Greece has many islands with known nude beaches. While the most secluded beaches may be clothes-optional at times, there are plenty that have been naturist-friendly for decades — making them some of the most popular in Europe. It may be the virgin beauty of the Greek islands, the warm Mediterranean water, or the generally liberal European attitude towards nude bathing, but something about Greece makes tourists try nude bathing for the first time. Every single summer.

Before we get to the list, a few helpful tips — especially for the first-timers:

• Before you go, ask yourself where you’d be more comfortable: a proper naturist beach? A couples’ beach? Or a mixed one? They’re not all the same vibe.
• If you see a church or a monastery near the beach, move on. The religious “influence” tends to cut off the idea of bare bathing pretty effectively.
• When you get there, ask around. While some beaches have been nude-friendly for years, many change their status from season to season. If you see a lot of swimsuits on a beach known for nudism, walk a bit further — generally behind some rock formations you’ll find what you’re looking for.
• Want privacy for your first attempt? Ask around for a boat to take you to a secluded beach. Chances are “uncle Yannis” — the taverna bartender’s uncle, obviously — has one or knows someone who does.
• Don’t forget the sunscreen. And test it on sensitive areas that haven’t seen the sun before. You know the ones.
• Never photograph people on nude beaches without their explicit permission. Respecting privacy is part of naturist etiquette.
• Bring a sarong in case modesty strikes at any point.
• Stay an hour, two at most, unless you really trust your sunscreen. Seriously.

And now, without further ado, here are the top nude beaches in Greece.

1. Mykonos: Paradise and Super Paradise

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Both are very popular, very crowded, and very much worth it, even if the nudity takes second place to the partying, which it often does. They’re filled with nudists but also with gawkers, so if you’re a first-timer looking for a gentle introduction, these might feel a bit intense. That said, the energy is fun and the beaches are beautiful. Behind Paradise Beach there’s a camping site, which makes this party beach a solid option for budget travelers too. Just don’t expect a quiet contemplative experience: this is Mykonos, after all.

Also worth knowing: Paraga Beach on Mykonos has a split personality: the central part is family-friendly with swimsuits, while the secluded right end is a nudist hangout. Good option if you’re going with someone who isn’t quite ready to commit.

2. Crete: Red Beach

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There are plenty of “red beaches” in Crete because of the reddish sand, so let’s be specific: this one is in southern Crete, about a 25-minute hike from Matala. You go up a rocky hill, arrive at a goat fence — hey, it’s Greece — go through the gate, and descend to the beach. Worth every step.

It’s nude-friendly, though over the years swimsuits have been appearing more and more, so you might need to head to the north end to find your people. Bring water and food because there’s nothing here. That’s also part of the charm.

3. Crete: Filaki Beach

This is the only official nude beach in Crete, located near the Vritomartis Naturist Resort on the southern coast, about 3 km from Chora Sfakion. Unlike most naturist beaches in Greece, this one is actually well-equipped. You’ll find sun loungers, umbrellas, a taverna, showers, toilets, and changing rooms. Even the bartender goes nude. The sun bathers don’t bother to dress until they reach their cars. It’s that kind of place, and it’s brilliant for it.

4. Corfu: Mirtiotissa

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Its’s consistently rated one of the best nudist beaches in Greece. Mirtiotissa sits between steep cliffs on Corfu’s west coast, with lush greenery above and clear water below. It’s the kind of beach that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with swimwear. Henry Miller apparently called it the most beautiful beach in the world, which may be overselling it slightly, but not by much. Get there early in summer as it fills up fast.

5. Naxos: Plaka and Aliko

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Naxos is a naturist’s playground and doesn’t get nearly enough credit for it. Plaka is one of the longest beaches in the Greek islands, wild and mostly undeveloped, and a large part of it is nude-friendly and attracting people of all ages, including families. A few kilometers south, Aliko is more secluded, shaded by cedar trees, and tends to attract couples looking for a quieter spot. Between the two you’ve got a full day sorted.

6. Antiparos: Official Nude Beach

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One of the few beaches in Greece with an actual sign welcoming nudists, and it’s been that way since the 1970s. The beach is near the camping site, the water is clear and Caribbean-like, and the vibe is genuinely relaxed. If you want a proper naturist experience without having to hike for an hour or bribe anyone with a boat, Antiparos delivers.

7. Skiathos : Little Banana Beach

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While Skiathos isn’t particularly nude-friendly as a whole, Little Banana is the exception. It’s a small, sheltered bay with beautiful water, pine trees reaching the shoreline, and a consistently laid-back atmosphere. It’s consistently ranked among the top nudist beaches in Europe. Big Banana next door has also kept a naturist section, though it’s gotten busier with clothed tourists over the years.

8. Karpathos: Kastellia

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The locals on Karpathos are known to be a little conservative, so the existence of a nude beach here feels slightly subversive. Kastellia sits just beyond the popular Micra and Megali Amopi beaches and is reachable by bus from Pigadia. Nothing fancy, but if you’re already on Karpathos and looking for somewhere to shed the swimsuit, this is your spot.

9. Ikaria: Nas Beach

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Ikaria is practically a utopia for nudists and for people who like doing things their own way in general, which is very on-brand for the island. The locals are famously relaxed about nudism, the coves are gorgeous, and Nash Beach is the most well-known spot, with wild waves and a spectacular sunset. There are also ruins of a temple dedicated to Artemis nearby, which feels appropriately dramatic.

10. Rhodes : Mandomata Beach

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The only officially recognized naturist beach in Rhodes, located near Faliraki. It’s tranquil, well-organized, and takes the whole naturist thing seriously, which means a respectful, calm atmosphere that’s a world away from the party beaches further up the coast. If you want to combine a Rhodes holiday with a proper nudist beach experience rather than just hoping for the best at the far end of a busy beach, Mandomata is the one to go to.

A note on naturism in Greece

Nudism has been formally tolerated in Greece since 1983, though it’s never been universally codified into law. In practice, what this means is that on a secluded beach away from town centers, monasteries, and families with small children, nobody is going to bother you. Use common sense, be discreet, and you’ll find Greece one of the most welcoming countries in Europe for naturism.

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Photo credit
Paradise Beach Mykonos : sk on Flickr
Red Beach: Olivier Duquesne on Flickr
Mirtiotissa Beach: Janne on Flickr
Aliko Beach: Diego Martinez on Flickr