You may have heard some say that you can actually sunbathe without a bikini or trunks, but is it really so? Does Spain have nudist beaches? Can you just go to a beach topless with no eyes raised? We’ll examine just that in today’s post.
Can you sunbathe topless in Spain?
For Spain, nudity is much more normal and common than it may be for us. Nobody really cares or will feel morally offended if you sunbathe clothed, topless or fully nude. Nor does it matter whether you’re on a special type of beach for this. It’s common to see women sunbathe topless by the hotel’s swimming pools, on private and public beaches alike. For example, you’ll commonly see that at Barcelona’s Barceloneta.
A few years ago, there was actually a rather loud case over a woman bathing topless at a public pool. The staff asked her to get dressed or leave the facility – she refused and the case went to court. And the court agreed with her.
Are there nudist beaches in Spain? How do you find them?
You must know that nudist beaches are often not actually marked at all. There’ll be people there in swimming costumes, topless and fully nude, all clumped in the same place. Everyone sunbathes as they see most comfortable for them. And yes, you commonly see whole families play there: from the oldest to the youngest.
If you’re not sure whether a given beach is nudist-friendly, you can either check it out online or, more simply, look around. If you see that others are going full nude too, you can know that no one will likely mind if you do too.
Where are the best nudist beaches?
Map of the nudist beaches
If you prefer the more Caribbean-esque atmosphere, white sands and crystal blue water, head to Mallorca’s Es Trenc beach. There’s a designated section for naturists.
You’ll find most of the special naturist beaches on Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol. For example, the Costa Natura, the first naturist beach in Spain opened in 1979. Also, if you type Playa Nudista into your gps, you’ll find lots of places around Malaga and Gibraltar.
On the other side, near Tarragona, there is the long and wide Playa de El Torn.
Nude’s fine, but not anywhere
Though nudity is generally completely fine on beaches, going to a bar for a drink or lunch naked is not. Trouserless lads and topless lasses are welcome on a beach promenade at best, though you might obviously see plenty of shirtless guys around.
But yes, do remember – nude is all well and good, great even, go wild. Just make it a beach-only thing.
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