchot in the Landes is a full naturist village with a long sandy beach. Corsica adds Bagheera and Riva Bella on its east coast.

Spain: Vera Playa and nudist beaches

Spain has no national law against nudity on beaches. Towns can restrict it through local bylaws, and some ban nudity away from the beach, so cover up when you leave the sand. The country has more than 400 nudist beaches.

The best-known naturist resort is Vera Playa in Almería, where about 2 km of beach is reserved for naturists and several apartment complexes are naturist. Read our Vera Playa naturist guide for the details. Further down the coast, the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park has wild beaches where nudity is traditional, including Barrancal.

The Canary Islands

For winter sun, the Canaries are the strongest option. On Lanzarote, the village of Charco del Palo was the first official naturist resort in the Canaries and nudity is permitted throughout the village. The south of the island also has naturist coves around Papagayo. See our Lanzarote naturist holidays guide.

Croatia: FKK campsites

Croatia has a long naturist tradition, and naturist sites are signed “FKK”. Koversada near Vrsar was established as a naturist campsite in 1961 and Valalta near Rovinj has been running since 1968. Most of the big sites are in Istria, with smaller ones on the islands. Our guide to naturist holidays in Croatia covers campsites and beaches. The term FKK comes from German, and our article on FKK and German naturism explains its roots.

Greece

Greece works differently. Long-standing guides note that Greece has no officially designated nude beaches, but nudity is widely tolerated at quieter beaches and at the far ends of busier ones. Well-known spots include Myrtiotissa on Corfu and Kokkini Ammos (Red Beach) on Crete. Be discreet, avoid town and family beaches, and respect any “no nudity” signs. Our Corfu naturist beaches article has more.

Portugal

Portugal passed its first naturist law in 1988, and according to the Portuguese Naturist Federation there are nine official naturist beaches. In the Algarve these include Praia do Homem Nu on Tavira Island, Barreta (Ilha Deserta) near Faro and Praia das Adegas at Odeceixe. Meco near Sesimbra is the best known of the rest.

Naturist cruises

A naturist cruise charters a whole ship. The best known is the Big Nude Boat run by Bare Necessities, which sails from Miami on 15 February 2027 for 11 days around the Caribbean on the Norwegian Jewel. Rules include sitting on a towel, no photography, and clothing in sit-down dining rooms and whenever the ship is docked. If you consider a cruise, check that it is described as naturist rather than “lifestyle”, as the two are very different.

How to book a naturist holiday

Choose the type of trip. A naturist centre suits first-timers and families because everyone is there for the same reason.
Book direct where you can. Naturist centres, campsites and hotels take bookings on their own websites, and you can ask about their rules before you commit.
Book early for summer. Naturist accommodation is limited, especially in Croatia in July and August.
Check the season. Many campsites close from October to April, while Lanzarote and Vera Playa work year round.
Join British Naturism. British Naturism is the UK’s national naturist organisation, and we recommend joining before you travel.

Tips for your first naturist holiday abroad

Always sit on your own towel.
Never photograph other people. Most naturist sites ban photography outright.
Expect to dress for some restaurants and in the evenings. Rules vary by site.
Use high-factor sun cream on skin that rarely sees the sun.
Keep clothes handy when walking off a naturist beach into a town.

Naturism is about comfort and freedom, not display. If you want to know more about why people enjoy it, read what is naturism and our piece on the health benefits of naturism.

FAQs

Where is the best place for a first naturist holiday?

A naturist centre in France is a good first step. Everyone on site is a naturist, facilities are on hand and the rules are clear. Vera Playa in Spain is a good alternative if you prefer apartments and a town.

Are naturist holidays suitable for families?

Many are. French naturist centres in particular cater for children with pools, play areas and activities. Some hotels and cruises are adults only, so check before you book.

Do I have to be naked all the time?

No. Rules vary. Many centres expect nudity at the pool and beach in good weather, but allow clothing in the evening and require it in some restaurants. Ask the site for its rules.

Is nudity legal on beaches in Spain?

Spain has no national law against nudity on beaches, but individual towns can restrict it through local bylaws. Stick to recognised naturist beaches and cover up in town.

When can I take a naturist holiday?

Most European naturist centres open from about April or May to late September or early October. The Canaries and southern Spain are warm enough for naturism through the winter.

Sources

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