Europe turns up on most naturist shortlists, and with reason. Europe is the heartland of naturist holidays, with purpose-built villages, textile-free beaches and a sauna culture that treats nudity as ordinary.
People come back for purpose-built naturist villages on the french and spanish coasts, germany's fkk tradition and mixed, clothes-free sauna houses, croatian island campsites founded in the 1960s and short flights, good rail links and a long summer season. Cap d'Agde, France, Vera Playa, Spain and Koversada, Croatia are the names that keep coming up.
Work down into France, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Sweden for the detail; each has a different mix of coast, campsites and clubs.
Why naturists choose Europe
- Purpose-built naturist villages on the French and Spanish coasts
- Germany's FKK tradition and mixed, clothes-free sauna houses
- Croatian island campsites founded in the 1960s
- Short flights, good rail links and a long summer season
Beaches, resorts and saunas in Europe
Naturist village
Cap d'Agde, France
The largest clothing-optional resort town in the world.
Beach resort
Vera Playa, Spain
A whole stretch of Almerían coast built around naturist apartments.
Island campsite
Koversada, Croatia
One of Europe's oldest naturist resorts, on the Istrian coast.
When to go and what the rules are
Two things shape a visit to this region of the world: the season and the local etiquette. May to early October on the Mediterranean; June to August on the Atlantic and Baltic coasts; saunas and thermal spas run all year. Nudity is legal on designated beaches and inside resorts almost everywhere in Europe. Sit on a towel, never photograph anyone, and read the signs at the beach entrance.
- Best time to visit
- May to early October on the Mediterranean; June to August on the Atlantic and Baltic coasts; saunas and thermal spas run all year.
- Etiquette & law
- Nudity is legal on designated beaches and inside resorts almost everywhere in Europe. Sit on a towel, never photograph anyone, and read the signs at the beach entrance.
Naturist countries in Europe
France
France has more naturist campsites, villages and beaches than any other country, and treats a naturist holiday as an ordinary family summer.
Naturist France guide →Spain
Spain allows nudity on any beach in law, which makes it the most relaxed big country in Europe for a naturist holiday.
Naturist Spain guide →Portugal
Portugal has a small number of officially designated naturist beaches and a quiet, low-key scene that suits people who want space.
Naturist Portugal guide →Croatia
Croatia invented the European naturist resort and still has the clearest water and the most island campsites in the Adriatic.
Naturist Croatia guide →Greece
Greece has no naturist resorts to speak of, but hundreds of tolerated clothes-free beaches on islands where nobody minds.
Naturist Greece guide →Italy
Italy's naturist scene is small and discreet: a short list of official beaches, a few agriturismo-style resorts and superb thermal spas.
Naturist Italy guide →Germany
Germany's FKK culture makes nudity ordinary: in lakes, city parks, Baltic beaches and above all in enormous mixed sauna complexes.
Naturist Germany guide →Netherlands
The Netherlands has dozens of official naaktstranden along the North Sea and a strong mixed sauna culture inland.
Naturist Netherlands guide →United Kingdom
The UK has a surprising number of naturist beaches and clubs, plus a growing scene of clothes-free spa and swim sessions.
Naturist United Kingdom guide →Sweden
Sweden treats undressed bathing as normal rather than as a statement: signposted nakenbad on lakes and skerries, and a sauna habit that runs right through the winter.
Naturist Sweden guide →Reviewed naturist venues in Europe
Rated by members who have actually stayed.
Naturist Europe FAQ
Is Europe good for a naturist holiday?
Europe is the heartland of naturist holidays, with purpose-built villages, textile-free beaches and a sauna culture that treats nudity as ordinary. Start with Cap d'Agde, France, Vera Playa, Spain, Koversada, Croatia.
When is the best time for a naturist trip to Europe?
May to early October on the Mediterranean; June to August on the Atlantic and Baltic coasts; saunas and thermal spas run all year.
What are the nudity rules in Europe?
Nudity is legal on designated beaches and inside resorts almost everywhere in Europe. Sit on a towel, never photograph anyone, and read the signs at the beach entrance.
Where can you go naked in Europe?
Cap d'Agde, France (naturist village) is the obvious starting point — the largest clothing-optional resort town in the world.
Which European country is best for a first naturist holiday?
France and Croatia are the usual starting points. Both have large, well-run resorts where everything from the pool to the bakery is clothing-optional, so nobody stands out.