The Canary Islands are without a doubt the place to be if you are looking for some winter sunshine. A mere four-hour flight from colder Northern climates, over 320 days of sunshine a year and an unbeatable selection of nudist beaches.
Maybe its the sun, the holiday atmosphere, the proximity to the Sahara, the unbeatable scenery, who knows? Naturist holidays in the Canaries are becoming more popular, discover the best nudist beaches to visit on your holiday in the Canary Islands.
Nudist beaches in Spain
Are they common? Yes and becoming ever more so. Interestingly under Spanish law, any beach can be considered nudist. Naturism or nudism is legal all over Spain.
It is certainly more acceptable in some places than others. But there is nothing to stop you getting your kit off wherever you like!
The Canary Islands have always been at the forefront of the nudist revolution in Spain. Indeed one of Spain’s first naturist villages, the Charco del Palo on Lanzarote, was built some thirty odd years ago.
Nude beaches in Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura – also known as the ‘Island of Eternal Spring’ is the obvious starting place. As the second largest of the Canary Islands and a mere 60kms off the coast of Africa, it offers the most nudist beaches in the Canary Islands.
Stay in Fuerteventura to be surrounded by a natural paradise and some of the best naturist beaches in the Canary Islands.
Holiday rentals in Corralejo are the most popular in Fuerteventura, situated in the northern-most tip of the island.
The beaches outside of Corralejo centre have ‘optional clothing’ policies and tourists are getting more accustomed to naturists. Although Corralejo does not have any specific nudist beaches, Corralejo Dunes beach and the La Cala de Cotillo beach are considered to be more suited to naturists.
La Cala de Cotillo is the more popular of the two and is approximately a 20-minute drive from Corralejo.
The beaches further south are more secluded and maybe better suited for naturists.
Some of the best beaches in Corralejo are on the Jandía Penisular. An area of outstanding natural beauty and offering some truly spectacular coastal scenery, with salt marshes, sand dunes and various hidden coves. The most popular nudist beaches in this area are Playa Barca, Playa de Sotavento and Playa de Butihondo.
Nude beaches in Lanzarote
Just 11kms north-east of Fuerteventura lies the popular island of Lanzarote. The eastern-most Canary Island, with its volcanic origin and lunar-like landscape, offers some fantastic beaches.
The naturist scene in Lanzarote is well established and has long been a great destination for naturist holidays in the Canary Islands.
In the north of the island, the two most popular naturist beaches are Playa Famara and the ‘beaches’ (more like natural rock pools) that adjoin the naturalist village, the Charco del Palo.
Going further South, Playa Guasimeta just next to the airport in Arrecife is one of the best nudist beaches in Lanzarote.
Playa de Papagayo on the island’s southernmost tip has the reputation as being Lanzarote’s best beach. However, it is more commonly visited by clothed tourists.
There are, however, three spots nearby that are considered suitable for naturists renting a beach villa in Lanzarote; Playa del Congrio, Playa Las Mujeres and Playa del Pozo. All are relatively secluded but lacking in any form of facilities, bring everything you need with you.
Nude beaches in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is the second most populous island of the Canary Islands and is home to many beaches that are suitable for nude sunbathers.
The most famous beach with people staying in Maspalomas is Playa de Maspalomas. Miles and miles of sandy beach has made Playa de Maspalomas on Gran Canaria almost a household name. Without a doubt one of the Canary Island’s more popular beaches, it is a haven for nude sunbathing.
The fine white sand is continually replenished with sand blown in from the Sahara and has created some spectacular sand dunes that provide all the intimacy that you could hope for.
Access to the beach (also classified as a natural reserve) is possible from the Maspalomas resort or Playa del Ingles. Both of which offer ample facilities.
Generally speaking, naturists tend to stick to the middle of the beach avoiding the more built-up areas either side. With 12kms of wind swept sand dunes, there is plenty of choice and guaranteed tranquillity.
There are numerous other beaches to discover on your holidays to Gran Canaria that are considered to be suitable for naturists. Another popular location is the pebble beach at Playa Veneguera just past Mogán.
Nude beaches in Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populated island in the Canaries. Tenerife is actually the most populated island in Spain and home to Spain’s highest mountain – El Teide.
Playa de la Tejita is the most popular 'optional clothing' beach in Tenerife. Also known (somewhat incorrectly, they are actually two separate beaches) as the Playa de Montaña Roja – translated literally as the red mountain beach – it is the largest and longest sandy beach on Tenerife.
Most of the naturalist bathing tends to concentrate in and around a small snack bar that lies adjacent to the Montaña Roja, the red mountain.
Playa de las Gaviotas just northwest of Santa Cruz is a popular nudist beach. Consisting of black volcanic sand and backed by steep cliffs it offers some breathtaking scenery and is a popular destination for people staying in Santa Cruz.
Other nudist beaches to visit from your Tenerife beach rental are Playa de Diego Hernandez (La Caleta area), Playa de los Patos (Puerta de la Cruz area) and Playa de La Pelada (el Medano area).
Nude beaches in La Gomera
Just a 40-minute fast ferry ride away from Tenerife is the tiny island of La Gomera, underdeveloped and unspoilt are two words that are often used to describe the island.
The two main nudist beaches on the island are situated near the Valle Gran Rey. The black sandy beach, Playa del Ingles is the more popular of the two.
Access to the second beach is harder and involves a bit of walking. It lies just past the harbour at Vueltas and is known as La Playa Calera.
Valle Gran Rey was until recently a former hippy commune and their presence is still felt today.
Image credits @Flickr patipoludniak / Phil Tremblay / msanfel / klaus_z74 / diwiesign