Nude beaches

2026 atlas

Every nude and clothing-optional beach where the boys go, on one map. 103 beaches in 39 countries, 47 of them official. Tap a pin for the gay end, the rules and directions.

  • Gay beach
  • Gay-popular
  • Naturist, everyone
  • Not any more
  • Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, tiles by OpenFreeMap.

Top for the boys

A nude beach the boys have made their own: a gay-majority crowd, a beach bar that knows it, and friends you have not met yet. Ranked on sources, recency, crowd, legal footing and safety.

  1. 1Spain
    Es CavalletSes Salines, south of Ibiza Town

    The south end, around the Chiringay beach bar. The further you walk from the car park, the more the crowd is ours.

    OfficialSeaMay to October
    Beach page →
  2. 2Spain
    Maspalomas gay beachMaspalomas dunes, Gran Canaria

    Kiosk 7, with the crowd spilling to kiosks 5 and 6. The numbering has shifted over the years; follow the rainbow flags.

    ToleratedSeaAll year. The winter sun is the point.
    Beach page →
  3. 3Portugal
    Praia 19Costa da Caparica, across the river from Lisbon

    The whole beach is ours: an official nude beach since 1995 and one of the largest gay beaches in Europe. The dunes behind it are part of the scene.

    OfficialSeaJune to September
    Beach page →
  4. 4Greece
    Elia BeachSouth coast, Mykonos

    Far right as you face the sea: past the rainbow flag, then over the rocks into the nude cove.

    ToleratedSeaJune to September
    Beach page →
  5. 5Greece
    LimanakiaBetween Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, Athens Riviera

    Limanakia B, the middle set of rocky coves. Bring shoes for the rocks and a towel that grips.

    ToleratedSeaMay to October
    Beach page →
  6. 6Mexico
    Playa del AmorZipolite, Oaxaca coast

    The small cove at the east end of Zipolite, over the rocks. Ours at sunset.

    OfficialSeaNovember to April
    Beach page →
  7. 7Spain
    Platja de l'Home MortSouthwest of Sitges, past the golf course

    The whole cove. A gay beach since the 1930s, by the town's own account.

    ToleratedSeaMay to September
    Beach page →
  8. 8Germany
    TeufelsseeGrunewald forest, Berlin

    The nude lawn on the lake. On a hot Sunday it is mostly men.

    ToleratedSeaMay to September
    Beach page →
  9. 9Greece
    Little BananaNext to Banana beach, southwest Skiathos

    The small cove past the main Banana beach. The far end is the gay end.

    ToleratedSeaJune to September
    Beach page →
  10. 10Greece
    MandomataSouth of Faliraki, Rhodes

    The nudist beach at the south end of Faliraki bay. The boys are by the trees.

    ToleratedSeaMay to October
    Beach page →

Everyone welcome

A nude beach with no particular gay crowd. Families, couples and regulars. Go for the sun and the swim, not the scene. The big naturist countries have hundreds more; the federations under Sources hold the full lists.

Not any more

Was a nude beach. Now closed, cut off or policed. Listed so you do not turn up expecting one.

Where there are none

Public nudity is illegal or simply not done in these places, and we know of no nude beach. Some resorts tolerate it on private sand; public beaches do not. Read the country page before you pack.

Know before you go

No photos

Not of anyone, not even in the background. Phones stay in the bag on a nude beach.

Sunscreen everywhere

Everywhere. Reapply after the swim. The parts that have never seen the sun burn first.

Towel down, cover up

Sit on your towel. Put something on the moment you leave the nude stretch, for the bar, the path, the bus.

Read the signs

Tolerated means tolerated today. Look for signs and rangers when you arrive, and follow the locals' lead.

Leave with the light

Most nude beaches are remote. Go home at sunset, especially the ones behind dunes and cliffs.

It is a beach

Sunbathe, swim, talk, flirt. Anything more belongs somewhere private. Police fine it, and it gets beaches closed.

How we rank

Every beach is scored on five things. The gay ranking and the gay-popular ranking are separate lists; naturist beaches are not ranked. Anything not re-verified this year says so on its page.

Sources

How many independent gay-travel guides put the boys there, not just one blog.

Recency

Reports from the last two summers count; a scene that moved (Super Paradise to Elia) moves on the list.

Crowd

How big and how gay the beach is on a normal weekend in season.

Legal footing

Official beats tolerated beats a gated resort. Rules that can change overnight cost points.

Safety

Access, currents, lighting, patrols. Anything you need to know before you walk in.

What the pills mean

Official nude beach

Designated by law or by the council. Nudity is allowed and expected on the marked stretch, and nobody will ask you to cover up.

Tolerated

Not designated, but nude bathing has been the custom for years and is left alone. Rules and patrols can change, so read the signs when you arrive.

Naturist resort

Inside a naturist village or resort. Day pass or a stay, and nudity is the dress code on the beach.

Not any more

Was a nude beach. Now closed, cut off or policed. Listed so you do not turn up expecting one.

Questions people ask

The basics

What is the best gay nude beach in the world?

Es Cavallet in Ses Salines, south of Ibiza Town, Spain, tops our ranking. The top 10: Es Cavallet (Spain), Maspalomas gay beach (Spain), Praia 19 (Portugal), Elia Beach (Greece), Limanakia (Greece), Playa del Amor (Mexico), Platja de l'Home Mort (Spain), Teufelssee (Germany), Little Banana (Greece) and Mandomata (Greece). Ranked on how many gay-travel sources agree, how recent the reports are, the size of the crowd, the legal footing and safety. Read more →

How many nude beaches are on the map?

103 beaches in 39 countries and territories, 47 of them official. Every one has its own page with the exact pin, the gay end, how to get there and a link to Google Maps.

What is the difference between an official, a tolerated and a resort nude beach?

Official: Designated by law or by the council. Nudity is allowed and expected on the marked stretch, and nobody will ask you to cover up. Tolerated: Not designated, but nude bathing has been the custom for years and is left alone. Rules and patrols can change, so read the signs when you arrive. Resort: Inside a naturist village or resort. Day pass or a stay, and nudity is the dress code on the beach.

Is nude sunbathing legal in Europe?

Mostly. Spain, Germany, Denmark and Croatia are relaxed almost everywhere; France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Greece and the UK have designated or long-tolerated beaches. Italy, Poland and the Baltics have a few. Malta, Turkey and most of the Balkans have none. The country page for each place says more. Read more →

Where are the legal nude beaches in the United States?

There is no federal rule; states and counties decide. Legal or officially clothing-optional: Haulover (Miami), Gunnison (New Jersey), Black's and Baker (California), Rooster Rock (Oregon). Tolerated: Little Beach (Maui), Herring Cove (Provincetown), the Pines and Cherry Grove on Fire Island. Jacob Riis in New York has been textile since 1983. Read more →

Which countries have no nude beaches at all?

Public nudity is illegal or simply not done in Turkey, Jordan, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Armenia, China, India, Macau, Cambodia and Laos and 63 more. Some resorts tolerate it on private sand; public beaches do not. The full list is on this page. Read more →

Can I take photos on a nude beach?

No. Not of anyone, not even in the background, and not of yourself with other people in the frame. Phones stay in the bag. It is the one rule every nude beach in the world shares.

How often is the atlas updated?

The top beaches are re-verified every spring before the season; the rest whenever a member or a source reports a change. Anything not re-verified this year says so on its page, and a beach that loses its status is marked closed rather than removed.

By country

Europe22
Where are the nude beaches in Germany?

13 on our map: Teufelssee (Grunewald forest, Berlin), Strandbad Müggelsee (Rahnsdorf, east Berlin), Strandbad Wannsee (Wannsee, southwest Berlin), Flaucher (Isar river, south Munich), Cranachwäldchen (Niederländer Ufer, Rhine, Cologne), Escher See (Esch, northwest Cologne), Feldmochinger See (North Munich), Boberger See (Boberger Dünen, east Hamburg), Feringasee (Unterföhring, northeast Munich), Fühlinger See (North Cologne), Grunewaldsee (Grunewald, Berlin), Maria Einsiedel (Thalkirchen, Munich) and Strandbad Plötzensee (Wedding, north Berlin). The gay beach is Teufelssee. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Greece?

9 on our map: Elia Beach (South coast, Mykonos), Limanakia (Between Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, Athens Riviera), Little Banana (Next to Banana beach, southwest Skiathos), Mandomata (South of Faliraki, Rhodes), Super Paradise (South coast, Mykonos), Komos (Near Matala, southern Crete), Lageri (Near Naoussa, north Paros), Filaki (Chora Sfakion, southern Crete) and Sarakiniko, Gavdos (Gavdos island, south of Crete). The gay beaches are Elia Beach, Limanakia, Little Banana and Mandomata. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Croatia?

7 on our map: Lokrum (Lokrum island, off Dubrovnik), Jerolim (Pakleni Islands, off Hvar), Jarun Lake (Jarun, southwest Zagreb), Cuvi (South of Rovinj, Istria), Kandarola (Frkanj peninsula, Rab island), Koversada (Vrsar, Istria) and Valalta (North of Rovinj, Istria). The boys go to Lokrum, Jerolim and Jarun Lake. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Spain?

7 on our map: Es Cavallet (Ses Salines, south of Ibiza Town), Maspalomas gay beach (Maspalomas dunes, Gran Canaria), Platja de l'Home Mort (Southwest of Sitges, past the golf course), Platja de la Mar Bella (Poblenou, Barcelona), Platja de les Balmins (East of the church, Sitges), Platja de Llevant (Es Trucadors, Formentera) and El Portús (West of Cartagena, Murcia). The gay beaches are Es Cavallet, Maspalomas gay beach and Platja de l'Home Mort. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in France?

6 on our map: Plage du Mont-Rose (Montredon, south Marseille), Cap d'Agde naturist beach (Le Cap d'Agde, Hérault), Calanque des Anthénors (Ensuès-la-Redonne, Côte Bleue), Miribel-Jonage (Grand Parc de Miribel-Jonage, east of Lyon), Plage de l'Espiguette (Le Grau-du-Roi, Gard) and Plage du Grand Travers (Between Carnon and La Grande-Motte). The gay beach is Plage du Mont-Rose. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Italy?

3 on our map: Capocotta (Between Ostia and Torvaianica, Rome's coast), Lido di Dante (South of Ravenna, Adriatic coast) and Torre Guaceto (Carovigno, near Brindisi). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Guvano is no longer a nude beach. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Netherlands?

4 on our map: Het Twiske (Oostzaan, north of Amsterdam), De Nieuwe Meer (Oeverlanden, southwest Amsterdam), Zandvoort naturist beach (South of Zandvoort, North Sea coast) and Callantsoog (Het Zwanenwater, North Holland). The boys go to Het Twiske, De Nieuwe Meer and Zandvoort naturist beach. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Portugal?

3 on our map: Praia 19 (Costa da Caparica, across the river from Lisbon), Praia do Homem Nu (Ilha de Tavira, eastern Algarve) and Praia do Meco (Sesimbra, south of Lisbon). The gay beach is Praia 19. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Austria?

2 on our map: Donauinsel FKK (South end of the Danube Island, Vienna) and Gänsehäufel (Alte Donau, Vienna). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Denmark?

2 on our map: Amager Strandpark (Amager, Copenhagen) and Bellevue Beach (Klampenborg, north of Copenhagen). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in United Kingdom?

2 on our map: Brighton naturist beach (East of the Palace Pier, Brighton) and Studland Bay (Knoll Beach, Dorset). The boys go to Brighton naturist beach and Studland Bay. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Belgium?

1 on our map: Bredene (Bredene-aan-Zee, Belgian coast). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Bulgaria?

1 on our map: Irakli (South of Obzor, Black Sea coast). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Cyprus?

1 on our map: Lara Beach (Akamas peninsula, west Cyprus). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Estonia?

1 on our map: Pikakari (Paljassaare, Tallinn). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Ireland?

1 on our map: Vico and Hawk Cliff (Dalkey, south Dublin). The boys go to Vico and Hawk Cliff. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Latvia?

1 on our map: Vecāķi (North of Riga, Gulf of Riga). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Lithuania?

1 on our map: Nida (Curonian Spit, Lithuania). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Montenegro?

1 on our map: Ada Bojana (Bojana river delta, near Ulcinj). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Poland?

1 on our map: Chałupy (Hel peninsula, Baltic coast). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Romania?

1 on our map: Vama Veche (Southern tip of the Romanian coast). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Serbia?

1 on our map: Ada Ciganlija (Lido nude section, Belgrade). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Americas11
Where are the nude beaches in United States?

9 on our map: Fire Island Pines (Fire Island, Long Island), Haulover Beach (Haulover Park, north of Miami Beach), Little Beach (Makena, south Maui), Herring Cove (Cape Cod National Seashore, Provincetown), Baker Beach (Presidio, San Francisco), Black's Beach (Below the Torrey Pines cliffs, La Jolla), Gunnison Beach (Sandy Hook, New Jersey), Rooster Rock (Columbia River Gorge, east of Portland) and Gaviota (Gaviota coast, west of Santa Barbara). The gay beaches are Fire Island Pines and Jacob Riis Park, Bay 1. Jacob Riis Park, Bay 1 is no longer a nude beach. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Brazil?

3 on our map: Praia do Abricó (Grumari, west Rio de Janeiro), Praia do Pinho (Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina) and Tambaba (Conde, Paraíba). The boys go to Praia do Abricó. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Canada?

2 on our map: Hanlan's Point (Toronto Islands, Lake Ontario) and Wreck Beach (Below UBC, Point Grey, Vancouver). The boys go to Hanlan's Point and Wreck Beach. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Argentina?

1 on our map: Playa Escondida (South of Mar del Plata). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Chile?

1 on our map: Playa Luna (Near Horcón, north of Valparaíso). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Costa Rica?

1 on our map: Playa Cocolito (Montezuma, Nicoya peninsula). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Cuba?

1 on our map: Playa Sirena, Cayo Largo (Cayo Largo del Sur). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Guadeloupe?

1 on our map: Anse Tarare (Saint-François, Grande-Terre). The boys go to Anse Tarare. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Mexico?

1 on our map: Playa del Amor (Zipolite, Oaxaca coast). The gay beach is Playa del Amor. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Saint Martin?

1 on our map: Orient Bay (Baie Orientale, Saint Martin). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Uruguay?

1 on our map: Playa Chihuahua (Portezuelo, west of Punta del Este). The boys go to Playa Chihuahua. Country page →

Asia2
Where are the nude beaches in Taiwan?

1 on our map: Shalun Beach (Tamsui, New Taipei). The boys go to Shalun Beach. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in Thailand?

1 on our map: Zen Beach (Sri Thanu, Koh Phangan). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Middle East & North Africa1
Where are the nude beaches in Israel?

1 on our map: Ga'ash Beach (Kibbutz Ga'ash, north of Tel Aviv). The boys go to Ga'ash Beach. Country page →

Sub-Saharan Africa1
Where are the nude beaches in South Africa?

1 on our map: Sandy Bay (Llandudno, Atlantic seaboard, Cape Town). The boys go to Sandy Bay. Country page →

Oceania2
Where are the nude beaches in Australia?

4 on our map: Obelisk Beach (Middle Head, Mosman, Sydney Harbour), Lady Bay (Watsons Bay, Sydney Harbour), Little Congwong (La Perouse, Botany Bay, Sydney) and Cobblers Beach (Middle Head, Mosman, Sydney Harbour). The boys go to Obelisk Beach, Lady Bay and Little Congwong. Tyagarah is no longer a nude beach. Country page →

Where are the nude beaches in New Zealand?

1 on our map: Ladies Bay (St Heliers, Auckland). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →

Sources

Last reviewed September 2026. 103 beaches in 39 countries. Pins mark the beach; the gay end is described on each page. Know one better than we do? Tell us. See also the city ranking and the country ranking.