Nude Beaches

Abruzzo

Chieti

Spiaggia di Punta Ferruccio

Spiaggia di Punta Ferruccio
The small coastal town of Ortona is about 25 kilometers south of Pescara, the largest city in Abruzzo. In and around Ortona, much of the coastal railroad is underground, and the railroad figures prominently into the backdrop of a beach named Spiaggia di Punta Ferruccio in the northern periphery of the town. The main expanse of the beach extends about 700 meters, bracketed by promontories that protrude slightly into the sea. The southern half of the main expanse is backed by a fortress-like wall with a few dozen large arched windows. The hulking wall is part of a semi-tunnel of the railroad. In other words, the tunnel is not fully enclosed, with the arched windows exposing the tunnel to air and light on one side. The semi-tunnel is a small part of a long railroad tunnel that extends nearly 4 kilometers, with the railroad becoming fully subterranean at each end of the semi-tunnel.
Spiaggia di Punta Ferruccio is a rather narrow beach that is mostly coated with pebbles, backed by a low retaining wall that is stacked with boulders. The retaining wall once supported a segment of the original railroad, which used to be above ground along the beach, disappearing into a tunnel toward each end of the beach. The current railroad is just inland from the old railroad, passing through the long tunnel that includes the semi-tunnel. The tracks of the original railroad have been removed, but you can follow the path of the old railroad from one end of the beach to the other. The path is especially useful for exploring the entire scope of the beach at high tide when much of the beach disappears. Spiaggia di Punta Ferruccio is a free beach with no amenities. It is mostly a textile beach, but there is a well-established nudist presence. On crowded summer days, the entire beach along the retaining wall is likely to be all textile, with nudity occurring at either extreme of the beach next to the promontory cliffs. On uncrowded days, nudity may occur elsewhere along the beach.
It takes about 10 minutes to walk to Spiaggia di Punta Ferruccio from the parking lot that is perched a bit inland above the beach. The beach access path takes you downhill to the path of the old railroad that runs atop the retaining wall. When you intersect the old railroad path, you will be roughly at the midpoint of the beach but at the north end of the semi-tunnel—the bulky wall with the arched windows. Facing the sea, assume you head to the right. As you follow the old railroad path south, the bulky semi-tunnel wall will be to your immediate right, with the boulders that support the retaining wall to your immediate left. After about 275 meters, the path ends at a sealed-off tunnel entrance next to the south end of the semi-tunnel wall. That is where the old railroad used to disappear into the promontory. If you go down to the beach and continue south, you will be on the southernmost part of Spiaggia di Punta Ferruccio, where the beach is backed by cliffs of the promontory. You can go about 100 meters past the end of the old railroad path, then it becomes difficult to go any farther. The southernmost part of the beach is generally the best option for nude bathing.
Alternatively, assume you head north along the old railroad path, with the grassy hillside to your immediate left and the boulders that support the retaining wall to your immediate right. The setup is largely a mirror image of the south end of the beach. In about 400 meters, the old railroad path ends at a seal-off tunnel entrance, with the cliffs of the promontory just beyond. Nudity often occurs along that part of the beach, but the northern realm of Spiaggia di Punta Ferruccio is often completely inundated. It takes less than 10 minutes to walk the entire length of the old railroad above the beach to explore the best area for nudity on the day that you visit.
VISUAL RESOURCES
GPS:
42.3749N, 14.3841E (midpoint of beach near access point; textile)
42.3734N, 14.3879E (south end at cliffs; frequent nudity)
42.3768N, 14.3806E (north end at cliffs; often inundated by tides; frequent nudity)
comune, province, region, country:
Ortona, Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy
There are 14 placemarks related to this site.

DIRECTIONS
Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/46TmTvL
Route SS16 (la strada statale 16 Adriatica) is a highway that follows Italy's Adriatic coastline for about 1,000 kilometers, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south. Pescara and Ortona lie along the central stretch of SS16, with the municipal limits of Ortona extending approximately from kilometer 460 to kilometer 478. The highway skirts the inland periphery of Ortona, bypassing the town center. On the northern outskirts of Ortona, there are two successive roundabouts along SS16 that are about 1.3 kilometers apart. One roundabout is between kilometer markers 465 and 466, while the other roundabout is at marker 467. You can depart the highway at either roundabout.
First, assume you the depart SS16 at the roundabout that is between kilometers 465 and 466. Head toward the coast, following signs for Ortona and lido Riccio. Once you leave the roundabout, you will be on a road that has no signage indicating a name or number. In just 100 or so meters, stay on that road as it curves rightward at a three-way junction, continuing toward Ortona and Punta Ferruccio (NOT lido Riccio). Continue about 400 meters and turn left onto a gravel road signed Punta Ferruccio. (You have missed the turn by about 100 meters if you reach the start of a long guardrail along each side of the main road.)
Alternatively, assume you depart SS16 at the roundabout at kilometer 467. Head toward the coast, following signs for Ortona, Ripari di Giobbe and Punta Ferruccio. Proceed about 700 meters to a stop sign where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left, toward Pescara, Francavilla and Punta Ferruccio (NOT Ortona and Ripari di Giobbe). Upon turning, you will be on the road noted above that has no signage indicating a name or number. In about 300 meters, take note when a guardrail begins along each side of the road. The guardrails extend about 200 meters. When the guardrails end, continue about 100 meters and take the next right onto the gravel road signed Punta Ferruccio.
Once you turn onto the gravel road, it is less than 200 meters to a free parking lot on the left (42.3713N, 14.3853E). From there, continue along the road on foot, past the sign that indicates that motorized traffic is prohibited. In a minute or two, the road will begin a gradual descent, narrowing into a track as you near the sea. After a walk of 600-700 meters (with an elevation loss of about 60 meters), you will reach the old railroad path that runs just above the beach. From that point, head to one end of the beach or the other, as detailed in the description above.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS
The A14 autostrada (l'autostrada Adriatica) runs parallel to and a bit inland from SS16 in the vicinity of Pescara and Ortona. As with SS16, the kilometer marker numbers along A14 increase going south. Spiaggia di Punta Ferruccio can be accessed from either of two consecutive exits of A14. If you are going south on A14, it is quicker to start from the Pescara sud/Francavilla al Mare exit, which is between kilometer markers 391 and 393 (with marker 392 amid the interchange). If you are going north on A14, it is quicker to start from the Ortona exit, which is between kilometer markers 403 and 434. At either exit, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza.
First, assume you start from the Pescara sud/Francavilla al Mare exit of A14. From the toll plaza, follow the blue Francavilla signs until you see signs for Ortona, Vasto and Foggia, then follow those signs instead. About 3.5 kilometers from the toll plaza, you should be on SS16 going south. You will pass kilometer marker 460 shortly after you enter Foro (a frazione of Ortona), with the marker numbers increasing. Continue to the roundabout that is past marker 465, then continue as directed above.
Alternatively, assume you start from the Ortona exit of A14. From the stop sign that is just past the toll plaza, turn left toward Ortona and continue 600-700 meters to a roundabout. From there, head toward the town center—signed Ortona with a symbol that resembles the bull's eye of a target. Continue 1.8 kilometers. Just before a stop sign, turn right at a blue sign pointing toward SS16 Adriatica. (Watch carefully. The sign is rather inconspicuous.) In 900 meters you will reach a "T" with SS16. Turn right, toward Pescara. You will pass kilometer marker 470 as you enter a tunnel, with the marker numbers decreasing. Continue not quite 3 kilometers to the next roundabout, which is immediately before marker 467, then continue as directed above.
MAP from A14 Pescara sud/Francavilla al Mare exit toll plaza to parking
MAP from A14 Ortona exit toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Punta Ferruccio.

south end of beach at cliffs (frequent nudity)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Punta Ferruccio.

midpoint of beach near access point (textile)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Punta Ferruccio.

north end of beach at cliffs; often inundated by tides (frequent nudity)

kilometer marker 465 of SS16

roundabout between km 465 & 466 of SS16

kilometer marker 466 of SS16

roundabout at km 467 of SS16

"Punta Ferruccio" sign at turnoff

pair of guardrails (one on each side of road; traced in yellow)

stop sign at "T"

parking lot

railroad semi-tunnel wall (traced in orange)

roads, etc.

segment of SS16

road segment

pair of guardrails (one on each side of road)

beach access road

path to beach

railroad semi-tunnel wall

path of old railroad (tracks no longer extant)

Lido Punta Le Morge

Lido Punta Le Morge
The town of Torino di Sangro is picturesquely perched atop a hill a bit inland from the Adriatic Sea, with a mass of mountains known as La Majella providing a dramatic backdrop. Mount Amaro, the second highest peak of the Apennines, is part of La Majella. Le Morge is a coastal frazione (i.e., subdivision) of the municipality of Torino di Sangro, and its beach is known as Lido Le Morge. From the mouth of a river (named il fiume Osento), Lido Le Morge extends northwest a little over 2 kilometers to a distinctive type of wooden fishing pier called a trabocco (alternately spelled trabucco), a traditional structure unique to the central Adriatic coast. Starting at the river mouth and extending a little more than halfway to the trabocco, there is a protected swimming area formed by breakwaters. This part of Lido Le Morge is quite popular, lined with eateries and other amenities. From the trabocco, the beach extends northwest another 750 meters or so, coming to an artificial end where a retaining wall angles across the sand. The wall continues northwest along a heavily eroded part of the coastline. The beach between the trabocco and the retaining wall is known as Lido Punta Le Morge, and it has a character and geography that is quite distinct from that of the main beach at the breakwaters. Lido Punta Le Morge is much quieter, with no development along the beach, and it is backed by a slope that is thickly covered in grass and shrubs, giving it an isolated feel.
In 2014, the municipality of Torino di Sangro designated part of Lido Punta Le Morge for naturist use. The nude area begins 300 to 400 meters beyond the trabocco, extending toward the retaining wall. From the sign that marks the start of the nudist zone, it is about 400 meters to where the retaining wall prevents further access. Technically, the zone designated for naturism extends 200 meters beyond the sign, but nudity is likely to occur all the way to the end of the beach. The nude beach has its own parking lot and access separate from the main beach, and it is an easy walk of just a few minutes to the nude area from the closest parking. A spiaggia naturista sign along the coastal highway points to parking, then multilingual signs point the way to the nude beach. A posted list of regulations stipulates, among other things, that nudity is allowed but not obligatory and that photography or videography is allowed only with the explicit permission of anyone in the photo or video. There is a snack stand and a portable toilet in the parking area, but there are no amenities along the beach itself. The nude area is well attended, but there is sufficient space that the beach never feels overcrowded. Lido Punta Le Morge is the first and only authorized nude beach along the entire Adriatic coast of Italy, and it is one of fewer than ten authorized nude beaches in the entire country.
VISUAL RESOURCES
frazione, comune, province, region, country:
Le Morge, Torino di Sangro, Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy
There are 9 placemarks related to this site.

DIRECTIONS
Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/46YSuMH
Route SS16 (la strada statale 16 Adriatica) is a highway that follows Italy's Adriatic coastline for about 1,000 kilometers, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south. Torino di Sangro is roughly halfway along SS16. The town center—perched atop a hill a bit inland—is not along SS16, but the municipal limits of Torino di Sangro are between kilometers 491 and 498 of the highway.
Lido Punta Le Morge is easily accessible from a signed turnoff★ from SS16. The turnoff to the parking lot (42.2141N, 14.5825E) is located roughly halfway between kilometer markers 495 and 496. Brown signs at the turnoff indicate Trabocco Punta Le Morge and Spiaggia Naturista Lido Le Morge. Just after turning away from SS16, you will enter a small lot where parking is free. Additional free parking is available along the inland side of SS16, extending southward (toward marker 496) about 300 meters from the turnoff.
Follow the broad path that is diagonally opposite where you enter the parking lot. The path goes gently downhill between the fence walls of private residences, and in about 60 meters you will land on the beach, where a multi-lingual sign points toward the nude area. Facing the sea, turn left and head northwest about 300 meters to another sign indicating the start of the nude beach.
★ If you are going north on SS16, you will pass a signed turnoff to Lido Le Morge at kilometer 497, but that turnoff goes to the main (textile) part of the beach. The nude beach has its own access about 1.5 kilometers farther north.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS
The A14 autostrada (l'autostrada Adriatica) runs parallel to and a bit inland from SS16 in the vicinity of Torino di Sangro. As with SS16, the kilometer marker numbers along A14 increase going south. The nude beach is roughly equidistant from two consecutive exits of A14. You could start from the Val di Sangro exit, which is between kilometer markers 421 and 422. Or you could start from the Casalbordino-Vasto Nord exit, which is between kilometer markers 436 and 437. Either way, the distance from the exit to the parking lot at the nude beach is roughly 10 kilometers. At either exit, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza.
First, assume you start from the Val di Sangro exit of A14. After the toll plaza, keep to the right, following the signs for SS16 Adriatica and Fossacesia. You will be filtered onto SS652, which goes toward the coast and ends at an interchange with SS16. In 3.3 kilometers, exit to the right toward Foggia and you will be filtered onto SS16 going south. Follow SS16 for 5.9 kilometers to the left-hand turnoff into the parking lot at the nude beach, 400-500 meters past kilometer marker 495.
Alternatively, assume you start from the Casalbordino-Vasto Nord exit of A14. From the toll plaza, follow signs for SS16 Adriatica and shortly you will reach the junction with SS16 at a roundabout. Take the departure that is signed Pescara. You will begin heading north on SS16. Stay on SS16 toward Pescara for 8.5 kilometers to the right-hand turnoff into the parking lot at the nude beach, 500-600 meters past kilometer marker 496.
MAP from A14 Val di Sangro exit toll plaza to parking
MAP from A14 Casalbordino-Vasto Nord exit toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Lido Punta Le Morge.

kilometer marker 495 of SS16
This placemark pertains to Lido Punta Le Morge.

This placemark pertains to Lido Punta Le Morge.

small parking lot

roadside parking

snack stand

Trabocco Punta Le Morge (fishing pier)

start of retaining wall

beach access path

official nudist zone, roughly

Spiaggia di Mottagrossa

Spiaggia di Mottagrossa
The town of Vasto is located near the southern end of Abruzzo, near the border with Molise. On the northern outskirts of Vasto, Spiaggia di Mottagrossa is located just north and west of the town's industrial zone. Along with beaches at either end, Spiaggia di Mottagrossa is backed by the Punta Aderci Nature Reserve (Riserva Naturale di Punta Aderci), a tract of protected coastal land covering roughly 3 square kilometers. With no parking fees, no entry fees and no amenities, Spiaggia di Mottagrossa is a free beach that is mostly covered in pebbles, and there is often a good bit of driftwood. At the southeast end of the beach, there is a wooden fishing pier called a trabocco, a traditional structure unique to the central Adriatic coast. From the fishing pier, the beach extends north and west for almost 2 kilometers, ending at the start of an anti-erosion embankment of large rocks stacked against the shoreline. The embankment extends about 800 meters to the next beach, Spiaggia di Torre Sinello.
Spiaggia di Mottagrossa is accessed mainly from a beachfront road that runs along its central expanse, and the crowd is always concentrated there. Nude bathing occurs toward the northwest end of the beach. Heading in that direction from the end of the beachfront road, you will at first pass through a part of the beach that is backed by a low escarpment of clay and rocks, then you will come to a tall boulder on the beach that is an obvious, can't-miss landmark. From the boulder, the beach continues about 300 meters to the start of the anti-erosion embankment where the beach ends. Very generally, the informal nude area extends from the boulder to the embankment. However, nudity is not officially allowed, so some discretion is in order. On the most crowded days when lots of textiles are present, you may need to go well beyond the boulder to find sufficient seclusion for nude bathing.
Spiaggia di Mottagrossa has a rather light nudist presence, perhaps in part due to its proximity to Lido Punta Le Morge, a very popular nudist venue that is the only legal nude beach in Abruzzo. The two beaches are about 15 kilometers apart by car.
VISUAL RESOURCES
frazione, comune, province, region, country:
Pagliarelli, Vasto, Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy
There are 19 placemarks related to this site.

DIRECTIONS
Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44QjbRF
Route SS16 (la strada statale 16 Adriatica) is a highway that follows Italy's Adriatic coastline for about 1,000 kilometers, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south. Vasto lies about halfway along SS16, with its municipal limits extending approximately from kilometer 504 to kilometer 522. On the northern outskirts of Vasto near the frazione of Pagliarelli, there is one roundabout between kilometer markers 508 and 509—a large roundabout with a grassy median. From that roundabout, take the departure signed zona industriale Est and Casa Circondariale. When you leave the roundabout, you will immediately come to a four-way intersection. Turn left, toward Casa Circondariale and Spiaggia di Mottagrossa.
Continue 300-400 meters and keep to the right (straight ahead) at a fork. Continue another 500 meters, then turn right onto a gravel road that has very inconspicuous signage for Villa Marianna and Spiaggia Mottagrossa. The turnoff is directly opposite the prominent gated entrance to a complex of villas that is surrounded by an iron fence.
After following the gravel road for 400-500 meters, you will cross a bridge that spans a dual-track railroad. Less than 100 meters after the bridge, keep to the left (straight ahead) at a fork. (The other road is marked with a circular red-and-white "no vehicles" sign.) Less than 150 meters farther along, you will reach a three-way fork (42.1769N, 14.6769E). Each road is marked with a small bilingual sign. The middle road is signed Spiaggia Mottagrossa/Mottagrossa Beach. The road on the right is signed Spiaggia Punta Penna/Punta Penna Beach. The road on the left is blocked by a gate and closed to vehicles, with signs indicating Percorso Natura/Nature Trail and Fiume Sinello/Sinello River.
Take the middle road at the three-way fork, passing beneath a red-and-white barrier with a posted height limit of 2.1 meters. (A full-size SUV will fit, but not with anything on the roof.) The road is bumpy, with a posted speed limit of just 10 KPH. In 400 meters, keep to the left at a fork with a narrow track, staying on the wider road. Shortly you will reach the beach, where the road will curve leftward and head northwest (with the sea on your right-hand side). There is informal parking all along the road, which comes to a dead end after 500 meters. Park as close as possible to the end of the road (42.1825N, 14.6734E).
From the end of the road, step onto the beach and continue northwest (to the left when facing the sea). In 400-500 meters, you will come to the tall boulder described above. Depending on the number of textiles about, you may be able to disrobe there, or you may need to continue a bit farther.
Alternate access:
You can also park at the three-way fork and follow the road that is signed as a nature trail. There is room for several cars to park next to the gate at the start of the nature trail, but be sure not to block the gate since the road is open to service vehicles. The nature trail begins as a dirt track but quickly broadens into a gravel road that is actually better surfaced than the road to the beach. The trail has a total length of 3.2 kilometers, ending just after it crosses the Sinello River. The downhill grade of the trail is imperceptibly gradual. As you follow the trail, the sea will be off to your right, but for the most part your view will be obstructed by trees and brush.
There are just two footpaths that leave from the sea side of the trail, and neither of them is signed. 400-500 meters from the gate at the start of the trail, the first footpath leaves from a long grassy mound that blocks your view of the sea. That is not where you want to depart the nature trail to go to the beach, but if you step atop the mound onto the start of the path, you will get a sweeping view of the part of Spiaggia di Mottagrossa that is backed by the road that serves as the beach parking area. The second footpath is 800-900 meters past the first, or 1.3 kilometers from the gate at the start of the nature trail. That is where you depart the nature trail (42.1845N, 14.6655E). You can see the sea very clearly from the start of the broad and well-defined path. In about 100 meters, the footpath lands directly on the nude area of the beach. The elevation loss is about 20 meters. Facing the sea, look to your right and you will see the tall boulder, about 150 meters away.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS
The A14 autostrada (l'autostrada Adriatica) runs parallel to and a bit inland from SS16 in the vicinity of Vasto. As with SS16, the kilometer marker numbers along A14 increase going south. Take the Casalbordino/Vasto nord exit of A14, which is between kilometer markers 436 and 437. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. From the toll plaza, follow signs for Vasto. After navigating a pair of nearly adjacent roundabouts, you will be on SS16 heading east (i.e., in a generally southbound direction), with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. In 2 kilometers, keep straight ahead at the large roundabout at marker 507. 600 meters farther along, you will pass a white Pagliarelli locality sign. Continue one kilometer to the large roundabout that is between markers 508 and 509, then continue as directed above.
MAP from A14 Casalbordino/Vasto nord exit toll plaza to parking next to the beach
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Mottagrossa.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Mottagrossa.

roundabout
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Mottagrossa.

4-way intersection next to roundabout

fork

gated entrance to complex of villas

bridge over dual-track railroad

3-way fork

informal parking at 3-way fork

informal parking at end of beachfront road

tall boulder

trabocco (fishing pier)

anti-erosion embankment of stacked rocks (traced in orange)

Spiaggia di Torre Sinello (lightly attended, but no established nudist presence)

mouth of Fiume Sinello

segment of road that starts near roundabout

gravel road to beach

Percorso Natura / Nature Trail (gravel road; off limits to automobiles)

anti-erosion embankment of stacked rocks

unsigned path connecting nature trail to beachfront road

unsigned path connecting nature trail to nude area

nude area, roughly

Calabria

Crotone

Spiaggia di Pizzo Greco

Spiaggia di Pizzo Greco
If Italy is a boot, then the region of Calabria is the toe end of the foot. The province of Crotone is one of the five divisions of Calabria, and its location along the Ionian coastline of Italy (the sole of the boot) roughly corresponds to the ball of the foot. The southernmost part of Crotone is a small peninsula called Capo Rizzuto. Just a few kilometers northeast of Capo Rizzuto, there is a beautiful beach covered in orange-tinted sand and backed by gray sandstone cliffs. The beach is about 1.3 kilometers long, but there does not seem to be a proper name—at least not a well-known one—that applies to the entire beach. A gated residential development called Santa Cristina Village is just inland from the southwest end of the beach, then the rest of the beach is backed by a trio of campgrounds—Camping Due Mari, Camping San Paolo and Camping Pizzo Greco—that are atop the cliff. Camping Due Mari and Camping San Paolo are textile establishments, while Camping Pizzo Greco—next to the northeastern end of the beach—is naturist. In fact, Pizzo Greco (listed separately) has the distinction of being the only seaside naturist facility in all of Italy.
Nudists gather along the portion of the beach that is below the naturist campground, and that part of the beach is best known as Spiaggia di Pizzo Greco. The nudist zone extends at least 350 meters. At the southwestern end of the nude beach toward Camping San Paolo, there is a sign indicating the boundary of the nude area. In the other direction, nudity is possible all the way to where the beach tapers to its end at the cliffs, but that endpoint is subject to change due to natural forces other than the tides. Some years there is enough sand deposited along the northeast end of the beach to extend the nudist zone by 100 or so meters. While the nude beach is frequented largely by guests of Pizzo Greco, day visitors attend as well. Signs posted along the nude beach suggest that nudity is compulsory. While there are sometimes a few bathers clad in swimsuits, they are always vastly outnumbered by naked bodies. There is a snack stand along the nude beach, and the amenities and facilities of the naturist resort above the beach are available to its guests and registered day visitors (but not to those who circumvent the grounds of the naturist resort to access the beach). Spiaggia di Pizzo Greco is generally ranked among the top few nude beaches in Italy.
There is not a free point of public access to any part of the beach. To get to the beach, you will need to pay to park and pass through the grounds of one of the commercial establishments next to the beach. The two logical choices are Camping Pizzo Greco and neighboring Camping San Paolo. Parking at Camping Pizzo Greco is the more expensive of the two options. Furthermore, Camping Pizzo Greco has a policy that all visitors (whether staying overnight or not) must be members of the International Naturist Federation or an approved affiliate organization, but this policy seems to be strictly applied only to single men. If you do not have a naturist association ID card, or if you are unsure if your card will be sufficient, contact Camping Pizzo Greco in advance of your visit for advice. Anecdotal evidence indicates that single men with naturist cards are granted access to Camping Pizzo Greco without problems, but be aware that the wording on their website suggests that solo visitors are not admitted. You can avoid the issue altogether by accessing the nude beach from Camping San Paolo.
frazione, comune, province, region, country:
Fratte, Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Crotone, Calabria, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3NZKmCH
Route SS106 (la strada statale 106 Jonica) is the major coastal route along the Ionian (i.e., southern) coast of Italy, spanning all or part of six provinces. (Jonica is a southern Italian dialectical variant of Ionian.) The kilometer marker numbers increase going northeast. The large town of Crotone is the capital of the province of the same name, and the town center is roughly aligned with kilometer 246 of SS106. The smaller town of Isola di Capo Rizzuto is about 15 kilometers south of Crotone, and its town center is just east of SS106. There are signs pointing to Isola di Capo Rizzuto at two junctions along SS106. Assume that you start from the more northern of the two junctions (i.e., the one closer to Crotone). You will depart SS106 at a roundabout that is about halfway between kilometer markers 233 and 234. When you leave the roundabout, you will be at the start of SP46 (SP = strada provinciale), at kilometer 0. SP46 is a 10-kilometer-long road that goes directly south to Capo Rizzuto (which is the southernmost part of the municipality of Isola di Capo Rizzuto, removed from the main part of town).
Watch the kilometer markers along SP46. You will enter the densest part of Isola di Capo Rizzuto around marker 1, then there are a few potentially confusing and poorly signed turns you need to make in order to stay on SP46 through the town center. About 250 meters past marker 1, turn right when you see a stack of brown signs pointing toward about half a dozen campgrounds and restaurants. Continue 400 meters and you will enter a roundabout that has several park benches in its grassy median. Keep straight ahead. When you depart the roundabout, you will immediately reach a stop sign at an irregular junction. Turn right at the stop sign but then immediately keep to the left at a fork, following the sign for Capo Rizzuto (NOT the ones for Catanzaro and Le Castella). As you continue along SP46, you will be past the town center heading into a more rural area by the time you pass marker 3.
There are two ways to get to Spiaggia di Pizzo Greco. Be sure to read the description above to see which approach is best for your circumstances.
To park at Camping Pizzo Greco:
Once you pass through the town center of Isola di Capo Rizzuto, continue along SP46 to kilometer marker 4. Less than 100 meters past marker 4, turn left next to La Rustica restaurant, where there are brown signs pointing toward Pizzo Greco and several other campgrounds. From that point, the rest of the route to Camping Pizzo Greco is well signed. Follow the rural road southeast for 1.9 kilometers to a fork where both roads are asphalted. Keep to the right at the fork. Continue 500 meters and watch for a gravel road★ going off to the right (38.9259N, 17.1226E), but do not turn there. Continue about 300 meters farther to the end of the road at Camping Pizzo Greco (38.9238N, 17.1229E). When you reach the end of the road, the entrance to the large parking lot is to your right, while the entrance to the campground is to your left. Once you check in at the reception building, it is a walk of 300 to 400 meters to the nude beach. The last part of the walk is along a broad, winding path that descends a cliff. The path lands next to a snack bar that is toward the northeastern end of the nudist zone. Mobility-challenged visitors can be transported to the beach by golf cart for a small fee.
To park at Camping San Paolo:
Once you pass through the town center of Isola di Capo Rizzuto, continue along SP46 to a small roundabout that is next to Park Hotel, between kilometer markers 5 and 6. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, but then almost immediately take the next possible left. There is a very short left-turn lane at the turnoff. Two roads leave from the turnoff. The road that is perpendicular to SP46 is signed Camping San Paolo, while the road that at first runs parallel to SP46 is signed Camping Due Mari (i.e., Camping 2 Mari). Camping San Paolo and Camping Due Mari are actually neighboring establishments, and it does not matter which road you follow since the road makes a 4.3-kilometer-long loop.
Assume that you follow the sign for Camping San Paolo, following the road that is perpendicular to SP46. After going 1.5 kilometers through farmland, the road will curve sharply to the right. After the sharp curve, continue 250-300 meters and watch for a gravel road★ going off to the left (38.9255N, 17.1193E), but do not turn there. Continue another 250-300 meters and the road will curve sharply rightward again. Just 100 meters farther along, the turnoff into Camping San Paolo is on the left (38.9221N, 17.1195E). The reception building is straight ahead from the shaded parking lot. From there, it is about 150 meters out to the beach along a broad and steeply sloping path. Facing the sea, turn left and head northeast. In less than 100 meters, you will reach the sign indicating the start of the nude beach. The snack stand along the nude beach is a little over 200 meters past the sign.
Shortcut between Camping Pizzo Greco and Camping San Paolo:
In both access options above, there is a reference to a turnoff onto a gravel road, noted with a star (★). That road is 300 meters long, and it is an unsigned shortcut if you need to get from one camping establishment to the other. Following the shortcut, the distance between Camping Pizzo Greco and Camping San Paolo is just a kilometer, but otherwise the distance is over 6 kilometers.
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Pizzo Greco.

kilometer marker 3 of SP46
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Pizzo Greco.

kilometer marker 4 of SP46
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Pizzo Greco.

La Rustica restaurant

fork where both roads are asphalted

parking lot at Camping Pizzo Greco

Camping Pizzo Greco (naturist)

snack bar

kilometer marker 5 of SP46

small roundabout

Park Hotel

parking lot at Camping San Paolo

Camping San Paolo (textile)

Camping Due Mari (textile)

entry gate to Santa Cristina Village

segment of SP46

road to Camping Pizzo Greco

loop road (access to Camping San Paolo and Camping Due Mari)

shortcut road (gravel)

Reggio Calabria

Spiaggia di Stignano

Spiaggia di Stignano
Reggio Calabria is the southernmost province of mainland Italy. (Technically, it is classified as a metropolitan city, which is a second-order division that is the equivalent of a province.) Reggio Calabria is the toe of the boot that is Italy, with the eponymous principal city of the province at the tip of the toe along the Strait of Messina, the body of water between the mainland and Sicily. The strait is the transition zone from Italy's long western coast along the Tyrrhenian Sea to its shorter but substantial southern coast along the Ionian Sea. The small town of Stignano is located at the opposite end of the province from the Strait of Messina. About 10 kilometers inland from the Ionian coast, the actual town is a quintessential vertical village, with densely packed structures cascading down a hill. The municipal limits of the town extend all the way to the sea, and the roughly 3.6-kilometer-long stretch of coastline that belongs to the municipality is Spiaggia di Stignano.
There is little development along the coastal periphery of Stignano compared to nearby towns, and there is just one access to the beach that is reasonably well signed, so the beach is lightly attended overall. The particulars of Spiaggia di Stignano make it well suited to bare bathing. In 2022, the Stignano municipal council designated a roughly 600-meter-long stretch of the beach for naturist use thanks to the efforts of ANITA, a naturist advocacy group that has been instrumental in creating safe naturist spaces throughout Italy. The nudist zone is about 1.5 kilometers northeast of the main textile area of the beach, but the quickest access to the nude beach bypasses the textile beach altogether. The beach is a broad and beautiful expanse of golden sand backed by low, grassy dunes. There are no amenities, so come prepared. Spiaggia di Stignano is a fledgling naturist venue that is never crowded, with ample space to spread out.
comune, metropolitan city, region, country:
Stignano, Reggio Calabria, Calabria, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3O4jrpy
Route SS106 (la strada statale 106 Jonica) is the major coastal route that follows the Ionian (i.e., southern) coast of Italy from Reggio Calabria to Taranto, spanning all or part of six provinces. (Jonica is a southern Italian dialectical variant of Ionian.) Roughly 500 kilometers long, SS106 originates in Reggio Calabria (kilometer 0), with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going in a generally northeasterly direction toward Taranto.
SS106 does not pass through the actual town of Stignano, which is a good piece inland from the coastal highway. However, SS106 does pass through the town's outlying municipal territory, from kilometer 123.4 to kilometer 127.1. The nude beach extends from kilometer 125.6 to kilometer 126.3. Although the beach is very close to the highway, there is not a direct turnoff to any part of Spiaggia di Stignano from the coast side of the highway. At approximately kilometer 125.85 of SS106, there is a minor side road on the inland side of the highway that goes to a small 18th-century castle called Castello di San Fili. The same turnoff takes you to the shortest access to the nude beach.
First, assume you are going southwest on SS106 (toward Reggio Calabria, with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing). Just past marker 126, you will cross a short bridge signed Cavalcaferrovia ("railroad overpass"). Less than 100 meters past the bridge, take the next possible right at a gap in the guardrail (38.3708N, 16.5043E). (If you reach the start of a concrete retaining wall along the inland side of SS106, you have gone a bit less than 100 meters too far.) There is a small brown castello S. Fili sign at the turnoff.
Alternatively, assume you are going northeast on SS106 (toward Taranto, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing). 500-600 meters past marker 125, you will reach the retaining wall, which extends about 150 meters along the left (inland) side of the road. A guardrail begins where the wall ends. From the end of the wall, continue less than 100 meters and turn left at the first gap in the guardrail. (The one-sided castello S. Fili sign faces traffic coming from the opposite direction, so you will not see the sign until you turn. You have missed the turn if you cross the bridge signed Cavalcaferrovia that spans the railroad.)
Once you turn onto the minor road, it immediately curves sharply rightward, then it curves leftward and parallels the railroad (which will be to your right). From that point, continue less than 200 meters to a fork. Keep to the right (really just straight ahead). (The left fork veers away from the railroad, continuing to the castle.★) Continue about 150 meters to a short bridge with iron side rails that crosses a shallow gully (38.3733N, 16.5078E). At the end of the bridge, there is a small sign pointing right to Spiaggia Naturisti. Park along the side of the road.
The track through the gully is the beach access path. As you head toward the sea, you will go through four short tunnel-like passages in quick succession. The first passage takes you under the railroad; the second and third passages take you under old, disused road segments (probably once part of the highway); then the fourth passage takes you under SS106. The total distance out to the beach is less than 300 meters. Facing the sea, the nude area begins to your immediate right.
★ If you'd like to visit the castle, it is 1.8 kilometers from the fork, perched atop a hill with panoramic views.
ALTERNATE APPROACH
It is also possible to enter the nude beach from its opposite end. A bit southwest of the nude beach, there are two nearby turnoffs along SS106 that are both marked by blue Stignano signs. Both turnoffs are on the inland side of the highway. At kilometer 123.6, there is a turnoff marked by a stack of signs, one reading Stignano 10, indicating that it is 10 kilometers to the town center of Stignano. That is NOT the turnoff you want. The other turnoff is exactly at kilometer marker 124, immediately west of an overpass. It is signed Stignano with a sea symbol. That is the beach turnoff despite being on the inland side of the highway. Turn there. You will be looped over the highway and the parallel railroad via the overpass.
At the end of the overpass, you will come to a four-way intersection, with the sea visible straight ahead. The road straight ahead leads to the main (textile) area of Spiaggia di Stignano, but you will have a long walk to the nude beach if you park there. To park closer, make a sharp left at the intersection. The narrow road heads back toward the highway for 150-200 meters then curves sharply rightward, where another small road merges in. From that point, the road runs parallel to the railroad and SS106, with scattered residential structures along its right (coast) side. It is just over a kilometer to the point where you want to turn toward the beach (about 200 meters before the end of the road).
To find the unmarked turnoff, watch for a distinctive, fanciful house that is situated very close to the road. The two-level, cream-colored structure is trimmed in terra cotta roof tiles, with tiles around the undulating eaves of the house and tiles atop the low, undulating fence wall that surrounds the house. Turn right onto the track that is immediately past the house, where the fence wall turns a corner (38.3662N, 16.5004E). The track goes through a mostly treeless meadow, ending at the beach in about 200 meters. Leave your car where the track begins to fade and walk the rest of the way. Facing the sea, turn left on the beach and head northeast for 300-400 meters to the start of the nude area.
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Stignano.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Stignano.

concrete retaining wall (traced in yellow)

railroad overpass, signed "Cavalcaferrovia"

short bridge over shallow gully

informal parking alongside road

series of 4 pedestrian passages under railroad, old road segments & SS106

Castello di San Fili

main textile area of Spiaggia di Stignano

fanciful house with stucco tile trim

informal parking along track

segment of SS106

railroad segment

road to Castello di San Fili

segment of minor road

path to beach, via 4 pedestrian passages under roads, etc.

main beach access road

minor road

dirt track to beach

concrete retaining wall

nude area

Vibo Valentia

Spiaggia della Stazione

Spiaggia della Stazione
The coastal village of Santa Domenica on the Tyrrhenian side of Calabria is near Capo Vaticano, the westernmost point of the province of Vibo Valentia. Dramatic, sheer cliffs form the backdrop of the entire coastline of the village. Toward the northeast end of Santa Domenica, Villaggio Marco Polo is a large resort with structures both atop the cliffs and below the cliffs next to the beach. There is a road winding down the cliffs to the beach. Toward the southwest end of Santa Domenica, Villaggio Formicoli is a large resort situated entirely next to the beach below the cliffs, accessed by a road through a ravine that creates a gap in the cliffs. Following the coastline, Villaggio Marco Polo and Villaggio Formicoli are about 1.5 kilometers apart. Between the two, there is a beach that is not directly accessible by car, and the beach does not seem to have a well-known proper name. We'll call it Spiaggia della Stazione since it is located below the village train station. The beach basically has two parts: a main expanse closer to Villaggio Formicoli and a series of small niches closer to Villaggio Marco Polo. Nude bathing occurs frequently in the niches but only sporadically along the main expanse. There are two paths down the cliffs to Spiaggia della Stazione. The more challenging but more direct path is a dirt footpath that snakes down the cliff to the main expanse of the beach. Farther east, there is an easier brick walkway winds down the cliff, used mainly as an alternative free access to the beach of Villaggio Marco Polo.
Assume you follow the dirt footpath down to the beach. Facing the sea at the bottom of the path, a boulder-strewn expanse of sand extends a little over 100 meters to your left. That is the main expanse of Spiaggia della Stazione, and it is backed by a very steep wall of rock. Just beyond the end of the sand, the cliff face protrudes seaward a bit, blocking your view of what lies beyond. A resort hotel named Residence Le Playe is perched atop that protrusion, then the long beach of Villaggio Formicoli is just around the bend. It is possible to follow the rocky coastline to Villaggio Formicoli, where the beach becomes sandy again. The main expanse of Spiaggia della Stazione draws moderate crowds during peak season but never gets overcrowded, and it is basically a textile beach, at least when there is a substantial crowd. There is some nudity along the main expanse during the off season. Any nudists present along the main expanse are likely to be toward the far west end where the sand ends, at the opposite end of the beach from where the path lands.
If you head to the right from the bottom of the path, you will almost immediately come to a scree of boulders. Continue east to find a number of small sandy niches amid other screes of boulders. You will have to do a bit of boulder scrambling to get from one niche to the next. From the bottom of the dirt footpath, it is roughly 600 meters to the point where the brick walkway lands on the beach. A bit beyond farther along, the beach broadens into the long sandy beach of Villaggio Marco Polo. Most of the expanse between the dirt footpath and the brick walkway is the informal nudist zone, but nudity should not take place within 100 or so meters of the brick walkway. Most nude bathing occurs on the niches closer to the dirt footpath.
GPS:
38.6630N, 15.8558E  main expanse (sporadic nudity)
38.6640N, 15.8576E  eastern niches (frequent nudity)
Santa Domenica, Ricadi, Vibo Valentia, Calabria, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3NZKwdh
Santa Domenica can be reached by any combination of minor local roads. The approach described below is the easiest-to-follow route from the nearest motorway.
The A2 autostrada (L'autostrada del Mediterraneo) is a roughly 433-kilometer-long motorway connecting Salerno (near Naples) to Reggio Calabria near the southern extreme of mainland Italy. The kilometer marker numbers increase going south toward Reggio Calabria. Take the Pizzo Calabro exit (just Pizzo C. on some signs), which is between kilometer markers 339 and 341 (with marker 340 amid the interchange). The exit is about 17 kilometers north of Vibo Valentia, and at the exit you will see a very prominent elevated railroad on the inland side of the motorway. You will cross under it twice. Follow signs for Pizzo, Tropea, Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia. Just after you cross under the railroad the second time, veer right at a fork to continue toward Pizzo and Tropea. (The road straight ahead continues toward Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia.)
At the fork, you will be at kilometer 0 of a roughly 38-kilometer-long coastal road that used to be numbered SS522 (la strada statale 522 di Tropea). The number still appears on maps even though the road is technically no longer a numbered highway and most of the kilometer markers are gone. Follow old SS522 about 10 kilometers (passing through Pizzo) to Vibo Marina, which is not well signed. You will know you are getting close when the large marina comes into view. There are a couple of potentially confusing junctions in Vibo Marina. Shortly after you enter the town, watch for an Esso gas station on the left. Immediately past the gas station, turn left at a three-way junction to stay on old SS522, following signs for Zambrone and Capo Vaticano. 500 meters farther on, be sure to keep straight ahead at a fork, following overhead panels for Tropea and Briatico (NOT Vibo Valentia). From that point, just keep following Tropea signs another 23 kilometers to Tropea.
Once you reach Tropea, keep straight ahead past the sign that points toward the town center. Just past that sign, you will enter a 550-meter-long tunnel. Once you emerge from the tunnel, continue 700 meters and you will enter the first of two roundabouts that are one after the other. Keep straight ahead through both, following signs for Capo Vaticano and Ricadi. 1.2 kilometers farther on, you will see a sign pointing right toward Santa Domenica. Do NOT turn there. Continue 800-900 meters to a yield sign at a three-way junction, at which point you will have reached the end of old SS522. Turn right, toward Santa Domenica.
Once you turn at the yield sign, follow the winding road downhill for 1.2 kilometers until you reach a stop sign at a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right, toward Santa Domenica. Proceed about 200 meters and watch on the left for a small shopping center that includes a prominently signed beauty supply store (Splendidi e Splendenti) and a Eurospar Supermarket. After the supermarket, continue about 100 meters to an irregular junction next to a small bakery that is prominently signed Panetteria. At the junction, the main flow of traffic turns right since the road straight ahead becomes one way for traffic coming from the opposite direction. Turn left instead.
Upon turning, you will be on a side street named Viale Stazione, but street signage is virtually nonexistent. Continue about 100 meters to the next junction, which is a five-way intersection where two parallel roads continue straight ahead. Both roads are about 100 meters long. The road farther left goes to the train station, while the road farther right goes to a short tunnel under the railroad (38.6639N 15.8601E). There is parking on the other side of the railroad from the tunnel, but the road beyond the tunnel is a bit rough and many visitors are put off by the idea of driving through the very narrow tunnel, so you may wish to find the closest streetside parking (or park at the train station) and proceed on foot.
Whether driving or walking, proceed through the tunnel, immediately beyond which you have to turn one way or the other onto the road that parallels the coast side of the railroad. There are parking and access options at either end of the road. First, assume you turn left. After 200 or so meters, the road will begin to peter out in an informal dirt parking area (38.6632N, 15.8577E). Head toward the edge of the cliff to find a well-worn footpath. When you begin, you will be about 57 meters above the sea. The path winds down the cliff for 300-400 meters, landing at the east end of the main expanse of the beach. Facing the sea, the beach with a sporadic nudist presence extends to your left, while the niches with a more regular nudists presence are off to your right. If you head off to your right for 600 meters, you will come to the bottom of a brick walkway (the other access). At that point, you will have passed all the way through the nude area.
Alternatively, assume you turn right from the tunnel under the railroad. In a little over 300 meters, the aforementioned brick walkway begins on the left. Just after the walkway, turn left into a small surfaced parking lot (38.6654N, 15.8636E). (Just after the parking lot, the road ends at a pedestrian tunnel under the railroad.) At the top of the brick walkway, you will be about 70 meters above the sea. The walkway begins as a series of very long steps then becomes a staircase for the final descent. The walking distance to the bottom is 300-400 meters. Facing the sea at the bottom of the stairs, turn left and head west. It is about 100 meters to a pair of especially enormous boulders. Once you are beyond the boulders, you will be at the start of the nudist niches, which extend about 500 meters to the beach with a sporadic nudist presence.
MAP from A2 Pizzo Calabro exit to parking (informal dirt area)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Stazione.

main expanse (sporadic nudity)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Stazione.

eastern niches (frequent nudity)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Stazione.

long tunnel in Tropea

pair of nearby roundabouts

3-way junction at end of old SS522

3-way junction

Splendidi e Splendenti

Eurospar Supermarket

panetteria (bakery)

5-way intersection

Santa Domenica train station

short, narrow automobile tunnel under railroad

informal dirt parking area

surfaced parking area

short pedestrian tunnel under railroad

Residence Le Playe

Villaggio Formicoli

Spiaggia Formicoli (textile)

Villaggio Marco Polo

Spiaggia del Villaggio Marco Polo (textile)

segment of old SS522

segment of local road

segment of road through Santa Domenica (2-way traffic)

one-way eastbound street in Santa Domenica

one-way westbound street in Santa Domenica

Viale Stazione

road from 5-way intersection to train station

road from 5-way intersection to tunnel under railroad

road parallel to coast side of railroad

dirt footpath

brick walkway

main expanse (sporadic nudity)

eastern niches (frequent nudity)

Campania

Napoli

Bagni della Regina Giovanna

Bagni della Regina Giovanna
The Sorrento Peninsula—located south of Naples, Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii—extends westward toward the island of Capri. The picturesque town of Sorrento, which is quite popular with tourists, is on the northern side of the peninsula, while the breathtaking Amalfi Coast is along the southern side. Capo di Sorrento, the area immediately west of the urban core of Sorrento, is the location of Villa di Pollio Felice, a once magnificent seaside palace dating to the first century A.D. Speculated to have been particularly sumptuous even by the decadent standards of the ancient Romans, today there are only crumbling walls to hint at its former grandeur. The area around the villa ruins is known as the Bagni della Regina Giovanna, or the Baths of Queen Giovanna (sometimes anglicized as Queen Joan or Queen Joanna). Over a millennium after its Roman heyday, the villa was—according to legend—a favorite bathing spot for Queen Giovanna I of Naples, a notoriously scandalous monarch who reigned in the 14th century. Although typically referred to in the plural ("bagni" instead of "bagno"), the term "the baths" actually refers to a single geographic feature: a spectacular natural pool that is full of seawater yet completely encircled by a rugged mass of rock, connected to the sea only by a small tunnel-like opening in the rock. The depth and current of the water in the pool vary with the tides.
The natural pool is a popular swimming location, but swimsuits must be worn there. Bathers also gather along nearby areas of the rocky shoreline. A wooden walkway that begins near the villa ruins goes around a bend to a rocky ledge that extends southward about 350 meters, ending where a small bay indents the coastline. The first part of the rocky ledge—the part closest to the villa ruins—is occupied by a bathing establishment called La Solara, which consists of a restaurant and a large deck with sun chairs for rent. Beyond La Solara, nudity is common along the southern end of the ledge near the small bay. Nudists generally walk at least 100 meters past La Solara before disrobing. While there is not a proper beach, there is an area where the ledge slopes down to the sea, providing easy access to the water. The location is quite beautiful, with a verdant slope as the backdrop of the rocky ledge. Nude bathing is well established but not officially sanctioned, and there is usually a preponderance of textiles on peak days.
Along the walk to the nude area, you will pass the natural swimming pool. Even though you can't be naked there, it is well worth a stop since it is such a beautiful and unique feature, so be sure to pack a swimsuit. Going south from the nude area, there is another rocky ledge on the other side of the small bay, but that ledge is occupied by textiles who approach from Marina di Puolo, a popular beach area farther south. There is a tiny beach in the innermost part of the small bay that is between the two ledges, and nude bathing used to be common there. However, that is no longer possible now that nearby Hotel Relais Regina Giovanna has set up a beach club at the tiny beach.
frazione, comune, province, region, country
Capo di Sorrento, Sorrento, Napoli, Campania, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/43zb2jp
The A3 autostrada is a short motorway that is about 52 kilometers long, connecting Naples to Salerno. The kilometer marker numbers increase going southeast toward Salerno. There are two exits of the A3 for Pompeii, and those exits are about 4 kilometers apart. The west exit (Pompeii ovest) is the closer of the two to Naples, while the east exit (Pompeii est/Scafati) is the closer of the two to Salerno. The Castellammare di Stabia exit, between kilometer markers 22 and 23, is between the two Pompeii exits. Take the Castellammare di Stabia exit.
All exiting traffic is filtered past a toll plaza for traffic entering the autostrada. (In other words, you will bypass all the toll booths.) Keep to the left as you pass the toll plaza, following signs for Sorrento, Positano and Castellammare. You will then be on a road numbered SS145 (la strada statale 145), which is the road to and through Sorrento. The kilometer marker numbers increase going southwest toward Sorrento, but there aren't any markers along SS145 where it passes through the town. From the toll plaza, it is about 23 kilometers to Sorrento, and there are three long tunnels along the way. The first tunnel is 1.2 kilometers long, then the second tunnel is 2 kilometers long. The third tunnel, which has a length of 5 kilometers, is actually optional. About one kilometer after you exit the second tunnel, watch for a sign indicating an upcoming fork. The left fork is the main road to Sorrento even though it is signed as a variant route (SS145var), so keep to the left if you want to take the faster road to Sorrento via the 5-kilometer-long tunnel. Or, keep to the right to follow SS145 along the coastline (signed litoranea-Sorrento), which will take you through the village of Vico Equense. Either way, just follow signs for Sorrento and the two roads will reconnect. About 8 kilometers past the end of the longest tunnel, you will enter Sorrento when you pass under a railroad overpass. A large blue overhead sign with the name of the town is affixed to the overpass.
When you enter Sorrento, you will be on the east end of town, and you need to make your way through the town center to Capo di Sorrento, which is the area just west of the town center. The blue Massa Lubrense signs and the brown Costiera Amalfitana signs keep you on the course of SS145 through Sorrento. About 750 meters past the big blue Sorrento sign on the railroad overpass, you will reach an intersection where you must turn since there are "do-not-enter" panels straight ahead. Turn left, proceed 100 meters to the next intersection, then go right at the mini-roundabout. You should then be on a street named Via degli Aranci (still on the course of SS145). Proceed 1.4 kilometers to a stop sign at a "T" where you must turn left since there are "do-not-enter" panels to the right.
When you turn left at the stop sign, you will still be on the course of SS145, and it is 1.1 kilometers to the point where you will veer right, away from SS145. To help you find the turnoff, watch for landmarks on the right (coast) side of the road. First there is Hotel Rivage, then there is the turnoff to Camping Nube d'Argento, then there are a number of hotels that are mostly situated below the level of the road. Here are the ones that are the most prominently signed, in order: Hotel Settimo Cielo, Hotel Belair, Hotel Desiree, Hotel La Tonnarella, Hotel Helios and Hotel Cavour. Just after Hotel Cavour, you will see a sign indicating an upcoming three-way junction. Veer right at that junction, following the Massa Lubrense sign. (The road straight ahead is the continuation of SS145, signed Costiera Amalfitana and Sant'Agata. You have missed the turn by 250 meters if you pass kilometer marker 29.)
Once you veer away from SS145, you will be on Via Capo, which is numbered SP7 (la strada provinciale 7). However, there isn't any prominent signage with the street name or number. In about 300 meters, take note when you pass the right-hand turnoff into Santa Fortunata Camping Village. Continue along Via Capo about 300 meters farther. The next two right-hand turnoffs are both Calata Punta del Capo, which is a short street that makes a loop. You cannot turn at the first turnoff, which is marked by a "do-not-enter" panel. (You can see the dome of a church—San Rosario—from that turnoff.) Continue less than 100 meters and take the next right onto Calata Punta del Capo, where you will see a blue-and-white "P" sign that points toward parking. Shortly you will reach a parking lot on the left (40.6291N, 14.3545E).
When you exit the parking lot on foot, go left (toward the sea) on Calata Punta del Capo and follow the street about 100 meters until you reach two imposing iron residential gates that are at a right angle to one another. The cobbled path to Bagni della Regina Giovanna begins between those gates, and it is marked by a brown sign pointing toward the seaside ruins of Villa di Pollio Felice (ruderi Romana = Roman ruins).
The path goes downhill gradually, and along most of the walk there are fence walls along one or both sides. In 500 to 600 meters the path will fork above the sea next to the villa ruins and the spectacular natural swimming pool known as the Bagni della Regina Giovanna. The right fork leads a short distance to the ruins and the natural pool, which are well worth a visit. However, you should keep to the left at the fork to continue toward the nude area. Shortly beyond the fork, you will go down a long staircase that takes you closer to sea level. At the bottom of the stairs, an elevated wooden walkway goes over a rugged area of rocks. Follow the walkway about 200 meters to its end at La Solara, the aforementioned restaurant and beach club.
Built atop a ledge-like mass of rock, La Solara occupies about 60 meters of coastline. Go around La Solara by skirting its inland side, then continue about 100 meters to the informal nudist zone. The total walk from the parking lot to the nude area is about 1.1 kilometers.
MAP from A3 Castellammare di Stabia exit to parking
PUBLIC TRANSIT: BUS
By public transit, you can get just as close to the nude beach as you can by car since there is a bus stop next to the parking lot. Sorrento itself can be reached by train. From the train station, four local bus lines (the orange buses) serve the town and surrounding localities, with service about every 20 minutes. Line A goes to Capo di Sorrento. Let the driver know you want the stop for Villa di Pollio Felice. From the train station, the bus trip takes about 10 minutes.
This placemark pertains to Bagni della Regina Giovanna.

parking lot
This placemark pertains to Bagni della Regina Giovanna.

bus stop
This placemark pertains to Bagni della Regina Giovanna.

San Rosario church

signed start of path to Villa Pollio Felice (Roman ruins)

Villa Pollio Felice (ruins)

natural pool

staircase

La Solara (restaurant & beach club)

Relais Regina Giovanna beach club

Hotel Rivage

turnoff to Camping Nube d’Argento

Hotel Settimo Cielo

Hotel Belair

Hotel Desiree

Hotel La Tonnarella

Hotel Helios

Hotel Cavour

turnoff toward Santa Fortunata Camping Village

Hotel Relais Regina Giovanna

Hotel Dania

segment of SS145

segment of SP7 (a.k.a. Via Capo)

Calata Punta del Capo

walking route to La Solara (cobbled road→dirt path→wooden walkway)

Spiaggia di Tordigliano

Spiaggia di Tordigliano
The Sorrento Peninsula—located south of Naples, Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii—extends westward toward the island of Capri. The southern side of the peninsula is known as the Amalfi Coast, and it is characterized by impossibly twisty roads that cling to mountainsides and picturesque villages that cascade downhill to the sea. Thrilling and breathtaking, it is perhaps the most famous stretch of coastline in Italy. While the village of Amalfi is quite gorgeous, it is Positano farther west that is generally regarded as the crowning jewel of the Amalfi Coast. Spiaggia di Tordigliano, several kilometers west of Positano, is actually a cluster of several beaches covered in pea-sized pebbles and backed by rugged masses of rock. Getting to Tordigliano is challenging on multiple fronts. First, there is the issue of parking, which is notoriously in short supply along the coastal road. Second, the unmarked path to the beach is practically impossible to find unless you know precisely where to go. Finally, while the walking distance to the beach is not especially long, the descent is quite steep. The average trail grade is about 25%, so the climb back up is particularly taxing. Furthermore, once you hike down to the sea, there is still a bit of rock clambering to do to get to various parts of the beach.
The access difficulties would seem to make Tordigliano a draw for nudists, and to a certain extent it is, but Tordigliano cannot really be described as a bona fide nude beach. Plenty of people find their way to Tordigliano by boat or kayak, and this reduces the nudist potential of the beach, especially during peak season. Nudity at Tordigliano occurs sporadically and unpredictably. If you invest the time and effort to visit, do it as part of an Amalfi adventure. If conditions are favorable for bare bathing, think of it as lagniappe.
Five sets of GPS coordinates (A, B, C, D and E) for various parts of Tordigliano are listed below. The path to the beach lands at a small beach (C) with several shanty-like boat shelters, and that beach is typically just a landing point, not much used by bathers. The main beach (B) is to the west, and it extends about 350 meters. On days when there are lots of textiles, nudity may be possible at the far west end of the main beach (A), beyond a huge boulder that is in the intertidal zone. On the other side of the boat shelter beach, there is a smaller beach (D) that extends about 75 meters, and it also gets irregular nudist use. Farther east around a bend, there is a tiny secluded beach (E) that is replete with nudist potential if it isn't already occupied, but you will have to swim or raft there since you can't get to it on foot.
GPS:
locality, comune, province, region, country:
Tordigliano/Chiosse, Vico Equense, Napoli, Campania, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3rJTbcg
Route SS163 (la strada statale 163 Amalfitana) is a 50-kilometer-long road on the Sorrento Peninsula, south of Naples. One end of SS163 is just east of the town of Sorrento while the other end is close to the A3 autostrada near Salerno. The kilometer marker numbers increase going east toward Salerno. For most of its length, SS163 runs along the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, which is the incredibly scenic and highly touristed area known as the Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana). The two main tourist hubs along the Amalfi coast are the towns of Positano (which is between kilometers 11.4 and 14.9 of SS163) and Amalfi (between kilometers 26.5 and 30.2).
While there are some kilometer markers and fractional kilometer markers along SS163, they are of limited use since most of them seem to be absent. Those that are present are quite inconspicuous, and it does not help that heavy traffic along this popular tourist route makes the markers that much harder to spot. Nonetheless, an occasional glimpse of a marker can help you assess your location. The kilometer markers are old-style cement markers with the numbers etched on them, while the fractional markers are perpendicular to the road, generally affixed to the low stone walls that serve as guardrails. On a fractional marker, the location is identified by a Roman numeral over an Arabic numeral. For example, a marker with IX (Roman numeral 9) on top and 16 on bottom identifies the location as kilometer 16.9.
Tordigliano/Chiosse is a locality along a 2.4-kilometer-long span of SS163, from kilometer 7.7 to kilometer 10.1. It is signed like a town or village even though there is no commercial development. At each end of Tordigliano/Chiosse, there are white signs indicating that you are entering (or leaving) the locality. Those signs read Città di Vico Equense, Provincia di Napoli, località Tordigliano/Chiosse. The unsigned path to Spiaggia di Tordigliano begins in Tordigliano/Chiosse at fractional kilometer marker 8.7 (VII/8), which is affixed to the low stone wall on the coast side of the road (at 40.6207N, 14.4565E). If you are going east (toward Positano), the path to the beach is exactly one kilometer past the white Tordigliano/Chiosse sign. If you are going west (having just passed through Positano), continue 1.1 kilometers past the white Tordigliano/Chiosse sign and watch for a large scenic overlook at kilometer marker 9. The overlook is shaded by a few dozen spindly trees. The path to the beach is 300 meters past the overlook.
Parking is a challenge, to say the least. There are sporadic tiny niches along the road where there is enough space to leave a car. The smaller your vehicle, the more options you will have. Beware of posted "no parking" signs. Once you find a place to park, you will have to walk along the road to the start of the beach path at kilometer 8.7. The road has barely any shoulder at all for pedestrians, so be very careful.
At the start of the path, you will be about 140 meters above sea level. You will at first be walking such that the road is to your immediate right, with the sea to your left. Once the path veers away from the road, the descent becomes steeper. After a hike of about 600 meters, you will land at location C, the small beach with several shanty-like boat shelters.
First, assume you go to location B, the main beach. Facing the sea at location C, go to your right and make your way around a large mass of rock. Some clambering is involved, but the path is obvious and there are a few crude ladders and railings to assist you over the more difficult parts. In about 100 meters, you will land on the far east end of the main beach. If lots of textiles are about, head across the beach to its far west end (location A), beyond a huge boulder that is in the intertidal zone.
Or, assume you head in the opposite direction from location C—to the left when facing the sea. Climb over a mass of rocks (which is less formidable than the one on the other end of C) and in about 50 meters you will arrive at location D, where there is sometimes a nudist presence. Location E, the tiny beach that cannot be reached on foot, is about 100 meters farther east.
Going by bus:
A transit company called SITA operates several bus lines on the Sorrento Peninsula, and the Sorrento-Positano-Amalfi bus follows most of the route of SS163. Only the major stops are listed on the bus schedule, which is available at the SITA website or the more user-friendly website Positano.com. Two consecutive stops on the bus schedule are Colli San Pietro and Positano (Chiesa Nuova). Colli San Pietro is located at kilometer 4.9 of SS163, at a junction with SS145. Positano (Chiesa Nuova) is in the heart of Positano, at kilometer 12.6. Ask the bus driver to let you off at Spiaggia di Tordigliano. The nearest designated bus stop to the beach is located near kilometer 8 (at 40.6201N, 14.4500E), but the driver may drop you off closer to the start of the beach path. Be advised that tickets cannot be purchased on the bus. You will need a roundtrip ticket in advance or a 24-hour pass. Tickets are sold at local businesses throughout the area.
The A3 autostrada is a short motorway that is about 52 kilometers long, connecting Naples to Salerno. The kilometer marker numbers increase going southeast toward Salerno. There are two exits of the A3 for Pompeii, and those exits are about 4 kilometers apart. The west exit (Pompeii ovest) is the closer of the two to Naples, while the east exit (Pompeii est/Scafati) is the closer of the two to Salerno. The Castellammare di Stabia exit, between kilometer markers 22 and 23, is between the two Pompeii exits. Take the Castellammare di Stabia exit.
All exiting traffic is filtered past a toll plaza for traffic entering the autostrada. (In other words, you will bypass all the toll booths.) Keep to the left as you pass the toll plaza, following signs for Sorrento, Positano and Castellammare. You will then be on a road numbered SS145 (la strada statale 145), which is the road to and through Sorrento. The kilometer marker numbers increase going southwest toward Sorrento. From the toll plaza, it is about 23 kilometers to Sorrento, and you will go almost all the way there before turning away from SS145. There are three long tunnels along the way to Sorrento. The first tunnel is 1.2 kilometers long, then the second tunnel is 2 kilometers long. The third tunnel, which has a length of 5 kilometers, is actually optional. About one kilometer after you exit the second tunnel, watch for a sign indicating an upcoming fork. The left fork is the main road to Sorrento even though it is signed as a variant route (SS145var), so keep to the left if you want to take the faster road to Sorrento via the 5-kilometer-long tunnel. Or, keep to the right to follow SS145 along the coastline (signed litoranea-Sorrento), which will take you through the village of Vico Equense. Either way, just follow signs for Sorrento and the two roads will reconnect.
About 4.5 kilometers past the end of the longest tunnel, take note when you pass a large white church (Santa Maria del Lauro) that is on the left side of the road (at kilometer 22.3). By that point, you will be in Meta, the last town before Sorrento. About 100 meters past the church, watch for a road veering off to the left, marked by round red-and-white "do not enter" panels. That is actually kilometer 0 of SS163, but the segment of SS163 nearest Meta and Sorrento is one way for traffic coming from the other direction. Continue about 750 meters farther and take note of International Camping I Pini, which is on the right side of the road (at kilometer 23.2). Less than 100 meters past Camping I Pini, take the next left at signs for Amalfi and Positano.
Upon turning, keep straight ahead for one kilometer to a stop sign at a "T" that is just past a church (Santissima Trinità). Turn right at the stop sign, toward Amalfi and Positano. Once you turn at the stop sign, you will be on SS163, at kilometer 1.9. The road winds through the interior of the Sorrento Peninsula for several kilometers. Watch for signs for Amalfi and Positano to stay on course. Around kilometer 6, SS163 will begin to go east along the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, and that is the point where you will begin driving along the Amalfi Coast. At kilometer 7.7 you will pass the white Tordigliano/Chiosse locality sign, then one kilometer farther on you will reach the path to the beach at kilometer 8.7.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS, ALTERNATE APPROACH
The route described above is the fastest way to get to Spiaggia di Tordigliano from the A3 autostrata, but another option is to follow SS163 west for almost the entire length of the Amalfi Coast. To access SS163 from A3, there are a couple of exits you could take in or near Salerno. The best exit is the Vietri Sul Mare exit, which is about 200 meters past kilometer marker 48. However, that exit exists only for traffic going south toward Salerno.
If you are heading into Salerno on A2 or SS18, watch carefully for the green signs for Naples (Napoli) to guide you to the start of A3. Keep following those signs until you pass through a 421-meter-long tunnel named Galleria Seminario. There is a sign at the start of the tunnel indicating its name and length. Just 200 meters past the tunnel, take the first exit (Salerno) and then immediately turn left at a "T" junction.
Whichever exit you take, brown Costiera Amalfitana signs guide you to SS163 once you depart the autostrada. If you started from the Vietri Sul Mare exit, you will be filtered directly onto SS163. If you exited after the Seminario tunnel, you will have to follow the signs carefully and make a few turns over the next 3.7 kilometers before you are on SS163. Once you are on SS163, it is about 35 kilometers to Positano, but plan for the drive to take over an hour (and up to two hours during peak season). Besides being a twisty road through lots of villages, SS163 is perpetually clogged with tourists.
SS163 winds around the inland periphery of Positano for 3 to 4 kilometers. When you pass the signs for Hotel Le Agavi, you are leaving Positano. (The actual hotel is below the level of the road.) After Hotel Le Agavi, it is 1.4 kilometers to the white Tordigliano/Chiosse sign, then 1.1 kilometers farther to the scenic overlook with the spindly trees, then 300 meters farther to the path to the beach at kilometer 8.7.
MAP from A3 Castellammare di Stabia exit to start of beach path at SS163 km 8.7
MAP from A3 Vietri Sul Mare exit to start of beach path at SS163 km 8.7
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Tordigliano.

A (far west end of main beach)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Tordigliano.

B (midpoint of main beach)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Tordigliano.

C (small beach with shanty-like boat shelters where trail lands)

D (small beach east of boat beach)

E (tiny beach, not accessible on foot)

"Tordigliano/Chiosse" locality sign (entering going east, leaving going west)

bus stop

very limited places to park along road

start of beach path at fractional kilometer marker 8.7 (VII/8) of SS163

scenic overlook at km 9 of SS163

"Tordigliano/Chiosse" locality sign (entering going west, leaving going east)

Grotta dell'Arsenale

Grotta dell'Arsenale
Via Krupp is a famous and very dramatic footpath that begins at the Gardens of Augustus in Carpi town and zigzags to the coast (see the orange line). Directly below the switchbacks of the trail, there is a cave just above the waterline called Grotta dell'Arsenale. The rocky shoreline around this cave draws nude bathers. While it is possible to hike down Via Krupp to get to the beach, a less tiring alternative is approaching through Marina Piccola, which is accessible by bus.
comune, province, region, country
Capri, Napoli, Campania, Italy

If you are on foot all the way from Capri town, Via Mulo (drawn in blue) is a pedestrian shortcut to Marina Piccola.
This placemark pertains to Grotta dell'Arsenale.

Giardini i Augusto (Gardens of Augustus)
This placemark pertains to Grotta dell'Arsenale.

Via Krupp is a cobbled pedestrian coastal path that connects Marina Piccola with the Gardens of Augustus in Capri town. The part of the path that ascends to the Gardens of Augustus is a dramatic series of switchbacks (see the zigzagging orange line), but you'll depart the path before you get to the switchbacks to reach the nude beach. The route to the nude area is drawn in green. (Incidentally, the switchback part of the path is apparently closed to the public at present.)
In Marina Picola, watch for signs for Via Krupp. It departs from the only road through Marina Picola, which zigzags down toward the coast. Follow Via Krupp east about 350 meters, then depart from the path and go down to the rocks. The point where you need to leave Via Krupp is about 100-150 meters before the switchbacks begin. The nude area is below the switchbacks.
This placemark pertains to Grotta dell'Arsenale.

Marina Piccola, a short distance southwest of and downhill from Capri town, is the departure point for finding the nude beach. You most likely will not have a car. From Capri town, you can take the Capri-Marina Piccola bus, take a taxi or just walk.

Salerno

Spiaggia del Troncone

Spiaggia del Troncone
Palinuro and Marina di Camerota are nearby coastal towns that are rather isolated in the scenic and mountainous far south of the region of Campania. The Mingardo River (il fiume Mingardo) empties into the sea just south of Palinuro. From the mouth of the river, there is a chain of three neighboring beaches going southeast toward Marina di Camerota. Spiaggia del Mingardo, the closest to Palinuro, is by far the longest of the three beaches, extending about 3 kilometers. The middle beach, Spiaggia da Peppe, is just a few hundred meters long. Spiaggia del Troncone, the closest of the three to Marina di Camerota, has an expanse of 500 to 600 meters. During summer, beach clubs—housing amenities such as eateries and chair rentals—are set up along the beaches. These are temporary structures that are dismantled during the off season. There are usually over a dozen beach clubs along Spiaggia del Mingardo and two each at Spiaggia da Peppe and Spiaggia del Troncone.
Spiaggia del Troncone has two distinct areas. The broader northwest end of the beach (the part closer to Palinuro) is adjacent to and visible from the coastal road, and that is where the beach clubs are located. From the main area of the beach, a narrower expanse of sand extends southeast (toward Marina di Camerota) for about 200 meters, and that part of the beach is hidden from the coastal road, which disappears into a long tunnel. Nude bathing has long been customary at the southeast end of Spiaggia del Troncone, and that custom was legally sanctioned in 2011 when the municipality of Camerota formally authorized the hidden part of the beach as a venue for naturists. The nude area, backed by a rugged face of rock that is pocked with a number of grottos, is nearly cut off from the main beach at high tide. While popular and well attended, the nude beach is never nearly as crowded as the main beach. Food, drink, toilets and showers are available a short walk from the nude beach at the two beach clubs in the textile area.
Marina de Camerota, Camerota, Salerno, Campania, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3rBMadL
The coastal town of Palinuro is located roughly 175 kilometers southeast of Naples, and the coastal town of Marina di Camerota is a bit farther southeast. The road that follows the coastline between the two towns is numbered SR562 (la strada regionale 562). Kilometer 0 of SR562 is in Palinuro, while Marina di Camerota is spread out between kilometers 8 and 12. There are four tunnels along SR562 between Palinuro and Marina di Camerota, and they are located close together over an expanse of just 1.3 kilometers (from kilometer 5.9 to kilometer 7.2). One of the tunnels is 300 meters long, while the other three are substantially shorter (each no more than 50 meters long). The long tunnel is the third tunnel going from Palinuro toward Marina di Camerota or the second tunnel going from Marina di Camerota toward Palinuro.
Spiaggia del Troncone is located between the middle two of the four tunnels. Two short staircases, which are just 60 meters apart, lead from the coastal road down to the beach. Those staircases are approximately at kilometer 6.4 of SR562 (near 40.0096N, 15.3389E). The main textile area of the beach is the part visible from the coastal road, while the nude area is the hidden part of the beach corresponding to the long tunnel.
Several of the kilometer markers along SR562 seem to be missing, and those that are standing can be very difficult to see due to cars parked along the highway, so it is much easier to navigate by watching for the tunnels as landmarks. The most likely approach to Spiaggia del Troncone will have you going from Palinuro toward Marina di Camerota.
As you head out of Palinuro on SR562, take note when you pass the sign indicating you are leaving the town limits just as you begin to cross a bridge over a broad river bed (il fiume Mingardo, often dry). After the bridge, SR562 will begin to parallel Spiaggia del Mingardo, but, for the most part, the beach and the sea are not visible through the trees. About 2.7 kilometers past the "leaving Palinuro" sign, the road will begin to run directly alongside Spiaggia del Mingardo, with the sea clearly in view. About 500 meters farther along, you will go through a short tunnel, beyond which Spiaggia da Peppe will be clearly visible from the road. Just 300 meters past the first short tunnel, you will pass through another short tunnel. After the second short tunnel, you will arrive at Spiaggia del Troncone, which is also clearly visible from the road. Shortly after you emerge from the second tunnel, an asphalted pay parking lane begins along the coast side of the road, extending about 175 meters and delineated by blue paint, which is the color for pay parking. (The entrance to the third tunnel, which is the long tunnel, is about 125 meters past the end of the pay parking lane.)
The two staircases down to the beach leave from near the start of the pay parking lane. Along the inland side of the road, there is a small pay parking lot as well as limited free parking along the narrow shoulder. From the pay parking lot, you can go through a pedestrian tunnel under the road to access the beach. The two staircases and the pedestrian tunnel all land on the northwestern end of the beach. Facing the sea, turn left and head southeast. In 300 to 400 meters you will reach the nude area, which is hidden from the coastal road and secluded from the rest of the beach by rocky outcroppings.
If you are starting from Marina di Camerota and heading toward Palinuro, take note when you pass the sign indicating you are leaving the town limits. 1.6 kilometers after the sign, you will pass through a short tunnel. Less than 150 meters farther along, you will enter the long tunnel—the one that extends 300 meters. When you exit the long tunnel, you will arrive at Spiaggia del Troncone, which is clearly visible from the road. Watch for the various parking options as described above.
More parking options:
If all parking at Spiaggia del Troncone is full, try Spiaggia da Peppe, where there is a pay parking lane on the coast side of the road and a pay lot on the inland side. Next try Spiaggia del Mingardo, along the segment near the tunnel where the beach is clearly visible from the road. There is a pay parking lane on the coast side of the road, limited free parking on the inland side and several pay parking lots on the inland side.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS: Option 1
The A2 autostrada (l'autostrada del Mediterraneo) begins in the vicinity of Naples and Salerno, generally hewing toward the coastline as it goes southward for 432 kilometers to Reggio Calabria (near Sicily). The kilometer marker numbers increase going south. Spiaggia del Troncone is located along a part of the coastline that is fairly isolated from A2.
The Padula/Buonabitacolo exit of A2 is between kilometer markers 103 and 105 (with marker 104 amid the interchange). From the exit, you need to make your way to Policastro (a.k.a. Policastro Bussentino), a coastal town that is about 35 kilometers away. To get there, first follow signs for Buonabitacolo, a village that is just a few kilometers from the autostrada. As you head toward Buonabitacolo, you will be on a road numbered SS517 (la strada statale 517), then as you near Buonabitacolo you will reach a junction where SS517 splits. The main road numbered SS517 continues through Buonabitacolo, while an alternate route express road numbered SS517var bypasses Buonabitacolo. Take the express road, which is signed Caselle in Pittari and Sapri.
Just over 33 kilometers long, SS517var is an expressway even though it is a two-lane undivided highway. All its junctions are exit interchanges, and the kilometer marker numbers decrease going toward the coast. Stay on SS517var almost its entire length until you reach kilometer marker 1, at which point you will be on the outskirts of Policastro. About 400 meters past marker 1, take the exit signed Roccagloriosa (which is the last exit before SS517var comes to an end at a stop sign).
Upon exiting, you will begin heading west on SP430 (la strada provinciale 430), with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing. SP430 skirts the inland side of a mass of mountains, so for the next bit you will be veering away from the coast. Stay on SP430 about 12.6 kilometers, then take the exit signed Podeira, which is just past marker 158.
Upon exiting, follow the signs for Palinuro and Marina di Camerota. You will then begin heading toward the coast again on a road that winds through the gorge of the Mingardo River, and there is no prominent signage with a road number. Just keep straight ahead toward Palinuro and Marina di Camerota at all junctions, staying on the main road. After 7 to 8 kilometers, you will cross a bridge over the broad bed of the shallow (and often dry) river. About one kilometer farther along, you will enter an oblong roundabout in the outskirts of Palinuro. Take the departure that is signed Marina di Camerota.
You will be on SR562 when you leave the oblong roundabout, and in 250 meters you will pass a sign indicating you are leaving Palinuro just as you once again begin to cross a bridge over the broad river bed of the Mingardo. From that point, it is about 3.5 kilometers to Spiaggia del Troncone, which is just past the second short tunnel as described above.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS: Option 2
From the Padula/Buonabitacolo exit of the A2 autostrada, follow the directions above, but stay on SS517var all the way to its end in Policastro, where you will reach a stop sign at a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right, toward Scario and Torre Orsaia. Proceed one kilometer, then turn left at a sign that points toward Camerota, Lentiscosa, San Giovanni a Piro and Scario. Once you turn, you will be on SR562 (but you will be on the opposite end of the 35-kilometer-long road from where it begins in Palinuro). It is about 25 kilometers to Marina di Camerota, and along the way you will pass through Scario, San Giovanni a Piro and Lentiscosa. Once you go through Marina di Camerota and pass the sign indicating you are leaving town, it is a little over 2 kilometers to Spiaggia del Troncone, just after you pass through the second and longest of the four tunnels described above.
Although the Option 2 driving route is quite scenic, it takes 20 to 30 minutes longer compared to Option 1. The road is quite curvy and passes through several villages, and the segment of the road from the hilltop village of Lentiscosa to the seaside town of Marina di Camerota is a series of switchbacks.
MAP from A2 Padula/Buonabitacolo exit to parking (Option 1)
MAP from A2 Padula/Buonabitacolo exit to parking (Option 2)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Troncone.

short tunnel (1st of 4 tunnels, going toward Marina di Camerota)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Troncone.

short tunnel (2nd of 4 tunnels, going toward Marina di Camerota)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Troncone.

roadside parking (pay parking along coast side, limited free parking on inland side)

small pay parking lot

one end of long tunnel (3rd of 4 tunnels, going toward Marina di Camerota)

short tunnel (last of 4 tunnels, going toward Marina di Camerota)

Lido Aruba (seasonal beach club)

Lido Tre Tre (seasonal beach club)

medieval stone tower

Spiaggia da Peppe (textile)

segment of SR562

stairs

Emilia-Romagna

Ravenna

Spiaggia della Bassona

Spiaggia della Bassona
South of the city of Ravenna, three rivers flow into the Adriatic within an expanse of about 8.5 kilometers. From north to south, those rivers are the Uniti, the Bevano and the Savio. At either end of this stretch of coastline, there is a seaside resort village comprised of campgrounds and vacation houses. Lido di Dante is a small resort village just south of the Uniti, while Lido di Classe is a considerably larger resort village just north of the Savio. The wild and undeveloped expanse of beach between Lido di Dante and Lido di Classe is Spiaggia della Bassona. Much of this beautiful sandy beach is backed by a forest, and the mouth of the Bevano is roughly at its center. For decades nudists have gathered at La Bassona, which is the most popular nude beach in Italy. At one time bare bathing occurred on a very long expanse of the beach that included the mouth of the Bevano, but this is no longer the case as much of the beach on either side of the Bevano is now part of a protected wildlife area that is off limits to visitors. The zone of nudist use is now along the northern area of La Bassona, beginning just beyond Lido di Dante and extending southward toward the Bevano but ending well before the mouth of the river.
Although La Bassona is often perceived as a "legal" nude beach due to its popularity, it is in fact not among Italy's very small number of officially authorized naturist venues. The beach has thrived due to the advocacy of a couple of naturist organizations, and you are likely to see a naturist association banner as soon as you step onto the beach from a forested access path that circumvents the textile zone. From the start of the nude area, the zone of nudist use extends either 450 meters or over twice that far, depending on when you visit. For most of the year, naturists have a full kilometer of beach at their disposal, with signs and fencing indicating the point beyond which access is prohibited. However, from April 1st through July 15th, the southern half (roughly) of the nudist zone is closed to public access for wildlife management purposes. La Bassona can get especially crowded during the first part of summer when the nude area is contracted. When the nude area is expanded after mid-July, visitors who desire more space can walk a little farther. La Bassona draws hundreds of visitors on peak summer days, when the nudist zone is blanketed with a colorful array of umbrellas and awnings. Most visitors opt to be naked, but there are a good many textiles in the mix. There are no amenities in the nude area, but there are several eateries north of the nude beach in Lido di Dante.
There are two campgrounds at the southern end of Lido di Dante. Camping Ramazzotti is next to the beach, while Camping Classe is just inland from Camping Ramazzoti. The walk to the nude beach takes you through a small band of forest that is between the two campgrounds. While most of Camping Classe is a conventional textile venue, the southernmost part of the property is a fenced-off naturist camping zone called Camping Classe FKK. Patrons of Camping Classe FKK have almost direct access to the nude beach, Via a short walk through the forest. If you encounter naked walkers along the last part of the short trek through the forest, they are probably going back and forth between the nude beach and the nudist zone of Camping Classe.
frazione, comune & province, region, country:
Lido di Dante, Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3rv0u7E
Route SS16 (la strada statale 16 Adriatica) is a highway that follows Italy's Adriatic coastline for about 1,000 kilometers, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south. The central area of the city of Ravenna is about 8 kilometers inland from the Adriatic, and the segment of SS16 that skirts the southern and western periphery of Ravenna is an expressway. In the southern outskirts of Ravenna, take the Classe exit of SS16, which is between kilometer markers 157 and 158.
Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto SS67 (la strada statale 67 Tosco-Romagnola) going north through Ravenna's eastern periphery, a rural farming area between the city center and the sea. The kilometer marker numbers increase as you go north. In about 2 kilometers, watch for marker 220. 500-600 meters farther on, take the next right at a large blue sign that points toward Lido di Dante. Shortly after you turn, the road will curve sharply leftward and begin to run parallel to SS67, then about 400 meters farther on you will reach a yield sign at a "T" where you have to turn. Turn right to continue toward Lido di Dante. Upon turning, you will be on Via Montebello.
After following Via Montebello east toward the coast for 5.5 kilometers, you will reach the Lido di Dante village sign, then 150 meters farther on you will reach the only roundabout in the small seaside village. At the roundabout, your options are to keep straight ahead (staying on Via Montebello) or to go right. Either is fine, but it is easier to assess all your parking options if you turn right onto Via Guido Novello. In 300-400 meters Via Guido Novello will bend sharply to the left and the name will change to Viale Paolo e Francesca. About 400 meters farther along (and about 100 meters before Viale Paolo e Francesca dead ends near the sea), there is a gravel road to the right with a sign pointing toward Camping Ramazzotti. Once you park, return on foot to the start of the gravel road (44.3853N, 12.3181E).
As for parking, start assessing your options as soon as Via Guido Novello turns sharply and becomes Viale Paolo e Francesca. First, there is a free parking lane (outlined in white paint) along the right side of the street. Also to the right there is a long dirt parking lot that runs parallel to the street, and parking is free there as well. Shortly you will reach a four-way intersection with Viale Catone. (If you want to park in the dirt lot, turn right at the intersection then immediately turn right again.) Immediately past the intersection, the well-signed gated entrance to Camping Classe★ is on the right. Past that gate, there is another free parking lane on the right extending to the aforementioned gravel road, and that is where the free parking ends. Opposite the gravel road on the other side of Viale Paolo e Francesca, there is a street named Viale Guido del Duca, and there are pay pull-in parking spaces (outlined in blue paint) along most of the length of that street. Or, continue just a tiny bit farther along Viale Paolo e Francesca. Just before the street dead ends at a beach club called Bagno Classe, you can turn left into a pay asphalted parking lot.
After walking just 30 meters along the gravel road, you will pass the left-hand turnoff into Camping Ramazzotti, which is marked by a large overhead sign. Straight ahead, there is a gate across the road (an automobile barrier) and a sign indicating no entry for vehicles. Keep straight ahead on the gravel road another 350 or so meters through the forest to a four-way junction.★ Turn left and continue about 200 meters out to the beach, where you will land near the start of the nude area. Facing the sea, the nude area begins to your right and extends southward.
★ From its entrance gate, Camping Classe extends southward about 400 meters, and the southernmost 100 or so meters is a naturist zone that is fenced off from the rest of the property. Oddly, the naturist area is not even mentioned on the main website for Camping Classe. It is detailed in a separate website even though the textile camping zone and the naturist camping zone are part of the same property with the same entrance. When you get to the four-way junction in the walking directions, the path going off to the right leads a short distance to a gate into the naturist zone of Camping Classe. (Access through the gate is restricted to registered guests.) A perk for guests of the naturist zone of Camping Classe is quick access to the nude beach, which is about 250 meters away.
The nearest autostrada to Ravenna is A14 (l'autostrada Adriatica), a 734-kilometer-long motorway that connects Bologna to Taranto, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south toward Taranto. There are a number of routes you could follow to connect from A14 to SS16 in Ravenna, but the two best options are express routes with no stops.
The Ravenna exit of A14 is between kilometer markers 56 and 57. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto an expressway numbered A14dir (A14 diramazione Ravenna), but there is little signage with the number or name of this spur route. The kilometer marker numbers increase going toward Ravenna. In about 8 kilometers you will pass through a toll plaza. About 21 kilometers past the toll plaza at kilometer marker 29, take the exit for Ancona, Milano Marittima, CerVia and Cesena-Roma. You will be filtered onto SS16 going south. Stay on SS16 for 9.5 kilometers, then take the Classe exit at kilometer marker 157 and proceed as directed above.
Alternatively, the Cesena Nord exit of A14 is between kilometer markers 93 and 94. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza. After the toll plaza, watch carefully for blue overhead panels pointing toward Ravenna and follow those signs to negotiate your way through a rather convoluted interchange. When you are beyond the interchange, you will be heading toward Ravenna on an expressway numbered SS3bis, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. Stay on SS3bis about 21 kilometers to kilometer marker 250, where SS3bis ends at a junction with SS16. As you near the junction, keep to the right, toward Rimini and Ancona. You will be filtered onto SS16 going south. Stay on SS16 just 2.2 kilometers then take the Classe exit at kilometer marker 157 and proceed as directed above.
MAP from SS16 Classe exit to gravel road in Lido di Dante
MAP from A14 Ravenna exit to gravel road in Lido di Dante
MAP from A14 Cesena Nord exit toll plaza to gravel road in Lido di Dante
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Bassona.

"Lido di Dante" village sign
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Bassona.

roundabout
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Bassona.

free parking along Viale Paolo e Francesca

free parking in dirt lot

pay parking along Viale Guido del Duca

pay parking lot

entrance to Camping Classe

entrance to Camping Ramazzotti

Bagno Classe (beach club)

fence (southern limit of beach access from April 1 - July 15)

fence (southern limit of beach access from July 16 - March 31)

via Marabina

via Guido Novello

viale Paolo e Francesca

viale Catone

viale Guido del Duca

extended nude area (open July 16 - March 31, closed April 1 - July 15)

Ferrara

Spiaggia delle Nazioni Nord

Spiaggia delle Nazioni Nord
North of Ravenna and east of Ferrara, the small town of Comacchio is situated a few kilometers inland, but its municipal territory includes about 22 kilometers of Adriatic coast. Along the coastline of Comacchio, there are seven beach resort villages. Going north, they are Lido di Spina, Lido degli Estensi, Porto Garibaldi, Lido degli Scacchi, Lido di Pomposa, Lido delle Nazioni and Lido di Volano. Lido delle Nazioni ("Lido of the Nations") has an international theme, with most of its streets named after countries. Some of the names are a little out of date, like Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union (Cecoslovacchia and Unione Sovietica). Like the other resorts, Lido delle Nazioni is lined with private beach clubs where a fee is required. The northernmost such establishment in Lido delle Nazioni is Bagno Galattico.
Just beyond Bagno Galattico, there is a free stretch of sandy beach that extends northward about 800 meters. Known in Italian as a spiaggia libera, a free beach is one that is free to access, not associated with a private beach club. The free beach comes to an end at the start of an anti-erosion embankment comprised of large rocks stacked against the shoreline. About 2.7 kilometers long, the embankment extends northward toward Lido di Volano, largely corresponding to the length of Lago delle Nazioni, an oblong artificial lake that runs parallel to the coastline several hundred meters inland. The area between the embankment and the lake is occupied by farmland and small tracts of forest. For the most part, the embankment is along a beachless part of the shoreline. However, about a kilometer north of the free beach, there is an accumulation of sand and pebbles wedged against a slight bend of the embankment, and that beach is a gathering place for nude bathers.
The embankment beach does not have a distinct proper name, so we are calling it Spiaggia delle Nazioni Nord. The size of the beach is quite variable. Besides the effects of the tides, there is more sand deposited on the beach in some years than in others. At low tide, the beach can be about 250 meters long, but much of the time it is substantially smaller. The nude beach is attended mostly by men, and it is mostly a gay venue. Nudity is not officially condoned, but there are no known conflicts regarding nude use, perhaps because the beach is sufficiently removed and not a draw for textiles. The nude beach is generally lightly attended, with perhaps a few dozen visitors on peak summer days, most of whom opt to be naked. There are no amenities, so come prepared.
Lido delle Nazioni, Comacchio, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3O4sI0V
Route SS309 (la strada statale 309 Romea) is a 127-kilometer-long highway that connects Ravenna to Venice (or more specifically to Mestre, a mainland district of Venice). The kilometer marker numbers increase going north toward Venice. The main turnoff to Lido delle Nazioni is located at a large roundabout at kilometer 32.4. However, the nude beach is most quickly accessed from strada poderale Valli Basse, a minor road that begins at kilometer 35.6. The rural road is marked only by a small street sign with its name, but it is the only turnoff toward the coast that is between kilometer markers 35 and 36.
Upon turning away from SS309, follow strada poderale Valli Basse east through flat, open farmland for 3 kilometers to a stop sign. Keep straight ahead. In less than 100 meters, you will reach another stop sign next to a stack of blue signs. Keep straight ahead, toward Lido Nazioni. The name of the road will change to viale del Lago. Continue 1.1 kilometers to the next stop sign (at a junction with viale delle Nazioni Unite). Keep straight ahead, staying on viale del Lago.
After the stop sign, start assessing your parking options. For about 150 meters, free parking is available along each side of the street, then pay parking spaces begin. The pay spaces, outlined in blue paint, extend about 300 meters to where viale del Lago bends sharply rightward next to the beach, with the name changing to viale Lapponia. There are more pay spaces along viale Lapponia, which is a bit less than 300 meters long. (Bagno Galattico is located near the end of the street, where it intersects viale Unione Sovietica.) If you park in a space outlined in blue, the fee is payable at the nearest collective meter.
Once you find a place to park, return to the bend of the street (44.7519N, 12.2461E). Find the broad footpath that begins at the last light pole along viale del Lago before it bends to become viale Lapponia. (It is not the path that begins at the two handicapped parking spaces. That path goes through the trees straight out to the beach.) As you follow the path, you will be heading north, with the free beach on your right-hand side beyond a band of coastal scrub. In about 600 meters, the embankment of rocks begins where the sandy beach ends. The path continues atop the embankment along a beachless stretch of shoreline. Continue nearly a kilometer to the next expanse of sand, which is wedged against the embankment. That is the nude beach. The total walk of about 1.5 kilometers takes about 20 minutes.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS, FROM A14
The nearest autostrada to Ravenna is A14 (l'autostrada Adriatica), a 734-kilometer-long motorway that connects Bologna to Taranto, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south toward Taranto. There are a number of routes you could follow to connect from A14 to SS309 in Ravenna, but the two best options are express routes.
The Ravenna exit of A14 is between kilometer markers 56 and 57. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto an expressway numbered A14dir (A14 diramazione Ravenna), but there is little signage with the number or name of this spur route. The kilometer marker numbers increases going toward Ravenna. In about 8 kilometers you will pass through a toll plaza. About 21 kilometers past the toll plaza, the last exit of the expressway is located at kilometer marker 29. Keeps straight ahead past the exit, continuing toward Casalborsetti, Marina Romea and Porto Corsini. Shortly the expressway will narrow into a two-lane highway numbered SS309dir, which is a 5-kilometer-long appendage of SS309. Just keep straight ahead. The kilometer marker numbers decrease, starting with marker 5. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout that is just past marker 2 and an Esso gas station. A bit past marker 1, keep straight ahead at an interchange, following signs for Venezia and Lido nord. Shortly you will pass marker 0, which is the end of SS309bis and the start of SS309. From that point, the marker numbers increase as you continue north. Continue a little over 35 kilometers. After marker 35, turn right onto strada poderale Valli Basse and proceed as directed above.
Alternatively, the Cesena Nord exit of A14 is between kilometer markers 93 and 94. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza. After the toll plaza, watch carefully for blue overhead panels pointing toward Ravenna and follow those signs to negotiate your way through a rather convoluted interchange. When you are beyond the interchange, you will be heading toward Ravenna on an expressway numbered SS3bis, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. Stay on SS3bis for about 21 kilometers to kilometer marker 250, where SS3bis ends at a junction with SS16. As you near the junction, keep to the left, toward Ferrara and Venezia. You will be filtered onto SS16 going north. Stay on SS16 about 7 kilometers. After marker 148, take the exit signed Venezia, lidi nord and porto. You will be filtered onto SS309bis (kilometer 5). Continue 5 kilometers to the start of SS309 (kilometer 0), then continue a little over 35 kilometers. After marker 35, turn right onto strada poderale Valli Basse and proceed as directed above.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS, FROM A13
The A13 autostrada (l'autostrada Euganea) is a 117-kilometer-long motorway that connects Bologna to Padua (Padova), with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going north toward Padua. Take the Ferrara sud exit of A13, between kilometer markers 33 and 34. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the east side of the motorway. After the toll plaza, keep straight toward Porto Garibaldi. You will be heading east on RA8, an expressway that connects A13 to the coast. Just keep straight ahead and follow the entire length of RA8. About 54 kilometers from the toll plaza, you will reach the end of RA8 at a junction with SS309. Keep to the left, following the overhead panel for Venezia. You will pass kilometer marker 28 as you merge into SS309, going north. Continue 7.6 kilometers, then turn right onto strada poderale Valli Basse after you pass marker 35. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from A14 Ravenna exit to end of viale del Lago at bend of street
MAP from A14 Cesena Nord exit toll plaza to end of viale del Lago at bend of street
MAP from A13 Ferrara sud exit toll plaza to end of viale del Lago at bend of street
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia delle Nazioni Nord.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia delle Nazioni Nord.

small street sign: "strada poderale Valli Basse"
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia delle Nazioni Nord.

stop sign

free parking (ends about 150 meters past stop sign)

pay parking (begins about 150 meters past stop sign)

handicapped parking spaces at bend of road

Bagno Galattico (beach club)

strada poderale Valli Basse → viale del Lago → viale Lapponia

path to nude beach

extent of beach, very roughly

Piacenza

Spiaggia del Secchiello Selvaggio

Spiaggia del Secchiello Selvaggio
The coastal city of Genoa and the inland town of Piacenza are about 90 kilometers apart as the crow flies, with the Apennine Mountains between them. There is a curvy mountain road that directly connects Genoa to Piacenza, and, for most of its length, that road follows the course of the Trebbia River, or the fiume Trebbia in Italian. The river originates in the mountains north of Genoa and flows northward to Piacenza, where it empties into the Po, the mighty river that drains most of northern Italy into the Adriatic Sea. The valley of the Trebbia is renowned for its scenic beauty, and the heart of the valley is the small town of Bobbio, known for its medieval town center and its ancient arched stone bridge that spans the river. All along the Trebbia, there are a number of large bars composed of gravel and sand. These wild beaches along the river are quite popular during summer. One such beach has been established as a haven for naturists due to the efforts of a local naturist group, who have named the beach Spiaggia del Secchiello Selvaggio, which translates to "Wild Bucket Beach."
Spiaggia del Secchiello Selvaggio is located between two bends of the serpentine river, about 6 kilometers south of Bobbio. The nude area of the river can be glimpsed from the nearby highway, but only briefly and from a distance. The beach is also visible from Brugnello, a tiny settlement perched over 100 meters above the river. The charming hamlet is well worth an excursion. Although access to the beach is not obvious and there are no signs, the beach is quite well attended on summer weekends and holidays, when limited parking can be a problem. Most visitors opt to be naked. There are no amenities, so come prepared. The Trebbia is typically a slow, shallow river with scattered pools deep enough for swimming, but it can become a torrent after heavy rains, so use extreme caution if the current is swift.
Brugnello, Corte Brugnatella, Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44zaxam
Route SS45 (la strada statale 45 di Val Trebbia) is a roughly 120-kilometer-long highway that winds through the Apennines from Genoa to Piacenza, with the kilometer numbers increasing going north toward Piacenza. Very twisty and quite narrow in many places, SS45 crosses the Trebbia River a number of times. The village of Marsaglia lies along SS45 between kilometer markers 85 and 86, while the hamlet of San Salvatore lies just west of SS45 at marker 90. Next to marker 88, there is a sign pointing toward the hamlet of Telecchio, which is several kilometers east of SS45.
The nude beach along the Trebbia is located between Marsaglia and San Salvatore, and there are no signs visible from the highway that point the way there. The inconspicuous path to the river (44.7247N, 9.3901E) begins near kilometer marker 88 of SS45. If you are headed north toward Piacenza, the path is on the left about 30 meters past marker 88. If you are headed south toward Genoa, the path is on the right about 30 meters before marker 88.
There are several gravel parking pullouts along SS45 near marker 88, including one that is across the road from the start of the path to the river. Assume you park at that pullout, which can hold about 10 cars. Directly across the road from the pullout, there is a low stone wall that extends about 40 meters. Facing the low stone wall, look to your left (toward marker 88). At the end of the stone wall, there is a garbage bin next to a gate signed area privata, then a metal guardrail begins just a bit farther left. The path down to the river begins at the start of the metal guardrail, next to a multilingual sign warning of flash flood danger.
Once you find the start of the path, there are a few handmade per il fiume ("to the river") signs nailed to trees to keep you on course. From the highway, it is a trek of about 300 meters down to the river, with an elevation loss of about 40 meters. Once you reach the riverbed, you will be on the right bank of the river (i.e., the right side of the river when looking downstream). Turn right and head north (downstream), where you will soon have to wade across the shallow river to the left bank since the right-bank terrain becomes steep and rocky. Continue downstream just a bit until you round a prominent bend of the river, then you will enter the nude area, which is a large gravel bar on the left bank of the river. If you go all the way across the gravel bar and wade back across the river, you will reach another large gravel bar on the right bank at the next bend of the river. That gravel bar is also part of the nude area. The total hike takes about 15 minutes.
Parking near the nude beach is quite limited. Consider arriving early—by 9 am on summer weekends. Parking is much easier if you come by scooter rather than by car. If you can't park at the pullout that is opposite the river path, the next-best options are on the other side of marker 88 (toward marker 87).
The gravel road to Telecchio that begins near kilometer 88 is extremely rough, suitable only for four-wheel-drive vehicles. (The hamlet is primarily accessed from a different road.) However, if all the nearby pullouts are full, you may consider trying to park near the start of the road. Just be sure not to block the road.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS—starting from Genoa
In Genoa, a logical starting point is the Genova Est exit of the A12★ autostrada, which is between kilometer markers 4 and 5 between two tunnels. If you are going east, the exit is just past the 1.6-kilometer-long Galleria Monte Sperone. If you are going west, the exit is a bit past the 600-meter-long Galleria Monte Veilino. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the coast side of the motorway then through two tunnels on the way to the toll plaza.
After the toll plaza, you will enter another tunnel. When you emerge from that tunnel, keep to the left until you reach a red light, where you have to turn left. Upon turning, be sure to follow the overhead panel for Piacenza. You will be on SS45, which at first coincides with Lungobisagno Istria. In 1.3 kilometers you will pass beneath a high-span bridge (a segment of A12). Continue following Piacenza signs to stay on SS45 through all subsequent junctions all the way to your destination. 6.6 kilometers past the high-span bridge, you will enter another tunnel just after you pass a sign indicating you are leaving the city of Genoa (Genova). After the tunnel, there are ascending kilometer markers along the highway, starting with 12.
Continue about 42 kilometers to the small village of Gorreto, where there is a gap in the kilometer numbering. Marker 53 (just before the village) and marker 62 (just after the village) are less than a kilometer apart, while markers 54 to 61 do not exist. Marker 62 is located at a regional border★★ where you leave Liguria and enter Emilia-Romanga, which coincides with the provincial border where you leave Genoa and enter Piacenza.
From the border at marker 62, continue about 23 kilometers to the village of Marsaglia, which is just past marker 85. By marker 86, you will have passed all the way through the village. Continue 2 more kilometers and watch carefully for marker 88, which is just past a blue sign that points right toward the hamlet of Telecchio. Just a bit past marker 88, turn right into the next gravel pullout. The path to the river is on the opposite (left) side of the road, as described above.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS—starting from Piacenza
In Piacenza, a logical starting point is the Piacenza Ovest exit of the A21 autostrada, which is between kilometer markers 157 and 158. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the south side of the motorway. From the toll plaza, it is 5.5 kilometers to SS45, with a number of roundabouts along the way. To navigate the roundabouts, watch carefully for and follow the blue signs for the Tangenziale Sud, which is a ring road around the southern periphery of Piacenza. At the third roundabout from the toll plaza, you will be at the actual start of the ring road. Continue following Tangenziale Sud signs through several more roundabouts to stay on the ring road until you enter a 460-meter-long tunnel (Tunnel Montecucco). When you exit the tunnel, continue 1.3 kilometers to the next roundabout, which is a huge roundabout with a grassy median. Take the first departure of that roundabout, toward Genova, Bobbio and Val Trebbia.
When you leave the roundabout that is after the tunnel, you will be at kilometer 135.6 of SS45, with the marker numbers decreasing as you head south. Follow signs for Genova and Bobbio at all junctions to stay on SS45. In 39 to 40 kilometers you will reach Bobbio, a bit past kilometer marker 96. Keep straight ahead past the road that goes into the town center, following the overhead panel for Genova. 4 to 5 kilometers farther along, you will enter a 212-meter long tunnel (Tunnel San Salvatore), which is after marker 91. 300 meters past the tunnel, the next road on the right goes to the hamlet of San Salvatore. Keep straight ahead. 900 meters farther along, you will pass marker 89. 500 meters farther along, SS45 makes a sharp leftward curve. (The nude beach is visible off to the right immediately past the curve.) From the curve, continue about 400 meters to the next parking pullout on the left, which is a bit before marker 88. The path to the river is on the opposite (right) side of the road, as described above.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS—excursion to Brugnello
The only bridge over the Trebbia in Marsaglia is at the south end of the village, and the signed turnoff to Brugnello is at the south end of that bridge. If you are going north on SS45, it is the first left you can make after you pass kilometer marker 85 and the Marsaglia village sign, and you have just barely missed it if you begin to cross the bridge. If you are going south on SS45, you will pass the Marsaglia village sign a bit past kilometer marker 86, then you will cross the bridge about 500 meters farther along. Turn right immediately at the end of the bridge.
Shortly after you turn away from SS45, you will come to another sign pointing toward Brugnello as the road winds through a cluster of houses. From that point, keep straight ahead through all subsequent junctions until you reach the end of the road at Brugnello, which is 2.3 kilometers from SS45.
Brugnello is quite small. The cemetery at one end of the hamlet and the church at the other end are about 250 meters apart. As you near the end of the road, you will pass a small Brugnello locality sign next to the cemetery. The cemetery, on the left side of the road, is surrounded by a stone wall, with gravesites visible through an iron gate. Parking is available nearby. Watch for signs. Not quite 100 meters past the cemetery, you will come to a tricolor Italian flag just before Ristorante Rocca Rosa, which is the only eatery in Brugnello. When you pass the flagpole, stay on the pea-gravel road as it curves sharply leftward, keeping the front side of the restaurant on your right-hand side. Very shortly you will reach a scenic overlook that is perched about 130 meters above the nude beach. Facing the river at the overlook, the gravel bar to your right is the left-bank part of the nude area, while the gravel bar on the opposite side of the river at the prominent bend is the right-bank part of the nude area.
Backtracking to the restaurant, follow the cobbled road that is on the left side of the front of the restaurant. In about 130 meters you will reach the church. On the left side of the doorway, there is an oval placard bearing the name of the church (Chiesa dei SS. Cosma e Damiano). Facing the river at the oval placard, just a little of the nude area is visible to your left. If you go to the rear of the church, you will have more sweeping views of the part of the river that is upstream from the nude beach.
★ The A12 autostrada was envisioned as a roughly 475-kilometer-long coastal motorway connecting Genoa to Rome, but the project has never been completed due to environmental concerns. The motorway has existed as two segments for decades—a northern segment (about 200 kilometers long) originating in Genoa and a much shorter southern segment (about 75 kilometers long) originating near Rome, with an incomplete gap of about 200 kilometers between the two segments. The motorway exit described above is along the longer northern segment of A12.
★★ The sign at kilometer marker 62 of SS45 is quite confusing, indicating you are entering the Compartimento di Bologna, which is an administrative division pertaining to highway maintenance. Marker 62 is not near the city or the province of Bologna.
MAP from A12 Genova Est exit to parking near km 88 of SS45
MAP from A12 Piacenza Ovest exit to parking near km 88 of SS45
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Secchiello Selvaggio.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Secchiello Selvaggio.

"Marsaglia" sign (south end of village)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Secchiello Selvaggio.

bridge over Trebbia River in Marsaglia

"Marsaglia" sign (north end of village)

kilometer marker 88 of SS45, next to sign pointing toward Telecchio

parking pullout (one of several)

San Salvatore Tunnel

Brugnello cemetery, surrounded by stone wall

Ristorante Rocca Rosa

overlook with view of nude beach

church in Brugnello

hamlet of San Salvatore

hamlet of Telecchio

path to river

road to Brugnello

Friuli Venezia Giulia

Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari & Spiaggia dei Filtri

collective description
Friuli Venezia Giulia is a region in the far northeast of Italy, extending from the Alps to the Adriatic and bordered by Austria and Slovenia. The region has four historical provinces—and we're talking recent history. The provinces ceased to be administrative divisions only in 2017. Trieste is the name of both the smallest of the four former provinces and the principal town of that province. Wedged between Slovenia and the Adriatic, Trieste is barely connected to the rest of Italy. This is an area where place names have linguistic variants and where many signs are bilingual, in Italian and Slovenian. Trieste is Trst in Slovenian—but most of the names have vowels.
The municipality of Duino-Aurisina is about 15 to 20 kilometers north-northwest of the town center of Trieste. There is no actual town called Duino-Aurisina. The municipality consists of over a dozen small towns, villages and hamlets. Duino and Aurisina are the names of the two largest settlements. The only two established nude beaches in Friuli Venezia Giulia are located in Duino-Aurisina, and they are just a few kilometers apart. Both are narrow beaches that are quite hidden along a rugged and beautiful stretch of coastline. Spiaggia dei Filtri is near Aurisina (Nabrežina in Slovenian), while Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari is closer to Sistiana (Sesljan).
The beach closer to Trieste is Spiaggia dei Filtri, and it is overseen by a local naturist group. The zone of naturist use is about 700 meters long. There are two ways to get to the beach, and both involve long staircases. From the coastal road, a long series of stairs descends to the sea and lands about halfway along the nude beach, but the number of steps is roughly comparable to the number of steps in a building with 25 to 30 floors. Another option is to take a short walk to the southeast end of the nude area after descending significantly fewer steps—roughly the equivalent of four or five flights of stairs. Needless to say, most visitors take the latter option, and most nudists congregate along the southeasternmost 100 or so meters of the nude area, where there are rocks spray painted with "FKK" and "zona naturista." Regulars have cultivated an atmosphere where nudity is de rigueur, at least in the area with the spray-painted rocks.
Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari occupies a stretch of coastline with development at either end. At one end there is a huge seaside apartment building (formerly a hotel) called Residence Europa. At the other end is a new resort development called Portopiccolo (completed in 2014) that is built in the terraces of a seaside quarry that had been abandoned since the 1970s before being redeveloped. Despite its proximity to Residence Europa and Portopiccolo, Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari remains off the beaten path and difficult to reach. Access to the beach is by a steep trail that winds down a cliffside from a height of about 90 meters. Although nude bathers have the better part of a kilometer at their disposal, most visitors cluster about halfway along that area around a stone platform that is an industrial relic.
Spiaggia dei Filtri and Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari are both very stoney beaches with limited pebble areas, and there are no amenities at either. Be sure to bring water for the hike to either beach. It also helps to bring a cushioned surface for sitting or lying on the beach. Comparing the two, Spiaggia dei Filtri draws a more mixed crowd and nearly everyone is naked. Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari is largely (but not exclusively) a gay venue, and on crowded days there are lots of textiles amid the nudists.
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari and Spiaggia dei Filtri.

Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari and Spiaggia dei Filtri.)
frazione, comune, region, country:
Sistiana, Duino-Aurisina, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
There are 33 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari and Spiaggia dei Filtri.

Spiaggia dei Filtri
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari and Spiaggia dei Filtri.)
frazione, comune, region, country:
Aurisina, Duino-Aurisina, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
There are 33 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari and Spiaggia dei Filtri.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/43xYcCg
The A4 autostrada (Autostrada Serenissima) is a 522-kilometer-long motorway across the northern tier of Italy, connecting Turin (near France) to Trieste (near Slovenia) via Milan and Venice. The kilometer marker numbers increase going east toward Slovenia. Heading east into the outskirts of Trieste, the motorway number changes from A4 to RA13 and continues another 21 kilometers toward the city center of Trieste. In other words, going east toward Slovenia on the motorway, kilometer marker 522 is the last marker of A4. Marker 0 of RA13 is just a few hundred meters farther along.
Route SS14 (la strada statale 14 della Venezia Giulia) is a 168-kilometer-long highway from Venice to the Slovenian border, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going east toward Slovenia. For its entire duration, SS14 runs more or less parallel to A4/RA13 but closer to the coastline.
Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari is accessed between kilometers 137 and 138 of SS14, while nearby Spiaggia dei Filtri can be accessed from either of two locations that are between kilometer markers 140 and 142. To get to either beach, a logical starting point is the Trieste/Sistiana exit of RA13, between kilometer markers 0 and 1. (If you are going east toward Slovenia, the Duino exit is the last exit along A4 before the motorway number changes, then the Trieste/Sistiana exit is the first exit along RA13.).
Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari can be accessed from either of two parking lots, one of which is slightly uphill from the other. The upper lot is free, while the lower lot has metered spaces. The upper lot is accessible only from a road that connects RA13 to SS14, and it cannot be accessed from SS14. The lower lot is a one-way parking loop that is accessed directly from SS14 but cannot be accessed from the connector road. Just as soon as you exit from RA13, you will take a different route depending on whether you want to go the upper lot or lower lot.
Regardless of the direction of approach, all traffic taking the Trieste/Sistiana exit of RA13 is filtered to the coast side of the motorway. Immediately begin watching for the blue sign that has the names of three towns in Italian and Slovenian: Trieste/Trst, Duino/Devin and Aurisina/Nabrežina. For Options 1, 3 and 4, keep straight ahead toward Trieste. For Option 2, veer right toward Duino and Aurisina.
Option 1: Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari, free parking in upper lot
After exiting from RA13, keep straight ahead toward Trieste. In about 700 meters, the speed limit will slow to 40 KPH as the road narrows and begins to make a sharp leftward curve. After the speed limit sign, continue just 100 meters and take the next possible right at a break in the guardrail. You will enter a small asphalted parking area that overlooks the sea (45.7619N, 13.6398E). The parking area is not signed.
Facing the sea at the upper lot, go to its far right end to find the stairs that connect to the lower lot. Facing the sea at the lower lot, go to its far right end (where it connects to SS14) and look for a small metal utility box (about waist high) on the coast side of SS14 at the parking lot entrance. The path to the sea starts at the utility box, and it is quite inconspicuous. As you start along the wooded path, you will at first be going gradually downhill below the lower parking lot, then the descent becomes much steeper. While the distance from the lower parking lot to the sea is less than 300 meters, the elevation loss is about 90 meters, so it is an abrupt climb (which will be particularly taxing on the way back up).
When you land near sea level, head southeast (to the left when facing the sea). Three landmarks, all of them industrial relics, define the nude area. These landmarks are located over an expanse of about 900 meters. In about 150 meters you will reach the first landmark, which is a dilapidated pier. A few nudists may be present at the pier, but most continue southeast. The second landmark is about 500 meters farther along, and it is a bulky stone platform that probably used to be part of a large pier. Atop the platform there is a tall iron pole with the girth of a tree trunk, near a more spindly pole with a bilingual Italian/Slovenian sign reading zona soggetta a movimenti franosi / območje zemeljskih usadov, which means "area subject to landslides." Most nude bathers cluster on the platform and along the small pebble niches that are just beyond it. Those niches extend toward the third landmark, the vestiges of another pier. The only remains are blocks of cement on land and in the water. The third landmark is the end of the nude area. Just 100 or so meters beyond it, there is a huge, very prominent multi-story white building that is next to the sea. That structure is Residence Europa.
Option 2: Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari, pay parking in lower lot
After exiting from RA13, veer right toward Duino and Aurisina and follow the ramp about 300 meters to a stop sign at a "T" with SP1 (SP = strada provinciale), where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right and proceed about 400 meters to a rather convoluted, irregular junction with SS14. Go left at the junction, following the blue sign for Trieste. In about 300 meters, you will pass kilometer marker 137 of SS14. Just past the marker, keep straight ahead past the prominent right-hand turnoff into Portopiccolo. About 200 meters farther on, take note when you pass Costa dei Barbari, a pastry and ice cream shop that is on the left (inland) side of the road. Just past the pastry shop on the same side of the road, watch for a large white house with brown shutters. Immediately past that house, veer right into the lower parking lot (45.7637N, 13.6393E). The entrance is directly opposite the sign that indicates you are leaving Sistiana/Sesljan. (There is also a blue-and-white "P" sign at the parking lot entrance, but it is hard to see until it is too late to turn.) Just as soon as you veer into the parking lot, you will pass the small metal utility box where the path to the sea begins. Proceed with the hiking directions under Option 1.
Option 3: Spiaggia dei Filtri, long staircase from SS14
After exiting from RA13, keep straight ahead toward Trieste. In about one kilometer you will be filtered onto SS14 going southeast. Just after you merge into SS14 at a yield sign, you will pass kilometer marker 138. The stairs to Spiaggia dei Filtri are 2.2 kilometers past marker 138. Watch for the following landmarks to find the stairs and parking. All landmarks and parking options are on the right (coast) side of the road.
• km 139.3  signed turnoff to Marina Aurisina and Cardamomo (beach bar)
• km 139.7  signed staircase to Canovella de Zoppoli (beach bar) and fishermen's path (sentiero dei pescatori / ribiška pot)
• km 139.9  parking pullout next to metal driveway gate (45.7477N, 13.6610E)
• km 140.2  unsigned staircase to Spiaggia dei Filtri (45.7454N, 13.6637E)
• km 140.3  short tunnel
• km 140.5  short row of parking spaces (45.7438N, 13.6659E)
Parking is free at both locations named above. If possible, park in the pullout at kilometer 139.9, where there is room for about 20 cars. Kilometer marker 140 is at the end of the pullout. From marker 140, proceed on foot about halfway to the tunnel to find the stairs to Spiaggia dei Filtri. (If the parking pullout is full, continue through the tunnel. Just past the tunnel, there is a row of 14 individual parallel parking spaces.)
At the top of the stairs, you will be 80 to 90 meters above sea level. The cement staircase has handrails, and it makes many switchbacks. The descent is long but direct, and you will land about halfway along the zone of naturist use, which extends about 700 meters. Most nude bathers gather toward the southeast end of that expanse (to the left when facing the sea), having accessed the beach from an approach with far fewer steps. (See Option 4 below.)
Option 4: Spiaggia dei Filtri, oceanography institute
Follow the directions for Option 3, but continue along SS14 through the short tunnel. About 900 meters past the tunnel, take the next possible right onto via Auguste Piccard. The turnoff, which is about 400 meters past kilometer marker 141, is marked by an OSG sign (short for Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale). This will be a very sharp right turn.
Via Auguste Piccard is 400 meters long, ending at the gate into the oceanography institute. There is free parking along most of the road (around 45.7402N, 13.6729E) in narrow lanes delineated by white paint. On foot, proceed to the gate at the end of the road, at which point you will be 15 to 20 meters above sea level. To the left of the gate, a staircase with handrails descends to a small beach, landing next to a seaside eatery called Trattoria Bellariva. Facing the sea, turn right and head northwest past the small marina that is next to the castle-like buildings of the oceanography institute. After the marina, continue about 200 meters to reach the start of the nude area. Just beyond the first part of the beach, there is a scree of rocks cascading down a steep hillside. The part of the beach where the stairs land (from Option 3) is just beyond the rocky hillside.
MAP from RA13 Trieste/Sistiana exit to parking (Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari, free parking in upper lot)
MAP from RA13 Trieste/Sistiana exit to parking (Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari, pay parking in lower lot)
MAP from RA13 Trieste/Sistiana exit to parking (Spiaggia dei Filtri, at SS14 km 139.9 near long staircase)
MAP from RA13 Trieste/Sistiana exit to parking (Spiaggia dei Filtri, oceanography institute)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari and Spiaggia dei Filtri.

kilometer marker 522 of A4 autostrada
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Costa dei Barbari and Spiaggia dei Filtri.

kilometer marker 0 of RA13 autostrada

Trieste/Sistiana exit interchange of RA13

kilometer marker 1 of RA13 autostrada

upper parking lot (free)

SS14/SP1 junction

Portopiccolo (huge resort built in an old quarry)

Costa dei Barbari pastry & ice cream shop

lower parking lot (pay)

Residence Europa (large white apartment building)

signed turnoff to Marina Aurisina

signed stairs to Canovella de Zoppoli

Canovella de Zoppoli

parking pullout

unsigned stairs to Spiaggia dei Filtri

short tunnel

parallel parking spaces

streetside parking

oceanography institute

stairs to Trattoria Bellariva

Trattoria Bellariva

small marina

segment of A4/RA13 autostrada

connector road between RA13 and SS14

ramp & segment of SP1

one-way loop through lower parking lot

via Auguste Piccard

path to sea

Lazio

Roma

Spiaggia delle Sabbie Nere

Spiaggia delle Sabbie Nere
About 55 kilometers northwest of the ancient center of Rome, the seaside resort village of Santa Severa is a frazione of the larger town of Santa Marinella. The village is best known for Santa Severa Castle (Castello di Santa Severa), an imposing seaside fortress that is now a museum. While documentation of the castle dates to the 9th century, most of what is extant today dates to the 14th century. Santa Severa—the seaside village—is immediately north and west of the castle. From the opposite side of the castle, a long beach extends south and east, backed by a mostly treeless tract of coastal plains. The beach is unusual because it is covered in black sand, and thus it is named Spiaggia delle Sabbie Nere, which literally means Black Sands Beach. Sabbie Nere has been frequented by nude bathers for decades. In 2021, the municipal government of Santa Marinella formally designated part of the beach for naturist use. The nude area begins a little over one kilometer away from the castle, and it is backed by a military range that is mostly empty land.
Sabbie Nere is accessed from a parking area that is situated on private land a bit inland from the beach. The parking area is open from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm. Parking for the day is about €5, with reduced rates for mopeds and late arrivals (after 2 pm). From the parking area, it takes 5 to 10 minutes to walk out to the beach. Near the beach entrance, there are chemical toilets and a snack stand along with beach chairs and umbrellas that can be rented. Facing the sea at the beach entrance, the castle is about 900 meters to the right, perched on a notch of land that separates Sabbie Nere from the main beach of Santa Severa. The Pyrgi archaeological site—the ruins of an Etruscan temple complex that dates to the 5th century BC—is just inland from the beach about halfway to the castle. Looking away from the castle, head south along the beach. First you will pass through a designated dog area, then after 200 or so meters you will reach the multi-lingual sign that indicates where the nude area begins.
Near the start of the nude area, you will see a small structure on stilts just inland from the beach. (It could easily be mistaken for a lifeguard tower, but it seems to be a military structure.) Most nude bathers cluster near that structure, then the beach thins out. If you keep going south about a kilometer, you will come to a small, boxy structure (some sort of outbuilding) next to an irrigation ditch that flows toward the sea, usually not breaking through to the sea. By that point, the beach is very likely to be deserted. The border of the military range and an adjacent nature reserve is about 300-400 meters farther along. Nudity is not condoned along the coastline of the nature reserve, so it is probably best to regard the irrigation ditch as the end of the nude area.
Santa Severa, Santa Marinella, Roma, Lazio, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Q73vFB
Route SS1 (la strada statale 1, a.k.a. Via Aurelia) is a 697-kilometer-long coastal highway that connects Rome to the international border of Italy and France. The kilometer marker numbers increase going from Rome toward France. Santa Severa is spread out from kilometers 52.8 to 54.7 of SS1. The turnoff to Santa Severa Castle is just southeast of town (i.e., toward Rome), at kilometer 52.5. The turnoff to Spiaggia delle Sabbie Nere is a bit farther southeast, at kilometer 51.7 (42.0172N, 11.9708E). The turnoff is marked by a Parcheggio Varco 54 Sabbie Nere sign. If you are heading southeast on SS1 (toward Rome, having just passed Santa Severa), turn right about 300 meters past kilometer 52. If you are heading northwest on SS1, turn left about 700 meters past marker 51.
Upon turning, you will immediately pass through an iron gate that will be open anytime the parking lot is open. You will then be on a road that continues all the way to the sea, but all vehicles must keep to the right to enter a long earthen parking lot that is spread out along the right side of the road. On foot, continue along the road to the beach. It is a walk of 400 to 600 meters, depending on where you can find a parking space. Facing the sea, turn left and head southeast through the dog area to reach the nude area, as described above.
The A12 autostrada was envisioned as a roughly 475-kilometer-long coastal motorway connecting Rome to Genoa, but the project has never been completed due to environmental concerns. The motorway has existed as two segments for decades—a relatively short southern segment (about 75 kilometers long) originating in Rome and a much longer northern segment (about 200 kilometers long) originating in Genoa, with an incomplete gap of about 200 kilometers between the two segments where traffic follows SS1 instead. For the southern segment of A12, the marker numbers increase going north and west (away from Rome, toward Civitavecchia).
Take the Santa Marinella/Santa Severa exit of A12, which is between kilometer markers 40 and 42 (with marker 41 amid the interchange). The exit is 40 to 41 kilometers northwest of the start of A12 near Rome's main airport (Fiumicino). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the coast side of the motorway. (There is no toll station.) Follow signs for SS1 Aurelia.
Less than a kilometer from the exit, you will cross a multi-track railroad via an overpass. Just after the railroad, you will reach a stop sign at a "T." Turn left, toward Santa Severa (NOT toward Santa Marinella, which is the other direction). Continue 600 meters to the next stop signs at another "T." Turn left again, toward Santa Severa and Roma.
Upon turning, you will be heading east-southeast on SS1, with most of the structures of Santa Severa on the right (coast) side of the road. Continue about 1.8 kilometers and take note of the right-hand turnoff to Santa Severa Castle (signed castello, antiquarium, museo civico, etc.), but do not turn there. Continue about 400 meters and watch for a small Esso gas station on the left (inland) side of the road. Continue about 400 meters farther, then turn right at the Varco 54 sign and proceed as directed above. The turnoff is opposite a small highway maintenance center that is marked by ANAS signs.
MAP from A12 Santa Marinella/Santa Severa exit to parking turnoff
PUBLIC TRANSIT
Santa Severa can be reached by regional train from Rome. Line FL5 originates at Roma Termini, Rome's main train station, and goes to Civitavecchia. Santa Severa is the next-to-last stop before Civitavecchia. The train runs about once an hour, and one-way fare is €4-€5. The trip takes about an hour if you start at Roma Termini, but be aware that the train makes stops at several other stations in Rome. (For example, if you start at Roma San Pietro just south of the Vatican, the trip takes just 40 minutes.)
The Santa Severa train station is located a bit inland from the Esso gas station mentioned above. From the train station, it is a walk of 1.8 kilometers (about 22 minutes) to the Sabbie Nere entrance, plus a few more minutes to walk along the beach to the nude area. The walk takes you through the private property where the parking lot described above is located, so expect to pay a small fee to pass through. Unfortunately, the walk is not entirely pedestrian friendly. A little over half of the walk is along automobile roads with no sidewalks, but there is room to walk in the grass next to the road along the SS1 segment.
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia delle Sabbie Nere.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia delle Sabbie Nere.

Esso gas station
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia delle Sabbie Nere.

small highway maintenance center, marked by "ANAS" signs

Santa Severa train station

Castello di Santa Severa

Pyrgi archaeological site

designated dog area

boundary between military range & nature reserve

road into parking lot

pedestrian road to beach

Spiaggia di Focene Sud

Spiaggia di Focene Sud
Fiumicino is a coastal town that abuts the municipal limits of Rome, and it is best known as the location of Rome's main airport, which is Italy's busiest airport. Although formally named for Leonardo da Vinci, the airport is generally known as Fiumicino Airport (Aeroporto Fiumicino). Fiumicino means "little river," and the town is so named because its center straddles a short river that is a distributary of the Tiber. (The main branch of the Tiber flows into the sea at the south end of Fiumicino.) Focene is a frazione (i.e., neighborhood or subdivision) of Fiumicino that is located a bit north of the town center, separated from the main part of town by a mostly wild tract of land that includes wetlands and a small pine forest. Extending about 2 kilometers and covered in dark sand, the beach abutting the wild land is regarded as the southern end of the beach of Focene. The wild beach is relatively secluded, and part of it was designated for naturism by municipal authorities in 2015. The nude area is roughly 800 meters long, and it is latitudinally aligned with the central hub of the airport, which is about 2.5 kilometers away as the crow flies.
Although the beach of Focene is one of a small number of officially designated nude beaches in Italy, it is not particularly esteemed as a naturist venue. The main visitor complaint is that the beach is insufficiently maintained, with an unfortunate amount of plastic and other garbage marring the landscape. The nude beach is never crowded, always drawing far fewer nudists than Spiaggia di Capocotta, the much-loved naturist beach located about 20 kilometers to the south.
The nude beach of Focene is most quickly accessed from its south end, bypassing the main beach area of Focene. The naturist zone begins just north of a prominent breakwater. The nearest amenities are located about 500 meters south of the breakwater at a textile beach called Spiaggia di Coccia di Morto. The nude beach is easy to access by car, but it is not at all convenient to get there by public transit. If you are visiting Rome without a car, it is far easier to get to Spiaggia di Capocotta, which is accessible by a combination of train and bus.
frazione, comune, metropolitan city, region, country:
Focene, Fiumicino, Roma, Lazio, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3K9tVTf
As you navigate the airport area, be advised that signs that point toward Fiumicino indicate the way into the town of Fiumicino. Various parts of the airport are signed by airplane symbols and terms like arrivi (arrivals), partenze (departures), autonoleggio (car rentals), etc.
Just 18.5 kilometers long, the A90 autostrada is a short motorway that begins in southwestern Rome and terminates at the city's main airport. Follow A90 west toward the airport. The kilometer marker numbers increase, and the last marker is 18. Just after marker 18, you will pass a big panel that indicates the motorway is coming to an end amid signs that point toward various parts of the airport. Make sure you are in the lane that is signed Ostia and Fiumicino. Those two locations appear in blue on overhead panels, and they are also painted on the pavement. You will be filtered to a large roundabout that circles beneath several overpasses. Take the departure for Ostia and Fiumicino.
Continue 400-500 meters to the next roundabout, which is named Piazza Umberto Nobile and has a cluster of palm trees in its median. The second and third departures of that roundabout are very close together, and both those departures have signs pointing toward Fiumicino. Be sure to take the second departure, following the white sign for Fiumicino Nord. (The third departure—the one you do NOT want—has a blue sign for Ostia and Fiumicino.)
When you leave the roundabout with the palm trees, you will be on via Alessandro Marchetti. In 700 meters, keep to the right to merge into viale del Lago di Traiano. Continue about 800 meters to a large roundabout with a grassy median at the edge of the town of Fiumicino. At that point, the southwest corner of the chainlink perimeter fence of the airport will be to your immediate right, and you will see a Todis supermarket off to your left on the south side of the roundabout.
The nude beach is accessed from a road named via del Pesce Luna. There are two ways to get there from the roundabout that is next to the Todis supermarket.
Option 1:
Enter the roundabout at the edge of Fiumicino and circle a little more than halfway through. Just before the Todis supermarket, depart the roundabout from its west side, where signs point toward the Fiumicino town center and various civic offices. (Watch for the city center symbol that resembles the bull's eye of a target.) Continue 200 meters to the next roundabout and take the departure signed tutte le direzioni ("all directions"). By that point, you will be on via della Foce Micina. At first the opposing lanes are divided by a narrow, grassy median. Continue 400 meters to the end of the median at a red light. From the end of the median, continue about 150 meters and take the third possible right onto via del Pesce Luna, which is signed. (If you miss the turn, there is another roundabout 300 meters farther west where you can turn around.)
Once you turn, you will begin going north. In 800 meters, via del Pesce Luna will narrow a bit once you have passed the last residential structure. Once the road narrows, continue about 400 meters to the point where the road curves sharply rightward. At the curve, a dirt track goes off to the left toward the sea, which is clearly in view less than 200 meters away. The track is the beach access (41.7850N, 12.2258E). You can park alongside the road, or you can turn onto the track and park in the grass where the track peters out near the beach.
Head out to the beach, then head north (to the right when facing the sea). Continue across a notch of land that protrudes to a stone breakwater that runs parallel to the beach, extending about 150 meters. From the end of the breakwater, the wild beach extends northward about 1.5 kilometers to the first seaside structures in Focene. The naturist zone begins just past the breakwater and extends about halfway to the start of those seaside structures.
Option 2:
Enter the roundabout at the edge of Fiumicino, then almost immediately take the first departure, which is signed Focene, Fregene, Maccarese and Passoscuro. You will begin going north on viale Coccia di Morto, which follows the western border of the airport. In one kilometer, watch for an Agip gas station on your left. (There are few other structures nearby.) After the gas station, continue 500-600 meters and take the next possible left onto via del Pesce Luna. There is a street sign, but it is rather inconspicuous.
Follow via del Pesce Luna west. In 600-700 meters, the road will begin to skirt a recycling center, making three sharp curves over the next 300 or so meters—to the left, to the right, then to the left again. Continue to the last of the three curves. Just as the road begins to curve leftward, the dirt beach track begins on the right. Continue as directed above.
The A90 autostrada, Rome's 68-kilometer-long ring road, makes a complete loop around the city. The ring road is named the Grande Raccordo Anulare, abbreviated as GRA. Be aware that A90 and GRA are used interchangeably on signs, and GRA is the more commonly used designation. The GRA has 33 numbered exits (uscita = exit) interspersed with some exits that are not numbered. The first and last exits (1 and 33) and the first and last kilometer markers (0 and 68) are all very close together on the west side of the ring road, at roughly the 9 o'clock position if you think of the ring road as a clock. Both the exit numbers and the kilometer marker numbers ascend going clockwise.
Exit 30 (Fiumicino), the airport exit of the GRA, is amid a huge and complicated interchange that is between kilometers 59 and 62. Just watch carefully for the airport symbol to navigate the interchange. You will eventually merge into A91 going west. Continue about 10 kilometers to the end of the motorway at marker 18, then continue as directed above.
MAP from A90/GRA Exit 30 to start of dirt beach track (Option 1)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Focene Sud.

Fiumicino Airport
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Focene Sud.

large roundabout at edge of Fiumicino
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Focene Sud.

Todis supermarket

roundabout

red light

Agip gas station

informal roadside parking

informal parking in grass

recycling center

stone breakwater (indicated by orange line)

Spiaggia di Coccia di Morto (textile)

Via della Foce Micina

viale Coccia di Morto

dirt track

Via del Pesce Luna

stone breakwater

nude area, very roughly

Spiaggia di Capocotta

Spiaggia di Capocotta
The large coastal town of Ostia is located on the outskirts of Rome at the mouth of the Tiber River, and it is part of the municipality of Rome even though it is about 30 kilometers from the city center. Ostia is the location of Rome's ancient seaport, the ruins of which are several kilometer upstream from the river mouth. No longer an active seaport, modern Ostia is a popular coastal resort, and it is also known as Lido di Ostia. Starting at the mouth of the Tiber and going south, there is dense development along the coastline of Ostia for about ten kilometers. When the development ends, there is another seven to eight kilometers of coast extending to the municipal limits of Rome. Just over the municipal line, Villaggio Tognazzi is the northernmost neighborhood of Torvaianica, the coastal district of Pomezia. The long beach that extends from the developed part of Ostia to Villaggio Tognazzi is backed by a densely forested nature reserve, with over a dozen beach clubs at various intervals. A segment of that long beach is Spiaggia di Capocotta—specifically the southernmost 2.5 kilometers that ends at Villaggio Tognazzi.
Spiaggia di Capocotta is a broad expanse of golden sand backed by a lush tract of tall sand dunes, and it is easily accessible from several access points along the coastal road that runs along the inland side of the dunes. Capocotta has long been frequented by nude bathers, and it is also a tremendously popular LGBT venue. In years past, nudists spread out over a much larger area than is possible today. These days, the nude beach is an expanse of roughly one kilometer that includes two beach clubs: Oasi Naturista di Capocotta and Settimo Cielo. Both are establishments that sell food and drink and offer sun chairs and umbrellas for rent. However, unlike at many Italian beach clubs, there is no charge just to enter the beach. Just a small segment of Capocotta is officially designated for naturism, but nudity also occurs outside the designated zone.
The designated naturist zone was established in 2000 in an apparent effort to contain the practice of naturism. It is about 220 meters long, with Oasi Naturista di Capocotta at the center. At each end, a fence that is more a boundary marker than a barrier delineates the nudist area, with signs obliquely implying that nudity is expected. Most visitors comply. Oddly, nudity is not permitted in the restaurant even though it serves the naturist beach. The designated naturist zone can get very crowded during peak season.
North of the designated naturist zone, Settimo Cielo ("Seventh Heaven") has long been a fixture of Rome's LGBT community. A relaxed attitude about nudity is part of the culture of the beach. A protocol that is widely observed if not set in stone is that swimwear is worn in the immediate vicinity of the beach club structures. The de facto textile zone is perhaps 200 meters long, but nudity is freely practiced going in either direction. Sun chairs in the peripheral areas are available to patrons who wish to bathe nude. Going south from Settimo Cielo, the unofficial naturist zone extends roughly 300 meters to the official naturist zone of Oasi Naturista di Capocotta. The two zones collectively form an expanse of about 500 meters where naturism can be practiced. Going north from Settimo Cielo, the nudist zone is not as well defined. The next beach club going north is about 700 meters away from Settimo Cielo, and nude bathers generally do not venture beyond the halfway point.
Spiaggia di Capocotta is among the top few nude beaches in Italy in terms of popularity and accessibility. You can even get to the beach very cheaply from the center of Rome using public transit, allowing 60 to 90 minutes of travel time (each way), depending on your starting point. The designated naturist zone at Oasi Naturista di Capocotta draws a diversity of visitors who mostly opt to be naked. The peripheral zones of Settimo Cielo are attended primarily by gay men, with more of a nudist and textile mix. Toilets and showers are available at both beach clubs.
41.6613N, 12.4081E  desginated naturist zone at Oasi Naturista
41.6629N, 12.4057E  unofficial naturist zone between Oasi Naturista & Settimo Cielo
41.6659N, 12.4021E  unofficial naturist zone north of Settimo Cielo
frazione, comune, metropolitan city, region, country:
Ostia, Roma Capitale, Roma, Lazio, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3K6gGCO
Route SP601 (la strada provinciale 601 litoranea Ostia-Anzio) is a 40-kilometer-long coastal road that originates in Lido di Ostia and goes south to Anzio, with the kilometer numbers increasing going south. Some of the markers are missing and some are hard to see, but there are enough extant markers to make them useful landmarks. Spiaggia di Capocotta is the 2.5-kilometer-long segment of beach extending from kilometer 7.6 to kilometer 10.1. The nudist zone is around kilometer 9.
There is no beach parking lot. Free parking is available along the gravel road shoulder, and most available parking is along the inland side of the road. To get to the beach, find your preferred point of access then look for the closest available parking space. There is usually ample parking before July and after August, but be advised that an available parking space can be hard to come by during peak season. (To avoid the hassle of parking, consider using public transit, detailed farther down.)
The entrance to the designated nude beach is located at kilometer 9.4 (41.6610N, 12.4105E). The beach entrance is a small gazebo shared by two beach clubs. You will see signs for both Porto di Enea and Oasi Naturista di Capocotta. From the gazebo, a short boardwalk leads to Porto di Enea. From there, another path to the right leads to Oasi Naturista di Capocotta. It is well signed.
Alternatively, you can access the beach at Settimo Cielo, which is located at kilometer 8.7 (41.6651N, 12.4050E). From there, a short boardwalk leads to the beach club, and nudity occurs in either direction.
The A90 autostrada, Rome's 68-kilometer-long ring road, makes a complete loop around the city. The ring road is named the Grande Raccordo Anulare, abbreviated as GRA. Be aware that A90 and GRA are used interchangeably on signs, and GRA is the more commonly used designation. The GRA has 33 numbered exits (uscita = exit) interspersed with some exits that are not numbered. The first and last exits (1 and 33) and the first and last kilometer markers (0 and 68) are all very close together on the west side of the ring road, at roughly the 9 o'clock position if you think of the ring road as a clock. Both the exit numbers and the kilometer marker numbers ascend going clockwise.
The most straightforward way to get to Spiaggia di Capocotta is to start from Exit 27 (Ostia, Casal Palocco), which is just past kilometer marker 56 along the southwestern segment of the ring road. Exit 27 is not a full interchange. It exists only for traffic going counterclockwise along the ring road (such that the exit numbers and kilometer marker numbers are decreasing). If you are going in the opposite direction on the ring road, you will need to take Exit 28 (Ostia, Acilia) instead, just past kilometer marker 57. Upon exiting, you will have to go through a long, looping interchange to re-enter the ring road. Just keep to the left until you see overhead panels for Napoli and L'Aquila, then follow those panels until you re-enter the ring road, then continue about 1.8 kilometers and take Exit 27.
Once you take Exit 27, keep to the left until you merge into Via Cristoforo Colombo, which is a broad, divided street lined with umbrella pines. Via Cristoforo Colombo is a long street that connects the center of Rome to Ostia, and it is a fairly fast-moving street with limited red lights and intersections. There are kilometer numbers along the street that increase as you head toward Ostia. Some of the markers are easy to see, others are hard to see and some seem to be missing altogether. When you merge into Via Cristoforo Colombo after exiting from the ring road, you will be between kilometers 13 and 14. The last marker along the street is marker 27, a few hundred meters before the end of the street near the sea. At first you will be on a segment of Via Cristoforo Colombo where there are service lanes that parallel the main lanes. Starting just past kilometer 15, there is a stretch of over 4 kilometers where there are no service lanes, then the service lanes resume after kilometer 19 and continue all the way to the end of the street.
Once you are on Via Cristoforo Colombo, you want to follow the street for 11 to 12 kilometers until you reach a red light at kilometer 25, where you need to turn left. However, the intersection is not set up for a direct left turn. You have to be in the service lane. Stay on the main lanes of Via Cristoforo Colombo until you reach marker 24. About 100 meters past marker 24, you will reach a red light where there are signs pointing left toward Accademia della Guardia di Finanza and Centro Sportivo. Keep straight ahead through that red light, staying on the main lanes of Via Cristoforo Colombo. Continue 800 meters, then at your next opportunity veer right onto the service lane at a triangular panel indicating an upcoming red light. Follow the service lane 100-200 meters to the next red light and turn left.
Once you turn, you will be on Via del Lido di Castel Porziano,★ which winds through forested nature preserve land. Continue 4 kilometers until you reach a small roundabout at the junction with SP601. Enter the roundabout and take the third departure (effectively making a left turn), toward Tognazzi. When you depart the roundabout, you will be going south on SP601, and you will be approximately at kilometer 2.3. Almost immediately you will pass a sign indicating you are leaving Lido di Ostia. From that point, it is about 6.4 kilometers to the Settimo Cielo entrance, then the entrance at Porto di Enea and Oasi Naturista di Capocotta is 600-700 meters farther along.
★ It is actually not necessary to turn onto Via del Lido di Castel Porziano. You could just stay on Via Cristoforo Colombo to its end then turn left onto the start of SP601. However, the area at the end of Via Cristoforo Colombo is very congested, and the junction you must navigate to stay on SP601 is confusing and poorly signed. Following Via del Lido di Castel Porziano to connect from Via Cristoforo Colombo to SP601 avoids the congestion and potential confusion.
MAP from A90/GRA Exit 27 to beach entrance at SP601 km 9.4
ALTERNATE APPROACH
You can also start from Exit 26 of the GRA ring road. Exit 26 is between kilometer markers 54 and 56, with marker 55 amid the interchange. Regardless of which way you are going on the ring road, there are actually two consecutive exits (built into the same interchange) that are both numbered 26. Take the Exit 26 that is signed Pontina, Pomezia and Latina (NOT the one signed Roma and Eur with a city center symbol). Upon exiting, you will be filtered onto SS148 (la strada statale 148 Pontina), with the kilometer marker numbers increasing as you head toward the coast.
Stay on SS148 about 7.6 kilometers, then take the exit signed Pratica di Mare and Torvaianica. The exit is about 500 meters past kilometer marker 20. Upon exiting, you will be filtered onto a minor road numbered SP104b. Continue 6.3 kilometers until you reach a small roundabout, then turn right toward Ostia-Anzio and Torvaianica.
When you depart the roundabout, you will be on an unnumbered road named Via Arno, but there is no prominent street signage. Just keep straight ahead for 4 kilometers until you reach the stop sign at the end of the road, where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right.
Upon turning, you will be on SP601 heading north, and in about 100 meters you will pass kilometer marker 10 (with the numbers decreasing). The beach entrance at Porto di Enea and Oasi Naturista di Capocotta is 600 meters past marker 10, then the beach entrance at Settimo Cielo is 600-700 meters farther along (past marker 9).
MAP from A90/GRA Exit 26 (Pontina, Pomezia, Latina) to beach entrance at SP601 km 9.4
PUBLIC TRANSIT
From the city center of Rome, it is very easy and reasonably quick to get to Ostia by train. Once you arrive in Ostia, there is frequent bus service to beaches in the area during the extended summer season.
In Rome, you will start from a train station named Roma Porta San Paolo. The station building is signed Ferrovia Elettrica Roma Ostia Lido, and it is adjacent to metro station Piramide (line B). The two neighboring stations are in the immediate vicinity of two well-known landmarks—the Pyramid of Cestius and the Porta San Paolo (an ancient city gate). Those landmarks in turn are about 1.7 kilometers southwest of the Colosseum. You can easily get to the metro station from many locations in central Rome (including the Colosseum and the two largest train stations—Termini and Tiburtina), then from the metro station you can transfer to the train station next door to board the Rome-to-Ostia train (a.k.a. the Rome-Lido train).
There are 13 stations along the Rome-to-Ostia line. You will be starting at one end of the line and going to the other. The train departs every 15 minutes and the trip takes 37 minutes. The end stop is station Cristoforo Colombo, which is located near the intersection of Via Cristoforo Colombo and SP601 (both described above).
From Cristoforo Colombo station, Bus 07 runs frequently during warmer months, usually beginning in late April or early May and continuing through the end of September. (Do not confuse it with similarly numbered line 070.) Bus 07 goes back and forth from Cristoforo Colombo station to Villaggio Tognazzi, which is about 10 kilometers away. The electronic display on the front of the bus should read 07 Villaggio Tognazzi. During July and August, Bus 07 is usually a long accordion bus due to the seasonal popularity of the route.
Bus 07 makes 23 stops after departing the train station. The name of each bus stop begins with Litoranea since the bus runs along a street named Via Litoranea, which coincides with the first 10 kilometers of SP601. The first eight stops are numbered 1 through 8, then the ninth stop is named Ex Dazio, then there is a gap of 3.3 kilometers with no bus stops. After the gap, the next eight stops are named Cancello 1 through Cancello 8, and each is near a numbered gate (cancello = gate) that is a beach entrance. The next five stops are named Varco 1 through Varco 5 (varco = passage), then the last stop is Villaggio Tognazzi. The five Varco stops roughly correspond to Spaggia di Capocotta, and the nude beach can be accessed from the third or fourth in that group of bus stops. Bus stop Varco 3 is next to the entrance to Settimo Cielo, which has rainbow flags waving out front. Bus stop Varco 4 is next to the entrance shared by Porto di Enea and Oasi Naturista di Capocotta. The bus trip takes about 20 minutes.
Bus 07 is a seasonal beach shuttle, but the route is replicated by a year-round bus numbered 061. If you'd like to visit during the off season when Bus 07 is not running, you can take Bus 061, but there are several caveats. First, Bus 061 does not run on Sundays. Second, service is infrequent—about every 90 minutes. Finally, Bus 061 is a somewhat longer line than Bus 07, with several additional stops in either direction, so be sure to board the bus bound for Po/Sesia and NOT the one for Piazzale Stazione del Lido.
You can get all the way from the center of Rome to Spiaggia di Capacotta for just €1.50 (one way). A single ticket can be transferred from one mode of transit to the next. You can find out more information about how to use the public transit system at Rome.net. A particularly important bit of information to know is that tickets cannot be purchased aboard a bus, so you will need to arrange your return ticket in advance. (A day pass or multi-day pass will negate the need to worry about return trips.) To plan your trip, see Atac.roma.it, Rome's public transit website.
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capocotta.

bus stop "Litoranea Varco 1," Bus 07 & 61
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capocotta.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capocotta.

bus stop "Litoranea Varco 2," Bus 07 & 61

entrance to Settimo Cielo

bus stop "Litoranea Varco 3," Bus 07 & 61

Settimo Cielo

free roadside parking throughout area

Oasi Naturista di Capocotta

gazebo at entrance shared by Porto di Enea & Oasi Naturista di Capocotta

Porto di Enea

bus stop "Litoranea Villaggio Tognazzi," Bus 07 & 61

designated naturist zone at Oasi Naturista di Capocotta

unofficial naturist zone between Oasi Naturista di Capocotta & Settimo Cielo

unofficial naturist zone north of Settimo Cielo

segment of SP601

path to Settimo Cielo

boardwalk to Porto di Enea

path to Oasi Naturista di Capocotta

Latina

Spiaggia dell'Arenauta

Spiaggia dell'Arenauta
The coastal province of Latina is between Rome and Naples, and the picturesque town of Gaeta is located toward the southern end of the province. Gaeta is uniquely situated along a peninsular projection of land, the tip of which is capped by a massive castle that dates to the early Middle Ages. Just northwest of Gaeta, Spiaggia dell'Arenauta is backed by rugged coastal hills, with a road elevated about 50 to 60 meters above the beach. The sandy beach is just over one kilometer long, and little of it is visible from the coastal road. The northwestern half of L'Arenauta is lined with beach bars and bathing establishments, most notably one named Trecento Gradini, which means "300 Steps." The name is a reference to the number of steps that must be descended to get from the coastal road down to the beach, and the name is so common that the entire length of Spiaggia dell'Arenauta is colloquially referred to as Spiaggia dei Trecento Gradini (usually written as Spiaggia dei 300 Gradini).
Along the southeastern half of Spiaggia dell'Arenauta, there is an outlying beach bar called L'Ultima Spiaggia that is removed from the others by a distance of about 400 meters. Nude bathing is well established beyond (i.e., southeast of) L'Ultima Spiaggia along the final few hundred meters of the beach, but no part of the beach is officially recognized as a naturist venue. Much of the informal nude area is backed by a large sand dune that backs up against a rugged wall of rock. Beyond the outcropping where L'Arenauta ends at high tide, it is about 250 meters to the next beach, which is a textile beach called Spiaggia delle Scissure. Between L'Arenauta and Le Scissure, there is a series of sandy niches that are accessible at low tide. Nudity is common at the niches that are closest to L'Arenauta.
Although nude bathing is well accepted beyond L'Ultima Spiaggia, textiles are usually in the majority, and nudists are often a rather small minority on peak days when the beach is packed. The larger the crowd, the farther nudists tend to go to the extreme end of the beach. The crowd is mixed but heavily gay. Chairs and umbrellas can be rented at L'Ultima Spiaggia, and pay showers are available there as well.
Spiaggia dell'Arenauta is quite a beautiful beach, but there are a few access challenges. While parking is free in designated areas along the coastal road, there just isn't enough of it. However, there are a few pay lots that are backup options. If you park for free along the road, you will still have to pay a fee to go down one of the privately operated staircases to the beach. The staircase closest to the nude area descends to L'Ultima Spiaggia. It takes a bit of stamina to go down nearly 300 steps to get to the beach, then it takes considerably more stamina to climb back up.
comune, province, region, country:
Gaeta, Latina, Lazio, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Y7FO20
Route SR213 (la strada regionale 213, a.k.a. Via Flacca) is a 36-kilometer-long coastal road from Terracina to Formia, along an area of the coast that is roughly halfway between Rome and Naples. From Terracina, SR213 goes in a generally southeasterly direction, passing through the coastal towns of Sperlonga and Gaeta, with the kilometer marker numbers getting higher going toward Formia. Spiaggia dell'Arenauta is on the northwestern outskirts of Gaeta. Heading toward Gaeta and Formia, the beach begins roughly at kilometer 23.5 and ends around kilometer 24.8, and the nude area of the beach is at its far southeast end (toward Gaeta).
The nude area is most quickly accessed from a staircase that begins at kilometer 24.5, halfway between markers 24 and 25. The stairs (at 41.2215N, 13.5292E) are signed L'Ultima Spiaggia, which is the name of the beach bar at the bottom of the stairs. There are parking pullouts along the coast side of SR213 within 50 meters of either side of the stairs. Each pullout can hold about 15 cars, and parking is free. (See below for additional parking options.)
The stairs are privately owned, and a fee of a few euros per person is required to go down to the beach. The current price is posted at the start of the stairs. At the top of the stairs, you will be about 60 meters above sea level. From there, about 300 steps go down the steep cliff. You pay the fee when you land at L'Ultima Spiaggia beach bar at the bottom. (Be sure to keep your receipt so you are not asked to pay again going back up!) The informal nude area begins just southeast of L'Ultima Spiaggia (to the left when facing the sea).
Other Parking and Access Options:
Besides the two parking pullouts noted above that are on either side of the stairs to L'Ultima Spiaggia, there are several other pullouts along the road. Parking is free at all the roadside pullouts, but there is insufficient free parking for peak season crowds, so arrive early or else plan to pay to park.
Assume you are heading toward Gaeta along SR213. About 800 meters past kilometer marker 23, there is a large parking pullout on the coast side of the road next to a snack stand called Ristoro Arenauta. Within the pullout on the right side of the snack stand when facing the sea, there is an iron gate (typically open) with parcheggio signs on either side. Go through the gate to access the pay parking lot operated by a hotel called Albergo Arenauta. The parking lot is built on multiple tiers, and the road through it winds all the way down to the beach. When you land on the beach, you will be in what is typically the most crowded area, where there is a nearly contiguous chain of beach bars. Facing the sea, turn left and head southeast. Shortly you will pass Lunatia and Trecento Gradini, which are the last two of the beach bars that are clustered together. Continue 400 meters to L'Ultima Spiaggia, an outlier that is separated from the other beach bars. The nude area begins just past L'Ultima Spiaggia.
After the pullout at Ristoro Arenauta, there is another pullout just a bit farther long, about 100 meters past kilometer marker 24. If you can find parking at either of those pullouts, you may want to take the stairs from the road down to Lunatia or Trecento Gradini. Each staircase is signed with the name of the beach bar to which it leads, and the two staircases are just 25 meters apart. Both leave from the road between marker 24 and the parking pullout that is at kilometer 24.1. As with L'Ultima Spiaggia, each staircase has about 300 steps, with a fee of a few euros per person payable at the bottom.
Continuing along SR213 toward Gaeta, you will pass the two parking pullouts on either side of the stairs to L'Ultima Spiaggia (at kilometer 24.5), then there is another pullout a bit farther along at kilometer 24.7. A bit farther along there is a pay parking lot called Parcheggio da Renato, and the well-signed turnoff to it is about 250 meters past marker 25. Parcheggio da Renato is situated above Spiaggia delle Scissure (the previously mentioned textile beach). At low tide you can access the nude area of Spiaggia dell'Arenauta from Spiaggia delle Scissure by going to the right (when facing the sea) across the chain of sandy niches that separate the two beaches. Otherwise, from the Renato parking lot you will have to walk along SR213 for 750 meters (away from Gaeta) to the stairs to L'Ultima Spiaggia.
All parking options described above are along the coast side of the road. There are also a few options along the inland side. There are just a few very short stretches where the road shoulder is wide enough for parking (free), but be advised that you will be ticketed if any wheel is over or even touching the line that separates the shoulder from the traffic lane. There are also a few rather inconspicuously signed earthen lots that are on private property, with parking available for a fee. Just watch for parking signs or symbols at gates that look like private driveways.
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia dell'Arenauta.

kilometer marker 23 of SR213
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia dell'Arenauta.

kilometer marker 24 of SR213
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia dell'Arenauta.

kilometer marker 25 of SR213

parking pullout (free) at Ristoro Arenauta

pay parking lot at Albergo Arenauta

parking pullout (free) at kilometer 24.1

parking pullout (free) near km 24.5

parking pullout (free) at km 24.7

pay parking lot "Parcheggio da Renato"

L'Ultima Spiaggia beach bar

Lunatia beach bar

Trecento Gradini beach bar

Spiaggia delle Scissure (textile)

Torre Scissure (stone tower)

segment of SR213

stairs to L'Ultima Spiaggia

stairs to Trecento Gradini beach bar

stairs to Lunatia beach bar

low tide niches (nudity at those closest to Arenauta)

Liguria

Imperia

Spiaggia di Capo Mortola

Spiaggia di Capo Mortola
Capo Mortola is a small landform on the western outskirts of the town of Ventimiglia, just two kilometers east of the French border. With an area of 40 to 50 acres, the forested promontory is the site of the Hanbury Botanic Gardens (Giardini Botanici Hanbury). A bit west of Capo Mortola, there is a small textile beach called Spiaggia del Darsenun, which is lined with old fishermen's huts that have been remade as small houses. Along the stretch of less than one kilometer between Spiaggia del Darsenun and Capo Mortola, there is a chain of small pebble beaches that are quite secluded, hidden in the rugged landscape below the coastal road and the parallel railroad. Nude bathing is common at these hidden beaches, which have no signs pointing the way. Most nude bathers gather in an area aligned with kilometer marker 2 of the coastal road. Within an expanse of 100 meters, there are several niches amid outcrops of jagged rock. There are also several other micro-beaches nearby that are harder to reach. From the coastal road, there are two ways to access the nude area. A short but steep hike takes you under the railroad via a pedestrian tunnel, while a somewhat longer but gentler hike takes you over the railroad via a pedestrian bridge.
Mortola Inferiore, Ventimiglia, Imperia, Liguria, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45cC6GL
Route SS1 (la strada statale 1, a.k.a. Via Aurelia) is a 697-kilometer-long coastal highway that connects Rome to the international border of Italy and France. The kilometer marker numbering increases going from Rome to France. Along the westernmost few kilometers of SS1 (near France), there is an alternate route closer to the sea that is numbered SS1dir and contained entirely within the municipality of Ventimiglia. SS1dir is just 3.4 kilometers long, and the kilometer marker numbering increases going west (toward France). Kilometer 0 of SS1dir is at kilometer 692.9 of SS1. Kilometer 3.4 of SS1dir is at the French border, where the road continues west as French route D6327. There are three tunnels along SS1dir. From east to west, they are Galleria Mortola, Galleria Dogana and Galleria Balzi Rossi. The nude beach of Capo Mortola directly aligns with kilometer marker 2 of SS1dir. Marker 2 is the only marker along 600-meter-long stretch of the road between Galleria Mortola and Galleria Dogana.
There are two ways to access the nude beach, and both start from SS1dir between Galleria Mortola and Galleria Dogana. Between those two tunnels, there are some places where the road shoulder is wide enough for cars to park completely out of the traffic lanes. However, in narrower shoulder areas there are often parked cars that partly spill over the white line into the traffic lanes. Both GPS locations referenced below are points along SS1dir between Galleria Mortola and Galleria Dogana. Set your navigation device to go to one of those locations, then find the closest roadside parking and return to the location on foot.
Access Option 1:
The footpath to the beach begins at 43.7837N, 7.5463E, at the western edge of an old parking pullout that is on the sea side of SS1dir. The pullout has been sealed off, its two entrances blocked with guardrails. Standing at the coordinates facing the sea, kilometer marker 2 will be about 20 meters to your left. A gated driveway signed Locanda Baia Benjamin will be about 30 meters to your right, with the entrance to Galleria Dogana about 100 meters farther to your right.
As you start along the dirt footpath toward the sea, the metal fencing that partially surrounds the old parking pullout should be to your immediate left. Very shortly the path will bend leftward and descend toward the sea. Once you begin the descent, the old parking pullout will be uphill on your left-hand side, while the double-track railroad that follows the coastline will be downhill to your right. After 100 or so meters, the footpath will cross under the railroad via a pedestrian tunnel. Once you emerge from the tunnel, continue a short distance farther downhill and you will land at the small, hidden nude beach.
Access Option 2:
Access to the beach begins around 43.7825N, 7.5501E, which is the location of two 70 KPH speed-limit signs (one on each side of the road) that are about 300 meters east of kilometer marker 2 of SS1dir. Standing at the coordinates facing the sea, the entrance to Galleria Mortola will be about 100 meters to your left. Near the speed-limit panels, there is a line of trees and shrubs on the sea side of the road that obscures your view of the sea. Go through any of several well-trod openings through the vegetation and shortly you should see a pedestrian bridge that crosses over the double-track railroad (referenced under Access Option 1.) Cross the bridge and turn right, heading west on a dirt footpath that follows the coastline. You should be walking such that the railroad is to your right and the sea to your left. In roughly 300 meters, you should reach the pedestrian tunnel (described under Access Option 1) that goes under the railroad. At that point, turn toward the sea to find the nude beach.
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capo Mortola.

western entrance to Galleria Mortola
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capo Mortola.

kilometer marker 2 of SS1dir
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capo Mortola.

eastern entrance to Galleria Dogana

parking is along the road shoulder, wherever there is enough room

old parking pullout (sealed off)

gated driveway signed "Locanda Baia Benjamin"

70 KPH speed-limit signs (one on each side of road)

pedestrian tunnel under railroad

pedestrian bridge over railroad

Hanbury botanical gardens

Spiaggia del Darsenun (textile)

train tunnel

segment of SS1dir

segment of double-track railroad

coastal footpath along sea side of railroad

path connecting SS1dir to coastal path

Savona

Spiaggia di Punta Crena

Spiaggia di Punta Crena
The seaside village of Varigotti, which is a frazione of the municipality of Finale Ligure, extends about 1.5 kilometers along one of the most renowned beaches of the Italian Riviera. At the far east end of that beach, the oldest and most colorful part of Varigotti abuts Punta Crena, a rocky promontory that rises to a height of about 65 meters above the sea. Punta Crena is capped by a 16th-century stone watchtower called Torre Saracena along with the ruins of a fortification that predates the tower. Below the tower, there is a small beach tucked into Punta Crena. Extending about 25 meters, the beach is a pocket of sand dwarfed by the nearly vertical mass of rock that forms its backdrop. This hidden beach is popular with nude bathers, who manage to make their way there despite the difficulties.
The easy way to access Spiaggia di Punta Crena is to raft, kayak or paddleboat a short distance from the beach of Varigotti. It is also possible to get there on foot, but it is not a feat for the faint of heart. Most of the hike takes you up and over Punta Crena, which is a manageable trek for the reasonably fit, but the final descent involves some serious rock climbing, with a rope for assistance along the steepest part. Although nude bathing is well established, patterns of nude use are variable. There is usually a mix of nudists and textiles, but it seems at times a prevalence of textiles can inhibit the practice of nudity due to limited space at the small beach.
Varigotti, Finale Ligure, Savona, Liguria, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3rDLFjm
Route SS1 (la strada statale 1, a.k.a. Via Aurelia) is a 697-kilometer-long coastal highway that connects Rome to the international border of Italy and France. The kilometer marker numbering increases going from Rome to France, and the seaside town of Varigotti is spread out between kilometer markers 593 and 595. SS1 passes through Punta Crena via a 116-meter-long highway tunnel called Galleria Varigotti, and kilometer marker 593 is just 200 meters east of the tunnel. You can hike to the small nude beach that is tucked into Punta Crena, or you can raft or kayak there from the main beach of Varigotti. Either way, a logical starting point is a public parking lot toward the eastern end of Varigotti.
The parking lot spreads out for several hundred meters along the inland side of SS1, and the entrance is at 44.1823N, 8.4021E, roughly halfway between kilometer markers 593 and 594 and 150 meters west of Galleria Varigotti. Once you turn into the parking lot, you immediately have to turn one way or the other. To the right (toward the tunnel), there is free parking for motorcycles and bicycles, handicap parking and restricted parking for residents. To the left, there is parking for all other vehicles in spaces delineated by blue paint, with a fee payable at a multi-space parking meter.
From the parking lot, cross to the sea side of SS1 and make your way along any of several narrow streets through a few layers of buildings to get out to the beach. You should land near the east end of the sandy town beach (Spiaggia di Varigotti). Facing the sea, look to your left and head to the rock-lined jetty that protrudes from the far east end of the beach. Punta Crena is the monolithic land mass a bit beyond the jetty, and the structure visible atop the land mass is Torre Saracena, a squat stone lookout tower amid the ruins of a medieval castle. The hidden nude beach is directly below the tower, about 200 meters from the jetty as the crow flies. If the water is calm enough, you can launch a kayak or raft and make your way there by sea. Otherwise, the beach can be accessed by a challenging hike over Punta Crena.
Turn your back to the jetty and head directly inland into Piazza dei Pescatori, a small plaza lined with palm trees (at 44.1814N, 8.4043E). As you head into the plaza, the wooden boardwalk will become a walkway of bricks in a zig-zagging pattern. Keep straight ahead past the end of the bricks as you exit the plaza along a cobbled pedestrian street that goes into a cluster of buildings. Shortly the pedestrian street will bend 90° to the right then curve more gently leftward then go through a building via a tunnel-like passageway. When you exit the short passageway, you will be at a junction with an asphalted street named Via Madino, where you must turn one way or the other. Turn right, proceed just a dozen or so meters, then take the first possible left onto a walkway that is paved in bricks. You should see a signboard with a map of Punta Crena at the start of the walkway.
As you follow the walkway, you will be going gradually uphill, and shortly the pavement will change from brick to rough and weathered cobblestone. About 125 meters after you leave the asphalted road, you will reach a four-way trail junction★ (at 44.1827N, 8.4054E). At that point, you will be partway up Punta Crena on the inland side of the land mass, at an elevation of about 40 meters above sea level. Keep straight ahead at the four-way junction and continue just 20 meters to the next junction★★ (at 44.1828N, 8.4055E), which is a three-way junction with a smaller trail that goes off to the right. Turn right onto the smaller trail. As you continue, you will be skirting around the eastern side of Punta Crena (with Varigotti on the opposite side of the headland).
The trail continues a bit uphill before it begins to descend. In 250 to 300 meters, you will reach the end of the trail on the seaward side of Punta Crena. You will be standing above the hidden nude beach, about 15 meters above sea level. The remainder of the hike involves making your way down a very steep and rocky slope, and the first part of the descent is the toughest. When you have walked as far as possible, at the trail's end you will see ropes hanging down a vertical rock face. That's the way down. There are metal footholds in the steepest areas. Once you are about halfway down, the rest of the climb is plenty steep but not as sheer.
Starting from the pier at the east end of Spiaggia di Varigotti, the total hiking distance is 500-600 meters, but you must be physically fit and not prone to vertigo for the very challenging final bit of the hike (not to mention the climb back up). Before attempting the hike, take a look at this YouTube video. The hair-raising climb down to the beach is shown from 2:10 to 9:00.
★ At the four-way trail junction, the trail to the right continues uphill to the peak of Punta Crena and then to Torre Saracena, and it is worthwhile for the incredible views, but that is not the way to the nude beach. The trail to the left goes downhill, crosses over Galleria Varigotti then ends at Strada Vecchia, a street that is just inland from the parking lot described above.
★★ If you were to keep straight ahead on the wider trail at the three-way junction, you would soon begin going downhill, and in about 100 meters the trail would land at SS1 immediately east of Galleria Varigotti (i.e., the opposite side of the tunnel from the parking lot described above).
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Punta Crena.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Punta Crena.

entrance to public pay parking lot

Galleria Varigotti (west entrance/exit)

Galleria Varigotti (east entrance/exit)

rock jetty at east end of Spiaggia di Varigotti

Piazza dei Pescatori (small plaza)

tunnel-like passageway through building

Torre Saracena (medieval stone tower)

scenic overlook

segment of SS1 through Galleria Varigotti

cobbled pedestrian street connecting Piazza dei Pescatori to Via Madino

trail (Via Madino↔SS1 just east of Galleria Varigotti)

trail (Strada Vecchia↔Torre Saracena)

alternate path near top of Punta Crena

final descent to nude beach, via ropes & footholds

Piani d'Invrea

Piani d'Invrea
Invrea is a district (frazione) of the town of Varazze that extends eastward to the neighboring town of Cogoleto. The coastline of Invrea is a rocky stretch that is punctuated by several small beaches, and that expanse is known as Piani d'Invrea. A 4.5-kilometer-long coastal walkway/bicycle path called Lungomare Europa connects Varazze to the neighboring town of Cogoleto, passing through several pedestrian tunnels as it winds through the entire expanse of Piani d'Invrea. About halfway along the walkway, there is a small area that is frequented by nudists. The nude area corresponds to a 125-meter-long pedestrian tunnel named Galleria Valsassina, and the particulars of geography seclude the nude area from view of the coastal walkway. Nudists gather atop the rocky land mass through which Galleria Valsassina is tunneled. Strollers along the coastal walkway are most likely unaware that there are nude bathers above them as they pass through the tunnel. There is no beach at Piani d'Invrea. The mass of rock slopes down to the sea, with a few points where the water can be accessed. Along multiple tiers of the rock mass, sunbathers gather on several small cement platforms that are connected by a maze of staircases that are reminiscent of the artwork of M.C. Escher.
The nudist area is situated directly below (yet secluded from view of) a hard-to-classify business named Orizzonte, known for its large swimming pool that is perched spectacularly above the sea. (Orizzonte is something like a country club by day and a disco by night.) There are two ways to access the nudist area. The most direct access is a long staircase that begins next to Orizzonte, bypassing the coastal walkway altogether. Or, you can follow the coastal walkway to the tunnel entrance then climb up and over some rocks to find the nudist area around the bend. Although the nudist area is a bit hard to find, it is sometimes overrun with textiles, usually on summer weekends. Be aware that on crowded days a preponderance of textiles can inhibit would-be nudists.
Invrea, Varazze, Savona, Liguria, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Q4tzky
The A10 autostrada is a 159-kilometer-long coastal motorway contained entirely within the region of Liguria, running between Genoa and Italy's border with France (becoming the A8 motorway as it continues west through France.) Route SS1 (la strada statale 1, a.k.a. Via Aurelia) is a 697-kilometer-long coastal highway that connects Rome to the border of Italy and France. For its entire length, A10 is roughly paralleled by SS1, with SS1 hewing closer to the coastline. For both A10 and SS1, the kilometer marker numbering increases going toward France.
Piani d'Invrea is located in an area where A10 and SS1 run side by side and very close to the sea. Galleria Valsassina of Lungomare Europa is longitudinally aligned with kilometer marker 26 of A10, which is roughly halfway between kilometers 557 and 558 of SS1.
By car, a logical starting point is the Varazze exit of A10, between kilometer markers 26 and 27. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered first through a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway then to a "T" junction with SS1. Turn left onto SS1, toward Cogoleto (NOT toward Varazze). Heading east, in 200-300 meters you will pass kilometer marker 558. Just 100 meters farther on, directly opposite a bus stop shelter, veer right onto a road that is set up like an exit lane, following signs for Piani d'Invrea and Orizzonte. At the stop sign at the end of the lane, turn right (toward the coast) onto Via delle Mimose. Almost immediately you will reach a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. The street to the left is named Via dei Pini d'Aleppo, while the street to the right is the continuation of Via delle Mimose. (Watch for the small blue street signs.) You can turn either direction to reach parking and access points for the nudist area.
Access Option 1:
At the "T," turn left onto Via dei Pini d'Aleppo. Proceed just 100 meters and take the first possible right. You should then be on a short, curving, dead-end street that filters into the parking area for Orizzonte. As you enter the parking area, on your left there is a large sign with with Orizzonte spelled out in cut-out, uppercase letters. The parking spaces on that side are restricted. To your right opposite the sign, there is a lane with free parking for roughly a dozen cars. The free parking lane is outlined in white paint (44.3684N, 8.6143E).
The sea side of the parking area is edged in wrought-iron fencing, parts of which are backed by bamboo privacy screens. Assume you are facing the large Orizzonte sign, which is perched above the fence. Head to your left. About 25 meters east of the sign, there is an opening in the fence where a staircase begins (44.3685N, 8.6149E). Starting from an elevation of about 38 meters, the long staircase descends toward the sea, branching into two staircases partway down. All the stairs go to and through the multi-tiered nudist area. The stairs go over the top of Galleria Valsassina, so by this approach you will not see the tunnel.
At the "T,", turn right to stay on Via delle Mimose. Proceed about 50 meters and keep straight ahead as the street name changes to Via dei Gerani. About 150 meters farther on, take note as you pass a small scenic overlook with a few park benches and a view of the sea. After the scenic overlook, continue another 150 meters and veer left at the next junction. The street will begin to wind downhill, and in about 250 meters you will enter a free gravel parking lot at the end of the street (44.3673N, 8.6105E).
The parking lot abuts a small beach called Baia del Corvo. The beach and the parking area are separated by a berm atop which Lungomare Europa runs. From the parking area, take either the ramp or the stairs up to the walkway, then head east along the asphalted walkway (to the left when facing the sea). In about 400 meters, you will reach Galleria Valsassina, which is the first tunnel east of Baia del Corvo. Just before the tunnel, leave the path, climbing up and over the rocks on the sea side of the path. Continuing east, just around the bend you will be in the nudist area, out of view of the walkway.
Note: If you happen to be starting from one end or the other of Lungomare Europa, then Galleria Valsassina will be the second tunnel coming from Varazze or the fifth tunnel coming from Cogoleto. To get to the nudist area, leave the path on the west (i.e., Varazze) side of Galleria Valsassina since it is much harder to climb over the rocks from the east (i.e., Cogoleto) side.
MAP from A10 Varazze exit toll plaza to parking (Orizzonte)
MAP from A10 Varazze exit toll plaza to parking (Baia del Corvo)
This placemark pertains to Piani d'Invrea.

kilometer marker 26 of A10 autostrada
This placemark pertains to Piani d'Invrea.

toll plaza, Varazze exit of A10 autostrada
This placemark pertains to Piani d'Invrea.

limited free parking at Orizzonte

Orizzonte (entertainment complex with restaurant, nightclub & swimming pool)

free gravel parking lot at Baia del Corvo

Baia del Corvo (textile beach)

west end of Galleria Valsassina (pedestrian/cycle tunnel)

east end of Galleria Valsassina (pedestrian/cycle tunnel)

route from autostrada toll plaza to Via delle Mimose

local roads between Orizzonte & Baia del Corvo

kilometer-long segment of Lungomare Europa (pedestrian/cycle path)

tunneled segment of Lungomare Europa through Galleria Valsassina

Genova

Spiaggia di Chiavari

Spiaggia di Chiavari
Elegant and cosmopolitan Genoa is the capital of the region of Liguria and the principal city of the Italian Riviera. The metro area of Genoa roughly corresponds to what used to be a province of the same name, but Genoa province was rechristened the Metropolitan City of Genoa (Città Metropolitana di Genova) in 2015. The seaside town of Chiavari is located toward the eastern side of metro Genoa. Going west from the marina in Chiavari, there is a chain of rather narrow gray pebble beaches protected by a network of rock jetties that act as breakwaters. Collectively spanning about 1.5 kilometers, these beaches are backed by urban development with the exception of the one that is most distant from the marina. The last beach in the chain (i.e., the one farthest northwest) is secluded from the others, with the relative isolation allowing for nude bathing along its expanse of about 70 meters. Most visitors to the small beach go naked.
A steep and verdant mountain slope provides a picturesque backdrop for the nude beach, but the beach itself is quite rocky, so sunbathing can be a tad uncomfortable unless you come prepared. Moving away from Chiavari beyond the nude beach, the coastal terrain becomes quite rocky, steep and rugged. The nude beach of Chiavari is reasonably easy to access via a level walk of about 250 meters from the nearest parking. Multiple eateries are located nearby along the chain of textile beaches, with amenities becoming more numerous going toward the marina.
comune, metropolitan city, region, country:
Chiavari, Genova, Liguria, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/43EZrPY
Chiavari is 35-40 kilometers east-southeast of Genoa. By car, a logical starting point is the Chiavari exit of the A12★ autostrada, which is between kilometer markers 37 and 39 (with marker 38 amid the interchange). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the coast side of the motorway, first through a tunnel then through a toll plaza then to a roundabout at a location called Piazzale della Franca. Go right at the roundabout, following the tutte le direzioni sign. You will then be heading toward the coast on a street that changes names several times (Via Fiume→Corso Montevideo→Via Marina Giulia). In 600 meters you will reach a stop sign at a "T" with a seafront street called Corso Valparaiso, with the sea visible straight ahead.
Turn right onto the seafront street. Proceed just under 200 meters and turn right onto Traversa di Corso Valparaiso, following a blue-and-white sign with a rightward arrow pointing inland. (Straight ahead from where you turn, there are "do-not-enter" panels where Corso Valparaiso becomes a one-way street for traffic coming from the other direction.) Proceed less than 100 meters to a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left. You will than be on a street (Via Luigi Risso→Via Preli) that runs parallel to a railroad, with the railroad on your right-hand side. Subsequent intersections are three-way junctions with streets going off to the left, toward the sea. Proceed about 300 meters and watch for a side street marked as a pedestrian zone (area pedonale). Keep straight ahead another 300 meters, then turn left at the next junction to continue along Via Preli. (Just past the junction, you can see where the railroad disappears into a tunnel.)
Via Preli will curve rightward, ending as it filters into a 200-meter-long seafront parking lot that directly abuts a narrow pebble beach. Park as close as possible to the far (west) end of the lot (44.3220N, 9.3060E). A parking fee is required (except for motorcycles), with the fee payable at any multi-space meter in the lot.
Straight ahead from the far end of the parking lot, there is an elaborate gated entrance to Villa Piaggio, an elegant salmon-colored seaside apartment building that looks like a huge mansion. The nude beach is on the other side of Villa Piaggio. To get there, you first need to access the embankment that is on the sea side of the apartment building. If you are at the far end of the parking lot facing the elaborate gate to Villa Piaggio, look toward the sea and you will see a more ordinary gate (perpendicular to the elaborate gate) through which you can access the embankment, or you can go down to the beach then climb up the embankment via the rocks of the jetty. Once you are atop the embankment, follow the broad gravel path such that the sea is to your left, with the fence that surrounds Villa Piaggio to your right. When the fence ends, the path will narrow, veering just slightly inland into the trees before emerging at the small nude beach. From the far end of the parking lot, the distance to the nude beach is not quite 250 meters, with the walk taking just a few minutes.
★ The A12 autostrada was envisioned as a roughly 475-kilometer-long coastal motorway connecting Genoa to Rome, but the project has never been completed due to environmental concerns. The motorway has existed as two segments for decades—a northern segment (about 200 kilometers long) originating in Genoa and a much shorter southern segment (about 75 kilometers long) originating near Rome, with an incomplete gap of about 200 kilometers between the two segments. The motorway exit described above is along the longer northern segment of A12.
MAP from A12 Chiavari exit toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Chiavari.

toll plaza, Chiavari exit of A10 autostrada
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Chiavari.

roundabout at Piazzale della Franca
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Chiavari.

long seaside parking lot

Villa Piaggio

route from autostrada toll plaza to parking

nude beach

La Spezia

Spiaggia di Guvano

Spiaggia di Guvano
The Cinque Terre (literally, the "Five Lands") is a collection of colorful and picturesque villages occupying hilltops and terraced hillsides along a particularly dramatic expanse of the Mediterranean near the town of La Spezia. From north to south, the five villages are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Spread out along an as-the-crow-flies expanse of about 10 kilometers, the villages have seen an explosion in tourism since being "discovered" around the turn of the millennium. All five villages that comprise the Cinque Terre are accessible by car via minor, twisty roads that wind through the rugged coastal terrain, but many visitors arrive by train. Each village has a station along a rail line that is mostly tunneled through the mountains. The villages are also connected by a popular 12-kilometer-long hiking trail that hews close to the coastline as it winds around mountainsides, affording spectacular views.
Corniglia is the middle of the five villages of the Cinque Terre. Just north of Corniglia toward Vernazza, Spiaggia di Guvano is situated below what used to be an exposed segment of the old railroad, which once ran atop an escarpment just above the beach, disappearing into tunnels at either end. (The tracks of the old railroad no longer exist. The newer parallel railroad is completely subterranean in the immediate vicinity of Guvano, passing through a 2-kilometer-long tunnel.) Guvano is a very secluded beach with a well-established custom of nude bathing that reportedly goes back to the 1960s. Nudity is acceptable anywhere along the beach, which spans about 400 meters. However, visitors tend to concentrate along roughly 100-meter-long expanses at either end of the beach. The southern stretch is a rather narrow ribbon of gray sand mixed with pea-sized pebbles and larger rocks, while the northern stretch has less sand and more pebbles. Between the two, the middle segment of the beach is a slightly protruding stretch of coastline that is extremely rocky and mostly avoided. Because the south end and the north end are isolated from one another, Guvano essentially functions as two separate neighboring nude beaches, but it is possible to walk across the rocky middle part to explore the entire beach.
Historically, there have been two ways to get to Guvano Beach by land. The easier and more popular way was by hiking through the old train tunnel under Corniglia, starting from near the Corniglia train station. Passing through the 900-meter-long tunnel was quite an eerie experience that contributed significantly to the lore of Guvano Beach, but just about all visitors got to the beach that way. The alternative access was by hiking down a steep and somewhat challenging path that leaves from the aforementioned 12-kilometer-long hiking trail. The path to the beach, quite hard to find unless you know exactly where to look, is unsigned other than occasional ephemeral signage (like paint markings) made by visitors. Once visitors made it through the tunnel or down the path, there were two established paths down the escarpment to the beach—one to the south end and one to the north end. However, the north end access had completly eroded away by 2017. Since the mid-2010's, local officials have sought to restrict access to Guvano Beach due to the eroding escarpment. The old train tunnel that used to serve as a pedestrian passage was closed off in 2016, resulting in a plummeting number of visitors. While Guvano used to be a popular beach where nearly everyone was bare, it has become a barely attended beach.
Since the tunnel closure, Guvano Beach draws just a scattering of visitors, and at times the beach is completely deserted even during July and August. The trail that once was an alternative access to the beach is now the only way to get there by land. Some visitors kayak to the beach instead. The directions below contain details about hiking to the beach. Before you attempt the hike, there are a few important things to know. While not overly taxing, the hike is somewhat challenging, so you do need to be fairly physically fit. Bring plenty of water and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Also, when you manage to find the path to the beach, be advised that it may be cordoned off with barrier tape, with paper signs warning of falling rocks. Such signage routinely gets torn down or just weathers away. You do have to be willing to ignore any signs that suggest the path is closed. You won't be the first one. Also, the path to the beach is not dangerous. The falling rocks signs apply to the beach, not to the path. When you land at the beach, you will be at the south end. That part of the beach is backed by a big stone wall that is part of the old railroad embankment, and that wall is in tact. If you go to the north end of the beach, that is where the erosion is concentrated, so you do indeed need to be aware of falling rocks in that area.
Nearly all of the photos posted in this listing predate 2016, depicting Guvano as the popular nude beach that it once was rather than the often deserted beach that it has become. If you decide to go to the beach, remember that Guvano just isn't what it used to be, and it doesn't seem likely to return to its glory days any time soon. If you are uncertain about the hike, be sure to watch the YouTube video that is posted below the photos.
Corniglia, Vernazza, La Spezia, Liguria, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44KXtyy
To get to the Cinque Terre by car, you will most likely start from the A12 autostrada,★ and a logical starting point is the Brugnato/Borghetto V. exit of the A12. This exit is between kilometer markers 75 and 77 (with marker 76 amid the interchange), next to the towns of Brugnato (on the inland side of the motorway) and Borghetto di Vara (on the coastal side). Once you exit, you want to make your way to Corniglia, which is about 29 kilometers from the motorway via the shortest possible route but 35 kilometers via the signposted route. (By GPS, you may be routed along any combination of minor local roads.) To follow the signposted route, watch for brown signs pointing toward Cinque Terre (written as 5 Terre on some signs) starting from the motorway exit. After driving about 23 kilometers from A12, you will begin to see signs pointing toward the villages that comprise the Cinque Terre. Follow the signs for Vernazza and Corniglia.
Along the last several kilometers of your drive, you will reach a signposted three-way junction (44.1326N, 9.7011E) where the routes to Vernazza and Corniglia diverge. Continue toward Corniglia. From that point, you will be on a road that dead ends at the Corniglia train station after passing through the village of Corniglia, so you will eventually have to come back out on the same road. From the three-way junction, head toward Corniglia for 2.8 kilometers and watch for a blue-and-white "P" parking panel at a rightward hairpin curve of the road. There is a small asphalted parking lot on the right at the hairpin curve, which is where roadside parking also begins. About 100 meters past the small parking lot, there is a small green booth (also on the right side of the road) signed Cinque Terre Checkpoint, Corniglia-Vernazza Sentiero/Footpath (44.1227N, 9.7094E). Both at the parking lot and along the road leading up to and continuing beyond the green booth, there are limited free parking spaces (outlined in white paint) and more numerous pay parking spaces (outlined in blue), with the parking fee payable at one of several multi-space meters. (Yellow paint delineates restricted residential parking for permit holders.)
The hike begins at the green booth . You will follow a fairly short segment of a long trail called the Blue Path.
★ The A12 autostrada was envisioned as a roughly 475-kilometer-long coastal motorway connecting Genoa to Rome, but the project has never been completed due to environmental concerns. The motorway has existed as two segments for decades—a northern segment (about 200 kilometers long) originating in Genoa and a much shorter southern segment (about 75 kilometers long) originating near Rome, with an incomplete gap of about 200 kilometers between the two segments. The motorway exit described above is along the longer northern segment of A12.
Arriving by train:
There is a train station in each of the five villages of the Cinque Terre, with service about every half hour during warmer months. The train is a popular way to explore the Cinque Terre. If you arrive by car, you can use the train to quickly get from one village to the next without having to drive from village to village to search for limited parking. Or, if you do not have a car, you can take the train from a more distant point of departure. From La Spezia (the closest major town), it takes just 14 minutes to get to Corniglia by train. If you take the fastest route with minimal transfers, you can get to Corniglia from Genoa in less than 2 hours, from Florence in less than 3 hours and from Rome in less than 4 hours. You can plan your journey at Trenitalia.com.
The Corniglia train station is downhill from the village, overlooking the sea. The road that passes through the village dead ends at the train station. Exit the train station on the inland side of the tracks and follow the road west, such that the sea is on your left-hand side. Shortly you will come to a junction where a walkway splits off from the road, and you can follow either the road or the walkway up to the hilltop village. If you stay on the road, you will gain elevation gradually as the road winds uphill. About a kilometer from the train station, take note when you pass a pharmacy, which is on the right (inland) side of the road. Or, if you follow the walkway, you will be parallel to the train tracks for about 300 meters until the tracks disappear into a tunnel. At that point, you will reach the start of a very long staircase called the Scalinata Lardarina. You will quickly gain over 50 meters in elevation as you ascend the zig-zagging staircase, which has nearly 400 steps. At the top of the stairs, you will be across the road from the pharmacy. Turn left and continue through the village. About 500 meters past the pharmacy, you will reach the green booth where the hike begins.
The hike:
A fee is charged to hike the Blue Path. The requisite ticket is called a Cinque Terre Card, and it comes with a few other perks besides use of the Blue Path. Prices start at about €7.50 per day, with options for multi-day tickets and tickets combined with train travel along the line that connects the villages. Tickets can be purchased at the green booth or at any other checkpoint booth along the Blue Path. Tickets are also available at any of the village train stations or tourist information centers and online at Card.parconazionale5terre.it.
The Blue Path (Sentiero Azzurro) is a 12-kilometer-long hiking trail that connects all five villages of the Cinque Terre. The path has four segments, and the Corniglia-to-Vernazza segment is about 3 kilometers long. About halfway between the two villages, the Blue Path passes through a tiny hamlet called Prevo.★★ At the green booth, you will be about 100 meters above sea level. Prevo is about 210 meters above sea level, at the high point of the Corniglia-to-Vernazza segment. To get to Guvano Beach, you will follow the Blue Path about three-quarters the distance to Prevo before turning onto an inconspicuous side path. To help find the side path, be aware of two kinds of landmarks: footbridges and location marker signs. Between the green booth and Prevo, there are four short footbridges over little gullies, and the third and fourth footbridges are very close together. The point where you depart the Blue Path is at the fourth footbridge, just before the Blue Path begins a steep final ascent toward Prevo. Also, there are irregularly spaced location marker signs along the Blue Path, with information printed in Italian and English. The signs are sequentially numbered, with the numbers descending going north toward Prevo and Vernazza. The side path to Guvano Beach is after marker 40 but before marker 39.
Starting out along the Blue Path from the green booth, you will cross the first footbridge (44.1230N, 9.7095E) in just 30 meters. For the next 100 or so meters, the cobbled path passes through a narrow corridor, with a freestanding stone wall to your left and a stone retaining wall to your right, then the path opens up when you are past the end of the freestanding wall. About 150 meters farther along, you will cross the second footbridge (44.1246N, 9.7075E), at which point you will have gained just 10 meters in elevation from the start of the hike. The first and second footbridges both have low stone sidewalls.
From the second footbridge, it is a bit less than 400 meters to location marker 42, and along the way you will gain about 50 meters in elevation. Starting a bit before marker 42, there are places along the path where you can glimpse Guvano Beach. (If you see a beach, it's Guvano. No other beaches are visible from the path.) By the time you reach marker 42, the path will have leveled out a bit. Although the path goes slightly up and down, there will be no substantial elevation changes up to the point where you depart the path.
From marker 42, it is about 200 meters to marker 41 then another 100 or so meters to marker 40 (44.1289N, 9.7038E). Marker 40 is located in a small, flat gravel clearing about the size of a typical house. (It used to be easily identifiable by a couple of wooden picnic tables that were present as recently as 2018, but they have since disappeared.) There are no other clearings nearby with which to confuse it. When you reach the clearing, you are getting close to the point where you depart the Blue Path.
From the clearing, continue about 30 meters to the third footbridge (44.1292N, 9.7034E), which has wooden post railings along both sides. After the bridge, the wooden railing continues along the left (coast) side of the path about 30 meters to the fourth footbridge (44.1294N, 9.7031E), which has stone sidewalls on both sides (like the first two). At the fourth footbridge, you will have hiked 1.1 kilometers from where you started at the green booth, and you will be at an elevation of about 170 meters. At that point, you are ready to leave the Blue Path and descend to the beach. Immediately after the footbridge, watch on the left for a minor side path that goes down into a thicket of woods. The path may be cordoned off, with posted signs warning of rock slides. As noted above, you must be willing to disregard the warning signs to proceed to the beach.
The side path is distinct even though it is narrow and a bit overgrown in places. You will have to duck through thickets occasionally, and there are intermittent paint markings on trees to remind you that the narrow path is indeed a trail. You will be going downhill, and there are a few ropes along the trail to assist with steeper segments. All in all, it isn't a terribly challenging feat for the reasonably fit.
After following the path about 300 meters, you will be past the steepest part of the descent, then the terrain slopes more gently toward the sea. Once the land flattens out a bit, you will begin to encounter trail junctions. In general you want to stay toward the right to continue downhill toward the beach, but don't worry too much if you take a wrong turn. The maze of paths above Guvano Beach is contained in a small basin, and the only way out of that basin is the same way you came in. In other words, you can't possibly get too lost. Just head toward the sea. Assuming you manage to stay on the main path, you will be standing above the north end of Guvano Beach when you reach the edge of the coastal escarpment that backs the entire beach. At that point, you will be about 15 meters above the sea, having hiked 500-600 meters since leaving the Blue Path.
The path that hews toward the edge of the escarpment follows the old railroad corridor, but the tracks are no longer extant and there is limited evidence of the railroad. The escarpment path is roughly 300 meters long. At each end, the path ends at a sealed-off railroad tunnel. When you first reach the escarpment above the beach, you will be very close to the northern tunnel, which will be a bit to your right as you face the sea. In the opposite direction, the escarpment path crosses a bridge with metal side rails before it reaches the southern tunnel (which is the tunnel that used to be a pedestrian passage). The bridge—at one time a railroad bridge—spans a gully that opens out to the beach. The mouth of the gully is shored up by stone walls that are part of the old railroad embankment. There is only one established path down the escarpment to the beach, and it leaves the escarpment path just before (i.e., north of) the railroad bridge.
When you arrive at the escarpment path, turn left and head south, following the path such that the sea is on your right-hand side. The escarpment path will weave in and out of gaps in a mesh fence. For most of the hike, the path will be narrow and a bit overgrown. Once you have walked about 150 meters, the path will become substantially wider. At that point, the mesh fence will be on your right-hand side. Once the path widens, continue less than 50 meters and watch for a path on the right that begins at a big hole that has been torn in the fence (44.1259N, 9.7027E). If you begin to cross the railroad bridge, you have missed it by about 20 meters. Once you leave the escarpment path, you will be on a short path of about 50 meters that winds most of the way down to the beach, with stairs down a retaining wall for the final descent. You will land on the southern segment of the beach, where you will see the elegant stone arch that supports the old railroad bridge. To go to the northern segment, turn right as you face the sea and follow the rocky part of the coastline for just under 200 meters until you reach an expanse of small pebbles.
Starting from the green booth, the total hiking distance is 1.9 kilometers. Allow about 40 minutes.
★★ Consider hiking at least as far as Prevo for the spectacular views. If you follow the directions above up to the fourth footbridge but stay on the Blue Path, it is about 400 meters to Prevo—uphill all the way. You will pass location markers 39 and 38 on the way to the hamlet, which is at marker 37. Prevo is situated above the north end of Guvano Beach, and from Prevo you can see part of the beach with Corniglia perched uphill beyond the far end.
MAP from A12 Brugnato/Borghetto V. exit toll plaza to green booth where hike begins
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Guvano.

3-way junction where routes to Cornigia & Vernazza diverge
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Guvano.

parking in small lot or along road (mostly pay spaces)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Guvano.

green booth (Sentiero Azzurro/Blue Path checkpoint)

footbridge

location marker "42" sign

location marker "41" sign

location marker "40" sign

location marker "37" sign, at hamlet of Prevo

entrance to old tunnel (walled off after 30 meters)

one end of old train tunnel under Corniglia (formerly a pedestrian passage, now closed)

arch supporting old railroad bridge

pharmacy

Corniglia train station

south end of current train tunnel under Corniglia

Vernazza train station

last 4.5 kilometers of road that dead ends at Corniglia train station

Corniglia-Vernazza trail (segment of Sentiero Azzurro, a.k.a. Blue Path)

side path from Corniglia-Vernazza trail to Spiaggia di Guvano

path above Spiaggia di Guvano, between two old train tunnels

path & steps down to beach

walkway from train station to Scalinata Lardarina

Scalinata Lardarina

approximate route of old train tunnel under Corgnilia (formerly a pedestrian passage, now closed)

extent of beach

Punta Bianca & Spiaggia della Marossa

collective description
The Gulf of La Spezia (Golfo della Spezia) is an inlet of the Italian coastline toward the far east end of Liguria, near the border with Tuscany. La Spezia is a major town that is located along the innermost part of the gulf. From the east side of La Spezia, a mountainous land mass extends southward, with the gulf on one side and the Magra River (Fiume Magra) on the other side. The hilltop town of Montemarcello is located near the southern end of that land mass, near the mouth of the river. There are two well-established nudist areas near Montemarcello, but both of them present access difficulties that render them accessible only to the very fit. If you visit either nudist area, be sure to bring plenty of water and wear sturdy shoes suitable for rugged terrain.
A bit south and east of Montemarcello, there is a rugged area of exposed white rock that extends several hundred meters along the coastline. The landform, called Punta Bianca, is located in the area where the Gulf of La Spezia opens out to the sea. Bathers gather on flat ledges of rock along the base of Punta Bianca just above the sea. There are two ledge areas that are about 300 meters apart (as the crow flies), separated by an expanse where a mass of rock plunges precipitously to the sea. The ledge area that is farther east (toward the Magra) is relatively easy to access via a moderately challenging but direct path, and it is attended by textile bathers. The ledge area that is farther west (toward La Spezia) is far more hidden, accessed via minor side paths that require a bit of stamina. The more hidden ledge area is attended by nude bathers, with a core following of gay men. The nude area slopes a bit, allowing visitors to jump into the sea from the higher parts of the ledge and climb back up the lower part.
A few hundred meters west of the nudist ledge area, Cala Marola is a small sandy beach tucked into a mass of rock. The beach also gets some attendance by nudists, but nudity is not as consistently practiced there as at the ledge area. Although considerably difficult to reach on foot, Cala Marola is frequented by textiles who arrive by boat or kayak, so nudity is just not a feasible option there much of the time, particularly on summer weekends.
Going north from Punta Bianca toward La Spezia, there is an extremely rugged stretch of coastline that extends to the village of Tellaro. Along this scenic expanse, there are four hard-to-reach beaches contained with an expanse of 2.5 kilometers. From south to north (i.e., going toward La Spezia), those beaches are Spiaggia di Punta Corvo, Spiaggia della Zezziggiola, Spiaggia della Marossa and Spiaggia del Groppolo. All the beaches are comprised of gray sand mixed with lots of pebbles. Punta Corvo is by far the most accessible of the four beaches. The path down to the beach is long and quite steep, but it is a safe path with handrails that is doable as long as you have the stamina. Furthermore, in peak season there is ferry service to the beach from Bocca di Magra and Fiumaretta (which are villages on opposite sides of the Magra River at the river mouth). Thus, Punta Corvo is a popular beach that is strictly textile. A bit to the north, Zezziggiola is quite difficult to reach by land. There is a path, but the final descent is exceptionally challenging, requiring climbing down a rope. It is a feat that very few attempt. However, Zezziggiola is often crowded during peak season since it is popular with those who arrive by private watercraft. While the beach surely has nudist potential during off times, it does not have any documented history of nude use and is thus best regarded as textile.
Continuing north, Marossa and Groppolo are neighboring beaches that are often confused and conflated with one another since they share a common access. They are separated by a scree of boulders. Spanning a bit more than 250 meters at low tide, Marossa is the longer of the two beaches, but boulders strewn all along the beach give it the feel of a series of niches, especially when the tide is in. Groppolo is customarily all textile, but there is a small but well-established nudist presence at Marossa. Nudity may occur anywhere along the beach when it is especially uncrowded. When there is a significant number of visitors, nudists gravitate to the far south end, about 350 meters removed from the point of access.
Many visitors get to Marossa and Groppolo by private boat, but it is possible to hike to the beaches. The trek is a bit taxing, especially on the way out, and the final descent to sea level is challenging, involving making your way down a rockslide area while holding onto a rope. While not as difficult as the final descent to Zezziggiola, the last leg of the hike nonetheless requires a considerable degree of fitness and stamina. When you make it down, you will be at the scree of boulders that divides Marossa and Groppolo.
This placemark pertains to Punta Bianca and Spiaggia della Marossa.

Punta Bianca
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Punta Bianca and Spiaggia della Marossa.)
Montemarcello, Ameglia, La Spezia, Liguria, Italy
There are 23 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Punta Bianca and Spiaggia della Marossa.

Spiaggia della Marossa
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Punta Bianca and Spiaggia della Marossa.)
Zanego, Lerici, La Spezia, Liguria, Italy
There are 23 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Punta Bianca and Spiaggia della Marossa.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3K9mUSy
By car, a logical starting point is the Sarzana exit of the A12 autostrada (see note 1 below) next to the town of Sarzana. The exit is between kilometer markers 101 and 102. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. After the toll plaza, follow signs for La Spezia and Lerici to negotiate your way through a convoluted interchange. You will end up on route SS1 heading toward the coast.
Stay on SS1 just over one kilometer and take the first exit (see note 2 below), which is just past a long bridge that spans the Magra River. The exit is signed Lerici and Bocca di Magra. You will be filtered onto route SP331 (SP = strada provinciale) heading south, and in about one kilometer you will reach a roundabout. Keep straight ahead, toward Bocca di Magra and Ameglia (NOT toward Lerici). The road number will change to SP432, with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing as you continue south. 3.9 kilometers after the roundabout, you will pass kilometer marker 7 as you enter the vicinity of Ameglia. About 100 meters past marker 7, take note of a right-hand turnoff signed Montemarcello and Ameglia, but do NOT turn there. Continue not quite one kilometer farther and turn right at another turnoff for Montemarcello, which is also signed Bocca di Magra. The turnoff is less than 100 meters past kilometer marker 6, and you have missed it by about 250 meters if you begin to cross a bridge over the Magra—the same river you crossed earlier.
After turning toward Montemarcello and Bocca di Magra, you will at first be paralleling the river, which will be to your left. In 800 meters, keep to the right at a fork to stay on the main road, following signs for Montemarcello, Punta Corvo and Punta Bianca. The road will veer away from the river. Continue 2 kilometers, up to the point where the main road begins to make a rightward hairpin curve.
To continue to Punta Bianca:
Just as the main road begins to curve, turn left at the small brown signs pointing to Punta Bianca. (You have missed the turn if you make the entire curve.) Follow the Punta Bianca road about 800 meters to its end. Just past the end of the asphalt, the road widens a bit into a small gravel parking area (44.0382N, 9.9793E). See the hiking directions to Punta Bianca farther down.
To continue to Spiaggia della Marossa:
Stay on the main road and continue another 3.4 kilometers. The road will make a few more hairpin curves on the way to the hilltop village of Montemarcello. You will arrive at the main intersection in the village when you reach a stop sign at a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left toward Lerici. Continue 2.4 kilometers and watch carefully for a Le Figarole locality sign, which is next to signs pointing toward Pescarino, a restaurant and B&B that is up the hill from the inland side of the road. Next to the Le Figarole sign, there is a gravel parking area on the right (44.0556N, 9.9469E), and that is one parking option. Continuing toward Lerici, about 200 meters farther along the road makes a rightward hairpin curve. The hike begins at that curve, but parking there is limited. Continuing past the curve, not quite 100 meters farther along you will reach a large sign that indicates you are leaving the municipal limits of Ameglia. Starting at the sign, there is limited parking along the side of the road (44.0561N, 9.9451E). See the hiking directions to Spiaggia della Marossa farther down.
The hike to Punta Bianca:
A footpath begins straight ahead from the end of the road, with the start of the path at an elevation of about 90 meters above sea level. That path, numbered 434, leads directly to the textile area of Punta Bianca (see note 3 below). However, you will go just partway to the textile area before taking another path toward the nude area. Follow path 434 not quite 200 meters to a junction (44.0373N, 9.9776E), then turn right onto path 444 (see note 4 below).
After following path 444 not quite 200 meters, you will reach a small picnic area (44.0368N, 9.9755E) that is perched about 70 meters above sea level with a view of the sea. It is a rather whimsical area edged in prickly pear cacti, with a sign naming it as La Baita del Naturista (which translates, rather oddly, to "naturist cabin"). When you reach the picnic area, path 444 becomes a bit of a jumble before becoming one distinct path again, and you need to depart the path amid that jumble. A nearby landmark to help keep you on course is a small concrete war bunker (44.0364N, 9.9749E) (see note 5 below). The bunker is less than 100 meters from the picnic area but at a substantially lower elevation, perched about 35 meters above the sea atop the monolithic mass of the white rock for which Punta Bianca is named.
At the bunker, pause to get a better feel for the lay of the land. Facing the sea, you will be looking more or less south. Downhill on either side of the rocky mass, there are rocky ledges just above sea level. Bathers gather at both ledge areas, which are not visible to one another. The ledge east of the bunker (to the left when facing the sea) is the textile area, where you would have ended up if you had followed path 434 to its end. The ledge west of the bunker (to the right when facing the sea) is the nudist area.
From the bunker, head west, keeping the sea on your left-hand side. Less than 50 meters from the bunker, take the first possible left onto an unnumbered path that hews toward the sea. (At that point, you will have departed path 444, which begins to veer inland.) Proceed about 50 meters and turn left again (very roughly at 44.0367N, 9.9742E) onto the path that descends to the nudist area. It is a steep descent with an abrupt elevation loss of about 40 meters, and there are ropes for assistance with the climb.
If you'd like to check out Cala Marola, keep straight ahead past the final descent to the nudist area. You will pass above the nudist ledge area as you continue along a wooded path that runs atop a cliff-like mass of rock. In 150 to 200 meters, you will be at the edge of a rock slide, and you will be standing about 15 to 20 meters above sea level. At that point, you need to make a steep descent, negotiating your way down part of the rockslide. (Remember that the climb back up will be much harder.) Once you are near sea level, continue west about 150 meters along the very rocky shoreline, then you will arrive at the small sandy beach (44.0382N, 9.9701E).
The hike to Spiaggia della Marossa:
Once you find a place to park, walk to the hairpin curve that is between the Le Figarole locality sign and the Ameglia municipal limits sign. Along the coast side of the road at the curve, there is a short guardrail that extends about 10 meters. Facing the sea, the trail to the beach begins at the right end of the guardrail (44.0553N, 9.9450E). (The much broader track at the opposite end of the guardrail is a private driveway, and it is signed as private property.)
The trailhead is quite inconspicuous, marked by a small red-and-white trail sign affixed to a tree. The path, which is not numbered, begins at an elevation of about 243 meters above sea level. Follow the path downhill through the woods to its end at a junction with path 444 (which is signed). At that point, you will have hiked about 300 meters and lost about 45 meters in elevation. Turn right (toward Tellaro) onto path 444 and continue hiking another 600-700 meters. Watch for blue paint markings to know when to depart path 444 and begin your descent to the sea (44.0542N, 9.9411E). At that point, you will be about 60 meters above sea level atop the forested cliff above the beach. While the beach access is marked only with ephemeral signage like paint markings, it is not terribly hard to find since it is located at a low point of path 444. If you begin gaining elevation, you have gone too far. (Path 444 ends in Tellaro about one kilometer past the beach access.)
Just after you leave path 444, you will reach a scar in the cliff face created by a rockslide, and that is the beach access. Keep watching for blue arrows painted on rocks to guide you down. There is a rope for assistance with the climb, and the descent is quite abrupt. When you make it to the bottom, you will be along the very rocky expanse between Spiaggia del Groppolo (to your right when facing the sea) and Spiaggia della Marossa (to your left). Turn left and head south. In about 150 meters you will reach the start of Spiaggia della Marossa, which may be broken into several niches at high tide. Continue walking another couple of minutes to the far (south) end of the beach, which is where nudists typically congregate.
Note 1: The A12 autostrada was envisioned as a roughly 475-kilometer-long coastal motorway connecting Genoa to Rome, but the project has never been completed due to environmental concerns. The motorway has existed as two segments for decades—a northern segment (about 200 kilometers long) originating in Genoa and a much shorter southern segment (about 75 kilometers long) originating near Rome, with an incomplete gap of about 200 kilometers between the two segments. The motorway exit described above is along the longer northern segment of A12.
Note 2: Route SS1 (la strada statale 1, a.k.a. Via Aurelia) is a 697-kilometer-long coastal highway that connects Rome to the international border of Italy and France. The kilometer marker numbering increases going from Rome to France. If you are not coming from the autostrada, it may help to know that the Lerici/Bocca di Magra exit of SS1 (described above) is located between kilometer markers 398 and 401. Those two markers are just one kilometer apart despite not being sequential. It seems the numbering has been tweaked through the area.
Note 3: The textile area of Punta Bianca is located at 44.0356N, 9.9770E. The distance from the parking area to the textile area along path 434 is about 600 meters.
Note 4: Path 444 is nearly 6 kilometers long, and it figures into the hike to both Punta Bianca and Spiaggia della Marossa. However, the directions in this listing have you accessing path 444 at different locations for the shortest possible hike to either nudist location. Download the Google Earth file that accompanies this listing to see the entire route of path 444.
Note 5: There is more than one bunker in the area, including a very large bunker that is next to the textile area of Punta Bianca. The small bunker referenced as a landmark is the only one in the immediate vicinity of the picnic area.
MAP from A12 Sarzana exit toll plaza to parking (Punta Bianca)
MAP from A12 Sarzana exit toll plaza to parking (at Le Figarole sign, for hiking to Spiaggia della Marossa)
This placemark pertains to Punta Bianca and Spiaggia della Marossa.

This placemark pertains to Punta Bianca and Spiaggia della Marossa.

bridge over Fiume Magra

gravel parking area at end of road

picnic area "La Baita del Naturista"

small concrete bunker

large concrete bunker

rocky ledges, textile area

rockslide area

Cala Marola (typically all textile, sporadic nudity)

stop sign at 3-way junction in Montemarcello

Spiaggia di Punta Corvo (textile)

Spiaggia della Zezziggiola (textile)

gravel parking area at "Le Figarole" locality sign

Pescarino Restaurant

"Ameglia" municipality sign (leaving going north, entering going south)

Spiaggia del Groppolo (textile)

segment of SP432

segment of Ameglia-to-Lerici road

road from SP432 to Montemarcello (via Bocca di Magra)

road to Punta Bianca

path 444

path 434

unnumbered path

path 436

unnumbered path, extremely challenging final descent

beach access, via steep rockslide path

Lombardia

Pavia

Spiaggia del Ponte della Becca

Spiaggia del Ponte della Becca
The Po is the mighty river that drains most of northern Italy into the Adriatic. The Ticino is a major tributary of the Po that originates in the Swiss Alps and flows through Lago Maggiore, the long lake that spans the border of Switzerland and Italy. The Ticino flows into the Po just a bit southeast of Pavia, a large town that is directly south of Milan. Dating to 1910, the Ponte della Becca is a truss bridge that spans both the Po and the Ticino at the confluence. The historic bridge is a little more than one kilometer long. About a kilometer downstream from the bridge, nude bathers gather along the south bank of the Po. The nude beach is an enormous sandbar amid pastoral tracts of agricultural land, and its size and shape can change considerably from season to season and year to year. The beach doesn't have a proper name but is typically referenced by the nearby bridge. The beach is also sometimes referenced as I Sabbioni, which just means "The Sands." The water is brown and muddy, but such is the nature of the river. There are no signs pointing the way to the beach, which has no amenities. The entire sandbar is informally considered the domain of nudists. The beach is fairly well attended on summer weekends, but it never feels crowded since there is so much space to spread out. Be sure to bring drinking water. Plan to pack out any garbage you generate.
Tornello, Mezzanino, Pavia, Lombardia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3rv3bWP
The A21 autostrada (Autostrada dei Vini) is a 238-kilometer-long motorway from Turin to Brescia, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going east toward Brescia. (A4 also connects Turin to Brescia. A21 bypasses Milan, while A4 goes through Milan.) Take the Broni/Stradella exit of A21, which is between kilometers marker 126 and 128 (with marker 127 amid the interchange). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the south side of the motorway then to a fork where there are signs pointing in both directions toward Pavia. For the shortest and fastest route, keep to the right. (Big trucks have to follow the other route.) You will cross to the north side of the motorway just after you merge into SP202 (SP = strada provinciale). Continue northwest 1.7 kilometers to the end of SP202 at the junction with SP617 at a roundabout. Continue toward Pavia. You will begin heading north on SP617, with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing.
After following SP617 for 4 kilometers (passing through Campospinoso, Albaredo Arnaboldi and Moranda), you will reach the first of two signs for Mezzanino. The first sign is a brown sign indicating you are entering the municipality of Mezzanino, and it is immediately past a gas station. 800 meters farther along, you will pass the white town sign for Mezzanino. 500 meters after the white town sign, you will reach kilometer marker 6. At that point, you are less than a kilometer from the Ponte della Becca, but your turnoff is before the bridge. From marker 6, continue 500 meters and watch carefully for a big yellow sign that reads ponte sul fiume Po ("bridge over the river Po") and indicates a weight limit for big trucks. Immediately past that sign, there are two roads on the right that leave from the same point. Veer onto the road that requires a slight right turn, NOT the one that requires a sharp right. The road is not signed.
Once you veer away from SP617, you will be on a crudely surfaced road that turns to gravel. To verify you are on the correct road, watch for a large boat storage facility near the start of the road on the left. It is a collection of rundown buildings that resembles an old factory. Stay straight ahead on the broadest road for a little over a kilometer until the broad road begins to fade out (45.1386N, 9.2346E), with cruder and narrower interweaving tracks continuing straight ahead. At that point you should probably park, but driving on the rough tracks is possible in a suitable vehicle. On foot, continue along the tracks from the end of the road. The river will be a bit off to your left, at first obscured by trees. A treeless, grassy plain will be on your right. As the trees on your left begin to thin out, you will see a big sandbar along the river. That is the nude beach. The total walk from the end of the road is about 500 meters.
Alternate approach:
The A7 autostrada (Autostrada dei Giovi) is a 134-kilometer-long motorway from Milan to Genoa, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south toward Genoa. Take the Bereguardo/Pavia nord exit of A7, which is between kilometer markers 21 and 22. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the east side of the motorway then to the start of A53.
A53 is a short motorway that connects to Pavia. From its end, you want to follow a system of perimeter roads that loop around the north side of Pavia. Such a road is called a tangenziale, abbreviated tang on signs. There are three tangenziale segments, named ovest, nord and est (west, north and east). Just the first segment (ovest) is a motorway. The other segments comprise a two-lane highway with exits.
From the toll plaza, follow A53 about 9 kilometers. As you near its end, carefully watch for and follow signs for Piacenza, Cremona and Lodi to navigate a couple of interchanges. You will briefly head north on Tangenziale Ovest Pavia, then you will begin heading east on Tangenziale Nord Pavia. Once you are on Tangenziale Nord Pavia, continue 1.7 kilometers and keep straight ahead past an exit signed uscita Pavia via Vigentina. Once you have passed that exit, the perimeter road will become Tangenziale Est Pavia (same road, different name) as it begins to gradually curve southward. Continue 2.6 kilometers to a large roundabout and keep straight ahead through it, toward Broni and Stradella. Continue 2.4 kilometers and take note when you reach an exit signed Cremona, but do NOT exit. Keep straight ahead, toward Broni and Stradella.
Just past the Cremona exit, you will go through an underpass where the perimeter road system ends and SP617 begins (kilometer 0). About 4 kilometers farther along, you will begin to cross the Ponte della Becca a bit past kilometer marker 4. From the end of the long bridge, continue a little over 200 meters and take the first possible left, where there are two roads that leave from the same point. Follow the road that requires a very sharp left turn. (In other words, turn left and keep left.) You will then be on the unsigned road that goes to the river. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from A21 Broni/Stradella exit toll plaza to informal parking
MAP from A7 Bereguardo/Pavia nord exit toll plaza to informal parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Ponte della Becca.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Ponte della Becca.

big yellow sign indicating upcoming bridge (facing traffic going north)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Ponte della Becca.

kilometer marker 5 of SP617 (on bridge)

Ponte della Becca (historic truss bridge)

informal parking

unsigned gravel road

path to beach (several interweaving 4wd tracks)

Lecco

Fiume Adda

Fiume Adda
The Adda River, or the fiume Adda in Italian, is a major tributary of the Po, the mighty river that drains most of northern Italy into the Adriatic. Originating in the Alps, the Adda flows through breathtaking Lake Como before coursing through the eastern outskirts of Milan. Near the village of Porto d'Adda, there is a series of rapids along the river at the tripoint border of the provinces of Lecco, Bergamo and Monza e Brianza. The Naviglio di Paderno is a system of antiquated canals and locks that bypass the rapids, once serving to make the river navigable. These days, much of the river in the tripoint border area is part of a park called Parco Adda Nord, which is traversed by a long-distance bicycle path that follows nearly the entire length of the Adda from the Alps to the Po.
Amid the rapids of the Adda, there is a small beach tucked away in the dense woods along the west bank of the river. Blanketed in stones, the beach is over 50 meters long by late summer, but it is often substantially smaller earlier in the year when the water is higher. There are clusters of enormous boulders just upstream and just downstream from the beach that account for the rapids and contribute to the captivating setting. Nude bathing is well established at the hidden beach, which is accessed from a short detour from the bicycle path along an unmarked path. The beach is attended substantially but not exclusively by gay men. Nudists are typically well represented, but there are occasions when everyone is clad. Swimming is possible but best avoided earlier in the season when the river is gushing. Use extreme caution whatever the time of year.
The nude beach is most quickly accessed from Porto d'Adda. The village is located in the province of Monza e Brianza, a relatively new entity that was carved out of the province of Milan in 2004. As you hike toward the old canal and the river, you will cross into the province of Lecco. While the nude beach is located in Lecco, the land on the other side of the river belongs to the province of Bergamo.
[none], Paderno d'Adda, Lecco, Lombardia, Italy (actual location)
Porto d'Adda, Cornate d'Adda, Monza e Brianza, Lombardia, Italy (parking & access)

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44CyjSZ
The A4 autostrada (Autostrada Serenissima) is a 522-kilometer-long motorway across the northern tier of Italy, connecting Turin (near France) to Trieste (near Slovenia) via Milan and Venice. The kilometer marker numbers increase going east toward Slovenia. Take the Trezzo sull'Adda exit of A4, which is roughly 30 kilometers east of Milan between kilometer markers 156 and 158 (with marker 157 amid the interchange). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the north side of the motorway then to a large roundabout at the junction with route SP2 (SP = strada provinciale). Take the departure signed Trezzo sull'Adda (city center), Busnago, Monza and Vimercate.
Once you depart the roundabout, you will begin going north (and eventually west) on SP2, where there are multiple roundabouts over the next several kilometers. Stay on SP2 by following signs for Busnago, Monza or Vimercate at each roundabout. Continue about 4 kilometers until you reach a huge shopping center in Busnago called the Globo Centro Commerciale, which sprawls for over 500 meters along the right side of SP2. As you are going past the shopping center, be sure to follow the overhead panel for Monza, Vimercate and Cornate d'Adda (NOT the one for zona commerciale) in order to stay on SP2. Once you are past the shopping center, continue a few hundred meters to the next roundabout and take the first departure, toward Cornate d'Adda.
Once you depart SP2, you will begin going north on SP178. There are kilometer markers with ascending numbers, but some of them are missing and others are inaccurately spaced due to a re-routing of SP178 to bypass the center of Colnago. Just watch very carefully for Cornate d'Adda signs and follow them to stay on SP178. Once you have followed SP178 for 2.7 kilometers through three roundabouts, you will begin to pass through the center of Cornate d'Adda. From the third roundabout, continue 1.3 kilometers to the third red light, then turn right onto Via Nazario Sauro at signs for Porto d'Adda and al fiume ("to the river").
Upong turning, proceed about 100 meters to a stop sign and keep straight ahead through a staggered four-way intersection. After the stop sign, the street name will change to Via Monsignor Caccia Dominioni then later to Via Giuseppe Mazzini. Just keep straight ahead for 1.9 kilometers to the next stop sign, at which point you will be in the middle of the village of Porto d'Abba, with the village church straight ahead of you.
Your hike begins at the village cemetery (45.6656N, 9.4755E), which is just a bit north of the church. Parking at the cemetery is limited to one hour and the closest streetside parking is about 200 meters away, so you will need to leave your car elsewhere in the village then do the last bit to the cemetery on foot.
At the stop sign near the church, your only option is to turn right onto Via 25 Aprile. Proceed a short distance and turn left onto either of the next two streets, Via Giovanni XXIII or Via 1º Maggio. Both streets dead end after about 300 meters, and the last cross street is Via Dottor A. Mizzi. There is free parking along Via Giovanni XXIII and Via 1º Maggio. Just watch for posted restrictions.
Once you find a place to park, head toward the dead end of Via Giovanni XXIII or Via 1º Maggio, then turn left onto Via Dottor A. Mizzi and proceed a short distance to its end at a "T" with Via 2 Giugno. Turn right and follow Via 2 Giugno about 100 meters to its end at the cemetery, which is surrounded by a white wall.
Follow the walkway along the east side of the cemetery, such that the white wall is on your left-hand side. Once you are past the cemetery, the walkway becomes a footpath that enters the woods and begins to wind steeply downhill toward the river. After hiking about 400 meters and losing about 50 meters of elevation, you will reach the end of the footpath at the bicycle path, at the point where the bicycle path crosses the canal.
Cross the short flagstone bridge over the canal, where you will see a long staircase that goes uphill to a chapel named the Santuario della Madonna della Rocchetta. (There are great views of the river from the chapel if you'd like to take a short detour.) Turn left, staying on the broad bicycle path. You will be walking such that the canal and an iron rail fence are on your left-hand side. The river will be on your right but not in view, on the other side of the long hill atop which the chapel is perched.
Less than 100 meters past the stairs, you will pass a large building (on your right) that houses a small museum as well as Lo Stallazzo, an informal eatery with alfresco tables. Proceed a little over 200 meters past that building until you reach a prominent side path on your right (45.6689N, 9.4707E) that has a flood warning sign at its start. The sign is a red-and-white triangle. 50 meters farther along, there is another side path on the right (45.6689N, 9.4701E) that is much narrower and far less conspicuous (like a cowpath). You can follow either side path into the woods since they intersect. From the first side path (with the triangular warning sign), proceed about 70 meters to the four-way path junction and keep straight ahead. Or, from the second side path (the very narrow one), proceed 30 meters to the four-way path junction and turn left. From the junction, a narrow path takes you downhill through the woods for about 150 meters to the nude beach. (The other path from the junction goes to a ledge above the rapids that are just downstream from the nude beach.) From the nearest streetside parking in Porto d'Adda, the total walk is about 1.1 kilometers.
MAP from A4 Trezzo sull'Adda exit toll plaza to Porto d'Adda cemetery (but remember to park in the village before the cemetery)
This placemark pertains to Fiume Adda.

red light: SP178 & Via Nazario Sauro
This placemark pertains to Fiume Adda.

staggered 4-way intersection in Cornate d'Adda
This placemark pertains to Fiume Adda.

stop sign at end of Via Giuseppe Mazzini

Porto d'Adda village church

streetside parking along Via Giovanni XXIII

streetside parking along Via 1º Maggio

Porto d'Adda village cemetery

bridge over canal

Santuario della Madonna della Rocchetta (hilltop chapel)

Lo Stallazzo

flood warning sign

road from Cornate d'Adda to Porto d'Adda (Via Nazario Sauro→Monsignor Caccia Dominioni→Via Giuseppe Mazzini)

segment of Via 25 Aprile

Via Giovanni XXIII

Via 1º Maggio

Via Dottor A. Mizzi

Via 2 Giugno

path from cemetery to bicycle path

segment of bicycle path

stairs to hilltop chapel

side path to nude beach

side path to ledge downstream from nude beach

Brescia

Spiaggia della Rocca di Manerba

Spiaggia della Rocca di Manerba
About halfway between Milan and Venice, Lago di Garda is the largest lake in Italy and the easternmost of the five major lakes that comprise Northern Italy's Lake District. Spanning about 50 kilometers from north to south, the glacial lake is located in the transitional zone where the southern reaches of the Alps give way to the Po Valley. Lago di Garda spans three provinces and regions. For the most part, the western half of the lake belongs to Brescia (a province of Lombardia) and the eastern half belongs to Verona (a province of Veneto), but the far northern end of the lake belongs to Trento (a province of Trentino-Alto Adige). Lago di Garda is renowned for its blue-green water, picturesque villages and overall gorgeous scenery.
Toward the southern end of the western side of Lago di Garda, there is a nature reserve in the town of Manerba del Garda named the Riserva Naturale della Rocca, del Sasso e Parco Lacuale di Manerba del Garda, or just the Manerba Natural Park in anglicized shorthand. Covering about a square kilometer, the park is located atop a notch of land that is capped by a hill that rises about 150 meters above the level of the lake, and that hill is in turn capped by the ruins of a medieval fortress called the Rocca di Manerba del Garda. (In Italian, rocca means "fortress," especially a hilltop fortress, while roccia is the word for "rock.") A bit south and east of the fortress along the eastern side of the natural park, there are cliffs that drop precipitously to the lakeshore. The shoreline of the cliffs is an expanse of stony niches and rocky ledges that comprise a beach generally known as the Spiaggia della Rocca di Manerba, or just Spiaggia della Rocca. Extending about 750 meters, the beach has a breathtaking backdrop that can only be fully appreciated when viewed from a boat. Spiaggia della Rocca is not labeled on park maps, and it takes some effort to reach. The final part of the hike is a moderately challenging descent through a thickly forested and less steep part of the cliff face. Needless to say, there are no amenities.
Due to its isolation, Spiaggia della Rocca has long drawn nude bathers. Sadly, there is a local ordinance prohibiting nude bathing, and violators do risk hefty fines. Anti-nudity enforcement was stepped up during the 2010s. Police are said to patrol by jet ski twice a day during peak season. The increase in enforcement has diminished but not vanquished the practice of nudity. The beach is attended mainly by textiles these days, but there are still a good many nudists in the mix, especially toward the far north end. Again, be forewarned that nudity is not tolerated by authorities and employ due discretion. If you are not comfortable with the risk, this location should not be on your nude beach agenda.
There are two parking lots in the natural park. Spiaggia della Rocca di Manerba is most quickly accessed from one parking lot while the actual Rocca di Manerba is most quickly accessed from the other. The natural park is covered in hiking paths, and you can do a circuit of the park in less than two hours. The clifftop path that passes above the beach has some terrifying drop offs, and the panoramic views from Rocca di Manerba are stupendous.
There is another nude beach on the opposite (Veneto) side of Lago di Garda. The two Lago di Garda nude beaches are almost directly opposite one another, about 8 kilometers apart as the crow flies but about 50 kilometers apart by car.
Montinelle, Manerba del Garda, Brescia, Lombardia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3O2Kxxk
The A4 autostrada (Autostrada Serenissima) is a 522-kilometer-long motorway across the northern tier of Italy, connecting Turin (near France) to Trieste (near Slovenia) via Milan and Venice. The kilometer marker numbers increase going east toward Slovenia. Between Brescia and Verona, take the Desenzano exit of A4, which is between kilometer markers 244 and 245. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the north side of the motorway then to a roundabout. Follow the signs for Salò, Desenzano and Lago di Garda. In about one kilometer, you will pass a large white overhead sign for the town of Desenzano del Garda. By that point, you will be heading north on route SP-BS572 (la strada provinciale BS572 di Salò).
Carefully watch for and follow signs for Salò to stay on SP-BS572 as you navigate a series of roundabouts through a heavily urbanized area. (There are kilometer markers with descending numbers, but it will be a few kilometers before you will begin to see markers along the road.) From the overhead Desenzano del Garda sign, continue 10.4 kilometers (passing through Padenghe sul Garda and Moniga del Garda) and take note when you pass the overhead Manerba del Garda town sign. From that point, continue about 500 meters to the next roundabout (just past kilometer marker 11), which has an abstract sculpture of a tree in its median.
Take the first departure of the roundabout, toward Parco Archeologico Naturalistico (among other locations). You will immediately enter another roundabout. Keep straight ahead through it, continuing toward the archeological park. Continue about 300 meters to the next overhead sign and veer right toward Montinelle, rocca and Dusano
From the overhead sign, it is about 2 kilometers to the village of Montinelle, and there are four roundabouts along the way. As you head toward Montinelle, you will begin to see brown signs pointing toward parco naturale. That is where you are going. Keep straight ahead through the first and second roundabouts. At the third roundabout, take the second departure, effectively making a left turn. At the fourth roundabout, keep straight ahead, toward Pieve Vecchia and San Felice. Continue 300 meters to a stop sign at a four-way intersection in Montinelle. Turn right onto Via Giosuè Carducci.
Follow Via Giosuè Carducci for 500-600 meters to a junction where the main road curves rightward. When the road begins to curve, turn left in order to keep straight ahead on a much narrower road named Via San Giorgio. Continue just 100 meters and take the next possible left onto Via Agello. Proceed 250-300 meters and turn right into a grassy, shaded parking lot that is prominently signed Parcheggio Parco Naturale (45.5503N, 10.5707E). The daily parking rate (about €4) is posted at the entrance.
The hike:
On foot, continue along Via Agello. Just past the parking lot, the road turns to gravel next to a signboard with a map of roads and trails in the park. Look for the "you are here" symbol on the map that pinpoints your location. All the automobile roads in the park are gravel, and driving on them is prohibited (except for residents, as indicated on signs). The trails in the park have names, and there are also numbered hiking routes that follow a combination of named trails. The beach is not labeled, but it is below the topographic lines indicating the cliffs on the right side of the map. Sentiero dello Scotano is the trail that goes down the cliffs to the beach.
After the signboard, continue along Via Agello just 20 meters or so and take the next possible right onto Via Marinello. In about 300 meters, as you near the cliffs you will reach a junction where the broader road curves sharply leftward and a smaller track goes off to the right. Turn left to stay on the broader road. Continue about 100 meters to the point where the broad road narrows and a number of paths intersect. Head downhill and watch for signs for Sentiero dello Scotano. In about 100 meters, you should reach the point where Sentiero dello Scotano passes through a doorway in an old stone wall that extends from a mass of rock to the edge of the cliff (45.5506N, 10.5764E).
After the doorway, the path will level out for about 150 meters then begin a final descent the lakeshore. Once you reach the lake, you will have hiked about 800 meters and lost about 45 meters of elevation. You will land on the lakeshore toward the southern end of the long, rocky beach. Nudity is more prevalent toward the north end (to the left when facing the lake). There is a wooded lakeshore path along almost the entire length of the beach.
Other parts of the park:
The signboards will guide you to other features of the natural park to which you can hike, including the Rocca di Manerba. To drive to the Rocca di Manerba, follow the directions above until you reach the stop sign at the four-way intersection in Montinelle. Instead of turning right, keep straight ahead onto Via del Melgrano, then almost immediately keep to the left to avoid going through a gate that is a hotel driveway. Via del Melgrano is an extremely narrow one-way street through the village. The street name will change to Via Leutelmonte then to Via Rocca, at which point you will be in two-way traffic again. Just keep straight ahead for 800-900 meters to the parking lot next to the archaeological museum. Continue along Via Rocca (which is closed to automobile traffic beyond the museum). The road winds uphill about 300 meters to the ruins of the hilltop fortress.
MAP from A4 Desenzano exit toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Rocca di Manerba.

kilometer marker 12 of SP-BS572
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Rocca di Manerba.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Rocca di Manerba.

overhead "Manerba del Garda" sign

kilometer marker 11 of SP-BS572

roundabout with abstract tree sculpture

kilometer marker 10 of SP-BS572

overhead sign pointing to Montinelle

4-way intersection in Montinelle

Via Agello turns to gravel, with restricted automobile access

doorway in stone wall

San Giorgio chapel

Porto Dusano

archeological museum

Rocca di Manerba del Garde (medieval fortress ruins)

segment of SP-BS572

roads from SP-BS572 to Montinelle

segment of Via Giosuè Carducci

Via San Giorgio

Via Agello (turns to gravel after parking lot)

Via Marinello (gravel)

Sentiero dello Scotano

lakeshore path

Via del Melgrano→Via Leutelmonte→Via Rocca

Via Rocca (pedestrian segment)

extent of beach, roughly

Marche

Macerata

Spiaggia delle Cinque Vele

Spiaggia delle Cinque Vele
The province of Macerata has a little over 20 kilometers of coastline, and the entire stretch is quite urbanized. Just north of the coastal town of Porto Potenza Picena, Le Cinque Vele (which means "The Five Sails") is a marina that is just inland from the sea in an area where a railroad runs directly along the coast. The marina occupies an oblong body of water that was once a quarry. The sandy beach next to the marina is a little over 400 meters long, and a convergence of features serve to isolate the beach. The railroad embankment is a barrier between the marina and the beach, and the short canal that connects the marina to the sea forms the north end of the beach. At the south end of the beach, the sand tapers to the railroad embankment, then continuing south there is a stretch of over a kilometer where there is no beach along the railroad embankment. The beach next to the marina has a history of nude use due to its relative seclusion. However, the beach is quite easy to access. There is ample parking on the inland side of the railroad, and two pedestrian passages under the railroad are portals to the beach.
Unfortunately, nude bathing is a rather contentious issue at the marina beach, and in 2012 the municipality of Potenza Picena (to which Porto Potenza Picena belongs) banned nudity on all its beaches. Despite a risk of being fined, nude bathing has continued with limited abatement. The beach is not rigorously patrolled, but police are dispatched when there is a complaint and will ticket those who are naked. As of August 2022, those caught naked by police can expect a fine of €180. Since it seems that parents with children are the most likely to take umbrage, regulars have developed a protocol of dressing whenever children are in sight. Complaints about nudity often come from patrons of Natural Village, a resort that is just a few hundred meters north of the marina beach on the other side of the canal. A footbridge over the canal is an impetus for conflict since it provides too easy a link between disparate groups of beach users.
The marina beach is generally sparsely populated, but there may be several dozen in attendance on peak days, with a sizable gay presence. Nudity patterns are irregular and unpredictable. If you decide to visit in spite of the nudity ban, look to regulars to set a precedent before you disrobe.
The marina beach does not seem to have an agreed-upon proper name. "Spiaggia delle Cinque Vele" is an improvisation. One of the structures next to the marina (across the railroad from the beach) is a large entertainment complex and disco that has open and closed then re-opened with a different name a number of times. Babaloo and Nessundorma are two previous iterations of the entertainment complex, and those names have a lingering association with the beach.
Porto Potenza Picena, Potenza Picena, Macareta, Marche, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44GPGCb
The A14 autostrada (l'autostrada Adriatica) is a 734-kilometer-long motorway that connects Bologna to Taranto, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south toward Taranto. Route SS16 (la strada statale 16 Adriatica) is a highway that follows Italy's Adriatic coastline for about 1,000 kilometers, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south. A14 and SS16 parallel one another throughout the region of Marche, with SS16 closer to the coast. Spiaggia delle Cinque Vele is aligned with kilometer 251 of A14 and kilometer 332 of SS16. The closest autostrada exit is north of the beach.
Take the Loreto/Porto Recanati exit of A14, which is between kilometer markers 245 and 246 near the Ancona/Macerata provincial border. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Take the first possible right after the toll plaza and you will be filtered onto SS16 going south toward Porto Recanati and Pescara. Once you merge into SS16, it is less than 300 meters to a roundabout, and you will pass kilometer markers 325 and 326 along that stretch. (The numbering is off, likely due to a re-routing.) From marker 326, continue 6 kilometers (keeping straight ahead through all roundabouts) and take note when you pass marker 332. At that point, you will begin to pass Le Cinque Vele marina, which is on the left (coast) side of the road. From marker 332, continue 400 meters and take the next possible left into the huge earthen parking lot that abuts the south end of the marina (43.3911N, 13.6828E). There is a short left-turn lane along SS16 at the turnoff.
The marina occupies an oblong artificial body of water (once a quarry) that is not quite 500 meters long, and it is connected to the sea by a canal at its north end. A road circles the marina, and that perimeter road blends into the parking lot on the south end of the marina. The coast side of the marina is lined with buildings. The marina and the huge parking lot are separated from the sea by a railroad that runs along the coastline. Spiaggia delle Cinque Vele is the beach that directly corresponds to the marina, and the beach can be accessed from either of two tunnel-like passages through the embankment of the railroad. The southern passage is in the parking lot while the northern passage is at the canal, and the two are just over 500 meters apart.
The southern passage under the railroad is straight ahead from where you turn into the parking lot, at the north end of the parking lot and the south end of the marina. On the other side, you will emerge in an area where the narrow beach is covered in boulders that are part of the railroad embankment. Facing the sea, look to your left. The sand widens and the beach extends to the canal that connects the marina to the sea.
To go to the northern passage from the parking lot, follow the perimeter road around the marina such that the railroad embankment is to your immediate right. Continue until you reach the point where the road crosses the canal, but do not cross the bridge. Depart the perimeter road on its left (inland) side then head to the canal and turn right. Following the walkway along the canal, go under the bridge of the perimeter road then under the railroad then over the dunes. Shortly you will land at the far north end of the beach.
MAP from A14 Loreto/Porto Recanati exit toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia delle Cinque Vele.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia delle Cinque Vele.

huge earthen parking lot

Le Cinque Vele marina

passage under railroad

perimeter road bridge over canal

footbridge over canal

beach club of Natural Village resort

Natural Village resort

entertainment complex & nightclub (possibly closed)

Il Porticciolo restaurant

perimeter road around marina

Ancona

Spiaggia di Cesano

Spiaggia di Cesano
Toward the northern end of the region of Marche, the mouth of the river Cesano is at a location that is both a provincial and municipal border. North of the river, Marotta is the southernmost coastal municipality of the province of Pesaro e Urbino. South of the river, Senigallia is the northernmost coastal municipality of the province of Ancona. Spiaggia di Cesano is the name for a beach segment that is just south of the river, belonging to Senigallia and Ancona. The northernmost few hundred meters of the beach (i.e., the part nearest the river) is attended by nude bathers despite its proximity to urban development. Going south from the nude beach, it is less than 200 meters to a large seaside apartment residence called Le Piramidi. Going north from the nude beach, there is a seaside bungalow resort called Il Girasole on the other side of the river, which is often shoaled, not quite flowing into the sea.
Spiaggia di Cesano is blanketed in small white pebbles, and the particular location of the nudist zone at the river mouth renders it slightly off the beaten path but hardly remote. Nonetheless, nude bathing is well established, and the nude beach has grown in popularity since circa 2009 due to the efforts of an organized naturist group. While the increase in the number of naked bodies on the beach has not been without controversy, it seems that a tenuous peace has been achieved between locals and naturists, with a tacit agreement that nudists should cover up any time that children approach the area. So far, attempts to have the beach formally authorized as a naturist venue have been rebuffed by authorities.
frazioni, comune, province, region, country:
Cesano, Senigallia, Ancona, Marche, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44Z2SlN
The A14 autostrata (Autostrada Adriatica) is a 734-kilometer-long motorway that connects Bologna to Taranto, hewing close to Italy's Adriatic coastline. The kilometer marker numbering increases going south toward Taranto. The Marotta/Mondolfo exit of A14 is between kilometer markers 184 and 185, roughly 30 kilometers southeast of Pesaro and 45 kilometers northwest of Ancona. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway and then to a stop sign at a "T" junction. Turn left (toward Marotta) onto SP424 (SP = strada provinciale). Proceed toward the coast for 800 meters (keeping straight ahead through one roundabout), then turn right onto SS16 (la strada statale 16 Adriatica), following signs that point toward Ancona.
Once you are on SS16, you will be going south, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. In 3.3 kilometers, you will pass marker 267 just after crossing a bridge over a river named il fiume Cesano. (The river forms a provincial border. When you cross the bridge, you will be leaving Pesaro e Urbino and entering Ancona.) Looking to your right at marker 267, you will see a parking lot next to the road, with an Ipercoop supermarket farther in the background. That is one parking option for accessing the nude beach. Looking up ahead and to your left at marker 267, you will see a cluster of multi-story buildings along the coast. Those buildings comprise a complex of apartments called Residence Le Piramidi, and parking next to those apartment buildings is another option for accessing the nude beach.
Option 1: Parking near the Ipercoop supermarket
Just past marker 267, turn right at an Ingresso Centro Commerciale sign to enter a large shopping center called Il Maestrale Centro Commerciale. Just after turning, keep to the right, such that the Ipercoop supermarket is off to your left. In less than 100 meters, keep straight ahead through a small circle with an Il Maestrale logo in its median. Immediately past the circle, turn right into a subsection of the huge parking lot that is labeled as a beach-access parking area. It is marked by several blue "P" panels signed Mare. The entrance to the beach-access parking area is around 43.7475N, 13.1701E. The parking area is next to a footpath that leads directly to the nude area of the beach. As you follow the path, first you will cross under SS16 (where it is elevated at a bridge landing), then you will cross under a parallel railroad (also where it is elevated at a bridge landing). The total walk is about 350 meters.
Option 2: Parking at Le Piramidi
From marker 267, continue about 300 meters to the next roundabout and go left (toward the sea) by taking the third departure. It is about 300 meters to Le Piramidi. Before you reach the apartment buildings, the road will cross under a railroad overpass. After the railroad but before the apartment buildings, watch on your left for a broad track that has a metal gate at its start. Return there once you park. There is free parking next to Le Piramidi, around 43.7474N, 13.1746E. From the metal gate (which is just an automobile barrier), it is about 100 meters to the sea. You will pass a derelict, hollowed-out building along the way. Facing the sea, turn left and head north another 100 or so meters to reach the start of the nude area, which extends about 200 meters to the mouth of the Cesano.
MAP from A14 Marotta/Mondolfo exit toll plaza to parking (Option 1)
MAP from A14 Marotta/Mondolfo exit toll plaza to parking (Option 2)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Cesano.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Cesano.

bridge over Fiume Cesano
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Cesano.

Ipercoop supermarket

"Mare" parking area near Ipercoop supermarket

Residence Le Piramidi

parking at Le Piramidi

derelict structure

mouth of il fiume Cesano

Il Girasole bungalow resort

road through Il Maestrale shopping center to "Mare" parking area

road to Residence Le Piramidi

Spiaggia di Mezzavalle, Spiaggia della Vela & Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri

collective description
The Riviera del Conero is a stretch of the Adriatic coast of Italy that begins in the southern outskirts of the city of Ancona, extending southward through the city's eponymous province into the neighboring province of Macerata. The most rugged and picturesque part of the riviera is within Ancona province, and the centerpiece of the riviera is Monte Conero, a promontory that rises to a maximum elevation of 572 meters. A few of the beaches around Monte Conero present opportunities for nude bathing, but getting to any of them requires a certain degree of stamina, agility or both.
Between Ancona and Monte Conero, Spiaggia di Mezzavalle is a mostly wild beach with limited amenities. Extending over 1.5 kilometers, the beach is largely covered in pebbles but with some ribbons of sand. Mezzavalle is backed by a steep and strikingly verdant hillside, and the only land access to the beach involves a hike that begins at about 145 meters above sea level. Despite the requisite hike, Mezzavalle is plenty popular, but the crowd is always concentrated along the southern half of the beach where the main access trail lands. The northern realm of the beach is much more thinly populated, and the northern extreme of the beach is usually deserted or nearly so even during peak season. While it seems likely that discreet nudity has occurred along the northern area of Mezzavalle for years, it is only recently (since circa 2010) that efforts to establish Mezzavalle as a venue for nudists have gained a bit of traction. Mezzavalle remains a fledgling nude beach. Nudist attendance is sporadic and the nude area is not well defined. Still, on any given day there is likely to be sufficient seclusion for nudity if you go far enough away from the crowd.
South of Mezzavalle, the resort village of Portonovo is wedged against the northern side of Monte Conero. At the south end of Portonovo, there is a distinctive conical rock just offshore that is shaped like a sailboat or a shark fin. That rock is popularly known as La Vela, or "The Sail." Just beyond the rock, Spiaggia della Vela is a hidden beach directly below the highest point of Monte Conero. Extending at most 200 meters with several sandy niches amid the rocks, La Vela is a well-established nudist venue. It is quite beautiful and sheltered, but attendance is limited by the difficulty of access. It is really just the last bit of the hike that is challenging, where a cord assists in negotiating a steep mass of rock. A good many visitors kayak to the beach. There may be several dozen in attendance during the height of summer, but a dozen or so is more typical during other warm periods. Most visitors opt to be naked.
On the south side of Monte Conero, Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri is the narrow and rocky northern extension of Spiaggia di San Michele, a longer and broader beach that is lined with snack stands and bathing establishments where beach chairs and umbrellas are available. The beach is named for the black rocks (sassi neri) that are just offshore under the surface of the water. Nude bathing occurs along the northernmost few hundred meters of Sassi Neri, along a part of the beach that is mostly a rocky shelf. A rock jetty is a landmark for finding the nude area. From the last of the beach chairs along San Michele, it is a walk of nearly one kilometer to the nude area of Sassi Neri. There are generally just a handful of nudists present, always far fewer than at La Vela.
La Vela and Sassi Neri are separated by about 2.5 kilometers of very rugged coastline at the base of Monte Conero, and just offshore along this stretch there are two prominent rock columns called Le Due Sorelle—"The Two Sisters." There are several beaches between La Vela and Sassi Neri, the largest of which is Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle, extending southward from the rock columns. It is technically possible to hike to Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle, but it is a grueling feat only for very fit and experienced hikers. The only practical access is by sea. Despite this remoteness, Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle is a well-attended textile venue since there is a shuttle boat service to the beach. The other beaches between La Vela and Sassi Neri are only accessible by private boat, but nudity is not well established at any of those beaches.
The municipal border of Ancona and Sirolo runs through Monte Conero. Spiaggia di Mezzavalle is in Ancona, while Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri is in Sirolo. Spiaggia della Vela is in Sirolo—but just barely. It is accessed from Ancona. You will cross the municipal border as you are hiking past the sailboat-shaped rock. The reason all this is relevant is that authorities in Sirolo have historically not been welcoming of nudists. La Vela seems to have escaped scrutiny, probably due to its peripheral location in Sirolo. However, the threat of a potentially steep fine seems to have suppressed nudist attendance at Sassi Neri. If you visit Sassi Neri, make sure you are well away from textiles and look to regulars to set a precedent before you disrobe. If you are put off by the risk, remember that nearby La Vela is a more established nudist venue.
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Mezzavalle, Spiaggia della Vela and Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri.

Spiaggia di Mezzavalle
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Spiaggia di Mezzavalle, Spiaggia della Vela and Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri.)
Varano, Ancona, Ancona, Marche, Italy
There are 53 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Spiaggia di Mezzavalle, Spiaggia della Vela and Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri.

Spiaggia della Vela
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Spiaggia di Mezzavalle, Spiaggia della Vela and Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri.)
comune, province, region, country:
Sirolo, Ancona, Marche, Italy
There are 53 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Spiaggia di Mezzavalle, Spiaggia della Vela and Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri.

Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Spiaggia di Mezzavalle, Spiaggia della Vela and Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri.)
Sirolo, Ancona, Marche, Italy
There are 53 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Spiaggia di Mezzavalle, Spiaggia della Vela and Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44wD00C
Route SP1 (SP = strada provinciale) is a 20-kilometer-long road contained within the province of Ancona. The road is a bit unusual in that at each end it connects to an unnumbered local road. SP1 begins in the southern outskirts of the city of Ancona, hewing toward the coastline as it winds southward to Marcelli, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south. All three beaches below are accessed from SP1.
To go to Spiaggia di Mezzavalle:
Getting to Spiaggia di Mezzavalle requires trekking down a verdant hillside. There are two paths to the beach, both of which start at SP1. The hike is a bit physically challenging (especially on the way back up) due to the steep grade of the paths, but there is nothing dicey or scary about the hike. The broader main path lands along the central area of the beach. The narrower secondary path lands about 500 meters away toward the northern end of the beach, which is where nudists are more likely to be present.
The main path leaves the road at kilometer 6.7 (43.5672N, 13.5723E). There is a small earthen parking lot on the coast side of the road at the start of the path, and there is a similar-sized earthen lot on the coast side of the road at kilometer marker 7. Parking is free at both those lots. Between the two, there is a huge earthen parking lot on the inland side of the road, and its entrance is at kilometer 6.87. The inland lot is generally cordoned off except during summer, and a fee may be charged to park there during peak season. The path begins at about 145 meters above sea level, and the walking distance to the beach is about 500 meters. Facing the sea, turn left and head north. The nude area does not have definite boundaries, and nudist attendance is a bit irregular. On more crowded days, it is probably best to continue beyond where the other path lands on the beach.
The secondary path begins at a pair of metal mesh gates at kilometer 5.45 (43.5738N, 13.5648E). Parking is far less plentiful at the secondary path. There is room for about a dozen cars to park along the inland side of the road just north of the metal gates, and there is a bit more roadside parking along both sides of the road at kilometer 5.2. The metal gates are not part of a fence but are just vehicle barriers at the starts of two diverging paths that used to be automobile tracks. The tracks have faded away to almost nothing. With your back to the road, go around the gate that is farther to the right. At that point, you will be at an elevation of about 127 meters above sea level, and you will actually go a bit uphill at first, staying at an elevation of about 136 meters for a while before beginning to go downhill. As you follow the old faded track from the gate, shortly you will cross under overhead power lines and then enter a grove of trees. Amid the trees, turn left at a three-way junction. Shortly you will exit the grove of trees and then you will enter another grove of trees. You will have walked about 300 meters once you are past the second grove of trees, and at that point you will begin a steep descent. The total hiking distance is 800 meters. From the bottom of the path, the beach extends northward (to the left when facing the sea) for 600-700 meters. If there are only textiles about when you land on the beach, head north.
To go to Spiaggia della Vela:
Spiaggia di Portonovo is a popular textile beach that has three zones, with various names associated with each zone that you will see on signs as you get close to the beach. The northwestern zone is known both as Il Mole and Lago Grande. The middle zone is La Torre. The southeastern zone is known both as La Chiesa and Lago Profondo. Spiaggia della Vela is a nude beach that is accessed on foot from Spiaggia di Portonovo, and to make your walk as short as possible you will want to start from the southeastern zone of the beach—La Chiesa/Lago Profondo.
All zones of Spiaggia di Portonovo are accessed from a roundabout at kilometer 7.2 of SP1. It is the only roundabout between kilometer markers 7 and 8. From the roundabout, follow the brown sign that points toward Portonovo. Continue 1.4 kilometers to a small roundabout that is next to Pesci Fuor d'Acqua restaurant and a few other small businesses. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, following the brown signs for Lago Profondo, Chiesa and Torre. Continue 300 meters to a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right, toward Lago and Chiesa. Continue about 250 meters, following the parcheggio signs to any of several pay parking lots near the end of the road (around 43.5613N, 13.5993E).
At the end of the road, the beach is accessed next to a surf school called Conero Style. Facing the sea, go to the right (southeast). Shortly you will pass Santa Maria di Portonovo, a church (chiesa) that is just uphill from the beach. In the distance you will see a distinctive conical rock just offshore that resembles a sailboat or a shark fin. Spiaggia della Vela is just beyond the rock. From the church, the distance to the sailboat-shaped rock is about 600 meters, and you will be walking across a part of Spiaggia di Portonovo that is far less crowded than the area next to the parking lots. As you get closer to the sailboat-shaped rock, Spiaggia di Portonovo peters out and there is a stretch of about 200 meters where the terrain becomes more challenging. At first you will be negotiating your way over a pile of boulders, which isn't terribly difficult. Once you are past the sailboat-shaped rock, there is a large rocky mass that must be negotiated, and there is a metal cord affixed to the rocky mass to assist with balance. When you get to the cord, you are almost there. Spiaggia della Vela begins beyond the mass of rock and extends about 200 meters.
During summer, there is often insufficient parking at all zones of Spiaggia di Portonovo. A completo sign indicates that a particular parking area is full. If you can't find parking near the beach or would just prefer to avoid the hassle, take the shuttle bus that runs every 20 minutes during peak season. From the roundabout at kilometer 7.2 of SP1, follow the parcheggio scambiatore sign, which points to a large asphalted parking lot that is just inland from the roundabout. The bus stop is next to a couple of park benches at the parking lot entrance. A parking fee is charged, but the rate is much lower than parking next to the beach. The shuttle service is free. The bus does not go all the way to the beach but just to the small roundabout next to Pesci Fuor d'Acqua restaurant. From there, proceed on foot as directed above.
If you are able to park somewhere near the surf school, the total walk to Spiaggia della Vela is about one kilometer. If you take the shuttle, the walking distance increases to about 1.5 kilometers.
To go to Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri:
The town of Sirolo is located along SP1, between kilometers 14 and 18. The two major beaches of Sirolo are Spiaggia Urbani and Spiaggia di San Michele, with the latter being the longer and more northern of the two. Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri is the name of the narrower northern extension of Spiaggia di San Michele, and it is accessed from Spiaggia di San Michele. The turnoff toward Spiaggia di San Michele is located at kilometer 16.2 of SP1. You will be turning onto a street named via Vallone next to Hotel Beatrice. At the turnoff, there is a brown sign that reads Spiaggia San Michele e Sassi Neri. Follow via Vallone about 200 meters to the next right-hand turnoff that is not a private driveway. That turnoff is the beach access road, and it has a gate near its start. Opposite the turnoff on the left side of via Vallone, there is a large earthen parking lot. Depending on when you visit, you may be able to drive down the beach access road, or you may have to walk or take a shuttle. The gate is closed during peak season as a means to prevent congestion since there isn't nearly enough parking beyond the gate for summer crowds. If the gate is open, then the nearby earthen lot will likely be cordoned off. If the gate is closed, the earthen lot should be open.
Assume the gate is open. It is about one kilometer to the beach, and there is no parking lot. Parking is along the side of the road, and on crowded days you may have to park well before the end of the road and traverse most of the length of the road on foot. The gate is at an elevation of about 140 meters above sea level. From the gate, proceed about 200 meters to a "T" at a guardrail, where there is a sweeping view of the sea straight ahead. Turn right to stay on the main road, which will begin to wind downhill. Continue 500-600 meters to the next junction, where the asphalted road bends sharply to the right while a gravel road goes off to the left. The asphalted road comes to a dead-end in about 200 meters, while the gravel road continues about 250 meters to Da Silvio restaurant, which is perched at an elevation of about 30 meters above the beach. After the restaurant, the gravel road continues about 100 meters farther, winding all the way down to the beach. If you have a choice, park along the gravel road (43.5301N, 13.6191E). Parking is available all the way to the restaurant, then the final downhill segment of the road must be done on foot, or you can take the long staircase to the beach that begins near the restaurant. Alternatively, if you continue along the asphalted road, you will see several park benches along the sea side of the road near its dead end. Facing the sea, go to the left end of the park benches to find two long staircases that descend to the beach from an elevation of about 40 meters. You can take either staircase, but your walk will be slightly shorter if you take the one that is farther to the left. You will land on the beach about 125 meters south of Da Silvio restaurant.
Spiaggia di San Michele is lined with several snack stands, and the northernmost of them is below Da Silvio restaurant. A bit north of the snack stand (to the left when facing the sea), the beach narrows considerably and the name changes from Spiaggia di San Michele to Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri. Near the far (north) end of Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri, there is a short rock jetty that projects about 40 meters into the sea. The beach comes to an end about 100 meters past the jetty. Nude bathing occurs at the far north end of Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri in the vicinity of the jetty. From the snack stand below Da Silvio restaurant, the distance to the jetty is about 1.2 kilometers, and it is generally best to avoid being naked until you are within about 250 meters of the jetty.
If the gate to the beach access road is closed, you will need to park in the large earthen lot that is along via Vallone. To access the large earthen lot, keep driving along via Vallone about 100 meters past the beach access road. You will reach a small asphalted parking lot next to the prominent stone perimeter wall of a cemetery. Do NOT park there since those spaces have a one-hour time limit. The road will fork immediately past the asphalted lot. Bear left but then immediately turn left into the entrance to the large earthen lot (43.5302N, 13.6129E). An attendant posted at the entrance collects a parking fee. Proceed on foot to the gate, which has a pedestrian access on one side, then proceed about 200 meters to the "T" at the guardrail (described above). While you could proceed on foot according to the driving directions above, another option for pedestrians is to follow a forested gravel track that winds downhill. Facing the sea at the guardrail, follow the gravel track that goes off to the left. In 150 meters, keep to the right at a fork. (The left fork is a private driveway.) About 80 meters farther on, turn right at a three-way junction. (The road straight ahead is a private driveway.) The track will then begin to descend rather steeply. 350 meters farther on, keep to the right at a fork, continuing downhill. (The left fork ultimately goes back uphill toward the peak of Monte Conero.) About 300 meters farther on, just past the point where the broad track curves rightward, watch for a much smaller side trail going off to the left (43.5326N, 13.6192E). At that point, you will be about 55 meters above sea level. The side trail is a shortcut. If the shortcut trail looks too overgrown or if you have trouble finding it, just continue along the broad track for 200 meters to the next junction and keep to the left. Shortly you will pass Da Silvio restaurant and you can access the beach from there. If you decide to take the shortcut, you will go steeply downhill for 180 meters, landing on the beach about 250 meters north of Da Silvio restaurant. From where you land on the beach, it is about 950 meters to the rock jetty that is a landmark of the nude area.
Another access option takes you to the south end of Spiaggia di San Michele. The northernmost roundabout in Sirolo is located at kilometer 16.35 of SP1 (less than 200 meters from Hotel Beatrice), and it has a small fountain and statue in the middle. The street that goes south from that roundabout into the center of Sirolo is called via Giulietti. Signage is generally lacking at the roundabout, but via Giulietti is the only one of the three streets radiating from the roundabout that is not part of SP1. Heading south from the roundabout on via Giulietti, there is a row of old townhouses on the left (coast) side of the street, extending about 200 meters. The residence numbers range from 158 to 86, with the numbers getting lower going south toward the prominent bell tower of a church (San Nicola di Bari) that is a bit farther down the street. On the other side of those townhouses, there is a small park called Parco della Repubblica, and you need to go there once you park. There is a pay parking lot on the inland side of via Giulietti opposite the townhouses at a location called Piazza Giacomo Brodolini (43.5258N, 13.6164E). (There is also limited free parking in Sirolo if you are willing to drive around to find it, but watch signs carefully since much of the free parking is time-restricted.) Depending on where you park, you can access Parco della Repubblica through a pedestrian corridor amid the townhouses (next to a residence numbered 134) or at either end of the row of townhouses (at number 86 or 158). The small park on the other side of the townhouses is situated at an elevation of about 120 meters above the sea. Make your way to the sea side of the playground equipment to find the broad path to the beach, which is signed. After winding downhill through the trees for 900 or so meters, the path lands toward the south end of Spiaggia di San Michele. Facing the sea, turn left and proceed as directed above.
Yet another option is to take a shuttle bus to the beach. During summer, the town of Sirolo operates two beach bus routes, with service every half hour. The fee is about €1 each way. The yellow bus stop signs are labeled Linea Spiaggia. Be sure to board a bus to Spiaggia di San Michele and not one to Spiaggia Urbani. The San Michele bus makes eleven stops, and five are locations mentioned above. The first and second stops are at Piazza Giacomo Brodolini and San Nicola di Bari church. The ninth stop is along SP1 near Hotel Beatrice, and the ninth stop is very close to the first stop since the bus has made a loop through Sirolo at that point. The tenth stop is at the gate at the start of the beach access road, then the final stop is at the end of the asphalted road next to the park benches.
The A14 autostrada (l'autostrada Adriatica) is a 734-kilometer-long motorway that connects Bologna to Taranto, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south toward Taranto. There are two exits of A14 that are signed Ancona, and they are 17 kilometers apart. Take the southern Ancona exit, which is signed Ancona sud/Osimo and located between kilometer markers 230 and 231. From the autostrada exit, there are many ways you could cut over to SP1 to access any of the beaches described above. The options outlined below guide you toward opposite ends of SP1.
Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic taking the Ancona sud/Osimo exit of A14 is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. After the toll plaza, keep straight ahead through a convoluted interchange, following the signs for the Ancona city center and the port (porto). Just past the interchange you will cross a bridge that spans a dual-track railroad, then you will enter a roundabout that is effectively a "T" since your two options are to go left (toward the Ancona city center and the port) or right (toward Camerano, Sirolo and Numana).
First, assume you go left at the roundabout after the autostrada exit by taking the second departure, following the signs for the Ancona city center and the port. You will begin heading north on SS16 (la strada statale 16 Adriatica), with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing. In 2.8 kilometers, take note when you pass marker 304. About 800 meters farther on, the two lanes of northbound traffic will split. Keep to the right, toward the Ancona city center and the university (università), NOT toward the port. You will be filtered to the start of an expressway called Asse Nord-Sud. Follow the entire length of Asse Nord-Sud (a bit less than 5 kilometers) to the red light where the expressway ends. After the red light, keep straight ahead onto via Alessandro Bocconi and continue about 400 meters to a roundabout. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, continuing toward the city center. You will enter a 700-meter-long tunnel (Galleria del Risorgimento) immediately upon departing the roundabout. Immediately upon exiting the tunnel, take the first possible right onto via Isonzo, which at first is a one-way street. In 500-600 meters, just keep straight ahead as via Isonzo becomes a two-way street. 500 meters farther on, via Isonzo will make two very sharp successive curves next to a modern-looking church (Santa Maria dei Servi) and the name of the street will change to via del Conero. After the two sharp curves, continue about 1.3 kilometers to the next four-way intersection, where a sign indicates the distances to Sirolo and Numana as 17 and 18 kilometers. Keep straight ahead. The intersection is the rather arbitrary point that marks the start of SP1, but there is no signage with a route number. About 200 meters farther on you will pass the sign indicating you are leaving Ancona, then about 800 meters after that you will pass kilometer marker 1 of SP1, with all subsequent markers numbered.
Alternatively, assume you go right at the roundabout after the autostrada exit by taking the first departure, which is signed Camerano, Sirolo and Numana. You will then be on SP2, with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing. Follow the entire length of SP2 (10.7 kilometers), keeping straight ahead through all roundabouts and junctions until you reach a roundabout in Sirolo that has several palm trees and succulents in its median. This is where SP2 ends at a junction with SP1. Take the third departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), toward Monte Conera and Portonovo. In about 250 meters you will pass kilometer marker 17 of SP1, with the marker numbers decreasing.
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Mezzavalle, Spiaggia della Vela and Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Mezzavalle, Spiaggia della Vela and Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri.

free roadside parking, km 5.2 of SP1
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Mezzavalle.

free roadside parking, km 5.4 of SP1
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Mezzavalle.

free parking lot, km 6.7 of SP1
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Mezzavalle.

free parking lot, km 7 of SP1

roundabout at km 7.2 of SP1
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Vela.

pay parking lot for beach shuttle
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Vela.

roundabout next to Pesci Fuor d'Acqua restaurant
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Vela.

beach shuttle drop-off location

"T" junction

several pay parking lots near end of road

Conero Style surf school

Chiesetta di Santa Maria di Portonovo (church)

sailboat-shaped rock

peak of Monte Conero

Hotel Beatrice
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri.

walled cemetery
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri.

entrance to large earthen pay parking lot (seasonal)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri.

Spiaggia Urbani (textile)

approximate midpoint of Spiaggia di San Michele (textile)

parking along road

Da Silva restaurant

northernmost of several snack stands

short rock jetty

roundabout at km 16.35 of SP1

pay parking lot, Piazza Giacomo Brodolini

Chiesa di San Nicola di Bari (church)

Parco della Repubblica

roundabout with palm trees and succulents

Le Due Sorelle (pair of rock columns)

Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle (textile, accessed by shuttle boat)

Spiaggia dei Gabbiani (accessible only by sea)

Spiaggia dei Forni (accessible only by sea)

Spiaggia dei Sassi Bianchi (accessible only by sea)

main path to Spiaggia di Mezzavalle

secondary path to Spiaggia di Mezzavalle

local Portonovo roads

via Vallone

asphalted road to Spiaggia di San Michele

gravel road

alternate walking route to Spiaggia di San Michele

shortcut path

via Giulietti

path from Parco della Repubblica to Spiaggia di San Michele

large earthen pay parking lot (seasonal)

extent of Spiaggia della Vela, roughly

area of potential nude use (very rough approximation)

Molise

Spiaggia di Petacciato Marina

Spiaggia di Petacciato Marina
The region of Molise has just two provinces: Campobasso, which has about 35 kilometers of coastline; and Isernia, which is landlocked. The small town of Petacciato is a few kilometers inland toward the northwestern end of Campobasso, not far from the Campobasso/Chieti provincial border (which coincides with the Molise/Abruzzo regional border). The coastal area that belongs to Petacciato is called Petacciato Marina, and it is a fairly rural stretch with limited development. The long, sandy beach of Petacciato Marina is backed by a narrow band of forest called the Pineta di Petacciato, with the coastal road (SS16) running parallel to the beach on the inland side of the forest. The main area of the beach is occupied by a beach club called Lido Calypso, where a particularly broad area of sand is lined with row upon row of beach chairs and umbrellas. A few hundred meters northwest of Lido Calypso, a shallow stream (il torrente Tecchio) flows into the sea. Not quite 2 kilometers farther northwest, another shallow stream (il torrente Mergolo) flows into the sea. The wild stretch of beach between the two stream mouths is far more thinly populated than the main beach, and nude bathing is common although not officially sanctioned. The nude area does not have definite boundaries, but nudists tend to congregate about halfway between the two streams but slightly closer to the Mergolo. The nude area is primarily but not exclusively attended by gay men.
It used to be possible to drive through the forest and park next to the beach, but automobile access was cut off in 2015. Parking possibilities along the coastal road are also quite limited. A local newspaper suggested that parking and access were restricted with the intent of making access to the nude area more difficult, motivated by anti-nudity sentiment. However, there is no documentation of anti-nudity enforcement. A bit beyond where nudists gather (closer to the Mergolo), a small beach club called Cala d'Or was in operation for several years, but it has never re-opened since being damaged by a storm in 2015. It is still probably best not to be naked around Cala d'Or since that part of the beach is beyond the traditional nude area.
Petacciato Marina, Petacciato, Campobasso, Molise, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/472flXG
The A14 autostrada (l'autostrada Adriatica) is a 734-kilometer-long motorway that connects Bologna to Taranto, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south toward Taranto. Route SS16 (la strada statale 16 Adriatica) is a highway that follows Italy's Adriatic coastline for about 1,000 kilometers, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south. A14 and SS16 parallel one another throughout the region of Molise, with SS16 closer to the coast. The nude area of Spiaggia di Petacciato Marina is roughly aligned with kilometer 460 of A14 and kilometer 530 of SS16. The closest autostrada exit is north of the beach.
Take the Montenero di Bisaccia/Vasto Sud/San Salvo exit of A14, which is between kilometer markers 453 and 454 at the Abruzzo/Molise regional border. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Just past the toll plaza, follow the sign for Vasto and you will be filtered onto SS650 heading toward the coast. In just 500 meters you will approach the end of SS650 at an interchange with SS16. Keep to the right when the lanes split, following the signs for Marina di Montenero di Bisaccia, Termoli and Foggia. You will then be filtered onto SS16 going southeast. In about 600 meters you will pass kilometer marker 525 (near Camping Sabbia d'Oro).
Continue 4 kilometers farther and watch for marker 529. At that point, you will be able to see the sea off to your left through a treeless meadow. However, you are getting close to the start of the Pineta di Petacciato, the dense coastal forest between the road and the sea. Along the inland edge of the forest, there is a broad dirt track that runs parallel to SS16. Along the coastal edge of the forest, there is a path through the dunes. Those two paths are connected by several transverse paths through the forest. Each transverse path is roughly 300 meters long. To understand your access options, be aware of the following four landmarks along SS16, the first three of which are on the right (inland) side of the road.
• km 529.8  entrance to campground that is no longer in business
• km 530.1  Eni gas station
• km 530.5  entrance to Villa San Giuseppe
• km 531.9  red light at four-way intersection
The campground used to be called Camping Blue Park, but it closed permanently in 2020. Leading up to the entrance, free parking is available along the hedge that borders the campground (42.0427N, 14.8285E). There is room for about 20 cars. Fractional kilometer marker 529.8 (VIII/529)★ is located along the hedge. Villa San Giuseppe, a sprawling complex of multiple buildings, is a healthcare facility that opened in 2019 on the site of an old resort that had been abandoned for years. (It used to be possible to park there, but that is no longer the case.)
Assume you park next to the hedge at kilometer 529.8. Carefully cross the road and step over the guardrail. The transverse path that goes into the forest leads to Cala d'Or (the beach club noted above that has been closed since 2015), but do not follow that path. Turn right and follow the dirt track that parallels SS16, such that the highway is on your right-hand side. In about 300 meters, the next transverse path is directly across the highway from the gas station. Not quite 500 meters farther along, the next transverse path is across the highway from Villa San Giuseppe. Follow either of those paths toward the sea. At the end of either path, a short boardwalk takes you over the dunes to the beach. Most nudity takes place on the part of the beach that is between the two transverse paths. If you took the path opposite the gas station, head a bit to your right when you get to the beach. If you took the path opposite Villa San Giuseppe, head a bit to your left when you get to the beach.
Alternate access:
You can also park at the main area of Spiaggia di Petacciato Marina next to Lido Calypso beach club, and that is a backup option should parking be unavailable outside the out-of-business campground. Continue along SS16 until you reach the red light at kilometer 531.9. Turn left at the light and shortly you will enter the large asphalted parking lot at the main beach (42.0350N, 14.8518E), which has limited free parking and far more pay parking. Facing the sea, turn left and head northwest. Within a few hundred meters you will reach the mouth of a shallow stream (il torrente Tecchio). Beyond the stream, it is just under 2 kilometers to the mouth of another shallow stream (il torrente Mergolo). Between the two streams, there are three boardwalks that come over the dunes to the beach. The first boardwalk is 600-700 meters past the Tecchio. The second boardwalk is 250 meters farther on (at the end of the transverse path from Villa San Giuseppe). The third boardwalk is 500 meters past the second one (at the end of the transverse path from the gas station), then 200-300 meters farther on there is a short rock jetty next to the remains of Cala d'Or. The Mergolo is about 300 meters beyond the jetty. The nude area is between the second and third boardwalks. As an alternative to walking along the beach, you can also follow the parallel forest path that is slightly inland from the beach once you cross the Tecchio
★ Kilometer marker panels are reasonably easy to spot. For example, at marker 529, the number "529" appears on a white background above the number of the road (SR16), which is on a blue background. Every 100 meters between kilometer markers, there are much smaller white fractional markers, and the location is identified by a Roman numeral over an Arabic numeral. For example, at kilometer 529.8 there is a marker with VIII (Roman numeral 8) on top and 529 on bottom.
MAP from A14 Montenero di Bisaccia/Vasto Sud/San Salvo exit toll plaza to parking (at SS16 km 529.8)
MAP from A14 Montenero di Bisaccia/Vasto Sud/San Salvo exit toll plaza to parking (at Lido Calypso)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Petacciato Marina.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Petacciato Marina.

stream mouth (il torrente Mergolo)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Petacciato Marina.

roadside parking at km 529.8

Camping Blue Park (closed since 2020)

Cala d'Or beach club (closed)

Eni gas station

Villa San Giuseppe (healthcare facility)

stream mouth (il torrente Tecchio)

Lido Calypso (beach club)

parking lot at main beach

broad track parallel to highway

path through dunes

path through forest

boardwalk over dunes

Piemonte

Vercelli

Fiume Sesia Balangera

Fiume Sesia Balangera
The Sesia River, or the fiume Sesia in Italian, is a waterway in Piedmont (Piemonte), the northwestern region of Italy that borders France and Switzerland. Originating high in the Alps near the Swiss border, the Sesia flows southward to the Po, the mighty river that drains most of northern Italy into the Adriatic Sea. Many of the towns along the river have "Sesia" as part of their names. Varallo Sesia, usually truncated to just Varallo, is located in the mountainous Alpine realm of the Sesia. The beautifully situated town is overlooked by a complex of ecclesiastical structures built atop the Sacred Mountain of Varallo (Sacro Monte di Varallo). Dating to 1486, the sanctuary is the oldest of nine such Sacred Mountain sites in northwestern Italy (seven in Piedmont; two in Lombardy). Balangera is a hamlet (frazione or località) at the north end of Varallo near the municipal border, and a one-lane suspension bridge that spans the Sesia is a notable landmark in the hamlet. With a wooden deck and handsome stone towers, the Ponte di Morca—built in 1928—bears a passing resemblance to the Brooklyn Bridge, albeit a miniaturized version.
For over 90 years, Balangera was known mainly for its bridge, but it has had another claim to notoriety since 2019. That year, a small riverbank area along the Sesia was designated for naturist use by the municipal council of Varallo thanks to the efforts of ANITA, a naturist advocacy group that has been instrumental in creating safe naturist spaces throughout Italy. The nude beach is on the east bank of the river, about 600 meters upstream from (i.e., north of) the suspension bridge. It is secluded from the nearby highway yet quite easy to access. There is ample free parking, and the walk takes just a few minutes. Since the nude beach was established, it has already been relocated just a bit downstream from its original site due to a flood in 2020 that radically changed the geography of the gravel bars along the riverbed. The nude beach has proven quite popular in spite of a flood and a pandemic in its early existence. There is plenty of shade in the designated nude area, and there are some deposits of sand amid the rocky riverbed terrain. The river is always quite cold, but it is usually shallow and calm in summer. To maintain good relations with locals, be sure not to stray beyond the signposted nude area. There are no amenities, so come prepared.
Balangera, Varallo Sesia, Vercelli, Piemonte, Italy

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Route SP299 (SP = strada provinciale) is a roughly 90-kilometer-long highway that originates in the town of Novara (between Milan and Turin) and follows a generally northwesterly route, coming to an end in Alagna, an Alpine village and ski resort in a geographic cul-de-sac. The kilometer marker numbers increase going north toward Alagna. Varallo is spread out between kilometer 49.7 and kilometer 59.8 of SP299. At each end of the municipality, there is an overhead sign along the highway that either welcomes you to town (Benvenuti a Varallo) or bids you farewell (Arrivederci a Varallo), depending on which direction you are going. The nude beach is just off SP299 very close to the northern edge of Varallo, where it borders the neighboring municipality of Vocca.
Since SP299 comes to a dead end in the mountains, you will be heading north on the highway to get to Varallo. From kilometer 54 to kilometer 56, SP299 skirts the western side of the central area of Varallo, bypassing the town center. Just keep straight ahead. At kilometer 58.7, you will enter Balangera (part of Varallo) when you pass a small white località Balangera sign. Less than 100 meters past the locality sign, keep straight ahead through a small roundabout.★ 200 meters farther along, you will pass kilometer marker 59. Continue 700-800 meters, then turn left into a large gravel parking area (45.8277N, 8.2055E), which extends along the west side of the highway for 100 meters. The parking area is directly across the highway from a domed building that is supposed to resemble an igloo. (It used to be a nightclub called Discoteca Igloo, but it is out of business.) The overhead Arrivederci a Varallo sign is aligned with the far end of the parking area, so you have just missed the parking area if you pass beneath the sign.
The footpath to the nude beach takes you through a grassy meadow that is wedged between the highway and the river. (The path may be very faint, but tread lightly and avoid blazing your own path since the meadow is used for hay cultivation.) The path begins toward the south end of the parking area (i.e., at the opposite end from the Arrivederci a Varallo sign). As you start along the path, your back should be to the highway. Very shortly, the path will curve leftward and head south (downstream) next to the river, with the river to your right and the highway off to your left. In just a minute or two, you will reach earthen steps that descend a slight embankment amid a copse of trees. The steps are the entrance to the nude beach. The total walk is about 250 meters.
★ If you want to visit the suspension bridge, head toward the river at the roundabout, following the fraz. Morca sign. It is less than 100 meters to the bridge. Immediately before the bridge, there is a parking area on the right.
The A4 autostrada (Autostrada Serenissima) is a 522-kilometer-long motorway across the northern tier of Italy, connecting Turin (near France) to Trieste (near Slovenia) via Milan and Venice. The kilometer marker numbers increase going east toward Slovenia. The A26 autostrada (Autostrada dei Trafori) is a 197-kilometer-long motorway that begins near Genoa and goes north toward Switzerland, morphing into a regular highway near Lago Maggiore. The kilometer marker numbers increase going north toward Switzerland. The large interchange of the two motorways is roughly halfway between Turin and Milan, contained between kilometers 71 and 74 of A4 and kilometers 128 and 130 of A26.
Take the Romagnano/Sesia/Ghemme exit of A26, which is between kilometer markers 144 and 146 (with marker 145 amid the interchange). The exit is about 15 kilometers north of the A4/A26 junction. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the west side of the motorway and then to a roundabout that forms a junction with SP299. Take the departure signed Romagnano S. (short for Romagnano Sesia).
When you leave the roundabout after the toll plaza, you will be going north on SP299. Keep straight ahead about 2 kilometers until you reach a junction at kilometer marker 27, where the road straight ahead continues into the town center of Romagnano (signed centro). When you reach that junction, you will actually temporarily depart the route of SP299 if you follow the signposted route to Varallo. (SP299 takes a circuitous route through Romagnano that is not well signed.) Just carefully watch for and follow signs that point toward Borgosesia, Varallo and/or Alagna. You will at first have to navigate several junctions in Romagnano, then for several kilometers you will be on SP165. Once you have driven about 11 kilometers from the motorway, you will rejoin SP299 at kilometer 35.1. Continue toward Varallo and Alagna about 15 kilometers to the overhead Benvenuti a Varallo sign, then continue about 10 kilometers until you reach the parking area that is immediately before the overhead Arrivederci a Varallo sign.
MAP from A26 Romagnano/Sesia/Ghemme exit toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Fiume Sesia Balangera.

"località Balangera" sign (facing traffic going north)
This placemark pertains to Fiume Sesia.

small roundabout
This placemark pertains to Fiume Sesia.

Ponte di Morca (one-lane suspension bridge)
This placemark pertains to Fiume Sesia.

Discoteca Igloo (out of business)

overhead sign: "Arrivederci a Varallo" (going north); "Benvenuti a Varallo" (going south)

earthen steps

footpath

Puglia

Metropolitan City of Bari

Spiaggia di Ripagnola

Spiaggia di Ripagnola
Mola di Bari and Polignano a Mare are two nearby coastal towns that are toward the southeastern end of the Metropolitan City of Bari, which is one of the six divisions of the region of Puglia. (Bari is the capital of Puglia, and a metropolitan city is basically the analogue of a province.) Cozze is the southeasternmost frazione (i.e., municipal subdivision) of Mola di Bari, while San Giovanni is the northwesternmost frazione of Polignano a Mare, and those two frazioni are just a few kilometers apart. A private beach club called Coco Beach Club straddles the municipal border. Going southeast toward Polignano a Mare, the next private beach club, Cala Fetente, is several kilometers away near San Giovanni. The area between Coco Beach Club and Cala Fetente is a flat and mostly treeless seaside plateau that is dotted with several dozen trulli (trullo in the singular form), which are conical-roofed stone huts that are iconic of Puglia. There is limited scattered development along the plateau, most notably a campground called Campeggio Ripagnola that is close to Coco Beach Club. The rocky coastline that undulates for about 3 kilometers between the two beach clubs is a bit off the beaten path and a bit offbeat as well, popular with a counterculture crowd. It is a laid-back type of place where you may catch an occasional whiff of cannabis. Nudity is part of the culture of the beach, which is best known as Freak Beach—an English-language moniker that is embraced by some regulars and detested by others. The more decorous (and more Italian) name of the beach is Spiaggia di Ripagnola.
Nude bathing is well established along part but not all of Ripagnola. However, nudity is not officially allowed (nor is the cannabis). Starting from the Cozze end of the beach and going southeast toward San Giovanni, first there is part of the beach that is near Campeggio Ripagnola. That area is textile. Starting a few hundred meters beyond the campground, there is a trio of small coves located within a span of 600 meters. The first and largest of the coves—the one closest to the campground—is textile. Nudity becomes common a bit past the first cove, extending through and well beyond the other two coves. Continuing southeast beyond the third cove, nudity is possible for more than a kilometer to an area called Grotta di Torre Ripagnola, which is the name of a small sea cave—one of several such caves along the coastline. Grotta di Torre Ripagnola is popular with gay men, and the area is distinctive geographically since the cave is along an eroding segment of coastline where multiple boulder-sized chunks of rock have fallen away, crumpling against one another and spilling into the sea. The nudist zone comes to an end just past Grotta di Torre Ripagnola, then Cala Fetente is about 600 meters farther along.
It used to be possible to access Spiaggia di Ripagnola from an informal parking area just a bit east of Campeggio Ripagnola. However, that access was sealed off in 2018. It is now necessary to start at one end or the other, from Coco Beach Club or Cala Fetente. There is a free pedestrian access that lands on the coast next to Coco Beach Club, negating the need to pay to go through the club. You will likely have to pay to park if you start at Cala Fetente.
41.0325N, 17.1538E  A  northwestern of three coves (textile)
41.0317N, 17.1569E  B  middle of three coves (start of nudist zone, roughly)
41.0312N, 17.1597E  C  southeastern of three coves (nudist)
41.0290N, 17.1713E  D  Grotta di Torre Ripagnola (end of nudist zone, roughly)
frazione, comune, metropolitan city, region, country:
San Giovanni, Polignano a Mare, Bari, Puglia, Italy

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Route SS16 (la strada statale 16 Adriatica) is a highway that follows Italy's Adriatic coastline for about 1,000 kilometers, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south. SS16 is an express highway with exits along many but not all stretches. The Cozze/Conversano exit is located between kilometer markers 827 and 829 of SS1 (with marker 828 amid the interchange), roughly 25 kilometers southeast of the city center of Bari. The exit is near the municipal border of Mola di Bari and Polignano a Mare, two coastal towns that are about 15 kilometers apart from town center to town center. (Be aware that there are other exits signed either Cozze or Conversano, but there is just one exit signed both Cozze AND Conversano.) Upon exiting, proceed to the roundabout that is on the coast side of the highway. (If you were heading northwest toward Bari, you will be filtered directly to the roundabout. If you were heading southeast toward Brindisi, turn left upon exiting and cross under the highway to enter the roundabout.)
Once you enter the roundabout, there is a departure signed San Vito and San Giovanni and a departure signed Cozze. Between those two departures, there is another departure next to a hotel named Costa Ripagnola Residence, which is prominently signed on its blue-and-white entrance gate.
Access option 1:
Facing the Costa Ripagnola Residence entrance gate, just a bit to the right there is another gate at the start of a road that is closed to automobiles (41.0341N, 17.1423E). The road is signed accesso pedonale ai bagnanti ("pedestrian access to bathers"). Return to the pedestrian road once you find parking.
To look for parking, depart the roundabout at Costa Ripagnola Residence. The hotel entrance gate and perimeter fence should be on your right-hand side. Shortly you will reach a "do-not-enter" panel that forces a right turn. Once you turn, you will be on a residential street named Via Stella del Mare, but there is no prominent signage with the name. Free streetside parking is available along Via Stella del Mare and nearby streets. Just watch for posted restrictions. Alternatively, take the roundabout departure signed Cozze. Proceed about 300 meters and take the first possible right into a large free parking lot (41.0357N, 17.1391E) signed by a blue-and-white "P" panel.
The pedestrian road runs alongside the perimeter fence of Costa Ripagnola Residence, which will be on your left-hand side as you follow the road. In 300-400 meters you will reach the coast next to Coco Beach Club, which will be to your immediate left as you face the sea. Turn right and head southeast for 800-900 meters until you reach a small cove, which is the first of three nearby coves that indent the coastline (location A in the GPS coordinates at the top of the page). The first cove is the domain of textiles. Continue another 300 meters to the middle cove (B). By that point, you will be in the area where nudity is possible, but most nudists tend to go a little farther. Continue another 250 meters to the third cove (C), which is the cove with the most consistent nudist presence. The cove is easily identifiable by the small but distinctive cave in the rocky hillock that overlooks the sea. From the third cove, nudists may be scattered along the rocky coastline for the next 1.2 kilometers to Grotta di Torre Ripagnola (D), where the nudist zone comes to an end. Cala Fetente (the beach club) is about 600 meters farther along the coast.
Access option 2:
You can also approach the nude area from Cala Fetente, following the walking directions above in reverse.
Take the roundabout departure signed San Vito and San Giovanni. When you depart the roundabout, you will be going southeast along a road that parallels the coast side of SS1 (with the highway to your immediate right and the coast to your left). Proceed 3 kilometers, then turn left at the big sign that points toward Cala Fetente (41.0224N, 17.1746E). The turnoff is just pass kilometer marker 831 of SS16. (The kilometer markers of the highway are easily spotted from the road that runs alongside it.) Once you turn, you will be on a gravel road that leads 500 meters to Cala Fetente. There is parking along most of the length of the road, and about halfway along the road there is a huge earthen parking lot. A small parking fee may be collected during peak season. On foot, head to the dead end of the road and keep to the left to access a footpath that goes around the structures of Cala Fetente. Once you are beyond the beach club, the path will curve leftward and begin to follow the rocky coastline west-northwest, such that the sea is on your right-hand side. It is about 600 meters to Grotta di Torre Ripagnola (D), then it is another 1.2 to 1.8 kilometers to the three coves (C, B and A).
MAP from SS16 Cozze/Conversano exit to streetside parking along Via Stella del Mare
MAP from SS16 Cozze/Conversano exit to parking at Cala Fetente
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Ripagnola.

A (northwestern cove)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Ripagnola.

B (middle cove)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Ripagnola.

C (southeastern cove)

D (Grotta di Torre Ripagnola)

roundabout at Cozze/Conversano exit of SS16

Costa Ripagnola Residence

gate at start of pedestrian road

"do not enter" panel forces right turn

Coco Beach Club

free streetside parking

free public parking lot in Cozze

Campeggio Ripagnola

earthen parking lot at Cala Fetente

Cala Fetente (beach club)

exit ramp

short segment of Cozze-Conversano road

road from Cozze to San Giovanni, parallel to SS16

pedestrian road to coast ("accesso pedonale ai bagnanti")

road connecting to Via Stella del Mare

Via Stella del Mare

gravel road to Cala Fetente

coastal path from Coco Beach Club to Cala Fetente

Lecce

Porto Selvaggio Park

Porto Selvaggio Park
Porto Selvaggio Park is shorthand for Parco naturale regionale Porto Selvaggio e Palude del Capitano, a coastal reserve in the town of Nardò. Generally, Porto Selvaggio refers to a thickly forested unit of the park that is comparable in size to New York's Central Park, while the Palude del Capitano is a wetlands area a bit to the north. The popular forested part of the park is crisscrossed by broad paths that are popular with cyclists and hikers. The only beach in the forested unit, Spiaggia di Porto Selvaggio, is a tiny pebble beach tucked into a bay toward the southern end of the forest. Since there are usually far more visitors than could possibly fit onto the beach, bathers also occupy the rocky ledges of the bay and other parts of the park. Toward the north end of the forest, Torre Uluzzo is a stone watchtower in ruins that dates to 1575, perched above the sea and visible from the public road that winds through the park. A bit south of the tower, the Grotta del Cavallo is a cave of archaeological significance, perched on a rocky hillside about 15 meters above the sea. The cave is covered by a metal grate that allows visitors to peek inside without disturbing the excavated interior.
Nude bathing occurs on part of the coastline of Porto Selvaggio Park. Beginning a bit south of the Grotta del Cavallo beyond a slight bend of the coastline, the nude area extends about 700 meters to a much more prominent coastal bend. Spiaggia di Porto Selvaggio is nearly a kilometer beyond that bend. The terrain of the nude area is extremely rugged, with intermittent rock slabs flat enough for sunbathing. If you plan to get into the water, it helps immensely to have thick-soled water shoes. Nude bathers tend to be rather dispersed. Nudist attendance is mainly by gay men, especially toward the cave. While the park is quite beautiful, many visitors find the nude area a bit too uncomfortable. There is no fee to visit the park, but you will likely have to pay for parking since free parking is limited.
Santa Caterina, Nardò, Lecce, Puglia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3K9hnv6
There are three parking lots and two main entrances to Porto Selvaggio Park, all located along SP286 (SP = strada provinciale) within an expanse of 2 kilometers. The southern parking lot and the southern entrance are both named Villa Tafuri, and both are located directly across SP286 from the stately villa for which they are named. The middle parking lot is operated by an eatery called Wild Club. The northern parking lot is named Area Sosta, and it is about 400 meters removed from the northern entrance, which is named Torre Uluzzo. All three parking lots are pay lots, but there is also limited free parking alongside the road at various intervals. The broad path that begins at the Villa Tafuri entrance goes west through the forest for 800-900 meters. The broad path that begins at the Torre Uluzzo entrance goes south through the forest for 1.5 kilometers. Near the very end of either path, they intersect near Spiaggia di Porto Selvaggio. A few access options are detailed below. The best approach is to park at Area Sosta, which is generally less crowded than the other lots, then to hike from the Torre Uluzzo entrance, which is a bit closer to the nude area.
SS101 (la strada statale 101 Salentina di Gallipoli) is a 38-kilometer long highway that connects Lecce to Gallipoli, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going southwest toward Gallipoli. It is an expressway with exits for most of its length. In the vicinity of Nardò, there are several exits that are signed with one or more of three nearby towns: Nardò, Gallatone and Santa Maria al Bagno (abbreviated on some signs at S. Maria al B.). To get to Porto Selvaggio, take either of the two exits that are signed Santa Maria al Bagno.
First, assume you take the exit signed Gallatone and Santa Maria al Bagno, which is between kilometer markers 26 and 27. Upon exiting, follow signs toward Santa Maria al Bagno. You will be heading west on SP90. Continue 2.8 kilometers until you reach a large roundabout where SP90 intersects SP17.
Alternatively, assume you take the exit signed Nardò and Santa Maria al Bagno, which is between kilometer markers 31 and 32. Upon exiting, follow signs for Nardò and Santa Maria al Bagno. You will be filtered to the start of SP17, going north. Proceed a little over 3 kilometers until you reach the large roundabout where SP17 intersects SP90.
When you reach the large roundabout, take the departure signed Nardò, from which point you will either begin or continue going north on SP17. Proceed not quite one kilometer. Just past kilometer marker 4, turn left at a stack of signs pointing toward Porto Selvaggio, Sant'Isidoro, Porto Cesareo and several other locations.
Upon turning, you will be on SP112 going northwest. Continue 2 kilometers to a roundabout, by which point you will be in a residential area called Cenate. Take the third roundabout departure, toward Porto Selvaggio and Santa Caterina.
When you leave the roundabout, you will be going west on an unnumbered street named Strada Santa Caterina. Continue one kilometer to a fork where Strada Santa Caterina veers leftward. Keep to the right at the fork, toward Porto Selvaggio, Sant'Isidoro and Porto Cesareo. You will then be at the start of SP286, at kilometer 0. SP286 is also signed Strada Cucchiara.
After following SP286 a little over a kilometer, parking Villa Tafuri is on the left (40.1524N, 17.9810E), 100-200 meters past kilometer marker 1. Continuing along SP286 another 300 meters, the entrance to the parking lot at Wild Club is on the right (40.1548N, 17.9792E). About one kilometer farther along, the road curves sharply leftward at a three-way junction that is about halfway between markers 2 and 3. Be sure to follow the curve to stay on SP286. Less than 100 meters past the curve, the next possible right you can make is parking Area Sosta (40.1618N, 17.9701E). Continuing along SP286, the path named Torre Uluzzo is about 400 meters farther along on the left (40.1604N, 17.9657E), less than 50 meters past kilometer marker 3. About 700 meters farther along, there is an informal eatery on the right named Fico d'India. Torre Uluzzo—the actual tower, not to be confused with the path named for it— is opposite Fico d'India, perched above the sea about 100 meters from the left side of the road.
The hike:
Assume you follow the path from the Villa Tafuri entrance. The broad path takes you west through the forest. Always keep straight ahead on the path at all junctions. After 500 or so meters, you will come to the first of two nearby side paths on the left that descend to Spiaggia di Porto Selvaggio. Stay straight ahead. Not quite 200 meters farther along, continue past the second side path. About 200 meters farther on, you will intersect the broad path that begins at the Torre Uluzzo entrance. Just a bit past that junction, you will emerge from the forest at the rocky coastline. Continue west along the narrow footpath that follows the coastline, such that the sea is on your left-hand side. Continue about 700 meters until the coastline makes a prominent bend. Once you round the bend, you will be walking north rather than west. At that point, you will be at the start of the informal nudist area, which extends northward about 700 meters to a slight bend in the coastline. The Grotta del Cavallo is just around that bend.
Alternatively, assume you follow the path from the Torre Uluzzo entrance. The broad path takes you south through the forest. In 200-250 meters, you will reach a three-way junction with a broad path that goes off to the right toward the Grotta del Cavallo. Keep straight ahead. 200 meters farther along, you will reach another three-way junction (40.1570N, 17.9682E) with a broad path that goes off to the right toward the Grotta del Cavallo. Turn right and follow that path west 700-800 meters to its end, at which point you will be standing about 20 meters above the sea at the slight bend of the coastline referenced in the preceding paragraph. Facing the sea, the Grotta del Cavallo is to your right just a bit downhill. Head a bit to your left and an expanse of rocky coastline will come into view, extending about 700 meters to the prominent bend of the coastline. That expanse is the nude area, and there are several minor footpaths that take you downhill closer to the sea.
MAP from SS101 Nardò/Santa Maria al Bagno exit to parking Area Sosta
This placemark pertains to Porto Selvaggio Park.

roundabout in Cenate
This placemark pertains to Porto Selvaggio Park.

This placemark pertains to Porto Selvaggio Park.

pay parking lot "Villa Tafuri"

signboard at "Villa Tafuri" entrance

Spiaggia di Porto Selvaggio (textile)

pay parking lot at Wild Club

pay parking lot "Area Sosta"

signboard at "Torre Uluzzo" entrance

Fico d'India

Torre di Uluzzo (stone watchtower in ruins)

Grotta del Cavallo (cave)

Strada Santa Caterina

path beginning at "Villa Tafuri" signboard

path beginning at "Torre Uluzzo" signboard

path toward Grotta del Cavallo

Calette di Punta della Suina

Calette di Punta della Suina
Gallipoli is a town on the Ionian (west) side of Salento, the peninsula at the southeastern extreme of Italy that is the heel of the boot. Gallipoli is situated where a wedge-shaped spit of land tapers toward a small island that is just offshore. The old town on the fortified island has been bridged to the newer mainland part of town since the 1600s. Gallipoli is known for its beautiful baroque architecture, and it has also become a popular LGBT destination with an emerging international cachet.
The long crescent-shaped bay just south of Gallipoli is called Baia Verde ("Green Bay"). The bay arcs for nearly 10 kilometers from old town to a prominent projection of land called Punta Pizzo. Baia Verde is also the name of a seaside resort located along the bay, about 3 kilometers from old town. It is so popular that the term Baia Verde is almost always taken to mean the resort rather than the body of water. A bit south of the resort of Baia Verde, Grand Hotel Costa Brada and Ecoresort Le Sirenè are neighboring hotels, with Ecoresort Le Sirenè the more southern of the two. Farther south, Punta della Suina (which translates, rather oddly, to "Swine Point") is a small rocky land mass that is barely an island, separated from the mainland by an expanse of partially submerged rocks. There are three beach clubs near the island: Lido Punta della Suina, G Beach and Ten Club Gallipoli.
The distance along the coastline from Ecoresort Le Sirenè to Punta della Suina is about 2 kilometers. Along this stretch, there are a number of sandy niches that pock the rocky coastline. This area does not seem to have a proper name but is usually associated with Punta della Suina, so we'll call it the Calette di Punta della Suina for lack of a better name. (Calette is the plural of caletta, which means "little cove.") This part of the coastline is relatively quiet, with "relative" being the operative word since the entire bay from Gallipoli to Punta Pizzo is quite popular. The calette draw a mixed but substantially gay crowd. Nudity is well accepted although not universally practiced at some of the coves that are roughly halfway between Punta della Suina and Ecoresort Le Sirenè, well removed from the hotels and beach clubs.
There a few things to know about the nude area. First, nudity is not officially allowed. Second, the nude area spans a few hundred meters, but it is somewhat fluid and may change a bit from day to day. A good landmark for finding the nude area is the small bunker that is referenced in the directions below. If you find the bunker, walk north 2 to 3 minutes and you will generally begin to encounter a mix of nudists and textiles. Finally, nudists are usually a minority even in the area where nudity is generally considered acceptable, and nudists may be squeezed out altogether during the height of summer, so keep your expectations in check if you visit during peak season. Bare bathing is much more prevalent before July and after August. The rocks beneath the surface of the water are rough on bare feet, so consider bringing thick-soled water shoes.
Baia Verde, Gallipoli, Lecce, Puglia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3pZ05Ku
SS101 (la strada statale 101 Salentina di Gallipoli) is a 38-kilometer long highway that connects Lecce to Gallipoli, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going southwest toward Gallipoli. From Gallipoli, the highway continues south another 42 kilometers to Santa Maria di Leuca, but the number changes to SS274 (la strada statale 274 Salentina Meridionale) and the kilometer numbering is reset. In other words, if you are going south on the highway and keep straight ahead through the vicinity of Gallipoli, marker 1 of SS274 is the next kilometer marker after marker 38 of SS101.
In Gallipoli, you can take either of two consecutive exits of SS274 to get to the Calette di Punta della Suina: the Lidi di Gallipoli exit (between kilometer markers 1 and 2) or the Lido Pizzo exit (between kilometer markers 4 and 5).
SS274 Lidi di Gallipoli exit:
Upon exiting, follow signs for Li Foggi. You will begin heading toward the coast on an unnumbered connector road. In 400-500 meters, you will enter an irregular junction where the road briefly splits into a one-way system. Keep to the right until you merge back into two-way traffic, then continue 600-700 meters until you reach a three-way junction where you have to turn one way or the other, with Wakiki Trattoria straight ahead from the junction. Turn left. Upon turning, you will be at the start of a short road numbered SP239 (SP = strada provinciale), but there is no prominent signage with the road number.
Heading south on SP239, you will be parallel to the coast near two large white hotels: Grand Hotel Costa Brada and Ecoresort Le Sirenè. To find your turnoff, watch for the fencing and guardrails along the right (coast) side of the road. At first there is a long, low cinderblock fence wall that is intermittently interrupted by entrances to the two hotels. In 800-900 meters, the wall will end, by which point you will be past both hotels. A wooden guardrail begins just past the end of the wall, extending almost 400 meters to the start of another cinderblock fence wall that extends just 50 or so meters before turning a corner. At that corner, there is an unmarked gravel side road on the right. Keep straight ahead on SP239 another 250 meters, passing a grassy meadow, then take the next possible right onto a narrow gravel road signed Percorso Naturalistico per ipovedenti e non vedenti ("Nature Path for the visually impaired and blind").
In 100 meters, the narrow road will make a 90° leftward bend (40.0099N, 18.0217E). Access to the beach is straight ahead from the bend of the road. Free roadside parking is available throughout the area. (Once the road bends, it heads south past the nature path and connects to the Ten Club Gallipoli access road, described farther down.) From the bend of the road, head toward the coast. In about 100 meters you will enter a narrow band of forest as you cross the dunes, then shortly you will arrive at the rocky coastline directly in the nudist zone.
SS274 Lido Pizzo exit:
Upon exiting, follow signs for Lido Pizzo and Marina di Mancaversa. You will begin heading toward the coast on SP221. Continue to 2.5 to 3 kilometers to the end of the road at a three-way junction where you have to turn one way or the other. At the junction, the road to the right is SP239 and the road to the left is SP215 (but there are no road numbers at the junction). Turn right toward Gallipoli.
Heading north on SP239, in 300-400 meters the first side road on the left is the access road to Ten Club Gallipoli. Keep straight ahead. 200 meters farther on, there is a large gravel parking area on the left. Keep it in mind as a backup parking option. 100 meters farther on, take the next left onto the narrow gravel road signed Percorso Naturalistico per ipovedenti e non vedenti, then proceed as directed above.
Other parking options:
As noted above, there is a lot of free parking in the area, but there are also several pay lots if that suits you better. The closest pay lot is at Ten Club Gallipoli. Just turn onto the access road noted above and proceed to the parking lot at the end (40.0066N, 18.0203E). From there, head out to the coast and watch for a small concrete bunker, distinctive for its dome-shaped roof. The bunker and the parking lot are latitudinally aligned, about 150 meters apart. Facing the sea at the bunker, turn right and head north. In roughly 200 meters you will reach the zone where most nudity occurs.
If the lot at Ten Club Gallipoli is full, try the much larger lot that is shared by Lido Punta della Suina and G Beach. Refer to the three-way junction referenced above where SP221, SP239 and SP215 intersect. From that junction, head south (toward Lido Pizzo) less than 200 meters and take the first possible right, where there are several billboards for Lido Punta della Suina and G Beach. The turnoff is opposite the entrance to Baia di Gallipoli Camping. Proceed to the huge parking lot at the end of the short road (40.0023N, 18.0195E), then head to G Beach, which is the more northern of the two clubs that share the parking lot. From there, continue north along the coast about 150 meters to the bunker then another 200 meters to the nudist zone.
MAP from SS274 Lidi di Gallipoli exit to beach access at road bend
MAP from SS274 Lido Pizzo exit to beach access at road bend
This placemark pertains to Calette di Punta della Suina.

This placemark pertains to Calette di Punta della Suina.

SS274 "Lidi di Gallipoli" exit interchange
This placemark pertains to Calette di Punta della Suina.

SS274 "Lido Pizzo" exit interchange

irregular junction

3-way junction: north end of SP239, next to Wakiki Trattoria

Grand Hotel Costa Brada

Ecoresort Le Sirenè

kilometer marker 1 of SP239 (missing)

"Percorso Naturalistico per ipovedenti e non vedenti" sign

free roadside parking

nature path for visually impaired

free gravel parking area

Ten Club Gallipoli

small domed concrete bunker

3-way junction: south end of SP239

entrance to Baia di Gallipoli Camping Resort

G Beach

Lido Punta della Suina

Punta della Suina

segment of SS274 (southbound lanes)

connector road

short segment of SP215

Ten Club Gallipoli access road

nature path access road

unsigned side road

Lido Punta della Suina / G Beach access road

Brindisi

Spiaggia di Torre Guaceto

Spiaggia di Torre Guaceto
Toward the far southern end of Italy's long Adriatic coast, the small city of Brindisi is the capital of the province of the same name. About 15 kilometers northwest of the city center, a tiny coastal hamlet called Posticeddu is the northernmost locality within the municipal limits of Brindisi. Posticeddu doesn't seem to warrant a single sign with its name—but that isn't terribly important. About 4 kilometers northwest of Posticeddu, Torre Guaceto lies within the boundaries of the neighboring municipality of Carovigno. Torre Guaceto is a squat stone defensive structure dating to the 16th century, and it is perched atop a peninsular notch that is backed by a band of wetlands. Much of the area is part of a nature reserve (Riserva naturale statale Torre Guaceto), and Torre Guaceto lies roughly halfway along the coastline of the reserve. Although there are a number of distinct beach areas within the reserve, it does not seem that each area has a specific proper name. The name "Apani" is broadly applied to the coastline southeast of Torre Guaceto, extending roughly to Posticeddu. The name "Punta Penna Grossa" is collectively applied to a series of sandy crescents that are northwest of Torre Guaceto.
There is basically just one long beach along the Apani coastline, but the beach is quite narrow in many places, so much of the beach disappears at high tide. The Apani coastline has three distinct zones that are each over one kilometer long. Going from Posticeddu toward Torre Guaceto, those zones can be succinctly described by the following three terms: beach clubs, red-clay escarpment and wetlands. Just outside the southern boundary of the reserve, a chain of over half a dozen beach clubs lines a segment of the beach that is replete with amenities. It is a busy and bustling area, and there are a number of pay parking lots available to the public. The chain of beach clubs is the only area of the Apani coastline where parking is available. The other zones must be accessed on foot. Going toward Torre Guaceto from the beach clubs, there is a narrow beach backed by an escarpment that rises just a few meters. This segment of the beach is quite visually striking. The exposed earth of the escarpment has a deep red-orange hue, and there are a number of red-orange columns of eroded earth in the intertidal zone. Continuing toward Torre Guaceto, the escarpment ends and the backdrop changes to a lush expanse of grassy wetlands.
The nude beach occupies most of the wetlands portion of the Apani area. Naturism is not officially sanctioned, but the beach is so far off the beaten path that being naked isn't an issue. The nude area is well attended despite the requisite hike, but it is never crowded since there is ample space to spread out. While the shallow turquoise water is quite inviting, the wetlands portion of the beach is in a zone of the reserve where bathing is not allowed. Some visitors ignore this prohibition, but be advised that you are subject to a fine if you enter the water. The closest amenities are about 2 kilometers away at the beach clubs.
As the crow flies, the nude beach is less than 500 meters away from the highway that runs slightly inland. Looking at its location on a map, the nude beach seems deceptively easy to access in the abstract. In reality, it is not. The nude beach is isolated by the wetlands, and the roads in the reserve are closed to general automobile traffic. Despite the relative proximity of Torre Gauceto to the nude beach, it is not feasible to access the nude beach from the structure. The only reasonable way to access the nude beach is by a long hike toward Torre Guaceto from the closest parking in the beach club zone.
border of Brindisi and Carovigno, Brindisi, Puglia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Q4r3uP
Route SS379 (la strada statale 379 Egnazia e delle Terme di Torre Canne) is a 51-kilometer-long road that follows the coastline from Fasano to Brindisi, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going south toward Brindisi. In both Fasano and Brindisi, SS379 connects to SS16, a much longer highway that follows most of Italy's Adriatic coastline. (SS379 is basically a coastal alternative to SS16 through an area where SS16 veers a bit inland.) SS379 is an express highway with exits for its entire length. The litoranea Apani-Punta Penne exit of SS379 is between kilometer markers 40 and 42 (with marker 41 amid the interchange), about 10 to 15 kilometers from the central city of Brindisi.
Roughly aligned with the litoranea Apani-Punta Penne exit interchange of SS379, there is a chain of beach clubs spanning a little over one kilometer. Each beach club has a pay parking lot available to the public. The nude beach is a long walk from the closest pay parking, and free parking is even farther removed, so it is best to just plan to pay to park. From southeast to northwest, the beach clubs are Lido Arca Di Noèl, Mare 128, Lido Azzurro, Lido San Benedetto, Lido del Sole, Guna Beach Club and Lido Boa Gialla.
The closest parking lot to the nude beach is located at Boa Gialla (40.6975N, 17.8200E), which is approximately at the border of the nature reserve. The coastline northwest of the beach clubs is within the reserve. From SS379, the driving route to the parking lot at Boa Gialla is either very simple or quite convoluted, depending on which way you are traveling along SS379.
First, the easy way. If you are going north on SS379 (toward Fasano), take the litoranea Apani-Punta Penne exit about 900 meters past kilometer marker 42. Just after exiting, you will reach a stop sign at a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other, and at that point the sea will be visible straight ahead. Turn left, following the Boa Gialla sign. Proceed about 200 meters and take the next right, following another Boa Gialla sign. Shortly the road will turn to gravel just after you pass a boxy red house-like structure that appears to be abandoned. The gravel portion of the road continues about 600 meters all the way to the sea, but a bit before the end of the road you will reach a barrier that forces you to turn right into the Boa Gialla parking lot. The short continuation of the road must be done on foot.
Alternatively, if you are going south on SS379 (toward Brindisi), take the litoranea Apani-Punta Penne exit almost a full kilometer past marker 40. Upon exiting, watch very carefully for brown signs that point the way to parking at Boa Gialla. Those signs have some combination of the following names on them: Boa Gialla, Riserva Marina Torre Guaceto Apani and/or Area Servizi Apani. From the point where you leave the highway, it is literally (as the crow flies) 600 meters to the parking lot, but the driving distance is 2.8 kilometers.
Upon parking, continue toward the sea along the gravel road. Within 150 meters you will reach the end of the road, at which point you will be standing just a few meters above the sea atop a low escarpment of red clay. Facing the sea, to your immediate right there is a retaining wall that backs up against the escarpment for about 100 meters, and there are two staircases that go down the wall toward the sea. All the aforementioned beach clubs are farther right, extending southeast beyond the far end of the retaining wall. To your left, the red-clay escarpment provides a very scenic backdrop for a narrow sandy beach that extends northwest. This narrow beach largely disappears at high tide. Farther northwest, in the distance you will see Torre Gauceto. The tower is the only structure on a treeless projection of land, and it is prominently visible due to the curvature of the coastline. From where you are standing at the end of the gravel road, the distance to Torre Guaceto—measured along the coastline—is 3 kilometers. You will have to walk over half that distance to get to the start of the nude beach.
The red-clay escarpment extends northwest for well over a kilometer from the retaining wall. For the quickest and easiest walk to the nude beach, stay atop the escarpment rather than walking along the sand. Facing the sea from the end of the gravel road next to the retaining wall, turn left and follow the broad path that runs atop the escarpment near its edge. You will be walking such that the sea is on your right-hand side, with a very flat plateau to your left. The plateau is largely but not entirely treeless, and most of the scrubby trees on the plateau are planted in straight lines. In a few hundred meters, you will pass a long grove of trees on the left (inland) side of the path. That grove used to be a shaded parking lot, but the lot has been permanently closed as more of the nature reserve land has become off limits to automobiles.
Several hundred meters beyond the old parking lot, the path will veer slightly inland as you approach the Centro Velico Torre Guaceto, a sailing school that is a "non-profit sports association which holds sailing courses for beginners," according to its website. The small campus of the school covers a few acres, and the buildings are mostly hidden amid a grove of trees. There is a road leading directly to a small parking lot abutting the sailing school, but—you guessed it—the school's parking area is not available to the general public (hence the long hike). Just follow the well-trod path that takes you around the inland side of the buildings.
Once you are on the other side of the sailing school, it is a few hundred meters to a small irrigation canal that drains into the sea. The escarpment tapers to its end at the mouth of the canal, then the nude beach begins a bit beyond the canal. From the sailing school, you could return to the escarpment and follow it to the canal, crossing the canal at its mouth since there is usually little water. Alternatively, you could follow a parallel path that is a bit inland from the escarpment. That path leads to a short bridge that crosses the canal about 200 meters inland. After the bridge, the path bends rightward and takes you out to the beach.
Once you are past the canal, you will be walking on the sand, and the geography of the beach will be quite different. The escarpment will have ended, with the beach backed by a lush expanse of wetlands covered in tall grass. About 250 meters beyond the canal, you will reach the start of the unofficial nudist zone.★ From that point, the narrow sandy beach continues about one kilometer. Nudity is possible all the way to where the sand ends, but most nudists congregate along the first half of that expanse. From the end of the beach, it is about 400 meters to Torre Guaceto, but most of the shoreline between the beach and the tower is covered in a compacted mass of dead grass and other organic material that is effectively a buffer and access barrier between the nude beach and the tower.
The total walking distance from the parking lot to the start of the nude beach is slightly less than 2 kilometers. Plan on a walk of at least half an hour.
★ There used to be an elaborate ramshackle wooden contraption that heralded the start of the nude beach (40.7060N, 17.8046E). The signs posted on the structure indicated Nudisti and FKK along with various bohemian philosophical musings. Authorities demolished the contraption in 2017, apparently not as an anti-nudity measure but because building permanent structures is prohibited within the nature reserve.
MAP from SS379 litoranea Apani-Punta Penne exit to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Torre Guaceto.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Torre Guaceto.

kilometer marker 41 of SS379, amid "litoranea Apani-Punta Penne" exit interchange

road turns to gravel

pay parking lot at Boa Gialla

Lido Boa Gialla

retaining wall

Centro Velico Torre Guaceto (sailing school)

short bridge over irrigation canal

Torre Guaceto

Guna Beach Club

Lido del Sole

Lido San Benedetto

Lido Azzurro

Mare 128

Arca Di Noè

SS379 exit lane for northbound traffic

convoluted route from southbound SS379 exit to parking at Boa Gialla

walking route to nude beach

old parking lot

narrow beach backed by red-clay escarpment

Taranto

Spiaggia della Commenda

Spiaggia della Commenda
The coastal town of Campomarino (part of the municipality of Maruggio) is located toward the eastern end of the province of Taranto. There are long, sandy beaches extending for several kilometers in either direction from the marina of Campomarino, and the beaches in the area are quickly and easily accessible from the coastal road. Toward the western edge of Campomarino, there is a private beach club called Lido dei Cavalieri. A little over a kilometer farther west, there is another private beach club called Posto 9. The segment of beach between those clubs is known as Spiaggia della Commenda. Much of this freely accessible beach is backed by a small band of forest, and much of the forest is occupied by a private estate called Villa d'Ayala Valva. Thus, Spiaggia della Commenda is alternately known as Spiaggia d'Ayala.
Although not officially sanctioned, nude bathing is well established along a stretch of Spiaggia della Commenda that is about halfway between Lido dei Cavalieri and Posto 9. The zone of nudist use extends just a few hundred meters, and it takes just 5 minutes or so to walk to the nude area from the closest possible parking along the coastal road. The setting is quite beautiful, and the shallow water has a turquoise hue reminiscent of the Caribbean. The nude area draws a mixed crowd with a significant gay presence. There are no amenities.
Commenda, Maruggio, Taranto, Puglia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/43z3n4J
The small city of Taranto is located about halfway along the coast of the province of the same name. Route SP122 (SP = strada provinciale) is a road that follows the coastline through most of the eastern half of Taranto province. SP122 begins at a junction with SP100 in Leporano, about 15 kilometers southeast of the city center of Taranto. From there, it follows the coastline eastward for 44 kilometers to the provincial border of Taranto and Lecce, where the road number changes to SP340. There are no kilometer markers along SP122, and signage with place names is spotty, so it is challenging to navigate by following signs.
The town of Maruggio is located a few kilometers inland from the coast, and SP122 does not run through the town center. However, there are several coastal frazioni (i.e., neighborhoods or subdivisions) within the municipal limits of Maruggio, and all of them lie along SP122 over an expanse of about 10 kilometers. From east to west, those frazioni are Monaco Mirante, Campomarino, Commenda, Capoccia Scorcialupi and Acquadolce Cirenaica. Campomarino is the only one of the frazioni that is an actual town with a commercial hub, while the others are mostly residential areas. Spiaggia della Commenda is the beach of the frazione of Commenda, just a bit west of Campomarino.
Spiaggia della Commenda is accessed from a four-way junction (40.2979N, 17.5409E) at the west end of Commenda. At the junction, the road going toward the sea is a short sandy lane that runs between two fence walls, with the sea visible beyond its end. Directly opposite the sandy lane, the asphalted road going inland from SP122 is signed Strada Vicinale n. 43, Scorcialupi - Mare. Parking is along the side of the road near the junction. On busy summer days, there will likely be parked cars on both sides of SP122 for over 100 meters in either direction from the junction. Parking is also possible along the west side of Strada Vicinale n. 43 (i.e., along the left side if you turn onto the street from SP122). Do not turn onto or park along the sandy lane.
Follow the sandy lane about 100 meters out to the beach, then walk east (toward Campomarino, to the left when facing the sea). The nude area begins in about 250 meters and extends eastward about 300 meters.
First, assume you are going west (toward Taranto) on SP122. You will enter Campomarino about 17 kilometers west of the provincial border of Lecce and Taranto. Because Campomarino has a grid of one-way streets, SP122 does not follow a linear route through the town. You will have to make several turns. A GPS device may route you through any combination of local streets. However, the signs that point toward Taranto route through traffic along a bypass (signed Circumvallazione di Campomarino on maps) that briefly goes a bit inland before veering back toward the coast. Assuming you follow the signposted route to Taranto that takes you along the bypass, you will rejoin SP122 at a red light at a three-way junction that is on the west side of Campomarino. When you reach the red light, the signed and gated entry to a private estate named Villa d'Ayala Valva will be straight ahead. Turn right (toward Taranto) at the red light and continue west along SP122 for 750 meters to the next junction, where the sandy lane to Spiaggia della Commenda is on the left, opposite Strada Vicinale n. 43.
(Note: If you take a different route through Campomarino that does not take you along the bypass, then you will pass the turnoff to Lido dei Cavalieri beach club toward the west side of town. The red light next to Villa d'Ayala Valva is about 300 meters past the Lido dei Cavalieri turnoff, then the sandy lane to Spiaggia della Commenda is 750 meters farther on.)
Alternatively, assume you are going east (toward Lecce) on SP122. From the start of SP122 in Leporano, it is about 21 kilometers to the signed inland turnoff toward Torricella. Stay straight ahead on SP122. The Torricella turnoff is approximately where you will enter the municipal limits of Maruggio, but there is no town sign. Continue 2.4 kilometers and watch on the right for a beach club named Tayga Beach. 800 meters farther along, Posto 9 beach club is on the right. Watch carefully since Posto 9 is mostly hidden from the road and its sign is easy to miss. About 150 meters past Posto 9, you will pass a location sign that reads Commenda, Comune di Maruggio. The sandy lane to Spiaggia della Commenda is on the right less than 100 meters past that sign, opposite Strada Vicinale n. 43.
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Commenda.

Lido dei Cavalieri (beach club)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Commenda.

red light next to gated entrance to Villa d'Ayala Valva
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Commenda.

roadside parking available near this junction

"Commenda, Comune di Maruggio" sign (facing traffic going east)

Posto 9 (beach club)

segment of Strada Vicinale n. 43

sandy lane to beach

Spiaggia di Termitosa

Spiaggia di Termitosa
Toward the western end of the province of Taranto, the large coastal resort village of Castellaneta Marina is situated amid an extensive band of coastal forest. The sandy beach of the coastal forest seems to go on forever, interrupted occasionally by the mouth of a river. Going northeast from the long and highly developed stretch of beach abutting Castellaneta Marina, it is a little over 1.5 kilometers (as the crow flies) to the Castellaneta Marina train station, which is situated near the sea a bit removed from the resort village. From the train station, it is a little over 2.5 kilometers farther northeast to the mouth of the Lato River (il fiume Lato). The entire expanse between Castellaneta Marina and the river is relatively sparsely attended due to limited roads and access points. There is a public road leading to a parking area and beach access point at the train station. The beach area next to the train station is known as Spiaggia di Termitosa. Closer to the river, there is also a road to two private beach clubs that are exclusive to the guests of a cluster of large resort hotels that are a bit inland from the beach, but the road to those beach clubs is private, restricted to resort shuttle buses and other authorized vehicles.
Spiaggia di Termitosa is an undeveloped stretch of beach with no amenities, and to many of its visitors the beach is the antidote to the busy and bustling beach of Castellaneta Marina. Most visitors cluster near the entry point next to the train station, then the crowd typically thins out substantially going in either direction. Spiaggia di Termitosa is mostly a textile beach, but nudists are typically present along the northeastern periphery, going toward the private beach clubs and the river. The nude area does not have definite boundaries, nor is nudity officially allowed. Just walk along the beach until you have put about 100 meters between yourself and the nearest textiles and avoid getting too close to the private clubs that are beyond the informal zone of nude use. It is usually not necessary to walk more than five minutes before you can strip down, and you may encounter handmade signage indicating that the beach is a venue for naturism. Nude bathers are typically few in number and rather dispersed.
Castellaneta Marina, Castellaneta, Taranto, Puglia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Op85gZ
Route SS106 (la strada statale 106 Jonica) is the major coastal route along the Ionian (i.e., southern) coast of Italy, spanning all or part of six provinces. (Jonica is a southern Italian dialectical variant of Ionian.) The kilometer marker numbers increase going northeast. The small city of Taranto, which is the capital of the province of the same name, is located at the northeast end of SS106, around kilometer 491. SS106 is an express highway with exits for its entire length through the province of Taranto except for the final few kilometers leading into the city of Taranto.
Castellaneta Marina is west of the city of Taranto, toward the provincial border of Taranto and Matera (which is the same as the regional border of Puglia and Basilicata). The coastal village takes its name from the nearby inland town of Castellaneta. There are two Castellaneta Marina exits along SS106, and at each exit the name is abbreviated as Castellaneta M. The two exits are just a few kilometers apart. Take the exit signed Laterza and Castellaneta M, which is the more eastern (closer to the city of Taranto) of the two exits, between kilometer markers 466 and 467. (The other exit, between markers 464 and 465, is signed Castellaneta [for the inland town] and Castellaneta M.)
Upon exiting, you need to make your way to the Castellaneta Marina train station via a huge roundabout that is on the south (coast) side of SS106. However, the route to the train station is not especially well signed. (Be advised that you will NOT go through Castellaneta Marina to get to the train station, which is removed from the village.)
If you are going west (away from the city of Taranto) when you exit from SS106, make two successive right turns upon exiting, then shortly you should cross under SS106. A few hundred meters farther on, keep straight ahead through a stop sign at a four-way intersection where you must yield to cross traffic. 300-400 meters farther on you will enter the huge roundabout.
If you are going east (toward the city of Taranto) when you exit from SS106, turn right at the first three-way junction, then proceed a short distance to a four-way intersection and turn left. 300-400 meters farther on you will enter the huge roundabout.
Once you enter the roundabout, keep straight ahead through it by taking the third departure, following the stazione sign. Follow the road through the coastal forest for 1.7 kilometers to its end at a parking lot next to the train station (40.4811N, 16.9644E). The parking lot is not terribly big, so on peak days there are likely to be parked cars along the last 100 or so meters of the road leading up to the lot.
The parking lot and the station building are on the inland side of the train tracks. There are two gates in the parking lot. Facing the tracks, one gate is straight ahead (parallel to the tracks) while the other is to the left (perpendicular to the tracks). You can get to the beach through either gate.
First, assume you go through the gate that is parallel to the tracks. You will immediately cross the tracks at a level crossing. Continue about 150 meters over the boarded walkway out to the beach, where you will land on the area of Spiaggia di Termitosa where most visitors cluster. On peak summer days, there may be textiles spread out up to 500 meters in either direction from the access point, but most of the time the beach is far less crowded. Facing the sea, turn left and head northeast. It is 1.3 kilometers to the nearest of the two aforementioned private beach clubs. Nude bathing occurs along the mostly deserted expanse of the beach between the train station and the private clubs. Depending on the size of the textile crowd near the train station, you should go 250 to 500 meters before disrobing, and you should avoid being naked too close to the beach clubs.
Alternatively, from the parking area assume you go through the gate that is perpendicular to the train tracks. (It is sometimes closed.) Follow the broad path that parallels the inland side of the tracks. In 250 meters, the path will bend rightward to the railroad. Carefully cross the tracks at a level crossing, then continue about 150 meters out to the beach. When you land on the beach, you will be 200 to 250 meters northeast of where the other path lands, putting you that much closer to the area where nudity occurs.
MAP from SS106 Laterza/Castellaneta M exit to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Termitosa.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Termitosa.

"Laterza/Castellaneta M" exit interchange of SS106
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Termitosa.

huge roundabout

Castellaneta Marina train station

free parking lot at train station

private beach club

cluster of large resort hotels (Il Valentino Grand Village, et. al.)

roads from exit ramp to huge roundabout

road from huge roundabout to train station

main path to beach

alternate path to beach

very rough approximation of nude area

Sardegna

Sassari

Calette di Porto Ferro

Calette di Porto Ferro
Toward the far north end of the west coast of Sardegna, Spiaggia di Porto Ferro is about 35 kilometers west of Sassari, the island's second largest city. Porto Ferro is a beautiful beach covered in golden sand, with a total length of about 1.4 kilometers. The beach is backed by a dense forest of coastal scrub, with a cluster of rocky hills at the north end. Porto Ferro is situated in a semi-circular bay along which there are three crumbling stone watchtowers that date to the 16th century. Each tower seems to have an informal name that is more commonly used than its proper name, and those informal names are Mozza, Bianca and Negra. Torre Mozza (or Torre di Bantine Sale) is situated at the south end of the bay. Torre Negra (or Torre di Spagna) is perched atop a hill at the north end of the bay, about 60 meters above the sea. Torre Bianca (or Torre di Airadu) is between the other towers but much closer to Torre Negra than to Torre Mozza. Torre Bianca sits atop a mass of rock less than 10 meters above the sea, just 300-400 meters away from Torre Negra.
The only quick and easy access to Spiaggia di Porto Ferro is at its far south end. Two nearby restaurants overlook a rocky part of the bay just before the start of the beach. During peak season, sun chairs and umbrellas can be rented along the southernmost part of the beach near the restaurants. Visitors tend to concentrate at the far south end of the beach, then the crowd begins to thin out substantially. The main beach extends northward a little over one kilometer, where the sand is interrupted by the mass of rock atop which Torre Bianca is perched. Beyond the tower, there is more beach—several sandy niches that collectively span a little over 200 meters. At low tide the niches more or less blend into one another. At high tide two of the niches become particularly distinct—a small pocket beach directly below Torre Bianca and a longer expanse of sand a bit farther north. The name Calette di Porto Ferro is often applied to the niches to distinguish them from the main beach. (Calette is the plural of caletta, which means "little cove.")
Nude bathing is quite well established along the northern realm of Spiaggia di Porto Ferro. For the most part, nudity occurs in the coves. Nudists are typically at least a substantial minority even during July and August when a good many textiles are present, and nudists are often in the majority on less crowded days. Nudity sometimes also occurs along the far north end of the main beach, but nudity patterns there are far more unpredictable, especially now that a small area of the main beach not far from Torre Bianca has been designated as a dog beach. The coves between Torre Bianca and Torre Negra comprise the most popular nude beach of Sardegna, drawing a mixed crowd with a substantial gay presence. The nearest amenities are all the way across the main beach at the south end.
There are two basic ways to get to the nude area. You can go to the south end of Spiaggia di Porto Ferro and take a long walk across the entire length of the beach, or you can go directly to Torre Bianca, bypassing the main beach altogether. The hitch is that the sandy and rutted road to Torre Bianca is a little iffy for conventional vehicles. If you don't like the looks of the road, it takes at most half an hour to hike its entire length from the end of the nearest asphalted road. That road runs next to Lago di Baratz, a small body of water that is the only natural lake in Sardegna.
40.6886N, 8.2032E  far north end of main beach (irregular nude use)
40.6894N, 8.2013E  1st substantial niche north of Torre Bianca (established nude use)
40.6897N, 8.2001E  2nd substantial niche north of Torre Bianca (established nude use)
frazione, comune & province, region, country:
Baratz, Sassari, Sardegna, Italy

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Alghero-Fertilia Airport, the smallest of Sardegna's three airports, is located 25 to 30 kilometers west-southwest of Sassari. The airport is bounded on two sides—the north side and the west side—by route SS291 (la strada statale 291 della Nurra). At kilometer 26.6, SS291 makes a 90° turn. The bend of the highway is located at a four-way intersection northwest of the airport in the hamlet of Santa Maria La Palma. There is a red light at the intersection, which is next to a granary that is prominently signed Consorzio Agrario di Sardegna.
First, assume you are going west on SS291. Once you pass kilometer marker 26, continue about 600 meters to the red light next to the granary, where it would be necessary to turn left to continue along SS291. Keep straight ahead through the red light. Alternatively, assume you are going north on SS291. Once you pass kilometer marker 27, continue about 400 meters to the red light next to the granary, where it would be necessary to turn right to continue along SS291. Turn left instead.
When you depart SS291 at the red light, the granary should be on your right-hand side. You will be at kilometer 0 of SP55bis★ (SP = strada provinciale), heading west.
To go to Torre Bianca:
From the red light at the granary, follow SP55bis for 2.2 kilometers, then turn right toward Palmadula, Lago di Baratz and Villa Assunta (which is the next right after kilometer marker 2). Upon turning, you will begin going north on SP69, with the kilometer marker numbers descending. Proceed 2.1 kilometers, then turn left toward Lago di Baratz (immediately past kilometer marker 9). Upon turning, you will begin going west on Via dei Fenicotteri. In 1.3 kilometers, Via dei Fenicotteri curves rightward and begins to angle northwest through a forest. From the curve, continue 1.1 kilometers to the end of the road, where it widens into an asphalted parking area that is bordered by wooden rail fencing (40.6817N, 8.2186E). Straight ahead at the far end of the parking area, a dirt road begins on each side. The road to the left goes to Torre Bianca. (Nearby Lago di Baratz can be accessed from the road to the right.)
The dirt road to Torre Bianca is 1.7 kilometers long. It is a rough drive but an easy hike. The road is more or less level, making an imperceptibly gradual descent through the forest. If you decide to leave your car where the asphalt ends, then the hike will take 20 to 30 minutes. From the start of the dirt road, keep straight ahead for 800-900 meters until you reach a fork. Keep to the right, staying on the broader road. (The other road goes to the north end of the main beach.) Continue another 800-900 meters to Torre Bianca, where there is informal parking near the end of the road (40.6893N, 8.2025E). Facing the sea at Torre Bianca, the nudist coves extend to your right for about 200 meters. Just beyond the coves, you will see Torre Negra perched high atop a hill overlooking the sea. A 400-meter-long footpath connects Torre Bianca to Torre Negra, and roughly the first half of that path skirts the inland edge of the nudist coves. At low tide, you can easily get from one cove to the next at sea level. At high tide, follow the footpath to get to the coves farthest from Torre Bianca.
To go to the south end of Spiaggia di Porto Ferro:
From the red light at the granary, follow SP55bis about 5 kilometers, then turn right toward Porto Ferro. (The turnoff is less than 100 meters past where kilometer marker 5 should be, but that particular marker seems to be missing.) Follow the asphalted road for 2.5 kilometers, then turn right onto a gravel road signed Via Monte Airatu. (The asphalted road dead ends about 400 meters past the turnoff, with a footpath continuing straight ahead to Torre Mozza.) Less than 50 meters after turning, keep to the left at a fork to stay on Via Monte Airatu, which is the wider of two gravel roads. Continue another 300-400 meters to the end of the road, where it widens into an earthen parking area (40.6785N, 8.2035E).
Facing the sea, follow the road that begins at an automobile barrier on the right side of the parking area at its far end. In just a minute or two you will land on the far south end of Spiaggia di Porto Ferro after passing two restaurants (La Griglieria and Il Baretto). Walk across the entire length of the beach to get to Torre Bianca at the far north end. Starting from the parking area, the total walk is about 1.3 kilometers.
Route SS131 (la strada statale 131 Carlo Felice) is a 231-kilometer-long highway that is Sardegna's principal north-south route, connecting Cagliari on the south coast to Porto Torres on the north coast, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going north. The city of Sassari is located toward the north end of the highway near Porto Torres, and there are several exits signed Sassari. In the northern outskirts of the city, take the Alghero exit, which is between kilometer markers 216 and 217. (Be aware that there are two separate exits built into the same large interchange, so be sure to take the exit signed Alghero, NOT the one signed Sassari.)
Upon exiting, you will begin heading southwest toward Alghero-Fertilia Airport on SS291var,★ with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. Proceed 8 to 9 kilometers and take the exit signed Aeroporto, Fertilia and Santa Maria La Palma, which is about 900 meters past marker 14. Keep to the right when the exit lane splits to continue toward the airport and the other places on the exit sign. You will be filtered onto SS291, continuing southwest with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. In 6 kilometers, keep straight through a large roundabout to continue along SS291 toward Fertilia. (The main signposted route to the airport continues from a different departure of the roundabout.) 2.4 kilometers farther along, you will pass another sign pointing left to the airport. Keep straight ahead, staying on SS291. 1.6 kilometers farther along, you will pass marker 26, then 600 meters farther along you will reach the red light next to the granary. Keep straight ahead onto SP55bis, proceeding as directed above.
★ Sardegna has an exceptional number of numbered roads with three-letter suffixes. A road with a suffix is a variant of a nearby (usually older) road without a suffix. The suffix bis or var (among others) identifies a road as a variant. Remember that SS291 and SS291var are different roads, as are SP55 and SP55bis.
MAP from SS131 Alghero exit to parking (Torre Bianca)
MAP from SS131 Alghero exit to parking (south end of Spiaggia di Porto Ferro)
This placemark pertains to Calette di Porto Ferro.

far north end of main beach (irregular nude use)
This placemark pertains to Calette di Porto Ferro.

1st substantial niche north of Torre Bianca (established nude use)
This placemark pertains to Calette di Porto Ferro.

2nd substantial niche north of Torre Bianca (established nude use)

red at intersection next to granary (Consorzio Agrario di Sardegna)

kilometer marker 1 of SP55bis

kilometer marker 2 of SP55bis

kilometer marker 3 of SP55bis

kilometer 5 of SP55bis (marker missing)

kilometer 6 of SP55bis (marker missing)

kilometer 11 of SP69 (marker missing)

earthen parking lot

asphalted parking lot

informal parking near Torre Bianca

Torre Mozza (stone watchtower in ruins)

Torre Bianca (stone watchtower in ruins)

Torre Negra (stone watchtower in ruins)

main area of Spiaggia di Porto Ferro (textile)

designated dog area at north end of main beach

Lago di Baratz

La Griglieria

Il Baretto

segment of SP55bis

road to Porto Ferro

Via dei Fenicotteri

Via Monte Airatu (gravel)

rough dirt road

path from Torre Bianca to Torre Negra

Spiaggia della Baia delle Ninfe

Spiaggia della Baia delle Ninfe
Toward the north end of the west coast of Sardegna, the large town of Alghero is notable for having a culture and language influenced by Catalonian colonization in the late Middle Ages. A dialect of Catalan still thrives as a minority language in Alghero, which is nicknamed Little Barcelona (la piccola Barcellona). Alghero is located at the south end of Alghero Bay (la rada di Alghero). A bit north and west, Porto Conte is a bay on the outskirts of Alghero that makes a much deeper indentation in the coastline. The innermost part of Porte Conte is shaped a bit like a semicircle, with the village of Maristella at the south end of the inner bay and a large resort named Baia di Porto Conte at the north end. Contiguous with the resort beach, Spiaggia di Mugoni is a very popular public beach with several beach clubs. The resort beach and the public beach collectively span about 1.5 kilometers, occupying most of the northern half of the inner bay. That expanse is a rather narrow but exceptionally beautiful ribbon of white sand. Going south along Spiaggia di Mugoni, the forest of umbrella pines becomes denser as the beach tapers to an end, giving way to a low escarpment of reddish rock. Several niche beaches punctuate the escarpment, extending a few hundred meters to a concrete bunker (a World War II relic) that is perched atop the escarpment where a mass of rock protrudes into the bay. Beyond the bunker, a substantial beach extends southward about 200 meters before the coastline becomes rocky.
The various beaches that are south of Spiaggia di Mugoni on either side of the bunker are collectively known as Spiaggia della Baia delle Ninfe ("Bay of the Nymphs"). Historically, sporadic nudity has occurred along these beaches, mostly outside of peak season. Municipal authorities cooperated with the naturist advocacy group ANITA to officially make Baia delle Ninfe available for naturist use, with the authorization taking effect in August of 2022. The designated naturist zone is 200 meters long, extending about 100 meters from either side of the bunker. The setting is quite captivating. The hills that nearly enclose the bay render it more like a lake than an inlet of the sea. The seabed is quite rocky, but the shallow, calm water is great for swimming.
The nude beach is easily accessible from Spiaggia di Mugoni by heading south (to the left when facing the water) along the path that runs atop the escarpment to the bunker. However, there is an hourly parking fee. If you bypass Spiaggia di Mugoni, you can park for free and follow a track through a tract of coastal forest. The walk takes 5 to 10 minutes. Some visitors drive along the track and park near the bunker, apparently in violation of posted regulations. The track is an easy walk but a rough drive.
Maristella, Alghero, Sassari, Sardegna, Italy

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Alghero-Fertilia Airport, the smallest of Sardegna's three airports, is located 25 to 30 kilometers west-southwest of Sassari. The airport is bounded on two sides—the north side and the west side—by route SS291 (la strada statale 291 della Nurra). At kilometer 26.6, SS291 makes a 90° turn. The bend of the highway is located at a four-way intersection northwest of the airport in the hamlet of Santa Maria La Palma. There is a red light at the intersection, which is next to a granary that is prominently signed Consorzio Agrario di Sardegna.
First, assume you are going west on SS291. Once you pass kilometer marker 26, continue about 600 meters to the red light next to the granary, where it would be necessary to turn left to continue along SS291. Keep straight ahead through the red light. Alternatively, assume you are going north on SS291. Once you pass kilometer marker 27, continue about 400 meters to the red light next to the granary, where it would be necessary to turn right to continue along SS291. Turn left instead.
When you depart SS291 at the red light, the granary should be on your right-hand side. You will be at kilometer 0 of SP55bis★ (SP = strada provinciale). SP55bis is a 9-kilometer-long highway that first goes west then gradually curves southward. Follow the entire length of the highway until you reach a stop sign at a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left, toward Alghero.
Upon turning, you will be on SP55 heading south and east, with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing. It is 2.7 kilometers to the track that leads to the nude beach. Along SP55, there are intermittent pairs of short guardrails (one on each side of the road) where the road crosses drainage culverts. Watch for the guardrails, among other landmarks, to find the correct track.
Once you turn onto SP55, you will pass the first pair of guardrails in about 400 meters. After the guardrails, the next three roads on the right (not counting gated private driveways) all go to Spiaggia Mugoni. Only the middle access has prominent signage. The middle access, signed Spiaggia Mugoni Windsurf & Foil Area, is about 100 meters past kilometer marker 3. Continue past all the Spiaggia Mugoni accesses and watch for kilometer marker 2. About 200 meters past marker 2, you will pass the second pair of guardrails just after the highway makes a slight rightward curve. Continue 400-500 meters to the third pair of guardrails. Just after those guardrails, you will reach a slightly staggered junction with two dirt roads (40.6092N, 8.2179E). The road on the right is marked by a Località Mugoni sign★★ with a symbol indicating that it is off limits to vehicles, among other symbols. That is the track to the beach.
To park, turn left, where you will see that there are actually two roads that leave from the same location. The broader road angles rightward, going past a boxy, derelict utility building that is covered in graffiti. A smaller track cuts sharply back to the left, running parallel to the inland side of the highway. The best place to park is near the start of the smaller track, next to the bushes that separate the track from the highway.
Cross the highway and follow the dirt track, which angles through the coastal forest. The path curves sharply leftward in 500-600 meters, then shortly you will arrive at the bunker that is just above the nude beach. From the bunker, the nude area extends in either direction for roughly 100 meters.
Alternate approach:
If you are starting in Alghero, watch for and follow signs for Fertilia, a village that is 6 kilometers north of the Alghero town center. As you near Fertilia, you will cross a bridge over the mouth of a lagoon where you will see a marina on your left and part of an ancient Roman bridge on your right. By that point, you will be heading west on SS127bis,★ with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. About 300 meters past the bridge, keep straight ahead through a mini-roundabout, toward Maristella Porto Conte. You will pass kilometer marker 42 a bit past the mini-roundabout. 5 kilometers farther along, you will reach the end of SS127bis at a roundabout that is just past marker 47. Go right, toward Casa del Parco di Porto Conte, Capo Caccia and Torre del Porticciolo.
When you depart the roundabout, you will be at the start of SP55 (kilometer 0), heading north. In about 400 meters, you will pass a pair of short guardrails (one on each side of the road, as described above). Continue about 500 meters and watch on the left for a wooden gate in a stone fence wall (which is the most prominent of several private residential gates along the road). Continue about 300 meters to the slightly staggered junction with two dirt roads (as described above), just before the next pair of guardrails. The road on the right is where you park, while the road on the left is the path to the beach. (The beach path is 250 meters past kilometer 1, but the marker is missing.)
Route SS131 (la strada statale 131 Carlo Felice) is a 231-kilometer-long highway that is Sardegna's principal north-south route, connecting Cagliari on the south coast to Porto Torres on the north coast, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going north. The city of Sassari is located toward the north end of the highway near Porto Torres, and there are several exits signed Sassari. In the northern outskirts of the city, take the Alghero exit, which is between kilometer markers 216 and 217. (Be aware that there are two separate exits built into the same large interchange, so be sure to take the exit signed Alghero, NOT the one signed Sassari.)
Upon exiting, you will begin heading southwest toward Alghero-Fertilia Airport on SS291var,★ with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. Proceed 8 to 9 kilometers and take the exit signed Aeroporto, Fertilia and Santa Maria La Palma, which is about 900 meters past marker 14. Keep to the right when the exit lane splits to continue toward the airport and the other places on the exit sign. You will be filtered onto SS291, continuing southwest with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. In 6 kilometers, keep straight through a large roundabout to continue along SS291 toward Fertilia. (The main signposted route to the airport continues from a different departure of the roundabout.) 2.4 kilometers farther along, you will pass another sign pointing left to the airport. Keep straight ahead, staying on SS291. 1.6 kilometers farther along, you will pass marker 26, then 600 meters farther along you will reach the red light next to the granary. Keep straight ahead onto SP55bis, proceeding as directed above.
★ Sardegna has an exceptional number of numbered roads with three-letter suffixes. A road with a suffix is a variant of a nearby (usually older) road without a suffix. The suffix bis or var (among others) identifies a road as a variant. Remember that SS291 and SS291var are different roads, as are SP55 and SP55bis.
★★ Be aware that there are other Località Mugoni signs in the area, many above "private property" signs.
MAP from SS131 Alghero exit to start of beach track
MAP from Alghero to start of beach track
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Baia delle Ninfe.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Baia delle Ninfe.

"T" junction: SP55bis (end) & SP55 (cross)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Baia delle Ninfe.

pair of short guardrails (one on each side of road)

informal parking along dirt track

boxy, derelict utility building covered in graffiti

kilometer 1 of SP55 (marker missing)

wooden gate in stone fence wall

junction of SS127bis & SP55

bunker

Spiaggia di Mugoni (textile)

Baia di Conte

broad track (off limits to vehicles)

segment of dirt road

segment of dirt track that parallels inland side of highway

Spiaggia Monti Russu-Lu Litarroni

Spiaggia Monti Russu-Lu Litarroni
In northeastern Sardegna, the small town of Aglientu is perched high atop a hill several kilometers inland, but the town's municipal territory extends to the sea, encompassing about 20 kilometers of north-facing coastline. Along the coast of Aglientu, Monti Russu is a prominent rocky hill that occupies a peninsular notch of land. Rising about 75 meters above the sea, the hill forms the northeast end of a roughly 2.8-kilometer-long crescent that slightly indents the coastline. Several beaches that blend into one another occupy the long crescent, and it is easy to traverse the entire length of the crescent, even at high tide. Three of the beaches have names.
Spiaggia Naracu Nieddu is the southwestern of the three beaches, at the opposite end of the crescent from Monti Russu. Spiaggia Naracu Nieddu is contiguous with Spiaggia Lu Litarroni, the middle of the three named beaches. Spiaggia Naracu Nieddu and Spiaggia Lu Litarroni become distinct beaches at high tide, but most of the time they collectively comprise a kilometer-long expanse of lush golden sand. There is a designated dog area at the northeast end of Spiaggia Lu Litarroni, where the beach is particularly broad and the dunes are particularly large. Continuing toward Monti Russu from the dog beach, the beach narrows a bit beyond a very slight curvature of the coastline, extending 500 to 600 meters to a small rocky outcropping that interrupts the continuity of the beach. Nude bathers gather along the last few hundred meters of the beach leading up to the outcropping. Continuing beyond the nude beach, the next 700-800 meters of coastline is mostly rocky, punctuated by several sandy niches. The small beach that is just over the rocks from the nude beach gets some nude use when it is not too crowded, but it seems to be textile during peak season. Beyond the rocky stretch of coastline, the last beach in the long crescent is Spiaggia Monti Russu, a sandy expanse of about 350 meters. The northern end of the beach abuts the prominent hill for which the beach is named.
The nude area is along a part of the beach that would seem to be the northeastern extension of Spiaggia Lu Litarroni, but the name Monti Russu is more associated with the nude beach than is Lu Litarroni. Nudists and textiles mix in the informal naturist zone, where nudity is not officially condoned. During peak season, textiles sometimes greatly outnumber nudists. The setting is quite captivating, with golden sand and massive dunes. Facing Monti Russu, you can see mountains in Corsica on the horizon, about 25 kilometers away. The closest amenities to the nude beach are about 1.2 kilometers away at the south end of Spiaggia Naracu Nieddu, where there are two nearby eateries with restrooms and showers. There are no amenities at Spiaggia Lu Litarroni or Spiaggia Monti Russu.
Aglientu, Sassari, Sardegna, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3pXAotM
Route SP90 (SP = strada provinciale) is a highway that follows the northern coast of Sardegna toward the eastern side of the island. There are markers along the highway approximately from kilometers 13 to 64. (The first part of the original highway route has been superseded by other roads.) The highway begins on the east side of Valledoria (kilometer 13) and goes northeast to Santa Teresa Gallura (kilometer 64), where there is a ferry connection to nearby Corsica.
There are three signed turnoffs to the beach between kilometer markers 50 and 53 of SP90. Heading toward Santa Teresa Gallura (with the kilometer marker numbers increasing), the beach turnoffs are on the left. A turnoff signed Naracu Nieddu is exactly at marker 50, while a turnoff signed Lu Litarroni is exactly at marker 51. A turnoff signed Spiaggia Monti Russu is about halfway between markers 52 and 53, and it is the only turnoff toward the coast between those markers. The nude beach can be accessed from any of the turnoffs, but the Naracu Nieddu option involves a parking fee and substantially more walking, so the other two options are better.
Free parking, no parking lot:
Turn onto the dirt road at the Spiaggia Monti Russu sign, between kilometer markers 52 and 53 of SP90. From the start of the road, it is 800-900 meters to a sign indicating that vehicles cannot proceed farther (a white circle outlined in red), at which point the sea is clearly visible straight ahead. Park alongside the road (41.1426N, 9.1233E), but watch very carefully for signs indicating where parking is not allowed.
Continue along the road on foot. Just past the "no vehicles" sign, the road angles rightward and begins a gradual descent. In less than 150 meters, you will come to a four-way intersection with a broad cross path. The path to the right goes to the main area of Spiaggia Monti Russu, while the straight-ahead path narrows and branches into multiple small paths that run along a rocky part of the coastline. Turn left at the intersection.
As you continue, the sea will be on your right-hand side. In about 100 meters, the broad dirt path becomes a boarded walkway. Continue about 230 meters to the end of the boardwalk, at which point you will be standing slightly above the small boulder-strewn beach that gets irregular nude use. To go to the better-established nude beach, keep straight ahead from the end of the boardwalk, staying on the broadest dirt path at all forks. The path takes you slightly uphill and then downhill past a rocky outcropping. You will land on the nude beach about 250 meters past the end of the boardwalk. If you walk along the beach for about 600 meters, you will reach the dog beach at Spiaggia Lu Litarroni. The established nude area extends no more than half that distance.
The total walk from the "no vehicles" sign to the nude beach is about 700 meters.
Pay parking in lot:
Turn at the Lu Litarroni sign, at kilometer marker 51 of SP90. A dirt road that is bordered on each side by a low stone wall leads 400 meters to a pay parking lot that is perched above the sea, at an elevation of about 40 meters (41.1341N, 9.1155E). From the far end of the parking lot, follow the broad path that descends to the beach. It is mostly a dirt path, with a short boarded segment. You will land on the dog beach of Spiaggia Lu Litarroni after about 350 meters. Facing the sea, head to the right. Once you have rounded a slight bend of the coastline, you will see a rocky outcropping in the distance, 500-600 meters away. The nude area begins about halfway to the outcropping. The total walk from the parking lot is about one kilometer.
Route SS131 (la strada statale 131 Carlo Felice) is a 231-kilometer-long highway that is Sardegna's principal north-south route, connecting Cagliari on the south coast to Porto Torres on the north coast, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going north. The city of Sassari is located toward the north end of the highway near Porto Torres, and there are several exits signed Sassari. South of the city, take the Olbia/Tempio P. exit of SS131, between kilometer markers 192 and 193. The exit is 16 kilometers south of the southernmost Sassari exit, and there are signs for several other locations at the exit (Ploaghe, Ardara, Ozieri, Oschiri).
Upon exiting, carefully watch for and follow signs for Tempio Pausania, which is abbreviated Tempio P. or just Tempio on many signs. You will briefly be on two numbered highways, first heading east on SS729 for about 2 kilometers, then heading north on SS597 for just one kilometer. You will then be filtered to the start of SS672 (la strada statale 672 Sassari-Tempio), at kilometer 0.
SS672 is a 40-kilometer-long highway that goes northeast most of the way to Tempio. Although it is a two-lane undivided highway, it is an expressway with exits and no cross traffic. Follow the entire length of SS672. Shortly after you pass kilometer marker 40, SS672 will become SS127, a curvy and slower-moving highway that continues the rest of the way to Tempio. There are no turns to make. When SS672 ends, you will be approximately at kilometer 54 of SS127, with the marker numbers decreasing. In about 7.7 kilometers, you will pass the Tempio Pausania town sign (after marker 47). Continue 600-700 meters to a roundabout that is just past an Eni gas station. Take the departure signed Palau.
When you leave the roundabout, you will be at the start of SS133 (kilometer 0), heading north. Continue 7.3 kilometers, then turn left toward Aglientu and porto di Vignola. (There are discrepancies in the distances between kilometer markers, so the turnoff is at marker 8.)
Upon turning, you will be on a minor road numbered SP5, but there are no signs indicating the road number, nor are there kilometer markers. SP5 is a curvy road that does not pass directly through any towns. (Aglientu is just off SP5, accessed from a turnoff.) Follow the entire 25.8-kilometer length of SP5, keeping straight ahead at all junctions until you reach a roundabout near Vignola Mare. Go right at the roundabout, toward Santa Teresa Gallura.
When you leave the roundabout, you will be at kilometer 46.8 of SP90, heading east with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. Continue several kilometers until you reach the turnoffs described above, between markers 50 and 53, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from SS131 Olbia/Tempio P. exit to parking (free roadside parking option)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia Monti Russu-Lu Litarroni.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia Monti Russu-Lu Litarroni.

"Naracu Nieddu" sign
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia Monti Russu-Lu Litarroni.

"Lu Litarroni" sign

"Spiaggia Monti Russu" sign

Spiaggia Naracu Nieddu (textile)

Spiaggia Lu Litarroni (textile)

Spiaggia Monti Russu (textile)

designated dog area of Spiaggia Lu Litarroni

small beach with irregular off-season nude use

Monti Russu

La Terrazza sul Mare

Jacabaca Beach & Nature

boardwalk segment of path (drawn in yellow)

Spiaggia Monti Russu access road

Spiaggia Lu Litarroni access road

Spiaggia Naracu Nieddu access road

boardwalk

Spiaggia di Razza di Juncu

Spiaggia di Razza di Juncu
Olbia is among the larger towns of Sardegna, located in the northeast of the island in the historical and cultural area known as Gallura. The town is a major seaport and the location of one of the island's three airports. North of Olbia, the small town of Arzachena is a good bit inland, but its sprawling municipal territory encompasses many kilometers of undulating, heavily indented coastline. A popular tourist area known as the Costa Smeralda ("Emerald Coast") is mostly contained within the coastline of Arzachena. The Costa Smeralda is a ritzy resort area established in the 1960s, centered in the village of Porto Cervo, an enclave of affluence where the yachts of the merely rich are dwarfed by the mega-yachts of the impossibly rich. Porto Cervo is a constituent locality (frazione) of Arzachena, as are most of the other villages of the Costa Smeralda (Cala di Volpe, Capriccioli and Romazzino, among several others).
Portisco is a small coastal frazione that lies along the southern periphery of what is typically regarded as the Costa Smeralda. A bit beyond the municipal limits of Arzachena, Portisco is part of neighboring Olbia. A few kilometers north of Portisco, Spiaggia di Razza di Juncu (also commonly spelled "Junco" and "Giunco") is a collection of three distinct sandy crescents. The southernmost and largest of the crescents is the main beach. It mostly faces east, and it lies entirely south of the municipal border, on the Olbia side. The main beach is about 250 meters long, with a restaurant called J Beach toward its south end. The northern half of the beach is a designated dog beach. The main beach is textile—except for the dogs, of course.
The other two crescents of Spiaggia di Razza di Juncu are close to one another but a bit removed from the main beach. Both face south, and both lie north of the municipal border, on the Arzachena side. The farther west of the south-facing crescents extends about 125 meters, and it is backed by a large pond. Although it is often lightly attended, it is customarily textile. The farther east of the south-facing crescents has a small but well-established nudist presence. About 100 meters long, the nude beach is a mix of sand and pebbles, backed by a forest of coastal scrub. There are small rocky outcroppings along the western end of the beach (toward the pond beach), with the longest unbroken expanse of sand toward the east end of the beach. The nude beach of Spiaggia di Razza di Juncu is fairly obscure despite being close to some very popular textile beaches. Although it is not difficult to access, the nude beach is quite hidden, so it rarely has more than a handful of visitors even when other nearby beaches are packed.
The nude beach is about 900 meters away from J Beach, the restaurant at the main beach. Oddly, there is a restaurant even closer to the nude beach. From the east end of the nude beach, a well-defined footpath goes north through the coastal scrub, landing toward the south end of an east-facing beach called Cala Petra Ruja, where there is a restaurant called Nikki Beach. The walk is just 350 meters.
To get to the nude beach, you can park at either the main beach (i.e., the dog beach) or at the pond beach. Although those parking areas are literally less than 600 meters apart, it is a drive of over 10 kilometers from the main beach to the pond beach since the parking area for the pond beach is accessed from a one-way road (explained in detail in the directions that follow). The one-way system is due to the high volume of beach traffic along the road during summer. Of the several beaches that are accessed from the one-way road, the most popular by far is Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja, esteemed as one of the best beaches of the Costa Smeralda. It is a 700-meter-long east-facing beach that is renowned for its soft golden sand. Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja actually gets sporadic nudist attendance at its far south end, beyond the beach clubs and eateries that line the central and northern areas of the beach. However, nudity is a viable option only on uncrowded days outside of peak season (i.e., never in July or August), so Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja cannot be said to be a bona fide nude beach. There are also a number of small beaches to the north and south of Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja that likewise have nudist potential outside of peak season, but the nude beach of Spiaggia di Razza di Juncu is the only beach of the Coast Smeralda known to have a nudist presence during the height of summer.
41.0530N, 9.5231E  main beach / dog beach (textile)
41.0568N, 9.5272E  pond beach (textile)
Abbiadori, Arzachena, Sassari, Sardegna, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Y5LvNJ
Route SS125 (la strada statale 125 Orientale Sarda) is a long road that hews toward the eastern coast of Sardegna, spanning over 350 kilometers. The kilometer marker numbers increase going north. The town of Arzachena lies near the northern end of the highway. In the southern outskirts of Arzachena, there is a large roundabout just north of kilometer marker 338 and a furniture store named Gallura Arredamenti. The grassy median of the roundabout contains three flags along with Arzachena spelled out in large recessed letters. From the roundabout, take the departure signed Porto Cervo.
Once you depart SS125, you will be on minor highways with the prefix SP (strada provinciale). However, none of them have kilometer markers, nor are there any conspicuous signs with highway numbers. First, you will be heading east on SP59. Keep straight ahead toward Porto Cervo for 8.5 kilometers until you pass the Abbiadori village sign, then continue 300 meters to a large roundabout with a grassy median. Go right at the roundabout, toward Cala di Volpe.
When you leave the roundabout in Abbiadori, you will be on SP94. In 1.4 kilometers, just after a succession of several sharp curves, watch for a large blue sign indicating an upcoming fork. The road straight ahead is SP160, signed Cala di Volpe, Capriccioli and Romazzino. The road to the right is the continuation of SP94, signed Olbia, Porto Rotondo and Portisco.
Free parking at main beach/dog beach:
Veer right at the fork in Abbiadori, staying on SP94 toward Olbia, Porto Rotondo and Portisco. SP94 will become a scenic and curvy road with several lookouts but few structures. In 5.2 kilometers, watch on the left for an Eni gas station. Just 100 or so meters farther along, watch on the left for a gravel road marked by "do-not-enter" signs★ (red circles with white horizontal bars). Continue 400 meters, then take the next left onto via Razza di Juncu, where there is a bilingual sign pointing toward the dog beach (spiaggia consentita ai cani). Upon turning, you will be on a dirt track that leads 400-500 meters to an informal earthen parking area next to the main beach (41.0535N, 9.5224E).
Facing the sea, turn left and go through the designated dog area to the north end of the sandy beach, then continue along the footpath that follows the rocky shoreline (with the sea on your right-hand side). In 400-500 meters, you will land on the next substantial expanse of sand, which is the beach backed by the pond. Go all the way across the pond beach and continue along the next rocky stretch of shoreline. In less than 100 meters, you will reach the nude beach, which is the next substantial expanse of sand. The total walk is about 900 meters.
Free parking at pond beach:
Keep straight ahead at the fork in Abbiadori, toward Cala di Volpe, Capriccioli and Romazzino. In about 200 meters, watch on the right for a bus stop named Liscia Ruia. Just past the bus stop, veer right onto via Liscia Ruja. There is a small sign with the name of the road at its start.
Just under 5 kilometers long, via Liscia Ruja is a one-way gravel road. You will be turning onto the north end of the road, heading south with the coast on your left-hand side. At its south end, via Liscia Ruja connects to SP94 at the above-referenced location denoted by the star (★). (Since traffic moves one way going south, you cannot turn onto via Liscia Ruja from SP94.) Three signed beaches—Spiaggia Li Itriceddi, Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja and Cala Petra Ruja—are accessible from the road, along with a number of smaller unsigned beaches. Parking alongside the road is not allowed. While "no parking" signs are routinely flaunted, be advised that violators are subject to fines.
There are five parking areas along via Liscia Ruja. The first four are large dirt lots on the right (inland) side of the road, and an hourly fee is charged to park (at least during peak season). The final parking area is on the left (coast) side of the road, next to the pond beach of Spiaggia di Razza di Juncu. It is a rather amorphous parking area that is not signed, and parking is free since it is removed from the more popular beach areas along the road. That is where you are headed to access the nude beach, but the other parking options are described below in case you'd like to visit other beaches in the area.
• km 0.0  start of via Liscia Ruja near bus stop
• km 1.1  first parking area
This parking area is about 100 meters past the signed access path to Spiaggia Li Itriceddi.
• km 2.0  second parking area, first entrance
• km 2.1  second parking area, second entrance
This is the largest of the parking areas, and it is the main parking area for Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja, the most popular beach in the area.
• km 2.4  third parking area
Between the second and third parking areas, there are several entrances to Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja, some signed and others unsigned. The path that is directly opposite the third parking area lands on Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja a little south of its midpoint.
• km 2.9  fourth parking area
Between the third and fourth parking areas, there are two paths to the beach. The first one lands at the far south end of Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja, while the second one lands a bit south of the main expanse of Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja, where there is a chain of smaller beaches.
• km 3.2  sign pointing to Cala Petra Ruja
Cala Petra Ruja is much farther removed from the road than are Spiaggia Li Itriceddi and Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja. From the sign, it is a walk of nearly one kilometer to the beach.
• km 4.0  fifth parking area, next to pond (41.0580N, 9.5264E)
• km 4.9  via Liscia Ruja ends at SP94
From the start of via Liscia Ruja, proceed south 4 kilometers, then turn left into the fifth parking area, next to the pond. It is the next left you can make after you pass the Cala Petra Ruja sign. Once you turn, a track winds about 150 meters through the parking area to the beach. Depending on how rough the track is, you can drive all or part of that distance. Facing the sea, turn left and head to the east end of the beach, then continue along the path over the rocks a short distance to the nude beach. The total walk is about 250 meters.
Access through Cala Petra Ruja:
It is also possible to get to the nude beach through Cala Petra Ruja, but a parking fee and a good bit more walking is entailed. Refer to the above description of via Liscia Ruja. From the start of the road, proceed 2.9 kilometers to the fourth parking area noted above (41.0658N, 9.5293E), then continue along the road on foot another 300 meters. Turn left at the Cala Petra Ruja sign and continue along a broad track that is closed to automobiles (except authorized vehicles).
In 400 meters, stay on the track as it bends sharply rightward at a junction with two footpaths. In 150 meters, you will near the access to a small beach that is just north of Cala Petra Ruja. Stay on the track as it curves rightward, bypassing the small beach. In just under 150 meters, the track curves sharply leftward. Just 50 meters farther along, there is an access to the far north end of Cala Petra Ruja. The beach is 300-400 meters long, with Nikki Beach Restaurant along its central expanse. You can access the beach at its north end, or you can continue along the track, bypassing the northern half of the beach and accessing the beach just before the restaurant. Either way, continue most of the way across the beach.
About 80 meters past the restaurant but a bit before the southern extreme of the beach, there is a path that goes inland and slightly uphill through the coastal scrub. Follow that path. In about 200 meters, the path forks as you near the nude beach. You can go either way. The left fork leads about 60 meters to the far east end of the nude beach, while the right fork runs behind most of the length of the nude beach, continuing to the pond beach. There are several cutovers from the path to the nude beach. The total walk from the parking area is about 1.7 kilometers.
Route SS131 (la strada statale 131 Carlo Felice) is a 231-kilometer-long highway that is Sardegna's principal north-south route, connecting Cagliari on the south coast to Porto Torres on the north coast, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going north. The city of Sassari is located toward the north end of the highway near Porto Torres, and there are several exits signed Sassari. South of the city, take the Olbia/Tempio P. exit of SS131, between kilometer markers 192 and 193. The exit is 16 kilometers south of the southernmost Sassari exit, and there are signs for several other locations at the exit (Ploaghe, Ardara, Ozieri, Oschiri).
Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the start of SS729 (la strada statale 729 Sassari-Olbia), at kilometer 0. Head east about 77 kilometers. At kilometer marker 77, you will be approaching an interchange with a partial ring road that loops around the inland periphery of Olbia. There are two consecutive exits that are part of the interchange. Take the second of the two exits, which is signed Palau, Golfo Aranci and Costa Smeralda.
Upon exiting from SS729, follow the ring road north and east for 9.2 kilometers, then take the exit signed Palau and Santa Teresa Gallura. Follow the long, looping exit lane for 600 meters, then keep to the right at signs for Costa Smeralda, Arzachena and Palau. You will then merge into SS125, heading north. Continue toward Arzachena and Palau about 17 kilometers to the roundabout that is just past marker 338 and Gallura Arredamenti furniture store. Take the departure signed Porto Cervo and proceed as directed above.
MAP from SS131 Olbia/Tempio P. exit to parking (main beach/dog beach)
MAP from SS131 Olbia/Tempio P. exit to parking (pond beach, via Liscia Ruja)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Razza di Juncu.

Spiaggia di Razza di Juncu, main beach/dog beach (textile)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Razza di Juncu.

Spiaggia di Razza di Juncu, pond beach (textile)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Razza di Juncu.

roundabout in Abbiadori, north end of SP94

fork in Abbiadori

"do-not-enter" signs at south end of via Liscia Ruja

"spiaggia consentita ai cani / dog beach" sign

dirt parking area (free)

JBeach Restaurant & Bar

large pond

Spiaggia di Rena Bianca Nord (textile)

Spiaggia di Rena Bianca (textile)

bus stop "Liscia Ruia"

Spiaggia Li Itriceddi (textile)

dirt parking area (pay)

Spiaggia di Liscia Ruja (textile)

"Cala Petra Ruja" sign

Cala Petra Ruja (textile)

Nikki Beach Restaurant

south end of SP94 at SP73 in Portisco

entire length of SP94

via Liscia Ruja (gravel; one-way traffic, going south)

dirt track to main beach/dog beach

track to Cala Petra Ruja

Oristano

Spiaggia di Is Benas

Spiaggia di Is Benas
San Vero Milis and Narbolia are nearby towns that are located a bit north of Oristano, the capital of the province of the same name. Each town is a good bit inland from the coast, but each town's municipal territory extends all the way to the sea. To the west of San Vero Milis and Narbolia, there is a long beach backed by the Pineta di Is Arenas, a large tract of coastal forest. A large wetlands pond, Stagno di Is Benas, is just a bit inland from the southwestern end of the beach. The artificial canal that connects the pond to the sea forms one extreme of the beach. About 6 kilometers away, the opposite (northeast) extreme of the beach is a rocky projection of land called the Promontorio della Balena ("Promontory of the Whale"), so named for its whale-like appearance. The promontory is capped by a 16th-century stone watchtower (in ruins) called the Torre del Pozzo, which is also the name of the small adjacent village. Although the long beach that extends from the canal to the promontory is an unbroken expanse of sand, it has three names. The southwestern half of the long beach (toward the canal) belongs to San Vero Milis, and it is called Spiaggia di Is Benas. Most of the northeastern half of the long beach belongs to Narbolia, and it is called Spiaggia di Is Arenas. A comparatively small stretch of the beach at its far northeastern end belongs to Cuglieri (a town farther north), and it is called Spiaggia di Torre del Pozzo, so named for the watchtower and the village. The name Spiaggia di Is Arenas is often loosely applied to the entire beach from the canal to the promontory.
The coastal forest that abuts the 6-kilometer-long beach has scattered development that includes a cluster of campgrounds and bungalow resorts, a resort hotel and a golf course. However, all those establishments are located on the Narbolia side of the municipal border. The coastal forest on the San Vero Milis side of the municipal border is devoid of any such commercial entities, rendering Spiaggia di Is Benas a much quieter beach. Furthermore, the road to Spiaggia di Is Benas is poorly signed. Most visitors access the beach near the canal, clustering at the southwest end of the beach near the prominent rock jetty at the mouth of the canal. Spiaggia di Is Benas is lightly attended overall, with the crowd thinning out substantially moving away from the jetty. Nude bathing is well established along the more remote stretch of the beach. In 2022, the municipal council of San Vero Milis designated part of the beach for naturist use.
Spiaggia di Is Benas is a sand-and-shingle beach backed by dunes and coated with lots of sea shells. The water is shallow for quite a distance offshore. As of this writing (2022), the naturist zone of the beach does not seem to be signed, but that isn't terribly important. The part of the beach closest to the jetty is the domain of textiles. Walk away from the jetty for 5 to 10 minutes and you will begin to encounter nudists. Nudity is possible for quite a distance since the next pocket of textile use is 2.8 kilometers from the jetty, in the vicinity of the (unsigned) municipal border of San Vero Milis and Narbolia. During peak season, Is Arenas Resort sets up sun chairs for their patrons in the border area, which is well beyond the area where most nudists cluster. There are no amenities, so come prepared.
San Vero Milis, Oristano, Sardegna, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3K7rssH
Route SS292 (la strada statale 292 Nord Occidentale Sarda) is a 133-kilometer-long highway that follows a generally north-south course in northwestern Sardegna. Oristano, the capital of the province of the same name, is near the southern end of the highway. The kilometer marker numbers increase going south toward Oristano. The small town of Riola Sardo is located between kilometers 118 and 120.
Just north of Riola Sardo, there is a roundabout along SS292 at its junction with two numbered highways with the prefix SP (strada provinciale): SP66, which goes west toward San Giovanni di Sinis; and SP11, which goes east toward Narbolia. About 1.1 kilometers north of the roundabout, approximately at kilometer 116.7, SS292 intersects a road that used to be SP10. It is no longer a numbered highway, and it appears on some maps as ex-SP10.
At the four-way intersection of SS292 and ex-SP10, signs point west toward Putzu Idu and east toward Narbolia and San Vero Milis. Turn west toward Putzu Idu. Proceed 4.4 kilometers, then turn right at signs for Benetudi and Hotel Ristorante Is Benas (40.0220N, 8.4789E). The signage at the rural turnoff is rather inconspicuous, and there are no really prominent landmarks nearby.★
Upon turning, you will be at the start of a 4.2-kilometer-long road that ends at the canal at the southwestern extreme of Spiaggia di Is Benas. There are just a few structures along the road, most notably Is Benas Country Lodge (on the right a few hundred kilometers from the start of the road). Most of the first half of the road is surfaced (with some gravel intervals), but the road eventually permanently turns to gravel. At all forks and other junctions, stay straight ahead on the better road. As you near the end of the road, you will pass Stagno di Is Benas (the pond), which will be on your left-hand side. Once you have driven 4.1 kilometers, watch for a broad track on the right that goes into the woods (40.0447N, 8.4475E). That is the path to the beach. Park alongside the road nearby. (The road ends a little over 100 meters farther along at a farmhouse that abuts the canal.)
The path through the coastal forest lands at the far southwest end of the beach, very close to the jetty. Facing the sea, turn right and head northeast (away from the jetty) about 500 meters. The nude area begins beyond a very slight curvature of the coastline.
★ A good many of the kilometer markers along ex-SP10 are missing or too faded to read, but enough of them are still standing to help you assess where you are. The marker numbers increase going west toward Putzu Idu. The intersection with SS292 is located at kilometer 6.5 of ex-SP10, the beach turnoff is located at kilometer 10.9, and Putzu Idu is located at kilometer 17.
Route SS131 (la strada statale 131 Carlo Felice) is a 231-kilometer-long highway that is Sardegna's principal north-south route, connecting Cagliari on the south coast to Porto Torres on the north coast, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going north. There are four Oristano exits along SS131. Take the Oristano nord exit, which is the northernmost of the four, between kilometer markers 98 and 99. While the southern terminus of SS292 is located at the exit interchange, SS292 follows a somewhat circuitous route, so it is shorter to follow a different road at first, connecting to SS292 later.
Upon exiting from SS131, follow Zeddiana signs to navigate two roundabouts that are about 700 meters apart. When you depart the second roundabout, you will be on a minor road numbered SP12. Continue 3.3 kilometers to a small roundabout in Zeddiana. You want to continue along SP12 toward Baratili San Pietro and Riola Sardo, but the setup of the roundabout is potentially confusing since there are basically two straight-ahead departures. In between those two departures, there is a small park space with a fountain, several benches and a monument-style Zeddiana sign. Take the farther left of the straight-ahead departures, leaving the roundabout such that the Zeddiana sign and the park are on your right-hand side.
From that point, just keep straight ahead for 5.1 kilometers (passing through Baratili San Pietro) until you reach a stop sign at a "T" in Riola Sardo, where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right. You will then be on SS292 going north, with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing. In about 300 meters, you will cross a bridge over a river just past the sign that indicates you are leaving Riola Sardo. Continue 300-400 meters and keep straight ahead through the roundabout that is a bit past marker 118. Continue about 800 meters to marker 117, then continue another 300 meters to the next four-way intersection, which is the junction with ex-SP10. Turn left toward Putzu Idu and continue as directed above.
MAP from SS131Oristano nord exit to start of beach path
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Is Benas.

kilometer markers

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Is Benas.

roundabout at junction of SS292 with SP66 & SP11

junction of SS292 & ex-SP10

Is Benas Country Lodge

Stagno di Is Benas

mouth of canal

San Vero Milis/Narbolia municipal border (not signed)

Is Arenas Resort

Is Arenas Golf Club

cluster of several camping & bungalow establishments

Torre del Pozzo (stone watchtower in ruins)

segment of ex-SP10

Cagliari

Cala Fighera

Cala Fighera
Toward the east end of the south coast of Sardegna, Cagliari is the island's capital and largest city. At the south end of the city near the soccer stadium (or football stadium, depending on your country of origin), the neighborhood of San Bartolomeo is ensconced amid several military installations. South of San Bartolomeo, there is a small cluster of rugged, rocky hills at the southernmost point of Cagliari. The only easily accessible beach amid the hills is Spiaggia di Calamosca, a small sandy textile beach that is just a bit east of Torre di Calamosca, a bulky 17th-century watchtower perched above the sea next to a 19th-century lighthouse. South and east of Spiaggia di Calamosca, Cala Fighera is a small bay that is far more hidden. The small beach of the bay, no more than 150 meters long, is quite rugged, covered in pebbles, stones and boulders. Cala Fighera is accessed by a fairly short but moderately challenging hike, and its isolation has made it popular with nude bathers. The beach is generally sparsely attended. Nudity seems to be acceptable at all times, but be aware that there is often a preponderance of textiles during July and August. Remember that the terrain is quite jagged on land and under water, so plan accordingly.
Getting to Cala Fighera can be a bit challenging without GPS. Cagliari is surrounded by quite a jumble of roads, and there are no signs pointing the way to Cala Fighera and just a few indicating the way to nearby Calamosca. The directions below detail a relatively easy-to-follow route that bypasses the city center.
quartiere, comune & metropolitan city, region, country:
San Bartolomeo, Cagliari, Sardegna, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44LBIP8
Route SS131 (la strada statale 131 Carlo Felice) is a 231-kilometer-long highway that is Sardegna's principal north-south route, connecting Cagliari on the south coast to Porto Torres on the north coast, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going north. SS554 (la strada statale 554 Cagliaritana) is a fairly short highway (roughly 29 kilometers long) that originates in the northern periphery of Cagliari and goes east, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going east. The two highways intersect near kilometer 6 of SS131 and kilometer 1 of SS554. To get to Cala Fighera, the easiest-to-follow route originates at a big cloverleaf junction that is contained within kilometers 2 and 4 of SS554, a few kilometers east of the SS131/SS554 junction.
If you are starting in the vicinity of Cagliari's airport, follow Cagliari signs until you see signs for Villasimius and Quartu Sant'Elena, then follow those signs instead. You will be filtered to the start of SS554. Stay on the highway just a few kilometers and take the exit signed Pirri-San Benedetto and ospedali ("hospital"). If you are starting from the vicinity of Quartu Sant'Elena, follow SS554 west toward Cagliari. You are getting close when you cross under a distinctive cable-stayed bridge near the university (Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato). Continue about 2 kilometers and take the exit signed Pirri-San Benedetto and ospedali. If you are heading south toward Cagliari on SS131, watch the descending kilometer markers as you near the city. Immediately past marker 6, take the exit signed Pula and Quartu Sant'Elena, then follow the Quartu Sant'Elena signs to navigate the interchange. You will be filtered onto SS554 going east. Continue less than 2 kilometers and take the exit for Pirri-San Benedetto and ospedali.
All traffic departing SS554 at the Pirri-San Benedetto/ospedali exit is filtered onto a multi-lane street going south. In less than one kilometer you will pass a white overhead Cagliari sign at the point where you enter the city limits. From that point the street will be named Asse Mediano di Scorrimento, or AMS for short. The street has kilometer markers that descend as you go south, with AMS below each marker number. You will pass marker 10 just past the overhead Cagliari sign. Continue 6 kilometers and watch for marker 4, then continue about 700 meters and take the next exit, which is signed La Palma and Sant'Elia.
Upon exiting, you will be filtered onto a street named Viale Campioni d'Italia 1969-70, going south. You will cross over AMS and a canal, then you will reach a complicated interchange that includes a roundabout. Be sure to enter rather than bypass the roundabout. Once you enter the roundabout, the first and second departures basically leave from the same point. Be sure to take the first possible departure, which is signed centro, porto and via Roma. When you depart the roundabout you should be on Viale San Bartolomeo.
Continue 300-400 meters to another complicated interchange that includes a roundabout. Keep straight ahead through two successive stop signs to enter the roundabout, where again you will encounter a setup where the first and second departures basically leave from the same point. Take the second departure, following the sign for Calamosca (NOT the signs for Sant'Elia and Lazzaretto). When you depart the roundabout, you should still be on Viale San Bartolomeo.
Continue about 200 meters and keep straight ahead through an irregular junction next to a military building signed Carabinieri, following another Calamosca sign. Shortly you should pass Piazza San Bartolomeo (on your left), a small plaza with trees and park benches. Just past the plaza, the street name will change to Viale Calamosca.
Continue a little over one kilometer to the point where the street widens, at which point the sea will be visible straight ahead. Keep to the left a couple of times to stay on Viale Calamosca. You should then pass Hotel Calamosca (on your right), a small hotel with restaurants at either end.
After the hotel, the road will begin to follow the coastline, with the sea to your immediate right. About 600 meters farther along, there is an iron gate across the road between two stone gateposts. A beach club and restaurant named La Paillotea, built below the level of the road, is accessed from a staircase that begins at the gate. The road ends a bit beyond the gate amid a cluster of old military buildings.
There is free parking along the road shoulders (mostly on the left side) leading up to the gate. Park as close as possible to the gate (39.1822N, 9.1587E), which is usually kept open. You can drive through the gate to turn around, but do not park past the gate.
Facing the gate, the path to Cala Fighera begins as a wooden signboard on the left. The distance to the beach is about 350 meters, and the path winds around a rugged hillside. The path ascends steeply for a short distance until it passes through a gap in a fence, then it more or less levels out at an elevation of roughly 25 meters. Cala Fighera will come into view within a few minutes. You have to keep hiking above the beach until you get to a side path that descends to the beach. There is actually a jumble of small paths along the mountainside, but it is very easy to intuit your way to the beach.
MAP from SS554 Pirri-San Benedetto/ospedali exit to parking
This placemark pertains to Cala Fighera.

roundabout in complex interchange
This placemark pertains to Cala Fighera.

Piazza San Bartolomeo
This placemark pertains to Cala Fighera.

Spiaggia di Calamosca (textile)

Hotel Calamosca

free parking near end of road

gate across road near its end

signboard at start of path

La Paillotea (beach club & restaurant)

Torre di Calamosca (old watchtower), next to lighthouse

Viale San Bartolomeo → Viale Calamosca

Spiaggia di Mari Pintau

Spiaggia di Mari Pintau
Toward the far east end of the south coast of Sardegna, Geremeas is a resort settlement that is about 30 kilometers east of Cagliari, the island's capital and largest city. Spiaggia di Mari Pintau is a bit northwest of the long main beach of Geremeas, on the other side of a headland. Mari Pintau means "painted sea" in Sardinian, a Latinate language distinct from Italian. The beach is noted for its beautiful turquoise water. Mari Pintau is situated at the base of a steep hillside that is covered in coastal scrub. A coastal road passes directly above the beach, but the beach is mostly hidden from view of the road due to the slope of the land. Mari Pintau is about 800 meters long, and it is not a sandy beach. The only easy point of access is near its southeast end, where the broadest part of the beach is thickly coated in small pebbles. Sun chairs and umbrellas can be rented in the main area, where a snack stand is located a bit uphill along the access path. Going northwest, the beach narrows and becomes more rugged, with lots of large rocks and boulders amid the pebbles. Nude bathing is common along that part of the beach, which is always sparsely populated. On uncrowded days, it is not necessary to go too far from the main expanse of the beach before stripping down. On more crowded days, nudity is best limited to the last few hundred meters of the beach.
Geremeas, Quartu Sant'Elena, Cagliari, Sardegna, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3O1kwyq
To get from Cagliari to Mari Pintau, most of your drive will be along route SS554 (la strada statale 554 Cagliaritana), a roughly 29-kilometer-long highway that originates in the northern periphery of Cagliari and goes east. SS554 is a curiously routed highway★ consisting of three segments of comparable length, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going east. Assume that you start in the vicinity of Cagliari's airport. Follow Cagliari signs until you see signs for Villasimius and Quartu Sant'Elena, then follow those signs instead. You will be filtered to the start of SS554, and you will be on the first segment of the highway.
Continue to kilometer marker 10, then take the next exit thereafter, which is signed Muravera, Arbatax, Siniscola and Olbia. You will then be filtered onto the middle segment of SS554, where the next marker number is 11. Continue 7 kilometers to marker 18, then take the next left turn toward Tortoli, Muravera, Villasimius and Castiadas. Upon turning, a looping ramp will filter you to the final segment of SS554, where the next marker number is 19. A little over 8 kilometers farther along, you will enter a 1.1-kilometer-long tunnel just a bit past marker 27. When you exit the long tunnel, you are nearing the end of SS554 at a junction with SP17 (SP = strada provinciale). Keep to the left, following the sign for Villasimius. You will be filtered onto SP17, going southeast.
Once you are on SP17, the first kilometer marker you will pass is number 10, with the numbers increasing. In 4 kilometers, keep straight ahead through a roundabout that is immediately past marker 14, staying on SP17. At that point, you are getting close to the beach.
About 300 meters past the roundabout, look to your right as the road begins to curve leftward. You will see a wooden gate in a short stone fence wall, with a nearby sign indicating that it is private property. (It is the only structure in the immediate vicinity.) The rental property beyond the gate is called Villa Mari Pintau. You cannot see the actual house since it is built below the level of the road. Villa Mari Pintau is perched above the nudist end of Spiaggia di Mari Pintau. Once you pass the gate, continue another 500-600 meters to marker 15. Just past the marker, the road makes a sharp rightward curve. The signed path to the beach is on the right at the end of the curve (39.1748N, 9.3726E), less than 200 meters past marker 15. There is no parking lot. Free parking is available along both sides of the road near the beach entrance. If you can't find parking within a few hundred meters of the beach entrance, just keep going until you reach the roundabout at marker 16, where you can turn around and try again.
The path to the beach is a gravel road with an automobile barrier at its start. At the start of the path, you will be 15-20 meters above sea level. The path makes a gradual descent, landing at the beach in about 200 meters. Facing the sea, turn right and head northwest. In the distance, you will see a house perched high above the beach. That house is Villa Mari Pintau, and it is 600-700 meters from the point where you landed on the beach. Most nudists go at least half that distance before disrobing. The beach ends just beyond the house.
It is also possible to climb down directly to the nude area of the beach from SP17, but the descent is steep and taxing. Assume you follow the preceding directions up to the point where you see the gate to Villa Mari Pintau. Just past the gate on the opposite (inland) side of the road, there is a gravel shoulder where you can park. Cross the road, step over the guardrail and have a look down. You will be about 40 meters above sea level, and you will probably know right away if you are up for the challenge.
★ SS554 was re-routed in the late 2010s, and Google Maps does not seem to correctly label all segments of the current route.
MAP from start of SS554 (km 0) to beach entrance at SP17 km 15.2
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Mari Pintau.

roundabout at SP17 km 14
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Mari Pintau.

Spiaggia di Is Canaleddus (textile)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Mari Pintau.

Villa Mari Pintau (vacation rental)

free parking alongside road

sun chairs at main (textile) area of Spiaggia di Mari Pintau

roundabout at SP17 km 16

Spiaggia di Kal'e Moru (textile)

Sud Sardegna

Spiaggia di Piscinas

Spiaggia di Piscinas
In southwestern Sardegna, the small town of Arbus is nestled in the hills a bit inland from the coast, but the town's municipal territory encompasses over 40 kilometers of west-facing coastline. For touristic purposes, the coastline of Arbus is known as the Costa Verde. The best-known beach along the Costa Verde is Spiaggia di Piscinas, a long and broad expanse of golden sand with an immense system of dunes that extends inland over two kilometers. The beach is about 2.8 kilometers long, with a small seaside resort called Hotel Le Dune Piscinas located roughly at the halfway point, just south of the large beach parking area. Near the parking area, there are two neighboring beach clubs where food, toilets and showers are available. While Spiaggia di Piscinas draws hundreds of visitors on peak days, most everyone is concentrated along the stretch of the beach that is aligned with the parking area and the resort. The beach population thins out going in either direction, especially to the south. Nude bathing has long occurred toward the southern end of the beach, well removed from the crowd.
In 2018, the municipal council of Arbus designated part of Spiaggia di Piscinas for naturist use thanks to the efforts of ANITA, a naturist advocacy group that has been instrumental in creating safe naturist spaces throughout Italy. The signed nude area begins about 500 meters south of Hotel Le Dune Piscinas. The ample nudist zone is well attended but never crowded. There is no shade, so many visitors bring along umbrellas.
From the sign at the start of the nudist area, it is about 800 to 900 meters to the southern end of the beach at a slight protrusion of the coastline. Technically, the nude area extends 600 meters, coming to an end a few hundred meters before the end of the beach. However, the endpoint of the designated naturist zone is not especially consequential since the beach is likely to be deserted at its far southern end. The de facto naturist zone actually extends beyond the end of the beach. If you go all the way to the protrusion of land where the beach ends, you will come to a rocky mass in the intertidal zone. At low tide, you can stay on the sand and go past the rocky mass, but it is not terribly difficult to scramble over it when the tide is in. On the other side, you will land on an isolated beach backed by an escarpment of reddish rock. The beach extends southward for over one kilometer to the next rocky mass in the intertidal zone. Some sources, including Google Maps, label the beach as Spiaggia di Tuppa Niedda, but that name is not commonly known or used. The isolated beach, which has no direct point of access from the interior, is generally regarded as a southern appendage of Spiaggia di Piscinas. The southern beach is typically deserted and ideal for a long naked stroll, but, if you are not inclined to walk that far, there is ample space in the designated naturist zone.
Spiaggia di Piscinas is about 13 kilometers removed from the nearest highway, accessed via a very curvy road that is not surfaced along its final stretch. Allow roughly half an hour to drive the road. Along the way, you will pass a number of relics of a time when lead, zinc and silver were mined in the area. First, there is the hamlet of Ingurtosu, a once thriving village that has nearly become a ghost town since mining operations ceased in 1968. The most prominent structure in Ingurtosu is an elegant mine management building popularly known as il castello ("the castle"). You literally cannot miss it. The road to the coast passes through the building via a short tunnel—a porte-cochère of sorts. Farther along, you will pass various mining structures in decay, including an impressive building that dates to the 19th century but has the aura of Roman ruins. As you near the beach, the road will begin to wind through the massive sand dunes.
39.5335N, 8.4434E  designated naturist area along south end of main beach
39.5239N, 8.4362E  isolated southern beach (south of main beach; informally naturist)
Ingurtosu, Arbus, Sud Sardegna, Sardegna, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3rCNo8v
Route SS126 (la strada statale 126 Sud Occidentale Sarda) is a 119-kilometer-long north-south highway in southwestern Sardegna. The kilometer marker numbers increase going north. The town of Arbus is located between kilometers 83 and 87. The signed turnoff to the hamlet of Ingurtosu is located several kilometers southwest of Arbus, at kilometer 77.2 of SS126. It is the only signed junction between kilometer markers 77 and 78.
Once you turn away from SS126, it is almost 13 kilometers to the parking area at the beach. Much of the road is quite serpentine, but it is a fairly direct route to the beach with just a few turns to make. Watch for Piscinas signs to stay on course. 4.6 kilometers from the highway, the road passes through the castle in Ingurtosu via a short, narrow tunnel. Less than 200 meters past the tunnel, make a sharp left at a three-way junction, continuing toward Piscinas. (The gravel road straight ahead is signed Montevecchio.) 2.8 kilometers farther along, the road turns to gravel just past the largest collection of mine ruins. Continue another 3.6 kilometers to a prominent fork. Keep to the left, continuing toward Piscinas. (The right fork is signed S. Antonio Santadi.) Continue about 1.5 kilometers to a large earthen parking area at the end of the road (39.5408N, 8.4511E), where a parking fee is collected. The structures on the south side of the parking area are part of Hotel Le Dune Piscinas. Head out to the beach and go south (to the left when facing the sea). The nude area begins 500-600 meters past the resort buildings.
Route SS131 (la strada statale 131 Carlo Felice) is a 231-kilometer-long highway that is Sardegna's principal north-south route, connecting Cagliari on the south coast to Porto Torres on the north coast, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going north. There are a number of ways to connect from SS131 to SS126, depending on your starting point. The most straightforward way is to take the Sanluri/San Gavino/Guspini exit of SS131, between kilometer markers 45 and 46.
Upon exiting, follow signs for San Gavino and Guspini. You will begin heading west on SS197, with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing. Continue about 21 kilometers and take note when you pass the white Guspini town sign, which is 600-700 meters past kilometer marker 2. About 200 meters past the town sign, keep straight ahead through a roundabout with a grassy median, continuing toward the town center. From that point, just stay straight ahead about 2 kilometers through the dense town center. There are no turns to make, and you will see occasional blue signs pointing toward Arbus. When you pass the sign indicating you are leaving Guspini, SS197 will have ended and you will be on SS126 at kilometer 89.9, with the marker numbers decreasing.
SS126 will become quite curvy as you head out of Guspini. You will enter Arbus in less than 4 kilometers. There are a few turns to make to navigate the dense town center. Just follow signs for Fluminimaggiore to stay on course. Once you pass through Arbus, it is a little over 6 kilometers to the Ingurtosu turnoff, which is on the right about 800 meters past marker 78 but 200 meters before marker 77. Continue as directed above.
MAP from SS131 Sanluri/San Gavino/Guspini exit to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Piscinas.

designated naturist area
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Piscinas.

southern beach (informally naturist)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Piscinas.

signed turnoff to Ingurtosu

narrow one-lane tunnel through castle-like building

3-way junction in Ingurtosu

old mine buildings in ruins

fork near beach

parking area

Hotel Le Dune

beach club

road to beach, via Ingurtosu

designated naturist area

southern beach (informally naturist)

Spiaggia di Feraxi

Spiaggia di Feraxi
Spiaggia di Feraxi is located toward the far south end of the east coast of Sardegna, about 65 kilometers from the capital city of Cagliari. Roughly 2.5 kilometers long, the beach is partially backed by the Stagno di Feraxi, a large lagoon amid several bodies of water that comprise a complex network of wetlands. Spiaggia di Feraxi is a bit off the beaten path and lightly attended overall. The only part of the beach that draws a substantial crowd is the far southern end, where there is a cluster of sun chairs and umbrellas next to a snack stand. The north end of the beach is formed by the mouth of the lagoon. Except at the far south end, Spiaggia di Feraxi is uncrowded even during July and August and often nearly deserted at other times of year. Nude bathing is common. Nudists tend to converge along the central expanse of the beach, but the nude area is not terribly well defined since there is so much room to disperse. You do not have to walk all the way from the main area (i.e., the southern end) to get to the central area of Spiaggia di Feraxi. There is a gravel road that runs parallel to the beach a few hundred meters inland, dead ending at the lagoon mouth. Several tracks connect the gravel road to the beach. If you follow the track detailed in the directions below, you will land on the beach roughly at its halfway point. If only textiles are about, try moving a discreet distance in either direction before disrobing. If you visit on a more crowded day, you are likely to find better conditions for nude bathing if you move a bit north toward the lagoon mouth (to the left when facing the sea).
Feraxi, Muravera, Sud Sardegna, Sardegna, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3pWzrSj
To get from Cagliari to Spiaggia di Feraxi, the first part of your drive will be along route SS554 (la strada statale 554 Cagliaritana), a roughly 29-kilometer-long highway that originates in the northern periphery of Cagliari and goes east. SS554 is a curiously routed highway★ consisting of three segments of comparable length, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going east. Assume that you start in the vicinity of Cagliari's airport. Follow Cagliari signs until you see signs for Villasimius and Quartu Sant'Elena, then follow those signs instead. You will be filtered to the start of SS554, and you will be on the first segment of the highway.
Continue to kilometer marker 10, then take the next exit thereafter, which is signed Muravera, Arbatax, Siniscola and Olbia. You will then be filtered onto the middle segment of SS554, where the next marker number is 11. Continue 7 kilometers to marker 18. Just past marker 18, you will reach a junction where it would be necessary to turn to continue along SS554. Do NOT turn. Keep straight ahead toward Burcei. The number of the road will change to SS125. The next kilometer marker you will pass is 17,★★ with the numbers increasing.
Continue along SS125 for 34 kilometers. Just past marker 51, you will reach a major interchange where SS125 intersects SS125var. Keep straight ahead through the interchange. About 2 kilometers past the interchange, take note when you pass the large blue San Priamo village sign. Continue about 400 meters and turn right onto Via Damiano Chiesa (which is less than 100 meters past marker 54). Proceed less than 200 meters to a stop sign and turn right.
Upon turning, you will briefly be on SP20 (SP = strada provinciale). In 300 meters you will pass kilometer marker 32, then you will cross a long bridge over a river and marsh. From the end of the bridge, continue 200-300 meters, then turn left toward Feraxi and Capo Ferrato.
Once you turn, you will be on an unnumbered road that is not well signed. Continue 2 kilometers to a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right. The road will curve a few times, then you will cross a bridge over another river and marsh. After the bridge, the road will curve leftward. From that point, the river and other waters of the complex wetlands will be on your left-hand side for most of the rest of your drive. Continue about 4 kilometers past the bridge, then turn left onto a gravel road, toward a restaurant called Ittiturismo Feraxi. (In case the sign is missing, be aware that the main road turns to gravel not quite 200 meters past the turnoff. In other words, you want to make the last possible left onto a gravel road before the road straight ahead turns to gravel.)
From the start of the gravel road, it is about 1.7 kilometers to the restaurant, a bit beyond which the road ends at the mouth of Stagno di Feraxi. Along the way to the restaurant, there are a number of small sandy tracks going off to the right from which the beach can be accessed. It is possible to drive on the tracks all the way to the beach, but it takes just a few minutes to walk out to the beach if the tracks look too rough. A track that follows a relatively straight path out to the beach begins 850 from the start of the gravel road, at the halfway point to the restaurant (39.3268N 9.5961E). You can leave your car near the start of the track or drive until it gets too rough. The track is about 300 meters long, and it lands along the central expanse of the beach where nudity often occurs. Facing the sea, the main textile area at the south end of the beach will be a little over one kilometer to your right, while the lagoon mouth at the north end of the beach will be a similar distance to your left.
It is also possible to park at the main area of the beach. Follow the directions above, but do not turn toward Ittiturismo Feraxi restaurant. Keep straight ahead on the asphalted road a short distance until it turns to gravel, then continue 500 meters to a four-way intersection where all the roads are gravel. Turn left. In about 100 meters you will reach the informal earthen parking area that abuts the south end of the beach (39.3172N, 9.6039E). Facing the sea, turn left and head north until you are sufficiently removed from the nearest textiles.
Alternate route 1:
Following the directions above, you will be on a curvy and rather slow-moving segment of SS125 that winds through the mountains. You can avoid the curves by following SS125var★★★ instead. It is a much straighter road with a number of tunnels. Following SS125var will add about 13 kilometers to your trip, but it will probably get you there a bit faster despite the extra distance.
Follow the directions above until you pass kilometer marker 18 of SS554, then take the next left turn toward Tortoli, Muravera, Villasimius and Castiadas. Upon turning, a looping ramp will filter you to the final segment of SS554, where the next marker number is 19. Continue about 7 kilometers and take the exit signed Tortoli and Muravera, which is nearly a kilometer past marker 25 but just before marker 26. Upon exiting, you will be filtered to the start of SS125var (kilometer 0). Follow SS125var for 39 kilometers. Just past marker 39, you will reach the interchange where SS125var intersects SS125. Take the San Priamo exit, which is the first of two exits that are built into the interchange. You will be filtered onto SS125 going east, and in about 2 kilometers you will pass the large blue San Priamo village sign. From that point, proceed as directed above.
Alternate route 2:
You can also get to Spiaggia di Feraxi from a different approach that requires driving on a gravel road that makes several twists and turns. Follow "Alternate Route 1" above, but stay on SS125var for 29 rather than 39 kilometers. At kilometer marker 29, take the exit signed Castiadas, Costa Rei and Olia Speciosa. Shortly after exiting, you will reach a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left, toward Castiadas and Costa Rei. Proceed just 400-500 meters, then turn left toward Capo Ferrato. Upon turning, you will be at kilometer 0 of a short highway numbered SP97. Keep straight ahead for 8.5 kilometers until the road turns to gravel. (The last marker along SP97 is at kilometer 7, 1.5 kilometers before the asphalt ends.) Once the road turns to gravel, it will begin to wind downhill. Proceed slowly and watch for ruts. Shortly you will catch sight of Spiaggia di Feraxi in the distance. 1.8 kilometers past the end of the pavement, you will reach a four-way intersection where all the roads are gravel. (The road to the right goes to the south end of Spiaggia di Feraxi.) Keep straight ahead. In 500 meters the road will become asphalted again. From that point, continue 200 meters and take the next possible right onto the gravel road that goes toward Ittiturismo Feraxi restaurant, then proceed as directed above.
★ SS554 was re-routed in the late 2010s, and Google Maps does not seem to correctly label all segments of the current route.
★★ The original first segment of SS125 has been superseded by the re-routing of SS554. Kilometer markers 0 through 16 of SS125 no longer exist, and marker 17 is the first marker along the highway.
★★★ Sardegna has an exceptional number of numbered roads with three-letter suffixes. A road with a suffix is a variant of a nearby (usually older) road without a suffix. The suffix bis or var (among others) identifies a road as a variant.
MAP from start of SS554 (km 0) to start of track to beach (via SS125)
MAP from start of SS554 (km 0) to start of track to beach (via alternate route 1)
MAP from start of SS554 (km 0) to start of track to beach (via alternate route 2)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Feraxi.

"San Priamo" sign (west end of village)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Feraxi.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Feraxi.

"San Priamo" sign (east end of village)

bridge over river & marsh

Ittiturismo Feraxi

lagoon mouth

road turns to gravel (going south)

main beach parking area

sun chairs at main (textile) area of Spiaggia di Feraxi

4-way intersection of gravel roads

road turns to gravel (going north)

Via Damiano Chiesa

unnumbered road

gravel road to Ittiturismo Feraxi (restaurant) & lagoon mouth

track to beach (one of many)

gravel road connecting two asphalted roads

short segment of gravel road

Sicilia

Messina

Spiaggia di Capo Rasocolmo

Spiaggia di Capo Rasocolmo
The city of Messina occupies the northeastern corner of Sicily, where the island is closest to the mainland of Italy. You will land in Messina if you take the shortest possible ferry from the mainland, where the crossing is just 6 kilometers. Most of the city is wedged between the Strait of Messina and a long ridge of mountains, facing east toward the mainland. However, the city's municipal territory includes about 20 kilometers of north-facing coastline along the Tyrrhenian Sea. Spartà and San Saba are neighboring frazioni on the north coast of Messina, within the city but well removed from the urban core. Between the two villages, the coastline curves slightly at a rugged promontory called Capo Rasocolmo, which is capped by a 16th-century fortress that was converted into a lighthouse in 1932. The lighthouse is perched about 70 meters above the sea. Nude bathers gather along the part of the beach that is just east of the lighthouse. In May 2022, the beach was officially sanctioned for naturist use.
The nude beach is best accessed through San Saba. From the east end of the seafront road of San Saba, head east. You will be walking toward a huge wall of sand that is stacked against the cliff face of Capo Rasocolmo. The nude beach will be out of sight at first, beyond a slight bend of the coastline. You will reach the nude area a bit past the end of the mountain of sand. Extending about 200 meters, the nude area is a stretch of sand mixed with pebbles and stones, with lots of boulders in the intertidal zone. The grassy slopes of the promontory provide a beautiful backdrop, but there is no shade. There are seaside residences in Spartà just a few hundred meters beyond the far (east) end of the nude area, so be sure not to stray too far in that direction without clothing. Come prepared. The nearest amenities in San Saba are about 1.5 kilometers west of the nude area.
frazione, comune & metropolitan city, region, country:
San Saba, Messina, Sicilia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OpTGBm
Route SS113 (la strada statale 113 Settentrionale Sicula) is a 377-kilometer-long highway that spans nearly all of the northern coast of Sicily. SS113dir is a 33-kilometer-long highway that likewise follows the coastline, but it is contained mostly within the municipal limits of Messina. (The suffix dir, short for diramazione, identifies SS113dir as a shorter variant segment of a much longer highway with the same number.) SS113dir originates in the city center of Messina (kilometer 0), with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going north then eventually west.
The village of San Saba is located toward the west end of SS113dir, between kilometer markers 24 and 28. The village is mostly below the level of the highway, with three turnoffs connecting the highway to a seafront road that dead ends at either end. The western turnoff, signed San Saba, is at kilometer 26.5. The main (middle) turnoff, also signed San Saba, is just west of kilometer 26. The eastern turnoff is at kilometer 24.7, and there is no sign with the village name.
Take the unsigned eastern turnoff from SS113dir, which is just east of a short bridge (spanning a ravine) that is signed Amatene. The road winds downhill for 500-600 meters, ending at a "T" with the seafront road. The eastern end of the seafront road is about 200 meters to your right (38.2932N, 15.5141E), and that is where you want to head once you find a place to park. Parking is available along the side of the road. If you visit on a really busy day and you can't find room to park along the road, just head west along the seafront road. There is a large earthen lot on the inland side of the road, about 500 meters removed from the eastern end of the road.
From the eastern end of the seafront road, a short path takes you slightly downhill to the beach. Continue east along the beach (to the right when facing the sea) about 600 meters to the nude area, just around a slight bend beyond the mountain of sand.
The A20 autostrada is a 181-kilometer-long motorway along the northern coast of Sicily. A20 originates in Messina (kilometer 0) as a continuation of A18 and goes east most of the way to Palermo, ending at a junction with A19. To get to San Saba, exit from A20 in the western outskirts of Messina.
Assume you are heading west (toward Palermo) on A20. After kilometer marker 19, you will enter a tunnel signed Madonna di Montauto, with marker 20 inside the tunnel. Just after the tunnel, you will reach a combination toll plaza and exit, with the toll plaza spanning the entire motorway. The straight-ahead lanes are signed Palermo, while the exit lanes are signed Villafranca T. Keep to the right to go through a toll station signed Villafranca T, after which you will depart the motorway. Keep to the right at two successive stop signs, toward Tarantonio and Orto Liuzzo. You will then be at the western end of SS113dir, heading east. In about 600 meters, you will pass kilometer marker 32 of SS113dir, with the marker numbers decreasing as you continue east.
The exit described above does not exist for traffic coming from the opposite direction. If you are heading east (toward Messina) on A20, you will pass kilometer marker 25 just after a tunnel signed Rometta. Continue not quite a full kilometer and take the Rometta exit, which is just before marker 24. Exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Just after the toll plaza, you will reach a "T" junction with SS113. Turn left, toward Saponara and Messina. As you head east, there is one potentially confusing junction to navigate as you pass through the town center of Villafranca Tirrena. One kilometer after you turn away from the toll plaza, you will reach a three-way junction where SS113 curves leftward next to a police station (watch for Carabiniera on a large vertical sign), so be sure to keep to the left to stay on SS113. Continue another 2 kilometers and watch on the right for a Petrol Company gas station, by which point you will be past the densest part of town. Less than 100 meters past the gas station, you will pass a sign indicating that the road straight ahead changes from SS113 to SS113dir. About 600 meters farther along, you will pass kilometer marker 32 of SS113dir, with the marker numbers decreasing as you continue east.
Once you are on SS113dir, it is about 5 kilometers to San Saba. You will pass a white S. Saba sign about 400 meters after marker 28. Keep straight ahead past the two left-hand turnoffs (both signed San Saba) that go into the village. A few hundred meters past marker 25, you will cross the bridge signed Amatene. Just past the bridge, turn left at the unsigned eastern turnoff to San Saba, then continue as directed above.
MAP from A20 Villafranca T exit to eastern end of seafront road in San Saba
MAP from A20 Rometta exit to eastern end of seafront road in San Saba
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capo Rasocolmo.

kilometer marker 23 of SS113dir
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capo Rasocolmo.

bridge signed "Amatene"
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capo Rasocolmo.

kilometer marker 24 of SS113dir

roadside parking, east end of seafront road

Faro di Capo Rasocolmo (lighthouse)

mountain of sand

large earthen parking area

segment of SS113dir

seafront road in San Saba

Spiaggia di Letojanni Nord

Spiaggia di Letojanni Nord
On the east coast of Sicily, the spectacularly situated resort town of Taormina is one of the island's top destinations, with pastel buildings cascading down a rugged mountainside amid lush gardens and ancient Greek ruins. The town of Letojanni extends northward from Taormina, with geography determining its long and skinny street grid. The town is wedged between the mountains and the sea where a railroad, a coastal highway and a motorway run very close together in tiers. Letojanni has about 5 kilometers of coastline, and most of that expanse is the long, sandy beach that abuts the dense development of the town. North of the main beach, there is a distinct beach that lacks a distinct proper name even though it is over a kilometer long. It is sometimes called Spiaggia di Letojanni, but that fails to distinguish it from the main beach. It is more often called Spiaggia di Fondaco Parrino, but that is not correct either since Fondaco Parrino is a location in an adjacent municipality. We will refer to it as the north beach of Letojanni, or Spiaggia di Letojanni Nord.
The north beach of Letojanni is visited mainly by patrons of the two commercial entities that occupy the beach. Camping Paradise is toward the south end of the north beach. It is signed as Camping Lido Paradise since it is also a beach club (lido) for day visitors. A beach club called Lido Sunkisses is located near the north end of the north beach of Letojanni. Camping Paradise and Lido Sunkisses are about 700 meters apart. The stretch of free beach between the two beach clubs is lightly attended even during peak season since it is not readily apparent how to get there without going through one of the beach clubs. The free beach is attended by nude bathers. The informal nudist zone is roughly 400 meters long, with nudists generally going a minimum of 100 meters from the nearest club before disrobing. Oddly, the nude beach is not really secluded since part of the nude area is backed by several private beachfront dwellings (accessed from a private, gated road), but the proximity of the houses does not seem to be a problem. While the nude beach is most easily accessed from Camping Paradise or Lido Sunkisses, it is possible to park for free a bit north of the beach and get there by passing through the section of beach occupied by Lido Sunkisses. (There is no charge for just passing through.)
The north beach of Letojanni is a broad expanse of sand beautifully set against a backdrop of mountains, albeit with two highways (the motorway and the coastal highway) between the beach and the mountains. To the south you can see Taormina on the hills that project seaward. To the north you can see the mountaintop village of Forza d'Agrò perched high above the sea. Although nudity is freely tolerated, textiles typically outnumber nudists.
comune, metropolitan city, region, country:
Letojanni, Messina, Sicilia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Q6Z4dO
The A18 autostrada is part of an expressway system along the eastern coast of Sicily. There are two segments numbered A18. The longer and more northern segment originates in the southern outskirts of Messina (kilometer 0) and goes south to the vicinity of Catania, where the last kilometer marker is 76. The shorter and more southern segment originates in the southwestern outskirts of Siracusa (kilometer 0) and goes southwest to the town of Rosolini, where the last kilometer marker is 40. The two A18 segments are about 69 kilometers apart, linked by a variously named and numbered expressway connecting Catania and Siracusa.
Start from the Taormina exit of the northern segment of A18, which is between kilometer markers 36 and 37. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Just past the toll plaza, follow the blue overhead panel for SS114 and mare (NOT the one for Taormina and Castelmola). In 200-300 meters you will reach a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other, with the sea straight ahead of you. Turn left, toward Messina, Letojanni, Sant'Alessio Siculo and Forza d'Agrò.
Upon turning you will begin heading north on SS114 (la strada statale 114 Orientale Sicula), with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing. Proceed 4.7 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 41. Immediately past the marker, the gated entrance to Camping Lido Paradise is on the right (37.8974N, 15.3253E). About one kilometer farther along, the gated entrance to Lido Sunkisses is on the right (37.9034N, 15.3322E), immediately before kilometer marker 40. (Marker 40 is easy to miss since it is flush with the retaining wall on the left side of the road.) About 400 meters farther along, you will pass a brown locality sign that reads Fondaco Parrino, Frazione di Forza d'Agrò (some words are abbreviated). Not quite 100 meters farther along, the next road on the left is next to a brown Valle d'Agrò sign with "welcome" in four languages (37.9070N, 15.3358E). (You have missed it by less than 100 meters if you reach the small sign at the entrance to Camping Forza d'Agro Mare, which is on the right. Marker 39 is about 400 meters past the camping entrance.)
The quickest way to get to the nude beach is from Camping Lido Paradise or Lido Sunkisses, where pay parking is available. The gates to both establishments are kept open during warmer months. Free parking is also available by turning onto the road next to the Valle d'Agrò sign, but the walk is a bit longer. If you visit outside of peak season, you may find that Camping Lido Paradise and Lido Sunkisses are both closed, but you can still get to the nude beach from the free parking access.
First, assume you park at Camping Lido Paradise. (During peak season, the price for parking may be bundled with sun chair rentals [along the textile part of the beach]. If you can't pay a lower rate just to park, you'll probably want to try another access.) A short road connects the parking area to the beach, crossing under the railroad along the way. Facing the sea at the beach, turn left and head north. In less than 200 meters you will be along the nudist zone of the beach.
Alternatively, assume you park at Lido Sunkisses, where the parking rate is about €5. A narrow pedestrian tunnel under the railroad connects the parking area to the beach. Facing the sea at the beach, turn right and head south. In less than 200 meters you will be along the nudist zone of the beach.
Finally, assume you turn left onto the road next to the Valle d'Agrò sign (about halfway between markers 40 and 39). Proceed less than 200 meters to the first junction and turn left onto a very narrow road that quickly turns to gravel. Straight ahead you will see where the road crosses under SS114 and the railroad. There is informal parking throughout the area (37.9059N, 15.3349E), including under the elevated highway and railroad. On foot, cross to the coast side of the highway and railroad then turn right. The gravel road continues past a short row of small seafront apartment buildings. (Parking beyond the underpass seems to be restricted to tenants.) From the end of the road, keep straight ahead across a rocky stretch of coastline. The rocks extend 100 or so meters, then you'll see Lido Sunkisses along the sandy beach that opens up from the end of the rocks. Continue beyond Lido Sunkisses to the nude area. Starting from the underpass, the total walk to the nude area is about 600 meters.
MAP from A18 Taormina exit toll plaza to parking (Lido Sunkisses)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Letojanni Nord.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Letojanni Nord.

Camping Lido Paradise
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Letojanni Nord.

pay parking at Camping Lido Paradise

pay parking at Lido Sunkisses

Lido Sunkisses

"Fondaco Parrino" locality sign (facing traffic going north)

brown "Valle d'Agrò" sign

free parking near highway/railroad overpass

short row of small seafront apartment buildings

entrance to Camping Forza d'Agro Mare

minor local roads

Siracusa

Spiaggia di Marianelli

Spiaggia di Marianelli
Toward the far southern end of Sicily's eastern coast, there is a park called the Riserva naturale orientata Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari, or just the Vendicari Nature Reserve in anglicized shorthand. The park is located between the coastal villages of Lidi di Noto and San Lorenzo, both of which are frazioni of the town of Noto. Covering about 15 square kilometers, Vendicari is a wetlands wildlife refuge dotted with archeological ruins, some of which date to the 5th century B.C.E. Toward the northern end of the park near Lido di Noto, there is a trio of sandy beaches within an as-the-crow-flies expanse of two kilometers. From north to south, they are named Spiaggia di Eloro-Tellaro (usually truncated to just Spiaggia di Eloro), Spiaggia di Marianelli and Spiaggia di Calamosche. Eloro and Marianelli are neighboring beaches that are both about 400 meters long, separated by a stream and a low headland. About 800 meters south of Marianelli, Calamosche is considerably smaller than the other two beaches. Calamosche is widely regarded as the most picturesque beach of the reserve.
Marianelli is a beautiful beach of golden sand backed by a large expanse of low dunes. The practice of nude bathing took hold there decades ago due to isolation of the beach. It used to be necessary to hike through Eloro or Calamosche to get there. These days, there is a direct path to Marianelli. It is an easy, level hike that takes 15 to 20 minutes. Far more textiles visit the beach since it has become more accessible, and there is often a textile majority during July and August. However, nudity is still acceptable along the entire length of the beach at all times. The south end of the beach has a significant gay presence.
Marianelli is a wild beach with no amenities, as are Eloro and Calamosche, so come prepared. Also, be advised that there is no shade at the beach. Quite a few visitors bring along umbrellas. Of the handful of well-established nude beaches in Sicily, Marianelli is the most popular. There are separate fees for parking and for entering the nature reserve.
Lido di Noto, Noto, Siracusa, Sicilia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/43IfCMh
The Vendicari Nature Reserve has five entrances, each named for a nearby beach or other feature. From north to south, the five entrances are Eloro-Tellaro, Marianelli, Calamosche, Torre di Vendicari (the main park entrance) and Cittadella dei Maccari. At each entrance, there is a small wooden booth where a per-person fee of €3-4 is collected. The shortest, easiest and most direct path to Spiaggia di Marianelli is from its eponymous entrance (the middle of the three options detailed below), where there is a pay parking lot. From there, the hike is about one kilometer. Spiaggia di Marianelli can also be reached from the Eloro-Tellaro entrance, where there is no parking fee since there is no parking lot. Parking is free along the side of the road (but the road fills up quickly during peak season). The hike takes a few minutes longer compared to the Marianelli entrance, and the hike involves crossing a shallow stream. If you are up for a long hike (about an hour) to explore more of the park, you may consider starting from the Calamosche entrance, where there is a pay parking lot nearby. The two nature reserve entrances that are farther south are considerably removed from Spiaggia di Marianelli, so you will likely not want to start at one of those. At any pay lot, expect to pay €3-5 for the day.
The A18 autostrada is part of an expressway system along the eastern coast of Sicily. There are two segments numbered A18. The longer and more northern segment originates in the southern outskirts of Messina (kilometer 0) and goes south to the vicinity of Catania, where the last kilometer marker is 76. The shorter and more southern segment originates in the southwestern outskirts of Siracusa (kilometer 0) and goes southwest to the town of Rosolini, where the last kilometer marker is 40. The two A18 segments are about 69 kilometers apart, linked by a variously named and numbered expressway connecting Catania and Siracusa.
Assume that you start from the Noto exit of the southern segment of A18, which is between kilometer markers 24 and 26 (with marker 25 amid the interchange). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the inland side of the motorway. From the toll plaza, it is 3.8 kilometers to route SP19 (SP = strada provinciale), and there are four roundabouts along the way—the first just past the toll plaza and the others on the opposite (coast) side of the motorway. To get to SP19, follow the blue signs for Pachino.
Nature reserve entrance Eloro-Tellaro:
For this access, you will not go all the way to SP19. From the autostrada toll plaza, follow Pachino signs for 1.8 kilometers until you reach the second roundabout, then take the departure for Eloro and Lido di Noto. Proceed one kilometer to another roundabout and take the Eloro departure. From that point, you will be on very narrow roads. In a bit under 200 meters you will cross under a railroad. Less than 100 meters farther on, keep straight ahead at a three-way junction. 400 meters farther on, you will reach a junction where the road straight ahead is a private driveway. Turn left. From that point, it is 400-500 meters to the fee-collection booth (36.8411N, 15.1039E), and there is free parking all along the road leading up to that point.
Straight ahead from the booth, a broad path leads 250 meters to the north end of Spiaggia di Eloro. Facing the sea, turn right and walk all the way across the beach to the south end (about 350 meters), where a shallow stream flows into the sea. The stream is not bridged. Sometimes it is possible to jump over the stream or hopscotch across rocks, but at other times wading is the only way to get across. On the other side, follow the well-worn path over the low headland that separates Spiaggia di Eloro from Spiaggia di Marianelli. In 400-500 meters you will reach a four-way junction with the path that begins at the Marianelli entrance. Turn left and shortly you will arrive at the beach. The total walk from the entrance booth is about 1.3 kilometers.
Nature reserve entrance Marianelli:
From the autostrada toll plaza, follow Pachino signs through all four roundabouts. When you depart the fourth roundabout, you will begin going south on SP19, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. Proceed about 1.4 kilometers, then turn left onto a gravel road signed Marianelli. (You have missed it by less than 100 meters if you reach kilometer marker 6.) Follow the road 1.4 kilometers to the large earthen pay parking lot at its end (36.8308N, 15.0970E). The parking lot is next to the buildings of Marianeddi, which is an agriturismo with a public restaurant (and also the operator of the parking lot). From the parking lot, follow the well-signed path to the beach. In 400-500 meters, you will come to the fee-collection booth (36.8324N, 15.1003E). From there, continue another 500 or so meters to the end of the path at the beach.
Nature reserve entrance Calamosche:
Follow the directions above as though you are going to the Marianelli entrance, but do not turn onto the gravel road signed Marianelli. Continue south on SP19 another 700 meters, then turn left at Calamosche signs. (You have missed it by about 300 meters if you pass kilometer marker 7.) The road will almost immediately turn to gravel, then shortly you will reach a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left. (There are signs.) 1.9 kilometers farther on, the signed path to Spiaggia di Calamosche begins on the left (36.8187N, 15.0975E). About 300 meters past the beach path, the road ends at Agriturismo Calamosche, which operates a large pay parking lot as well as a public restaurant. As you near the end of the road, turn right into the well-signed earthen lot (36.8161N, 15.0991E).
Backtrack on foot to the fee-collection booth at the start of the beach path. From there, follow the signed path to the beach. In 1.2 kilometers, you will reach a stone staircase that descends to the south end of Spiaggia di Calamosche. Go down to the small beach and walk across the sand to the opposite end, where you will find another stone staircase that goes up the rocky hill at the north end of the beach. From the top of the stairs, follow the well-worn path. You will be heading north, with the sea off to your right. Continue about 1.4 kilometers to Spiaggia di Marianelli, which is the next beach. Starting from the parking lot, the total walk is 3 kilometers.
MAP from A18 Noto exit toll plaza to Eloro-Tellaro entrance
MAP from A18 Noto exit toll plaza to parking (near Marianelli entrance)
MAP from A18 Noto exit toll plaza to parking (near Calamosche entrance)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Marianelli.

kilometer marker 24 of A18 (southern segment)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Marianelli.

kilometer marker 25 of A18 (southern segment)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Marianelli.

kilometer marker 26 of A18 (southern segment)

toll plaza (A18 autostrada, Noto exit)

1st roundabout between toll plaza & SP19 (following "Pachino" signs)

2nd roundabout between toll plaza & SP19 (following "Pachino" signs)

3rd roundabout between toll plaza & SP19 (following "Pachino" signs)

4th roundabout between toll plaza & SP19 (following "Pachino" signs)

free roadside parking near "Eloro-Tellaro" entrance

"Eloro-Tellaro" entrance, Vendicari Nature Reserve

Spiaggia di Eloro (textile)

unbridged stream crossing

pay parking lot near "Marianelli" entrance

Marianeddi (agriturismo, public restaurant)

"Marianelli" entrance, Vendicari Nature Reserve

"Calamosche" entrance, Vendicari Nature Reserve

pay parking lot near "Calamosche" entrance

Agriturismo Calamosche (with public restaurant)

Spiaggia di Calamosche (textile)

segment of A18 (southern segment)

route from toll plaza to SP19

paved road toward Eloro

Eloro-Tellaro access road

Marianelli access road

direct path to Spiaggia di Marianelli

Calamosche access road

walking route between "Eloro-Tellaro" entrance & "Calamosche" entrance

Agrigento

Spiaggia di Torre Salsa

Spiaggia di Torre Salsa
The Torre Salsa Nature Reserve, officially named the Riserva naturale orientata Torre Salsa, is an area of protected parkland located toward the west end of the southern coast of Sicily. With 7 to 8 square kilometers of land area and about 6.5 kilometers of undulating coastline, the reserve is technically part of the town of Siculiana, but it is accessed from the neighboring town of Montallegro. Park maps do not assign proper names to any part of the beach. The main beach—the beach generally referred to as Spiaggia di Torre Salsa—is a roughly 2-kilometer-long crescent of golden sand roughly in the center of the coastline of the reserve. The only established point of access to the beach is at its far west end, and most visitors cluster near the access point. Even on the most crowded days in July and August, the crowd begins to thin out substantially within a few hundred meters, with a vast and mostly empty expanse of wild beach available for nude bathing. The start of the nude area is not terribly well defined, but the accepted protocol seems to be that nudists go at least to the halfway point of the beach (about a kilometer from the access) before stripping down. Nudists tend to be quite spread out since there is so much space. Along the central part of the beach, the grassy cliffs in the background are well over 100 meters inland from the sea, with a large expanse of grassy dunes between the cliffs and the sea. Toward the east end of the beach, the cliffs are higher, steeper, more barren and closer to the sea, with the rock of the cliff face becoming white and beautifully textured in wavy patterns.
As you head east across the beach, you will see the protrusion of land where the main crescent ends, but a narrower beach undulates along the coastline about 1.3 kilometers to a large scree of boulders that breaks the continuity of the beach. The eastern border of the reserve is a bit beyond the boulders, along a stretch of coastline that is contiguous with the beach of Siculiana Marina. The eastern coastal realm of the reserve between the main crescent and the scree of boulders is generally known by the name Cannicella, and it is often deserted due to its isolation. To get there, you must cross the entirety of the main crescent or start from Siculiana Marina and scramble over the boulders. A final overland option is to hike down a cliff path after a long hike or a very rough drive. Sporadic nudity occurs along the Cannicella area of the beach, but there does not seem to be a regular nudist presence. Most nudists seem to find that there is more than enough space and seclusion along the eastern half of the main crescent. Going in the other direction from the main crescent, there is another expanse of steep white cliffs in the western realm of the reserve. A bit beyond the white cliffs, the ruins of the 15th-century watchtower for which the reserve is named overlook the coast near the western border of the reserve. The western area of the reserve is far more accessible than the eastern area since there is a road down to the beach below the watchtower, so the entire western realm of the park is considered textile.
There are no paved roads and no amenities in the Torre Salsa Nature Reserve, so come prepared. There are two ways to get to the parking area near the main crescent. Either way, the final few kilometers is along a gravel road. The rough, unsurfaced roads of the reserve are passable in any kind of vehicle during dry conditions. Just go slow. The roads are best avoided after rains unless you are in a 4x4.
Siculiana Marina, Siculiana, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3rHHEuf
The Torre Salsa Nature Reserve has three entrances, named Pantano, Eremita and Cannicella. The main beach can be accessed from either the Pantano entrance or the Eremita entrance. From either entrance, you will be on a gravel road. The only parking area in the reserve is a large earthen lot located a bit beyond the point where those roads merge together. A per-vehicle fee of about €6 is collected at the entrance to the lot. It is possible but very challenging to get to the main beach from the Cannicella entrance, so that option is not detailed below.
Route SS115 (la strada statale 115 Sud Occidentale Sicula) is a roughly 383-kilometer-long highway that hews toward the southern coast of Sicily from Siracusa to Trapani. The kilometer marker numbers increase going east toward Siracusa. Although mostly a two-lane highway, SS115 has many limited-access segments with exit interchanges. There are two exits signed Montallegro, which are just a few kilometers apart. For the Pantano entrance, start from the western Montallegro exit. For the Eremita entrance, start from the eastern Montallegro exit.
Nature reserve entrance Pantano:
The western Montallegro exit of SS115 also has signs for Bovo Marina, Cattolica Eraclea and several other locations, and it is located between kilometer markers 152 and 157. Those two markers are just 400 meters apart. (Markers 153-156 do not exist. The discrepancy is apparently due to a rerouting of SS115 that rendered it several kilometers shorter.)
Upon exiting, follow signs for Bovo Marina and Torre Salsa. Once you are beyond the exit interchange, you will be heading toward the coast on SP87 (SP = strada provinciale). In less than one kilometer, turn left at a three-way junction to stay on SP87, continuing toward Bovo Marina and Torre Salsa. About 800 meters farther on, you will reach a staggered junction. The road to the right is signed C. da S. Antonio, the road straight ahead is signed Bovo Marina and the road to the left is signed Torre Salsa. Turn left toward Torre Salsa.
Upon turning, continue 500 meters to a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right toward Torre Salsa. In 600 meters you will reach a fork. Veer left toward riserva naturale Torre Salsa. (The other fork is signed Torre Salsa Agriturismo.) In 800 meters, the road will turn to gravel at an ingresso Pantano sign. (Ingresso = entrance.) About 2 kilometers farther on, keep straight ahead as the road from the Eremita entrance merges in from your left. Continue about 300 meters to the parking lot entrance (37.3632N, 13.3420E), where a parking fee is collected. Drive all the way through the huge earthen lot to park as close as possible to the far end.
The broad path to the beach is straight ahead from where you entered the parking lot. In 300-400 meters, you will land on the far west end of the beach. Facing the sea, turn left and head east. After a walk of 15 minutes or so, you should be roughly at the center of the beach, beyond which nude bathing becomes common.
Nature reserve entrance Eremita:
The eastern Montallegro exit of SS115 is between kilometer markers 158 and 160, and the exit interchange has an atypical setup. Regardless of which way you are going on SS115, the eastern Montallegro exit is the next exit after marker 159.
Upon exiting, you need to make your way to a small roundabout that is on the south (coast) side of the highway. If you were going east (toward Siracusa) when you exited, you will be filtered directly to the roundabout. Keep straight ahead through it. If you were going west (toward Trapani) when you exited, the route is more circuitous and not well signed. Upon exiting, keep to the right. You will be filtered onto a road that parallels the inland side of SS115. Continue a little over one kilometer to a stop sign where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right. You will cross over the highway then enter the small roundabout. Take the second roundabout departure (effectively a left turn).
Once you depart the small roundabout, you will be on SP75, which runs roughly parallel to the coast side of SS115 before crossing to the inland side. (SP75 is not signed.) After following SP75 for 800 meters, you will reach a stretch of about 200 meters where SP75 runs directly alongside an elevated segment of SS115. Once SP75 veers away from SS115, continue about 200 meters and take the next right, which is a very sharp right. There is a sign pointing toward Riserva Torre Salsa, but it is positioned such that it is very hard to see. (You have missed the turn by about 100 meters if you get to the reserve entrance signed ingresso Cannicella. Just past that entrance, SP75 crosses under SS115.) Upon turning, follow the winding road uphill 400-500 meters and take the first possible left onto a gravel road signed ingresso Eremita.
The gravel road takes you around a long, rocky hillock. In 1.1 kilometers, the road will make a 90° rightward curve. By that point, you will be in a mostly treeless plateau. Beyond the curve, the sea will be off to your left, with an elevated power line to your immediate right. Continue 700-800 meters to a three-way junction that is next to a junction of power lines. Turn left toward the sea to stay on the main road. Upon turning, there should still be an elevated power line on your right. Continue 600-700 meters, then keep straight ahead as the road from the Pantano entrance merges in from your right. Continue about 300 meters to the parking lot entrance, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from SS115 western Montallegro exit to parking
MAP from SS115 eastern Montallegro exit to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Torre Salsa.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Torre Salsa.

SS115 "Montallegro" exit interchange (western of two)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Torre Salsa.

SS115 "Montallegro" exit interchange (eastern of two)

staggered junction

"Pantano" entrance, Torre Salsa Nature Reserve

large earthen pay parking lot

"Eremita" entrance, Torre Salsa Nature Reserve

"Cannicella" entrance, Torre Salsa Nature Reserve

scree of boulders near eastern reserve border

Torre Salsa (in ruins)

exit ramp & route to SP87

exit ramp & route to small roundabout

aphalted local roads from SP87 to Pantano entrance

gravel road from Pantano entrace

segment of asphalted local road

gravel road from Eremita entrace

Spiaggia di Capo Bianco

Spiaggia di Capo Bianco
Eraclea Minoa is an archaeological site of a Greek outpost that was founded in the 6th century B.C.E. The ruins of the ancient settlement are atop a promontory called Capo Bianco, toward the west end of the southern coast of Sicily. Capo Bianco, so named for its white rock, is located at a bend of the coastline. From the most seaward part of the land mass, sheer cliffs extend eastward about a kilometer to a small contemporary seaside settlement that is also named Eraclea Minoa, which is comprised mainly of summer houses along with a small campground called Eraclea Minoa Village. The cliffs along the south-facing part of the cape are reminiscent of the White Cliffs of Dover, and the beach below the cliffs is very narrow. Going in the other direction from the bend of the coastline, the cliffs taper inland a bit for about 700 meters to the Platani River, with a wedge-shaped expanse of scrub-covered dunes between the beach and the cliffs. The broad and sandy west-facing beach extending northward to the river mouth is generally known as Spiaggia di Capo Bianco, and it is part of a nature reserve (Riserva naturale orientata Foce del fiume Platani). Most of the nature reserve land is on the other side of the river.
Spiaggia di Capo Bianco is a wild beach that takes a little effort to reach, and its isolation has made it popular with nude bathers. Most visitors begin at the archaeological site entrance and hike about a kilometer atop the south-facing cliffs. At the bend of the coastline, it is possible to climb down the sloping rock mass at the tip of the cape, landing on the south end of the west-facing nature reserve beach. It is not a terribly difficult climb, but sturdy shoes are recommended. At the far south end of the beach where the coastline bends, the textured rock is especially bright white, making it the most photographed part of the beach. Nudists often avoid the far south end of the beach, especially during peak season. Moving north, there is generally a mix of nudists and textiles all the way to the river and sometimes on the other side of the shallow river mouth. There are no amenities, so at a minimum be sure to bring drinking water.
Eraclea Minoa, Cattolica Eraclea, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3K9CPAf
Route SS115 (la strada statale 115 Sud Occidentale Sicula) is a roughly 383-kilometer-long highway that hews toward the southern coast of Sicily from Siracusa to Trapani. The kilometer marker numbers increase going east toward Siracusa. Although mostly a two-lane highway, SS115 has many limited-access segments with exit interchanges. Assume you start at the Cattolica Eraclea/Eraclea Minoa exit, which is between kilometer markers 148 and 149 and roughly halfway between Agrigento and Sciacca. (Be advised there is another exit signed Cattolica Eraclea a few kilometers to the east in Montallegro. That is NOT the correct exit.)
Upon exiting, follow the Eraclea Minoa signs. In 2.5 to 3 kilometers, you will reach a signed four-way junction where the road straight ahead continues to the modern settlement of Eraclea Minoa and the road to the right goes to the Eraclea Minoa archaeological site. Turn right toward the archaeological site, which is signed zona archeologica and rovine di Eraclea Minoa. (Rovine = ruins.) Upon turning, follow the road about a kilometer to its end at a free parking lot at the archaeological site entrance (37.3937N, 13.2827E).
Straight ahead from the parking lot, follow the well-defined path that is surfaced in white pebbles. It is a fairly level path that hews toward the edge of a cliff (with the sea on your left-hand side) as it skirts the perimeter of the archaeological site. In about 500 meters you will pass through a pair of white gate posts, beyond which you will be past the archaeological site. From the gate posts, the path continues a little over one kilometer, and there are three small pergolas along the way. (Each pergola is an open-air wooden structure with a bench.) From the gate posts, it is 300 meters to the first pergola, then the second pergola is 400 meters farther on, then the third one is at the end of the path.
There are a couple of ways to get down to the beach. Proceed to the first pergola, at which point the path will begin to make a long rightward curve. Continue about 100 meters past the first pergola, then walk out to the edge of the cliff. You will be about 25 meters above sea level at a sharp bend of the coastline. Facing the sea, the nude beach extends to your right. As you near the edge of the cliff, you will see that there is actually a reasonably easy way down to the bottom (starting at 37.3895N, 13.2735E). First you will go through a cluster of boulders, then you will go down a gently sloping mass of white rock, then the final part of the descent is a footpath through scrub-covered dunes. When you land on the beach, the river mouth will be about 600 meters to your right. Most nude bathers go a bit toward the river before stripping down. The hike from the parking area to the point where you land on the beach is about 1.1 kilometers.
Alternatively, you can just stay on the main path to its end at the third pergola, which is about 25 meters above sea level with a clear view of the river and the beach. From the end of the main path, a dirt footpath descends toward the river then bends toward the beach. You will land on the beach next to the river mouth. The distance from the third pergola to the beach is about 400 meters. The total hike from the parking area is about 1.9 kilometers.
MAP from SS115 Cattolica Eraclea/Eraclea Minoa exit to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capo Bianco.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capo Bianco.

SS115 "Cattolica Eraclea / Eraclea Minoa" exit interchange
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capo Bianco.

4-way intersection

free parking lot

Eraclea Minoa archaeological site

gate posts

wooden pergola

Capo Bianco

descent to beach starts here

cave in Capo Bianco

mouth of river Platani

Spiaggia di Eraclea Minoa (textile)

Eraclea Minoa Village

road to Eraclea Minoa

road to archaeological site

main path

path down Capo Bianco

path near river

Trapani

Spiaggia del Casello 41

Spiaggia del Casello 41
Toward the far west end of the southern coast of Sicily, Selinunte is an archaeological site of an ancient Greek city that dates to the 7th century B.C.E. It is among the more important and impressive ancient sites of the island, with a partially reconstructed temple reminiscent of the Parthenon. The contemporary coastal village of Marinella di Selinunte—usually shortened to just Marinella—is immediately east of the archaeological site. East of the village, there is a nature reserve named the Riserva naturale Foce del Fiume Belice e dune limitrofe, or the Belice River Nature Reserve in anglicized shorthand. The reserve covers a few square kilometers, and the bulk of that land area is the large expanse of sand dunes around the mouth of the Belice River. On the other side of the Belice from Marinella, Hotel Paradise Beach Resort is located just inland from the beach, and it is the only large commercial structure on the east side of the river that is adjacent to the land of the reserve. Starting roughly at the hotel, a narrow strip of land along the coastline is an appendage of the reserve that extends eastward over 1.5 kilometers. There is a nudist presence along part of that eastern expanse.
The nude beach is informally known as Spiaggia del Casello 41. (To say it correctly, know that forty-one in Italian is quarantuno.) It is an expanse of golden sand that is quite beautifully set against a long hillock that is lush with coastal scrub. While the backdrop provides a measure of seclusion, there are residences nearby, including a few that are nestled in the hillock very close to the beach. Although nude bathing is a long-standing custom that dates to the 1960s, nudity is not officially condoned, and in 2016 a sign was posted stating (only in Italian) Questa non è una spiaggia naturista. Pertanto stare nudi pubblicamente è un reato perseguibile per legge. That means "This is not a naturist beach. Therefore, being naked in public is a crime punishable by law." The sign was promptly defaced, and the threat of legal action is probably toothless (according to reporting by the news site Comunicalo.it). The sign is apparently a response to complaints about lewd behavior. Nudists continue to frequent the beach, but nude bathers are typically a minority. The beach is typically uncrowded enough for nudists and textiles to coexist without problems, but a bit of discretion is advised during peak season when more textiles visit the beach. The wild beach has no amenities, so come prepared. There are no fees for parking or entering the reserve.
The unofficial name of the nude beach is a reference to a nearby residence that used to be a railroad watchman's house (casello), a type of structure common in the early days of railroads that is now mostly obsolete. Following the directions below, your walk to the beach begins near the former Casello 41, which is now a private dwelling. The house is along the corridor of a defunct railroad, and many segments of the old tracks have been removed. A short walk of just a minute or two takes you out to the beach. Facing the sea at the end of the path, the hotel is about 500 meters to your right (west), while the nude beach extends to your left (east). Most visitors head east at least a few hundred meters before disrobing. If you go east 600 meters from the point where you land on the beach, you will come to cluster of jagged boulders on the sand, with a particularly massive one occupying most of the beach. The boulders are an unmissable landmark, and it is easy to walk around them. (The GPS coordinates at the top of the page pinpoint a location immediately west of the boulders.) Once you get to the boulders, you are more than halfway through the zone where nudity is common. Beyond the boulders, the coastline curves a bit and the sand extends a little over 200 meters to a short expanse of rocks that extends about 50 meters, breaking the continuity of the beach. That is more or less where the nude area ends. There is about 700 meters of beach farther east, but the far eastern area beyond the rocky expanse is attended by textiles who get there from other access paths.
Be aware that Google Maps labels Casello 41 as Casello 11. That seems to be an error. The number most commonly associated with the nude beach is 41.
Marinella di Selinunte, Castelvetrano, Trapani, Sicilia, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/43EIhBU
The A29 autostrada is a roughly 115-kilometer-long motorway in the far west of Sicily that connects Palermo to Mazara del Vallo, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing going southwest toward Mazara del Vallo. Take the Castelvetrano exit, which is between kilometer markers 93 and 94. Upon exiting, follow signs that point toward Agrigento, Sciacca and Selinunte. After a few turns, you will be heading east on SS115 (la strada statale 115 Sud Occidentale Sicula). In less than 2 kilometers, keep straight ahead at an overhead panel for Selinunte. (Traffic bound for Agrigento and Sciacca exits to the right, staying on SS115.) After the overhead panel, you will be on SS115dir. (The suffix dir, short for diramazione ["branch"], is appended to a spur road with the same number as a longer highway.)
Stay on SS115dir about 4 kilometers and take the second exit (which is next to kilometer marker 4), following signs for Menfi. You will then begin going east on SP56 (SP = strada provinciale), a minor road without kilometer markers. In 2 kilometers, SP56 makes a rightward hairpin curve. 700 meters farther on, keep to the left at a three-way junction to stay on SP56, continuing toward Menfi. (The road to the right has signs for the nature reserve, but it goes to the part of the reserve that is west of the river.) Follow SP56 another 2.1 kilometers, then turn right at a large sign pointing to Hotel Paradise Beach Resort. There is also a far less conspicuous brown sign pointing toward the nature reserve.
Upon turning, you will begin heading south. In 1.7 kilometers, you will reach a fork where the road to the right has signs for the resort hotel and the nature reserve. Do NOT follow that road. Keep to the left (really just straight ahead). Continue another 700-800 meters, where the road curves sharply leftward. From the curve, continue about 500 meters and watch very carefully for an unsigned turnoff on the right where two gravel roads leave the asphalted road from the same point. (The turnoff is across the asphalted road from the wrought iron gate of a small house that does not have neighbors on either side.) Turn right then follow the gravel road that is farther to the right. You will be heading toward the sea, which is visible in the distance. Continue about 300 meters to the end of the road (37.5804N, 12.8825E). There is room for a few cars to park at the end, with more parking available alongside the road leading up to the end. (The house on the right at the end of the road is the former Casello 41. It is the only structure in the immediate area.)
Facing the sea from the end of the road, the path to the beach begins to your right, making a gradual descent. In about 200 meters you will land on the beach. Facing the sea, the nude area is to your left (as described above).
MAP from A29 Castelvetrano exit to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Casello 41.

hairpin curve along SP56
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Casello 41.

large sign for Hotel Paradise Beach Resort
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Casello 41.

Hotel Paradise Beach Resort

2 unsigned gravel roads begin at same point

informal parking at end of road

mouth of river Belice

old railroad bridge

road to nature reserve

local road

road to Hotel Paradise Beach Resort & nature reserve

Toscana

Lucca

Spiaggia della Lecciona

Spiaggia della Lecciona
In northwestern Tuscany, Versilia is a small geographic and cultural region that is basically the coastal realm of Lucca, a province with just 20 or so kilometers of coastline. Versilia is a densely developed area comprised of a chain of stylish coastal resort towns set against the backdrop of the majestic Apuan Alps (which, despite the name, are part of the Apennines). Viareggio is the largest and southernmost town of Versilia. A bit south of the main part of town, Torre del Lago Puccini—usually shortened to Torre del Lago—is a frazione (subdivision) of Viareggio even though it seems like its own separate town. The main street grid of Torre del Lago is a few kilometers inland, while the coastal area is a 1.3-kilometer-long strip of beach establishments known as Marina di Torre del Lago Puccini (again, with "Puccini" usually omitted).
Most of the beach of Viareggio is located on the north side of the town's port and marina. However, south of the port, there is a stretch of broad, sandy beach along a street named viale Europe. Likewise, the beach street in Marina di Torre del Lago is also named viale Europe, but it is not a continuous street. From the south end of viale Europe in Viareggio, a 2.2-kilometer-long footpath connects to the north end of viale Europe in Marina di Torre del Lago. The area immediately inland from the two segments of viale Europe and the path that connects them is a tract of pine forest called the Pineta di Levante, which is part of a multi-unit coastal reserve with a rather long name: Parco naturale di Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli.
The coastline of Versilia is blanketed with beach clubs, which are privately managed establishments where you must pay to enter. Such an establishment typically has Bagno or Lido in its name. Practically all the beachfront of Viareggio proper (i.e., the main part of town) is occupied by beach clubs. Most of the beachfront of Marina di Torre del Lago is also occupied by such clubs, with a few free beach segments amid the clubs. However, the longest stretch of wild and free beach in Versilia is Spiaggia della Lecciona, which is the name of the 2.2-kilometer-long beach that corresponds to the footpath that connects the segment of viale Europe in Viareggio to the segment of the same-named street in Marina di Torre del Lago.
Spiaggia della Lecciona is a sandy beach backed by an expanse of dunes and wetlands that is further backed by the Pineta di Levante. Although a bit of walking is required to get to the central expanse of the beach from the closest point of access, the entire length of the beach can be surprisingly crowded on peak summer days. The beach is lined with 22 sequentially numbered location posts spaced every 100 meters, with the numbers getting higher going south toward Marina di Torre del Lago. (Such markers regularly get displaced by natural forces, so some may be missing.) Lecciona has a large LGBT presence, particularly around location posts 13, 14 and 15. Historically, nudity has regularly occurred along the gay-popular stretch of the beach, although nudists tended to be greatly outnumbered.
In 2022, the municipal government of Viareggio officially designated a small part of Spiaggia della Lecciona for naturist use thanks to the efforts of ANITA, a naturist advocacy group that has been instrumental in creating safe naturist spaces throughout Italy. The designated naturist area overlaps with the historically LGBT area, extending 200 meters from post 13 to post 15. Now that nudity is sanctioned, there is a much higher percentage of nudists and a more diverse crowd, with more women in attendance.
Spiaggia della Lecciona can be approached from either end, but it is better to approach from the south end through Marina di Torre del Lago. The walk is shorter and there is more parking, plus the driving route to the beach is much easier to follow. (For those reasons, the Viareggio approach is not included in the directions that follow.) While access to the beach is free, there is a fee for parking in both Marina di Torre del Lago and Viareggio. To avoid the parking fee, you can park along the road that runs along the inland side of the Pineta di Levante and take an easy and pleasant 20-minute hike through the forest to the beach. The closest amenities are at the north end of Marina di Torre del Lago, about 700 meters from the nude area.
Torre del Lago, Viareggio, Lucca, Toscana, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44SkuQ6
Route SS1 (la strada statale 1, a.k.a. Via Aurelia) is a 697-kilometer-long coastal highway that connects Rome to the international border of Italy and France. The kilometer marker numbers increase going from Rome toward France. In the vicinity of Viareggio and Torre del Lago, SS1 is a divided highway with exits. Take the Marina di Torre del Lago exit of SS1, which is between kilometer markers 351 and 353 (with marker 352 amid the interchange). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the highway. Take the departure that is signed Torre del Lago, mare-lago and Villa Borbone.
Continue 500 meters to the next roundabout and keep straight ahead, toward mare and Villa Borbone. Continue about 800 meters and watch for a large sign indicating an upcoming fork. Keep to the left, toward Marina di Torre del Lago, camping and parco. You will be filtered into an oblong roundabout. Circle about halfway through and depart the roundabout at its far end, continuing toward Marina di Torre del Lago, camping and parco.
When you depart the oblong roundabout, you will be heading south on via Giovanni XXIII. Continue just under one kilometer to a small roundabout at a junction named largo Rita Casaroli. Turn right, toward Marina di Torre del Lago and viale dei Tigli.
At that point, you will begin heading west toward the sea on a tree-lined street named viale Guglielmo Marconi. (Signage is rather inconspicuous.) Continue 400 meters to a red light at a three-way junction. The road going off to the right from the junction is viale dei Tigli. You can either keep straight ahead or turn right, depending on how you want to access the beach.
Option 1: Pay Parking along viale Europe in Marina di Torre del Lago
From the red light at the three-way junction, keep straight ahead. The name of the street will change to viale John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Continue 1.2 kilometers to the large seaside roundabout at the end of the street in Marina di Torre del Lago. The cross street is viale Europe, a beachfront street that is lined with eateries and beach clubs, coming to a dead end in either direction. Turn right and head north.
The lanes of viale Europe are divided by a median lined with street lights, with the street extending northward a little over one kilometer to a point where traffic must make a "U" and backtrack. There is parking along the entire length of viale Europe, with pull-in parking spaces along either side of the median and parallel parking spaces along the beach side of the street. Additionally, there are several small earthen lots that are open during peak season, most of which are on the inland side of the street. Park as close as possible to the end of the street (43.8278N, 10.2565E). If you park along the street (in a space outlined in blue paint), head to the nearest collective meter to pay the parking fee and take a ticket to display in your windshield. If you park in one of the small lots, an attendant will collect a fee.
Two footpaths leave from the end of viale Europe. One is a boardwalk through the dunes that begins opposite Boca, the last restaurant along the inland side of the street. The other is a broad dirt footpath that continues straight ahead from the end of the street.
First, assume you follow the boardwalk, which has wooden post fencing along either side. The boardwalk cuts a diagonal path through the scrub and reeds that blanket the dunes before morphing into a sandy path. You will land on the beach in about 300 meters. Facing the sea, turn right. Watch the numbers of the location posts that are spaced every 100 meters, descending as you head north. Continue about 400 meters to the nude area, from post 15 to post 13.
Alternatively, you can follow the dirt path that continues straight ahead from the end of the street. That path runs parallel to the beach on the inland side of the dunes (connecting to viale Europe in Viareggio after 2.2 kilometers). Follow the path through the coastal forest for 800-900 meters until you reach beach access #6, prominently signed Sentiero 6. (Be advised that access path numbers do NOT correspond to post numbers on the beach.) Turn left and follow access #6 over the dunes. In about 300 meters, you will land on the beach near post 12. Facing the sea, turn left and head south. Shortly you will enter the nude area, from post 13 to post 15.
Option 2: Free Parking along viale dei Tigli
From the red light at the three-way junction, turn right onto viale dei Tigli, a shady forest road that goes north for 5 kilometers to Viareggio. There are several broad paths perpendicular to the road that cut through the forest to the beach. The most direct path to the nude area of the beach begins 1.9 kilometers from the start of the road. To find the correct path, first take note of three neighboring campgrounds that are on the right (inland) side of viale dei Tigli. In order, those establishments are Camping dei Tigli, Camping Italia and Camping Europa. When you pass the entrance to Camping Europa, you will be one kilometer from the start of the road. Just 100 or so meters farther along, watch for a broad path going off to the left, but keep going. Continue another 800 meters to the next broad path going off to the left. That is the path that you want (43.8387N, 10.2653E). (You have gone 400 meters too far if you reach Villa Borbone, which is set back from the right side of the road, surrounded by a cement fence wall.)
There is free pull-in parking along the broad earthen shoulder on the right side of the road. Do NOT park on the left side of the road (i.e., the side where the path begins) since the left shoulder is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
The path to the beach is labeled as via dei Fruzza on some maps, but there are no signs. It is a straight line to the sea through the Pineta di Levante. Along the way, there are several intersecting paths that run parallel to the beach. Just keep straight ahead. In one kilometer, you will reach the last cross path (which is the dirt path described above that connects Marina di Torre del Lago to Viareggio). Keep straight ahead onto beach access #6, then turn left at the beach and head a short distance to pole 13. The total walk from viale dei Tigli to pole 13 is about 1.5 kilometers.
The A12 autostrada was envisioned as a roughly 475-kilometer-long coastal motorway connecting Rome to Genoa, but the project has never been completed due to environmental concerns. The motorway has existed as two segments for decades—a relatively short southern segment (about 75 kilometers long) originating in Rome and a much longer northern segment (about 200 kilometers long) originating in Genoa, with an incomplete gap of about 200 kilometers between the two segments where traffic follows SS1 instead. For the northern segment of A12, the kilometer marker numbers increase going south and east (away from Genoa, toward Rome).
In the vicinity of Viareggio, A12 (the longer northern segment) and SS1 parallel one another. There are two exits you could take to get to Marina di Torre del Lago from A12.
If you are going south (toward Rome) on A12, it is better to take the Viareggio-Camaiore exit, between kilometer markers 136 and 137. The exit is part of a complex interchange at the junction of A12 and the northern branch of A11.★ Regardless of your direction of approach, be sure to follow the overhead panels for Viareggio and Camaiore upon exiting (NOT the ones for Lucca and Firenze). You will be filtered to a toll plaza on the inland side of the motorway. From the toll plaza, follow the overhead panels for Viareggio and Torre del Lago (NOT the ones for Camaiore and Lido di Camaiore). You will be filtered over the motorway to its coast side. Once you cross over A12, continue about one kilometer, then keep to the right when the lane splits, following signs for Torre del Lago and Pisa (NOT Viareggio). You will be filtered onto SS1 going south. Continue 5 to 6 kilometers, then take the Marina di Torre del Lago exit after kilometer marker 353 and proceed as directed above.
If you are going north (toward Genoa) on A12, it is better to take the Pisa nord exit, between kilometer markers 152 and 150 (with marker 151 amid the interchange). The exit is part of an interchange at the junction of A12 and the southern branch of A11.★ Regardless of your direction of approach, be sure to follow the signs for Pisa nord upon exiting (NOT the ones for Firenze). You will be filtered to a toll plaza beneath the elevated motorway lanes and then to the coast side of the motorway. From that point, follow signs for Viareggio and La Spezia at two consecutive roundabouts. When you depart the second roundabout, you will be heading north on a two-lane segment of SS1. Continue about 5.4 kilometers to the next roundabout at an atypical junction. You can keep to the right to bypass the roundabout, or you can enter the roundabout and take the first departure. Either way, just follow signs for Viareggio and Massa. You will be filtered onto an expressway segment of SS1. Continue north less than 2 kilometers, then take the Marina di Torre del Lago exit after kilometer marker 351 and proceed as directed above.
★ A11 is a motorway that connects Florence to the western coast of Italy. There are two branches of A11 at its western end, where it connects to A12. The southern branch referenced above (the one originating at the Pisa nord exit of A12) is part of the original motorway, while the northern branch (the one originating at the Viareggio-Camaiore exit of A12) is a newer alternate route. Going toward Florence, the two branches of A11 merge near the town of Lucca. On maps, the southern branch is generally labeled just as A11, while the northern branch is sometimes labeled as A11dir. Rather confusingly, the two branches are not distinguished from one another on actual motorway signage.
MAP from A12 Viareggio-Camaiore exit toll plaza to end of viale Europe in Marina di Torre del Lago
MAP from A12 Viareggio-Camaiore exit toll plaza to start of path along viale dei Tigli
MAP from A12 Pisa nord exit toll plaza to end of viale Europe in Marina di Torre del Lago
MAP from A12 Pisa nord exit toll plaza to start of path along viale dei Tigli
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Lecciona.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Lecciona.

"Marina de Torre del Lago" exit interchange of SS1

oblong roundabout

small roundabout named "largo Rita Casaroli"

red light: viale Guglielmo Marconi/viale John Fitzgerald Kennedy & viale dei Tigli

seaside roundabout in Marina di Torre del Lago

pay parking all along viale Europa

Boca (northernmost bar/restaurant in Marina di Torre del Lago)

Sentiero 6 (beach access)

entrance to Camping dei Tigli

entrance to Camping Italia

entrance to Camping Europa

free parking along inland side of viale dei Tigli

Villa Borbone

roads from SS1 to largo Rita Casaroli

viale Guglielmo Marconi → viale John Fitzgerald Kennedy

viale Europe

viale dei Tigli

boardwalk → sandy path

footpath connecting Marina di Torre del Lago and Viareggio

boardwalk (Sentiero 6)

path from viale dei Tigli to Sentiero 6

nude area, roughly (from post 13 to post 15)

Livorno

Scogliere del Romito

Scogliere del Romito
Livorno is the largest coastal city in Tuscany and a major seaport. Antignano and Quercianella are coastal districts of Livorno that are south of the central city. Between Antignano and Quercianella, there is a stretch of several kilometers where the coastline is quite rugged. Generally known as the Scogliere del Romito ("Romito Rocks") or the Litorale del Romito ("Romito Coast"), it is a tortured but beautiful area of jagged, pock-marked rocky ledges that form landscapes with an extraterrestrial aura. The Romito Coast has a dearth of sand and flat, smooth surfaces. Although there is little actual beach, the area is still quite popular with beachgoers. Most of the Romito Coast is fairly easy to access from the coastal road and thus textile, but nude bathers have long gathered along a few of the more hidden and harder-to-reach stretches. In 2019, the municipal council of Livorno designated two nearby areas of the coastline for naturist use. The two nude zones are near a bridge named the Ponte di Calignaia that spans a gap where a gorge opens out to the sea. The beach that is directly beneath the large arch that supports the bridge is a popular gathering place for textiles. There is a nude area on each side of the bridge, and each area is fairly secluded.
The larger of the two designated nudist zones is a few hundred meters removed from the Ponte di Calignaia. It is literally west of the bridge, but it is north of the bridge in relation to the general direction of the coastline and the coastal road. The nudist zone is along a stretch of rocky ledges known as Sassoscritto, and Sassoscritto 12 signs along the coastal road mark the path that descends directly to the nude area. It is a stepped path without handrails, with an elevation loss of about 30 meters. The path lands roughly in the middle of the nudist zone, which is roughly 200 meters long. Going west (to the right when facing the sea), you cannot go beyond the nude area without scrambling over difficult terrain. Going east, be careful not to stray too far without clothing. As you near the bridge, the ledges become populated with textiles who use an access path closer to the bridge.
The other nudist area is just east of the bridge (or south in relation to the general direction of the coastline), and it does not seem to have a proper name★ to distinguish it. We will just call it Kilometer 304 after the corresponding marker along the coastal road. The nudist zone is just around a slight bend from the stony textile beach that is beneath the bridge arch. A bit to the east on the other end of the nudist zone, there is a small sand-and-shingle beach called Cala del Leone, which is also textile. However, despite the proximity of the two textile beaches, it is very difficult to get to the nude area from either one due to the rocky terrain. Like Sassoscritto 12, Kilometer 304 is accessed by a stepped path without handrails, with a similar elevation loss. Nudists spread out over a length of about 200 meters, but there is less surface area along the ledges compared to Sassoscritto 12.
Both Sassoscritto 12 and Kilometer 304 are particularly popular with gay men. At the start of the path to either area, there is a multi-lingual sign indicating that the beach below is naturist and LGBT-friendly. (Remember that the word "beach" is applied very loosely to the craggy topography.) Sassoscritto 12 is the more popular of the two areas. There are no amenities at sea level, but there are a few restaurants nearby along the coastal road. Be aware that a certain level of fitness and agility is necessary to negotiate the terrain. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes.
★ Several sources refer to the area we call Kilometer 304 as Punta Combara, but that seems to be a mistake. Multiple maps indicate that Punta Combara is aligned with kilometer 305 of the coastal road, and an actual sign at that location verifies that Punta Combara is at kilometer 305, not 304.
comune & province, region, country:
Livorno, Toscana, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/46RFZCm
Route SS1 (la strada statale 1, a.k.a. Via Aurelia) is a 697-kilometer-long coastal highway that connects Rome to the international border of Italy and France. The kilometer marker numbers increase going from Rome toward France. SS1 is a divided highway with exits as it skirts the inland periphery of Livorno, and there are several exits signed Livorno. The city center exit is approximately at kilometer 317.
Assume you are heading south (toward Rome) on SS1 through the vicinity of Livorno, with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing. The last exit with the city name is signed Livorno sud. Keep straight ahead past that exit. As you near the end of the expressway portion of the highway, you will pass through three tunnels. All have signs indicating their names and lengths: San Martino (300 meters); Montenero (quite long at 2.2 kilometers); and Maroccone (200 meters). When you exit the last tunnel, you will immediately reach an interchange. Follow the large blue signs for Grosseto and Roma to navigate the interchange and stay the course of SS1.
When you leave the interchange, you will be approximately at kilometer 307 as SS1 narrows into a two-lane highway that hugs the coastline, with the sea on your right-hand side. Continue about 2 kilometers and begin watching for landmarks at kilometer marker 305.★★ (The kilometer markers are on the inland side of the road, while all other signs and landmarks are on the coast side.) Immediately past marker 305, there is a sign reading Punta Combara 11, then you will pass Il Sassoscritto restaurant. About 200 meters past the restaurant, there is a Sassoscritto 12 sign (43.4650N, 10.3444E). Less than 100 meters farther along, there is another Sassoscritto 12 sign (43.4649N, 10.3453E).
To go to the first naturist zone described above, follow the path that leaves from either Sassoscritto 12 sign. Shortly the two paths will merge into a single path, continuing downhill directly to the nude area.
To go to the second naturist zone described above, continue past both Sassoscritto 12 signs. You will then pass Il Romito restaurant, immediately past which you will cross the Ponte di Calignaia. Kilometer marker 304★★ is less than 100 meters past the end of the bridge, then the signed path to the nude area is just 50 or so meters past marker 304 at a very small gap in the guardrail (43.4649N, 10.3511E). The trilingual sign indicates Spiaggia Naturista, Naturist Beach and FKK Strand, but, unlike most other signs in the area, there is no number or proper name on the sign. (You have gone 200 meters too far if you reach the Cala del Leone sign.)
There is free parking all along the road, wherever there is enough room. There are scattered pullouts along with much narrower shoulder intervals where space is quite constrained. If you have to park in a tight area, be sure you are completely out of the lanes of traffic, and be careful about opening your car door into passing traffic. There is a small parking lot opposite each of the two restaurants named above, but those are reserved for patrons.
★★ Kilometer markers 305 and 304 are about 800 meters apart, not a full kilometer. The discrepancy is apparently due to a slight re-routing of SS1 that happened decades ago.
The A12 autostrada was envisioned as a roughly 475-kilometer-long coastal motorway connecting Rome to Genoa, but the project has never been completed due to environmental concerns. The motorway has existed as two segments for decades—a relatively short southern segment (about 75 kilometers long) originating in Rome and a much longer northern segment (about 200 kilometers long) originating in Genoa, with an incomplete gap of about 200 kilometers between the two segments where traffic follows SS1 instead. For the northern segment of A12, the kilometer marker numbers increase going south and east (away from Genoa, toward Rome). In the vicinity of Livorno, there are two exits you could take to transfer from A12 (i.e., the longer northern segment) to SS1.
If you are going south (toward Rome) on A12, it is better to take the Livorno exit, between kilometer markers 169 and 171 (with marker 170 amid the interchange). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Keep straight ahead after the toll plaza. You will begin heading south on a short spur motorway. In about 3.5 kilometers, you will pass a sign indicating the motorway is coming to an end. Keep straight ahead. You will be filtered onto an expressway portion of SS1, continuing south. Just keep straight ahead another 11 to 12 kilometers until you pass through the three tunnels described above, then proceed as directed above.
If you are going north (toward Genoa) on A12, it is better to take the Rosignano Marittimo exit (abbreviated Rosignano M.), between kilometer markers 208 and 205 (with markers 207 and 206 amid the interchange). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. After the toll plaza, keep to the right, toward Rosignano M., Rosignano Solvay, Castiglioncello and Livorno. You will be filtered onto SS1 going north, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. The first marker you will pass is 288. Continue about 13 kilometers and take note when you pass the overhead panel that indicates you are entering Quercianella (the southernmost coastal district of Livorno). About 2 kilometers farther along, you will pass a similar overhead panel indicating you are leaving Quercianella, then not quite 200 meters farther along, you will pass kilometer marker 303. Just under a kilometer farther along, access to one of the nude areas is just before marker 304. Or, continue across the Ponte di Calignaia and watch for the Sassoscritto 12 signs to go to the other nude area.
MAP from A12 Livorno exit toll plaza to Sassoscritto 12 signs
MAP from A12 Rosignano Marittimo exit toll plaza to Sassoscritto 12 signs
This placemark pertains to Scogliere del Romito.

Sassoscritto 12
This placemark pertains to Scogliere del Romito.

Kilometer 304
This placemark pertains to Scogliere del Romito.

Il Sassoscritto restaurant

free parking along road shoulder

"Sassoscritto 12" sign (1 of 2)

Il Romito restaurant

Ponte di Calignaia (bridge)

textile beach below bridge

"Spiaggia Naturista / Naturist Beach / FKK Strand" sign

Cala del Leone (textile)

Spiaggia di Marina di Bibbona

Spiaggia di Marina di Bibbona
Roughly halfway between Livorno and Piombino, Marina di Bibbona is a coastal resort village that is part of the municipality of Bibbona. Backed by a ribbon of coastal forest, the sandy beach of Marina di Bibbona extends well beyond the seaside enclave for several kilometers in either direction, occasionally interrupted by the mouth of a stream. A bit south of Marina di Bibbona beyond the development, there is a stretch of remote beach attended by nude bathers. Although associated with Marina di Bibbona, the nude beach actually lies a bit over the line in the next municipality (specifically in the Bolgheri district of Castagneto Carducci). The nude beach is most quickly accessed from a pay parking lot at the far south end of Marina di Bibbona. There is lots of room to spread out along this beautiful and tranquil part of the beach, and nude bathing is well established but not authorized. Be aware that nude bathers are subject to citations. If you'd prefer to eliminate that risk, a legal nude beach located in the general vicinity is Spiaggia del Nido dell'Aquila in San Vincenzo, about 30 kilometers south of Marina di Bibbona.
Bolgheri, Castagneto Carducci, Livorno, Toscana, Italy

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The town of Cecina is located about 40 kilometers south of Livorno and about 100 kilometers northwest of Grosseto, and the major thoroughfare through the vicinity of Cecina is an expressway portion of route SS1 (la strada statale 1, a.k.a. Via Aurelia). There are three exits of SS1 signed Cecina. To reach Marina di Bibbona, a logical starting point is the La California/Cecina Sud exit of SS1, which is the southern of the three Cecina exits, located between kilometer markers 275 and 276.
Upon exiting, follow signs for Bibbona and La California (NOT Cecina). You will begin going south on SP39 (SP = strada provinciale), parallel to the inland side of SS1. Proceed a little over 3 kilometers to a roundabout (which is between kilometer markers 273 and 272 of SP39). Go right at the roundabout, following the brown sign for Marina di Bibbona.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on a road numbered SP15bis, a.k.a. Via dei Melograni. Almost immediately you will cross over SS1 and a parallel railroad, then shortly you will reach another roundabout. Keep straight ahead (staying on SP15bis), past the Marina di Bibbona town sign. Continue 600-700 meters to a mini-roundabout at a three-way junction next to Hotel Hermitage. Keep straight ahead. Not quite 100 meters after the mini-roundabout, take the next possible left onto Via dei Platani, following signs that point toward two campgrounds: Il Gineprino Camping Village and Campeggio del Forte. After following Via dei Platani south for 1.8 kilometers, you will reach the end of the road at the entrance to a large pay parking lot (43.2335N, 10.5347E).
The path to the beach begins near the handicap parking spaces at the far end of the parking lot, diagonally opposite the entrance to the lot. After an easy walk of 300-400 meters through the woods, you will arrive at the south end of Spiaggia di Marina Bibbona, beyond the hub of the main beach development. Facing the sea, turn left and head south. Shortly you will reach a land feature called Fossa Camilla, where a shallow stream meets the sea. This land feature can take multiple forms. Sometimes the stream makes a clean break to the sea, sometimes it is held back by a shoal of sand and sometimes it pools into something like a lagoon that can extend over 200 meters along the beach. Depending on the tides and the form of Fossa Camilla, as you continue walking south you may be entirely on dry sand or you may have to trudge through a bit of wet sand and/or shallow water. After Fossa Camilla, continue a few hundred meters and you will begin to encounter nude bathers. From the parking lot, the walking distance to the start of the nude area is a little over one kilometer.
Beyond the nude area, at a distance of about 1.5 kilometers from Fossa Camilla, there is a collection of shack-like beach shelters along an expanse of the beach that is controversially run as an exclusive private beach. If you are interested, this article (in Italian) may shed some light on the complicated situation, which involves a dispute between the state and private landowners. Whatever the case, nudity is not customary that far south.
MAP from SS1 La California/Cecina Sud exit to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Marina di Bibbona.

start of SP15bis at roundabout junction with SP39
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Marina di Bibbona.

roundabout next to Marina di Bibbona town sign
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Marina di Bibbona.

mini-roundabout next to Hotel Hermitage

entrance to Il Gineprino Camping Village

entrance to Campeggio del Forte

Fossa Camilla (stream mouth, often shoaled)

SP15bis, a.k.a. Via dei Melograni

Via dei Platani

wooded path to beach

Spiaggia del Nido dell'Aquila

Spiaggia del Nido dell'Aquila
The town of San Vincenzo is roughly halfway between Livorno and Grosseto. Beginning in San Vincenzo, there is an uninterrupted sandy beach that extends southward for over 8 kilometers toward Piombino. Most of that beach is part of Rimigliano Coastal Park (Parco costiero di Rimigliano), which spans 5.5 kilometers from one end to the other and is entirely backed by a ribbon of dense forest. The park is a coastal preserve with limited development. There is no entry fee. Toward the southern end of the park, a segment of the beach is attended by nude bathers. The nude beach is referred to as Nido dell'Aquila ("eagle's nest"), which is the name of a nearby farmhouse that is in ruins. Nido dell'Aquila is generally regarded as the premier nude beach of Tuscany. It has been popular with nudists since the '80s, when a local naturist group began establishing the beach as a haven for bare bathing. After decades of tacit acceptance, local authorities granted official recognition to the nude beach in 2010. The signed and designated nude area extends about 400 meters.
From the coastal road that runs through Rimigliano Coastal Park, there are ten numbered beach access paths. Along any of them, it is an easy, pleasant walk out to the beach that takes just a few minutes. Nido dell'Aquila is accessed from path #9, which begins at the derelict farmhouse from which the nude beach takes its name. At the end of the path, there are toilets with showers as well as a snack stand. The designated nudist zone begins just south of those amenities. There are also two restaurants nearby: one at the start of path #8 (about 200 meters north of path #9) and another at the start of path #10 (about 800 meters south of path #9).
San Vincenzo, Livorno, Toscana, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3q48Gvd
San Vincenzo and Piombino are nearby coastal towns that are south of Livorno and northwest of Grosseto, with San Vincenzo being the more northern of the two. San Vincenzo and Piombino are connected by a 17-kilometer-long coastal road called Via della Principessa, which is numbered SP23 (SP = strada provinciale). However, there is very limited signage with the road number. Heading south from San Vincenzo, there is an overhead sign along Via della Principessa that indicates the end of the town limits. Just after that sign, Via della Principessa begins to pass through Rimigliano Coastal Park. On the coast side of the road through the park, there are ten numbered signboards with park maps, with the numbers getting higher going south. Spaced at irregular intervals, the distance from one signboard to the next ranges from less than 200 to more than 800 meters. Each signboard marks the start of a path that goes out to the long, sandy, wild beach of the coastal park. The nude beach is accessed from signboard #9 (43.0333N, 10.5293E), the next-to-last numbered signboard going south. The access is 4.2 kilometers south of the "leaving San Vincenzo" sign.
There is parking on the shoulder of the road at signboard #9 and along multiple other stretches of Via della Principessa. Most of the parking is free, but note that a fee is required to park anywhere the spaces are outlined in blue paint. From signboard #9, it is about 300 meters to the beach. The path first goes through a grassy meadow next to the derelict farmhouse before disappearing into a dense forest. About 75 meters into the forest, keep left at a trail junction, then shortly you will arrive at the beach just after you pass a toilet building. Facing the sea, turn left and head south. Within 100 meters, you will reach the sign indicating the start of the nude area, which extends southward about 400 meters. From the closest parking, it is an easy walk that takes less than 10 minutes.
The major thoroughfare through the vicinity of San Vincenzo is an expressway portion of route SS1 (la strada statale 1, a.k.a. Via Aurelia). Getting from SS1 to the start of Via della Principessa in San Vincenzo involves going through the town center, but it is also possible to cut over to Via della Principessa along minor rural roads, avoiding the town center. There are several ways to do this. The route detailed below is the easiest to follow.
There are two exits of SS1 signed San Vincenzo. Take the San Vincenzo Sud exit of SS1 (the southern of the two), located between kilometer markers 252 and 254 (with marker 253 amid the interchange). Upon exiting, follow the sign for San Vincenzo. You will be briefly be on SP20, heading toward the coast. Within a kilometer, you will reach the end of SP20 at a stop sign at a "T" with SP39. Turn left, toward Venturina and AWAY from San Vincenzo. After following SP39 for 2.1 kilometers, you will cross over SS1 to the inland side of the expressway. Continue 400 meters and take the next possible right onto Via della Caduta. In less than 200 meters you will cross over SS1 again, back to the coast side of the expressway.
Continue along Via della Caduta another 1.9 kilometers to the end of the road at a yield sign at a three-way junction with Via del Lago (which is not signed at the junction). Make a sharp right. Just after turning, you will cross under a railroad overpass. Continue just over one kilometer to the end of Via del Lago at a stop sign at a "T" with Via della Principessa. At the "T," signboard #4 will be straight ahead. Turn left, toward Piombino.
Follow Via della Principessa south 1.7 kilometers and take note when you pass Locanda Oceano Mare, a restaurant and B&B on the right (coast) side of the road. Signboard #8 is just past Locanda Oceano Mare, then signboard #9 is 175 meters farther on, just past the derelict farmhouse. (You have passed signboard #9 by 500-600 meters if you reach a small roundabout at the junction with Via delle Caldanelle, a road that goes inland toward a campground called Park Albatros. Signboard #10, the last of the numbered signboards, is 300 meters past the roundabout.)
MAP from SS1 San Vincenzo Sud exit to signboard #9
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Nido dell'Aquila.

signboard #7
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Nido dell'Aquila.

Locanda Oceano Mare (restaurant/B&B)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Nido dell'Aquila.

signboard #8

derelict, abandoned farmhouse

signboard #9

long stretches of roadside parking

toilets / showers

Park Albatros (camping)

segment of Via della Principessa

path to beach from signboard #9

Elba Beaches

Scogli di Barabarca

Scogli di Barabarca
Golfo Stella is the easternmost of three large bays that prominently indent the southern coastline of Elba. Along the east side of the bay near the town of Capoliveri, Spiaggia dello Zuccale and Spiaggia di Barabarca are nearby west-facing beaches. Each is a crescent of golden sand nestled in a small cove. Barabarca, the more southern of the two, is about 150 meters long, while Zuccale is somewhat longer, extending about 200 meters. Barabarca and Zuccale are both popular beaches that get crowded during peak season, and both are textile. However, there is a rocky stretch of shoreline that is between the two coves and secluded from both beaches. This rugged area extends about 200 meters, and nude bathers gather along the middle part of this expanse, where a mass of rock slopes down to the sea. There is no beach at all in this area. Sunbathers occupy niches of relatively flat space that are tucked into various tiers of the rock mass.
The nude area is most often associated with Spiaggia di Barabarca since access is by an unmarked side path off the path to Barabarca. It is an easy walk of just a few minutes from the nearest parking to the nude area, but getting all the way down the rock mass to the sea requires a degree of fitness and agility. There are usually no more than a dozen nudists along the rock mass even when Barabarca and Zuccale are teeming with textiles. Food is available nearby at both the textile beaches.
Capoliveri, Livorno, Toscana, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3rLFCZS
Elba is about 10 kilometers off the coast of Tuscany. While the island has a small airport, most visitors arrive by ferry. From the mainland town of Piombino, there is ferry service to four island ports. The most traveled ferry route is from Piombino to Portoferraio, Elba's principal town on its north coast. You can take a car to the island or just go as a passenger and rent transportation on the island. See Direct Ferries to compare options for the four ferry companies that serve Elba.
Elba is a fairly small island that is about 30 kilometers across (as the crow flies) from one extreme to the other, and the island's land area is comparable in size to New York City's two largest boroughs: Elba is a little bigger than Brooklyn but a little smaller than Queens. The island is crisscrossed by a network of minor numbered local roads, all prefaced with SP (for strada provinciale).
Spiaggia di Barabarca is located toward the eastern end of Elba's southern coast near the town of Capoliveri. The driving distance to the beach from Portoferraio is about 13 kilometers.
Assume you start at the ferry port in Portoferraio. Watch for "all directions" signs (tutte le direzioni) to navigate away from Portoferraio into the interior of the island. You should end up on SP24 at or near its start. In about 2 kilometers, just past kilometer marker 2, you will see panels pointing in different directions toward Procchio and Porto Azzurro. Go left toward Porto Azzurro. You will be filtered to the start of SP26, at kilometer 0. Follow SP26 in a generally southeasterly direction for 9 to 10 kilometers, then turn right toward Capoliveri. The turnoff, prominently marked by an overhead panel, is 600 meters past kilometer marker 9. (Porto Azzurro is about a kilometer past the Capoliveri turnoff.)
Upon turning toward Capoliveri, you will be at the start of SP31, at kilometer 0. Follow SP31 for 1.9 kilometers, then turn right at the large sign pointing toward Zuccale and Barabarca. (The turnoff is immediately before kilometer marker 2, at the point where SP31 begins to make a very sharp leftward curve.)
Once you turn onto the Zuccale/Barabarca road, there are two forks within the first 100 meters where it is easy to get off course, and signs pointing the way are rather inconspicuous. Just after you turn away from SP31, the road immediately forks, and there is a tiny yellow chapel in the fork of the road. Keep to the right. A bit past the chapel the road forks again, with a residential driveway between the two roads. Keep to the left. From that point, keep straight ahead another 800 meters to the end of the road. Just a bit before the road's end, there is a shaded earthen parking lot on the right signed Spiaggia dello Zuccale, and that lot can hold several hundred cars. That should be your backup parking option, and there is a fee to park there. Continuing past the pay lot, shortly you will reach the dead end of the road (42.7497N, 10.3598E), next to a brown Spiaggia di Barabarca sign. To the left, there is an earthen parking lot that can hold 40 to 50 cars, and parking there is free.
On the south side of the smaller parking lot (i.e., to your left if you are facing the dead end of the road), a broad path leads about 100 meters to the stairs that descend to the main expanse of Spiaggia di Barabarca, but you will leave the main path before it reaches the stairs. The path is lined with wooden rail fencing on both sides. Follow the path 50 to 60 meters until you reach a gap in the fence on the right, next to an agave plant. Turn right and follow the unmarked side path that begins at the gap. In about 100 meters you will reach the nude area, which is the rocky expanse of shoreline that is between Spiaggia di Barabarca and Spiaggia dello Zuccale.
MAP from Portoferraio ferry port to parking
This placemark pertains to Scogli di Barabarca.

This placemark pertains to Scogli di Barabarca.

tiny chapel at fork in road

road fork, with residential driveway in between roads

Spiaggia di Barabarca (textile)

Spiaggia dello Zuccale (textile)

Zuccale/Barabarca road

path to Spiaggia di Barabarca

unmarked side path to nude area

Spiaggia degli Acquarilli

Spiaggia degli Acquarilli
Golfo Stella is the easternmost of three large bays that prominently indent the southern coastline of Elba. Spiaggia degli Acquarilli, the best known and most popular nude beach in Elba, is located in a small bay that is about halfway across the innermost part of Golfo Stella—in other words, in a bay within a bay. Acquarilli is situated below the coastal road between two headlands: Capo Norsi on the east side of the beach and Capo ai Pini on the west side. The main beach is a mix of sand, pebbles and straw-like organic debris extending about 300 meters, and about halfway along that expanse a rocky outcropping projects partway toward the sea, dividing the main beach into two roughly equal parts. Beyond the west end of the main beach, the coastline curves sharply, with about 200 more meters of beach nestled against Capo ai Pini. That part of the beach is much rougher and narrower than the main beach, covered entirely in pebbles and stones.
The only access to Acquarilli is by a steep path down Capo Norsi that lands at the far east end of the beach. Traditionally, textiles have occupied the first (eastern) half of the main beach, with nudists gathering on the western half, beyond the outcropping. The stonier part of the beach beyond the curvature of the land is usually empty. In 2016, the municipality of Capoliveri designated Acquarilli as a nude beach, making it the first and only beach in Elba to be officially recognized as a venue for bare bathing. There is now a sign in the parking area announcing the naturist status. Although nudity is now theoretically acceptable anywhere along the beach, so far it seems that the old patterns still hold, so you likely to encounter few if any nude bathers along the first half of the main beach during peak season. Acquarilli has no amenities, but there is sometimes a snack vendor in the parking area.
località, comune, province, region, country:
Norsi, Capoliveri, Livorno, Toscana, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3rDYKt0
Elba is about 10 kilometers off the coast of Tuscany. While the island has a small airport, most visitors arrive by ferry. From the mainland town of Piombino, there is ferry service to four island ports. The most traveled ferry route is from Piombino to Portoferraio, Elba's principal town on its north coast. You can take a car to the island or just go as a passenger and rent transportation on the island. See Direct Ferries to compare options for the four ferry companies that serve Elba.
Elba is a fairly small island that is about 30 kilometers across (as the crow flies) from one extreme to the other, and the island's land area is comparable in size to New York City's two largest boroughs: Elba is a little bigger than Brooklyn but a little smaller than Queens. The island is crisscrossed by a network of minor numbered local roads, all prefaced with SP (for strada provinciale).
Spiaggia degli Acquarilli is located toward the eastern end of Elba's southern coast, just west of the small village of Norsi and a bit east of the larger village of Lacona. The driving distance to the beach from Portoferraio is about 10 kilometers.
Assume you start at the ferry port in Portoferraio. Watch for "all directions" signs (tutte le direzioni) to navigate away from Portoferraio into the interior of the island. You should end up on SP24 at or near its start. In about 2 kilometers, just past kilometer marker 2, you will see panels pointing in different directions toward Procchio and Porto Azzurro. Go left toward Porto Azzurro. You will be filtered to the start of SP26, at kilometer 0. Follow SP26 in a generally southeasterly direction about 6.3 kilometers. 300-400 meters past kilometer marker 6, turn right at signs for Lacona, Marina de Campo and the airport. Upon turning, you will be at the start of SP30, at kilometer 0.
After following SP30 west 600-700 meters, keep straight ahead past the left-hand turnoff into Norsi. About 300 meters farther on, you will pass kilometer marker 1. About 750 meters past marker 1, there is a small gravel parking lot on the left (coast) side of the road (42.7646N, 10.3378E). Access to Spiaggia degli Acquarilli is from that parking lot, but a fee is required to park there (at least during peak season). If you continue along SP30 just a bit, over the next few hundred meters there are two small pullouts on the coast side of the road where you can park for free. The second of those pullouts is next to kilometer marker 2. There is also limited free parking along the shoulder of the road just outside the parking lot entrance.
The gravel parking lot overlooks the sea, perched atop the headland that separates Spiaggia di Norsi and Spiaggia degli Acquarilli. Four footpaths★ leave from the parking lot. Facing the sea with your back to the road, take either of the two paths that are on the right side of the parking lot. Both paths descend the west side of the headland, converging into a single path about halfway down. While the walking distance to the beach is just 200 meters, it is a steep climb down, with an elevation loss of 40 to 50 meters. You will land at the far east end of Spiaggia degli Acquarilli, which extends westward about 300 meters. While nudity is theoretically permissible along the entire beach, in reality the first (i.e., eastern) half of the beach tends to be all textile during peak season. Nudists tend to converge along the second (i.e., western) half of the beach, beyond a rocky outcropping that extends partway across the beach and serves as a natural divider.
★ The footpath that goes straight ahead from the parking lot leads to a scenic overlook with panoramic views, while the footpath on the east side of the parking lot descends to Norsi.
MAP from Portoferraio ferry port to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia degli Acquarilli.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia degli Acquarilli.

free parking along road or in small pullouts

scenic overlook atop Capo Norsi

Capo ai Pini

Spiaggia di Norsi (textile)

Spiaggia di Capo Canata

Spiaggia di Capo Canata
Look at a map of Elba and you will see that bays create a trio of very prominent indentations along the southern coast of the island. From east to west, those bays are named Golfo Stella, Golfo di Lacona and Golfo di Campo. Capo Stella, the peninsula that divides Golfo Stella and Golfo di Lacona, projects southward from the village of Lacona. There is a cluster of campgrounds located in the relatively flat area where Capo Stella begins in the village, then the land rises and the peninsula becomes a long mountain that extends about 2.5 kilometers. Along the eastern side of Golfo di Lacona, Spiaggia di Capo Canata is a small beach tucked into the western side of Capo Stella near where the peninsula connects to the main body of the island. The only land access to the beach is by passing through Camping Stella Mare. A very long staircase with a handrail descends to the beach, which is about 75 meters long and mostly covered in pebbles.
Nude bathing is well established at Spiaggia di Capo Canata, but at any given time the crowd may be all nude, all textile or mixed. About 150 meters to the south, there is a small hidden beach that is just 25 meters long, and it is likely to be empty or occupied by a few nude bathers. Getting there takes a bit of effort since you will have to scramble over the boulders that stack the shoreline between the two beaches. Spiaggia di Capo Canata is within 500 meters of the amenities of Camping Stella Mare, which include a restaurant and a small grocery shop. The campground connects to the far eastern end of Spiaggia di Lacona, the long sandy beach across the innermost part of Golfo di Lacona. Spiaggia di Lacona is among the largest and most popular beaches of the island.
42.7535N, 10.3137E (Spiaggia di Capo Canata)
42.7517N, 10.3142E (hidden beach farther south)
Lacona, Capoliveri, Livorno, Toscana, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3K9ZmwH
Elba is about 10 kilometers off the coast of Tuscany. While the island has a small airport, most visitors arrive by ferry. From the mainland town of Piombino, there is ferry service to four island ports. The most traveled ferry route is from Piombino to Portoferraio, Elba's principal town on its north coast. You can take a car to the island or just go as a passenger and rent transportation on the island. See Direct Ferries to compare options for the four ferry companies that serve Elba.
Elba is a fairly small island that is about 30 kilometers across (as the crow flies) from one extreme to the other, and the island's land area is comparable in size to New York City's two largest boroughs: Elba is a little bigger than Brooklyn but a little smaller than Queens. The island is crisscrossed by a network of minor numbered local roads, all prefaced with SP (for strada provinciale).
Spiaggia di Capo Canata is in the village of Lacona along the central area of Elba's southern coast, more or less directly south of Portoferraio. The driving distance from Portoferraio to Lacona is about 14 kilometers by the easiest-to-follow route (described below), or about 9 kilometers if you take a shortcut along rural roads. Once you get to Lacona, you will have to pass through the premises of Camping Stella Mare in order to access Spiaggia di Capo Canata.
Assume you start at the ferry port in Portoferraio. Watch for "all directions" signs (tutte le direzioni) to navigate away from Portoferraio into the interior of the island. You should end up on SP24 at or near its start. In about 2 kilometers, just past kilometer marker 2, you will see panels pointing in different directions toward Procchio and Porto Azzurro. Go left toward Porto Azzurro. You will be filtered to the start of SP26, at kilometer 0. Follow SP26 in a generally southeasterly direction about 6.3 kilometers. 300-400 meters past kilometer marker 6, turn right at signs for Lacona, Marina de Campo and the airport. Upon turning, you will be at the start of SP30, at kilometer 0. Lacona is spread out between kilometer markers 4 and 6 of SP30.
Follow SP30 in a generally westerly direction for 4 kilometers and take note when you pass marker 4. 100-200 meters farther along, keep slightly to the left at a three-way junction to stay on the main road. 400-500 meters farther along, stay on the main road as it curves sharply to the right at another junction. After the sharp curve, start watching for landmarks on the left. Shortly you will pass the entrance to Camping Lacona, then less than 200 meters farther along you will pass the entrance to similarly named Camping Lacona Pineta. Just 75 meters after that, the next street going off to the left is Via del Moletto, and it leads about 400 meters to the entrance to Camping Stella Mare. Ultimately, you need to go there on foot once you find parking.
For free parking, keep straight ahead on SP30 and you will pass kilometer marker 5 just 50 meters past Via del Moletto. Just 50-100 meters past marker 5, turn left directly opposite the entrance to Golfo Della Lacona and you will pass under a red-and-white striped height barrier as you enter a parking lot that is signed "free" in Italian (libero) and German (frei). From the parking lot entrance (42.7609N, 10.3110E), it is a walk of about 500 meters to the entrance to Camping Stella Mare.
For paid parking, turn left onto Via del Moletto, toward Camping Stella Mare. Proceed 150-200 meters, then turn right into the Tortuga Beach Club parking lot, which is signed Parcheggio a Pagamento. From the parking lot entrance (42.7592N, 10.3127E), it is a walk of about 200 meters to the entrance to Camping Stella Mare.
As you enter Camping Stella Mare, the first building to your right is the reception building (42.7573N, 10.3135E). Since you are passing through private property, you may be waved in and asked to leave an ID with reception★ while you are at the beach. From the reception building, it is about 400 meters to the stairs that lead to Spiaggia di Capo Canata, and you will be walking more or less directly south on roads along which vehicular traffic is restricted to registered guests. Just after the reception building, you will pass three successive buildings, all to your right: a restaurant, a grocery shop and a sanitary block (toilets/showers). About 100 meters past the three buildings, you will pass another sanitary block—this one to your left. Immediately past the sanitary block, turn right at a junction. The road will curve around the periphery of a big white house with a tile roof. (It is marked as a private residence on campground maps, and it is significantly larger than the nearby bungalows.) After the big white house, continue about 100 meters to the next junction, where you will find the stairs★★ to the beach going off to the right (42.7542N, 10.3130E). Following the long staircase, it is about 100 meters to the beach, with an elevation loss of about 25 meters. If the small beach is overrun with textiles, you may wish to explore the even smaller beach that is hidden around a bend about 150 meters farther south (to the left when facing the water). To get there, you will have to scramble over the boulders along the waterline.
★ It is possible to circumvent the reception building, and there do not seem to be any posted regulations against doing so. As you are walking down Via del Moletto, there is an ice cream shop on the right, a bit past the pay parking lot (Tortuga Beach Club) and a bit before Via del Moletto curves leftward toward the entrance to Camping Stella Mare. At the ice cream shop, go to the right on a pedestrian street and shortly you will reach Spiaggia di Lacona near its very narrow far east end. Facing the sea, turn left and head east, passing along the sea side of two seaside structures (one of which is a restaurant). Shortly past those buildings, there are stairs going up to Camping Stella Mare. The stairs land next to the swimming pool, which is on the sea side of the reception building. Follow the ramp that continues slightly uphill away from the swimming pool and shortly you will be on the sea side of the three successive buildings described previously (restaurant, grocery shop, sanitary block). Turn right onto the road that is on the inland side of those buildings, then proceed as directed above.
★★ If you consult a detailed map of Camping Stella Mare, you will see that all camping pitches are identified by a letter and a number (e.g., D3 or F9), with the letter indicating a cluster of sites. The stairs to the beach begin just past the "S" cluster but just before the "R" cluster.
MAP from Portoferraio ferry port to parking (Tortuga Beach Club)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capo Canata.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capo Canata.

entrance to Camping Lacona
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Capo Canata.

entrance to Camping Lacona Pineta

pay parking lot "Tortuga Beach Club"

ice cream shop

entrance to Camping Stella Mare

reception building, Camping Stella Mare

swimming pool, Camping Stella Mare

restaurant, Camping Stella Mare

grocery shop, Camping Stella Mare

toilets / showers, Camping Stella Mare

large white house with tile roof

tiny beach (potentially nudist)

small difficult-to-access beach (no known nudist presence)

Spiaggia di Lacona (textile)

Via del Moletto

roads through Camping Stella Mare & long staircase to beach

alternate path into Camping Stella Mare

Le Piscine

Le Piscine
Toward the western end of the southern coast of Elba, the village of Seccheto cascades down a hillside to a sandy beach in a small bay. Just west of Seccheto, a very rocky stretch of beach soon gives way to a mass of rock that is pocked with depressions that fill with sea water. This geologic area is known as Le Piscine, which is the plural form of the Italian word for swimming pool. Along a stretch of about 200 meters, there are two clusters of pools just above sea level, separated by an area where the shelf-like mass of rock bulks upward a bit. Nude bathing is well established, but plenty of textiles visit as well. While nudity patterns can vary from day to day, nudity is much more prevalent at the cluster of pools that is farther west. The coastal road runs directly above Le Piscine, but bathers are not readily visible to passersby. Le Piscine is quickly accessible from the coastal road, but the terrain is a bit rugged for the mobility challenged.
Seccheto, Campo nell'Elba, Livorno, Toscana, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Qdeiyd
Le Piscine is immediately west of the village of Seccheto. The driving distance from Portoferraio to Seccheto is about 22 kilometers.
Assume you start at the ferry port in Portoferraio. Watch for "all directions" signs (tutte le direzioni) to navigate away from Portoferraio into the interior of the island. You should end up on SP24 at or near its start. In about 2 kilometers, just past kilometer marker 2, you will see panels pointing in different directions toward Procchio and Porto Azzurro. Keep straight ahead toward Procchio, staying on SP24. About 6.5 kilometers farther on, you will pass the Procchio village sign. Another 1.4 kilometers farther on, just after crossing under a pedestrian bridge that spans the road, you will reach kilometer marker 10, which is the last marker of SP24. 200-300 meters after marker 10, you will reach a three-way junction in the busy commercial center of Procchio. SP24 ends at this junction. The road straight ahead is SP25, and the road going off to the left is also SP25. With a length of 48 kilometers, SP25 makes a loop around the western end of Elba, starting and ending at the junction in Procchio. The kilometer marker numbering increases going clockwise along the loop.
Turn left at the junction in Procchio, toward Pomonte and the airport. You will be at kilometer 0 of SP25. After 2.7 kilometers you will pass the La Pila village sign. About 100 meters farther on and just past the airport turnoff, be sure to turn left at the "all directions" sign (tutte le direzioni) in order to stay on SP25. Continue 1.2 kilometers to a roundabout, then follow the signs for Cavoli, Seccheto and Fetovaia in order to stay on SP25. Continue about 7 kilometers farther (passing through Marina di Campo) and take note when you reach the Seccheto village sign (400 meters past kilometer marker 11). Exactly one kilometer farther on, you will pass a similar sign indicating you are leaving Seccehto (400 meters past marker 12). At that point, the road will be along the coastline.
Beginning immediately at the "leaving Seccheto" sign, there are three parking pullouts on the coast side of the road over the next 400 meters. Each of them can hold about 15 cars (with limited additional parking along the inland side of the road), and all three pullouts overlook the rocky stretch of coastline known as Le Piscine. (If you pass kilometer marker 13, you have gone 200-300 meters past the last of the parking pullouts.) From all the pullouts, there are short but steep paths down the very rocky terrain to the sea. The middle of the three parking pullouts (42.7342N, 10.1712E) is 200 meters past the "leaving Seccheto" sign. The area of Le Piscine that seems to be most consistently frequented by nudists corresponds to the far end of the middle pullout.
MAP from Portoferraio ferry port to parking (middle pullout)
This placemark pertains to Le Piscine.

"Seccheto" village sign (entering going west, leaving going east)
This placemark pertains to Le Piscine.

This placemark pertains to Le Piscine.

"Seccheto" village sign (leaving going west, entering going east)

extent of Le Piscine (more nudity toward western end)

Spiaggia dell'Aliva & Spiaggia di Giardino

Toward the far western end of the south coast of Elba, Spiaggia delle Tombe is situated between the villages of Fetovaia and Pomente. The beach undulates for about one kilometer, backed by rugged escarpments of varying height and steepness. Parts of Le Tombe are very stony, but there are several expanses composed of a mix of sand, pebbles and organic debris, making for more comfortable bathing. There are two steep paths from the coastal road down to the beach, and neither path is marked, so crowds are much sparser than at most other Elba beaches. Nude bathing is common, with nudists gathering at either end of Le Tombe. Oddly, each end of the beach has its own name, probably because the curvature of the coastline isolates the two ends of Le Tombe from one another, lending them the aura of distinct locations.
The far east end of Le Tombe is known as Spiaggia dell'Aliva. About 100 meters long, Aliva is backed by a particularly dramatic escarpment. At the opposite end, Spiaggia di Giardino is the northwesternmost 150 or so meters of Le Tombe, beginning at a cluster of boulders in the intertidal zone. This end of Le Tombe mostly disappears at high tide. Although nudity is well established at both Aliva and Giardino, patterns vary from day to day. Of the two areas, Giardino has a more consistent nudist presence, while Aliva is more likely to be overrun with textiles during peak season. The walk from the Avila end of Le Tombe to the Giardino end is about 800 meters, around two bends of the coastline.
The name Le Tombe, by the way, means "the tombs." It is a reference to ancient Etruscan burial sites high in the surrounding hills.
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia dell'Aliva and Spiaggia di Giardino.

Spiaggia dell'Aliva
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Spiaggia dell'Aliva and Spiaggia di Giardino.)
Fetovaia, Campo nell'Elba, Livorno, Toscana, Italy
There are 12 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Spiaggia dell'Aliva and Spiaggia di Giardino.

Spiaggia di Giardino
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Spiaggia dell'Aliva and Spiaggia di Giardino.)
Fetovaia, Campo nell'Elba, Livorno, Toscana, Italy
There are 12 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Spiaggia dell'Aliva and Spiaggia di Giardino.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/43DwmVh
Spiaggia delle Tombe is just west of Fetovaia. The driving distance from Portoferraio to Fetovaia is about 25 kilometers.
Assume you start at the ferry port in Portoferraio. Watch for "all directions" signs (tutte le direzioni) to navigate away from Portoferraio into the interior of the island. You should end up on SP24 at or near its start. In about 2 kilometers, just past kilometer marker 2, you will see panels pointing in different directions toward Procchio and Porto Azzurro. Keep straight ahead toward Procchio, staying on SP24. About 6.5 kilometers farther on, you will pass the Procchio village sign. Another 1.4 kilometers farther on, just after crossing under a pedestrian bridge that spans the road, you will reach kilometer marker 10, which is the last marker of SP24. 200-300 meters after marker 10, you will reach a three-way junction in the busy commercial center of Procchio. SP24 ends at that junction. The road straight ahead is SP25, and the road going off to the left is also SP25. With a length of 48 kilometers, SP25 makes a loop around the western end of Elba, starting and ending at the junction in Procchio. The kilometer marker numbering increases going clockwise along the loop.
Turn left at the junction in Procchio, toward Pomonte and the airport. You will be at kilometer 0 of SP25. After 2.7 kilometers you will pass the La Pila village sign. About 100 meters farther on and just past the airport turnoff, be sure to turn left at the "all directions" sign (tutte le direzioni) in order to stay on SP25. Continue 1.2 kilometers to a roundabout, then follow the signs for Cavoli, Seccheto and Fetovaia in order to stay on SP25. Continue 9.3 kilometers farther (passing through Marina di Campo) to Fetovaia. The village sign is between kilometer markers 13 and 14. Just over one kilometer past the village sign, you will pass a similar sign indicating you are leaving Fetovaia, then 300 meters farther on you will pass kilometer marker 15.
At marker 15, you are coming upon Spiaggia delle Tombe, and there are two paths down to the beach. Neither one of them is signed. The first path leaves the road about halfway between markers 15 and 16, and it provides the quickest access to Spiaggia dell'Aliva (i.e., the east end of Spiaggia delle Tombe). The second path leaves from marker 16, and it provides the quickest access to Spiaggia di Giardina (i.e., the west end of Spiaggia delle Tombe).
To find your way to the first path, watch the guardrail segments along the coast side of the road after you pass marker 15. The path begins at the end of the third stretch of guardrail (42.7348N, 10.1403E), between fractional kilometer markers★ 15.4 (IV/15) and 15.5 (V/15). The closest parking is a pullout on the coast side of the road about 75 meters past the path, between fractional kilometer markers 15.5 (V/15) and 15.6 (VI/15). At the start of the path, you will be about 80 meters above sea level. After a walk of about 400 meters, you will land on a rocky segment of the beach. Facing the sea, turn left and head west. In about 100 meters the beach will widen, and at that point you will be at Spiaggia dell'Aliva, which extends about 100 meters.
To find your way to the second path, just proceed to marker 16 (42.7374N, 10.1359E). There is a parking pullout on the coast side of the road at marker 16, and the path leaves from there. As with the other path, you will be starting about 80 meters above sea level and you will arrive at the beach after a walk of about 400 meters. Facing the sea, turn right and head west (northwest, actually). In about 100 meters you will pass through a cluster of boulders in the intertidal zone. Spiaggia di Giardina begins at the cluster of boulders and extends about 150 meters.
The two paths land at the beach 500-600 meters apart, so you can walk across the central expanse of Spiaggia delle Tombe to get from Spiaggia dell'Aliva to Spiaggia di Giardina or vice versa. Once you get to either extreme of the beach, you will reach a point where you cannot go any farther.
★ Kilometer marker panels are reasonably easy to spot. For example, at markers 15 and 16, the number "15" or "16" appears on a white background above the number of the road (SP25) on a blue background. Every 100 meters between kilometer markers, there are white fractional markers that are much smaller and less conspicuous, and the location is identified by a Roman numeral over an Arabic numeral. For example, at kilometer 15.4 there is a marker with IV (Roman numeral 4) on top and 15 on bottom.
MAP from Portoferraio ferry port to parking (at km 16)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia dell'Aliva and Spiaggia di Giardino.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia dell'Aliva and Spiaggia di Giardino.

fractional kilometer marker 15.4 (IV/15) of SP25

fractional kilometer marker 15.5 (V/15) of SP25

fractional kilometer marker 15.6 (VI/15) of SP25

Spiaggia dell'Aliva

Spiaggia di Giardino

Grosseto

Cala Martina & Cala delle Donne

Toward the northern coastal end of Grosseto province, the Bandite di Scarlino is a large nature reserve that lies south of Follonica but north of Punta Ala (a prominent westward projection of land and its eponymous seaside resort). Encompassing about 60 square kilometers, the Bandite di Scarlino is thickly forested, with large hills along the coastline and small mountains farther inland. With an extensive network of trails, the Bandite di Scarlino is particularly popular with mountain bikers. The coastline of the preserve undulates for 5 to 6 kilometers, bracketed on the north end by a marina and on the south end by a plain called the Pian d'Alma, where the land abruptly becomes very flat. Two campgrounds, Camping PuntAla and Baia Verde International Camping, occupy the forested coastal edge of the plain, abutting a long beach that extends southward all the way to Punta Ala. Among the many trails of the Bandite di Scarlino is a coastal path that begins a bit south of the marina and runs all the way to the Pian d'Alma. There are five beaches along the coastal path. From south to north, they are Cala Civette, Cala Violina, Cala Martina, Cala delle Donne and Cala di Terra Rossa.
Of the five beaches, Violina and Civette are definitively textile. Both are beautiful sandy beaches set against forested backdrops, each roughly 400 meters long. While both are well attended, Violina is always the more crowded of the two. Particularly esteemed for its golden sand, Violina is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in Tuscany. At any given time, the overwhelming majority of beachgoers to the Bandite di Scarlino will be at Violina or Civette, which are the only two beaches that have sand. Attendance drops precipitously at the other beaches, which opens up possibilities for nude bathing. However, it should be noted that none of the beaches of the Bandite di Scarlino can be described as a really well-established venue for naturism. Nude bathing occurs irregularly at best, and with discretion.
After Violina and Civette, Martina ranks a distant third in popularity. Martina actually consists of two distinct pebble beaches separated by a rocky outcropping, distinguished from one another on signs by Roman numerals. From the coastal path, there are two side paths that descend to Martina—one landing on each part of the beach, but it is easy to go around the outcropping to get from one part to the other. The smaller northern area, Cala Martina I, is a crescent that extends about 100 meters. The southern area, Cala Martina II, is about twice as long. Martina never gets very crowded even on days when Violina and Civette are packed, and most visitors to Martina congregate along its northern crescent since the mulch-like organic debris mixed with the pebbles renders it a bit more comfortable than the southern area, which is often deserted. For years, "naturist beach" (in English) has been graffitied onto a sign at the start of the side path to Cala Martina I. However, Cala Martina II actually offers more nudist potential of the two. Despite the graffiti, Martina seems to be a nude beach in theory much more than in practice. If no one is naked when you visit, use discretion.
The next beach north of Martina is Cala delle Donne, and it is the least visited of the five beaches. The side path leading to it is not signed, nor is the beach labeled on most signboards, so most visitors are unaware that it exists. Le Donne is a narrow beach that extends about 400 meters, and it is covered entirely in stones that are substantially larger than the pebbles that cover Martina. Le Donne is usually deserted, and even when it isn't there is ample space to find seclusion. Nudity is known to occur occasionally but not really with enough frequency for it to be considered a bona fide nude beach. If you are seeking seclusion, there is a good chance you will have all or at least a good part of this beach to yourself, but the rocky terrain makes it an uncomfortable beach for bathing. North of Le Donne is Cala di Terra Rossa, a cove with a very narrow pebble beach. Although lightly attended, Terra Rossa has no documented history of nude use and is best regarded as a textile beach.
While the Bandite di Scarlino is a very beautiful place to explore, remember that the practice of naturism in the reserve is sporadic at best. If your time is limited, there are far better established nude beaches not terribly far away.
This placemark pertains to Cala Martina and Cala delle Donne.

Cala Martina
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala Martina and Cala delle Donne.)
42.8672N, 10.7716E (Cala Martina I, northern crescent)
42.8656N, 10.7715E (Cala Martina II, southern expanse)
Puntone di Scarlino, Scarlino, Grosseto, Toscana, Italy
There are 34 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Martina and Cala delle Donne.

Cala delle Donne
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala Martina and Cala delle Donne.)
Puntone di Scarlino, Scarlino, Grosseto, Toscana, Italy
There are 34 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Martina and Cala delle Donne.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Q7PgQN
The major thoroughfare through the province of Grosseto is an expressway portion of route SS1 (la strada statale 1, a.k.a. Via Aurelia). Starting roughly 30 kilometers northwest of the city of Grosseto, there are several exits in the general vicinity of the Bandite di Scarlino nature reserve. Going from Grosseto toward Livorno, those exits are named Gavorrano/Scalo, Gavorrano, Scarlino, Follonica est and Follonica nord. For the easiest-to-follow route, take the Scarlino exit, which is between kilometer markers 222 and 223 of SS1.
Upon exiting, follow signs for Scarlino. You will begin heading south on SP38 (SP = strada provinciale). In 1.5 to 2 kilometers, keep straight ahead through a roundabout in the village of Scarlino Scalo, continuing toward Scarlino. After the roundabout, the road number will change to SP84. Continue 3.3 kilometers to a stop sign at the next major junction, then turn right toward Castiglione and Punta Ala. Upon turning, you will be on SP60 (no longer heading toward Scarlino, which is perched atop a hill).
After following SP60 west toward the coast for 5.9 kilometers, you will pass the Puntone village sign. Just 100 meters past the sign, you will reach a traffic light at a "T" with SP158, where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left, toward Castiglione and Punta Ala. In less than 100 meters, take the next possible right next to a pharmacy, following the brown signs for Parco Avventura and Porto di Scarlino.
Upon turning next to the pharmacy, you will be on Via della Dogana, which will become Via Lungomare Giuseppe Garibaldi. In 900 meters, the street will narrow just past the large marina (i.e., Porto di Scarlino). You will pass a sign pointing straight ahead toward Il Cantuccio restaurant as well as a sign indicating the start of a zone where streetside parking is not allowed★. The no-parking sign is a round blue panel with a red slash, with an "up" arrow (↑) beneath it. About 400 meters farther on, you will pass a private beach club called Cala Felice, which is on the right surrounded by bamboo fencing. There are two earthen parking lots next to Cala Felice. One is on the same side of the road immediately before the beach club, and the other is directly across the road. Keep those lots in mind as backup parking options, but carefully watch for restrictions as one or both lots may be seasonally reserved for Cala Felice patrons. About 100 meters past Cala Felice, you will reach a sign indicating the end of the no-parking zone. It is the same round blue panel with a red slash that marks the start of the no-parking zone, except the arrow below it points downward (↓). Once you pass that sign, it is about 150 meters to the next sign (with an "up" arrow) where the no-parking zone restarts. Park between the two signs (42.8804N, 10.7797E). Most parking is along a gravel shoulder on the right (sea) side of the road, with a few niches on the left.
Upon parking, continue on foot and stay on the asphalted road (not the gravel spur that goes toward the sea). Once you pass the sign where the no-parking zone restarts, continue about 50 meters and the road will pass through a small cluster of buildings that includes Il Cantuccio restaurant. After the restaurant, the asphalted road will morph into a broad gravel hiking path. You will see a large signboard with a topographic map of the numbered trails in the Bandite di Scarlino nature reserve. You will be on path 1, which is the path that hews toward the coastline. Below are some landmarks along path 1:
• km 0.0  Il Cantuccio restaurant
• km 0.6  path makes rightward "U" curve
• km 0.8  path makes 90° leftward curve
• km 1.1  unmarked side path to Cala delle Donne (42.8730N, 10.7749E, approximately)
• km 1.3  path makes rightward "U" curve
• km 2.0  junction with path 6
• km 2.2  monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, opposite side path to Cala Martina I (42.8678N, 10.7720E)
• km 2.4  junction with path 2B, opposite side path to Cala Martina II (42.8662N, 10.7722E)
• km 4.0  junction with path 2A at Cala Violina
• km 4.8  side path to Cala Civette
• km 6.2  path 1 intersects asphalted road near Camping PuntAla
The side path to Cala delle Donna is inconspicuous. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to walk there from the restaurant. If you do not have a GPS device, count the major curves in path 1 to help you along. The side path goes downhill through the trees about 150 meters to the rocky beach.
There are two side paths to Cala Martina, and both are well signed and easy to find. The Garibaldi monument, the focal point of which is a bust atop a pedestal, is a can't-miss landmark on the inland side of path 1. Almost directly opposite the monument, the side path to Cala Martina I begins at a signboard numbered "09." About 200 meters farther south, path 1 intersects path 2B, a broad path that goes inland. Almost directly opposite that junction, the side path to Cala Martina II begins at a signboard numbered "10." Each signboard is quite prominent and includes the name of the beach segment (i.e., I or II) along with a satellite image. Each side path goes downhill through the forest for less than 100 meters before emerging at the beach.
From the side path to Cala Martina II, it takes 20 to 30 minutes to continue to Cala Violina if you'd like to see it, but remember that it is a textile beach.
ALTERNATE APPROACH
The main approach to Cala Violina is from a pay parking lot that is on the inland side of the coastal hills. If you park there, your walk to Cala Martina will be about a kilometer longer compared to parking near Il Cantuccio restaurant.
Follow the driving directions above until you reach the pharmacy, but do NOT turn there. Keep straight ahead, staying on SP158. In about 300 meters you will pass a sign that indicates you are leaving Puntone. 400-500 meters farther along, take note when you pass a picnic area on the right that overlooks the sea. It is signed with a picnic table symbol, and it is a great place to stop for some panoramic photos. After the picnic area, continue south along SP158 another 2.3 kilometers, then turn right at the Cala Violina signs. (The turnoff is 800-900 meters past kilometer marker 9, and you have missed it by about 150 meters if you pass marker 10.) Just after you turn, the road will turn to gravel. Follow the blue "P" signs. In just over one kilometer you will reach the entrance to the large pay parking lot (42.8573N, 10.7934E).
From the parking area, the hiking route to Cala Violina is straightforward and well signed. You will be on path 2A, going gradually uphill. In about 800 meters you will reach the junction with path 8, which is the path the runs atop the ridge of the coastal hills. Keep straight ahead, staying on path 2A. From that point, you will be going gradually downhill. About 250-300 meters farther along, you will reach a three-way junction with path 2B, which goes off to the right. Keep straight ahead, staying on path 2A. In 600-700 meters you will reach the end of path 2A at path 1 next to Cala Violina. If you turn right onto path 1 and head north, it is about 1.5 kilometers to the side path to Cala Martina II, then not quite 200 meters to the side path to Cala Martina I next to the Garibaldi monument.
Alternatively, you could turn right onto path 2B, but you will bypass Cala Violina. Path 2B winds through the hills for 2 kilometers, ending at path 1 opposite the side path to Cala Martina II.
★ Here is how to interpret the arrows (↑↕↓) that are often below "no-parking" signs: An "up" arrow (↑) by itself indicates the start of a no-parking zone, so you can park leading up to the sign but not past it. A double arrow pointing both up and down (↕) indicates that you are in a no-parking zone, so parking is not allowed on either side of the sign. A down arrow (↓) by itself indicates the end of a no-parking zone, so you can park beginning immediately past the sign.
MAP from SS1 Scarlino exit to parking (near Il Cantuccio restaurant)
MAP from SS1 Scarlino exit to parking (pay lot at main Cala Violina access)
This placemark pertains to Cala Martina and Cala delle Donne.

Cala Martina I, northern crescent
This placemark pertains to Cala Martina and Cala delle Donne.

Cala Martina II, southern expanse

Puntone village sign along SP60 (facing traffic going west)

Porto di Scarlino

Cala Felice (private beach club)

no-parking zone temporarily ends (going toward Ristorante Il Cantuccio)

limited parking between two no-parking zones

no-parking zone begins again (going toward Ristorante Il Cantuccio)

Ristorante Il Cantuccio

Cala di Terra Rossa (textile)

junction of path 1 (traced) & path 6 (not traced)

monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi

Cala Violina (textile)

Cala Civette (textile)

Camping PuntAla

Baia Verde International Camping

"Puntone" village sign along SP158 (facing traffic going south)

"Puntone" village sign along SP158 (facing traffic going north)

picnic area with panoramic views

pay parking lot (closest access to Cala Violina)

junction of path 2A (traced) & path 8 (not traced)

interchange in Pian d'Alma

segment of SP158 from Puntone to Pian d'Alma

Via della Dogana / Via Lungomare Giuseppe Garibaldi

unmarked side path to Cala delle Donne

side path to Cala Martina I

side path to Cala Martina II

path 2A

path 2B

road to Cala Violina trailhead

Baie Verde/PuntAla access road

segment of road from Pian d'Alma toward Punta Ala

southern expanse of Cala Martina

northern crescent of Cala Martina

extent of Cala delle Donne, roughly

Spiaggia di Marina di Alberese

Spiaggia di Marina di Alberese
Maremma Regional Park (Parco Regionale della Maremma) is a large nature preserve that is a bit south of Grosseto, and Spiaggia di Marina de Alberese is the only major beach along the coastline of the park. Beginning at the marshlands around the mouth of the Ombrone River, the sandy beach extends southeast for nearly 6 kilometers. Much of the beach is backed by a coastal plain covered in a dense scrub forest. Moving away from the river, the picturesque Uccellina Hills rise abruptly from the plain and form the backdrop for the southeastern end of the beach. Marina de Alberese is prized for its pristine beauty, and it is also well known for nude bathing along its more remote expanses. There is just one automobile access to the beach, with parking along the northwestern area of Marina de Alberese (toward the Ombrone). That is the most populated part of the beach, and it gets pretty crowded during summer. Moving southeast along the beach toward the Uccellina Hills, the crowd gradually starts to thin out, and nude bathing is well established by the time you reach the midpoint of the long beach. The nude area is neither signed nor especially well defined. You generally have to walk at least 20 minutes along the beach before encountering nudists, then from there nudity may be encountered all the way to the end of the beach. However, the beach becomes progressively more deserted due to the requisite walk, with bathers few and far between along the last few kilometers of the beach.
Although nudity is not formally sanctioned, Marina de Alberese has become more of a safe haven for naturists due to court rulings that affirmed the right to be naked in sufficiently remote areas. Since the early 2000s, bare bathers removed from the textile hub have not been at risk of being cited for indecent exposure. Just inland from the textile area of the beach, there is a wooded area of pavilions and picnic tables where sandwiches and snacks are available. As you head from the access point toward the nude area, you will begin to encounter lots of shack-like structures constructed from driftwood. Depending on your point of view, you may regard these primitive beach shelters as eyesores or as complements to the rustic character of the beach.
In addition to natural beauty, Maremma Regional Park is also notable for its historical structures and its abundance of wildlife. Inland from the central expanse of the beach, there are two stone watchtowers perched on hills, aligned with areas of the beach where nudity is common. Torre di Collelungo is a Renaissance structure that is the closer to the beach of the two, while Torre di Castel Marino is a medieval structure farther inland atop a higher hill. Nestled in the hills inland from the far southeastern end of the beach are the imposing ruins of the Abbey of St. Rabano, a Benedictine monastery dating to circa 1100. Besides fish, birds and waterfowl, the park is also teeming with small mammals. You may encounter deer, wild boar and red foxes if you explore the trails in the coastal forest. These creatures sometimes even wander out to the beach, with the red fox particularly delighting visitors.
Before visiting the park, be sure to see more details in the directions below. There are some parking limitations and access restrictions that mainly apply during peak season. A park visitor center that is en route to the beach is an essential stop for learning more about what the park has to offer.
Alberese, Grosseto, Grosseto, Toscana, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/43BdLJl
The major thoroughfare through the vicinity of Grosseto is an expressway portion of route SS1 (la strada statale 1, a.k.a. Via Aurelia), and there are four exits signed Grosseto: Nord, Centro, Est and Sud. Going south on SS1 past all the Grosseto exits, the next two exits are signed Alberese Rispescia and Alberese, and those exits are respectively between kilometer markers 175 and 174 and markers 167 and 166.
Assume you start from the southern of the two Alberese exits of SS1 (i.e., the one that is NOT signed Rispescia). Upon exiting, follow signs for Alberese and you will begin heading northwest on a minor local road numbered SP59 (SP = strada provinciale), with the kilometer marker numbers descending. In 4 to 5 kilometers you will enter the small village of Alberese, which lies entirely between kilometer markers 7 and 6. Shortly past the village sign, SP59 will briefly split into two divided one-way lanes. Just after the two lanes come back together, you will reach the visitor center for Maremma Regional Park (42.6695N, 11.1038E), just before the sign indicating you are leaving the village. The visitor center itself is on the left (west) side of the road but its parking lot is directly opposite on the right side.
The park visitor center lies outside the boundaries of the actual park. From the visitor center, it is still another 3 to 4 kilometers to the automated park entry gate then another 5 kilometers beyond the gate to Spiaggia di Marina di Alberese. At any given time, a fixed number of cars are allowed to proceed beyond the automated entry. During peak season, you have to arrive early to park at the beach without waiting in line. Otherwise, plan to take the shuttle bus that runs from the visitor center to the beach. From late June to early September, the bus runs every half hour, then there is weekend-only service during warmer times before and after peak season. You can purchase a shuttle bus ticket at the visitor center, and the inexpensive round-trip fare costs less than the hourly parking rate at the beach. There are other accesses into the park for hikers and cyclists, but an entry ticket is still necessary. (During certain periods only guided tours are allowed in the backcountry areas of the park, so inquire at the visitor center if that is part of your plans.)
If you take the shuttle, you will be dropped off in the parking area next to the beach. To proceed by car, continue along SP59 for 1.3 kilometers past the visitor center. Just past kilometer marker 5, turn left at a Marina di Alberese sign (at a junction where SP59 curves sharply to the right). You will then be on a street named Strada del Mare. Continue 600 meters, then turn left at a three-way junction in order to stay on Strada del Mare, following another Marina di Alberese sign. Just as soon as you turn, you will pass through a pair of brick gateposts. 1.4 kilometers farther along, you will reach the automated park entry with lift gates and a traffic light. Just before the entry, watch for a sign that posts the parking rates. If the light is red, then the quota of cars has been reached, so you will have to wait for a car to exit before the gate will open to let you through. If there is a line of cars waiting, you will have to wait for a corresponding number of cars to exit. As you go through the gate, a camera will photograph your car's license plate and record the time of entry. Just past the lift gates, there is a kiosk on the left signed Cassa. That is where you pay the parking fee, but not until you leave the park. When you exit, stop at the kiosk and enter your license plate number in the machine. Your parking total is based on how long you were there, and once you pay a gate will be activated to let you out.
Beyond the automated entry, the road continues to the beach, and there is an interweaving bicycle lane that roughly parallels the road. Once you are about 4.6 kilometers past the automated entry, you will cross a narrow canal. Just past the canal, the bicycle lane will begin to run directly alongside the left side of the road, with a wooden split-rail fence between the road and the bicycle lane. About 250 meters farther on, the bicycle lane will end at a stop sign. At that point, take note of the broad path going off to the left (southeast), but hold that thought★ for later. Another 150 meters farther on, you will reach "do not enter" panels straight ahead, forcing you to make a right turn onto a narrow gravel road. That road loops through a shaded, earthen parking lot that directly abuts the sea (42.6492N, 11.0348E). Watch carefully for the blue-and-white "P" panels that indicate where parking is allowed.
Facing the sea near the parking area, the beach extends about 5 kilometers to your left (southeast). Head in that direction to reach the nude area, the start of which is not terribly well defined and varies depending on how crowded the main beach is. Plan on walking at least 20 minutes and maybe a bit more. The first nudists are generally encountered 1.5 to 2 kilometers from the parking area. As you head through the nude area, you will see Torre di Collelungo perched atop a hill a bit inland from the beach. The distance from the parking area to the stone tower is about 2.9 kilometers. Most nude bathing occurs before Torre di Collelungo. Beyond the tower, bathers are few and far between, whether naked or not.
Alternate driving route:
You can also start from the northern of the two Alberese exits of SS1 (signed Alberese Rispescia). Upon exiting, follow signs for Alberese. You will end up on SP59, which is the same road previously described. (SP59 connects to SS1 at both Alberese exits, forming a partial loop.) In about 5 kilometers, you will see the signed turnoff toward Marina di Alberese on the right as SP59 begins to make a sharp leftward curve. The turnoff is about 900 meters past kilometer marker 4. Before turning toward Marina di Alberese, remember that you may want to continue another 1.3 kilometers along SP59 so you can stop at the park visitor center in the village of Alberese.
Alternate hiking route:
Rather than walking on the beach, you may prefer to take a pleasant stroll through the forest, landing on the beach near Torre di Collelungo. It is a long but easy and level walk of about 3.4 kilometers. The walk begins where the aforementioned bicycle lane ends at a stop sign. (Refer to "hold that thought" above.★) As you start along the broad track (which is wide enough for park service vehicles), you should be heading such that the sea is off to your right. In a bit less than 100 meters you will reach a wooden gate across the path. (At that point, off to your right you will see Punti di Ristoro—a cluster of pavilions and picnic tables where food is available.) Go through the gate, staying on the path that is straight ahead. Continue 2.3 kilometers to a major three-way trail junction.★★ Keep to the right. At that point, the path will begin to angle toward the sea. Stay on the broadest, most obvious path. 800-900 meters farther on, the path will emerge from the woods and you will be standing in a small gravel area★★ where a wooded hill abruptly rises straight ahead. You can see Torre di Collelungo atop the hill amid the short, scrub-like trees. The gravel area is a trail junction location. The path to your right goes toward the sea while the path to your left heads inland. Go to the right and follow the sandy path over the dunes and out to the beach. Facing the sea, most nude bathers are likely to be to your right (toward the parking area), while the more deserted part of the beach is to your left.
★★ As you approach the three-way trail junction, there are spots where you can glimpse a stone tower perched high atop a hill. That tower is not Torre di Collelungo but rather Torre di Castel Marino, a similar tower that is farther inland. The two towers are 800 meters apart (as the crow flies), and Torre di Castel Marino is on a much higher hill, at an elevation of about 95 meters (compared to about 42 meters for Torre di Collelungo). When you get to the gravel area, you will be more or less directly below Torre di Collelungo, and you can look inland to see Torre di Castel Marino in the distance.
MAP from SS1 Alberese exit to parking
MAP from SS1 Alberese Rispescia exit to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Marina di Alberese.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Marina di Alberese.

Maremma Regional Park visitor center (shuttle bus service from here during summer)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia di Marina di Alberese.

brick gateposts

automated park entry gate (fees payable at "Cassa" kiosk upon leaving)

stop sign at end of bicycle lane

Punti di Ristoro (snack stands, picnic area)

Torre di Collelungo

Torre di Castel Marino

Abbey of St. Rabano (monastery in ruins)

Strada del Mare

bicycle lane

one-way loop through parking area

hiking path

Spiaggia del Lago di Burano

Spiaggia del Lago di Burano
The Oasi WWF del Lago di Burano is a wetlands preserve at the extreme southern end of Tuscany at the regional border with Lazio. (WWF is the English acronym for the international organization known both as the World Wildlife Fund and the World Wide Fund for Nature.) Lago di Burano, the main geographic feature of the preserve, is a lagoon that runs along the coastline for over 3 kilometers, separated from the sea by an expanse of thickly vegetated dunes and a corresponding sandy beach. Torre di Buranaccio, a prominent and bulky block-shaped tower dating to the 16th century, is located on the inland side of the dunes along the sea side of the lagoon.
The beach of the wetlands preserve is remote in that there is no direct automobile access. With few overall visitors, the beach is an informal venue for nude bathers. By car, you must park at one of the contiguous developed beaches on either end of the preserve—Spiaggia di Macchiatonda on the northwest end or L'Ultima Spiaggia on the southeast end. Those two accesses are 8.5 kilometers apart as the crow flies. From either access, walk in the direction of the lagoon about 20 minutes and you are likely to encounter bare bathers. Although nude bathing is well established, nudists are fairly few in number and widely dispersed as the zone of potential nude use extends 4 to 5 kilometers.
Next to Torre di Buranaccio, there is a shallow channel of water that flows through the dunes, connecting the lagoon to the sea. This outlet is located along the nude area of the beach at a distance of 2.9 kilometers from the access point at Spiaggia di Macchiatonda and 5.6 kilometers from the access point at L'Ultima Spiaggia. Since the channel is often shoaled, it is usually not necessary to wade through it. Most nudists approaching from Spiaggia di Macchiatonda stop a bit before Torre di Buranaccio, and most nudists approaching from L'Ultima Spiaggia stop well before the tower. Beach amenities such as eateries and toilets are located at Spiaggia di Macchiatonda and L'Ultima Spiaggia.
Capalbio Scalo, Capalbio, Grosseto, Toscana, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Opno9y
The major thoroughfare through the province of Grosseto is route SS1 (la strada statale 1, a.k.a. Via Aurelia), which follows a generally north-south route that roughly parallels the coastline. Kilometer marker 123 is at the southern end of Grosseto, where it borders the neighboring province of Viterbo. (The Grosseto/Viterbo provincial border is also the Tuscany/Lazio regional border.) Kilometer marker 233 is near the northern end of Grosseto, where it borders the neighboring province of Livorno. The city of Grosseto aligns with kilometer 182. SS1 is a four-lane express highway with exits for almost its entire 110-kilometer-long span through Grosseto, but there are a few stretches where SS1 is not an expressway.
Oasi WWF del Lago di Burano is located within the municipal limits of Capalbio, which is the southernmost coastal comune of Grosseto (or Tuscany). The long beach of the nature reserve can be accessed by parking at a developed beach on either end. If you follow Option 1 below (Spiaggia di Macchiatonda), you will leave SS1 along a stretch where the highway has two lanes with cross traffic. If you follow Option 2 below (L'Ultima Spiaggia), you will leave SS1 via an exit ramp. Note that there is just one beach in Capalbio. Spiaggia di Macchiatonda, Spiaggia del Lago di Burano and L'Ultima Spiaggia are segments of a contiguous stretch of sand.
Automobile Access Option 1—Spiaggia di Macchiatonda:
The turnoff to Spiaggia di Macchiatonda is signed Marina di Capalbio,★ and it is located between kilometer markers 133 and 134 of SS1. If you are heading toward Rome, this will be a right turn that is 300-400 meters past marker 134. If you are heading toward the city of Grosseto, this will be a left turn that is 600-700 meters past marker 133.
Once you turn away from SS1, you will be on a street named Strada di Macchiatonda. In about 600 meters you will cross under a railroad overpass, then less than 200 meters farther on, you will reach a stop sign at a "T" with Strada Litoranea, where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right, toward Ansedonia, but then proceed less than 50 meters and take the next possible left onto the continuation of Strada di Macchiatonda. Continue a kilometer to the seaside pay parking lot at the end of the road (42.4023N, 11.3464E). Facing the sea, turn left and head southeast about 2 kilometers to the start of the informal nudist stretch. Plan on a walk of about 20 minutes.
Automobile Access Option 2—L'Ultima Spiaggia:
The Chiarone exit of SS1 is the southernmost exit in Grosseto (or Tuscany). If you are heading toward Rome, the exit ramp is 800 meters past kilometer marker 125. If you are heading toward the city of Grosseto, you will leave Lazio and enter Tuscany at marker 123, then the exit ramp is one kilometer farther on immediately past marker 124.
Upon exiting, follow the sign for Chiarone. You will begin heading toward the coast on SP75 (SP = strada provinciale). Continue 3.5 to 4 kilometers to the tiny village of Chiarone Scalo, which is a bit past kilometer marker 12. Just past the village, turn right onto Strada Litoranea at a sign that points toward Ansedonia. (If you pass marker 13, you have missed the turn by about 100 meters.) Just after turning you will cross under a railroad overpass. About 100 meters farther on, take the next possible left onto Strada Graticciaia. Follow the road 500 to 600 meters to an irregular junction where there are lots of signs pointing toward restaurants and other businesses. At that point, just keep straight ahead to enter the pay parking lot for L'Ultima Spiaggia (42.3810N, 11.4466E). The 150-meter-long path to the beach begins diagonally opposite the entrance into the parking lot. Facing the sea, turn right and head northwest about 2 kilometers to the start of the informal nudist stretch. Plan on a walk of about 20 minutes.
★ Be advised that there are two turnoffs signed Marina di Capalbio. The one described above is between kilometer markers 133 and 134. The other turnoff, which is between kilometer markers 131 and 132, is the turnoff described below under the directions for bicyclists.
Alternate Access—Much Longer Walk, with Option to Bicycle Most of the Way:
Strada Litoranea, referenced in both automobile access options above, is alternately known as SP68. It runs along the entire length of Oasi WWF del Lago di Burano, but it is not possible to park an automobile along this road. However, you can walk or bicycle along part of the road as part of an alternate route to the nude beach, and you can avoid the parking fee that you would have to pay at Spiaggia di Macchiatonda or L'Ultima Spiaggia.
Turn away from SS1 about halfway between kilometer markers 131 and 132, following the signs for Calpalbio Scalo, Marina di Calpabio and Burano. (At the turnoff, SS1 is a non-express highway with cross traffic.) You will turn onto Via Emilia, the main street through the village of Calpalbio Scalo. In 500 meters, keep straight ahead through a roundabout. The street name will change to Via Umbria. 200 meters farther on you will reach a mini-roundabout, at which point the Calpalbio train station will be straight ahead at the end of the street. At the mini-roundabout, turn right onto Via Abruzzo, following the sign that points toward parking. Proceed 150 meters, then turn left into the parking lot entrance (42.4090N, 11.3695E). Parking is free.
Return to the train station. Facing the railroad, there is both a staircase and a ramp on the right side of the station building. Both lead to a pedestrian tunnel that goes under the tracks. Once you emerge from the tunnel, you will intersect Strada Litoranea. Turn left and follow the street east, such that the railroad is to your immediate left. The lagoon and the sea will be off to your right. Watch the kilometer markers, which get higher the farther you go. In 500 meters, you will pass the Oasi WWF visitor center on the right. (There is a small parking lot at the visitor center, but you can't park there to go to the beach.)
Marker 8 is about 350 meters past the visitor center, then marker 10 is 2 kilometers farther on, just a bit past where Strada Litoranea crosses an irrigation canal via a short bridge. After marker 10, continue about 300 meters to a wooden gate on the right (42.3978N, 11.4059E). If you have a bicycle, you will have to leave it there since the path to the beach is restricted to foot traffic. There is a small wooden platform where bikes can be parked and chained. From the wooden gate, it is a very straight walk out to the beach through a flat, treeless hay field. After walking 250 meters, cross the footbridge over an irrigation canal. 350-400 meters farther on, cross another footbridge over a smaller irrigation canal. After the second footbridge, it is about 150-200 meters to the beach, and along the final stretch the path becomes a series of long steps that go up and over the forested dunes.
When you land on the beach, you will be about 4.7 kilometers away from the access point at Spiaggia di Macchiatonda (which will be to your right as you face the sea) and 3.8 kilometers from the access point at L'Ultima Spiaggia (which will be to your left). Although you will be along a remote stretch where nudity is generally acceptable, you may find only textiles in the immediate vicinity of where the path lands on the beach, especially on days when the shuttle bus is running (see more about that farther down). Just head about 100 meters in either direction.
The total distance from the parking lot next to the train station to the end of the path at the beach is 4.2 kilometers, and you can do all but the last 800 meters on a bicycle.
Alternate Access—Free Shuttle Bus"
There is a seasonal free shuttle bus service operated by the Oasi WWF. The shuttle leaves from the parking lot in Calpalbio Scalo (the one described above, next to the train station) and delivers passengers to the wooden gate (also described above) that is at kilometer 10.3 of Strada Litoranea. From there, it is an 800-meter walk across the hay field to the beach. During July and August, the shuttle operates daily, with service every half hour from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and then every hour from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. During June and September, the shuttle operates only on Saturdays and Sundays, but with the same hours.
MAP from SS1 to parking (Spiaggia di Macchiatonda)
MAP from SS1 to parking (L'Ultima Spiaggia)
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Lago di Burano.

pay parking lot at Spiaggia di Macchiatonda
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Lago di Burano.

pay parking lot at Ultima Spiaggia
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia del Lago di Burano.

bicycle parking area at wooden gate

Calpalbio train station

Oasi WWF del Lago di Burano visitor center

Torre di Buranaccio (16th century fortress)

footbridge over irrigation canal

kilometer marker 123 of SS1 at regional border of Tuscany & Lazio

kilometer marker 5 of SP68 (Strada Litoranea)

kilometer marker 6 of SP68 (Strada Litoranea)

kilometer marker 7 of SP68 (Strada Litoranea)

Strada di Macchiatonda

Strada Graticciaia

Via Emilia / Via Umbria

segment of Strada Litoranea, a.k.a. SP68

path from Strada Litoranea to beach

extent of Lago di Burano (lagoon), roughly

Firenze

Torrente Diaterna

Torrente Diaterna
The Metropolitan City of Florence, formerly known as the Province of Florence, has a land area of about 3,500 square kilometers, with the sublime city of Florence roughly at its center. Despite its name, most of the land area of the metropolitan city away from the city proper is quite pastoral. As the crow flies, the city of Bologna is about 80 kilometers north of Florence. The two cities are on opposite sides of the Apennines. About halfway between the cities in the far north of the Metropolitan City of Florence, the small town of Firenzuola is nestled deep in the mountains along the Santerno River, or the fiume Santerno in Italian. Beyond the town center, the municipality of Firenzuola is comprised of a number of small villages that in turn are comprised of a number of tiny hamlets. Northeast of the town center, Scheggianico and Camaggiore are nearby hamlets along the Santerno that belong to the village of Coniale. Camaggiore has a couple of notable structures. There is a very handsome bridge that spans the Santerno, supported by three stone arches. The bridge could easily be mistaken for an ancient Roman construction, but it actually dates to 1700. It is still a functioning bridge that carries automobile traffic over a one-lane deck. Cross the bridge to reach the other notable structure of Camaggiore, the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist (Pieve di San Giovanni Battista), a beautiful stone church that dates to the 13th century.
In the vicinity of Scheggianico and Camaggiore, the Santerno is a shallow river that snakes through a rocky riverbed. There is a popular recreation area along the stretch of the Santerno that is spanned by the old stone bridge, where visitors swim in deep pools of the river and sunbathe on small pebble beaches and slabs of smooth rock. That area is entirely textile since it is quite visible from the stone bridge and from the nearby highway. However, there is a nearby area where nudity is quite well established. The nude area is not along the Santerno but rather along a tributary creek called the Diaterna, or the torrente Diaterna in Italian. A bit upstream from the old stone bridge that spans the Santerno, the Diaterna flows into the Santerno between Scheggianico and Camaggiore. The creek is quite similar to the river, with deep pools and flat rock slabs in a somewhat narrower bed. Just a bit upstream from the confluence, an old stone bridge spans the Diaterna. It too dates to 1700 and looks very similar to the Santerno bridge, except it is shorter and in a state of decay. The deck of the Diaterna bridge has been sealed off at either end. The area frequented by nudists begins a few hundred meters upstream from the bridge, around a couple of bends of the creek. The nude area extends roughly 400 meters to the next prominent bend of the creek. The setting is quite enchanting.
The Diaterna draws a good many visitors during summer, especially on weekends. Most visitors who find their way to the hidden stretch of the creek opt to be bare. Use extreme caution if you visit early in the year when the creek is still gushing. The water is typically quite calm by the start of summer. Be sure to wear shoes suited to the rocky terrain, and come prepared with food and drink. There is a snack stand next to the textile area of the Santerno that operates during peak season. It is possible to bypass the textile area altogether and go directly to the nude area, but limited parking is a problem.
Coniale, Firenzuola, Firenze, Toscana, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3rItglg
The A1 autostrada (Autostrada del Sole) is a 760-kilometer-long motorway from Milan to Naples that passes through the vicinities of Bologna, Florence and Rome. The kilometer marker numbers increase going south toward Naples. About halfway between Bologna and Florence (which are roughly 100 kilometers apart by car), A1var (Variante di Valico) is an approximately 33-kilometer-long motorway that interweaves with and basically parallels A1. Its kilometer marker numbers likewise increase going south. A1var is a newer and faster motorway with fewer curves, longer tunnels and just two exits. Nearly two-thirds of A1var is subterranean, with its longest tunnel spanning 8.7 kilometers. The exit that you need to take is along A1var near its south end, but first you have to transfer from A1 to A1var.
If you are going north along A1 from Florence toward Bologna (with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing), you have to be in the correct lanes of A1 well in advance of the start of A1var. Start watching the overhead panels at kilometer 263 and make sure you are in the lanes signed A1 Direttissima (i.e., the most direct route) and NOT the lanes signed A1 Panoramica (i.e., the scenic route). For several kilometers up through marker 256, the Direttissima lanes and the Panoramica lanes are parallel but separated. After marker 256, just keep straight ahead. A1var begins at a sign that reads Inizio Variante di Valico. You will pass the first kilometer marker (32) when you enter the first tunnel, with the numbers decreasing.
If you are going south along A1 from Bologna toward Florence (with the kilometer marker numbers increasing), the setup is far more straightforward. At kilometer 220, follow the overhead Direttissima signs. You will be filtered onto A1var. The first kilometer marker you will pass is 1, with the numbers increasing.
From A1var, take the Firenzuola/Mugello exit, which is between kilometer markers 27 and 29 (with marker 28 amid the interchange). (If you are going south toward Florence, the exit is immediately past the above-referenced 8.7-kilometer-long tunnel.) Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the east side of the motorway then onto a connector road that takes you to the nearest highway. Just keep straight ahead for 3 kilometers to a junction where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left, toward Firenzuola and Passo della Futa.
Upon turning, you will begin going northeast on SS65 (la strada statale 65 della Futa), with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. In 4.5 kilometers, watch for marker 44, then continue 800-900 meters and take the next possible right toward Firenzuola. (The turnoff is not very well signed. Just past the turnoff, there is a roundabout at marker 45 where you can turn around if you miss it.)
Upon turning, you will begin going east on SP116 (SP = strada provinciale). There are no kilometer markers. Proceed 8.5 kilometers to a prominent four-way intersection that is just a bit past the small village of Cornacchiaia. At the intersection, signs point left toward Firenzuola and right toward Sigliola. Do not turn toward either location. Keep straight ahead through the intersection.
After the intersection, you will no longer be on SP116 but rather on an unnumbered road that skirts the south side of Firenzuola, bypassing the town center. Continue 2.6 kilometers to a roundabout. Keep straight ahead, toward Imola. Just over a kilometer farther along, you will enter a 400-meter-long tunnel, then you will reach a junction where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right, toward Imola.
Upon turning, you will begin going east on SP610, with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing. You will be paralleling the Santerno, which will be on your right, but for the most part the river is hidden by trees and the slope of the land. Follow SP610 for 7.4 kilometers (passing through San Pellegrino) and take note when you pass the location sign for the hamlet of Scheggianico, which is just over 100 meters past kilometer marker 69. Continue 500 meters (passing all the way through the hamlet) and take the next left, where signs point toward piazzola Brenzone and piazzola Scheggianico Nord. (You have just missed the turn if you cross a bridge over the river.)
Upon turning, you will be on Via Coniale-Cerreta. There is an inconspicuous street sign at the start of the road. Via Coniale-Cerreta is a narrow and curvy asphalted road with a guardrail along its right-hand side. Within the first kilometer of the road, there are two ways to descend to the Diaterna from the right side of the road. The first way is a footpath that makes a steep descent. The other way is a broad track that makes a gradual descent. To find either of them, watch for gaps in the guardrail.
From the start of the road, proceed about 250 meters and watch for a private driveway gate at the first gap in the guardrail. Less than 50 meters past the gate, the footpath leaves from a narrow gap in the guardrail (44.1440N, 11.4485E) that is about the width of a doorway and very easy to miss. 600 meters farther along, the broad track leaves from the next gap in the guardrail (44.1433N, 11.4426E). It is wide enough for automobiles, but there is a chain across the start of the track that blocks vehicular access. About 300 meters farther along, there is another private driveway gate at the next gap in the guardrail, and by that point you are past the nudist stretch of the creek.
Parking along the side of the road is extremely limited. About 150 meters from the start of the road and 100 meters before the first private driveway gate, there is a narrow shoulder on the left side of the road with room for about half a dozen cars. There is room for a similar number of cars on the left side of the road opposite the start of the broad track. Otherwise, there are a few other scattered locations where there is enough room to leave a car, but be sure to watch carefully for no-parking signs.★
The footpath is about 50 meters long, with an elevation loss of about 20 meters. You will land at the Diaterna just a bit downstream from the nudist stretch. Turn left and head upstream. The nude area begins just around a bend of the creek.
The broad track makes a gradual descent through the forest for about 300 meters before it peters out at a grassy meadow that is above the eastern end of the nudist stretch. Along the way, there are two side paths on the left that descend to the nude area. The first side path is about 180 meters from the start of the track. The second side path is about 60 meters farther along, just a bit before the meadow.
Alternative parking and access:
While parking near the Diaterna is quite limited, there is plenty of parking at the popular textile swimming area along the Santerno, and you can hike from there to the nude area.
Follow the directions above to the hamlet of Scheggianico. After passing through the hamlet, do NOT turn onto Via Coniale-Cerreta. Keep straight ahead on SP610 and you will cross a bridge that spans the Santerno. As you are crossing the bridge, look to your left. You will see the confluence where the Diaterna flows into the Santerno. After the bridge, the Santerno will be on your left-hand side. Continue about 600 meters and take the next left toward Camaggiore. (The turnoff is between kilometers 68 and 67 of SP610, but marker 68 seems to be missing.) Just a bit before the turnoff, you will have a very clear view of the textile swimming area along the Santerno and the arched stone bridge that spans the river.
Upon turning, you will be on Via Coniale-Pieve, and you will immediately cross the arched stone bridge. (It is just one lane, so watch for oncoming traffic.) Straight ahead, you will see the bell tower of the church peeking above the trees. Just after the bridge, take the first left into a large free parking lot next to the river (44.1462N, 11.4535E). From there, there are two ways you can get to the nude area of the Diaterna. You can hike through the river and creek beds all the way, or you can bypass the Santerno by following a hiking route that takes you to the Diaterna. Whichever way you go, the total hike is roughly 800 meters.
First, assume hike through the river and creek beds. From the parking area, access the Santerno next to the snack stand. Turn right and head upstream, away from the arched stone bridge. Follow the river bed about 300 meters to the confluence, which is just before the SP610 bridge that spans the Santerno. Turn right and head upstream along the Diaterna, away from the SP610 bridge. In about 150 meters you will reach the arched stone bridge that spans the Diaterna. After crossing under the bridge, you will see an old, sprawling stone country house on the left. (It is the house that is accessed from the first private driveway gate along Via Coniale-Cerreta.) After the large stone house, continue about 100 meters until you round a bend of the creek, then you will be at the start of the nude area.
Alternatively, you can exit the parking lot (on foot) and follow Via Coniale-Pieve toward the church. First you will pass a small cemetery (on your left) that is surrounded by a stone fence wall, then you will reach the church, which is on the right where the road makes a 90° rightward bend. At the bend of the road, go left on a broad hiking track. The track ultimately goes up into the mountains, but you will leave the track before it begins to ascend. Follow the track a bit less than 100 meters until it curves sharply rightward. At the curve, keep straight ahead on a much narrower footpath that begins to go downhill. The footpath makes a long rightward curve along a rocky hillside as it descends toward the Diaterna. Keep to the right to stay on the correct path. In about 150 meters you will pass the landing of the arched stone bridge that spans the Diaterna, then just a bit farther along you will reach the creek bed. Turn right and head upstream away from the bridge. Shortly you will pass the sprawling stone house (to your left, on the opposite bank of the creek from where you landed), then you will reach the nude area around the next bend.
★ A no-parking sign is a round blue panel with a red slash. Here is how to interpret the arrows (↑↕↓) that are often below "no-parking" signs: An "up" arrow (↑) by itself indicates the start of a no-parking zone, so you can park leading up to the sign but not past it. A double arrow pointing both up and down (↕) indicates that you are in a no-parking zone, so parking is not allowed on either side of the sign. A down arrow (↓) by itself indicates the end of a no-parking zone, so you can park beginning immediately past the sign.
MAP from A1var Firenzuola/Mugello exit toll plaza to broad track along Via Coniale-Cerreta
MAP from A1var Firenzuola/Mugello exit toll plaza to parking lot on Via Coniale-Pieve
This placemark pertains to Torrente Diaterna.

This placemark pertains to Torrente Diaterna.

"Scheggianico" sign (south end of hamlet)
This placemark pertains to Torrente Diaterna.

"Scheggianico" sign (north end of hamlet)

very limited roadside parking

private driveway gate

start of footpath at very small gap in guardrail

bridge over Fiume Santerno

confluence of Torrente Diaterna & Fiume Santerno

kilometer 68 of SP610 (marker missing)

sprawling old stone country house

old stone bridge over Torrente Diaterna

old stone bridge over Fiume Santerno

cemetery

church at Camaggiore

segment of Via Coniale-Cerreta

Via Coniale-Pieve

broad track

segment of mountain track

Lago di Castel Ruggero

Lago di Castel Ruggero
Located about 15 kilometers south of the center of Florence, Lago di Castel Ruggero is a small body of water that can be described as a really small lake or a really large pond, with a shoreline perimeter of not quite 1.5 kilometers. The lake takes its name from Castel Ruggero, a 15th-century villa built on the site of an earlier medieval fortress. The villa is just a bit south of the lake. Although Lago di Castel Ruggero is within the metro area of Florence, it feels far more removed from the city than is actually is, nestled in a pastoral landscape of gently rolling green hills that is quintessentially Tuscan. The oblong lake is fed by two small streams. One flows in from the south and the other from the east. There is an earthen dam along the north shore.
Although created in the 1960s for agricultural purposes, Lago di Castel Ruggero has been co-opted as an unofficial recreation site. The lake is a bit off the radar, tucked into a forest with no signs pointing the way. Needless to say, there are no amenities. A culture of nude bathing has taken root over the years, although the lake is visited by plenty of textiles as well. A short and easy hike takes you to the dam at the north end of the lake. Although it is not out of question to encounter nudity along any part of the lakeshore, most nudists move a discreet distance away from the dam before disrobing, especially on more crowded days. The area with the most consistent nudist presence is about midway along the eastern shoreline around a small eastern arm of the lake. The nude area is heavily but not exclusively visited by gay men. Swimming is not allowed, but that prohibition is frequently flouted, and some visitors even bring rafts for floating in the water. The forested setting is quite pleasant, but the water is murky. When the water level is low, there is exposed lakeshore all the way around the lake, but the amount of shoreline available for sunbathing contracts substantially when the lake is especially high. Lago di Castel Ruggero is rarely crowded, even on summer weekends. On weekdays crowds tend to be quite small.
Capannuccia, Bagno a Ripoli, Firenze, Toscana, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OpKGft
The A1 autostrada (Autostrada del Sole) is a 760-kilometer-long motorway from Milan to Naples that passes through the vicinities of Bologna, Florence and Rome. The kilometer marker numbers increase going south toward Naples. Although overall A1 is a north-south route, in the southern outskirts of Florence it briefly runs east-west. In the southern outskirts of Florence, take the Firenze Sud exit of A1, which is between kilometer markers 300 and 302 (with marker 301 amid the interchange). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the north side of the motorway. Just after the toll plaza, take the first possible right toward Greve in Chianti (just Greve on many signs) and Siena.
Upon turning, you will be at the start of a road numbered SR222 (la strada regionale 222 Chiantigiana). However, you will at first pass through a heavily urbanized area where any signage with the road number is at best inconspicuous. Proceed 400-500 meters to an oblong roundabout. Take the first departure to stay on SR222, toward Greve in Chianti, Siena, Grassina and Antella. Continue 700-800 meters, then keep straight ahead through a much smaller roundabout. 200-300 meters farther along, you will cross under the motorway to its south side. Continue about 200 meters, then keep straight ahead (toward Greve in Chianti and Siena) through the next signed junction to stay on SR222. You will then pass through a tree-lined corridor for the next 500 meters, at the end of which you will pass the Grassina town sign as you cross a short bridge over a small river.
Once you enter Grassina, you will be in a very congested area for just a bit. Continue 600 meters and watch on the left for a prominent bus stop. (While it is not the first bus stop you will pass in Grassina, it is the first one where there is a shelter and a big space for the bus to pull off the road.) After the bus stop, continue a little over 100 meters, then veer left at signs that point toward Figline Valdarno and San Polo in Chianti. Upon turning, you will begin heading southeast on SP56 (SP = strada provinciale), with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing. SP56 is also signed Via di Tizzano.
After following SP56 for 2.2 kilometers, you will pass the Capannuccia village sign at kilometer marker 19. One kilometer farther along, you will enter the heart of the small village at kilometer 18. Continue about 100 meters, then turn right onto Via di Castel Ruggero. There is a sign with the name of the road, and the turnoff is directly opposite a residence with the numbers "195" and "197."
Via di Castel Ruggero is a 4.4-kilometer-long road that goes south, ending at SP119. Lago di Castel Ruggero is hidden in the trees roughly halfway along the road, while Castel Ruggero (i.e., the villa) is a bit farther south. Both the lake and the villa are on the left (east) side of the road. There is no parking lot for the lake. You can park your car along the road, but be advised that there is a 600-meter-long no-parking zone along the road near the lake, so be sure you know how to interpret the signs indicating where parking is permitted or prohibited.★
From the start of Via di Castel Ruggero in Capannuccia, it is exactly 2 kilometers to the sign that indicates the start of the no-parking zone. About 200 meters before that sign, you will pass a 40 KPH speed-limit sign (the third speed-limit sign along the road). When you pass the speed-limit sign, slow down and look for parking along the side of the road before you get to the no-parking zone. The no-parking sign is a round blue panel with a red slash, with an "up" arrow (↑) beneath it. The path to the lake begins on the left immediately past the no-parking sign (43.6836N, 11.3113E).
The path is not marked, and it is very narrow (like a cowpath). The path goes slightly downhill through a grassy meadow then continues gradually downhill through a thicket of bushes and small trees, following a power line corridor. In about 250 meters you will emerge from the thicket at a couple of small utility buildings that are at the base of the small earthen dam of the lake. You will see two paths that angle up the dam, one in each direction. Facing the dam, follow the path that is to your left. When you get to the top of the dam, you will be at the northeast corner of the lake. Follow the eastern shoreline of the lake (such that the water is on your right-hand side) for about 200 meters to reach the area where most nudists converge. The total walk from the road is about 600 meters.
★ Here is how to interpret the arrows (↑↕↓) that are often below "no-parking" signs: An "up" arrow (↑) by itself indicates the start of a no-parking zone, so you can park leading up to the sign but not past it. A double arrow pointing both up and down (↕) indicates that you are in a no-parking zone, so parking is not allowed on either side of the sign. A down arrow (↓) by itself indicates the end of a no-parking zone, so you can park beginning immediately past the sign.
MAP from A1 Firenze Sud exit toll plaza to start of path to lake
This placemark pertains to Lago di Castel Ruggero.

This placemark pertains to Lago di Castel Ruggero.

roadside parking before no-parking zone

40 KPH speed-limit sign

start of no-parking zone (going south)

middle of 600-meter-long no-parking zone

end of no-parking zone (going south)

Castel Ruggero (15th-century villa)

commercial/industrial complex

Via di Castel Ruggero

path to lake

Veneto

Venezia

Dune Alberoni

Dune Alberoni
The dreamy city of Venice (Venezia) is famously situated in a lagoon, sheltered from the Adriatic by two long barrier islands that enclose the lagoon. The barrier island closer to the city is Lido di Venezia, or Venice Lido. In Italian, lido is a word for beach that is often used interchangeably with spiaggia, and Venice Lido—or just the Lido—is indeed the beach of Venice, with sand along much of its Adriatic side. Venice Lido is about 12 kilometers long but comparatively narrow; it is typically less than a kilometer from the lagoon side to the sea side of the island. The northern end of the Lido is aligned with the Venetian archipelago—that is to say, the roadless cluster of islands and canals that form the historic core of Venice. From its northern end, the Lido extends in a south-southwesterly direction to a shipping channel that separates it from Pellestrina, the other of the two long barrier islands. Unlike the Venetian archipelago, Venice Lido has asphalt roads and automobile traffic, and the island has about 20,000 residents. The Lido is a frazione (i.e., municipal subdivision) of Venice, with most development concentrated in the north. Malamocco and Alberoni are neighborhood localities at the south end of the island, with Alberoni extending to the southern extreme of the Lido.
The Lido basically has two broad expanses of sand toward either end of the island, separated by a long segment of shoreline where the beach is much narrower. The longer northern sandy expanse comprises the main beach areas of the Lido, and much of that expanse is subdivided into private hotel beaches. The southern expanse is Spiaggia degli Alberoni, or Alberoni Beach. Corresponding to the locality of the same name, Alberoni stretches for more than 2 kilometers, with a private beach club called Bagni Alberoni along its central expanse. Most of the beach is public. Going south from the beach club, it is not quite one kilometer to the end of the beach at a long jetty at the end of the island. That jetty is part of the shipping channel that separates the Lido from Pellestrina. There is an al fresco restaurant called Macondo Alberoni at the southern extreme of the beach next to the jetty. The southern end of Alberoni from the beach club to the jetty is backed by a small, forested nature preserve called the Oasi WWF Dune Alberoni, or the WWF Oasis Alberoni Dunes. The fence of the nature reserve that runs parallel to the sea is over 100 meters inland from the beach.
Nude bathing occurs along the southern part of Alberoni Beach—that is, the segment between the beach club and the jetty. However, bare bathing on the open beach is fairly uncommon since there are usually just too many textiles about for nudity to be a viable option. For the most part, nudity occurs in the dunes between the beach and the nature reserve fence. Nude bathers often spread towels and even pitch umbrellas in the grassy dunes. Although not officially condoned, nudity seems to occur quite freely in areas that are not visible from the beach. While the beach itself draws a mixed crowd, the dunes are attended mainly by men, and there is a substantial gay presence. There are occasionally nudists on the open beach, but typically only on quiet weekdays when the beach is mostly empty. Nudity on the beach should occur only with discretion, well removed from both Bagni Alberoni and Macondo Alberoni.
Alberoni Beach is well connected to the Venetian archipelago by a combination of waterbus and regular bus, with frequent service. It is an easy excursion for visitors to the famed city that most everyone yearns to visit at least once in a lifetime. Incidentally, duna and dune are respectively the singular and plural forms of the Italian word for sand dune, so Dune Alberoni means Alberoni Dunes.
frazione, comune & metropolitan city, region, country:
Lido di Venezia, Venezia, Veneto, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3pS3ef7
In the Venetian archipelago, the main form of public transit is a waterbus called a vaporetto, or vaporetti in the plural form. Venice Lido has a network of regular roads and several bus lines.
Be aware that bus tickets are not available on board, and there is just one shop near Alberoni Beach where a bus ticket for a return trip can be purchased. To be on the safe side, buy your return ticket before you venture to the beach. To avoid the hassle of dealing with single-ride tickets, consider buying a transit pass for one or more days, which you will likely do anyway as a tourist to Venice. (The pass is well worth it if you plan to do multiple trips by waterbus since vaporetto fare is pricey compared to regular bus fare, and single-ticket vaporetto fares add up quickly.) Furthermore, remember that a ticket or transit card must be validated every time you board a bus. At a vaporetto stop, waving your ticket or card in front of a machine generally activates a gate. When you board a regular bus, a similar machine near the front of the bus reads and validates your ticket or card. You are basically on the honor system on a regular bus, but there are inspectors that do spot checks. You are subject to a steep on-the-spot fine for not having a ticket, and the fine is the same if you have a ticket but did not validate it. For more about transit passes and using public transportation, see Veneziaunica.it.
PUBLIC TRANSIT: VAPORETTO + BUS
The main transit center of Venice Lido is a vaporetto terminal and bus hub named Lido di Venezia Santa Maria Elisabetta, commonly abbreviated as Lido S.M.E., or just Lido or S.M.E. There are a few dozen vaporetto lines in Venice, and a number of them go to Lido S.M.E., specifically routes 1, 5.1, 5.2, 6, 10 and 14.
Assume you start at St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco), the heart of Venice. Head out to the Basin of San Marco—the broad body of water where the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal converge. Turn left, walking in front of the side of the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) that fronts the water (with the water on your right-hand side). Shortly past the palace colonnade, you will come to a vaporetto hub named San Zaccaria, which has six boarding areas lettered A through F. Head to the first dock (the one nearest the Doge's Palace), which is a double dock for boarding areas E and F. Beside the letter F, the word Lido is beneath direzioni/directions, so all vaporetti that depart from boarding area F take you to Lido S.M.E. Three vaporetti lines are listed for boarding area F, and those lines are 1, 5.1 and N. You can take either line 1 or 5.1. (You presumably will not be taking line N since it only operates during overnight hours.) The trip takes 15 to 20 minutes. If you are departing from a different area of Venice, look for Lido at boarding areas or on electronic departure displays.
Lido S.M.E. is on the lagoon side of Venice Lido. Once you disembark the vaporetto, head to the street side of the station, but do NOT cross the street. Board Bus A, which should have S.M.E.-F. Rocchetta in its front electronic display. The bus runs quite frequently—every 10 minutes or so. You will be on the bus for 15 to 20 minutes for over 20 stops as the bus heads southwest on the island's main road, which is a road that hews toward the lagoon side of the long, narrow island, changing names several times. At first there will be buildings on both sides of the road, then after 12 or so minutes the road will begin to run alongside the lagoon, with the water clearly visible on your right-hand side.
Shortly after the lagoon comes into view, the road will be named Via Alberoni. In 5 or so minutes, the bus will turn away from the lagoon as Via Alberoni curves sharply leftward and becomes Via Ca'Rossa, which is a short street. Just after the curve, watch for a bus stop shelter signed Via Ca'Rossa (there is one on each side of the road), but stay on the bus. Shortly past the bus stop, there is a stop sign at a four-way intersection. Depending on the time of day and time of year, the bus may keep straight ahead onto Strada dei Bagni, or it may turn right onto Via della Droma.
If the bus goes straight, good for you. Your walk will be a bit shorter. The bus will continue 400-500 meters to a turn-around circle at the end of Strada dei Bagni, where you can disembark at stop Strada dei Bagni/Alberoni Spiaggia, which is the beach stop.
If the bus turns right onto Via della Droma, just get off at the next stop, Via della Droma, next to a small yellow church. Backtrack to the four-way intersection then follow Strada dei Bagni to its end. It is a walk of 600-700 meters.
The building at the turnaround circle is part of Bagni Alberoni, the private beach club. It is a white building with blue trim, with the street number "28." There are public access paths to the beach on either side of the beach club. Facing the white building, follow the dirt track that leaves from the right side of the turnaround circle. The broad track will almost immediately curve leftward and take you through the dunes, with the beach club on your left-hand side. In about 250 meters you will land on the beach. Facing the sea, look to your right (south). In the distance you will see the long jetty where the beach and the island end, about 900 meters away. Head about halfway to the jetty, then head into the dunes to explore the nude area.
Alternatively, you can bypass the open beach and head directly into the dunes. From the turnaround circle, follow the broad track just a short distance until it begins to curve leftward. At that point, keep straight ahead onto a narrower footpath that begins next to a dilapidated structure comprised of cement walls and blue metal framing. That structure should be on your left-hand side as you start along the footpath, which meanders through the dunes. The path branches into a maze of paths, but you can't get lost since you will be hemmed into an area with the beach off to your left and the fence of the nature reserve off to your right. The maze of paths continues southward all the way to the jetty, taking you all the way through the nude area.
NOTE 1: During warmer months, every other Bus A goes to the beach stop during daylight hours. You will need to consult a detailed bus schedule to know what times to board the bus at Lido S.M.E. if you want to be sure the bus goes all the way to the beach. If your bus does not stop at the beach, remember it takes less than 10 minutes to walk there from the next stop.
NOTE 2: There is a tobacco shop along Via Ca'Rossa. Look for the word tabacchi on the storefront. If you need to buy a bus ticket for a return trip, you can buy it there. Furthermore, if you visit at a time of year when the bus bypasses the beach stop, go to Via Ca'Rossa for your return trip, boarding the bus on the same side of the street as the tobacco shop.
BY CAR:
You can also get to Venice Lido by car ferry (line 17). For one person in a small vehicle, budget about €40-€45 for roundtrip fare, plus about €15 (roundtrip) for each additional person. Ferry service is every 50 minutes from early morning to midnight. Reservations are available but not required. See Actv.avmspa.it for more information about the ferry.
By car, the only way into Venice is route SR11 (la strada regionale 11 Padana Superiore), which takes you over Ponte della Libertà, the nearly 4-kilometer-long bridge that connects the mainland to the Venetian archipelago. As you near the end of the bridge, stay in the right lane and follow signs for Lido Ferry and Tronchetto, which is the huge visitor parking area. Keep following Lido Ferry signs. About 1.3 kilometers from the bridge, you will pass through a toll plaza to reach the ferry terminal (which is near the cruise ship port).
The ferry traverses the Giudecca Canal, affording stunning views of the city. After 35 or so minutes, you will arrive at a small ferry landing called Lido San Nicolò. As you drive off the ferry, turn right. You will be on the main road that traverses Venice Lido, with the lagoon on your right-hand side. Just keep straight ahead to stay on the main road. In 1.2 kilometers, you will pass Lido S.M.E. From that point, you will be following the same route as Bus A described above. A little over 8 kilometers farther along, you will pass the Alberoni locality sign, by which point the road will be named Via Alberoni.
500-600 meters past the locality sign, Via Alberoni will curve sharply leftward to become Via Ca'Rossa. Continue not quite 200 meters to a stop sign at a four-way intersection. Keep straight ahead onto Strada dei Bagni and park as close as possible to the turnaround circle at the end of the street (45.3471N, 12.3258E). There is no parking lot. On busy days, cars are likely to be parked along either side of Strada dei Bagni for most of its length.
This placemark pertains to Dune Alberoni.

"Alberoni" sign (north end of locality)
This placemark pertains to Dune Alberoni.

bus stop "Via Ca'Rossa," Bus A
This placemark pertains to Dune Alberoni.

tobacco shop

4-way intersection in Alberoni

streetside parking along Strada dei Bagni

bus stop "Strada dei Bagni/Alberoni Spiaggia," Bus A

Bagni Alberoni (beach club)

nature reserve entrance

Macondo Alberoni

Oasi WWF Dune Alberoni (nature reserve)

bus stop "Via della Droma," Bus A

small yellow church

"Alberoni" sign (south end of locality)

Faro Rocchetta (lighthouse)

Via Alberoni→Via Ca'Rossa→Strada dei Bagni

Via della Droma→Strada Zaffi da Barca

path through dunes (one of many)

nature reserve fence

nude area, very roughly (dunes only, not on open beach)

Spiaggia della Laguna del Mort

Spiaggia della Laguna del Mort
The Metropolitan City of Venice (Città Metropolitana di Venezia) occupies most of the coastal realm of the Veneto region of Italy, encompassing the historic city of Venice and nearly all of its enormous lagoon along with numerous municipalities on the mainland. (In 2014, the metropolitan city replaced what was up until then the province of Venice.) Jesselo and Eraclea are neighboring municipalities located northeast of the Venetian Lagoon (Laguna di Venezia). At the border of the two municipalities, there is a lagoon called Laguna del Mort, which covers about 2 square kilometers. The long lagoon, which runs parallel to the sea, is along what used to be the final meander of the Piave River until a 1935 flood caused the river to cut a more direct course to the Adriatic. Laguna del Mort means "Lagoon of the Dead," and the name is a reference to the old (dead) course of the river. Spiaggia della Laguna del Mort is a 2.4-kilometer-long beach that is backed by the old riverbed, part of which is occupied by the shallow lagoon and part of which has morphed into wetlands. The southwest end of the beach is at the current mouth of the Piave, while the northeast end is at an artificial channel that is the lagoon's outlet to the sea (the old river mouth having been purposefully filled in). The only access to the beach by land involves a hike of more than 2 kilometers. Because of this relative isolation, the beach has evolved into a venue for nude bathing. Although not officially designated for naturist use, the beach is a safe and popular haven for nudists in part because a local naturist association maintains good relations with local authorities.
Besides being nearly encircled by water, Spiaggia della Laguna del Mort is also distinctive for its anti-erosion bulwarks. A little less than half the beach is covered in sand, and the sandy beach is the southwestern area that extends to the mouth of the Piave. Along the rest of the beach extending all the way to the lagoon outlet, the sand has been almost entirely paved over, and the long cement surface is effectively a seafront promenade even though it was not constructed for that purpose. All along the beach, there are jetties extending into the sea, spaced about every 70 to 80 meters, effectively dividing the beach into 30 small bays. Nude bathing is customary along the entire length of the beach, and on peak summer days there can be several hundred visitors, with most opting to be naked. More bathers gather along the sandy part of the beach, but a good many are also scattered along the long cement platform. Shanty-like shelters constructed of driftwood are common all along the beach. There are no amenities at all, and it is especially important to bring drinking water due to the long hike.
The municipal border of Jesselo and Eraclea is drawn along the pre-1935 course of the Piave. As a result, the entire length of Spiaggia della Laguna del Mort is within the municipal limits of Jesselo. More specifically, the beach is part of Cortellazzo, a frazione (subdivision) of Jesselo. However, the beach is not accessed from Jesselo but rather from Eraclea Mare, a frazione of Eraclea. You will not actually cross from one municipality into the other until you have hiked most of the way around the lagoon to the beach. Over the years, speculation about development projects around Laguna del Mort has posed a potential threat to the relative isolation of Spiaggia della Laguna del Mort and thus to its continued nude use. However, nothing has gotten off the ground thus far, and it seems likely that the required coordination between two municipalities has created extra layers of red tape, stalling any projects from moving forward.
Cortellazzo, Jesolo, Venezia, Veneto, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QblIBQ
The A4 autostrata is a 522-kilometer-long motorway across northern Italy, from Turin (Torino) near France to Sistiana near Slovenia. The kilometer marker numbers increase going east toward Slovenia. While the historic part of Venice familiar to tourists occupies islands in a lagoon, there are also several mainland districts of the city. A4 bypasses Venice along the city's inland periphery, while a much shorter motorway numbered A57 (la tangenziale di Mestre) goes through the city's mainland districts. A4 and A57 intersect twice. The southwestern junction of the two motorways is around kilometer 375 of A4, while the northeastern junction is around kilometer 407 of A4. Take the San Donà-Noventa exit of A4 between kilometer markers 424 and 425, east of both A4/A57 junctions. The San Donà-Noventa exit also has signs for Ponte di Piave, Oderzo, Eraclea, Jesolo and Cavallino.
Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway then to a huge oblong roundabout. Take the departure for San Donà di Piave and Jesolo. When you leave the oblong roundabout, you will be on via Martiri delle Foibe, which is an expressway even though it is a two-lane undivided road. Keep straight ahead for 5.2 kilometers until you reach a large roundabout. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, following the signs for Venezia and Treviso. When you depart the roundabout, you will once again be on a two-lane expressway, which is numbered SS14var (la strada statale 14 variante). The kilometer marker numbers decrease. Stay on SS14var for 3.9 kilometers, then take the Eraclea exit after you pass marker 3. (You have just missed the exit if you cross the Piave River. Marker 2 is on the bridge.)
Upon taking the Eraclea exit of SS14var, turn left when you reach the stop sign at the end of the long exit lane. Once you turn, you will be on SP52 (SP = strada provinciale), which parallels the Piave River (with the river on your right-hand side). The kilometer marker numbers increase going toward Eraclea. In 6.4 kilometers, you will pass the Eraclea town sign (between markers 9 and 10). Continue one kilometer farther to a roundabout. Go left (away from the river) by taking the third departure, following signs for Caorle and Eraclea Mare. You will then be on SP42, briefly. Continue one kilometer through the commercial center of Eraclea to the next roundabout (just past marker 28 of SP42). Go right at the roundabout, toward Torre di Fine and Eraclea Mare. You will then be at the start of SP90, at kilometer 0.
After following SP90 toward the coast for 5 kilometers, you will pass marker 5, which is the last marker along the road. After marker 5, keep straight ahead as SP90 becomes a local road named via dei Pioppi. Shortly you will cross a bridge over a broad canal. About a kilometer past the canal, you will arrive at Eraclea Mare when you enter an oblong manicured roundabout that has several trees in its median. Keep straight ahead at the roundabout, staying on via dei Pioppi toward the village center. Continue 600 meters. Immediately before the road narrows, turn left into a large pay parking lot (45.5442N, 12.7519E). Upon turning, you will go under a height barrier then reach the machine where you take a ticket. (On the opposite side of via dei Pioppi from the main parking lot, there is an earthen overflow lot that is open when needed but otherwise cordoned off. A fee is required to park there as well.)
On foot, continue along the narrower part of the road for 200 meters to its end at the gated entrance to a marina. At the end of the road, you will see a white spiaggia/beach sign with an arrow pointing left toward a broad path. Do NOT go that way. (That is the path to the textile beach.) Instead, follow the dirt path that goes off to the right when you are facing the marina gate. Within a few steps you will reach one corner of Laguna del Mort, a large lagoon that has the shape (roughly) of a long rectangle. You have to follow about half the perimeter of the lagoon to get to the nude beach.
Keep straight ahead on the path away from the marina. You will be heading southeast along the inland side of the lagoon, with the lagoon to your near left and the sea farther to your left beyond the opposite shore of the lagoon. Continue about 1.7 kilometers until you reach a three-way junction at the far end of the lagoon. Turn left. As you head through the wetlands out to the beach, the lagoon will still be to your left. In about 300 meters you will land on the beach. Facing the sea, the sandy part of Spiaggia della Laguna del Mort extends about 800 meters to your right to the mouth of the Piave River. To your left, the sandy beach extends about 300 meters, then a cement platform consisting of several long steps continues for 1.3 kilometers to the mouth of the lagoon. The entire beach is frequented by nudists. The walk from the parking area to the beach takes at least 30 minutes, then considerably more walking is necessary to explore the entire length of the beach.
MAP from A4 San Donà-Noventa exit toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Laguna del Mort.

oblong manicured roundabout at edge of Eraclea Mare
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Laguna del Mort.

asphalted pay parking lot
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia della Laguna del Mort.

earthen overflow pay parking lot

road narrows

end of road at marina gate

marina

mouth of Piave River

mouth of Laguna del Mort

sandy part of beach (indicated by orange line)

cemented part of beach (indicated by yellow line)

segment of via dei Pioppi

path around lagoon

sandy part of beach

cemented part of beach

extent of beach, with nudity along entire length

Verona

Spiaggia 58-59

Spiaggia 58-59
About halfway between Milan and Venice, Lago di Garda is the largest lake in Italy and the easternmost of the five major lakes that comprise Northern Italy's Lake District. Spanning about 50 kilometers from north to south, the glacial lake is located in the transitional zone where the southern reaches of the Alps give way to the Po Valley. Lago di Garda spans three provinces and regions. For the most part, the western half of the lake belongs to Brescia (a province of Lombardia) and the eastern half belongs to Verona (a province of Veneto), but the far northern end of the lake belongs to Trento (a province of Trentino-Alto Adige). Lago di Garda is renowned for its blue-green water, picturesque villages and overall gorgeous scenery.
Garda and Torri del Benaco are neighboring towns and municipalities on the east side of Lago di Garda that are about 7 kilometers apart (by car) from town center to town center. Between the two towns, Punta San Vigilio is a small projection of land that extends from a prominent bend of the lakeshore, occupied by a sprawling 16th-century villa with sumptuous gardens that is now a luxury hotel called Locanda San Vigilio. About 500 meters to the north, Villa Caratti is a luxurious lakeshore mansion dating to 1800, available as a private rental (for about €2,000 a night). The crescent-shaped bay between Locanda San Vigilio and Villa Caratti is occupied by Baia delle Sirene ("Bay of the Sirens"), a privately operated beach park with full amenities in a captivating setting. Locanda San Vigilio, Baia delle Sirene and Villa Caratti are all within the municipal limits of Garda, just a few kilometers from the town center. Just a bit to the north, Brancolino is a ritzy neighborhood of modern villas built in tiers along a forested hill overlooking the lake. Brancolino is just over the municipal line in Torri del Benaco. Part of the lakeshore of Brancolino is occupied by Lido Brancolino, a small beach park with a grassy lawn that is like a miniaturized version of Baia delle Sirene. Lido Brancolino has been closed since 2019.
The distance from Villa Caratti to Lido Brancolino is about 500 meters, and nude bathers gather along the stretch of lakeshore in between. The nude beach does not have a distinct proper name and is usually referred to by the name of something nearby—San Vigilio, Baia delle Sirene or Brancolino. Just so we have something to call it, we will dub the nude beach Spiaggia 58-59 since it is between kilometer markers 58 and 59 of the lakeshore road. (That would be pronounced Spiaggia Cinquantotto-Cinquantanove in Italian, but, again, it is a totally contrived name.) The nude beach is just below the lakeshore road but mostly hidden by vegetation and the slope of the land, and it is not at all obvious how to access the beach, rendering it fairly secluded from unsuspecting textiles despite the proximity and popularity of Baia delle Sirene. There are a few places where the beach can be glimpsed from the road, but only for a split second if passing by in a car. Most of the nude area is located on the Garda side of the municipal border, and most of the nude area is quite rocky. However, there is a small expanse of pebble beach that begins around the municipal border and extends northward to the grassy lawn of Lido Brancolino. That pebble beach is where most visitors converge. The nude beach is well attended during summer, with a significant but not exclusive gay presence. Most visitors opt to be naked.
Along the pebble beach, there are several metal pipes that extend across the beach and into the lake below the surface of the water. The pipes are located approximately at the municipal border, and that is a very useful boundary to know. Torri del Benaco has an anti-nudity ordinance, and nudists are occasionally issued fines, especially when nudity occurs too close to Lido Brancolino. Even though Lido Brancolino is now closed, it is still recommended not to get too close to its grassy lawn without being properly covered. To play it safe, just stay on the Garda side of the pipes or at least do not stray terribly far north. As far as we know, there have not been any issues on the Garda side of the border except occasional complaints when nudists get too close to Villa Caratti.
There are some access challenges related to parking. There is just not enough room to park a car along the shoulder of the road. With the exception of a small area for mopeds, there is no parking at all in Brancolino since the few side streets going uphill are all gated. Even when Lido Brancolino was open, visitors had to get there by moped, by bicycle or on foot. The only feasible place to park near the nude beach is at Baia delle Sirene. The walk from there isn't terribly far, but it is necessary to walk along the lakeshore road, which has no sidewalk and the narrowest of shoulders. It is not a pedestrian-friendly experience.
There are two parking lots and two entrances to Baia delle Sirene. Following the directions below, the first parking lot you will come to is a free parking lot on the lake side of the road that is available to anyone at any time. The main entrance to Baia delle Sirene is straight ahead from there. Space is limited at the free parking lot, which fills up early during peak season. A bit past the free lot, there is a newer pay parking lot across the road from the lake that is near a secondary entrance to Baia delle Sirene. It is about 200 meters closer to the nude beach than is the free lot. The pay lot is typically only kept open during peak season, so parking there will likely not be in option if you visit in, say, May or October. Parking at the pay lot is generally plentiful, but the hitch is the price. It can cost about €13 to park for the whole day, but rates go down a little the later you arrive. (The parking fee counts toward entry to Baia delle Sirene, but that does you no good for going to the nude beach.) When you turn from the road into the pay lot, you will see a board with the parking rates. If you don't like the posted price, there is a space where you can turn around before you get to the actual lift gate where you take a ticket.
When you visit the nude beach, you may also want to visit Baia delle Sirene since it is quite picturesque, albeit textile. A common visitor complaint is the steep admission fee. Be aware that the price to enter the park is deeply discounted if you arrive late in the afternoon. The rates are posted on their website.
There is another nude beach on the opposite (Lombardia) side of Lago di Garda. The two Lago di Garda nude beaches are almost directly opposite one another, about 8 kilometers apart as the crow flies but about 50 kilometers apart by car.
Garda and Torri del Benaco, Verona, Veneto, Italy

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3pYsErg
Baia delle Sirene is about 2 kilometers from the town center of Garda. The park and the town are both located along route SR249 (la strada regionale 249 Gardesana Orientale). Garda can be accessed from either of two motorways: A4 or A22. Those two motorways intersect in the southwestern outskirts of Verona, at kilometer 276 of A4 and kilometer 228 of A22.
The A4 autostrada (Autostrada Serenissima) is a 522-kilometer-long motorway across the northern tier of Italy, connecting Turin (near France) to Trieste (near Slovenia) via Milan and Venice. The kilometer marker numbers increase going east toward Slovenia.
The A22 autostrada (Autostrada del Brennero) is a 315-kilometer-long motorway from the Austrian border to Modena (near Bologna). The kilometer marker numbers increase going south toward Modena.
First, assume you start from A4. Between Brescia and Verona, take the Peschiera exit of A4, which is between kilometer markers 259 and 260. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the north side of the motorway. From there, follow signs toward the city center of Peschiera. (Watch for the city center symbol that resembles the bull's eye of a target.) After a few turns, you will begin heading north on SR249, with the kilometer marker numbers increasing. The Mincio River should be on your left-hand side. Once you can see the river, ignore the city center signs. Watch carefully for blue signs pointing toward Lazise and/or Garda to navigate your way through roundabouts and other junctions, staying on SR249. After following SR249 about 17 kilometers, you will pass through the lakeshore town of Garda, which is spread out between kilometers 54 and 56.
Alternatively, assume you start from A22. North and west of Verona, take the Affi/Lago di Garda Sud exit of A22, which is between kilometer markers 206 and 207. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the west side of the motorway. From the toll plaza, it is not quite 10 kilometers to Garda. First you have to navigate a series of roundabouts. Follow signs for Affi until you begin to see blue signs for Garda, then follow those instead. After the roundabouts, the signposted route takes you to Garda via SP9 and SP8 (SP = strada provinciale). Once you reach Garda, keep straight ahead until you reach a "T" with SR249, where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right, toward Riva del Garda.
About 200 meters past kilometer marker 56 of SR249, you will pass a white sign that indicates you are leaving Garda (the town, not the municipality). 800 meters farther along, watch for marker 57, which is next to a scenic overlook. The two parking options for Baia delle Sirene are coming up in the next kilometer. (See more about parking in the description above.) After marker 57, continue 700 meters. The next possible left goes into the free parking lot (45.5736N, 10.6759E). 200 meters farther along, the next possible right goes into the pay parking lot (45.5752N, 10.6746E), which is just before marker 58.
The walk:
To get to the nude beach from either of the two parking lots at Baia delle Sirene, you will go north along SR249, passing kilometer marker 58 and heading toward marker 59. Kilometer marker panels are reasonably easy to spot. For example, at marker 58, the number "58" appears on a white background above the number of the road (SR249), which is on a blue background. Every 100 meters between kilometer markers, there are much smaller white fractional markers, and the location is identified by a Roman numeral over an Arabic numeral. For example, at kilometer 58.5 there is a marker with V (Roman numeral 5) on top and 58 on bottom. Fractional markers are quite inconspicuous and often hard to spot from a car, but they are much easier to see when on foot. Most but not all of the fractional markers between markers 58 and 59 are on the east side of the road (i.e., across the road from the lake). It takes just a minute or so to walk from one fractional marker to the next.
To understand the walk to the nude beach, here is a survey of landmarks along SR249 between markers 58 and 59. At marker 58, there is a pedestrian tunnel under SR249 that connects the pay parking lot the to the secondary entrance to Baia delle Sirene. A bit farther along between markers 58.1 (I/58) and 58.2 (II/58), there is a blue iron gate at the well-signed secondary entrance to Baia delle Sirene. (The secondary entrance is typically open only during peak season, during which time a portable entrance kiosk is set up next to the gate.) A bit farther along on the lake side of the road, there is an iron driveway gate that is perpendicular to the road at marker 58.4 (IV/58). That gate is the entrance to Villa Caratti (which is not signed). A bit farther along, a long metal guardrail begins on the lake side of the road, just before marker 58.5 (V/58). Marker 58.7 (VII/58) is next to a very prominent brown sign indicating you are entering the municipality of Torri del Benaco. (There is a corresponding brown sign for the municipality of Garda facing traffic heading south.) Marker 58.8 (VIII/58) is next to a sign for Grotta Cascata Varone, a waterfall in a cave.★ Marker 58.9 (IX/58) is next to a prominent stone villa that directly abuts the right (east) side of the road. The stone villa is in the Brancolino locality of Torri del Benaco. (Brancolino is not signed, and most houses in the locality are not visible from SR249.) The old Lido Brancolino is behind the hedge that is across the road from the stone villa. Marker 59 is a bit past the stone villa.
There are two footpaths along SR249 that descend to the nude beach. To get to either of them, you will have to walk alongside SR249, very close to traffic. Use extreme caution. (There is a walkway along the lake side of the road connecting the pedestrian tunnel to the blue gate at the secondary entrance to Baia delle Sirene, but that is just a short segment of the overall walk.) Both footpaths are narrow, unmarked and hard to find unless you know exactly where to look.
The first path to the lakeshore is just before marker 58.5 (V/58). When you get to the start of the metal guardrail that is past the Villa Caratti gate, step over the guardrail to find the path (45.5799N, 10.6734E). It is a short but steep descent to the lakeshore, where you will land toward the southern end of the nudist zone. Facing the lake, Villa Caratti is less than 200 meters to your left (south), and you should not stray too far in that direction without clothes. Head a bit to your right (north) and shortly you will catch sight of the stone villa in Brancolino. To get to the best part of the beach, continue in that direction across the rocky terrain for about 200 meters until you get to an expanse of pebbles, where you will see the pipes at the municipal border (45.5821N, 10.6741E). The grassy lawn of Lido Brancolino is about 100 meters past the pipes. Although you are likely to see nude bathers beyond the pipes, remember that Torri del Benaco's anti-nudity ordinance is applicable once you cross the municipal line. Nudity should absolutely be avoided next to the grassy lawn of Lido Brancolino.
The second path is just after marker 58.8 (VIII/58) and the waterfall sign. Step over the guardrail to find the path (45.5828N, 10.6744E), which branches off into several paths that descend to the lakeshore. It makes no difference which one you follow. If you always keep to the left, you will parallel the road for a bit (heading south) before the path curves and lands on the lakeshore next to the pipes.
Walking from Baia delle Sirene, you should probably take the first footpath—the one near marker 58.5 (V/58)—since you can get away from the road sooner. The second footpath—the one near marker 58.8 (VIII/58)—is a better option if you arrive by moped. Just before (i.e., south of) the stone villa that abuts the road in Brancolino, there is a little grassy area across the road from Lido Brancolino where mopeds can be parked (but stone posts prevent cars from parking in the same area). Just remember that no-parking signs (round blue panels with red slashes) apply to all vehicles.
★ The sign for Grotta Cascata Varone indicates that the waterfall is 3 kilometers from Riva del Garda, but Riva del Garda is 41 kilometers past the sign. It is easy to misinterpret the sign as indicating you are 3 kilometers from the waterfall when in fact you are 44 kilometers from the waterfall.
MAP from A4 Peschiera exit toll plaza to free parking lot at Baia delle Sirene
MAP from A22 Affi/Lago di Garda Sud exit toll plaza to free parking lot at Baia delle Sirene
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia 58-59.

kilometer marker 57 of SR249, next to scenic overlook
This placemark pertains to Spiaggia 58-59.

This placemark pertains to Spiaggia 58-59.

Baia delle Sirene entrance kiosk

Locanda San Vigilio

pedestrian tunnel connecting pay parking lot to Baia delle Sirene entrance

Parco Baia delle Sirene

Baia delle Sirene entrance kiosk at blue iron gate

Villa Caratti

iron driveway gate to Villa Caratti

going north: start of long metal guardrail

fractional kilometer marker 58.5 (V/58) of SR249

brown signs at municipal border (Garda/Torri del Benaco)

pipes extending into water at municipal border

fractional kilometer marker 58.8 (VIII/58) of SR249, next to waterfall sign

moped parking

stone villa abutting SR249 in Brancolino

former Lido Brancolino (closed since 2019)

segment of SR249

walkway connecting pay parking lot to Baia delle Sirene entrance, via tunnel under highway

Lodging

General

Pescara

La Sorgente
Contrada Sterpara 56
65010 Catignano (Pescara, Abruzzo)
Italy
WEBSITE
TYPE  small resort with 2 apartments
CLIENTELE  general / family
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool
NUDITY  This establishment is expressly advertised as nudist or naturist. At such establishments, swimwear is generally prohibited in wet areas, and nudity may be generally expected or required elsewhere as well.

Camping Pizzo Greco
Località Fratte Vecchie
88841 Isola di Capo Rizzuto (Crotone, Calabria)
Italy
WEBSITE
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, bungalows, caravans for rent); restaurant, bar and grocery shop on premises
CLIENTELE  general / family
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  adjacent to nude beach
NUDITY  This establishment is expressly advertised as nudist or naturist. At such establishments, swimwear is generally prohibited in wet areas, and nudity may be generally expected or required elsewhere as well.

Bologna

Ca'le Scope
Via San Martino 37
40043 Marzabotto (Bologna, Emilia-Romagna)
Italy
WEBSITE
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, one cottage, one caravan for rent); bar and grocery shop on premises
CLIENTELE  general / family
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool
NUDITY  This establishment is expressly advertised as nudist or naturist. At such establishments, swimwear is generally prohibited in wet areas, and nudity may be generally expected or required elsewhere as well.

Oasi di Zello
40050 Monterenzio (Bologna, Emilia-Romagna)
Villaggio della Salute Più is a complex of tourist entities that includes a water park and a thermal spa along with restaurants and overnight accommodations. The main attractions of the complex are centered in a rural valley in the foothills of the Apennines south of Bologna. (See map.)
Oasi di Zello is a relatively minor part of Villaggio della Salute Più that is removed from the main attractions. Hidden in the hills about 3 kilometers west of the water park, it is accessed by an unpaved road. Oasi di Zello is a sui generis entity that is essentially a naturist day-use park with elements of a small thermal spa. Amenities include a pool, a hot tub, a sauna and a hammam. The park is open to all ages, and the atmosphere is family friendly. Naturism is expected at Oasi di Zello. All other parts of Villaggio della Salute Più are textile.
Oasi di Zello is generally open from mid-May through mid-September. Entrance tickets can be purchased on site (bring cash). Water park patrons have access to Oasi di Zello at no additional charge. Note that information about Oasi di Zello is available only on the Italian version of the website linked above.

Camping Classe
48100 Lido di Dante
Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, mobile homes); restaurant on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  2 pools (one naturist, one textile); short walk to nude beach
NUDITY  Only part of this establishment is naturist. The partitioned naturist camping area has is its own pool. Otherwise, this establishment is textile, and most amenities are located in the textile area.

Il Costalunga
17046 Sassello (Savona, Liguria)
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, caravans for rent)
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool

Asti

Villaggio del Sole
Via per Viale 5
14010 Cortazzone (Asti, Piemonte)
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, tent-cabins, B&B rooms)

Torrino

Club Le Betulle
Via Lanzo 33
10040 La Cassa (Torino, Piemonte)
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, 13 bungalows, 5 caravans for rent)
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub

Foggia

Casa Il Cantico
Contrada Malvestuto
71012 Rodi Garganico (Foggia, Puglia)
telephone [not published]
TYPE  agriturismo (farmstay) with one apartment and informal tent sites, accommodating up to 8 guests

Naturist Club Parco del Gargano
71018 Ischitella (Foggia, Puglia)
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, several bungalows for rent); restaurant on premises
CLIENTELE  general / adults only

Resort Naturista Grottamiranda
Contrada Grottamiranda, s.n., Serranova di Carovigno
72012 Carovigno (Brindisi, Puglia)
TYPE  small resort with 13 apartments
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub, approximately 10 kilometers to nude beach

Nuoro

Le Peonie
08022 Dorgali (Nuoro, Sardegna)
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent sites)

Physis
Via Monsignore Vincenzo de Simone 2
91026 Mazara del Vallo (Trapani, Sicilia)
TYPE  lodging with 2 apartments; 3 tents also available
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub

Borgo Corniola
Via Valle Acerreta 42
50034 Lutirano (Firenze, Toscana)
TYPE  bed & breakfast with 3 rooms
CLIENTELE  general / adults only
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  swimming creek, hot tub, sauna

Costamara
58045 Civitella Paganico (Grosseto, Toscana)
TYPE  agriturismo (farmstay) with up to 12 beds, typically rented to groups; camping also available
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub
NUDITY  Naturism is broadly accepted. The farmstay is available to groups for naturist retreats.

Sasso Corbo
Località Casone, frazione Petricci
58055 Semproniano (Grosseto, Toscana)
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, tent-cabins)

BNatural Glamping
Via delle Caldanelle, Loc Sdrisciola n°3
57025 Piombino (Livorno, Toscana)
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, tent-cabins)
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  6 km by car to popular nude beach

Locanda di Terramare
Località le Cerretelle 72
57016 Gabbro-Rosignano Marittimo (Livorno, Toscana)
TYPE  bed & breakfast with 4 rooms
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  hot tub, sauna
NUDITY  This establishment is expressly advertised as nudist or naturist. Clothing is optional throughout, but nudity is not obligatory.

Mondo Selvaggio
Località Campiglia 29, San Cassiano di Controne
55022 Bagni di Lucca (Lucca, Toscana)
TYPE  bed & breakfast (3 rooms)
CLIENTELE  general / adults only
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  hot tub, sauna
Day passes available for spa area.

Trentino-Alto Adige

Hotel Preidlhof
Via San Zeno 13
39025 Naturns (Bozen-Südtirol, Trentino-Südtirol)*
* Naturns is a German-speaking town. In Italian, the town, province and region are written as Naturno (Bolzano-Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige).
TYPE  resort hotel with separate naturist facilities; restaurants and bar on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  multiple textile pools; FKK pool; sauna area with FKK-optional pool
NUDITY  This is a luxury wellness resort that is not naturist per se, with a large thermal spa that is available only to hotel guests. Most of the pools are textile, but there are also areas for nude bathing. Hotel Preidlhof consists of three clusters of buildings built in tiers along a hillside: the Dolcevita Lodge, the Sonnenschlössl and the Sauna Tower.
The Dolcevita Lodge houses most of the hotel rooms and an indoor textile pool.
The Sonnenschlössl ("Sun Castle") contains the main swimming pool, which is a large outdoor pool divided into three segments: two textile and one FKK. The FKK part of the pool is secluded from the textile areas but connected by a swim-through tunnel. The main pool is heated and available from March through November. There is also a textile rooftop infinity pool, which is heated and available all year.
The Sauna Tower is a multi-story structure that houses sauna facilities, including two outdoor whirlpools. The sauna chambers and whirlpools are FKK, but a covering (towel or bathrobe) is necessary in other areas except on the top (roof) level, which is textile optional. The top level of the Sauna Tower has a sun terrace and a saltwater infinity pool with bird's-eye views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Visitors can swim and sunbathe nude or clad. The pool is heated and available all year.
This placemark is pinpointed on the rooftop pool of the Sauna Tower. The FKK area of the main pool is at 46.6536N 11.0004E.
NOTE: The sauna zone of Hotel Preidlhof is the type of facility usually categorized in the European Saunas section of NakedPlaces.net. However, since the hotel's thermal spa and sauna facilities are restricted to hotel guests, Hotel Preidlhof is classified with accommodations listings instead. Similar hotels with textile-free sauna facilities that are available to the public are categorized with sauna listings.

Hotel Plunhof
Obere Gasse 7
39040 Ratschings-Ridnaun (Bozen-Südtirol, Trentino-Südtirol)*
* Ratschings is a German-speaking town, and Ridnaun is a subdivision (frazione) of the town. In Italian, the town-frazione, province and region are written as Racines-Ridanna (Bolzano-Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige).
TYPE  resort hotel with separate naturist facilities
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  indoor and outdoor textile pools; sauna area with FKK whirlpool and lawn
NUDITY  This is a luxury wellness resort that is not naturist per se, with a thermal spa that is available only to hotel guests. The thermal spa is textile with the exception of the amenities that are contained within the large textile-free sauna zone. Amenities in the ultra-posh sauna zone include multiple sauna chambers, an oversize outdoor whirlpool and a sunbathing lawn. Swimwear is prohibited in the sauna zone, and children under 16 are not permitted. This placemark pinpoints the outdoor whirlpool in the sauna zone.
NOTE: The sauna zone of Hotel Plunhof is the type of facility usually categorized in the European Saunas section of NakedPlaces.net. However, since the hotel's thermal spa and sauna facilities are restricted to hotel guests, Hotel Plunhof is classified with accommodations listings instead. Similar hotels with textile-free sauna facilities that are available to the public are categorized with sauna listings.

Belluno

La Corte degli Elfi
Località Roncat n.8
32020 Livinallongo del Col di Lana (Belluno, Veneto)
TYPE  agriturismo (farmstay) with 4 rooms containing 10 beds
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  small spa with sauna, hot tub and outdoor sunning area
NUDITY  The entire spa area is advertised as naturist. Conventional attire is required outside the spa area.
Day use of the spa is available to non-guests.

LGBT

Cascina GianTino
Via Rocca d'Arazzo 3
14048 Montegrosso d'Asti (Asti, Piemonte)
TYPE:  guesthouse (3 suites)
CLIENTELE:  gay men
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES:  pool, hot tub
NUDITY:  Swimwear is optional in all wet areas.

Lune Saracene
SP122 Litoranea Salentina
74020 Acquadolce Cirenaica / Maruggio (Taranto, Puglia)
TYPE  bed & breakfast with 3 rooms
CLIENTELE  gay men
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  1.2 km to nude beach
NUDITY  allowed throughout (except in outdoor areas in public view)

Umbria

Perugia

Bellaugello
Valdichiaschio
06024 Gubbio (Perugia, Umbria)
TYPE  country house with 5 suites
CLIENTELE  mostly gay men, everyone welcome
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, sauna
NUDITY  Swimwear is optional at the pool and sauna.