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Vera Playa: Spain’s naturist beach resort

Vera Playa on Spain’s Almería coast is one of the easiest naturist holidays to book from the UK. It is not an enclosed village. Instead, a naturist stretch of beach is backed by naturist apartment complexes and a naturist hotel, so you can walk from your apartment to the sea without dressing. This Vera Playa naturist guide covers the beach, where to stay, how to get there and what to expect.

New to naturism? Our first-time naturist guide covers the basics.

Where is Vera Playa?

Vera Playa is the coastal part of the municipality of Vera in the province of Almería, Andalucía, in south-east Spain. Vera town itself is a few kilometres inland. The coast here is dry and sunny, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year according to local guides, which makes it a good choice for spring, autumn and even winter naturism.

Since 1990 Vera Playa has developed into an important centre for naturism, with accommodation, shops and bars around the naturist zone.

The Vera Playa naturist beach

The beach is El Playazo, a long strand of compact sand with mountains at each end, good for long walks. Wikipedia puts the naturist section at about 2 km, while Andalucia.com describes the whole beach as roughly 3 km. The naturist part is at the northern end. There are no fences or barriers: the beach gradually changes from naturist to clothed as you head south.

Facilities include toilets, food and drink and parking nearby. The surface is mostly sand with some pebbles, and access is easy.

Vera Playa is also known for a record. On 21 July 2013, 729 naturists entered the sea together at El Playazo at noon, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest skinny dip, beating a previous record of 506 set in New Zealand.

Where to stay

Naturist apartment complexes

Naturism is officially permitted in several apartment complexes, including Natsun, La Manera, Bahía de Vera and Vera Natura. Vera Natura sits beside the beach and most of its apartments have a terrace or small garden. Apartments in these complexes are let by agencies and private owners, often by the week, and many have shared pools.

The naturist hotel

Vera Playa also has a large naturist hotel, now listed as Playavera Lifestyle Collection by Senator and still often called the Vera Playa Club. It has outdoor and indoor heated pools, a spa, gym and restaurant. Booking sites list nudity as required in the pool area during the day and optional elsewhere, with clothing required in the restaurant and from 8pm. Age and dress policies can change, so confirm with the hotel when you book.

Rules and etiquette

Spain has no national law against nudity on beaches, but towns can set their own bylaws, and some ban nudity away from the beach. At Vera Playa the culture is relaxed, but follow a few simple rules:

  • Stay nude in the naturist section of the beach and in naturist complexes, and dress when you head into town or to non-naturist businesses.
  • Always sit on a towel.
  • Do not photograph other people.
  • Follow the house rules of your complex or hotel. Each sets its own.

Getting to Vera Playa from the UK

The nearest airport is Almería, about an hour’s drive away. Direct flights from London take around 2 hours 45 to 2 hours 55 minutes. easyJet flies from London Gatwick and Liverpool, with seasonal routes from Bristol, Luton and Southend. Jet2 and Ryanair also run seasonal routes from several UK airports.

Murcia International airport is about 90 minutes away, and Alicante is under two hours. By car, take the A-7 motorway and exit at junction 529 or 534 for Vera. From Almería airport there is also an ALSA bus to Vera, taking about 90 minutes.

A hire car is worth having if you want to explore.

When to go

July and August are the busiest months, with a wider age range and families. Out of season, visitors tend to be older couples. March and April, or late September and October, are quieter and cheaper, though some restaurants and shops close outside summer.

Things to do nearby

  • Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park: wild beaches where nudity is traditional. Barrancal is the largest and most accessible, and is officially naturist. There are no facilities, so take water and food.
  • Playa de los Muertos: a pebble beach near Carboneras, about 30 minutes’ drive away, used by both naturists and clothed bathers. It is reached by a steep path.
  • Garrucha and Mojácar: the fishing town of Garrucha is the next beach south, and the white hill town of Mojácar Pueblo is close by.

For more ideas on where to go abroad, see our guide to naturist holidays from the UK. If you are planning a winter trip, compare Vera Playa with our Lanzarote naturist guide.

FAQs

Is Vera Playa a naturist resort?

Yes. Vera Playa has a naturist section of beach, around 2 km long, plus naturist apartment complexes and a naturist hotel. It is not fenced off, so the naturist area blends into the rest of the resort.

Is the whole beach at Vera Playa naturist?

No. The northern part of El Playazo is naturist and the southern end is used by clothed bathers. There is no physical boundary.

Which airport is nearest to Vera Playa?

Almería is nearest, about an hour away by car. Murcia International is around 90 minutes away.

Is Vera Playa good in winter?

The climate is mild and dry, so winter breaks are popular, though it can be cool for naturism on the beach in December and January. Some businesses close outside the summer season.

Sources

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