Best Nude Beaches in Greece

Greece is a country that appeals to almost any traveler, from its towering seaside cliffs to its nearly countless pristine beaches. It is also favored by naturists who want to feel free to sunbathe and swim in the nude.

Greece actually has too many nude beaches to count, with travelers knowing that if they desire that experience, they are never too far away from a nudist beach anywhere in the country.

It is not an uncommon sight for women to sunbathe topless even at conventional beaches in Greece, which is emblematic of the free-spirited nature of the country. Here, we have collected some of the best spots for nude bathing all across the nation.

Kape Nudist Beach, Cape Sounio

Located just under the stunning temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounio, which is located just a short drive from the center of Athens, the nudist section of Kape Beach is possibly one of the most picturesque nudist beaches near the capital.

Kape Beach is a beautiful beach with a beach bar right near the temple. Visitors can reach the clothed beach by descending a set of stairs and heading toward the beach bars and other establishments to the left.

The dramatic, lunar landscape of Vlychada Beach, Santorini, which has a nude section. Credit: Olaf Tausch

Known for its unique, moon-like scenery and black sand, Vlychada Beach is a beloved destination for both tourists and locals looking for a swim on Santorini without the crowds.

Like many nudist beaches in Greece, a long stretch of the beach is home to clothed bathers and beach bars, but if you continue past the bustle, you will reach a section of the beach that is clothing-optional and popular with nudists.

The black sand, created by volcanic ash from the island, as well as the dramatic white cliffs, make Vlychada Beach a truly breathtaking location on Santorini.

Additionally, it is not as crowded as other beaches on the island, which is known as a popular tourist destination.

Plaka Beach, Naxos

This spot, located on the beautiful island of Naxos, has been given the distinction of being widely regarded as one of the best nude beaches for swimming and sunbathing in Greece.

The stunning, white sands combined with turquoise waters make Plaka an idyllic escape from the rest of the world. The nude beach portion of the long stretch can be found at the southern end of the shore.

Glyfada Beach, Corfu

This nude beach is hugely popular with tourists and locals alike. Found on the west side of the island of Corfu, this spot’s claim to fame is the soft sand which lines the coast and is a welcome contrast to Corfu’s usual pebble beaches.

This beach is generally very busy and family oriented, and parts of it are organized with amenities such as beach chairs, water sports and refreshments.

Red Beach, Crete

One of the nude beaches in Greece which acted as a mecca for hippies in the 1960s and 1970s, Red Beach has continued that tradition up to the present day. It can be found near Matala Beach on Crete island and is therefore often referred to as Matala Red beach despite their being two distinct areas.

The stunning reddish sands of this secluded shoreline allow it to stand out from other options for nudist bathing. It has the feel of being a secret slice of paradise, as it is a 20 minute walk from just about anything, and is well worth a visit!

Paradise Beach, Mykonos

The nude beach called Paradise is a lovely place to lounge on Mykonos island, Greece. The beach is stunningly beautiful, and naturally, it offers enough nightlife and special events to keep anyone busy!

Dogs are allowed on this beach and patrons can hop from beach bar to beach bar on this long stretch of beautiful sand.

Agios Ioannis Nude Beach, Gavdos

Gavdos, a small island located just south of Crete, has long been a favorite summer destination for bohemian travelers looking to camp in nature and get away from crowds.

Agios Ioannis, the island’s most famous beach, is a stunning stretch of golden sand and clear water that is home to both clothed and nude swimmers.

Many people also camp out on the beach during the summer.

There are no chairs or umbrellas on the beach, and while there are no bars or restaurants on the beach itself, there are a few located a walking distance away.

Agiofarago Beach, Crete

This Greek nude beach is hard to get to but worth the effort. Found at the bottom of the Agiofarago Gorge in Crete, those who want to visit it need to put some work into reaching it.

However, this beach boasts great rewards for those who make the trek, as it has dazzlingly blue waters and is great for swimming. The nearby cliffs are perfect for exploring, as well, making this beach good for all different types of adventurers.

Clearly, Greece is world-renowned for its nude beaches, and this is no surprise considering its nearly endless array of beaches of all types. For those interested, the nation has a plethora of options, making it perfect for a more “natural” vacation!

World naturist bathing map

A British swimsuit company named Pour Moi has now created a global map for naturists to know where nude bathing is legal, or at least tolerated.

Countries which are rated Green view topless or nude sunbathing as perfectly legal and acceptable, and there are specific nude beaches for those who wish to partake of this pastime. Greece, which is part of this classification, is particularly friendly to nudists, often called naturists.

An Amber color signifies countries whose stance towards nudism is slightly more ambiguous. In these nations, public nudity is generally frowned upon, but there are specific contexts and beaches where it does happen and is acceptable. Cyprus falls into this category of countries.

Red countries do not allow public nudity at all and bathing naked would be considered illegal and entirely unacceptable. Ireland is one of the few European countries which takes this stance on nude sunbathing and swimming.