To be totally honest, the first time I dared take my swimsuit off was about 20 years ago on the then unknown Greek island of Folegandros. The water was so perfectly crisp and the rugged landscape so inviting that I ventured to go nude. It was one of the most liberating experiences of my life! The sense of freedom was beyond anything I could ever imagine or even describe.
Despite my late-in-life skinny-dipping experience, Greece has for decades attracted naturists – most of whom would wander off to remote beaches on foot where locals wouldn’t bother to go. There, they would run into your random grazing sheep and a few sea gulls, at best.
Things have changed since then and today there are Greek islands popular with naturists and even hotels catering to freedom-seekers. Sadly, many of the wild, isolated beaches of the past are no longer so. However, there are dozens of beaches in Greece to go nude and this post, which comes as follow-up to my “Top 10 Nudist Beaches in Greece” – which you all loved – is all about that. So dive in!
I’ve gone ahead and prepared a naturist-focused Greek island-hopping itinerary for those of you with the stamina to travel fast. Or you can just pick one or two islands and stay there for a few days, shed the clothes and the stress, and take in the Greek sun. Your pick. Let’s get started!
10-Day Naturist Greek Island-Hopping Itinerary
➢ Day 1-2: Athens
Arrive in Athens.
Yes, said it again, before or after you hit the Greek islands, do plan to stay for a couple of days in Athens. It’s worth it. I just ‘heard’ on TikTok that Athens is the new Berlin! Well, for me Athens has been popular for thousands of years. So it’s much more.
– Stay and visit the Acropolis
– see the Parthenon
– catch a concert at the Ancient Irodion Theater
– visit the Acropolis Museum
– chill out on Agia Eirini Square or Agiou Georgiou Square
– watch a movie under the stars at an open air cinema
– go to a nudist beach near Athens (see below)
– enjoy a meze overlooking the sea.
Getting there
Take a quick domestic flight or ferry to your first island the next morning.
This is all you need to know about ferries in Greece. Love them or hate them, they are a true rite of passage!
➢ Day 3-5: Crete
Crete is not only a naturist’s paradise but in general as close to paradise as we can get here on Earth. You can never go wrong on Crete. In total honesty, I would just spend my entire vacation on Greece’s largest island.
Head to Filaki Beach. This is Crete’s only official naturist beach. And by “official”, I mean known and promoted as such. Don’t worry, there are still very many beaches where you can enjoy the Greek sea and sun nude but you’ll need to walk there.
Filaki Beach is right next to the Vritomartis Naturist Resort, where you can enjoy your holidaynude 24/7. There is private access to the beach, nudist excursions, a pool, and a cool nudist community. They also organize hikes to nearby naturist-friendly coves and nude boat trips.
Where to Stay: Vritomartis Naturist Resort
Getting there: Get to Crete by plane, takes about 50 minutes or by ferry from Athens (Piraeus port) takes about 8-9 hours: take the night ferry.
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➢ Day 5-7: Gavdos
No naturist trip would be complete without a visit to the tiny island of Gavdos. Twenty square miles all in all. This, my friends, is the southernmost island in Greece and Europe, located in the middle of the Libyan Sea north of Africa! (We call it the South Cretan Sea.) It’s also very warm into December, ideal for shoulder season travel and swimming.
Head to the beaches of Tripiti, Agios Ioannis, and from there 20 minutes on foot to Lavrakas, and enjoy Cretan ruggedness in all its glory. Gavdos, especially from May to early June and mid-September onward is totally secluded and perfect for camping, relaxation, and stargazing. Totally free at last! Expect ultra-fine sand, crystal blue waters, and happily (for me at least) no sea beds and super loud beach bars!
Getting there: You have to first go to Chora Sfakion (Sfakia) by car or bus (about an hour and half drive), or to Sougia, and from there take a small boat to Gavdos.
Where to stay: There are a number of basic rooms-to-let (don’t expect luxuries here) like the decent Gavdos studios, or Exoristoi Nature Suites, or you can always camp on the beach.
Maria’s Tip: Have in mind that Gavdos is not organized and will require you to bring your own shade (ie umbrella, tent) and do some hiking in the sun. You’ll find my list of essential items to bring and what to pack at the end of this post. Mind you it’s worth every step.
Also have in mind that although nudism has been commonly practiced here for years, you will need to throw something on when you’re in public places like tavernas, supermarkets, and on the roads. Recently, nudism was banned on popular Sarakiniko beach. Again off season, things are much better.
⛴ Book your ferry boat tickets to the Greek islands!
➢ Alternative Day 5-7: Naxos
Naxos is perhaps one of the most underrated Greek islands. It is the largest of the Cyclades island complex and is ideal for travelers seeking traditional Greek experiences and some of the best beaches in Greece, not to mention dozens of attractions for archaeology and history lovers. Did I mention the food? Wines? Cheeses?
To our point: head to the southern end of Plaka Beach, lay your towel on the sand and take it all off. Dive into the rejuvenating (chilly) turquoise waters and be grateful! Alyko Beach is also a naturists’ favorite. Isolated, white sand dunes and a cedar forest make it the perfect paradise. I do recommend you rent a car or moped and tour the island. There are many secluded coves – especially in early June or late September – which are perfect for nudist adventures.
Getting there: Take the ferry from Crete to Naxos (via Heraklion takes about 3-5 hours depending on type of ferry), or from Piraeus (3 to 5 hours).
Where to stay: There are several boutique hotels or studios near Plaka like this one which is clean and convenient.
Maria’s Tip: Head to Naxos town very early one day (to avoid the heat and sun, and for better pics), and visit the Venetian fortress. Also do plan a romantic dinner at sunset one evening and try the local cheeses: graviera, the unique Arseniko made of goat’s milk, and “kopanisti” as well as Naxos’ famous lemon-citrus liquor – “kitron”. It’s an absolute must to visit the traditional Naxian villages of Apeiranthos and Halki and to attend a panegyri – the ultimate Greek summer festival.
➢ Day 7-8: Antiparos
For decades, Antiparos has been a well-kept secret among nudists. The tiny island off popular Paros has been a safe haven for the birthday suit crowd and a paradise for the artsy and intellectual types. The unknown isle came into the spotlight after the world found out that Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson had a holiday home here.
The naturist crowd hangs out at the so-called ‘Nudist beach’ (or camping beach) near Camping Antiparos operating since 1978 right outside the Hora. And at Monastiria Beach, on the western side of the island. There are two bays and you can get to the second only on foot. Have in mind that in August things do get crowded, so if you can avoid this month, please do. Off season, also enjoy Theologos Beach and Diplo with its shallow waters. Make sure to swim to the islet nearby.
Getting there: First take the ferry from Naxos to Paros and from there to Antiparos. To get Antiparos you will need to either take a Ro-Ro ferry from Parikia, Paros’ main port (some 30 minutes), or from Pounda, which is the fastest (around 8 minutes), but you will need to take a cab or bus to Pounda. (When we were young we used to walk the distance!)
Where to stay: Despite its very small size, Antiparos offers many accommodation options from luxury villas to studios with a sea view to conveniently-located rooms. Camping Antiparos, if you like camping.
Maria’s Tip: Have a meze picnic during sunset at Camping Beach and make sure to visit the Antiparos Cave. Note: you’ll need to go down 400 steps, so those of you with weak knees, think twice. And, no, there is no elevator. You should also book an exciting boat day trip to the uninhabited island of Despotiko for its waters and the ancient Sanctuary of Apollo, among others. I always book boat trips on my Greek island vacations. They are honestly lots of fun.
➢ Day 9-10: Return to Athens + One Last Dip
Like is mentioned at the start of this post, you can stay in Athens before your vacation or before your departure. For a last skinny dip head to Limanakia Vouliagmenis along the Athenian Riviera. Beach B is unofficially a nudist spot and gay friendly.
Getting there: Take metro Line 2 (red), get off at Elliniko stop and from their bus 122 to Limanakia. It takes about an hour give or take depending on traffic or by taxi which takes about half an hour and costs about 30 euros.
Where to stay: You can stay in Athens, or why not, at a hotel along the Athenian Riviera for a sexy last night.
Maria’s Tip: Have a last ouzo and seafood dinner on the seafront before flying home.
And just for those of you wondering if you can go nude elsewhere, the answer is yes, but only on parts of beaches. Check out my Top 10 Nudist Beaches in Greece post for insider tips.
Maria’s Packing List: The Naturist Edition!
• A quick-dry, light weight towel. For me, this microfiber towel is perfect and has different designs on either side
• Large sarong or wrap for moving between zones
• Good quality sunscreen – this the best
• Flip flops. I know barefoot equals a clothes-free vacation, but sometimes pebbles and stones make it hard to walk. So bring a pair of flip flops – these are my all-time favorites – or slip on slides. Believe it or not, these are all the rave in Greece right now.
• Dry bag for valuables. This one is great. The 10- or 20-liter is probably the best choice.
• A good hat – make sure it’s light-colored: pink, white, beige or yellow. Black and dark colors draw the sun.
• Effective mosquito repellent or this plant based DEET-free choice
• A much-needed beach mat like this one.
Maria Answers Your Questions about Nudism in Greece
Is naturism legal in Greece?
Like I said in the intro, while Greece has few officially designated naturist beaches, there are now more beaches or parts of beaches where naturism is practiced. However, it is advisable to choose secluded beaches and be mindful of local norms. I would avoid popular, family or beaches close to towns, especially in July and August.
What’s the vibe like?
Some beaches are super loud and have a party-all-the-time feel, but you can definitely find super chill options like the one on Antiparos.
What’s the etiquette on a naturist beach in Greece?
In one word? Respect. Respect people’s privacy and their choices as well as their need for relaxation.
This means:
- Don’t take photos of people and if you do, ask for their consent.
- Be respectful of personal space and by all means do not stare. If nudism is not your thing, don’t go to a nudist beach!
- You can walk along the beach and enjoy your naturist vacation but when you’re passing into the popular part of the beach, you do need to wear a pareo or towel. This also applies to public places, tavernas, bars, on roads and in public transport.
Are there family-friendly naturist beaches?
Absolutely. You will find families holidaying carefree on Myrtiotissa beach on Corfu and on the end of Plaka beach on Naxos, among other places. Same applies in Falarsana (Crete).
Getting to nudist beaches in Greece and accessibility?
Like I said above, most naturist beaches in Greece are off the beaten path (which is part of the charm). On the bigger or more popular islands like Mykonos, you’ll probably need to rent a scooter or car. On others, like Folegandros and Donousa, expect a 20+ minute hike down a goat trail. So no, most are not easily accessible especially for people with disabilities or mobility issues.
Are their naturist or nudist-friendly resorts or clubs in Greece?
Well, actually yes, but only one at the moment. Vritomartis Naturist Resort in Sfakia Southern Crete, which was also among the first of its kind. It is a licensed naturist accommodation facility based on the guidelines of the International Naturist Federation. In the last few years, however, many of the naturist resorts or hotels shut down. There are three reasons in my mind for this: first, hotels rarely have private access to beaches, so it would be difficult to have a purely nudist beach. Second, on either end of most beaches in Greece, you’ll find a so-called unofficial nudist beach. And lastly, demand for naturist holidays is very small.
That said, there are some rooms and villas with pools for nudism lovers. These include Villa Amphitrite on Kefalonia, Fig Leaf Villas in the Peloponnese, Naturist Angel Nudist Club Hotel on Rhodes, and Villa Atraides on Corfu.
When and where is it risky to go nude in Greece?
Like I mentioned above on popular beaches, and especially those near cities or towns or easily accessible by public transport. Here nudity is forbidden by law. Many beaches are empty of people from late September onward especially on the Greek islands.
Are there any facilities on nudist beaches in Greece?
Usually because most naturist beaches in Greece are off the beaten track, don’t expect to find toilets, showers, or snacks and also shade. So best to be prepared. Bring your own shade, water and lunch and don’t forget the beach mat, hat and sunscreen.
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♫ I end today’s post with a mesmerising song titled “Thalassa” (sea) performed by Saveria Margiola, who calls out to the healing sea: “Wind, carry me far / Turn me into sail / Guide me / Let me drift and forget”.
Be well. Travel!
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