Spain

Nude Beaches

Andalucía

Almería

Playa del Playazo

Playa del Playazo
Garrucha is a small port town located toward the northeastern end of the coast of Almería. Beginning at the port, there is a broad and sandy beach that extends northward for nearly six kilometers before narrowing considerably at a bend in the coastline. Nearly all of the beach belongs to the municipality of Vera, the main town of which is about 7 kilometers inland. However, the northernmost kilometer or so of the beach belongs to the neighboring municipality of Cuevas del Almanzora. The northernmost segment of the beach that belongs to Vera is called Playa del Playazo. Officially it has a length of about 2.3 kilometers, but it is just one segment of a continuous expanse of sand. In other words, geographic features do not define its start or end. 500-600 meters inland from the beach, a coastal highway runs parallel to the beach, and the 300 or so acres of land between Playa del Playazo and the highway has become known as Vera Playa. As recently as the '80s this acreage was devoid of development. Today it is almost entirely built up.
Back in 1979, the entire length of Playa del Playazo was declared a naturist beach by the provincial government of Almería. At the time the entire coastal realm of Vera was salt flats. In the '80s a few small-scale naturist entities took hold at Playa del Playazo, then a large naturist resort called Vera Playa Club Hotel opened in 1989 toward the northern end of the beach. In the late '90s a naturist development of privately owned apartments called Vera Natura was built a bit south of the hotel, and around that time a good bit of the land between the beach and the highway was decreed a naturist zone for purposes of future development. Over the years a number of similar naturist subdivisions of apartments and townhouses have been constructed.
While naturism put Vera Playa on the map, textiles have increasingly been drawn to the area since the turn of the millennium. The first subdivisions (i.e., urbanizaciones) of privately owned apartments and townhouses in Vera Playa were marketed to naturists, with covenants mandating nudity at swimming pools and making clothing optional elsewhere. However, most of the newer subdivision have been marketed to non-naturists. The naturist subdivisions and the naturist hotel comprise about a third of the land area of Vera Playa along roughly the northern half of the length of Playa de Playazo. The rest of Vera Playa has been built up with textile subdivisions and a textile hotel, and there are still a few vacant tracts of land. Most of the textile development of Vera Playa is along the southern half of Playa de Playazo, but there is also textile development at the far northern end of the beach.
On paper, the entirety of Playa de Playazo remains designated for naturism, and attempts to cut the designated naturist area in half have met with resistance. The de facto zone of nude use has, in fact, shrunk to the northern half of Playa de Playazo, and along that part of the beach nearly everyone is naked. Most nude bathers are overnight guests of the naturist subdivisions or of Vera Playa Club Hotel, but the nude beach is also popular with day trippers. The southern half of Playa de Playazo gets far less nude use, particularly in July and August when that part of the beach is crowded with textiles.
The are many access points to Playa de Playazo, but the primary access to the zone most heavily frequented by nudists is a 500-meter-long street named Avenida Ciudad de Castellón. Nudity becomes acceptable along the street after the first crosswalk, about 75 meters from the start of the street at a roundabout. There is a small chiringuito named Puntonat in the beachside parking area at the end of the street. Along the beach, there are several more chiringuitos of varying sizes over an expanse of about 300 meters: La Cañita Loca, Vera Natura, Chill Out, Cota Zero El Pirata, Natsun and perhaps one or two more. Full nudity is acceptable at all the aforementioned chiringuitos, but many patrons opt for some sort of covering while dining. The chiringuitos along the beach are next to clusters of sunbeds and umbrellas that can be rented. There are also several toilets and showers along the beach.
Facing the sea at the end of Avenida Ciudad de Castellón, assume you turn left and head north. In about 400 meters you will begin to pass Vera Playa Club Hotel, then a bit past the hotel there are two more chiringuitos that are about 200 meters apart: first Playa Turquesa then El Chumbo. At both chiringuitos, patrons are expected to be conventionally attired (i.e., wearing at least a swimsuit since these are informal beach eateries). Nudity is uncommon past Playa Turquesa since there is a textile subdivision just beyond it. You should absolutely not be naked beyond El Chumbo since it is located at the municipal boundary where Playa de Playazo ends.
Facing the sea at the end of Avenida Ciudad de Castellón, assume you turn right and head south. In about 500 meters you will reach a chiringuito named Pomodoro, and by that point you will be beyond the main area of naturist use. Over the next 800 meters there are three more chiringuitos: Duna, Antonio and Mar y Arena. Patrons are expected to be conventionally attired at all four of these chiringuitos, which are all backed by textile development. All four establishments are along the southern end of Playa de Playazo, where nudity is theoretically possible but seldom practiced, particularly during peak season. Just beyond Mar y Arena is the rather arbitrary point where Playa de Playazo ends, blending into neighboring Playa de Puerto Rey.
VISUAL RESOURCES
municipality, province, autonomous community, country:
Vera, Almería, Andalucía, Spain
There are 13 placemarks related to this site.

DIRECTIONS
Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DRSJvH
Set your GPS device to:
37.2250N, 1.8082W (roundabout at kilometer 3.2 of AL-7017 in Vera Playa)
Vera Playa is seaside district of the town of Vera, about 7 kilometers from the town center. The location referenced above is the only roundabout between kilometer markers 3 and 4. Take the roundabout departure signed Avenida Ciudad de Castellón. You will then be on the main street through the Vera Playa naturist complex. The 500-meter-long street comes to an end at a turnaround circle next to the sea (37.2234N, 1.8028W). There is parking all along the street and along nearby side streets. Access to the beach is straight ahead from the end of the street. You will land roughly at the center of the kilometer-long beach abutting the naturist complex.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS
starting point:  Exit 529 (Vera) of the A-7 motorway near Vera
Exit 529 is about 85 kilometers northeast of the city of Almería, toward the Almería/Murcia provincial border, and it is 4 to 5 kilometers south of the interchange where the AP-7 motorway terminates at the A-7. Upon exiting, follow signs for Vera and you will be filtered onto route N-340a, heading northeast. In about 3.1 kilometers, you will pass kilometer marker 530, then about 500 meters farther on you will reach a small roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Garrucha and Mojácar. You will then begin going east on minor road that skirts the southern edge of Vera, bypassing the town center. Continue 1.2 kilometers, staying straight ahead through a couple of small roundabouts, until you reach a large roundabout with a fountain and an arch with marble columns. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Playas de Vera and Garrucha.
After leaving the roundabout, you will be heading southeast toward the coast on A-1200. Keep straight ahead for 5.8 kilometers to a roundabout at the edge of Garrucha. Take the third departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed Villaricos and San Juan de los Terreros.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will see kilometer marker 0, indicating that you are at the start of route AL-7107. You will be going northeast, parallel to the coastline. In 3 kilometers, after passing through four roundabouts, you will reach kilometer marker 3. Continue 200 meters farther to the next roundabout. Take the first departure, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-7 Exit 529 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa del Playazo.

kilometer marker 3 of AL-7107
This placemark pertains to Playa del Playazo.

roundabout between kilometer markers 3 & 4
This placemark pertains to Playa del Playazo.

kilometer marker 4 of AL-7107

parking area

Puntonat chiringuito (naturist patronage)

La Cañita Loca chiringuito (naturist patronage)

Chill Out chiringuito (naturist patronage)

Vera Natura chiringuito (naturist patronage)

Natsun chiringuito (naturist patronage)

Cota Zero El Pirata chiringuito (naturist patronage)

El Chumbo chiringuito (textile patronage)

Playa Turquesa chiringuito (textile patronage)

Pomodoro chiringuito (textile patronage)

Duna chiringuito (textile patronage)

Antonio chiringuito (textile patronage)

Mar y Arena chiringuito (textile patronage)

segment of AL-7107

Avenida Ciudad de Castellón

zone of predominant naturist use

Playa del Castillo del Macenas & Playa de Bordenares

collective description
Playa del Castillo de Macenas is along the mountainous stretch of coast between Mojácar and Carboneras, and the beach is a little over a kilometer long. Most of it is in full view of the coastal highway, and the name of the beach comes from Castillo de Macenas, a stone military fortification near the far south end of the beach that dates to the 1700s. The beach is opposite Playa Macenas Beach and Golf Resort, a large hotel complex that was built circa 2010, radically altering the character of this formerly undeveloped stretch of coastline. Playa del Castillo de Macenas is particularly easy to access, with parking directly on the beach, and nudity takes place on the far northern few hundred meters, where the coastal highway curves inland and a hillside secludes the beach from passing traffic. However, the beach draws just a small number of nudists.
Starting at the south end of Playa del Castillo de Macenas, you can follow a gravel road for several kilometers along the coastline to reach two neighboring beaches that are separated by a headland. The northern of those beaches is Playa de Bordenares, which is about 400 meters long. The southern of the neighboring beaches is Playa del Sombrerico, which is about 250 meters long. Nudity may occur at least occasionally at either beach, but nudity is much better established at Bordenares. The parking area at Bordenares is located next to the central area of the beach. On peak usage days, the immediate vicinity of the parking area is likely to be textile, with nudists gravitating toward one end of the beach or the other, with the northern end of the beach (to the left when facing the sea) offering the most seclusion. El Sombrerico is more exposed compared to Bordenares since the gravel coastal road passes directly next to it and because a beach bar overlooks its south end. Therefore, nudity seldom occurs at El Sombrerico, but there are some secluded niches south of El Sombrerico that offer nudist potential.
Along the way to Bordenares and El Sombrerico, you will pass an old stone tower called Torre del Pirulico, which is worth a stop for the views and for the natural arch that juts into the sea just steps away.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Castillo de Macenas and Playa de Bordenares.

Playa del Castillo de Macenas
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Castillo de Macenas and Playa de Bordenares.)
VISUAL RESOURCES
municipality, province, autonomous community, country:
Mojácar, Almería, Andalucía, Spain
There are 20 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Castillo de Macenas and Playa de Bordenares.

Playa de Bordenares
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Castillo de Macenas and Playa de Bordenares.)
VISUAL RESOURCES
municipality, province, autonomous community, country:
Mojácar, Almería, Andalucía, Spain
There are 20 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Castillo de Macenas and Playa de Bordenares.

DIRECTIONS
Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/459ss7S
In the southern outskirts of the municipality of Mojácar, Playa Macenas Beach and Golf Resort is a large hotel complex about halfway between Mojácar and Carboneras. The golf resort is across AL-5107 (the coastal road) from Playa del Castillo de Macenas, and the signed turnoff to the resort is located at a roundabout at kilometer 12.1. The unmarked turnoff from AL-5107 toward the nude area of Playa del Castillo de Macenas is the next turnoff north of the the golf resort roundabout. The road to Playa de Bordenares leaves from the next roundabout south of the golf resort roundabout.
To go to Playa del Castillo de Macenas, set your GPS device to:
37.0862N, 1.8516W (unmarked turnoff to beach at kilometer 12.35 of AL-5107 between Mojácar and Carboneras)
When you turn away from AL-5107, you will be on a short dirt track that goes downhill, connecting to an earthen parking area that runs along most of the length of Playa del Castillo de Macenas. You will land on the beach toward its north end. The nude area is the far north end (to the left when facing the sea), where the land suddenly rises up behind the beach, blocking it from view of the road.
To go to Playa de Bordenares, set your GPS device to:
37.0804N, 1.8518W (roundabout at kilometer 11.7 of AL-5107 between Mojácar and Carboneras)
The Castillo de Macenas is a stone fortification that is situated toward the far south end of Playa del Castillo de Macenas, and it is visible from the above-referenced roundabout. Take the roundabout departure signed Castillo de Macenas and Torre del Pirulico. When you leave the roundabout you will no longer be on pavement, and at first there is a jumble of dirt tracks. Just head toward the Castillo de Macenas. Once you pass the bulky structure on its inland side, you will be heading south along a gravel road that will soon begin to run directly alongside the rocky coastline, with the sea on your left-hand side. Shortly you will see another old stone structure straight ahead of you. It is the Torre del Pirulico, a small cylindrical tower that is perched atop a rocky outcropping overlooking the sea. 1.3 kilometer past the Castillo de Macenas, you will pass the Torre del Pirulico on its inland side. (It is an easily accessible tourist attraction.) After the small tower, the road will become curvy as it veers slightly inland, with the sea coming in and out of view. About 1.3 kilometers past the Torre del Pirulico, you will round a bend and a beach will suddenly come into view, with a prominent seaside hill at its far end. That beach is Playa de Bordenares. Once the beach comes into view, continue about 100 meters and take the next possible left to enter an earthen parking area (37.0612N, 1.8560W). If you miss the turn, just continue 30 meters and take the next left to enter another earthen parking area. The two parking areas are separated by a small gully, and both of them abut Playa de Bordenares.
If you keep driving along the gravel road, in a few hundred meters you will reach Playa del Sombrerico, which is on the other side of the seaside hill. It tends to be all textile, especially on crowded days. There is a beach bar called Chiringuito Manaca just inland from the far (south) end of Playa del Sombrerico, beyond which the gravel road turns inland and dead ends next to a few private residences.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS:
starting point:  Exit 520 (Los Gallardos, Mojácar, Turre, Bédar) of the A-7 motorway near Los Gallardos
Exit 520 is about 77 kilometers northeast of the city of Almería, toward the Almería/Murcia provincial border, and it is about 13 kilometers south of the interchange where the AP-7 motorway terminates at the A-7. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the roundabout departure that is signed Los Gallardos, Bédar, Garrucha, Turre and Mojácar. You will then begin heading northeast on route N-340a.
Stay straight ahead on N-340a for 2 kilometers, then veer right onto A-370 toward Garrucha, Turre and Mojácar. Follow A-370 east about 7.5 kilometers. About halfway between kilometer markers 7 and 8, veer right at the sign for Mojácar and Carboneras. You will be filtered onto A-1203, going south.
Follow A-1203 about 3.3 kilometers and you will reach a roundabout where A-1203 ends. Take the third departure of the roundabout, which is signed Carboneras, then you will be on AL-6113. Continue one kilometer and AL-6113 will terminate at a roundabout that overlooks the sea. Take the first departure of the roundabout, which is signed Carboneras.
You will then begin heading south on AL-5107, with the sea on your left-hand side and the kilometer numbering descending. In 5.7 kilometers, take note when you pass kilometer marker 13. At that point, rocky hills will block your view of the sea, and you are getting close to where you need to turn to access either Playa del Castillo de Macenas or Playa de Bordenares. Below is a list of landmarks to help you along:
• kilometer marker 13
•  km 12.85  inland turnoff to Camping Cueva Negra
•  km 12.45  roundabout (approximately where sea comes back into view)
•  km 12.35  unmarked turnoff toward nude end of Playa del Castillo de Macenas (only turnoff between roundabouts referenced above and below)
•  km 12.10  roundabout (access to Playa Macenas Beach and Golf Resort)
•  kilometer marker 12
•  km 11.70  roundabout (access to Playa de Bordenares)
•  km 11.05  roundabout (sea no longer in view)
•  kilometer marker 11
MAP from A-7 Exit 520 to parking (Castillo de Macenas)
MAP from A-7 Exit 520 to parking (Bordenares)
This placemark pertains to Playa del Castillo de Macenas and Playa de Bordenares.

kilometer marker 13 of AL-5107
This placemark pertains to Playa del Castillo de Macenas and Playa de Bordenares.

turnoff to Camping Cueva Negra

roundabout

north end of long parking area

Playa Macenas Beach & Golf Resort

Castillo de Macenas (stone fortification)

Torre del Pirulico (cylindrical stone tower)

Playa del Sombrerico (usually all textile)

Chiringuito Manaca

segment of AL-5107

short beach access road

gravel road along coastline

nude area, roughly

Playa de Bordenares

Playa de los Muertos

Playa de los Muertos
Playa de los Muertos is a broad and extremely beautiful beach located just south of the industrial port and power plant of Carboneras. It is toward the northern end of the vast Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. The beach is about one kilometer long, and a downhill hike of about 500 meters is required to reach the beach from the parking lot. The elevation loss is about 65 meters, so the return hike requires a bit of stamina.
Although often listed among the nude beaches of Spain, Los Muertos is an overwhelmingly textile beach. The beach is quite popular even though it has no amenities, and nudists tend to gravitate to the nook at the far southern end of the beach, which is partially secluded from the rest of the beach by a few huge rocky masses. A prominent rock column at the waterline is an unmissable landmark to let you know where to head for bare bathing. Although nudity always seems to be acceptable at the southern extreme of the beach, even in that area there may be ten textiles for every nudist on the most crowded days. There is a larger percentage of nudists when the beach is less crowded. Whenever you visit, you should be aware that nudists are almost always a minority. If you are looking for a beach where nudists are the rule and not the exception, you'll have to go farther south into Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.
Carboneras, Almería, Andalucía, Spain
There are 12 placemarks related to this site.

DIRECTIONS
Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OB9lwx
Set your GPS device to:
36.9524N, 1.9053W (junction at kilometer 9.85 of AL-5106 south of Carboneras)
The location referenced above is an atypical junction where where the highway (AL-5106) bisects a modified roundabout, with straight-ahead highway traffic having the right of way. There are two parking lots for Playa de los Muetros—one on each side of AL-5106—and you need to enter the roundabout to access either of them. The overflow parking lot is on the inland side of the highway. On the coast side of the highway, there is a small stone tourist information kiosk. A paved road leaves from each side of the kiosk, and the one farther left (south) as you face the sea is the short road that leads to the parking lot that is closest to the beach. (The other road goes toward La Mesa Roldán lighthouse.)
Two trails leave from the end of the parking lot that is on the coast side of AL-5106. One stays uphill and the other immediately begins to go downhill toward the beach, a sliver of which is visible from the parking lot. Take the downhill trail, which is the one farther to the right as you face the sea. In about 500 meters you will land approximately in the center of the beach. Facing the sea, turn right and walk about 300 meters to the prominent columnar rock that is near the south end of the beach.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS
starting point:  Exit 494 (Carboneras, N-341) of the A-7 motorway between Níjar and Alfaix
Exit 494 is about 50 kilometers northeast of the city of Almería, and it is a rural exit that is not especially close to any towns. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to an oblong roundabout that circles beneath the elevated lanes of the motorway. On the coast side of the motorway, take the roundabout departure that is signed Carboneras and Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar. You will almost immediately reach another much smaller roundabout. Keep straight ahead. You will then begin heading east toward the coast on route N-341. Follow it about 17.3 kilometers until you reach the coast on the outskirts of Carboneras. A bit past kilometer marker 17, veer right at the sign that points toward Agua Amarga and Zona Industrial. You will then be filtered onto AL-5106.★
Once you are on AL-5106, you will be heading south, with the kilometer marker numbers descending and the sea clearly in view on your left-hand side. The road will pass through a large seaside industrial complex. Follow AL-5106 about 3.7 kilometers. Shortly past kilometer marker 10, you will reach the junction referenced above. Proceed as directed above.
★ Note: AL-5106 is a road that intersects N-341 twice, looping through the village of Agua Amarga between its two start/end points. You will be turning onto the eastern start/end of that loop, having already passed the western start/end point between kilometer markers 8 and 9 of N-341.
MAP from A-7 Exit 494 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Muertos.

large power plant & industrial complex (shaded in orange)
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Muertos.

This placemark pertains to Playa de los Muertos.

roundabout bisected by highway

stone tourist information kiosk

parking lot

overflow parking lot

approximate midpoint of main textile area of beach

Faro de Mesa Roldán (lighthouse)

segment of AL-5106

downhill trail to beach

large power plant & industrial complex

Cala del Plomo & Cala de Enmedio

collective description
Cala del Plomo and Cala de Enmedio are nearby beaches located near the village of Agua Amarga in the northern part of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. Both beaches are isolated and undeveloped, and both are frequented by nude bathers. The two beaches are separated by a butte-like land mass that is a little over a kilometer long. It is not feasible to walk from one beach to the other on the sea side of the butte, but there is a well-defined trail along the inland side of the butte that connects the two beach access roads.
There are gravel roads that lead directly to each beach. The 6.5-kilometer-long road to Cala del Plomo is signed, well maintained and easily passable for all kinds of vehicles. Quite the opposite is true of the 4-kilometer-long road to Cala de Enmedio, and it is best to have a four-wheel-drive vehicle if you want to drive directly there.
Because of its easier access, Cala del Plomo (the more southern of the two beaches) is much more crowded than Cala de Enmedio. The beach spans a little over 200 meters, and historically the beach and its parking area have blended together, with cars and camper vans lined all along the seafront, just steps from bathers at the beach. However, parking was reconfigured in the mid-2010's to keep cars off the beach. While the beach is still quite easy to access, there is now a bit of a buffer between bathers and machinery. Nudity is well established, but Cala del Plomo generally has quite a mix of clad and unclad. Textiles are typically a substantial majority on crowded days.
Cala de Enmedio has a character considerably different from its neighbor. Although just half the length of Cala del Plomo, Cala de Enmedio has an expanse of sand that extends much farther back from the water, so it actually feels like a bigger beach, and it is also the more scenic of the two beaches. Furthermore, due to the condition of the access road, there are typically just a few cars parked a bit inland from the beach and sometimes none at all, so the beach feels farther removed from civilization. Since getting there requires either a rough drive or a longish hike (about half an hour), the beach is rarely crowded, and many visitors opt to be nude. If you do not drive to the beach, you can hike to it from either Cala del Plomo or Agua Amarga. Although the hike from Agua Amarga is the somewhat shorter of the two hiking options, it involves a good bit of uphill and downhill, so it is the more physically challenging option. The hike from Cala de Plomo to Cala de Enmedio (via the trail on the inland side of the butte) is comparatively more level. If your time is limited, hiking from Cala de Plomo is the better option for visiting both beaches.
This placemark pertains to Cala del Plomo and Cala de Enmedio.

Cala del Plomo
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala del Plomo and Cala de Enmedio.)
Níjar, Almería, Andalucía, Spain
There are 24 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala del Plomo and Cala de Enmedio.

Cala de Enmedio
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala del Plomo and Cala de Enmedio.)
Níjar, Almería, Andalucía, Spain
There are 24 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala del Plomo and Cala de Enmedio.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DTvOAb
The coastal village of Agua Amarga is part of the municipality of Níjar, but it is about 30 kilometers east of the eponymous main town of the municipality, which lies considerably inland. (In land area, Níjar is one of the largest municipalities in Spain.) Cala de Enmedio and Cala del Plomo are both located a bit south and west of Agua Amarga. While the village and the two beaches are contained within an as-the-crow-flies expanse of less than 3 kilometers, these three locations are not connected to one another by direct automobile routes. For example, the drive from Agua Amarga to Cala del Plomo is a circuitous route of over 12 kilometers—three to four times the hiking distance. To gravel road to Cala del Plomo is well maintained and passable to all vehicles. To gravel road to Cala de Enmedio is quite rough, best suited to four-wheel-drive vehicles. The directions below at first describe the most convenient route to explore both beaches—driving to Cala del Plomo then hiking from there to Cala de Enmedio. Farther down, the additional directions detail alternative access options.
Set your GPS device to:
36.9532N, 1.9798W (four-way junction at kilometer 1.8 of AL-5106 near Agua Amarga)
The junction referenced above is a few kilometers inland from Agua Amarga. Not counting private driveways, it is the only junction between kilometer markers 1 and 2. The road going west from the junction is an unnumbered paved road signed Fernán Pérez (a tiny settlement that is about 10 kilometers away). The road going east from the junction is a gravel road with signs for Los Malenos (a small rural hotel hidden in a cluster of trees on the northeast side of the junction). Turn onto the paved road toward Fernán Pérez. Proceed 700 meters and turn left onto a gravel road signed Cala del Plomo (36.9501N, 1.9866W). It is the first signed turnoff you will reach.
The gravel road to Cala del Plomo is about 6.5 kilometers long, with the last few hundred meters of the road serving as a parking area. The road winds gently through a very hilly landscape, and the terrain is such that the sea is not visible along the drive. The road basically follows the route of a creek drainage, and there are multiple short concreted segments where the road passes through the creek bed. At the start of the road, take note of your car's trip meter. As you head toward the sea, stay on the broadest road at all forks and other junctions. 5.8 kilometers from the start of the road, you will cross the last concreted segment (36.9247N, 1.9619W). At that point, a very prominent land mass will be straight ahead of you—the long seaside hill between Cala del Plomo and Cala de Enmedio. The distinctive hill is shaped like a butte, rising about 100 meters above the sea, with very steep sides and a crest that extends over a kilometer. Cala del Plomo is on the right (southwest) end of the hill, and that is where you will end up if you just continue along the road to its end. Cala de Enmedio is on the left (northeast) end of the hill, and to get there it is necessary to hike around the hill along its inland base.
Once you pass the last concreted segment of the road, continue about 400 meters. The path to Cala de Enmedio begins on the left (36.9251N, 1.9572W). On very busy days, there may be parked cars starting around the trailhead and extending along the rest of the road. Go ahead and park if you intend to hike to Cala de Enmedio. If you are going to Cala del Plomo, you can drive about 300 meters farther, potentially parking just steps away from the beach. (Once the road almost meets the sea, it goes slightly uphill and ends at a hamlet of several white buildings perched above the southwest end of Cala del Plomo. A few rooms are available to rent there.)
As you start along the footpath toward Cala de Enmedio, you will be heading north, with the steep slope of the hill on your right-hand side blocking your view of the sea. Keep to the right at all junctions, staying on the path that hews closest to the hill. In about 1.2 kilometers, the path will end at a broad track, which is the four-wheel-drive road to Cala de Enmedio. Turn right and follow the track about 400 meters to its end at the beach. The hike takes roughly half an hour.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS
starting point:  Exit 494 (Carboneras, N-341) of the A-7 motorway between Níjar and Alfaix
Exit 494 is about 50 kilometers northeast of the city of Almería, and it is a rural exit that is not especially close to any towns. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to an oblong roundabout that circles beneath the elevated lanes of the motorway. On the coast side of the motorway, take the roundabout departure that is signed Carboneras and Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar. You will almost immediately reach another much smaller roundabout. Keep straight ahead. You will then begin heading east toward the coast on route N-341. Follow it about 8.5 kilometers. About halfway between kilometer markers 8 and 9, turn right at the sign that points toward Agua Amarga. Once you turn, you will be at the start of route AL-5106, and you will pass kilometer marker 0.
To drive to Cala del Plomo:
From the start of AL-5106, proceed 1.8 kilometers to the four-way junction referenced above. Turn right at the junction (toward Fernán Pérez), then continue as directed above.
Four-wheel-drive access to Cala de Enmedio:
From the start of AL-5106, proceed 3 kilometers and take note when you pass kilometer marker 3. A few hundred meters past that marker, you will pass two decaying and seemingly abandoned white houses that are very close to the road. The first is on the right side of the road and the second is on the left. Less than 100 meters after the second house, take the next possible right onto an unmarked gravel road (36.9491N, 1.9653W). (If you pass two small La Joya signs that are on either side of AL-5106, you have just barely missed the turn.) Follow the road about a kilometer, then keep straight ahead through a four-way junction with a gravel road that runs through a creek drainage. Continue about 3.1 kilometers farther to the end of the road at Cala de Enmedio.
Hiking to Cala de Enmedio and Cala del Plomo from Agua Amarga:
From the start of AL-5106, proceed about 6.4 kilometers to Agua Amarga. You will pass the village sign several hundred meters past kilometer marker 6. Immediately past the village sign, turn right, following the arrow that points toward Hotel El Tio Kiko. In just 50 meters, you will reach an irregular junction next to a metal power line pole. Turn right onto Calle Depósito. (There is an inconspicuous, faded street sign.) In about 100 meters, Calle Depósito will narrow and turn to gravel. Just before the pavement ends, park in the earthen area on the right (36.9408N, 1.9383W). (The parking area is opposite the three-way junction of Calle Depósito and Calle Embarque.)
Continue on foot along the gravel road, which begins to steeply ascend the ridge of a long hill. In a bit less than 300 meters, the road will narrow into a footpath. The path continues uphill a bit before leveling out at about 85 meters above sea level. Once you have hiked a little over a kilometer from the parking area, you will reach a trail fork (36.9366N, 1.9481W). Both forks begin to wind downhill, but the left fork makes a steeper descent. Take the left fork. In just over 500 meters you will land at Cala de Enmedio.
To continue to Cala del Plomo, follow the broad track that goes inland from Cala de Enmedio. In about 400 meters, turn left onto the first well-defined footpath (36.9321N, 1.9511W). You will then be following the inland side of the long hill that separates Cala de Enmedio and Cala del Plomo. Continue 1.2 kilometers to the end of the footpath at a gravel road. Turn left and follow the road about 300 meters to Cala del Plomo.
Starting from Agua Amarga, the total hike to Cala de Enmedio is 1.6 kilometers, while the total hike to Cala del Plomo is 3.5 kilometers.
MAP from A-7 Exit 494 to parking next to Cala del Plomo
MAP from A-7 Exit 494 to parking in Agua Amarga
This placemark pertains to Cala del Plomo and Cala de Enmedio.

kilometer marker 8 of N-341
This placemark pertains to Cala del Plomo and Cala de Enmedio.

kilometer marker 9 of N-341

Cortijo Los Malenos

signed turnoff to Cala del Plomo

parking toward end of gravel road

hamlet of several white buildings

small "La Joya" sign on each side of AL-5106

parking at end of 4WD road

Agua Amarga village sign

small earthen parking area

trail fork

Hotel El Tio Kiko

segment of N-341

segment of road toward Fernán Pérez

gravel road (passable to all vehicles)

4WD road

roads in Agua Amarga

footpath

Cala de San Pedro

Cala de San Pedro
Cala de San Pedro is an isolated beach within Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, several kilometers north of the village of Las Negras. It spans about 250 meters amid a beautiful backdrop of rugged mountains, and a small stone castle in ruins slightly uphill from the beach adds to the character. Despite its isolation, San Pedro is a very well-attended beach where nudity is well established, and nudists are often but not always in the majority. Other than the castle, there are a handful of other structures behind the beach in various states of decay. As the story goes, there used to be a tiny hamlet at San Pedro, but the last of its residents had left by the 1960s, at which point hippies moved in and transformed San Pedro into a new kind of community. Nudity on the beach has been customary for over half a century, and while the beach is now visited by quite a diversity of people, it still retains a counterculture vibe. Some visitors pitch tents and camp out on the beach. There are pit toilets and a fresh-water spring, and a few of the old structures have been repurposed as cafés and snack shacks, but you should not count on those being open if you visit at a non-peak time.
San Pedro has a loyal following despite the long hike required to reach it, but the hike isn't nearly as long as it used to be. Most visitors used to walk all the way from the edge of Las Negras since the initial uphill, rocky stretch of the cliff-hugging gravel road that leads toward the beach was a hard drive for regular vehicles. That hike of nearly 4 kilometers took the better about an hour. The road has been improved, and while it is still a bit rough, it is passable for ordinary vehicles. (Just drive slowly.) Most visitors now drive the 2.2-kilometer length of the gravel road to the dirt parking area at the end, cutting the hike down to 1.7 kilometers. The hike affords spectacular views but is quite exposed, and it gets very hot during summer, so be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. (If you aren't up for the hike, there is irregular water taxi service. Inquire in Las Negras.)
Níjar, Almería, Andalucía, Spain
There are 8 placemarks related to this site.

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36.8978N, 1.9945W (earthen parking area north of San José)
The parking area referenced above is located at the end of a gravel road that climbs uphill as it goes north from the village of San José. The parking area is perched high above the sea, about 100 meters above sea level. The hiking path to Cala de San Pedro begins straight ahead form the parking area. The path clings to a mountainside above the sea, making a gradual descent to the beach. The sea will be on your right-hand side. It is a very straightforward hike of 1.7 kilometers.
starting point:  Exit 481 (Níjar, Campohermoso, Las Negras, Lucainena) of the A-7 motorway near Níjar
Exit 481 is about 35 kilometers northeast of the city of Almería. Upon exiting, follow the signs that point toward Campohermoso and you will be filtered onto route AL-3106.
AL-3106 takes you southeast all the way to the coastal village of Las Negras (passing through the town of Campohermoso and the village of Fernán Pérez). Just keep straight ahead on the highway at all junctions. About 20 to 21 kilometers from the motorway exit, you will reach Las Negras. The sea will be in view ahead of you as you pass the village sign.
About 250 meters after the village sign, you will enter an unusual elongated roundabout that has palm trees and park benches in the middle. Continue toward the far end of that roundabout and watch for a traditional white windmill on your right. Once you pass the windmill, four streets depart the roundabout very close together, one after the other. Turn right onto the fourth of those streets. If you see a sign for Hotel Cala Chica affixed to a stone fence on your right just as soon as you leave the roundabout, you have taken the correct departure.
Once you leave the elongated roundabout, you will be on named streets, but street signage is inconspicuous if not altogether absent. Follow Calle Hélice 200 meters to a "T" where you have to turn. Turn right onto Calle La Jarrera. Continue less than 100 meters to another "T" where you must turn left (since there is a "do-not-enter" panel to your right). You will then be on Calle Aguillas, a very narrow asphalted road that heads north out of the village. You will pass a sign indicating you are on a dead-end road.
After following Calle Aguillas for 500-600 meters, stay on the asphalted road through an unusual junction with a gravel track that runs through a dry creek bed. Just 50 or so meters farther on, the road straight ahead will turn to gravel, and a sign indicates the road dead ends in 3 kilometers. (The distance on the sign is wrong.) The gravel road begins to wind uphill, and in 2.2 kilometers you will reach the parking area at its end. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-7 Exit 481 to parking
This placemark pertains to Cala de San Pedro.

Las Negras village sign
This placemark pertains to Cala de San Pedro.

traditional white windmill next to elongated roundabout
This placemark pertains to Cala de San Pedro.

Hotel Cala Chica

road turns to gravel

castle ruins

route from village sign to parking

path to beach

Calilla del Playazo

Calilla del Playazo
Near the small inland village of Rodalquilar, Playa del Playazo is a beautiful and broad sandy beach amid the arid mountains of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. The main part of the beach is a crescent that is a little over 400 meters long. El Playazo is quite popular even though it has no amenities. While it used to possible to park toward both ends of the beach, all parking is now toward the north end, so the northern half of the beach tends to be substantially more crowded than the southern half. A bit north of the beach, the Castillo de San Ramón is a stone fortress that dates to 1764. Between the main beach and the fortress, there is small beach often referred to as Calilla del Playazo to differentiate it from the main beach. This small beach basically serves as the nudist niche of Playa del Playazo. Calilla del Playazo has a pocket of sand that extends about 50 meters, with rocky ledges at both ends. Nude bathing is well established, and there are usually at least a few bare bathers present even on the most crowded days when nudists are greatly outnumbered by textiles. There is more of a mix of nudists and textile when the beach is less crowded. While the nudist niche is hidden from the main beach, it isn't really secluded since the road to the fortress passes above it. The road is closed to automobiles, but on busy days there will a good bit of foot traffic between the main beach and the fortress, which may be an issue if you have qualms about being naked in view of passersby.
While the main expanse of Playa del Playazo is basically a textile beach, there is occasional nudity toward the south end, and the nudist potential of that area has been enhanced since there is no longer adjacent parking. However, the south end of the main beach is likely to be all or nearly all textile when the beach is really crowded.
Note: Farther north in Almería, Playa del Playazo is the popular nude beach that abuts the Vera Playa naturist complex. For that reason, the beach of the same name near Rodalquilar is often referred to as Playa del Playazo de Rodalquilar .

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36.8601N, 2.0073W (parking area at Playa del Playazo near Rodalquilar)
Playa del Playazo is several kilometers west of the small village of Rodalquilar, which lies a bit inland. The paved road that leads to the beach turns to gravel as you enter the parking area referenced above. To minimize your walk, drive as far into the parking area as possible, but be advised that on busy days there may be cars parked alongside the road before the pavement ends. The main expanse of the beach is over 400 meters long, and the parking area abuts the northern end of that expanse. The far north end of the main beach (to the left when facing the sea) is formed by a low-lying mass of rock that projects into the sea. A bit farther north, a very prominent and bulky stone fortress is perched atop another mass of rock. The nudist niche is wedged between those rocky projections—beyond the main beach but before the fortress. The road that feeds into the parking area continues north several hundred meters to the fortress, but that part of the road is off limits to motorized vehicles. Follow the road and the nudist niche will come into view as you near the fortress. The road winds above the nudist niche the makes a "T" with a road that partially skirts the base of the fortress. The easiest access to the nudist niche is from a path that is about 40 meters before that "T." The walk to the nude area is easy, and the distance is 300 to 500 meters, depending on how close you are able to park.
starting point:  Exit 481 (Níjar, Campohermoso, Las Negras, Lucainena) of the A-7 motorway near Níjar
Exit 481 is about 35 kilometers northeast of the city of Almería. Upon exiting, follow the signs that point toward Campohermoso and you will be filtered onto route AL-3106.
AL-3106 takes you southeast toward the coast. Follow it 18 to 19 kilometers, passing through the town of Campohermoso and the village of Fernán Pérez, then turn right at the sign that points toward Rodalquilar. (The turnoff is about 700 meters past kilometer marker 22 but about 2 kilometers before the end of AL-3106 at the coastal village of Las Negras. If you pass marker 23, you have missed the turn by 200-300 meters.)
Upon turning, you will be going south on route AL-4200. Follow it 1.8 kilometers, then turn left at a brown sign that points toward Playa del Playazo. (The turnoff is about 600 meters past kilometer marker 13. If you pass marker 12, which is the last marker before the village of Rodalquilar, you have missed it by 400 meters.)
Upon turning, you will be on a narrow but paved road. Follow it 2.2 kilometers to the end of the pavement at the entrance to a large gravel parking area. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Playazo de Rodalquilar.

This placemark pertains to Calilla del Playazo.

turnoff to Playa del Playazo
This placemark pertains to Calilla del Playazo.

Playa del Playazo (usually all textile)

Castillo de San Ramón (large stone fortress)

beach access road

road to fortress (no motorized vehicles)

road at base of fortress

access path

Calilla de Playazo

Cala de los Toros

Cala de los Toros
Cala de los Toros is among the lesser-known beaches of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, located a bit north of the tiny seaside village of Isleta and south of the inland village of Rodalquilar. This primitive beach is off the radar to most park visitors since there is no prominent signage, but it is fairly easy to access. It takes just 10 minutes or so to hike down to the beach along a path with a gradual descent. Los Toros is located at the end of a drainage called Barranco del Negro, and just before you arrive at the beach you will pass through an oasis-like copse of trees. A bit over 100 meters long, the beach has some sand, but it is mostly covered in pebbles and larger stones. Although textiles seem to typically be in the majority at Los Toros, nude bathing is well established. Just keep in mind that there is not a consistent nudist presence at the beach. The parking pullout from which the beach is accessed is less than a kilometers south of a scenic overlook that has some of the best views in the park.

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36.8254N, 2.0459W (parking pullout at kilometer 7.85 of AL-4200, north of La Isleta)
La Isleta del Moro, or just La Isleta for short, is a tiny coastal village that is part of the municipality of Níjar, but it is about 35 kilometers southeast of the eponymous main town of the municipality, which lies considerably inland. (In land area, Níjar is one of the largest municipalities in Spain.) The short road going into La Isleta leaves the coastal road (AL-4200) between kilometer markers 6 and 7. Just under 2 kilometers north of the turnoff to La Isleta, there is a scenic overlook called the Mirador de las Amatistas between markers 8 and 9. Cala de los Toros is north of La Isleta but south of the Mirador de las Amatistas. The parking area is between markers 7 and 8 but much closer to marker 8. The parking area, on the coast side of the road, is a gravel pullout that is lined with small boulders, with room for about 15 cars.
From the parking area, you can see the sea but not the beach. The hike to the beach is very straightforward, along a broad and well-defined path that begins at the north end of the pullout and makes a gradual descent. You will be hiking through a treeless landscape of coastal scrub until you near sea level, where you will pass through a cluster of palms and other trees before you land on the beach. The total walk is 550 meters, with an elevation loss of about 50 meters.
starting point:  Exit 481 (Níjar, Campohermoso, Las Negras, Lucainena) of the A-7 motorway near Níjar
Exit 481 is about 35 kilometers northeast of the city of Almería. Upon exiting, follow the signs that point toward Campohermoso and you will be filtered onto route AL-3106.
AL-3106 takes you southeast toward the coast. Follow it 18 to 19 kilometers, passing through the town of Campohermoso and the village of Fernán Pérez, then turn right at the sign that points toward Rodalquilar. (The turnoff is about 700 meters past kilometer marker 22 but about 2 kilometers before the end of AL-3106 at the coastal village of Las Negras. If you pass marker 23, you have missed the turn by 200-300 meters.)
Upon turning, you will be going south on AL-4200, with the kilometer marker numbers descending. In 5.3 kilometers, once you are past Rodalquilar, take note when you pass kilometer marker 9. After marker 9, it is 400 meters to the Mirador de las Amatistas then 600 meters farther to marker 8. The parking pullout is on the left, 150 meters past marker 8. Proceed as directed above. (If you reach the left-hand turnoff into La Isleta, you have gone 1.1 kilometers too far.)
alternate starting point:  Exit 471 (San José, Parque Natural) of the A-7 motorway on the outskirts of Almería
Exit 471 is about 25 kilometers east of the city center of Almería. Once you exit, follow the signs that point toward San Isidro, El Barranquete, San José and Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar. About 300 meters from the exit interchange, you will reach a fork. Keep to the right, following the sign for El Barranquete and San José. (The left fork goes toward San Isidro and Campohermoso.) You will then be at the start of route AL-3112, and you will pass kilometer marker 0.
AL-3112 takes you in a generally southeasterly direction. In 4.8 kilometers, you will reach a fork at the edge of the small village of El Barranquete. Keep to the left, following the San José sign, in order to stay on AL-3112. 3.2 kilometers farther on, you will pass kilometer marker 8. 500-600 meters farther on, you will reach the junction with AL-3108 at a roundabout. Take the first departure, which is signed San José. As you follow AL-3108, you will be continuing in a southeasterly direction. In 7.1 kilometers, take note when you pass marker 19. Just 100 or so meters farther on, turn left at the next junction, which is signed La Isleta and Rodalquilar. Upon turning, you will be on AL-4200, and you will pass marker 0.
As you follow AL-4200, you will be going east-northeast. In 6.7 kilometers, take note when you pass the right-hand turnoff into La Isleta. 300 meters farther on, you will pass marker 7. The parking pullout is 800-900 meters past marker 7, on the right. Proceed as directed above. (If you reach the Mirador de las Amatistas, you have gone about 700 meters too far.)
This placemark pertains to Cala de los Toros.

This placemark pertains to Cala de los Toros.

Mirador de las Amatistas
This placemark pertains to Cala de los Toros.

turnoff to La Isleta

Cabo de Gata South Beaches

Cabo de Gata South Beaches
Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park is a vast, arid, mountainous area of rugged beauty in the far southeast of Spain, east of the city of Almería. Several small villages are enclaves in the park, which was created in 1987 and covers over 400 square kilometers. Some of the most scenic beaches in the park are clustered at its far south end, just south and west of the small coastal village of San José. We'll refer to this cluster of beaches as Cabo de Gata South (for the apparent lack of a proper name that refers to the beaches collectively). If you go south along the mountainous coastal realm of the park, you can follow paved roads all the way to San José. If you head east along the coast from Almería, you can follow paved roads all the way to Vela Blanca, a promontory that rises over 200 meters above the sea, with a historic stone watchtower near its peak. San José and Vela Blanca are connected by a gravel road that is nearly 8 kilometers long, and the Cabo de Gata South beaches are accessed from this road. It is not possible to drive the entire length of the road since the mountainous segment of the road at the Vela Blanca end is off limits to motorized vehicles. Some hiking and biking enthusiasts start from Vela Blanca to explore the Cabo de Gata South Beaches, but everyone else starts in San José.
Cabo de Gata South is comprised of 14 beaches spread over roughly 6 kilometers of coastline. Of the beaches, one outlier is quite long compared to the others, extending well over a kilometer, but all the others range from about 40 to 300 meters in length. Some of the beaches are easy to access, but you'll need a bit of stamina and agility to get to others. Most of the beaches are thickly coated in soft sand, and all are primitive. There are no toilets, nor is food or drink available. Come prepared with everything you need for a day at the beach. Cabo de Gata South is a wonderland of the forces of nature, replete with volcanic rock formations. Cabo de Gata South is also a wonderland for nudists. Every single beach gets a least a bit of nudist frequentation, but there are a few protocols that apply, mainly during peak season.
The two most popular beaches of Cabo de Gata South are Playa de los Genoveses and Playa del Mónsul. Los Genoveses is the longest of the beaches by far, and it is the only beach that faces east. The others face south. Los Genoveses draws more visitors than any of the other beaches because it has the most parking and the most space, and it is visited mostly by textiles, but the beach is so large that there is plenty of space for nudists. While nudists may be found at both ends of the beach, most nudists go to the south end. While Mónsul is likely to have fewer visitors than Los Genoveses at any given time, it usually feels more crowded since those visitors have less room to spread out. Thus, Mónsul becomes a de facto textile beach during peak season, and there are likely to be no nudists at all any time the beach is packed. Depending on when you visit, you may need to use discretion about bare bathing along the main expanse of Los Genoveses and at Mónsul, but that is really about all you need to know. Nudity occurs quite freely everywhere else.
Of the Cabo de Gata South beaches, the one most favored by bare bathers is Playa del Barronal. Besides being quite beautiful, El Barronal is relatively easy to reach, requiring an untaxing hike of about 10 minutes from the closest point of access. El Barronal is the third most popular of the beaches after Los Genoveses and Mónsul, and most visitors go nude. Besides Playa del Barronal, Cabo de Gata South offers a plenitude of other possibilities for nudists. Those beaches are briefly summarized below as part of the hiking directions from the major points of access.
GPS:
36.7448N, 2.1219W (Playa de los Genoveses, main area)
36.7397N, 2.1206W (Playa de los Genoveses, south end)
36.7365N, 2.1191W (Cala de los Amarillos)
36.7307N, 2.1327W (Cala del Lance del Perro)
36.7299N, 2.1352W (Playa del Paredón)
36.7297N, 2.1395W (Playa del Barronal)
36.7313N, 2.1521W (Cala de la Media Luna)
Nijar, Almería, Andalucía, Spain

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NOTES ABOUT PARKING AND ACCESS: The beaches at the far south end of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park are accessed via a gravel road that begins at the south end of the village of San José. There are four parking areas along this road, named for the nearest beach. In order by distance from San José, those parking areas are Los Genoveses, El Barronal, Mónsul and Carbón. Parking outside the designated areas is not permitted. There are some parking restrictions that apply during PEAK SEASON (mid-June through mid-September). At the start of the gravel road, there is a red-and-white lift gate (the type often encountered at level railroad crossings) that is typically open during daylight hours. During peak season, it is possible to drive along the gravel road for 4.5 kilometers to a red-and-white "do-not-enter" panel beyond which automobiles may not proceed. The first three parking areas (Los Genoveses, El Barronal and Mónsul) are along this 4.5-kilometer-long stretch, and a parking fee of about €5 per vehicle is collected at each area during peak season. Outside of peak season, there is no parking fee, and it is also possible to drive a little over one kilometer farther to the fourth parking area (Carbón). At the fourth parking area, a metal gate across the road is a permanent barrier. Beyond the metal gate, the road begins to wind uphill and continues 2.1 kilometers, connecting to a paved road near the peak of Vela Blanca. Motorized vehicles are always prohibited along the Carbón-to-Vela Blanca segment of the road.
From San José, there is a shuttle bus to the beaches that runs during peak season, with service every half hour from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm. The bus picks up passengers at a few locations in the village, with most day trippers departing from a large centrally located parking lot where parking is free. Bus fare is about €1 per person each way. During peak season, there is a quota of cars allowed beyond the start of the gravel road at any given time. When the quota is reached, the lift gate at the start of the gravel road is lowered, and a car must exit before another car can enter. If the gate is closed and there is a queue of cars waiting to get in, consider taking the shuttle. Hikers and cyclists are allowed beyond the gate at all times, with no fees or access restrictions. The peak-season shuttle makes four stops that correspond to the four aforementioned parking areas. The bus does continue all to the way to the fourth and last parking area (Carbón) even though cars are not permitted to park there during peak season.
36.7706N, 2.1088W (San José village sign, at kilometer 22 of AL-3108)
The coastal village of San José is part of the municipality of Níjar, but it is about 30 kilometers south-southeast of the eponymous main town of the municipality, which lies considerably inland. (In land area, Níjar is one of the largest municipalities in Spain.) San José is something of a geographic cul-de-sac since there are no through roads for motorized vehicles. As you head toward the village, you will be going south on AL-3108, which is the only road into San José.
Less than 200 meters after the village sign, keep straight ahead through a large roundabout, following the San José sign. 400-500 meters farther on, you will reach a much smaller roundabout with several metal sculptures in the middle.
To take the shuttle bus to the beach (peak season only):
At the roundabout with the metal sculptures, take the departure signed for the town center and the tourism office (centro urbano and oficina turismo). You will then be on a street named Calle San José, and you will see a large parking lot on the left side of the street. Proceed a little over 100 meters, then turn left at the Aparcamiento Municipal sign to enter the parking lot (36.7641N, 2.1101W). The bus stop is on the same side of Calle San José as the parking lot, just past the parking lot entrance. Purchase a ticket when you board a bus bound for the Cabo de Gata beaches. Once the bus starts along the gravel road, it will make four stops corresponding to the parking areas described below.
To proceed by car:
At the roundabout with the metal sculptures, take the departure with the orange sign for Playas Mónsul, Genoveses. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on a street named Calle Ronda. In less than 100 meters take the next possible right, again following signs for Mónsul and Genoveses. You will then be on a street that is a bypass of sorts, skirting the inland periphery of San José. (The street is Camino del Aguamarina, but there are no signs.) In 800 meters, keep straight ahead to merge back into Calle Ronda. Continue 400 meters to a mini-roundabout, at which point you will be at the southern edge of the village. Keep straight ahead through the mini-roundabout and you will reach the lift gate described above, where the road turns to gravel. The directions below presume the gate is open. (If the gate is closed, refer to the notes at the start of the directions.)
• km 0.0  gate at start of gravel road (36.7571N, 2.1130W)
• km 1.8  Signed left-hand turnoff to Playa de los Genoveses. A short road leads to the first parking area (Los Genoveses), a large lot (36.7453N, 2.1255W).
If you are taking the shuttle, the bus stop is located about 300 meters past the turnoff, and from the bus stop a footpath leads to the parking area, which is clearly visible through the open landscape about 300 meters away. The other bus stops are located much closer to their respective parking areas.
• km 3.7  start of second parking area (El Barronal) (36.7361N, 2.1411W)
This area is not a typical lot but rather a long row of pull-in spaces along the right (inland) side of the road, extending about 300 meters.
• km 4.5  right-hand turnoff to third parking area (Mónsul) (36.7331N, 2.1483W)
During peak season, this is the point along the gravel road where a red-and-white panel indicates that motorized traffic may proceed no farther. An accompanying arrow instructs you to turn right to enter the parking lot, which is on the inland side of the road.
• km 5.6  fourth parking area (Carbón) (36.7333N, 2.1600W)
On the right (inland) side of the road, this is the smallest of the four parking areas. You can only drive here outside of peak season, but you can take the shuttle bus here during peak season.
Hiking directions from the first parking area (Los Genoveses):
From the parking area, a broad walkway leads about 200 meters to Playa de los Genoveses, which is by far the largest of the Cabo de Gata South beaches, extending about 1.4 kilometers at low tide. You will land on the beach roughly at its center point, and this area is generally regarded as the domain of textiles, particularly during peak season. Facing the sea, turn right and head south about 300 meters to a prominent, low-lying rocky mound that extends all the way across the sand into the sea. The mound is the dividing point between the textile and nudist areas, and it is very easy to hike over it. The nude area extends south for more than 400 meters, but at high tide this expanse gets broken into multiple niches.
The next parking area named below is the closest point of access to Playa del Barronal, which is the most popular gathering place for nudists of all the Cabo de Gata South beaches. Between Playa de los Genoveses and Playa del Barronal, there are half a dozen beaches that are quite isolated from the gravel road. All of them are tucked into the rugged coastal hills, and all are frequented by nude bathers. These beaches can be accessed with either Playa de los Genoveses or Playa del Barronal as a starting point, and there are many combinations of paths you could follow. The hiking route described below assumes that you will stay close to the sea when possible. Be advised that some segments of the hike are a bit vertigo inducing. If you encounter a segment you don't like, scout out a different route that veers inland.
Going south across the nude area of Los Genoveses, you will be heading toward a very prominent peninsular land mass that juts eastward into the sea, with a hill rising up toward its seaward end. It resembles an east-facing whale, with the tip of the peninsula as its face and the hill as its humped back. From the far south end end of Los Genoveses, hike up the peninsula, staying on the lower slope of the hill (i.e., the tail side of the hump). On the other side of the peninsula, you will be standing atop a bluff looking directly south across the sea. The peninsula is where the coastline bends. While Los Genoveses faces east, all the other beaches in the immediate area are oriented more toward the south. The beach below the bluff is Cala de los Amarillos. It is a small and pretty crescent that extends about 100 meters, taking its name from the yellowish color of the rock behind the beach. The beach is accessed from a short but steep footpath near its west end (to the right when facing the sea)
Standing above Cala de los Amarillos, you will be about 15 meters above sea level. To continue to the other beaches, head west along the prominent path that runs above Cala de los Amarillos, hiking such that the sea is on your left-hand side. It is about 600 meters to the next beach, and along the way you will at first ascend to a maximum elevation of about 55 meters, then the path will cling to the side of a hill as it winds down to Cala Principe, a very isolated pocket of sand surrounded by an amphitheater of hills. The small beach is about 70 meters long. To get to the next beach, it is best to hike slightly inland to ascend to the crest of the hill on the west side of Cala Principe. Once you reach the crest, you will see Cala Chica on the other side.
Cala Chica is distinguished by a huge expanse of sand that slopes gradually down toward the water such that the backdrop of the beach resembles a glacier composed of sand instead of ice. The broadest part of the beach spans about 150 meters, with a narrower ribbon of sand at its western end. Stay at sea level to continue west to the next two beaches. First there is Cala Grande, which has a similar appearance to Cala Chica but on a slightly smaller scale (counterintuitive to its name). Next is Cala del Lance del Perro, a 200-meter-long expanse of sand with a distinctive landmark near its eastern end: a collection of several very craggy rocks that extend seaward across the sand, all the way to the water line at high tide. If you let your imagination run wild you might envision the rocks as the spine of a dragon. Cala Chica, Cala Grande and Cala del Lance del Perro are contained within 800 meters, and at low tide there is continuous sand along that entire expanse. Depending on the tides, you will have to hike through wet sand or very shallow water to get from one beach to the next.
After Cala del Lance del Perro, the next two beaches are Playa del Paredón and Playa del Barronal. Quite isolated below a very rugged and craggy cliff, Playa del Paredón is a very narrow beach that extends about 300 meters, largely disappearing at high tide. It is best accessed from its west side, starting from Playa del Barronal. From the west end of Cala del Lance del Perro, you have to climb steeply uphill to continue hiking. Follow the path that is closest to the sea. After a very steep ascent, the path will level off at an elevation of about 30 meters, and as you continue hiking you will be above Playa del Paredón. Once you have hiked about 350 meters from Cala del Lance del Perro, you will reach a large sand dune that slopes all the way down to the east end of Playa del Barronal. Facing the sea at the east end of Playa del Barronal, go to the left and make your way through a collection of boulders at the shoreline. In about 100 meters, after rounding a bend, you will reach the west end of Playa del Paredón.
If you start at Los Genoveses parking and proceed as described above to Playa del Barronal, you will have hiked about 3.6 kilometers. Playa del Barronal is described in the next section.
Hiking directions from the second parking area (El Barronal):
The prominently signed path to Playa del Barronal begins roughly halfway along the long parking area. The walk to the beach is very straightforward, along a fairly level footpath that becomes quite sandy as it nears the sea. The total walking distance is a little over 600 meters. Playa del Barronal is about 250 meters long, and it is quite popular with nude bathers because it is secluded yet easy to access. It is also an extraordinarily beautiful beach. There are rugged hills at each end of the beach, but the gentler sandy terrain between the rocky hills is thickly carpeted with agaves and other succulents that lend El Barronal a unique flair.
Facing the sea at Playa del Barronal, to your left you can access the beaches to the east by reversing the directions in the previous section. To your right, you will see a large hill along the west end of the beach. Following the path that is visible along the seaward slope of the hill, it is a hike of about 400 meters to Playa de Mónsul, the most famous and photographed of the Cabo de Gata South beaches. Along the way, there are two small beaches that are attended by nudists. Closer to Playa del Barronal, Cala Peineta is less than 100 meters long. Closer to Playa de Mónsul, Cala Palmito is less than 50 meters long. Access down to Cale Peineta is easy, but getting down to Cala Palmito is more challenging. At low tide it is possible to pass from Cala Peineta to Cala Palmito to Playa de Mónsul at sea level.
Hiking directions from the third parking area (Mónsul):
Two signed paths leave from the parking lot, both crossing the gravel road. Both are earthen walkways that are at first bordered by wooden fence railing. Each path fades into the sand as it nears the sea. Facing the sea, the path farther left leads to Playa de Mónsul, while the path farther right leads to Cala de la Media Luna. The walking distance to Playa de Mónsul is less than 300 meters, while the distance to Cala de la Media Luna is about 450 meters.
Mónsul is over 350 meters long at low tide. A huge sand dune is the backdrop for the broad east side of the beach. The western end of the beach is tucked into a cluster of hillocks, and at high tide the western end is cut off from the rest of the beach. Toward the eastern end of Mónsul, a very distinct geologic formation is the focal point of the beach: a huge rock called La Peineta. The rock is an isolated land mass in the intertidal zone, resembling a huge cresting wave. La Peineta means "The Comb," and the name is a reference to the large comb worn under the mantilla (veil) in traditional Andalucían feminine attire. The iconic rock of picturesque Mónsul has been featured in several movies, most notably Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Mónsul always has the highest concentration of visitors of any of the Cabo de Gata South beaches, and it is mainly visited by textiles. On crowded days, especially during peak season, there are usually no nudists at all. Nudity is much more apt to occur on quiet days before and after summer. When nudists are present, they are typically on the east side of La Peineta (i.e., to the left of the rock when facing the sea).
Extending about 200 meters, La Media Luna is bracketed by prominent hills that protrude into the sea, but the path to the beach goes through the flat land between the hills. A pretty beach that is always less crowded than its famous neighbor, La Media Luna nearly always has a preponderance of textiles due to its ease of access. However, unlike at Mónsul, there are usually at least a few nudists even on the most crowded days.
Hiking directions from the fourth parking area (Carbón):
Opposite the parking area, a broad track slopes gently downhill toward Cala Carbón. In about 400 meters, you will be standing above the beach in what used to be an informal parking area. From there a footpath makes a short descent to the beach. Cala Carbón is a scenic little crescent that is less than 100 meters long. The beach is mostly comprised of pebbles, with very little sand (and none at all at high tide). Thus, it tends to be less attended overall than are other beaches in the area, but there is usually a much higher percentage of nudists at Cala Carbón than at nearby Cala de la Media Luna. A short hike over the rocky land mass at the east end of Cala Carbón takes you to a hidden and very sheltered beach called Cala Chicré, which is just 40 or so meters long. Cala Chicré is a beautiful little niche with a bit of sand, with nudists often outnumbering textiles. Cala Carbón and Cala Chicré are rarely crowded, and both are often deserted outside of peak season.
As previously noted, the fourth parking area is not available during peak season. If you aren't able to start from there, your hike to Cala Carbón and Cala Chicré will be shorter if you start from Cala de la Media Luna. Facing the sea at La Media Luna, go right and hike over the hill at the west end of the beach. When you reach the crest of the hill, you will see Cala Chicré wedged into the other side of the hill, with Cala Carbón a bit farther on.
starting point:  Exit 471 (San José, Parque Natural) of the A-7 motorway on the outskirts of Almería
Exit 471 is about 25 kilometers east of the city center of Almería. Once you exit, follow the signs that point toward San Isidro, El Barranquete, San José and Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar. About 300 meters from the exit interchange, you will reach a fork. Keep to the right, following the sign for El Barranquete and San José. (The left fork goes toward San Isidro and Campohermoso.) You will then be at the start of route AL-3112, and you will pass kilometer marker 0.
AL-3112 takes you in a generally southeasterly direction. In 4.8 kilometers, you will reach a fork at the edge of the small village of El Barranquete. Keep to the left, following the San José sign, in order to stay on AL-3112. 3.2 kilometers farther on, you will pass kilometer marker 8. 500-600 meters farther on, you will reach the junction with AL-3108 at a roundabout. Take the first departure, which is signed San José. As you follow AL-3108, you will be continuing in a southeasterly direction. Stay straight ahead at all roundabouts and junctions. In 10 kilometers you will reach the San José village sign, which is next to kilometer marker 22. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-7 Exit 471 to start of gravel road at lift gate
This placemark pertains to Cabo de Gata South Beaches.

main area of Playa de los Genoveses (usually all textile)
This placemark pertains to Cabo de Gata South Beaches.

Playa de los Genoveses, south end (nudist)
This placemark pertains to Cabo de Gata South Beaches.

Cala de los Amarillos (nudist)

Cala Principe (nudist)

Cala Chica (nudist)

Cala Grande (nudist)

Cala del Lance del Perro (nudist)

Playa del Paredón (nudist)

Playa del Barronal (nudist)

Cala Peineta (nudist)

Cala Palmito (nudist)

Playa del Mónsul (usually all textile)

Cala de la Media Luna (nudist)

Cala Chicré (nudist)

Cala Carbón (nudist)

San José village sign, next to kilometer marker 22 of AL-3108

large roundabout

small roundabout with metal sculptures

free municipal parking lot

shuttle bus stop

red-and-white lift gate

traditional white windmill

Los Genoveses parking

El Barronal parking (pull-in spaces extending 300 meters)

Mónsul parking

Carbón parking (closed during peak season)

historic watchtower near peak of Vela Blanca

roads, paths, etc.

paved roads through San José

segment of Calle San José

gravel road segment (open year round, subject to peak-season quota)

gravel road segment (closed to motorized traffic during peak season)

gravel road segment (always closed to motorized traffic)

road to Los Genoveses parking

walkway to Playa de los Genoveses

signed path to Playa del Barronal

walkway toward Playa del Mónsul

walkway toward Cala de la Media Luna

track to Cala Carbón

one of many possible hiking routes to remote beaches

steep path down to Cala de los Amarillos

access to Playa del Paredón

path down to Cala Carbón

path over hill from Cala de la Media Luna to Cala Carbón

path down to Cala Chicré

main area of Playa de los Genoveses

south end of Playa de los Genoveses

Cala de los Amarillos

Cala Principe

Cala Chica

Cala Grande

Cala del Lance del Perro

Playa del Paredón

Playa del Barronal

Cala Peineta

Cala Palmito

Playa del Mónsul

Cala de la Media Luna

Cala Chicré

Cala Carbón

Playa de los Cerrillos

Playa de los Cerrillos
Roquetas de Mar is a large town that sprawls for over 10 kilometers along the coast, a bit west of the city of Almería. The southwest end of the town is a large resort area with a golf course and a number of hotels, and the segment of beach abutting the resort area is called Playa Serena. That segment of the beach is highly developed and manicured, with many clusters of lounge chairs and umbrellas, and there is a palm-lined promenade behind the beach. The resort development very abruptly comes to an end, and the beach beyond (i.e., farther southwest) is vast, backed by a mostly treeless expanse of coastal scrub and a number of large salt ponds. The undeveloped beach that begins where the development ends is called Playa de los Cerrillos. It is just a continuation of the same beach but with a different name, and it is considered a nude beach because it is mostly empty.
To get to Playa de los Cerrillos, you will either have to drive on dirt roads for a few kilometers or else walk from Playa Serena. In theory, the nude beach begins where the resort development ends and extends westward well over 10 kilometers toward Almerimar, which is the next town along the coast. In practice, most nudists leave a bit of a buffer zone past the end of the resort development but stay within the first several kilometers since the dirt tracks behind the beach become rougher the farther you go. Whatever the case, the nude area is amorphous and hard to define, and nudists tend to be widely dispersed, so you are unlikely to encounter a large cluster of nude bathers. There are no amenities, nor is there any shade.
Roquetas de Mar, Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45rhfPN
36.7322N, 2.6277W (start of Avenida de los Cerrillos at roundabout in Roquetas de Mar)
The location referenced above is an oblong roundabout with a grassy median, located toward the far south end of Roquetas de Mar in an urbanización named Las Marinas. At the roundabout, take the departure signed I.E.S. Las Marinas and Avenida de los Cerrillos. (At the departure, there is also a stack of yellow signs pointing toward several hotels.)
Follow Avenida de los Cerrillos exactly 2 kilometers and you will reach a point where the asphalted road bends sharply to the left (with the name changing to Calle Cóndor). At the bend in the road, there is a stone gateway signed Puerta de Roquetas, and a dirt road continues straight ahead from the gateway. When you reach that point, you will be where the development of Roquetas de Mar very abruptly comes to an end, and the land straight ahead is a flat, treeless expanse of coastal scrub. The vast beach that abuts that undeveloped land is the informal nude beach.
Drive through the stone gateway, following the dirt road. At the start of the road, you will still be nearly a kilometer inland from the beach, but the road angles toward the beach. The dirt road is fairly straight for about 1.5 kilometers, then it bends toward the right. At that point, you can turn left onto any side track to go out to the beach. Parking is informal, and the beach is vast and mostly empty, so nudity can be practiced just about anywhere. A notable landmark in the stark landscape is the Torre de los Cerrillos (36.7008N, 2.6574W), a stone watchtower in ruins dating to the 14th century. It is located about 2.8 kilometers from the start of the dirt road.
ALTERNATE ACCESS
If you prefer not to drive on the dirt roads, turn left when you reach the bend in the road (where Avenida de los Cerrillos becomes Calle Cóndor. Proceed 500 meters, then Calle Cóndor will curve leftward and become Avenida de la Ciudad de Cádiz, which is a divided street with a broad median. Continue just 100 or so meters and take the next right onto Calle Fosforito, which is signed as a dead-end street. Continue about 250 meters to the asphalted parking lot next to the beach at the end of the street (36.7158N, 2.6357W).
When you step onto the beach, you will be near the southwest end of Playa Serena. Facing the sea, turn right and head southwest. In less than 200 meters the promenade of Playa Serena will end, then the wild stretch of beach continuing southwest is Playa de los Cerrillos. There is not a well-defined nude area, so just keep walking until you are a discreet distance beyond the nearest textiles.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS:
starting point:  Exit 429 (Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce, Enix, Felix) of the A-7 motorway near Aguadulce and Roquetas de Mar
Exit 429 is 15 kilometers west of the city of Almería. Upon exiting, follow signs for A-1051, which is a bypass road that skirts the inland periphery of Roquetas de Mar. Depending on your direction of approach, you will go through one or two roundabouts that are part of the Exit 429 interchange, then shortly you will reach a large roundabout next to a commercial center (Bricomart home improvement store, Carrefour supermarket, Burger King, etc.). Starting at that roundabout, A-1051 is a limited-access highway with exits. Follow the entire length of A-1051—a distance of just over 9 kilometers. Shortly past kilometer marker 9, A-1051 ends at a roundabout. From that point, it is 2.8 kilometers to the roundabout where Avenida de los Cerrillos begins. Count the roundabouts to find the way.
• roundabout #1
This is the large roundabout where A-1051 ends. Take the second departure (effectively making a left turn), which is signed Urbanizacions and Las Marinas. Continue 500-600 meters.
• roundabout #2
This roundabout is next to a funeral home (which is signed Tanatorio and Crematorio). Keep straight ahead, continuing toward Urbanizacions and Las Marinas. Continue 1.3 kilometers.
• roundabout #3
This roundabout is amid several apartment buildings. Take the second departure, which is signed C/ Rosita Ferrer and Playas. Continue 200 meters.
This roundabout is next to a Mercadona supermarket. Take the first departure (effectively just a right turn), which is signed Iglesia Parroquial Virgen del Mar. Continue 500 meters.
This is the oblong roundabout where Avenida de los Cerrillos begins. Take the third departure, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-7 Exit 429 to dirt tracks behind beach
MAP from A-7 Exit 429 to parking (at end of Calle Fosforito)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Cerrillos.

start of Avenida de los Cerrillos at roundabout
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Cerrillos.

stone gateway signed "Puerta de Roquetas"
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Cerrillos.

asphalted parking lot
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Cerrillos.

Torre de los Cerrillos (stone watchtower in ruins)

Avenida de los Cerrillos

segments of several asphalted roads

dirt roads

Granada

Playa del Ruso

Playa del Ruso
Playa del Ruso is among the more obscure nude beaches in Spain. The 200-meter-long beach is toward the far east end of the coast of Granada, about 5 to 6 kilometers west of the provincial border with Almeria, and it is just a bit west of the coastal village of La Rábita. The beach is located along a very rugged part of the coastline that is dotted with lots of agricultural greenhouses but not many towns. Although the coastal highway provides easy access to the area, the trail to the beach is not reliably signed, so you really have to know exactly where you are going in order to find the beach. The path to the beach goes down the steep mountainside via several switchbacks. While it is not a terribly long hike, there is a substantial elevation loss. You need to be in good shape for the trek (especially going back up), and you should think twice about visiting the beach if you are prone to vertigo. Playa del Ruso is a wild beach with no amenities. The nearest food and services are a few kilometers away in La Rábita. Since the beach is quite isolated, nudity is practiced freely. The beach is never crowded and often deserted.
Albuñol, Granada, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/454lmBO
36.7491N, 3.1806W (start of beach path)
The path to Playa del Ruso sometimes has a sign, but don't count on it. It begins next to an isolated private residence that is perched high above the sea, almost directly abutting the sea side of the road. The flat-roofed residence has two wrought iron gates. The smaller gate is a pedestrian entrance, while the larger gate is a driveway. Facing the sea, the beach path begins to the immediate right of the larger gate. The zig-zagging path descends directly to the nude beach. The distance is less than 250 meters, but the elevation drop of about 50 meters is quite abrupt.
Note: The small coastal village of La Rábita can be accessed from either of two nearby junctions along N-340. The more eastern junction is set up as an exit, while the more western junction is a regular three-way intersection. Playa del Ruso is most quickly accessed by turning at the western junction.
starting point:  Exit 373 (La Rábita, Albuñol) of the A-7 motorway near Albuñol
Exit 373 is 3 to 4 kilometers west of the provincial border of Granada and Almería. There are roundabouts on each side of the motorway that are part of the interchange. Make your way to the roundabout that is on the coast side of the motorway, then take the roundabout departure that is signed La Rábita. You should then begin heading west on N-340, with the kilometer marker numbers decreasing.
About 400 meters after leaving the roundabout, keep straight ahead past an exit that is rather inconspicuously signed La Rábita. About 400 meters farther along, you will pass kilometer marker 372. Continue 500 meters and turn left at the next intersection, which is also signed La Rábita. Upon turning, you will be on a curvy road that goes gradually downhill as it winds eastward above the coastline. In 400-500 meters, the first structure on the right (sea) side of the road is the private residence described above, where the path to the beach begins. Less than 100 meters past the residence, there is a gravel pullout on the left (inland) side of the road that can hold a dozen or so cars. There are also other niches along the road that can hold just a few cars.
MAP from A-7 Exit 373 to start of beach access path
This placemark pertains to Playa del Ruso.

kilometer marker 372 of N-340
This placemark pertains to Playa del Ruso.

western of two junctions along N-340 signed "La Rábita"
This placemark pertains to Playa del Ruso.

iron driveway gate of isolated private residence next to trailhead

small gravel parking area

segment of N-340

road to La Rábita

Playa de la Joya

Playa de la Joya
Playa de la Joya is a 250-meter-long beach at the base of a steep hillside, located about 70 kilometers directly south of the inland city of Granada. The beach is just east of the resort town of Torrenueva, less than a kilometer from the town's very crowded textile beach. However, La Joya is tucked away out of sight, and the turnoff to the beach is unsigned and quite inconspicuous, which seems to have kept it from becoming overcrowded. The entire beach is frequented by nudists, and usually about half the crowd is naked. As long as you can find the turnoff, La Joya is easy to access. The walk from the parking area is short, and a winding staircase with handrails leads to the west end of the beach. You will have a panoramic view of the entire beach as you start down the stairs. The beach has no amenities, and the sand is very pebbly.
Motril, Granada, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45pn6VV
36.6993N, 3.4801W (roundabout at kilometer 338.6 of N-340 in Torrenueva)
Torrenueva is a small seaside town that is part of the municipality of Motril. The development of Torrenueva extends along N-340 for less than 2 kilometers, and the roundabout referenced above is at the far east end of town. There are no other roundabouts in Torrenueva. From the roundabout, head east away from Torrenueva. In about 200 meters you will pass a sign indicating you are leaving Torrenueva, then 150 meters farther along you will pass kilometer marker 339. By that point the development of Torrenueva will have abruptly ended and you will be in an area where there are lots of huge greenhouse buildings (which are semi-permanent agricultural structures that have a very crude appearance, constructed mostly of translucent tarpaulin).
Just 100 or so meters after marker 339, there is a large greenhouse close to the road on the right (coast) side of N-340. It is built on an earthen embankment that is shored up with very large rocks. There are small roads on either end of the greenhouse, and those roads are less than 100 meters apart. Turn right onto the road that is immediately after the greenhouse. The very inconspicuous road is not signed, and the turnoff is often obscured by clusters of tall reeds.
Once you turn, you will be on a 300-meter-long road that makes a loop, reconnecting to N-340. Less than 100 meters along the road, the path to the beach begins on the right just past a rear corner of the greenhouse. Just past the start of the path, the road widens into a small parking area (36.6978N, 3.4736W), with additional parking possible along the road.
The path to the beach makes a few bends, following the contours of the greenhouse to the cliff above the beach. At that point, you will find the winding staircase that descends directly to the west end of the nude beach The total walk from the parking area is about 300 meters, with an elevation loss of about 40 meters.
starting point:  Exit 336 (Motril, Torrenueva) of the A-7 motorway near Motril
Exit 336 is 5 to 6 kilometers southeast of the A-7/A-44 junction. Upon exiting, follow the signs that point toward Torrenueva. At first you will head toward the coast on a short expressway numbered GR-16, then you will begin heading southeast on N-340, the route that more or less follows the coastline. 4 to 5 kilometers from the motorway exit, you will pass the Torrenueva town sign. Keep straight ahead. 1.7 kilometers farther on you will enter the roundabout referenced above. Proceed as directed above.
ALTERNATE APPROACH
alternate starting point:  Exit 342 (Carchuna, Calahonda) of the A-7 motorway east of Motril
Exit 342 is about 11 kilometers southeast of the A-7/A-44 junction. Upon exiting, follow signs for Carchuna and Calahonda. You will begin heading toward the coast on an unnumbered connector road, and in 2.3 kilometers the connector road will end at a roundabout that forms the junction with N-340. At the roundabout, follow signs for Carchuna and Torrenueva, heading west on N-340. In 2.7 kilometers N-340 passes through a 150-meter-long tunnel named the Tunel de Sacratif. You will pass kilometer marker 340 immediately upon emerging from the tunnel, then 300 meters farther on you will pass a road on the left signed Faro de Sacratif (a lighthouse). Within 500 meters of the lighthouse road, the next two roads on the left are either end of the loop road from which Playa de la Joya is accessed. Neither road is signed, and you cannot legally turn left onto either road since the center stripe along N-340 is a solid white line. Keep straight ahead. Over the next 500 or so meters you will pass marker 339 and the Torreneuva town sign before entering the roundabout referenced above. Make a complete circle through the roundabout, then proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Joya.

roundabout at east end of Torreneuva
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Joya.

Torreneuva town sign (leaving going east, entering going west)
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Joya.

greenhouse nearest beach access

Faro de Sacratif (lighthouse)

Tunel de Sacratif

unsigned, inconspicuous loop road

path/stairs to beach

Playa del Muerto

Playa del Muerto
Playa del Muerto is a pebbly cove in the town of Almuñécar. The beach is about 3 kilometers west of the town center but east of La Herradura (which is a large subdivision of Almuñécar). El Muerto is located in a hidden niche within a very urbanized area, with its geography secluding it from houses and apartment buildings that are very nearby. Steep cliffs rise abruptly at either end the beach, with a steeply sloping hillside in the middle. The beach is designated and signed for nude bathing but draws a mix of nudists and textiles. Because of its geography, the only access to El Muerto is at its east end, and you will first reach a tiny cove that is cut off from the rest of the beach. That cove may be nudist, textile, mixed or empty. It takes just a minute to walk across that small cove, then a short path leads to the main cove of El Muerto, which is about 250 meters long. On more crowded days, nudists tend to gravitate toward the far (west) end of the beach. There are no amenities other than a snack bar.
Almuñécar, Granada, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KFcnPe
36.7365N, 3.7103W (turnoff toward Cotobro at kilometer 311.8 of N-340, between La Herradura and Almuñécar)
The junction referenced above is set up such that you must be going east★ on N-340 in order to veer right at the sign that points toward Cotobro. Just 100-200 meters after veering away from N-340, be sure to keep to the right at a fork, following another Cotobro sign. After that, the Cotobro road will begin to make several sharp turns at it winds downhill. In about 800 meters, you will reach a "T" with a road that runs along the seafront, with the beach and the sea in full view straight ahead. Turn right.
As you follow the seafront road, the sea will be on your left and a line of several small apartment buildings will be on your right. In about 200 meters, the apartment buildings will end where the road narrows and skirts around a huge mass of rock. Just past that rock, there is room for about a 20 vehicles to park before the road turns sharply to the right and begins to go uphill away from the sea. Parking near the bend of the road is around 36.7330N, 3.7166W.
Park and then walk to the right as you face the sea. Shortly you will begin to go around another mass of rock (similar to the one you just drove past). You will be walking along a cobbled walkway that hugs the sea as you skirt that rock, and iron posts connected by a chain form a railing for the walkway. Shortly you will reach a small beach that gets irregular nudist use, but you are not quite to Playa del Muerto yet. Continue across the small beach to another short cobbled walkway. At the end of the walkway, you will arrive at the east side of Playa del Muerto, which is a much larger beach than the one that is between the two cobbled walkways.
The total walk from the closest parking to Playa del Muerto is just 300-400 meters. However, parking is limited, so you may have to drive around a bit to find the closest streetside parking.
starting point:  Exit 305 (Almuñécar oeste, La Herradura, Costa) of the A-7 motorway near Almuñécar
Exit 305 is the western of two exits that are signed Almuñécar. Upon exiting, follow the signs that point toward Almuñécar and La Herradura. About a kilometer south of the motorway interchange, you will reach a roundabout that forms the junction with route N-340. Take the second departure, which is signed Almuñécar and La Herradura as well as Granada and Almería. You will then begin heading east on N-340.
Follow N-340 for 3.6 kilometers and you will enter a 250-meter-long tunnel, just past past kilometer marker 310. About 750 meters after the tunnel, you will pass marker 311. After that marker, continue 800-900 meters farther, then veer right at the sign for Cotobro. (If you pass kilometer marker 312, you have missed it by 100-200 meters.) Proceed as directed above.
★ If you are going west on N-340, veer right onto the next road after kilometer marker 312. The road is not signed, and it is just 100 meters past marker 312. The short road loops back to N-340. Turn left onto N-340. Continue to the next junction, veer right at the Cotobro sign, then proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Muerto.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Muerto.

east end of tunnel
This placemark pertains to Playa del Muerto.

Playa del Cotobro (textile)

small beach on the way to Playa del Muerto (irregular nude use)

parking near bend of road

route from N-340 to parking

path to beach, with two cobbled segments

Playa de Cantarriján

Playa de Cantarriján
Playa de Cantarriján is the westernmost beach of Granada, and it literally abuts the Granada/Málaga provincial border. The beach is within the municipal limits of Almuñécar, but it is roughly equidistant from the town centers of Almuñécar and Nerja. Cantarriján is about 400 meters long, and the entire length of the beach is officially designated for nudity. It is an especially scenic beach, and, even though it is a very pebbly beach, it is still the most popular of the nude beaches that are between the cities of Almería and Málaga (a coastal stretch of about 200 kilometers).
A huge outcropping of rock divides Cantarriján into two coves. The beach access road leads to the western cove, which is about 150 meters long. There are toilets and showers as well as an al fresco café, and the beach is lined with lounge chairs and thatched umbrellas that can be rented. While nudity is perfectly acceptable at the western cove, nudists are typically a majority only on very uncrowded days. When the beach is packed, the nudist-to-textile ratio is heavily skewed toward textiles. Furthermore, it is customary for visitors to be conventionally covered while patronizing the café.
Facing the sea, turn to your left and go to the rocky outcropping. If the tide is out, it is very easy to just walk around the edge of rock. Even if the tide is in, going around the rock is not difficult. The eastern cove on the other side of the rock is longer than the western cove, stretching about 250 meters, and it feels a little wilder since the parking lot and café are out of sight. The eastern cove usually has a nudist majority, even on crowded days.
Cantarriján is a very popular beach that can be packed on summer weekends and holidays. During July and August, the parking lot next to the beach is closed for crowd control (apparently), but there is a shuttle service that—for a fee—transports visitors to the beach from a parking lot that is uphill about 1.5 kilometers away.
Almuñécar, Granada, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/453ssX4
36.7463N, 3.7752W (upper beach parking lot at kilometer 303.6 of N-340, west of La Herradura)
The upper lot for Playa de Cantarriján is marked by a blue-and-white "P" parking sign. There is a stylized La Herradura Costa sign at the far end of the lot. The parking lot is about 150 meters above sea level, and you can glimpse the sea in the distance beyond the hills.
Just as soon as you enter the upper lot, you will see a red-and-white lift gate on your left at the start of the 1.5-kilometer-long road that winds down to the beach. There is a lower parking lot next to the beach at the end of that road, but the lower lot is closed during peak season (July and August), apparently for crowd control. If the road is open, you can drive down to the bottom and park next to the beach in the lower lot (36.7394N, 3.7768W). If the road is closed, you will need to park in the upper lot. When the lower lot is closed, there is a shuttle that transports visitors from the upper lot to the beach for a few euros per person. Or, you can avoid the fee by walking along the road.
starting point:  Exit 305 (Almuñécar oeste, La Herradura, Costa) of the A-7 motorway near Almuñécar
Exit 305 is the western of two exits that are signed Almuñécar. Upon exiting, follow the signs that point toward Almuñécar and La Herradura. About a kilometer south of the motorway interchange, you will reach a roundabout that forms the junction with route N-340. Take the first departure, which is signed Nerja and Málaga. You will then begin heading west on N-340.
Follow N-340 for 1.5 kilometers and you will enter a 650-meter-long tunnel. You will pass kilometer marker 304 shortly after exiting the tunnel, then just after that you will pass a prominent paved road on the left (but that road is not signed, and it is set up such that a left turn is not possible). Keep straight ahead on N-340 another 200 meters, then turn left at a blue-and-white "P" parking sign that marks the upper parking lot for Playa de Cantarriján. Proceed as directed above.
If the upper lot is full, there is another parking lot a few hundred meters farther along N-340 (but before kilometer marker 303).
MAP from A-7 Exit 305 to parking (upper lot)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Cantarriján.

west end of long tunnel
This placemark pertains to Playa de Cantarriján.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Cantarriján.

upper parking lot

"La Herradura Costa" sign

red-and-white gate at start of road to beach

lower parking lot (closed July & August)

prominent rocky outcropping along beach

more parking

road to beach

extent of beach (entirely nudist)

Embalse del Negratín

Embalse del Negratín
The Embalse del Negratín is a large reservoir of the Guadiana Menor River, located amid arid mountains in the northeast of the province of Granada, about 100 kilometers from the city of Granada. The lake has more than 50 kilometers of rugged shoreline, most of which is difficult to access. There are just two bathing beaches along the Embalse del Negratín. One is on the south shore, accessed from the town of Freila. The other is on the north shore, accessed from the town of Cuevas del Campo. The north shore beach is roughly 400 meters long, and the western end is signed for naturist use. The presence of a designated nude beach is particularly surprising considering that the reservoir is located in a rural and rather isolated interior region. The beach is a gravelly expanse of the shoreline that can be quite broad or quite narrow, depending on the level of the reservoir. While the beach itself is rather stark, the setting is quite picturesque. Access is easy, with parking next to the beach. There are no amenities other than a handful of thatched umbrellas along the nudist and textile zones of the beach, slightly mitigating the lack of shade.
Cuevas del Campo, Granada, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DTYaKs
37.6122N, 2.9327W (roundabout at kilometer 78.4 of A-315 in Cuevas del Campo)
There are just two roundabouts along A-315 in Cuevas del Campo, and they are about one kilometer apart. The location referenced above is the more northern of the two roundabouts, at the northern edge of the small town. Take the only departure of the roundabout that is not part of A-315. It is signed centro urbano, alojamientos rurales and playas de interior. When you depart the roundabout, you will be at the start of a minor road numbered A-4203, which goes southeast all the way to the beaches along the Embalse del Negratín. The route is direct. There are no turns to make, and there are several playa signs along the way. The first kilometer or so of the drive is through town, then the rest of the drive is through the countryside. After following A-4203 for 9.2 kilometers, you will reach the end of the road at a small roundabout next to the reservoir, where signs point right to the nude beach and left to the textile beach. Go right at the small roundabout and shortly you will reach the gravel parking area that directly abuts the nude beach (37.5885N, 2.8534W).
starting point:  Exit 295 (Baza, Murcia) of the A-92 motorway near Guadix
A-92 is a 392-kilometer-long motorway through the interior of Andalucía, connecting Seville to Almería. Kilometer 0 is on the eastern outskirts of Seville, and kilometer 392 is on the northern outskirts of Almería. The exit numbers correspond to the nearest kilometer marker. Granada, the main exit for which is Exit 241, is the largest city along the motorway. About 54 kilometers east of the main Granada exit, Exit 295 exists only for traffic going east (coming from Granada, heading toward Almería). If you are going west toward Granada, take Exit 294 (Guadix, Benalua de Guadix), briefly re-enter the motorway going in the opposite direction then take Exit 295.
Once you exit from A-92, you will be at the start of a motorway with a similar number: A-92N. Follow A-92N northeast 38 to 39 kilometers and take Exit 39 (Zújar; Cuevas del Campo; Pozo Alcon; Parque Natural de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas sur). Upon exiting, continue following signs for Zújar, Cuevas del Campo and the natural park to negotiate your way through the interchange.
Once you leave the exit interchange, you will begin heading in a generally northward direction on A-315. The first kilometer marker you will pass is 103, with the numbers descending. Continue 23 kilometers and take note when you pass marker 80, at which point you will be on the southern outskirts of Cuevas del Campo. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout that is 500 meters past marker 80, then continue about a kilometer farther to the next roundabout, which is about 600 meters past marker 79. Take the first departure and proceed as directed above.
Shortcut:
Once you take Exit 295 of A-92, follow A-92N northeast 24 to 25 kilometers and take Exit 25 (Baúl, Bacor, Cuevas del Campo, Embalse de Negratín). Continue following signs for the same locations listed on the exit panel to negotiate your way through the interchange. Once you head away from the interchange, you will be at the start of a minor road numbered GR-7100. Follow the road north about 10 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 10. After marker 10, proceed just shy of a full kilometer farther, then turn right at signs for Cuevas del Campo and Pozo Alcon. You will then be on a short connector road numbered GR-7100B. Follow the road 2.5 kilometers to the stop sign where it ends at a "T" with A-315. Turn left, toward Cuevas del Campo and Pozo Alcon. Shortly you will pass kilometer marker 89 of A-315. From that point, it is 10.6 kilometers to the roundabout that is between markers 79 and 78.
Note: Just past kilometer marker 86, A-315 crosses the dam of the Embalse del Negratín. As the crow flies, the nude beach is 9.4 kilometers east-northeast of the dam.
MAP from A-92 Exit 295 to parking (via shortcut)
This placemark pertains to Embalse del Negratín.

kilometer marker 78 of A-315
This placemark pertains to Embalse del Negratín.

roundabout between km 78 & 79 of A-315
This placemark pertains to Embalse del Negratín.

kilometer marker 79 of A-315

small roundabout next to reservoir

textile area

segment of A-315

Málaga

Playa de Las Alberquillas & Calas del Pino

collective description
On the periphery of Nerja, there are three very beautiful beaches that are adjacent to one another and roughly the same size, collectively spanning a little over one kilometer. All are blanketed in pebbles, and all are frequented by nudists. Although there are three distinct beaches, there are just two proper names. The westernmost beach (the closest to Nerja) is Playa de las Alberquillas, while the middle and eastern beaches are collectively called the Calas del Pino. Las Alberquillas is separated from the middle beach—i.e., the more western of the Pino beaches—by a protrusion of land that extends into the sea, making it a formidable barrier. The protrusion of land that divides the two Pino beaches has a boulder-strewn strip of land at its base, making it easy to go back and forth at sea level. A coastal road winds above the beaches. Depending on which beach path you follow, you will be starting your hike at 55 to 70 meters above sea level. Hiking to the beaches involves a quick elevation loss, so you must be reasonably fit, especially for the taxing climb back up. None of the beaches have amenities.
There are four beach access paths: one to Playa de las Alberquillas, two to the western cove of the Calas del Pino and one to the eastern cove of the Calas del Pino. The path to Playa de las Alberquillas is by far the easiest. It is a broad path with a gradual descent. Consequently, Las Alberquillas generally has the most visitors, and it also has the most textiles. On crowded days textiles are likely to be a large majority, with nudists gravitating toward either end of the beach.
Nudity is much more common at the Calas del Pino than at Las Alberquillas. Most visitors hike down to the eastern Pino beach just because that access is well signed. There is no signage along the coastal road pointing toward the paths to the western Pino beach. Thus, the eastern Pino beach is generally the more crowded of the two, but nudists often outnumber textiles along both beaches. The hike is quite steep regardless of which of the three access paths you follow.
The promontory at the east end of the Pino beaches is capped by the Torre del Pino, a stone watchtower dating to the 16th century. It is on the grounds of a private estate, not open to the public. However, the tower is prominently visible from the parking area above the eastern Pino beach as well as from the beach itself.
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Alberquillas and Calas del Pino.

Playa de las Alberquillas
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de las Alberquillas and Calas del Pino.)
Nerja, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain
There are 14 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de las Alberquillas and Calas del Pino.

Calas del Pino, western cove
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de las Alberquillas and Calas del Pino.)
Nerja, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain
There are 14 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de las Alberquillas and Calas del Pino.

Calas del Pino, eastern cove
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de las Alberquillas and Calas del Pino.)
Nerja, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain
There are 14 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de las Alberquillas and Calas del Pino.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47u1Wb4
About 7 to 8 kilometers east of the town center of Nerja, Playa de las Alberquillas and the Calas del Pino are located below N-340, which winds above the coastline. The beaches are contained within an expanse of about one kilometer. The west end of Playa de las Alberquillas corresponds to kilometer marker 299 of N-340, while the east end of the Calas del Pino is a bit east of marker 300. Three parking areas, all on the coast side of N-340, provide access to the beaches. The GPS locations below are listed from west to east.
Set your GPS device to one of these locations:
36.7500N, 3.8061W (Option 1: turnoff to parking area at kilometer 299.35 of N-340)
36.7499N, 3.8028W (Option 2: turnoff to parking area at kilometer 299.65 of N-340)
36.7478N, 3.7999W (Option 3: parking area at kilometer 300 of N-340)
Option 1:  This gravel parking area is marked by a Playa de las Alberquillas signboard. The sea side of the parking area is bordered by wooden rail fencing. To go to Playa de las Alberquillas, return on foot to N-340 once you park. Facing the sea at the entrance to the parking area, you will see a road to your right that goes downhill. That is the beach access path, and a metal gate at its start blocks vehicular access. The path winds downhill, landing along the central area of the beach but closer to the eastern end. The walking distance is about 400 meters. You can also hike to the western cove of the Calas del Pino from this parking area. The path begins at the east end of the wooden rail fence (to the left when facing the sea). The steep path is 150 meters long, and it lands toward the western end of the western cove of the Calas del Pino.
Option 2:  This gravel parking area is also bordered by wooden rail fencing, but there are no signs. Just one path leaves from the parking area. It is 200 meters long, and it lands toward the eastern end of the western cove of the Calas del Pino.
Option 3:  Unlike the other two parking areas, which are slightly removed from N-340, this gravel parking area is directly alongside the highway. It is marked by a Calas del Pino signboard. The path to the beach begins at the signboard. It is about 300 meters long, and it lands at the far east end of the eastern cove of the Calas del Pino.
starting point:  Exit 295 (Nerja, Maro) of the A-7 motorway in Nerja
Exit 295 is about 50-55 kilometers east of the city of Málaga, and it is slightly less than 7 kilometers west of the provincial border of Málaga and Granada. Depending on your direction of approach, you will pass through one or two roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange. Just follow the signs that point toward Nerja and Maro. About 800 meters from the motorway, you will reach another roundabout at the junction with N-340. Take the second departure, following the sign toward Maro (NOT toward Nerja). In another 500-600 meters, you will reach another roundabout. Keep straight ahead (toward Almería and Motril) to stay on N-340. At that point, start watching the kilometer markers, which ascend the farther east you go. Continue about 3.8 kilometers and you will pass kilometer marker 299. The three parking options described above at all located over the next kilometer. Proceed as directed above.
If you reach a long horseshoe-shaped curve of the highway, you have gone past all your parking options.
MAP from A-7 Exit 295 to parking (Option 3)
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Alberquillas and Calas del Pino.

This placemark pertains to Playa de las Alberquillas and Calas del Pino.

rocky outcropping (challenging to cross)

stretch of boulders (easy to cross)

Torre del Pino (medieval stone tower)

Playa de Almayate

Playa de Almayate
Playa de Almayate is a 3-kilometer-long beach located just west of Torre del Mar and roughly 30 kilometers east of the city of Málaga. The eastern 600 or so meters of Almayate is a nude beach. The nude area starts at Camping Almanat, which is a naturist campground, and extends eastward to the mouth of the Río Vélez. There are two ways to directly access the nude beach: you can pay to park at Camping Almanat, or you can follow a gravel road (a bit rough) that takes you to a free parking area at the mouth of the Vélez. (There are also other parking lots farther west, abutting the textile part of the beach, and you can walk from there.) Most visitors to go nude, with the biggest concentration of nude bathers next to Camping Almanat, where there are toilets and showers as well as a café where clothing is not necessary. The crowd thins out as you go east toward the river mouth. The beach has amenities that are lacking at most nude beaches, but the overall scenery is not terribly pretty compared to other nude beaches in the region, and the sand is very pebbly.
Vélez-Málaga, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45urdjI
36.7327N, 4.1146W (turnoff to Camping Almanat near kilometer 269 of N-340, east of Almayate)
The village of Almayate is on the coastal outskirts of the municipality of Vélez-Málaga. The turnoff referenced above is next to a pair of plexiglass bus stop shelters (one on each side of N-340), about 100 meters east of kilometer marker 269. There are no signs along N-340 leading up to the turnoff. However, once you turn away from N-340 there are several large signs along the road advertising the naturist campground and adjacent nude beach. Furthermore, the road to Camping Almanat can be accessed only by going east on N-340 then taking the next right after marker 269. If you are going west on N-340, it is not possible to turn directly onto the road since barrier poles prevent making a left. You will need to continue past marker 269 until you reach a point where you can turn around and backtrack.
Upon turning away from N-340, follow the asphalted road about 300 meters until you reach a narrow gravel road that goes off to the left. There are two parking options.
First, assume you keep straight ahead on the asphalted road. In 350 meters you will reach the Camping Almanat reception building, which is straight ahead (36.7268N, 4.1132W). A sign affixed to the reception building points left toward beach parking, where a fee is required. Instructions are posted. There are a few parking spaces next to the reception building should you need to go in for assistance. The long parking lot for beach visitors abuts the east edge of Camping Almanat. When you step onto the beach, you will be toward the west end of the nude area.
To avoid the parking fee, turn left when you reach the gravel road. (The road is a bit rough but passable during dry conditions. If the road is muddy, you should probably avoid it.) The road will make several sharp bends as it winds through farmland. In about 700 meters, the road will end next to the Vélez River just a bit inland from the mouth of the river. Park alongside the road (36.7284N, 4.1081W). Straight ahead from the end of the road, a footpath leads about 200 meters to the beach, taking you to the far east end of the nude area near the river mouth.
starting point:  Exit 265 (Cajiz-Iznate, Almayate-Valle Niza) of the A-7 motorway near Vélez-Málaga
Exit 265 is about 27 kilometers east of the city center of Málaga. Upon exiting, follow signs that point toward the coast (costa). When you depart the roundabout that is on the coast side of the exit interchange, you will begin going south on a minor road numbered MA-3203. Continue 3.3 kilometers to a stop sign, where MA-3203 ends at a "T" with N-340. Turn left, toward Almería. Watch the kilometer markers along N-340, which get higher as you go east. In 5.4 kilometers you will pass marker 269. Just 100 meters farther on, take the next possible right and proceed as directed above. If you reach the short bridge over the Vélez River (signed río Vélez), you have missed the turn by about 350 meters.
Note: The route described above is the simplest but not the shortest route from the motorway to Playa de Almayate.
MAP from A-7 Exit 265 to parking (at Camping Alamat)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Almayate.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Almayate.

left turn not possible from N-340 toward Camping Almanat

bridge over Rio Vélez

Camping Almanat reception building

pay parking at Camping Almanat

free parking near mouth of Rio Vélez

mouth of Vélez River (usually shoaled)

road to Camping Almanat

gravel road to parking near mouth of Rio Vélez

Playa de San Julián

Playa de San Julián
San Julián is the name that generally refers to a long stretch of sandy beach in the far southwest of the city of Málaga, about 10 kilometers from the city center in the vicinity of the city's airport. Playa de San Julián begins at the mouth of the Guadalhorce River and extends in a southwesterly direction about 3 kilometers. The theoretical end of the beach is the municipal border with Torremolinos, but the actual beach continues. A short stretch that is roughly in the middle of Playa de San Julián is designated for nude bathing, and it is the only nude beach that is within the city limits of Málaga.
The main textile area of the beach is about 800 meters long. There is a huge unpaved parking area all along that stretch, and about half a dozen outdoor showers are roughly evenly spaced along the textile beach. The main textile area is bracketed on the north end by the neighborhood of Guadalmar and on the south end by a large golf course. The driving directions below lead you to parking at the far south end of the textile area, at the edge of the golf course. There is a beach bar next to the parking lot in that area, and there is often a cluster of lounge chairs and thatched umbrellas set up nearby. Facing the sea, turn to your right and you will almost immediately reach the start of the nude area, just past the last of the showers, where the golf course begins. The nude area is about 400 meters long and corresponds to the northern third of the golf course. At the south end of the designated nude area, there is a sign that points north to Playa Nudista and south to Zona Deportes Náuticos. Beyond the nudist area, most of the rest of the beach that abuts the golf course is reserved for kite surfing, then there is another beach access at the far end of the golf course, near the municipal border of Málaga and Torremolinos.
Despite the Playa Nudista signs, the nudist zone is visited by both nudists and textiles and often has a textile majority, and there are a good many passers-through. The nude beach is often referred to as Playa del Campo de Golf.
Málaga, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/4466SQp
starting point:  Exit 3 (San Julián, Guadalmar, Villa Rosa, Aeropuerto) of the MA-20 motorway on the south side of Málaga
Exit 3 is roughly 9 kilometers south and west of Málaga's city center and port. Upon exiting, follow the signs for San Julián, Guadalmar and Villa Rosa, NOT for the airport. You will enter a huge roundabout that circles under the motorway. Take the departure signed Guadalmar. In just over 100 meters you will reach a much smaller roundabout that has a few small palm trees and a Guadalmar sign in the middle. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn). You will then begin going south on Carretera Campo de Golf. Follow it about a kilometer until you get to the first junction that is a four-way crossroads (where you will see that the road going off to the right crosses over the motorway). At the crossroads, turn left onto an unmarked, rather rough-surfaced paved road. You should immediately see a sign indicating that camping is prohibited.
Follow the road about 500 meters to its end at a large earthen parking area next to the beach (36.6585N, 4.4655W). The parking area abuts the far southern end of the textile area of Playa de San Julián. Facing the sea, turn to the right and you will reach the start of the nude area, which corresponds to the start of the adjacent golf course.
The city of Málaga has a rather complex system of motorways. The A-7 is the primary motorway that follows the Mediterranean coastline of southern Spain. In the vicinity of Málaga, the A-7 arcs a bit more inland, while another motorway—the MA-20—runs closer to the coastline for a fairly short stretch. The MA-20 is just 15 kilometers long, and both its ends connect to the the A-7. The MA-20 is also known as the Ronda Oeste de Málaga.
Assume that you are heading west on the A-7 toward the city of Málaga. As you approach Málaga and then begin to skirt around the northern periphery of the city, you will pass through two tunnels. First, you will pass through the Túnel de Cerrado de Calderón (about 750 meters long), then 4 kilometers later you will pass through the Túnel de San José (about 400 meters long). Both tunnels are signed. About 1.5 kilometers after you emerge from the second tunnel, take the exit for MA-20. Follow MA-20 south 9 to 10 kilometers and you will reach Exit 3, which is the starting point named above.
MAP from MA-20 Exit 3 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de San Julián.

large roundabout (part of M-20 Exit 3 interchange)
This placemark pertains to Playa de San Julián.

small roundabout with "Guadalmar" sign in middle
This placemark pertains to Playa de San Julián.

"no camping" sign at start of road to beach

large earthen parking area

outdoor shower closest to nude area

golf course

short road segment between roundabouts

segment of Carretera Campo de Golf

road to beach parking

textile part of beach

Playa de Benalnatura

Playa de Benalnatura
Playa Benalnatura is a small cove in Benalmádena, which is on the outskirts of the city of Málaga. Benalmádena is one of the principal tourist towns of the Costa del Sol (which corresponds to the coastline of the province of Málaga). Benalnatura is a popular urban nude beach surrounded by development, but its location at the base of a rocky hillside secludes it from the busy street. Despite being just 80 meters long, there are lots of amenities at this beach, including restrooms with showers, umbrella rentals and a beach bar that serves beer, wine, and mixed drinks along with snacks. Everyone here is nude. There are actually signs posted that prohibit bathing suits, but technically a clothing ban can not be enforced on a public beach. The naked "dress code" is enforced at the beach bar, where you actually have to be naked to be served, at least according to the sign. Benalnatura is very popular and often packed to capacity.
Benalmádena, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45q6pK3
Going southwest from the city of Málaga, the next three coastal municipalities are Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola. These are highly urbanized municipalities that blend into one another, replete with resort development. The road that runs along the coastline through Benalmádena used to be part of N-340, a coastal route that has largely been superseded by motorways that are a bit farther inland. There are no longer signs with a road number, nor are there kilometer markers. At each end of Benalmádena, the municipal limits are marked by a large overhead sign that spans the entire width of the coastal road. One side of each sign spells "Benalmádena" in stylized lettering, while the other side of the sign spells either "Torremolinos" or "Fuengirola." Those overhead signs are 8 kilometers apart. Most, but not all, of the coastal road through Benalmádena is named Avenida del Sol, but street signage is limited and inconspicuous. For its entire 8-kilometer-length through Benalmádena, the coastal road is a very busy urban thoroughfare that has a mix of red lights, roundabouts and exits.
The Torrequebrada Hotel and Casino is a prominent landmark located along the coastal road in Benalmádena, roughly halfway between the aforementioned overhead signs that mark the municipal limits. The hotel is a white mid-rise structure with twin towers, and the casino sign is especially prominent. The coastal road exit near the hotel is signed Torrequebrada. West of the hotel, the next exit is signed Nueva Torrequebrada.
Take the Nueva Torrequebrada exit and proceed to the small roundabout that is on the coast side of the exit interchange. You will see that two parallel streets leave from the east side of the roundabout. The streets are divided by a narrow grassy median, and neither street is signed. The street that is farther right (i.e., closer to the sea) is lined with parking spaces, while the street farther left is actually an entrance ramp to the coastal road.
When you depart the roundabout, make sure you are on the street that is closer to the sea. It is a one-way street that extends about 450 meters. The entire street is lined with parking spaces—pull-in spaces on the right and parallel spaces on the left. Parking is free. Most of the coast side of the street is occupied by two fenced and gated apartment communities named Residencial Costa Quebrada I Fase and Residencial Costa Quebrada II Fase . The access path to the nude beach begins about 200 meters from the start of the street (36.5809N, 4.5540W). Clearly marked by Benaltura and Playa Nudista signs, the path is a cobbled walkway that is between the fences of the two apartment communities. From the start of the walkway, just follow the signs to the beach. It is a short walk of less than 100 meters, with lots of steps along the way.
starting point:  Exit 222 (Benalmádena, Arroyo de la Miel) of the AP-7 motorway in Torremolinos
Exit 222 is about 19 kilometers southwest of the city center of Málaga. Upon exiting, you will need to negotiate your way downhill through the twisty residential streets of Benalmádena in order to connect to the coastal road described above. There is a fairly direct route, but it is not well signed, so it helps to count the roundabouts and watch for landmarks. Upon exiting, there are roundabouts on either side of the motorway that are part of the exit interchange. Depending on your direction of approach, you will pass through one or both of them. Follow signs that point to Benalmádena and Arroyo de la Miel. Once you leave the motorway interchange, there are five more roundabouts you will pass through to get to the coastal road.
Just 200 meters from the motorway interchange, you will reach the first roundabout that is not part of that interchange, and you will recognize it by the Galp gas station. Take the departure that is signed Arroyo de la Miel. As you leave the roundabout, the gas station should be on your right-hand side.
900 meters farther on, keep straight ahead through the second roundabout. 800 meters after that, keep straight ahead through the third roundabout. 300-400 meters after that, you will reach the fourth roundabout, which has manicured shrubbery in its median. Take the second possible departure (not counting the "do not enter" road). Just as you leave the roundabout, you should pass a small Mercadona supermarket (which will be on your right).
750 meters farther on, you will reach the fifth roundabout at the junction with the coastal road. You will have a clear view of the sea straight ahead as you approach the roundabout, which is recognizable by the prominent art installation in its median—dozens of pinwheels and brightly colored geometric shapes affixed to multi-branched metal poles. Take the first departure of the roundabout, which is essentially just a right turn. You should then be going west on the coastal road (Avenida del Sol), with the sea on your left-hand side.
Follow the coastal road about 2 kilometers and watch for the Torrequebrada Hotel and Casino on your left to let you know you are getting close to your destination. Continuing west, about 700 meters farther on you will enter a roundabout next to the prominently signed Flatotel Apartments. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout. About 300 meters farther on, take the Nueva Torrequebrada exit, then proceed as directed above.
Parking notes: During peak season, it may be difficult to find an unoccupied parking space along the one-way street from which Playa de Benalnatura is accessed, but it is easy enough to try again. The one-way street ends at a stop sign, where the only option is to turn right onto the eastbound lane of the coastal road then enter the roundabout that is next to Flatotel Apartments. Make a complete circle through the roundabout, then take the Nueva Torrequebrada exit again. Once you are at the small roundabout that is on the coast side of the exit interchange, you can try again to see if there is an open space along the one-way street. Or, follow the entrance ramp onto the coastal road. There is more parking available along the coast side of the coastal road. If you still have no luck, again turn around at the roundabout that is next to Flatotel Apartments and look for parking along the inland side of the coastal road. There are parking spaces leading up to the Nueva Torrequebrada exit. If all are full, stay on the coastal road past the exit, where there are more spaces.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 222 to beach access path
This placemark pertains to Playa de Benalnatura.

Torrequebrada Hotel & Casino
This placemark pertains to Playa de Benalnatura.

Flatotel Apartments
This placemark pertains to Playa de Benalnatura.

roundabout next to Flatotel Apartments

roundabout on inland side of Nueva Torrequebrada exit interchange

roundabout on coast side of Nueva Torrequebrada exit interchange

Residencial Costa Quebrada I Fase

Residencial Costa Quebrada II Fase

streetside parking

"Benalnatura" & "Playa Nudista" signs

segment of coastal road (Avenida del Sol)

short one-way street

short walkway beach, with lots of steps

exit ramp

entrance ramp

underpass

extent of small nude beach

Playa Marina

Playa Marina
The municipality of Mijas is located toward the western end of the province of Málaga. The eponymous administrative center of Mijas, often referred to as Mijas Pueblo, is neither on the coast nor centrally located in the municipality. Mijas Pueblo is a picturesque whitewashed village built on a mountain slope several kilometers inland, north of the town of Fuengirola. The coastal realm of Mijas extends more than 10 kilometers from Fuengirola to Marbella. Like most of the Costa del Sol, it is replete with resort development. An express highway (A-7) runs very close to the coastline for the entire length of the Mijas coast, so the entire beachfront is quite urbanized.
Toward the eastern end of the Mijas coast, just a few kilometers from Fuengirola, Playa Marina is a stretch of beach that was officially sanctioned for naturist use in 2010. The nude beach is next to the express highway, but the level of the beach is a bit below the level of the highway, with the slope of the land providing some measure of privacy. The nudist zone is roughly 500 meters long, and it is near a commercial and housing development called Playamarina, which is on the inland side of the highway. Toilets, showers, a snack stand and sun chair rentals are all available toward the east end of the nude beach. Moving west away from the amenities (to the right when facing the sea), the nude beach becomes less crowded, with ample room to spread out.
Mijas, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain

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Going southwest from the town of Fuengirola, many stretches of the A-7 motorway have characteristics that do not meet typical motorway expectations: some entrance and exit ramps are quite short, some exits are not numbered and often there are no shoulders. There are also bus stops at small pullouts, so watch for buses prepared to pull over or re-enter traffic. Due to these constraints, the speed limit is lower than is typical of a motorway. Several kilometers south and west of Fuengirola, Playa Marina is located at kilometer 204 of A-7. In the vicinity of the beach, the motorway runs very close to the sea. To access the beach, you can park on the inland side of the motorway at a 24-hour veterinary hospital named Animal Bluecare. From there, a pedestrian bridge over the motorway provides access to the beach. (It is among a number of pedestrian bridges that span the motorway at various intervals.)
If you are going southwest on A-7 (toward Marbella), watch for the El Faro exit just past kilometer marker 205, but do NOT exit there. Continue another 900 meters and take the next exit thereafter, which is not signed. (If you pass marker 204, you have missed the exit ramp by about 100 meters.) Once you exit, the very short exit ramp will curve rightward (inland), at which point you will immediately reach a junction where a right turn would take you to shops along the bottom level of a row of townhouses. Turn left instead, away from the townhouses and shops. Shortly you will reach the veterinary hospital.
If you are going northeast on A-7 (toward Fuengirola), you cannot exit directly to the veterinary hospital. Take the El Faro exit, which is about 500 meters past kilometer marker 204. Exiting traffic is filtered over the motorway to a roundabout on the inland side. At the roundabout, follow the sign for Marbella and Cádiz in order to re-enter the motorway going in the opposite direction. Stay on the motorway just a few hundred meters and take the next possible exit (not signed), then almost immediately upon exiting turn left toward the veterinary hospital.
The veterinary hospital is nearly surrounded by an asphalted parking lot. Parking is available to beachgoers, but watch for any reserved spaces. Parking closest to the pedestrian bridge is around 36.5071N, 4.6513W, near the two handicap parking spaces. The parking lot sometimes fills up on peak days. In that case, exit the parking lot and turn left (inland, away from the motorway) and look for streetside parking.
Once you cross the pedestrian bridge, you will land on a sidewalk that parallels the coast side of the motorway. The sidewalk and the motorway (which are separated by a guardrail) are no more than 10 meters above sea level, directly above the beach. There are several short paths that descend directly to the nude beach. There is a bus stop shelter less than 50 meters east of the pedestrian bridge (to the left when facing the sea). The path that begins at the bus stop lands next to the snack stand near the east end of the nude area, and that is the most crowded part of the beach. There is another path immediately west of the pedestrian bridge (to the right when facing the sea). Less than 50 meters west of the pedestrian bridge, there is a stretch of wooden rail fencing that extends about 100 meters, and a path to the beach begins at a gap in the fence. About 200 meters west of the pedestrian bridge, there is a similar but somewhat shorter stretch of wooden rail fencing. The path that begins at a gap in that fence lands at the far west end of the nude area, which is the most sparsely populated part of the beach.
starting point:  depending on the direction of approach, either Exit 214 (Fuengirola, Mijas) or Exit 213 (Fuengirola, Mijas) of the AP-7 motorway near Fuengirola
Exits 214 and 213 are located roughly halfway between Málaga and Marbella, and both have the same signage. Which exit you should take depends on whether you are heading toward Málaga or Marbella when you exit.
If you are going southwest on AP-7 (toward Marbella), take Exit 214. Once you take the exit, you will see that there is an Exit 213 that is built into the Exit 214 ramp (a very unusual setup). Do NOT take Exit 213. Keep straight ahead, following the big blue overhead panel that points toward Fuengirola and A-7. You will then be filtered onto the A-7 motorway, heading toward the coast.
If you are going northeast on AP-7 (toward Málaga), there is no Exit 214. Take Exit 213. At the end of the exit ramp, you will reach an elevated roundabout that circles over the motorway. Take the second departure, following the blue sign for Fuengirola (ignoring the white sign for Fuengirola at the first roundabout departure). Shortly after the roundabout, keep to the right when the lanes split, again following a blue Fuengirola sign. You will then be filtered onto the A-7 motorway, heading toward the coast.
Once you have made it through the exit interchange, take note of the kilometer markers. The first marker you will pass is 212, with the marker numbers descending the farther you go. 6 kilometers farther on you will pass marker 206, by which point A-7 will be running along the seafront, with the sea on your left-hand side. About a kilometer farther on, take note when you pass marker 205, which is directly below a prominent lighthouse that is on the right (inland) side of A-7. A sign indicates the upcoming El Faro exit, but do NOT take the that exit. Stay on A-7 about 900 meters past marker 205 and take the unsigned exit, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 214 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa Marina.

tall lighthouse
This placemark pertains to Playa Marina.

kilometer marker 1020 of A-7
This placemark pertains to Playa Marina.

"El Faro" exit interchange of A-7

row of townhouses with shops along lower level

Animal Bluecare veterinary hospital

parking lot at veterinary hospital

pedestrian bridge over the A-7

bus stop shelter

snack bar

segment of A-7 (westboud lanes)

segment of A-7 (eastboud lanes)

exit ramp (unsigned exit)

pedestrian bridge & ramps

segment of sidewalk

beach access

Playa de Artola (Cabopino)

Playa de Artola (Cabopino)
Playa de Artola and Playa de Cabopino are two names for the same beach. That beach is a stretch of about 1.2 kilometers at the eastern edge of Marbella, about halfway between the city centers of Marbella and Fuengirola, both of which are major tourist towns of the Costa del Sol. The beach has a split personality, with two very distinct areas. At its far east end, the beach is a deep crescent of about 300 meters that is bracketed on one side by a marina and on the other side by a long rock jetty that extends over 100 meters into the sea. There are vacation apartments behind the beach and several eateries along the beach. The eastern area is a textile beach. Immediately west of that highly developed segment of beach, there is a large area of beautiful, lush sand dunes called the Dunas de Artola, and the beach along the dunes is comparatively narrow. The Artola part of the beach is frequented by nudists.
Just inland from the jetty, there is medieval stone watchtower called Torres Ladrones. The jetty and Torres Ladrones are the landmarks that more or less define the division between the textile and nude areas of the beach. There is a network of boardwalks over the Artola dunes, and there are five locations where the boardwalks land on the beach. Those five landings are within a span of 800-900 meters. If you are facing the sea near the jetty and Torres Ladrones, turn right and walk westward. The first boardwalk landing is immediately west of the jetty, and that area is likely to be all textile, but nudity becomes common shortly thereafter. The second, third and fourth boardwalk landings are all within the established nude area. Nudity should not take place beyond the fifth and last boardwalk landing, beyond which there is residential development abutting the beach. There are no amenities along the nudist stretch of the beach.
Artola/Cabopino is a very popular nude beach that has a sizable gay contingent. There is parking all along the inland side of the dunes, and from there you can follow boardwalks directly to the nude area.
Marbella, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain

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The Cabopino exit of the A-7 motorway is at the far eastern edge of the municipality of Marbella, about 13 kilometers east of the town center. The exit is between kilometer markers 194 and 195. (The exits are not numbered.) There are roundabouts on either side of the exit interchange. Make your way to the roundabout that is on the coast side. (If you are going east when you exit—i.e., heading toward Málaga, you will be automatically filtered to the coast-side roundabout. If you are going west when you exit—i.e., heading toward Marbella, follow the Puerto Cabopino signs to get to the coast-side roundabout.)
Regardless of which way you were going when you exited, take the first possible departure once you enter the coast-side roundabout. (I.e., do not count roads marked with "do not enter" panels.) When you depart the roundabout, you will be on a road that is very inconspicuously signed Calle de la Playa. Proceed less than 100 meters and take the first possible right, immediately before the entrance to the Cabopino apartment and marina complex. (The entrance has gate posts but no gate.) Once you turn, you will be on a road that is signed as a dead end (it leads to Torre Ladrones), and to your right you will see a large earthen parking area. Turn right into the earthen parking area, but do not park right away. As you drive through the huge and rather amorphous parking area, a boardwalk with wooden fence railing should be on your left-hand side. It is part of a network of boardwalks that crisscross the large area of dunes. Continue a little over 300 meters until you see a wheelchair-accessible ramp going up to the boardwalk. By that point, you will have driven through the most congested part of the parking area, and the boardwalk will be a bit higher off the ground. Parking nearest the ramp is around 36.4868N, 4.7462W.
Go up the ramp to a three-way junction of boardwalks. Follow the boardwalk that goes out toward the beach, not the one that is parallel to the ramp. Within 50 meters, you will see two boardwalks going off to the left, and they are very close together. The first one goes to the eastern end of the nude area, while the second one goes to the middle of the nude area. Or, keep straight ahead until you reach a "T" with another boardwalk, then turn left and you will land at the western end of the nude area. The walk is 250-500 meters, depending on which boardwalks you follow.
starting point:  Exit 200 (Calahonda, A-7) of the AP-7 motorway between Fuengirola and Marbella
Exit 200 is about 40 kilometers southwest of the city center of Málaga and about 15 kilometers east of Marbella. 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 roundabout. Take the roundabout departure that is signed A-7 and Urbanización Sitio de Calahonda. You will then be on a connector road that takes you south toward the coast. Follow that road for 1.4 kilometers to the next roundabout, then take the departure that is signed Marbella and Algeciras. You will then be filtered onto the A-7 motorway, heading west.
Follow the A-7 for 2 kilometers, then take the Cabopino exit, which is next to kilometer marker 195. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 200 toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Artola (Cabopino).

This placemark pertains to Playa de Artola (Cabopino).

roundabout on inland side of Exit 1030 (Cabopino) interchange

roundabout on coast side of Exit 1030 (Cabopino) interchange

gate posts at entrance to Cabopino apartment & marina complex

main parking area

wheelchair-accessible ramp

parking near wheelchair ramp

Torre Ladrones (a medieval stone watchtower)

rock jetty

developed textile area of beach

marina

route to parking from Cabopino exit, westbound traffic

route to parking from Cabopino exit, eastbound traffic

route through huge parking area

boardwalk

Playa de Arroyo Vaquero (Costa Natura)

Playa de Arroyo Vaquero (Costa Natura)
Estepona is located toward the far southwest end of the coast of Málaga, not far from the border with Cádiz. Playa de Arroyo Vaquero is a long beach that begins southwest of the urban center of Estepona, extending about 2.5 kilometers. Several arroyos (streams) empty into the sea along the beach, but most of the time these streams are shoaled, not quite breaking through to the sea. The name of the beach comes from a stream near its far southwest end (well beyond the nudist zone of the beach).
Costa Natura, the oldest naturist resort in Spain, is located a bit south of the mid-point of Playa de Arroyo Vaquero. Approval for the construction of Costa Natura was granted in 1979. A tract of land extending about 400 meters was set aside for the resort, and nudity was authorized along the corresponding stretch of beach. 1979 is just four years after the death of Francisco Franco, under whose autocratic regime naturist resorts and nude beaches were unthinkable. The foray into naturism so soon after nearly half a century of social repression is indicative of the breakneck pace at which Spain sprinted toward becoming a free and open society.
While Playa de Arroyo Vaquero has important historical significance for naturists, the name of the beach is actually little known and seldom used. The nudist zone of the beach is almost ubiquitously referred to as the beach of Costa Natura. When Costa Natura opened in 1981, it was an isolated resort along an undeveloped beach. Today nearly all of Playa de Arroyo Vaquero is backed by resort development, but Costa Natura remains the only naturist resort among them. The grounds of Costa Natura cover about 2.5 hectares (roughly 6 acres), and the resort is basically a community of privately owned apartments. Many of these apartments are available as short-term rentals, and bookings can be arranged through the Costa Natura website.
The part of the beach that directly abuts the resort is narrow, with parts disappearing at high tide. Going southwest, the zone of nude use continues about 200 meters beyond the resort grounds, and that part of the beach is broader. The beach is composed of grayish sand mixed with lots of pebbles. Looking southwest from the beach, the Rock of Gibraltar can be seen in the distance. It is about 32 kilometers away. The nude beach is frequented primarily by Costa Natura residents and guests, but the beach is available to the public at no charge. The part of the beach next to the resort has an outdoor shower, and sun beds and umbrellas can be rented. There is a small snack stand on the beach edge of the resort grounds, up a few steps from the beach. Beach visitors may patronize the snack stand. If you are not staying at Costa Natura, you will need to pay a day-use fee to visit the resort grounds beyond the snack stand. Inquire at the reception building on the inland edge of the resort.
Estepona, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45eMsX2
The A-7 motorway is a complicated thoroughfare, more than 1,300 kilometers long, that follows the Mediterranean coastline from Barcelona to Algeciras (near Gibraltar). Short segments of A-7 sometimes coincide with AP-7, a newer motorway that also follows the coastline, but farther inland. Toward the southwestern end of the province of Málaga, A-7 breaks a lot of motorway "rules" in many places (no shoulders, short exit ramps, the presence of bus stops, etc.). Starting in Estepona and going southwest just beyond the provincial border of Málaga and Cádiz, there is a roughly 20-kilometer-long segment where A-7 actually ceases to be a motorway. Along this stretch, all junctions are roundabouts rather than exits. To complicate matters a bit more, be advised that the kilometer marker numbers along this stretch may have "N-340" rather than "A-7" across the top. (N-340 is a coastal route that has largely been supplanted by A-7.)
Playa de Arroyo Vaquero is accessed from the non-motorway segment of A-7 that has roundabouts.
36.4076N, 5.1883W (roundabout at kilometer 150.7 of A-7, on the southwestern outskirts of Estepona)
The location referenced above is southwest of the urban center of Estepona. Next to the roundabout, Burger King is a familiar landmark on the inland side of A-7. There is also an Aldi supermarket. Starting from the coast side of the roundabout, there is a service road that goes northeast (toward Estepona), paralleling the coast side of A-7. The service road provides access to a number of resorts.
If you are going southwest on A-7 (heading toward Cádiz) when you enter the roundabout, make almost a complete circle through the roundabout to access the service road. (You will depart the roundabout immediately before the departure that would put you back on A-7 going in the opposite direction.)
If you are going northeast on A-7 (heading toward Estepona and Málaga city) when you enter the roundabout, the service road is the first possible departure you can take.
Once you are on the service road, you will immediately see the white buildings of Costa Natura to your right. It is the first of the resorts that line the road. Turn right at the edge of the resort, next to the short white rectangular tower with the large "Costa Natura" sign. You will then be on a short street that runs between Costa Natura and Gran Hotel Elba Estepona. The street is lined with pull-in parking spaces, and parking is free. The street ends at a small turnaround circle (36.4076N, 5.1865W) that has a street lamp in the middle. The beach is accessed from the turnaround circle, so you will need to return there on foot if you have to look for parking elsewhere.
From the turnaround circle, a ramp descends to a textile area of the beach next to Gran Hotel Elba Estepona. Facing the sea, turn left and you will almost immediately reach the start of the nude beach. At first there are lots of boulders stacked up along the inland edge of the beach. The boulders serve as an embankment that shores up the grounds of Costa Natura, which is slightly elevated. If the tide is in when you first step onto the nude area, you will be walking through wet sand. The boulders end after about 200 meters at the far edge of the resort grounds, then the next part of the beach is backed by a vacant tract of land. The nudist zone of the beach continues about 200 meters to the mouth of a stream that is usually shoaled. The grounds of Hotel Fuerte Estepona lie beyond the stream.
starting point:  Exit 153 (Estepona, Algeciras, Cádiz, A-7) of the AP-7 motorway in Estepona
Exit 153 is about 32 kilometers southwest of Marbella and 45 kilometers northeast of Gibraltar. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a large roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. That roundabout has "Estepona" spelled out in stones on the grass in the middle. Take the roundabout departure that is signed Algeciras, Cádiz and A-7.
When you leave the roundabout, you will be heading southwest on A-7. In 1.6 kilometers, stay straight ahead through a roundabout that has "Estepona" spelled out in upright block letters.
Over the next 1.3 kilometers, you will pass two kilometer markers (152 and 151), and you will pass beneath two pedestrian bridges that span overhead. Shortly past the second of those bridges, you will reach the roundabout named above, next to Burger King and Aldi supermarket. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 153 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Arroyo Vaquero (Costa Natura).

roundabout with "Estepona" in upright block letters
This placemark pertains to Playa de Arroyo Vaquero (Costa Natura).

This placemark pertains to Playa de Arroyo Vaquero (Costa Natura).

pedestrian bridge spanning the A-7

Aldi supermarket

Burger King

Costa Natura naturist resort reception building

row of parking spaces

Gran Hotel Elba Estepona

stream mouth (usually shoaled)

Hotel Fuerte Estepona

segment of A-7 (southwest-bound lanes)

segment of A-7 (northeast-bound lanes)

service road (access to several resort hotels)

road through parking row

Cádiz

Playa de la Alcaidesa & Playa de Guadalquitón

From the provincial border of Málaga and Cádiz, the coast of Cádiz extends south and slightly west about 20 kilometers to Gibraltar, the British overseas territory famous for its iconic promontory. The stretch from Málaga to Gibraltar is the only part of the Cádiz coastline that is unambiguously Mediterranean. (Beyond Gibraltar, the Cádiz coast is comprised of the Bay of Gibraltar, the Strait of Gibraltar then the Atlantic Ocean.) About halfway along the short Mediterranean coast of Cádiz, La Alcaidesa is an urbanización that mostly belongs to the municipality of San Roque. La Alcaidesa is a planned seaside resort community dating only to the late '90s, with most of the extant structures completed in the '00s. There are a few hotels, but for the most part the manicured streets of La Alcaidesa are lined with colorful villas and clusters of townhouses, with two golf courses—Alcaidesa Links and Alcaidesa Heathland—nearly encircling everything. La Alcaidesa typifies an upscale master-planned aesthetic that tends to inspire love or hatred but not much in between. Several kilometers to the north, Sotogrande is a similar but older development that dates to the '60s. Between La Alcaidesa and Sotogrande, there is a large tract of wetlands and scrub forest that is relatively untouched. A stream named the Río Guadalquitón flows through this wild area, which is devoid of development except for a few small military installations. There are two areas where nude bathing occurs in or near La Alcaidesa. A small segment of the beach abutting La Alcaidesa is designated for naturist use. Nudity is also well established along the wild beach between La Alcaidesa and Sotogrande.
La Alcaidesa occupies a bit less than 2 kilometers of coastline, and this stretch is generally known as Playa de la Alcaidesa, but the name Playa del Balnaerio is often applied to the beach as well. Going south, Playa de la Alcaidesa ends where the buildings end, but the beach is contiguous with a long expanse of sand that continues southward through most of La Línea de la Concepción, the last town before Gibraltar. Going north, Playa de la Alcaidesa ends at a short rocky contour of the coast called Punta Mala, which is overlooked by a lighthouse called the Faro de Carbonera. Except at its southern end, Playa de la Alcaidesa is bordered by one of the golf courses. The segment of the beach designated for naturist use is below Hole 13 of Alcaidesa Links, toward the north end of the beach but a bit south of the northern extreme of the beach near the lighthouse. Extending roughly 250 meters, the nudist zone has at times been delineated by signs, but signage does not seem to be consistently maintained. A common complaint is that the nude area is not secluded enough, wedged between zones of textile use. Furthermore, a ramp constructed in 2017 descends from the golf course, landing directly in the nudist zone and further eroding any sense of isolation. However, the overall beach is quite uncrowded on weekdays, even during summer. If you are concerned about too many textiles passing through, avoid summer weekends and holidays.
Going north from the lighthouse, the next expanse of sand extends over 3.5 kilometers to Sotogrande. This is the beach backed by wetlands and scrub forest, a stark contrast to the backdrop of Playa de la Alcaidesa. The segment of the beach closest to the lighthouse is usually called Playa del Faro, a stretch of about 700 meters that is easily accessible by a gravel road. Once the road ends, the rest of the beach extending north to Sotogrande is generally known as Playa de Guadalquitón. Nude bathing is well established along Playa de Guadalquitón, which never gets crowded. The nude area does not have definite boundaries. Bare bathers tend to be scattered but skewed toward the southern end of the beach, closer to the lighthouse than to Sotogrande.
Playa de la Alcaidesa has several points of access, and Playa de Guadalquitón can be accessed from La Alcaidesa or from Sotogrande. The best way to access either beach is from the gravel road that goes by the lighthouse, as detailed in the directions below. Besides being the shortest route to either zone of nude use, following the gravel road will allow you to easily visit both beaches. If you go to Playa de la Alcaidesa and decide it isn't to your liking, remember that it doesn't take long to continue to Playa de Guadalquitón, where there is far more seclusion. The closest amenities to either nude beach are at the far north end of Playa de la Alcaidesa near the lighthouse, where there are toilets and an outdoor shower. A snack stand is often open on busy days as well. Several eateries are located toward the southern end of Playa de la Alcaidesa past the end of the golf course, roughly one kilometer from the nude area of the beach. From either Playa de la Alcaidesa or Playa de Guadalquitón, you will have a spectacular view of the Rock of Gibraltar.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Alcaidesa and Playa de Guadalquitón.

Playa de la Alcaidesa
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de la Alcaidesa and Playa de Guadalquitón.)
San Roque, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
There are 24 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de la Alcaidesa and Playa de Guadalquitón.

Playa de Guadalquitón
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de la Alcaidesa and Playa de Guadalquitón.)
San Roque, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
There are 24 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de la Alcaidesa and Playa de Guadalquitón.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qyXUNZ
starting point:  Exit 124 (La Alcaidesa, La Línea) of the A-7 motorway in San Roque
Exit 124 is 12-13 kilometers south of the Málaga/Cádiz provincial border, and it is just a few kilometers north of the exit for Gibraltar. Upon exiting, follow the signs for La Alcaidesa and El Faro. When you leave the exit interchange, you should be heading north on a road that parallels the inland side of the motorway. In 700 meters, you will see a sign pointing right (across the motorway via an overpass) to La Alcaidesa. Do NOT turn there. (That turnoff leads to the main entrance into La Alcaidesa.) Stay straight ahead another 500 meters, then turn right at the brown El Faro sign. You will then cross over the motorway to the coast side, then shortly you will reach the secondary northern entrance to La Alcaidesa, next to a large and prominently signed fire station (Parque de Bomberos). At the entrance, there is a booth and a lift gate. Although La Alcaidesa is a controlled-access community, the streets beyond the gate are open to the public at no charge. During daylight hours, the gate will likely already be open or will automatically lift as you approach. If not, just tell the attendant you are heading toward the lighthouse (el faro).
Keep straight ahead through the roundabout that is just past the lift gate. About 900 meters farther along, you will reach another roundabout that has about a dozen small palm trees in the middle. Take the third departure. (The departures are not signed. The second departure goes into the golf club. You want the departure that is just after the entrance to the golf club.)
Continue about 400 meters and you will reach a much smaller roundabout, and the sea will be in full view in the distance straight ahead of you. The roundabout at first appears to be a cul-de-sac, but go through it and you will see there is a narrow paved road that continues straight ahead from the roundabout. That road goes downhill through a scrub forest toward the sea.
Follow the narrow paved road 800 meters to the first junction, where the road straight ahead is marked with a red-and-white "do not enter" panel and a sign indicating that access is restricted to military personnel. At that junction, there are two roads on the right that leave from the same point: a crudely paved road that requires a hard right and a gravel road that requires veering slightly to the right. Veer right onto the gravel road.
Follow the gravel road just under 1.4 kilometers until you reach a three-way junction with a road going off to the right, which is the first such junction you will reach. At the junction, the lighthouse (Faro de Carbonera) will be prominently in view straight ahead of you, about 100 meters away.
To go to Playa de la Alcaidesa:
Turn right at the three-way junction that is before the lighthouse. In 400-500 meters you will reach an earthen parking area at the far north end of Playa de la Alcaidesa (36.2440N, 5.3062W). Facing the sea, turn right and head south. It takes just a few minutes to walk to the nude area, which may or may not be signed. About 400 meters from the parking area, there is a ramp paved in gray bricks that ascends to the golf course. The point where the ramp lands on the beach is roughly the middle of the nudist zone. A little over 100 meters beyond the ramp landing, there are stairs going up to the golf course next to a stone retaining wall, and that is where the nude area ends.
To go to Playa de Guadalquitón:
Keep straight ahead at the three-way junction that is before the lighthouse. In about 100 meters the road makes a 90° leftward bend next to the lighthouse (which is directly beside the road on the left). After the road bends, it continues about 700 meters before ending next to the beach. This entire final stretch of the road serves as a parking area for the segment of the beach called Playa del Faro. There are several turnoffs toward the sea that lead to earthen parking areas next to the beach, and on busy days there will also be cars parked alongside the road. Just keep straight ahead and park as close as possible to the end of the road (36.2482N, 5.2962W).
When you step onto the beach from the end of the road, you will be in the area where Playa del Faro blends into Playa de Guadalquitón. Facing the sea, turn left and head north. On quiet days, you may be able to strip down immediately. On busy days, walk a bit beyond the textiles. If you take an extended stroll, watch for concrete military bunkers as landmarks. There are several bunkers along the beach. 400-500 meters past the end of the road, there is a large bunker against the dunes with Playa Nudista spray painted on it, and it is the main identifier of the nudist zone of the beach. 300-400 meters beyond the bunker, you will reach the mouth of a stream (Río Guadalquitón), which is usually dammed by a buildup of sand, not breaking through to the sea. After the stream, the beach will likely be deserted, but nudity is still possible a good bit farther. Starting a bit beyond the stream, there is a primitive fence just inland from and parallel to the beach that extends all the way to Sotogrande. 600 to 700 meters from where the fence starts, there is a large bunker on the inland side of the fence. Just beyond the bunker, there is a derelict house-like structure set farther back from the fence. This is probably as far as you should go without clothing. Beyond the derelict structure, it is 800-900 meters to a large bunker at the edge of Sotogrande, and you will begin to encounter textiles as you get closer to Sotogrande.
MAP from A-7 Exit 124 to lighthouse
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Alcaidesa and Playa de Guadalquitón.

Exit 124 interchange of A-7 motorway
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Alcaidesa and Playa de Guadalquitón.

lift gate at main entrance to La Alcaidesa

brown "El Faro" sign

lift gate at secondary entrance to La Alcaidesa

Parque de Bomberos (fire station)

paved road straight ahead restricted to military personnel

toilets

Hole 13 of Alcaidesa Links

Faro de Carbonera (lighthouse)

Playa del Faro (textile)

parking at end of road

concrete bunker with "Playa Nudista" graffiti

mouth of Río Guadalquitón (usually shoaled)

concrete bunker

derelict house-like structure

route from Exit 124 to start of gravel road

gravel road

side road to north end of Playa de la Alcaidesa

ramp paved in gray bricks

stairs next to stone retaining wall

primitive fence

designated nude area of Playa de la Alcaidesa, roughly

nude area of Playa de Guadalquitón, very roughly

Playa de Bolonia & Playa del Cañuelo

Playa de Bolonia is a long beach—nearly 4 kilometers—located a bit northwest of Tarifa, the southernmost town of mainland Spain. On clear days, you can see Morocco on the horizon from the beach, across the Strait of Gibraltar. The northwestern half of the beach abuts the village of El Lentiscal (a.k.a. Bolonia) and the impressive ruins of Baelo Claudia, an ancient Roman settlement that dates to the 2nd century B.C., with its excavation dating to 1917. The extreme northwest end of the beach is marked by an enormous dune that resembles a glacier composed of sand instead of ice. While occasional nudity is reported at the sand dune, that seems rare. The entire northwest half of the beach is the domain of textiles.
There are a number of eateries (chiringuitos) scattered along the main part of the beach. About 2 kilometers southeast of the giant sand dune, the chiringuitos and other commercial establishments end at the point where the paved road that parallels the beach comes to an end. Continuing southeast, bare bathing becomes common. Nudists and textiles are widely dispersed along the long southeastern realm of Playa de Bolonia, which is accessible only on foot.
At most nude beaches, nudists tend to congregate toward the start of the nude area, with the crowd thinning out the farther it is necessary to walk. At Bolonia, the reverse is true. The reason most nudists (or textiles) keep tramping through the sand is to get to a unique area toward the far end of the beach. If you take a long walk past the last commercial development, near the extreme southeast end of the beach you will reach an area where small rocky reefs line the beach. These rocks form natural shallow pools that are popular with bathers, and the pools are often called the piscinas (swimming pools) or pozas (puddles). While nudity is well established, lots of textiles also make the long trek to explore this geological anomaly, and textiles are often in the majority. On crowded days, there is likely to be a higher percentage of nudists in the area leading up to the piscinas than at the piscinas. If you aren't inclined to walk over 2 kilometers to the piscinas, you need only go a few minutes from the closest parking area to reach the area where nudity is acceptable.
With Roman ruins, a giant sand dune, a view of Africa and unusual reef pools, not to mention a beautiful natural setting, there are few beaches anywhere as unique as Bolonia. However, there is yet another beach nearby where nude bathing occurs. A bit west of Bolonia's sand dune, Playa del Cañuelo is a beautiful and isolated pocket of sand nestled against a verdant backdrop. The main expanse of the beach is about 375 meters long. At its southeast end (to the left when facing the ocean), there are a few narrower niches that span about 200 meters, but these niches mostly disappear at high tide. El Cañuelo is a wild beach with no amenities. There are several ways to access the beach, with a minimum requisite hike of 700 meters. Despite its isolation, plenty of visitors find their way to El Cañuelo during summer, but the beach never gets overcrowded. Nudists and textiles mingle along the entire beach, but textiles are typically in the majority.
Just north and west of Playa del Cañuelo, a lighthouse called the Faro de Camarinal is perched toward the seaward end of a long ridge called the Cabo de Gracia. On the other side of the ridge, there is a beach called Playa de los Alemanes, which is overlooked by a modern residential development called Atlanterra. There are no roads open to automobiles that go all the way over the ridge, meaning Bolonia and Atlanterra are isolated from one another despite their proximity. From the Bolonia side of the Cabo de Gracia, a 1.4-kilometer-long gravel road leads to the lighthouse, but motorized vehicles are prohibited along the road, so it is necessary to park at the start of the road and hike to the lighthouse. From the Atlanterra side of the Cabo de Gracia, it is possible to park within several hundred meters of the lighthouse. While the Bolonia point of access to the lighthouse and the Atlanterra point of access to the lighthouse are literally just over a kilometer apart, the driving distance from one to the other is over 40 kilometers. Most visitors to Playa del Cañuelo first hike to the lighthouse, starting either from Bolonia or Atlanterra, then hike down to the beach via a sandy path. The hike to the lighthouse is much shorter if you start from Atlanterra rather than Bolonia. If you start from Bolonia, the shortest route to the beach is by a lesser-known path that bypasses the lighthouse altogether. Even if you follow the shorter hiking option from Bolonia, you may find it worthwhile to hike up to the lighthouse just for the views. From the lighthouse, a wooden walkway descends toward the outermost tip of the Cabo de Gracia. Playa del Cañuelo is visible from the lighthouse and from the walkway. Go all the way to the end of the walkway for the most sweeping views of Playa de los Alemanes. All access options are detailed in the directions below.
Around Bolonia and El Cañuelo, there are several pockets of restricted military land. Some roads and trails are marked by signs to the effect of prohibido el paso, zona militar, so be on the lookout for such signs if you wander off the beaten path.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Bolonia and Playa del Cañuelo.

Playa de Bolonia
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Bolonia and Playa del Cañuelo.)
GPS:
36.0770N, 5.7577W (start of nude area, approx.)
Tarifa, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
There are 43 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Bolonia and Playa del Cañuelo.

Playa del Cañuelo
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Bolonia and Playa del Cañuelo.)
Tarifa, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
There are 43 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Bolonia and Playa del Cañuelo.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DVLcvJ
36.1080N, 5.7093W (turnoff to Bolonia-El Lentiscal at kilometer 70.25 of N-340, northwest of Tarifa)
The village next to Playa de Bolonia is technically named El Lentiscal, but all road signage indicates Bolonia rather than El Lentiscal, so the village is commonly just known as Bolonia. The village is something of a geographic cul-de-sac. There are no through roads that connect to other places. The only road leading to Bolonia is numbered CA-8202, and it begins at the location referenced above, about 15 kilometers northwest of Tarifa. The turnoff is next to a rural hotel named San José del Valle.
When you turn toward Bolonia, you will immediately pass kilometer marker 0 of CA-8202. Proceed 6 kilometers and take note when you pass marker 6, which is at the edge of Bolonia. The speed limit will begin to drop. 800 meters past marker 6, the road will widen to include a very short left-turn lane, and at that point the ocean will be in view straight ahead.
To go to Playa de Bolonia:
Turn left at the short left-turn lane. You should then be on a palm-lined street that parallels the beach, with the ocean on your right-hand side. Follow the road a little over a kilometer to its end at a mini-roundabout (36.0805N, 5.7597W). On the ocean side of the road at its end, there are two restaurants: Sirocco and Serenade. These are the southeasternmost commercial establishments in Bolonia. On the inland side of the road, there is a large earthen parking area. A parking fee is collected on busy days.
Straight ahead from the end of the asphalt, head through a pair of white gateposts. (There is no actual gate.) Immediately past the gateposts, go right onto a dirt track that angles toward the ocean. Within a few hundred meters you will land on the beach, and you will be just a bit southeast of the two restaurants, in the transition area between the textile and nudist zones of the beach. (There is no hard boundary.) Facing the ocean, nudity occurs to your left, and nudity is possible for over 2 kilometers to the southeast end of the beach. Toward that extreme, there is a popular area known as the piscinas, defined by distinctive craggy rock formations that are just offshore. If you want to go all the way there, the hike along the beach takes about 40 minutes.
To go to Playa del Cañuelo:
Keep straight ahead on CA-8202, which will curve rightward. Shortly past marker 7, you will pass the left-hand turnoff into the Baelo Claudia archeological site. 1.7 kilometers farther on you will pass marker 9, which is the last marker along the road. 100 meters past marker 9, continue along the road as it curves sharply rightward. 200 meters farther on, the road will fork. Keep to the left. In less than 100 meters you will cross a cattle guard. There are two accesses to Playa del Cañuelo within the next kilometer. Not quite 300 meters past the cattle guard, watch for a primitive stone fence along the left side of the road that extends about 100 meters. At the end of the fence, there is an unmarked gravel road on the left (36.0957N, 5.7914W). 400 meters farther on, there is a gravel parking row along the left side of the road (36.0959N, 5.7960W). The parking area is bordered by low wooden rails, and there is room for about 20 cars.
First, assume you turn onto the gravel road that is at the end of the primitive stone fence. The road goes gradually downhill toward a private residence. You can drive about 700 meters to a gate across the road, beyond which the road is private. The path to the beach is on the left just before the gate. Parking is informal in a number of small niches, but make sure you park completely off the road to avoid a potential parking citation. The path goes through a scrub forest and lands near the center of the beach. Near the start of the path, there are a few blazes on rocks to keep you on course. The path briefly goes steeply downhill, then the descent becomes much more gradual. The total hike is about 900 meters, with an elevation loss of about 55 meters.
Alternatively, assume you park in the area bordered by the low wooden rails. At the end of the parking row, a gravel road begins at a wire-mesh gate that is an automobile barrier. There is a pedestrian access at the side of the gate. Follow the gravel road about 1.4 kilometers to its end at a "T" with an asphalted road near the lighthouse. Turn left and in less than 50 meters you will reach the lighthouse, which is perched about 50 meters above sea level. Facing the lighthouse and the ocean at the end of the asphalt, you can see Playa del Cañuelo off to your left. A footpath on the left begins at the edge of the asphalt, next to a rock with a few trail blazes painted on it. From the start of the footpath, the distance to the beach is a little over 400 meters. The total hiking distance from the parking area is about 1.9 kilometers.
Assume that you are heading southwest on the A-7 motorway through the province of Cádiz. The exit numbers get lower the farther you go, and as you get into the low 100s, you are approaching the end of the motorway. Just for reference, Exit 119 is the exit for Gibraltar, and Exit 110B is the exit for the A-381 motorway toward Seville. Continuing southwest, the A-7 passes through the town of Algeciras, and there is a brief stretch through the town where the A-7 is a regular street with red lights and not a motorway, then the motorway picks up again. Just keep straight ahead. Signs point toward Tarifa and Cádiz. Exit 103, on the south end of Algeciras, is the last numbered exit. Be sure to stay in the left lane past that exit and you will be at the starting point named below.
starting point:  the terminus of the A-7 motorway on the south side of Algeciras, where traffic continuing straight ahead is filtered onto route N-340 westbound toward Tarifa
As you follow N-340, watch the kilometer marker numbers, which descend the farther you go. About 31 to 32 kilometers from the motorway terminus, you will pass kilometer marker 71 (which is 12-14 kilometers past the two turnoffs toward Tarifa). Continue about 750 meters past marker 71, then turn left at the sign for Bolonia. (The road widens to include a left-turn lane. If you pass marker 70, you have missed the turn by 250 meters.) Proceed as directed above.
ALTERNATE ACCESS TO PLAYA DEL CAÑUELO THROUGH ATLANTERRA
Follow the "Additional directions" above, but do NOT turn toward Bolonia from N-340. Continue northwest (toward Cádiz) on N-340 another 14 to 15 kilometers. Just past kilometer marker 56, turn left at the sign for Zahara (short for Zahara de los Atunes) and Barbate. Upon turning, you will be at the start of A-2227, and you will pass marker 0. Proceed 9.3 kilometers to a three-way junction that is a few hundred meters past marker 9. Turn left at the junction, which is signed Atlanterra and Playas de Zahara.
Upon turning, you will be on a road that arcs around the inland periphery of Zahara de los Atunes, bypassing the village center. In 1.3 kilometers, keep straight ahead through a roundabout that has several palm trees in its cobbled median. 400 meters farther on, you will reach a mini-roundabout (with the entrance to a parking lot straight ahead). Go left at the mini-roundabout. You will then be on a road that parallels the coastline, with the ocean in the distance on your right-hand side. This is the only road into Atlanterra, which is a modern residential development with no through roads. The turnoff to the lighthouse is toward the far edge of Atlanterra. Along the way, keep straight ahead through all roundabouts. Below are some landmarks to help you along.
As you head out of Zahara, it is about 1.4 kilometers to the near edge of Atlanterra, and along the way you will pass Hotel Antonio (on the right) and Camping Bahía de la Plata (also on the right). You will enter Atlanterra when you pass La Mamma (on the right), a pizzeria with Moorish architecture.
The first part of Atlanterra is covered in multiple blocks of apartment buildings, mostly on the right (ocean) side of the road. About 1.3 kilometers after you enter Atlanterra, there are several hotels on the right amid the apartment buildings, and you will either pass directly beside the hotels or see signs pointing toward them: Meliá Atlanterra; Hotel El Varadero; Hotel Atlántico and El Cortijo de Zahara.
After El Cortijo de Zahara, the road veers closer to the ocean as it begins to wind through an area of detached villas. About 1.5 kilometers past El Cortijo de Zahara, keep to the left at a fork, following the Faro de Camarinal sign. (The other road dead ends.) About 200 meters farther on, take the next right at another Faro de Camarinal sign. Proceed about one kilometer to an asphalted parking lot on the left (36.0941N, 5.8098W).
There are two ways to get to the lighthouse. First, assume you park in the asphalted lot. At the far end of the lot, there is a small but distinctive utility building: a round white structure with a tile roof. Walk past that building such that it is on your left-hand side. Just past the building, an asphalted road on the left winds gradually uphill to the lighthouse. There is a closed metal gate at the start of the road, with a pedestrian access around the side of the gate. The distance to the lighthouse is 400-500 meters.
Alternatively, you can take a shortcut. Instead of parking in the asphalted lot, turn left at the far end of the lot (such that the round utility building is on your right once you turn). Proceed less than 100 meters to the next three-way junction and make a hard right. Continue a little over 200 meters to a "T," at which point a concrete retaining wall will be straight ahead of you. Turn right. You will then be on a short street that comes to a dead end in about 50 meters, and there are no houses along the street. Park along the street (around 36.0920N, 5.8086W). At the end of the street, there is a footpath on the left. The footpath goes uphill, ending where it connects to a gravel road. Turn right and follow the gravel road just a few minutes to its end at a "T" with the asphalted road that goes to the lighthouse. Turn left and very shortly you will reach the lighthouse. Following this approach, the distance to the lighthouse is about 300 meters.
The lighthouse is perched about 50 meters above sea level. Facing the lighthouse and the ocean at the end of the asphalt, you can see Playa del Cañuelo off to your left. A footpath on the left begins at the edge of the asphalt, next to a rock with a few trail blazes painted on it. From the start of the footpath, the distance to the beach is a little over 400 meters.
MAP from A-7 terminus to parking (Playa de Bolonia)
MAP from A-7 terminus to parking (Playa del Cañuelo [gravel parking row], via Bolonia)
MAP from A-7 terminus to parking (Playa del Cañuelo [asphalted lot], via Zahora de los Atunes)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Bolonia and Playa del Cañuelo.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Bolonia and Playa del Cañuelo.

San José del Valle

kilometer marker 0 of CA-8202

kilometer marker 1 of CA-8202

kilometer marker 2 of CA-8202

Sirocco restaurant

Serenade restaurant

"piscinas"

Baelo Claudia (Roman ruins)

huge sand dune

cattle guard

informal parking in various niches

gate to private residence

gravel parking row

Faro de Camarinal (lighthouse)

scenic overlook

road restricted to military personnel beyond this point

Hotel Antonio

Camping Bahía de la Plata

La Mamma pizzeria

Meliá Atlanterra

Hotel El Varadero

Hotel Atlántico

El Cortijo de Zahara

Playa de los Alemanes (textile)

asphalted parking lot

small round white utility building

parking along short dead-end street

road parallel to beach

road going west out of Bolonia

primitive stone fence

gravel road toward private residence

gravel road to lighthouse (no motorized vehicles)

wooden walkway/stairs to scenic overlook

segment of A-2227

roads through Zahara de los Atunes & Atlanterra

asphalted road to lighthouse (no motorized vehicles)

nude area of Playa de Bolonia, roughly

Playa del Cañuelo

Playa de las Cortinas & Playa de Zahora

Los Caños de Meca is a pedanía (i.e., district or neighborhood) of the municipality of Barbate. Located toward the western edge of the municipality, it is removed from the urban core of Barbate, which is about 10 kilometers away. There are freshwater springs along the cliffs that are just east of Los Caños de Meca, giving the locale its name: Caños means "spouts" or "pipes." Zahora is the neighboring pedanía just west of Los Caños de Meca, and the two areas basically blend together, often regarded as a single entity. Los Caños de Meca and Zahora cannot really accurately be described as towns since neither has a well-defined commercial center. Both are also lacking in large-scale resort development. The two pedanías are comprised mainly of residences (mostly vacation houses and rentals) along with small hotels and other businesses. Both have reputations as laid-back beach destinations, retaining just a whiff of a countercultural ethos. The area was once a hippie haven. The beachfront of Los Caños de Meca and Zahora spans about 6 kilometers, and roughly in the middle of that stretch there is a headland called Cabo de Trafalgar, atop which there is a tall, very prominent white lighthouse that is visible from several kilometers away. Cabo de Trafalgar divides Playa de los Caños de Meca (which extends several kilometers east from the headland) from Playa de Zahora (which extends several kilometers northwest from the headland). Both beaches have areas that are frequented by nudists.
The beach of Los Caños de Meca consists of multiple distinct segments that collectively span several kilometers. Each segment has an individual name, but the proper names often get conflated or confused. Playa de las Cortinas is the easternmost beach of Los Caños de Meca, beginning where the beachfront structures come to an abrupt end. Las Cortinas is a beautiful beach backed by orange-tinted limestone cliffs, and even the sand has a slight orangish hue. Cortinas means "curtains," and the name is an apparent reference to the greenery that spills down the cliffs. Nudity is well established at Playa de las Cortinas. Nude bathers are sometimes in the majority and always at least a substantial minority. There are two beach accesses, both of which land at the far west end of Las Cortinas. You may encounter nudists immediately upon stepping onto the beach. The sand extends eastward about 500 meters at low tide, and the cliffs are relatively low compared to the cliffs that are farther east, rising perhaps a dozen meters. There are no amenities.
Most visitors to Playa de las Cortinas, both nudists and textiles, cluster within a few hundred meters of the beach accesses. However, it is possible to go east for over a kilometer if the tide is out. Once you have walked about 500 meters, the beach will have narrowed substantially and will become strewn with boulders, and the cliffs will get higher. Once you have walked about a kilometer, the cliffs will be over 60 meters tall, and before long you will reach a point where the coastline becomes too rugged to continue farther. Depending on recent rainfall, there may be water gushing out of openings high upon the cliffs, creating waterfalls that plunge to the narrow beach. Be sure to mind the tides if you take a hike along the boulder-strewn part of the beach so that you don't get trapped. Some visitors kayak to this area. Nudity occurs occasionally along the far eastern periphery of Playa de las Cortinas, but for the most part this remote area of the beach tends to be deserted.
Nudity also takes place at the southeastern end of Playa de Zahora, abutting Cabo de Trafalgar. The main access to Zahora is about 1.7 kilometers northwest of the lighthouse (as the crow flies). However, the nude area of Zahora is most quickly reached by avoiding the main access and instead parking in the lot at the start of the road that leads to the lighthouse. It is a walk of 1.2 kilometers from the closest parking to the nude end of the beach, but it is a very easy and mostly level walk, with a boardwalk along the final stretch taking you directly to the nude area. Nudity takes place on several hundred meters of the beach extending northwest from the lighthouse, which is prominently in view, and there is a small snack kiosk in the nude area. While nudity is always perfectly acceptable, textiles typically outnumber nudists, sometimes greatly so. The mixed crowd of nudists and textiles is usually clustered at the access point where the boardwalk ends, near the snack kiosk and the lighthouse. If you walk to the north (to the right when facing the ocean) the crowd will at first thin out then gradually pick up again as you approach the main access to the beach.
Playa de las Cortinas and the southeast end of Playa de Zahora are about 3.2 kilometers apart as the crow flies. Add about 400 meters for the combined driving and walking distance from one nude beach to the other.
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Cortinas and Playa de Zahora.

Playa de las Cortinas
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de las Cortinas and Playa de Zahora.)
Barbate, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
There are 18 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de las Cortinas and Playa de Zahora.

Playa de Zahora
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de las Cortinas and Playa de Zahora.)
Barbate, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
There are 18 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de las Cortinas and Playa de Zahora.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DTQcku
To go to Playa de Zahora, set your GPS device to:
36.1894N, 6.0252W (turnoff to lighthouse at kilometer 12.15 of A-2233 in Los Caños de Meca)
The turnoff is marked by a small brown sign pointing toward the lighthouse (Faro de Trafalgar). Upon turning, you will be on a road that goes all the way to the lighthouse, but parking along the road is prohibited. Almost immediately upon turning, turn right again to enter a large pay parking lot. Proceed down the road toward the lighthouse on foot. In about 300 meters, you will reach a red-and-white gate, beyond which vehicular traffic is prohibited. (If you have passengers to drop off, you can drive as far as the gate before you have to turn around.) After the gate, the road continues 800-900 meters to the tall lighthouse, which will be in view straight ahead of you. Walk most of that distance. Just before the road begins to go up a sand hill to the lighthouse, veer right onto a boardwalk. In 200-250 meters, the boardwalk lands at the southeast end of Playa de Zahora, which is the nude area of the beach. (The main textile area of Playa de Zahora, about 1.7 kilometers farther northwest, is more quickly reached from another access point.) The total walk from the parking lot to the nude area is 1.2 kilometers.
To go to Playa de las Cortinas, set your GPS device to:
36.1854N, 6.0091W (three-way junction at kilometer 13.7 of A-2233 toward east end of Los Caños de Meca)
A-2233 makes a 90° bend at the junction referenced above. If you are going east through Los Caños de Meca on A-2233 (with the ocean on your right-hand side), do NOT turn turn at the junction. Just keep straight ahead, following the sign that points to the tourism office (Oficina de Información y Turismo). If you are going west on A-2233, you will enter Los Caños de Meca shortly before the junction, then you will reach a stop sign at the junction, with the ocean straight ahead. Turn left, toward the tourism office.
As you head away from the junction, you will be going east on a one-way road that makes a 1.6-kilometer-long loop. The road is asphalted for 800 meters. When the road turns to gravel, it curves inland and begins going west, reconnecting to A-2233 a bit inland from the three-way junction referenced above. As you drive along the paved portion of the road, watch for blue-and-white "P" panels pointing toward parking lots. All of them are pay lots, and the rate is typically posted. Just before the road turns to gravel, there is a pay parking lot on the left (inland) side of the road that can hold 30-40 cars (36.1830N, 6.0015W). The parking lot is signed Parking Vigilado Playa Las Cortinas, and it is opposite a small hotel called Hostal Mar de Frente. This is the closest parking option for the nude beach. (If the lot is full, continue along the gravel portion of the one-way loop until you reach a stop sign at the end of the loop at A-2233. Turn left. Proceed 200 meters to the next stop sign, which is at the three-way junction referenced above. Turn left and you will be at the start of the loop again. Look for parking at one of the lots you passed the first time. There is also limited free parking along the side of the road.)
There are beach accesses on either side of Hostal Mar de Frente. Facing the hotel and the sea, first assume you go to the left. Shortly you will reach the point where the road turns to gravel. Turn right. You should then be walking along the eastern side of the hotel property, with a stone fence wall on your right-hand side. Shortly you will come to cement steps that descend to the beach.
Alternatively, facing the hotel assume you go to the right. In less than 100 meters you will reach a small asphalted area on the coast side of the road (directly opposite a gate on the inland side of the road numbered "8.") The asphalted area used to be a small free parking lot, but parking seems no longer to be allowed. It overlooks a small beach called Playa de los Castillejos, which consists of a couple of sandy niches wedged against very low cliffs. Nudists are sometimes present at Los Castillejos, but not as consistently as at Las Cortinas. Facing the ocean at the asphalted area, the steps leading down to Los Castillejos will be to your right, but do not go down those steps to get to Las Cortinas. Instead go left, following the walkway that skirts above Los Castillejos. There will be a fence wall to your immediate left: first a white wall then a stone wall once the walkway bends and becomes stepped. Shortly the walkway will take you through a gap in the stone wall, where you will connect to a tiled staircase that comes down from Hostal Mar de Frente. Head down the stairs, which land at Las Cortinas.
Whichever walking route you follow, you will land at the far west end of Playa de las Cortinas, and the walk is less than 150 meters via either route if you are able to park in the lot closest to the beach.
starting point:  Exit 36 (Vejer de la Frontera, Los Caños de Meca) of the A-48 motorway near Vejer de la Frontera
Vejer de la Frontera is a hilltop town a bit inland from the coast, between Algeciras and Cádiz. Vejer de la Frontera is connected to Algericas by N-340 and to the outskirts of Cádiz by the A-48 motorway. N-340 and A-48 are actually one continuous road, and Vejer de la Frontera is near the point where the numbering and the motorway status changes. (There were plans for A-48 to be extended all the way to Algeciras, superseding N-340, but construction on the Vejer-to-Algeciras segment has not started as of 2019, and the future of the planned extension is uncertain.)
If you are heading east on A-48 (coming from Cádiz), Exit 36 is the last exit before the motorway ends and continues as N-340. If you are heading west on N-340 (going toward Cádiz), Exit 36 is the first exit after N-340 westbound traffic is filtered onto the start of A-48. Regardless of the direction of approach, upon exiting follow the signs for Vejer de la Frontera and Los Caños de Meca to negotiate your way through the roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange. Just beyond the interchange, you will reach another roundabout where the route to Vejer de la Frontera diverges from the route to Los Caños de Meca. Take the departure signed El Palmar, Zahora and Los Caños de Meca. At that point, you will be at the start of A-2230, and you will pass kilometer marker 0 as you leave the roundabout.
Follow A-2230 southwest for 7.3 kilometers to the end of the route at a roundabout that is a bit past kilometer marker 7 and a BP gas station. Take the roundabout departure signed Los Caños de Meca and Barbate. As you leave the roundabout, you will be heading southeast on A-2233. Watch the kilometer markers, which ascend the farther you go. In 4.2 kilometers, you will pass kilometer marker 12 at the edge of Los Caños de Meca.
From marker 12, it is less than 200 meters to the right-hand turnoff toward the lighthouse. Turn there to go to Playa de Zahora. Or, to go to Playa de las Cortinas, keep straight ahead another 1.5 kilometers past the lighthouse turnoff to the three-way junction where A-2233 turns inland, then keep straight ahead through that junction. In either case, proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-48 Exit 36 to parking (Zahora)
MAP from A-48 Exit 36 to parking (Las Cortinas)
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Cortinas and Playa de Zahora.

This placemark pertains to Playa de las Cortinas and Playa de Zahora.

pay parking lot

red-and-white gate (no vehichles beyond this point)

Playa de Trafalgar (textile)

Faro de Trafalgar (lighthouse)

main access point to Playa de Zahora

intersection where A-2233 turns a corner

Playa del Pirata (textile)

Hostal Mar de Frente

Playa de los Castillejos (irregular nudity)

high cliffs, accessible at low tide

segment of A-2233

one-way loop road

road to lighthouse (parking along road prohibited)

boardwalk to beach

access to Playa de las Cortinas

access to Playa de los Castillejos

nude area of Playa de Zahora, roughly

extent of Playa de las Cortinas at low tide, roughly

extent of Playa de los Castillejos, roughly

Playa de la Mangueta & Playa de Castilnovo

Vejer de la Frontera, or just Vejer for short, is a picturesque hilltop town of whitewashed structures at the inland edge of a flat coastal plain, where the terrain becomes more rugged. El Palmar is a pedanía (i.e., district or neighborhood) that belongs to the municipality of Vejer, but it lies along the coast about 10 kilometers west of the hilltop town. El Palmar cannot really accurately be described as a town since it lacks a well-defined commercial center. It is also lacking in large-scale resort development. El Palmar is comprised mainly of residences (mostly vacation houses and rentals) along with small hotels and other businesses. Like nearby Los Caños de Meca and Zahora (which are a bit to the south), it has a reputation as a laid-back beach destination. Many streets in El Palmar are gravel, and there are many hay fields amid blocks of houses. El Palmar is next to a long sandy beach that extends about 8 kilometers. The beach corresponding to the streets and structures of El Palmar is known simply as Playa del Palmar, and it extends roughly 4 kilometers. Going in either direction from El Palmar, the beach has a different name, and nudity occurs along both those beaches, both of which are relatively remote areas with no amenities.
Going south from El Palmar, Zahora is a pedanía that is similar to El Palmar, with lots of gravel roads and wild tracts of land amid clusters of houses. (Zahora is part of a different municipality—namely Barbate.) Playa de la Mangueta is the name of the beach between El Palmar and Zahora. Backed by farmland, Playa de la Mangueta is roughly a kilometer long, but its borders are ambiguous since it blends into Playa del Palmar to the north and Playa de Zahora to the south. Playa de la Mangueta is always far less crowded than the beaches of El Palmar and Zahora, and nude bathing is well established. The beach can be accessed from the southernmost parking area in El Palmar or from the northernmost parking area in Zahora, but your walk to the nude area will be a bit shorter if you park in Zahora. Those parking areas are about 1.2 kilometers apart as the crow flies. The informal zone of nude use occupies most but not all of the space between the two parking areas. The area around either parking area is likely to be all textile. While nudity is common and well accepted at La Mangueta, there are typically more textiles than nudists.
The seaside town of Conil de la Frontera, or just Conil for short, is a few kilometers north of El Palmar. With whitewashed structures and narrow streets, Conil has a similar look and character to Vejer, except it is on the ocean rather than atop a hill. The beach between El Palmar and Conil is called Playa de Castilnovo. Over 2.5 kilometers long, Playa de Castilnovo is backed by farmland. The north end of the beach is defined by the mouth of the Salado River. Conil is on the other side of the river. Just inland from the beach along its central expanse, Torre Castilnovo is a stone watchtower dating to the 1500s. You can't miss it since there is nothing else in the wide-open, treeless landscape. Nudity is common around the central area of Playa de Castilnovo, near the tower. That part of the beach is lightly attended, and the boundaries of the nude area are indefinite. Playa de Castilnovo can be approach from either El Palmar or Conil since there is a long footbridge over the Salado. The distance to Torre Castilnovo is a bit shorter if you start from El Palmar.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Mangueta and Playa de Castilnovo.

Playa de la Mangueta
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de la Mangueta and Playa de Castilnovo.)
Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
There are 26 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de la Mangueta and Playa de Castilnovo.

Playa de Castilnovo
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de la Mangueta and Playa de Castilnovo.)
Conil de la Frontera, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
There are 26 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de la Mangueta and Playa de Castilnovo.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44pfSR3
To go to Playa de la Mangueta, set your GPS device to:
36.2079N, 6.0354W (roundabout near kilometer 9.5 of A-2233 in Zahora)
Zahora is an outlying area of the municipality of Barbate that is not well signed. It lies just northwest of the neighboring district of Los Caños de Meca, which is much better signed. Zahora is mostly between kilometers 9 and 11 of A-2233. There are two small roundabouts between kilometer markers 9 and 10. The roundabout referenced above is about halfway between the two markers, while the other one is very close to marker 10.
At the roundabout, take the departure that goes toward the coast, which is marked by an orange Playa de Mangueta sign. Upon leaving the roundabout you will be on a narrow paved road. In about 600 meters, you will reach the point where the paved road bends sharply to the left and a gravel road continues straight ahead. Keep straight ahead on the gravel road. About a kilometer farther on, you will reach an earthen parking area next to the beach (36.2081N, 6.0520W). The part of the beach next to the parking area is likely to be all textile. Facing the ocean, turn right and walk north just a minute or two and you will be in the nude area.
To go to Playa de Castilnovo, set your GPS device to:
36.2272N, 6.0481W (roundabout near kilometer 6.8 of A-2233 in El Palmar)
El Palmar is an outlying area of the municipality of Vejer de la Frontera. It lies a few kilometers south-southeast of the seaside town of Conil de la Frontera, and it is mostly between kilometers 3 and 7 of A-2233. The roundabout referenced above is the only roundabout between kilometer markers 6 and 7. Take the departure that goes toward the coast, which is marked by an El Palmar sign.
Upon leaving the roundabout, proceed 1.6 kilometers to the end of the road at a very small seaside roundabout★ that forms the junction with the road that follows the beachfront. The ocean will be in full view straight ahead of you. Turn right and follow the beachfront road north as far as possible. In 2.3 kilometers you will reach the dead end of the road. There is an earthen parking lot on the inland side of the road at its dead end (36.2441N, 6.0774W). There is more parking along the side of the road. At the end of the road, a boardwalk with side rails takes you out to the beach, where you will land at the far north end of Playa del Palmar. Facing the ocean, turn right and walk north. Shortly you will have to cross the mouth of a stream, but there is usually little or no water at the mouth during summer. Beyond the stream, you will be walking along Playa de Castilnovo. The nude area is not well defined, but nudity is generally acceptable after about 500 meters once the crowd begins to thin out. Torre Castilnovo, the medieval stone tower that is more or less in the center of the nudist part of the beach, is 1.1 kilometers north of the point where you access the beach.
starting point:  Exit 36 (Vejer de la Frontera, Los Caños de Meca) of the A-48 motorway near Vejer de la Frontera
Vejer de la Frontera is a hilltop town a bit inland from the coast, between Algeciras and Cádiz. Vejer de la Frontera is connected to Algericas by N-340 and to the outskirts of Cádiz by the A-48 motorway. N-340 and A-48 are actually one continuous road, and Vejer de la Frontera is near the point where the numbering and the motorway status changes. (There were plans for A-48 to be extended all the way to Algeciras, superseding N-340, but construction on the Vejer-to-Algeciras segment has not started as of 2019, and the future of the planned extension is uncertain.)
If you are heading east on A-48 (coming from Cádiz), Exit 36 is the last exit before the motorway ends and continues as N-340. If you are heading west on N-340 (going toward Cádiz), Exit 36 is the first exit after N-340 westbound traffic is filtered onto the start of A-48. Regardless of the direction of approach, upon exiting follow the signs for Vejer de la Frontera and Los Caños de Meca to negotiate your way through the roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange. Just beyond the interchange, you will reach another roundabout where the route to Vejer de la Frontera diverges from the route to Los Caños de Meca. Take the departure signed El Palmar, Zahora and Los Caños de Meca. At that point, you will be at the start of A-2230, and you will pass kilometer marker 0 as you leave the roundabout.
Follow A-2230 southwest for 7.3 kilometers to the end of the route at a roundabout that is a bit past kilometer marker 7 and a BP gas station. The roundabout forms the junction with A-2233, and it is between kilometer markers 7 and 8 of A-2233.
To go to Playa de la Mangueta: From the A-2230/A-2233 junction, take the roundabout departure signed Zahora, Los Caños and Barbate. Head south on A-2233 for 1.8 kilometers to the next roundabout, which is 500-600 meters past marker 9. Take the first departure (Playa de Mangueta), then proceed as directed above.
To go to Playa de Castilnovo: From the A-2230/A-2233 junction, take the roundabout departure signed Conil de la Frontera. Head north on A-2233 for 900 meters to the next roundabout, which is less than 200 meters past marker 7. Take the second departure (El Palmar), then proceed as directed above.
ALTERNATE ACCESS TO PLAYA DE LA MANGUETA
Follow the directions above as though you were going to Playa de Castilnovo, all the way to the small seaside roundabout indicated by the star.★ At the seaside roundabout, go left, such that you are going south on the beachfront road (with the ocean on your right-hand side). Continue one kilometer to the point where the asphalt ends. At that point, a narrow dirt track continue straight ahead, while a broad and well-surfaced gravel road goes off to the left (inland). If you keep straight ahead, in about 100 meters you will reach an informal beachfront parking area. If the track seems too rough, turn left onto the gravel road instead. In less than 100 meters you will reach a parking lot on the right (36.2179N, 6.0596W). It is signed with a blue-and-white "P" panel. When you return to the beach on foot, you will be at the south end of Playa del Palmar. Facing the ocean, turn left and head south. In a few hundred meters you should encounter a nudist and textile mix as the beach population thins out. (By that point you will have crossed the invisible and seemingly arbitrary boundary between Playa del Palmar and Playa de la Mangueta.)
SHORTCUT TO PLAYA DE CASTILNOVO (IF COMING FROM CONIL DE LA FRONTERA)
If you are coming from Conil de la Frontera (i.e., going south on A-2233), there is no need to proceed all the way to the roundabout that is between kilometer markers 6 and 7. Once you pass marker 3, continue south 300-400 meters and take the next right (not counting a minor track) onto a gravel road signed Camino de Marcucaña. Follow the gravel road about 1.3 kilometers to its end at a "T" with the asphalted beachfront road. Turn right. Continue about 300 meters to parking at the dead end of the beachfront road, then continue as directed above.
MAP from A-48 Exit 36 to parking (La Mangueta)
MAP from A-48 Exit 36 to parking (Castilnovo)
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Mangueta and Playa de Castilnovo.

This placemark pertains to Playa de la Mangueta and Playa de Castilnovo.

junction of A-2230 & A-2233 at roundabout

BP gas station

small seafront roundabout

parking area at end of road

Torre Castilnovo (16th-century stone watchtower)

footbridge over Salado River near its mouth

informal parking

short segment of A-2230

road to Playa de la Mangueta

beachfront road of El Palmar

road connecting roundabout along A-2233 to beachfront road

Camino de Marcucaña

narrow dirt track

short segment of broad gravel road

northernmost boardwalk in El Palmar

Calas de Roche & Cala de Melchor

Conil de la Frontera, or just Conil for short, is a seaside town and municipality located about halfway along the Atlantic coastline of Cádiz. The town itself is a historic cluster of whitewashed structures that are iconic of Andalucía. About 10 kilometers northwest of the old town of Conil, Roche is a modern and rather exclusive seaside residential district of Conil that is blanketed in villas with swimming pools amid tree-lined streets. A lighthouse called the Faro de Roche is a bit south of Roche. The largest stretch of beach in Roche is simply known as Playa de Roche. Starting at the south end of Playa de Roche and extending southward to the lighthouse, there is a series of seven small and picturesque beaches located beneath colorful reddish cliffs. Spanning about 2 kilometers, these beaches comprise the Calas de Roche, alternately known as the Calas de Poniente. From north to south, the beaches are named Encendida, El Aspero, Frailecillo, El Pato, Desconocida, El Tío Juan de Medina and El Faro. Nudity is commonplace as some of the beaches, with nudity becoming more prevalent farther south toward the lighthouse.
Cala Encendida and Cala del Aspero are the largest and deepest of the beaches, and they directly abut the development of Roche. Both are textile. The other five beaches are along a very scenic, natural stretch of coastline that is between Roche and the lighthouse.
Cala Frailecillo is just beyond the end of the development of Roche, and it has nudist potential on uncrowded days but is otherwise overwhelmingly textile. Cala del Pato is separated from Cala Desconocida by a scree of boulders. El Pato (the smaller of the two) tends to draw a good many nudists, while longer Desconocida tends to be mixed on uncrowded days but just about all textile on crowded days. Desconocida is not as deep as the other beaches, so it almost completely disappears at high tide.
Cala del Tío Juan de Medina is a somewhat deeper beach that tends to consistently draw a large percentage of nudists, and it has the largest expanse of sand of the five beaches that get regular or sporadic nude use. Cala del Faro is a much smaller neighboring beach that is the last of the beaches, just a few hundred meters from the lighthouse. It tends to be mostly nudist.
There is a parking row all along the road that runs on top of the cliff from Roche to the lighthouse, and there is a cliff-top trail that parallels that road. There are three short trails that connect the parking row to the cliff-top trail, and there are staircases down to all the various beaches. At the top of each staircase, a sign indicates the name of the beach. There are no amenities at any of the beaches.
The lighthouse is located at a bend of the coastline. A bit east of the lighthouse (i.e., going toward the old town of Conil), Cala del Aceite is a small beach that has a similar appearance to the Calas de Roche. While it used to get some nudist frequentation, bare bathing is rare at El Aceite these days. It is almost always entirely textile on crowded days, with the possibility of nudity limited to lightly visited pre- and post-summer days. Continuing southeast toward Conil, it is 1.3 kilometers to the next significant beach—Playa de Fuente del Gallo, a textile beach that is near residential structures. A track runs atop the cliff from Cala del Aceite and Playa de Fuente del Gallo, and this stretch of coastline is quite rugged. About 300 meters east of Cala del Aceite, Cala Melchor is a tiny beach amid the beautiful red cliffs. The path to the beach is short but a bit challenging. A certain level of physical fitness is necessary to scramble down a scree of boulders. Cala Melchor typically has a deposit of sand that extends about 30 meters, and the beach basically vanishes at high tide. Nude bathing is the norm. About 300 meters east of Cala Melchor, there is a very similar pocket of sand called Cala de los Pitones. It is potentially nudist but usually just empty since there is not a feasible access down the cliffs. Anyone present at Los Pitones is likely to have kayaked there.
Cala del Aceite has toilets, shower and a café.
This placemark pertains to Calas de Roche and Cala de Melchor.

Calas de Roche
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Calas de Roche and Cala de Melchor.)
GPS:
36.3054N, 6.1495W (Cala Frailecillo)
36.3029N, 6.1473W (Cala Desconocida)
36.2990N, 6.1443W (Cala del Tío Juan de Medina)
Conil de la Frontera, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
There are 26 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Calas de Roche and Cala de Melchor.

Cala de Melchor
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Calas de Roche and Cala de Melchor.)
Conil de la Frontera, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
There are 26 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Calas de Roche and Cala de Melchor.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45bnKGQ
starting point:  Exit 15 (Conil, El Colorado, La Barrosa, N-340) of the A-48 motorway near Chiclana de la Frontera
Exit 15 is on the southern outskirts of Chiclana de la Frontera, which is south of the city of Cádiz. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the third departure, which is signed Conil, El Colorado, La Barrosa and Cabo Roche. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be heading south on N-340.
In 1.4 kilometers, take note when you pass the right-hand turnoff toward La Barrosa, but keep straight ahead. Continue along N-340 about 700 meters to the third roundabout past the La Barrosa turnoff. Take the first departure of that roundabout (effectively just a right turn), toward Urb. Roche and Entre Ramas Aventura.
Once you depart the roundabout, follow the road through the countryside for 4.7 kilometers until you reach a booth and a lift gate at a Roche Residencial sign. Roche is a quasi-controlled-access community, but the streets beyond the gate are open to the public at no charge. During daylight hours, the gate will likely already be open or will automatically lift as you approach. If not, just tell the attendant you are heading toward the lighthouse (el faro).
After the gate, keep straight ahead another 1.1 kilometers until you reach a stop sign. Turn left, following the Calas sign. At that point, you will begin heading south on Avenida de Europa, but there is no conspicuous street signage. About a kilometer farther on, you will reach a small roundabout at the point where the development of Roche abruptly ends. A couple of departures of the roundabout are marked with "do not enter" panels. Take the only possible departure of the roundabout, continuing more or less straight ahead.
Once you leave the small roundabout, you will be on a narrow paved road that parallels the coastline, and there is a gravel parking lane along most of the inland side of the road. The road goes to a lighthouse, which is about 1.5 kilometers ahead, and the series of beaches that are collectively known as the Calas de Roche are located along that entire expanse. Along the 1.5-kilometer stretch, there are three beach access signs (Acceso a Playa), and there are broad white stripes painted across the road at all three signs. The first access sign is 500-600 meters from the small roundabout, and it leads directly to Cala Desconocida. The second access sign is 400 meters farther on, and it leads directly to Cala del Tío Juan de Medina. The third access is 300 meters after that, and it leads directly to Cala del Faro. There is also another access 200 meters farther on, at the lighthouse, but it just doubles back toward Cala del Faro. It takes just a few minutes to walk to the various beaches from the closest access. Wherever you park, you can follow the cliff-top trail to get from one beach to the next. If you park around 36.2984N, 6.1427W, you will be between the second and third accesses.
To continue to Cala de Melchor:
Follow the above directions, but continue all the way to the lighthouse, where the road will curve to the left, following a bend of the coastline. 400-500 meters past the lighthouse, you will reach a stop sign at a "T" junction. Turn left. (A right turn would take you into the parking lot of the marina that is next to the lighthouse.)
Upon turning, you will be on CA-4202. Go one kilometer, then turn right onto a gravel road that goes toward Ohai Conil Resort. (If you pass kilometer marker 3, you have missed the turn by about 100 meters.)
Follow the gravel road 200 meters to a fork. Keep to the left. Less than 100 meters farther on, keep straight ahead past the entrance to Ohai Conil Resort, following the playa sign. From that point, the road continues about 400 meters to the edge of the cliff overlooking Cala del Aceite. The cliff edge is bordered by wooden railing. The area leading up to the cliff is a rather amorphous earthen parking area (36.2974N, 6.1314W).
Facing the ocean at the wooden railing, the stairs that descend to Cala del Aceite will be to your right. Go left instead, heading east along a clifftop path that is about 10 meters above sea level, with the ocean on your right-hand side. In 300-400 meters you will reach Cala de Melchor, which is the first tiny beach to the east of Cala del Aceite. Once the beach comes into view, keep walking just a bit to find the path down to the beach, which goes through a gully-like cleft in the cliff.
MAP from A-48 Exit 15 to parking (Calas de Roche)
MAP from A-48 Exit 15 to Ohai Conil Resort★★ (for access to Cala de Melchor)
★★ Google Maps will not accurately draw the short road segment between Ohai Conil Resort and Cala del Aceite.
This placemark pertains to Calas de Roche and Cala de Melchor.

red-and-white lift gate at "Roche Residencial" sign
This placemark pertains to Calas de Roche and Cala de Melchor.

Cala Encendida (textile)

Cala del Aspero (textile)

small roundabout at southern edge of Roche

Cala Frailecillo (some nudity, but mostly textile)

Cala del Pato (mixed nudist & textile)

Cala Desconocida (some nudity, but mostly textile)

Cala del Tío Juan de Medina (mostly nudist)

Cala del Faro (mostly nudist)

1st beach access (going north to south)

2nd beach access (going north to south)

parking all along road for more than a kilometer

3rd beach access (going north to south)

4th beach access (going north to south)

Faro de Roche (lighthouse at the Puerto de Conil marina)

entrance to Ohai Conil Resort

Cala del Aceite (textile)

Cala de los Pitones (potentially nudist, but usually deserted due to difficulty of access)

Playa de Fuente del Gallo (textile)

roads connecting Roche to CA-4202

segment of CA-4202

gravel road to Cala del Aceite

clifftop path

stairs

acess path

beach access path

zone of nude use, both established & irregular

Playa de Levante

Playa de Levante
The city of Cádiz is situated on a narrow spit of land that projects northward into the Bay of Cádiz. The town of El Puerto de Santa María is about 9 kilometers north and east of the city as the crow flies, across the bay. Two rivers flow into the bay in El Puerto de Santa María: the mouth of the Guadalete is immediately south of the urban core of the town, then the mouth of the San Pedro is 6 to 7 kilometers farther south. There is one long sandy beach between the two river mouths, but the beach has two names. The northern segment of the beach, extending about 1.5 kilometers, is called Playa de Valdelagrana. It is an urban beach backed by hotels and apartment buildings, with a broad promenade along its length. The rest of the beach, extending south to the mouth of the San Pedro, is called Playa de Levante, and it is a wild beach backed by a wetlands preserve. Since the mid-'00s, the entirety of the preserve has been off limits to motorized traffic (with an exception for a seasonal beach shuttle).
The only direct automobile access to Playa de Levante is at its north end where it borders Playa de Valdelagrana. From that point, it is about 4.5 kilometers to the San Pedro, and the beach population quickly thins out going in that direction. In 2003, part of Playa de Levante was officially designated for naturism, with a sign marking the start of the nude area placed about 2 kilometers south of the end of the promenade of Playa de Valdelagrana. During summer, taking the beach shuttle reduces the long walk by about 800 meters. Despite the official designation, Levante seems to have failed to launch as a really popular nude beach, never drawing a critical mass of naturists. The sign disappeared after a few years and has never been replaced, and the small number of nudists that visit tend to be quite spread out, so it is difficult to define a zone of established nude use. All in all, Playa de Levante is quite a minor nudist location compared to the nude beaches that are farther east in the province of Cádiz. It may not be worth your while unless you also have an interest in exploring the wetlands, which are covered in boardwalks and well-surfaced gravel roads. While a good bit of walking is necessary to get to the southern realm of Playa de Levante, you can get there in just a few minutes by bicycle.
The commercial port of Cádiz is south of Playa de Levante, a bit beyond the mouth of the San Pedro. Looking in that direction, the view is less than idyllic, but the sight of the industrial contraptions of the port is somewhat balanced by the aesthetics of the cabled-stayed bridge that spans the bay next to the port. Completed in 2015, the impressive bridge is known both as the Puente de la Constitución de 1812 or Puente de La Pepa.
El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45naUEY
starting point:  Exit 655 (El Puerto de Santa María) of the A-4 motorway between Puerto Real and El Puerto de Santa María
Exit 655 is a few kilometers northwest of the interchange of A-4 and AP-4. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a short connector road on the coast side of the motorway. In less than a kilometer, exit to the right toward El Puerto de Santa María. You will then be filtered onto CA-32, going north. In 1.5 kilometers, you will cross a bridge over the San Pedro River. There is a brown río San Pedro at the start of the bridge, then at the end of the bridge you will pass kilometer marker 0 (marking the end of CA-32) and the El Puerto de Santa María town sign. Beyond the bridge, you will be on the unnumbered main road through El Puerto de Santa María.
Continue about 300 meters past the bridge to the first junction, where there is a red light. You ultimately want to go left at the junction, but you accomplish that by first veering right in order to make a "jug-handle" left. Once you complete the turn, you will immediately enter a roundabout. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout. (The departures of the roundabout are not well signed. Watch for a small, boxy white utility building that is taller that it is wide, then take the departure that is immediately past that building.) Once you leave the roundabout, you will be at the start of Avenida del Mar, heading toward Playa de Valdelagrana.
Follow Avenida del Mar about 500 meters. Watch on your left for an elaborate white gateway with three arches and three iron gates, signed Puerta del Toruño (36.5740N, 6.2163W). There are pull-in parking spaces on the left starting just past the gateway, and there is a gravel parking lot on the right opposite the gateway. If you continue along Avenida del Mar, in 900 meters you will reach the end of the street next to the beach (where you would have to make a right turn to continue farther). There is parking throughout the area (36.5683N, 6.2221W).
Park near the white gateway to take the beach shuttle or for a long hike. If the beach shuttle is not running, your walk will be shorter if you park near the end of Avenida del Mar.
The white gateway is the entrance to a wetlands preserve, and a signboard next to the gateway has the incredibly long name of the preserve printed on it: Parque Metropolitano Marisma de los Toruños y Pinar de la Algaida. The preserve is a peninsular land mass that covers about 6 square kilometers. Playa de Levante is on the ocean side of the peninsula, along the Bay of Cádiz. The San Pedro River is on the inland side of the peninsula, and it flows into the bay at the south end of Playa de Levante. Some of the gravel roads in the preserve used to be open to automobiles, but since the early '00s the roads have been closed to motorized vehicles with the exception of a beach shuttle, which is a golf-cart-type transport designed to resemble a train. There are a number of short bridges over streams in the preserve, and those that used to be designed for cars have been replaced. All the bridges in the preserve are now wooden bridges that are essentially broad pedestrian bridges, but the beach shuttle does cross a few of them.
The beach shuttle operates during peak season (mid-June through mid-September), departing near the white gateway. Fare is a few euros. The shuttle travels about 2 kilometers into the preserve and drops passengers off next to Chiringuito Chamaleo, which is located in what used to be a beach parking lot. Facing the ocean at the old parking lot, turn left and walk south. It is nearly 4 kilometers to the end of the beach at the mouth of the San Pedro River. Along the way, there are three small wooden observation pavilions in the dunes, each are easily spotted from the beach. Each pavilion is located at the end of a boardwalk that crosses the wetlands behind the beach. The first pavilion is about 1.2 kilometers south of the old parking lot, then the second pavilion is about 1.2 kilometers farther south, then the third pavilion is about one kilometer farther south near the mouth of the river. The sign that once marked the start of the nude area was placed in the vicinity of the first pavilion, but there has been no signage for years. There is no well-defined endpoint to the nude area, but the entire southern realm of Playa de Levante around the three observation pavilions is largely deserted.
If you choose to walk or cycle all the way to the nude area, you can start at the white gateway. The broad gravel road that begins at the gateway is the main road through the wetlands preserve, and it extends southward for 4.4 kilometers to a wooden observation tower. Along the way, there are three short wooden bridges along the main road.
After following the main road for 1.5 kilometers and crossing two of the short wooden bridges, keep straight ahead past a road going off to the right. (That is the road that the beach shuttle follows to the old parking lot.) About 1.2 kilometers farther on, you will reach a four-way intersection where there are primitive toilets, a small snack stand (limited hours) and a small pavilion with a few picnic tables. There is a boardwalk along the cross road going off in either direction. Turn right. In about 850 meters, the road and the parallel boardwalk end at the first of the wooden observation pavilions referenced above, which is roughly where the nude area begins.
Alternatively, assume you keep straight ahead through the four-way intersection, continuing along the main road. In 700 meters you will cross the last of the wooden bridges along the main road, then nearly one kilometer farther on you will reach the aforementioned observation tower, which has several flights of stairs. At the observation tower, the main road ends, with a narrower gravel road going off to the right. Two perpendicular boardwalks begin at that junction. One continues straight ahead from where the main road ends. The other goes off to the right, running alongside the narrower gravel road. If you turn right, in a little over 400 meters the road and the boardwalk will end at the second of the wooden observation pavilions. If you follow the boardwalk that is straight ahead from the end of the main road, it is about 800 meters to the third of the wooden observation pavilions.
If you park near the end of Avenida del Mar, you will land on the beach near the border of Playa de Valdelagrana (the promenade-backed beach that extends northward) and Playa de Levante (the wild beach that extends southward). Valdelagrana and Levante are the same expanse of sand. Facing the ocean, turn left and head south. It is about 800 meters to Chiringuito Chamaleo and the old parking lot, then the first of the wooden observation pavilions is about 1.2 kilometers farther on.
MAP from A-4 Exit 655 to parking (next to white gateway)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Levante.

bridges over San Pedro River
This placemark pertains to Playa de Levante.

first red light northwest of San Pedro River
This placemark pertains to Playa de Levante.

roundabout with several small pyramids

roundabout where Avenida del Mar begins

gravel parking lot

parking near end of street

start of seasonal beach shuttle at white gateway signed "Puerta del Toruño"

wooden bridge

seasonal beach shuttle dropoff point at old parking lot

Chiringuito Chamaleo

picnic tables, primitive toilets, snack stand

wooden observation pavilion

wooden observation tower

mouth of San Pedro River

segment of main road through El Puerto de Santa Maria (northbound lanes)

segment of main road through El Puerto de Santa Maria (southbound lanes)

Avenida del Mar

broad main gravel road (no motorized vehicles)

gravel road (no motorized vehicles)

Playa de Punta Candor

Playa de Punta Candor
Playa de Punta Candor and Playa de los Corrales are contiguous beaches that collectively span about 2.2 kilometers on the north end of the town of Rota. Both beaches generally face west, but Playa de Punta Candor is oriented slightly to the northwest, while Playa de los Corrales is oriented slightly to the southwest. Punta Candor is the protrusion of the coastline that is the transitional area between the two beaches, where the coastline bends. Punta Candor has historically been a gathering place for nudists, attended mostly by gay men. It seems there has been an attrition of bare bathers over the years as the construction of boardwalks has made the area more accessible. There are now a good many textiles passing through, and there is also now a beach bar adjacent to the nude area. A few nudists continue to visit the beach, but don't be surprised if you show up and there are no nudists at all. Nudity at Punta Candor seems to be more a relic of the past than a reality of the present. The nude area is not ideal for swimming due to the shallow, rocky fish pens (corrales) that extend several hundred meters offshore.
Rota, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47AvLXl
36.6387N, 6.3918W (roundabout next to Chiringuito Lucia at northwest end of Rota)
The roundabout referenced above is next to the ocean, and there are two consecutive departures that are both signed as dead ends (marked by red-white-and-blue panels). Take the "dead-end" departure that is closer to the ocean and Chiringuito Lucia. In about 100 meters you will enter a large parking lot. Drive as far as possible and park at the far end of the lot.
From the far end of the parking lot, cross the footbridge that spans a canal-like stream. Immediately after the footbridge, turn right onto a boardwalk. Shortly you will reach a junction next to a tall, prominent radar tower. Follow the boardwalk that goes out to the beach, where the boardwalk ends next to an eatery called Chiringuito Bhuda Candor. Facing the ocean, turn left and head southeast. The nude area begins just a bit past Bhuda Candor and extends a few hundred meters, ending approximately at the wooden pavilion where the next boardwalk emerges at the beach. The total walk from the parking lot to the nude area is just 300-400 meters.
Alternatively, when you get to the junction next to the radar tower, take the other boardwalk, which enters a forested area. Follow the boardwalk through the forest to the next junction and turn right, then continue until the boardwalk emerges from the forest at the aforementioned wooden pavilion. Facing the ocean, the nude area will be to your right. The walk is a few hundred meter longer if you go through the forest.
starting point:  Exit 649 (Poblado de Doña Blanca) of the A-4 motorway near El Puerto de Santa Maria
Exit 649 is 8 to 9 kilometers north of the interchange of A-4 and AP-4. Upon exiting, follow the signs for El Puerto de Santa Maria, Rota and Chipiona to negotiate your way through the exit interchange. Continue to follow signs for Rota and Chipiona and you will be filtered onto A-491. Keep straight ahead. You will be on A-491 for a while, going in a generally northwesterly direction.
About 22 kilometers from the motorway, just after passing kilometer marker 8 of A-491, take the exit that is signed Rota-Norte and A-2076. (Don't confuse the Rota-Norte/A-2076 exit with the Rota-Sur/A-2075 exit, which you will have already passed between kilometer markers 11 and 10.)
Upon exiting, follow the sign for Rota and you will be filtered onto route A-2076. Follow A-2076 about 3.5 kilometers (continuing to follow signs for Rota at a couple of roundabouts) and you will reach a point where there are rows of pull-in parking spaces on both sides of the road. In about 100 meters, just after the parking rows end, you will pass the Rota town sign. It is a stylized sign with an image of a fountain and a stone fortress.
Immediately after the town sign, you will enter the roundabout next to Chiringuito Lucia. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Punta Candor.

large, billboard-style Rota town sign
This placemark pertains to Playa de Punta Candor.

roundabout nearest town sign
This placemark pertains to Playa de Punta Candor.

Chiringuito Lucia

roundabout departure signed as a dead end

footbridge

radar tower

Chiringuito Bhuda Candor

wooden pavilion

route from town sign to parking

paths/boardwalks

boardwalks

Huelva

Playa de Doñana

Playa de Doñana
Doñana National Park is a large coastal and river delta preserve that spans three Andalucían provinces—Huelva, Cádiz and Sevilla. Matalascañas is the southeasternmost coastal town of Huelva, and it is bordered on three sides by the national park. From the southeastern edge of Matalascañas, it is about 27 kilometers (as the crow flies) to the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. The entire realm of the park from Matalascañas to the Guadalquivir is a roadless area that is off limits to motorized vehicles, with the exception of authorized guided off-roading tours. The seemingly endless beach extending from Matalascañas to the Guadalquivir is Playa de Doñana, and for most of its length it is backed by a vast range of sand dunes that extends inland for several kilometers.
The only land access to Playa de Doñana is from Matalascañas. Heading toward the Guadalquivir, the beach population quickly dwindles. Nude bathing is common once visitors become few and far between. The nude area is not well defined, so it is difficult to say exactly how far you need to walk from Matalascañas before you will encounter nudists on a particular day. Furthermore, nudists tend to be quite spread out. Although Playa de Doñana offers endless space to be naked, it is not nearly as popular with bare bathers as are two better established nude beaches located toward the western periphery of Doñana National Park: Playa del Asperillo and Playa del Rompeculos.
Almonte, Huelva, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KGePVK
37.0142N, 6.5624W (junction of A-494 and A-484 at roundabout in Matalascañas)
Two numbered roads, A-494 and A-484, lead to Matalascañas. Both roads terminate at the roundabout referenced above, which is a large roundabout with Matalascañas spelled in stylized letters. At the roundabout, follow hoteles and centro salud signs (NOT the playa and centro ciudad signs). When you depart the roundabout, you will be at the start of a road that goes southeast along the inland periphery of Matalascañas. The road comes to a dead end after 4.7 kilometers, and along the way there are ten roundabouts. Follow the road for 4 kilometers, keeping straight ahead until you reach the ninth (i.e., next-to-last) roundabout, which is identifiable by the art installation in its median: a broken wall (part brick, part stucco) next to an oversized urn-like vessel. Take the first roundabout departure (effectively just a right turn), which has signs pointing toward Gran Hotel del Coto and a number of eateries.
Once you leave the roundabout, proceed 600-700 meters to a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left, continuing toward Gran Hotel del Coto. Continue 300-400 meters and take the next right (which is your only option since the road straight ahead has a "do not enter" panel). Continue 250-300 meters to a "T" and turn left (which is your only option since the road to the right has a "do not enter" panel). Just over 100 meters farther on, keep straight ahead through a four-way intersection. About 100 meters farther on, the asphalt will end as you enter an earthen parking lot (36.9842N, 6.5290W). A fee is collected during peak season.
The parking lot is the southeasternmost parking area in Matalascañas, and it is located at the boundary of Matalascañas and Doñana National Park. Chiringuito El Navegante, the last of the beachfront eateries of Matalascañas, is on the beach end of the parking lot. Facing the ocean, turn left and head southeast. The nude area does not have definite boundaries, but bare bathing is generally acceptable once the crowd begins to thin out. Plan to walk at least 500 meters—and perhaps more than one kilometer on really crowded days.
starting point:  Exit 48 or 50 (Bollullos, La Palma, Almonte, P.N. Doñana) of the A-49 motorway near Bollullos Par del Condado
A-49 is a 132-kilometer-long motorway that runs from Seville to the border with Portugal. Exits 48 and 50 are connected interchanges with the same signage, and they are between Seville and the city of Huelva. If you are going toward Portugal, the exit number is 48 (and there is no 50). If you are going toward Seville, the exit number is 50 (and there is no 48). Upon exiting, follow signs for Almonte and P.N. Doñana to negotiate your way through the interchange. Once you head away from the interchange, you will be going south on A-482, which goes all the way to Matalascañas—a distance of about 41 kilometers. The last kilometer marker along A-482 is numbered 41. Just after marker 41, you will enter the roundabout referenced above (i.e., the junction of A-482 and A-494). Proceed as directed above.
alternate starting point:  Exit 75 (Trigueros, Badajoz, San Juan del Puerto, A-494) of the A-49 motorway near San Juan del Puerto
Exit 75 is on the northeastern outskirts of the city of Huelva. Upon exiting, follow signs for San Juan del Puerto and Moguer to negotiate your way through the exit interchange. When you depart the exit interchange, you will be at the start of A-494, which goes south and east all the way to Matalascañas—a distance of about 53 kilometers. The last kilometer marker along A-494 is numbered 53. Just after marker 53, you will enter the roundabout referenced above (i.e., the junction of A-494 and A-482). Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Doñana.

roundabout (junction of A-494 & A-484)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Doñana.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Doñana.

roundabout (art installation: broken wall—part brick, part stucco—next to oversized urn-like vessel)

Gran Hotel del Coto

earthen parking lot

Chiringuito El Navegante

road along the inland periphery of Matalascañas

segments of several roads

Playa del Rompeculos & Playa del Asperillo

The seaside town of Mazagón is roughly halfway along the coastline of Huelva. Starting in Mazagón, there is an enormous beach that extends southeast more than 50 kilometers to the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. Besides Mazagón, the only town along that expanse is Matalascañas, which is roughly halfway between Mazagón and the Guadalquivir. Just about all of this vast beach lies within the boundaries of Doñana National Park, and there are a number of names for various beach segments that blend into one another. Between Mazagón and Matalascañas, the beach is backed by sandstone bluffs and a coastal forest, and this part of the beach is reasonably easy to access from a road that parallels the coastline. At Matalascañas, all roads end and the beach backdrop changes. The rest of the beach extending to the river is backed by an enormous area of sand dunes.
The entire beach from Mazagón to the Guadalquivir is replete with empty expanses where nudity is possible. The two areas where nudity is best established are Playa del Rompeculos and Playa del Asperillo. Both are between Mazagón and Matalascañas, and both are wild and beautiful beaches that are similar in appearance.
Going southeast from Mazagón, there is very limited development all the way to Matalascañas. About 6 kilometers from Mazagón, there is a small resort hotel called Parador Nacional de Mazagón, then Camping Doñana is 4 to 5 kilometers farther southeast. The segment of beach between the hotel and the campground is Playa del Rompeculos. The beach is accessed by a long boardwalk (500-600 meters) that makes a gradual descent from the nearest parking. Going southeast from the end of the boardwalk, the next significant point of access is 3 kilometers away at Camping Doñana. Most of that expanse is potentially nudist, but bare bathers cluster a bit southeast of the boardwalk, then the beach tends to become deserted. Playa del Rompeculos has no amenities.
The parking area for Playa del Asperillo is about 7 kilometers southeast of that for Playa del Rompeculos. Playa del Asperillo is just as often referred to as Playa de Cuesta Maneli. The boardwalk leading to El Asperillo is about 1.2 kilometers long, but it is an easy walk through a beautiful coastal scrub forest. Since the access is about twice as long as that for El Rompeculos, El Asperillo tends to have somewhat fewer visitors than El Rompeculos. There is a snack stand at the point where you land on the beach. While there is ample space for nudists going in either direction, the established nude area is a bit southeast of the access point. The beach becomes deserted beyond the initial crowd of nudists, but nudity is possible for as far as you'd care to walk. It is more than 10 kilometers to the next point of access near Matalascañas.
Nude bathers along the vast beaches of Doñana National Park tend to cluster near the access points of Playa del Rompeculos and Playa del Asperillo. However, there is also a smaller and much more dispersed nudist presence at Playa de Doñana, which is the beach of the much more remote part of the park between Matalascañas and the Guadalquivir.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Rompeculos and Playa del Asperillo (Cuesta Maneli).

Playa del Rompeculos
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Rompeculos and Playa del Asperillo (Cuesta Maneli).)
Moguer, Huelva, Andalucía, Spain
There are 19 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Asperillo (Cuesta Maneli) and Playa del Rompeculos.

Playa del Asperillo (Cuesta Maneli)
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Rompeculos and Playa del Asperillo (Cuesta Maneli).)
Almonte, Huelva, Andalucía, Spain
There are 19 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Asperillo (Cuesta Maneli) and Playa del Rompeculos.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qvhB9q
Mazagón and Matalascañas are coastal towns that are about 30 kilometers apart, with no towns and very limited development between them. They are connected by A-494, which hews toward the coast as it traverses a pine forest. Playa del Rompeculos and Playa del Asperillo are both between Mazagón and Matalascañas. Both beaches are accessed from large, shaded earthen parking lots that are along the coast side of A-494, but neither beach is well signed. As you turn away from A-494 to enter either parking lot, you will pass a small wooden booth where a parking fee is collected during peak season.
To go to Playa del Rompeculos, set your GPS device to:
37.1095N, 6.7532W (beach parking lot at kilometer 32.6 of A-494, southeast of Mazagón)
A boardwalk goes downhill from the parking lot to the beach. The distance is about 600 meters, with an elevation loss of about 40 meters. Facing the ocean, turn left and walk southeast. Within a few hundred meters, you will begin to encounter nudists after the crowd of textiles clustered near the access point begins to thin out.
To go to Playa del Asperillo, set your GPS device to:
37.0806N, 6.6862W (beach parking lot at kilometer 39.7 of A-494, between Mazagón and Matalascañas)
From the parking lot, a boardwalk at first goes slightly uphill before descending toward the beach. The distance is about 1.2 kilometers, with an elevation loss of about 50 meters. At the end of the boardwalk, two long staircases make the final descent to the beach. It doesn't really matter which one you follow since they land on the beach just 60 meters apart, but your walk to the nude area will be slightly shorter if you follow the staircase farther to the left. Facing the ocean at the beach, turn left and walk southeast about 200 meters and you will begin to encounter nudists.
starting point:  Exit 75 (Trigueros, Badajoz, San Juan del Puerto, A-494) of the A-49 motorway near San Juan del Puerto
A-49 is a 132-kilometer-long motorway that runs from Seville to the border with Portugal. Exit 75 is on the northeastern outskirts of the city of Huelva. Upon exiting, follow signs for San Juan del Puerto and Moguer to negotiate your way through the exit interchange. When you depart the exit interchange, you will be at the start of A-494, at kilometer 0. You will be on A-494 all the way to your destination whether you are going to Playa del Rompeculos or Playa del Asperillo, and the kilometer marker numbers ascend the farther you go. There are just a few forks and roundabouts along the way. Just continue to follow A-494 signs at all junctions.
For about 25 kilometers, you will be going mostly south toward the coast until you reach the outskirts of the coastal town of Mazagón. At that point, A-494 begins to go southeast, parallel to the coastline but a bit inland from the coast. Once you begin seeing signs for Mazagón, start paying attention to the kilometer markers. About 32 kilometers from the motorway, a bit past the turnoff to Parador Nacional de Mazagón, you will reach kilometer marker 32.
From marker 32, continue 600 meters to the right-hand turnoff into the Playa del Rompeculos parking lot. Or, continue another 7.1 kilometers to the right-hand turnoff into the Playa del Asperillo parking lot, which is 700 meters past marker 39. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-49 Exit 75 to parking (El Rompeculos)
MAP from A-49 Exit 75 to parking (El Asperillo)
This placemark pertains to Playa del Rompeculos and Playa del Asperillo (Cuesta Maneli).

This placemark pertains to Playa del Rompeculos and Playa del Asperillo (Cuesta Maneli).

Parador Nacional de Mazagón (resort)

Camping Doñana

chiringuito

final descent to beach

Playa de los Enebrales

Playa de los Enebrales
Punta Umbría is a town on the west side of a delta where a number of rivers converge. It is south and very slightly west of Huelva, the provincial capital that is just a bit inland amid several of those rivers. Punta Umbría is located in something of a geographic cul-de-sac due to the barrier created by the marshy delta area. In other words, it is not on the way to anywhere. The beach abutting the urban development of Punta Umbría is known simply as Playa de Punta Umbría. Going northwest from the last beachfront structures, there is an expanse of about 2.5 kilometers where the beach has a wooded backdrop, separated from a coastal road by a broad band of coastal forest. That beach segment is called Playa de los Enebrales, which means "Beach of the Junipers." Beyond Los Enebreles, the coastal road begins to run directly alongside the beach, and that beach segment is called Playa de la Bota. Playa de Punta Umbría, Playa de los Enebrales are Playa de la Bota are just segments of the same long expanse of sand.
Playa de los Enebrales is connected to the nearby coastal road by multiple boardwalks, all less than 300 meters long, that cross the coastal forest. Nudity customarily occurs toward the northwest end of Playa de los Enebrales, in the area where the boardwalks most distant from Punta Umbría land on the beach. Sadly, nudity at Los Enebrales has diminished over the years due to a substantial increase in the number of summertime visitors. During July and August, and especially on holidays and weekends, the entire beach is likely to be overtaken by textiles. Even if you find a spot sufficiently removed from the nearest textiles, there is likely to be a good bit of foot traffic along the beach. The nudist potential of Los Enebrales is best realized on days when the beach is not too crowded. Playa de los Enebrales is about 17 kilometers by car from the city center of Huelva, making it the closest beach to the city with a known nudist presence. Beaches with a more consistent nudist presence are a bit farther afield from the city.
There are no amenities in the northwestern area of Los Enebrales. The closest eatery is Chiringuito Enebral along Playa de la Bota, about one kilometer northwest of the area of Los Enebrales where nudity is most common.
Punta Umbría, Huelva, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/447R67F
Two short numbered routes terminate in Punta Umbría. A-497 is a 17-kilometer-long motorway that connects Huelva to Punta Umbría. A-5050 is a 5-kilometer-long road that leads into Punta Umbría from the west. The entire length of A-5050 is more or less parallel to the final 5 or so kilometers of A-497. Playa de los Enebrales is accessed from A-5050.
Heading toward Punta Umbría on A-497, take Exit 9 (El Portil, El Rompido, Cartaya). Upon exiting, you will be on a long frontage lane that splits a couple of times. Follow signs for El Portil, El Rompido and Ayamonte (por La Bota) to stay on course. About 2.4 kilometers after departing A-497, you will enter a roundabout. Take the third departure (effectively making a left turn), which is signed Punta Umbría (centro), camping and Salinas del Astur. You will then be at the start of A-5050, and you will pass kilometer marker 0 immediately upon departing the roundabout.
After following A-5050 for 2 kilometers, take note when you pass marker 2. About 600 meters farther on, you will reach an unsigned junction where another road (A-5052) merges in from your right. From that point, it is about 400 meters to marker 3 of A-5050. There are six boardwalks that connect A-5050 to Playa de los Enebrales, and the first (i.e., westernmost) of them is just before marker 3. The nude area of the beach can be accessed from the three boardwalks that are farthest from Punta Umbría, while the three boardwalks farther east (closer to Punta Umbría) lead to areas that are always textile.
Each boardwalk is marked with a signboard with a map and a trail number—e.g., Sendero Enebrales 1. The numbers on the signboards are difficult to see from the road. Furthermore, the numbers are NOT numerically sequential. From west to east, the number sequence is 4, 1, 5, 2, 6, 3. Go figure.
Below are the locations of the three boardwalks farthest from Punta Umbría:
37.1950N, 7.0003W  Sendero Enebrales 4  (less than 100 meters before kilometer marker 3)
37.1929N, 6.9953W  Sendero Enebrales 1  (400 meters past kilometer marker 3)
37.1917N, 6.9925W  Sendero Enebrales 5  (700 meters past kilometer marker 3)
(Boardwalks 2, 6 and 3 are within 700 meters past marker 4.)
A walkway parallels the coast side of A-5050 for the entire length of Playa de los Enebrales, connecting all the boardwalks. There is pull-in parking all along the coast side of A-5050 between the road and the walkway.
The numbered boardwalks all traverse a picturesque band of coastal forest, and each is 250-300 meters long. Nudity should generally be avoided in the immediate vicinity of where any boardwalk lands on the beach. Boardwalks 4 and 1, which are the two westernmost of the boardwalks, are about 500 meters apart, and the area about halfway between them generally has the best nudist potential. If you follow boardwalk 4 to the beach, turn left at the end and head east. If you follow boardwalk 1 to the beach, turn right at the end and head west. Boardwalks 1 and 5 are about 300 meters apart, and the area between them offers some nudist potential as well.
starting point:  Exit 99 (Aljaraque, Cartaya-este, A-492) of the A-49 motorway near Huelva
A-49 is a 132-kilometer-long motorway that runs from Seville to the border with Portugal. Exit 99 is on the northwestern outskirts of the city of Huelva. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, following the sign for Aljaraque and Acceso a Playas. You will then be heading southeast on A-492, and you will pass kilometer marker 11 just as you leave the roundabout.
Follow A-492 for 7.8 kilometers to the next roundabout, which is not quite a full kilometer past kilometer marker 4. Just before the roundabout, veer to the right at the sign for Aljaraque Este, Punta Umbría and A-497. Or, if you enter the roundabout, just take the first departure. Either way, you will be filtered onto a connector road that takes you to A-497. Follow that connector road for 1.5 kilometers and you will reach a roundabout that forms the interchange with A-497. Two of the roundabout departures are signed A-497. Take the departure that is also signed Punta Umbría (not Huelva).
A-497 is a limited-access highway with exits. Follow it south 3.7 kilometers and take Exit 9 (El Portil, El Rompido, Cartaya), then proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-49 Exit 99 to parking (next to Sendero Enebrales 4)
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Enebrales.

roundabout at start of A-5050
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Enebrales.

This placemark pertains to Playa de los Enebrales.

"Sendero Enebrales 4" signboard

"Sendero Enebrales 1" signboard

"Sendero Enebrales 5" signboard

pull-in parking all along coast side of road

roundabout with large fountain in Punta Umbría

Chiringuito Enebral

Chiringuito Costa Recife

walkway parallel to entire length of Playa de los Enebrales

Sendero Enebrales 4 (boardwalk)

Sendero Enebrales 1 (boardwalk)

Sendero Enebrales 5 (boardwalk)

Playa de Nueva Umbría

Playa de Nueva Umbría
Toward the western side of the province of Huelva, the Piedras River flows south toward the ocean, passing between the towns of Lepe and Cartaya. Just before the river reaches the coastline, it makes a sharp bend and flows eastward for its last 10 kilometers then empties into the ocean. The geographic feature that is the result of the sudden change in the river's course is called the Flecha de Nueva Umbría. Flecha means "arrow" or "protrusion," and in this case it refers to the peninsula that extends toward the river mouth. The beach of this peninsula is vast and undeveloped. Part of the beach is officially designated for naturism. Most of the beach is simply beyond easy reach.
There is just one access road to the beach, and it takes you to a boardwalk the crosses a large area of sand dunes. The access road and the boardwalk are at the start of the peninsula (i.e., its western end). At the end of the boardwalk, there is sometimes a sign indicating that the nude beach is to the left, but the presence of signage is inconsistent. You may encounter nudists immediately as you walk east, but most nudists walk a bit away from the boardwalk before stripping down. The end of the nude area is neither well defined nor terribly important since you are likely to tire of walking before you need clothing again. However, if you do go for an extended stroll, about 2.5 kilometers from the end of the boardwalk you will suddenly come upon an area where there is a small collection of sun beds and umbrellas. That small area is called Playa del Rompido, and it is textile. Just about all visitors get there by taking a ferry from the town of El Rompido, which is on the other side of the Piedras River. Beyond that short segment of the beach, the sand extends over 7 kilometers farther east to the river mouth, and that stretch is mostly deserted, so nudity is not really an issue. Anyone who goes to that vast part of the beach is likely to get there by docking a private watercraft on the river side of the peninsula then hiking over the dunes to the beach. Most nudists, of course, just stick to the area that is near the access road.
If you walk in the other direction (i.e., west) from the end of the access boardwalk, in about 2 kilometers you will reach the edge of a coastal resort town called La Antilla. Nudity also sometimes occurs along that stretch, particularly toward the halfway point, even though that part of the beach is not designated for nudity. Any nudists in that area are likely to have approached from La Antilla.
There are no amenities at Playa de Nueva Umbría, but there are a number of beachfront eateries in La Antilla. Playa de Nueva Umbría is the westernmost established nude beach on the southern coast of Spain. Continuing west, the next nude beaches are along the Algarve coast of Portugal.
Lepe, Huelva, Andalucía, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45zhcSj
37.2254N, 7.1756W (junction of HU-3301 and A-5050 in El Terrón)
Part of the municipality of Lepe, El Terrón is a small port that is several kilometers south-southeast of the town center of Lepe. El Terrón is the start/end point of two short, minor numbered roads. HU-3301 is the road that connects to Lepe, while A-5050 goes west to a beach resort community called La Antilla. At the junction referenced above, head west toward La Antilla on A-5050. You should immediately pass kilometer marker 0. In just 200 meters, veer left at the first side road, which is marked by a brown Camino Nueva Umbría sign. You then will be on a narrow and rough road of eroded pavement. Follow that road about 1.7 kilometers until you reach its end. There is parking alongside the road (37.2087N, 7.1743W). Straight ahead, a boardwalk that is about 200 meters long goes across the dunes to the beach. Facing the ocean, turn left and walk east. You will almost immediately begin to encounter nudists.
starting point:  Exit 117 (Lepe oeste, Acceso Playas, Villablanca, N-445, HU-4400) of the A-49 motorway near Lepe
The A-49 is a 132-kilometer-long motorway that runs from Seville to the border with Portugal. Exit 117 is 15 to 16 kilometers east of the Portuguese border. Upon exiting, follow the signs for Lepe and you will begin heading south on N-445. In 700-800 meters, keep straight ahead through a roundabout. 2.2 kilometers farther on, you will reach a larger roundabout that forms the junction with N-431, and two of the departures are signed N-431. Take the departure that is also signed Lepe and Huelva.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be going east on N-431, and you will be in the outskirts of Lepe. Be sure stay on N-431 rather than following signs that point toward the center of town. In 1.8 kilometers, keep straight ahead through a large roundabout that has a fishermen-themed statue in the middle. 200-300 meters farther on, you will pass an overhead panel indicating upcoming right turns for La Antilla and El Terrón. You need to turn toward El Terrón, but it is actually not quite apparent from the sign how to do that, and the turnoff is very easy to miss if you don't know exactly what to do. By the time you get to the overhead panel, you will be in an area of fairly dense development, and there will be a small palm-lined median on your right-hand side. Note that it is not a median that separates the opposing lanes of N-431 but rather a median that separates N-431 from a parallel service lane (along which there is parking for small storefronts). Not quite 200 meters past the overhead panel, you will reach a short break in the median that is on your right. Keep straight ahead. 250 meters farther along, you will reach a second break in the median. At that point, veer right into the service lane. Once you do that, at the next possible right there is a sign pointing toward La Antilla, but do NOT turn there. Just after that you will pass a small street on the right with a "no right turn" sign, then almost immediately thereafter you will reach the right-hand turnoff toward El Terrón. Turn there.
About 300 meters after turning toward El Terrón, keep straight ahead through an oblong roundabout that has a small white chapel-like structure in the middle. Just after the roundabout, you will pass kilometer marker 0 of HU-3301. 3 kilometers farther on, you will pass marker 3.
Just after marker 3, you will begin to pass a cluster of small nautical businesses in El Terrón, but there isn't much in the way of signage to let you know where you are. 300 meters past marker 3, you will reach the junction named at the start of the directions. Turn right onto A-5050 and proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Flecha de Nueva Umbria.

kilometer marker 3 of HU-3301
This placemark pertains to Playa de Nueva Umbría.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Nueva Umbría.

"Camino Nueva Umbría" sign
This placemark pertains to Playa de Nueva Umbría.

roadside parking

Playa del Rompido (textile, accessed by ferry)

occasional nudity in this area

segment of HU-3301

crudely paved road

Aragón

Zaragosa

Embalse de Yesa

Embalse de Yesa
The Embalse de Yesa is a large reservoir along the Aragón River, covering about 20 square kilometers and spanning a regional border. Nearly all of the lake is east of the border in Aragón, but the far western end and the dam are in Navarre, as is the small town of Yesa. The reservoir began to fill up in 1959. Subsequently several small villages around the new lake were abandoned—not because they were entirely submerged but because the lower-lying farmland that was the economic lifeblood of the villages was largely inundated. One such abandoned village is Tiermas, about halfway along the north shore of the lake. The small village is perched atop a hill on dry land. Downhill on the east side of the village, natural thermal springs bubble from the ground in an area that used to be terra firma but is now between the low and high water marks of the lake. The hilltop village dates to 1201, but the land around the village has been inhabited for millennia, with soaking in the thermal waters documented as far back as the Roman conquest of the Iberian peninsula. Various bathing facilities have been built at the springs over the centuries, but most of the extant structures are ruins of a spa resort from the early 1900s.
It took about 30 years for Tiermas to become a ghost town, and for a time elderly locals who refused to leave their homes existed alongside hippie squatters. By 1990 or thereabouts, everyone was gone. Soaking continues in the thermal waters, but there is a major hitch: the springs are completely inundated much of the time. During springtime the bathhouse ruins are usually entirely under water. By September, the lake level has typically dropped enough to expose the ruins. When the lake level drops sufficiently, you can drive down to the lakeshore and park your car just steps from the old bathhouse on a bed of gravel where the water was probably above your head earlier in the year. The hot water of the thermal springs is tempered by cold water from the lake, and visitors soak in warm pools around the bathhouse ruins. There is a series of shallow rock-lined pools of warm sulfurous water on one side of the roofless bathhouse and a deeper ditch-like pool on the other. It is best to avoid going inside the main bathhouse structure, especially if there is standing water inside since you won't be able to see the debris that is under water. You should similarly be cautious about swimming in the lake, especially if the water level is high since you will be swimming amid completely or partially submerged ruins. In addition to soaking in the pools and swimming in the lake, mud bathing is also popular, with an ample supply of mud along the shoreline.
The springs are unmanaged and unregulated. Consequently, nude bathing is common, and the custom of nudity is probably at least partially attributable to the hippie influence during the declining decades of Tiermas. While most visitors wear swimsuits, nudity is well accepted.
If you visit, remember the window of opportunity for soaking in the thermal springs is limited and variable. September and October are generally the best months, but the springs can be under water any time of year. If you visit when the weather is warm but while the bathhouse is still inundated, you can at least enjoy a naked swim in the lake. If you visit when it is cold but before the lake level rises, you can warm yourself in the thermal waters. Wintertime soaking is popular.
Sigüés, Zaragosa, Aragón, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3PcJgFP
42.6132N, 1.1035W (turnoff toward lake at kilometer 335.5 of N-240, about halfway between Yesa and Sigüés)
Yesa and Sigüés are about 20 kilometers apart, with Yesa a bit beyond the west end of the Embalse de Yesa and Sigüés a bit beyond the east end. The location referenced above is about halfway along the north shore of the lake, and it is marked only by a sign that begins Atención Navegantes (with information for boaters). It is the only side road along either side of N-240 between kilometer markers 335 and 336. Upon turning, you will be on a dirt track that leads to the bathhouse ruins, which are downhill to your right, about 500-600 meters from the start of the track (more or less aligned with kilometer marker 336 of N-240). If the water level is high, the ruins will be completely submerged and the lakeshore may be just 100 meters from the start of the track. If the lake level is low, the ruins will be partially or entirely above water, and you can drive and park next to the ruins. If the dirt track is muddy, avoid driving on it. There are pullouts nearby alongside N-240 where you can park instead.
A-21, also known as the Autovía de los Pirineos ("Motorway of the Pyrenees"), is a motorway that is still under construction. It will ultimately be 110 kilometers long, with its western terminus in Noáin (just south of Pamplona) and its eastern terminus in Jaca. The kilometer markers and corresponding exit numbers along A-21 ascend going west to east. If you were to follow the entire route from Noáin to Jaca, you would be routed onto N-240 in areas where A-21 is not yet complete.
If you are coming from Noáin/Pamplona, follow A-21 east (toward Huesca). About 45 kilometers from Noáin, you will cross the border from Navarra into Aragón, passing a Comunidad de Aragón sign. Continue about 3.5 kilometers and take Exit 56 (Jaca, N-240). (As of 2019, eastbound traffic must take Exit 56 since A-21 is incomplete farther east.) Upon exiting, you will enter a roundabout on the south (lake) side of the motorway. Follow signs for Jaca and Huesca. In 900 meters you will reach the junction with N-240 at another roundabout.★ Again, follow signs for Jaca and Huesca. When you leave the roundabout, you will be going east on N-240. In 700 meters, at the end of a bridge you will pass kilometer marker 336.★★ Continue about 500 meters and take the next possible right onto the dirt track with the Atención Navegantes sign, then proceed as directed above. You have missed the turn by about 500 meters if you pass marker 335.
If you are coming from Jaca, little of the motorway is complete. In Jaca, follow signs that point toward Pamplona to find your way to N-240. As you head west out of Jaca, the first kilometer marker along N-240 is 284, with the numbers ascending. In 32 kilometers, watch for marker 316. Just slightly under one kilometer farther on, you will reach a roundabout where a segment of A-21 begins. It does not matter whether you stay on N-240 or follow A-21. After continuing along N-240 another 12.5 kilometers or following A-21 for 13.2 kilometers, you will reach the end of the A-21 segment at another roundabout. Continuing toward Pamplona, the next N-240 marker you will pass is 330. Continue 5 kilometers and watch for marker 335. Continue 500 meters and take the next possible left onto the dirt track with the Atención Navegantes sign, then proceed as directed above. You have missed the turn by about 500 meters if you pass marker 336.
★ At the roundabout, there is a departure that is barricaded to keep out motorized vehicles. The road leads a few hundred meters to the abandoned hilltop village of Tiermas. Leave your car in a nearby pullout to explore the ruins.
★★ At kilometer marker 336, the guardrail along the lake side of the road ends. There is gravel shoulder extending about 100 meters, then the guardrail begins again. Assume you park on the shoulder and walk to where the guardrail begins again. At that point, you should see the bathhouse ruins downhill, just 125 meters away. If you see only water, then the lake level is high and the ruins are completely submerged.
MAP from Pamplona to turnoff at N-240 km 335.5
MAP from Jaca to turnoff at N-240 km 335.5
This placemark pertains to Embalse de Yesa.

This placemark pertains to Embalse de Yesa.

ruins of Tiermas (abandoned village)

"Atención Navegantes" sign

parking area, when lake level is low

segment of N-240

dirt track to bathhouse ruins (often submerged)

Asturias

Cala Mexota

Cala Mexota
In the far west of Asturias, just a few kilometers from the border with Galicia, Cala Mexota is a rural beach of about 250 meters in length. The beach is particularly notable for the unique rock formations at the water's edge that resemble giant shark fins. Those formations effectively partition Mexota into multiple segments. Accessed via a short but steep downhill hike from a dirt parking lot that sits atop the bluff, this scenic beach is generally uncrowded, and nude bathing is very well established. Mexota is just west of a textile beach called Playa del Sarello, and it is possible to walk from one beach to the other at low tide. Both beaches are undeveloped, with no amenities.
municipality, autonomous community, country:
Tapia de Casariego, Asturias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3sde2W1
starting point:  Exit 501 (Castropol, Lugo, Serantes, Barres) of the A-8 motorway near Tapia de Casariego
Exit 501 is 3 to 4 kilometers east of the border of Asturias and Galicia. If you are going west on A-8, Exit 501 is the next-to-last exit before Galica. If you are going east on A-8, Exit 501 is the second exit after crossing into Asturias. Depending on the direction of approach, you will have to go through one or two roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange. Follow the signs for Serantes, Tapia de Casariego and Aviles to negotiate your way through the interchange.
Upon departing the roundabout that is on the coast side of the motorway, you will begin heading northeast on route N-634, but you will not be on it for very long. In just 300 meters, just past a pair of Cepsa gas stations (one on each side of the road), you will reach a mini-roundabout. Take the second departure, which is effectively a left turn. There are no signs. Upon leaving the mini-roundabout, you will be going north on a narrow but paved road that goes through open farmland. Follow that road about a kilometer until you reach its end at a "T" with route TC-3 in the small village of Villamil.
Turn right at the "T." Proceed less than 100 meters and take the first possible left onto an unmarked gravel road that is immediately before kilometer marker 1. Follow the gravel road through more open farmland. In about 600 meters the road will end at a dirt parking area above the beach (43.5567N, 6.9816W). From there, a short path descends the hillside directly to the beach.
MAP from A-8 Exit 501 to road toward parking★
★ Google Maps will note trace the entire length of the gravel road.
This placemark pertains to Cala Mexota.

Exit 501 interchange of the A-8 motorway
This placemark pertains to Cala Mexota.

Cepsa gas station
This placemark pertains to Cala Mexota.

mini-roundabout

stop sign at "T" junction

kilometer marker 1 of TC-3

earthen parking area

Playa del Sarello, a.k.a. Playa de Serantes (textile)

short segment of N-634

unmarked road connected N-634 & TC-3

very short segment of TC-3

Playa del Moro

Playa del Moro
The town of Navia is toward the far west end of Asturias, and the main town beach (Playa de Navia) is located on the east side of the mouth of the Navia River. Just a bit east of Playa de Navia, around a slight curvature of the coastline, Playa del Moro is a much smaller beach that is just under 200 meters long. It is situated at the base of a grass-covered cliff, with a paved ramp and stairs providing access to the west end of the beach. Nude bathers are often present at Playa del Moro, which is lightly attended overall. The beach is visible from the hiking trails that runs along the top of the cliff, but there are a few patches of sand among the boulders toward the west end of the beach that are more hidden. Playa del Moro is undeveloped, but there are restrooms, showers and a café at Playa de Navia.
municipality, autonomous community, country:
Navia, Asturias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YCjVrV
43.5397N, 6.7246W (roundabout at kilometer 524.7 of N-634 in Navia)
The location referenced above is in the urban center of Navia. It is a very small roundabout with a single palm tree in its median. Take the roundabout departure signed Aparcamiento Publico, Zona Deportiva and El Pardo (which is the only departure you can take that is not part of N-634). In about 150 meters, keep straight ahead to cross under a high-span railroad bridge where there are signs pointing toward Playa de Navia, Monumento al Emigrante and Playa del Moro.
About 1.3 kilometers after the high-span railroad, keep straight ahead past the turnoff to Playa de Navia. About 250 meters farther on, the road will begin to make a rightward hairpin curve. Turn left at the curve, toward Monumento al Emigrante and Playa del Moro. About 200 meters after turning, you will pass a small roadside monument (Monumento al Emigrante). About 400 meters past the monument, the road will end at a small turnaround loop. There is parking alongside the road (43.5579N, 6.7185W). From the turnaround loop, a short paved path leads to the staircase that descends directly to Playa del Moro.
starting point:  Exit 477 (Navia) of the A-8 motorway near Navia
Exit 477 is the eastern of two exits for Navia. (The other Navia exit is 6 kilometers to the west, and a long tunnel called the Túnel de Monte Jarrio is between the two Navia exits.) Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the departure signed Navia. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be going west on route N-634, with the kilometer marker numbers ascending. In 2.7 kilometers you will pass the small Navia town sign, then less than 100 meters farther on you will pass marker 524. About 700 meters past marker 524 you will reach the small roundabout at the town center. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Moro.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Moro.

small roundabout with single palm tree in middle
This placemark pertains to Playa del Moro.

high-span railroad bridge crosses several roads

turnoff to Playa da Navia

Playa de Navia (textile)

turnoff to Monumento al Emigrante at hairpin curve

Monumento al Emigrante

roadside parking near end of road

route from Navia to parking

path & stairs to beach

Playa de Barayo (La Vega)

Playa de Barayo (La Vega)
Playa de Barayo, also known as Playa de la Vega, is a pastoral beach that is about halfway between the small towns of Navia and Luarca, near the far west end of Asturias. The beach is about 700 meters long, and it is backed by a small forested nature preserve that is thick with ferns and other greenery. The lush setting is almost like a jungle. A shallow river (Rio Barrayo) that snakes its way through the forest to the ocean is a prominent part of the distinctive beach landscape, and you will have a bird's-eye view of the beach from its parking lot. The setting is exceptionally beautiful.
Playa de Barayo is a popular beach even though it is lacking in amenities and not especially close to any major towns. While it is attended mostly by textiles, nudity is well established and widely practiced toward its east end. There are two ways to get down to the beach from the parking lot. There is a long set of winding stairs that goes down to the far west end of the beach, landing in the area where most textiles are concentrated. From there you will have to walk across the beach to get to the nude east end. Or, you can take a longer but very scenic hike through the nature preserve, arriving at the east end of the beach when you emerge from the forest. The far east end of the beach is backed by several large caves that can be explored, and nude bathers are usually in the majority in the area near the caves.
municipality, autonomous community, country:
Navia, Asturias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KFgScA
43.5456N, 6.6321W (eastern of two turnoffs toward Puerto de Vega, east of Villapedre)
Part of the municipality of Navia, the village of Villapedre is along route N-634 east of the urban center of Navia. There are two turnoffs along N-634 signed Puerto de Vega, and those turnoffs are 1.5 kilometers apart. The western of the two turnoffs is in Villapedre amid houses and businesses, while the eastern of the two is in a forested setting a bit east of the village. Turn away from N-634 at the eastern of the two Puerto de Vega turnoffs, which is approximately at kilometer 515.4 of N-634. (Some kilometer markers east of the turnoff seem to be missing.)
Once you turn, you will begin heading north on a minor rural road that goes toward the small villages of Vigo and Tox. In about 700 meters, keep to the right at a fork, continuing toward Vigo. (The other fork goes to Tox.) Continue another 1.5 kilometers and you will pass the Vigo village sign. Just 150 meters past the village sign, take the next possible right at a Playa de Barayo sign. The road will fork immediately after you turn. Keep to the right, then continue about 300 meters to the large beach parking lot on the left (43.5598N, 6.6227W), at the point where the asphalted road morphs into a gravel track.
The lot is a bit inland from the west end of the beach, and there are great views of the beach from there. You will see two signs for Playa de Barayo, pointing in opposite directions. The sign that points to the left has a staircase symbol, and if you follow the footpath 300-400 meters you will reach a long, twisty staircase with wooden handrails that takes you down a steep hillside. You will land at the far west end of the beach, where you will have to cross the Barrayo River near the point where it flows into the ocean, but the river is usually very shallow and narrow near its mouth. Head toward the opposite end of the beach to find the nude area.
The other Playa de Barrayo sign, which points to the right, indicates that it is a 30-minute hike to the beach. The hike begins along the gravel track that is straight ahead from the end of the asphalted road. It is a longer but scenic route through a lush forest, and you will cross a footbridge over the shallow river along the way. At the end of the 1.3-kilometer-long walk, you will land on the beach toward its east end, in the nude area.
starting point:  Exit 474 (Polavieja, Villapedre, Anleo) of the A-8 motorway between Navia and Luarca
Exit 474 is toward the far western end of Asturias. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the first roundabout departure (effectively just a right turn), which is signed Villapedre. Continue one kilometer to the next roundabout, which forms the junction with route N-634. Take the first departure (effectively just a right turn), which is signed Luarca and Oviedo. You will then begin heading east on N-634, and in less than 200 meters you will pass a sign indicating you are entering the village of Villapedre. About 250 meters farther on, you will see a left-hand turnoff signed for Puerto de Vega, but don't turn yet. Continue another kilometer. Just past kilometer marker 516, watch for the sign indicating you a leaving Villapedre. It's a white sign with a red diagonal line across the name of the village. After that sign, continue 400-500 meters and take the next possible left at another turnoff signed for Puerto de Vega, then proceed as directed above. (If you reach the locality sign for El Bao, you have missed the turnoff by 200 meters.)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Barayo (La Vega).

Villapedre village signs (entering going east, leaving going west)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Barayo (La Vega).

This placemark pertains to Playa de Barayo (La Vega).

western of two Puerto de Vega turnoffs

Villapedre village signs (leaving going east, entering going west)

eastern of two Puerto de Vega turnoffs

El Bao village signs (entering going east, leaving going west)

fork (east to Vigo, west to Tox)

Vigo village signs (entering going north, leaving going south)

several signs pointing toward Playa de Barayo

long, twisty staircase

footbridge over stream

caves at far east end of beach

route from N-634 to parking

hiking route to west end of beach

hiking route through forest to east (nude) end of beach

Playa de Oleiros

Playa de Oleiros
Playa de Oleiros is on the western outskirts of the municipality of Cudillero, near the small villages of Lamuño and Salamir. About 500 meters long, Oleiros is backed by a verdant escarpment that bends and extends seaward at both ends of the beach, forming a bay that lends the location a very sheltered atmosphere. On sunny, clear days, the shallow water of the bay is turquoise, completing the postcard-perfect setting. The beach generally does not get crowded, and it has no amenities. While Oleiros is attended mostly by textiles, a contingent of nudists gather toward the east end of the beach. Getting to the beach involves a shaded walk of about 10 minutes through a lush patch of forest. The trail goes gently downhill and leads to a bluff overlooking the beach. There is a long set of stone steps that goes down to sea level, and that part of the hike is challenging for those with physical limitations. The steps land near the central area of the beach but a little closer to the west end. Facing the water, turn right and walk east a bit away from the textiles before stripping down.
Cudillero, Asturias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KHOmai
starting point:  Exit 434 (Lamuño, Salamir) of the A-8 motorway near Lamuño (west of Cudillero)
Exit 434 is about 50 kilometers west of Gijón. Upon exiting, continue to follow signs toward Lamuño and Salamir. Depending on your direction of approach, you will go through one or two roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange. Just after you depart the roundabout that is on the coast side of the motorway, you will reach a stop sign at a "T" junction with route CU-6. Turn left (toward Salamir). Proceed about 800 meters and watch for kilometer marker 3, which is just past the tiny hamlet of La Tejera. About 100 meters past marker 3, you will reach paved parking shoulders on each side of the road next to a wooded picnic area (43.5657N, 6.2084W). (If you pass the Salamir village sign, you have missed the parking area by about 200 meters.) There is room for a dozen or so cars to park on each side of the road.
At the end of the parking shoulder that is on the right (coast) side of the road, there is a wooden signboard with the name of the area (Área Recreativa Monte Valsera). About 50 meters past the signboard, a broad track leaves from the right side of the road just past a "no passing" sign. (You can walk through the picnic area to connect to the track rather than walking along the road.) Follow the track as it meanders gently downhill through a thickly forested area. In a bit less than one kilometer, you will reach the long set of stone-and-cement steps that descend to Playa de Oleiros, landing roughly in the middle of the beach. Nudists tend to gravitate toward the east end (to the right when facing the ocean).
This placemark pertains to Playa de Oleiros.

Exit 434 interchange of the A-8 motorway
This placemark pertains to Playa de Oleiros.

stop sign at "T" junction
This placemark pertains to Playa de Oleiros.

kilometer marker 3 of CU-6

paved parking shoulder on each side of road

picnic area

Área Recreativa Monte Valsera signboard

"no passing" sign at start of track to beach

Salamir village sign

stone-and-cement stairs

segment of CU-6

track through forest to beach

Playa de Requexinos

Playa de Requexinos
Gijón and Avilés are nearby towns that are respectively the largest and third largest cities in Asturias. The Asturias Airport, which is the only major airport in the province, is located on the west side of Avilés. Near the airport, there is a long beach that spans about 3.8 kilometers at low tide. At high, some parts get cut off from the rest. This long beach is segmented into three areas: Los Quebrantos, El Sablón and Requexinos. Staring a the mouth of the river Nalón, Playa de los Quebrantos is the westernmost segment of the beach. It is a somewhat urbanized beach that extends about 800 meters next to the village of San Juan de La Arena, and it is accessed through the village, which is west of the airport. The middle stretch of the beach is the longest, extending 2.8 kilometers, and it is called Playa del Sablón. Playa de Requexinos refers to just the westernmost stretch of the beach, which is less than 200 meters long. The access points to El Sablón and Requexinos are just 600 meters apart, and those two access points are north of the airport. While El Sablón is a textile beach, Requexinos is where nudists gather. Requexinos is among the most popular nude beaches in Asturias (second only to Playa de Torimbia near Llanes). There are no amenities at either Requexinos or El Sablón.
A short path leads from the Requexinos parking area to the beach, and you may encounter nudists immediately at the end of the path. Nudity becomes more common as you go east (to the right when facing the water), and within 200 meters of the access path you will reach the eastern extreme of the beach, which is defined by a steep, prominent headland. Several large, rugged rocks in the intertidal area of the beach add to the drama of the setting.
If you go to the the El Sablón access and walk west (i.e., toward Los Quebrantos and away from Requexinos), the crowd of textiles soon thins out, and you will be on the long stretch of El Sablón that is mostly deserted since the Los Quebrantos access is about 2 kilometers away. That part of El Sablón is known to get sporadic nude use, but there is not a well-established nudist presence like at Requexinos.
Castrillón, Asturias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qwBSLK
43.5638N, 6.0109W (three-way junction of CT-1 and CT-6 in Naveces)
The village of Naveces is part of the municipality of Castrillón, and it is located on the northwest side of a small airport that is the only international airport in Asturias (Aeropuerto de Asturias). Naveces lies along a minor through road numbered CT-1. CT-6 is an even smaller road that is not a through road, connecting to several tiny villages and hamlets before ending at the coast. CT-6 begins at kilometer 5.65 of CT-1.
At the junction referenced above, turn onto CT-6. The turnoff is marked by signs pointing to Bayas, Playa del Sablón, Playa de Muniellas and Isla La Deva. Follow CT-6 for 2.2 kilometers and take note when you pass the Bayas village sign, which is 200 meters past kilometer marker 2. The village sign is below a 50 KPH speed-limit panel. After the village sign, continue less than 100 meters and turn left at a white sign that points toward Playa del Sablón.
Once you turn, you will be on a short loop road that reconnects to CT-6 in 400 meters. Along that loop, there is one more turn you need to make to continue toward Playa del Sablón, but that turn is not signed, so watch the roads going off to the left. The first turnoff is paved. Don't turn there. The second turnoff is paved only at its start, almost immediately morphing into a gravel track. Don't turn there either. The third turnoff is paved and has a 30 KPH speed-limit panel at its start. Turn left there.
Once you turn, there should be a stone fence wall to your left and a large grassy meadow to your right. In 600 meters, you will reach a paved pullout on the right at a scenic overlook that affords fantastic views of the beach. 200 meters past the scenic overlook, there is a narrow, unmarked dirt road going off to the right. 200 meters farther on, the asphalt ends in a large earthen parking lot at the main textile area of the beach. There are two parking and access options.
Assume you turn onto the dirt road, which is the only road going off to the right between the scenic overlook and the end of the asphalt. Follow it 500 meters to its end in a grassy parking area (43.5765N, 6.0364W). From there, a path angles through the grassy dunes for about 200 meters, landing directly at the nude area of the beach.
The dirt road is rather rough and rutted, so you may wish to avoid it, especially after rain. Continue to the large earthen lot where the asphalt ends (43.5741N, 6.0414W). Facing the ocean, turn right and walk northeast. It is 800-900 to the end of the beach, and the nude area is the last few hundred meters.
Note: The nude part of the beach is known as Playa de Requexinos even though it is contiguous with the textile beach known as Playa del Sablón. Furthermore, Playa del Sablón is alternately known as Playa de Bayas.
starting point:  Exit 417 (Carcedo, Aeropuerto, N-632) of the A-8 motorway near Avilés
Exit 417 is on the western outskirts of Avilés, a large town that is a bit west of the city of Gijón. Upon exiting, you will reach a roundabout that circles under the elevated lanes of the motorway. Take the departure that is signed for the airport. In 2.2 kilometers you will reach another roundabout that is next to the airport. (One of the departures of that roundabout is the entrance to the airport.)
Take the first departure of the airport roundabout (effectively a right turn), which is signed Carcedo, Avilés and N-643. Go southeast back toward the motorway for 1.2 kilometers, then turn left toward Santa María del Mar. (A high-span elevated segment of the motorway will be prominently in view at the point where you turn.)
Upon turning toward Santa María del Mar, you will be on route CT-1, and almost immediately you will pass kilometer marker 8. Continue about 2 kilometers and watch for marker 6, which is less than 100 meters past the Naveces village sign. Continue about 300 meters past marker 6, then turn left onto CT-6 and proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-8 Exit 417 to parking (at end of dirt road)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Requexinos.

Exit 417 interchange of the A-8 motorway
This placemark pertains to Playa de Requexinos.

entrance to the Asturias Airport
This placemark pertains to Playa de Requexinos.

kilometer marker 8 of CT-1

kilometer marker 7 of CT-1

Naveces village sign

kilometer marker 6 of CT-1

Bayas village sign, below a 50 KPH speed-limit panel

30 KPH speed-limit panel

grassy parking area at end of dirt road

earthen parking area at end of paved road

Playa del Sablón, a.k.a. Playa de Bayas (textile)

Playa de los Quebrantos (textile)

route from Exit 417 to turnoff onto CT-1 (toward Santa María del Mar)

segment of CT-1

segment of CT-6

short loop road in Bayas

paved road to textile beach

rough dirt road to parking closest to nude beach

Playa de Aguilera

Playa de Aguilera
Playa de Aguilera is located just 12 kilometers northeast of Avilés, a large town that is one of the major towns of Asturias, but the setting changes from very urban to very bucolic surprisingly quickly as you meander along minor roads through lush pastureland to find the hidden beach. Aguilera is secluded at the base of a grassy green hillside, and a prominent rocky mass splits the beach into two distinct areas. As you hike down the hillside, you will be heading toward the rocky mass, and you will have a clear view of both segments of the beach. Once you are close to the bottom of the hill, the path will split, and you can go right to get to the smaller eastern segment, which is at most 70 meters long, or you can go left to get to the much larger western segment, which is about 300 meters long. When the tide is out it is easy to walk around the rocky mass to get from one segment to the other. Aguilera is a bit off the radar since there are no signs pointing the way, and a certain level of physical fitness in necessary for the steep hike. The beach is generally uncrowded, and both segments are attended mostly by nudists, while textiles tend to go to one of the two beaches that are to the immediate east of Aguilera. Those two beaches require less effort to reach in addition to being easier to find.
Playa de Carniciega is an undeveloped textile beach just east of Aguilera, and it is a little over 300 meters long. Just east of it, there is a slightly larger textile beach that is most commonly called Playa de Verdicio, but it is also known as Playa de Tenrero. Verdicio is a popular beach where food, restrooms and showers are available. At low tide, it is possible to skirt the rocks that divide the three beaches, but even then it is a walk of about a kilometer to get from Aguilera to the café that is at the far east end of Playa de Verdicio. If you would like to drive to Verdicio to avail yourself to its amenities, refer to the driving directions and note kilometer marker 10 near the end of the route to Aguilera. Instead of turning after marker 10, keep straight ahead another 1.6 kilometers as the road begins to twist and turn as it winds downhill. You will find the signed turnoff to Playa de Verdicio between kilometer markers 11 and 12.
Gozón, Asturias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QEUgNk
43.6167N, 5.8835W (turnoff toward coast at kilometer 10.2 of AS-328 in San Martín de Podes)
San Martín de Podes is part of the municipality of Gozón, and it is about 10 kilometers northeast of the urban center of Avilés, the closest major town. (San Martín is Samartín in the local dialect, and some signs use the local variant.) San Martín de Podes is not so much a village as it is a scattering of rural hamlets, so there is nothing resembling a village center. The location referenced above is at a rural four-way intersection next to Apartamentos Turisticos Mirapeñas (a two-story cream-colored brick building with a tile roof), and the turnoff toward the coast is not signed. Turn in the opposite direction from the signs that point inland toward Manzanede and Vioño.
Once you turn away from AS-328, you will be on a very narrow but paved road that goes through a collection of houses. In 350 meters, you will reach a "T," with a stone fence and a distinctively colored mustard-yellow house in front of you. Turn right. Continue less than 200 meters and the road will fork. At that point, you will see a large rustic-looking house straight ahead in the fork of the road, and that house is surrounded by a low stone fence that is topped with a hedge. Veer right at the fork and then immediately turn right into a small grassy area where you can leave your car (43.6189N, 5.8869W). (On busy days, there are likely to be cars lined up all alongside the road.)
Once you park, continue along the paved right fork of the road (such that the hedge-covered stone fence is on your left-hand side). The pavement will quickly end at the gate to the large house, but a broad dirt track veers off slightly to the right. Follow that track about 250 meters and you will reach the edge of a bluff overlooking the ocean, where the track will bend to the right. Straight ahead, a footpath descends the steep hillside to the beach. It is a very abrupt descent, with an elevation loss of about 75 meters. (Think of it is climbing down all the stairs in a 25-floor building, and remember you'll have to come back up!) As you near the bottom of the hill, the path will fork at the rocky mass that divides Playa de Aguilera into two sections. You can take either path since both sections are frequented by nudists.
starting point:  depending on the direction of approach, either Exit 399 (Avilés, AI-81) or Exit 400 (Avilés, AI-81) of the A-8 motorway near Avilés
Exits 399 and 400 are part of the same interchange despite having different numbers. If you are going west on A-8, the exit number is 399 (and there is no 400). If you are going east on A-8, the exit number is 400 (and there is no 399). Either way, all exiting traffic is filtered onto the AI-81 expressway, heading northwest toward Avilés.
In about 2.8 kilometers, the express part of AI-81 will end and the lanes will split. Keep to the right, following the blue overhead panel for Avilés, N-633 and the port (denoted by a ship symbol). About 500 meters farther on, you will reach a red light where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left, continuing toward Avilés.
Once you turn, you will be on AS-19, but you will not be on it for long and may not encounter any signage with the road number. Keep straight ahead for 700-800 meters, then turn right at the sign for Luanco. You will then be at the start of AS-238, and very shortly you will cross a bridge over a wide canal.
As you follow AS-238 northeast toward Luanco, take note of the kilometer marker numbers, which ascend the farther you go. In 3 kilometers you will pass marker 3. About 100 meters farther on, just past a bus stop, turn left at the next four-way intersection, following the sign for Santiao d'Ambiedes and Samartín de Podes. Upon turning, you will be on GO-13, and you will almost immediately pass a small red-and-white village sign for Tabiella.
Follow GO-13 north for 2 kilometers to a stop sign at a "T" junction that is immediately past kilometer marker 2. Turn right at the stop sign (toward Faro de Peñes) and the road will immediately curve sharply to the left. As you follow that curve, you will very briefly be a road that is both AS-328 and GO-13. Just after the curve, keep straight ahead to stay on AS-328. (GO-13 turns off to the right.)
As you follow AS-328 north and east, watch the kilometer markers. About 700 meters past the sharp curve, you will pass the first marker, which is marker 6. About 2 kilometers farther on, just past marker 8, you will pass the village sign for San Martín de Podes. About 2 kilometers farther on, watch carefully for marker 10. After marker 10, continue just 200 meters to the next four-way intersection. Turn left and proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-8 Exit 399 to parking (for westbound A-8 traffic)
MAP from A-8 Exit 400 to parking (for eastbound A-8 traffic)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Aguilera.

kilometer marker 10 of AS-328
This placemark pertains to Playa de Aguilera.

Apartamentos Turisticos Mirapeñas
This placemark pertains to Playa de Aguilera.

"T" junction

fork immediately before parking area

grassy parking area

kilometer marker 11 of AS-328

turnoff from AS-328 toward Playa de Verdicio

Playa de Carniciega (textile)

Playa de Verdicio, a.k.a. Playa de Tenrero (textile)

kilometer marker 12 of AS-328

segment of AS-328

minor local roads

track/path to beach

Playa de Peñarrubia & Playa de Serín

Gijón is the largest city in the province of Asturias, and Somió is an affluent residential area of Gijón that is east of the city center. There are two beaches in Somió where nudists gather. One is Playa de Peñarrubia and the other is Playa de Serín. Peñarrubia and Serín are merely one kilometer apart as the crow flies, and the driving distance between them is just under 2 kilometers. The two beaches are quite similar in character. Both are roughly 600 meters long, and both are set against steep, nearly vertical escarpments that are somewhat reminiscent of the White Cliffs of Dover. Both are accessed by a long series of stone steps that present an access challenge to those with physical limitations. Neither beach has amenities, and nudity is well established along the entire length of both beaches. The primary difference between the two beaches concerns attendance. Peñarrubia can get crowded on summer weekends, while Serín draws far fewer visitors.
The rugged coastline of Somió is quite beautiful, and a network of cobbled walkways and other paths makes it easy to take an extended stroll. For panoramic views of Gijó an it environs, go to Cabo San Lorenzo Park, which occupies the verdant notch of land between Playa de Peñarrubia and Playa de Serín.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Peñarrubia and Playa de Serín.

Playa de Peñarrubia
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Peñarrubia and Playa de Serín.)
Gijón, Asturias, Spain
There are 23 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Peñarrubia and Playa de Serín.

Playa de Serín
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Peñarrubia and Playa de Serín.)
Gijón, Asturias, Spain
There are 23 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Peñarrubia and Playa de Serín.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3sd5Epp
Carretera de la Providencia winds through the coastal periphery of Somió, a residential district of Gijón that is east of the urban core of the city. Playa de Peñarrubia and Playa de Serín are both accessed from Carretera de la Providencia. The turnoffs toward the beaches are slightly less than one kilometer apart, and Playa de Peñarrubia is the farther west of the two beaches (i.e., closer to the center of Gijón).
To go to Playa de Peñarrubia, set your GPS device to:
43.5459N, 5.6222W (turnoff from Carretera de la Providencia toward Playa de Peñarrubia in Somió)
The turnoff to Playa de Peñarrubia is poorly signed, marked only with a small Camín de los Arces sign that is very difficult to see. (It is easier to watch for a much more prominent white sign that points inland toward Urbanización Los Laureles, then turn toward the coast onto the road that is cater-cornered from that turnoff.) The start of Camín de los Arces is flanked by a small plexiglass bus stop shelter and several recycling bins. Upon turning, follow Camín de los Arces about 150 meters to a fork, then veer right onto Camín de Peñarrubia. Continue about 250 meters, then turn left into the parking lot that is just before the end of the road (43.5494N, 5.6241W).
Just past the parking lot, follow the cobbled walkway that has wooden railing along one side. Continue about 150 meters until you reach stairs going down to your left. At that point, you will be directly above the beach, roughly 35-40 meters above sea level. Go down the stairs, keep straight ahead across a service road that parallels the cobbled walkway you were just on, then continue down lots more stairs that descend the cliff to the middle of Playa de Peñarrubia.
To go to Playa de Serín, set your GPS device to:
43.5483N, 5.6125W (turnoff from Carretera de la Providencia toward Playa de Serín in Somió)
The turnoff to Playa de Serín is marked by several small and inconspicuous signs. One indicates the name of the road (Camín del Monte Serín) and the others indicate parking and a pedestrian path (aparcamiento, senda peatonal). The turnoff is next to a residence numbered 3209 and directly opposite a residence numbered 3210. Follow Camín del Monte Serín about 300 meters to its end at a parking lot that overlooks the ocean (43.5481N, 5.6094W).
The parking lot is situated above the southeast end of Playa de Serín, roughly 85 meters above sea level. Facing the ocean, head to your right along the cobbled walkway that parallels the coastline. Shortly you will enter a growth of trees, where you will reach a four-way junction with another cobbled walkway. Turn left. The walkway will then become a series of long steps that twists and turns a number of times as it winds down to the beach. When you near sea level, the walkway will make a "T." Go left and shortly you will land on the southeast end of the main expanse of Playa de Serín. Or, if you go right at the "T," you will reach a little niche that is isolated from the main beach, then there is another little niche farther on that can only be reached by clambering over lots of boulders. The total walk from the parking lot to the beach is about 500 meters.
starting point:  Exit 377 (Gijón, Viesques) of the A-8 motorway in Gijón
Exit 377 is toward the east side of Gijón, and it is among a number of exits that are signed for the city, so be aware that you want the exit that is also signed Viesques. From the exit, it is about 3 kilometers to the start of Carretera de la Providencia, and the quickest route there takes you through three roundabouts.
Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to this roundabout, which is on the coast side of the motorway. Take the second departure, which is signed La Guia, Santander, Hospital de Cabueñes, Jardín Botánico Atlántico and Feria Internacional de Muestras. Proceed 400 meters to the next roundabout.
This roundabout is distinctive for the art installation (Hacia la Luz) in its median: a tall rectangular rust-colored metal sculpture with a lattice of apertures. Take the second departure (continuing straight ahead through the roundabout), following the sign for La Guia. Proceed 600-700 meters to the next roundabout.
This roundabout circles over the Río Piles (a small and heavily altered waterway that resembles a canal more than a naturally flowing river). Take the second departure (continuing straight ahead through the roundabout), following the signs for Playa San Lorenzo and Parador Nacional Molino Viejo. Once you leave the roundabout, you should be on a one-way street named Paseo Doctor Fleming that runs alongside the east bank of the river (with the river on your left-hand side)
Follow Paseo Doctor Fleming for 1.2 kilometers to a red light that is next to Hotel Abba Playa Gijón, a boxy building on the right covered in dark glass panels. (The hotel is an easily identifiable landmark, but keep in mind that it looks a lot more like a modern suburban office park structure than a traditional hotel.) All traffic must turn one way or the other at the red light. Turn right.
Once you turn,★ the longer side of the Abba hotel will be on your right-hand side. Less than 100 meters past the hotel, turn left at the next red light, where signs point toward Playa de Peñarrubia, Playa de Estaño and Camping Gijón. (You have missed the turn by about 100 meters if you pass a McDonald's.)
Upon turning, you will be at the start of Carretera de la Providencia, but there is no signage with the name of the street. It is 2.2 kilometers to the left-hand turnoff toward Playa de Peñarrubia, then it is slightly less than a kilometer farther on to the left-hand turnoff toward Playa de Serín. Upon turning toward one beach or the other, proceed as directed above.
The turnoffs toward the beaches are easy to miss, so it helps to take note of the small plexiglass bus stop shelters along Carretera de la Providencia. All of them are along the left (coast) side of the road, and there are 13 of them along the entire 6.3-kilometer-long expanse of the road. The turnoff toward Playa de Peñarrubia is at the sixth bus stop (just past the sign pointing inland toward Urbanización Los Laureles). Between the eighth and ninth bus stops, there is a well-signed turnoff toward the coast to a small chapel named Capilla de la Providencia,★★ then the turnoff toward Playa de Serín is the next left you can make after the ninth bus stop, about 60 meters past the bus stop.
★ When you turn next to the Abba hotel, you will briefly be on the main thoroughfare through Somió. That street used to be numbered AS-247, but the number has been retired and all kilometer markers have been removed. As for the name of the street, it is either Carretera de Somió or Carretera del Piles al Infanzón (depending on the source), but it doesn't really matter since there does not seem to be a single sign with a street name. Likewise, there are no signs for Carretera de la Providencia, which used to be numbered GI-2, but that number has also been retired and the kilometer markers have been removed. With no kilometer markers and virtually non-existent street signs, navigating through Somió is particularly challenging without GPS.
★★ If you turn toward the chapel, shortly you will see a sign pointing toward Parque del Cabo San Lorenzo. Follow that sign and shortly you will reach a beautiful park atop the grassy promontory that separates Playa de Peñarrubia and Playa de Serín. A scenic viewing platform affords outstanding views of Gijón.
MAP from A-8 Exit 377 to parking (Peñarrubia)
MAP from A-8 Exit 377 to parking (Serín)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Peñarrubia and Playa de Serín.

Hotel Abba Playa Gijón (boxy glass structure)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Peñarrubia and Playa de Serín.

red light at start of Carretera de la Providencia

McDonald's restaurant

1st bus stop shelter from red light at start of road

2nd bus stop shelter from red light at start of road

3rd bus stop shelter from red light at start of road

4th bus stop shelter from red light at start of road

5th bus stop shelter from red light at start of road

6th bus stop shelter from red light at start of road

road fork

restaurant (closed)

Capilla de la Providencia

Mirador de la Providencia (scenic viewpoint)

short segment of Carretera de Somió / Carretera del Piles al Infanzón

segment of Carretera de la Providencia

Camín de los Arces & Camín de Peñarrubia

path to beach (cobbled walkway, stairs)

Camín del Monte Serín

Playa de Merón

Playa de Merón
About 25 kilometers east of Gijón, Playa de Merón is a rural beach in a very off-the-beaten-path location. Wedged in a small valley with tree-covered hillsides rising up on either side, the beach is less than 200 meters long, and a distinctive feature is the lichen-covered rocks along the sand that have a deep emerald hue. Nudity is known to occur at times, but Playa de Merón is not a really well-established nude beach. On weekdays, particularly out of peak season, you may find the beach empty or nearly so, and on such days you are more likely to be able to enjoy the idyllic little cove without clothing. On more crowded days, the beach is likely to be all or mostly textile, but nudity may occur along the rocks at the western periphery of the cove (to the left when facing the ocean). The beach does not have any amenities.
Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3s2k1wv
43.5193N, 5.4598W (turnoff to Argüero at kilometer 4.25 of AS-256, north of Villaviciosa)
The small town of Villaviciosa is located a bit inland, to the east of Gijón. The location referenced above is a rural junction located about 8 kilometers from Villaviciosa by car. The turnoff is signed Argüero.
Upon turning, you will be at the start of a minor road numbered VV-4, but you will not be on it long enough to pass any kilometer markers. Go north about 700 meters, then turn left at a sign that points toward Playa de Merón. (It is the first paved left-hand turnoff.) Once you turn, Playa de Merón will be about 4.3 kilometers away, and there are some additional playa signs pointing the way, but the route can still be a little confusing to follow.
Proceed a little over a kilometer to a stop sign at a four-way intersection where cross traffic has the right of way. Turn left at the stop sign. In 150-200 meters you will reach a fork where there are several large garbage and recycle bins. Keep slightly to the left to stay on the main road, such that the bins are to your right when you pass them. 700-800 meters farther on, keep to the right at the next fork, following the sign for Bustiello and Playa. (The other fork is signed Abedules and La Merina.)
Not quite 200 meters farther on, you will pass the red-and-white Bustiello village sign. About 100 meters past the sign, keep to the left at an unsigned fork to stay on the main road.
Continue 200 meters to a three-way junction and turn left at a Camin La Playa sign. Continue less than 100 meters to the next three-way junction and turn right at another Camin La Playa sign. Continue about 300 meters to a "T" where there will be a large house directly in front of you. Turn right, then almost immediately keep to the left at a fork, following another Camin La Playa sign.
From that point, continue along the very narrow but paved road another 1.4 kilometers as it winds downhill, ending at a beach parking area (43.5436N, 5.4942W). Any nudists present on the small beach are likely to to toward its west end (to the left when facing the ocean).
starting point:  Exit 371 (San Miguel de Arroes, Quintes, Quintueles) of the A-8 motorway in Gijón
Exit 371 is on the eastern outskirts of Gijón. If you are going west on A-8, about 20 kilometers west of Gijón you will reach an interchange where A-64 begins, going toward Oveido. Stay on A-8. Exit 371 is the next exit you can take, but you will pass through three tunnels before you get there. The first tunnel is very short and does not have a name that is signposted, the second tunnel (Túnel de Niévares) is over 2 kilometers long and the third tunnel (Túnel de Branaviella) is over a kilometer long. You will reach Exit 371 about 3.7 kilometers after you emerge from the Branaviella tunnel. If you are going east on A-8, on the eastern outskirts of Gijón you will pass through a tunnel (Túnel de Cefontes), then you will pass the exit for Deva and Cabueñes, then you will pass through a short tunnel (Túnel de Deva), then you will pass through a much longer tunnel (Túnel de Infanzón). You will reach Exit 371 just a few hundred meters after you emerge from the Infanzón tunnel.
Once you exit, you will go through one or two roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange, depending on the direction of approach. Just follow the signs for San Miguel de Arroes, Quintes and Quintueles. Once you leave the roundabout that is on the coast side of the motorway, follow the road northeast for 1.3 kilometers until you reach a stop sign at a "T" junction with route N-632. Turn right, following the sign for Quintes, Villaviciosa and Santander.
Follow N-632 east. In 5.6 kilometers, you will reach a four-way junction in the middle of the village of Venta de las Ranas where N-632 turns off to the right. Do NOT follow it. Keep straight ahead. The road number will change to AS-256. Continue east and watch the kilometer marker numbers. In 4 kilometers you will pass marker 4. About 250 meters past marker 4, take the next left toward Argüero and proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Merón.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Merón.

start of VV-4 at AS_256
This placemark pertains to Playa de Merón.

kilometer marker 1 of VV-4

signed turnoff toward Playa de Merón

stop sign at 4-way intersection

fork next to several garbage & recycle bins

signed fork (right to Bustiello & Playa, left to Abedules & La Merina)

Bustiello village sign

unsigned fork past Bustiello village sign

Camin La Playa sign at 3-way junction

"T" junction with large house straight ahead

Camin La Playa sign at fork

segment of AS-256

segment of VV-4

route from VV-4 to parking

Playa de la Beciella

Playa de la Beciella
About 50 kilometers east of Gijón, Playa de la Beciella is an undeveloped beach amid a scattering of rural villages. Not quite 400 meters long, the beach is backed by grassy hillocks, with the coastal mountains a little farther inland enhancing the picturesque backdrop. A few wooden tables overlooking the beach make it an enchanting spot for a picnic. Playa de la Beciella is quite hidden, and it lacks a parking lot or prominent signage pointing the way, so the crowd size is limited. The beach is often empty on weekdays, but on weekends there can be a good many locals walking dogs and strolling along the hiking path that runs above the beach. Nudity is known to occur sporadically at La Beciella, but it cannot be said to be a particularly well-established nude beach. While La Beciella is a lovely spot to be naked in a pastoral setting if the conditions are right, be advised that there are many other beaches in Asturias that more consistently draw nude bathers.
Caravia, Asturias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45rVfEv
starting point:  Exit 330 (Caravia, Berbes) of the A-8 motorway near Caravia
Exit 330 is about 50 kilometers east of Gijón. Once you exit, you will go through either one or two roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange, depending on the direction of approach. Just follow the signs for Caravia and Colunga. Once you depart the roundabout that is on the north (coast) side of the motorway, you will begin heading west on route N-632. Within just a few hundred meters, you will cross a bridge over the motorway to its south (inland) side. Just a few hundred meters after the bridge, you will pass two red-, white-and-black village signs stacked one on top of the other. One reads Prado and the other Caravia Alta.
After the signs, continue along N-632 about 900 meters, then turn right at a brown Playa del Arenal de Moris sign and a white camping sign. The turnoff is next to a small tile-roofed church, and two bells are visible in the church's bell tower.
Follow the narrow road north, and in about 800 meters you will cross back to the north (coast) of the motorway via a land bridge. (I.e., you will cross a stretch where the motorway is tunneled beneath you, but on your right-hand side you can see where the motorway lanes emerge from one end of the tunnel.) Just after you cross over the motorway, take the next possible left onto an unmarked road that is immediately past a tall metal utility pole and a 50 KPH speed-limit panel but immediately before a signed pedestrian crossing. (If you reach the entrance to Camping Arenal de Moris, you have gone about 600 meters too far.)
Very quickly after you turn (less than 50 meters), you will reach a fork. Veer right onto the much narrower of the two roads, where there is a small sign indicating a distance of 950 meters to Playa de la Beciella. Follow that very narrow but paved road toward the coast about 500 meters until you reach a "T" with a gravel track that runs parallel to the coastline. At that point, the ocean will be straight ahead in front of you, just over a small rise of the land, and Playa de la Beciella will be to your left (west).
While it is possible to drive a little farther, it is probably best to park wherever you can near the "T" (43.4746N, 5.1905W) and walk the rest of the way. Follow the track west about 300-400 meters and cross a wooden footbridge over a small stream. After the bridge, bear right and descend to the far east end of Playa de Beciella.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Beciella.

Exit 330 interchange of A-8 motoway
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Beciella.

Prado & Caravia Alta village signs
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Beciella.

tile-roofed church with two bells visible in bell tower

tall metal utility pole near 50 KPH speed-limit panel

fork at small sign pointing to Playa de la Beciella

informal parking near where paved road ends at "T" with gravel track

wooden footbridge over small stream

entrance to Camping Arenal de Moris

roads from church to end of pavement

Playa de Vega

Playa de Vega
Playa de Vega is a 1.4-kilometer-long beach near the village of Vega, on the western outskirts of the municipality of Ribadesella. It is a very beautiful beach with sand that has a slightly reddish hue. Verdant, grassy, mostly treeless hills form the backdrop of the beach, with larger mountains farther in the background. The beach is accessed from its far east end, where there are restrooms, showers and a restaurant near the parking area. In the central area of the beach, there is a small but conspicuous outcropping of red rock that protrudes from a low escarpment. That outcropping is generally regarded as the dividing point between the textile and nude areas of the beach. Beyond the outcropping, the sand continues about 500 meters to a headland that forms the western end of the beach, and nudity freely occurs on that segment. Playa de Vega is generally uncrowded, and most in attendance are textiles who cluster toward the eastern end of the beach. The western end of the beach is more sparsely populated, so nude bathers have plenty of room to spread out.
Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/459e67x
starting point:  Exit 326 (Pando, Bones, Ribadesella Oeste) of the A-8 motorway near Ribadesella
Exit 326 is about 7 kilometers west of the main Ribadesella exit, and it is roughly halfway between Gijón and the border with Cantabria. Depending on your direction of approach, you will go through one or two roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange. Follow the signs for Bones, Ribadesella Oeste and N-632 to negotiate your way through the roundabouts. One kilometer after you depart the roundabout that is on the coast side of the motorway, you will reach the roundabout that forms the junction with route N-632. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed for Caravia.
Follow N-632 west for 1.2 kilometers, then turn right at the signs that point toward Vega and Playa de Vega. (The turnoff is between kilometer markers 9 and 10.) Follow the road about 1.2 kilometers and you will pass the Vega village sign, which is next to a bus stop shelter. Keep going about 500 meters until you reach a lift gate across the road and a sign indicating that only authorized vehicles may proceed farther. By that point, the ocean will be visible straight ahead. Turn left onto the narrow gravel road that is immediately before the lift gate. Shortly you will cross a narrow bridge over a small stream, then you will enter a large earthen parking area (43.4794N, 5.1357W). Drive through the parking area to park as far west as possible.
The parking area abuts the main textile area of the beach. The road leading into the parking area continues west beyond the parking area, morphing into a small track that angles gradually to the beach. Follow that track and you will land on the beach just west of what is usually the most crowded area. At that point, look to your left as you face the ocean and you will see a small but very noticeable outcropping of red rock. The nude area begins at the rock and extends to the far west end of the beach. The walk from parking area to the red rock is 500-600 meters.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Vega.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Vega.

roundabout along N-632

signed turnoff to Vega

"Vega" village sign, next to bus stop shelter

lift gate beyond which only authorized vehicles are allowed

narrow bridge over stream

small outcropping of red rock

road connecting A-8 motorway & N-632

road to Vega

gravel road into parking area

Playa de Torimbia

Playa de Torimbia
Llanes is one of the major towns of the eastern end of Asturias, and Playa de Torimbia is on the western outskirts of the town, near the village of Niembru (alternately spelled Niembro). Torimbia is the most popular and renowned nude beach in all of Asturias. It is a broad, sheltered, very beautiful crescent about 500 meters in length at the base of a steep, verdant hillside. The beach has a large intertidal zone. At low tide, the distance from the most inland part of the beach to the water is over 100 meters, and most of that expanse is wet sand. At high tide, the beach shrinks to a much narrower ribbon of sand. The beach is well attended by bare bathers, with nudists and textiles mingling along the entire expanse of the beach.
The Torimbia parking lot is situated high above the beach, and getting down to the beach involves a substantial downhill hike that presents an access challenge for those with physical limitations. There are two paths to the beach. The main access is the longer but more gradual of the two options. That path winds above most of the length of Torimbia, landing toward the west end of the beach near a snack stand that is slightly uphill from the beach. The distance from the parking area to the snack stand is about 1.2 kilometers. A shorter but more challenging route that is about 700 meters long lands at the far east end of the beach. Nudity tends to be more prevalent toward the eastern end of Torimbia since it is farther removed from the main point of access.
When you visit Playa de Torimbia, be aware of a nearby natural wonder that is a worthwhile excursion. That wonder is a beach called Playa de Gulpiyuri (MAP), and it is located less than 3 kilometers west of Torimbia as the crow flies, or about 5.5 kilometers by car. Gulpiyuri is a small beach that does not front the ocean. It is actually something like a large sinkhole, with ocean water flowing in and out of the sinkhole via a natural tunnel. The result is a nice swimming hole on the ocean side of the sinkhole and a sandy beach on the inland side. The amount of water in the swimming hole varies with the tides. If you can't visualize it from that description, a Google search for "Gulpiyuri" turns up tons of photos. Although a few sources list Gulpiyuri as a nude beach, it really isn't. It's just too small and too much of a tourist attraction even though the route to it is not well signed. Visit because it is unique natural wonder and don't count on being able to get naked. To get there, take the Naves/Villahormes/Hontoria exit of the A-8 motorway, which is the next exit west of the Niembro exit from which Playa de Torimbia is accessed. At the end of the exit ramp from either direction, turn toward the ocean and follow the unmarked but paved road that will immediately curve sharply rightward, then shortly make a sharp left onto a gravel road. Shortly you will see Gulpiyuri signs. Park near the signs and follow the track toward the ocean. You will reach Gulpiyuri within 5 minutes.
Llanes, Asturias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OW2vTP
starting point:  Exit 303 (Posada, Barro, Niembro) of the A-8 motorway near Llanes
Exit 303 is on the western outskirts of Llanes, about 9 kilometers west of the town center. The signage you need to watch for is different depending on your direction of approach.
If you are going east on A-8 (coming from Gijón, heading toward Llanes), the exit is signed as you would expect, with panels indicating the exit number (303) and the three villages that are accessed from the exit: Posada, Barro and Niembro. Once you exit, follow the signs that point toward Niembru and Barru (which are variant spellings of Niembro and Barro; you will encounter both spellings of each name). You will be on route LLN-11 as you cross over the motorway to its north side, and as you are doing so you will see a Galp gas station off to your right that abuts the north side of motorway. About 250 meters farther on, you will pass kilometer 1, just beyond which is the Niembru village sign next to a 50 KPH speed-limit panel.
If you are going west on A-8 (coming from Llanes, heading toward Gijón), there is an exit that corresponds to Exit 303, but it is neither numbered nor named. Instead, it is signed only as a gas station exit. Begin watching for it after you pass Exit 300 (Balmori, Celorio, Porrua, Posada). Once you pass Exit 300, continue about 2.5 kilometers and take the next exit, which is signed by symbols indicating a gas station and a café. Upon exiting, you will reach the Galp gas station. Veer right to skirt around the rear side of the gas station and continue until you reach the road that skirts the far end of the gas station, where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right, following the brown sign pointing toward Covadonga Parque Nacional Picos de Europa. In just over 100 meters you will reach a stop sign at a "T" junction with route LLN-11. (Kilometer marker 1 is located at the "T.") Turn right at the stop sign (toward Niembru and Barru, NOT toward the national park). Immediately upon turning, you will pass the Niembru village sign (next to the 50 KPH speed-limit panel).
Once you pass the Niembru village sign, continue along LLN-11 about a kilometer and take note when you pass kilometer marker 2. Just past marker 2, turn left at the brown sign that points toward Playa de Torimbia and Playa de Toranda. In less than 100 meters you will reach a "T" where the signposted route to the two beaches diverge, with signs pointing left toward Playa de Torimbia and right toward Playa de Toranda. Turn left, then continue to carefully follow signs to Playa de Torimbia (some of which just read playa). Within 500 or so meters, you should have passed through the village, heading north toward the coast on a road that goes slightly uphill. 400-500 meters past the last village building, you will reach a hilltop parking lot (43.4416N, 4.8479W) that is partially surrounded by wooden split-rail fencing. The lot is not all that large, so on crowded days there will be cars lined up along the road as well. The parking lot has panoramic views of two beaches. The beach that is immediately downhill from the lot is Playa de Torimbia, while the beach that is farther away in the opposite direction (across the hay fields) is Playa de Toranda.
The parking lot, which is about 80 meters above sea level, overlooks the far east end of Playa de Torimbia. There are two ways to get down to the beach. First, the more popular route: Facing the ocean, turn to your left and you will see round red-and-white panels on each side of a broad track. The panels indicate that automobile access is prohibited. Follow that broad track, which descends gradually as it clings to the steep hillside above the beach. In other words, as you walk along the track, the downslope of the hill will be on your right-hand side and the upslope on your left-hand side. Once you have passed above most of the expanse of the beach, the track will begin to twist and turn and the descent will become much steeper. You will land on the beach near its far west end. The total walk from the parking lot is about 1.2 kilometers.
Alternatively, as you face the ocean at the parking lot, turn right. Follow the track that goes slightly uphill along the notch that is on the east side of the parking lot. In just a minute or so you will be atop the highest point of the notch, and from there you can see the well-defined path that connects Playa de Torimbia and Playa de Toranda. That path is about 30 meters below the peak of the notch. Make your way downhill to connect to the Torimbia-Toranda path, then turn left when you reach that path and follow it downhill to the far east end of Playa de Torimbia. While the total walk is just 600-700 meters, it is a more challenging hike than the route that goes to the western end of the beach.
Note: The only way to get to parking for Playa de Torimbia (or Playa de Toranda) is via the narrow streets of Niembru. Since the village is quite small, you can't get too lost if you make a wrong turn and veer off the signposted route to the beach.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Torimbia.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Torimbia.

Galp gas station
This placemark pertains to Playa de Torimbia.

kilometer marker 1 of LLN-11

Niembru village sign, next to a 50 KPH speed-limit panel

kilometer marker 2 of LLN-11

kilometer marker 3 of LLN-11

snack stand

Playa de Toranda (textile)

Playa de Gulpiyuri (scenic & geological point of interest)

exit route from motorway to LLN-1, for A-8 traffic going east

exit route from motorway to LLN-1, for A-8 traffic going west

segment of LLN-11

signposted route from LLN-11 to Playa de Torimbia parking

path from parking area to west end of Playa de Torimbia

challenging path over notch

path connecting Playa de Toranda to east end of Playa de Torimbia

Playa de la Tayada

Playa de la Tayada
A bit west of Llanes, there are three villages located with a span of 5 kilometers: Poo, Celorio and Barro. All of them belong to to the municipality of Llanes. There is a chain of about a dozen small sandy beaches amid the three villages that get very popular during summer due to their distinctive scenery. Some beaches are pockets of sand that are nearly encircled by land. Other beaches have spits of sand that, at low tide, extend all the way to barely offshore islands. One of the beaches near Celorio is Playa de la Tayada, and it is attended mostly by nudists even though it is located amid a cluster of popular textile beaches. La Tayada is wedged into the western side of a small peninsula, and it can only be reached on foot, but the hike is short. There are no signs pointing the way, and the particular positioning of La Tayada renders is quite secluded. La Tayada is a deep pocket of sand that is about 100 meters long, and it is oriented to the northwest. There may be a few dozen visitors on peak summer days, but otherwise the beach is often empty or nearly so. Nude bathing is well established. There are no amenities, but there is a restaurant at Camping Playa de Troenzo and a snack bar at Playa de Borizo. Both are within 600 meters of the nude beach.
Llanes, Asturias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3s98MCK
starting point:  Exit 300 (Balmori, Celorio, Porrua, Posada) of the A-8 motorway near Llanes
Exit 300 is on the western outskirts of Llanes, about 6 kilometers west of the main exit to Llanes. Upon exiting, follow signs for Celorio★ and Llanes to navigate away from the interchange. You will be on route AS-263, heading east parallel to the coast side of the motorway. Within a few hundred meters, the road will fork at kilometer marker 23. Keep to the left (really just straight ahead) to stay on AS-263 toward Celorio and Llanes. Continue about 700 meters farther, then turn left at a sign pointing to the center of Celorio (centro urbano). The turnoff is immediately past a pharmacy, and there are also signs for Playa de Palombina and Playa de Borizo.
Proceed 500 meters toward the coast and watch on the left for a small market called Supermercado Peñamesada. Less than 100 meters after the market, just as the ocean comes into view, take the next possible left immediately past a pedestrian crossing where there are broad white lines painted across the road. Proceed west. In about 600 meters, just after you pass Camping María Elena, take note of the signed right-hand turnoff to Playa de Borizo, but do not turn there. Continue about 250 meters★★ and turn right onto the next road, which is just before Camping Playa de Troenzo. The road almost immediately turns to gravel, and it is about 150 meters long. Park along the side of the gravel road (43.4355N, 4.8173W).
The gravel road ends at a large iron gate in a stone fence wall. Facing the gate, a bit to your left are steps leading down to a textile beach called Playa de Troenzo, which is next to Playa de Tayada. (The two small beaches are separated by a rocky outcropping.) To get to Playa de Tayada, follow the dirt path that is straight ahead beyond the gate. (The gate will likely be closed and locked, but you can go through a doorway to the immediately left of the gate. You can also go through a gap in the stone wall next to the steps to Playa de Troenzo.) As you follow the path, you will be heading toward the northern end of a small peninsula that is covered in grass, brush and rocky knolls, with just a few scattered trees. Within a few minutes, as you near the seaward end of the land mass, you will see Playa de Tayada downhill to your left, wedged into the western side of the peninsula. There are a few narrow paths that descend the rocky slope to the beach. It is not a particularly challenging descent, but there are no steps to help you along.
★ On local signage, a location may appear by its Spanish name (e.g., Celorio, Barro, Borizo) or by its Asturian cognate (e.g., Celoriu, Barru, Borizu), and it is ordinary for the spelling to differ from one sign to the next.
★★ Along the 250-meter-long stretch between the Playa de Borizo turnoff and the turnoff onto the short gravel road, there are large, open grassy spaces. During peak summer season when there is insufficient streetside parking for the crowds that visit Celorio's cluster of beaches, those grassy spaces are set up as overflow parking areas, with attendants collecting a small parking fee.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Tayada.

This placemark pertains to Playa de la Tayada.

pharmacy

Supermercado Peñamesada

Playa de Palombina (textile)

Camping María Elena

Playa de Borizo (textile)

seasonal overflow parking area

Camping Playa de Troenzo

parking alogn short gravel road

iron gate flanked by stone fence walls

Playa de Troenzo (textile)

Playa de Sorraos (textile)

Playa de Barro (textile)

segment of AS-263

local roads through Celorio

short gravel road

Playa de Portiellu & Playa de Ballota

Llanes is a municipality in the far east of Asturias that consists of the small town of Llanes along with numerous villages. The most popular nude beach in Llanes (and in all of Asturias, for that matter) is Playa de Torimbia on the western outskirts of the municipality. (See separate listing.) However, there are also a couple of more minor nude beaches located closer in to Llanes a bit east of the town center, and those two nude beaches are close to one another, just a few kilometers apart.
Less than one kilometer east of the town center of Llanes, Playa de Toró is a much-photographed beach known for its craggy rock formations. It is easily accessible, and it has amenities that include restrooms, showers and a restaurant that abuts the beach. Toró is a textile beach, but there is a hidden and wild beach called Playa de Portiellu immediately east of Toró, on the other side of a hill. About 100 meters long, Portiellu is sheltered in a small bay. When the tide is out there is a broad area of wet sand. At high tide, the sand is completely inundated and Portiellu is transformed into small rocky niches. Nude bathing is well established, but the beach is lightly visited and often empty. There are no signs pointing the way, but access has been improved since a staircase down to the beach was built in 2017. There are a couple of ways to get to Portieulla, starting either from Playa de Toró or from the nearby village of Cué. Playa de Portiellu is alternately known by the names Playa del Cura and Playa de los Curas.
A bit east of Cué, Playa de Ballota is nestled against a steep and verdant hillside, with a rocky islet a bit offshore enhancing a picturesque tableau. About 300 meters long, Ballota has a sandy foreshore that varies considerably with the tides. Although mostly a textile beach, there is a niche at one end where nude bathing occurs. A long set of stone steps takes you from a small parking area to the far east end of the beach. The nude area is at the opposite end of the beach, where a long and low rock formation extends seaward into the intertidal zone. There is about 40 meters of sand at the far (northwest) end of the beach beyond the long rock, and most nudists gather there, with the rock serving as a natural divider and privacy screen. The nude area can be accessed by walking around the inland side of the long rock regardless of the tides. At low tide it is also possible to walk around the seaward end of the rock. On uncrowded days there may be some nudity a bit before the rock. There is a snack stand next to the parking area, at the top of the access stairs.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Portiellu and Playa de Ballota.

Playa de Portiellu
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Portiellu and Playa de Ballota.)
Llanes, Asturias, Spain
There are 25 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Portiellu and Playa de Ballota.

Playa de Ballota
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Portiellu and Playa de Ballota.)
There are 25 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Portiellu and Playa de Ballota.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44dNb9k
starting point:  Exit 294 (Llanes, La Pereda, Parres) of the A-8 motorway near Llanes
Exit 294 is about 21 kilometers west of the border of Asturias and Cantabria. Upon exiting, follow the signs for Llanes. Depending on your direction of approach, you will go through one or two roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange, then you will begin heading north toward the coast on route AS-263. Continue about a kilometer to the next roundabout at the Llanes town sign. Almost immediately upon entering the roundabout, take the first departure, which is signed Cué and Andrín.
When you leave the roundabout, you will be at the start of a minor road numbered LLN-2 that goes east, passing through the village of Cué before curving inland to the village of Andrín. There are signs indicating the road number, but there are no kilometer markers.
There are two ways to access Playa de Portiellu, and both are before Cué. (Option 1 described below is best for parking, but the walking route is not terribly distinct. The walking path is quite distinct if you follow Option 2, but there is no designated or obvious place to park.) Access to Playa de Ballota is far more straightforward, and the turnoff is after Cué but before Andrín. Below are some landmarks along LLN-2.
• km 0.00  Start of LLN-2 at roundabout next to Llanes town sign.
• km 0.05  LLN-2 bends sharply leftward in front of a red-and-white apartment building that is several stories tall.
• km 0.43  Signed turnoff to Playa de Toró. Starting immediately past the turnoff, there is a red sidewalk along the left (coast) side of LLN-2 that extends all the way into the village of Cué. Along the red sidewalk, there are intermittent segments of wooden rail fencing that seem more decorative than functional.
• km 1.15  Unsigned track to Playa de Portiellu. The track begins at the last segment of decorative fencing before the village of Cué, near a park bench.
• km 1.33  Cué village sign (west end of village).
• km 2.13  East end of Cué. There is a village sign facing traffic coming from the opposite direction.
• km 2.92  Signed turnoff to Playa de Ballota.
• km 3.42  Start of path to scenic overlook (Mirador Panorámico La Boriza), directly opposite entrance to municipal golf course.
• km 3.98  Andrín village sign.
To go to Playa de Portiellu—Option 1:
From the start of LLN-2, proceed a little over 400 meters and turn left at the brown sign that points toward Playa de Toró. Proceed about 350 meters to the point where the road begins to curve leftward, then turn left into a paved parking lot (43.4160N, 4.7449W).
The parking lot is on the inland side of the road, across the road from Restaurante Riomar and a small beach called Playa de Toró. Playa de Portiellu is a hidden beach that is the next beach east of Playa de Toró (to the right when facing the ocean). The two beaches are separated by a small hill that tapers into Punta Radón, a rocky notch of land that projects into the ocean.
A cobbled walkway that begins opposite the parking lot winds past the restaurant and then goes to a scenic viewpoint at the outermost point of Punta Radón, and that walkway is about 550 meters long. To go to Playa de Portiellu, follow the cobbled walkway for roughly 300 meters. Once you pass the restaurant, the walkway will begin to go gradually uphill, with a dense growth of low-lying scrub on both sides. When the path levels out a bit at its highest elevation, there will be a small copse of trees to your right at the peak of the hill. (You have gone too far along the cobbled walkway if you reach the point where it curves sharply leftward and begins going downhill.) Leave the walkway and head into the copse of trees. On the other side of the trees you will see Playa de Portiellu tucked into a small bay. (Keep in mind that the beach basically disappears at high tide, so you may see little or no sand if the tide is in.) The access stairs down to Playa de Portiellu are toward the opposite end of the beach from the copse of trees, a few hundred meters away. Make your way to the stairs following the maze of faint, narrow footpaths that wind through the scrub and grass above the beach. The total walk from the parking lot is 700 meters.
To go to Playa de Portiellu—Option 2:
From the start of LLN-2, proceed 1100-1200 meters. An unmarked track begins on the left at a gap in the last two decorative fence segments before Cué (43.4121N, 4.7393W), and that is where you will need to return on foot once you park. (There is no room to park on the side of the road.) Continue along LLN-2 another 150-200 meters and you will pass the Cué village sign. There are a number of places in the dense little village where you can leave your car. Just watch for posted restrictions. The track is a little over 300 meters long, and it makes a gradual and straightforward descent through a grassy meadow, leading directly to the stairs to Playa de Portiellu.
To go to Playa de Ballota:
From the start of LLN-2, proceed about 1.3 kilometers to Cué. For about 800 meters the road will go past old dwellings that are built very close to the road, then the structures will abruptly end and you will be in the countryside. Once you are beyond the village, continue about 800 meters, then turn left at a brown Playa de Ballota sign. The narrow gravel access road twists and turns downhill about 700 meters before ending at a small parking area (43.4109N, 4.7137W). From there, a long set of stone steps descends to the beach, landing on its far east end. Facing the water, turn left and look across the beach. You will see a very long rock that extends seaward toward the opposite end of the beach. Most nudity takes place on the other side of that rock.
Note: If you stay on LLN-2 past the Ballota turnoff, in 500 meters you will reach a small parking area on the coast side of the road at a Mirador Panorámico La Boriza sign. From there, a 200-meter-long footpath goes to a scenic overlook that affords great views of Playa de Ballota and neighboring Playa de Andrín from an elevation of about 120 meters.
MAP from A-8 Exit 294 to parking (next to Playa de Toró, for accessing Playa de Portiellu)
MAP from A-8 Exit 294 to start of unsigned track to Playa de Portiellu
MAP from A-8 Exit 294 to parking (Playa Ballota)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Portiellu and Playa de Ballota.

Exit 294 interchange of A-8 motorway
This placemark pertains to Playa de Portiellu and Playa de Ballota.

roundabout at Llanes town sign

red-and-white apartment building, several stories tall

brown sign pointing toward Playa de Toró

paved parking lot

Restaurante Riomar

Playa de Toró (textile)

Punta Radón scenic viewpoint

small copse of trees near highest elevation of cobbled walkway

stairs to beach

Cué village sign (facing traffic going east)

Playa de Cué (textile)

Cué village sign (facing traffic going west)

brown sign pointing toward Playa de Ballota

entrance to municipal golf course

Mirador Panorámico La Boriza (scenic overlook)

Andrín village sign

Playa de Andrín (textile)

segment of LLN-2

road to Playa de Toró

cobbled walkway to Punta Radón

faint and possibly overgrown footpaths through grass and scrub

unsigned track

gravel road to Playa de Ballota

long rock near northwest end of beach

path to scenic overlook

Cantabria

Playa de Oyambre

Playa de Oyambre
Playa de Oyambre is a long beach that extends several kilometers, and it is about halfway between the towns of San Vicente de la Barquera and Comillas in the far west of Cantabria. Generally oriented toward the northeast, two natural features define the extreme ends of the beach. At its east end, there is the mouth of an estuary called the Ría de Oyambre. At its west end, there is a cape called Cabo de Oyambre. Playa de Oyambre can basically be divided into three areas. At its east end, part of the beach is a large sandbar that extends inland along the estuary. The central area of the beach is a long crescent. The western end of the beach is tucked into Cabo de Oyambre and hidden from the rest of the beach.
The central crescent of Oyambre and the eastern estuarine part of the beach are attended only by textiles, but the hidden part of the beach at its west end is hardly attended at all. Nudity occurs regularly. To get there, you have to walk across the beach to what appears to be its west end. Skirt around the rocks and you will discover a series of small coves that are partially separated by screes of rocks. These coves, which comprise the informal nudist part of Oyambre, extend 300-400 meters and are not visible from the rest of the beach. The most distant and largest of the coves abuts a prominent headland, beyond which farther access is difficult.
The restrooms, showers and food establishments of the main area of the beach area quite a long walk from the nude area (about 1.8 kilometers). While Oyambre overall is a popular and well-documented beach, the hidden nudist part of the beach remains rather obscure and is poorly documented. There are much better established nude beaches a bit farther east in Cantabria, closer to Santander.
San Vicente de la Barquera, Cantabria, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DU7nm7
43.3927N, 4.3389W (unmarked turnoff to Playa de Oyambre at kilometer 1.4 of CA-236 near Ceceño)
Ceceño is a small village that is slightly inland from the coast toward the far west end of Cantabria. CA-236 is a short, minor road that begins just north of the village and hews toward the coastline. The main access to Playa de Oyambre is near the start of CA-236 (before kilometer marker 1), but the location referenced above is an unsigned secondary access that is between markers 1 and 2. The turnoff is an asphalted road that is opposite a small lodging establishment called Villa Sofía, and it is the only turnoff toward the coast between markers 1 and 2 that is not private driveway. Once you turn away from CA-236, you will be on a short road that goes downhill, coming to an end next the beach in just over 200 meters. You can park along the road or in the large grassy areas next to the road.
Facing the ocean, turn to your left. You will see a tree-covered hillside that juts prominently into the water, and the beach curves around the base of the hill. The nude area of the beach is hidden from view on the other side of the hill. As you walk in that direction, the beach will get narrower and may nearly disappear altogether if the tide is in, but there are rocks at the base of the hill that make passage possible. Once you've rounded the bend, you will discover a series of small sandy niches that are separated by screes of rocks. That is the nude area of the beach. The total walk is about one kilometer.
starting point:  Exit 258 (Lamadrid, Roiz, Caviedes) of the A-8 motorway in Valdáliga
Exit 258 is a rural exit in Valdáliga, which is a conglomeration of very small villages. The exit is about 27 kilometers west of Torrelavega and about 15 kilometers east of the provincial border of Cantabria and Asturias. Once you exit, follow the signs that point toward Caviedes and N-634. About 1.5 kilometers after you depart the exit interchange, you will reach the roundabout that forms the junction with route N-634, but do not take either of the departures for N-634. Instead, keep straight ahead through the roundabout, following the sign for El Tejo and Comillas. At that point, you will be at the start of route CA-363.
CA-363 is rural road that twists and turns through the countryside. In 4.8 kilometers, after passing through the small villages of Larteme and Santana, you will reach the small red-and-white village sign for Ceceño (which is near kilometer marker 5).
Keep straight ahead on CA-363, which skirts the edge of the village. 800 meters farther on, you will reach a stop sign where CA-363 ends at a "T" junction with route CA-131. Turn left, following the sign for La Revilla and San Vicente.
Follow CA-131 about 900 meters, then turn right at the brown sign that points toward Oyambre. You will then be on route CA-236. (The turnoff is between kilometer markers 27 and 28 of CA-131, and when you turn you will be at kilometer 0 of CA-236.)
Follow CA-236 about 700 meters and you will see the large parking lot at the main access of Playa de Oyambre on your right (directly opposite the entrance into Camping Oyambre Beach). While you could park in the main lot, your walk will be considerably shorter if you keep driving a bit. About 300 meters farther on, you will pass kilometer marker 1. 400 meters past marker 1, turn right onto the unmarked road that is opposite Villa Sofía, then proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Oyambre.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Oyambre.

Ceceño village sign
This placemark pertains to Playa de Oyambre.

brown sign pointing toward Oyambre

Camping Oyambre Beach

parking lot at main beach access

Villa Sofía

parking along road or in grassy areas

mouth of Ría de Oyambre estuary

segment of CA-363

segment of CA-131

short road to earthen parking area

Playa de Valdearenas

Playa de Valdearenas
Playa de Valdearenas is a very popular beach with extensive dunes within Liencres Dunes Natural Park (Parque Natural de las Dunas de Liencres), which is between Santander and Torrelavega. The beach is 2.8 kilometers long, extending southwest to the broad mouth of the river Pas. The western third of the beach is a expansive swath of sand with the ocean on one side and the estuary of the river on the other.
The huge parking lot is toward the eastern end of beach, and there are two eateries that abut the parking area. As you step onto the beach, you will likely be amid quite a throng of textiles, but the crowd tends to stay clustered near the access point. Just go west toward the river mouth. As the crowd begins to thin out, you will begin to encounter nudists once you are about a kilometer of so from the parking lot. Nudity is also quite common in the dunes, and there is sometimes nudity on the estuary side of the beach as well.
Piélagos, Cantabria, Spain

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43.4479N, 3.9468W (signed turnoff to Playa de Valdearenas at kilometer 7.5 of CA-231, between Boo de Piélagos and Liencres)
Once you turn away from CA-131, you will be on the road that goes all the way to the beach. After a pleasant drive of 1.4 kilometers through a forest, you will enter a huge asphalted parking lot (43.4492N, 3.9633W). There are two restaurants in the parking lot. The one farther west is called Cota Zero and the one farther east is called Al Otro Lado de Liencres, and there is a beach access next to each of those restaurants. To park as close as possible to the nude area, just keep straight ahead when you enter the parking lot. In about 250 meters, you will pass Cota Zero restaurant, beyond which there are about half a dozen handicap parking spaces. A short ramp down to the beach is straight ahead from there. Facing the ocean, turn left and walk west about a kilometer or until you are sufficiently past the textiles.
starting point:  Exit 195 (Boo de Piélagos, Arce) of the A-67 motorway in Piélagos
Exit 195 is about 12 kilometers west of Santander and 12 kilometers northeast of Torrelavega. Upon exiting, follow the signs that point toward Boo de Piélagos and Liencres. When you depart the roundabout that is on the coast side of the motorway, you will be on a road numbered CA-231. In 1.3 kilometers, you will cross a bridge over a railroad as you pass through the village of Boo de Piélago. From that point, continue north on CA-231 another 2 kilometers, then turn left at the signs that point toward Playa de Valdearenas. The turnoff is between kilometer markers 8 and 7, and the road widens to include a center turn lane at the turnoff. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Valdearenas.

Exit 195 interchange of A-67 motorway
This placemark pertains to Playa de Valdearenas.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Valdearenas.

bridge over railroad

signed turnoff to Playa de Valdearenas

huge paved parking lot

Cota Zero restaurant

Al Otro Lado de Liencres restaurant

road from CA-231 to Playa de Valdearenas

Playa de Somocuevas & Playa de Covachos

Santander is the capital and largest city of Cantabria, and it is located about midway across the coastline of the province. A short distance west of the city center, there are two nude beaches that are not far away from one another: Playa de Somocuevas and Playa de Covachos. (These beaches are also quite close to Playa de Valdearenas, which is described in a different listing.) Somocuevas and Covachos are both very unique and charming beaches that are just 5 kilometers apart by car, so it is quite easy to visit both beaches in the same day. Just be aware that getting to either beach requires descending lots of steps.
Playa de Somocuevas is the more distant beach from Santander. The beach is located in the town of Liencres, which is among a number of towns and village that comprise the municipality of Piélagos. Somocuevas is just 100 meters long, and it is wedged in one side of a large and unusual rocky outcropping the juts out from the main coastline. The beach is oriented toward the west rather than the north and thus has views of parts of the coastline that are farther west. The large masses of rock that bracket both ends of the beach create a sheltered swimming area, where the water tends to be shallow and calm except at high tide. Somocuevas is quite popular, and it can feel crowded on peak summer days due to its small size.
Playa de Covachos is in the town of Soto de la Marina, which is adjacent to Liencres but part of a different municipality (Santa Cruz de Bezana). Covachos is an especially beautiful beach that is a 500-meter-long crescent at low tide, but most of the beach disappears at high tide, so the appearance of the beach changes radically during the course of the day. When you follow the steps down to the beach, you will land toward its west end. When the tide is in, the waves come all the way up to the base of the steps. To the left of the steps (i.e., west), there is a pocket of the beach that is backed by a sheer, formidable cliff wall. That pocket of the beach is about 100 meters long, and it always has sand, even at high tide. Looking to your right from the base of the stairs, you will see a prominent land mass just offshore that looks like a huge rock dome. At low tide, there is an isthmus of sand that extends all the way to that rock, and it is common to see nude strollers following the sand all the way to the rock. At high tide, the rocky land mass becomes in island.
Nudity occurs along the entire expanse of both Somocuevas and Covachos. A sizable majority of visitors tend to go nude at Somocuevas, while Covachos tends to have more of a mix of nudists and textiles. There are no amenities at either beach.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Somocuevas and Playa de Covachos.

Playa de Somocuevas
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Somocuevas and Playa de Covachos.)
Piélagos, Cantabria, Spain
There are 20 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Somocuevas and Playa de Covachos.

Playa de Covachos
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Somocuevas and Playa de Covachos.)
Santa Cruz de Bezana, Cantabria, Spain
There are 20 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Somocuevas and Playa de Covachos.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45q3z7K
Liencres and Soto de la Marina are neighboring coastal towns that are just west of Santander, with Liencres being the farther west of the two. Both are within 12 kilometers of the city center of Santander, and CA-231 is the road through the two towns. The two turnoffs referenced below are just 1.8 kilometers apart.
To go to Playa de Somocuevas, set your GPS device to:
43.4605N, 3.9277W (turnoff toward coast at kilometer 5.3 of CA-231 in Liencres)
The turnoff referenced above is in the commercial center of Liencres. While there are small signs pointing toward Playa de Somocuevas and Playas de Cerrias, those signs exist only for traffic going west. The turnoff is between two small parks—both on the coast side of CA-231 and both containing several park benches. One park is a cobbled plaza and the other is a children's playground with multi-colored picket fencing. When you turn away from CA-231, the cobbled plaza should be to your left and the children's playground to your right.
Once you turn, you will be on a road that passes through a residential area, and you will be able to see the ocean in the distance. Keep straight ahead at all intersections. In 1.5 kilometers, the road will curve sharply to the left when it reaches the cliff above the ocean. Shortly past that curve, the road ends at the gate into a small complex of houses. Between the curve and the complex, there is a long dirt pullout (43.4690N, 3.9417W) that is the parking area for Playa de Somocuevas. However, parking in the pullout is limited, so on crowded days there will be lots of cars parked along the side of the road leading up to its end. The path to the beach begins at the far end of the dirt pullout and leads to a long wooden staircase that descends to the beach. The total walk is less than 200 meters.
To go to Playa de Covachos, set your GPS device to:
43.4629N, 3.9062W (turnoff toward coast at kilometer 3.5 of CA-231 in Soto de la Marina)
The turnoff referenced above is marked by a sign that points toward Playas de Covachos y Arnía. Upon turning, go north about one kilometer. The road forks at a sign indicating the end of the town limits of Soto de la Marina. Keep to the right, following the small sign that points toward Playa de Covacho. (The other fork goes to Playa de Arnía.) In 300 meters the road bends sharply to the right, then 250 meters farther along it dead ends. There is parking along the side of the road leading up to its end (43.4716N, 3.9117W). Parking is also available in large grassy areas near the bend of the road. Straight ahead from the end of the road, a path leads out toward the ocean. Within 100 meters, you will reach the stone steps that descend to the beach.
starting point:  Exit 197 (Bezana, Mortera, Liencres) of the A-67 motorway in Santa Cruz de Bezana
Exit 197 is about 10 kilometers west of Santander and 14 kilometers northeast of Torrelavega. Upon exiting, follow the signs that point toward Mortera and Liencres. When you depart the roundabout that is on the coast side of the motorway, you will be on a road numbered CA-303. Stay on CA-303, passing through Mortera and following signs for Liencres. About 3.6 kilometers from the motorway, you will pass a small red-and-white Liencres town sign.
When you pass the sign, the rooftops of Liencres will come into view, with the ocean beyond. 400 meters farther on, you will reach a stop sign, where CA-303 ends at a "T" junction with CA-231. Turn right, following the sign for Santander.
Follow CA-231 east just 200 meters through Liencres and watch very carefully on your left for a cobbled park plaza that is directly opposite Restaurante Vista Hermosa, which is housed in a three-story green building with white trim. There are bus stops on both sides of CA-231 at the park plaza. (Watch for BUS painted on the pavement.)
To go to Playa de Somocuevas, turn left at the red light that is next to the cobbled park plaza and Restaurante Vista Hermosa, then proceed as directed above. (Be aware that you have missed the turnoff by 300 meters if you pass kilometer marker 5.)
To go to Playa de Covachos, continue east along CA-231. In 1.3 kilometers you will reach a roundabout at kilometer marker 4, just past the sign that indicates you are leaving Liencres and entering Soto de la Marina. (Hospital Santa Cruz is accessed from the roundabout.) Keep straight ahead through the roundabout (staying on CA-231). Continue another 400-500 meters, then turn left at the sign for Playas de Covachos y Arnía and proceed as directed above. (If you pass kilometer marker 3, you have missed the turn by about 500 meters.)
MAP from A-67 Exit 197 to parking (Somocuevas)
MAP from A-67 Exit 197 to parking (Covachos)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Somocuevas and Playa de Covachos.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Somocuevas and Playa de Covachos.

"Liencres" town sign along CA-303

cobbled park plaza

Restaurante Vista Hermosa

This placemark pertains to Playa de Somocuevas.

town signs ("Liencres" to the west, "Soto de la Marina" to the east)

kilometer marker 4 of CA-231, at a roundabout

Hospital Santa Cruz

road fork at "leaving Soto de la Marina" sign
This placemark pertains to Playa de Covachos.

roadside parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Covachos.

rocky land mass becomes an island at high tide
This placemark pertains to Playa de Covachos.

Playa de Arnía (textile)

road from CA-231 to Playa de Somocuevas

roads from CA-231 to Playa de Covachos

path and stairs

path & steps to Playa de Covachos

approximate extent of Playa de Covachos at low tide

Playa del Puntal

Playa del Puntal
Santander is the capital and largest city of Cantabria, and it lies on the west side of a prominent inlet called the Bay of Santander. On the east side of the bay, there is an urbanized seaside locality called Somo, and a sandy peninsula called El Puntal extends westward from Somo toward Santander. This narrow protrusion of land is about 2.5 kilometers long, and its western tip forms one side of the mouth of the Bay of Santander, where the bay opens to the Atlantic. There are sandy beaches on both the ocean side and the bay side of El Puntal, with a lush line of sand dunes in between.
Each end of El Puntal is a zone of textile usage. At the start of the peninsula (i.e., the east end), the immediate vicinity of Somo is a textile area, as one would expect. What is a bit surprising is that there are often large numbers of textiles on the opposite end of the peninsula toward the western tip, a long walk from the closest parking. Most of these visitors arrive by boat. On peak summer weekends, there may be several hundred boats docked toward the western end of the bay side of El Puntal, with sunbathers on both the bay and the ocean sides.
The nude area of El Puntal is not especially well defined, tending to expand or contract depending on the size of the overall crowd. Assuming you arrive by car, you will access the beach at Somo. Walking west (to the left when facing the ocean), you may encounter nudists after just a couple of minutes, as soon as the crowd starts to thin out a bit. Most nude bathing takes place within a kilometer of the development of Somo, on the ocean side of El Puntal. Elsewhere on the peninsula, on the ocean side toward the western end or anywhere along the bay side, nudity occurs more irregularly. In those areas, nudity should generally be avoided on days when the bay is swarming with boats.
Sunbathers on El Puntal have a great view of the Palacio de la Magdalena, which is located in Santander on a peninsular protrusion of land that forms the other side of the mouth of the Bay of Santander. The grand palace, completed in 1912, was a summer residence of the Spanish royal family. As the crow flies, the palace is about 1.5 kilometers away from the area of El Puntal where nudity is most common.
Ribamontán al Mar, Cantabria, Spain

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43.4534N, 3.7411W (junction at kilometer 13 of CA-141 in Somo)
Somo is a small but densely urbanized seaside district that is among the scattered villages and urbanizations that comprise the municipality of Ribamontán al Mar, just east of Santander. The location referenced above is a junction that is immediately west of kilometer marker 13. (It is an atypical junction consisting of a roundabout that is bisected by CA-141.) At the junction, turn toward the coast, following signs for Somo (centro) and Playas de Somo y del Puntal.
Upon turning away from CA-141, proceed about 150 meters and take the next possible right at a sign pointing toward tourist information, then continue about 250 meters. Playa de Somo will be directly in front of you, and traffic must turn left. By that point, you will be next to the beachfront buildings of Somo. There is parking throughout the area, both along the street and in several parking lots near the beach (43.4561N, 3.7444W).
Playa de Somo and Playa del Puntal are contiguous areas of the same beach. When you access the beach, you will be at Playa de Somo. Facing the ocean, turn left and head west. As you walk away from Somo, you will be on Playa de Puntal, and you may encounter nudity within just a few hundred meters as the crowd becomes more sparse. Most nudity occurs with a kilometer of Somo, but nudity is often possible farther west along the Puntal peninsula, dependent on how many textile boaters are present.
starting point:  Exit 197 (Solares, Entrambasaguas, Villaverde de Pontones, Galizano) of the A-8 motorway near Hoznayo
Exit 197 is about 20 kilometers southeast of Santander and 27 kilometers west of Laredo. Depending on the direction of approach, you will have to go through one or two roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange. Follow the signs for Villaverde de Pontones and Galizano to negotiate your way through the interchange. Upon departing the roundabout that is on the coast side of the motorway, you will be at the start of route CA-146 (at kilometer 0), heading in a generally northward direction toward Galizano.
Keep straight ahead on CA-146 about 6 kilometers and take note when you pass kilometer marker 6. Continue 500-600 meters farther, then turn left at the sign for Suesa and Somo. You will then be on CA-433. Follow it northwest 2.3 kilometers until you reach the large roundabout that forms the junction with CA-141, then take the third departure (effectively a left turn), toward Somo and Santander.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on the outskirts of Somo. Follow CA-141 west about 800 meters to kilometer marker 13 next to a red light. The junction referenced above is immediately past marker 13. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Puntal.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Puntal.

junction of CA-141 & CA-433 at roundabout
This placemark pertains to Playa del Puntal.

kilometer marker 13 of CA-141, next to a red light

parking throughout Somo

Palacio de la Magdalena

roads from CA-141 to parking

area with the most nudists, usually

Playa de Langre

Playa de Langre
Playa de Langre is a very beautiful and popular beach located in a rural area east of Santander. Although just 9 kilometers from Santander as the crow flies, the beach is about 30 kilometer from the city by car owing to the geographic barrier of Santander's prominent bay. Playa de Langre actually consists of two beaches that are side by side, separated by a notch of land that is easily skirted at low tide. Both beaches are sandy crescents backed by steep cliffs, wedged against a picturesque plateau of lush green farmland. Each of the beaches is accessed by a long staircase with handrails. The larger eastern beach is about 600 meters long, and it is known as Langre I. The substantially smaller western beach is less than 200 meters long, and it is known as Langre II. With such a setup, it is natural to expect that the larger beach is textile and the smaller one is nudist, but that is not quite the case at Langre.
Langre I is the more popular beach because it has a lot more sand and also gets more sunlight, and the beach is mostly attended by textiles. The access stairs land toward the west end of the beach. Nudists gravitate to the opposite (east) end of the beach, and the east end of Langre I is where bare bathing occurs most consistently on the two Langre beaches. Nudity occurs far more irregularly at Langre II. On crowded summer days, Langre II will almost certainly be all textile, but there is occasional nudity on days when the beach is mostly empty. There are no amenities at either of the Langre beaches.
43.4750N, 3.6883W (established nude area at east end of Langre I)
43.4770N, 3.6954W (Langre II, much smaller beach with occasional nudity)
Ribamontán al Mar, Cantabria, Spain

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43.4729N, 3.6987W (signed turnoff to Playa de Langre at kilometer 3.2 of CA-440 in Langre)
Santander, the capital and largest city of Cantabria, is on the west side of the Bay of Santander. On the east side of the bay, Ribamontán al Mar is a rather rural municipality that consists of a scattering of small villages. Toward the coastal periphery of Ribamontán al Mar, CA-440 is a minor road that is just over 6 kilometers long, passing through three villages. From west to east, those villages are Loredo,★ Langre and Galizano. There is just one four-way intersection along CA-440 in Langre, with CA-440 making a 90° turn at that intersection. The location referenced above is at the four-way intersection, and there is a sign pointing to the beach.
Upon turning away from CA-440, proceed about 150 meters to a fork★★ in the road. Keep to the right. Continue about 200 meters and watch for a small mausoleum on the left (which is an isolated building amid the treeless farmland). Turn left immediately past the mausoleum and follow the track a short distance to a grassy parking area that overlooks the ocean (43.4743N, 3.6920W). The parking area is next to the staircase that goes down to the larger and more eastern of the two Langre beaches (Langre I). The stairs land toward the west end of Langre I. Facing the ocean, turn right and head east roughly 300 meters to the east end of the beach, which is the nude area.
starting point:  Exit 197 (Solares, Entrambasaguas, Villaverde de Pontones, Galizano) of the A-8 motorway near Hoznayo
Exit 197 is about 20 kilometers southeast of Santander and 27 kilometers west of Laredo.★ Depending on the direction of approach, you will have to go through one or two roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange. Follow the signs for Villaverde de Pontones and Galizano to negotiate your way through the interchange. Upon departing the roundabout that is on the coast side of the motorway, you will be at the start of route CA-146 (at kilometer 0), heading in a generally northward direction toward Galizano.
Keep straight ahead on CA-146 about 11 kilometers and you will pass kilometer marker 11, then about 600 meters farther on you will reach the end of the route at a large roundabout with a landscaped area of grass, bushes and flowers in the middle. That roundabout forms the junction with CA-141, and it is at the edge of the village of Galizano. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively just a right turn), which is signed Argoños and Santoña.
When you leave the roundabout, you will be going east on CA-141, but you will not be on the road for long. In just 200 meters, turn left at a sign that points toward Langre and Loredo.★ Upon turning, you will be on CA-440.
Keep straight ahead on CA-440 as it winds through Galizano. In just over one kilometer, you will pass kilometer marker 5, and by that point you will have passed through Galizano and will be heading in a generally westward direction through the countryside. One kilometer farther on, you will pass the Langre village sign, which is next to kilometer marker 4. Continue another 800 meters to a four-way intersection where CA-440 bends to the left. Turn right instead, following the brown sign for Playas de Langre. Proceed as directed above.
★ Two locations with very similar names are referenced above. Loredo is the small village just west of Langre, while Laredo is a much larger town farther east in Cantabria.
★★ The left fork leads to parking above Langre II, the smaller and more western of the two Langre beaches. The parking areas above Langre I and Langre II are connected by a clifftop footpath that is about 250 meters long.
MAP from A-8 Exit 197 to fork near parking areas
This placemark pertains to Playa de Langre.

3-way junction of CA-141 & CA-440 in Galizano
This placemark pertains to Playa de Langre.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Langre.

kilometer marker 4 of CA-440, next to Langre village sign

brown sign pointing toward Playas de Langre

small mausoleum

parking area, Langre I

parking area, Langre II

east end of Langre I

Langre II

minor road through farmland

road into parking area (Langre I)

road into parking area (Langre II)

steps to Langre I

clifftop path between access stairs

steps to Langre II

Playa de la Arena

Playa de la Arena
A bit west of the town of Noja, the river Ajo forms an estuary as if flows toward the ocean, and there are lots of sandbars in that estuary. The largest of those sandbars is located at the mouth of the river, and it is called Playa de la Arena. This beach is quite unusual in that it is oriented more toward the river than toward the ocean. At low tide, Playa de la Arena is nearly a kilometer long, and it is possible to wade quite is distance in the shallow water. At high, the middle part of the beach disappears, leaving areas of sand about 150 meters long at either end.
When you arrive at Playa de la Arena, you will first drive past the main access of the beach at its far east end. That is the part of the beach that is farthest downstream, where the river flows into the ocean. The area at the main access is textile, and there are a number of commercial establishments next to the beach, including a hotel, a campground and a few eateries. Keep following the road past the main access and shortly thereafter the road will end and a walkway continues, going to the far west end of the beach, which is farther up the river. That end of the beach is where nudists gather, and since it effectively becomes a separate beach at high tide, it is often called Playa de los Nudistas.
Arnuero, Cantabria, Spain

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43.4952N, 3.5679W (small roundabout at kilometer 3.15 of CA-448 in Isla)
The small village of Isla is part of the municipality of Arnuero. The location referenced above is the only roundabout in the village,`and it is just north of the village center. Take the roundabout departure signed Playa de la Arena, which is the only departure that isn't part of CA-448. In 1.5 kilometers you will reach Hotel Campomar, which is a white building with a pitched orange roof. The main area of Playa de la Arena is directly opposite the hotel, and there is a large grassy parking lot next to the hotel. However, you should not park there. Keep straight head, skirting the edge of the grassy lot. 200-300 meters farther on, the road ends at a smaller parking lot (43.5022N, 3.5815W). Straight ahead, a walkway continues. Follow that walkway about 100 meters until it begins to make a long curve toward the left. At that point, you can leave the walkway and go out to the beach, or you can keep following the walkway a few hundred meters farther until it ends. Either way, you'll land on the nude area of the beach.
starting point:  depending on the direction of approach, either Exit 184 (Beranga, Noja, Isla) or Exit 185 (Beranga, Noja, Isla) of the A-8 motorway near Beranga
Exits 184 and 185 are are part of the same interchange. If you are going west, the number is 184 and there is no 185. If you are going east, the number is 185 and there is no 184. The exit interchange is about 15 kilometers west of Laredo and 30 kilometers east of Santander. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the second departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), which is signed Beranga, Noja and Isla. Follow N-634 west just 500-600 meters to the next roundabout, which is in the middle of the village of Beranga. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Meruelo, Nojo, Isla and Ajo.
Once you leave the roundabout in Beranga, you will begin heading north on route CA-147. Stay on CA-147 for 7.4 kilometers, keeping straight ahead through two more small roundabouts, until you reach the large roundabout that forms the junction with CA-141. At that point, you will be on the outskirts of Noja, and the large roundabout is recognizable by the pattern of brickwork in the middle: several wedges composed of red bricks are surrounded by a border composed of yellow bricks.
Take the third departure of the large roundabout, which is signed Arnuero, Isla, Ajo, Somo and Santander. Follow CA-141 west just 500-600 meters, then turn right onto CA-449, which is signed Isla, Playa de Isla and Playa de la Arena.
Follow CA-449 for 2.8 kilometers to a small roundabout. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed Isla-Casco Histórico and Playa de la Arena. (The other departure is signed Quejo and Isla-Playas.) You will then begin going west on CA-448. In 600-700 meters you will pass kilometer marker 4, then 800-800 meters farther on you will reach the only roundabout in Isla. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Arena.

This placemark pertains to Playa de la Arena.

small roundabout in Isla
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Arena.

Hotel Campomar

east end of Playa de la Arena (textile)

road from Isla to Playa de la Arena

Playa de Trengandín

Playa de Trengandín
Playa de Trengandín is a long, sandy beach on the east side of the town of Noja that extends about 3.5 kilometers. The beach is especially notable for the craggy rock formations that are scattered on the sand and in the water along the western and central parts of the beach. A neighborhood of Noja called Helgueras is located along the central area of the beach, and a small chain of mountains called the Montes de Mijedo extends eastward from Helgueras. A headland called Punta del Brusco extends from the mountains into the ocean, forming the eastern end of the beach. The distance from Helgueras to Punta del Brusca is about 2 kilometers, and as you go east toward the headland, the beach becomes less and less populated and nudity becomes more and more common. The informal nude area is vaguely defined, and nudists are widely dispersed. Perhaps for those reasons, the east end of Playa de Trengandín is not one of the better known nude beaches of Cantabria. The closest amenities are in Helgueras.
Noja, Cantabria, Spain

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43.4612N, 3.5184W (signed turnoff to Helgueras at kilometer 32.3 of CA-141, between Arnuero and Argoñs)
Upon turning away from CA-141, you will be on an unnumbered road. Follow it north and east about 1.5 kilometers and you will begin to pass through Helgueras, which is a neighborhood of Noja that is east of the main part of town. About 500 meters farther on, you will reach a small roundabout at the coastal edge of Helgueras. At that point, Playa de Trengandín will be directly in front of you. However, you aren't ready to park just yet.
At the small roundabout, turn right (east) onto the road that follows the coastline. Within 100 meters you will pass beneath a red-and-white height barrier (maximum vehicle height of 2 meters) and the road will turn to gravel. At that point the landscape will become quite pastoral, with the ocean to your left and mountains to your right. In about 700 meters the road will fork. Keep to the left, staying on the road that is closer to the ocean. The road will dead end about 400 meters farther along, just steps from the beach. Park alongside the road near its end (43.4690N, 3.4917W). Facing the ocean, the beach continues about a kilometer to your right before ending at a headland. That easternmost kilometer or so of the beach is the informal nude area.
starting point:  depending on the direction of approach, either Exit 184 (Beranga, Noja, Isla) or Exit 185 (Beranga, Noja, Isla) of the A-8 motorway near Beranga
Exits 184 and 185 are are part of the same interchange. If you are going west, the number is 184 and there is no 185. If you are going east, the number is 185 and there is no 184. The exit interchange is about 15 kilometers west of Laredo and 30 kilometers east of Santander. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the second departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), which is signed Beranga, Noja and Isla. Follow N-634 west just 500-600 meters to the next roundabout, which is in the middle of the village of Beranga. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Meruelo, Nojo, Isla and Ajo.
Once you leave the roundabout in Beranga, you will begin heading north on route CA-147. Stay on CA-147 for 7.4 kilometers, keeping straight ahead through two more small roundabouts, until you reach the large roundabout that forms the junction with CA-141. At that point, you will be on the outskirts of Noja, and the large roundabout is recognizable by the pattern of brickwork in the middle: several wedges composed of red bricks are surrounded by a border composed of yellow bricks.
Take the first departure of the large roundabout, which is signed Argoños and Santoña. Follow CA-141 east for 1.3 kilometers, then turn left at the sign that points toward Helgueras. The turnoff is between kilometer markers 32 and 33, and the road widens to include a center turn lane at the point where you need to turn. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Trengandín.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Trengandín.

signed turnoff from CA-141 toward Helgueras
This placemark pertains to Playa de Trengandín.

mini-roundabout in Helgueras

road turns to gravel just past 2-meter height barrier

fork of gravel road

Punta del Brusco

unnumbered road from CA-141 to Helgueras

unnumbered coastal road through Helgueras

Playa del Arenal de Sonabia

Playa del Arenal de Sonabia
Playa del Arenal de Sonabia, often just called Playa de Sonabia, is a small beach located in the far east of Cantabria, between Laredo and Castro Urdiales. It is a deep pocket of sand that is about 150 meters long, and at low tide the width of the beach exceeds its length. You would be hard pressed to find a beach anywhere in Spain that has a more gorgeous and dramatic backdrop. A mountain called Monte Solpico rises up abruptly from from the west side of the beach to a maximum elevation of 483 meters, and the crest of the mountain is popular with hikers. Along the crest there is a unique double natural arch called Los Ojos del Diablo ("The Eyes of the Devil"). As you draw your eyes down from the crest of Monte Solpico, there is a sheer and rugged escarpment. Below the escarpment, the land begins to slope more gently and becomes quite verdant, covered in grass that seems to undulate like waves. It's a spectacular setting.
Nude bathing is well established and freely tolerated at El Arenal de Sonabia, which is bit surprising considering the proximity of the beach to the small village of Sonabia and its rather exposed, wide-open feel. While nudists are always well represented, textiles usually outnumber nudists on crowded days.
El Arenal de Sonabia is just under 3 kilometers from the motorway, and the short drive is quite scenic. Along the way, you will pass the turnoff to Playa de Oriñón, a huge sandy beach that is backed by a campground and other development. You will have a clear view of Playa de Oriñón on your way to Sonabia. There are a few eateries at Oriñón. At El Arenal de Sonabia, there are no amenities at beach level, but there is a snack bar next to the parking area, a steep uphill hike from the beach.
Liendo, Cantabria, Spain

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starting point:  Exit 160 (Sonabia, Oriñón) of the A-8 motorway near Oriñón
Exit 160 is about 9 kilometers east of Laredo and 22 kilometers west of the provincial border of Cantabria and Vizcaya. Upon exiting, follow the signs that point toward Sonabia and Oriñón. About one kilometer from the motorway, keep straight ahead past the turnoff that goes into Oriñón. About one kilometer farther on, you will begin to pass through the small village of Sonabia, and the road will become very narrow. Watch for a small blue-and-white chapel on the left as you pass through the densest part of the village. Less than 100 meters past the chapel, veer left onto the next road, which is not signed. (You have missed it by about 70 meters if you reach the point where the main road turns to gravel.)
The unsigned road is a narrow road that is about 400 meters long, turning to gravel just before it ends at a pair of large rocks placed to block farther automobile access. Park along the road as close as possible to its end (43.4129N, 3.3312W). (On crowded days, there may be parked cars along the entire length of the road.)
At the end of the road, a track continues straight ahead beyond the pair of large rocks, and it runs atop the crest of a hilly land mass that juts toward the sea. Playa del Arenal de Sonabia is wedged against the left (west) side of that land mass. Near the start of the track, there are several footpaths that go downhill to the left. Follow any of them. They all more or less merge together and form a broader footpath that continues downhill to the beach. The distance is less than 250 meters, but it is a rather steep hike since the elevation loss is about 40 meters.
Note: The track beyond the end of the road continues a few hundred meters, and it is worth following for the panoramic views is affords. As you walk along the track atop the crest of the hilly land mass, grassy but mostly treeless land will slope down steeply on both sides, and Playa del Arenal de Sonabia will be clearly in view downhill to your left.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Arenal de Sonabia.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Arenal de Sonabia.

Playa de Oriñón (textile)
This placemark pertains to Playa del Arenal de Sonabia.

small blue-and-white chapel

parking along road

large rocks placed to block automobile access

scenic viewpoint

Los Ojos del Diablo (two natural arches)

road from A-8 to Sonabia

short road to beach

continuation of road (no automobile access)

Castilla y León

Segovia

Embalse del Pontón

Embalse del Pontón
The historic town of Segovia is about 90 kilometers northwest of Madrid. A bit east of Segovia, Real Sitio de San Ildefonso—or just San Ildefonso for short—is a small town best known as the location of a grand palace called the Palacio Real de la Granja de San Ildefonso—or just La Granja for short. Inspired by Versailles, La Granja was constructed in the 1720s as a summer royal residence. Today tourists flock to La Granja for its grand architecture, extensive gardens and famed fountains.
Just a few kilometers from the palace on the west side of San Ildefonso, the Embalse del Pontón is a reservoir along the Eresma River. The small lake is quite picturesque, ensconced in the foothills of the mountains that nearly encircle San Ildefonso. When the reservoir is filled to capacity, the shoreline is grassy. When the water level is low, the shoreline is ringed by a beach-like expanse of coarse sand. Visitation is limited since there are no recreational amenities. Along the north shore of the lake, a peninsular notch of land projects into the water. Nudists congregate along the grassy peninsula, which covers perhaps an acre. It is a quiet spot for nude swimming and sunbathing that is attended mainly by the local gay community.
Palazuelos de Eresma and San Ildefonso, Segovia, Castilla y León, Spain

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San Ildefonso is about 10 kilometers east-southeast of Segovia, via CL-601. The Embalse del Pontón is just west of San Ildefonso. The main access to the reservoir is along CL-601. An unsigned secondary access is along SG-P-6121, a minor road that goes north from San Ildefonso. The hike is considerably shorter if you park at the secondary access.
For the main access, set your GPS device to:
40.9084N, 4.0451W (roundabout at kilometer 4.2 of CL-601, west of San Ildefonso)
Take the roundabout departure signed Embalse del Pontón. Follow the road northeast 800 meters to its end at an asphalted parking lot (40.9141N, 4.0385W). The lot can hold about 40 cars, and it abuts the south side of the massive dam of the reservoir. Follow the broad pedestrian/bicycle path that runs atop the dam. Once you cross the dam, you will be at the west end of the north shore of the reservoir, and you will see a tall metal lattice tower directly in front of you. There are seven such lattice towers on the north shore of the reservoir that hold power lines. After crossing the dam, turn right and follow the dirt shoreline path. Count the lattice towers, starting with the one next to the dam. You will be walking east then eventually southeast, with the water on your right-hand side. You will reach the fifth lattice tower about 900 meters from the dam, and at that point you will be in the nude area, which is a small peninsular notch of land. The total walk from the parking lot is 1.3 kilometers.
For the secondary access, set your GPS device to:
40.9145N, 4.0176W (turnoff near kilometer 2 of SG-P-6121, north of San Ildefonso)
The turnoff referenced above is an unsigned gravel road that leaves from the west side of SG-P-6121, just 50 meters south of kilometer marker 2. Follow the gravel road west 500-600 meters to its end at a small parking area (40.9128N, 4.0240W). The parking area is near the east end of the north shore of the reservoir. Facing the water, go right on the path that follows the shoreline. In about 300 meters you will pass a metal lattice tower, then 200 meters farther on you will reach another such tower at the peninsular notch that is the nudist area.
starting point:  the La Granja exit of the SG-20 ring road on the southeastern periphery of Segovia
SG-20 is a 15-kilometer-long partial ring road that loops around the eastern periphery of Segovia, connecting the AP-61 motorway on the south end of the city to the A-601 motorway on the north end of the city. Most (but not quite all) of SG-20 coincides with the route of N-110, which cuts a southwest-to-northeast diagonal through the vicinity of Segovia. The La Granja exit is between kilometer markers 8 and 10 of SG-20 (marker 9 is between the opposing exit lanes), and the exit is also signed CL-601, Madrid, Segovia and Plaza Oriental.
Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout that circles under the highway. Take the departure that is signed La Granja and Palazuelos. You will be at the start of CL-601, at kilometer 0, and you will go through several roundabouts as you head toward San Ildefonso.★ Proceed east 4 kilometers and take note when you pass kilometer marker 4.
For the main access to the reservoir, take the Embalse del Pontón departure of the roundabout that is a bit past marker 4, then proceed as directed above.
For the secondary access to the reservoir, keep straight ahead on CL-601 another 3 kilometers and take note when you pass marker 7, by which point you will have entered the town of San Ildefonso. About 350 meters past marker 7, there is a road on the left signed Torrecabelleros, but a left turn is prohibited. Just past that road, you will enter a roundabout. Make a complete circle through the roundabout★★ (effectively making a U-turn), then turn right toward Torrecabelleros as soon as you depart the roundabout. You will then be at the start of SG-P-6121. Proceed one kilometer (keeping straight ahead through two roundabouts) and take note when you pass kilometer marker 1. 800-900 meters farther on, take note when the speed limit increases to 60 KPH once you are past the town development. Less than 100 meters past the speed-limit panel, take the next possible left onto an unmarked gravel road and proceed as directed above. (You have just missed it if you pass marker 2.)
★ Remember that La Granja is the royal palace located in San Ildefonso, so La Granja signs point toward San Ildefonso.
★★ The entrance to La Granja—the royal palace—is straight ahead from the roundabout where you are directed to make a complete circle.
MAP from starting point to parking (main access)
MAP from starting point to parking (secondary access)
This placemark pertains to Embalse del Pontón.

kilometer marker 4 of CL-601
This placemark pertains to Embalse del Pontón.

roundabout between kilometer markers 4 & 5
This placemark pertains to Embalse del Pontón.

kilometer marker 5 of CL-601

kilometer marker 6 of CL-601

Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso

kilometer marker 1 of SG-P-6121

60 KPH speed-limit panel

kilometer marker 2 of SG-P-6121

dam

metal lattice power line tower

segment of CL-601

segment of SG-P-6121

main road to reservoir

asphalted walkway atop dam

footpath along north shore of reservoir

unsigned gravel road

power line

Catalonia

Girona

Cala del Pí

Cala del Pí
Portbou, the northernmost town of Spain's Mediterranean coastline, is located in a small bay near the French border. Cala del Pí is a sheltered little beach located on the north side of Portbou's bay, and it is Spain's northernmost Mediterranean beach. As the crow flies, Cala del Pí is just 600 meters south of the French border. Nudity is the norm at Cala del Pí, which is a tiny pebble beach that is just 40 meters long. This charming little niche can feel crowded with just a dozen visitors. Just about everyone goes nude. The closest amenities are about 800 meters away at Portbou's main beach, where the hike to Cala del Pí begins. As you head away from the main beach along the rocky shoreline, you will go across a small textile beach called Playa de Tres Platgetes a bit before you get to Cala del Pí.
Portbou, Girona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OMZy7Z
The hike to Cala del Pí begins at the seaside plaza in the small town of Portbou. The plaza is located at kilometer 2.9 of route N-260, which is the only road through Portbou. A landmark at the plaza is the tourist information kiosk (42.4268N, 3.1604E). Watch for the letter "i."
There is limited streetside parking near the plaza. Watch for the blue-and-white "P" signs that point toward public parking. If you follow the sign that points inland, you will reach a long parking lot that extends into a tunnel. The entrance to the lot is at 42.4268N, 3.1586E, and the walk back to the tourist information kiosk is just 150 meters. Or, you can follow signs that point toward the port (Port Esportiu), where there is a parking lot at 42.4257N, 3.1650E. From there, the walk back to the tourist information kiosk is about 500 meters.
Once you return to the plaza where the tourist information kiosk is located, you will be next to Playa de Portbou (the main town beach), which is a few hundred meters long. Go down to the beach and head north (to the left when facing the water) to the end of the beach, then continue along the path that follows the shoreline at the base of a headland. Soon you will reach a small textile beach called Playa de Tres Platgetes, which is about 75 meters long. Cross the beach and go up the steps on the other side to continue along the shoreline path. After going around the next small headland, you will reach tiny Cala del Pí (which is a much smaller beach than Playa de Tres Platgetes). Starting from the tourist information kiosk, the walking distance to Cala del Pí is about 800 meters.
starting point:  Exit 4 (Figueres, Roses) of the AP-7 motorway near Figueres
Exit 4 is located about 130 kilometers north of Barcelona and just under 29 kilometers south of the French border. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the east side of the motorway. Shortly after the toll plaza, you will reach a large roundabout. Take the third departure of the roundabout, following the sign for La Jonquera, Perpignan, Roses and Portbou. At that point you will be on route N-II northbound. (Note that the highway number is "Roman Numeral Two" and not "Eleven.")
Follow N-II north for 7.2 kilometers. Just past kilometer marker 755, take the exit for N-260 toward Figueres and Portbou. Shortly after exiting you will reach a roundabout. Continue straight ahead through the roundabout toward Portbou. Continue northeast along N-260 about 27 kilometers and you will reach a town limit sign indicating you are leaving Colera. Just after the sign, you will enter the first and longest of three tunnels that are in quick succession. In the first tunnel, you will pass kilometer marker 6. (The marker numbers descend the farther you go.) Between the first and second tunnels, you will pass the town limit sign indicating you are entering Portbou.
After the third tunnel, N-II will begin to wind downhill, and in about 600 meters you will reach the dense cluster of buildings of Portbou. Continue a few hundred meters farther. At the point where you see kilometer marker 3 directly in front of you, the road will bend sharply to the right. There are also signs pointing toward the beach (platja) and parking.
After kilometer marker 3, continue about 100 meters and you will see the tourist information kiosk at the seaside plaza. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 4 toll plaza to tourist information kiosk in Portbou
This placemark pertains to Cala del Pí.

northern exit of long tunnel
This placemark pertains to Cala del Pí.

Portbou town sign (entering going north, leaving going south)
This placemark pertains to Cala del Pí.

short tunnel

parking lot at marina

tourist information kiosk

parking lot that extends into tunnel

Playa de Portbou (textile)

Playa de Tres Platgetes (textile)

Spain/France international border

road to marina

hiking route

Playa del Borró

Playa del Borró
Not far from the border of Spain and France, Cap Ras is a small peninsula that straddles the municipal border of Colera and Llançà. The forested peninsula covers roughly 65 acres, and there are a few small beaches wedged into its otherwise rocky shoreline. There are two beaches on the north side of Cap Ras (the Colera part). Near the coastal highway, there is a small beach called Playa de las Azucenas (or, in Catalan, Platja de les Assutzenes). Hidden over a hill east of Playa de las Azucenas, Playa del Borró is the other beach on the north side of the peninsula. Playa del Borró is attended by nude bathers, and it consists of two expanses of sand that collectively span about 120 meters, with a rocky outcropping between them. From the nearest parking, it is about 500 meters to the nude beach along undulating terrain that takes you downhill, uphill, then downhill again. There are no amenities.
A complete circuit around the coastline of Cap Ras is a walk of less than 2 kilometers. The only significant beach on the south (Llançà) side of Cap Ras is a textile beach called Playa de Canyelles, which is partially overlooked by houses and apartment buildings. Just east of Playa de Canyelles, there is a neat little cove called Cala Bramant that is worth exploring. Nearly encircled by rocky terrain, this small inlet is a particularly sheltered and picturesque swimming area. Cala Bramant is customarily textile, but nude swimming with discretion may be possible during off times. Going east beyond Cala Bramant, there are other little niches along the south side of Cap Ras that would also seem to have nudist potential.
Colera, Girona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qnENGs
42.3884N, 3.1584E (small gravel parking area at kilometer 14.25 of N-260 between Llançà and Colera)
The location named above is on the coast side of the road at the northernmost edge of Llançà at the municipal border with Colera. The parking area overlooks the sea, about 30 meters above sea level. There is a maze of paths in the area, but all you have to do is follow the coastline. Walk away from the parking area such that the sea is on your left-hand side and a forest of short trees on your right-hand side. Very shortly you will see a small beach downhill below you. That beach is Playa de las Azucenas, and a rocky hill rises up just beyond it. Playa del Borró is on the other side of that hill, out of view. To get there, you will first go downhill almost to sea level, skirting the inland edge of Playa de las Azucenas, then you will climb up the hill that separates the two beaches, then you will descend to Playa del Borró. The total hiking distance is 500 meters.
starting point:  Exit 4 (Figueres, Roses) of the AP-7 motorway near Figueres
Exit 4 is located about 130 kilometers north of Barcelona and just under 29 kilometers south of the French border. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the east side of the motorway. Shortly after the toll plaza, you will reach a large roundabout. Take the third departure of the roundabout, following the sign for La Jonquera, Perpignan, Roses and Portbou. At that point you will be on route N-II northbound. (Note that the highway number is "Roman Numeral Two" and not "Eleven.")
Follow N-II north for 7.2 kilometers. Just past kilometer marker 755, take the exit for N-260 toward Figueres and Portbou. Shortly after exiting you will reach a roundabout. Continue straight ahead through the roundabout toward Portbou. Continue northeast along N-260 about 17 kilometers and you will pass a large sign (on the left side of the road) welcoming you to Llançà (Benviguts a Llançà). That sign is between kilometer markers 19 and 18. (The marker numbers descend the farther you go.)
After the Llançà sign, begin watching the kilometer markers. Another 2.6 kilometers after the sign, you will reach kilometer marker 16, and at that point you will be in a northern seaside urbanizacion of Llançà called Grifeu.
After marker 16, continue almost a kilometer and watch carefully on the right for a rather inconspicuous sign pointing to Cap Ras, but do not turn there. (The sign is about 70 meters before marker 15.) After marker 15, continue 700 meters and take the next possible right, immediately before the Colera town sign (which reads Terme de Colera). Immediately after you turn, the road will curve sharply to the right, and there is a gravel parking area in the curve of the road abutting N-260. (Just past the parking area, there are round red-and-white "do not enter" panels along the road indicating you may not proceed farther by car.) From the parking area, proceed as directed above.
ADDITIONAL PARKING
The gravel parking area can hold at most 20 cars, and on busy days there are likely to be cars parked nearby along the inland side of N-260. When you turn from N-260 toward the parking area, you will be on a street called Carrer Garbet, but just past the parking area that street becomes one-way for traffic coming from the opposite direction. There is additional parking available along Carrer Garbet. To access the one-way street, you need to backtrack to the Cap Ras sign (referenced above) that is near kilometer marker 15. Turn toward the sea at the Cap Ras sign and you will be on a street named Carrer Sant Miquel de Colera. In a bit less than 200 meters you will reach a three-way fork. Stay straight ahead on the middle road. You will then be on Carrer Garbet. For the about 300 meters, there will be apartments and other residential structures along both sides of the street, then you will enter a wooded area at the point where those structures end. Once you enter the wooded area, it is about 300 meters to where Carrer Garbet connects to N-260 at the gravel parking area, and you can look for parking along that stretch.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 4 toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa del Borró.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Borró.

sign pointing to Cap Ras
This placemark pertains to Playa del Borró.

"Terme de Colera" sign (facing traffic going north)

"do not enter" panels

Playa de las Azucenas (textile)

3-way fork

Playa de Canyelles (textile)

Cala Bramant (textile)

Carrer Sant Miquel de Colera / Carrer Garbet

Cala Tamariua & Cala Tavallera

El Port de la Selva is a coastal village on the north side of Cap de Creus, a scenic peninsula that is occupied mostly by protected natural park land. Cala Tamariua and Cala Tavallera are small beaches that are located within the park (Parc Natural de Cap de Creus), and both are frequented by nude bathers. Easily accessible Cala Tamariua is located at the edge of the park next to El Port de la Selva, but a substantial hike into the park is necessary to reach Cala Tavallera. Neither beach has any amenities.
About 80 meters long, Cala Tamariua is a pebbly beach nestled in the innermost part of an inlet, and a string of buoys over 100 meters away from the beach delineates quite a large, protected swimming area in the shallow bay. Nude bathing is well established even though there are residences uphill from one side of the beach. However, be aware that nudists are generally greatly outnumbered by textiles during peak season, when the beach can feel rather crowded due to its small size.
The hike to Cala Tavallera begins a bit inland from Cala Tamariua, at about 90 meters above sea level. At the start of the path, you will have a fantastic panorama that includes El Port de la Selva and its large bay, the small bay of Cala Tamariua and the rugged hills of the interior. Following the shortest route, it is a scenic and relatively easy hike of just under 6 kilometers to Cala Tavallera, and there are signs to guide you along. Cala Tavallera is quite similar to Cala Tamariua. About 140 meters long, it is a pebble beach nestled in the innermost part of a deep inlet that is nearly surrounded by rocky hills. The inlet is popular with boaters on warm summer days, but the beach never gets crowded. While nude bathing is common, the beach is remote enough that that it does not have a consistent nudist presence. Sometimes the beach is empty, and sometimes there are only textiles.
Along the hike to Cala Tavallera, you will pass through an area called Sant Baldiri, which is a cluster of medieval monastic structures (mostly in ruins) affiliated with the Sant Pere de Rodes monastery. (The main monastery building is magnificently perched about 500 meters above sea level, several kilometers southwest of El Port de la Selva. The Sant Baldiri structures are several kilometers southeast of El Port de la Selva.) The most substantial of the Sant Baldiri ruins is a stone church that you will pass a few hundred meters shy of the halfway point of the hike. Between Cala Tavallera and Cala Tamariua, there are several other little beaches that are usually deserted, offering additional nude bathing possibilities. It is a good idea to have a trail map if you want to explore those places.
This placemark pertains to Cala Tamariua and Cala Tavallera.

Cala Tamariua
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala Tamariua and Cala Tavallera.)
El Port de la Selva, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 11 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Tamariua and Cala Tavallera.

Cala Tavallera
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala Tamariua and Cala Tavallera.)
El Port de la Selva, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 11 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Tamariua and Cala Tavallera.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OuTqQl
Two numbered roads, GI-612 and GI-613, lead to the small seaside town of El Port de la Selva, where both roads end. Follow either of those roads to the town then follow the signs that point toward the town center (centre). The main road through the town center follows the seafront, with the sea on your left-hand side. Take note when you begin to pass the large town marina. Just past the end of the marina, you will reach a five-way intersection (42.3429N, 3.2026E). Keep slightly to the right (i.e., do NOT make a hard right turn), following signs indicating Cala Tamariua and totes direccions. Continue another 600-700 meters until you get to a side street that goes uphill to the right.
To continue to Cala Tamariua:
Do not turn. Stay straight ahead and in just a few hundred meters the road will dead end at a small parking area (42.3451N, 3.2085E). Straight ahead from the parking area, there is a path about 200 meters long that leads to Cala Tamariua.
To continue to Cala Tavallera:
Veer right onto the side street, which is named Carrer Puig Gros. The street will begin to wind uphill. In 500-600 meters you will reach a "T" junction. Turn left to stay on Carrer Puig Gros. Continue about 300 meters to a fork at a Sant Baldiri de Taballera signboard. There is informal parking at the fork (42.3392N, 3.2078E).
The left fork is a gravel road, and near its start there is a Parc Natural de Cap de Creus sign, beyond which the road is off limits to automobiles. Follow the gravel road to begin the long hike to Cala Tavallera. There are a number of combinations of paths you could take. If you do not have a trail map, just carefully watch the signposts and follow signs for Taballera (the Catalan spelling of Tavallera). The start of the path is at an elevation of about 90 meters, and you will ascend to a maximum elevation of roughly 190 meters before the path begins to trend downhill. Following the signposted route, the hiking distance is 5.9 kilometers. Some landmarks along the way are Mas Puignau (42.3301N, 3.2218E), a farmstead in ruins at kilometer 1.7; Sant Baldiri (42.3256N, 3.2298E), an old church in ruins at kilometer 2.6; and Mas d'en Paltré (42.3234N, 3.2367E), a farmstead at kilometer 3.7.
starting point:  Exit 4 (Figueres, Roses) of the AP-7 motorway near Figueres
Exit 4 is located about 130 kilometers north of Barcelona and just under 29 kilometers south of the French border. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the east side of the motorway. Shortly after the toll plaza, you will reach a large roundabout. Take the third departure of the roundabout, following the sign for La Jonquera, Perpignan, Roses and Portbou. At that point you will be on route N-II northbound. (Note that the highway number is "Roman Numeral Two" and not "Eleven.")
Follow N-II north for 7.2 kilometers. Just past kilometer marker 755, take the exit for N-260 toward Figueres and Portbou. Shortly after exiting you will reach a roundabout. Continue straight ahead through the roundabout toward Portbou. Continue northeast along N-260 about 17 kilometers and you will pass a large sign (on the left side of the road) welcoming you to Llançà (Benviguts a Llançà). That sign is between kilometer markers 19 and 18. (The marker numbers descend the farther you go.)
After the Llançà sign, continue slightly more than one kilometer farther, then veer right at a sign that points toward El Port de la Selva. The turnoff is about halfway between kilometer markers 18 and 17, next to Restaurant/Hotel Llançà and a Repsol gas station. (If you miss the turn, just turn right at the next red light that is about 60 meters farther along next to the Renault car dealership. The two turnoffs connect.) Upon turning toward El Port de la Selva, you will be on route GI-612 going in a generally southeasterly direction. This route twists and turns through Llançà, so keep watching for signs that point toward El Port de la Selva in order to stay the course of GI-612. In about 7.5 kilometers, you will reach the town limit sign indicating you are entering El Port de la Selva.
Continue straight ahead toward the town center. The road follows the coastline, which will be on your left. About 1.5 kilometers past the town sign, just after you pass the end of the marina, you will reach the five-way intersection referenced above. Keep slightly to the right and proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 4 toll plaza to parking (Cala Tamariua)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 4 toll plaza to parking (Cala Tavallera)
This placemark pertains to Cala Tamariua and Cala Tavallera.

El Port de la Selva town sign
This placemark pertains to Cala Tamariua and Cala Tavallera.

5-way intersection

This placemark pertains to Cala Tamariua.

streetside parking
This placemark pertains to Cala Tavallera.

Mas Puignau (farmstead in ruins)
This placemark pertains to Cala Tavallera.

Sant Baldiri church (in ruins)
This placemark pertains to Cala Tavallera.

Mas d'en Paltré (farmstead)

route from El Port de la Selva town sign to parking at Cala Tamariua

path to Cala Tamariua

alternate path to Cala Tamariua (steep!)

signposted hiking route to Cala Tavallera

Carrer Puig Gros

Cadaqués Beaches

In the far north of Catalonia near the French border, Cap de Creus is a peninsular notch of land covered in rugged hills. The distance across the peninsula is roughly 10 kilometers (going north to south or east to west), and most of the peninsula is protected, undeveloped natural park land. On the eastern side of Cap de Creus, the picturesque and heavily touristed town of Cadaqués is an artists' haven that is particularly associated with Salvador Dalí. In 1930, the surrealist painter took up residence on the north side of Cadaqués in Port Lligat, where he lived and worked until 1982. The house that he occupied, expanded and altered over the decades is now a museum that is a primary attraction of Cadaqués.
Cadaqués has a number of beaches—all rather small—along an expanse of coastline that is bracketed by two lighthouses: the Cap de Creus lighthouse north of town and the Cala Nans lighthouse south of town. The two lighthouses are about 6 kilometers apart as the crow flies, while the combined driving/hiking distance between them is about 12 kilometers. There are several locations along that expanse that have traditionally drawn nude bathers. The Cadaqués tourism website (Visitcadaques.org) states: "Although nudist beaches are unofficial, people practice nudism in the beaches and coves which are away from the bay, especially in Cap de Creus." (The bay referenced is the Bay of Cadaqués, next to the town center.) While that statement reflects a level of tolerance, be well aware that the practice of nudity is marginalized during peak season when traditional nudist locations are swarming with textiles. Keep your expectations in check, particularly if you visit in July or August.
On the north side of Cadaqués, S'Alqueria is a small bay that is less than a kilometer away from the Dalí museum, and there are two small pebble beaches in the bay. Playa de S'Alqueria Petita is the smaller of the two. Located in full view of a road with lots of passersby, it is a textile beach. Playa de S'Alqueria Gran is the larger of the two beaches even though it is just 50 meters long. Bracketed by rocky land masses and a bit removed from the road, S'Alqueria Gran is somewhat secluded, but it is overlooked by several vacation villas. The beach gets irregular nude use when it isn't too crowded. When the beach is full of textiles, nudists are often found on the rocks just north of the beach (to the left when facing the sea).
Continuing north, there are a number of small beaches between S'Alqueria and the Cap de Creus lighthouse. One of the more easily accessible of those beaches is Playa de Sant Lluís, which is quite secluded but just a few hundred meters from the road. About 40 meters long, the beach is a pebbly niche in a small bay. A boulder at one end of the beach is regularly graffitied with nudista or platja nudista. Despite the informal signage, Playa de Sant Lluís is often full of textiles during peak season.
Farther north, Cala Jugadora and Cala Fredosa are two neighboring fjord-like inlets next to the Cap de Creus lighthouse. The innermost parts of these inlets are enchanting swimming areas, with shallow water nearly encircled by rugged rocky masses. There is one tiny beach in Cala Fredosa, while there are three tiny beaches in Cala Jugadora. All these rocky beaches are quite minuscule, each roughly 15 meters long. While Jugadora and Fredosa used to be reliably nudist, sadly both are now often overtaken by textiles, and space is so limited on the tiny beaches in the inlets that stripping down all the way may feel uncomfortable if only textiles are about.
All the beaches referenced above are close to the road, but they are also connected by hiking trails that hew toward the coastline. There are a number of other tiny beaches between S'Alqueria and the Cap de Creus lighthouse that have plenty of nudist potential, and the most secluded of those are located between Playa de Sant Lluís and Cala Jugadora. A small sign pointing toward Playa de Sant Lluís and several other beaches is referenced in the accompanying directions. Starting there, Cala Jugadora is about 3.2 kilometers away via the hiking trails, and the hiking route is signposted. Along the way, there are side paths that descend to niches that are often deserted. You can also start from Cala Jugadora and hike toward Playa de Sant Lluís to explore those secluded little beaches.
On the south end of Cadaqués, Playa de Sa Conca is located near the southernmost hotel development. While Sa Conca is often listed as a nude beach, in reality you will rarely if ever encounter nudists on the main part of the beach, which is in full view of a nearby road. There is a large white villa just east of the main beach (to the left when facing the water), and a few nudists are often present on the rocky slabs that are beyond the villa, but it is quite a minor nudist venue. Going south from Sa Conca, it is a scenic hike of about 2.5 kilometers to the Cala Nans lighthouse. The only beach along the way is Cala Nans (also known by the name Sa Sabolla), which is located several hundred meters before the lighthouse. The pebbly beach is about 50 meters long, in a small cove that is nearly encircled by hilly masses of rock. Attendance is limited by the requisite long hike and steep final descent, and the beach is often deserted. While nude bathing is generally acceptable, naturist usage of Cala Nans seems rather spotty.
There is a snack stand on the main expanse of Playa de Sa Conca. Otherwise, none of the nudist locations of Cadaqués have amenities. During peaks season, there is often a boat that makes the rounds to some of the small, remote beaches selling drinks and snacks.
This placemark pertains to Cala Fredosa, Cala Jugadora, Playa de Sant Lluís, Playa de S'Alqueria Gran, Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.

Cala Fredosa
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these beaches: Cala Fredosa, Cala Jugadora, Playa de Sant Lluís, Playa de S'Alqueria Gran, Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.)
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 35 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Fredosa, Cala Jugadora, Playa de Sant Lluís, Playa de S'Alqueria Gran, Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.

Cala Jugadora
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these beaches: Cala Fredosa, Cala Jugadora, Playa de Sant Lluís, Playa de S'Alqueria Gran, Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.)
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 35 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Fredosa, Cala Jugadora, Playa de Sant Lluís, Playa de S'Alqueria Gran, Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.

Playa de Sant Lluís
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these beaches: Cala Fredosa, Cala Jugadora, Playa de Sant Lluís, Playa de S'Alqueria Gran, Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.)
Cadaqués, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 35 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Fredosa, Cala Jugadora, Playa de Sant Lluís, Playa de S'Alqueria Gran, Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.

Playa de S'Alqueria Gran

Playa de Sa Conca

Cala Nans

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3quLFBR
42.2903N, 3.2737E (oblong roundabout at terminus of GI-614 in Cadaqués)
The only way into or out of Cadaqués is GI-614. The oblong roundabout is a bit past the town sign.
To go to the north-side beaches—Playa de S'Alqueria Gran, Playa de Sant Lluís, Cala Jugadora and Cala Fredosa:
At the oblong roundabout, make almost a complete circuit and take the third departure, which is signed for Port Lligat and Cap de Creus. You will begin going through a residential area. In just over one kilometer, turn left at a three-way junction, again following signs for Port Lligat and Cap de Creus. (The road straight ahead has signs pointing toward several hotels.) Continue another 1.1 kilometers to the point where the main road makes a 45° leftward curve.
To continue to Playa de S'Alqueria Gran:
At the 45° leftward curve, there are two nearby streets going off to the right. Turn onto the second of those streets, which is signed Residencial Paratge S'Alqueria. You will then be on Carrer Cap d'en Roig. (There is a small street sign.) Follow the street for 130 meters. The road to Playa de S'Alqueria Gran is on the right, marked by a small green sign labeled Camí a S'Alqueria Gran, and there are a few concrete barriers at the start of the road that block vehicular access. Park streetside nearby (42.2999N, 3.2876E). The 150-meter-long road leads directly to the beach.
To continue to Playa de Sant Lluís:
At the 45° leftward curve, continue along the main road for one kilometer and watch for a solid fence segment that extends along the right (coast) side of the road for about 80 meters. At first the fence is stone, but the last bit is built of concrete blocks. At the end of the concrete-block fence, there is a small sign pointing toward Playa de Sant Lluís and several other beaches (42.3075N, 3.2864E). There is a small gravel parking pullout on the left side of the road opposite the solid fence, and it is also possible to park alongside the road.
From the sign, follow the rocky footpath just a minute or two to the first junction and go right. At that point, you will begin going downhill. Continue another minute or so and go right onto the next small path for the final descent to the beach. From the road, the total walk is about 300 meters, with an elevation loss of 35 meters.
To continue to Cala Jugadora and Cala Fredosa:
Follow the directions above as though you are going to Playa de Sant Lluís, but keep driving past the concrete-block fence. About 800 meters farther along, take note when you pass several information signboards at a large gravel pullout on the right, just as a point of reference. Keep straight ahead. 1.7 kilometers farther along, take note when you reach a three-way junction where the road going off to the left is signed Paratge de Tudela, but keep straight ahead at the junction, following the sign for Punta de Cap de Creus. About 1.2 kilometers farther along, the road will make a long leftward "U" curve. As you are going through the curve, look downhill to your right and you will see an inlet. That inlet is Cala Jugadora, and at the most inland part of the inlet you will see a tall metal utility pole that is near sea level. Parking isn't allowed in the immediate vicinity of Cala Jugudora, so keep going.
After the "U" curve, the road will straighten out for a bit and there is a stretch of 150 meters where there are guardrails along both sides of the road. Just after the guardrails end, the road will make another leftward "U" curve. Park on the left at a small earthen area that is bounded by the "U' curve (42.3185N, 3.3137E). At that point, you will be next to a rocky hill called Punta de Cap de Creus. The lighthouse is atop the hill but in not view from the parking area. (The road winds up the rocky hill, ending about 400 meters farther along next to the lighthouse, where there is more parking.)
Assume you are standing with your back to the parking area, with the rocky hill to your left. The water that you see off slightly to your right is Cala Jugadora, the same inlet visible from the other "U" curve. Cala Fredosa is pretty much straight ahead of you, but you can't see it quite yet.
To go to Cala Jugadora from the parking area, backtrack a bit along the road (away from Punta de Cap de Creus) toward the stretch of the road where there are guardrails on both sides. Just before the guardrails, go downhill to the left. There are three tiny beaches that are in the most inland part of Cala Jugadora, and they are close together, all within an as-the-crow-flies expanse of 130 meters. If you take the shortest path out to the water, you will reach the eastern of the beaches, which is often devoid of people since it is the rockiest and least appealing of the three. To find the other two, head toward the aforementioned tall metal utility pole that is near sea level. Next to the pole, a short side path leads to the middle beach. To continue to the western beach, which is the most popular of the three, keep hiking. Just past the utility pole, you will ascend several steps, then the path will continue uphill. Shortly you will see the beach downhill below you. Keep hiking until you get to a side path that descends to the beach. The total hiking distance to the western beach is 600 meters.
To go to Cala Fredosa from the parking area, watch for the path that begins to go steeply up the side of Punta de Cap de Creus. Head in that direction, but do not follow the uphill path. Stay on the path that stays relatively level. Shortly Cala Fredosa will come into view as the path begins to go gradually downhill. Within 150 meters of the road, go right on the side path that descends steeply to the small beach at the most inland part of the inlet. The total hiking distance is about 250 meters.
To go to Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans:
At the oblong roundabout, take the second departure, which is signed Centre Vila. Continue 300-400 meters to a stop sign at a "T" junction with the seafront road, where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right. You will then be following the seafront road such that the water is to your left. After 400-500 meters along the seafront, the road will veer inland, then 100 meters farther along you will reach a stop sign at another "T" junction. Turn left, following the signs for Platja Sa Conca, Hotel Rocamar and Hotel Llané Petit. Within 100 meters you will be along the seafront again, then about 200 meters farther along the road will once again veer inland as you pass Hotel Llané Petit (which will be on your left-hand side).
About 200 meters past Hotel Llané Petit, watch carefully on the left for the prominently signed arched gateway into Hotel Rocamar. The road forks next to the gateway. Keep to the left at the fork, then immediately after the gateway turn left into a small parking lot that abuts the gateway (42.2815N, 3.2757E).
Continuing along the road on foot, in about 100 meters the road will begin to skirt the edge of a small bay, with the water on your left-hand side. Playa de Sa Conca is the small rocky beach that extends leftward from the road, in full view of the road. On the far side of the beach, at the opposite end of the small bay, there is a large white villa, less than 200 meters away. If you head in that direction and then continue beyond the villa, you will reach the rocky area where nudists are sometimes present.
To continue to Cala Nans, stay on the road, which runs alongside the small bay as you continue beyond Playa de Sa Conca. In just 50 or so meters the road will curve inland and begin to climb uphill. In about 200 meters, turn left onto Camí de Cala Nans. There is a street sign, and there is also a round red-and-white sign at the start of the road that indicates that automobiles and bicycles are prohibited. Camí de Cala Nans is a road that eventually morphs into a footpath, leading 2.2 kilometers to a lighthouse. Cala Nans is a small beach that is the only beach on the way to the lighthouse.
As you start out along Camí de Cala Nans, you will go gradually uphill, and the road will level out at roughly 75 meters above sea level as it winds along the coastline. In 1.3 kilometers, you will reach what used to be the parking area at the end of the automobile portion of the road before vehicular access was prohibited. Straight ahead, the road narrows into a footpath, segments of which are crudely paved with stones. As you follow the footpath downhill through a creek drainage, your view of the sea will temporarily disappear. After about 200 meters along the footpath, Cala Nans will come into view. Shortly after you can see the water, veer left onto the next side path. At the start of the path, you will be about 35 meters above sea level. The path is just 100 or so meters long, making a steep a descent to the beach.
There is also another path that descends to Cala Nans. If you stay on the main path toward the lighthouse, the path remains fairly level. 250-300 meters past the first side path, you will reach another side path to the left that makes a comparably steep descent to Cala Nans. That path is about 100 meters long, with an elevation loss of about 30 meters. The lighthouse is about 400 meters past the second side path.
From the parking lot next to Hotel Rocamar, the distance to the rocks on the far side of Playa de Sa Conca is about 300 meters, while the distance to Cala Nans (via the first side path down to the beach) is 2 kilometers.
Follow N-II north for 6 kilometers. Immediately past kilometer marker 754, take the exit that is signed for Figueres, Castelló d'Empúries, Empuriabrava and Roses. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right (toward Roses, Cadaqués, Castelló d'Empúries and Empuriabrava). At that point, you will be on route C-260, going east.
Stay on C-260 for 14.6 kilometers to a roundabout that is a few hundred meters past kilometer marker 42 and a Mercadona supermarket. (At that point, you will be on the outskirts of Roses.) Take the third departure of the roundabout, which is signed for Cadaqués and El Port de la Selva. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on route GI-614, going northeast.
Follow GI-614 for 16 kilometers and you reach a sign welcoming you to Cadaqués at kilometer marker 16. About 500-600 meters farther along, you will reach the oblong roundabout. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 4 toll plaza to parking (S'Alqueria)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 4 toll plaza to parking (Sant Lluís)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 4 toll plaza to parking (Jugadora / Fredosa)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 4 toll plaza to parking (Sa Conca / Nans)
This placemark pertains to Cala Fredosa, Cala Jugadora, Playa de Sant Lluís, Playa de S'Alqueria Gran, Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.

kilometer marker 16 of GI-614
This placemark pertains to Cala Fredosa, Cala Jugadora, Playa de Sant Lluís, Playa de S'Alqueria Gran, Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.

oblong roundabout

general tourist parking for Cadaqués

home of Salvador Dalí (now a museum)

Playa de S'Alqueria Petita (textile)
This placemark pertains to Playa de S'Alqueria Gran.

streetside parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de S'Alqueria Gran.

several information signboards at gravel pullout
This placemark pertains to Cala Fredosa and Cala Jugadora.

tall metal utility pole
This placemark pertains to Cala Jugadora.

Cala Jugadora western beach (most popular)
This placemark pertains to Cala Jugadora.

Cala Jugadora middle beach
This placemark pertains to Cala Jugadora.

Cala Jugadora eastern beach (very rocky)

This placemark pertains to Cala Fredosa and Cala Jugadora.

Cap de Creus lighthouse
This placemark pertains to Cala Fredosa and Cala Jugadora.

other inlets with nudist potential (shaded in pink)
This placemark pertains to Cala Fredosa, Cala Jugadora, Playa de S'Alqueria Gran, Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.

small parking area; additional streetside parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sant Lluís.

solid fence: south end stone; north end concrete block
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sant Lluís.

Playa Guillola (no documented nudist use)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sant Lluís.

stop sign at "T" junction
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.

Hotel Llané Petit
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.

Hotel Rocamar
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sa Conca and Cala Nans.

arched gateway at Hotel Rocamar entrance

parking lot next to Hotel Rocamar

main part of Playa de Sa Conca (textile)

large white villa
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sa Conca.

road narrows into footpath
This placemark pertains to Cala Nans.

Cala Nans lighthouse
This placemark pertains to Cala Nans.

roads, etc.

segment of GI-614

roads through Cadaqués

Carrer Cap d'en Roig

Camí a S'Alqueria Gran (automobiles prohibited)

solid fence: south end stone; north end concrete block

gravel road (restricted automobile access)

Camí de Cala Nans (automobiles prohibited) → footpath to lighthouse

other inlets with nudist potential

Cala Murtra

Cala Murtra
A little east of the town of Roses, Cala Murtra is a small, shallow bay along the south side of Cap de Creus, a scenic peninsula that is occupied mostly by protected natural park land. The shingle beach of the bay is about 70 meters long, nestled against a forested hillside. Nude bathing is customary at this isolated and picturesque cove, which is accessed by a reasonably short but fairly steep hike down the hill. On peak summer days there may be as many or more boats anchored in the bay as people on the beach, but the beach is rarely crowded. Most visitors opt to be nude. There are no amenities at the beach or nearby, so come prepared.
Roses, Girona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Ouawhp
42.2439N, 3.2225E (Cala Murtra trailhead east of Roses)
There is informal parking along both sides of the road at the Cala Murtra trailhead, which is marked by a sign with the name of the beach and an area map. There is also a round red-and-white panel indicating that motorized vehicles and bicycles are prohibited on the trail.
You will have a view of the sea as you start along the broad gravel path. Within 75 meters, the path will curve sharply to the right. Just beyond the curve, as the main path heads into a canopy of trees, watch on your left for a narrower side path marked by two posts, each of which have "nudist" painted on them in vertical lettering. That is a shortcut path. Assume at first that you do not take the shortcut. Keep straight ahead on the main path, which remains level. A bit less than 200 meters farther on, you will reach a fork. Veer left onto the smaller path, which begins to go downhill. (The wider path, which continues straight ahead, remains level.) Beyond the fork, the rest of the hike is straightforward. The path winds downs the hillside to Cala Murtra at the bottom. The total hike is 800-900 meters, with an elevation loss of about 100 meters.
If you take the shortcut path, you will begin going downhill sooner. After about 250 meters on the shortcut path, it will merge into the main path partway down the hillside (at about 60 meters above sea level). The total hike is reduced to 600 meters if you take the shortcut.
Follow N-II north for 6 kilometers. Immediately past kilometer marker 754, take the exit that is signed for Figueres, Castelló d'Empúries, Empuriabrava and Roses. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right (toward Roses, Cadaqués, Castelló d'Empúries and Empuriabrava). At that point, you will be on route C-260, going east.
After following C-260 for 14.7 kilometers, you will pass the Roses town sign, which is after kilometer marker 42, next to a Carrefour supermarket (just "C Market" on the sign). After the town sign, keep straight ahead through all roundabouts, following the signs that point toward the town center (centre).
At the third roundabout after the town sign (which is 2 kilometers past the town sign), you will begin driving along the seafront of Roses, with the town beach on your right-hand side. By that point, C-260 will have ended and the street will be named Avinguda de Rhode. Just keep straight ahead about a kilometer to the next roundabout, where the beach ends and the marina begins. Take the second departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn) onto Avinguda Riera de la Cuana (which is signed). (The roundabout is about 100 meters before the very prominently signed Hotel Univers.)
Avinguda Riera de la Cuana is a divided street with a tree-lined median. Follow it inland 300 meters to a stop sign, then turn left onto Gran Via de Pau Casals. Proceed just under 200 meters, then turn right onto Carretera a Montjoi at signs that point toward Montjoi, Parc Natural Cap de Creus, Ruta Megalitica and Restaurant El Bulli. At the start of the street, there are several red-and-white warning signs pertaining to vehicle size restrictions.
When you turn onto Carretera a Montjoi, take note of your car's trip meter. Follow the winding road in a generally southeasterly direction for 5.4 kilometers to the Cala Murtra trailhead, which is on the right side of the road. (The Cala Murtra trailhead is 500-600 meters before the Cala Rustella trailhead and 1.7 kilometers before the road turns to gravel next to the entrance to the Cala Montjoi vacation center.) Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 4 toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Cala Murtra.

roundabout at start of seafront road in Roses
This placemark pertains to Cala Murtra.

roundabout next to end of beach & start of marina
This placemark pertains to Cala Murtra.

Hotel Univers

start of Carretera a Montjoi

informal parking at Cala Murtra trailhead

Cala Rustella parking area

Cala Rustella (textile)

road turns to gravel next to entrance to Cala Montjoi vacation center

segments of Av. de Rhode, Av. Riera de la Cuana & Gran Via de Pau Casals

Carretera a Montjoi

main hiking route

shortcut path

Playa de Can Comes

Playa de Can Comes
Playa de Can Comes is a 4-kilometer-long sandy beach that is bracketed by the rivers Muga and Fluviá. Backed by farmland and wetlands, the only development along or near the beach is a campground at either end. At the north end, Camping Laguna is next to the mouth of the Muga. (The large resort town of Empuriabrava, known for its Venice-like canals, is on the other side of the Muga.) At the south end, Camping Nàutic Almata is near the mouth of the Fluviá. The wild expanse of the beach between the two campground is frequented by nude bathers. Other than at the two campgrounds, the only access to the beach is a gravel road that ends at the beach about 700 meters south of Camping Laguna. Most nude bathers cluster near that access point and going north toward Camping Laguna, while the vast southern area of the beach toward Camping Nàutic Almata is typically deserted or virtually so. The nearest amenities are at Camping Laguna. The coastline curves several kilometers north of the beach, affording fantastic view of the town of Roses and the hills of Cap de Creus.
Castelló d'Empúries, Girona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DNuY7I
42.2515N, 3.0757E (roundabout at kilometer 35.7 of C-260 near Castelló d'Empúries)
The location referenced above is a large roundabout at the junction of C-260 and GIV-6216, and it has six departures. Take the departure that is signed Depuradora and Camping.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be on a narrow paved road that goes to a seaside campground called Camping Laguna. At first you will be driving parallel to C-260, which runs atop an embankment on your left-hand side. Continue about one kilometer to a fork, then keep to the right as the road curves away from C-260. You will then pass several farmstead structures, which are very close to the road on your right-hand side. After those structures, continue 200 meters to the next junction and veer right onto an inconspicuously signed gravel road named Camí de Voramar. (You have missed it by 100 meters if you pass a similar right-veering gravel road signed Depuradora, which leads to a water treatment facility.)
Once you veer onto the gravel road, the rest of the drive to the beach is through wide-open farmland. Proceed 2.8 kilometers until you reach a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left. Go a little over 100 meters and take the next possible right. Continue a little over one kilometer to the end of the road at an earthen parking area next to the beach (42.2266N, 3.1175E).
The parking area is along the nude area of the beach. Facing the sea, Camping Laguna is about 700 meters to your left while Camping Nàutic Almata is over 2 kilometers to your right. The entire area between the campgrounds is generally available for nude use.
Important note: The earthen parking area and the last part of the road leading to it are sometimes waterlogged. If the road becomes rough and/or muddy, turn around unless you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Backtrack to pavement then turn right to continue toward Camping Laguna. In about 3 kilometers you will reach a parking lot next to the reception building at Camping Laguna, just before the gated entry into the campground. Parking is for patrons only, so be sure to stop by the reception building to inquire about the parking fee. From the reception area, it is a walk of a few hundred meters through the campground to the beach. Facing the sea, turn right and walk south until you are beyond the fence that extends partway across the beach at the southern edge of the campground.
Follow N-II north for 6 kilometers. Immediately past kilometer marker 754, take the exit that is signed for Figueres, Castelló d'Empúries, Empuriabrava and Roses. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right (toward Roses, Cadaqués, Castelló d'Empúries and Empuriabrava). At that point, you will be on route C-260, going east.
As you drive along C-260, watch the kilometer marker numbers, which ascend the farther you go. In about 7 kilometers, you will pass kilometer marker 35, and at that point you will be in the vicinity of Castelló d'Empúries and Castelló Nou. After marker 35, continue 600 meters to the next roundabout, which is a large roundabout with six departures. Take the second departure, which is signed Depuradora and Camping, then proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Can Comes.

kilometer marker 35 of C-260
This placemark pertains to Playa de Can Comes.

roundabout between kilometers 35 & 36 of C-260
This placemark pertains to Playa de Can Comes.

kilometer marker 36 of C-260

kilometer marker 37 of C-260

several farmstead structures, very close to road

Camping Laguna

Camping Nàutic Almata

segment of C-260

road to Camping Laguna

gravel roads

Playa de Cortal de la Vila & Playa del Riuet

The beach of the town of Sant Pere Pescador is a broad swath of sand that is a little over 6 kilometers long, and its extremes are defined by the mouths of two rivers: the Riu Fluvià on the north end and the much smaller Riu Vell on the south end. The beach is lined with about half a dozen camping establishments (all of them textile). There are no parts of the beach that are signed for nude use, and the camping establishments are spread out such that there are no extended segments of the beach that lack development. Nonetheless, nudists sometimes gather in various more secluded pockets on the periphery of the beachfront development, and there are two segments of the beach in particular that get regular nude use.
One of the nudist segments is known as El Cortal de la Vila, and it is roughly the middle section of the beach, bounded by two campgrounds: Camping Aquarius (to the north, just beyond Marlin Beach Bar) and Camping Las Dunas (to the south). There is a long beachfront parking lot at El Cortal de la Vila that stretches about 250 meters. The part of the beach that directly abuts the parking lot is likely to be all textile, with nudists on the periphery at either end. There is more room for nude bathers on the north side of the parking lot (to the left when facing the water), along the stretch of about 400 meters between the parking lot and Marlin Beach Bar.
The other nudist segment is known as Playa del Riuet, and it the far southern segment of the beach, extending from the southern border of La Ballena Alegre (a large camping and bungalow complex) to the mouth of the Riu Vell—a distance of 300-400 meters. Parking is available next to the beach by the perimeter wall of La Ballena Alegre. A footbridge over the Vell connects the beach to the next beach, which abuts a complex of vacation houses.
The distance from El Cortal de la Vila to El Riuet is about 2.5 kilometers if you walk along the beach, plus several additional kilometers if you drive. Both segments are best described as semi-established nude beaches and are best visited on uncrowded days, when there is enough room for nudists and textiles to establish comfortable buffer zones. On days when the beach is packed, conditions may be uncomfortable for nude bathing. On such days, it is probably better to go to nearby Playa de Can Comes to the north, which has far less development and far more room for nudity. Can Comes is about 13 kilometers by car from Sant Pere Pescador.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Cortal de la Vila. and Playa del Riuet.

Playa del Cortal de la Vila
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Cortal de la Vila and Playa del Riuet.)
Sant Pere Pescador, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 26 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Cortal de la Vila and Playa del Riuet.

Playa del Riuet
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Cortal de la Vila and Playa del Riuet.)
Sant Pere Pescador, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 26 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Cortal de la Vila and Playa del Riuet.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47rBQW3
42.1867N, 3.0866E (roundabout at end of bridge in Sant Pere Pescador)
A river named Riu Fluviá winds through the small town of Sant Pere Pescador just before if flows into the Mediterranean. There is just one bridge over the river in town. The roundabout referenced above is immediately beyond the southeast end of the bridge, while the town center is on the opposite (northwest) end of the bridge. Take the roundabout departure signed Platges-Càmpings. Continue 500 meters to a smaller roundabout, then take the second departure, following signs for Cortal de la Vila, Can Sopa, Cal Cristià, Cortal de la Devasa and El Riuet. Upon leaving the smaller roundabout, you should be going south on Avinguda d'Empúries. Proceed 1.1 kilometers, staying straight ahead past the turnoffs to Camping L'Àmfora and Camping Aquarius, until you get to Mas Gusó restaurant (which is on the left).
To go to Playa del Cortal de la Vila:
Take the next left after Mas Gusó restaurant, at a sign for Cortal de la Vila. Once you turn, stay on the paved road, which will bend a couple of times as it winds through farmland. In 1.8 kilometers the pavement will end next to Base Viva (a small fish farm). At the end of the pavement, turn right and you will pass under a height barrier as you enter a long earthen parking lot that abuts the beach (42.1702N, 3.1104E). The parking lot stretches about 250 meters. If there are few visitors, there may be nudists next to the parking area. If there are lots of cars, nudists tend to shift a bit north of the parking area and the fish farm (to the left when facing the sea), toward Marlin Beach Bar.
To go to Playa del Riuet:
Do not turn when after you pass Mas Gusó restaurant. Keep straight ahead, though an area of farmland and then past Camping Las Dunas. About 3.6 kilometers past Mas Gusó, you will pass the entrance to Camping & Bungalows La Ballena Alegre (which will be on the left; watch for the blue whale logo). Keep straight ahead. There will be a manicured hedge of bushes on your left that borders the property of La Ballena Alegre. About 300-400 meters after the entrance to La Ballena Alegre, the main road will veer slightly to the right, away from the hedges. At that point, veer left onto the smaller road that continues straight ahead. The hedge of bushes ends and a fence wall begins. In about 100 meters, the smaller road will bend sharply to the left at the corner of the fence wall (which is still the border of La Ballena Alegre). About 300 meters after the corner, the road ends at the beach. There is parking all along the fence wall (42.1490N, 3.1142E). When you walk out to the beach, turn right as you face the sea. It is a bit less than 400 meters to the end of the beach at the mouth of a small river (Riu Vell) that is spanned by an arched footbridge. Nude bathers gather along that expanse.
You can also approach the nude beach from its opposite end. Instead of veering left next to La Ballena Alegre, continue along the main road another 1.2 kilometers and watch for an El Riuet sign, which points left to a hiking trail to the beach. Immediately past the sign, you will cross a short bridge over Riu Vell (which looks more like a ditch than a river). Immediately after the bridge, turn left onto Carrer de Riuet, where signs point toward Hotel Riomar. In about 400 meters, just past the hotel, you will see the aforementioned arched footbridge. Park along the street (42.1454N, 3.1155E) then cross the footbridge to reach the nude beach.
Follow N-II north for a little over 2 kilometers, then take the first exit, which is signed for L'Escala and La Bisbal. Upon exiting, you will be filtered onto route C-31, going southeast.
Stay on C-31 about 6 kilometers. After you pass kilometer marker 374, take the exit that is signed for Vilacolum and Vilamacolum, which are villages with confusingly similar names. (Vilacolum is on the west side of C-31, while Vilamacolum is on the east.)
Upon exiting, follow the signs for Vilamacolum. (You will go through two small roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange, crossing over C-31 between them.) About a kilometer after exiting, you will enter Vilamacolum. Keep straight ahead 500-600 meters on the narrow street through the village until you reach a "T." Turn right, following the sign that points toward Sant Pere Pescador.
At that point, you should be on Carrer de Sant Pere, going south and then east. In 2.2 kilometers, just after you pass a building supply store that is on the left, you will reach the small red-and-white Sant Pere Pescador town sign.
From the town sign, keep straight ahead about 300 meters to a stop sign. At that point, you will have to negotiate your way through the dense town center. Watch carefully for the Platges-Càmpings signs and follow them. In about a kilometer, you will cross the bridge over the Riu Fluviá then enter a roundabout. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 4 toll plaza to parking (El Cortal de la Vila)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 4 toll plaza to parking (El Riuet, next to La Ballena Alegre)
This placemark pertains to Playa del Cortal de la Vila. and Playa del Riuet.

Sant Pere Pescador town sign
This placemark pertains to Playa del Cortal de la Vila and Playa del Riuet.

stop sign
This placemark pertains to Playa del Cortal de la Vila and Playa del Riuet.

roundabout near Sant Pere Pescador town center
This placemark pertains to Playa del Cortal de la Vila and Playa del Riuet.

bridge over Riu Fluviá

roundabout near Riu Fluviá

Camping La Gaviota

Camping Las Palmeras

Camping L'Àmfora

Camping Aquarius

Mas Gusó restaurant

Base Viva (small fish farm)

long seaside parking lot
This placemark pertains to Playa del Cortal de la Vila.

Marlin Beach Bar

Camping Las Dunas

Camping & Bungalows La Ballena Alegre

This placemark pertains to Playa del Riuet.

footbridge over Riu Vell

short bridge over Riu Vell

Hotel Riomar

roundabout in Sant Martí d'Empúries

route from Sant Pere Pescador to Sant Martí d'Empúries

road to El Cortal de Vila

road along southern edge of La Ballena Alegre

Carrer de Riuet

Playa de Pals & Playa de la lsla Roja

Playa de Pals and Playa de la Isla Roja are adjacent beaches that are located about 12 kilometers northeast of Palafrugell, the largest town in the general vicinity. Both beaches are attended by nude bathers. In a nutshell, Playa de Pals is a long and broad sandy beach, and nude bathing occurs along the central expanse. Playa de la Isla Roja is a much smaller beach set against a much more dramatic backdrop, and nude bathing occurs along its entire expanse.
Playa de Pals is about 3.2 kilometers long, and a large golf course is just inland from the northern part of the beach. There are two areas of seaside development. Toward the southern end, there are four long apartment buildings abutting the beach, spanning about 400 meters. The area of Pals around the apartments is alternately known as Playa Grande, or Platja Gran in Catalan. Toward the northern end, there is a larger cluster of development, with several resort hotels next to the golf course as well as a large camping and caravan park called Camping Playa Brava. The area of Pals around the northern development is alternately known as Playa del Grau. Next to the development at each end of Pals, the beach is generally textile. Nude bathers gather along the expanse in between, which is a stretch of about 1.3 kilometers with ample sand and low dunes. Nudists are generally present in the greatest numbers toward the southern end of the nudist zone—in other words, toward the Playa Grande end of the beach rather than the Playa del Grau end. In recent years, the nude area seems to have crept southward a bit, with nudists sometimes present in significant numbers next to the northernmost of the four long apartment buildings. The nude area of Pals used to be backed by an array of huge red-and-white transmission towers of Radio Liberty (a counterpart of Radio Free Europe). This U.S.-operated radio station began broadcasting anti-communist messaging targeted at the Soviet Union in 1959 and ceased operating in 2001, and the enormous towers—Cold War relics that were iconic identifiers of Playa de Pals for over four decades—were demolished in 2006.
While the land immediately inland of Playa de Pals is relatively flat, there is a cluster of hills at the south end of the beach, and those hills are blanketed with plush villas. From the south end of Playa de Pals, a short hike takes you into a completely different landscape. Playa de la Isla Roja (or, in Catalan, Platja de l'Illa Roja) is nestled in this microcosm, and it is the best known nude beach of Girona. About 180 meters long, La Isla Roja is set against precipitous rock walls, and much of the rock has a reddish hue. The name of the beach, which means "red island," is a reference to a rocky monolith that, depending on the tide, is either barely connected to or slightly disconnected from the beach. An especially scenic beach, La Isla Roja is often crowded, and most visitors opt to be naked.
A cemented path over a mass of rock connects Playa de Pals and Playa de Ia Isla Roja. That path is about 160 meters long, rising to a maximum elevation of about 10 meters above sea level (roughly the height of a three-story building). A path also connects La Isla Roja to Playa de Sa Riera, a textile beach that is the next beach to the south. The path between La Isla Roja and Playa de Sa Riera is 600-700 meters long, rising to a maximum elevation of about 45 meters (roughly 12 stories), affording fantastic views of La Isla Roja below.
Playa de Pals can be accessed toward either end. Accessing the beach near its southern end allows for the shortest walk both to La Isla Roja and to the area of Pals with the highest concentration of nude bathers. There is a dearth of sufficient parking near the beach, but there is a good bit of streetside parking along the nearby residential streets. During warmer months, snacks stands and portable toilets are installed along the textile zones of Pals, not far from the nude area. There are also a number of restaurants just inland from the beach. There are no amenities at La Isla Roja. The town of Pals is about 6 kilometers inland from the two beaches. Pals has a beautifully restored medieval old town, with labyrinthine cobbled streets winding through handsome stone buildings connected by lots of archways. The old town is quite compact, contained within a dozen or so acres, so it is an easy excursion to combine with a trip to the beach.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Pals and Playa de la Isla Roja.

Playa de Pals
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Pals and Playa de la Isla Roja.)
Pals, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 22 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Pals and Playa de la Isla Roja.

Playa de la lsla Roja
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Pals and Playa de la Isla Roja.)
Begur, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 22 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Pals and Playa de la Isla Roja.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47pqp10
41.9803N, 3.2065E (small pay parking lot at far south end of beach in Pals)
The parking lot (1) is marked by a Platja del Racó (2) billboard. If you do not park there, return there on foot once you find parking to pick up with the walking directions.
When you walk out to the beach from the pay parking lot, you will be toward the far south end of Playa de Pals, where there is a cluster of four long seafront apartment buildings that collectively span about 400 meters. There are nudist zones in either direction.
To go to the nude area of Playa de Pals, turn left as you face the sea and head north. The nude area begins roughly at the end of the last (i.e., northernmost) of the four apartment buildings and extends northward over a kilometer along an undeveloped stretch of the beach, ending a bit before the next cluster of seaside development, which is toward the northern end of the beach.
To go to Playa de la Isla Roja, turn right as you face the sea and head south. In a few hundred meters you will reach the large mass of rock that separates Playa de Pals and Playa de la Isla Roja. There is a stone-and-cement staircase on the inland side of the rocky mass. Go up the stairs to a junction where there are two staircases that continue upward. Turn left (toward the sea), following the sign for Illa Roja and Sa Riera. Continue up the stairs and over the rocky mass. Shortly you will round a bend and Playa de la Isla Roja will come into view. The cemented path descends to the sand (3), and the entire beach is frequented by nudists.
From the parking area, it is a walk of about 400-500 meters either to the start of the nude area of Playa de Pals or to Playa de la Isla Roja.
starting point:  Exit 6 (Girona N, Banyoles, Olot) of the AP-7 motorway near Girona
Exit 6 is the north exit for the city of Girona, and it is located about 105 kilometers north of Barcelona and 54 kilometers south of the French border. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the west side of the motorway. Immediately past the toll plaza, keep to the right when the lanes split, following the panel that points toward Girona, Figueres, Palamós and Costa Brava. You will be filtered onto route C-66 going east, and shortly you will cross under the motorway.
Stay on C-66 about 16 kilometers. Just after kilometer marker 18, turn left at the sign that points toward Rupià, Torroella de Montgrí and Pals. Upon turning, you will be at the start of route GI-642, and you will see a sign indicating that the town of Pals is 19 kilometers away. That is where you are headed, but the road number will change a few times before you reach Pals.
After folllowing GI-642 east for 3.5 kilometers, the road number will change to GI-643 at the second of two nearby roundabouts. Just keep straight ahead, following the signs for Pals and Torroella de Montgrí. Continue east another 7.8 kilometers and you will reach the junction with route C-31 at a roundabout. Take the first departure of the roundabout, following the sign that points toward Pals, Palafrugell and Palamós. You will then be on C-31 going south.
As you follow C-31, watch the kilometer marker numbers, which descend descend the farther you go. In 6.5 kilometers you will pass marker 342, and at that point you will be on the outskirts of Pals. After marker 342, continue 800 meters to a large roundabout (4) with lots of short trees in the middle. Take the third departure of that roundabout, following the sign for Pals (with a beach symbol) and Masos de Pals. At that point you will be at the start of route GIV-6502.
As you follow GIV-6502 east toward the coast, keep straight ahead at all roundabouts. In 4 kilometers, you will pass kilometer marker 4 next to Golf Beach (a combination apartment-hotel and shopping center with about ten flags waving out front). Immediately after marker 4, you will enter a roundabout. Carefully watch the signs and take the second departure, which is signed for Platja Gran (2) (NOT the very nearby next departure, which is signed for Platja del Grau and Golf Platja de Pals).
When you leave the roundabout, you will still be on GIV-6502, but there are no more kilometer markers. Continue 500-600 meters and take note of Jodofi supermarker (on the right) just as a point of reference. About 250 meters past the supermarket, the opposing lanes of traffic will split and you will be on a one-way street. About 200 meters farther on, the street will bend leftward next to Terrassa Sa Punta restaurant. The small pay parking lot is straight ahead at that bend. Proceed as directed above.
Notes:
(1) The pay parking lot is the best choice for being roughly equidistant from the two nudist zones, but space is limited and you can expect the lot to be full on busy days. In that case, keep driving around. There are a few similar parking lots nearby, but watch signs carefully since some are private lots for hotel guests. You can also look for parking along the nearby residential streets. Streetside parking is allowed in areas where dashed blue lines are painted on the pavement, and some of those areas are metered. There is also an informal, heavily shaded earthen parking area opposite Jodofi supermarket, the location of which is referenced in the additional directions.
(2) Platja Gran is an alternate name for the southern end of Playa del Pals, while Platja del Grau is an alternate name for the northern end of Playa de Pals. Furthermore, Platja del Racó is an alternate name for the southern end of Platja Gran or for the far southern end of Playa del Pals. Confused yet?
(3) When the cemented path ends at the sand at Playa de la Isla Roja, you will see another path that picks up about 25 meters away. That path is a roughly 600-meter-long walkway that connects to Playa de Sa Riera, and it ascends to a maximum height of about 45 meters above sea level before starting to go downhill. At many points along the first 250 or so meters of that path, there are fantastic views of Playa de la Isla Roja below.
(4) At the large roundabout, there is a departure signed for the Pals town center (the circle with the solid black dot in the middle). If you head in that direction, the medieval old town of Pals will come into view, perched atop a small hill. It is less than a kilometer from the roundabout, and it is well worth a visit.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Pals and Playa de la Isla Roja.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Pals and Playa de la Isla Roja.

roundabout near km 341 of C-31

medieval old town of Pals

kilometer marker 1 of GIV-6502

kilometer marker 2 of GIV-6502

kilometer marker 3 of GIV-6502

Golf Beach Hotel & shopping center

Jodofi supermarket

Terrassa Sa Punta restaurant

cluster of 4 seaside apartment buildings

cluster of seaside golf resorts

Golf Platja de Pals

Camping Playa Brava

Playa de Sa Riera (textile)

nude area of Playa de Pals, roughly

extent of Playa de la Isla Roja

segment of C-31

one-way street near beach

path from Playa de Pals to Playa de la Isla Roja

path from Playa de Sa Riera to Playa de la Isla Roja

Playa de Castell & Cala Estreta

Playa de Castell and Cala Estreta are nearby beaches located in a picturesque forested area on the northeastern periphery of Palamós. Playa de Castell has a tiny area that gets variable nudist use, whereas Cala Estreta is a bona fide nude beach.
Playa de Castell is a broad beach that stretches about 300 meters, and the distance from the inland periphery of the beach to the waterline is more than 50 meters along much of the beach. During warmer months, a couple of snack stands are set up on the beach. Playa de Castell is basically a textile venue. However, there is a little niche where nudists are sometimes present. At the far west end of the beach (to the right when facing the sea), there is a pink house-like structure built atop a stone foundation. Just before that structure there is a rocky outcropping, and the nudist niche is the little area between the rocky outcropping and the stone foundation wall. This small area spans about a dozen meters, and nude use seems spotty at best. On busy days, there are sometimes only textiles present in the niche. On the other hand, if you visit on a lightly attended day out of peak season, you may find that nudity is possible nearby along the main expanse of the beach.
While Playa de Castell can only tenuously be described as a nude beach, such is not the case at nearby Cala Estreta. To access Cala Estreta, you will descend concrete steps that land next to a small outbuilding with a distinctive barrel roof. That building is located along a small crescent of sand named Cala Estreta, and it is no more than 50 meters long. Extending eastward from Cala Estreta, there are three more crescents that are all considerably longer, each stretching roughly 150 meters. Those crescents are respectively named Cala d'en Remendón, Cala de Roca Bona and Cala del Cap de Planes, and an identifying landmark at the distant end of the most distant crescent (i.e., Cala Cap de Planes) is an old house-like stone structure with a tile roof and a boat ramp. Although the four crescents have individual proper names, only the name Cala Estreta is well known, so that name tends to be loosely applied to all four beaches, which have a collective expanse of about 500 meters.
The setting of the Cala Estreta crescents is quite beautiful, with trees overhanging rugged cliffs and huge masses of rock at the waterline and just offshore. Each crescent has a rather narrow ribbon of sand, particularly at high tide, and the water is shallow considerably offshore. Nudists and textiles mingle along all four crescents, but usage patterns seem quite variable from day to day. Sometimes there are lots of nudists at the first and smallest of the crescents, while other times nudists tend to gravitate to the more distant areas. There are no amenities at any of the Cala Estreta crescents.
Playa de Castell and Cala Estreta are about 1.5 kilometers apart as the crow flies, and both have parking areas that are reasonably close. It is also possible to hike along the rugged coastline between the beaches, exploring a scenic wonderland of craggy rocks, shallow coves and minuscule micro-beaches.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Castell and Cala Estreta.

Playa de Castell
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Castell and Cala Estreta.)
Palamós, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 18 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Castell and Cala Estreta.

Cala Estreta
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Castell and Cala Estreta.)
41.8659N, 3.1736E (Cala d'en Remendón)
41.8665N, 3.1752E (Cala de Roca Bona)
41.8676N, 3.1764E (Cala del Cap de Planes)
Palamós, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 18 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Castell and Cala Estreta.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DQCVt0
41.8762N, 3.1405E (roundabout on coast side of C-31 at Exit 328 in Palamós)
There are roundabouts on either side of C-31 at Exit 328. From the roundabout that is on the coast side of C-31, take the departure signed for Castell, which has a beach umbrella symbol. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will begin heading southeast on a minor paved road that gets narrower the farther you go. In just over one kilometer, you will pass the entrance to Camping Benelux. Stay straight ahead. Continue about 800 meters farther and you will reach the point where the pavement ends a three-way junction with two gravel roads.
To go to Playa de Castell:
Turn right at the end of the pavement. Follow the gravel road 400 meters to the barrier that prevents further vehicular access, at which point there is a large earthen parking lot on the right (41.8649N, 3.1566E). Continue along the road on foot another 200 meters out to the beach. Facing the sea, look to your right. About 150 meters away at the west end of the beach, there is a prominent pink house-like structure atop a large stone foundation. Head in that direction to the low rocky outcropping near the end of the beach. The nude area is the little niche beyond the rocks next to the stone foundation.
To go to Cala Estreta:
Keep straight ahead at the end of the pavement. You will pass through a lift gate that is normally open. (It is closed only during times of high fire risk.) After the gate, continue 1.3 kilometers along the gravel road and watch for a green-and-white signboard for Cala Estreta on the left side of the road. There is an informal parking area next to the signboard (41.8666N, 3.1709E). The path to the beach begins on the right side of the road, directly across the road from the signboard.
You will descend several cement steps as you head toward the sea on a gravel path that runs alongside a chain-link fence (which will be on your left-hand side). As you near the sea, you will descend a longer cement staircase. At the bottom of the stairs, turn left at the corner of the fence. You will be following the coastline with the sea to your right and the chain-link fence still to your left. Shortly the path will drop below the level of the fence, then you will descend another cement staircase to a small crescent beach. At the bottom of the stairs, there is a small outbuilding with a barrel roof.
The small crescent where the stairs land is the beach that is actually named Cala Estreta. From there, three more crescents extend eastward—Cala d'en Remendón, Cala de Roca Bona and Cala del Cap de Planes. However, all four crescents are often collectively known as Cala Estreta, and nudity occurs along all four. At the far end of the last crescent, an identifying landmark is an old house-like stone structure with a tile roof and a boat ramp. The distance from the parking area to the start of the nude beach (at the barrel-roofed outbuilding) is a little over 300 meters. The distance across all four crescents from the outbuilding to the stone structure is about 500 meters
Alternate access to Cala Estreta:
It is also possible to hike to Cala Estreta from Playa de Castell. Just past the end of the paved road, next to the lift gate there is a signboard with an area map and several highlighted hiking routes, so you can stop there to familiarize yourself with the lay of the land and all your options. Once you walk out to Playa de Castell, turn left as you face the sea and head toward the sprawling tile-roofed building that is at the far east end of the beach. As you near that building, you will see a signboard on the inland edge of the beach next to cement steps. Go up the steps and follow the broad path toward the rear of the tile-roofed building, where the path will fork.
Both paths go uphill through the forest in a generally eastward direction, and you can follow either one. The left fork stays slightly inland, while the right fork hews toward the coast and offers more dramatic scenery. After 700 meters (on the inland path) or one kilometer (on the coastal path), the two paths will reconnect. Continue east less than 100 meters and you will connect to the gravel road that goes toward Cala Estreta.
Turn right at the gravel road, continuing eastward. You have two options. You can walk 400 meters to the Cala Estreta parking area then continue from there along the path that follows the chain-link fence. Or, you can follow the gravel road just 100 meters and go right on the first side road, which is at the corner of a fence wall. That road goes to the coast and morphs into a path that follows the coastline, skirting the coastal edge of several large seaside estates. You are getting close to Cala Estreta when you get to the chain-link fence. The hike from the parking lot at Playa de Castell to Cala Estreta is between 2 and 2.4 kilometers, depending on what combination of paths you follow.
starting point:  Exit 9, 9A or 9B (Lloret de Mar, Blanes, Malgrat de Mar, Maçanet de la Selva, Santa Coloma de Farners, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Palamós) of the AP-7 motorway near Maçanet de la Selva and Vidreres
Exits 9, 9A and 9B are all part of the same interchange, and that interchange is about 25 kilometers south of Girona and 75 kilometers north of Barcelona. Depending on which exit you take, you will see panels indicating some combination of the towns listed parenthetically above. If you are going south on AP-7 (toward Barcelona), there is just one Exit 9. If you are going north (toward Girona), there is both a 9A and a 9B, but it does not matter which one you take. There are two toll plazas that are part of the interchange. If you take Exit 9 or 9B, you will be filtered to the same toll plaza. Just after the plaza, keep to the left, following the sign for Santa Coloma de Farners, Lloret de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guíxols. If you take Exit 9A, you will be filtered to a separate but nearby toll plaza, and the only option after the toll plaza is to keep straight ahead.
Once you leave the toll plazas, you will merge into a non-toll motorway that goes east toward the coast. There are no turns to make for a while, but the motorway number will change a few times: from C-35 to C-65 to C-31. Just stay straight ahead to seamlessly transition from one numbered segment to the next.
After following C-35/C-65/C-31 about 40 kilometers, take Exit 328 of C-31, which is signed Zona Industrial, Vall-llobrega and Castell. (When you exit, you will be a bit north of Palamós but not quite to Palafrugell.) Upon exiting, you will reach a roundabout. Take the departure signed for Castell and proceed as directed above..
MAP from AP-7 Exit 9/9B toll plaza to parking (Castell)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 9/9B toll plaza to parking (Estreta)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Castell and Cala Estreta.

Exit 328 interchange of C-31 motorway
This placemark pertains to Playa de Castell and Cala Estreta.

Camping Benelux

paved road ends

lift gate (open except during time of high fire risk)

parking area at Cala Estreta sign
This placemark pertains to Cala Estreta.

pink house-like structure on large stone foundation
This placemark pertains to Playa de Castell.

sprawling structure with tile roof

small outbuilding with barrel roof
This placemark pertains to Cala Estreta.

old house-like stone structure with tile roof & boat ramp
This placemark pertains to Cala Estreta.

Cala Estreta

Cala d'en Remendón

Cala de Roca Bona

Cala del Cap de Planes

paved road signed for Castell

gravel road to Playa de Castell

gravel road toward Cala Estreta

continuation of road to Playa de Castell (foot traffic only)

path to Cala Estreta that follows chain-link fence

trail

tiny niche with limited nude use

four adjacent beach crescents

Cala de Roques Planes

Cala de Roques Planes
The 15 or so kilometers of Girona's coastline that extends from Palamós southwestward to Sant Feliu de Guíxols is highly urbanized. Along this stretch, a posh neighborhood called Torre Valentina occupies a small seaside hill, and there are several tiny beaches tucked into rocky coastline of the hill. Cala de Roques Planes is the northeasternmost of these picturesque and idyllic little sandy niches. Roques Planes draws some nude bathers, but nudist attendance is spotty. The expanse of sand is no more than 20 meters long, and nudity is likely to occur there only on days when the beach is very lightly attended. Otherwise, bare bathers tend to gravitate to the rocky outcropping on the east side of the sandy beach (to the left when facing the sea). The low outcropping covers more than an acre, with flat expanses of smooth rock amid the otherwise irregular terrain. A few nudists are often present in the nooks and crannies of the outcropping. While Cala de Roques Planes is quite charming, bear in mind that it is rather minor as a nudist venue.
Calonge, Girona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3sbnoRN
41.8379N, 3.0881E (turnoff to Torre Valentina, at kilometer 47.8 of C-253 between Platja d'Aro and Sant Antoni de Calogne)
Torre Valentina is a small neighborhood of exclusive villas on a seaside hill, on the coast side of C-253. There are signs with the name of the neighborhood at the turnoff. From C-253, it is just a kilometer to where you park and access Cala de Roques Planes, but you will have to turn several times as you navigate the peculiar jumble of streets. All the streets are signed, but the signs are rather inconspicuous. Upon turning away from C-253, you will be on Avinguda Pelai Martínez, and you will pass through a pair of columns as you enter Torre Valentina. In just 50 meters you will reach a stop sign at a "T" junction. Turn left onto Carrer de Rafel de Casanovas. Proceed about 60 meters and take the next right onto Carrer d'Antoni Gaudí. In 125 meters, you must turn right onto Carrer Domènech i Muntaner when you reach a "do not enter" panel along Carrer d'Antoni Gaudí. Proceed 300 meters and take the next right onto Carrer d'Antoni Gaudí (again!). Proceed 50 meters and take the next right onto Carrer del Doctor Barraquer. Continue about 200 meters and take the second left onto Carrer Ildefons Cerdà, which is the last turn.
Carrer Ildefons Cerdà is a dead-end street that is not quite 200 meters long, and Cala de Roques Planes is accessed from the end of the street. Streetside parking is available along the first half of the street (41.8335N, 3.0913E), leading up to an iron residential gate with "Coral" on one of its stone gateposts.
There are two residential gates at the end of Carrer Ildefons Cerdà. Facing those gates, to the left there are steps next to a "no dogs allowed" sign that descend to a walkway. Go down the steps and turn right onto the walkway, passing under Carrer Ildefons Cerdà via a short pedestrian tunnel. Once you emerge from the tunnel, it is less than 50 meters to Cala de Roques Planes along a stepped path beneath a canopy of trees.
There is also another way to access Cala de Roques Planes. Instead of turning onto Carrer Ildefons Cerdà, assume you keep to the right to stay on Carrer del Doctor Barraquer, then watch the residential gates that are on the left side of the street. The second gate is an iron gate with "Rocas Planas" on one of its stone gateposts. Next to that gate at a "no dogs allowed" sign, several steps descend to a walkway that leads into a pedestrian tunnel that is about 20 meters long. When you emerge from the tunnel, steps descend to Cala del Paller, which is the next small beach west of Cala de Roques Planes. Facing the sea, go to the left. A walkway that is about 100 meters long goes over the rocky outcropping that is between the two beaches.
starting point:  Exit 9, 9A or 9B (Lloret de Mar, Blanes, Malgrat de Mar, Maçanet de la Selva, Santa Coloma de Farners, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Palamós) of the AP-7 motorway near Maçanet de la Selva and Vidreres
Exits 9, 9A and 9B are all part of the same interchange, and that interchange is about 25 kilometers south of Girona and 75 kilometers north of Barcelona. Depending on which exit you take, you will see panels indicating some combination of the towns listed parenthetically above. If you are going south on AP-7 (toward Barcelona), there is just one Exit 9. If you are going north (toward Girona), there is both a 9A and a 9B, but it does not matter which one you take. There are two toll plazas that are part of the interchange. If you take Exit 9 or 9B, you will be filtered to the same toll plaza. Just after the plaza, keep to the left, following the sign for Santa Coloma de Farners, Lloret de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guíxols. If you take Exit 9A, you will be filtered to a separate but nearby toll plaza, and the only option after the toll plaza is to keep straight ahead.
Once you leave the toll plazas, you will merge into a non-toll motorway that goes east toward the coast. There are no turns to make for a while, but the motorway number will change a few times: from C-35 to C-65 to C-31. Just stay straight ahead to seamlessly transition from one numbered segment to the next.
After following C-35/C-65/C-31 about 29 kilometers, take Exit 316 of C-31, which is signed Platja d'Aro Nord. At the end of the exit ramp, you will reach a roundabout that circles under the motorway. Take the first departure, which is signed Platja d'Aro. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be heading toward the coast on GI-665. Proceed 900 meters to the next roundabout, where there is no road that continues straight ahead. Take the second departure, which is signed for Calonge and Sant Antoni de Calonge.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be going northeast (parallel to the coast) on C-253. In about 200 meters, keep straight ahead through a small roundabout to stay on C-253 toward Calonge and Sant Antoni de Calonge. 1.3 kilometers farther along, take note when you pass kilometer marker 47. A bit farther along, you will pass under a prominent pedestrian bridge that spans the highway. 400-500 meters farther along, take note when you pass the prominently signed entrance to Camping Treumal (which is on the right). A few hundred meters farther on, turn right at a Torre Valentina sign, then proceed as directed above. (The turnoff is immediately before the Sant Antoni de Calonge town sign and 150 meters before kilometer marker 48.)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 9/9B toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Cala de Roques Planes.

This placemark pertains to Cala de Roques Planes.

pedestrian bridge spanning C-253
This placemark pertains to Cala de Roques Planes.

entrance to Camping Treumal

columns at entrance to Torre Valentina neighborhood

"Sant Antoni de Calonge" town sign (facing traffic going northeast)

iron residential gate signed "Coral"

pedestrian tunnel under end of Carrer Ildefons Cerdà

iron residential gate signed "Rocas Planas"

pedestrian tunnel along path to Cala del Paller

Cala del Paller (textile)

Cala dels Esculls (textile)

Cala del Forn (textile)

Cala Cristus (textile)

segment of C-253

streets through Torre Valentina neighborhood

path from Carrer Ildefons Cerdà to Cala de Roques Planes

path from Carrer del Doctor Barraquer to Cala del Paller

path between Cala de Roques Planes & Cala del Paller

Playa de Senyor Ramón & Playa de Vallpresona

Playa de Senyor Ramón and Playa de Vallpresona are nearby beaches that are nestled at the base of the coastal mountains between Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guíxols. The beaches are along a stretch of coastline that is bracketed by two small resort areas—Canyet de Mar to the northeast and Cala Salionç to the southwest. Both Senyor Ramón and Vallpresona are attended by nude bathers.
Playa de Senyor Ramón is an expanse of golden sand backed by rocky red cliffs that are covered in trees. The setting is quite beautiful. Overall the beach stretches about 350 meters, and about 200 meters is sandy while the rest is rocky. The beach is easily accessible by a short hike if you are willing to pay a parking fee, or a longer hike if you'd rather park for free. Nudists and textiles mingle along the entire beach, with nudists typically composing a substantial minority of visitors on crowded days and sometimes a majority on less crowded days. There are no amenities along the beach, but there is a restaurant just uphill from the beach at the parking lot.
A bit southwest of Playa de Senyor Ramón, Playa de Vallpresona is a similarly sized beach located against a forested backdrop that is quite beautiful albeit less dramatic than that of Senyor Ramón. Vallpresona was a hippie haven in the '70s, back when nudity at the beach was a surreptitious pursuit, but its counterculture reputation has dissipated over the decades. These days Vallpresona draws far fewer visitors than nearby Senyor Ramón, and it is often nearly deserted even when Senyor Ramón is packed. While a longer hike is required to reach Vallpresona, the main reason it doesn't draw large crowds is that it lacks sand. The beach is composed entirely of pebbles and rocks. Anyone present on the beach is likely to be naked, but it is quite possible that you will have Vallpresona all to yourself.
Following the rocky shoreline, it is less than 500 meters from Senyor Ramón to Vallpresona, and along that expanse there is a hidden sandy beach called Caleta de Concagats, which is about 75 meters long. While the beach certainly has nudist potential, it surprisingly does not have a consistent nudist presence. The beach is sometimes visited by boaters and kayakers, but it is often deserted. To get there from Senyor Ramón, go to the right when facing the sea, or go to the left if you start from Vallpresona. Either way, you will have to scramble over very rocky terrain.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Vallpresona and Playa de Senyor Ramón.

Playa de Senyor Ramón
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Vallpresona and Playa de Senyor Ramón.)
Santa Cristina d'Aro, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 13 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Senyor Ramón and Playa de Vallpresona.

Playa de Vallpresona
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Vallpresona and Playa de Senyor Ramón.)
Santa Cristina d'Aro, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 13 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Senyor Ramón and Playa de Vallpresona.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KDTV9B
To go to Playa de Senyor Ramón, set your GPS device to:
41.7565N, 2.9734E (turnoff toward beach parking, at kilometer 34.9 of GI-682 between Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guíxols)
The narrow gravel road to Playa de Senyor Ramón is gated, and it is marked by a blue-and-yellow post with Accés Platja de la Curcullada written vertically. (Curcullada is just an alternate name for the beach more commonly called Senyor Ramón.) The gate is typically open during warmer months. Follow the narrow, twisty road downhill about 700 meters to its end at a restaurant. There is an earthen parking lot next to the restaurant, and a fee is required to park there. Next to the restaurant, a path descends to the beach. The path is just 150 meters long, with an elevation loss of about 30 meters. You will land at the far southwest end of the beach.
If you visit when the gate at the start of the road is closed, or if you would just prefer to avoid the parking fee, you can leave your car alongside GI-682 and then hike along the gravel road. There is limited informal parking along the highway near the start of the gravel road, and there are various pockets of parking a bit farther away. If you park along the highway, your hike down to the beach will be at least 900 meters, with an elevation loss of about 90 meters.
To go to Playa de Vallpresona, set your GPS device to:
41.7557N, 2.9637E (parking pullout at kilometer 33.75 of GI-682 between Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guíxols)
The parking pullout is on the coast side of the road, and it is marked by a blue-and-yellow post with Accés a Cala Vallpresona written vertically. From there, a forested path descends to Playa de Vallpresona. The distance is 800 meters, with an elevation loss of about 75 meters.
starting point:  Exit 9, 9A or 9B (Lloret de Mar, Blanes, Malgrat de Mar, Maçanet de la Selva, Santa Coloma de Farners, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Palamós) of the AP-7 motorway near Maçanet de la Selva and Vidreres
Exits 9, 9A and 9B are all part of the same interchange, and that interchange is about 25 kilometers south of Girona and 75 kilometers north of Barcelona. Depending on which exit you take, you will see panels indicating some combination of the towns listed parenthetically above. If you are going south on AP-7 (toward Barcelona), there is just one Exit 9. If you are going north (toward Girona), there is both a 9A and a 9B, but it does not matter which one you take. There are two toll plazas that are part of the interchange. If you take Exit 9 or 9B, you will be filtered to the same toll plaza. Just after the plaza, keep to the left, following the sign for Santa Coloma de Farners, Lloret de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guíxols. If you take Exit 9A, you will be filtered to a separate but nearby toll plaza, and the only option after the toll plaza is to keep straight ahead.
Once you leave the toll plazas, you will merge into a non-toll motorway numbered C-35. Stay on C-35 about 12.5 kilometers, then take Exit 95, which is signed for Sant Llorenç and Llagostera. When you reach the roundabout at the end of the exit ramp, take the first departure, which is signed for Sant Llorenç and Sant Grau. You will then be on route GIP-6821, going south.
In a bit less than 500 meters, the road will fork. Keep to the left (really just straight ahead) toward Sant Grau to stay on GIP-6821. The road will become quite curvy as it begins to wind through the coastal mountains. Signs that point toward Tossa de Mar will help keep you on course. After twisting and turning about 10 kilometers, you will pass through the hamlet of Sant Grau. Continue along the curvy road about 5 kilometers farther to its end at a "T" junction with GI-682, which runs along the coast. The junction overlooks the sea.
At the "T" junction, turn left (north) onto GI-682, toward Sant Feliu de Guíxols (NOT toward Tossa de Mar). In 150 meters you will pass kilometer marker 33, then 700 to 800 meters farther you will reach a Terme Municipal Sta. Cristina d'Aro sign. The parking pullout for Playa de Vallpresona is on the right immediately past that sign but about 200 meters before marker 34. Continuing past the pullout for Playa de Vallpresona, it is another 1.1 kilometers to the right-hand turnoff to Playa de Senyor Ramón, which is about 100 meters before marker 35.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 9/9B toll plaza to turnoff toward Senyor Ramón
MAP from AP-7 Exit 9/9B toll plaza to parking (Vallpresona)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Vallpresona and Playa de Senyor Ramón.

kilometer marker 33 of GI-682
This placemark pertains to Playa de Vallpresona and Playa de Senyor Ramón.

parking pullout
This placemark pertains to Playa de Vallpresona.

kilometer marker 34 of GI-682

roadside parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Senyor Ramón.

restaurant
This placemark pertains to Playa de Senyor Ramón.

pay parking lot
This placemark pertains to Playa de Senyor Ramón.

Caleta de Concagats (potentially nudist)

segment of GI-682

Cala Figuera

Cala Figuera
On the west side of Tossa de Mar, Llorell Bay is a slight indentation of the coastline with a chain of small beaches, and the hills overlooking the picturesque bay are blanketed with villas along with a few commercial establishments. Cala Llevadó Camping, at the east end of the bay, is a resort with camping facilities as well as apartments, and there are three small beaches along Llorell Bay that can only be accessed by passing through the campground property. One of those beaches is Cala Figuera, and it is signed as a nude beach. Cala Figuera is a hidden beach that is covered in small pebbles, and it is less than 50 meters long. While the beach is frequented mostly by camping guests, others visit as well. It is free to walk through Cala Llevadó Camping to access the beach, and for a fee you can drive through the campground to park closer to the beach. Most visitors go nude.
Apart from the small nude beach, Cala Llevadó Camping is a conventionally textile resort. There are no amenities at the beach itself, but toilets, a restaurant and a grocery shop are all within 500 meters, a short but steep uphill walk from Cala Figuera. Also, there is a cemented path over the rocky outcropping at the east end of the beach (to the left when facing the sea). That path, which is roughly 50 meters long, connects to a small textile beach called Cala d'en Carlos, where a snack stand is usually set up during warmer months.
Tossa de Mar, Girona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/43XqyGc
41.7151N, 2.9067E (entrance to Cala Llevadó Camping in Tossa de Mar)
The only access to Cala Figuera is through Cala Llevadó Camping. As you approach the campground, you will reach a lift gate at a manned entrance booth. You will need to inquire there about available parking since all parking around the campground is signed as restricted and subject to a fee. Depending on how crowded it is, you may be instructed to park in the lot next to the entrance booth, or you may be able to proceed beyond the booth to park much closer to the beach.
Proceeding beyond the gate by car or on foot, in about 200 meters you will pass a small reception building (on your right). Just beyond the reception building, the ivy-covered main building of the campground (which houses a restaurant and other facilities) is located in a fork of the road. Keep to the left at the fork. Continue about 130 meters and take the next right (just before the grocery shop). Shortly the road will curve leftward at the rear of the main building as it begins to go steeply downhill. About 150 meters farther on, after you pass a toilet building (on the left), the road will make a leftward hairpin curve. Just beyond the hairpin curve, you will reach a junction of four roads, and the road to the right is signed with a round red-and-white "do not enter" panel (applicable to vehicular traffic). The stairs down to Cale Figuera begin at the junction next to the "do not enter" panel. There is streetside parking throughout the area. The stairs go through a lushly forested area, and you will land at the small nude beach. If you are on foot from the campground entrance, the walk to the beach is 600 meters, with an elevation loss of about 85 meters. If you can find parking near the stairs, the walk is potentially less than 100 meters, with an elevation loss of 25 meters.
Once you leave the toll plazas, you will merge into a non-toll motorway numbered C-35. Stay on C-35 just under 2 kilometers, then take Exit 85, which is signed for Santa Coloma de Farners, Lloret de Mar and Vidreres. When the exit ramp splits, keep to the right, toward Lloret de Mar. That lane is filtered onto route C-63, heading south.
After 10.3 kilometers on C-63 you will pass the Lloret de Mar town sign. 800 meters farther along, at the second roundabout past the town sign, C-63 ends. The road that continues south toward the coast is GI-680. Just keep straight ahead. About a kilometer farther on, just past kilometer marker 13, GI-680 will end at an interchange with GI-682. Follow signs for Tossa de Mar and Centre (NOT for Blanes) to negotiate your way through the interchange.
Once you merge into GI-682, you will be going east, and you will pass through the main hub of Lloret de Mar. Carefully watch for signs for Tossa de Mar and follow them to stay on GI-682 through the dense town center. In a little over 2 kilometers, you will have passed through the town center and you will pass the sign indicating you are leaving Lloret de Mar. As you continue eastward, watch the kilometer marker numbers, which ascend the farther you go. 5.3 kilometers after leaving Lloret de Mar, you will pass marker 18. After marker 18, continue another 750 meters and turn right at a large Cala Llevadó Camping sign. (If you pass marker 19, you have gone 250 meters too far.)
Proceed 500-600 meters to the entrance to Cala Llevadó Camping, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 9/9B toll plaza to entrance to Cala Llevadó Camping
This placemark pertains to Cala Figuera.

This placemark pertains to Cala Figuera.

large Cala Llevadó Camping sign along GI-682
This placemark pertains to Cala Figuera.

Cala Llevadó Camping entrance

small reception building

ivy-covered main building of Cala Llevadó Camping

swimming pool

grocery shop

toilet building

start of stairs

Cala d'en Carlos (textile)

Cala Llevadó (textile)

Playa de Llorell (textile)

roads to & through Cala Llevadó Camping

stepped path to beach

cemented path over rocky outcropping

Playa de la Boadella

Playa de la Boadella
Located near the southern end of Girona near the provincial border with Barcelona, Lloret de Mar is a coastal resort town renowned for its sandy beaches. On the southwestern outskirts of town, Playa de la Boadella is among the smaller beaches of Lloret de Mar, and it is a popular nude beach. La Boadella is situated against an idyllic forested backdrop, downhill from a botanical garden called the Jardins de Santa Clotilde. A number of rugged masses of rock are scattered along the beach and just offshore. The main sandy expanse of La Boadella stretches about 200 meters, plus there are little niches at either end that add a bit more to the length.
The forested path that goes downhill to La Boadella lands near the east end of the beach, where a snack stand and portable toilets are installed during warmer months. As you step onto the sand, you will pass a large signboard with information about the beach, including the announcement—in six languages—that nudity is customary. If you visit on a really crowded day, you may be surprised to see only textiles at first. Although nudity is acceptable along the entire beach, on busy days nudists gravitate to the western part of the beach (to the right when facing the sea), while the eastern area close to the snack stand become a de facto textile zone. When the beach isn't so crowded, nudists are likely to be present all along the beach.
The province of Girona has at least 20 beaches where nude bathing occurs, and Playa da la Boadella ranks near the very top of that list in popularity.
Lloret de Mar, Girona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qssCZ5
41.6934N, 2.8242E (start of path to Playa de la Boadella in Lloret de Mar)
The location named above is along Avinguda de Sa Boadella, near a short row of motorcycle parking spaces. There is no parking lot. There is streetside parking near the start of the path and throughout the area, but expect to drive around a bit to find a parking spot on busy days.
Go through a gateway in a wood-and-wire fence, then keep slightly to the right onto a broad dirt track that goes gradually downhill through a forest. In about 300 meters you will land on the beach near its east end. While nudity is acceptable along the entire beach, nudist tends to gravitate to the opposite (west) side of the beach on crowded days.
Once you leave the toll plazas, you will merge into a non-toll motorway numbered C-35. Stay on C-35 just under 2 kilometers, then take Exit 85, which is signed Santa Coloma de Farners, Lloret de Mar and Vidreres. When the exit ramp splits, keep to the right, toward Lloret de Mar. That lane is filtered onto route C-63, heading south.
After 10.3 kilometers on C-63 you will pass the Lloret de Mar town sign. 800 meters farther along, at the second roundabout past the town sign, C-63 ends. The road that continues south toward the coast is GI-680. Just keep straight ahead. About a kilometer farther on, just past kilometer marker 13, GI-680 will end at an interchange with GI-682. Follow signs for Blanes (NOT for the city center) to negotiate your way through the interchange.
Once you merge into GI-682, you will be going west-southwest, and you will be near kilometer marker 10. Within a few hundred meters you will pass a Saras gas station at a small roundabout. Continue along GI-682 another 800 meters to the next roundabout (at kilometer marker 9), which is a large roundabout with lots of manicured shrubbery in the middle. Take the third departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), which is signed Platja de Sa Boadella and Jardins de Santa Clotilde.
When you depart the large roundabout, you will be on Avinguda de Fenals. In just 150 meters, take the first possible right onto Carrer del Marfull. (There is no prominent street signage.) Proceed 250 meters, passing a number of boxy apartment building, to a stop sign at a "T" junction with Avinguda de Sa Boadella. Turn right.
Just after you turn, you will see a crosswalk painted across the road just past a row of motorcycle parking spaces. The path to the beach begins on the left just past the crosswalk. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 9/9B toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Boadella.

This placemark pertains to Playa de la Boadella.

Saras gas station

large roundabout at kilometer marker 9 of GI-682

motorcycle parking

Jardins de Santa Clotilde (botanical garden)

seasonal snack stand

segments of Av. de Fenals, Cr. del Marfull & Av. de Sa Boadella

Barcelona

Playa de Malgrat Norte

Playa de Malgrat Norte
The river La Tordera flows into the Mediterranean at the provincial border of Barcelona and Girona. The river bed is broad, and it is mostly dry during warmer months, with the mouth of the river sometimes completely obstructed by a bank of sand. The segment of the beach at the river mouth is frequented by nudists, and it is marked with a "Zona Nudista" sign. Nude bathers gather along a fairly short stretch of just 100 or so meters. Despite the signage, it is not one of the better-known nude beaches in Catalonia, drawing just small crowds of nude bathers.
The nude beach is typically accessed by parking at La Tordera Camping, which is on the Barcelona side of the provincial border, at the far northern end of the municipality of Malgrat de Mar. However, the nude beach is more often associated with the larger town of Blanes, which is on the Girona side of the border. There is a restaurant and a small grocery shop at La Tordera Camping, just a short walk from the nude area.
Malgrat de Mar, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DQfyzF
41.6651N, 2.7646E (turnoff toward La Tordera Camping)
La Tordera Camping is accessed from a minor road numbered BV-6001, and the turnoff is immediately south of the provincial border of Girona and Barcelona. (The provincial border is not signed, nor is there any conspicuous signage with the road number). The camping access road parallels the bed of the river La Todera, dead ending after 1.7 kilometers. At the end of the road, the gate into La Tordera Camping is on the right. Directly opposite the gate, turn left into a dirt parking area (41.6526N, 2.7756E). Follow the broad path that continues straight ahead from the end of the road. In 250 meters you will reach the beach. Facing the sea, turn to your left and shortly you will reach the nude area, which is at the mouth of the river.
starting point:  Exit 10 (Hostalric, Blanes) of the AP-7 motorway near Hostalric
alternate starting point:  Exit 134 (Blanes, Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar) of the C-32 motorway near Blanes
Exit 10 of the AP-7 is the northernmost exit in the province of Barcelona, very close to the border with Girona. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the inland side of the motorway. Once you leave the toll plaza, your goal is to go to Blanes. You will be on segments of several numbered roads. Just follow the signs that point toward Blanes. You will be on route GI-600 when you enter Blanes, and the town sign is 15.4 kilometers from the toll plaza.
Alternatively, if you are coming from the city of Barcelona, you may wish to take the C-32 instead of the AP-7. The C-32 runs closer to the coast. Exit 134 is currently the last exit of the C-32 if you are going north. The C-32 terminates near the provincial border but may be extended into Girona in the future. Upon exiting, follow the signs for Blanes. You will be filtered onto GI-600, and you will reach the town sign in about 2.5 kilometers.
The Blanes town sign is 250 meters past kilometer marker 4 of GI-600, and it is beneath a 50 KPH speed-limit sign. Just past the sign, you will enter a roundabout. Take the second roundabout departure, which is signed for Blanes, Lloret de Mar and Z.I. Nord. Once you leave the roundabout, you will begin to pass through a commercial corridor★ with a number of roundabouts, and this corridor is lined with supermarkets, fast food chains and the like. Keep straight ahead through all the roundabouts until you see a prominently signed business on the right called the Bowling Center. It's just over one kilometer past the town sign. Just after the Bowling Center, you will reach another roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed for Malgrat de Mar.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be on a road that is labeled GI-6831 on maps, but there does not seem to be any signage indicating the number. In 900 meters, keep straight ahead through another roundabout. Just after that roundabout, you will pass the sign indicating you are leaving Blanes, then shortly thereafter you will begin to cross the river La Tordera★★ via a very narrow bridge. It is a wide river bed, and there is often little or no water. When you reach the point where the guardrails of the bridge end, immediately turn left at the sign that points to La Tordera Camping, the proceed as directed above.
★ Along the commercial corridor, there is a sign pointing toward Malgrat de Mar just past a Burger King. Ignore it. Keep straight ahead until you reach the other road to Malgrat de Mar, which is just past the Bowling Center.
★★ The river forms the provincial border of Girona and Barcelona. Beyond the river, the road number changes from GI-6831 to BV-6001, but you will turn before you see any BV-6001 signs.
MAP from alternate starting point to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Malgrat Norte.

kilometer marker 4 of GI-600 (last marker along route)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Malgrat Norte.

"Blanes" town sign (facing traffic heading toward coast)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Malgrat Norte.

Bowling Center

"leaving Blanes" sign (facing traffic heading toward Barcelona)

bridge over (usually dry) La Tordera River

dirt parking area

Camping La Tordera

route from GI-600 km 4 to parking

Playa de las Rocas

Playa de las Rocas
Playa de Calella is the main beach of Calella, and it is an immense sandy beach with a palm-lined promenade. In some places the distance across the sand from the promenade to the water's edge is over 100 meters. At the southwest end of Calella, the vast expanse of sand abruptly ends and the coastline becomes rocky. Over the next 800 meters, there is a chain of narrower beaches that are collectively referred to as Playa de las Rocas (or, in Catalan, Platja de les Roques) even though there are multiple distinct areas with separate accesses, and these areas are not easily accessible to one another at high tide. Las Rocas lies just below the coastal highway, and the parallel coastal railroad is mostly tunneled underground next to the beach. Starting from Calella and going southwest, the segments of Las Rocas are Cala del Faro, Cala Rocapins, Cala d'en Pere, Cala de la Vinyeta and Cala Roca Grossa. Nudity occurs on some of these beaches even though most of Las Rocas, including areas where nudist gather, is visible from the coastal walkway above the beach.
The Calella lighthouse is perched atop a rocky hill on the inland side of the coastal highway just beyond the southwest end of Playa del Calella. The part of Las Rocas that is below the lighthouse is Cala del Faro, a 140-meter-long expanse of sand that gets broken into multiple smaller niches at high tide. Nude bathers typically predominate at Cala del Faro.
Cala Rocapins is about 160 meters long, with a beach bar roughly in the middle. Rocapins is a textile beach, but just over a small outcropping at its southwest end there is a hidden beach less than 50 meters long that is the domain of nude bathers. This small nude beach is Cala d'en Pere, but that name is little known, so it is more often regarded as the nudist extension of Rocapins.
Cala de la Vinyeta is about 200 meters long, and the broad northeastern half of the beach is backed by an exposed segment of the railroad that disappears into tunnels going in either direction. The narrower southwestern half of the beach mostly disappears at high tide. Nudity occurs all along Cala de la Vinyeta, but there is much more of a mix of nudists and textiles compared to Cala del Faro and Cala d'en Pere. On really crowded days textiles can vastly outnumber nudists, but there is more of a balance on less crowded days.
Cala Roca Grossa, about 120 meters long, protrudes slightly toward the large mass of rock for which the beach is named. The rock is either barely connected to the beach or barely offshore, depending on the tide. Cala Roca Grossa is mostly a textile beach. A few nudists may be present on uncrowded days, almost always along the northeast side of the large rock (to the left when facing the sea), which is the opposite end of the beach from where the beach bar is located. Along with the bar at Rocapins, the bar at Roca Grossa is one of two eateries along Las Rocas.
41.6061N, 2.6418E (Cala de la Vinyeta)
41.6052N, 2.6395E (Cala Roca Grossa)
Calella, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47qyDpO
41.6078N, 2.6456E (unsigned turnoff at kilometer 666.2 of N-II in Calella)
The location indicated above is on the west end of Calella, immediately west of the Calella lighthouse. Going west (toward Barcelona), this will be a right turn. It is not legal to turn left from N-II, so it you are heading east (toward Calella), you will need to go past the turnoff a short distance until you reach a roundabout then backtrack.
Upon turning, you will be at the start of a paved road that is about 300 meters long. On busy days, there are likely to be parked cars along the entire length of the road. Less than 100 meters from the start of the road, just after the road curves sharply leftward, additional parking is available at an earthen parking lot on the right (41.6085N, 2.6449E). (The earthen lot is just past a side road on the right that goes up to the lighthouse. That road is is barricaded to automobile traffic.) Once you park, there are several ways to access the various areas of Playa de las Rocas.
To go to Cala del Faro:
Return to N-II and carefully cross the highway to the walkway that runs along the coast side of the highway. Facing the sea, turn left and follow the walkway toward Calella for 100 meters to a staircase that descends to Playa de Calella, the very broad main beach of Calella. The stairs land at the extreme southwest end of the broad beach, next to a sloping grassy embankment upon which "Calella" is spelled in large block letters. Facing the sea, go right and you will almost immediately reach Cala del Faro, a collection of sandy niches that begins at the point where Playa de Calella abruptly narrows. The niches extend roughly 140 meters at low tide, but only the largest of the niches (the one adjacent to Playa de Calella) is easily accessible at high tide.
To go to Cala d'en Pere, via Cala Rocapins:
In the parking area, watch for a small boat that is an art installation. Follow the paved walkway next to the boat toward N-II. The walkway goes under the highway via a pedestrian tunnel and emerges at Cala Rocapins, where there is an eatery named Bar Rocapins. (From the walkway along the highway, there are also stairs directly above Bar Rocapins that go down to the beach, but you avoid having to cross the highway by taking the tunnel instead.) Facing the sea at Cala Rocapins, go right to the rocky outcropping at the southwest end of the beach, about 80 meters past the beach bar. It is fairly easy to climb over the outcropping to reach Cala d'en Pere, the hidden niche on the other side.
To go to Cala de la Vinyeta or Cala Roca Grossa:
Head toward the end of the paved road that goes through the parking area. About 200 meters past the earthen parking lot, there is a chain across the road that blocks farther vehicular access, and the road narrows a bit into a broad walkway. About 250 meters farther on, the walkway crosses the highway via a wooden pedestrian bridge, and you will have a sweeping view of Cala de la Vinyeta (to your left) as you are crossing the bridge. Once you cross the bridge, you will connect to the coastal walkway the generally follows the highway.
To go to Cala de la Vinyeta, head toward the highway. Just after you cross under the pedestrian bridge near its landing, you will reach the long staircase that descends to Cala de la Vinyeta.
To go to Cala Roca Grossa, head away from the highway. You will be on a short segment of the coastal walkway that veers away from the highway and skirts the coast side of a rocky land mass, with the highway temporarily disappearing from view. Shortly you will reach a small parking area near the point where the walkway reconnects to the highway. The stairs to Cala Roca Grossa leave from that parking area.
Alternate access to Cala del Faro:
Rather than crossing the highway at street level, you can take the pedestrian tunnel to Cala Rocapins. Just as soon as you emerge from the tunnel, the niches of Cala del Faro will be to your left as you face the sea, over a rocky outcropping. It isn't terribly difficult to climb over the rocks to get to the the southwesternmost of the niches (i.e., the one closest to Cala Rocapins and farthest from Playa de Calella), but at high tide it is difficult to get to the other niches. In that case, you can go up to the highway via the stairs at Bar Rocapins, then follow the coastal walkway about 200 meters toward Calella to the stairs that descend to the extreme southwest end of Playa de Calella.
starting point:  Exit 122 (Calella, Pineda de Mar, Santa Susanna) of the C-32 motorway near Calella
C-32 is a motorway that parallels the Mediterranean coastline through most of the province of Barcelona. Exit 122 is about 50 kilometers northeast of the city of Barcelona.
Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered southeast toward the coast and Calella. Once you merge into two-way traffic, continue 750 meters, then take the first possible exit, which is signed Calella Centre. At the stop sign at the end of the ramp, all traffic must turn right. Upon turning, you will be on route N-II, heading southwest (toward Barcelona). [Note that the highway number is "Roman Numeral Two" and not "Eleven."]
Follow N-II through Calella for 2 kilometers to a large roundabout at the far edge of town at the entrance to Camping El Far. The roundabout is easily identifiable by Camping El Far spelled in large block letters. Take the third departure of the roundabout in order to continue along N-II toward Barcelona.
As you leave the roundabout, you will pass a Calella town sign with a diagonal red line through it (indicating you are leaving town). From there, continue 300-400 meters and take the first possible right turn, just past the Calella lighthouse (which is difficult to see from the highway). Watch carefully, since the turnoff is just past a curve and you can't see it until you are almost upon it. Upon turning, proceed as directed above.
OTHER PARKING AREAS
The parking area described above (consisting of the 300-meter-long paved road and the earthen lot) is the best parking option on crowded days since there is room for several hundred cars. However, there are two more parking areas with far more limited space. One is a paved lot with about 25 parking spaces located at kilometer marker 666, overlooking Cala d'en Pere and the northeast end of Cala de la Vinyeta (about halfway between the stairs to Cala Rocapins and the stairs to Cala de la Vinyeta). The other is a paved lot with just 15 or so spaces, located opposite the entrance to Camping Roca Grossa. (It is the parking area next to the stairs to Cala Roca Grossa, as previously mentioned.) Both these parking areas are on the coast side of the highway. Besides very limited parking, another disadvantage is that you can't legally turn left into these lots if approaching from Calella, meaning you will have to go past them then backtrack once you are able to turn around.
MAP from C-32 Exit 122 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Rocas.

Cala del Faro (consistently nudist)
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Rocas.

Cala Rocapins (textile)
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Rocas.

Cala d'en Pere (consistently nudist)

Cala de la Vinyeta (variable nude use)

Cala Roca Grossa (little nude use)

roundabout next to Camping El Far

Camping El Far

Faro de Calella (lighthouse)

stairs to west end of Playa de Calella

small boat (art installation)

pedestrian tunnel under highway to Cala Rocapins

stairs to Cala Rocapins

Bar Rocapins

kilometer marker 666 of N-II

stairs to Cala de la Vinyeta

end of vehicular access

pedestrian bridge over coastal highway (N-II)

stairs to Cala Roca Grossa

Chiringuito Roca Grossa

Camping Roca Grossa

segment of N-II

paved road along which parking is possible

road to lighthouse (closed to automobiles)

walkway along coast side of highway

path to Cala Rocapins, via pedestrian tunnel

path connecting to coast side of highway via pedestrian bridge

Cala de Faro (consistently nudist)

Cala Rocapins (textile)

Playa del Molí & Playa de las Rocas Blancas

Playa del Molí and Playa de la Rocas Blancas are adjacent beaches located between the town centers of Sant Pol de Mar and Canet de Mar, next to the coastal highway and the railroad that parallels the highway. The two beaches are divided by a rocky notch of land through which the railroad is tunneled for about 60 meters. At low tide the two beaches are contiguous, with exposed sandy niches along the rocky notch. Even at high tide, it is not terribly difficult to go around the notch from one beach to the other. Playa del Molí and Playa de la Rocas Blancas collectively span about 1.5 kilometers, with two zones of nude use.
The parking area for Playa del Molí is on the inland side of the highway, and from there a pedestrian tunnel goes under the highway and the railroad to the main part of the beach, where a snack stand is set up during warmer months. That area is textile. A few hundred meters northeast of the pedestrian tunnel (to the left when facing the sea), there is a prominent, pointy mass of rock in the area where the beach gets narrower. The nude area begins at the pointy rock mass and extends about 500 meters to a small rock jetty, beyond which the beach gets substantially wider. (Beyond the jetty, the beach is named Playa de Can Villar.) The nude area of Playa del Molí gets broken up into several segments at high tide, but there is a footpath along the inland edge of the beach (next to the railroad) that makes it easy to get around regardless of the tides.
The other zone of nude use is around the rocky notch through which railroad is tunneled, and it is typically associated with Playa de la Rocas Blancas even though it can be accessed from Playa del Molí. If you park at Playa del Molí and go through the pedestrian tunnel, the rocky notch is about 300 meters to your right as you face the sea. Nude bathers gather in the niches amid the rocky notch and on the other side of the notch is the area that is the far northwest end of Playa de la Rocas Blancas. Alternatively, you can access Playa de la Rocas Blancas from another parking lot, which is on the inland side of the highway next to a Dia supermarket. From there, a pedestrian tunnel goes under the highway and the railroad, landing on the beach next to a restaurant named Les Roques. Facing the sea at the restaurant, go to your left about 250 meters to the nude end of the beach next to the rocky notch. (On the other side of the restaurant, Playa de la Rocas Blancas is contiguous with the main beach of Canet de Mar.)
Playa del Molí is alternately known as Playa de la Murtra. While many sources name the beach as La Murtra, the signage in the parking area names it as El Molí. Playa de la Rocas Blancas is also known by its Catalan cognate, Platja de les Roques Blanques. Both nude areas are very close to the coastal highway, but nude bathers are not readily visible to most passing traffic.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Molí and Playa de las Rocas Blancas.

Playa del Molí
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Molí and Playa de las Rocas Blancas.)
Sant Pol de Mar, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 20 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Molí and Playa de las Rocas Blancas.

Playa de las Rocas Blancas
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Molí and Playa de las Rocas Blancas.)
Sant Pol de Mar, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 20 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Molí and Playa de las Rocas Blancas.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/451zdbP
To go to Playa del Molí, set your GPS device to:
41.5944N, 2.6031E (two parking lots at kilometer 661.75 of N-II between Sant Pol de Mar and Canet de Mar)
The parking lots referenced above are side by side along the inland side of the highway, accessed from the same turnoff. The smaller of the two is an asphalted lot where parking is free. The larger of the two is a gated earthen lot surrounded by a chain-link fence. The fenced lot is open only on busy days, and there is a fee to park there. The parking area is linked to the beach via a pedestrian tunnel that goes under the highway and the parallel railroad. Facing the sea at the turnoff into the parking area, the pedestrian tunnel is less than 50 meters to your right. The tunnel access is marked by a blue-and-white sign with a symbol of a figure descending stairs.
Once you emerge from the pedestrian tunnel, you will be at the textile area of Playa del Molí, which is an expanse of about 500 meters. Facing the sea, head to your left. About 250 meters from the pedestrian tunnel, the nude area begins at a tall mass of rock with a pointy peak. (That rock mass is next to kilometer marker 662, but you can't see the marker at beach level.) The nude area extends about 500 meters, ending around a small rock jetty that projects slightly into the sea. (The jetty is roughly halfway between kilometer markers 662 and 663, and the beach becomes much broader beyond it.) At high tide, the nude area gets broken into multiple segments. However, there is a footpath that runs alongside the railroad a bit above beach level which makes exploring the entire length of the nude area possible even at high tide.
To go to Playa de las Rocas Blancas, set your GPS device to:
41.5921N, 2.5946E (entrance to earthen parking lot at kilometer 661 of N-II between Sant Pol de Mar and Canet de Mar)
The parking lot referenced above is on the inland side of the highway next to a Dia supermarket, but it is not accessed directly from the highway but rather from the roundabout that is just west of kilometer marker 661. Facing the sea, go to the far left side of the parking lot to find a pedestrian tunnel (like the one described above) that goes under the highway and the railroad. You will land on the beach next to a restaurant called Les Roques. Facing the sea, turn left and go about 250 meters to the notch of land through which the railroad is tunneled.
starting point:  Exit 117 (Sant Pol de Mar, Sant Cebrià de Vallalta, Sant Iscle de Vallalta) of the C-32 motorway near Sant Pol de Mar
C-32 is a motorway that parallels the Mediterranean coastline through most of the province of Barcelona, and Exit 117 is about 45 kilometers northeast of the city of Barcelona. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to an oblong roundabout that is on the inland side of the motorway. Take the roundabout departure that is signed for Sant Pol de Mar. Immediately after you depart the oblong roundabout, you will cross under the elevated motorway and begin heading toward the coast on route BV-5128.
Continue 800 meters to the next roundabout. Take the first departure, following the sign for N-II, Barcelona, Girona, Arenys de Mar and Calella. Just after the roundabout you will cross a bridge over a creek bed that is usually dry. A bit after the bridge, be sure to keep right at a fork, following the sign for Barcelona (NOT Girona and Calella). Shortly you will pass kilometer marker 663 as you merge into route N-II, heading southwest toward Barcelona. [Note that the highway number is "Roman Numeral Two" and not "Eleven."] The sea will come into view, on your left-hand side. Follow N-II one kilometer and take note when you pass kilometer marker 662.
To continue to Playa del Molí:
Shortly past kilometer marker 662, take the next possible right into the beach parking area. (If you reach the turnoff into Camping Kanguro, you have gone about 200 meters too far.) Proceed as directed above.
To continue to Playa de las Rocas Blancas:
After passing kilometer marker 662, continue southwest (toward Barcelona) just over a kilometer to a roundabout that is just past marker 661. Take the first departure and follow the blue "P" panels to a large earthen parking lot that is on the inland side of the highway next to a Dia supermarket. Proceed as directed above.
Alternate access to Playa de las Rocas Blancas:
Playa de las Rocas Blancas is the adjacent beach southwest of Playa del Molí, and its nude area is where the two beaches meet. Instead of parking at the lot next to the Dia supermarket, assume instead that you park and access the beach at Playa del Molí (as described at the beginning of the directions). Once you emerge from the pedestrian tunnel, turn right as you face the sea. In about 300 meters, the main expanse of El Molí ends at a prominent notch of land through which the railroad is tunneled, and Las Rocas Blancas is just beyond the notch. Nudity occurs in the niches around the notch and on the other side of the notch, which is the far northeast end of Las Rocas Blancas. At high tide, a bit of rock scrambling is necessary to get all the way around the notch.
MAP from C-32 Exit 117 to parking (near kilometer marker 662)
MAP from C-32 Exit 117 to parking (near kilometer marker 661)
This placemark pertains to Playa del Molí and Playa de las Rocas Blancas.

kilometer marker 663 of N-II
This placemark pertains to Playa del Molí and Playa de las Rocas Blancas.

kilometer marker 662 of N-II

small free parking lot

fenced earthen pay lot with covered parking

pedestrian tunnel under coastal highway & railroad

seasonal snack stand along main expanse of Playa del Molí

pointy rock mass

small rock jetty

Camping Kanguro

railroad tunnel through small hill

roundabout next to kilometer marker 661

Dia supermarket

Restaurant Les Roques

segment of N-II (coastal highway)

road from roundabout to parking

segment of railroad parallel to N-II

Playa de la Musclera & Playa de la Picòrdia

Playa de la Musclera and Playa de la Picòrdia are adjacent beaches located between the town centers of Arenys de Mar and Caldes d'Estrac, next to the coastal highway and the railroad that parallels the highway. The two beaches are divided by rocky outcroppings that protrude from a seaside hilly land mass. The highway stays above ground as it skirts the coastal edge of the hilly land mass, but the railroad is tunneled through the land mass for about 200 meters. Nude bathing occurs on the northeast end of Playa de la Musclera and on the southwest end of Playa de la Picòrdia, in the area around each end of the railroad tunnel. At high tide, the nude area of La Musclera is about 350 meters long while that of La Picòrdia is about 150 meters long, with a rocky stretch of about 100 meters dividing the two nude beaches. At low tide, the beaches are contiguous, with a continuous nude area of about 600 meters. La Musclera is the name generally associated with both parts of the nude beach, while the name La Picòrdia is not nearly as used.
La Musclera is quite easy to access, with parking available adjacent to the beach. (There is also a separate parking area from which the La Picòrdia end of the beach can be accessed.) During warmer months, there are portable toilets and one or more snack stands along the main nude area (i.e., the La Musclera part of the beach), and beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented. (Out of season, all amenities are dismantled.) Most visitors opt to be naked all along the nudist zone, and on peak days there are large crowds of nudists at both La Musclera and La Picòrdia. Some parts of the nude beach are quite exposed to the nearby coastal highway. Passing motorists can catch brief glimpses of bare bathers.
Going from the city of Barcelona to the border of Barcelona province at Girona province, the distance along the coastline is roughly 50 kilometers, and there are quite a few nude beaches along that densely populated coastal stretch. Of them, Playa de la Musclera is the one that generally draws the most nude bathers.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Musclera and Playa de la Picòrdia.

Playa de la Musclera
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de la Musclera and Playa de la Picòrdia.)
Arenys de Mar, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 15 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de la Musclera and Playa de la Picòrdia.

Playa de la Picòrdia
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de la Musclera and Playa de la Picòrdia.)
Arenys de Mar, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 15 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de la Musclera and Playa de la Picòrdia.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DSe48c
To go to Playa de la Musclera, set your GPS device to:
41.5722N, 2.5354E (roundabout at kilometer 655.2 of N-II west of Arenys de Mar)
At the roundabout, take the departure that goes inland, which is signed La Musclera d'Arenys de Mar. It is the only departure that is not part of the highway (N-II). Upon leaving the roundabout, the road will immediately fork. Keep to the right (going in the opposite direction from the signs that point toward Restaurant Hispania and Balneari Titus). The road will curve sharply rightward and cross under N-II, then just 30 meters farther on the road will cross under the railroad that parallels N-II. The nude area of Playa de la Musclera is immediately beyond the railroad.
Just after crossing under N-II but before the railroad, there is a parking lot on the left (41.5725N, 2.5361E). Or, cross under the railroad, at which point the road will bend sharply to the right. Parking is possible directly adjacent to the nude beach in a sandy parking area that is fenced off with posts and ropes.
To go to Playa de la Picòrdia, set your GPS device to:
41.5745N, 2.5414E (small asphalted parking lot on coast side of N-II at kilometer 655.8, west of Arenys de Mar)
The parking lot referenced above is directly opposite a Lidl supermarket that is on the inland side of N-II. From the parking lot, the beach access is marked by a blue-and-white sign with a symbol of a figure descending stairs. From the sign, a ramp leads to a pedestrian tunnel that goes under the railroad and out to the beach. Facing the sea, the nude area is about 100 meters to your right, extending to the rocks that delineate the far southwest end of Playa de la Picòrdia at high tide. At low tide, the nude area of Playa de la Picòrdia is contiguous with the nude area of adjacent Playa de la Musclera.
starting point:  Exit 108 (Sant Vicenç de Montalt, Caldes d'Estrac) of the C-32 motorway in Sant Vicenç de Montalt (between Mataró and Arenys de Mar)
C-32 is a motorway that parallels the Mediterranean coastline through most of the province of Barcelona. Exit 108 is located about 35 kilometers northeast of the city of Barcelona.
If you are coming from Barcelona when you exit, you will pass through a toll plaza after you exit. If you are heading toward Barcelona when you exit, you will already have been through a large toll plaza that spans the entire motorway about 2 kilometers before you exit. Either way, once you exit, follow the signs for N-II, Mataró, Girona and Caldes d'Estrac. You will be filtered onto route BV-5034, which is a minor road that takes you to the coast. In about one kilometer, you will reach a stop sign at a "T" junction with route N-II, where you have to turn one way or the other. [Note that the highway number is "Roman Numeral Two" and not "Eleven."]
Turn left onto N-II, following the sign for Arenys de Mar and Girona (NOT Barcelona and Mataró). You will begin going northeast, with the sea to your right, and in 100-200 meters you will pass kilometer marker 654. Continue another kilometer and take note when you pass marker 655. Over the next kilometer, there are two roundabouts between markers 655 and 656.
To continue to Playa de la Musclera:
After kilometer marker 655, continue about 200 meters to the next roundabout and take the second departure (effectively a left turn). Proceed as directed above.
To continue to Playa de la Picòrdia:
After kilometer marker 655, continue about 800 meters, keeping straight ahead through two roundabouts. Immediately after the second roundabout, turn right into a paved parking lot that overlooks the sea, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from C-32 Exit 108 to parking (La Musclera)
MAP from C-32 Exit 108 to parking (La Picòrdia)
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Musclera and Playa de la Picòrdia.

This placemark pertains to Playa de la Musclera and Playa de la Picòrdia.

This placemark pertains to Playa de la Musclera.

sandy seaside parking area
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Musclera.

southwest end of railroad tunnel

northeast end of railroad tunnel

This placemark pertains to Playa de la Picòrdia.

Lidl supermarket

pedestrian tunnel under railroad

road from roundabout to Playa de la Musclera

ramp to pedestrian tunnel

railroad segment

nude area

Playa de Sant Simó

Playa de Sant Simó
A stream named Riera de Sant Simó meets the sea on the northeast side of the large town of Mataró. The beach on the southwest side of the stream mouth (closer to the town center) is called Playa del Callao, while the beach that extends northeastward from the stream mouth is called Playa de Sant Simó. Those two beaches are actually contiguous since the stream rarely has water, and the stream bed has actually been paved over at its mouth. You will cross this asphalted area to get to the parking area for Playa de Sant Simó. The vicinity of the parking area is textile, but nudity becomes common as you go northeastward (to the left when facing the sea).
The nude area is not terribly well defined and may expand or contract depending on crowd size. About 400 meters northeast of the parking area, there is a concrete bunker on the beach, and nude bathing generally starts around the bunker. There is another bunker 500-600 meters beyond the first one, past the arbitrary point that is usually considered the end of Playa de Sant Simó, but few beachgoers go that far.
Playa de Sant Simó is backed by the coastal road (N-II) and the parallel railroad, and the nude area is roughly halfway between kilometer markers 648 and 649 of N-II. The railroad berm is something of a privacy screen, but nudists who venture toward the water may be glimpsed by passing motorists. Portable toilets and snack stands are typically set up around the parking area during peak season.
Mataró, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qovKFn
41.5407N, 2.4570E (turnoff toward beach parking lot, aligned with kilometer 647.75 of N-II at east end of Mataró)
The parking lot referenced above is not accessible directly from N-II but rather from a road that crosses under N-II and the parallel railroad. Upon turning, you will pass through a small asphalted area that opens to the beach, then you will pass a blue-and-yellow post with Platja de St. Simó written vertically. Just after the post, you will enter an earthen parking area that directly abuts the beach.
The nude area is northeast of the parking area (to the left when facing the sea). As you head in that direction, there are two concrete bunkers along the beach. The first is about 400 meters beyond the parking area, then the second is another 500-600 meters past the first. Nude bathing typically begins around the first bunker, then the crowd thins out moving toward the second bunker.
starting point:  Exit 102 (Mataró Nord) or 103 (Mataró Nord) of the C-32 motorway in Mataró
C-32 is a motorway that parallels the Mediterranean coastline through most of the province of Barcelona. Exits 102 and 103 are nearby exits that are located about 30 kilometers northeast of the city of Barcelona, and each exit number exists only for traffic going one way or the other. If you are coming from Barcelona, take Exit 102 (there is no Exit 103). If you are heading toward Barcelona, take Exit 103 (there is no Exit 102).
Whichever exit you take, just follow the signs that point toward Mataró. Shortly you will pass through a very large oblong roundabout with a grassy area in the middle. Continue following signs for Mataró. Once you leave the oblong roundabout, continue about 600 meters to the next roundabout, which is a more conventional roundabout that is just past a red light. Take the third departure of that roundabout (effectively a left turn), following the sign for Port and Platges.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be heading toward the coast on a street called Ronda Cervantes, but the occasional signs affixed to buildings that indicate the street name are difficult to spot. There are several red lights. Disregarding red lights at three-way intersections, proceed 800-900 meters until you reach the first red light at a four-way intersection (at a one-way cross street named Camí Ral l'Havana, where a sign indicates that a right turn is prohibited). Go through the light, but immediately after the intersection turn left at a stack of signs★ that point toward Port-Plages, Passeig Maritim and Creu Roja.
Just after turning, you will cross under the coastal highway (N-II) and the parallel railroad. Immediately past those two successive underpasses, turn left★★ toward the Sant Simó parking area, then proceed as directed above.
★ Just 60 meters past the red light at the four-way intersection, Ronda Cervantes ends at another red light, at a "T" with route N-II (the road that follows the coastline). The point where you need to turn left at the stack of signs is not at either red light but rather along the short segment of Ronda Cervantes that is between the red lights. It is easy to go past the turnoff if you aren't paying very close attention.
★★ At the point where you turn left after the two successive underpasses, the main road bends to the right and continues toward the port and toward beaches named El Varador and El Callao. There is a lot more parking in that direction should you find that parking at Sant Simó is full.
MAP from C-32 Exit 102 to turnoff toward parking Google Maps will not draw the final short segment to the parking area.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sant Simó.

start of C-32 Exit 102 ramp (for northbound traffic)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sant Simó.

start of C-32 Exit 103 ramp (for southbound traffic)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sant Simó.

oblong roundabout with large grassy area in middle

first roundabout after oblong roundabout

red light at 4-way intersection: Ronda Cervantes & Camí Ral l'Havana

red light at 3-way intersection: Ronda Cervantes & N-II

Playa del Callao (textile)

mouth of Riera de Sant Simó (almost always dry)

route from Exit 102 to oblong roundabout

route from Exit 103 to oblong roundabout

route from oblong roundabout to parking

Playa de Ocata

Playa de Ocata
About 18 kilometers northeast of Barcelona, El Masnou is a coastal town on the outskirts of the city, and it has two town beaches that are divided by the large town marina. One of those beaches is Playa de Ocata, which begins on the east side of the marina and extends northeastward about 2.7 kilometers to the border with the neighboring town of Premià de Mar. While the main part of the beach near the El Masnou marina is broad and sandy, the beach tapers and becomes much narrower toward Premià de Mar. A short segment of the beach near the far east end, close to the town limit, is designated for nude use.
The nude area is a bit more than 200 meters long, and signs reading Inici Zona Nudista and Final Zona Nudista indicate the boundaries of the nude area. (Inici = start; final = end.) There is just a narrow sliver of sand in the nude area that mostly washes away at high tide, and nude bather are completely exposed to passersby along the broad coastal walkway, which directly abuts the beach. (Nudity is not condoned on the walkway.) Playa de Ocata is not among the more renowned nudist locations in the province of Barcelona, nor is it among the better attended. The general consensus of visitors seems to be that it is a poor choice of locations for beach bathing, bare or not. It may well exist only to steer nudists away from far better beach areas near the marina.
It is a long walk from the main area of Playa de Ocata to the nudist zone, but the nude area is quickly accessed by parking at a shopping complex on the east side of El Masnou and crossing the coastal road via a pedestrian bridge. The nude beach is also often called "Ponent" or "Poniente," which are respectively the Catalan and Spanish versions of the same name. Ponent is the adjacent beach to the east in Premià de Mar, but the nude area technically lies entirely within El Masnou.
El Masnou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/445IaQ0
41.4836N, 2.3370E (entrance to shopping center between Premià de Mar and El Masnou)
The shopping center referenced above is along the inland side of the coastal highway (numbered N-II), and its only entrance is at a red light at kilometer 635.75. The center is occupied primarily by a large Eroski supermarket, which is mostly surrounded by a white cinderblock fence wall. There is also a First Aid center, a gas station, a smaller Lidl supermarket and a McDonald's. When you turn away from the highway, the front side of Eroski will be to your right. Proceed about 100 meters to a yield sign at the corner of the cinderblock wall. Turn right. You will then be on a perimeter road that loops around most of the shopping center. In 300-400 meters, after you pass the rear sides of Lidl and McDonald's, the perimeter road will bend 90° to the right. 100 meters farther on, the perimeter road will again bend 90° to the right as it heads toward the front side of McDonald's and Lidl. At that point, the coastal highway and the sea will be to your left, and you will see a pedestrian bridge that spans the highway. Park as close as possible to the bridge (41.4842N, 2.3407E). The are streetside parking spaces all along the perimeter road.
Cross the pedestrian bridge over the highway and the parallel railroad. When you land on the coast side, you will be at the start of the nudist zone, which extends about 200 meters eastward (to your left when facing the sea). There are signs clearly indicating the start (inici) and end (final) of the nudist zone. Nudity is not permitted along the broad promenade that is adjacent to the beach.
starting point:  Exit 92 (Vilassar de Dale, Premià de Mar, Premià de Dalt, Cabrils) of the C-32 motorway near Premià de Mar and Premià de Dalt
C-32 is a motorway that parallels the Mediterranean coastline through most of the province of Barcelona. Exit 92 is located about 20 kilometers northeast of the city of Barcelona. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Just after the toll plaza, follow the overhead panel that indicates Premià de Mar and Premià de Dalt and you will enter a roundabout. Take the second departure of the roundabout, again following signs for Premià de Mar and Premià de Dalt. At that point, you will begin heading toward the coast on route BV-5023.
Just after you leave the roundabout, be sure to get in the left lane, continuing to follow signs for Premià de Mar (but no longer for Premià de Dalt). You will then enter an oblong roundabout with flower sculptures in the middle. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, continuing along BV-5023. You will then begin to pass through the urban development of Premià de Mar.
In about 500 meters, you will reach the next roundabout. Take the second possible departure (i.e., do not count the road with "do not enter" panels) in order to keep straight ahead toward the coast on BV-5023. Continue another 800 meters to a "T" junction with N-II, the coastal highway. [Note that the highway number is "Roman Numeral Two" and not "Eleven."]
At the "T" with N-II, you must turn right since the junction is set up such that a left turn is not possible. Upon turning, you will begin heading southwest toward El Masnou and Barcelona, paralleling the beach and a railroad (both of which will be on your left-hand side). Follow N-II about 1.5 kilometers to a roundabout. Keep straight ahead.
Immediately upon leaving the roundabout, you will pass a Premià de Mar sign with a red diagonal line through it, indicating you are leaving the towns limits. At that point, you will have entered the neighboring municipality of El Masnou. Shortly you will pass the nude beach that is ultimately your destination, but you have to keep going past the beach in order to park.
About 500-600 meters after the roundabout, you will cross under the pedestrian bridge referenced above, then you will pass kilometer marker 636, which is aligned with the McDonald's that is also referenced above, easily identifiable by the golden arches. A few hundred meters after marker 636 and McDonald's, take the next possible right toward the above-referenced shopping center and proceed as directed above.
MAP from C-32 Exit 92 toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Ocata.

roundabout near Premià de Mar/El Masnou municipal border
This placemark pertains to Playa de Ocata.

pedestrian bridge spanning coastal highway
This placemark pertains to Playa de Ocata.

First Aid center

Eroski supermarket

perimeter road around shopping center

Cala Naiara

Cala Naiara
About 12 kilometers northeast of the city center of Barcelona, Cala Naiara is the southwesternmost beach of the town Montgat, at the municipal border with Badalona. The beach is backed by a seawall and lined with boulders. At low tide, there is a sandy expanse of about 150 meters. At high tide, the beach mostly disappears, with sandy niches amid the boulders. Bare bathing is well established at Cala Naiara. Although nudity may occur anywhere along the beach, on more crowded days nudists customarily occupy the southwestern half (to the right when facing the sea), with textiles toward the opposite end.
The sea wall of Cala Naiara is part of the foundation of a factory that was dismantled years ago. The old factory site was vacant until a wakeboarding park opened there in 2013. Nude use endured at Cala Naira despite the proximity of the new business. The wakeboarding park was closed and dismantled circa 2020, and the old factory site is once again a vacant lot.
Montgat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45kxVsk
41.4627N, 2.2726E (seaside parking lot in Montgat)
The parking area referenced above is immediately northeast of a large, vacant seaside parcel of land. Facing the sea at the parking area, head to your right and cross a short bridge over a drainage canal to access the vacant parcel, then head toward the sea to find a stretch of wooden split-rail fencing that extends about 100 meters. Cala Naiara is below the fence, with access at either end.
starting point:  Exit 27 (Badalona) of Ronda Litoral (B-10) in Barcelona
There are two motorways that pass through the city limits of Barcelona. There is the B-10, more commonly known by the name Ronda Litoral, which is close to the coastline. There is also the B-20, more commonly known by the name Ronda de Dalt, which is farther in the interior. The Ronda Litoral and the Ronda de Dalt intersect both at the north end and at the south end of Barcelona, forming a 37-kilometer-long oblong loop that encompasses most of the city. Exit 27 of the Ronda Litoral is located in the far north of the city, about 3 kilometers toward the coast from the northern junction of the Ronda Litoral and the Ronda de Dalt.
Regardless of the direction of approach, all Exit 27 traffic is filtered onto another motorway numbered C-31. Once you merge into C-31, continue north a little over 6 kilometers, going past all the exits signed Badalona (the last of which is Badalona Nord). Take Exit 216,★ which is signed Tiana and Montgat Sud. Exit 216 is the next-to-last exit before C-31 merges into the C-32 motorway.
At the end of the exit ramp, make a sharp right turn, following the arrow that points toward Badalona and Tiana. Upon turning, you will be on Carrer de Marina,★★ the street that follows the coastline, with the sea to your left. Proceed about 300 meters and turn right onto Avinguda de la Mediterrània, where signs point toward Policia Local, Accés Platges and Zone Comercial Riera Sant Jordi. (The turnoff is at a red light, which is the third red light you will reach but the first where you can turn since the others are at pedestrian crossings. You have just missed the turnoff if you pass the Montgat train station, a handsome red-brick building on the coast side of the street.)
Once you turn, you will briefly head inland since it is necessary to take a rather circuitous route to get to parking. Shortly you will see a small plaza with park benches on your left. Carefully watch for the Accés Platges signs and follow them. You will make almost a complete circle around the plaza, then you will go slightly downhill into a tunnel that goes under Carrer de Marina and the parallel railroad. Just after you emerge from the tunnel on the coast side, turn right at the point where the main road bends leftward.★★★ Shortly after you turn, the road will end at the parking lot referenced above. Proceed as directed above.
★ Exit 216 exists only for northbound traffic (i.e., traffic coming from Barcelona). If you are heading toward Barcelona, you can take Exit 213 instead, make a couple of left turns, re-enter the motorway, then take Exit 216.
★★ The coastal street is named Carrer de Marina in Montgat, then it changes to Carretera de Mataró just past the train station, at the municipal border of Montgat and Badalona. Google Maps incorrectly labels the Montgat section of the street as Carretera de Mataró.
★★★ After the main road bends leftward, it continues past an isolated industrial chimney (which has been left standing as an obelisk-like monument) toward a huge parking area for the main beach area of Montgat. You can head in that direction if the preferred parking area is full, parking as close as possible to the chimney.
MAP from B-10 Exit 27 to parking
This placemark pertains to Cala Naiara.

start of C-31 Exit 216 ramp (for northbound traffic)
This placemark pertains to Cala Naiara.

brick-paved plaza with several park benches
This placemark pertains to Cala Naiara.

Montgat train station

tunnel under Carrer de Marina & railroad

industrial chimney

route from C-31 Exit 216 ramp to parking

stretch of wooden split-rail fencing

Playa de la Móra & Playa del Coco

Going north from Barcelona, the next three coastal municipalities are Sant Adrià de Besòs, Badalona and Montgat. The coastline of Sant Adrià de Besòs is quite short, but Badalona's coastline is substantially longer, stretching about 5 kilometers. A large marina divides the coastline of Badalona into two distinct areas. The beach south of the marina is relatively quiet, while the beach that extends northward from the marina is a much more crowded urban beach that is artificially subdivided into multiple segments. There are two areas in Badalona where nude bathers cluster—one on each side of the marina.
Playa de la Móra is the beach on the south side of the marina, and it is about 900 meters long altogether. The northern end of the beach (the part nearest the marina) is backed by a palm-lined seafront plaza and several blocks of apartments. The southern end of the beach is next to an industrial tract that used to be thermal power plant. Nude bathers gather along the part of the beach that abuts the former power plant, and this rather forbidding setting has earned the beach the nickname "Chernobyl." There are pyramid-shaped cement blocks (which appear to be unused jetty blocks) scattered along the sand in the nude area. Many of the blocks have been brightly painted with whimsical designs, livening up the otherwise rather drab setting. There may be several dozen nude bathers amid the pyramids on peak summer days. Food, drink and toilets are available a short walk away at Playa del Litoral, a small textile beach just south of the old power plant. (Playa del Litoral is part of Sant Adrià de Besòs, the small municipality between Barcelona and Badalona.)
The nude area of Playa de la Móra is overlooked by three industrial chimneys that are so enormous that they can be seem from several kilometers away. The former power plant, which is surrounded by a wall that encompasses nearly 50 acres, was decommissioned in 2011. Just about everything on that large tract of land has been dismantled, rendering it practically vacant with the exception of the three chimneys. Those has been left standing as a cultural landmark, but the future of the property remains uncertain as of 2018. The nude area is just north of where there used to be several long piers that supported huge cooling pipes, jutting nearly 200 meters into the sea. The piers and the pipes were dismantled in early 2016, and since their removal there is actually more sandy beach available to nude bathers.
On the other side of the marina from Playa de la Móra, a sandy beach arcs northeastward through Badalona for 3 kilometers to the municipal border with Montgat. Although it is a continuous stretch of sand, the beach is divided into eight sectors of various lengths. The southernmost of these sectors (i.e., the sector closest to the marina) is Playa del Coco. Its designated length is 250 meters, but its blends seamlessly into the adjacent sector. There is a plaza area with park benches between the end of the beach and the marina. Nude bathing is common on the southernmost part of Playa del Coco, next to the plaza.
The next beach sector north of Playa del Coco is Playa del Pont de Petroli, and its name comes from the long pier that extends over 200 meters into the sea. There is a platform at the end of the pier from which there are fantastic views of the the coastline, with a signboard pointing out various landmarks. Playa del Coco and Playa del Pont de Petroli are backed by apartments buildings, restaurants and other businesses, and there are several snack stands a short distance from the nude area. Being bare at Playa del Coco is quite an urban nude beach experience, with no seclusion from passersby. There are typically far more textiles amid the nudists at Playa del Coco compared to Playa de la Móra.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Móra and Playa del Coco.

Playa de la Móra
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de la Móra and Playa del Coco.)
Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 24 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de la Móra and Playa del Coco.

Playa del Coco
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de la Móra and Playa del Coco.)
Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 24 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de la Móra and Playa del Coco.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3s4j6vE
To go to Playa de la Móra, set your GPS device to:
41.4285N, 2.2372E (streetside parking at south end of Carrer del Mare Nostrum in Badalona)
Access the beach at the far south end of Carrer del Mare Nostrum, next to the prominently visible trio of chimneys of the decommissioned thermal power plant. It is a very short walk out to the beach. Facing the sea, most nude use occurs to the right of where you land on the beach.
To go to Playa del Coco (pay parking at the marina), set your GPS device to:
41.4365N, 2.2444E (entrance to parking at Marina de Badalona)
En route to the parking lot referenced above, you will pass through an automated lift gate where you take a ticket and then pay with a card upon leaving. A long building separates the marina and the parking lot, so you will no longer be able to see the marina once you enter the parking lot. Once you park, head away from the marina to exit the parking lot on foot. You will emerge at a plaza with long steps, short trees and a number of park benches. The plaza abuts the south end of Playa del Coco, and the nude area is the first part you come to, next to the plaza.
To go to Playa del Coco (free parking), set your GPS device to:
41.4398N, 2.2432E (streetside parking along Carrer d'Eduard Maristany in Badalona, near red pedestrian bridge)
Carrer d'Eduard Maristany is the name of streets along either side of a railroad in Badalona, which is confusing since the two streets with the same name are not conveniently accessible to one another. The location named above is along the street that runs along the inland side of the railroad. Once you find a place to park, cross the railroad via the prominent red pedestrian bridge, then continue through a bricked plaza (Plaça del Pati de Vela) that is a corridor out to the beach. When you emerge on the beach side of the plaza, you will be at Playa del Coco. Facing the sea, the nude area is just a bit to your right, at the point where the beach ends.
starting point:  Exit 25 (Port Fòrum Sant Adrià, Eduard Maristany) of Ronda Litoral (B-10) in Barcelona, for traffic going north
alternate starting point:  Exit 24 (Diagonal Mar, Rambla Prim) of Ronda Litoral (B-10) in Barcelona, for traffic going south
There are two motorways that pass through the city limits of Barcelona. There is the B-10, more commonly known by the name Ronda Litoral, which is close to the coastline. There is also the B-20, more commonly known by the name Ronda de Dalt, which is farther in the interior. The Ronda Litoral and the Ronda de Dalt intersect both at the north end and at the south end of Barcelona, forming a 37-kilometer-long oblong loop that encompasses most of the city.
Exits 25 and 24 are both in the far north of the city, near the coast. Once you exit, you want to make your way to Avinguda d'Eduard Maristany, which is a divided street with tram tracks in its median.
First, assume you are going north on B-10. Take Exit 25 (which is past Exit 24). Upon exiting, you will be filtered onto Avinguda del Camp de la Bota, which is a one-way street with three lanes of traffic. Keep straight ahead through the first red light. At the next red light, traffic in all three lanes must go right, but avoid the far right lane, which is forced to make a rightward U-turn. The other two lanes make a gentler right turn onto Avinguda d'Eduard Maristany, going north. After following the street 400-500 meters, you will cross a river named El Besòs.
Alternatively, assume you are going south on B-10. Take Exit 24. (There is no Exit 25.) Just as soon as you exit, be sure to keep to the right as the exit lane splits, following the sign for Sant R. Penyafort, Sant Adrià and Cristóbal de Moura. Shortly you will reach a yield sign at a roundabout that circles over the motorway. Turn right. (You will not actually enter the roundabout.) You will then be on Carrer de Sant Ramón de Penyafort. Proceed just 100 meters to the next red light and turn right again. You will then be on Avinguda d'Eduard Maristany, going north. In about one kilometer you will cross El Besòs.
Once you cross El Besòs, the three huge industrial chimneys of the power plant that is next to Playa de la Móra will be prominently in view straight ahead of you. About 300 meters past the river, the tram tracks will end. Shortly past the point where Avinguda d'Eduard Maristany narrows into a two-lane street near the end of the tram tracks, you will begin driving along the inland edge of the power plant. A graffiti-covered fence wall topped with razor wire will be to your immediate right. In 600-700 meters, after passing the three chimneys, you will reach the point where the wall that surrounds the power plant turns a corner.
To continue to Playa de la Móra:
When you reach the point where the power plant wall turns a corner, turn right onto Carrer de la Mar Negra. (There is a placard with the street name affixed to the wall, but it is hard to see.) You will be heading toward the sea, with the power plant wall still to your immediate right. In 200 meters Carrer de la Mar Negra will bend leftward and become Carrer del Mare Nostrum. Park streetside along Carrer del Mare Nostrum as soon as possible, then proceed as directed above.
To continue to Playa del Coco (pay parking at the marina):
When you reach the point where the power plant wall turns a corner, keep straight on Avinguda d'Eduard Maristany. In 400-500 meters you will cross under an overpass. Immediately after the overpass, you will come to a lift gate★ at the entrance to Marina de Badalona. It is the type of gate often encountered in parking garages, with the gate opening when you take a ticket. About 100 meters past the gate, keep straight ahead through a roundabout. About 300 meters farther on, take the next possible right (just before another lift gate). Proceed about 250 meters to a "T" that is just past a long building that houses several restaurants and other businesses. Turn left at the "T" and you will enter a large parking lot that is on the other side of that building. Proceed as directed above.
★ The only way to enter or exit the marina is through one of the two lift gates referenced above. Those gates are not manned, so you insert your ticket upon leaving then pay with a card. The rate is roughly €2 per hour, with a maximum daily rate of about €13. If you just want to pass through the marina, there is no charge if you exit within 20 minutes of taking your ticket. If you were to continue straight ahead through the second of the lift gates referenced above, in about a kilometer you would reach a large lot that is the main beach parking area in Badalona, and parking is free there. However, from there you would have to backtrack about 800 meters on foot to get to the nude area. A much closer free parking option is detailed below.
To continue to Playa del Coco (free parking):
When you reach the point where the power plant wall turns a corner, turn right onto Carrer de la Mar Negra (as though you were going to Playa de la Mora). In 200 meters, the street will bend leftward and become Carrer del Mare Nostrum, which goes north along the seafront. In 500-600 meters, after the street curves inland, you will cross a bridge that spans Avinguda d'Eduard Maristany and the parallel railroad. (The bridge is the overpass referenced above.) When you reach the stop sign on the other side of the railroad, turn right. The street, confusingly enough, is named Carrer d'Eduard Maristany. In 400-500 meters, the street will bend leftward (away from the railroad) and become Carrer Monturiol. Continue about 100 meters to the next intersection and turn right onto Carrer de la Indústria. In 400-500 meters, take note when you pass a large plaza on the right with park benches and small trees. The plaza is named Plaça del Vaixell Maria Assumpta, and it is mostly paved in bricks.
After the plaza, the next three streets to your right are Carrer de Babord, Carrer del Tresmall and Carrer de la Providéncia. You can't turn right onto the first street, so turn right onto either of the next two streets. Both end in a "T" after just a block. When you reach the "T," you have to turn right since it is a one-way street. Once you turn, you will once again be on Carrer d'Eduard Maristany. You will be going south, parallel to the railroad, which will be on your left-hand side. Shortly you will pass the opposite end of Plaça del Vaixell Maria Assumpta. Toward the far (south) edge of the plaza, you will see a prominent red pedestrian bridge that spans the railroad. Park streetside and proceed as directed above.
MAP from B-10 Exit 25 to parking (along Carrer del Mare Nostrum, for access to Playa de la Móra)
MAP from B-10 Exit 24 to parking (along Carrer del Mare Nostrum, for access to Playa de la Móra)
MAP from B-10 Exit 25 to parking (at marina, for access to Playa del Coco)
MAP from B-10 Exit 24 to parking (at marina, for access to Playa del Coco)
MAP from B-10 Exit 25 to parking (near Plaça del Vaixell Maria Assumpta, for access to Playa del Coco)
MAP from B-10 Exit 24 to parking (near Plaça del Vaixell Maria Assumpta, for access to Playa del Coco)
PUBLIC TRANSIT DIRECTIONS
It is possible to get within a kilometer of either Playa de la Móra or Playa del Coco by tram or metro (or even closer by bus). See www.tmb.cat to plan your trip.
To go to Playa de la Móra, start from the Sant Adrià tram stop, which is the end stop of two tram lines—T4 and T6. The tram stop is located where the tram tracks along Avinguda d'Eduard Maristany end, as mentioned in the preceding driving directions. From the tram stop, follow the cobbled, palm-lined street that heads toward the sea. There is no signage with a street name. As you follow the street, there will be walls on either side of you—the wall that surrounds the power plant to your left and a brick wall that surrounds a sport court to your right. In 300 meters you will reach the sea at the north end of a textile beach called Playa del Litoral. Facing the sea, turn left and head north along the sea side of the power plant wall. In a few hundred meters you will reach Playa de la Móra. The total walk from the tram stop is 800 meters.
To go to Playa del Coco, start from the Pep Ventura metro station, which is along line L2. It is the next-to-last station of line L2 coming from Barcelona. When you come up to street level, you will be at a park called Plaça Països Catalans, which occupies a city block. Head toward the sea along Carrer de Maria Auxiliadora, which borders one side of the park. (It is a one-way street, and you want to walk in the same direction as the flow of traffic. You should cross Carrer d'Alfons XII at the edge of the park. Watch for the small placards with the street names, which are affixed to buildings.) In about 500 meters you will reach the end of Carrer de Maria Auxiliadora at a "T" intersection, at which point a large bricked plaza called Plaça del Vaixell Maria Assumpta (mentioned in the preceding driving directions) will be straight ahead. Go straight through the plaza to its opposite end, where there is a prominent red pedestrian bridge that spans the railroad. Cross the bridge, then continue through another bricked plaza (Plaça del Pati de Vela) that is a corridor out to the beach. When you emerge on the beach side of the plaza, you will be at Playa del Coco. Facing the sea, the nude area is just a bit to your right, at the point where the beach ends. The total walk from the metro station to Playa del Coco is 900 meters.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Móra and Playa del Coco.

bridge over river El Besòs
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Móra and Playa del Coco.

Sant Adrià tram station (T4, T6)

Playa del Litoral (textile)

three huge industrial chimneys

seaside plaza along Carrer del Mare Nostrum

automobile bridge over railroad

lift gate: marina entrance & exit

Marina de Badalona

parking lot at Marina de Badalona

plaza at south end of Playa del Coco

Plaça del Vaixell Maria Assumpta

pedestrian bridge over railroad

Plaça del Pati de Vela

viewing platform at end of Pont de Petroli

main beach parking area in Badalona

Pep Ventura metro station (L2)

Plaça Països Catalans

segment of Avinguda d'Eduard Maristany

road to parking at marina

walking route from Sant Adrià station to Playa de la Móra

walking route from Pep Ventura metro station to Playa del Coco

Pont de Petroli (pier)

decommissioned power plant, surrounded by wall

Playa de la Mar Bella

Playa de la Mar Bella
Barcelona's sandy beachfront is divided into two areas by a large marina called Port Olímpic. Extending northward from Port Olímpic, there are five adjacent beaches that collectively span 2.4 kilometers. Long, boulder-lined piers delineate one beach from the next. All are manicured urban beaches with amenities, including toilets, outdoor showers, restaurants and snack stands. Playa de la Mar Bella is the middle of the chain of five. La Mar Bella is 500 meters long, and part of it has been designated for nude bathing since 1996. The nude area, which extends roughly 200 meters, comprises most of the south end of the beach.
At the north end of La Mar Bella, an eatery called Boo Restaurant is built atop the pier that separates it from the next beach to the north (Playa de la Nova Mar Bella). At the south end of La Mar Bella, a nautical center called Base Náutica is located at the pier that separates it from the next beach to the south (Playa del Bogatell). Going south from Boo Restaurant, there are three smaller eateries along the beach. The first two, Chiringuito Mamma Beach and Chiringuito Buda Beach, are located along the textile part of the beach. The nude area begins just before Chiringuito BeGay, which is roughly at the midpoint of the beach. As the name suggests, it caters to a gay crowd, and sun chairs and umbrellas can be rented there. Minimal attire is customary at the al fresco dining area of Chiringuito BeGay, but there are often nude patrons in line at the side window even though they are visible to passersby on the coastal promenade. Just beyond Chiringuito BeGay, there is an earthen embankment that extends south about 150 meters. The coastal promenade is routed around the inland side of the embankment, which renders it a privacy screen for most of the nude area. The nude area ends where the embankment ends, then the final 50 or so meters of La Mar Bella is next to Base Náutica.
Like all of Barcelona's urban beachfront, La Mar Bella gets extremely crowded during the summer. Despite the fact that nudity is perfectly acceptable, textiles typically outnumber nudists, and sometimes vastly so. The larger the crowd, the more lopsided the clad-to-bare ratio becomes. The gender ratio is similarly lopsided toward men. If you are not comfortable being naked in an environment where nudists are a minority, or if your have a general aversion to beach congestion, La Mar Bella is not the best choice. Playa de la Móra, a few kilometers north in Badalona, is a lesser-known and more subdued nude beach that is a nearby alternative for those who are put off by Mar Bella's mostly textile crowds.
Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DPsw0L
41.3962N, 2.2079E (start of streetside parking along Avinguda del Litoral in Poblebou neighborhood of Barcelona)
Avinguda del Litoral is a one-way street (northbound traffic) that runs along all of Barcelona's beaches that are north of Port Olímpic. When you reach the location named above, you will be at the start of a row of streetside parking along the right (coast) side of the street. Streetside parking extends about 175 meters. Assuming you can find a free space, park then proceed to the end of the parking row for cars, where parking for motorcycles begins. At that point, follow the broad walkway toward the sea, where you will reach a nautical club called Base Náutica. It is a low-slung building that is about 100 meters long, and it is situated between Playa del Bogatell and Playa de la Mar Bella. Go to the north end of the long building (to the left when facing the sea) and then go out to the beach, where you will land at the south end of La Mar Bella. Turn left and head north. You will immediately reach the start of the nude area, which is mostly backed by an earthen embankment. The nude area extends northward about 200 meters to Chiringuito BeGay.
If you can't find parking along the street, continue along Avinguda del Litoral. After parking for motorcycles then for bicycles, there is a short row of handicap parking spaces, then you will go through a red light at a three-way junction with Carrer de la Jonquera. About 200 meters past the red light, the entrance to a pay parking lot is on the right (41.4001N, 2.2108E). (The lot is signed with a blue-and-white "P" panel with a € symbol. Lliure lit in green means there are available parking spaces. Complet lit in red means the lot is full.) The parking lot abuts Mar Bella Centre Esportiu, a sports complex with a prominent sign on its boxy main building. Parking is on the inland side of a large outdoor running track and sports field. Go around the field to find Chiringuito BeGay, where the nude area begins and extends southward about 200 meters.
If the pay parking lot is full, or if you'd just rather avoid the fee, keep going past the boxy main building of the sports complex. Shortly past the complex, there is a good bit of free parking in lots along both sides of the street. Depending on where you can find parking, the walk back to the nude area of La Mar Bella will be between 400 and 1,000 meters.
starting point:  Exit 23 (Poblenou) of Ronda Litoral (B-10) in Barcelona
There are two motorways that pass through the city limits of Barcelona. There is the B-10, more commonly known by the name Ronda Litoral, which is close to the coastline. There is also the B-20, more commonly known by the name Ronda de Dalt, which is farther in the interior. The Ronda Litoral and the Ronda de Dalt intersect both at the north end and at the south end of Barcelona, forming a 37-kilometer-long oblong loop that encompasses most of the city. Exit 23 of the Ronda Litoral is very close to the coast, north of Port Olímpic.
Assume you are going north★ when you exit. Exit 23 will filter into into Avinguda del Litoral, which is a one-way street that follows the coastline. You will be along a palm-lined segment of seafront next to Playa del Bogatell, with a clear view of the ocean. Playa de la Mar Bella is the next beach after Playa del Bogatell.
Upon exiting, you will reach a red light (at the junction with Carrer de la Llacuna) just after merging into Avinguda del Litoral. Keep straight ahead. 150 meters farther on, you will reach the next red light, which is at a pedestrian crossing. At that point, you will be roughly even with the north end of Playa del Bogatell, where the palm trees end. After the red light at the pedestrian crossing, Avinguda Litoral will begin to curve slightly inland, and from that point there are parking spaces along the right (coast) side of the road extending the next 175 meters. Look for parking and proceed as directed above.
★ If you are going south, you will be underground in a tunneled portion of the Ronda Litoral as you approach Exit 23. You will still be in the tunnel when you begin to exit, then the exit ramp will very quickly emerge from the tunnel and you will merge into a frontage road. Continue less than 200 meters and take the first possible left, crossing over the Ronda Litoral, then take the next possible left (being sure not to accidentally re-enter the motorway). You will then be on Avinguda del Litoral. In 400 meters you will reach the first of the red lights described above.
MAP from B-10 Exit 23 to parking in pay lot (going north on B-10)
MAP from B-10 Exit 23 to parking in pay lot (going south on B-10)
PUBLIC TRANSIT DIRECTIONS
Playa de la Mar Bella is an easy walk from the Poblenou metro station, which is along metro line L4 near the center of the Poblenou neighborhood. See www.tmb.cat to plan your trip.
When you emerge at street level from the metro station, you will be at the intersection of Carrer de Bilbao and Carrer de Pujades, both of which are one-way streets. From there, it is a straight shot along Carrer de Bilbao to Playa de la Mar Bella. If you have trouble orienting yourself, look for small signs affixed to buildings that indicate street names. Once you determine you are on Carrer de Bilbao, you want to walk in the same direction as the flow of traffic.
After following Carrer de Bilbao★★ about 750 meters, the street will end at an intersection with Avinguda del Litoral. Cross the street and stay straight ahead along the broad, paved walkway that continues toward the sea. (There is a sign pointing toward Base Nàutica, and you will be near the handicap parking spaces mentioned above.) Just after you pass a small skateboarding park, you will reach a junction with the bicycle path and the pedestrian promenade that follow the coastline, and you have to turn one way or the other. At that point you will be on the inland side of the earthen embankment that shields much of the nude area of Playa de la Mar Bella from the promenade. If you go to the right, you can access the nude beach at Base Nàutica. Or, if you go to the left then follow the path closest to the earthen embankment, you will access the beach next to Chiringuito BeGay. The total walk from the metro station takes 10 to 15 minutes.
★★ Carrer de Bilbao actually becomes Carrer de la Jonquera for the last few blocks before the street ends, but it is the same street.
MAP of walking route from Poblenou Station to beach
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Mar Bella.

Playa del Bogatell (textile)
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Mar Bella.

red light: Avinguda del Litoral & Carrer de la Llacuna
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Mar Bella.

red light at pedestrian crossing along Avinguda del Litoral

limited streetside parking

handicap parking spaces

red light: Avinguda del Litoral & Carrer de la Jonquera

Mar Bella Centre Esportiu

pay parking lot at sports complex

red light: Avinguda del Litoral & Carrer de Bac de Roda

Playa de la Nova Mar Bella (textile)

Boo Restaurant

Chiringuito Mamma Beach

Chiringuito Buda Beach

Chiringuito BeGay

Base Nàutica (nautical center)

skateboarding park

Poblenou metro station (L4)

Avinguda del Litoral (one-way street going north)

walking route from nearest metro station

segment of bicycle path

segment of coastal promenade

earthen embankment

Playa de Sant Sebastià

Playa de Sant Sebastià
Barceloneta is a seaside neighborhood of Barcelona that is just south of Port Olímpic, and the beach of Barceloneta is about 2 kilometers long, stretching from Port Olímpic southward to the iconic W Hotel (a glassy seaside high-rise building shaped like a sail, or perhaps a giant shark fin). The beach has three segments, which, from north to south, are called Somorrostro, Barceloneta and Sant Sebastià, but all three segments are usually collectively called Playa de la Barceloneta. While Playa de Sant Sebastià is not signed and designated for nudity, nude bathing occurs toward the far southern end of the beach, a bit south of Barceloneta's large seaside plaza. The informal nudist zone is a stretch of about 200 meters that roughly corresponds to a seaside swimming and sports complex called Club Natació Barcelona. Beyond the nude area, the southernmost bit of the beach next to the W Hotel is textile.
Sant Sebastià is somewhat less congested than Playa de la Mar Bella (the other nude beach within the city limits of Barcelona, a bit farther north). However, it still gets plenty crowded, and there is no privacy from the paved promenade that runs along the rear of the beach. Nonetheless, nudity is freely tolerated, and it is even common to see nudity at the open-air showers that are next to the promenade. Like at Mar Bella, nudists are generally a fairly small minority of the overall crowd. If you visit, know that you'll have to be comfortable being naked among textiles, both those wearing swimsuits on the beach and fully clothed strollers along the promenade.
Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45kyqTe
41.3752N, 2.1888E (entrance to parking garage along Passeig de Joan De Borbó in Barceloneta neighborhood of Barcelona)
While there is streetside parking near Playa de Sant Sebastià, finding a space can be very difficult in the dense Barceloneta neighborhood. The parking garage referenced above is underground, and its entrance is along the inland side of the street, directly opposite a seaside plaza (Plaça del Mar) with lots of palm trees. Since Passeig de Joan De Borbó is a dead-end street, you will be going south as you approach the garage. The ramp down to the garage will be on the right, marked by a big blue-and-white "P" sign, underneath which lliure lit in green means there is available space while complet lit in red means the garage is full.
Once you park, go through Plaça del Mar out to the beach. Look to your right as you face the sea and you will see the W Hotel, a glass high-rise building at the end of the beach that is a can't-miss landmark. The hotel is about 500 meters from the plaza, and nudists gather in an area that is beyond the plaza but before the hotel. There are three major structures between the plaza and the hotel, all of which are prominently signed. Abutting the plaza, there is a sports complex called Club Natació Atlètic Barceloneta (behind which is the Torre d'Alta Mar, a distinctive observation tower that houses a restaurant). Next is another sports complex called Club Natació Barcelona. Next is the Desigual clothing store, which is a long glass structure with distinctive green panes. The nude area is an expanse of about 200 meters that roughly corresponds to the middle of those structures, Club Natació Barcelona.
starting point:  Exit 22 (Barceloneta) of Ronda Litoral (B-10) in Barcelona
There are two motorways that pass through the city limits of Barcelona. There is the B-10, more commonly known by the name Ronda Litoral, which is close to the coastline. There is also the B-20, more commonly known by the name Ronda de Dalt, which is farther in the interior. The Ronda Litoral and the Ronda de Dalt intersect both at the north end and at the south end of Barcelona, forming a 37-kilometer-long oblong loop that encompasses most of the city. Exit 22 of the Ronda Litoral is very close to the coast, near Estació de França (a large train station), the zoo and Port Olímpic.
Carrer del Doctor Aiguader is the street that straddles the Ronda Litoral in the vicinity of Exit 22, and it basically serves as a frontage road. The one-way northbound lanes are on the coast side of the motorway, and the one-way southbound lanes are on the inland side. All exiting traffic is filtered onto Carrer del Doctor Aiguader, but you need to be on the inland side of the motorway. If you are going south when you exit, you will already be on the inland side. If you are going north when you exit, just keep straight ahead several hundred meters, staying in the far left lane, until you see a sign indicating an upcoming "U." It is the first possible left you can make. Follow the "U" and you will loop around to the inland side of the motorway. (Be sure not to accidentally re-enter the motorway.)
Once you are on the inland lanes of Carrer del Doctor Aiguader, proceed about 600 meters (or one kilometer, if you took the "U") and watch carefully on your right for the glass elevator of the Barceloneta metro station, which resembles a phone booth. (Watch for the easily recognizable red-and-white metro logo, which is an elongated diamond with a large letter "M.") Just past the glass elevator, turn left at the next intersection, where signs point toward Platja St. Sebastià and Platja Barceloneta.
Upon turning, you will cross to the coast side of the motorway, but the motorway lanes will be tunneled underground beneath you at that point. Shortly you should pass the Palau de Mar (on your right), which is a museum housed in a long brick building. Keep straight ahead past the museum. You will be on Passeig de Joan De Borbó, the major thoroughfare through the Barceloneta neighborhood.
500-600 meters past the museum, watch carefully for a stack of white signs pointing toward Consorci el FAR, Moll de Pescadors, Plaça del Mar, Club Natació Atlètic Barceloneta, Club Natació Barcelona and Plaça Rosa dels Vents. At that point, start watching very carefully for the ramp down to the above-referenced underground parking garage. The ramp is on the right about 100 meters past the stack of signs, marked by a big blue-and-white "P" sign. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from B-10 Exit 22 to parking (going north on B-10)
MAP from B-10 Exit 22 to parking (going south on B-10)
PUBLIC TRANSIT DIRECTIONS
Playa de Sant Sebastià is an easy walk from the Barceloneta metro station, which is along metro line L4. See www.tmb.cat to plan your trip.
When you exit the Barceloneta metro station, watch for the signs that point toward Platja St. Sebastià and Platja Barceloneta. The metro station location is referenced in the driving directions above, and the walking route is the same as the driving route. The total walk from the metro station to the nude area of the beach is about one kilometer, and there are also buses you can take directly to Plaça del Mar.
MAP of walking route from Barceloneta Station to beach
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sant Sebastià.

Barceloneta metro station (L4)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sant Sebastià.

Palau de Mar (museum)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sant Sebastià.

entrance to underground parking garage

Plaça del Mar

Torre d'Alta Mar (observation tower, restaurant)

Club Natació Atlètic Barceloneta (sports complex)

Club Natació Barcelona (sports complex)

Desigual clothing store (long glass structure with green panes)

W Hotel (tall, glassy & shaped like a sail)

Playa de la Barceloneta (textile)

Playa de la Somorrostro (textile)

Port Olímpic (marina)

Passeig de Joan De Borbó

Playa de la Ricarda

Playa de la Ricarda
Barcelona's huge airport, named Barcelona-El Prat Airport, is located just south of the city in a municipality called El Prat de Llobregat. Playa del Prat is the long beach that stretches about 3 kilometers next to the airport, and the only way to get there is by a road that winds around the eastern periphery of the airport. One of the airport's runways, which is parallel to the coastline, is just 500 meters inland from the beach, and the beach is only slightly longer than that runway. Each end of Playa del Prat is defined by a small waterway that flows into the sea. The adjacent beach on the northeast side of Playa del Prat is Playa de la Ricarda, and it is a designated nude beach. The name La Ricarda does not seem to be widely used, so Playa de la Ricarda is more often regarded as the nude area of Playa del Prat. Playa de la Ricarda is easily accessed by parking next to the sailing center that is at the extreme northeast end of Playa del Prat. Near the sailing center, a footbridge over a canal connects to La Ricarda, and the access point to the beach is signposted platja nudista. From the sign, the expanse of sand tapers until the coastline becomes rocky.
The length of the nude beach is quite variable, due to the tides and because more sand is deposited along the beach some years than others. The nude beach may be just over 100 meters long or it may extend several hundred meters. There are no amenities at Playa de la Ricarda. Several snack stands are set up along Playa del Prat during warmer months. The closest of them to the nude beach is about 500 meters away.
El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47qyB1a
41.2877N, 2.1043E (entrance to large parking lot at sailing center in El Prat de Llobregat)
The parking lot referenced above is toward the far northeast end of a long beach called Playa del Prat. The parking lot entrance is located at a small roundabout. When you enter the parking lot from the roundabout, straight ahead you will see the Mirador de l'Illa, which is a cylindrical lookout tower with a staircase spiraling around it. The sailing center (Centre Municipal de Vela) is the large building closer to the beach next to the tower. Once you park, go out to the beach next to the sailing center and head northeast (to the left when facing the sea). Shortly you will come to a footbridge over a canal. Just as soon as you cross the bridge you will be at the start of Playa de la Ricarda, which is marked by a blue-and-yellow post with platja nudista spelled vertically.
The starting point named below is just one of many possible starting points amid the convoluted convergence of motorways near the Barcelona airport.
starting point:  Exit 54 (B-22, C-31, Castelldefels, Platges, Aeroport) of the C-32 motorway in El Prat de Llobregat
[El Prat de Llobregat, usually shorted to El Prat, is the town just south of Barcelona that is the location of the city's large airport. Both the town and the airport are situated on the coast side of a complicated motorway junction where four numbered routes converge: C-32, A-2, B-10 and B-20. If you are heading south through Barcelona on the B-10 (better known as the Ronda Litoral), take Exit 19, then follow signs toward C-32 and the airport. If you are heading south through Barcelona on the B-20 (better known as the Ronda de Dalt), just keep straight ahead and you'll be filtered onto C-32. If you are heading toward Barcelona from the interior on A-2, take Exit 609, then follow signs toward C-32 and the airport. If you are heading north along the coast, you will already be on the C-32, with the exit numbers ascending as you approach Barcelona.]
Regardless of the direction of approach, all traffic departing C-32 at Exit 54 is filtered onto B-22, which is a multi-lane, limited-access road that goes straight toward the airport. Follow B-22 about 2 kilometers and take the exit that is signed El Prat de Llobregat and Mas Blau. The exit lane immediately splits, so watch the overhead panels closely and stay in the lane that is signed for El Prat de Llobregat and B-250 (NOT the lane for Mas Blau). (If you arrive at the airport entrance, where overhead signs point toward terminals T1 and T2, you have missed the exit by about 600 meters.)
Exiting traffic is filtered to the east side of B-22, toward El Prat de Llobregat. Just after crossing over B-22, you will pass kilometer marker 0 of B-250. Continue 2 kilometers and watch carefully for kilometer marker 2, which is posted in the palm-lined median of the road. After marker 2, continue just over 100 meters to the next red light, which is at a four-way intersection. Turn right. You should then be on Carretera de la Bunyola, heading toward the coast. (There is no street sign at the point where you turn, but once you have turned, watch for placards affixed to buildings that indicate the street name to verify you have found the correct street.)
Go south on Carretera de la Bunyola about one kilometer until you reach "do not enter" panels at the point where the road becomes closed to vehicular traffic. All traffic must turn right and enter a roundabout, which is the first of five roundabouts along the route to the beach. At the roundabouts, just watch for platja signs and follow them to continue toward the beach. You will be skirting the eastern periphery of the large airport as you make your way to the sea.
In 2.4 kilometers, after going through three of the five roundabouts, you will pass through a 150-meter-long tunnel that goes under the end of an airport runway. 300 meters past the tunnel, follow the Platja del Prat sign at the fourth roundabout. 200 meters farther on, you will reach the fifth roundabout, with the sea in view and no road continuing straight ahead. Take the second departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn) and you will enter the parking lot next to the sailing center. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from C-32 Exit 54 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Ricarda.

entrance to Barcelona-El Prat Airport
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Ricarda.

kilometer marker 2 of B-250
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Ricarda.

first red light east of km 2 of B-250

"do not enter" panels along Carretera de la Bunyol

airport control tower

tunnel under end of airport runway

huge parking lot next to sailing center

approximate midpoint of Playa del Prat (textile)

Mirador de l'Illa (lookout tower with spiraling stairs)

sailing center (Centre Municipal de Vela)

footbridge over canal

route from kilometer marker 2 of B-250 to parking

approximate extent of Playa de la Ricarda

Playa de Viladecans

Playa de Viladecans
The municipality of Viladecans is east of Barcelona, just beyond the city's large seaside airport. While the town center of Viladecans is over 5 kilometers inland from the sea, the municipality boundaries extend to the coast. Viladecans has about 2.5 kilometers of beach that is generally known of Playa de Viladecans. The sandy beach is quite broad, and most of the beach is backed by a pine forest. Much of the beach is a long walk from the nearest access point and feels far removed, but the sight and sound of airplanes taking off and landing is a reminder that the beach is actually located within Spain's second largest metropolitan area. While the entire expanse of Playa de Viladecans is basically a contiguous beach, there are also four proper names associated with segments of the beach, but the boundaries between these segments seem arbitrary and are a bit confusing. The only parking adjacent to the beach is at the far west end of Playa de Viladecans, next to the municipal border with Gavà.
The segment of the beach near the parking access is named Playa de la Murtra. Less than 200 meters long, La Murtra is always the most crowded part of the beach of Viladecans. Going east along the beach, a bit beyond the parking area there is an eatery named Chiringuito El Mosquito. Beyond the eatery, the beach of Viladecans extends about 1.5 kilometers to the mouth of a stream that is usually shoaled. In other words, sand deposits often prevent the stream from breaking through to the sea, and the backed-up water gives the steam a broader riverlike appearance as it nears the sea. Most of the beach between the eatery and the stream mouth is named Playa de la Pineda, but the final several hundred meters closest to the stream is named Playa de Cal Francès. (Again, these distinctions are rather arbitrary. It is all one beach.) Beyond the stream mouth that is usually shoaled, the beach extends another 700 meters to another stream mouth that more often breaks through to the sea. This final segment of the beach of Viladecans between the two streams is named Playa del Remolar. The municipal boundary of Viladecans is at the more distant (i.e., farther east) of the two streams, which is connected to the next segment of beach by a footbridge. The beach beyond the footbridge belongs to the neighboring municipality of El Prat de Llobregat, which is the location of the airport.
The westernmost part of Playa de Viladecans, around the parking area and Chiringuito El Mosquito, is textile. However, the crowd thins out substantially going east, and nude bathing becomes common. There are no signs delineating a nude area. The first nudists are typically encountered about 400 meters east of Chiringuito El Mosquito, with most nudists clustering along an expanse of a few hundred meters that is about halfway between the parking area and the stream mouth that is usually shoaled. This area is along the part of the beach that is technically named Playa de la Pineda. Continuing east along Playa de Cal Francès and Playa del Remolar, the beach becomes far more sparsely populated. The rest of the beach extending all the way to the footbridge is potentially nudist but mostly just empty.
Besides the main parking area (where a fee is charged), there is also a free parking area a bit inland from Playa del Remolar. The free parking area provides quicker access to the parts of the beach that are potentially nudist but thinly populated. However, it is farther way from the part of the beach with the highest concentration of nudists.
Viladecans, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/455k09I
41.2724N, 2.0457E (entrance to beach parking lot)
The parking lot is an the end of a minor beach access road, and upon entering the lot there is a large sign that begins Benvinguts/des a la platja de Viladecans. There is a parking fee of €5 per day.
Playa de Viladecans has four segments with distinct proper names. From west to east, those segments are named Playa de la Murtra, Playa de la Pineda, Playa de Cal Francès and Playa de Remolar. The parking lot abuts Playa de la Murtra, which is the smallest of the segments. The area where most nudists gather begins about 600 meters east of the parking lot (to the left when facing the sea) along Playa de la Pineda. Heading toward the sea, turn left immediately upon exiting the parking lot. Follow the broad dirt track that runs directly alongside a chain link fence. The fence will be to your immediate left, and there will be a parallel boardwalk to your right. Shortly after passing to the rear of a snack stand (Chiringuito El Mosquito), the boardwalk will make a 90° bend toward the sea, landing on the beach next to playground equipment. Your walk to the nude area will be quicker if you stay on the dirt track, continuing alongside the fence. Over the next 400 meters, there are five short boardwalks perpendicular to the dirt track that connect the dirt track to the beach. These boardwalks cross scrubby land that is cordoned off with ropes. The third, fourth and last (fifth) of the short boardwalks land on the beach in the area where most nude use takes place.
After the last (easternmost) of the boardwalks over the scrubland, the beach continues east another 800 meters to the mouth of a stream that is usually shoaled. If you continue all the way to the stream, at some point you will cross the unsigned boundary from Playa de la Pineda to Playa de Cal Francès. Beyond the stream, you will be on Playa del Remolar, the last beach segment. Playa del Remolar continues east about 700 meters to another stream, which is linked to the next segment of beach by a footbridge, and that is where the beach of Viladecans ends. Once you are past the last of the boardwalks, the crowd thins out substantially and the beach becomes mostly deserted, but sporadic nudity occurs all the way to the end of Playa del Remolar.
The starting point named below is just one of many possible starting points amid the convoluted convergence of motorways near the Barcelona airport.
starting point:  Exit 54 (B-22, C-31, Castelldefels, Platges, Aeroport) of the C-32 motorway in El Prat de Llobregat
[El Prat de Llobregat, usually shorted to El Prat, is the town just south of Barcelona that is the location of the city's large airport. Both the town and the airport are situated on the coast side of a complicated motorway junction where four numbered routes converge: C-32, A-2, B-10 and B-20. If you are heading south through Barcelona on the B-10 (better known as the Ronda Litoral), take Exit 19, then follow signs toward C-32 and the airport. If you are heading south through Barcelona on the B-20 (better known as the Ronda de Dalt), just keep straight ahead and you'll be filtered onto C-32. If you are heading toward Barcelona from the interior on A-2, take Exit 609, then follow signs toward C-32 and the airport. If you are heading north along the coast, you will already be on the C-32, with the exit numbers ascending as you approach Barcelona.]
Regardless of the direction of approach, all traffic departing C-32 at Exit 54 is filtered onto B-22, which is a multi-lane, limited-access road that goes straight toward the main entrance to the airport. Stay on B-22 just one kilometer and take the first possible exit, which is Exit 2 (C-31, Castelldefels, Terminal T1, Cargoparc). Upon exiting, you will be filtering onto C-31 going southwest.
Stay on C-31 not quite 5 kilometers, keeping straight ahead past two numbered exits: Exit 190 (Viladecans, Cargoparc) and Exit 189 (Terminal T1). After passing those two numbered exits, take the next exit, which is signed Viladecans and Les Filipines. The exit is not numbered. It is located between kilometer markers 188 and 187.
Upon exiting, negotiate your way through two roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange by following signs for Les Filipines. (Those signs also have beach symbols.) When you depart the roundabout that is on the coast side of the highway, you will be on the beach access road, which is a narrow road that at first runs alongside a bicycle lane. The bicycle lane will on on your left-hand side, separated from the road by wooden post fencing. In about 100 meters, the road will curve sharply to the right★ at a sign pointing toward Platja de la Murtra and parking. From that point, continue along the winding road about a kilometer farther to its end at the entrance to the beach parking lot, then proceed as directed above.
★ At the point where the road curves sharply to the right, the bicycle lane continues straight ahead another 400-500 meters, ending in a small parking area where bicycles can be chained. The last boardwalk out to the beach (i.e., the easternmost of the boardwalks) is straight ahead from the bicycle parking area, and it lands at the nude area of the beach.
ALTERNATE PARKING AND ACCESS
The pay parking lot described above provides the quickest access to the area of Playa de Viladecans where most nudists gather. However, there is also a free parking option that is closer to the sparsely attended realm of the beach.
Follow the directions above until you reach the roundabout that is on the coast side of C-31. At that roundabout, take the departure signed Remolar-Filipines (NOT the one signed Les Filipines). When you leave the roundabout, a bicycle lane that is prominently painted red should be on your right-hand side. Continue a kilometer to the next roundabout, where the red bicycle lane ends. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), which is signed Remolar-Filipines. You will then enter a gated wetlands park signed Espai Natural del Remolar-Filipines, but the gate should be open during most daylight hours. Beyond the gate, follow the narrow road through marshland for 1.3 kilometers, then turn right into an earthen parking lot (41.2787N, 2.0624E). The parking lot is marked by a blue-and-white "P" panel with the words no vigilat—i.e., "unattended". (The automobile-accessible part of the road ends just past the parking lot, at a small information kiosk for the wetlands park.)
From the parking lot, follow the arrows on the signboards that point toward Platja del Remolar (NOT toward centre d'informació). You will be on a broad gravel path. Shortly you will reach a "T" will another gravel path. Turn left. At that point, you will be walking alongside the shoaled stream described above (which looks more like a river than a stream due to the backed-up water). The stream will be on your right-hand side. In a few minutes you will land on the beach at the far west end of Playa del Remolar. The total walk from the parking area is about 500 meters. When you land on the beach, you will be about halfway along a 1.5 kilometer-long expanse of Playa de Viladecans that is sparsely attended. If you head west (to the right when facing the sea), in about 800 meters you will reach the easternmost of the boardwalks described above, and by that point you will be in the area where most nudists cluster.
MAP from C-32 Exit 54 to parking (pay lot)
MAP from C-32 Exit 54 to parking (alternate access)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Viladecans.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Viladecans.

roundabout on coast side of C-31 at Viladecans/Les Filipines exit
This placemark pertains to Playa de Viladecans.

Chiringuito El Mosquito

bicycle parking area

free parking lot

yellow line: Playa de la Murtra (segment of Playa de Viladecans)

red line: Playa de la Pineda (segment of Playa de Viladecans)

orange line: Playa de Cal Francès (segment of Playa de Viladecans)

purple line: Playa de Remolar (segment of Playa de Viladecans)

road to main beach parking area (pay)

roads to free parking area

dirt track alongside chain link fence

bicycle path

Playa de la Murtra

Playa de la Pineda

Playa de Cal Francès

Playa de Remolar

area with highest concentration of nudists, roughly

Cala Morisca

Cala Morisca
A bit over 100 meters long, Cala Morisca is an easily accessible beach that is tucked away in the coastal mountains a short drive east from Sitges, just below the coastal highway. Nudity is acceptable anywhere on the small beach, but the crowd is usually a mix of nudists and textiles, with textiles often outnumbering nudists. There is a snack bar as well as open-air showers, and there is also a full-service restaurant with alfresco dining just uphill from the beach. You will pass the restaurant as you walk downhill from the parking lot to the beach. The gate to the parking lot is closed about half the year during cooler months. When the parking lot is open, there is a rather steep parking fee (at least €6).
Sitges, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3s1Ognf
41.2436N, 1.8672E (turnoff into parking lot at kilometer 169.5 of C-31 east of Sitges)
The parking lot referenced above is several kilometers east of Sitges, and the turnoff is marked by blue-and-white "P" parking panels, one of which has Cala Morisca in rather small letters. Going east on C-31 (coming from Sitges, headed toward Barcelona), you will turn right into the parking lot. (A left turn is prohibited if you are coming from the opposite direction, so you will have to go past the parking lot about 800 meters to a point where you can turn around and backtrack.) The parking lot is gated, but the gate is open during warmer months.
From the parking lot, a pedestrian tunnel goes under two parallel railroad tracks, emerging at a restaurant that is perched above the sea. From the restaurant, a winding stone staircase descends to the small beach.
starting point:  Exit 31 (Sitges Nord, Aiguadolç) of the C-32 motorway in Sitges
Exit 31 is about 35 kilometers southwest of Barcelona. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto route C-31 heading toward the coast. Keep straight ahead through a couple of roundabouts, then you will begin to follow the coastline after leaving behind the development of Sitges. You will be going east, with the sea on your right-hand side. About 5 to 6 kilometers from the motorway exit, you will pass the Uniland cement plant, a huge factory that is a can't-miss landmark on the inland side of the highway.
Once you pass the cement plant, continue along C-31 about a kilometer farther, then turn right into the Cala Morisca parking lot. The turnoff is about halfway between kilometer markers 169 and 170, and it is the only turnoff of between those markers. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from C-32 Exit 31 to parking turnoff
This placemark pertains to Cala Morisca.

This placemark pertains to Cala Morisca.

Uniland cement factory
This placemark pertains to Cala Morisca.

pedestrian tunnel under railroads

restaurant perched above sea

Playa de Balmins

Playa de Balmins
Playa de Balmins is a small beach located on the east end of the popular resort town of Sitges, immediately west of Port d'Aiguadolç (a marina). Although an urban beach, a rocky land mass separates it from the town's main chain of beaches. The beach is about 200 meters long, and nudity is freely tolerated on the entire length, even though parts of the beach are visible from the street that runs above it. Balmins can be congested on peak days and draws a mix of nudists and textiles. While textiles are usually the majority, nudists typically comprise a substantial minority. Balmins can be reached on foot within a few kilometers of most parts of Sitges. There is a snack stand on the beach.
Sitges, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45pZNv0
41.2369N, 1.8183E (start of Carrer de Ramón Planes at a four-way intersection in Sitges)
Carrer de Ramón Planes is a one-way street that is just over 300 meters long, and the intersection referenced above is the only location where you can turn onto the street. Playa de Balmins is along Carrer de Ramón Planes, and the beach is so close to the street that you can glimpse nude bathers from your car. There is no parking lot. There is parking all along the street, so take the first open space since parking is in short supply. During peak season, you may have to park along a nearby street and return to Carrer de Ramón Planes on foot.
There is a crosswalk painted across the pavement about halfway along Carrer de Ramón Planes. At the crosswalk, go down a few steps to a small plaza that overlooks the beach. (There are several park benches in the plaza along with a rack where bicycles can be chained.) Facing the sea, go left onto the broad promenade, which will begin sloping downhill. In about 100 meters you will reach a ramp that goes out to the beach.
starting point:  Exit 31 (Sitges Nord, Aiguadolç) of the C-32 motorway in Sitges
Exit 31 is about 35 kilometers southwest of Barcelona. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto route C-31 heading toward the coast. Keep straight ahead about a kilometer to a roundabout. Take the first departure, which is signed Aiguadolç and has a sailboat symbol.
Proceed about 200 meters. Immediately after crossing over a railroad that is below street level, you will reach a yield sign, with a hotel called Meliá Sitges directly in front of you. Turn right at the yield sign. You will then be on a street called Carrer d'Emerencià Roig i Raventós, heading toward the city center.
Follow the street a bit less than 200 meters and take note of the first side street on your left. That street is Carrer de Ramón Planes, and it is the street from which Playa de Balmins is accessed. However, it a a one-way street that makes a loop, and the first end of the loop you will see is marked with red-and-white "do not enter" panels. Keep straight ahead about 250 meters farther to the next intersection, which is an irregular four-way junction where you have to turn one way or the other since the street straight ahead has a "do not enter" panel. Turn left. Upon turning, you will be at the start of Carrer de Ramón Planes. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from C-32 Exit 31 to beach access point.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Balmins.

Exit 31 interchange of C-32 motorway
This placemark pertains to Playa de Balmins.

first roundabout after Exit 31 of C-32 motorway
This placemark pertains to Playa de Balmins.

Meliá Sitges Hotel

"do not enter" panels at east end of one-way street

start of Carrer de Ramon Planes

small plaza with park benches & bicycle rack

Port d'Aiguadolç (marina)

route from mototway to Carrer de Ramon Planes

Carrer de Ramon Planes (one-way street)

segment of broad coastal promenade

ramp to beach

extent of beach

Playa del Muerto
Playa del Muerto, or Platja de l'Home Mort in Catalan, is an ominously named beach that means "Dead Man's Beach." The isolated beach is located at the western extreme of Sitges, and it is accessed by a hike along a rocky path that follows a railroad. While the LGBT community is well represented at all SItges beaches, Playa del Muerto is considered the gay beach of Sitges. In fact, Playa del Muerto is arguably the most famous gay beach of Spain, and its history as a gay haven reputedly goes as far back as 1930. Although Playa del Muerto is usually spoken of as one location, there are actually three distinct areas located within a span of 600 meters. We'll call them the eastern, middle and western areas. The eastern and middle areas are basically mirror images of one another, located toward opposite ends of a small bay. There are several little niches between the eastern and middle areas that disappear at high tide. The western area is over a headland from the middle area, and it is a separate little beach. At all three areas, nude bathers often outnumber textiles and are always at least a substantial minority. All three areas are mostly pebble beaches with little sand.
Hiking from Sitges, you will first come to the eastern area of the beach, which is an expanse of about 75-150 meters, depending on the tide. This is always the least populated part of the beach. Continue hiking a bit farther and you will come to the middle area, which is the location of a beach bar called Xiringay Beach Lounge, where sun chairs and umbrellas can be rented. The middle area is about 130 meters long. Continue hiking a bit farther and you will come to the western area, which is the location of a beach bar called Desenrocada Xiringay Beach Club, where sun chairs and umbrellas can be rented. The western area is about 80 meters long.
The western area is actually the original gay beach of Sitges, and it used to be that gay men occupied the western area while straight visitors occupied the eastern and middle areas. These days, all three areas are visited predominantly by gay visitors. While the eastern and middle areas are a bit more mixed, the western area remains, de facto, the exclusive domain of gay men.
The path to Playa del Muerto begins at a seaside parking lot on the west end of a golf course. From there, the hike takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Some beachgoers walk all the way from the center of Sitges, which takes the better part of an hour. For those without a car, other options are taking a cab to the seaside parking lot (at the former location of L'Atlàntida, a well-known nightclub that has closed) or taking the local bus (L2) as far west as Hotel Terramar, which is near the western end of the developed beachfront of Sitges. From Hotel Terramar, it is a westward hike of a kilometer along the coastline to the seaside parking lot. Be sure to take water for the hike and wear sturdy shoes since the hiking path is a bit rugged for sandals.
Sitges, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/453IWP2
41.2235N, 1.7754E (dead end of road that goes past Club Golf Terramar in Sitges)
At the far west end of Sitges, the road that goes by the Terramar golf course ends at a large earthen parking lot★ next to Discoteca L'Atlàntida, a once-popular nightclub that has been closed since 2012. The hike to the beach begins on the inland side of a graffiti-covered concrete building at the far end of the parking lot. You will be walking west, going gradually uphill with the sea to your left and a pair of parallel railroad tracks to your right. In about 300 meters, you will be at the highest point of a hill, at which point both railroads will have briefly disappeared into short tunnels. You will begin going downhill as you continue along the path, and in about 150 meters you will be at the start of the nude beach when you reach the point where the path drops slightly below the level of the railroads. The first part of the nude beach is the eastern area, which is always the least crowded area. A side path descends to it. Or, continue along the main path toward the other areas. About 300 meters farther along, you will reach the side path to the middle area of the nude beach, which is the location of a beach bar called Xiringay Beach Lounge. If you stay on the main path (next to the railroads), the sea will disappear from view and a wall of rock will be to your immediate left. In 150-200 meters, you will reach the side path to the western area of the nude beach, which is the location of a beach bar called Desenrocada Xiringay Beach Club.
From the graffiti-covered concrete building, the approximate total hiking distance to each area is 500 meters, 800 meters and one kilometer.
★ The parking lot seems to be chained off at times, and it is also possible that the last few hundred meters of the road may be barricaded. In either case, just park alongside the road as close as possible to the end and continue on foot the rest of the way.
starting point:  Exit 30 (Sitges Centre) of the C-32 motorway in Sitges
Exit 30 is about 36 kilometers southwest of Barcelona. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered toward the coast. Keep straight ahead through two roundabouts, continuing toward the city center (centre vila).
About one kilometer from the motorway, you will pass under an old stone-and-brick railroad bridge with several archways. Less than 100 meters after that underpass, you will reach a roundabout that has an unusual metal spiral-like sculpture in the middle. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Vilanova (among other places). Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on Passeig de Vilanova, going southwest.
Follow Passeig de Vilanova for 1.5 kilometers and watch carefully on the left (coast) side of the street for a brown sign with Sitges spelled vertically in white lettering. Immediately past that sign, you will go over a short bridge where a cross street is tunneled beneath you. Immediately past that bridge, make a jug-handle left turn at a 50 KPH speed-limit panel, immediately before the sign that indicates the end of the Sitges town limits. (In other words, you will accomplish a left turn by first veering to the right then crossing Passeig de Vilanova. If you cross the railroad via an overpass, you have just missed the turn, but there is a roundabout just past the railroad where you can turn around.)
Once you make the jug-handle turn, you will be on Carrer Joan de la Cierva, which takes you to the coast. Just keep straight ahead. In 800-900 meters, you will pass the gated entry to Club Golf Terramar. About 800 meters farther along, you will reach the end of the road at a large seaside parking lot. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from C-32 Exit 30 to parking

start of road to Discoteca Atlantida at western edge of Sitges

Hotel Terramar

gated entry to Club Golf Terramar

Discoteca L'Atlàntida (closed)

railroad tunnels

eastern area

middle area, at Xiringay Beach Lounge

western area, at Desenrocada Xiringay Beach Club

road to Discoteca L'Atlàntida

path next to railroads

side path

segment of parallel railroads

eastern & middle areas

western area

Playa de Sant Gervasi & Playa Llarga

In Vilanova i la Geltrú (usually truncated to Vilanova), Playa de Sant Gervasi is about 1.2 kilometers west of the large town marina. It is more or less contiguous with Playa de Ribes Roges, the much larger beach closer to the marina. A curving, fortress-like stone wall defines the boundary between the two beaches. Playa de Sant Gervasi is about 300 meters long, and nude bathing occurs along its westernmost third. The beach is quite easy to access. From the parking lot, a pedestrian tunnel goes under the coastal railroad to the beach. Facing the sea, go to your right and within 50 meters you will encounter a sign informing that the area ahead is a nudist zone. The start of the nude area is aligned with a small rock jetty that juts about 50 meters into the sea. The nude area of Playa de Sant Gervasi is alternately known by the name L'Aiguadolç. Playa de Sant Gervasi consists of sand and pebbles, and the textile and nude zones are in very close proximity. There is an eatery called Xiringuito Miramar along the textile part of the beach, a short walk from the nude area.
A bit farther west, Playa Larga is a 2-kilometer-long beach that straddles the municipal border of Vilanova and neighboring Cubelles. Although most of the beach lies in Vilanova, all of it closer to the town center of Cubelles. Most of the beach is divided into multiple man-made coves with rock jetties, and the southwestern half of the beach is backed by a palm-lined promenade and other development. However, the northeasternmost several hundred meters of the beach is comparatively isolated, and that part of the beach draws nude bathers. If you access Playa Llarga at its main area, it is a walk of at least 700 meters to the nude area, but direct access to the nude area is possible from an informal parking area that is on the other side of the railroad from the nude beach. Be advised that the gravel road leading to the parking area is not signed, and you will have to cross the railroad tracks.
The nude zones of Playa de Sant Gervasi and Playa Llarga are just a kilometer or so apart as the crow flies, plus another 500 or so meters by car. Playa de Sant Gervasi draws a mixed crowd, with nudists confined to a fairly small space. Nudists at Playa Llarga are farther removed from textiles with much more room to spread out, and the beach draws a largely gay crowd.
This placemark pertains to Playa Llarga and Playa de Sant Gervasi.

Playa Llarga
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Sant Gervasi and Playa Llarga.)
Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 13 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa Llarga and Playa de Sant Gervasi.

Playa de Sant Gervasi
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Sant Gervasi and Playa Llarga.)
Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 13 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa Llarga and Playa de Sant Gervasi.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45ff3Lk
To go to Playa Llarga, set your GPS device to:
41.2105N, 1.6977E (turnoff toward coast at kilometer 47.4 of C-246a between Cubelles and Vilanova i la Geltrú)
The turnoff referenced above is an unmarked gravel road. (See the additional directions below for landmarks to help find it.) Once you turn, the road leads about 200 meters to an earthen parking area amid a grove of trees. The shaded parking area is separated from the beach by the railroad that follows the coastline. Very carefully cross the railroad tracks and you will land directly on the nude area of the beach.
To go to Playa de Sant Gervasi, set your GPS device to:
41.2102N, 1.7100E (entrance to beach parking lot at west end of Vilanova i la Geltrú)
The asphalted beach parking lot referenced above is not well signed, but it is the only parking lot along the minor road from which it is accessed. The lot has a clear view of the sea, and it is connected to the beach by a pedestrian tunnel that goes under the railroad. Once you go through the tunnel, turn right as you face the sea and shortly you will be in the nude area at the far southwest end of the beach.
starting point:  Exit 13 (C-31, Cubelles, Cunit) of the C-32 motorway near Cubelles and Vilanova i la Geltrú
Exit 13 is roughly halfway between Barcelona and Tarragona. 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 left (straight ahead) when the lanes split, following the sign for Cubelles. You will be filtered onto C-31, heading east.
Follow C-31 for 1.8 kilometers to a roundabout. Take the second departure, which is signed Vilanova i la Geltrú. (Note: There are two departures of the roundabout that are signed Vilanova i la Geltrú. The departure you want has an umbrella symbol indicating it is the route to the beach. The departure you do NOT want is also signed for C-31, Sitges and Barcelona.)
When you leave the roundabout, you will be on a one-lane, one-way road for 500 meters, then you will merge into two-way traffic. You will be driving east on a minor highway numbered C-246a. About 300 meters after you merge into two-way traffic, watch carefully for kilometer marker 48.
To continue to Playa Llarga:
After marker 48, it is 600-700 meters to the point where you need to turn right onto a gravel road, but the road is not signed. To find it, watch for a guardrail on the right (coast) side of C-246a that begins about 400 meters past marker 48. That guardrail runs about 150 meters. Immediately at the end of the guardrail, there is a very small road going off to the right, but it is NOT the turnoff you want. Continue less than 100 meters farther and take the next possible right thereafter, immediately past the end of a short segment of exposed rock where earth has been removed for the highway. (If you reach the start of the next guardrail, you have missed the turn by about 40 meters.) Once you turn, proceed as directed above.
To continue to Playa de Sant Gervasi:
After marker 48, continue about a kilometer, then veer right at signs that point toward Poble Escador, Racó de Santa Llucia and Restaurant La Cucanya. (The turnoff is just before marker 47.) Follow the narrow paved road about 400 meters, then turn left onto the third side street next to a rather ramshackle block of stucco apartments painted white and orangish brown. (You have just missed the turn if you cross over the railroad via a short, narrow bridge.) Upon turning, proceed about 400 meters to a large asphalted parking lot on the right. The lot is effectively at the end of the road since the road straight ahead is marked by a "do not enter" panel. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from C-32 Exit 13 toll plaza to parking (Llarga)
MAP from C-32 Exit 13 toll plaza to parking (Sant Gervasi)
This placemark pertains to Playa Llarga and Playa de Sant Gervasi.

approximate mid-point of Playa Llarga (textile area)
This placemark pertains to Playa Llarga.

kilometer marker 48 of C-246a
This placemark pertains to Playa Llarga and Playa de Sant Gervasi.

dirt parking area under trees
This placemark pertains to Playa Llarga.

kilometer marker 47 of C-246a

This placemark pertains to Playa de Sant Gervasi.

pedestrian tunnel under railroad
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sant Gervasi.

Xiringuito Miramar
This placemark pertains to Playa de Sant Gervasi.

fortress-like stone wall

kilometer marker 46 of C-246a

segment of C-246a

gravel road to parking (Playa Llarga)

paved roads to parking (Playa de Sant Gervasi)

guardrail

Tarragona

Playa de los Muntanyans

Playa de los Muntanyans
About 20 kilometers northeast of the city of Tarragona, there is a sandy beach that stretches about 6.5 kilometers, spanning the municipal borders of Torredembarra, Creixell and Roda de Berà. There are five proper names for the contiguous segments of this long beach, and the longest of these segments is Playa de los Muntanyans. A little over 2 kilometers long, Los Muntanyans extends from the far northeastern end of the seaside development of Torredembarra to the far southwestern end of the seaside development of Creixell. The beach is backed by a railroad, and between the railroad and the beach there is a sliver of wetlands with ponds full of ducks and other wildlife. The main access to Los Muntanyans is at its far southwestern end (toward the center of Torredembarra). However, there are several more access points northeast of the main access, via pedestrian tunnels under the railroad that connect to boardwalks over the wetlands.
Los Muntanyans has historically drawn nude bathers since it is a bit isolated by the wetlands. However, because the beach is close to a very urbanized area and has multiple access points, it also draws plenty of textiles, which has led to some discomfort between nudists and textiles occupying the same space. To deal with this, in 2012 the Torredembarra town council designated a 175-meter-long stretch of the beach as a "preferred" nudist area. Nudity is actually not prohibited outside the designated area. The signage is apparently more of a suggestion as to where beach visitors with different swimwear preferences should go to be most comfortable. The nudist zone is toward the far northeast end of the beach, close to the town border of Torredembarra and Creixell. Large blue panels at either end of the nudist zone announce in multiple languages that the space between the signs is a nude beach.
From the main access to Los Muntanyans, it is a walk of about 1.3 kilometers northeastward (to the left when facing the sea) to reach the designated nude area. However, the walk is much shorter if you instead park streetside in one of the residential areas that is just inland from the nude area. Depending on where you park, the walk to the nude area is as little as 500 meters. There are no amenities in the nude area, but during warmer months there are snack stands at various intervals along the beach, and the closest ones to the nude area are typically about 600 meters away in either direction.
Torredembarra, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OT2r79
Option 1—Set your GPS device to:
41.1556N, 1.4359E (pedestrian tunnel along Carrer Ferrocarril east of Torredembarra)
Carrer Ferrocarril is a short residential street that is less than 300 meters long, and it parallels the inland side of a railroad. The pedestrian tunnel referenced above crosses under the railroad, and the staircase leading to the tunnel is marked by an Els Muntanyans signboard. There is streetside parking along Carrer Ferrocarril and along other nearby residential streets. Go through the tunnel. On the other side of the railroad, a 140-meter-long boardwalk takes you over an area of wetlands to the beach. Facing the sea, turn right and head southwest. In about 275 meters, you will reach a large multi-lingual signboard announcing the start of the nude area. 175 meters farther on, there is another sign at the end of the nude area. The total walking distance is about 500 meters.
Option 2—Set your GPS device to:
41.1516N, 1.4259E (three-way junction of Carrer dels Bonafilla and Carrer dels Icart east of Torredembarra)
Carrer dels Bonafilla ends at its junction with Carrer dels Icart, which is a short street that parallels the inland side of a railroad. There is streetside parking along both streets and elsewhere is the neighborhood. Straight ahead from the junction, a paved walkway leads to the railroad then crosses under it via a tunnel-like passageway, then a 100-meter-long boardwalk takes you over an area of wetlands to the beach. Facing the sea, turn left and head northeast. In about 500 meters, you will reach a large multi-lingual signboard announcing the start of the nude area. 175 meters farther on, there is another sign at the end of the nude area. The total walking distance is about 700 meters.
starting point:  Exit 32 (Torredembarra, Altafulla) of the AP-7 motorway near Torredembarra
Exit 32 is about 15 kilometers east of Tarragona (i.e., toward Barcelona from Tarragona). If you are coming from Tarragona (heading toward Barcelona), you will reach a toll plaza upon exiting, then you will enter a large roundabout with multiple departures. If you are coming from Barcelona (heading toward Tarragona), you will reach a different toll plaza upon exiting. After the toll plaza, follow the sign that points to Torredembarra and Altafulla, then you will cross over the motorway and enter the same large roundabout with multiple departures. Once you reach the large roundabout (which is on the coast side of the motorway), take the departure signed N-340, Barcelona and El Vendrell. You will then be filtered onto N-340 northbound.
Follow N-340 about 3 kilometers to the next roundabout (which is 400-500 meters past kilometer marker 1179★). The roundabout is roughly aligned with the nudist zone of Playa de los Muntanyans, and the nudist zone can be approached from either end. Which departure of the roundabout you take depends on whether you want to approach the nudist zone from its northeast end (Option 1) or from its southwest end (Option 2).
Option 1:
Take the second departure of the roundabout, which is signed El Vendrell and Barcelona. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will still be on N-340, and there will be a barrier along the right-hand (coast) side of the road—first a guardrail, then a fence. In just over 400 meters, take the first possible right turn★★ immediately at the point where fence ends. You will be turning onto a street named Carrer Cala Riells, but there is no prominent signage. Proceed just under 200 meters to a "T" intersection with Carrer Cala de la Móra, where a small park with playground equipment will be straight ahead in front of you. Turn right at the "T," then in just 20 meters take the next possible left onto Carrer Cala Figuera. (Upon turning, the park should be on your left-hand side.)
Carrer Cala Figuera is less than 200 meters long, ending at a "T" with Carrer Ferrocarril. Turn left onto Carrer Ferrocarril. In less than 50 meters, a pedestrian tunnel that goes under the railroad will be to your right. Park along the street and proceed as directed above.
Option 2:
Take the first departure of the roundabout, which is signed Torredembarra Est. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on a retired segment of N-340 that has been renumbered N-340a, but there are no signs with a name or number of the road. You want to make your way to Carrer dels Bonafilla, which will be to your left, but you cannot make a direct left turn onto the street. Follow N-340a for 600 meters to the next roundabout. Make almost a complete circuit and take the departure signed Nova Torredembarra and Clarà Mar (NOT the one for El Vendrell). Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be backtracking along a one-way frontage road that runs parallel to the coast side of N-340a. In just 150 meters, take the first possible right onto Carrer dels Bonafilla. (There is not a street sign.) In 150 meters, Carrer dels Bonafilla ends at a "T" with Carrer dels Icart. Park along the street and proceed as directed above.
★ Due to the rerouting of N-340, there are some discrepancies in the kilometer markers in the vicinity of Torredembarra. Markers 1179 and 1180 are 1.5 kilometers apart.
★★ If you miss the turn onto Carrer Cala Riells, just continue another 150 meters and take the next right onto Carrer Cala Bona (which is also not signed). Follow the street about 400 meters to its end at a "T" with Carrer Ferrocarril, at which point the pedestrian tunnel under the railroad will be about 125 meters to your right.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 32 to parking (Option 1)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 32 to parking (Option 2)
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Muntanyans.

This placemark pertains to Playa de los Muntanyans.

roundabout between km 1179 & 1180 of N-340
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Muntanyans.

small park with playground equipment

roundabout along N-340a

pedestrian passageway under railroad

Carrer Cala Riells

Carrer Cala de la Móra

Carrer Cala Figuera

Carrer Ferrocarril

Carrer Cala Bona

segment of N-340a

frontage road along coast side of N-340a

Carrer dels Bonafilla

Carrer dels Icart

walkway & boardwalk

nude area, signed at both ends

Cala de la Roca Plana & Cala Fonda

Cala de la Roca Plana and Cala Fonda are nearby beaches that are hidden in a small stretch of coastal forest. These beaches actually lie within the limits of the city of Tarragona, but they are toward the eastern periphery of the city, about 12 kilometers by car from the city center. Both are popular nude beaches, and at each most visitors opt for bare bathing.
Cala de la Roca Plana and Cala Fonda are each roughly 200 meters long at low tide. Cala Fonda, the western of the two beaches, consists of a single, deep crescent of sand surrounded by cliff walls with an orangish hue, and it is the more visually dramatic of the two beaches. Cala de la Roca Plana is far less wide, and at high tide it gets broken into multiple pockets. Cala Fonda is the more popular beach, but both beaches can get quite crowded during July and August. There are no roads that go directly to the beaches, so you will have to hike through the coastal forest to get to either one, neither of which has any amenities. Following the shortest route, it is about 1.5 kilometers of Cala Fonda, or about half that distance to Cala de la Roca Plana. You can easily visit both beaches since it takes just 10 minutes or so to hike from one to the other.
La Móra, an outlying eastern neighborhood of Tarragona, abuts the eastern side of the small coastal forest in which Cala Fonda and Cala de la Roca Plana are located. Playa Llarga, a long beach that extends 2.7 kilometers, is on the western side of the coastal forest. Cala Fonda and Cala de la Roca Plana can be accessed from either La Móra or Playa Llarga, but most visitors approach through La Móra due to much closer parking. (Approaching from Playa Llarga only makes sense if you happen to be staying at Camping Las Palmeras, a huge beachfront camping and bungalow establishment that spans the entire eastern half of Playa Llarga. Otherwise, you half to park in the central area of Playa Llarga and walk over 1.5 kilometers eastward past Las Palmeras to even get to the coastal forest.)
Cala Fonda and Cala de la Roca Plana each have several alternate names that are sometimes used. Cala Fonda is also known by the names Honda, Waikiki and Arboçari. Roca Plana is also known by the names Calabecs, Calabeig and Roques Planes.
This placemark pertains to Cala de la Roca Plana and Cala Fonda.

Cala de la Roca Plana
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala de la Roca Plana and Cala Fonda.)
municipality & province, autonomous community, country:
Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 17 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala de la Roca Plana and Cala Fonda.

Cala Fonda
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala de la Roca Plana and Cala Fonda.)
municipality & province, autonomous community, country:
Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
There are 17 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala de la Roca Plana and Cala Fonda.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QvH5hv
41.1315N, 1.3451E (mini-roundabout along Avinguda Mediterrani in La Móra)
La Móra is a small urbanización of the city of Tarragona, and Avinguda Mediterrani is the main street through La Móra. The street is a little over one kilometer long, running from N-340 to a small beach called Playa de la Móra. The mini-roundabout referenced above is the only roundabout along Avinguda Mediterrani, and you will be heading toward the coast when you reach the mini-roundabout, which is about 800 meters from the start of the street at N-340. By the time you reach the mini-roundabout, there will be a canal parallel to Avinguda Mediterrani on your right-hand side. Keep straight ahead through the mini-roundabout, staying on Avinguda Mediterrani. The next two right turns lead to parking. You can park in a large asphalted lot, or you can park along the street.
To park in the lot, continue a bit less than 200 meters past the mini-roundabout and take the second possible right. You will cross a short bridge over the canal. From the bridge, it is less than 50 meters to the parking lot. Make a quick succession of three left turns to find your way to the parking lot entrance (41.1294N, 1.3455E). The parking lot entrance is directly opposite a shop signed Super Market Bazar, which is housed in a salmon-colored building with a short cylindrical tower.
To park along the street, take the next possible right after the mini-roundabout, just 50 meters past the mini-roundabout. You will cross a short bridge over the canal, then you will be on a one-way street named Carrer del Baix Llobregat, which extends about 200 meters and ends at a "T" with another one-way street, which is named Carrer Baix Camp. Park streetside along Carrer del Baix Llobregat as close as possible to the "T" (41.1312N, 1.3424E). (There is no parking along Carrer Baix Camp.)
The hiking directions below at first assume you park in the lot, followed by directions from Carrer del Baix Llobregat.
Hiking directions:
Going west from Playa de la Móra, there is a small forest along roughly 2 kilometers of the coastline, then there is a very long beach called Playa Llarga. Cala de la Roca Plana and Cala Fonda are comparatively small beaches that are nestled along the forested stretch between Playa de la Móra and Playa Llarga.
The asphalted parking lot extends to Playa de la Móra, and as you head toward the sea you will pass a restaurant named Moramar that overlooks the beach. From Playa de la Móra, head west (to the right when facing the sea) to the far end of the beach, then go up the stone steps. At the top of the steps, go through an opening in the fence and you will be on the grounds of Camping Torre de la Mora. Continue west near the coastal perimeter of the campground, such that the sea is on your left-hand side. Within a few minutes you will come to Torre de la Móra, the 16th-century cylindrical stone tower for which the campground is named. On the sea side of the stone tower, go through a gate in the perimeter fence then go down a few steps. At the bottom of the steps, a narrow path continues westward through the scrub forest above the sea. Once you are beyond the campground, the path will veer just a bit inland and become a bit harder to follow since there are a jumble of paths in the forest. However, there are occasional red paint markings on trees to help keep you on course, and it really doesn't matter which path you follow as long as you hew toward the coastline. Once you have hiked 600 to 700 meters beyond the stone tower, Cala de la Roca Plana will come into view. A short side path descends to the east end of the beach, and as you step onto the beach you will pass a large green atenció sign warning that the beach is not lifeguarded.
To continue west to Cala Fonda, you can stay on the forested path that skirts the inland edge of Cala de la Roca Plana, or you can just walk across the roughly 200-meter length of Cala de la Roca Plana and rejoin the coastal path on the opposite (west) end of the beach. Once you are beyond Cala de la Roca Plana, continue about 400 meters and Cala Fonda will come into view through the trees. The beach is situated below a steep escarpment. Once you can see the beach, keep hiking about 150 meters above the beach to find the side path that descends to the beach. As you begin the descent, you will pass a large green atenció sign warning that the beach is not lifeguarded.
From the parking lot, the total walking distances to Cala de la Roca Plana and Cala Fonda are respectively 1.4 and 2.2 kilometers.
You can shave 600 to 700 meters off the hike if you can find parking along Carrer del Baix Llobregat instead of in the asphalted lot. At the end of Carrer del Baix Llobregat, there is a yield sign at the "T" with Carrer Baix Camp. Straight ahead from the yield sign, there is a smaller road that runs parallel to Carrer Baix Camp, and along that smaller road there is a sign pointing left toward Camping Torre de la Mora. Follow the smaller road to the right (away from Camping Torre de la Mora), stepping over a chain that blocks vehicular access. You will briefly head inland before turning toward the coast. The road will begin to curve leftward through the forest. In about 125 meters, turn left onto the first footpath. The path at first goes uphill before making a gradual descent, angling in a generally southwesterly direction through the forest. After hiking 700 to 800 meters from Carrer del Baix Llobregat, you should connect to the coastal path near the east end of Cala de la Roca Plana, then from there you can continue to Cala Fonda as directed above. A slight disadvantage of the shortcut is that there are unmarked trail junctions in the forest, with the potential to take a wrong turn. However, the forest is small, so you can't get too lost, and all you really need to do is intuit your way to the sea.
starting point:  Exit 32 (Torredembarra, Altafulla) of the AP-7★ motorway near Torredembarra
Exit 32 is about 15 kilometers east of Tarragona (i.e., toward Barcelona from Tarragona). If you are coming from Tarragona (heading toward Barcelona), you will reach a toll plaza upon exiting, then you will enter a large roundabout with multiple departures. If you are coming from Barcelona (heading toward Tarragona), you will reach a different toll plaza upon exiting. After the toll plaza, follow the sign that points to Torredembarra and Altafulla, then you will cross over the motorway and enter the same large roundabout with multiple departures. Once you reach the large roundabout (which is on the coast side of the motorway), take the departure signed N-340, Tarragona and Altafulla. You will then be filtered onto N-340 southbound.
Once you merge into N-340, follow it about 4 kilometers. Just past kilometer marker 1172, you will see overhead panels indicating that the road straight ahead becomes the A-7 motorway, and it is necessary to exit in order to stay on N-340. Take that exit, which is signed N-340 and Altafulla.
At the end of the exit ramp, you will enter a large roundabout that circles above the highway from which you just exited. Take the fourth departure of that roundabout, which is signed La Móra and also has "beach" and "camping" symbols.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be on Avinguda Mediterrani. In 800 meters, you will enter the mini-roundabout referenced above, immediately past a bus stop. Proceed as directed above.
★ In the vicinity of the city of Tarragona, a potential source of confusion is that there are two parallel motorways that are similarly named: the AP-7 and the A-7. The A-7 passes closer to the city center and has more exits. The above directions have you starting at an exit of the AP-7 and then following N-340. You will exit toward La Móra at the point where N-340 morphs into the A-7.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 32 to parking (in asphalted lot)
This placemark pertains to Cala de la Roca Plana and Cala Fonda.

This placemark pertains to Cala de la Roca Plana and Cala Fonda.

roundabout between km 1172 & 1171 of N-340

Super Market Bazar

Moramar restaurant

Playa de la Móra (textile)

Camping Torre de la Mora

cylindrical stone tower

east end of Camping Las Palmeras

far east end of Playa Llarga (textile)

Avinguda Mediterrani

Carrer del Baix Llobregat

access to parking lot

coastal path

Playa de la Savinosa

Playa de la Savinosa
Playa de la Savinosa is located on the east side of the city of Tarragona, between neighborhoods called L'Arrabassada i La Savinosa and Cala Romana. The beach is an expanse of sand that stretches about 350 meters, and it is accessed near its west end. The broader western half of the beach is textile, but nude bathing is well established along the narrower eastern half of the beach. Although there are small apartment buildings behind La Savinosa, a railroad separates and somewhat secludes the beach from those buildings. Furthermore, the eastern half of the beach is backed by rocky masses that are thickly covered in vegetation, lending the nude area a bit of a pastoral feel. Just 3.5 kilometers by car from the city center, La Savinosa is the most centrally located nude beach to the city of Tarragona, which is the capital and largest city of the province of the same name. Due to this proximity, the beach can get quite crowded on peak days. During warmer months, the beach is equipped with portable toilets, a snack stand and a café. There are outdoor showers in both the textile and nude areas.
Tarragona, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DQh0SG
41.1238N, 1.2831E (turnoff to Playa de la Savinosa on the east side of Tarragona, at kilometer 1165.7 of N-340)
The turnoff referenced above is next to Hotel Sant Jordi. If you are going east (away from Tarragona) on N-340, this will be a right turn. If you are going west (toward Tarragona) on N-340, a left turn is not possible, so you will have to go past the turnoff about 400 meters to a roundabout where you can turn around and backtrack.
Once you turn, you will be on a short and inconspicuously signed street named Carrer de Francesc Giminells i Mascaró, which goes all the way to the beach. Proceed less than 50 meters to a four-way intersection with Carrer de Tomàs Forteza Segura. Turn right. Continue less than 50 meters and take the next possible left into the beach parking lot (41.1233N, 1.2829E), which is a long rectangular gravel lot. Upon parking, backtrack on foot to the four-way intersection, then turn right and head toward the sea. Shortly you will pass through a tunnel-like passage under a railroad, then you will arrive at the textile area of the beach. Facing the sea, turn left and walk just a minute or two to reach the nude area, which occupies the eastern half of the small beach.
starting point:  Exit 32 (Torredembarra, Altafulla) of the AP-7★ motorway near Torredembarra
Exit 32 is about 15 kilometers east of Tarragona (i.e., toward Barcelona from Tarragona). If you are coming from Tarragona (heading toward Barcelona), you will reach a toll plaza upon exiting, then you will enter a large roundabout with multiple departures. If you are coming from Barcelona (heading toward Tarragona), you will reach a different toll plaza upon exiting. After the toll plaza, follow the sign that points to Torredembarra and Altafulla, then you will cross over the motorway and enter the same large roundabout with multiple departures. Once you reach the large roundabout (which is on the coast side of the motorway), take the departure signed N-340, Tarragona and Altafulla. You will then be filtered onto N-340 southbound.
After following N-340 about 4 kilometers, just past kilometer marker 1172 you will see overhead panels indicating that the road straight ahead becomes the A-7 motorway, and it would be necessary to exit in order to stay on N-340. Do NOT exit. Keep straight ahead. Once you pass beneath the blue panel that points toward Tarragona and Castelló, follow the A-7 motorway about 8 kilometers, then take Exit 1164, which is signed Tarragona and Vía Augusta.
Once you exit, you need to make your way through two roundabouts that are part of the motorway interchange. At each roundabout, follow the panels that indicate Vía Augusta (in green) and Platges (in brown), then you will begin heading toward the coast. About 800-900 meters from the motorway interchange, you will enter a large roundabout with lots of shrubs and plants in the middle. Take the departure that is signed Altafulla, Barcelona, N-340, Cala Romana and Platges.
When you leave the roundabout, you will be on N-340 (again). Follow it just 300-400 meters and turn right at a brown Platja Savinosa sign. The turnoff is immediately past Hotel Sant Jordi, which is a small hotel with a big letter "H" on the roof. (If you pass kilometer marker 1166, you have missed the turn by about 300 meters.) Upon turning, proceed as directed above.
★ In the vicinity of the city of Tarragona, a potential source of confusion is that there are two parallel motorways that are similarly named: the AP-7 (toll) and the A-7 (non-toll). The A-7 passes closer to the city center and has more exits. Playa Savinosa is easily accessed from A-7 Exit 1164. If you are going south on the AP-7 as you head toward Tarragona (i.e., coming from Barcelona), AP-7 Exit 32 is the most logical point at which to depart the motorway and make your way to the A-7. If you are going north on the AP-7 as you head toward Tarragona, you can take Exit 35, 34 or 33. From any of those exits, follow signs for Tarragona until you see signs for the A-7, then follow signs for the A-7 toward Tarragona and Barcelona. Once you are on the A-7 going northeast, the exit numbers will get higher going toward Barcelona.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 32 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Savinosa.

This placemark pertains to Playa de la Savinosa.

large roundabout near coast
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Savinosa.

Hotel Sant Jordi

beach access, via pedestrian tunnel under railroad

seasonal café

route from A-7 Exit 1164 interchange to parking

Playa del Torn

Playa del Torn
L'Hospitalet de L'Infant—often truncated to just L'Hospitalet—is a coastal resort town located 40 kilometers southwest of Tarragona. The rather curious name of the town is derived from a hospital that was constructed there during the 14th century, and the infant in the name refers not to a baby but rather to a royal title for a prince, so the name means "Prince's Hospital." Playa del Torn is located at the southwest end of L'Hospitalet, and the entirety of the large beach is designated for naturist use. At most of Spain's nude beaches, many visitors remain attired in swimwear, but El Torn is not one of those places. In fact, there are a few signs that declare "¡ni banyadors, ni gossos, ni mirons!" (no swimsuits, no dogs, no voyeurs). The first part of that prohibition does not seem to be strictly enforced since there are often a few textiles about, but the signage ensures that swimsuits are a rare sight. Besides being one of the most popular nude beaches in Spain, El Torn is also among the few beaches where virtually everyone is naked.
Playa del Torn is quite a beautiful beach that extends 1.4 kilometers, with forested coastal mountains as a backdrop for a broad expanse of sand. El Templo del Sol, a naturist campground and resort, is just uphill from the northern third of El Torn. Although this commercial establishment covers about 16 acres, its presence is quite discreet since its grounds are heavily wooded and its facilities mostly hidden in the trees. While most of the resort grounds is available only to registered guests, non-guests may patronize the reception area, where there are a few restaurants and a grocery shop. Those facilities are outside the resort's naturist zone, so conventional attire is necessary. During warmer months, there is also a snack stand set up toward the northern end of the beach.
Just around a bend from the north end of Playa del Torn, nudity is also the norm at Cala d'Oques, which is effectively an extension of El Torn. While El Torn is broad and expansive, Cala d'Oques is a much narrower beach with a sandy crescent that extends about 150 meters. It has a more sheltered and intimate feel compared to El Torn. Just around a bend from the north end of the small beach, there is a textile campground called Camping Cala d'Oques.
Playa del Torn has three access points. The northern access is next to El Templo del Sol and Cala d'Oques, and a central access is roughly a kilometer away by car. The southern access is farther removed from the other two, reached via a road that winds over a mountain. From the highest point of the road at about 120 meters above sea level, there are sweeping views of Playa del Torn along the descent. Besides being the most scenic option, the southern access also has the most parking with the shortest and easiest walk out to the beach, so it is the best option if you are hauling beach gear like umbrellas or sun chairs. Near the southern end of the beach, there is a large rocky mass called Illot del Torn that is mostly offshore, barely connected to the sand. The small area of the beach that is south of the islet is a little niche that feels a bit secluded from the rest of the beach, kind of like Cala d'Oques at the opposite end of El Torn. The southern realm of the beach is heavily gay, but not exclusively so. El Torn is quite a popular beach that draws large summertime crowds, but the beach is big enough that it seldom feels overcrowded.
40.9709N, 0.8937E (approx. midpoint of Playa del Torn)
Vandellòs i l'Hospitalet de l'Infant, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3sfRJi4
Playa del Torn and Cala d'Oques (which is basically the northern appendage of Playa del Torn) collectively span about 1.75 kilometers, and that entire expanse is designated for naturism. There are three parking and access options: north, central and south. All parking areas are along the southern periphery of the town of L'Hospitalet de l'Infant but north of the large Vandellòs Nuclear Power Plant. The three beach parking areas are within an as-the-crow-flies span of 1.5 kilometers from one another, but by car the southern parking area is a bit removed from the other two. While the driving distance between the northern and central parking areas is less than a kilometer, it is about 4 kilometers by car from the northern or central area to the southern area.
To go to the north end of Playa del Torn or to Cala d'Oques, set your GPS device to:
40.9773N, 0.9010E (parking next to El Templo del Sol)
El Templo del Sol is a naturist resort with Moorish-themed architecture, and its buildings and perimeter wall are painted in a distinctive shade of salmon. You can't miss it. The entrance to the resort is along its northern perimeter wall, which runs along the coast side of a street named Via Augusta. There is parking all along the northern perimeter wall, which extends about 250 meters. Facing the entrance to El Templo del Sol, the sea will be to your left. Follow the perimeter wall toward the sea to find the beach access trail. Signs point the way. In a few hundred meters you will land at the far north end of Playa del Torn after descending a staircase. To go to Cala d'Oques, turn to your left as you face the sea and follow the rocky coastline a short distance. Just around the bend, you will reach Cala d'Oques, a small hidden beach that is basically a northern extension of Playa del Torn.
To go to the central area of Playa del Torn, set your GPS device to:
40.9731N, 0.8937E (informal parking at end of gravel road)
The gravel road referenced above is about 800 meters long, and it runs parallel to the inland side of a railroad. (Google Maps labels the road as Camí de la Cantera de Renfe, but it is not signed.) Toward its end, the road broadens into an informal parking area. Straight ahead from the end of the road, follow the footpath that continues south along the inland side of the railroad. In about 200 meters you will come to a pedestrian tunnel that goes under the railroad. Once you emerge from the tunnel, it is an easy, slightly downhill trek of about 150 meters through the forest out to the beach. You will land on the beach next to a lifeguard tower, a bit south of the midpoint of the 1.4-kilometer-long beach.
To go to the southern area of Playa del Torn, set your GPS device to:
40.9676N, 0.8892E (parking at end of twisty asphalted road)
The road referenced above is 2.2 kilometers long, and it makes a number of curves as it winds up and down a small mountain. (Google Maps labels the road as Camí de la Muntanya del Torn, but it is not signed as such.) The road dead ends about 150 meters after its last sharp "U" curve. There are gravel parking rows on either side of the asphalted road along that final stretch. The parking area is on the inland side of a railroad, and nearby there are two pedestrian tunnels that go under the railroad and out to the beach. Just beyond the dead end of the road, a tunnel leads to the far south end of the beach. You can also go to the aforementioned tunnel that leads to the central area of the beach next to the lifeguard tower. Backtrack on foot to the last "U" curve of the road, then follow the gravel road that leaves from the curve. The gravel road will narrow into a footpath, and you will be following the inland side of the railroad embankment, which will be on your right-hand side. In about 250 meters you will reach the tunnel the connects to the central area of the beach.
starting point:  Exit 38 (L'Hospitalet de l'Infant, Móra la Nova) of the AP-7 motorway near L'Hospitalet de l'Infant
alternate starting point:  Exit 1129 (L'Hospitalet de l'Infant, Móra la Nova) of the A-7 motorway near L'Hospitalet de l'Infant
The AP-7 and the A-7 are parallel motorways that follow the coastline through much of the province of Tarragona, and the two exits referenced above are very close together. Both are about 33 kilometers south of the city of Tarragona. Regardless of the direction of approach, all A-7 Exit 1129 traffic is filtered to a large roundabout that circles over the A-7 motorway, and all AP-7 Exit 38 traffic is filtered first through a toll plaza then to the same large roundabout that circles over the A-7. Once you enter that roundabout, take the departure that is signed L'Hospitalet de l'Infant and N-340. Continue a short distance to the next roundabout. Again, take the departure that is signed L'Hospitalet de l'Infant and N-340. Shortly after the second roundabout, veer right at the next possible turn, following the sign for L'Ametlla de Mar, Castelló and Valéncia. You will be filtered onto route N-340 southbound. About 500 meters after you merge into N-340, you will pass kilometer marker 1129.
To continue to the northern area of Playa del Torn or to Cala d'Oques:★
From kilometer marker 1129 of N-340, continue south another 500 meters, then take the next possible exit, which is an unsigned exit that goes toward a Repsol gas station. As you exit, keep bearing to the right. You will loop underneath the N-340 then immediately reach a three-way junction. Turn left, following the sign for L'Hospitalet de l'Infant. You should then immediately pass through a narrow, arched, brick-and-stone tunnel under a railroad. Stay straight ahead after the tunnel and you will enter a roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn). As you leave the roundabout, you should be going southwest on a road called Via Augusta, and you should see a stack of signs pointing straight ahead toward Las 2 Tartanas, Cala d'Oques, El Templo del Sol and Playa d'Or.
In 1.3 kilometers, take note when you reach the left-hand turnoff to Camping Cala d'Oques,★ but do not turn. Continue along Via Augusta a few hundred meters farther through a few curves, then you will see El Templo del Sol naturist resort on the left. Park there and proceed as directed above.
★ Cala d'Oques is the name of the small nude beach that is contiguous with Playa del Torn, but it is also the name of the textile campground that abuts the small nude beach.
To continue to the central area of Playa del Torn:
Follow the directions above, but keep going past El Templo del Sol. Just after you pass the end of the salmon-colored perimeter wall, you will cross a short bridge that spans a railroad. Immediately after the bridge, turn left onto an unmarked gravel road that parallels the inland side of the railroad. In about 500 meters the road winds through some derelict gravel mining structures, then it continues about 300 meters farther to a dead end. Park as close as possible to the end of the road and proceed as directed above.
To continue to the southern area of Playa del Torn:
From kilometer marker 1129 of N-340, continue south (staying on the highway past the exit by the Repsol gas station). In 2.3 kilometers, you will cross under a railroad bridge that spans the highway. 700 meters farther on, take note when you pass kilometer marker 1126 (which is near a tall water tower that resembles an industrial chimney). The turnoff toward the beach, which will be on the left, is coming up. 500 meters after marker 1126, you will reach the turnoff, which is a narrow paved road, but there is a red-and-white sign indicating that a direct left turn is prohibited. You can, however, still legally turn onto the road. Opposite the turnoff, veer onto the road that goes off to the right (next to an automobile salvage yard), then immediately turn back to the left, where there is a stop sign. From there, you can go across N-340 to access the road to the beach. (You are basically making a "jughandle" left.) Once you have turned onto the narrow paved road, you will pass a large sign that reads Espai d'Interès Natural La Rojala-Platja del Torn. Follow the curvy road as it winds up and then back down a mountainside. In 2.2 kilometers you will reach parking at the end of the road. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 38 toll plaza to parking (north)
MAP★★ from AP-7 Exit 38 toll plaza to final turnoff toward parking (central)
MAP★★ from AP-7 Exit 38 toll plaza to final turnoff toward parking (south)
★★ For the second and third maps, Google Maps will not accurately draw the entire route because, in both cases, it will not allow for left turns that are actually possible.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Torn.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Torn.

Repsol gas station
This placemark pertains to Playa del Torn.

no left from N-340 onto Via Augusta

railroad bridge spanning N-340

jughandle left junction, for traffic going south on N-340

entrance to Camping Cala d'Oques

El Templo del Sol (naturist)

Cala d'Oques (nudist)

lifeguard tower

Illot del Torn (rocky islet)

Via Augusta

cutover from N-340 to Via Augusta

road to parking (central)

road to parking (southern)

railraod segment

path between central & southern parking areas

extent of nude beach

El Templo del Sol

Playa de Xelin

Playa de Xelin
L'Ametlla de Mar is a small seaside town along the central coastline of the province of Tarragona, about 50 kilometers southwest of the city of Tarragona. Playa de Xelin is a small beach that is just a few kilometers north of the town center. Just 125 meters long, the beach has pebbly sand, and it is next to a small residential development called La Cala Nova. Although mainly attended by textiles, there are often a few nudists about. Several houses of La Cala Nova overlook the south end of the beach, so nudity is more apt to occur toward the opposite (north) end. On crowded days, there may be few or no nude bathers. Access to the beach is quite easy, and there are no amenities. Just north of Playa de Xelin, there is a tiny hidden beach that is at most 25 meters long, mostly disappearing at high tide. The hidden beach is a possible Plan B if Playa de Xelin is overrun with textiles, but access is challenging, requiring scrambling down boulders.
L'Ametlla de Mar, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QvHeBz
40.8955N, 0.8172E (gravel beach parking lot north of L'Ametlla de Mar)
The parking lot referenced above is at the dead end of a minor road that is inconspicuously signed. From the parking area, a 50-meter-long cobbled ramp prominently signed Xelin slopes down to the beach. Nudists tend to go to the north end of the small beach (to the left when facing the sea).
starting point:  Exit 39 (L'Ametlla de Mar, El Perelló) of the AP-7 motorway near L'Ametlla de Mar
Exit 39 is about 50 kilometers southwest of the city of Tarragona. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the inland side of the motorway. Just after the toll plaza, you will reach a roundabout, which is distinctive for the maritime monument in the middle which depicts a pair of hands clasping oars. Take the second departure of the roundabout (i.e., just keep straight ahead), which is signed for Deixallaria and Depuradora (which are, respectively, the Catalan and Spanish words for a waste management facility).
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be going northeast, paralleling the motorway on its inland side. Continue just over 300 meters and take the first left that is not a private driveway. Once you turn, the road will make a loop, then you will enter a tunnel and cross under the motorway to its coast side. When you emerge from the tunnel, the road will immediately curve leftward. Continue just 100 or so meters and take the next possible right. You will then enter another tunnel and cross under a railroad. Shortly after you emerge from the tunnel, you will reach a stop sign at a "T" junction, and you will see a number of multi-story buildings of L'Ametlla de Mar in the near distance to your right. Turn left at the "T," away from the buildings.
Once you turn, you will begin going northeast on a minor road that parallels the coastline. Follow the road for 1.3 kilometers, then turn right at a small and rather inconspicuous sign that points toward Platja Xelin. Turn turnoff is directly opposite a small, boxy white stucco utility structure that is signed Calanova.
Follow the Platja Xelin road 400-500 meters. As you near the end of the road, you will be heading straight toward the stone gateway of a small gated community called La Cala Nova. Just before that gateway, turn left and you will enter the beach parking lot. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Xelin.

AP-7 Exit 39 toll plaza
This placemark pertains to Playa de Xelin.

roundabout next to toll plaza
This placemark pertains to Playa de Xelin.

tunnel under motorway

tunnel under railroad

small, boxy white stucco utility structure signed "Calanova"

gated entrance to La Cala Nova

tiny beach (difficult to access)

route from AP-7 Exit 39 toll plaza to parking

cobbled ramp to beach

Playa de la Bassa de la Arena

Playa de la Bassa de la Arena
The Ebro River (río Ebro in Spanish; riu Ebre in Catalan) is the second longest river on the Iberian Peninsula, draining the second largest Iberian watershed. The Ebro flows into the Mediterranean in the far south of Catalonia, and along its final 25 to 30 kilometers the river bisects a vast area known as the Ebro Delta, which covers over 300 square kilometers. The scenery of the Ebro Delta is atypical of Spain's Mediterranean coastline. It is a very flat, almost treeless area of wetlands and farmland, with seemingly endless beaches and very little coastal development.
All of the Ebro Delta on the north side of the river belongs to the municipality of Deltebre (a contraction of Delta and Ebre), which has over 15 kilometers of beach. The town of Deltebre is in the interior of the delta area, while an outlying district (urbanización) called Riumar is next to the sea near the mouth of the river. Outside Riumar, the only commercial development along the coastline of Deltebre is an isolated eatery named Restaurant Vascos. Although the Deltebre coast is more or less a contiguous beach, it is divided into four segments: Riumar, La Bassa de la Arena, La Marquesa and El Fangar.
Starting at the mouth of the river and going northwest, first there is Playa de Riumar, the central part of which abuts the seaside community. Beyond the development of Riumar, the beach blends into Playa de la Bassa de la Arena, which extends to the mouth of an irrigation canal. Beyond the canal, Playa de la Marquesa extends to Restaurant Vascos (the aforementioned isolated eatery). Beyond the restaurant, Playa del Fangar is the beach of Punta del Fangar, and it is the most distinctive of the beach segments. Punta del Fangar is a peninsula with the sea on one side and a shallow bay on the other side. On satellite images, the peninsula looks like an explosion of sand that arcs toward the town of L'Ampolla. Punta del Fangar is mostly covered in mud flats, but there are also large sand dunes along the sea side of the peninsula that lend it a bit of a Saharan aura. Punta del Fangar is off limits to vehicles, and the only structure on the peninsula is a lighthouse that is 4 kilometers from Restaurant Vascos.
Nude bathing is possible along all the beaches of Deltebre since each beach segment has ample expanses that are sparsely populated or outright deserted. Due to its easy access, nude bathers have historically tended to gravitate to Playa de la Marquesa—the 1.1-kilometer-long beach segment between the irrigation canal and Restaurant Vascos. However, in the late 2010s the municipality of Deltebre erected signage delineating a nudist zone on the other side of the canal along Playa de la Bassa de la Arena, which is more isolated. The signed nudist area begins just south of the canal (which is bridged) and extends southeastward (toward Riumar) for 1.3 kilometers.
Bare bathers are now likely to head toward the signed nudist zone, but nudity can still be practiced along other areas as well, with regard to the sensibilities of the nearest textiles. The designated nude area is most quickly accessed from the road that runs along the entire length of Playa de la Marquesa. On the opposite end of the nudist zone, the closest parking in Riumar is nearly 2 kilometers away.
Deltebre, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Qux58e
40.7620N, 0.7972E (three-way junction of asphalted road and gravel road next to Restaurant Vascos near Deltebre)
About 10 kilometers from the Deltebre town center, Restaurant Vascos is a small and isolated seaside eatery located at the end of a minor asphalted road that lacks any prominent signage with a name or number. The restaurant is next to the far northwest end of Playa de la Marquesa. Facing the sea, the beach extends to your right a little over one kilometer to the mouth of an irrigation canal. As you head toward the sea on the asphalted road, just before the restaurant turn right onto a gravel road. The road runs along the length of Playa de la Marquesa, and there are utility poles all along the right (inland) side of the road. After following the gravel road for 1.1 kilometers, you will reach the irrigation canal that separates Playa de la Marquesa from Playa de la Bassa de la Arena. A narrow automobile bridge (40.7537N, 0.8054E) spans the canal next to a small pump house, just upstream from where the canal flows into the sea. On the other side of the bridge, there is a sign indicating that motorized vehicles may proceed no farther. Head toward the sea and within a few hundred meters you will encounter another sign indicating the start of the nude area—inici platja nudista. Parking is alongside the gravel road on either side of the bridge.
starting point:  Exit 41 (Amposta, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, N-340) of the AP-7 motorway near Amposta
Exit 41 is about 80 kilometers southwest of the city of Tarragona, and it is 22 kilometers northeast of the regional border of Catalonia and Comunidad Valenciana (which is the same as the Tarragona/Castellón provincial border). The exit is immediately northeast of where the motorway crosses the river Ebro. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Just beyond the toll plaza, all traffic is filtered to a roundabout. Take the departure that is signed Amposta, TV-3454 and Deltebre. Just 400 meters after the roundabout, take the next possible left, following the sign for Deltebre. At that point, you will be at the start of route TV-3454, at kilometer 0.
Follow TV-3454 east 12 kilometers (staying straight ahead toward Riumar at two roundabouts) and take note when you pass kilometer marker 12. At that point, the road will be skirting the northern edge of the town of Deltebre. After marker 12, continue 600-700 meters to a red light at a four-way intersection. Turn left, following the sign that points toward Platja de la Marquesa and Punta del Fangar.
Once you turn, you will be heading north on TV-3451. In 300 meters you will pass kilometer marker 1, then 4 kilometers farther on you will pass marker 5, which is the last marker on the route. Not quite 300 meters after marker 5, you will reach a stop sign at a four-way intersection. Turn left. Proceed 250-300 meters to a stop sign at a "T" junction. Turn right. (At both stop signs, there are signs pointing toward Platja de la Marquesa and Punta del Fangar.) After turning at the second stop sign, continue 3.6 kilometers. Just before the asphalt ends at Restaurant Vascos, watch for a gravel road going off to the right. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 41 toll plaza to canal bridge
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Bassa de la Arena.

kilometer marker 13 of TV-3454
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Bassa de la Arena.

red light between km 12 & 13 of TV-3454
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Bassa de la Arena.

kilometer marker 14 of TV-3454

kilometer marker 1 of TV-3451

Restaurant Vascos

informal parking along road

short bridge over canal

Fangar lighthouse

purple line: Playa del Fangar

orange line: Playa de la Marquesa

red line: Playa de la Bassa de la Arena

yellow line: Playa de Riumar

segment of TV-3454

segment of TV-3451

unnumbered roads

gravel road along Playa de la Marquesa

Playa del Fangar

Playa de la Marquesa

Playa de Riumar

designated nude area

Playa de Migjorn

Playa de Migjorn
The Ebro River (río Ebro in Spanish; riu Ebre in Catalan) is the second longest river on the Iberian Peninsula, draining the second largest Iberian watershed. The Ebro flows into the Mediterranean in the far south of Catalonia, and along its final 25 to 30 kilometers the river bisects a vast area known as the Ebro Delta, which covers over 300 square kilometers. The scenery of the Ebro Delta is atypical of Spain's Mediterranean coastline. It is a very flat, almost treeless area of wetlands and farmland, with seemingly endless beaches and very little coastal development.
The only seaside population center along the east-facing part of the Ebro Delta region is a small settlement called Eucaliptus. Going northeast from Eucaliptus, there is a long beach that extends nearly 6 kilometers to the outlet of a riverlike channel of water called the Gola de Migjorn.★ Two beaches occupy this long expanse, and the dividing point between them is an irrigation canal. The beach closer to Eucaliptus is called Playa de Serrallo, and it extends about 3 kilometers. The beach closer to the Gola de Migjorn is called Playa de Migjorn, and it extends about 2.7 kilometers. It is possible to driving on the sand on both these beaches, and it is possible to get to one beach to the other via a short bridge over the canal that separates them. The municipality of Sant Jaume d'Enveja has designated a 500-meter-long stretch of beach for naturist use. The designated nude area is the southwesternmost part of Playa de Migjorn, on the northeast side of the canal that is the dividing point between Playa de Migjorn and Playa de Serallo. Although the nude area is technically part of Playa de Migjorn, is much easier to get there by going to Playa de Serallo, and it is possible drive all the way to the nude area without having to drive on the sand. Furthermore, the nude zone is more of a suggestion than a rule. Nudity is widely possible just about anywhere along the two beaches, keeping a reasonably discreet distance from the nearest textiles.
★ The Gola de Migjorn is a 3.8-kilometer-long channel of water that looks like a river but is really more like a very narrow lake. It follows what used to be the main course of the Ebro before the river carved a new route. At one end, the Gola de Migjorn is always connected to the Ebro. At the other end, the Gola de Migjorn only sometimes flows into the sea and is otherwise dammed by a shoal. lsla de Buda is the island that is bounded by the Ebro, the Gola de Migjorn and the Mediterranean Sea. The beach of Isla de Buda, which is over 5 kilometer long, has abundant nudist potential, but special arrangements are necessary to visit the island. See Isladebuda.es for more information.
Sant Jaume d'Enveja, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OzO8TO
40.7054N, 0.7109E (roundabout at kilometer 6.25 of TV-3403 near Sant Jaume d'Enveja)
The roundabout referenced above is just west of Sant Jaume d'Enveja. You have to pass through Sant Jaume d'Enveja to get to the beaches east of town, but the roads are not prominently signed. From the roundabout, take the departure signed Sant Jaume d'Enveja. In about 200 meters you will pass the small red-and-white Sant Jaume d'Enveja town sign, and an irrigation canal (sometimes dry) will be on the right-hand side of the road.
Continue 300 meters past the town sign to a roundabout that spans the canal. Take the departure signed Platges and Illa de Buda, staying straight ahead through the roundabout such that the canal remains on your right-hand side. Disregarding pedestrian bridges, continue 1.1 kilometers to the next automobile bridge that crosses the canal, at which point the road straight ahead is signed as a dead end. Turn right across the short bridge then immediately turn left. The canal should then be on your left-hand side.
About 900 meters farther on, as you leave behind the development of Sant Jaume d'Enveja you will pass a brown sign with an image of a sunbather that reads Delta de l'Ebre, El Montsià. After the sign, the rest of the drive to Playa de Migjorn or Playa del Serrallo is through flat, virtually treeless farmland with few prominent landmarks. 2.8 kilometers past the brown sign, watch on the right for a white house-like structure with a large sign that reads Zona Illa de Riu. From that point, watch the roads that veer off to the right, the first and second of which are gravel roads. Not quite 600 meters past the white house-like structure, the third road veering off to the right is an asphalted road with a 20 KPH speed-limit panel at its start.
Easiest access to designated nude area:
Turn right onto the road with the 20 KPH speed-limit panel at its start (40.6910N, 0.7792E). (There is a sign with an arrow pointing right toward Playa del Serrallo, but it is poorly placed such that you cannot read it until you are already past the turnoff.) After following the road for 3.8 kilometers, the pavement will end a bit before Playa del Serrallo. Just after the pavement ends, you will reach a four-way junction.★★ Turn left, following the sign that indicates a distance of 1.5 kilometers to platja naturista. You will be on a well-surfaced gravel road that runs alongside power lines, with Playa del Serrallo off to your right. In about 1.3 kilometers, you will reach the canal that separates Playa del Serrallo and Playa de Migjorn. Keep straight ahead over the narrow, very short concrete bridge that spans the canal, beyond which the road will become a bit more primitive. Over the next 400 meters, there are three side tracks going off to the right to the beach, and all of them land along the designated nude zone, which is an expanse of 500 meters. Parking next to the canal at the end of the first of those side tracks is located at 40.6711N, 0.8273E.
★★ If you keep straight ahead at the four-way junction, in about 200 meters the road will fade into the beach (40.6668N, 0.8138E), in the central area of the 3-kilometer-long expanse of Playa de Serallo. It is possible to drive along the beach going in either direction, and nudity is generally an option since Playa de Serallo is sparsely attended and often deserted.
Main access:
Instead of turning toward Playa del Serrallo, keep straight ahead on the main road, continuing to parallel the canal. 4.2 kilometers farther along, stay on the main road as it bends sharply to the right. At that point, you will begin heading away from the irrigation canal you have been following for a while, but a much smaller irrigation ditch will be to your immediate left. Also on your left, a riverlike channel of water called the Gola de Migjorn will soon come into view, and you will follow that channel all the way to the beach. 3.4 kilometers after the road bends, it ends at a dirt parking area at the far northeast end of Playa de Migjorn (40.6841N, 0.8531E).
There are lots of wooden picnic tables and barbecue grills in the parking area, which abuts the mouth of the Gola de Migjorn. Facing the sea, the land to the left on the other side of the waterway is Isla de Buda, where access is restricted. The designated nude area is about 2 kilometers to the right, and it is possible to drive along the beach. Nudity is also generally an option along most of Playa de Migjorn outside the designated nude area.
starting point:  Exit 41 (Amposta, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, N-340) of the AP-7 motorway near Amposta
Exit 41 is about 80 kilometers southwest of the city of Tarragona, and it is 22 kilometers northeast of the regional border of Catalonia and Comunidad Valenciana (which is the same as the Tarragona/Castellón provincial border). The exit is immediately northeast of where the motorway crosses the river Ebro. 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 Sant Carles de la Ràpita to negotiate your way through two roundabouts. When you leave the second roundabout, you should be heading south on N-340.
After following N-340 about 2 kilometers, you will cross over the Ebro. At the end of the long bridge over the wide river, take the exit for Els Muntells, Sant Jaume d'Enveja and Amposta. Follow the "U"-shaped exit ramp to a stop sign at a "T" junction. Turn right, toward Els Muntells and Sant Jaume d'Enveja. You will then cross under N-340 and as you head east on TV-3405.
Continue 3.8 kilometers to a small roundabout, then take the third departure to stay on TV-3405 toward Els Muntells and Sant Jaume d'Enveja. About 500 meters farther on, just past kilometer marker 5 of TV-3405, you will reach a fork where the routes to Sant Jaume d'Enveja and Els Muntells diverge. Keep straight ahead, toward Sant Jaume d'Enveja, Balada and Deltebre. (The road that veers off to the right continues to Els Muntells.) The road number will change to TV-3403.
6 kilometers farther on you will pass kilometer marker 6 of TV-3403, then a few hundred meters farther on you will reach the roundabout referenced at the start of the directions. Take the first departure of the roundabout to continue toward Sant Jaume d'Enveja, proceeding as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 41 toll plaza to parking (easiest access to designated nude area)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 41 toll plaza to parking (main access)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Migjorn.

Playa del Serrallo (sporadic nudity)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Migjorn

Sant Jaume d'Enveja town sign
This placemark pertains to Playa de Migjorn

roundabout spanning irrigation canal
This placemark pertains to Playa de Migjorn

brown "Delta de l'Ebre, El Montsià" sign

white house-like structure with "Zona Illa de Riu" sign

parking next to canal

parking area (driving along beach also possible)

road from Sant Jaume d'Enveja to Playa de Migjorn

side road to Playa del Serrallo

gravel road (up to canal) & dirt track (after canal)

dirt track

designated nude area, roughly

Comunidad Valenciana

Castellón

Playa del Riu de la Sénia

Playa del Riu de la Sénia
The Sénia River (el riu de la Sénia) flows into the sea at the border of Catalonia and the Valencian Community, which is the same as the provincial border of Tarragona and Castellón. South of the river, Vinaròs is the northernmost coastal town of Castellón and the Valencian Community. From the northernmost development of Vinaròs, it is a little over one kilometer to the Sénia, and along this stretch there is a series of picturesque beaches that are covered in pebbles, strewn with boulders and backed by low, rugged, orange-hued cliffs. The northernmost of these beaches, closest to the mouth of the river, is known as Playa del Riu de la Sénia, and it is frequented by nude bathers. The only easy access point to the beach is at its far north end at the river mouth. From a scree of boulders at the river mouth, the main expanse of the nude beach extends southward a little over 100 meters, appearing to end at another scree of boulders. However, if you scramble across those boulder you will find a hidden niche of the beach a bit farther south.
All the beaches that are between Vinaròs and the Sénia are sparsely attended and feel quite remote. There are usually just a handful of bare bathers. Going south from the nude beach, it is more than a kilometer to the nearest development in Vinaròs. Going north from the nude beach, the coastal area on the other side of the river in Tarragona is covered in farmland. While there generally is not a lot of foot traffic in the area around the river, the coastal path runs atop the cliff across the entire length of the nude beach, so there is little privacy from passersby.
Vinaròs, Castellón, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45i6qji
The nude beach is just south of the Sénia River (el riu de la Sénia), a shallow stream that typically has little water, and there are two ways to approach. For the shorter walk, you can park on the north side of the river and cross the river at its mouth, which is often shoaled. In other words, sand and gravel deposits often prevent the river from breaking through to the sea, so you may not even have to wade through any water. When the river does break through, it is usually very easy to cross. If you park south of the river, you will have to hike over a kilometer to the nude beach, but it is an easy and pleasant walk atop a low coastal cliff.
Option 1 (parking north of river)—Set your GPS device to:
40.5235N, 0.5143E (small seaside parking lot in an outlying area of Alcanar)
The parking area referenced above is along a minor road that belongs to the municipality of Alcanar. The road has no signage indicating a name or a number other than a few signs indicating that it is a rural municipal road (camí rural municipal). One segment of the rural road follows the north side of the Sénia and another segment follows the coastline. The small parking area is located at a sharp bend in the road, where the river flows into the sea. Both the river and the sea are in clear view from the gravel parking area, which is partially bordered by wooden post fencing.
Next to the parking area, follow the steps that descend into the gravel bed at the mouth of the river. You will land on the north side of the river. Continue straight across (i.e., to the right when facing the sea) to the south side of the river. As noted above, the river is often shoaled, so you may be walking on gravel along the sea side of the backed-up river, or there may be a bit of shallow water to hop across or wade through. At the south end of the river bed, there is a scree of boulders at the base of a low, crumbling cliff. Make your way around the boulders. The nude beach is just beyond the boulders. The total walk is just over 100 meters and takes just a few minutes.
The Sénia forms two borders. As you make your way to the nude beach, you will cross from Catalonia into the Valencian Community (which are neighboring autonomous communities), and you will also cross from Tarragona into Castellón (which are respectively the southernmost province in Catalonia and the northernmost province in the Valencian Community).
Option 2 (parking south of river)—Set your GPS device to:
40.5137N, 0.5091E (seaside parking lot at northern end of Vinaròs)
The seaside town of Vinaròs has uninterrupted development along about 9 kilometers of coastline. The parking lot referenced above is the northernmost seaside parking area in Vinaròs, where the development ends in a district named Deveses. It is an earthen lot that is partially surround by brick sidewalks, and the only signage is a blue-and-white "P" panel.
From the parking lot, it is a northward walk of 1.2 kilometers to the nude beach. The walk begins at a signboard at the north end of the parking lot (to the left when facing the sea). You will be following a broad coastal track that runs atop a low cliff, with the sea on your right-hand side, and you will pass several small beaches before you get to the nude beach. After walking about 600 meters, you will pass a small round building with an orange-tile roof that is on the right (coast) side of the track. Opposite the round building, you will see a palm-lined path leading to what appears to be a large private residence. Continue along the coastal track. About 300 meters farther along, the next landmark is a derelict and decaying house on the left (inland) side of the track. The house is surrounded by a low fence wall, and there are no other structures nearby. When you reach the derelict house, you will be roughly even with the south end of the nude beach. The nude beach can only be accessed from its north end, so keep walking. About 200 meters past the derelict house, you will reach the river mouth when you get to two park benches and a short stretch of wooden post fencing along the edge of the cliff. The park benches overlook the aforementioned scree of boulders at the north end of the nude beach. To access the beach, descend to the gravel river bed via a staircase that is slightly inland from the park benches, then make your way around the scree of boulders.
starting point:  Exit 42 (Vinaròs, Alcanar, Ulldecona, N-238) of the AP-7 motorway near Alcanar
Exit 42 is between kilometer markers 346 and 347, just south of the border of Catalonia and the Valencian Community (which is the same as the Tarragona/Castellón provincial border). 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, it is about 13 kilometers to the nude beach, and most of the drive is along partially limited-access highways that have both exit interchanges and regular junctions.
Just beyond the motorway toll plaza, stay straight ahead, following signs for Vinaròs and Alcanar. You will be filtered onto route N-238 heading southeast toward the coast, with the kilometer marker numbers descending. After following N-238 about 6.5 kilometers and after passing kilometer marker 3, you will enter a rather convoluted interchange with N-340. Follow signs for Tarragona to negotiate your way through the interchange. Once you leave the interchange, you will be going northeast on N-340, with the kilometer marker numbers ascending.
After following N-340 for 3.5 kilometers, shortly past marker 1057 you will come to an exit signed N-340a, Vinaròs, Carretera Costa. Whether or not you take the exit depends on whether you want to park north or south of the river.
To continue to parking north of the river:
Do NOT take the exit that is past marker 1057 of N-340. Continuing north, about a kilometer past the exit you will cross a short bridge over the Sénia. Along the bridge, there is a large green sign indicating you are entering Catalonia (Cataluña/Catalunya on the sign) and Tarragona. After the sign, continue about 200 meters and take the next possible right onto a minor, unmarked road that is immediately before a 100 KPH speed-limit panel. (You have missed the turn by about 400 meters if you reach marker 1059.)
Once you turn away from N-340, you will be on a very narrow and crudely surfaced road that bends a few times as it passes through an orchard, angling toward the river. In 500 meters, you will reach the start of a guardrail along the right side of the road. From that point, the road will run along the north side of the Sénia, with the (often dry) riverbed to your right. Continue about 400 meters, then turn right into a small gravel parking lot that overlooks the sea at the mouth of the river (just before the road bends sharply to the left and begins to follow the coastline). Proceed as directed above.
To continue to parking south of the river:
Take the exit that is past marker 1057 of N-340. You will enter a large roundabout that is on the coast side of N-340. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, taking the departure signed Carretera Costa. In 400-500 meters, the road will make a sharp rightward curve next to the sea. At the curve in the road, turn left and you will enter the northernmost seaside parking area in Vinaròs. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 42 toll plaza to parking (north of river)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 42 toll plaza to parking (south of river)
This placemark pertains to Playa del Riu de la Sénia.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Riu de la Sénia.

N-340 exit interchange signed "N-340a, Vinaròs, Carretera Costa"
This placemark pertains to Playa del Riu de la Sénia.

large roundabout (part of exit interchange)

border sign: Catalonia/Valencian Community & Tarragona/Castellón

northernmost seaside parking lot in Vinaròs

small round building

derelict house

two park benches

mouth of the Sénia River

small parking lot at river mouth

segment of rural municipal road

segment of road at north end of Vinaròs

clifftop coastal track

stairs & path to riverbed

Sierra de Irta Beaches

Sierra de Irta Beaches
The Sierra de Irta, or Serra d'Irta in the Valencian language, is a small range of mountains that span about 18 kilometers toward the northern end of the coast of Castellón. The coastal town of Peñíscola is wedged against the northern end of the Sierra de Irta, and the coastal town of Alcossebre is wedged against the southern end. The major roads through the area pass along the inland side of the Sierra de Irta, but there is also a narrow gravel road that hews toward the coast, linking Peñíscola and Alcossebre. The rocky and rugged coastline of the Sierra de Irta is pocked with a number of small beaches. Most of them are blanketed in pebbles. A few of them have sand. Playa del Russo and Playa del Pebret are generally regarded as the best beaches of the Sierra de Irta. These two small beaches are neighboring pockets of sand located within an expanse of just a few hundred meters, over 4 kilometers from the nearest asphalted road.
Nude bathing is common along the coastline of the Sierra de Irta, and nudists historically tended to go to Playa del Russo or Playa del Pebret back when the beaches attracted far fewer visitors than they do today. In 2002, most of the Sierra de Irta was declared a natural park, named Parque Natural de la Sierra de Irta in Spanish, or Parc Natural de la Serra d'Irta in Valencian. Since being designated a natural park, the Sierra de Irta coast gets far more visitors that it used to, and nudity has become such a rarity at Playa del Russo and Playa del Pebret that both have become de facto textile beaches, except occasionally on days when crowds are quite sparse.
Nudity is still possible along the Sierra de Irta coast, but these days there is not a single location that has a consistent nudist presence. Nudity occurs irregularly on a number of small beaches, and a preponderance of textiles can quash the nudist potential of any particular beach on peak summer days. However, the coastline is replete with tiny niches, so determined nudists can always find sufficient seclusion from the masses even on the most crowded days.
Eleven beaches are named above, in geographic order from north to south. The first four beaches are in the southern outskirts of Peñíscola but not within the boundaries of the natural park, and they are accessed from a dead-end gravel road. The other seven beaches are within the natural park, and all are accessed from the gravel road that hews toward the coast between Peñíscola and Alcossebre. The beaches and their nudist potential are summarized below as part of the driving directions.
40.3445N, 0.3878E (Cala Puerto Azul)
40.3365N, 0.3804E (Cala de Puerto Negro)
40.3310N, 0.3741E (Cala del Volante)
40.3078N, 0.3516E (Playa del Pebret)
40.3051N, 0.3519E (Cala de las Petxinas)
40.2909N, 0.3346E (Playa de la Basseta)
40.2782N, 0.3266E (Cala de l'Argilaga)
Peñíscola, Castellón, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47sAx9q
All the beaches referenced below are marked by small blue signboards.
To start from Peñíscola, set your GPS device to:
40.3587N, 0.3992E (Plaza de la Constitución in Peñíscola)
Plaza de la Constitución (or Plaça Constitució) is a large seaside roundabout next to Playa Sur, which is the more southern of the two major beaches of Peñíscola. Take the departure signed Parc Natural de la Serra d'Irta. Shortly after leaving the roundabout, the street will curve sharply leftward. Just beyond the curve, keep to the left (really just straight ahead) at a fork, then keep to the right at the next three-way junction. Shortly thereafter you will enter a small seaside roundabout. Keep straight ahead.
By the time you leave the small roundabout, the street will be named Carrer d'Irta. (Street signage is present but inconspicuous.) You will be going south along a rocky stretch of coastline, with the sea clearly visible to your left. Continue 1.3 kilometers and take note when you reach a prominent crosswalk. Just beyond the crosswalk, there are two small beaches over a span of less than 200 meters. Both are clearly visible from the road. The first is signed Cala del Moro, then the second is signed Playa de Santa Lucía. Immediately past Playa de Santa Lucía, there is an unsigned gravel road on the left.
To go to the first four beaches listed above:
Turn left onto the unsigned gravel road that is immediately past Playa de Santa Lucía. You will then be at the start of a 2-kilometer-long road that dead ends. Refer to "Dead-End Gravel Road" below.
To go to the other beaches listed above, starting with Cala del Volante:
Do NOT turn left onto the gravel road that is immediately past Playa de Santa Lucía. Continue along Carrer d'Irta. In 200 meters, there is another prominent crosswalk near a complex of apartments signed Residencial Edison. Keep straight ahead on Carrer d'Irta another 1.5 kilometers, then turn left at a cluster of Sierra de Irta signboards, among which is a sign pointing toward Torre Badum, Playa Russo and Playa Pebret. You will then be at the start of a road that winds along (or near) the coastline for over 13 kilometers, connecting to the seaside town of Alcossebre. Refer to "Coastal Park Road" below.
Dead-End Gravel Road:
The gravel road is 2 kilometers long, and it winds above four small beaches, all of which are less than 60 meters long. The road forks next to Cala d'Ordí. Keep to the right. The road will veer slightly inland before returning to the sea and continuing to the next two beaches. There is no parking lot. Informal parking is possible in a number of small dirt pullouts all along the road.
• km 0.00  start of dead-end road, at 40.3462N, 0.3888E
• km 0.20  Cala Puerto Azul
• km 0.66  Cala d'Ordí
• km 1.44  Cala de Puerto Negro
• km 1.95  Cala de L'Aljub
Cala Puerto Azul is across the road from the sea side of a complex of apartment buildings (Residencial Edison), and nudity is unlikely there. The other three beaches get irregular nude use and may be overrun with textiles on crowded summer days.
Shortcuts to Coastal Park Road:
Assume you explore the beaches along the dead-end road, then you want to start along the coastal park road. You do not have to backtrack all the way to the start of the dead-end road. From Cala de l'Aljub, backtrack about 100 meters and take the first possible left (inland) onto a narrow and rather rocky lane. In about 350 meters, the narrow lane will end at a "T" with Carrer d'Irta. Turn left, proceed 130 meters and take the next possible left, then you will be at the start of the coastal park road. (There is also a connecting lane from Cala de Puerto Negro to Carrer d'Irta.)
There is another shortcut available to bicyclists. Just inland from Cala de l'Aljub, there is a stone archway. Go through the arch and follow the broad path for 250 meters to its end at an identical stone archway. Once you emerge from the arch, you will be at the start of the coastal park road.
Coastal Park Road:
The coastal road of Sierra de Irta is a through road that is 13.3 kilometers long, connecting Peñíscola to Alcossebre. For the most part, the road is gravel, but there are some short segments where the road is paved. The road is passable to all vehicles, but some parts of the road are a bit rough and require slow maneuvering. Expect to pull to the side regularly to allow oncoming traffic to pass since the road is quite narrow in places. Also watch carefully for bicyclists. There are three small parking lots along the road, and the GPS locations of all three are referenced farther down. Otherwise, cars park informally at a number of small pullouts and short side tracks all along the coastal park road.
• km 0.00  start of coastal park road, at 40.3359N, 0.3739E
• km 0.56  access to Cala del Volante, at 40.3316N, 0.3726E
The short path to Cala del Volante is just over 100 meters long. The tiny beach is quite rocky, and it is potentially nudist but often just empty. Incidentally, Cala del Volante is much closer to Cala de L'Aljub than it is to any of the other beaches that are accessed from the coastal park road. (Following the rocky coastline, Cala del Volante and Cala de L'Aljub are just 300 meters apart.) When you pass the access to Cala del Volante, the park road will be just a bit above sea level, but as you continue along the road will gradually begin to gain elevation.
• km 1.52  start of stretch of wooden post fencing along coast side of road
The fence, which extends about 125 meters, is along the high point of the park road at about 75 meters above the sea.
• km 2.12  Torre Badum
Torre Badum is a historic cylindrical stone watchtower next to the road. After the tower, the road will make several switchbacks as it winds back downhill, leveling off a bit above sea level.
• km 3.45 to 4.35  road hews very close to rocky coastline
• km 4.35 to 4.63  Playa del Russo and Playa del Pebret
• km 4.66  small parking lot on coast side of road, at 40.3074N, 0.3510E
Playa del Russo and Playa del Pebret are small neighboring beaches located within an expanse of 300 meters, next to a small cluster of vacation houses and other structures. The area around the beaches is invariably the most congested part of the coastal park road, and on busy days there will be lots of cars parked along the road. Nudity used to be common at Playa del Russo and Playa del Pebret years ago, but the beaches have become way too popular to have a consistent nudist presence. Nudity now occurs rarely at these two beaches, with perhaps a few nudists present on weekdays outside of peak season.
• km 4.63 to 5.95  from Playa del Pebret to Playa de Irta
Along this stretch, this road hews slightly inland from the coastline, typically less than 100 meters from the sea. About 10 short side tracks connect the road to the sea. Starting at the parking area that is just south of Playa del Pebret, a boardwalk winds along the rocky coastline for nearly 500 meters (corresponding to km 4.66 to 5.11 of the coastal road). Just 35 meters long, Cala de las Petxinas is a small beach that is about halfway along the boardwalk (corresponding to km 4.90 of the coastal road), and it is often frequented by nudists. While Cala de las Petxinas may be overrun with textiles on peak summer days, it is always a better bet for nudity than nearby Playa del Russo and Playa de Pebret. If only textiles are present, explore the rocky niches south of the end of the boardwalk.
• km 5.95  Playa de Irta; small parking lot on inland side of road, at 40.2968N, 0.3459E
Playa de Irta is about 75 meters long, and it get some nude use even though it is fully visible from the coastal road.
• km 6.10 to 7.55  Playa de la Basseta
About 150 meters past Playa de Irta, the coastal road again begins to hew very close to the sea, running along the coastline for nearly 1.5 kilometers. This entire stretch is generally known as Playa de la Basseta, and it gets some nude use despite the proximity of the coastal road. Some parts of the beach are clearly visible from the road, but for the most part a thick line of scrubby bushes between the road and the beach serves as a partial privacy screen. From km 6.80 to 7.00, the continuity of the long beach is broken by a stretch where the coastline is rocky. The most scenic part of the beach is around km 7.20, where the road runs atop a low escarpment of orange-hued rock that provides a colorful backdrop to the beach. This also seems to be the most popular part of the beach.
• km 7.55 to 9.0  far south end of Playa de la Basseta to Cala de l'Argilaga
Along this stretch, the road meanders inland. The road at first goes gradually uphill away from the sea until km 8.38, then it begins going gradually downhill toward the sea. The driving distance between Playa de la Basseta and Cala de l'Argilaga is a few hundred meters longer that the walking distance following the rugged coastline. The rocky niches between the two beaches are secluded from the coastal road and replete with nudist potential.
• km 9.00  Cala de l'Argilaga; small parking lot on inland side of road, at 40.2791N, 0.3269E
As the coastal road approaches Cala de l'Argilaga, it is briefly paved (for 200 meters). The beach is about 150 meters long, and most of it is hidden from the coastal road. Low outcroppings of rock divide the beach into several niches. Nudity is common at Cala de l'Argilaga when it isn't too crowded, but the beach is sometimes teeming with textiles during peak season.
• km 9.00 to 13.30  Cala de l'Argilaga to end of coastal park road at junction next to Cala Blanca
Once the road turns to gravel again past Cala de l'Argilaga, it will again be veering away from the sea, and the road will remain a bit inland all the way to its end next to Cala Blanca. When you reach the end of the road at a junction with an asphalted road, the road to the right goes into Alcossebre while the road to the left goes about 600 meters to the Alcossebre lighthouse, where it dead ends. Along the final 4.3 kilometers of the coastal park road, there are a number of turnoffs toward the sea. Among those are the turnoff toward a block of seaside apartments named Prestige, at km 10.60, and the turnoff into Camping Ribamar, at km 11.70.
If you were to start at Cala de l'Argilaga and walk along the coastline all the way to the Alcossebre lighthouse, the trek of about 2.8 kilometers would take you directly past Prestige apartments then near Camping Ribamar, which is hidden in the trees slightly inland from the sea. Along this stretch, there are a number of small beaches, most of which seems to lack well-known proper names and several of which doubtlessly have nudist potential. We have omitted details of these particular beaches due to a dearth of reliable information.
To start from Alcossobre, set your GPS device to:
40.2590N, 0.2960E (start of coastal park road next to Cala Blanca in Alcossebre)
As you approach the GPS locations named above, you will be going north out of Alcossebre along an asphalted road that goes toward the Alcossebre lighthouse. Just past Cala Blanca (which is signed), veer left onto the gravel park road, where a sign points toward Camping Ribamar. (The asphalted road continues 600 meters, dead ending at the lighthouse.)
Below is a condensed description of the coastal park road (as detailed above, but going in the opposite direction). In other words, kilometer 0.00 below (approaching from Alcossebre) corresponds to kilometer 13.3 when approaching from Peñíscola.
• km 0.00  start of coastal park road, at location named above
• km 1.60  turnoff into Camping Ribamar
• km 2.70  turnoff toward Prestige apartments
• km 4.30  Cala de l'Argilaga; small parking lot on inland side of road
• km 4.30 to 5.75  Cala de l'Argilaga to far south end of Playa de la Basseta
• km 5.75 to 7.20  Playa de la Basseta
• km 6.10  most scenic and popular part of Playa de la Basseta
• km 6.30 to 6.50  continuity of Playa de la Basseta is broken by a rocky stretch
• km 7.35  Playa de Irta; small parking lot on inland side of road
• km 7.35 to 8.67  from Playa de Irta to Playa del Pebret
• km 8.19 to 8.64  boardwalk
• km 8.40  Cala de las Petxinas
• km 8.64  small parking lot on coast side of road
• km 8.67 to 8.95  Playa del Pebret and Playa del Russo
• km 8.95 to 9.86  road hews very close to rocky coastline
• km 9.86 to 11.18  uphill to Torre Badum, with several switchbacks
• km 11.18  Torre Badum
• km 11.66  start of stretch of wooden post fencing along highest segment of road
• km 12.74  access to Cala del Volante
• km 13.30  end of coastal park road at "T" with Carrer d'Irta
To continue to the dead-end road from which the other four beaches are accessed, turn right onto Carrer d'Irta, toward Peñíscola. In 1.5 kilometers, take note when you reach a crosswalk near a complex of apartments signed Residencial Edison. After the crosswalk, continue 200 meters and take the the next possible right (not counting gated driveways) onto an unmarked road immediately before Carrer d'Irta begins to run alongside the beach (Playa de Santa Lucía and Cala del Moro). Refer to "Dead-End Gravel Road" above.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS, APPROACHING FROM PEÑÍSCOLA
starting point:  Exit 43 (Peñíscola, Benicarló, N-340) of the AP-7 motorway near Peñíscola
Exit 43 is about 21 kilometers south of the regional border of Comunidad Valenciana and Catalonia (which is the same as the Castellón/Tarragona provincial border). 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, head toward Peñíscola. The first part of the route is rather convoluted and involves crossing over the motorway a couple of times. Just watch carefully for the Peñíscola signs and follow them, and ultimately you will end up on route CV-141. You will see kilometer marker 0 when you turn onto CV-141. From there, follow CV-141 toward the coast, keeping straight ahead through two roundabouts as you pass through the outskirts and then the town center of Peñíscola. About 6 kilometers from the start of CV-141, you will reach Plaza de la Constitución. From there, proceed as directed above.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS, APPROACHING FROM ALCOSSEBRE
starting point:  Exit 44 (Torreblanca, Alcossebre) of the AP-7 motorway near Torreblanca
Exit 44 is roughly halfway between the major town of Castellón de la Plana and the Castellón/Tarragona provincial border (which is the same as the Comunidad Valenciana/Catalonia regional border). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered first to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway and then to a large roundabout that forms the junction with route N-340. Take the roundabout departure signed Alcalà de Xivert, Tarragona and Alcossebre, then you will be filtered onto N-340 going north. Stay on N-340 for 4.7 kilometers, then take the exit signed Alcossebre, which is 750 meters past kilometer marker 1017.
Once you exit from N-340, you will be on CV-142 heading southeast toward the coast. In about 1.8 kilometers, you will cross under a railroad overpass. 600-700 meters farther on, you will reach a small roundabout. Take the second departure, which is signed Urbanización Las Fuentes, Ermita Santa Lucia and Parc Natural de la Serra d'Irta.
Once you leave the small roundabout, you will no longer be on a numbered road, and you will pass through Montemar and Las Fuentes, which are neighborhoods at the northern end of Alcossebre. Proceed 3.5 kilometers, keeping straight ahead through a couple of roundabouts (following brown Serra d'Irta signs at both) until you reach a "T" intersection where you have to turn one way or the other. At the "T" there are brown signs pointing both direction to Parc Natural de la Serra d'Irta. (There is both a coastal park road and an inland park road.)
Turn right at the "T" and proceed 200 meters to another "T," then turn left. At that point you will be on a road that parallels the coastline, with the sea to your right. In about 100 meters, the road will narrow as the speed limit slows to 30 KPH. 300 meters farther on, you will pass a small beach signed Cala Blanca. The beach is overlooked by a wooden platform with a couple of signboards with park maps. Immediately past the wooden platform, the road will fork. Keep to the left at the fork and you will be at the start of the coastal park road. Proceed as directed above.
[Note: There may be some linguistic variations of place names in signage you encounter along the route described above. Alcossebre and Alcocéber are the same place, as are Urbanización Las Fuentes and Urbanització les Fonts.]
MAP from AP-7 Exit 43 toll plaza to Cala de L'Aljub (at end of dead-end gravel road)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 43 toll plaza to start of coastal park road in Peñíscola
MAP from AP-7 Exit 44 toll plaza to start of coastal park road in Alcossebre
MAP of coastal park road from Peñíscola to Alcossebre
This placemark pertains to Sierra de Irta Beaches.

Plaza de la Constitución (large seaside roundabout)
This placemark pertains to Sierra de Irta Beaches.

small seaside roundabout
This placemark pertains to Sierra de Irta Beaches.

crosswalk

crosswalk near Residencial Edison

Cala del Moro (textile)

Playa de Santa Lucía (textile)

Cala Puerto Azul (likely all textile)

Cala d'Ordí (sporadic nudity)

Cala de Puerto Negro (sporadic nudity)

Cala de L'Aljub (sporadic nudity)

stone archway

Cala del Volante (usually deserted)

highest segment of coastal park road

Torre Badum

Playa del Russo (likely all textile)

Playa del Pebret (likely all textile)

small parking lot

Cala de las Petxinas (sporadic nudity)

Playa de Irta (sporadic nudity)

Playa de la Basseta (sporadic nudity)

Cala de l'Argilaga (sporadic nudity)

junction next to Cala Blanca

Alcossebre lighthouse

Ribamar Camping & Bungalows

Prestige apartments

coastal route going south out of Peñíscola (most of which is named Carrer d'Irta)

coastal park road (mostly gravel)

dead-end gravel road

shortcut road

shortcut path (no automobiles)

path to Cala del Volante

Playa de Cuartel Vell

Playa de Cuartel Vell
North of Castellón de la Plana, there is a wetlands preserve known as the Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca. The wetlands area is alternately known by the name Ribera de Cabanes, which is also the name of a small village just inland from the wetlands. The vast beach of the wetlands is composed of sand and small pebbles, and it extends from Torrenostra to Torre la Sal, which are coastal developments that are about 8 kilometers apart following the coastline. The wetlands beach is divided (seemingly arbitrarily) into four segments with proper names. Going from Torresnostra southward to Torre la Sal, those segments are Sud de Torreblanca, Cudolá, Cuartel Vell and Torre la Sal.
Nudity is possible along just about all of the long wetlands beach since there is no development between Torrenostra to Torre la Sal, and there are limited points of access. Nudists cluster along the Cuartel Vell segment since it is quite isolated yet directed accessible via a gravel road that goes all the way to the beach. Many bare bathers set up umbrellas and spread towels just steps from the parking area at the end of the road. Within about 300 meters in either direction, the beach tends to become deserted, but nudity is possible for about as far as you could care to walk. From the end of the gravel road, it is about 3 kilometers to Torre la Sal (to the right when facing the sea) and about 5 kilometers to Torrenostra (to the left).
Cabanes, Castellón, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47xw5X8
40.1645N, 0.1647E (start of unsigned road to beach, at kilometer 1003.9 of N-340 between Torreblanca and Benicàssim)
Casa Tere is an isolated hotel and restaurant located in the coastal outskirts of Cabanes, not near the commercial center of any town. Casa Tere is on the inland (west) side of route N-340, between kilometer markers 1003 and 1004, and it is the only commercial establishment between those markers. Directly opposite Casa Tere, there is a large asphalted lot on the coast (east) side of N-340 where big trucks (i.e., semis) are often parked. The minor, unmarked road to the beach begins at the north end of that parking area, next to a bus stop shelter.
Within 100 meters of turning onto the minor road, you will cross a short bridge over the railroad that runs parallel to N-340. 300-400 meters past the railroad, watch for an asphalted parking area along the left side of the road (40.1636N, 0.1701E). That should be a backup parking option (see note below).
Less than 200 meters farther along, the pavement will end at a "T" junction. Turn right onto the gravel road. (The road going off to the left at the "T" is a narrower track.) Continue not quite 200 meters to the next junction, which is a three-way junction. Turn left. Continue about 800 meters to the end of the road at an earthen parking area (40.1590N, 0.1808E). The parking area directly abuts the nude beach.
Note: Once the pavement ends at the "T," you will be on bumpy gravel roads that can be waterlogged after heavy rains. If you have doubts about driving on these roads, you can park in the aforementioned asphalted lot, from which the walk to the beach is 1.2 kilometers (about 15 minutes). Roadside parking is not advisable due to the marshy terrain.
starting point:  Exit 45 (Oropesa/Orpesa, N-340) of the AP-7 motorway near Oropesa del Mar
Exit 45 is about 23 kilometers northeast of Castellón de la Plana, between kilometer markers 406 and 408 (with marker 407 between the opposing exit lanes). 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 "T" junction with route N-340. Turn left at the "T," toward Torreblanca.
After following N-340 north just over 5 kilometers, you will enter a small community signed Ribera de Cabanes. 1.1 kilometers farther on, you will pass kilometer marker 1003, which is just past the sign that indicates you are leaving Ribera de Cabanes. About 800 meters farther on, watch for Casa Tere (the restaurant and hotel) on the left side of the road. Immediately past Casa Tere, turn right onto the unmarked road to the beach, then proceed as directed above. (You have missed the turn by about 100 meters if you pass marker 1004.)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 45 toll plaza to parking (next to beach)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Cuartel Vell..

This placemark pertains to Playa de Cuartel Vell.

Casa Tere restaurant/hotel
This placemark pertains to Playa de Cuartel Vell.

short bridge over railroad

asphalted parking area

minor roads to beach

Playa de Colomera-Bellver

Playa de Colomera-Bellver
Benicàssim and Oropesa del Mar are neighboring coastal towns located a bit north of Castellón de la Plana. Benicàssim in particular is a well-known beach resort. A 5.7-kilometer-long coastal path named Vía Verde connects the two towns. The path is a decommissioned segment of a railroad that has been converted to a trail for hikers and bicyclists. As it winds along the rugged coastline, Vía Verde goes past two small stone watchtowers that date to the 16th century: Torre de la Corda and Torre de la Colomera. The towers are about 2 kilometers apart. Torre de la Colomera—the more southwestern of the two—is situated below Urbanización Torre Bellver, a modern residential development with winding streets carved into the rocky hills. Going west (toward Benicàssim) from Torre de la Colomera, it is about 600 meters (as the crow flies) to a large seaside mansion. Along that expanse, there is a beach that is frequented by nude bathers. The beach does not seems to have a proper name. (Playa de Colomera-Bellver is just a makeshift coinage.)
The main area where nudists gather is a small sandy beach that is closer to the seaside mansion than to the watchtower. The sandy beach is roughly 100 meters long, backed up a low escarpment of red-orange clay. Between the sandy beach and the watchtower, there are several small niches where nudists are sometimes present. The nude beach near Torre de la Colomera is among the more obscure nude beaches of Spain, but just about everyone who finds their way to the beach opts to be naked. The beach is quite easy to access, but there are no signs pointing the way.
Oropesa del Mar, Castellón, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3sbGjft
40.0588N, 0.0995E (unsigned beach turnoff along Calle El Castaño in Urbanización Torre Bellver)
Urbanización Torre Bellver is a seaside residential area between Oropesa del Mar and Benicàssim. (It is part of Oropesa del Mar but closer to Benicàssim.) Calle El Castaño is a dead-end street that is just under one kilometer long. There are two crosswalks along the street, prominently painted on the asphalt and signed with blue-and-white panels. The first crosswalk is 350 meters from the start of the street, and the second crosswalk is 250 meters farther along, closer to the dead end of the street. The turnoff to the nude beach is at the first crosswalk, which is next to a boxy utility building. The turnoff is literally even with the crosswalk, and it will be a right turn as you head toward the dead end of the street. There are no signs at the turnoff, which is quite inconspicuous.
Once you turn, you will be on a narrow and crudely paved road that slopes slightly downhill. In less than 100 meters, the road will pass through a short and narrow arched brick tunnel under Vía Verde (a hike-and-bike trail along an old railroad route). Just beyond the tunnel, bear left onto a gravel road that will almost immediately branch into a maze of tracks. It doesn't really matter which one you follow since none of them go anywhere. The tracks wind through the scrub-covered plateau that is slightly above the nude beach, and cars park informally throughout the area. Assume you keep to the left at all forks once you emerge from the short tunnel. In about 300 meters, when the sea becomes clearly visible, you will reach a gravel clearing in the scrub forest (40.0574N, 0.1018E). The gravel clearing has the most space to park. Facing the sea at the gravel clearing, the main area of the small nude beach is a bit to your right, but there are also several small niches to your left (toward Torre de la Colomera, the stone tower that is several hundred meters away) that are typically deserted. The edge of the plateau above the sea is lined with reeds and bushes, and there are several opening in the vegetation through which you can access the beach, which is below a very low escarpment.
starting point:  Exit 45 (Oropesa/Orpesa, N-340) of the AP-7 motorway near Oropesa del Mar
Exit 45 is about 23 kilometers northeast of Castellón de la Plana, between kilometer markers 406 and 408 (with marker 407 between the opposing exit lanes). 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 "T" junction with route N-340. Turn right, following signs for Oropesa, Castelló and Valencia. You will then begin going southwest on N-340, with the kilometer marker numbers descending. In 3.7 kilometers, take note when you pass marker 993. About 300 meters farther along, keep straight ahead past the left-hand turnoff toward La Renega (a residential area). Continue less than 200 meters farther to the next junction and veer left onto the coastal route toward Benicàssim. (Signs leading to the turnoff read Benicasim per la costa and Benicàssim/Benicasim costa. There is a left-turn lane at the turnoff, and you have missed the turn by 500-600 meters if you reach marker 992.)
Once you turn away from N-340, you will be on a road that winds through hilly residential areas named Urbanización Torre Bellver and Urbanización Las Playetas as it heads toward Benicàssim. In 600-700 meters, you will cross over the AP-7 motorway (but there is no motorway interchange). 600 meters farther on, you will cross under a railroad. Less than 300 meters past the railroad underpass, you will enter a roundabout that lacks prominent signage but is distinctive for its median, which includes several short palm trees and manicured bushes along with a small replica of Torre de la Colomera (the cylindrical watchtower that is just east of the nude beach where you are heading). Take the third departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn).
When you depart the roundabout, you will be Carrer Posidonia. (There is a small blue street sign.) In less than 50 meters, take the first possible right onto a street with a bilingual blue street sign that names it both as Calle El Castaño and Carrer El Castanyer. Follow the street for 350 meters to the first crosswalk. Turn right at the crosswalk and you will be at the start of the beach access road. Proceed as directed above.
ALTERNATE PARKING AND ACCESS
Follow the directions above, but instead of turning at the first crosswalk, continue along Calle El Castaño/Carrer El Castanyer. 250 meters past the first crosswalk, you will pass another crosswalk. Just past the second crosswalk, the road will widen into a broad asphalted area before narrowing and continuing toward its dead end. Park in the widened area of the road (40.0585N, 0.1026E). Head toward the sea (which is visible from the road) along the dirt track that leaves from the far end of the widened area. In about 100 meters, the track will intersect Vía Verde. There are several upright posts along Vía Verde at the intersection. Keep straight ahead past Vía Verde and shortly you will be standing above the small niches that are between the nude beach and Torre de la Colomera. Facing the sea, the nude beach will be about 200 meters to your right, and you will pass through the gravel clearing (i.e., the informal parking area) as you head in that direction.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 45 toll plaza to parking (in gravel clearing)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Colomera-Bellver.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Colomera-Bellver.

roundabout with small replica of Torre de la Colomera

dead end of Calle El Castaño/Carrer El Castanyer

crosswalk next to boxy utility building

parking at gravel clearing

parking at widened area of Calle El Castaño/Carrer El Castanyer

Torre de la Colomera

Torre de la Corda

seaside mansion

largest of several small niches (potentially nudist, often empty)

main road through Urbanización Torre Bellver & Urbanización Las Playetas

Carrer Posidonia

Calle El Castaño/Carrer El Castanyer

inconspicuous, unsigned beach access road

Vía Verde (hiking & cycling path)

main area of nude beach

Playa de Beniesma

Playa de Beniesma
Moncofa is located along the far south of the coast of Castellón, and the Río Belcaire flows into the sea in the southern periphery of town. The beach that extends southward from the river mouth is Playa de Beniesma, so named for the Torre de Beniesma, a historic stone watchtower built directly on the beach in the intertidal zone. Very little of the tower remains other the ruins of the foundation. In 2016, the municipality of Moncofa designated part of Playa de Beniesma for naturist use. The nude area begins at the river mouth and extends southward a few hundred meters, ending a bit before the tower ruins. The beach is composed of small pebbles mixed with sand, and there are no amenities.
Around 2010, Moncofa embarked on a large residential development project, and much of the farmland along the coast near the river mouth was paved with a number of new streets. The project seems to have stalled, resulting in scattered apartment buildings amid vast tracks of vacant land. Just inland from the nude beach, there is a tract of about 40 acres with new streets that are lined with palm trees and street lamps, but the streets are barricaded and have remained devoid of structures for nearly a decade.
Moncofa, Castellón, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47nWvKN
39.7899N, 0.1443W (start of signed walking route to beach, at "T" intersection of Carrer Cádiz and Carrer Segovia in Moncofa)
Carrer Cádiz★ and Carrer Segovia are both short one-way streets in a relatively new seaside district of Moncofa. The neighborhood consists of several scattered multi-story apartment buildings amid blocks that are still vacant. Carrer Segovia is north of and parallel to the Belcaire River,★★ and there is a grassy open space between the street and the river, which are about 100 meters apart. Carrer Cádiz ends where it intersects Carrer Segovia, and straight ahead from that "T" there is sign indicating the walking route to the nude beach (acces peatonal platja naturista). There is streetside parking all along the river side of Carrer Segovia.
Starting at the "T," go down a short ramp into the open space, then turn left and head toward the sea along a broad dirt track. The track will curve toward the river after passing through a growth of reeds, then shortly you will cross a footbridge over the river. Immediately after the bridge, turn left and follow the path along the south side of the river. You will land on the nude area of the beach, which extends about 200 meters southward (to the right when facing the sea) from the mouth of the river. The total walking distance is about 550 meters.
★ Google Maps incorrectly labels Carrer Cádiz as Via Pista.
★★ The Belcaire is a small waterway that has been altered by human intervention. The often-dry riverbed is cemented over.
starting point:  Exit 49 (Vall d'Uixó, Nules, Moncofa, N-225, N-340) of the AP-7 motorway near Moncofa
Exit 49 is about 22 kilometers south of Castellón de la Plana, between kilometer markers 454 and 456 (with marker 455 between the opposing exit lanes). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the inland side of the motorway then to a large roundabout. Take the first departure, following the Moncofa sign. Shortly you will cross over the motorway and enter a smaller roundabout. Take the first possible departure (effectively a right turn), following the brown Playa de Moncofa sign. You will then be on a peripheral road that winds through farmland on the south side of Moncafa, bypassing the town center.
Follow the peripheral road 1.5 kilometers to the next roundabout, which has a small boxy utility building in the middle. Keep straight ahead, following another brown Playa de Moncofa sign. Continue 1.1 kilometers to the next roundabout, which also has a small boxy utility building in the middle. Take the first departure, following the Naranjos sign with a camping symbol. When you leave the roundabout, you will be on a street named Avinguda de les Corts Valencianes, and there is a small street sign.
Follow Avinguda de les Corts Valencianes not quite 200 meters. When you reach a crosswalk, which is signed and prominently painted on the pavement, turn left onto Carrer Granada. Proceed not quite 250 meters and take the second possible right onto Carrer Cádiz. Proceed less than 100 meters to the end of Carrer Cádiz at a "T" with Carrer Segovia. At that point, the signed access to the nude beach will be straight ahead. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 49 toll plaza to intersection of Carrer Cádiz and Carrer Segovia
This placemark pertains to Playa de Beniesma.

AP-7 Exit 49 toll plaza
This placemark pertains to Playa de Beniesma.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Beniesma.

footbridge over Río Belcaire

mouth of Río Belcaire

ruins of Torre de Beniesma

driving route

Valencia

Playa de Malvarrosa

Playa de Malvarrosa
Playa de Malvarrosa is the northernmost beach in the province of Valencia. A little over one kilometer long, the beach abuts Corinto, which is a seaside residential area of the town of Sagunto. The northern end of the beach, which is at the provincial border with Castellón, is the location of Camping Malvarrosa de Corinto. The southern end of the beach is formally signed for nude bathing. The nude area abuts a canal that separates Malvarrosa from the next stretch of beach to the south. While an area of small dunes behind the beach provides a bit of a privacy buffer from the nearby apartment buildings, the nude beach is surprisingly close to residential development. It is exceptionally easy to access, with a parking area that abuts the nudist zone, and signs along the main street through Corinto point the way to the nude beach. The beach is mostly covered in pebbles, and the nude area extends about 300 meters. A mobile snack vendor is often stationed in the parking area during summer.
Many place names in this area of Spain have Spanish and Valencian variants—Sagunto/Sagunt, Corinto/Corint and Malvarrosa/Malvasur. Furthermore, be aware that Malvarrosa is also the name of a large urban textile beach in the city of Valencia, about 35 kilometers south of the nude beach with the same name. To avoid confusion, the nude beach is often called Malvarrosa-Corinto to distinguish it from the urban textile beach.
Sagunto, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OSvlEp
39.7125N, 0.1936W (dead end of Calle Cisne in Corinto)
Calle Cisne is a short street that is about 300 meters long, and it ends at an earthen parking area that directly abuts the nudist zone of Playa de Malvarrosa. Pull-in parking is also possible along most of the length of the street leading up to its end. When you step onto the beach, you will be near the far south end of the nudist zone, where a canal flows into the sea. From the canal, the nude area extends north (to the left when facing the sea) about 300 meters.
starting point:  Exit 293 (Almenara) of the A-7 motorway near Almenara
Exit 293 is roughly 35 kilometers north of the city of Valencia at the provincial border of Valencia and Castellón. There are roundabouts on either side of the motorway that are part of the exit interchange, and you need to leave from the roundabout that is on the coast side of the motorway. If you were going north when you took Exit 293 (coming from Valencia, heading toward Castellón), you will already be on the coast side of the motorway. If you were going south when you took Exit 293, you need to cross under the motorway. From the roundabout on the coast side, you will see that there are two departures for route N-340 (one toward Almenara, the other toward Faura). However, you do not want either of those. Instead, take a minor departure of the roundabout that is between the two N-340 departures, marked by a camí/camino sign along with a sign pointing toward Platges/Playas.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be heading east on a minor road that does not have conspicuous street signage (but that is labeled Avinguda de la Vall de Segó on some maps). That road takes you all the way to the coast, passing through farmland and straddling the Valencia/Castellón provincial border. There is no development other than a few scattered houses. Before long you will cross over a railroad, then shortly thereafter you will cross over the AP-7 motorway (from which there is no direct access). A little over 4 kilometers from the roundabout, you will reach a stop sign at a four-way junction on the northern edge of Corinto (a subdivision of Sagunto). You will know you have reached the junction because you will suddenly see a multitude of signs straight ahead, both official signs and billboard advertisements.
Turn right at the stop sign, following signs pointing toward Platja Nudista and Farmacia. You will then be going south on Carrer del Cigne. (There is no sign indicating the street name where you turn.) In about 500 meters, just after the entrance into Camping Malvarrosa de Corinto, the street will become divided by a narrow median lined with shrubbery. About 600 meters farther on, the median will come to an end at a yield sign, immediately beyond which there is a three-way junction where the main road curves rightward. Turn left at that junction, following the brown Platja Nudista sign. Once you turn, you will be on Calle Cisne. Continue about 300 meters to the end of the street, the proceed as directed above.
MORE ABOUT THE MOTORWAYS
The A-7 and the AP-7 are interweaving motorways that sometimes share the same route. You need to be on the A-7 to get to Playa de Malvarrosa. The A-7 and the AP-7 are one and the same skirting the inland periphery of Valencia, and most signs refer to the coinciding route as the A-7. Going north on the A-7/AP-7, the routes will diverge north of the city (roughly 30 kilometers north of Valencia's airport). Stay on the A-7, then the next exit you can take is Exit 293.
Going south, you can follow the A-7 or the AP-7 toward Valencia. If you are on the A-7, just follow the directions above. If you are on the AP-7, take Exit 49 (Vall d'Uixó, Moncofa), which is about 20 kilometers south of Castellón de la Plana. All exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the inland side of the motorway. After the toll plaza, watch for signs pointing toward N-340 and Valencia and follow those. After negotiating your way through a few roundabouts and interchanges, you should begin heading south toward Valencia on N-340. In about 10 kilometers, you will pass kilometer marker 942, then you will reach the second exit for Almenara, having already passed the first Almenara exit. Do NOT take either Almenara exit. Stay straight ahead and shortly you will enter a roundabout. That roundabout is part of the A-7 Exit 293 interchange, which is described above, and you should see that two of the roundabout departures are signed for the A-7. Take the fourth departure of the roundabout, which is the minor exit signed for Platges/Playas, then continue as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Malvarrosa.

4-way junction at north end of Corinto
This placemark pertains to Playa de Malvarrosa.

yield sign at 3-way junction
This placemark pertains to Playa de Malvarrosa.

Camping Malvarrosa de Corinto

Carrer del Cigne

Calle Cisne

Playa de Pinedo, Playa del Saler & Playa de la Devesa

In the city of Valencia, the Túria River empties into the sea just south of the city's huge port. From the river mouth, a huge stretch of sandy beach extends southward more than 8 kilometers until the beach is interrupted by a channel of water called the Gola del Pujol. Even though it is one continuous beach, it has two names. The northernmost few kilometers is generally known as Playa de Pinedo, while the rest of the beach—a much longer expanse—is known as Playa del Saler. The point where Pinedo blends into El Saler seems indefinite, and there are further subdivisions of Pinedo and El Saler that have lesser known proper names, but in general it is just Pinedo and El Saler, and there are nude beaches associated with each.
The nude beach of Pinedo is located toward the southern end of the Pinedo area, along a stretch of beach that is also known as Playa de l'Arbre del Gos. The nude area is roughly 600 meters long, a short walk from large parking lots that are near either end. A prominent landmark at the southern end of the nude area is a tall industrial chimney that is the only remaining structure of a large factory that has been dismantled. Looking north from the beach, the view is even more industrial. The huge metal contraptions of Valencia's mammoth port are just over 3 kilometers away (as the crow flies). The Pinedo nude beach is considered the gay beach of Valencia. Gay men tend to occupy the southern end of the nudist zone, close to the chimney, while the northern end of the nudist zone is more mixed. Snack stands and toilets are located in textile areas at either end of the nude beach.
The main textile beach of El Saler begins about 1.3 kilometers south of the Pinedo nude beach. The signs pointing to Playa de Saler lead to this textile beach, which is 1.5 kilometers long, with multiple parking lots and four restaurants: La Viña at the north end; La Dehesa José Luis and La Dehesa Joaquín Castelló in the middle; and Arrocería Duna at the south end. The nude beach associated with El Saler is a bit south of the textile beach. In 2008, the city of Valencia designated an 800-meter stretch of beach for nude bathing, beginning a bit south of Arrocería Duna restaurant and extending toward a cluster of apartment towers. However, it seems that a flap over the nude area being too close to the apartments resulted in all the signage being taken down. Nude bathing still occurs, with most nudists gathering a few hundred meters south of Arrocería Duna (on the northern end of what used to be signed as the nudist area). The quickest way to reach the nude beach is to bypass the textile beach of El Saler altogether, instead approaching via a dead end road that goes north past the aforementioned apartment towers. The road ends in a parking lot that is just steps from the nude beach. The apartment towers are along a segment of beach that is called Playa de la Garrofera, so that name is sometimes applied to the nude beach as well.
Playa de la Devesa is farther south than Playa de Pinedo and Playa del Saler. It begins at the mouth of the Gola del Pujol (the canal that connects the Albufera lagoon to the sea) and extends southward 5 kilometers to the mouth of another canal called the Gola del Perellonet. (El Perellonet, the southernmost section of Valencia, is beyond the canal.) This long stretch of sandy beach is backed by a forested nature preserve. The only automobile access to La Devesa is near its far north end, while all the other roads through the nature preserve are closed to motorized vehicles. The only commercial development along La Devesa is Parador El Saler, a small resort surrounded by a large golf course toward the south end of the beach. Besides the resort buildings, the only structure near the beach is Casal d'Esplai, an old police barracks that is just inland from the central area of the beach (south of the automobile access but north of the golf course). La Devesa is far more sparsely populated than the beaches closer in to Valencia, making it ideal for nude bathing, especially if you prefer more separation from textile crowds. The northernmost 500 or so meters of the beach tends to be all textile. This is the part of the beach that is backed by a small artificial lake. Nudity is generally possible going south from the lake, although there are a few areas where discretion is necessary. Summer youth programs are held at Casal d'Esplai, so nudity is best avoided in that area during summer when school is not in session. (Casal d'Esplai can be seen from the beach. Watch for a broad, sandy path leading up to a structure that looks like a grand mansion.) Farther south, nudity should also generally be avoided next to the golf course, but few beachgoers are likely to venture that far anyway. Beyond the golf course, there is nearly a kilometer more beach extending south to the Gola del Perellonet. That part of the beach is typically completely deserted, but nudity is certainly possible if you are inclined to venture that far. Most nudists at La Devesa cluster toward the northern end of the long zone of potential nude use, near the small lake and the automobile access. The beach has no amenities.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Pinedo, Playa del Saler and Playa de la Devesa.

Playa de Pinedo
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Pinedo, Playa del Saler and Playa de la Devesa.)
Valencia, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
There are 50 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Pinedo, Playa del Saler and Playa de la Devesa.

Playa del Saler
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Pinedo, Playa del Saler and Playa de la Devesa.)
Valencia, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
There are 50 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Pinedo, Playa del Saler and Playa de la Devesa.

Playa de la Devesa
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Pinedo, Playa del Saler and Playa de la Devesa.)
Valencia, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
There are 50 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Pinedo, Playa del Saler and Playa de la Devesa.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OR521x
To go to Playa de Pinedo (north end approach), set your GPS device to:
39.4089N, 0.3339W (entrance to parking lot at Parc Litoral Pinedo-Saler in Valencia)
The parking lot referenced above is a huge asphalted lot, and it entrance is located at a roundabout. When you enter the lot, you will be at its north end. Drive all the way through the lot to park as far south as possible. Heading toward the sea from the south end of the parking lot, you will land on the beach next to a small first aid building (marked by a red cross). Facing the sea, turn right and look south. In the distance you will see a tall industrial chimney, the only remnant of an otherwise dismantled factory. The chimney is 800 meters from the first aid building, and that expanse contains the nudist zone of Playa de Pinedo. You will generally encounter the first nudists within a few hundred meters of the first aid building, with a higher proportion of nude bathers as you get closer to the chimney, which is roughly where the beach becomes textile again.
To go to Playa de Pinedo (south end approach), set your GPS device to:
39.3978N, 0.3308W (entrance to parking lot at Col-Legi in Valencia)
The parking lot referenced above is built around a roundabout. When you enter the roundabout, there are lots of parking spaces to your right and to your left, accessed from the first and third departures. The second departure (straight ahead) goes to a smaller number of parking spaces (including a few handicap spaces) that are just steps from the beach. The parking spaces closest to the beach are next to a distinctive but disused boat-shaped building and a restaurant named Arroceria L'Estibador. Facing the sea, walk to the left a short distance to the start of the nude area at the industrial chimney.
To go to Playa del Saler, set your GPS device to:
39.3710N, 0.3213W (parking lot at northern end of Avenida Gola del Puchol in Valencia)
The parking lot referenced above is the northernmost of several beach parking lots along Avenida Gola del Puchol, and it is located at the point where a chain across the road blocks automobiles from proceeding farther. From the parking lot, it is a short walk out to nude area of the beach via a boarded walkway over the dunes. Most nudity occurs in the immediate vicinity of the parking lot at the dead end of the road. Going north on the beach (to the left when facing the sea), nudity is possible for a short distance since it is just a few hundred meters to the far south end of the main textile beach of El Saler. (The textile part of the beach is not accessed from Avenida Gola del Puchol.) Going south on the beach (to the right when facing the sea), the limit of the nude area is much more ambiguous. Nudity may occur for several hundred meters, almost all the way to the part of the beach that aligns with the closest of the nearby apartment towers.
To go to Playa de la Devesa, set your GPS device to:
39.3455N, 0.3163W (four-way crossroads at end of Playa de la Devesa access road in Valencia)
The road to Playa de la Devesa is about 700 meters long. The automobile-accessible portion of the road ends at a four-way crossroads where the road that continues straight ahead is blocked by chains, as are the roads going off to the right and to the left. All three chained roads are former automobile roads that are now closed to motorized traffic, except for authorized vehicles. There is no parking lot, but it is possible to park at various points along the road leading up to the crossroads.
Standing at the crossroads with your back to the end of the automobile road, the road straight ahead has a sign pointing toward Casal d'Esplai, and that road runs parallel to the beach a bit inland from the beach. The road to the right goes away from the beach. The road to the left follows a rather circuitous route that makes a number of curves—first following the shoreline of a small lake that is just inland from the beach, then curving southward parallel to the beach, then curving inland and connecting to the Casal d'Esplai road at another crossroads farther south. There are two basic ways to get to the beach: the lake road (to the left from the crossroads), and the Casal d'Esplai road (straight ahead from the crossroads). The vaguely defined nude area is over 2 kilometers long. Most nude bathers cluster toward the northern end of that stretch, with the beach becoming more and more deserted going south. The lake road provides the quickest access to the area where nudists cluster, while the Casal d'Esplai road leads to an area farther south where visitors are much more dispersed.
First, assume you follow the lake road. Shortly the road will begin to skirt the shoreline of the small lake, with the lake on your left-hand side. Once you have walked 600 meters, you will be beyond the lake, and you will reach a three-way junction near the beach where a short spur road goes off to the left. If you follow the spur road, in about 150 meters you will land on the beach toward its north end, 300-400 meters south of the mouth of the Gola del Pujol canal. The northernmost 500 or so meters of the beach tends to be textile. Facing the sea, go right and within a few hundred meters you are likely to encounter nudists, with the area of potential nude use extending southward for more than 2 kilometers. If you stay on the lake road past the spur road, you will be going south parallel to the beach on the inland side of the dunes. Over the next 500 or so meters, there are several sandy paths that go over the dunes to the nude area of the beach. Shortly after the lake road curves inland into a grove of trees, it will intersect the Casal d'Esplai road at another four-way crossroads that is 500-600 meters south of the crossroads at the parking area. The total distance along the lake road from one crossroads to the other is 1.4 kilometers, and the walking distance from the parking area to the area where most nudists cluster is about 900 meters.
Next, assume that you follow the Casal d'Esplai road through the coastal forest. In 500-600 meters you will reach another four-way crossroads (with the lake road to the left). Keep straight ahead a little over 600 meters farther to a prominent fork, then keep to the left. After the fork, you will begin angling toward the beach. In about 300 meters you will pass Casal d'Esplai, which is an old barracks building that resembles a large mansion. After Casal d'Esplai, the road morphs into a broad sandy track that continues about 150 meters out to the beach. The total walk from the parking area to the beach via the Casal d'Esplai road is 1.7 kilometers, and when you land on the beach you will be about 1.8 kilometers south of the mouth of the Gola del Pujol canal. Casal d'Esplai is in the central area of a zone of potential nude use that extends over 2 kilometers, going north toward Gola del Pujol and south toward Parador El Saler, a resort that is surrounded by a large golf course that abuts the beach. An important caveat: there are summer youth programs at Casal d'Esplai. Anytime there is activity there, nudity is best avoided in the immediate vicinity of Casal d'Esplai. (Go at least 100 meters in either direction from where the track lands on the beach.)
starting point:  Exit 0B (El Saler, Sueca) of the eastbound (i.e., coastbound) side of the V-30 motorway in Valencia
The V-30 is a 17-kilometer-long motorway through the western and southern sides of the city of Valencia that basically functions as a partial ring road. The V-30 begins on the west (inland) side of Valencia at the A-7 motorway (at Exit 326 or 328 of the A-7, depending on which way you are going) and goes southeast to the coast, terminating at the city's large port at the mouth of the Túria River. The kilometer and exit numbers decrease going east toward the coast. For the first 5 or so kilometers from the A-7, the opposing lanes of V-30 traffic are side by side, then the motorway splits such that the eastbound lanes (going toward the coast) run along the south side of the Túria and the westbound lanes (going inland) run along the north side of the Túria. Shortly after the split, the motorway will have two sets of lanes going in the same direction: inner express lanes (closer to the river) and outer lanes. Approaching the end of the motorway, the last exits before the port are Exit 1, Exit 0B (El Saler, Sueca)and Exit 0A (Pinedo), and you need to be in the outer lanes to access Exit 0B. If you are already in the outer lanes as you near the end of the motorway, Exit 1 will be signed Castellar and Oliveral. Do NOT take Exit 1 from the outer lanes. Keep straight ahead and take the next exit, which is Exit 0B (El Saler, Sueca). If you are in the inner motorway lanes, Exit 1 will be signed Pinedo, Saler and Valencia-Este, and you do need to take Exit 1. Once you exit, you will merge into the outer lanes. Shortly after merging, take Exit 0B (El Saler, Sueca).
All Exit 0B traffic is filtered onto route CV-500 going south, and you will pass kilometer marker 1 as you merge into the highway.
To continue to Playa de Pinedo, via the "Pinedo" exit of CV-500:
From kilometer marker 1, follow CV-500 about 2 kilometers and take the first possible exit, which is signed Pinedo. The exit, which exists only for traffic going south, is almost a full kilometer past kilometer marker 2, and you will see marker 3 as you depart the highway. The exit ramp loops over CV-500 to a roundabout on the coast side of the highway. Which departure of the roundabout you take depends of whether you want to approach the nude area of the beach from the north end or from the south end. (The south end is the gay area of the beach.)
To approach from the north end, take the first departure of the roundabout. There is no signage with words, but there are two symbols: one indicating an eatery and another indicating a beach. Almost immediately you will reach another roundabout. Take the first departure (not counting the gated entrance into Autocine Star, a drive-in movie theater), which is signed Parc Litoral Pinedo-Saler. You will then enter a huge asphalted parking lot next to the beach. Proceed as directed above.
To approach from the south end, make almost a complete circle and take the third departure of the roundabout, which is signed Valencia and El Saler. Just after leaving the roundabout, the road will fork. BE ABSOLUTELY SURE to keep to the left, following the El Saler sign. (The other fork goes back onto CV-500 toward Valencia.) After the fork, you will be filtered onto a street named Carrera del Riu, going south. (There is no signage indicating the name of the street.) The street runs parallel to the coast side of CV-500. Once you merge into Carrera del Riu, continue about a kilometer to the next roundabout. Take the second departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), following signs for Col-Legi and the wetlands center (Centro Nacional de Humedales). Go toward the coast about 150 meters and you will reach another roundabout in the beach parking lot. Proceed as directed above.
To continue to Playa de Pinedo, via the "Platges del Saler" exit of CV-500:
From kilometer marker 1, follow CV-500 about 3.3 kilometers and take the second possible exit, which is signed Platges del Saler. The exit, which exists only for traffic going south, is about 300 meters past kilometer marker 4. The exit ramp loops over CV-500 to a roundabout on the coast side of the highway. Take the third departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), following the sign for Pinedo. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be going north on Carrera del Riu. Continue 900 meters to the next roundabout, which is just past the entrance into Coll Vert Camping. If you take the first departure and head toward the coast, you will reach the parking area at the southern end of the nude area (next to Arroceria L'Estibador and the boat-shaped building). Or, keep straight ahead on Carrera del Riu. Continue north another 1.3 kilometers then take the first departures of each of two nearby roundabouts, then you will enter the huge parking lot at the north end of the nude area (signed Parc Litoral Pinedo-Saler).
To continue to Playa del Saler:
From kilometer marker 1, follow CV-500 south about 5.5 kilometers to the first roundabout (a large roundabout between markers 6 and 7). Take the second departure to keep straight ahead, continuing along CV-500 toward La Devesa. Continue 2 kilometers to the next roundabout (a small roundabout between markers 8 and 9). Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed Platja Garrofera and Urb. Les Gavines.
Upon leaving the roundabout, proceed about 400 meters and take the first possible left at a three-way intersection. (There is a short left-turn lane.) Continue another 400 meters to a "T" intersection, where Hotel Sidi Saler (closed since 2011) will be directly in front of you. Turn left again. At that point, you will be on Avenida Gola del Puchol. You will be going north through a wide-open landscape, with the sea off to your right. You will begin to pass several beach parking lots (all to your right) and a cluster of five apartment towers (all to your left, at varying distances from the road). In about 700 meters, take note when you pass the last (i.e., northernmost) of the apartment towers. About 700 meters farther along, the road will curve sharply to the right then dead end at a parking lot. Proceed as directed above.
To continue to Playa de la Devesa:
From kilometer marker 1, follow CV-500 south about 5.5 kilometers to the first roundabout (a large roundabout between markers 6 and 7). Take the second departure to keep straight ahead, continuing along CV-500 toward La Devesa. Continue 2 kilometers to the next roundabout (a small roundabout between markers 8 and 9). Take the first departure to keep straight ahead, continuing along CV-500 toward El Palmar and Perellonet. About 1.1 kilometers after the roundabout you will cross a bridge over one end of the Gola del Pujol canal. (The bridge is about 700 meters past marker 9.) As you go across the bridge, to your immediate right you will see a large inland body of water (the Albufera lagoon), and to your left you will see a small dam, beyond which the canal extends toward the sea in the distance.
Just past the bridge, immediately at the point where the guardrails end, there is a road going off to the left. Ultimately, you need to turn onto that road, but there is a sign indicating that a left turn is prohibited (although possible). Unless you are a scofflaw, you will need to continue straight ahead until you reach a point where you can turn around. Once you are backtracking, going north toward Valencia, turn right at the brown Playa de la Devesa sign just before the bridge over the canal.
Once you turn away from CV-500, you will be on a beach access road that will soon become divided by a tree-lined median. In 300-400 meters, the road will bend sharply to the right. 300-400 meters farther on, you will reach the end of the automobile-accessible portion of the road at a four-way crossroads. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from V-30 Exit 0B to parking (Pinedo, at Parc Litoral Pinedo-Saler, via Pinedo exit of CV-500)
MAP from V-30 Exit 0B to parking (Pinedo, at Col-Legi, via Pinedo exit of CV-500)
MAP from V-30 Exit 0B to parking (El Saler)
MAP from V-30 Exit 0B to parking (La Devesa)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Pinedo, Playa del Saler and Playa de la Devesa.

kilometer marker 0 of CV-500
This placemark pertains to Playa de Pinedo, Playa del Saler and Playa de la Devesa.

kilometer marker 1 of CV-500

kilometer marker 2 of CV-500

roundabout along Carrera del Riu
This placemark pertains to Playa de Pinedo.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Pinedo.

Autocine Star (drive-in movie theater)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Pinedo.

first aid center

roundabout amid large parking area

Arroceria L'Estibador restaurant

Coll Vert Camping

La Viña restaurant
This placemark pertains to Playa del Saler.

La Dehesa José Luis restaurant
This placemark pertains to Playa del Saler.

La Dehesa Joaquín Castelló restaurant
This placemark pertains to Playa del Saler.

Arrocería Duna restaurant

roundabout between km 6 & 7 of CV-500

roundabout between km 8 & 9 of CV-500

Hotel Sidi Saler (closed)

cluster of 5 apartment towers

northernmost parking lot at dead end of road

bridge over Gola del Pujol
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Devesa.

no left turn for traffic going south
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Devesa.

mouth of Gola del Pujol canal
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Devesa.

small lake

Casal d'Esplai (summer youth center in old barracks building)

Parador Nacional de El Saler (golf resort)

mouth of Gola del Perellonet canal

segment of CV-500

exit ramp, Pinedo exit of CV-500

exit ramp, Platges del Saler exit of CV-500

segment of Carrera del Riu

roads to parking area

road to parking area

roads through Les Gavines area

La Devesa access road

lake road (no motorized vehicles)

spur road to beach (no motorized vehicles)

Casal d'Esplai road (no motorized vehicles)

area of most nude use

nude area, very roughly

Playa del Mareny de Sant Llorenç

Playa del Mareny de Sant Llorenç
Platja del Mareny de Sant Llorenç (or, in Spanish, Playa del Marisma de San Lorenzo) is a 2.5-kilometer-long segment of beach on the northern outskirts of the town of Cullera, about 35 kilometers south of the city of Valencia. The beach is continuous with Playa del Dosser (the next beach to the south) and Playa del Mareny Blau (the next beach to the north). All these segments are part of a very long, broad, sandy beach that is backed by dunes. The far south end of El Mareny de Sant Llorenç is designated for nude use. Because the nudist zone is in the area where the beach somewhat arbitrarily changes names, it often gets called Playa del Dosser as well.
The nude beach is 700 meters long and marked by Platja Naturista signs at both ends, and it is very easily accessible from its own parking area. From there, a short path over the dunes leads to the central part of the nudist zone, where there are a couple of outdoor showers. A snack stand is set up during summer, and sun chairs and umbrellas can be rented. Looking south (to the right when facing the sea), there is a multi-story beachfront apartment building in the near distance, and the nude area ends a bit before that structure. To the north, there is a longer expanse with no beachfront development. There is typically a mix of nudists and textiles along this popular beach, but there is enough space that it is rarely overcrowded.
Cullera, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qs58TN
39.2019N, 0.2415W (turnoff to beach at kilometer 6.5 of CV-502 north of Cullera)
There is no official signage marking the beach access road, but Playa Naturista is spray painted in large letters on a cement fence wall at the turnoff. Upon turning, you will be on a minor road that bends sharply a number of times as it winds through orchards. In about a kilometer, keep to the right at a fork. (The other fork is signed as a dead end.) 400-500 meters farther on, the road ends in an earthen parking area (39.2087N, 0.2354W). From there, a short boardwalk goes over the dunes to the beach, landing roughly in the center of the designated nudist area, which extends several hundred meters in either direction.
starting point:  Exit 59 (Cullera, Favara) of the AP-7 motorway near Favara
Exit 59 is about 45 kilometers south of the city of Valencia. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Just beyond the toll plaza, keep straight ahead, following the sign for Cullera and Sueca. You will be filtered onto route N-332 going north.
There are two exits signed Cullera along N-332. In 2.3 kilometers, stay on N-332 past the first Cullera exit, which is an atypical left-hand exit at kilometer marker 247. About 4 kilometers farther on, take the second Cullera exit, which is a regular right-hand exit that is nearly a full kilometer past marker 250 and just before marker 251. Upon exiting, keep straight ahead at the roundabout that is at the end of the exit ramp, continuing toward Cullera.
In 800-900 meters you will reach another roundabout, next to Eroski and Lidl supermarkets and a McDonald's restaurant. Take the fourth departure, which is signed Valencia (Saler), CV-502, Parque Acuático and Platges-Far. As you leave the roundabout, the Lidl supermarket should be on your right-hand side. Continue 200-300 meters to the next roundabout and take the second departure, which is signed Valencia. Upon leaving the roundabout, you should be going north on CV-502.
Follow CV-502 for 3.2 kilometers to the next roundabout, which is 300 meters past kilometer marker 7. The roundabout forms the junction of CV-502 and CV-503. Take the second departure of the roundabout to stay on CV-502 toward Valencia. (CV-503 goes toward a lighthouse called Faro de Cullera.)
Upon leaving the roundabout, continue not quite 200 meters and turn right onto the first side road, where Playa Naturista is spray painted on a cement fence wall. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Mareny de Sant Llorenç.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Mareny de Sant Llorenç.

roundabout between km 7 & 6 of CV-502
This placemark pertains to Playa del Mareny de Sant Llorenç.

Ciudad Luz (multi-story apartment building)

segment of CV-502

road through orchards to beach

boardwalk & path over dunes

Playa de L'Ahuir

Playa de L'Ahuir
Toward the far south of the province of Valencia, the large town of Gandia and the much smaller town of Xeraco are located close to one another, and the main part of each town is a bit inland from the coast. Each town has a highly urbanized associated beach community, respectively called Playa de Gandia and Playa de Xeraco. These beach communities are full of hotels and apartments. The northernmost beachfront development of Playa de Gandia and the southernmost beachfront development of Playa de Xeraco are about 2 kilometers apart. The quieter beach occupying the space between the developed areas is called Playa de L'Ahuir. The immediate backdrop of the sandy beach consists of dunes and flat farmland, but from the beach there are fantastic view of imposing mountains that are just a few kilometers inland. L'Ahuir is quite a broad beach. At low tide, it is over 50 meters from the dunes to the water's edge.
Roughly the southern half of Playa de l'Ahuir (the half closer to Gandia) is a regular textile beach, then there are a couple of special interest zones going north toward Xeraco. First there is a dog beach, indicated by Playa Can signs. (Can is a shortened version of canino, the word for canine.) Beyond the dog beach there is an area designated for naturist use. About 300 meters long and signposted at both ends, the nude area is toward the northern end of the beach, a few hundred meters south of the mouth of a small river called the Río Vaca (alternately known as the Río de Xeraco). Playa de Xeraco lies just north of the river. The main access to Playa de L'Ahuir is from a parking lot that is roughly at the midpoint of the beach. The lot can hold at most 100 cars, and parking is prohibited along the narrow road leading up to it. If the lot is full, there is an alternative access via a road that runs alongside the Río Vaca, landing at the far north end of the beach. From either access, it is a walk of about 400 meters to the nude area, and a network of boardwalks over the dunes and along the beach makes getting around easy. There are outdoor showers at regular intervals along the beach, including a couple in the nude area. During summer, a snack stand is usually set up at the main access, and it is a short walk from the nude area to a few snack stands at the southern end of Playa de Xeraco, on the other side of the river. The river is shallow and frequently dammed by a shoal at its mouth, so there is often no water to cross.
Gandia, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DRzP7U
39.0246N, 0.1871W (turnoff toward beach at kilometer 16.2 of CV-605 north of Gandia)
The turnoff referenced above is an inconspicuous beach access road. The only signage present at the turnoff is a panel indicating that parking along the side of the road is prohibited and that violators will be towed. Follow the very narrow but paved road 600-700 meters to its end at a parking lot (39.0279N, 0.1807W). The parking lot is a 160-meter-long gravel area that extends in either direction from the end of the road, and there are three boardwalks over the dunes that connect the parking lot to the beach. From the end of the northernmost of the boardwalks (i.e., the one farthest left when facing the sea), it is a northward walk of about 300 meters to the start of the nude area, which is signed at either end.
starting point:  Exit 60 (Tavernes, Gandia, Xeresa, Xeraco) of the AP-7 motorway near Xeresa and Xeraco
Exit 60 is about 60 kilometers south of the city of Valencia. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Just beyond the toll plaza, keep straight ahead, following the sign for Xeresa, Tavernes and Valencia. You will cross under an overpass then enter a roundabout. Take the first departure of the roundabout, following the sign for Xeresa and Valencia.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be going south, and ultimately you need to go left at the next four-way intersection, but a sign prohibits a direct left turn. Proceed 150 meters to the intersection, which is immediately past an Orangefres warehouse. Turn right (toward Xeresa) at the corner of the warehouse. Shortly you will cross under an overpass and enter a roundabout. Make a complete loop through the roundabout and backtrack, crossing back under the overpass then continuing straight across the four-way intersection. At that point, you will have accomplished the "left" turn, and you should immediately cross a railroad.
Beyond the railroad, you will be heading toward the coast on a narrow, unnumbered road through farmland. (It is Camí Marenys on some maps, but there is no signage.) Follow the road a little over 2 kilometers to its end at a stop sign at a "T" junction with route CV-605. At the "T," turn right (south) onto CV-605, following the sign that points toward Grau de Gandia. In about 100 meters you will pass kilometer marker 16. About 200 meters farther on, turn left onto the inconspicuous beach access road, then proceed as directed above.
Note: You have missed the turn by 700-800 meters if you pass marker 17. There is a roundabout just past marker 17 where you can turn around. The turnoff you want is the only asphalted side road between markers 16 and 17 that is not marked as a private road or by "do-not-enter" panels.
ALTERNATE APPROACH
The directions above lead to parking south of the nudist zone of the beach. It is also possible to park north of the nude area. Follow the directions above until you get to the stop sign at the "T" junction with route CV-605. At the "T" junction, turn left (north) onto CV-605, following the sign that points toward Platja de Xeraco. Proceed 2.4 kilometers to a large roundabout that is 500-600 meters past kilometer marker 14. The roundabout has a sailboat in its median with Xeraco on the sail. Take the third roundabout departure, following the fuchsia sign for Torre de Guaita. In about 100 meters you will reach a stop sign at a "T" junction. Turn right, following another Torre de Guaita sign. From that point, you will be following a small river called the Río Vaca (a.k.a. the Río de Xeraco) for the remainder of the drive. The river will be on your left-hand side. Shortly after turning at the stop sign, you will cross under two overpasses in quick succession. 200 meters farther on you will pass Torre de Guaita, a small stone defense tower dating to the 16th century. 1.1 kilometers farther on, keep straight ahead past a narrow bridge that spans the river, just beyond which the road will turn to gravel. 500 meters farther on, the road will end. There is no parking lot. Park alongside the road (39.0363N, 0.1871W). Straight ahead from the end of the road, a boardwalk takes you over the dunes, and you will land on the beach next to the mouth of the Río Vaca. Facing the sea, turn right. In about 300 meters you will reach the start of the nude area, which is signed at either end.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 60 toll plaza to parking (in gravel lot)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 60 toll plaza to parking (next to Río Vaca)
This placemark pertains to Playa de L'Ahuir.

This placemark pertains to Playa de L'Ahuir.

roundabout with sailboat in median

long gravel parking lot

Torre de Guaita (stone tower in ruins)

segment of CV-605

road to central parking area

road along Río Vaca (a.k.a. Río de Xeraco)

boardwalk over dunes

Alicante

Cala de Aigua Dolç

Cala de Aigua Dolç
Les Rotes is a residential area at the southeast end of the city of Dénia. The main road into Les Rotes is about 2.5 kilometers long, and there is a small textile beach (Playa Les Rotes) just before the end of the road. After the textile beach, automobile access becomes restricted, then the road dead ends just a bit farther on. From the end of the road, several flights of stairs wind down to Cala de Aigua Dolç, which is a gathering place for nudists. It is a tiny, hidden cove located in a stunning and scenic setting at the base of a steep cliff. There is actually no beach at all. The stairs land just steps from the sea. Visitors spread out on a cluster of boulders, and most of them go nude. While Cala de Aigua Dolç is a charming little niche, it isn't the most comfortable place for sunbathing. The cove is directly below the Torre del Gerro, a 16th century stone watchtower perched over 100 meters above the sea.
Denia, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qrlXyl
38.8230N, 0.1593E (mini-roundabout near end of CV-7340 in Les Rotes)
Les Rotes is the southeasternmost neighborhood of Dénia, and the entire neighborhood is something of a cul-de-sac. CV-7340 (a.k.a. Carretera Provincial del Barranc del Monyo) is the only road that goes into Les Rotes, and it does not connect to any through roads. CV-7340 comes to an end just past the mini-roundabout referenced above, which is next to the sea. There is room for about a dozen cars to park around the mini-roundabout. There are also a few small parking niches along the last 250 meters of CV-7340 leading up to the mini-roundabout, but overall parking space is rather limited.
From the mini-roundabout, continue on foot along the road, such that the sea is on your left-hand side. You will immediately pass the walkway that goes down to a small textile beach called Playa Les Rotes. Stay on the road. Shortly you will pass signs indicating that vehicles may proceed no farther and that the road dead ends. About 200 meters from the mini-roundabout, you will reach the dead end of the road, at which point you will be about 35 meters above sea level. From there, a staircase with handrails winds down to Cala de Aigua Dolç.
starting point:  Exit 62 (Ondara, Dénia, Jávea/Xàbia, N-332) of the AP-7 motorway near Ondara
Exit 62 is roughly halfway between the city of Valencia and the city of Alicante. (On signage, Jávea and Xàbia are just linguistic variants of the same town.) Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. From there, continue straight ahead. Route CV-725 takes you all the way to Dénia.
About 6 kilometers after leaving the toll plaza, you will reach the edge of Dénia, then for the next few kilometers you will have to negotiate your way through the roundabouts and junctions of the dense town center in order to connect to the coastal road. At first, follow signs pointing toward the city center (centre ciutat). When you begin to see signs pointing toward Les Rotes and Xàbia, follow those. You can also watch for yellow signs pointing toward the ferry port to get to the coastal road.
When you reach the road that runs along the coastline, turn right, continuing to follow signs for Les Rotes and Xàbia. You will be in the vicinity of the large ferry port and marina. Once you are beyond (i.e., south of) the ferry port and marina, the coastal road will become route CV-736, and you will pass kilometer marker 0. From there, continue another kilometer and watch for kilometer marker 1. Just 100 meters past marker 1, the lanes of the road will split apart to accommodate turning lanes in the middle. Turn left, following the sign for Les Rotes.
Immediately after you turn, you should pass in front of a prominent arched gate with a Salones El Poblet sign. You will be at the start of a road numbered CV-7340, which is the main road through the neighborhood of Les Rotes. In just under a kilometer, the opposing lanes of traffic will temporarily split and you will cross a short bridge, immediately past which there is a five-way junction next to kilometer marker 1. Keep slightly to the left to stay on CV-7340. About 1.2 kilometers farther on, the sea will come into view (on your left) as you pass Restaurante Mena. About 250 meters past the restaurant, you will reach the mini-roundabout referenced above. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Cala de Aigua Dolç.

This placemark pertains to Cala de Aigua Dolç.

arched gate signed "Salones El Poblet"
This placemark pertains to Cala de Aigua Dolç.

Restaurante Mena

parking area at mini-roundabout

Playa Les Rotes

no vehicles beyond this point

Torre Gerro (16th century watchtower)

stairs to sea

Playa de Ambolo

Playa de Ambolo
Toward the northeastern end of the coast of the province of Alicante, Cap de la Nau is land mass that projects eastward toward Ibiza. Part of the town of Xàbia, the cape is an area of exceptionally dramatic and beautiful coastal scenery, and it is blanketed with plush villas of several affluent residential areas. Playa de Ambolo is deeply tucked away in Cap de la Nau, about 10 kilometers southeast of the center center of Xàbia.
Ambolo is a narrow, mostly rocky beach with some patches of sand, spanning about 120 meters at the base of cliff. The beach has spectacular views of the rugged seascape. Looking to the right when facing the sea on the beach, there is a rocky land mass that appears to be a peninsula but is actually a long, narrow island that is just offshore. The entirety of Playa de Ambolo is signed for nude use, but the beach is frequented by a mix of nudists and textiles. From the closest parking, it is a downhill trek of about 300 meters to the beach—first along a road with a steep grade then along a long staircase with a handrail. There are no amenities.
Finding your way to Playa de Ambolo can be challenging since is so deeply embedded in a residential area full of winding roads, so be sure to follow the directions carefully. Most place names on signs in the area tend to be posted in Valencian (a variety of Catalan), but sometimes Spanish variants are listed as well. For example, Xàbia (Valencian) is also Jávea (Spanish) and Cap de la Nau (Valencian) is also Cabo de la Nao (Spanish).
Xàbia, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KE2v8y
38.7315N, 0.2222E ("T" junction of Calle Giuseppe Verdi and Calle Richard Wagner in Xàbia)
The junction named above is in the Cap de la Nau neighborhood of Xàbia (a.k.a. Jávea). Calle Richard Wagner is a short street that dead ends at both ends, and the only access to the street is from Calle Giuseppe Verdi. When you reach the "T," turn right onto Calle Richard Wagner then immediately look for parking along the side of the street. About 250 meters from the "T," there is a barricade along Calle Richard Wagner that prevents cars from going farther, and that is the way to the beach (38.7316N, 0.2193E). (Just before the barricade, there is a very short dead-end street named Calle Samuel Adler that goes downhill to the left, and parking is available along that street. On crowded days, expect to look for parking along nearby residential streets. There are no parking lots near the beach.)
From the barricade, continue on foot along Calle Richard Wagner. You will be going downhill, and 150 meters past the barricade you will reach the western dead end of the street. From there, a long staircase with a handrail descends to the beach. There are about 150 steps. You will land at the narrow and very rocky eastern extreme of the beach. Facing the sea, the terrain becomes more hospitable about 100 meters to your right.
starting point:  Exit 63 (Benissa, Teulada, Gata de Gorgos, N-332) of the AP-7 motorway near Benissa
Exit 63 is about 70 kilometers north of the city of Alicante and about 100 kilometers south of the city of Valencia. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. A bit beyond the toll plaza, the road will split into two lanes. Keep straight ahead, staying in the left lane. You will then be filtered onto route N-332 northbound, heading toward Teulada and Gata de Gorgos.
Stay on N-332 about 2.8 kilometers to a roundabout that is about 500 meters past kilometer marker 181. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), which is signed Teulada, Moraira and Benitatxell. You will then be at the start of CV-740, and you will pass a large sign welcoming you to Teulada as you leave the roundabout. Stay on CV-740 through Teulada, going toward Benitatxell (a.k.a. Benitachell), then follow signs toward Moraira and Xàbia as you pass through Benitatxell. About 6.7 kilometers from the start of CV-740, just after passing through Benitatxell and 700 meters past kilometer marker 6, turn right at the sign pointing toward Cansalades. (The turnoff is immediately past a furniture store called Devygar, which is prominently signed. If you pass kilometer marker 7, you have missed the turn by about 300 meters.)
After turning, you will be at the start of a road numbered CV-747. Follow the road in a generally northeasterly direction for 4.6 kilometers to a stop sign that is 600 meters past kilometer marker 4. (It is the only stop sign you will encounter along the road.) Turn right at the stop sign. You will then be on Camí Cabanes going east, but there is not a visible street sign. Continue 300 meters to a roundabout. Take the second departure (staying straight ahead), following the sign for Cap de la Nau and Granadella.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on a road numbered CV-742, which is the main road that winds through the affluent residential area at the south end of Xàbia. Watch the kilometer marker numbers, which get higher the farther you go. 200 meters from the roundabout, you will pass marker 4. Another 500-600 meters farther on, keep straight ahead through another roundabout, continuing toward Cap de la Nau and Granadella. 5.4 kilometers farther on, take note when you pass marker 10.
After marker 10, continue 500-600 meters and watch for a large blue-and-white Miradors de Xàbia sign with an arrow pointing right toward Ambolo,★ but do NOT turn there. Continue about 25 meters farther and take the next possible right thereafter, where there are a couple of signs pointing toward Playa de Ambolo. (One is a blue-and-white sign that reads Xàbia, Cala Ambolo and the other is a brown sign that reads Platja d'Ambolo. If you pass marker 11, you have missed the turn by 400 meters.)
Upon turning, you will be on a street named Calle Igor Stravinski. Proceed 250 meters to the next junction, then veer right onto Calle Giuseppe Verdi. Continue downhill another 300 meters to the "T" with Calle Richard Wagner, then proceed as directed above.
★ The side street that is immediately before the beach turnoff is called Carrer Torre d'Ambolo, and it leads to the Ambolo scenic overlook. It is worth going to the overlook for the incredible views, but be aware that Carrer Torre d'Ambolo is not the road to the beach.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 63 to parking While this is not the shortest possible route, it is the route that is easiest to follow, involving the fewest turns and avoiding minor roads.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Ambolo.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Ambolo.

Torre Ambolo scenic overlook

Cap de la Nau lighthouse

segments of C. Igor Stravinski, C. Giuseppe Verdi, C. Richard Wagner & C. Samuel Adler

Carrer Torre d'Ambolo

final segment of C. Richard Wagner & long staircase

Playa del Moraig

Playa del Moraig
Benitachell (or, in Valencian, El Poble Nou de Benitatxell) is a town that is toward the northeastern end of the province of Alicante, and Cumbre del Sol is a modern residential development within Benitachell that is chock-full of villas that slope down the coastal mountains toward the sea. Playa del Moraig is located in Cumbre del Sol, but the extreme geography of the beach is such that beachgoers are scarcely aware of the nearby proliferation of pricey real estate. The beach is at the base of a very dramatic cliff, with a perfect view of a prominent headland that is a bit north of the beach, and you'd be hard pressed to find a beach anywhere with a more stunning backdrop. El Moraig is very easily accessible since the parking lot literally abuts the beach. There is a snack bar as well as chair and umbrella rentals. The triumvirate of exceptional beauty, easy access and amenities means that this 200-meter-long beach can get very crowded even though its sand is very pebbly.
Although Playa del Moraig is often touted as a nude beach, it really depends on the crowd, and nudists are always a minority. When the beach isn't so crowded, there tends to be more nudity. When the beach is packed, nudists are a small minority. In either case, any nude bodies on the beach will be at the extreme northeast end, away from the parking lot.
North and east of Playa del Moraig, nearby Cala de los Tiestos (or, in Valencian, Cala dels Testos) is just 40 meters long, and this hidden beach usually has just a smattering of visitors even when Moraig is packed. The catch is that access is challenging, requiring a hike through a boulder-strewn ravine with three places where ropes assist the descent. Nudity is well established at Los Tiestos.
38.7106N, 0.1672E (Playa del Moraig)
38.7121N, 0.1713E (Cala de los Tiestos)
Benitachell, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47nfYuW
38.7161N, 0.1666E (start of long parallel parking row along main road through Cumbre del Sol)
Part of the town of Benitachell, Cumbre del Sol is a huge residential development covering several square kilometers, with multiple terraces of dwellings cascading down a mountain toward the sea. There are no signs with street names, and maps differ in the naming of the main road through Cumbre del Sol. Along your most likely approach to the location referenced above, you will have passed through the small commercial center of Cumbre del Sol (where a small supermarket and pharmacy are located), and you will be going downhill toward the sea. In that case, the parallel parking row will be on the right side of the road. At the start of the parking row, there is a blue-and-white "P" panel with the words en linea. The parking row extends along the road for 400 meters, and it is a backup parking option for really crowded days. If it isn't that crowded, keep driving to park closer to Playa del Moraig or Cala de los Tiestos.
To go to Playa del Moraig:
Immediately past the end of the parallel parking row, the road forks next to a prominent bus stop. Keep straight ahead on the left fork, following the Playa Moraig arrow on a large INFO sign. (The right fork goes uphill.) From the fork, the road goes steeply downhill about 500 meters to a small seaside parking lot (38.7084N, 0.1663E). From the parking lot, a ramp descends to the southwest end of Playa del Moraig. Walk all the way across the 200-meter-long beach to the small nude area at it northeast end.
The seaside parking lot has a limited capacity, but there is also parking along the road that leads to the lot. Just watch for posted restrictions.
To go to Cala de los Tiestos:
Just before the parallel parking row comes to an end near the prominent bus stop where the road forks, there is a large Ruta dels Testos signboard on the left side of the road (38.7125N, 0.1673E). That is where the hike to Cala de los Tiestos (a.k.a. Cala dels Testos) begins. The closest parking is at the end of the parallel parking row or next to the bus stop, where there is an asphalted area with about a dozen parking spaces.
The hike to Cala de los Tiestos is challenging, and you must be physically fit. Do not plan to cart any heavy supplies, and wear sturdy shoes, not flip-flops or sandals. From the signboard, stairs descend into a ravine, and from there is a hike of 400 meters through the ravine to the beach. The distance is fairly short, but the ravine is strewn with boulders, which makes for slow hiking. Furthermore, there are three steep places where there are ropes to assist your descent. Allow about 20 minutes for the hike.
Note: Next to the parking spaces at the bus stop, there is a broad gravel road with posts at its start to block vehicular access. That is NOT the way to Cala de los Tiestos. The gravel road leads about 150 meters to a scenic overlook that is perched above the sea between Playa del Moraig and Cala de los Tiestos.
starting point:  Exit 63 (Benissa, Teulada, Gata de Gorgos, N-332) of the AP-7 motorway near Benissa
Exit 63 is about 70 kilometers north of the city of Alicante and about 100 kilometers south of the city of Valencia. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. A bit beyond the toll plaza, the road will split into two lanes. Keep straight ahead, staying in the left lane. You will then be filtered onto route N-332 northbound, heading toward Teulada and Gata de Gorgos.
Stay on N-332 about 2.8 kilometers to a roundabout that is about 500 meters past kilometer marker 181. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), which is signed Teulada, Moraira and Benitatxell. You will then be at the start of CV-740, and you will pass a large sign welcoming you to Teulada as you leave the roundabout. Stay on CV-740 through Teulada, going toward Benitatxell (a.k.a. Benitachell). In 5 kilometers, you will have just entered Benitachell when you pass kilometer marker 5. Continue another 700-800 meters, then veer right at signs pointing toward Cumbre del Sol and Cala Moraig. (If you pass marker 6, you have missed the turn by about 250 meters.)
Once you veer away from CV-740, you will be at the start of the road that goes all the way to Playa del Moraig, and along the way you will pass through Cumbre del Sol, a huge residential development of houses built into a mountainside. At first you will be going uphill, and in about 2.3 kilometers you will enter Cumbre del Sol just past a well-signed sales information center. Shortly after you enter Cumbre del Sol, the road will begin to wind gradually downhill. 500-600 meters past the information center, you will reach a three-way fork. Stay straight ahead on the middle road. About a kilometer farther along, you will pass a small commercial center named Adelfas (on the left), where there is a supermarket and several other shops.
750 meters past Adelfas commerical center, you will reach a "T" where the main road bends sharply to the left, continuing downhill. Turn left to stay on the main road. About 50 meters farther along, you will reach the blue-and-white "P" parking panel that marks the start of the parallel parking row along the right side of the road. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 63 toll plaza to parking (seaside lot at Playa del Moraig)
This placemark pertains to Playa del Moraig.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Moraig.

start of road to Cumbre del Sol
This placemark pertains to Playa del Moraig.

Cumbre del Sol sales information center

Adelfas commercial center (grocery shop, etc.)

seaside parking lot

"Ruta dels Testos" signboard

bus stop

start of long parallel parking row

Cala de los Tiestos (nudist)

road through Cumbre del Sol

path through ravine

Playa de la Solsida, Playa del Mascarat Norte & Cala de la Barra Grande

On the northeastern end of the town of Altea, toward the next town of Calp, there are three beaches that are visited by nude bathers. These beaches are within a span of 1.7 kilometers as the crow flies.
Playa de la Solsida is the closest of the beaches to Altea. It begins at a small marina called Mar y Montaña and extends northeastward about 500 meters. The narrow beach is distinctive for a couple of reason. It is mostly blanketed by decomposing seagrass that has a mulch-like appearance, and—going away from the marina—beautiful red cliffs rise up behind the northeast end of the beach. Nude bathers gather along the part of the beach that is below the red cliffs, and the steepness of the cliffs provides seclusion from the residential area that is atop the cliffs. The beach has no amenities.
A bit closer to Calp, Playa del Mascarat Norte is a pebble beach that is about 200 meters long. A large marina called Campomanes is a bit beyond the west end of the beach. Just east of the beach, a rocky peninsula that is covered in trees juts about 200 meters into the sea. The beach is exceptionally easy to access, with adjacent parking. El Mascarat Norte has a custom of bare bathing that predates the residential development that pervades the surrounding area. In the mid-00's, construction began on a huge apartment development named Mascarat Beach, which directly abuts the beach. Prior to the beachfront development, there was a mix of nudists and textiles at El Mascarat Norte. In the ensuing years, the beach has trended more and more textile. With the parking area, the apartments and a restaurant respectively overlooking the western, central and eastern areas of the beach, no part of the beach provides seclusion. Nudists now tend to be a rather small minority, and on crowded days the beach may be entirely textile.
From Playa del Mascarat Norte, it takes just a few minutes to hike to Cala de la Barra Grande, which is on the other side of the aforementioned peninsula. La Barra Grande is a pebble beach that is about 50 meters long, and it too is overlooked by development. A large complex of apartments named Panorama is built into the hillside just above the beach, and La Barra Grande is also visible from the street that runs above the apartments. As is the case with El Mascarat Norte, La Barra Grande once had a good bit more nude use that it does presently, but nude bathing still occurs sporadically.
The Altea beaches are set along a very beautiful stretch of coastline, but none are particularly renowned among the nude beaches of Alicante, and all are rather minor among the nude beaches of Spain. Of the three, Playa de la Solsida is the most secluded and has the most consistent nudist presence.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Solsida, Playa del Mascarat Norte and Cala de la Barra Grande.

Playa de la Solsida
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de la Solsida, Playa del Mascarat Norte and Cala de la Barra Grande.)
Altea, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
There are 23 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de la Solsida, Playa del Mascarat Norte and Cala de la Barra Grande.

Playa del Mascarat Norte
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de la Solsida, Playa del Mascarat Norte and Cala de la Barra Grande.)
Altea, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
There are 23 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de la Solsida, Playa del Mascarat Norte and Cala de la Barra Grande.

Cala de la Barra Grande
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de la Solsida, Playa del Mascarat Norte and Cala de la Barra Grande.)
Altea, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
There are 23 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de la Solsida, Playa del Mascarat Norte and Cala de la Barra Grande.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/449qxiz
To go to Playa de la Solsida, set your GPS device to:
38.6265N, 0.0177W (bend of road in Isla de Altea neighborhood of Altea)
Isla de Altea is the name of a small neighborhood of apartment buildings toward the northeast end of Altea, next to a marina called Puerto Mar y Montaña. The main road into the neighborhood makes a 90° rightward bend at a small circle about 75 meters before the road comes to dead end at an even smaller circle. Access to the beach begins at the circle where the road bends, and there is streetside parking leading up to the circle and beyond the circle extending to the dead end of the road.
At the circle where the main road bends, there is a narrow asphalted road with circular blue-and-red "no parking" panels at its start. The walkway down to the beach is on the right immediately at the start of the narrow asphalted road. The walkway, which has a wooden handrail along one side, is about 100 meters long, making a gentle descent to the beach. Facing the sea, turn to your left and walk north along the shoreline about 200-300 meters. When the cliffs start to rise behind the beach, you will be at the area where nudists gather.
To go to Playa del Mascarat Norte and Cala de la Barra Grande, set your GPS device to:
38.6307N, 0.0012E (gravel beach parking lot on east side of Puerto Campomanes marina between Altea and Calp)
The parking area referenced above is next to a large apartment building named Mascarat Beach, which is a white, multi-story structure with an "L" shape. The parking area directly abuts the west end of Playa del Mascarat Norte. There is sporadic, irregular nude use along the entire beach, which is less than 200 meters long, but nudists are more likely to be present toward the east end (to the left when facing the sea).
On the east end of Playa del Mascarat Norte, there is a small, rocky, tree-covered peninsula. Cala de la Barra Grande is wedged into the other side of the peninsula where the peninsula attaches to the mainland. To get there, go to the restaurant (Chiringuito Mascarat) that is near the far east end of Playa del Mascarat Norte, then head toward the peninsula on the broad dirt path that is slightly uphill from the inland side of the restaurant. Shortly you will be walking alongside the foundation wall of a large apartment building named Panorama. As you near the far end of the building, Cala de la Barra Grande will come into view. A dirt path goes downhill to the beach. From the restaurant, the walk to the beach is about 250 meters.
starting point:  Exit 64 (Altea, Calpe, Callosa d'En Sarrià, N-332) of the AP-7 motorway near Altea
Exit 64 is about 50 kilometers northeast of the city of Alicante. (Coming from Alicante, it is the next exit after the two Benidorm exits.) 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 straight ahead. In about one kilometer, you will see a large panel indicating the upcoming interchange with route N-332. Stay straight ahead to access N-332 northbound, following the sign for Calpe and Valencia. (The other direction goes to Altea and Alicante, which is not what you want.) Just under a kilometer farther, you will merge into N-332.
To continue to Playa de la Solsida:
Once you merge into N-332, the turnoff toward Playa de la Solsida is the next possible right you can make. After just 300-400 meters on N-332, turn right at the sign for Isla de Altea and Portosenso. (You have missed the turnoff by 250 meters if you pass kilometer marker 162.) You will then enter Isla de Altea, a small neighborhood of apartment buildings. In about 200 meters, the road bends 90° rightward at a small circle. Proceed as directed above.
To continue to Playa del Mascarat Norte and Cala de la Barra Grande:
Once you merge into N-332, proceed about 1.2 kilometers and watch for Mas y Mas supermarket on the right (600 meters past kilometer marker 162). Turn right directly in front of the supermarket, following signs for Altea Hills, Mascarat and the marina (puerto deportivo). Very shortly after turning, be sure to stay on the main road as it curves sharply to the left at a three-way junction. 100-200 meters farther on, you will reach a yield sign at a mini-roundabout. Keep to the right, following the signs for Mascarat and the marina. About 400 meters farther on, the road will bend sharply to the left and begin to run along the seafront. The sea will be in full view (on your right-hand side) for 400-500 meters, then the sea will disappear from view as the road begins to pass through a dense cluster of apartment buildings. About 300 meters farther on, keep straight ahead past the turnoff into the marina (where there are a dozen or so flags). Less than 200 meters farther on, you will reach a fork. Keep to the right, staying straight ahead on the level road. (The left fork, which is the main road, begins to curve uphill.) About 100 meters farther on, the road fades into the gravel parking lot that directly abuts Playa del Mascarat Norte. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 64 toll plaza to parking (Playa de la Solsida)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 64 toll plaza to parking (Playa del Mascarat Norte & Cala de la Barra Grande)
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Solsida, Playa del Mascarat Norte and Cala de la Barra Grande.

AP-7 Exit 64 toll plaza
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Solsida, Playa del Mascarat Norte and Cala de la Barra Grande.

Isla de Altea apartments

Puerto Mar y Montaña marina

Masymas supermarket

Puerto Campomanes marina

road fork near marina entrance

Mascarat Beach apartments

Chiringuito Mascarat

Panorama apartments

road connecting AP-7 Exit 64 toll plaza to N-332

road into Isla de Altea

walkway to beach

road through Puerto Campomanes area

road to Playa del Mascarat Norte parking

path from Playa del Mascarat Norte to Cale de la Barra Grande

Cala de la Almadraba & Cala del Tío Ximo

Benidorm is a popular coastal resort town that is about 45 kilometers northeast of the city of Alicante. With its beachfront lined with seemingly innumerable high-rise hotels, Benidorm is a European anomaly—something akin to Miami Beach on the Mediterranean. The city is defined by its two long south-facing beaches, Playa de Poniente (the western of the two) and Playa de Levante (the eastern). These urban beaches collectively span about 5 kilometers.
To the east of Playa de Levante, there are two small beaches in a rocky headland called Rincón de Loix, and they are secluded from the bustle of Benidorm despite being virtually around the corner from a Manhattan-like skyline. The western and larger of the beaches is Cala de la Almadraba (or, in Valencian, Cala de l'Almadrava), and it is no more than 60 meters long. The eastern of the two is Cala del Tío Ximo (or Cala del Ti Ximo), and it is a mere 20 meters long. El Tío Ximo is a pebble beach, while La Almadraba is mostly pebble but with a sliver of sand. Despite their modest proportions, sun beds and umbrellas are available for rent at both beaches during warmer months, but otherwise there are no amenities.
La Almadraba and El Tío Ximo both traditionally have been attended by nude bathers, but there is an influx of textiles during July and August. On crowded days, there are usually at least a few nudists at La Almadraba, but they can be greatly outnumbered by those attired in swimwear. On less crowd days, there is sometimes a nudist majority. At El Tío Ximo, the occurrence of nudity seems spotty even when it isn't so crowded. The beach is so tiny that a few textiles may establish a precedent. Of the two beaches, La Almadraba is generally the better choice for bare bathing. There are several "Ti Ximo" signs along the way to the beaches, but there is no prominent signage with the name Almadraba. As a result, the proper name of the larger of the two beaches is scarcely known, and the two beaches tend to be collectively regarded as Ti Ximo or Tío Ximo.
This placemark pertains to Cala de la Almadraba and Cala del Tío Ximo.

Cala de la Almadraba
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala de la Almadraba and Cala del Tío Ximo.)
Benidorm, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
There are 17 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala de la Almadraba and Cala del Tío Ximo.

Cala del Tío Ximo
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala de la Almadraba and Cala del Tío Ximo.)
Benidorm, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
There are 17 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala de la Almadraba and Cala del Tío Ximo.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OVH1GK
38.5281N, 0.1052W (mini-roundabout near end of Calle Dos Calas in Benidorm)
Calle Dos Calas is the street that winds above the coast at the eastern extreme of Benidorm, but there does not seem to be any signage at all along the street indicating its name. Calle Dos Calas comes to an end a few hundred meters after the mini-roundabout referenced above. The mini-roundabout has a circular median painted on the pavement, and it is located between Cala de la Almadraba and Cala del Tío Ximo. Next to the mini-roundabout, there is a small gravel parking area that is perched above the sea.
To go to Cala de la Almadraba, park in the gravel area next to the mini-roundabout. Facing the sea, Cala de la Almadraba is downhill to your right. The path to the beach is less than 200 meters long, and it begins at the mini-roundabout. There are several long cement steps at the start of the path, then a dirt path make a gradual descent the rest of the way.
To go to Cala del Tío Ximo, stay on Calle Dos Calas past the mini-roundabout. 250 meters farther along, the road straight ahead becomes blocked to automobile traffic. Turn right. The road continues 150 meters and dead ends at Cala del Tío Ximo, a tiny beach that is straight ahead in full view of the road. Parking is along the street (38.5285N, 0.1039W).
starting point:  Exit 65 (Benidorm-Levante, Callosa d'En Sarrià) of the AP-7 motorway near Benidorm
Exit 65 is about 42 kilometers northeast of the city of Alicante, and it is the northern of two motorway exits that are signed for Benidorm. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Just beyond the toll plaza, stay in the left lane to keep straight ahead through the interchange with N-332, then keep straight ahead through two large roundabouts, following the sign for the city center (centro urbano) at both.
Once you leave the second large roundabout, you will have driven about 1.5 kilometers from the toll plaza, and you will be on Avenida de Europa. Continue about 700 meters through several red lights until you reach a small roundabout that forms the intersection with Avenida del Mediterráneo, which is the last intersection before Avenida de Europa ends at the beach promenade. The small roundabout is easily identifiable by the monument in the middle, which is called La Paz. It is a statue of a woman on a pedestal, surrounded by six flags. Take the third departure of the roundabout, effectively making a left turn.
Follow Avenida del Mediterráneo east about 1.1 kilometers to the intersection where the street becomes one way for traffic coming from the opposite direction, meaning you cannot continue straight ahead. Turn right onto Avenida L'Ametlla de Mar and proceed less than 200 meters. Just after you pass three fast food chains (Subway, Burger King, McDonald's—all on the left), you will reach a mini-roundabout at a "T" with the cobbled street that runs along the beach promenade. Turn left. At that point, the sandy beach will be just a few meters away, on your right. Proceed less than 100 meters to a "do not enter" panel that forces a left turn, then proceed inland and slightly uphill less than 100 meters to a three-way junction. Keep to the right, following the signs for Hotel Benikaktus and Cala Ti Zimo. From that point, there are no more turns until you are ready to park.
For the next few hundred meters, you will be amid hotels on both sides of the street, then the sea will come into view as the street curves sharply leftward. From the curve, there will be wooden post fencing along the coast side of the road, and you will have a view of Cala de la Almadraba off to your right. About 250 meters farther along, the wooden post fencing will end just after the road curves rightward. By that point, the street will be named Calle Dos Calas, but there is no signage. There will be a long white apartment building to your immediate left. At the end of the apartment building, keep to the right at a junction to stay on the main road. About 100 meters farther on, you will reach the mini-roundabout referenced above. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 65 toll plaza to parking (next to mini-roundabout)
This placemark pertains to Cala de la Almadraba and Cala del Tío Ximo.

La Paz statue at small roundabout
This placemark pertains to Cala de la Almadraba and Cala del Tío Ximo.

approximate midpoint of Playa de Levante (textile)

Av. del Mediterráneo become one-way

Subway

McDonald's

mini-roundabout along cobbled seafront road

"do not enter" panel along cobbled seafront road

huge white apartment building

mini-roundabout with median painted on pavement

road closed beyond this point

segment of Av. del Mediterráneo

segments of several streets

path to Cala de la Almadraba

Playa del Racó del Conill

Playa del Racó del Conill
Playa del Racó del Conill is a hidden beach located between Benidorm, a bustling resort town with a beachfront skyline of high-rise hotels that is like nothing else in Europe, and Villajoyosa, a more traditional and quaint resort town known for its colorful seafront buildings. The backdrop for both these towns is the Puig Campana, an impressive mountain that rises about 1,400 meters above sea level. While Playa del Racó del Conill is technically within the municipal limits of Villajoyosa, it is more often associated with Benidorm since it is closer to the outlying development of that town.
El Racó del Conill is signed as a nude beach, and it consists of two small pebbly coves that are separated by an outcropping of smooth rock that is flat enough for sunbathing. The larger of the two coves is just 40 meters across. Space is limited and the beach is often crowded, and the parking lot next to the beach seems outlandishly large for a beach with such modest proportions. On peak days when the beach is jam packed, there are usually a lot of textiles among the nudists. On days when it is less crowded, most visitors opt to be bare. El Racó del Conill draws a mixed crowd with a sizable gay presence. While the beach feels very secluded due to its geography, the nearest multi-story hotels are just over the hill, a mere 700 meters away as the crow flies. During peak season, a snack stand is set up at the end of the parking lot near the beach.
Villajoyosa, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3s0mM1l
38.5236N, 0.1946W (turnoff from N-332a toward beach between Benidorm and Villajoyosa)
Between Benidorm and Villajoyosa (a.k.a. La Vila Joiosa), the road that is closest to the coast is numbered N-332a, but there seems to be no actual signage indicating the number. Less than 10 kilometers long, N-332a is a decommissioned segment of N-332 that connects to N-332 at either end. N-332a is the main road that passes through the town center of Villajoyosa. The turnoff toward Playa del Racó del Conill is signed for traffic going in either direction along N-332a, and it is next to a derelict casino property near the Benidorm end of N-332a. (The casino has been closed since 2010, but there is still—as of 2017—a huge "casino" sign next to the vacant building.) As you start along the road toward the beach, the chain-link fence that surrounds the casino property will be on your right-hand side. The narrow but paved road winds for 2.4 kilometers all the way to the beach. (There is just one potentially confusing fork along the way where you should keep to the left, but that fork is signed.) The road ends in a long asphalted parking lot (38.5178N, 0.1772W). Straight ahead from the far end of the lot, you will see a wooden split-rail fence that extends toward the sea along an outcropping of rock. Follow that fence. Nudists gather on the rocky outcropping as well as along the small beaches on either side.
starting point:  Exit 65A (Benidorm-Poniente, Terra Mitica) of the AP-7 motorway near Benidorm
Exit 65A is about 38 kilometers northeast of the city of Alicante, and it is the southern of two motorway exits that are signed for Benidorm. (Don't be thrown off by the fact that the other exit for Benidorm is also numbered 65, but without a letter.) Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the inland side of the motorway.
Just beyond the toll plaza, keep to the right, following the sign for Benidorm. You will be filtered under the motorway to the coast side, then shortly you will reach a roundabout. Take the first departure of the roundabout, which is signed Villajoyosa and Alicante. You will then be filtered onto route N-332 going south.
You will pass kilometer marker 145 as you merge into N-332, then 500 meters farther on the lanes of southbound traffic will split. Keep to the right, following the large overhead panels signed Finestrat and Villajoyosa. (The other two lanes are signed Alicante.) Once the lanes split, you will continue to parallel N-332 on something like a frontage road that is part of a complex interchange, and you will be separated from N-332 traffic by a low concrete barrier. Carefully follow the signs for Villajoyosa (NOT for Finestrat). After paralleling N-332 about a kilometer, you will be looped over N-332 to the coast side. Follow another panel for Villajoyosa (NOT the one for Benidorm). You will then be filtered onto N-332a going southwest toward Villajoyosa, but there is no signage with the number of the road.
Shortly after merging into N-332a you will pass a sign indicating a distance of 5 kilometers to Villajoyosa, then you will reach a large roundabout with an art installation consisting of lots of upright metal poles and box frames. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, continuing toward Villajoyosa. 900 meters farther on, watch carefully for a brown sign pointing left toward Platja del Racó del Conill. Just after the sign, take the next possible left. (The road widens to include a short left-turn lane at the turnoff, which is just before a right-hand turnoff toward a nearby hospital.)
Just after you turn, you will pass the gated entrance into the closed casino described above, and the chain-link fence that surrounds the casino property should be on your right-hand side. Proceed as directed above.
If you miss the turnoff, there is a roundabout less than 200 meters farther on where you can turn around. Once you have made a complete loop through the roundabout and are backtracking toward Benidorm, take the next possible right and you will be on the road to the beach.
HIKING DIRECTIONS FROM BENIDORM
Since it is possible to drive directly to the beach, these hiking directions apply only if you want to walk to the beach from Benidorm.
There are two long south-facing beaches in Benidorm: Playa de Levante (the eastern of the two) and Playa de Poniente (the western). Just west of Playa de Poniente, there is a much smaller urban beach called Playa de Finestrat, which is less than 300 meters long. That beach is technically not in Benidorm but in the neighboring municipality of Finestrat, but since the hotel development of Benidorm spills over into Finestrat, it just feels like more of Benidorm. The westernmost of the high-rise hotels of Benidorm's dramatic skyline are located around Playa de Finestrat, and the hike to Playa del Racó del Conill begins near that far western development.
Playa de Finestrat is backed by a street named Carrer Tramuntana. Follow that street a short distance beyond the west end of the beach (to the right when facing the sea) toward the first building on the sea side of the street, which is a multi-story cream-colored apartment building with a Ballesol sign on top. Just before you reach that building, there is a broad walkway on the left that is paved in bricks, and there are posts near the start of the path that block automobile access.
Follow the brick walkway just 50 meters to the point where it curves rightward, then follow the broad earthen path that goes off slightly to the left. Less than 100 meters farther on, you will be standing above the sea, with fantastic views of Playa de Finestrat to your left as you face the sea. Go up the cement steps on your right. At the top of the steps you will be on an earthen path again. The path follows the ridge of a long seaside hill, and the sea will be on your left-hand side for the remainder of the hike. At first you will be going steeply uphill. In about 500 meters, you will reach Torre del Aguiló, a stone defense tower that dates to the 16th century.
At the tower, you will be about 110 meters above sea level. From there, the ridge path climbs a bit higher before it begins to gradually descend. As you go downhill, you will eventually be able to see the long asphalted parking lot that is next to Playa del Racó del Conill. It resembles a small airport runway. Once you are almost to sea level, the ridge path will connect to a gravel road that runs alongside the parking lot. At that point, leave the path and head toward the sea. Shortly you will reach the small nude beach.
Starting from the Ballesol building, the total hike to the beach is 1.6 kilometers. Keep in mind that the path begins near sea level, ascends to about 120 meters above sea level, then descends to the sea, so you should be reasonably physically fit to attempt the hike.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 65A toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa Racó Conill.

large roundabout with lots of upright metal poles & box frames
This placemark pertains to Playa del Racó del Conill.

"Platja del Racó del Conill" sign, facing traffic going toward Villajoyosa
This placemark pertains to Playa del Racó del Conill.

"Platja del Racó del Conill" sign, facing traffic going toward Benidorm
This placemark pertains to Playa del Racó del Conill.

Casino Mediterráneo (closed)

Playa de Finestrat (textile), westernmost urban beach along Benidorm/Finestrat skyline

Ballesol apartment building

Torre del Aguiló (stone tower)

segment of N-332a

road to Playa del Racó del Conill

ridgetop path

Playa del Esparrelló

Playa del Esparrelló
Villajoyosa (or La Vila Joiosa in the Valencian language) is a coastal resort town distinguished by its colorful seafront buildings and a dramatic mountain backdrop that includes the Puig Campana, an impressive mountain that rises about 1,400 meters above sea level. On the southwest end of Villajoyosa, Playa del Esparrelló is a beach in a neighborhood called El Montiboli. The entire beach is designated for nude use, and signs leading up to the beach clearly announce its nudist status. Covered in pea-sized pebbles, the beach is roughly 200 meters long—a bit more at high tide; a bit less at low tide.
While Playa del Esparrelló is somewhat secluded at the base of a cliff, the top of that cliff is lined with development There are several large villas above the northeast end of the beach, but most of the cliff top is occupied by Hotel Montiboli. The swimming pool of the swanky hotel is uniquely perched atop a tall mass of rock at southwest end of the beach. That rocky mass separates El Esparrelló from a textile beach called La Caleta.
Nudists on El Esparrelló are visible from the hotel swimming pool and some other parts of the hotel, so the beach probably isn't the best choice if you are uncomfortable with the possibility of being seen from above. Despite this visibility, most visitors go nude. There are two staircases that descend to the beach. For day visitors, stairs from a nearby residential street land at the northeast end of the beach. There is also a staircase from Hotel Montiboli to the central area of El Esparrelló, so a perk for hotel guests is direct nude beach access. There are no amenities at El Esparrelló, but food and drink are available at La Caleta.
Villajoyosa, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/4424om8
38.4953N, 0.2666W (dead end of minor street in Villajoyosa)
The street referenced above has no signage indicating a name (but there is a sign pointing toward Playa del Esparrelló). There is no parking lot. Parking is along the side of the street leading up to its end, where a short, squat metal post blocks cars from going farther. Beyond the post, a narrow lane continue past a private residence with the number "19" on its gate. The lane ends in less than 100 meters. From there, a stone staircase descends to the far east end of the beach, the entire length of which is designated for naturist use.
starting point:  Exit 66 (Villajoyosa) of the AP-7 motorway near Villajoyosa
Exit 66 is about 32 kilometers northeast of the city of Alicante. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Upon leaving the toll plaza, keep straight ahead through the next roundabout, following signs for Villajoyosa, Alicante and Valencia. Continue about a kilometer to the next roundabout, which is a huge roundabout that forms the junction with route N-332. Just as soon as you enter that roundabout, almost immediately take the first departure, which is signed Alicante and Sant Joan. You will then be filtered onto N-332 going south.
Stay on N-332 about 3 kilometers and take the first exit, which is the south exit for Villajoyosa, signed both La Vila Joiosa sud and Villajoyosa sur. (The exit is between kilometer markers 135 and 134 of N-332.) Upon exiting, you will be looped under N-332, then you will be on a road that appears on maps as N-332a,★ but there is no signage with that number. Continue about 500 meters to a red light at an atypical sort of roundabout that is bisected by N-332a. A sign points right toward Urbanización Sainvi and Playas. At the red light, turn right to enter the roundabout then immediately turn right again. You will then be on a road that parallels the coast side of the N-332a.
As you start along the road, you will pass four blocks of white mid-rise apartment buildings, which will be on your left-hand side. About 350 meters past the apartment buildings, take the third left, which is immediately before a short bridge over a railroad. Just after you turn, you should see a large Platja Esparrelló sign, then just up ahead you will reach a "T." Turn right at the sign indicating the street dead ends. In about 200 meters there is a post in the street that blocks cars from going farther. Proceed as directed above.
★ N-332a is a decommissioned segment of N-332 that passes through the town center of Villajoyosa, connecting to N-332 at either end.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Esparrelló.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Esparrelló.

La Vila Joiosa sud / Villajoyosa sur exit interchange of N-332
This placemark pertains to Playa del Esparrelló.

red light at roundabout bisected by N-332a

4 blocks of white mid-rise apartment buildings

Hotel Montiboli

Playa de la Caleta (textile)

route from N-332 to parking

stairs to beach from Hotel Montiboli

extent of beach at low tide

Calas del Cabo de las Huertas

Calas del Cabo de las Huertas
Within the city limits of Alicante, Cabo de las Huertas is a rugged cape where the coastline bends. The city center is west and slightly south of the cape, Playa de San Juan is directly north of it and a lighthouse is at its easternmost tip. Nudity is common along the south-facing part of Cabo de las Huertas. There is no real beach area. The coastline is a rocky shelf pocketed with several small coves (calas) and backed by rocky hills. Nude bathing occurs along an expanse of about 1.5 kilometers, and the zone of potential nude use begins near a complex of seaside condos and extends eastward to the lighthouse. Nudity patterns are quite variable within that stretch. Some of the coves are at times occupied only by textiles, but there is plenty of room for everyone to spread out. In some places along the nudist stretch, it is possible to see Santa Bárbara Castle and other structures of Alicante across the water in the distance. The 9th century castle, perched atop a seaside hill that is surrounded by the old town area of Alicante, is 5 to 6 kilometers away from Cabo de las Huertas (as the crow flies).
municipality & province, autonomous community, country:
Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45oktDR
38.3567N, 0.4216W (entrance to asphalted parking lot at intersection of Avenida Costa Blanca and Calle de la Boga in Alicante)
The parking lot referenced above is signed Zona verde Cala Cantalar. From a signboard in the parking lot, go through a small park area to a scenic overlook. From there, a broad path winds down to the rocky coastline. Facing the sea, a condo complex called Los Porches Blancos will be to your immediate right. Going to the left, it is a walk along the shoreline of about 1.5 kilometers to the Cabo de las Huertas lighthouse, which is located at a prominent bend of the coastline. The entire area between Los Porches Blancos and the lighthouse is a zone of potential nude use.
If you park at the Zona verde Cala Cantalar lot, you will access the coves of Cabo de las Huertas from the west end. However, it is also possible to access the coves toward the east end by following an alternate approach.
Alternate approach—Set your GPS device to:
38.3532N, 0.4115W (earthen parking lot near dead end of Calle del Pez Espada in Alicante)
The parking area is slightly uphill from the sea. Make your way down the rugged terrain. You will land on the rocky coastline amid the zone of potential nude use. Facing the sea, the nude area extends about 500 meters to your left (to the lighthouse) and one kilometer to your right (to Los Porches Blancos).
starting point:  Exit 6 (Alicante-norte) of the A-70 motorway in the city of Alicante
The A-70 is a toll-free motorway that is a partial ring road, skirting the inland edge of the city of Alicante. Exit 6 is on the northern outskirts of the city, near Sant Joan. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the coast side of the motorway.
As you head away from the motorway, there will briefly be two lanes going east, then the lanes will split. Get in the left lane, which is signed for the Alicante city center. You will then enter a tunnel that is part of an interchange with route N-332, then once you emerge from the tunnel you will merge into N-332 going south toward the city center. (Note: If you accidentally stay in the right lane when the lanes split, you will enter a roundabout that circles above N-332. Just take the first departure of that roundabout, then you can merge into N-332)
Follow N-332 about 800 meters and take note when you pass beneath a pedestrian bridge that spans the highway. At that point, there will be four southbound lanes. Make sure you are in one of the two right lanes. Shortly the four lanes will split, and the sign for the two right lanes points toward Via Parque (while the other lanes continue toward the city center). About 300 meters farther along, you will enter a large roundabout with a huge abstract sculpture of a bird in the middle. Take the third departure, effectively making a left turn.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be going east on Avenida Caja de Ahorros. Continue a little over 200 meters to a red light at a roundabout that is bisected by Avenida Caja de Ahorros. Enter the roundabout and take the first possible right, following the signs that point toward Cambio Sentido and Avenida Albufereta. You will then be on Calle Duc de Rivas, going south. Continue 250 meters, staying straight ahead through two intersections to a red light at the third intersection. Turn left and you will be on Avenida Albufereta.
Follow Avenida Albufereta 800-900 meters to the next roundabout, where the sea will come into view. The roundabout is a junction called Plaza de la Isleta, and the large fountain in the middle makes it a readily identifiable landmark. Take the second departure of the roundabout, following the orange Playas sign and the green Avenida Costa Blanca sign.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on Avenida Condomina. Continue 800-900 to the next roundabout, then keep straight ahead. As you leave the roundabout, the street name will change from Avenida Condomina to Avenida Costa Blanca. Continue about 400 meters to a red light where Avenida Costa Blanca makes a 90° turn, then turn right to stay on Avenida Costa Blanca. (There is a green panel letting you know where to turn.)
After turning, continue along Avenida Costa Blanca another 1.4 kilometers to an asphalted rectangular parking lot on the right, marked with a brown sign that reads Zona verde Cala Cantalar. You cannot turn directly into the lot, which is bounded by two streets going off to the right, both of which are one-way and neither of which is signed: Calle Océano (where you cannot turn) and Calle de la Boga. Proceed to the far end of the lot, turn right onto Calle de la Boga, then immediately turn right again to enter the parking lot. Proceed as directed above.
Continuing directions for the alternate approach:
Follow the directions above all the way to the parking lot. Instead of turning into the lot, continue along Calle de la Boga. In 700 meters you will reach a yield sign at a "T" junction, where you have to turn right onto Camino del Faro (a one-way street). 300 meters farther on, keep to the right at another yield sign. You will still be on Camino del Faro, which becomes a two-way street. 200 meters farther on, you will reach a 5-way junction, where the main course of the road veers slightly to the left ahead of you. Veer slightly to the right instead in order to stay straight ahead. At that point, you will be at the start of Calle de la Morena. Just 100 meters later, take the next possible right onto Calle del Pez Espada. Continue 150 meters to an earthen parking area on the left (less than 100 meters from the dead end of the street). Proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-70 Exit 6 to parking (Zona verde Cala Cantalar)
MAP from A-70 Exit 6 to parking (Calle del Pez Espada)
This placemark pertains to Calas del Cabo de las Huertas.

This placemark pertains to Calas del Cabo de las Huertas.

tunnel (part of interchange with N-332)
This placemark pertains to Calas del Cabo de las Huertas.

pedestrian bridge over N-332

roundabout with big abstract bird sculpture

red light at roundabout bisected by Av. Caja de Ahorros

intersection: C. Duc de Rivas & Av. Albufereta

Plaza de la Isleta (roundabout with large fountain in middle)

roundabout: Av. Condomina → Av. Costa Blanca

red light where Av. Costa Blanca makes a 90° turn

parking lot signed "Zona verde Cala Cantalar"

Los Porches Blancos condos

yield sign at "T" junction: Calle de la Boga & Camino del Faro

yield sign: where Camino del Faro becomes a 2-way street

Cabo de las Huertas lighthouse

route from A-70 Exit 6 to parking areas

downhill path to sea

coastal path, often fading into rocks

Playa de los Saladares

Playa de los Saladares
Playa de los Saladares is the beach of Urbanova, a subdivision of Alicante that consists of a cluster of seaside mid-rise apartment buildings. A little past the south end of Urbanova's beach promenade, there is an area designated for nude bathing. The nude area is about 250 meters long, extending to Alicante's border with the next municipality to the south (Elche), which means that the nude beach is the southernmost stretch of beach that is within the expansive city limits of Alicante. You can park near either end of the nude beach and reach the nudist zone in just a few minutes. The beach is broad and sandy, backed by large dunes. During summer, a snack stand is usually installed a bit north of the nude area, near the south end of the promenade.
Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45Kbihl
38.2794N, 0.5206W (small seaside parking lot at south end of Urbanova)
Part of the city of Alicante, Urbanova is a compact seaside residential development south of the central city. Urbanova consists of a cluster of mid-rise apartment towers. The parking area referenced above is an asphalted lot that can hold just 30 or so cars, but there is also quite a bit of streetside parking neaby. The parking lot is near the far south end of the palm-lined beach promenade of Urbanova. Facing the sea, turn to your right and walk south about 200 meters to the end of the promenade, then continue about 100 meters past the end of the promenade to reach the start of the designated nudist zone, which extends southward about 250 meters.
starting point:  Exit 22 (Torrellano, El Altet, Santa Pola, Aeropuerto, N-340, N-332) of the A-70 motorway in the city of Alicante
The A-70 is a relatively short toll-free motorway that runs a little over 30 kilometers through the vicinity of Alicante. At its north end, the A-70 begins at the AP-7 (a major toll motorway) near the coast on the northern outskirts of the city. From there it goes south through Sant Joan (through a long tunnel), then it skirts the inland edge of the urban core of Alicante, then it continues south past the city's airport, then it merges into the A-7 in the vicinity of Elche. Exit 22 is the airport exit, and it is located south of the urban core of the city, toward the southern end of the A-70. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the coast side of the motorway. From there, you will begin heading toward the coast on route N-338, which is a numbered route even though it is a very short connector road. Keep straight ahead on N-338, continuing past the exit for N-340 and then past the airport exit. In just over 4 kilometers, you will reach the end of N-338 at a junction with N-332. Just keep straight ahead and you will be filtered onto N-332 northbound toward Alicante.
Follow N-332 about 2.2 kilometers to the next junction, which is a roundabout that is bisected by the highway. (The junction is about 900 meters past kilometer marker 99 and immediately before marker 100.) Veer right to enter the roundabout then turn right, following the sign for Urbanova and Playas.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be going south on an unnumbered road that follows the coastline, with the beach and the sea clearly visible on your left-hand side. You will see a cluster of seaside mid-rise buildings up ahead in the distance. Those building constitute Urbanova. Continue about 1.2 kilometers and you will reach the first of the buildings of Urbanova. All the buildings are on the left (coast) side of the road, and there are palm trees, a hedge and a sidewalk between the road and the buildings. Keep straight ahead about a kilometer farther, passing all the buildings. When you reach the point where the sidewalk ends, turn left at a blue-and-white "P" parking sign. Upon turning, you will be on Calle Músico José Mira Figue, but there is no street signage. Continue 300-400 meters to the end of the street at the beach. The parking lot referenced above is on the right where the street ends. Proceed as directed above.
ALTERNATE PARKING AND ACCESS
You can park farther south and approach the nudist zone from its opposite end. Instead of turning at the blue-and-white "P" parking sign as directed above, keep straight ahead. After 400 meters, take note of the paved right-hand turnoff signed L'Altet U. Prochal, but don't turn. Continue 200 meters farther. Immediately past two round red-and-white "no passing" signs (one on each side of the road), turn left (38.2744N, 0.5248W). You will enter a large, unsigned earthen parking area that is on the inland side of several large hillock-shaped sand dunes that block your view of the sea. (You have missed the parking area by 600 meters if you enter a small roundabout, which is the first roundabout south of Urbanova.) Straight ahead from where you turn into the parking area, a path through a break in the dunes leads about 300 meters to the beach, where you will land roughly at the far south end of the nude area, which extends to your left (toward Urbanova) as you face the sea.
Note: To avoid confusion as you plan a route through Alicante, be aware that several motorways in the vicinity are very similarly numbered: AP-7, A-7, A-70 and A-77.
MAP from A-70 Exit 22 to parking (in asphalted lot)
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Saladares.

This placemark pertains to Playa de los Saladares.

roundabout bisected by N-332
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Saladares.

small paved parking lot

"no passing" signs on both sides of road

segment of unnumbered coastal road

Calle Músico José Mira Figue

path through dunes

Playa del Carabassí

Playa del Carabassí
El Carabassí is the name of a 900-meter-long segment of beach in the town of Elche, on the southern outskirts of the city of Alicante, not far from the city's airport. El Carabassí is just south of Los Arenales del Sol, which is a seaside residential area of Elche, and it is downhill from Gran Alacant, a residential area that is built atop a bluff just slightly inland. (Gran Alacant is part of the neighboring town of Santa Pola.) El Carabassí is distinguished by a large area of sand dunes behind the beach, and nudity is common toward the southern end of the beach. If you keep walking south beyond the nude area, the sandy beach area tapers and the shoreline becomes rocky for a brief stretch.
Patterns of nudity at El Carabassí have evolved as the nearby area has been developed. The beach was once relatively remote and uncrowded, but in the '90s and '00s there was an explosion of both hotel and residential growth in Los Arenales del Sol and Gran Alacant, which have become large resort communities. El Carabassí evolved into a highly attended beach where textiles vastly outnumbered nudists, even toward the southern end of the beach where nudists traditionally gathered. Furthermore, a road parallel to the beach through the dunes made it possible to park close to any part of the beach, which made textile encroachment that much easier.
While the development certainly isn't going away, something did happen around 2009 that was to the advantage of bare bathers. The road through the dunes was closed to automobile traffic. All parking was moved farther inland, and boardwalks were built over the dunes. The new parking and boardwalk arrangements have made the southern end of El Carabassí a bit more remote, which is to the advantage of nudists. The main boardwalk connects the parking lot to the north end of the beach, which is the main textile area. During warmer months, that area is equipped with a snack stand, portable toilets and beach chairs and umbrellas that can be rented. A secondary boardwalk that branches off from the main boardwalk bypasses the most congested area of the beach, landing on the beach a bit south of the main textile area. The nude area begins roughly where the secondary boardwalk lands on the beach and extends southward about 500 meters to the end of the beach. The bigger the overall crowd, the farther south nudists tend to go. While the southern end of the beach still gets a lot of textile visitors, it is no longer likely to be as overrun with textiles as it was during most of the '00s. Still, nudity is more freely practiced over a larger area on non-peak days, and many nudists lament that the character of the beach has been permanently altered by all the development.
The far southern end of El Carabassí, where the beach becomes rocky, is defined by the municipal border of Elche and Santa Pola. Oddly, though, El Carabassí is not the southernmost beach in Elche. Santa Pola is something of an enclave that is surrounded by Elche except where it borders the sea. Going south along the coast from the city of Alicante, you'd first go through Elche, then Santa Pola, then more of Elche. Thus, the location of El Carabassí is sometimes described as Elche Norte, meaning it is along the northern of the town's two coastal segments.
Elche, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Oxpfbo
38.2366N, 0.5188W (entrance to large earthen parking lot south of Los Arenales del Sol)
The parking lot referenced above is along the coast sign of a minor road, and it is marked by a small brown Platja del Carabassí sign. If the lot is full, additional parking is available in earthen areas on the inland side of the road. The parking lot is separated from the beach by a large field of sand dunes. The boardwalk over the dunes is straight ahead from where you turn into the parking lot. In about 200 meters, you will reach a three-way junction with another boardwalk. Turn right. (The boardwalk straight ahead continues another 150 meters to the main textile area.) Continue another 375 meters to the end of the boardwalk. The nude area begins approximately in the area where the boardwalk lands on the beach and extends southward (to the right when facing the sea) about 500 meters to the end of the beach.
starting point:  Exit 22 (Torrellano, El Altet, Santa Pola, Aeropuerto, N-340, N-332) of the A-70 motorway in the city of Alicante
The A-70 is a relatively short toll-free motorway that runs a little over 30 kilometers through the vicinity of Alicante. At its north end, the A-70 begins at the AP-7 (a major toll motorway) near the coast on the northern outskirts of the city. From there it goes south through Sant Joan (through a long tunnel), then it skirts the inland edge of the urban core of Alicante, then it continues south past the city's airport, then it merges into the A-7 in the vicinity of Elche. Exit 22 is the airport exit, and it is located south of the urban core of the city, toward the southern end of the A-70. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the coast side of the motorway. From there, you will begin heading toward the coast on route N-338, which is a numbered route even though it is a very short connector road. Keep straight ahead on N-338, continuing past the exit for N-340 and then past the airport exit. In just over 4 kilometers, you will reach the end of N-338 at a junction with N-332. Exit to the right, following the sign for Santa Pola and Cartagena. You will be filtered onto N-332 southbound.
Stay on N-332 about 5.4 kilometers, then take the Gran Alacant exit, which is 800 meters past kilometer marker 93. The signage simply names the exit Urbanización, but there is a large Santa Pola, Gran Alacant billboard next to the exit. If you reach kilometer marker 92, you have just missed the exit, but you can easily turn around and exit from the other direction since N-332 is not entirely limited access.
Once you exit, you will be filtered to the coast side of the highway into a commercial area with grocery stores and gas stations and the like. In a few hundred meters you will reach a roundabout with five departures. Take the third departure, staying straight ahead toward the coast. You will then be on a street named Avinguda del Mediterrani, but street signage is very inconspicuous. Continue 2 kilometers farther to the next roundabout and take the second departure, again staying straight ahead toward the coast.
From the roundabout, it is 1.1 kilometers to the point where you need to turn, but the turnoff is not well signed. Once you leave the roundabout, at first you will be in an area of commercial and residential development, then the sea will come into view as the road begins to make several curves as it winds downhill. Once the road becomes curvy, continue several hundred meters to a crosswalk, where broad white stripes are painted across the pavement. Immediately past the crosswalk, turn right. (If you begin to see pull-in parking spaces on both sides of the road, you have just missed the turn. There is a roundabout about 500 meters farther along where you can turn around.)
Once you turn, you will be on a road that goes south parallel to the sea, a bit inland from Playa del Carabassí. In about 100 meters, take the first possible left to enter the large beach parking lot, then proceed as directed above.
Continue south past the main parking lot. There will be a wire mesh fence on the left (coast) side of the road. In 700-800 meters, just past the end of the fence, there is a large earthen parking area on the left (38.2300N, 0.5151W). At the far end of the parking area, a broad gravel track to the beach begins near a 50 KPH speed-limit panel. The track leads about 300 meters to the rocks at the far southern end Playa del Carabassí. Facing the sea, turn left and shortly you will be on the sandy nudist area of the beach, and it is 500 meters to where the boardwalk lands on the beach.
Note: To avoid confusion as you plan a route through Alicante, be aware that several motorways in the vicinity are very similarly numbered: AP-7, A-7, A-70 and A-77.
MAP from A-70 Exit 22 to main parking area
This placemark pertains to Playa del Carabassí.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Carabassí.

exit interchange near km 92 of N-332
This placemark pertains to Playa del Carabassí.

main parking lot

main textile area

50 KPH speed-limit panel

small white chapel

main road through Gran Alacant

road inland from Playa del Carabassí

Playa de la Gola

Playa de la Gola
The seaside town of Santa Pola is about 20 kilometers south of Alicante, and the chain of beaches along its developed beachfront extends about 7 kilometers. There is a long rock jetty and a short wooden pier just west of where the town development ends, and Playa de la Gola is an undeveloped beach that begins beyond the jetty and the pier. The beach is backed by a large area of salt ponds and a salt mining operation, and near the pier are the remains of a wrecked wooden barge that was used as a salt transport. The shipwreck is cordoned off as a point of historic interest. Playa de la Gola extends southwestward from the shipwreck for 1.2 kilometers to the mouth of a canal, which is spanned by a footbridge. Beyond the canal the beach continues another 400 meters to the mouth of Río Vinalopó.
Playa de la Gola is attended by nude bathers, and the municipality of Santa Pola used to post a large sign just a bit beyond the shipwreck announcing "Playa Naturista." The sign was taken down in the mid-00's when the municipality decided to established the first part of the beach as a kitesurfing venue. The kitesurfing zone extends about 400 meters. Nude bathing still occurs even though there is no longer signage delineating a nudist zone. Nude bathers tend to cluster about halfway between the shipwreck and the canal, beyond the kitesurfing area. Farther southwest toward the canal, nudity is possible but textiles also frequent the area near the canal. The beach beyond the canal would seem to have nudist potential, but it is not known to have a well-established nudist presence.
Overall, Playa de la Gola is lightly attended by bare bathers. It is not nearly as popular with nudists as is Playa del Carabassí 11 kilometers to the north or Playa de los Tusales 10 kilometers to the south. Playa de la Gola is also known by the name Bras del Port (also spelled Braç del Port), which is the name of the salt mining company.
Santa Pola, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qCD1kO
Set your GPS device to one of these locations:
38.1893N, 0.5978W (small dirt parking area at kilometer 84.7 of N-332)
38.1855N, 0.6054W (entrance to small parking loop at kilometer 84 of N-332)
The two parking areas referenced above are just 700 meters apart. Neither is signed, and both are on the coast side of the highway. The part of the the beach where most nudity occurs is between the two parking areas.
First, assume you park in the small dirt area at kilometer 84.7. From the dirt parking area, a well-defined track begins at cement barriers that prevent vehicular access. The track goes about 200 meters through an open treeless area to the beach. Facing the sea, Santa Pola will be to your left, and you will be toward the end of a kitesurfing zone that extends southwestward from the town. Turn right and head southwest, away from Santa Pola. It is 800-900 meters to where a canal breaks the continuity of the beach. Most nude bathing occurs a bit beyond the kitesurfing area but several hundred meters before the canal, but there are no definitive boundaries.
Alternatively, assume you park at kilometer 84. The short parking loop is set up such that a left from N-332 is not possible. If you are going east (toward Santa Pola), just veer right to enter the loop. If you are going west (having just passed through Santa Pola), you will have to go past the parking area and the backtrack once you find a place to turn around. (Opportunities are limited due to numerous salt ponds on both sides of the highway.) From the parking loop, it is about 250 meters out to the beach. There is a maze of paths. Just head toward the small cluster of trees in the otherwise treeless landscape. You will land on the beach near the canal (which will be to your right as you face the sea) in an area that is potentially nudist but sometimes all textile. Nude bathers are more likely to cluster a bit to the left as you face the sea, toward the kitesurfing area. You may also wish to cross the canal (there is a footbridge) to explore nudist possibilities on the last several hundred meters of the beach. The beach ends at the mouth of Río Vinalopó.
starting point:  Exit 22 (Torrellano, El Altet, Santa Pola, Aeropuerto, N-340, N-332) of the A-70 motorway in the city of Alicante
The A-70 is a relatively short toll-free motorway that runs a little over 30 kilometers through the vicinity of Alicante. At its north end, the A-70 begins at the AP-7 (a major toll motorway) near the coast on the northern outskirts of the city. From there it goes south through Sant Joan (through a long tunnel), then it skirts the inland edge of the urban core of Alicante, then it continues south past the city's airport, then it merges into the A-7 in the vicinity of Elche. Exit 22 is the airport exit, and it is located south of the urban core of the city, toward the southern end of the A-70. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the coast side of the motorway. From there, you will begin heading toward the coast on route N-338, which is a numbered route even though it is a very short connector road. Keep straight ahead on N-338, continuing past the exit for N-340 and then past the airport exit. In just over 4 kilometers, you will reach the end of N-338 at a junction with N-332. Exit to the right, following the sign for Santa Pola and Cartagena. You will be filtered onto N-332 southbound.
N-332 is a partially limited access road, with both cross streets and exits. As you go south on N-332, watch the kilometer marker numbers, which descend the farther you go. In about 10.5 kilometers, after passing both a turnoff and an exit for Santa Pola, you will reach kilometer marker 87. That marker is particularly easy to find since it is next to the roller coaster of Pola amusement park, which is on the coast side of the highway. (The inland side of the highway is a marshy, treeless open space.)
Continue along N-332 another 1.9 kilometers. Just past large mounds of salt that are on the coast side of the highway, you will reach another prominent landmark: a blue structure that spans the highway. That structure is an industrial conveyor of the saltworks, but it resembles a pedestrian bridge. At that point, you are getting close to the two parking options described above. About 100 meters past the blue structure, you will pass kilometer marker 85. About 250 meters farther on, the dirt parking area is on the left, just past a small church that is on the inland side of the highway. (The church is rather inconspicuous since it is obscured by trees and bushes.) Or, continue along N-332 another 700 meters and you will see the parking loop on the left next to kilometer marker 84, but, as noted above, you cannot turn left into the parking loop. You will need to keep going until you can turn around and backtrack. From either parking area, proceed as directed above.
Note: To avoid confusion as you plan a route through Alicante, be aware that several motorways in the vicinity are very similarly numbered: AP-7, A-7, A-70 and A-77.
MAP from A-70 Exit 22 to parking (small dirt area)
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Gola.

This placemark pertains to Playa de la Gola.

Pola amusement park
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Gola.

salt mounds

industrial conveyor spanning N-332 (resembles pedestrian bridge)

small church

remains of old wooden ship

kitesufing area

silhouetted bull

mouth of Río Vinalopó

kitesurfing zone

zone of most nude use, roughly

Playa de los Tusales

Playa de los Tusales
Guardamar del Segura (usually truncated to just Guardamar) is a town toward the southern end of the coast of the province of Alicante, about halfway between the city of Alicante and the border with Murcia. The river Segura flows into the sea north of the central area of the town, and on the north side of the river, Playa de los Tusales is the name of the northernmost segment of beach belonging to Guardamar. The beach extends northward from the river mouth about 1.7 kilometers to the municipal border with the neighboring town of Elche (a.k.a. Elx), at which point the name of the beach changes to Playa del Rebollo. Playa de los Tusales is backed by a large area of forested sand dunes that extends about 700 meters inland. There are two accesses to the beach—one at each end. The area around each point of access is textile, then a zone of about a kilometer between the two textile segments of the beach is signed for naturist use. Los Tusales is the most popular nude beach along the southern coast of the province of Alicante.
Although Los Tusales can be accessed from either end, the northern access is more popular, so the northern end of the nudist zone is generally more crowded than the southern end. From the closest parking to the northern access, it is a walk of about 700 meters out to the beach, but it is an easy, level and shaded walk along a boardwalk through the forest. When you land on the beach, you will actually be at Playa del Rebollo, and a snack stand is set up at the end of the boardwalk during warmer months. Facing the sea, turn right and head south and very shortly you will cross the municipal border from Elche into Guardamar, where the name of the beach changes to Los Tusales. (The change, of course, is purely semantic. It is all one continuous beach.) It is then a walk of a few hundred meters to the start of the nudist zone. Beyond the initial crowd of nudists lies an area preferred by gay men, where there are often rainbow flags waving. Beyond the gay area, the beach becomes very thinly populated, then there tends to be slight increase in bare bathers at the southern end of the nudist zone. Beyond the nudist zone, two boardwalks land on the beach about 100 meters apart in the southern textile area of Los Tusales. During warmer months, there is usually a snack stand at the more southern of the boardwalks.
Playa de los Tusales is often called by several other names. Because the beach is most often accessed through Playa de Rebollo, it is often called by that name. Furthermore, Playa de Rebollo itself it just a name for the southernmost part of Playa de la Marina, so that name is often applied to both Playa de Rebollo and Playa de los Tusales. (La Marina is a seaside area of Elche.) Finally, the variant of Playa de los Tusales in Valencian is Platja dels Tossals.
Guardamar del Segura, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YuuOMl
Playa de los Tusales can be approached from is north end or from its south end. Nudists tend to cluster toward the northern end of the nudist zone of the beach, so approaching from the north end is the more popular option.
To approach from the north end, set your GPS device to:
38.1279N, 0.6480W (earthen parking lot along Camí del Rebollo north of Guardamar del Segura)
The parking lot referenced above is marked by a blue-and-white "P" panel with the word batería, and it is effectively at the end of Camí del Rebollo, where a barrier prevents cars from going farther. Beyond the automobile barrier, the road continues 700 meters out to the beach, and there is a boardwalk that parallels the entire length of the road. When you reach the sea, you will be at the far southern end of a beach named Playa del Rebollo, which is the southernmost beach belonging to the municipality of Elche (a.k.a. Elx). Facing the sea, turn right and head south. Very shortly you will cross the municipal boundary from Elche into Guadalmar, at which point the beach name will change to Playa de los Tusales. The nudist zone begins about 300 meters from where the boardwalk lands on the beach and extends southward about a kilometer. The nude area ends a bit before the next point of access, where another boardwalk lands on the beach. (It is the boardwalk described below for the southern access.)
To approach from the south end, set your GPS device to:
38.1124N, 0.6435W (earthen parking lot next to fishery north of Guardamar del Segura)
Alevines de Guardamar is the name of a fish breeding company, and you will pass the entire length of the very long metal building of the fishery on your way to the parking lot referenced above, which is at the end of the road at the seaward end of the fishery. Just as soon as you enter the parking area, you will see a boardwalk with handrails on your left, next to a couple of signboards. Follow the boardwalk 140 meters to the point where it forks, then stay to the left. Continue 240 meters to the end of the boardwalk at the beach. When you land on the beach, you will be about 300 meters north of the far south end of the beach at the mouth of the river Segura. Facing the sea, turn left and head north. Shortly you will reach the start of the nudist zone, which extends northward about a kilometer. The nude area ends several hundred meters before the next point of access, where another boardwalk lands on the beach. (It is the boardwalk described above for the northern access.)
starting point:  Exit 740 (Almoradí, Rojales, Guardamar, Daya Nueva) of the AP-7 motorway near Almoradí
Exit 740 is roughly 50 kilometers south of the city of Alicante. Upon exiting, follow signs for Guardamar del Segura to negotiate your way through the interchange. As you head away from the motorway, you will be going east toward the coast on route CV-91. In 9 kilometers, as you near Guardamar del Segura, you will reach an interchange with N-332. Follow the signs for Alicante to negotiate your way through the interchange. You will pass kilometer marker 72 as you merge into N-332, going north parallel to the coast. Follow N-332 for 1.7 kilometers to a large roundabout (which is the only roundabout between markers 73 and 74). Which departure of the roundabout you take depends on whether want to you approach Playa de los Tusales from is north end or from its south end.
To continue to the northern access:
At the large roundabout (between kilometer markers 73 and 74), keep straight ahead, staying on N-332 toward Alicante. 900 meters farther along, keep straight ahead through another roundabout. About 300 meters farther along at kilometer marker 75, veer right away from N-332 at the sign pointing to La Marina and Playas, then keep to the right again when the lane splits. A bit farther along you will merge into two-way traffic at a 60 KPH speed-limit panel, and at that point you will be on a road that appears as N-332a on maps, but there are no signs with a number. (It is decommissioned segment of N-332.)
From the 60 KPH speed-limit panel, continue 400-500 meters and watch for the blue Elx town sign. Continue another 150 meters and take the second right after the town sign onto Camí del Rebollo. The turnoff is just before the entrance to La Marina Camping & Resort. Shortly after you turn, you should see a colorful children's playscape on your left-hand side. Continue about 250 meters to where the road straight ahead becomes closed to vehicles, at which point there is an earthen parking lot on the left. Proceed as directed above.
To continue to the southern access:
At the large roundabout (between kilometer markers 73 and 74), take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed only with a camping symbol. Shortly after you leave the roundabout, you will begin to pass Marjal Guardamar Camping & Resort, which is on the right side of the road. Proceed 400-500 meters to a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left. From that point, you will be on gravel roads. Proceed 200 meters, crossing three very short bridges over irrigation canals. Immediately after the third bridge, turn left★ at a three-way junction. Proceed 75 meters and take the next possible right★ at a three-way junction. Proceed not quite 200 meters, crossing two more very short bridges over irrigation canals, then take the second possible right★ at a four-way junction, immediately after the second bridge.
From that point, there are no more turns. In 600 meters, the road will begin to run alongside Alevines de Guardamar (the fish breeding company). For over 200 meters the long metal building of the fishery will be to your immediate right. At the end of the building, the road ends and widens into a gravel parking area. Proceed as directed above.
★ At all junctions indicated by the asterisk, there are playa signs to help you along.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 740 to parking (northern access)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 740 to parking (southern access)
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Tusales.

This placemark pertains to Playa de los Tusales.

Elx town sign

La Marina Camping & Resort

Playa del Rebollo (textile)

Marjal Guardamar Camping & Resort

Alevines de Guardamar fishery

mouth of Río Segura

Camí del Rebollo

road next to Marjal Guardamar Camping & Resort

Calas del Cabo Peñas

Calas del Cabo Peñas
Orihuela is a municipality in the far south of Alicante, very close to the border with Murcia. The actual town of Orihuela is situated considerably inland from the sea. The coastal realm of the municipality, known as Orihuela Costa, is a dense conglomeration of modern urbanizations that are inhabited mainly by Britons and other expats. One of the coastal neighborhoods of Orihuela Costa is Playa Flamenca. Another coastal neighborhood, Punta Prima, is a bit to the north. Between Playa Flamenca and Punta Prima, there is a vacant tract of land covering roughly 40 hectares, spanning about 1.2 kilometers of coastline. The tract was intended to be another coastal neighborhood, and a grid of streets was laid out in the mid-00's. However, development was halted after about half the street grid was paved. It seems that the project has been permanently abandoned, perhaps due to overdevelopment. Several decaying asphalted streets serve as reminders that something went awry.
There are three adjacent beaches along the vacant tract, collectively called the Calas del Cabo Peñas. The beach closest to Playa Flamenca is a designated dog beach. The other two beaches are attended by nudists. The two nude beaches are tucked into the face of an escarpment that rises about 10 meters above the sea. At low tide, the two nude beaches collectively span about 350 meters, and it is possible to skirt around a slight seaward projection of the escarpment to get from one beach to the other at sea level. At high tide, the two beaches contract substantially and are isolated from one another. Each beach is accessed by crude rock steps in the slope of the cliff face. While access is not difficult for the reasonably fit, be aware that there is not a handrail to assist the descent to either beach. Both nude beaches are well attended during summer, with most visitors opting to be naked. The more northern nude beach (closer to Punta Prima) tends to have a substantial but not exclusive LGBT presence.
The name Calas del Cabo Peñas is not at all well known. Since there are no signs, there does not seem to be a widely agreed-upon name for the nude beaches. The names Playa Flamenca and Punta Prima are often applied to the nude beaches. Google Maps names the nude beaches collectively as Cala Mosca, but that is actually the name of the northernmost beach of Playa Flamenca (which, remember, is the name of a neighborhood, not a specific beach). While it was once possible to drive onto the vacant land and park directly above the nude beaches, the land has been cordoned off since the mid-2010's. There are no amenities at the nude beaches, but food and drink is available nearby in either Playa Flamenca or Punta Prima.
Orihuela, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47rVVvx
starting point:  Exit 763 (La Zenia, Orihuela Costa) of the AP-7 motorway in Orihuela Costa
Exit 763 is roughly 75 kilometers south of the city of Alicante and 10 kilometers north of the border with Murcia. If you are going south (toward Murcia) when you exit, you will be filtered to a toll plaza. If you are going north (toward Alicante) when you exit, you will have just passed through a toll plaza that spans the entire motorway. Either way, follow signs for La Zenia to navigate the interchange and head toward the coast. In roughly one kilometer you will reach the junction with N-332 at a huge roundabout with a grassy median full of palms and other trees. Make a three-quarter circle through the roundabout and take the departure signed Alicante.
You will be going north on N-332 when you leave the large roundabout, and you will immediately pass kilometer marker 50, with the marker numbers ascending. N-332 has a mix of exits, roundabouts and regular junctions. Proceed 500 meters, then take the exit signed Playa Flamenca.
At the end of the short exit ramp, turn left and you will almost immediately enter a mini-roundabout. Keep straight ahead. Just past the next three-way junction, keep to the right when your lane splits. As you continue, you will be paralleling N-332. Keep straight ahead another 250 or so meters to a round red-and-white "do-not-enter" panel at the start of a short bridge. At that point, you must turn right onto a street named Calle Azucenas. (Street signage is inconspicuous.) In about 200 meters, you will reach the end of Calle Azucenas at a yield sign where it intersects Calle Los Claveles. At that point, Cala Mosca will be straight ahead. It is a small but deep pocket of sand bordered by a tile-paved promenade. There is streetside parking (37.9324N, 0.7214W) throughout the area.
Facing the sea, turn left and head to the north end of Cala Mosca, then continue across the vacant land that extends northward from the beach. You will be walking across a grassy but treeless plateau, with the sea on your right-hand side. Shortly you will pass the designated dog beach (playa canina). After the dog beach, watch for a short stretch of wooden split-rail fencing at the edge of the cliff. Bicycles are often locked to the rails. The crude steps down to the southern nude beach begin at the fencing. Or, continue along the top of the cliff another 250 meters to another short stretch of wooden split-rail fencing, where the steps to the northern nude beach begin. From the closest parking, the total walk is 500 or 750 meters, depending on which beach you choose.
ALTERNATE APPROACH
Follow the directions above, but do NOT take the Playa Flamenca exit. Continuing north on N-332, about 500 meters past the exit you will pass kilometer marker 51. About 500 meters farther on, keep straight ahead through another large roundabout★ with a grassy median. 500 meters farther on, you will pass marker 50. 400 meters farther on, exit right at a Punta Prima sign, then take the next possible right turn from the exit lane at another Punta Prima sign. Upon turning, you will be on Avenida del Mar. (Signage is inconspicuous.) Turn right onto any one of the next four intersecting streets. Each one is a short street that ends in a "T" with Calle Fragata. Turn left onto Calle Fragata and follow it a short distance to its dead end overlooking the sea. There is a small earthen parking lot (37.9413N, 0.7122W) on the right at the end of the street, and there is also lots of streetside parking in the area.
Steps to Playa Punta Prima begin at the end of the street, but do NOT go down the steps. Facing the sea near the top of the steps, turn right and head south on the dirt path the hews toward the edge of the cliff. You will enter the vacant land referenced above, but from its opposite end, and you will be walking such the the sea is on your left-hand side. In 600-700 meters you will reach the start of the steps to the northern nude beach, or continue about 250 meters farther to the steps to the southern nude beach.
★ The roundabout between kilometer markers 51 and 50 is aligned with the northern nude beach. It used to be possible to park on the coast side of the roundabout and take a short hike across the vacant land to the nude beaches, but barriers erected in 2018 now make it necessary to park elsewhere and walk a bit farther.
GOING SOUTH ON N-332
The route to either parking area described above is a bit more convoluted if you are going south rather than north on N-332.
There is not a Punta Prima exit for southbound traffic, so just continue to the roundabout that is between kilometer markers 50 and 51—the one denoted above by a star (★). Make a complete circle through the roundabout, then exit to Punta Prima shortly after you begin backtracking.
There is a Playa Flamenca exit for southbound traffic. Take the exit and watch carefully for Playa Flamenca signs to navigate the convoluted interchange. Just after you cross under N-332, you will enter the mini-roundabout referenced above. Go left at the mini-roundabout and proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 763 to parking (near Cala Mosca)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 763 to parking (near Playa Punta Prima)
This placemark pertains to Calas del Cabo Peñas.

southern beach (nudist)
This placemark pertains to Calas del Cabo Peñas.

northern beach (nudist)
This placemark pertains to Calas del Cabo Peñas.

small earthen parking lot

Cala Capitán (textile)

Cala Bosque (textile)

Cala Cerrada (textile)

Cala Estacas (textile)

Cala Mosca (textile)

dog beach (textile)

Playa Punta Prima (textile)

start of crude steps to southern nude beach

start of crude steps to northern nude beach

"do-not-enter" sign forces right turn

Calle Fragata does not connect to N-332

route from Playa Flamenca exit (northbound) to parking at Cala Mosca

Calle Fragata

highway exit/entrance lane

Calle La Trainera

Calle Cliper

Calla La Galera

Calle Bergantín

dirt track atop cliff

crude rock steps, no handrail

Galicia

Pontevedra

Playa de Saiáns & Cala de Noiva

Playa de Saiáns is located in Saiáns, the southernmost parish of Vigo, which is the most populous municipality in Galicia. The beach is about 13 kilometers southwest of the Vigo city center, and it has great views of the Islas Cíes, a small group of rugged islands that are about 7 kilometers at sea. The small beach is a deep pocket of white sand that is just over 100 meters long, and at low tide it is about 75 meters from the water to the inland edge of the beach. Nude bathing is freely tolerated at Saiáns despite its location next to a residential area, and it is often lauded as a beach where clad and unclad bathers mingle harmoniously. However, on busy summer weekends most of that mingling is done by textiles, with perhaps only 1 in 10 visitors disrobing all the way. Even on such crowded days, those who do not mind being in a small minority can be naked without raising eyebrows or ruffling feathers. Less crowded weekdays and off-peak weekends tend to have a much higher percentage of nudists.
Just north of Saiáns, there is a smaller and much more secluded beach named Cala de Noiva, which is at most 70 meters long. It is quickly and easily reached by hiking over the low-lying rocky land mass that separates the two beaches. Its expanse of sand is broken into multiple patches by lots of large rocks, and the beach contracts significantly at high tide. Noiva is also frequented by nude bathers. On days when there are few people at Saiáns, Noiva may be deserted or nearly so. When Saiáns is crowded and overrun with textiles, Noiva is often packed with mostly naked bodies, becoming the de facto nudist annex of Saiáns.
An alternate name for Playa de Saiáns is Playa de Muiños de Fortiñón. Although a sign pointing to the beach from the nearest major road names the beach as Saiáns, the sign at the beach names it as Areal de Fortiñón. (In Galician and Portuguese, "areal" is a word for beach that is basically synonymous with "praia.") There is an alfresco café next to the beach, just inland from the rocky mass that separates Saiáns and Noiva.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Saiáns.

Playa de Saiáns
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Saiáns and Cala de Noiva.)
Vigo, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
There are 12 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Saiáns and Cala de Noiva.

Cala de Noiva
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Saiáns and Cala de Noiva.)
Vigo, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
There are 12 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Saiáns and Cala de Noiva.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45pWN1S
42.1732N, 8.8114W (roundabout at kilometer 7.8 of PO-325 south of Vigo)
The roundabout referenced above is the only roundabout between kilometer markers 7 and 8. At the roundabout, take the departure signed Saiáns, which is the only departure along the coast side of the roundabout that is not a private driveway. Shortly after you leave the roundabout, take note of Restaurante Curbeira (to your right). After the restaurant, the road will begin to wind downhill. In about 300 meters, the main road ends next to a couple of handicap parking spaces. At that point, you will be directly next to Playa de Saiáns, which is in full view from the road. There is limited streetside parking leading up to the handicap parking spaces (42.1744N, 8.8138W). If those spaces are taken, keep straight ahead. At the end of the main road, it branches into three narrow tracks. Keep to the right and you will enter a long earthen parking lot surrounded by trees. The lot extends inland about 100 meters. If it is full, backtrack to Restaurante Curbeira. There is a small parking lot across the street from the restaurant.
As you step onto Playa de Saiáns from the short access ramp, the entire area of the small beach will be in view. Although nude bathing is acceptable, nudists are vastly outnumbered by textiles on peak days when the beach is packed. On such days, most nudists retreat to Cala de Noiva, a small hidden niche just north of Playa de Saiáns (to the right when facing the ocean). It takes just a minute or two to hike over the low-lying rocky land mass that separates Saiáns and Noiva.
starting point:  Exit 4 (Baiona) of the VG-20 motorway in Vigo
alternate starting point  Exit 2N (Navia, Xuncal) of the VG-20 motorway in Vigo
The VG-20 is a 13-kilometer-long expressway through the southern area of Vigo, south of the central city. Toward its east end, VG-20 connects to both the AP-9 and the AG-57 motorways. At its west end, VG-20 terminates not far from the Estadio de Balaídos, the city's primary sports venue. Which exit of VG-20 you take depends on which direction you are headed. If you area going toward the coast (i.e., coming from AP-9 or AG-57), take Exit 4. If you are going inland, take Exit 2N near the start of VG-20. (Do not confuse Exit 2N with Exit 2, which is also signed Navia). Both Exit 4 and Exit 2N exist for traffic coming from one way but not the other.
Whichever exit you take, follow signs for Nigrán and PO-325 upon exiting. After going through one or two roundabouts (depending on the exit), you will begin heading in a generally southwesterly direction on PO-325. Take note of the kilometer marker numbers, which ascend the farther you go. Follow PO-325 for 5.4 kilometers, staying straight ahead toward Nigrán and Baiona at all roundabouts, then take note when you pass kilometer marker 7. After marker 7, continue 800 meters to the next roundabout, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from VG-20 Exit 4 to parking
MAP from VG-20 Exit 2N to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Saiáns.

kilometer marker 7 of PO-325
This placemark pertains to Playa de Saiáns and Cala de Noiva.

roundabout between km 7 & 8 of PO-325
This placemark pertains to Playa de Saiáns and Cala de Noiva.

Restaurante Curbeira
This placemark pertains to Playa de Saiáns and Cala de Noiva.

kilometer marker 8 of PO-325

parking lot opposite Restaurante Curbeira

alfresco café

segment of PO-325

Playa de Fontaiña

Playa de Fontaiña
Vigo, the largest city in Galicia, is located along the south side of a prominent inlet called the Ría de Vigo. Southwest of the central city in the parish of Coruxo, there are three contiguous sandy beaches that collectively span about a kilometer: Playa de la Sirenita, Playa de Fontaiña and Playa del Vao. All are northeast-facing beaches along the Ría de Vigo near where it opens to the Atlantic. Playa del Vao, the westernmost beach, is the largest and most popular of the three, and at its west end a long bridge connects it to lsla de Toralla, a small island that is a few hundred meters offshore. Wedged between Playa del Vao and Playa de la Sirenita, Playa de Fontaiña is the smallest of the three beaches, spanning about 140 meters. Fontaiña is attended by nude bathers, and it is among the more urban nude beaches of Galicia, located less than 10 kilometers from the Vigo city center. Low-lying rocky outcroppings at either end provide partial seclusion from the neighboring textile beaches.
Fontaiña can get quite crowded on summer weekends, and most visitors opt to be naked. There are outdoor showers just inland from the beach along the coastal walkway, and during peak season snack stands and portable toilets are available in the parking areas. Looking out from Playa de Fontaiña, you will have fantastic views of the hilly terrain of the Morrazo Peninsula, the land mass on the opposite side of the Ría de Vigo.
Fontaiña is a well-attended nude beach, but it draws far smaller crowds than Playa de Barra (see separate listing), which is the most popular nude beach in the region. Oddly, you can see Playa de Barra from Playa de Fontaiña. Barra is located toward the ocean end of the Morrazo Peninsula, a little over 8 kilometers away from Fontaiña as the crow flies but at least 40 kilometers away by car.
Vigo, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qxAwQW
42.1980N, 8.7893W (parking lot entrance at kilometer 1.3 of PO-324 southwest of Vigo)
Breadouro restaurant and Beach Escolas windsurfing center and language camp are neighboring businesses located between kilometer markers 1 and 2 of PO-324, and Playa de Fontaiña is the small nude beach to the rear of those businesses. There are a number of beach parking lots in the area. The parking lot referenced above is the closest option for accessing the nude beach, and the entrance to the lot is about 75 meters west of Breadouro restaurant, directly across the road from a residential gate numbered "89." Facing the ocean, head to your right along the walkway that abuts the coast side of the parking lot. Shortly you will reach a blue-and-white sign that reads Praia e Dunas da Fontaiña, which is immediately before a pair of outdoor showers. At the sign, a short boardwalk is the access to the nude beach.
starting point:  Exit 4 (Baiona) of the VG-20 motorway in Vigo
alternate starting point:  Exit 2N (Navia, Xuncal) of the VG-20 motorway in Vigo
The VG-20 is a 13-kilometer-long expressway through the southern area of Vigo, south of the central city. Toward its east end, VG-20 connects to both the AP-9 and the AG-57 motorways. At its west end, VG-20 terminates not far from the Estadio de Balaídos, the city's primary sports venue. Which exit of VG-20 you take depends on which direction you are headed. If you area going toward the coast (i.e., coming from AP-9 or AG-57), take Exit 4. If you are going inland, take Exit 2N near the start of VG-20. (Do not confuse Exit 2N with Exit 2, which is also signed Navia). Both Exit 4 and Exit 2N exist for traffic coming from one way but not the other.
Whichever exit you take, follow signs for Nigrán and PO-325 upon exiting. After going through one or two roundabouts (depending on the exit), you will begin heading in a generally southwesterly direction on PO-325. Stay on PO-325 for 1.4 kilometers to a small roundabout at kilometer marker 3. As you enter the roundabout, you will see two roads that basically continue straight ahead, and the kilometer marker is between them. Take the first departure of the roundabout (i.e., the road farther to the right), which is signed Praia do Vao and Canido. (The road that is farther to the left, which is the second departure of the roundabout, is the continuation of PO-325.)
When you depart the roundabout, you will be on a street that is named Estrada do Vao and numbered EP-2003, but there is no prominent signage with the name or number. The street curves toward the coast. Follow the street for one kilometer to its end at a roundabout that forms the junction with PO-324.★ At that point, Playa del Vao will be straight ahead of you. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), following the sign for Vigo and Samil. Watch the crosswalks painted on the pavement. About 200 meters from the roundabout, take the next possible left after the second crosswalk to enter the parking lot referenced above. (You have gone a little too far if you pass Breadouro restaurant and Beach Escolas, but there are other parking options past those businesses.) Proceed as directed above.
★ The short segment of PO-324 described above is between kilometers markers 1 and 2, but—following the above directions—you will not be on PO-324 long enough to see any markers. Marker 1 is about 200 meters past Breadouro restaurant.
MAP from VG-20 Exit 4 to parking
MAP from VG-20 Exit 2N to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Fontaiña.

kilometer marker 2 of PO-325
This placemark pertains to Playa de Fontaiña.

roundabout at kilometer marker 3 of PO-325
This placemark pertains to Playa de Fontaiña.

roundabout between km 1 & 2 of PO-324

parking lot (one of many)

Breadouro restaurant

Beach Escolas windsurfing center & language camp

blue-and-white "Praia e Dunas da Fontaiña" sign

pedestrian bridge over PO-324

Playa del Vao (textile)

Playa de la Sirenita (textile)

bridge to lsla de Toralla

Isla de Toralla

segment of Estrada do Vao/EP-2003

segment of PO-324

walkway

Playa de Fontaiña access

extent of Playa de Fontaiña, roughly

Playa de Figueiras

Playa de Figueiras
The Islas Cíes are an archipelago of rugged, mountainous islands off the coast of Vigo that are part of a maritime reserve called the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. Three principal land masses span about 7 kilometers. From north to south, those land masses are lsla de Monteagudo, Isla do Faro and Isla de San Martiño. Although named as three islands, that is somewhat misleading. The southern land mass (San Martiño) is distinctly an island unto itself, while the other two essentially function as one. Monteagudo and Do Faro are separated by a shallow lagoon yet connected by an isthmus-like beach called Playa de Rodas that forms one side of the lagoon. The north and south ends of Rodas are respectively wedged against Monteagudo and Do Faro, while the central area of the beach is backed by the lagoon. Besides being connected by Rodas, Monteagudo and Do Faro are also connected by a low-water bridge over the narrow tidal channel between the lagoon and the Atlantic. Going to the Cíes by ferry entails a visit to Monteagudo and Do Faro. There is no ferry service to San Martiño, which is accessible only by private boat.
There are just three major beaches in the Cíes, and all are along the east side of the islands looking out over the Ría de Vigo. The largest by far is the aforementioned Playa de Rodas, stretching about 1.2 kilometers. Rodas is a gorgeous beach that is often included on lists of the world's most beautiful beaches, renowned for its white sand, turquoise water and picturesque setting. The other two beaches are Playa de Figueiras, a 300-meter long beach in Monteagudo, and Playa de San Martiño, a 500-meter-long beach that is the only beach on the island for which it is named. Other than those three beaches, there are just a handful of much smaller beaches. Figueras is the established nude beach of the islands. Like Rodas, Figueras is a very beautiful beach with white sand and a forested backdrop. Nudity is acceptable anywhere along the beach, but during July and August there are often lots of textiles amid the nudists. At the north end of Figueras, there is a separate niche roughly 30 meters long that is partially secluded from the rest of the beach, beyond an easily traversed mass of low-lying rock.
The Cíes have very little development. Cars are not allowed, and there are no permanent residents. Visitors arrive by passenger ferry from one of several nearby towns on the mainland. There are just a few roads on the islands, and the 5-kilometer-long main road spans most of the length of Monteagudo and Do Faro. Most visitors day trip to the Cíes, and while exploring all accessible areas is a bit much for a day trip, limited walking is required to visit the nude beach. Ferries land at the far north end of Rodas, and Figueiras is just a bit north, about a 10-minute walk from the ferry dock. The only option for staying overnight is tent camping. The campground is toward the opposite (south) end of Rodas from the ferry dock. Tents can be rented, and reservations are necessary. The campground is the closest thing to a village on the islands, with a restaurant, a small grocery shop and toilet facilities with coin-operated hot showers. There are no amenities at Figueiras. From the nude beach, it takes about 20 minutes to walk to the campground (about 1.3 kilometers away). There is also a restaurant at the ferry dock.
Incidentally, the beach of San Martiño (42.2017N, 8.9049W) is often named as a nude beach as well, but it actually seems to get limited nude use. Nudity is least likely to occur on peak days when there are lots of boats docked offshore.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YxufkQ
For information about getting to the Islas Cíes, a good starting point is the official, multi-lingual Vigo tourism website (Turismodevigo.org). On the front page of the website, there is a option for the Cíes Islands. Explore those pages to find information about ferry service. Three ferry companies offer trips to the Cíes, delivering passengers to a ferry dock at the far north end of Playa de Rodas. (Cars are not allowed on the island.) Depending on the particular company, departures are available from Vigo, Cangas, Baiona, Bueu and Portonovo. The distance is 10 to 20 kilometers, depending on where you depart the mainland. There are multiple daily trips to and from the island from June through September, with more frequent service during July and August and more limited service on select days before June and after September. Expect a per-person roundtrip fare of €15 - €20.
When you land at Cíes and walk off the ferry dock, you will be heading toward an eatery called Restaurante Rodas. At the restaurant, turn left and follow the broad boardwalk with side rails that skirts the far north end of Playa de Rodas, the long main beach of the Islas Cíes. As you enter the wooded area just inland from the beach, the boardwalk will end at a "T" with a pedestrian road that is the island's main road. Turn right and follow the road north about 250 meters to a junction where a boardwalk veers off to the right. Follow the boardwalk, which goes gradually downhill and lands roughly at the middle of Playa de Figueiras. The total walk from the ferry dock to the nude beach is just 600 meters, and there are a few signs pointing the way, which name the beach as Area de Figueiras.
More about camping on the island is available at the Vigo tourism website as well as at Campingislascies.com.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Figueiras.

Faro do Peito (lighthouse)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Figueiras.

ferry dock
This placemark pertains to Playa de Figueiras.

Restaurante Rodas

Playa de Areíña (textile)

Playa de Muxieiro (textile)

Playa de Rodas (textile)

lagoon

campground

Playa de Nosa Señora (textile)

Faro da Porta (lighthouse)

Faro de Cíes (lighthouse)

Playa de San Martiño (some nudity on uncrowded days, reachable only by private boat)

main island road (pedestrian)

boardwalk connecting ferry dock to main island road

boardwalk from main island road to Playa de Figueiras

Playa de los Alemanes

Playa de los Alemanes
The Morrazo Peninsula is the land mass defined by the Ría de Vigo and the Ría de Pontevedra, two inlets that deeply indent the coastline of the province of Pontevedra. The town of Cangas is on the south side of the peninsula along the north shore of the Ría de Vigo, across the inlet from the city of Vigo. Cangas is part of the Vigo metropolitan area. The main beach of Cangas is a sandy beach called Playa de Rodeira, which is nearly a kilometer long. A low-lying rocky land mass forms the east end of the long textile beach, and a small lodging business called La Garita Casa Rural sits atop that land mass. On the other side of the land mass, the next beach to the east is a rather hidden beach called Playa de los Alemanes, or Praia dos Alemáns in Galician. Los Alemanes, which is also known by the name Las Ratas, is frequented by nude bathers. About 175 meters long, Los Alemanes is a sandy beach that has lots of of rocks scattered along its intertidal zone. Access to the beach has been greatly improved by a walkway that was constructed in the mid-2010's. The nude beach has no amenities. The closest parking is at the far east end of Playa de Rodeira, and food, drink, toilets and showers are available along the textile beach.
Playa de los Alemanes is a fairly minor nudist venue that draws few visitors in comparison to Playa de Barra, a very popular nude beach located farther west along the Morrazo Peninsula, about 10 kilometers from Los Alemanes by car.
Cangas, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DVT00x
42.2629N, 8.7657W (the Rotonda do Gordo at the Cangas/Moaña municipal border)
The Rotonda do Gordo is the roundabout at the junction of routes PO-554 and PO-551, located at the eastern edge of Cangas at the municipal border with Moaña. The roundabout, which is at kilometer 21.35 of PO-551, is distinctive for the art installation in its median—a sculpture of an obese nude woman standing on a pedestal. At the roundabout, take the departure signed Cangas. Head west on PO-551 just 200 meters, then take the first possible left (which will be a very sharp left), at signs for Turismo Rural La Garita and COIRO. (You have missed it by 150 meters if you reach kilometer marker 21.) About 100 meters after turning, keep to the right at a three-way junction, following another sign for Turismo Rural La Garita. Continue about 300 meters and the road will widen into an asphalted parking lot (42.2597N, 8.7661W).
Park and continue on foot along the road, which continues just a bit beyond the far end of the parking lot. Shortly you will pass La Garita Casa Rural, a small lodging establishment at the end of the road. Continue along the walkway that is straight ahead from the end of the road. The walkway makes a long leftward curve along the perimeter wall of La Garita, with the bay (i.e., the Ría de Vigo) on your right-hand side and the perimeter wall on your left-hand side. Once you have rounded the bend to the opposite side of La Garita, Playa de los Alemanes will come into view. Continue to the end of the walkway, where several steps descend to the beach. The total walking distance from the parking area is about 300 meters.
starting point:  Exit 146 (Moaña, Cangas) of the AP-9 motorway near Vigo
Exit 146 is about 9 kilometers north of the city center of Vigo and about 17 kilometers south of Pontevedra. Coming from Vigo, Exit 146 is the first exit after you cross the distinctive cable-stayed bridge (Ponte de Rande/Puente de Rande) that spans the Ría de Vigo. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the east side of the motorway, where you will either pass through or next to a toll plaza. (Traffic coming from Vigo bypasses the plaza, while traffic coming from Pontevedra must pay a toll.) After the toll plaza, follow the blue sign that points toward Moaña, Cangas and Bueu. After crossing under the bridge landing to the west side of the motorway, follow another blue sign for Moaña, Cangas and Bueu. You will be filtered to the start of a motorway numbered AG-46, which winds west through the Morrazo Peninsula.
Stay on AG-46 about 11 kilometers, then take Exit 12 (Cangas). At the roundabout at the end of the exit ramp, follow the sign toward Cangas and you will be at the start of a limited-access highway numbered VG-4.5 (yes, that is "4 point 5), heading south.
Follow VG-4.5 for 2.4 kilometers to the terminus of the short highway at a roundabout that is immediately past a prominent pedestrian bridge that spans the highway. Take the second departure of the roundabout (i.e., just stay straight ahead), following a sign that points toward Cangas. You will then be on PO-554, which is a very short road. Continue 500 meters to the end of PO-554 at the next roundabout, which is the Rotonda do Gordo. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Alemanes.

pedestrian bridge spanning VG-4.5 at its terminus
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Alemanes.

roundabout at terminus of VG-4.5
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Alemanes.

Rotonda do Gordo (roundabout at junction of PO-554 & PO-551)

far east end of Playa de Rodeira (textile)

La Garita Casa Rural

PO-554, very short road connecting VG-4.5 & PO-551

segment ot PO-551

road to La Garita

Playa de Barra & Playa de Viñó

The Morrazo Peninsula is the land mass defined by the Ría de Vigo and the Ría de Pontevedra, two inlets that deeply indent the coastline of the province of Pontevedra. The town of Cangas is on the south side of the peninsula along the north shore of the Ría de Vigo, across the inlet from the city of Vigo. Cangas is part of the Vigo metropolitan area. On the western outskirts of Cangas near the westernmost point of the Morrazo Peninsula, there is a trio of sandy beaches that collectively span about 2 kilometers, all facing south along the Ría de Vigo near where the inlet opens to the Atlantic. From east to west, the beaches are named Playa de Nerga, Playa de Viñó and Playa de Barra, and each is separated from the next by a low-lying rocky land mass. Nerga and Barra are roughly the same size—each 700-800 meters long, while Viñó is less than 300 meters long. Nerga is a textile beach, while Barra is a designated nude beach. Nude bathing is also quite common at Viñó, the middle beach, although it is not officially recognized as a naturist venue.
Nerga, Viñó and Barra are all exceptionally beautiful beaches with broad expanses of white sand, set against a backdrop of gently rolling hills that are covered in a verdant forest of pine and eucalyptus trees. Barra is the premier nude beach of Atlantic Spain, drawing hundreds of visitors on peak summer weekends. Almost everyone goes naked. Viñó is also well attended, but it draws a more mixed crowd of nudists and textiles. Barra and Viñó are accessed from the same road, with a network of shaded parking areas a bit inland from the far east end of Barra. Most visitors to Barra cluster toward the east end of the beach near the main point of access, with the crowd thinning out toward the west end (to the right when facing the water). Negra is the only one of three beaches equipped with toilets and showers. Snack stands are available at all three beach on peak days.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Barra and Playa de Viñó.

Playa de Barra
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Barra and Playa de Viñó.)
Cangas, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
There are 13 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Barra and Playa de Viñó.

Playa de Viñó
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Barra and Playa de Viñó.)
Cangas, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
There are 13 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Barra and Playa de Viñó.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45qKz9c
42.2672N, 8.8377W (turnoff from EP-1006 toward Playa de Barra and Playa de Viñó, between O Hío and Donón)
O Hío and Donón are nearby villages that are part of the municipality of Cangas. About 4 kilometers apart, the two villages are connected by EP-1006, a minor road that seems to lack kilometer markers. The turnoff to Playa de Barra and Playa de Viñó is roughly halfway between O Hío and Donón, and it is marked by signs for Viñó and Praia de Barra. A distinctive landmark next to the turnoff is a stately stone residential gateway with three arches.
Upon turning, continue about 900 meters (passing through a residential area) until you reach "do not enter" panels straight ahead. Veer right. You will then temporarily be on a one-way system. Follow the narrow paved road a little over 300 meters to a junction where the one-way system ends. Keep straight ahead. The road will turn to gravel, and by that point you will be in a heavily wooded area. As you follow the gravel road, you will see a few large shaded earthen parking areas off to your left. Those parking areas are used mainly as overflow lots during peak summer season but are typically empty the rest of the year. A little over 200 meters along the gravel road, it will widen into the parking area that is closest to Playa de Barra (42.2633N, 8.8484W).
Looking to the right as you enter the parking area, the broad trail that is the main access to Playa de Barra begins at a couple of round red-and-white panels that indicate no entry for vehicles. The wooded path is about 250 meters long, and it lands on Playa de Barra near its east end.
Alternatively, keep straight ahead on the gravel road beyond the widened parking area. About 125 meters farther on, you will enter another earthen parking area that is just inland from the low-lying land mass that separates Playa de Barra and Playa de Viñó. As you walk out toward that land mass and face the water, the far east end of Playa de Barra will be to your right and the far west end of Playa de Viñó will be to your left.
starting point:  Exit 146 (Moaña, Cangas) of the AP-9 motorway near Vigo
Exit 146 is about 9 kilometers north of the city center of Vigo and about 17 kilometers south of Pontevedra. Coming from Vigo, Exit 146 is the first exit after you cross the distinctive cable-stayed bridge (Ponte de Rande/Puente de Rande) that spans the Ría de Vigo. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the east side of the motorway, where you will either pass through or next to a toll plaza. (Traffic coming from Vigo bypasses the plaza, while traffic coming from Pontevedra must pay a toll.) After the toll plaza, follow the blue sign that points toward Moaña, Cangas and Bueu. After crossing under the bridge landing to the west side of the motorway, follow another blue sign for Moaña, Cangas and Bueu. You will be filtered to the start of an expressway that winds west through the Morrazo Peninsula.
The expressway is 18 kilometers long, but there are three numbers associated with it. Most of the expressway is a four-lane motorway numbered AG-46, with divided lanes of opposing traffic. The motorway eventually morphs into a two-lane undivided highway numbered CG-4.1 (yes, that is "4 point 1"), but it is still an expressway with exits rather than cross streets. The number changes again—to VG-4.6 ("4 point 6")— for the final few kilometers. Just stay straight ahead all the way to the end of the expressway at a roundabout that forms the junction with PO-315. Take the second departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), following the sign for Aldán.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be going south on PO-315 through a cluster of urbanized areas, with the kilometer marker numbers ascending. Proceed exactly 3 kilometers, then turn right at a sign pointing toward O Hío.★ The turnoff is about 800 meters past kilometer marker 10, and the street is named Rúa David Cal at the point where you turn. (There are small placards with the name of the street affixed to buildings at the turnoff.) Upon turning, follow the road west for 1.1 kilometers to its end at a stop sign at a "T" junction next to the village church of O Hío. Turn left, following the signs for Nerga and Donón.
Once you turn at the stop sign next to the church, you will be on the road that connects the villages of O Hío and Donón. Proceed 700 meters and take note of the left-hand turnoff toward Nerga, but do not turn there. Continue another 900 meters toward Donón, then turn left at the signs pointing toward Viñó and Praia de Barra. It is the next prominently signed turnoff after the Nerga turnoff. Proceed as directed above.
★ There are two roads that connect PO-315 to O Hío. The road described above leaves PO-315 between kilometer markers 10 and 11. The other road leaves PO-315 just 600-700 meters farther south, between markers 11 and 12. Each road is roughly one kilometer long, and they converge toward one another, connecting to the O Hío-to-Donón road just 50 meters apart. Whichever road you follow into O Hío, just watch for signs for Donón once you reach O Hío.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Barra and Playa de Viñó.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Barra and Playa de Viñó.

village church in O Hío

private residential gateway with 3 arches

"Donón" village sign

parking area (one of several)

Playa de Nerga (textile)

segment of PO-315

road connecting PO-315 to O Hío (one of two)

road connecting O Hío to Donón

road toward Viñó & Barra

one-way road leading toward parking areas

one-way road leading away from parking areas

gravel road through parking areas

main access path to Playa de Barra

path to Playa de Viñó

Playa de Tulla & Playa de Sartaxens

Playa de Tulla is a north-facing beach on the south side of a large inlet called the Ría de Pontevedra. The beach is in the town of Bueu, which is about 20 kilometers southwest of Pontevedra, the major town at the most interior part of the inlet. Tulla is about 500 meters long, and the main expanse of the beach is very likely to be entirely textile, although there may be some nudity on days when attendance is sparse. However, there is a separate niche of the beach that is always likely to be predominantly nudist. If you face the water then look to your right, you will see a collection of boulders at the easternmost part of the beach. It is easy to get around the first of the boulders, and on the other side you will find a small sandy area sheltered amid the boulders and hidden from the main beach. That area is the informal nudist zone of Tulla, and it is about 30 meters from one side to the other. Since the parking lot is located toward the far eastern end of the main beach, it takes just a minute to walk to the nudist niche. During warmer months, a snack stand and portable toilets are installed near the parking area. On summer days when the parking lot is mostly full, there are usually about a dozen visitors in the nude area.
Toward the east end of Tulla near the nudist niche, there is a footpath that goes into the woods but stays toward the coastline. Following that path, within five minutes you will come to a hidden beach nestled in the forest. The hidden beach is called Playa de Sartaxens, and it is actually comprised of two small distinct beaches that are separated by a rocky outcropping. Both the Sartaxens beaches are shaded niches that are scattered with boulders, and each is roughly the same size as the nudist niche of Playa de Tulla. Nude bathers are sometimes present, but the Sartaxens beaches are often deserted even on days when Tulla is crowded.
Playa de Tulla is just 13 kilometers by car north of Playa de Barra, which is the most popular nude beach in Galicia. The Tulla and Sartaxens nudist niches provide a much smaller-scale nudist experience in comparison to Barra.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Tulla and Playa de Sartaxens.

Playa de Tulla
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Tulla and Playa de Sartaxens.)
Bueu, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
There are 15 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Tulla and Playa de Sartaxens.

Playa de Sartaxens, western niche
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Tulla and Playa de Sartaxens.)
Bueu, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
There are 15 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Tulla and Playa de Sartaxens.

Playa de Sartaxens, eastern niche
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Tulla and Playa de Sartaxens.)
Bueu, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
There are 15 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Tulla and Playa de Sartaxens.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3shNyCp
42.3262N, 8.8078W (turnoff toward Cabo Udra at kilometer 3.7 of PO-315 in Bueu, west of the town center)
The turnoff referenced above is directly opposite a pharmacy, and it is marked by a brown sign pointing toward Cabo Udra. Once you turn away from PO-315, the road will immediately fork. Keep to the right to stay on the road toward Cabo Udra and continue another 300-400 meters. When you reach the three-way junction where the main road curves leftward, turn right at the orange sign for Praia de Tuia.★
Once you turn, you will be on a narrow road that winds through a residential area to the beach. Along the way, there are a couple of potentially confusing junctions that are not signed. In 400 meters, keep to the left at a fork to stay on the main road. (The right fork goes slightly uphill.) About 300 meters farther on, turn right at a three-way junction next to a residential gate numbered 56. (The road straight ahead dead ends shortly past the junction.) 500 meters farther on, you will reach the end of the road at an earthen parking lot next to the beach (42.3376N, 8.8124W). (The road turns to gravel along its final stretch.)
The parking area is near the east end of Playa de Tulla. The nudist niche of Playa de Tulla and the two small niches that comprise Playa de Sartaxens are all east of the parking area (to the right when facing the water). To go to the nudist niche of Playa de Tulla, step onto the sand and head to the right about 100 meters toward the collection of boulders at the east end of the main beach. The small nudist area is amid the boulders, on the other side of a particularly massive boulder. You can skirt around the inland side of the rocky mass, or you can skirt around its sea side if the tide is far enough out.
To go to Playa de Sartaxens, find the footpath that goes east into the woods. The path skirts the inland edge of the nudist niche of Playa de Tulla then hews toward a rocky stretch of the coastline. About 400 meters from the parking area, you will come to the first of the Sartaxens beaches. The second beach is about 100 meters farther on. The two Sartaxens beaches are separated by a rocky outcropping, and short side paths descend to both of them. Beyond the Sartaxens beaches, the coastal path goes uphill then past the coastal edge of a seaside water treatment facility.
starting point:  Exit 146 (Moaña, Cangas) of the AP-9 motorway near Vigo
Exit 146 is about 9 kilometers north of the city center of Vigo and about 17 kilometers south of Pontevedra. Coming from Vigo, Exit 146 is the first exit after you cross the distinctive cable-stayed bridge (Ponte de Rande/Puente de Rande) that spans the Ría de Vigo. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the east side of the motorway, where you will either pass through or next to a toll plaza. (Traffic coming from Vigo bypasses the plaza, while traffic coming from Pontevedra must pay a toll.) After the toll plaza, follow the blue sign that points toward Moaña, Cangas and Bueu. After crossing under the bridge landing to the west side of the motorway, follow another blue sign for Moaña, Cangas and Bueu. You will be filtered to the start of an expressway that winds west through the Morrazo Peninsula.
The expressway is 18 kilometers long, but there are three numbers associated with it. Most of the expressway is a four-lane motorway numbered AG-46, with divided lanes of opposing traffic. The motorway eventually morphs into a two-lane undivided highway numbered CG-4.1 (yes, that is "4 point 1"), but it is still an expressway with exits rather than cross streets. The number changes again—to VG-4.6 ("4 point 6")— for the final few kilometers. Just stay straight ahead all the way to the end of the expressway at a roundabout that forms the junction with PO-315. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), following the sign for Bueu, Beluso and Cabo Udra.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be going north on PO-315, with the kilometer marker numbers descending. In 3.6 kilometers you will pass marker 4. By that point, you will be in the town of Bueu. After marker 4, continue about 300 meters, then turn left at the Cabo Udra sign. Proceed as directed above.
★ Praia de Tuia is the same as Playa de Tulla.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Tulla and Playa de Sartaxens.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Tulla and Playa de Sartaxens.

fork along road to beach

residential gate numbered 56

main expanse of Playa de Tulla (textile)

water treatment facility

westernmost area of Cabo Udra

road to Cabo Udra

road to Playa de Tulla

coastal path segment

nudist niche of Playa de Tulla

Playa de los Enamorados

Playa de los Enamorados
The small city of Pontevedra, the capital of the province of the same name, lies at the innermost part of the Ría de Pontevedra, a long fjord-like inlet of the coastline. Just a bit southwest of the city, the town of Marín is along the south shore of the inlet, which is the north shore of the Morrazo Peninsula. Playa de Aguete is a popular sandy beach in the southwestern outskirts of Marín in a district named Seixo. Oriented to the northwest, Aguete arcs about 750 meters. There is a marina near the southwest end of the beach. Just beyond its northeast end beyond a rocky outcropping, there is a hidden beach known as Playa de los Enamorados, or Praia dos Namorados in Galician. The name basically means Lovers' Beach. Los Enamorados is attended by nude bathers despite being directly overlooked by a couple of large private residences. The broadest area of the beach is a sandy expanse extending about 100 meters, but there are also smaller niches at either end that are exposed at low tide. Los Enamorados typically has 20 or fewer visitors even on days when Aguete is packed. Most visitors opt for nudity. There are no amenities at the nude beach, but there are several eateries along Playa de Aguete.
The only access to Playa de los Enamorados is by crossing the rocky terrain at the northeast end of Playa de Aguete. Going over the rocks is no problem at low tide, but access is more difficult at high tide. Before you visit, consider checking the tides on a website like Tablademareas.com or Tides4fishing.com (which are the same site; the latter is just the English version). On the English-language site, look up Europe→Spain→Atlantic Coast→Pontevedra→Marín.
Marín, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45v8gwW
42.3755N, 8.7292W (easternmost access to Playa de Aguete, in western outskirts of Marín)
There are several ramps and staircases going down to Playa de Aguete from the 1.4-kilometer-long street than runs above the beach. For the most part, the beach is not readily visible from the street due to vegetation and the slope of the land. There are signs pointing to Praia de Aguete at either end of the street, but there is no signage indicating a proper name of the street. There is no beach parking lot. Parking is available along most of the length of the street, with cars parked very tightly during peak season, but be advised that parking is not allowed where there is a yellow line along the side of the street or along the curb.
The easternmost access is a stone staircase that is directly across the street from a private residence numbered "175." At the top of the stairs there is a Praia de Aguete signboard with a map of the beach as well as a rather inconspicuous sign for Mini Bar, which is the eatery at the bottom of the stairs. Facing the sea at the bottom of the stairs, turn right and head about 150 meters to the far northeast end of Playa de Aguete, where a low rocky outcropping projects into the sea. Step onto the rocks to find a narrow dirt footpath. As you follow that path, shortly you will be walking next to a stone retaining wall that will shortly turn a corner. Just as soon as you round that bend you will arrive at the southwestern niches of Playa de los Enamorados amid the rocks. Continue about 50 meters to reach the broadest expanse of sand. At the opposite (northeast) end of the main expanse of the nude beach, there are crude steps built into the rocks. If you walk along the rocks a minute or two you will find a small niche amid large boulders at the far northeast end of the beach.
The route described below bypasses the town center of Marín. It is not the shortest route from Pontevedra to the beach, but it is the easiest to follow.
starting point:  Exit 132A (Pontevedra sur, Marín) of the AP-9 motorway near Pontevedra
There are two exit interchanges along AP-9 in Pontevedra. Exit 129 is the more northern of the two, while Exits 132A and 132B are both part of the more southern interchange. Be sure to take the 132A exit. All exiting traffic is filtered onto a short expressway that goes west to the coast. In just a kilometer or so you will reach the end of the expressway at a large roundabout that is part of an interchange that is next to the Ría de Pontevedra. Circle almost all the way through the roundabout and take the departure signed Beau and Seixo.
When you depart the large roundabout, you will be at the start of a limited-access highway numbered CG-4.4 (yes, that is "4 point 4"). The highway skirts the inland periphery of Marín, bypassing the town center. Follow the entire length of CG-4.4—a distance of 13 kilometers. You will pass through a short tunnel just before you reach the end of the highway at a roundabout that forms the junction with PO-551. Take the first departure of the roundabout, toward Marín.
The roundabout is located roughly at kilometer 6.4 of PO-551. The kilometer marker numbers will decrease as you head northeast through Seixo toward the center of Marín, but some of the markers are very hard to spot. Proceed 1.7 kilometers to the first red light, at a four-way intersection with a short left-turn lane. The intersection is 300 meters past marker 5. Turn left, following signs for Porto de Aguete and Praia de Aguete.
Upon turning, you will be on Rúa de Gago de Mendoza (but street signage is inconspicuous). Proceed 700 meters, then turn right at another sign pointing toward Praia de Aguete. (It is the last right you can make before Rúa de Gago de Mendoza ends at the marina.)
Upon turning, you will be at the start of the 1.4-kilometer-long street referenced above. The street goes past several accesses to Playa de Aguete before ending at PO-551 (near marker 3). Proceed about 700 meters to find the easternmost beach access on the left, then proceed as directed above. If you reach a three-way junction★ at a sign indicating "no left turn," you have gone about 300 meters past the access.
Instead of turning at the red light, keep straight ahead on PO-551. Continue 1.7 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 3. Less than 100 meters past the marker, take the next left at a Praia de Aguete sign. You will then be at the opposite end of the 1.4-kilometer-long street referenced above. Proceed 300-400 meters to a stop sign at a three-way junction.★ Keep straight ahead. 300 meters farther on, the easternmost beach access is on the right.
★ The same three-way junction is referenced above twice. Going in one direction along the beach street there is a "no-left-turn" sign at the junction, but going in the other direction there is a stop sign.
MAP from AP-9 Exit 132A to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Enamorados.

roundabout: junction of CG-4.4 & PO-551
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Enamorados.

This placemark pertains to Playa de los Enamorados.

red light

approximate midpoint of Playa de Aguete (textile)

easternmost stairs to beach

Mini Bar

3-way junction along beach street: no-left-turn sign or stop sign, depending on direction of approach

Rúa de Gago de Mendoza

beach street

path over rocks

extent of Playa de los Enamorados

Playa de Melide

Playa de Melide
Ons is the name of a small archipelago off the coast from Sanxenxo that is part of a maritime reserve called Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. There are just two significant land masses: Isla de Ons, the main island that has an area of a little over 4 square kilometers; and Isla de Onza, an uninhabited island that is less than a tenth the size of the main island. Ons Island is about 6 kilometers long north to south, and east-west distances range from just a few hundred meters to a bit more than one kilometer. The island's population peaked in the 1950s when it had more than 500 inhabitants, but in recent decades there have been fewer than 100 permanent residents. There are several scattered settlements, but the only real village is O Curro, which is about midway along the east side of the island.
Ons is a summer tourist destination, with visitors arriving at a ferry dock in O Curro. The island has three main beaches—Playa de Area dos Cans, Playa de Canexol and Playa de Melide—along with a scattering of smaller beaches. The three main beaches are all on the east side of Ons facing the Ría de Pontevedra and the mainland. Area dos Cans and Canexol are south of the ferry dock, and both are textile venues. Melide is north of the ferry dock and a bit farther removed from the village, and it is a nude beach. Stretching about 300 meters, Melide is a beautiful beach of white sand set against a verdant, gently sloping hillside.
Except for a few service vehicles, cars are not allowed on Ons, so you will be on foot unless you make arrangements to bring a bicycle. Visitors arrive by passenger ferry from one of several nearby towns on the mainland. From the ferry dock, it is about 2 kilometers to Playa de Melide. The nude beach has no amenities, but there are several restaurants in O Curro. Although most visitors day trip to Ons, staying overnight is possible, but reserving in advance is highly recommended due to limited options. There is a small campground uphill from O Curro. Guests can rent a tent or bring their own, and several canvas cabins on wooden foundations are also available. Besides the campground, a very limited number of rooms and apartments are available to rent on the island.
Although Ons Island is popular with tourists, it draws far fewer visitors than the Cíes Islands, a nearby archipelago that is a bit south, closer to Vigo. (A trip to the Cíes entails going to two of the three main islands of the archipelago, which are connected to one another and essentially function as one island.) Comparing Ons and the Cíes, there are some basic similarities and differences. Cars are not allowed at either Ons or the Cíes, and both are mostly day-trip destinations. Ons is somewhat larger than two connected islands of the Cíes combined, but the terrain is a good bit different. Ons is hilly, pastoral and pleasant, with a maximum elevation of 128 meters. The more visually dramatic Cíes have rugged, rocky, mountainous terrain, with a maximum elevation of 197 meters. Tent camping is the only overnight option at the Cíes, while Ons has more lodging options. There are popular nude beaches at Ons and the Cíes, but Playa de Figueiras (the nude beach of the Cíes) can be reached in less than 10 minutes on foot, whereas it takes closer to half and hour to walk to Playa de Melide.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DXx5WY
Three ferry companies offer trips to Ons:
Cruceros Rías Baixas (Crucerosriasbaixas.com)
Naviera Mar de Ons (Mardeons.es)
Piratas de Nabia (Piratasdenabia.com)
Bueu is the most common point of departure, but ferry service is also available from Sanxenxo, Portonovo, Aldán, Marín and Vigo. From June through late September, there is daily service to Ons from at least one of the points of departure, with service on select days in May. Note that there is a good bit of variation in service depending on the ferry company and the point of departure. For example, service from Vigo is limited to weekends in July and August, and only one ferry company operates on weekdays in June. Expect a per-person roundtrip fare of about €15.
Ferries land in O Curro, which is the only village of Ons. (Most maps label O Curro simply as Ons.) As the crow flies, Playa de Melide is 1.4 kilometers north of the ferry dock (to the right facing the island or to the left facing the water). The dock and the beach are both on the east side of the island, facing the mainland. The main island road is a cobbled road that begins at the ferry dock and goes uphill through the village then continues uphill beyond the village to the lighthouse. Follow the cobbled road up through the village for less than 150 meters until you reach a small church on the right, then turn right onto the dirt track that is next to the church. Keep straight ahead on the track for 600 meters to a three-way junction that is basically a "T," where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right. Continuing along the track, in about 800 meters you will enter a small forested area that extends about 250 meters. When you emerge from the trees, watch for a short stretch of wooden rail fencing, then follow the fence to find the short staircase that descends to the far southwest end of Playa de Melide. The total walk is about 2 kilometers, and along the way there are a few signs as well as posts with arrows pointing toward the beach.
For information about visiting the Isla de Ons, a good starting point is Isladeons.net, which has an English version. The website includes information about rooms and apartments that can be rented. For information about the campground, see Campingisladeons.com.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Melide.

ferry dock
This placemark pertains to Playa de Melide.

small church
This placemark pertains to Playa de Melide.

short staircase to beach

Camping Ons

Faro de Ons (lighthouse)

Playa de Area dos Cans (textile)

Playa de Canexol (textile)

cobbled road from ferry dock to lighthouse

Playa de Bascuas

Playa de Bascuas
Pontevedra is the capital city of the province of the same name, and it lies at the most inland part of a large inlet called the Ría de Pontevedra. About 20 kilometers west of the city, the town of Sanxenxo lies on the north side of the inlet, in the area where the inlet opens to the Atlantic. Within the municipal borders of Sanxenxo, there are a few dozen beaches, ranging from quite tiny to nearly a kilometer long. Playa de Bascuas is the only sanctioned nude beach among them, and its entire length is designated for naturist use.
Bascuas is a west-facing beach composed of white sand, set against a backdrop of grassy green hills. The beach stretches over 400 meters at low tide but contracts substantially at high tide. Bascuas is exceptionally easy to access via a short road that passes through a residential area, and the beach is actually overlooked by a few houses. The parking lot is directly above the main area of the beach, and access down to the beach is via a short flight of stairs or a ramp, both of which are located near a "praia nudista" sign. There is a restaurant at the far end of the parking area, and portable toilets are set up near the top of the ramp and stairs during peak season. The central expanse of Bascuas is about 150 meters long, and that is where most visitors gather. There are also niches on either end of the main beach area, but their accessibility depends on the tides. Just about everyone goes naked, and the beach can get quite crowded on summer weekends.
Sanxenxo, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/455RpBp
42.4047N, 8.8528W (turnoff to Playa de Bascuas at kilometer 22.5 of PO-308 west of Sanxenxo)
The road to Playa de Bascuas passes through a residential area. About 60 meters after turning onto the road, keep to the right at a fork. Continue 400 meters to the parking lot at the end of the road (42.4043N, 8.8579W). The beach is directly below the parking area, down a short flight of steps, and the entire beach is designated for nudity.
starting point:  Exit 119 (Cambados, Sanxenxo, O Grove) of the AP-9 motorway near Pontevedra
Exit 119 is about 10 kilometers north of the large town of Pontevedra. Going north on AP-9, Exit 119 is the next exit after the two Pontevedra exits. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. After passing through the toll plaza, keep straight ahead and you will be at the start of a motorway numbered AG-41, heading in a southwesterly direction with the kilometer marker numbers and corresponding exit numbers ascending.
Follow the entire length of AG-41—a distance of 18 to 19 kilometers—and keep straight ahead past Exit 19, which is the last exit of the motorway. After Exit 19, the road will narrow from four to two lanes and the number will change from AG-41 to VG-4.1 (yes, that is "4 point 1"), which is a lower category of express highway. Although the road number changes, the kilometer/exit numbering does not reset. Continue along VG-4.1 another 3 to 4 kilometers and take Exit 23 (Noalla, Aios), which is a few hundred meters past kilometer marker 22.
Once you leave VG-4.1, you need to make your way to PO-315, a road closer to the coast. The distance between the two roads is about 2 kilometers, along minor roads that are not numbered. Watch the signs carefully. At the end of the VG-4.1 Exit 23 ramp, turn left at the sign for Noalla and Aios and cross over the highway to the coast side, where you will immediately reach an irregular intersection. Turn toward Aios and Pontes, NOT Noalla. Just 60 meters farther on, keep to the right at a fork, where signs point toward several hotels and restaurants. Continue 700 meters to a stop sign at a four-way intersection with EP-9209. Keep straight ahead, toward Pragueira and Major. Continue 1.2 kilometers to the next stop sign at a four-way intersection with PO-315. Turn left.
Once you are on PO-315, you will be going southeast, with the kilometer marker numbers descending. In 500-600 meters you will pass marker 23. After marker 23, continue 300-400 meters and watch for the blue-and-white Montalvo village sign, which is just past a bus stop shelter. After the village sign, continue not quite 100 meters and take the second possible right,★ at the corner of a private residence numbered 6A. (If you pass Hotel Atlántico, you have gone about 200 meters too far.) Proceed as directed above.
★ The beach is much better signed for traffic coming from the opposite direction on PO-315. If you are heading from Sanxenxo toward O Grove on PO-315, just watch for the orange "Praia de Bascuas" sign after you pass kilometer marker 22 and Hotel Atlántico.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Bascuas.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Bascuas.

Montalvo village sign, facing traffic going southeast
This placemark pertains to Playa de Bascuas.

Cany Playa restaurant

Calle Praia de Bascuas

extent of beach at low tide, roughly

Playa de Castiñeira

Playa de Castiñeira
The Ría de Arousa is the intricate inlet located at the provincial border of Pontevedra and A Coruña. Jutting northward from the Pontevedra side of the inlet, there is a curiously shaped peninsula of about 22 square kilometers that is almost an island. The peninsula and its main town are named O Grove in Galician, or El Grove in Spanish. The town of O Grove is at the northeast corner of the peninsula, along the inland side of the land mass. On the opposite side of the peninsula along the Atlantic, there is a chain of west-facing beaches spanning a little over a kilometer, made up of several sandy crescents and a number of smaller niches amid an array of rocky outcroppings. There is not one name that applies to all the beaches in the chain. Depending on the source, there are three, four or five proper names applicable to various beach segments, and most of those proper names have a variant. All those names get confused and conflated with one another in a manner that is thoroughly incomprehensible, but none of that really matters since all the beach segments comprise a contiguous area with a shared main point of access, which is a parking lot near the southern end of the beaches. Although nude bathing may potentially occur on any of the beaches, the beach with the most consistent nudist presence is about 500 meters north of the main access. The nude beach is most commonly called Playa de Castiñeira, but it is alternately known as Playa de Barreiro.
Playa de Castiñeira is a beautiful crescent of sand that extends about 400 meters, regularly punctuated by boulders and rocky outcroppings along the sand and in the shallow water. The beach is well attended but rarely crowded, and most visitors opt to be naked. Along the hike from the parking lot to Castiñeira, you will pass a few small crescents and niches that tend to be more lightly attended than Castiñeira even though they are closer to parking. Those areas get sporadic nudist use. Most nudists prefer the added seclusion afforded by hiking a little farther to Castiñeira. Beyond the north end of Castiñeira, on the opposite side of the beach from the main point of access, there are a few sandy niches disconnected from the rest of the beach before the shoreline becomes rocky. Nudity is also possible along those niches, which are typically deserted. There are no amenities at Castiñeira or any of the other beaches in the chain.
O Grove, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QFr3lc
42.4660N, 8.9278W (beach turnoff at kilometer 6.45 of EP-9101 north of San Vicente do Mar)
The turnoff toward Playa de Castiñeira is marked by a brown praias sign. Once you turn away from EP-9101, you will be on a beach access road. In about 100 meters, take note when you reach a junction with a triangular patch of grass★ in the middle. Keep to the left, staying on the main road as it begins to curve leftward. About 150 meters beyond the curve, keep to the right at a fork. (The left fork goes to Hotel San Vicente.) After the fork, continue 900 meters to the parking lot at the end of the road (42.4639N, 8.9403W).
As you enter the parking lot, you will see a sign pointing right to Praia de Barreiro, with a distance of 550 meters indicated on the sign. That sign marks the start of the footpath to the nude beach. (Barreiro is just an alternate name for the nude beach more commonly known by the name Castiñeira.) As you follow the path northward, the ocean will be on your left-hand side, and you will be on part of a hiking route numbered PR-G 116. You will go past a few crescents that are sporadically attended by nudists before you arrive at the southern end of the more established nude beach. The walk takes about 5 minutes.
starting point:  Exit 119 (Cambados, Sanxenxo, O Grove) of the AP-9 motorway near Pontevedra
Exit 119 is about 10 kilometers north of the large town of Pontevedra. Going north on AP-9, Exit 119 is the next exit after the two Pontevedra exits. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. After passing through the toll plaza, keep straight ahead and you will be at the start of a motorway numbered AG-41, heading in a southwesterly direction with the kilometer marker numbers and corresponding exit numbers ascending.
Follow the entire length of AG-41—a distance of 18 to 19 kilometers—and keep straight ahead past Exit 19, which is the last exit of the motorway. After Exit 19, the road will narrow from four to two lanes and the number will change from AG-41 to VG-4.1 (yes, that is "4 point 1"), which is a lower category of express highway. Although the road number changes, the kilometer/exit numbering does not reset. Continue along VG-4.1 about 7 kilometers. Immediately past kilometer marker 26, VG-4.1 ends at a roundabout. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), toward O Grove and A Revolta.
Once you depart the roundabout where VG-4.1 ends, you will be briefly be on PO-308 as you head north. In about 400 meters, keep straight ahead through the next roundabout, continuing toward O Grove. The road number will change to PO-316, and you will pass marker 0 as you leave the roundabout. Continue 1.7 kilometers (keeping straight ahead through another roundabout) to the roundabout that is 700 meters past marker 1 of PO-316. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), toward San Vicente do Mar. When you leave the roundabout, you will be at the start of route PO-317, at marker 0.
After following PO-317 west for 4.5 kilometers, you will pass the San Vicente do Mar town sign. 400-500 meters farther on, you will pass marker 5. Just after marker 5, the road will curve sharply to the right and the road number will change from PO-317 to EP-9101 as it begins to go north. Shortly past the curve you will pass marker 8 of EP-9101, with the marker numbers descending. A kilometer farther on, watch for marker 7 (about 100 meters past the driveway to Hotel Spa Atlántico). After marker 7, continue 500-600 meters, then turn left at a brown praias sign, just past a pair of 50 KPH speed-limit panels. (If you pass the driveway to Hotel Cons da Garda, you have missed the turn by about 100 meters.) Proceed as directed above.
ALTERNATE ACCESS
Follow the directions above up to the junction (indicated by the star★) with the triangular patch of grass. Turn right. Shortly you will pass Apartamentos Ay Salvora (on the left), a small lodging establishment in a large house with dormer windows. After the house, continue about 150 meters to the next junction and make a very sharp left. Continue 200 meters to a "T" and turn left. The road will almost immediately morph into a gravel track that continues 400 to 500 meters all the way to the Playa de Castiñeira, landing toward the north end of the beach. It is possible to drive most of that length, parking alongside the track (42.4689N, 8.9338W). The track eventually becomes too narrow for vehicles, so the last 100 or so meters must be done on foot. Some visitors park alongside the paved road near the "T" and walk the entire distance of the gravel track.
MAP from AP-9 Exit 119 toll plaza to parking (at main access)
MAP from AP-9 Exit 119 toll plaza to parking (along gravel track)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Castiñeira.

"San Vicente do Mar" town sign
This placemark pertains to Playa de Castiñeira.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Castiñeira.

kilometer marker 8 of EP-9101

Hotel Spa Atlántico

kilometer marker 7 of EP-9101

pair of 50 KPH speed-limit panels, facing traffic going north

Hotel Cons da Garda

kilometer marker 6 of EP-9101

grassy triangle at intersection

Hotel San Vicente

Playa de Cuazos (potentially nudist but usually not)

Playa de Con Negro, a.k.a. Playa de Con do Corvo (potentially nudist but usually not)

Playa de Aguieira, a.k.a. Playa de A Poza (potentially nudist but usually not)

Apartamentos Ay Salvora

parking alongside gravel track

segment of PO-317/EP-9101

road to Hotel San Vicente

roads to alternate access

area with most nude use

Playas del Parque Natural de Carreirón

Playas del Parque Natural de Carreirón
The coastline of Galicia is characterized by numerous large estuarine inlets called rías, and the largest of them is called the Ría de Arousa, which is located at the provincial border of Pontevedra and A Coruña. In the middle of the inlet, there is a prominent island called A Illa de Arousa in Galician, or La Isla de Arosa in Spanish. Arousa Island covers about seven square kilometers, and it is connected to the mainland via a 2-kilometer-long bridge, which makes it easily accessible by car. Most of the northern end of the island is occupied by a small town which is also called A Illa de Arousa. At the southern end of the island, there is a peninsular land mass called Punta Carreirón that covers a little over one square kilometer. It is a heavily wooded area with no development, and all of it is a wildlife and nature preserve called Parque Natural de Carreirón. The coastline of Punta Carreirón undulates for roughly 5 kilometers, with around 20 beaches of varying sizes. These beaches are oriented in all directions, and the only east-facing beach is the longest beach, extending about 750 meters. There are four more beaches that are at least 100 meters long, then the rest are roughly evenly divided between those that are 50 to 100 meters long and those that are less than 50 meters long. There are proper names associated with at least some of the beaches of Punta Carreirón, but those names aren't especially useful. No two sources seem to agree on what name belongs to which beach. There is no signage at the beaches, and the map on the signboard at the park entrance labels only a few beaches, but the names on the signboard do not sync with the names on the town website. Names be damned.
The road toward Punta Carreirón ends at the small isthmus that connects Punta Carreirón to the rest of the island, so all the beaches of the natural park must be explored on foot. The beaches are picturesque and quiet, and they tend to be lightly attended even in summer when other beaches of Galicia get very crowded. Nudity occurs regularly at the beaches of Punta Carreirón, but it is hard to pinpoint a single spot and characterize it as a well-established nude beach. It is the type of place that offers numerous niches which invite nudity, but you will not necessarily encounter lots of nudists clustered together at a single spot. When you pass the signboards at the end of the road, you will be at the north end of the long east-facing beach. The part of that beach near the signboards always has the highest concentration of visitors since it is near the parking area, and it is very likely to be all textile, but it takes just a few minutes to reach areas with more nudist potential. On especially quiet days, virtually all the beaches of Punta Carreirón can be considered nude beaches. On more crowded days, nudists are likely to seek more seclusion at the more distant beaches toward the west side of the land mass.
Approaching Punta Carreirón, there is a restaurant about 200 meters before the end of the road, then there is a seasonal snack stand at the road's end. Beyond the park entrance at the end of the road, there are no amenities, nor is there an entrance fee.
GPS: 42.5303N, 8.8727W (middle of Punta Carreirón, roughly equidistant from its many beaches)
A Illa de Arousa, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44978ht
42.5476N, 8.8595W (roundabout at kilometer 4 of PO-307 in Arousa Island)
Arousa Island is connected to the mainland by a bridge that is about 2 kilometers long, and the roundabout referenced above is the first roundabout you will reach after crossing the bridge to the island. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout. About 400 meters farther on, you will reach another roundabout. Take the third roundabout departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed Aceñas and R.P. Carreirón. Once you depart the second roundabout, you will be on EP-9802. Follow it 900 meters, then veer left at signs for camping and Parque Natural de Carreirón. (If you pass kilometer marker 1 of EP-9802, you have gone about 100 meters too far.)
Follow the Carreirón road a little over a kilometer. Just after Camping Salinas and Salinas Café, the road dead ends at a small roundabout that functions as a turnaround circle. There is parking all along the road leading up to its end (42.5325N, 8.8690W), and there are also several earthen parking lots, including a pay lot just before the end of the road and a few free lots a bit farther back.
Waypoints:
A
G
M
B
H
N
C
I
O
D
J
P
E
K
Q
F
L
Straight ahead from the turnaround circle, you will pass several signboards as you step onto Punta Carreirón, the peninsular land mass at the south end of Illa de Arousa that covers a little over one square kilometer. There is a multitude of beaches along Punta Carreirón, and the 17 waypoints named above (A - Q) pinpoint most of them. Nude bathing is generally possible on these beaches, but there is no single spot that is the nude beach. At smaller beaches, it is probably best to yield to the sensibilities of those already present. If you follow the entire shoreline of Punta Carreirón, staying on the path closest to the water and hitting every waypoint in order, the distance is about 4.2 kilometers. Numerous shortcuts are possible along paths that crisscross the land mass. For example, if you do a shortened circuit, shortcutting from B to D then from J to Q, the distance is 2.6 kilometers.
Assume that you keep straight ahead past the turnaround circle and the signboards, following the shoreline of Punta Carreirón in a clockwise manner such that the water is always on your left-hand side. You will first be along Playa de Xastelas, which is by far the longest beach of Punta Carreirón, stretching over 750 meters. Xastelas faces east, and it is indicated by waypoints A and B. The first part of the beach (A) is likely to always be textile, but the farther reaches of the beach (B) offer more nudist potential. After Xastelas, you will round a bend called Punta Arenlas (C), which is the southeastern corner of Punta Carreirón. There are several tiny beaches tucked into the projection of land.
After Punta Arenlas, you will reach a beach most commonly called Playa de Lameira (D), which faces south and extends about 275 meters. It is the second longest beach of Punta Carreirón. After Lameira, there are two more small south-facing beaches (E and F), then the shoreline bends and you will reach a west-facing beach most commonly called Playa de Lontreira (G), which is about 200 meters long. After Lontreira, there are several smaller beaches (H through L) over the next 700 meters that face west, south or southwest. By the time you reach M, you will be at the westernmost part of Punta Carreirón.
The beach at the northwestern corner of Punta Carreirón is most commonly called Playa de Petón (N), and it is about 200 meters long. Nearby there is a trio of small north-facing beaches that are collectively known as the Playas de Espiños (O, P and Q). After Q, it is about 500 meters back to the signboards, at which point you will have completed the entire perimeter of Punta Carreirón.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS:
starting point:  Exit 119 (Cambados, Sanxenxo, O Grove) of the AP-9 motorway near Pontevedra
Exit 119 is about 10 kilometers north of the large town of Pontevedra. Going north on AP-9, Exit 119 is the next exit after the two Pontevedra exits. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. After passing through the toll plaza, keep straight ahead and you will be at the start of a motorway numbered AG-41, heading in a southwesterly direction with the kilometer marker numbers and corresponding exit numbers ascending.
Continue along AG-41 about 8.5 kilometers past the toll plaza and take Exit 9 (Ribadumia, Cambados, Vilanova, A Illa de Arousa, Vilagarcia). At the roundabout at the end of the exit ramp, take the first departure (effectively a right turn), following the green sign that points toward the same five locations indicated on the exit panel. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will begin heading north on VG-4.2 (yes, that is "4 point 2"), and you will pass kilometer marker 0.
Follow VG-4.2 for 4.4 kilometers to the roundabout with the large fountain in the middle that is 400 meters past kilometer marker 4. Keep straight ahead through that roundabout, following the sign for Vilanova, Illa de Arousa and Vilagarcia. After the roundabout, the route number will change from VG-4.2 to VG-4.3, and the kilometer marker numbers will reset to 0. Continue along VG-4.3 just under 4 kilometers and take Exit 4 (Vilanova, Illa de Arousa). When you reach the roundabout at the end of the exit ramp, take the third departure (effectively a left turn), again following a sign for Vilanova and Illa de Arousa.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will begin heading west on PO-530. In 1.5 kilometers, keep straight ahead through the next roundabout, which is signed Illa de Arousa. After that roundabout, the route number will change to PO-307. Continue another 1.8 kilometers (keeping straight ahead through one more roundabout) and you will begin to cross the long bridge to Illa de Arousa. The bridge spans almost 2 kilometers, and you will pass kilometer markers 2 and 3 of PO-307 as you are crossing the bridge. A bit past the end of the bridge, you will reach the roundabout at kilometer marker 4. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playas del Parque Natural de Carreirón.

This placemark pertains to Playas del Parque Natural de Carreirón.

roundabout east of bridge, between km 1 & 2 of PO-307
This placemark pertains to Playas del Parque Natural de Carreirón.

roundabout west of bridge, at km 4 of PO-307

2nd roundabout west of bridge

roundabout at end of EP-9802

Camping Salinas

Salinas Café & Bar

roadside parking & earthen parking lots near end of road

roundabout (turnaround circle) at end of Carreirón road

road to Parque Natural de Carreirón

path closest to coastline

area of potential nude use, very roughly

A Coruña

Playa de O Vilar

Playa de O Vilar
Near the town of Santa Uxía de Ribeira, Playa de O Vilar is a large and incredibly beautiful beach that extends more than 3.5 kilometers. The mouth of a lagoon separates it from Playa de A Ladeira, the next beach to the north. Collectively, O Vilar and A Ladeira form a broad sandy crescent that is a bit more than 5 kilometers long at the westernmost part of the Barbanza peninsula, facing the Atlantic Ocean. The beaches are part of a wetlands nature preserve called The Dunes of Corrubedo Natural Park. There is just one parking area for O Vilar, located along the central area of the beach but closer to the southern end. Most visitors gather along a stretch of about 500 meters near the parking area, while the rest of the beach is sparsely attended. On either side of the zone of textile use, there are ample possibilities for nude bathing along deserted stretches of the beach.
The parking lot and the natural park visitor center are about 250 meters apart, and both are nestled in a forested area just a bit inland from the main textile area of O Vilar. This part of the beach is characterized by lots of rocky outcroppings and boulders scattered along the sand and amid the dunes that slope upward to the forest. There are a number of boardwalks that meander through the outcroppings, following irregular paths. The network of boardwalks ends roughly 400 meters north of the lifeguard tower, which is a prominent landmark along the textile part of the beach. The area where most nude use takes place begins roughly at the northernmost boardwalk. There is typically a mix of nudists and textiles over an expanse of about 200 meters, then the crowd thins out substantially, with the beach becoming deserted going north toward the mouth of the lagoon. Likewise, the southernmost kilometer or so of the beach on the other side of the textile area is also typically deserted or virtually so, providing additional options for nude bathing outside the more established zone of nude use.
In the textile area of O Vilar, there is a snack stand next to the lifeguard tower. There is also a restaurant a bit inland from the beach next to the parking lot.
Ribeira, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YxB0Db
42.5540N, 9.0229W (signed beach turnoff near kilometer 4 of DP-7302 in Ribeira)
Playa de O Vilar is located along a rural stretch of DP-7302, several kilometers west of the urban center of Santa Uxía de Ribeira, and the turnoff to the beach is marked by O Vilar and Praia do Vilar signs. The turnoff is about 50 meters north of kilometer marker 4. Upon turning away from DP-7302, proceed a few hundred meters to where the pavement ends at a large earthen parking lot that is mostly surrounded by trees, a bit inland from the beach. (On busy days when the parking lot is packed, it may be necessary to park alongside DP-7302 or in the informal overflow area on the inland side of DP-7302 directly opposite the beach turnoff.)
There is a restaurant at the entrance to the parking area, then there is a natural park visitor center several hundred meters north of the parking area, nestled in the woods. A rather complex network of boardwalks and dirt tracks snakes through the area, connecting the parking area and the restaurant to the beach and the visitor center. Just make your way to the beach and watch for the lifeguard tower as a point of reference. It is next to a snack stand (a small wooden shack). The main gathering places for nudists is about 400 meters north of the lifeguard tower (to the right when facing the ocean). The nude area begins roughly at the end of the network of boardwalks.
starting point:  Exit 93 (Ribeira, Padron, Pontecesures) of the AP-9 motorway near Padron
Exit 93 is about 23 kilometers south of Santiago de Compostela, the town that is the capital city of Galicia, and it is about 36 kilometers north of Pontevedra. 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 straight ahead. About 1.6 kilometers beyond the toll plaza, after crossing over the major interchange with route N-550, you will be at the start of a limited-access highway numbered AG-11. You will be on AG-11 for a while, going in a southwesterly direction. Follow this highway all the way to its end—a distance of 40 kilometers with no stops. When you get to the end of AG-11 at kilometer marker 40, you will reach a roundabout, where there is a large Eroski Center building at one corner. At that point you will be in the municipality of Ribeira, on the outskirts of Santa Uxía de Ribeira (the principal town of the municipality).
Take the second departure of the roundabout, following the sign for Carreira and Aguiño. You will then be on DP-7301. Proceed 3.4 kilometers (going mostly south) to the next roundabout and take the first departure (basically just a right turn), following the signs for Vilar, Outeiro and Praia do Vilar.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will begin going in a northwesterly direction on DP-7302, with the kilometer marker numbers descending. Proceed 1.7 kilometers. Just past kilometer marker 4, turn left toward the beach and proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de O Vilar.

kilometer marker 5 of DP-7302
This placemark pertains to Playa de O Vilar.

kilometer marker 4 of DP-7302
This placemark pertains to Playa de O Vilar.

kilometer marker 3 of DP-7302

restaurant

Corrubedo Natural Park visitor center

lifeguard tower, next to snack stand

lagoon mouth

segment of DP-7302

broad track

segment of dirt track

main zone of textile use

Playa de Espiñeirido

Playa de Espiñeirido
Toward the western end of the Barbanza Peninsula, there is a 1.3-kilometer-long beach that is divided by the municipal border of Ribeira and Porto do Son. Technically, the beach has two names. The southern 300 or so meters of the beach, which is the segment that is within Ribeira, is Playa de Espiñeirido. The rest of the beach, which is the kilometer or so that is within Porto do Son, is Playa de Recaveira. However, Espiñeirido is the name generally applied to the entire beach, while the name Recaveira seems seldom used and little known.
Playa de Espiñeirido (i.e., the entire beach) is a broad, sandy beach with low dunes, and its immediate backdrop is an open grassy landscape with few trees, dotted by scattered residences of several rural hamlets. Low mountains are a bit farther in the background. Espiñeirido lacks amenities or even a well-defined parking area, so it is fairly lightly attended overall, and nude bathing occurs regularly despite the wide-open feel of the beach. A boardwalk that is over a kilometer long, contained entirely within Porto do Son, runs along most of the beach. The main point of access is roughly at the midpoint of the boardwalk, and the southern end of the boardwalk (to the left when facing the sea) is at the Porto do Son/Ribeira municipal border. There is not a particularly well-defined nude area of the beach, but bare bathers tend to head south since the southern half of the beach is farther removed from the nearest residences. On more crowded days it is probably best go beyond the end of the boardwalk. There are usually just a few scattered nudists—or textiles, for that matter.
Ribeira and Porto do Son, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OXiTmW
42.5975N, 9.0590W (turnoff toward beach at kilometer 6 of DP-7103 near Ribeira / Porto do Son municipal border)
DP-7103 is a minor, rural road that is a little over 7 kilometers long, passing through several small villages that belong to the municipalities of Porto do Son and Ribeira. (The villages along the road are poorly signed.) The turnoff toward Playa de Espiñeirido is toward the southern end of DP-7103, just north of kilometer marker 6. Upon turning, follow the road about 600 meters to its dead end, where there is informal parking (42.6023N, 9.0596W).
Just past the end of the road, there is a boardwalk that runs along the inland side of the dunes, following most of the length of Playa de Espiñeirido. Nudity is often possible just about anywhere along the sparsely attended, 1.3-kilometer-long beach, but the south end of the beach beyond the end of the boardwalk generally offers the most seclusion for bare bathing. Facing the ocean, turn left and head south along the boardwalk. In just over 500 meters, the boardwalk will curve toward the beach and end. The beach continues southward about 300 meters past the end of the boardwalk.
starting point:  Exit 93 (Ribeira, Padron, Pontecesures) of the AP-9 motorway near Padron
Exit 93 is about 23 kilometers south of Santiago de Compostela, the town that is the capital city of Galicia, and it is about 36 kilometers north of Pontevedra. 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 straight ahead. About 1.6 kilometers beyond the toll plaza, after crossing over the major interchange with route N-550, you will be at the start of a limited-access highway numbered AG-11. You will be on AG-11 for a while, going in a southwesterly direction. Follow this highway all the way to its end—a distance of 40 kilometers with no stops. When you get to the end of AG-11 at kilometer marker 40, you will reach a roundabout, where there is a large Eroski Center building at one corner. At that point you will be in the municipality of Ribeira, on the outskirts of Santa Uxía de Ribeira (the principal town of the municipality). Take the first departure of the roundabout, following the signs for Noia and Corrubedo. You will almost immediately reach another roundabout. Take the third departure of that roundabout, following a sign for Corrubedo (but not for Noia).
Upon leaving the second roundabout, you will be at the start of DP-7304, at kilometer marker 0. In 4 kilometers, immediately past kilometer marker 4, DP-7304 will end at a three-way junction with AC-303, which is the road that continues straight ahead and that goes off to the right. Keep straight ahead on AC-303. 500 meters farther along, you will—confusingly enough—pass another kilometer marker 4 (of AC-303, whereas the last one applied to DP-7304). Continue 500-600 meters farther, then turn right at the sign pointing toward Espiñeirido. (If you pass marker 5, you have gone 400-500 meters too far.)
Upon turning, you will be on DP-7103 going north, with the kilometer marker numbers descending. You will pass a bus stop shelter (on the left) at the start of the road, then in 800-900 meters you will pass another bus stop shelter (also on the left). Immediately past the bus stop shelter, there is a side road going off to the left, but first assume you DO NOT turn there. (See the alternative access.) Continue another 400 meters and turn left at the next paved side road, which is just past kilometer marker 6. (The road is unlikely to be prominently signed.) Proceed as directed above.
ALTERNATE ACCESS
Refer the to second bus stop shelter referenced above, then assume that you DO turn left immediately past that shelter. In 250 meters the pavement ends and the road morphs into dirt track that continues about 500 meters to the southern end of the beach near the end of the boardwalk. The track gets rougher as it nears the beach, so—depending on your vehicle—it may not be feasible to drive the entire length.
MAP from AP-9 Exit 93 toll plaza to parking This placemark pertains to Playa de Espiñeirido.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Espiñeirido.

kilometer marker 3 of AC-303
This placemark pertains to Playa de Espiñeirido.

kilometer marker 4 of AC-303

kilometer marker 5 of AC-303

pavement ends

segment of DP-7304

segment of AC-303

segment of DP-7103

road toward beach

rough track

Playa de Xuño

Playa de Xuño
Xuño is a civil parish (i.e., a collection of rural villages and hamlets) in the southern area of the municipality of Porto do Son. Playa de Xuño is a broad, sandy beach that is more than 2 kilometers long, and much of it is backed by a lagoon. The setting is quite beautiful, with mountains farther in the interior forming a backdrop for the wetlands. Playa de Xuño is lightly attended, and most of it is available for nude use.
At its northern end, Playa de Xuño abuts a small beach called Playa de las Furnas (or Praia das Furnas), which is a collection of sandy niches hidden amid an area of intricate rocky outcroppings and overlooked by a business called As Furnas, which is a restaurant and a small hotel. A larger sandy beach called called Playa del Río Sieira lies just beyond (i.e., north of) Playa de las Furnas. A long boardwalk that runs parallel to the coastline connects all three beaches, skirting the edge of As Furnas restaurant/hotel. Roughly the northern third of Playa de Xuño is backed by the long boardwalk, and that area is generally considered the domain of textiles. The nude area begins roughly where the boardwalk ends and extends southward about 1.5 kilometers. Most visitors access the beach at its north end, but there is another access at the opposite end of the beach. Straight ahead from the dead end of a minor access road, a boardwalk goes to the far southern end of Playa de Xuño, which is often deserted. The southern end of Playa de Xuño is alternately known as Playa de Basoñas, and there is also a boardwalk parallel to the beach that continues south, connecting to a chain of several smaller beaches that also have nudist potential.
Playa de Xuño is so large that nude bathers tend to be quite dispersed. There are no amenities other than the restaurant at the far north end.
Porto do Son, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qveApw
The village of Xuño is part of the municipality of Porto do Son, and it is located along route AC-550, about 11 kilometers south of the town center of Porto do Son. The village is between kilometer markers 97 and 100. There are two turnoffs to Playa de Xuño, and both are located between markers 98 and 99. The northern access is the more popular approach.
For the northern access, set your GPS device to:
42.6387N, 9.0275W (turnoff toward coast at kilometer 98.3 of AC-550 in Xuño)
The turnoff referenced above is marked by signs pointing toward toward Praia das Furnas and Hospedaje & Bar Furnas. (The turnoff is very easy to miss. Another landmark at the turnoff is a lavender sign pointing in the opposite direction to a church called Templo de Santa Mariña de Xuño.)
Upon turning, you will be on an asphalted road that winds toward the coast. Stay on the main road at all forks and junctions about 1.2 kilometers to the end of the pavement at As Furnas, a restaurant and lodging establishment (hospedaje) housed in a two-story white building that is just north of the far north end of Playa de Xuño. As Furnas is toward the north end of a one-kilometer-long boardwalk that runs parallel to the beach. The nude area begins roughly at the south end of that boardwalk. For the closest parking, turn left onto a dirt tract that is immediately in front of As Furnas. You will be going south parallel to the boardwalk, with the beach and the boardwalk off to your right. Continue past the large earthen parking lot that is just south of As Furnas. A little over 300 meters farther on, turn right into a smaller earthen parking area that abuts the boardwalk (42.6386N, 9.0380W). (You have gone too far if you reach the point where the dirt tracks curves away from the boardwalk and heads inland.)
From the parking area, continue south along the boardwalk. In about 275 meters, the boardwalk will make a sharp rightward bend then head out toward the beach, coming to an end about 100 meters farther on. Going south (to the left when facing the ocean), it is nearly 1.5 kilometers to the next point of access at another boardwalk (see the southern access below). The entire area is a mostly deserted beach available for nude use.
For the southern access, set your GPS device to:
42.6364N, 9.0263W (turnoff toward coast at kilometer 98.6 of AC-550 in Xuño)
The turnoff referenced above is next to a small Cada Día supermarket, and it is not signed. Upon turning, you will be at the start of DP-7103, at kilometer 0. Proceed about 1.8 kilometers, then turn right onto a road that is very inconspicuously signed Lagoa Muro. (You have missed it by less than 200 meters if you pass kilometer marker 2.) Follow the road 1.3 kilometers to its end at a small earthen parking area (42.6240N, 9.0460W). Follow the boardwalk that is straight ahead from the end of the road. In about 250 meters you will land toward the far southern end of Playa de Xuño. Going north (to the right when facing the ocean), it is nearly 1.5 kilometers to the next point of access at another boardwalk (see the northern access above). The entire area is a mostly deserted beach available for nude use.
starting point:  Exit 93 (Ribeira, Padron, Pontecesures) of the AP-9 motorway near Padron
Exit 93 is about 23 kilometers south of Santiago de Compostela, the town that is the capital city of Galicia, and it is about 36 kilometers north of Pontevedra. 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 straight ahead. About 1.6 kilometers beyond the toll plaza, after crossing over the major interchange with route N-550, you will be at the start of a limited-access highway numbered AG-11. You will be on AG-11 for a while, going in a southwesterly direction. Follow this highway for 34 kilometers and take Exit 34 (A Pobra do Caramiñal sur). (This is the southern of two exits for A Pobra do Caramiñal, so don't confuse it with the norte exit.) 400-500 meters after passing through the roundabout that is part of the Exit 34 interchange, you will reach another roundabout that forms the junction with route AC-302. Take the first departure of the roundabout, following the sign for Oleiros. At that point, you will begin heading west.
Stay on AC-302 for 4.2 kilometers until you reach a stop sign at the end of the road, at a "T" junction with AC-550. Turn right (a sign points toward Porto do Son and Noia), then you will be heading north. Take note of the kilometer marker numbers along AC-550, which will descend as you go north. 3.9 kilometers after turning onto AC-550, you will pass the Xuño village sign, which is about 300 meters past kilometer marker 100. After the village sign, continue 700 meters and take note when you reach kilometer marker 99. 400 meters farther on, watch for a small Cada Día supermarket.
For the southern access to Playa de Xuño, turn left at the supermarket and proceed as directed above. For the northern access, keep straight ahead another 300 meters, take the next left after you pass a small pharmacy, then proceed as directed above.
Note: The Ponte do Rio Sieira is a medieval arched stone bridge not far from AC-550 that is an easy and worthwhile side trip. To find the bridge, proceed 400 meters past (i.e., north of) kilometer marker 98, then veer left (toward the coast) at the signs pointing toward the bridge, next to a small construction materials company. Follow the narrow side road not quite 250 meters. The signed trail to the bridge leaves from the left side of the road. It is a walk of less than 200 meters.
MAP from AP-9 Exit 93 toll plaza to parking (northern access)
MAP from AP-9 Exit 93 toll plaza to parking (southern access)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Xuño.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Xuño.

Cada Día supermarket
This placemark pertains to Playa de Xuño.

Templo de Santa Mariña de Xuño (church)

Hospedaje & Bar Furnas (restaurant / small hotel)

Ponte do Rio Sieira (medieval arched stone bridge)

Playa de las Furnas (textile)

Playa del Río Sieira (textile)

segment of AC-550

Lagoa Muro road

boardwalk/sandy path

road to Hospedaje & Bar Furnas

dirt track segment

Playa del Castro de Baroña & Playa de Queiruga

The town of Porto do Son is on the north side of the Barbanza Peninsula and on the south side of the inlet called the Ría de Muros e Noia. There are a couple of nude beaches a bit south and west of Porto do Son.
Playa de Castro de Baroña, also commonly known as Playa de Arealonga, is the closer of the two beaches to Porto do Son. Picturesque and pastoral, Arealonga has an overall length of about 750 meters, and it is isolated from the nearby coastal road. The main expanse of Arealonga is a sandy crescent that is quite broad even at high tide, and this part of the beach extends about 350 meters. Going north, the beach narrows and continues about 400 meters to a rocky peninsular notch called the Castro de Baroña, which contains the excavated remains of an ancient Celtic settlement. The part of the beach between the broad crescent and the archaeological site gets broken into multiple niches at high tide. Nudists typically stay on the main crescent and along the niches closest to the main crescent. Bare bathers typically avoid the part of the beach closest to the Celtic ruins since that part of the beach is more readily visible to visitors to the archaeological site. Arealonga is the most popular nude beach of the Barbanza Peninsula, and it has a bit of a counterculture following. There is a café uphill from the beach at the parking area, but there are no amenities at the beach.
Queiruga is a village a bit south of Arealonga, and the village beach is a broad, sandy crescent that is a little more than one kilometer long. Unlike Arealonga, Playa de Queiruga is basically a textile beach, and its main access is toward its south end. However, nude bathing is common toward the far north end of the beach, which is the part of the beach that is backed by a small patch of forest. The nude area can be quickly accessed from an informal parking area just inland from the beach. The north end of Playa de Queiruga does double duty as a nude beach and as a dog beach, although it isn't formally designated for either purpose. There are no amenities other than toilets along the main area of the beach. Although Playa de Queiruga is a beautiful beach with easy access, it draws just a small number of nude bathers relative to Arealonga.
Between Playa de Arealonga and Playa de Queiruga, there is a sheltered beach called Playa del Dique that is less than 100 meters long. Despite being rather isolated and wedged between two areas frequented by nudists, Playa del Dique is not an established venue for nudists.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Castro de Baroña (Arealonga) and Playa de Queiruga.

Playa del Castro de Baroña (Arealonga)
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Castro de Baroña and Playa de Queiruga.)
Porto do Son, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain
There are 17 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Castro de Baroña (Arealonga) and Playa de Queiruga.

Playa de Queiruga
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Castro de Baroña and Playa de Queiruga.)
Porto do Son, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain
There are 17 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Castro de Baroña (Arealonga) and Playa de Queiruga.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QElQde
Playa del Castro de Baroña and Playa de Queiruga are nearby beaches that are both located within 7 kilometers of the town center of Porto do Son. The beaches are south and slightly west of Porto do Son, amid a conglomeration of villages and hamlets that include Albuín and Queiruga, but the villages and hamlets are poorly signed.
To go to Playa del Castro de Baroña, set your GPS device to:
42.6945N, 9.0248W (turnoff to Café-Bar O Castro at kilometer 91.6 of AC-550, north of Queiruga)
Café-Bar O Castro is on the coast side of AC-550, but it is mostly hidden from the road by an earthen berm and a patch of trees. There are actually two turnoffs toward the café that are about 150 meters apart, and those turnoffs form a short loop that serves as a parking lot. Both turnoffs are marked with large Castro de Baroña signs.
There are two main paths that begin in the immediate vicinity of the café. One leads to the nude beach, while the other leads to the archaeological site that is just north of the nude beach. To find the beach path, go the the rear of the café. Facing the ocean, the beach will be off to your left a bit. A broad path winds downhill to the beach, and for the most part the path stays on the inland side of a rocky knoll before landing on the beach. The walking distance along the path is about 400 meters, with an elevation loss of about 50 meters.
To go to Playa de Queiruga, set your GPS device to:
42.6741N, 9.0252W (middle turnoff to Playa de Queiruga, near kilometer 94 of AC-550 in Queiruga)
There are three turnoffs to Playa de Queiruga within a span of 700 meters, and each is marked by a Praia de Queiruga sign. Do NOT take the southern turnoff (at kilometer 94.5) since it leads to the main textile area of the beach. Both the middle turnoff (referenced above) and the northern turnoff (at kilometer 93.9) lead to the northern part of the beach where nudity is common, but the sign at the northern turnoff is hard to see, making the middle turnoff the best option. The middle turnoff is about 30 meters south of kilometer marker 94.
After turning away from AC-550, follow the narrow lane through the cornfields. In about 400 meters, the asphalt will end near the beach as the road curves sharply to the right, morphing into a dirt road that runs along the inland edge of the beach. Continue about 200 meters. Just past a three-way junction with an asphalted road, the dirt road will become fainter as it curves away from the beach. At that point, turn left into an informal, shaded earthen parking area (42.6777N, 9.0288W). The parking area abuts the far north end of the beach, which is the nude area.
Exit 93 is about 23 kilometers south of Santiago de Compostela, the town that is the capital city of Galicia, and it is about 36 kilometers north of Pontevedra. 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 straight ahead. About 1.6 kilometers beyond the toll plaza, after crossing over the major interchange with route N-550, you will be at the start of a limited-access highway numbered AG-11. You will be on AG-11 for a while, going in a southwesterly direction. Follow this highway for 34 kilometers and take Exit 34 (A Pobra do Caramiñal sur). (This is the southern of two exits for A Pobra do Caramiñal, so don't confuse it with the norte exit.) 400-500 meters after passing through the roundabout that is part of the Exit 34 interchange, you will reach another roundabout that forms the junction with route AC-302. Take the first departure of the roundabout, following the sign for Oleiros. At that point, you will begin heading west.
Stay on AC-302 for 4.2 kilometers until you reach a stop sign at the end of the road, at a "T" junction with AC-550. Turn right (a sign points toward Porto do Son and Noia), then you will be heading north. Take note of the kilometer marker numbers along AC-550, which will descend as you go north. 8.6 kilometers after turning onto AC-550, you will reach kilometer marker 95. At that point, you will be in the village of Queiruga.
After marker 95, continue about a kilometer and watch for a brown Praia de Queiruga sign, which is about 30 meters before marker 94. To go to Playa de Queiruga, turn left at the sign and proceed as directed above. Or, to continue toward Playa del Castro de Baroña, keep straight ahead another 2 kilometers and watch for marker 92. Starting at marker 92, watch for turnoffs going left toward the coast. Ignore the first turnoff. The second and third turnoffs, which are respectively 300 and 450 meters past marker 92, form the parking loop next to Café-Bar O Castro. Park there and proceed as directed above. If parking is full next to the café, turn around and backtrack toward Queiruga just a short bit. There is another parking loop on the inland side of the highway.
MAP from AP-9 Exit 93 toll plaza to parking (Playa del Castro de Baroña)
MAP from AP-9 Exit 93 toll plaza to parking (Playa de Queiruga)
This placemark pertains to Playa del Castro de Baroña (Arealonga) and Playa de Queiruga.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Castro de Baroña (Arealonga) and Playa de Queiruga.

Playa del Dique (textile)

parking loop

Café-Bar O Castro

archaeological site (ancient Celtic settlement)

road from AC-550 to informal parking

path to archaeological site

Playa de Lagoa de Louro

Playa de Lagoa de Louro
Playa de Lagoa de Louro (alternately known as Playa de Area Mayor) is an Atlantic-facing beach that is just north of a large inlet called Ría de Muros e Noia. The beach is in the village of Louro, which is part of the larger municipal conglomeration of Muros, and it is about 65 kilometers west of Santiago de Compostela, which is the capital city of Galicia. Playa de Lagoa de Louro is a over 1.5 kilometers long, backed by ample sand dunes. Behind the dunes is the lagoon for which the beach is named, and the amount of water in the lagoon varies. When the water level is high, the lagoon channels a stream through the dunes and empties into the ocean, but otherwise the lagoon is just a big pond behind the beach. The other prominent geographic feature of Playa de Lagoa de Louro is Monte Louro, which is the very prominent conical land formation at the south end of the beach that can be thought of as a large hill or a small mountain.
Playa de Lagoa de Louro is a very beautiful beach, but it has no amenities and parking is quite limited, with a little bit of a walk required as well. Thus, most locals gravitate toward nearby beaches that are easier to access, while Playa de Lagoa de Louro is comparatively sparsely attended. Much of the beach is sufficiently isolated for nude use (particularly the central and southern areas), and nude bathing is very common although not necessarily prevalent. There are two walking paths you can take to the beach: one on either side of the lagoon. The somewhat shorter path goes to the northwest end of the beach, and it is the more common access just because there is a sign pointing the way. Most visitors cluster toward the northwest end of the beach, which is customarily textile since there are several houses nearby. If you follow the shorter path, you will need to walk southeast toward Monte Louro for at least several minutes before disrobing. The somewhat longer path, which is not signed, goes to the southeast end of the beach, more directly to the area where nudity is possible. At the far southeast end of the beach (to the left when facing the ocean), you can climb over rocky outcroppings to find a few hiddens niches that are the most secluded part of the beach. These niches disappear at high tide.
Muros, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QKAyjf
42.7591N, 9.0951W (start of path to beach at kilometer 34.6 of AC-550 on west side of Louro)
Louro is one of a number of villages that comprise the municipality of Muros, and it is several kilometers south and west of the Muros town center. The location referenced above is marked with a Lagoa de Louro sign. There is room for just a few cars to park at the start of the path, but there is also parking along the shoulder of AC-550.
Follow the path about 600 meters and you will reach the far northwest end of the beach, which abuts a small cluster of private residences. Facing the ocean, turn left and walk southeast until you are a sufficiently out of view of the houses.
starting point:  Exit 75 (Noia, Milladoiro, Santiago sur) of the AP-9 motorway near Santiago de Compostela
Exit 75 is on the southern outskirts of Santiago de Compostela, which is the capital city of Galicia. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the start of the AG-56 motorway, heading west toward Noia. You will pass kilometer marker 0 at the start of AG-56. In about 12 kilometers, AG-56 ends, narrowing into a lower category of expressway numbered CG-1.5 (yes, that is "1 point 5"). Just keep straight ahead. The kilometer numbering does not reset. (I.e., marker 13 of CG-1.5 is after marker 12 of AG-56.) 17 to 18 kilometers farther on, the road number changes again—from CG-1.5 to AC-549—as the expressway comes to an end. You will pass two kilometer markers stacked one above the other: 29.4 of CG-1.5 and 0 of AC-549. Just after those markers at the end of the expressway, take the exit signed Outes, Muros and Noia Norte. At the end of the exit ramp, you will enter a roundabout that circles under AC-549. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Outes and Muros.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will briefly be on AC-550, and very shortly you will begin to cross a long bridge over the mouth of the Tambre River, where the river flows into an estuary. Several hundred meters past that bridge, AC-550 will exit off to the right toward Outes, but do not follow it. Keep straight ahead toward Muros. The road number will change to AC-554, and immediately you will begin to cross an even longer bridge over another part of the estuary. After the bridge, continue about 3.5 kilometers to the end of AC-554 at a roundabout. Take the second departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), toward Muros. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will once again be on AC-550, heading in a generally westerly direction. (AC-554 is a relatively new road that is basically a shortcut toward Muros, and it is faster and shorter than staying on AC-550.)
Once you are on AC-550 for the second time, it is 25.6 kilometers to your destination, and you will be on AC-550 the remainder of the way. The first kilometer marker you will pass is number 60, with the numbers descending as you continue toward Muros. 16 kilometers farther on, watch for marker 44. Just after marker 44, you will enter Serres, which is the last constituent village before the Muros town center. As you continue through Serres and the Muros town center, stay on AC-550 (toward Corcubion and Fisterra). By marker 39, you will be past the town center. At marker 37, you will be in San Francisco (the next constituent village after the Muros town center). At marker 36, you will be in Louro (an adjacent constituent village).
Once you are in Louro, watch for two nearby businesses on the right (inland) side of the road: Porto Corral restaurant/hostel (a three-story white building with "Bar-Hospedaje" painted in large letters on its side) and a Meroil gas station. The gas station is toward the far end of Louro, and shortly past it you will be driving through the countryside. 400-500 meters past the gas station, watch for kilometer marker 35. At that point, AC-550 will be three lanes wide (two of them for opposing traffic). About 300-400 meters farther on, slow down when you see the brown sign that points left to Lagoa de Louro. Just past the point where the road narrows from three lanes to two, the broad path to the beach leaves from the left side of the road, at another brown Lagoa de Louro sign. (You have missed it by about 600 meters if you pass marker 34.) Proceed as directed above.
There is another path that goes more directly to the part of the beach where nudity is likely to occur. Assume you are going west on AC-550 through Louro, as directed above. Immediately past Porto Corral (the restaurant/hostel) but before the Meroil gas station, there is an inconspicuous, narrow gravel road going off to the left, toward the ocean. At the start of the road there is a small sign with its name: Camiño dos Sistos. After following the road about 100 meters, on your left you will pass a white house with an elaborate iron gate that is close to the road. About 150 metes farther along, a smaller track (not suitable for vehicular traffic) veers off to the right. That is the path to the beach. (You have missed it by about 80 meters if you pass an isolated white house on the right side of Camiño dos Sistos that is not near any other structures.) Just past the start of the path but before the isolated white house, there is an earthen area where you can leave your car (42.7557N, 9.0863W). The path leads about 600 meters to a large area of sand dunes, then it is another few hundred meters over the dunes to the southeast end of the beach.
MAP from AP-9 Exit 75 to parking (at km 34.6)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Lagoa de Louro.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Lagoa de Louro.

Porto Corral restaurant & hostel
This placemark pertains to Playa de Lagoa de Louro.

Meroil gas station

white house with elaborate iron gate

isolated white house

Monte Louro

Camiño dos Sistos (gravel)

Playa de O Morro

Playa de O Morro
Playa de Niñóns and Playa de O Morro are small neighboring beaches located about 2 kilometers from the tiny village of Niñóns, which is one of a number of villages that constitute the municipality of Ponteceso. These beaches are in a rural area about 55 kilometers west of A Coruña, the capital city of the province of the same name. Playa de Niñóns and Playa de O Morro are in the same small bay, separated by a prominent dome-shaped hill that is the source of the name of one of the beaches: "o morro" means "the hill" in the Galician language. The appearance of the beaches varies considerably with the tides. At low tide, when there is exposed sand on the ocean side of the hill, Niñóns and O Morro basically become parts of a larger beach that is a little over 300 meters long. At high tide, there are three distinct pockets of sand. The largest of those, on the east side of the hill, is Niñóns, while the two pockets that are on the west side of the hill comprise O Morro. The more eastern and larger of the O Morro niches (abutting the hillside) is about 45 meters long at high tide, while the more western and smaller O Morro niche (farther from the hill) is no more than 25 meters long. While some sources name Niñóns as a nude beach, it is actually a textile beach anytime there is a substantial crowd, with sporadic nudity during off times. However, nudity is acceptable at both O Morro niches, both of which are charming little idyllic beaches that are lightly attended.
When you arrive, you will park at Playa de Niñóns. If the tide is out, it is a short and easy walk across the sand to Playa de O Morro. Between Niñóns and O Morro, there is a prominent rocky land mass just offshore that becomes an island at high tide. At low tide, when the boundary between Niñóns and O Morro is indistinct, be aware that you need to go beyond the rocky land mass to get to the nude area. At high tide, it is possible to skirt the ocean side of the hill to get from Niñóns to the larger of the O Morro niches, but this presents a bit of a physical challenge. A somewhat longer but much easier option is to follow a footpath that skirts the inland side of the hill, taking you directly to the larger O Morro niche. The footpath continues west along the coastline, and the smaller O Morro niche is just a bit farther along. Beyond the smaller niche, the footpath continues along the coastline a little more than a kilometer farther before connecting to a paved road. Along the way, there are a few more beaches that would seem to have nudist potential.
A stream flows across Playa de Niñóns, often flooding the more inland part of the deep pocket of sand. To go across Niñóns to get to O Morro, be aware that it is often necessary to trudge through wet sand and shallow water. There is a small snack stand that operates at Playa de Niñóns on peak days.
GPS: 43.2930N, 8.9072W (larger eastern niche), 43.2930N, 8.9084W (smaller western niche)
Ponteceso, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KImIK6
43.2828N, 8.8943W (beach turnoff at kilometer 2 of DP-6801 in Niñóns)
The village of Niñóns in part of the municipality of Ponteceso. The turnoff referenced above is at the eastern end of the village, just 20 meters east of kilometer marker 2. The turnoff is inconspicuously signed Praia de Niñóns, Asalo and San Xoán, but you will see the sign only if you are heading west into the village.
Once you turn away from DP-6801, you will be on a very narrow road. At first you will pass through a densely built collection of old houses, then you will emerge in a more open agricultural landscape. After following the narrow road for 500-600 meters, you will reach a "T" junction next to a salmon-colored house. Turn left. Continue 1.3 kilometers and you will arrive at Playa de Niñóns, with the beach sand straight ahead from the end of the asphalt. At the point where the pavement ends, there is a boxy white building to your right and an orange sign with the name of the beach. You can park alongside the road leading up to the end of the pavement (43.2942N, 8.9029W). Or, continue past the end of the pavement. The road morphs into a dirt track that curves rightward in front of the white building, and shortly thereafter there is an earthen parking area. (The track continues beyond the parking area.)
Playa de Niñóns and Playa de O Morro are small neighboring pocket beaches in the same bay, separated by a prominent dome-shaped hill that is covered in low-lying, shrublike vegetation. There is a rocky land mass about 40 meters seaward from the hill, and that land mass is surrounded by waterlogged sand at low tide but becomes an island at high tide. O Morro is west of Niñóns (to the left when facing the ocean), and the two beaches are about 150 meters apart at high tide. At low tide, Niñóns and O Morro essentially become the same beach, and you can quickly and easily walk across the sand between the hill and the rocky land mass to get to O Morro. If the tide is in, you can climb around the hill, staying close to the bottom of the hill near the water. Or you can follow a footpath that skirts the inland side of the hill.
To find the footpath, head to the most inland part of Playa de Niñóns, following the base of the hillside such that the hill is to your right when your back is to the water. Beyond the tapering sand, a narrow footpath takes you into a lushly vegetated area. The path basically makes a long rightward curve around the inland side of the hill. After hiking about 400 meters, the ocean will come into view, and O Morro is straight ahead. When you reach the sand, you will be at the larger and more eastern of the two pockets that comprise O Morro at high tide. If you keep hiking, the path will begin to ascend the next hill and follow the coastline. At first the eastern pocket of O Morro will be downhill on your right-hand side, then the path will curve leftward away from the eastern pocket. Shortly the smaller western pocket of O Morro will come into view. You can leave the path and go downhill just a bit to get there.
If you keep hiking, there are more places to explore. Shortly past the western pocket of O Morro, the path will begin to hew more closely to the coastline. 300-400 meters past O Morro, you will reach the next small bay. The beach located in the bay does not seem to have a proper name. It is over 100 meters long at low tide, but it is broken into smaller pockets at high tide (The largest pocket is at 43.2925N, 8.9111W.) The beach has plenty of nudist potential, but it is difficult to climb down to the beach, so it is almost always deserted. Beyond the nameless beach, the path continues along the coastline another 400-500 meters then connects to the minor paved road near a small fishing port called Puerto de Santa Mariña. Just before the paved road, the path skirts the edge of a small pocket beach called Niño do Corvo (43.2927N, 8.9168W). This little-visited beach would seem to have nudist potential but has no documented nudist use. If you explore the entire area between Playa de Niñóns and Puerto de Santa Mariña, the hiking distance is about 1.7 kilometers.
starting point:  Exit 33 (Carballo norte, Malpica) of the AG-55 motorway near Carballo
The AG-55 is a motorway that begins in A Coruña (the capital city of the province of the same name) and goes west about 60 kilometers to the town of Baio. Exit 33 is about 33 kilometers west of the city center of A Coruña, and it is the middle of three exits that are signed for Carballo, so be sure to take the norte Carballo, not the este or oeste exits. Upon exiting, follow the signs that point toward Buño, Malpica and Ponteceso. You will then begin heading toward the coast on route AC-418, and you will pass kilometer marker 0 as you depart the exit interchange.
Stay on AC-418 for 9 kilometers until you reach the roundabout that is just past kilometer marker 9. Take the departure for Ponteceso. You will then be at the start of AC-419 heading west, and you will pass kilometer marker 0 as you leave the roundabout. In 1.5 kilometers, keep straight ahead through another roundabout, staying on AC-419. 1.2 kilometers farther on, you will pass the Pazos village sign. 800-900 meters past the village sign, turn right at a small sign that points toward A Campara. (The turnoff is just past a Cepsa gas station. If you pass kilometer marker 4, you have missed the turn by about 400 meters.)
Once you turn toward A Campara, you will be going north on DP-6805, but the only signs that indicate the route number are on the kilometer markers, the first of which is marker 5. (The numbers descend going north.) Follow DP-6805 for 5.1 kilometers. Just after you pass the A Campara village sign, you will reach the end of DP-6805 at a stop sign at a "T" junction. Turn left, following the arrow that points toward Ponteceso.
Once you turn at the "T," you will be on DP-4307 between kilometers 7 and 8, but you will not stay on the road long enough to see any markers. Follow the road west just over 200 meters, then turn right toward the village of Niñóns, which is the second possible right you can make. There is no conspicuous signage at the turnoff, which is directly opposite a construction materials company called Almacenes Ordóñez. (You have missed it by 500-600 meters if you pass kilometer marker 8.)
Once you turn, you will be on DP-6801, at kilometer 0. Proceed northwest for 1.9 kilometers. As you enter the small village of Niñóns (which is not signed), you will pass a small green-and-white sign with arrows pointing right toward Praia de Niñóns, Asalo and San Xoán. The lettering is small, and the sign is next to a 50 KPH speed limit sign. After that sign, take the next possible right, which is just 20 meters shy of kilometer marker 2. (You should be able to see marker 2 up ahead as you make the turn.) Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AG-55 Exit 33 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de O Morro.

This placemark pertains to Playa de O Morro.

"T" junction next to salmon-colored house

Playa de Niñóns (textile)

rocky islet just offshore

smaller western niche of Playa de O Morro

larger eastern niche of Playa de O Morro

unnamed beach (nudist potential, but difficult to access)

Playa de Niño do Corvo (usually deserted)

Puerto de Santa Mariña (fishing port)

road to Puerto de Santa Mariña

approximate extent of Playa de O Morro at low tide

Playa de Baldaio

Playa de Baldaio
The town of Carballo is a bit inland from the coast, and north of the town there is a long sandy beach that stretches over 5 kilometers. There are two names that refer to segments of that long beach. The westernmost kilometer or so of the beach is known as Playa de Razo, and it next to the village of Arnados. It is a textile beach with a large adjacent paved parking lot. The other 4 kilometers or so of the beach is known as Playa de Baldaio. Most of it is backed by sand dunes, and there is also a wetlands area (Marisma de Baldaio) behind the beach toward its eastern end. The Baldaio part of the beach is lightly attended, and it is frequented by nude bathers owing to its ample space. Nude bathers tend to be spread out, so you are unlikely to encounter a large number of nudists.
It is possible to access Playa de Baldaio from its western end by parking in the paved lot in Arnados (i.e., the access point to Playa de Razo), but most who visit Baldaio for nude bathing bypass Arnados altogether and park in a small unpaved lot toward the opposite (eastern) end of the beach, near a small coastal community called A Pedra do Sal. From that access point, it is a short walk westward to the start of the remote stretch of beach where nudity takes place, and that part of the beach is wild and undeveloped, with no amenities.
Note that Baldaio is alternately spelled Baldayo, and both spellings are encountered on signs leading up to the beach.
Carballo, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47yOiTZ
43.3009N, 8.6555W (four-way intersection at kilometer 2.6 of DP-1916 in A Pedra do Sal)
Part of the municipality of Carballo, the small coastal community of A Pedra do Sal is about 14 kilometers northeast of the Carballo town center. The intersection named above is located next to the small A Pedra do Sal village sign. At the intersection, turn west toward Baldaio, O Pinar and Camping Baldayo. (The sign pointing is the opposite direction indicates Caión).
Less than 150 meters after turning away from DP-1916, the road will fork. It does not matter which fork you take. Either way, the pavement will end about 500 meters farther along at a junction with a gravel road. Turn right onto the gravel road and follow it several hundred meters to its end at a large earthen parking lot next to the beach (43.2993N, 8.6642W).
A boardwalk begins at the parking lot and goes west (to the left when facing the ocean). Follow that boardwalk and shortly you will cross a footbridge over a substantial channel of water, where the wetlands behind the beach drain into the ocean. After the bridge, the next access point to the beach is about 3 kilometers farther west, so there is ample space for nudists. Depending on who else is present, it may be possible to be naked shortly after crossing the footbridge, or it may be best to keep walking for several minutes until your are past any textiles who are present. There is a well-defined path that continues straight ahead from the footbridge, running through the dunes parallel to the beach, and you may wish to follow it for a bit before cutting over the dunes to the beach.
starting point:  Exit 29 (Carballo este, AC-552, Parque Industrial) of the AG-55 motorway near Carballo
The AG-55 is a fairly short motorway that begins in A Coruña (the capital city of the province of the same name) and goes west about 35 kilometers, terminating in the vicinity of Carballo. Exit 29 is about 7 kilometers before the western terminus of the motorway. If you are going west when you exit, the exit ramp is immediately past a toll plaza that spans the westbound lanes of the motorway. Regardless of the direction of approach, all traffic is filtered to the south side of the motorway to a connector road that goes toward route AC-552. Head south, following the signs that point toward A Coruña and Carballo for about 2 kilometers until you reach the roundabout that forms the junction with AC-552. When you reach that roundabout, take the second departure (effectively a left turn), following the sign that points toward A Coruña (NOT Carballo). At that point you should begin heading east on AC-552 though the eastern outskirts of Carballo, and shortly you should pass kilometer marker 29.
Stay on AC-552 about 900 meters until the road widens to include a center turn lane, then get in that lane and turn left at a big Golf sign. (There are also some less prominent signs that point toward Camping Os Delfins, Camping Baldayo, Circuito Municipal and other places.)
Upon turning, you will be at the start of route CP-1909, at kilometer marker 0, and you will be heading north. In 1.7 kilometers you will cross over the AG-55 motorway to its north side. From that point, continue north and east another 6.3 kilometers and take note when you pass kilometer marker 8, which is next to a large panel indicating an upcoming right turn toward Laracha and an upcoming left turn toward Playa de Baldayo. 300-400 meters farther along, you will pass the Noicela village sign, which is below a 50 KPH speed limit panel.
About 100 meters past the village sign, take the next possible left. There are fairly inconspicuous signs that point toward Camping Os Delfins and Camping Baldayo, and there is also a bus stop kiosk at the turnoff. Upon turning, you will be on a minor road numbered DP-1916, with kilometer marker 0 at the start of the road. Follow the road north about 2.5 kilometers and watch for the entrance into Camping Os Delfins (on the right, about 500 meters past marker 2). At that point, the ocean should be coming into view ahead of you. Immediately past Camping Os Delfins, take the next possible left onto a narrow paved road, where signs point toward Baldaio, O Pinar and Camping Baldayo. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AG-55 Exit 29 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Baldaio.

kilometer marker 8 of CP-1909
This placemark pertains to Playa de Baldaio.

Noicela village sign (facing traffic going north)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Baldaio.

kilometer marker 9 of CP-1909

Camping Os Delfins

Camping Baldayo

Playa de Razo (textile)

segment of CP-1909

roads from DP-1916 to beach parking

shortcut

Playa de Combouzas

Playa de Combouzas
Playa de Barrañán and Playa de Combouzas are neighboring beaches on the western outskirts of Arteixo. Barrañán is over a kilometer long and backed by sand dunes, while Combouzas (the eastern of the two) is about 300 meters long, backed by a steep grassy escarpment. A protrusion of land separates the two beaches when the tide is in, but at low tide the beaches are continuous, with a broad expanse of sand that stretches over 1.5 kilometers. Playa de Combouzas is a well-established nudist venue, with most visitors opting to be naked along the entire length of the beach. Barrañán is essentially a textile beach, but there are sometimes nudists present toward the far east end of the beach near the protrusion of land that sometimes separates Barrañán and Combouzas. There are snack stands along both beaches, and there are also several restaurants nearby along the coastal road.
Combouzas is the most popular nude beach in the immediately vicinity of A Coruña, which is the capital city of the province of the same name. The beach is about 15 kilometers southwest of the city center. Combouzas has its own access path, so it can be reached even when it is cut off from Barrañán at high tide.
GPS: 43.3125N, 8.5440W (Playa de Combouzas), 43.3119N, 8.5479W (east end of Playa de Barrañán)
Arteixo, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/444Ywst
43.3112N, 8.5465W (parking areas at kilometer 3.4 of DP-0514 in Arteixo)
Parking areas near Playa de Combouzas are not signed. The parking areas are roughly halfway between kilometer markers 3 and 4, less than 100 meters west of the only bus stop between markers 3 and 4. There is limited parking in a small earthen area on the coast side of the road and much more parking in a large earthen lot on the inland side on the road. (The entrance to the inland lot is usually chained off out of season.)
There is a sidewalk paved in gray bricks along the coast side of the road in the vicinity of the parking areas and the bus stop. Facing the ocean, head to your right and follow the sidewalk a short distance to the bus stop. Just past the bus stop, an asphalted access road descends to the nude beach. There is a signboard with information about the beach at the start of the road, which is closed to motorized traffic (except for authorized vehicles). The access road winds downhill about 200 meters, then you can follow either a staircase or a ramp for the short final descent. From the start of the access road to the beach, the elevation loss is about 30 meters.
starting point:  Exit 8 (Arteixo) of the AG-55 motorway near Arteixo
Exit 8 is about 10 kilometers southwest of A Coruña, and it is the exit that forms the major interchange with the A-6★ motorway. Upon exiting, continuing following signs for Arteixo. Once you begin heading away from the complex interchange, you will be going north toward the coast on AC-551, and in a kilometer or so the road will widen from two to four lanes. When the road widens, you are nearing a junction formed by an unusual double-decker roundabout—a lower roundabout at ground level and an elevated upper roundabout that circles above it. Get in the right lane to enter the lower roundabout. (The left lane is filtered to the upper roundabout.) Make almost a complete circle through the lower roundabout, then take the departure signed Carballo, Cee and Arteixo Vila Termal. Once you leave the lower roundabout, you will be going west on AC-552 toward the Arteixo town center.
After following AC-552 for 1.6 kilometers, you will pass the Pescanova building, a huge blue industrial structure on the right side of the road that is a can't-miss landmark. Just after that building, keep straight ahead through a small roundabout to stay on AC-552. Just after the small roundabout, you will pass kilometer marker 10 next to a shopping center comprised of several furniture stores painted in bright, bold colors (on the right side of the road). Continue about 300 meters farther to the second red light past marker 10, then turn right onto DP-0514 next to an Eroski supermarket. (There are a few signs leading up to the turnoff pointing toward praias and other locations.) Immediately upon turning, you should see kilometer marker 0 of DP-0514.
Follow DP-0514 for 3 kilometers and take note when you pass kilometer marker 3. (By that point, the ocean will be in full view, on your right-hand side.) 300 meters past marker 3, watch for a 50 KPH speed-limit panel. The pedestrian access road to Playa de Combouzas and the above-referenced bus stop are both on the right just past the speed limit panel. Continue about 75 meters past the bus stop to the parking areas, which are just before a crosswalk. Proceed as directed above.
★ If you are approaching from the A-6 motorway instead of the AG-55, just keep straight ahead when you reach the terminus of the A-6 and you will be filtered onto AC-551 heading toward the double-decker roundabout.
The earthen parking areas near the first crosswalk past the bus stop provide the quickest access to Playa de Combouzas, but there is another parking option if you want to explore the nudist potential of nearby Playa de Barrañán. Follow the directions above, but continue a few hundred meters farther until you reach the second crosswalk past the bus stop. Starting at the crosswalk, there is long row of paved pull-in parking spaces on the left (inland) side of the road (43.3093N, 8.5490W). The parking spaces extend several hundred meters, but you should park in the first available space. The pull-in parking spaces are just a bit above sea level, separated from Playa de Barrañán by a large area of sand dunes. From the crosswalk at the start of the parking row, a boardwalk out to the beach begins near a couple of signboards and wooden picnic tables. The 200-meter-long boardwalk goes over the dunes, landing toward the east end of Playa de Barrañán. The rocky protrusion of land that separates Playa de Barrañán and Playa de Combouzas is about 250 meters east of the end of the boardwalk (to the right when facing the ocean). At low tide, the two beaches have a continuous expanse of sand, and skirting the land mass is easy if the tide is sufficiently out. Nudists are sometime present at the far east end of Playa de Barrañán leading up to the land mass.
MAP from AG-55 Exit 8 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Combouzas.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Combouzas.

50 KPH speed-limit panel (for traffic going west)

east end of Playa de Barrañán (sometimes nudist)

long row of pull-in parking spaces

asphalted beach access road (closed to motorized vehicles)

Playa Bastiagueiriño & Cala Atalaya

Playa de Bastiagueiro is a popular textile beach east of the city of A Coruña. There is another beach just a few hundred meters to the east that is known both as Bastiagueiriño and Pequeña Bastiagueiro. Both names mean "Little Bastiagueiro." Bastiagueiro has a broad crescent of sand and full beach amenities, but Bastiagueiriño is an undeveloped beach with a much narrower swath of sand that extends a few hundred meters. While Bastiagueiro tends to be very crowded, Bastiagueiriño is mostly off the radar, drawing just a trickle of visitors. Nudity is the norm at Bastiagueiriño, and it seems to be mostly a gay beach.
Bastiagueiro and Bastiagueiriño are located along the most interior part of a large bay-like body of water called the Ría del Burgo (a.k.a. the Ría de La Coruña), so the water tends to be calm. A Coruña is on the west side of the bay, and from both beaches there are views of the city and its port.
Just a kilometer away from Bastiagueiriño as the crow flies (or about 2.5 kilometers by car), there are neighboring beaches called Playa de Naval and Cala Atalaya, the latter of which presents another opportunity for bare bathing. Playa de Naval is not a very large beach. It is a rather narrow crescent that extends about 200 meters. However, Naval dwarfs Cala Atalaya, which is a mere 33 meters across. Playa de Naval is a textile beach, but nudity is the norm at Cala Atalaya, which is a hidden and sheltered cove that is bracketed by rocky masses at either end. The beach is so tiny that is can feel packed with just 20 visitors.
Cala Atalaya is very close to a small fortified castle called Castillo de Santa Cruz, which is situated on a tiny island just offshore and connected to the mainland via a wooden footbridge. The castle dates to the late 1500s. It is clearly visible from where you park above Cala Atalaya but will be out of view once you descend to the beach. If you want to visit the island, it is a short walk of just 600-700 meters. Just follow the shoreline. There are restrooms and showers at Playa de Naval, and you will pass a couple of shorefront cafés on the walk to Castillo de Santa Cruz.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Bastiagueriño and Cala Atalaya.

Playa de Bastiagueiriño
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Bastiagueriño and Cala Atalaya.)
Oleiros, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain
There are 19 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Bastiagueiriño and Cala Atalaya.

Cala Atalaya
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Bastiagueriño and Cala Atalaya.)
Oleiros, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain
There are 19 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Bastiagueiriño and Cala Atalaya.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YzvJeg
A Coruña is the capital city of the province of the same name. Oleiros is the next municipality east of A Coruña, and it is part of the city's metropolitan area. The three adjacent coastal neighborhoods of Oleiros that are closest to A Coruña are (from west to east) Santa Cristina, Bastiagueiro and Santa Cruz. The main road that winds through these three contiguous neighborhoods used to the first five kilometers of a route numbered AC-173. However, the first segment of AC-173 was retired as a numbered provincial route in late 2017, and kilometer markers 0 through 4 have been removed. Thus, Santa Cristina, Bastiagueiro and Santa Cruz are connected by a road that no longer has a number. Playa de Bastiagueiriño and Cala Atalaya are both accessed from what used to be AC-173.
To go to Playa de Bastiagueiriño, set your GPS device to:
43.3393N, 8.3594W (roundabout in Bastiagueiro neighborhood of Oleiros)
The roundabout referenced above is located where kilometer marker 2 used to be, and an identifying landmark is the suspension pedestrian bridge immediately east of the roundabout, which spans the road that used to be numbered AC-173. The large asphalted parking lot on the inland side of the roundabout serves Playa de Bastiagueiro, but there is parking closer to Playa de Bastiagueiriño, the hidden nude beach to the east of Playa de Bastiagueiro. Take the roundabout departure toward the coast, which is marked by a large blue-and-white panel signed Praia de Bastiagueiro, with about a dozen symbols denoting beach amenities and restrictions.
Very shortly after leaving the roundabout, the next possible right is a driveway that goes into a parking lot that is surrounded by a stone wall and a metal fence, but don't turn there. Instead, turn right onto the unmarked road that is immediately after that driveway. In about 100 meters the narrow road will curve slightly to the left, then less than 100 meters farther on it will curve sharply to the right. Less than 100 meters after the sharp curve, you will pass the entrance into Camping Bastiagueiro (on the right, with a big green gate). Continue a bit more than 100 meters farther, then turn left onto an unmarked asphalted road. The short road goes toward a small group of houses that are surrounded by a fence wall, with the bay in view beyond the houses. Park along the road, outside the fence wall (43.3423N, 8.3569W). Facing the houses and the ocean, skirt to the right around the fence wall on the path that leads to the beach.
To go to Cala Atalaya, set your GPS device to:
43.3504N, 8.3410W (turnoff to Playa de Naval at eastern edge of Santa Cruz neighborhood of Oleiros)
The turnoff is marked by a small brown Praia de Naval sign. Upon turning, you will be on Rúa Río Seixo, but signage with the street name is limited and inconspicuous. Proceed about 400 meters to an intersection that is similar to a "T" junction where you have to turn one way or the other, except there are two roads to your left. Turn left, but turn onto the road that is farther to the right. If you see a Rúa do Mar sign affixed to a building, you are on the correct street. You will also pass a blue-, red-and-white "T" sign indicating the road dead ends.
Shortly after you turn, the road will curve sharply rightward as the bay comes into view, with the water on your left-hand side. Just after the curve, there is a row of about 20 pull-in parking spaces on the right side of the road (43.3509N, 8.3476W). There is a handicap parking space at each end of the parking row. Just past the parking row, on the left there is a small park area overlooking the bay, where there are several park benches. Cala Atalaya is directly below the small park area, accessed via a short downhill path.
Note: Just after the small park with the benches, the road end ends just after a cream-colored apartment building that is about eight stories tall. There is more parking around that building. Straight ahead from the end of the automobile road, a pedestrian road descends to Playa de Naval, a textile beach.
starting point:  Exit 3 (AC-12, Ponte da Pasaxe) of the AP-9 motorway in A Coruña
The AP-9 is the busiest and most important motorway in Galicia, connecting all its major cities. The motorway begins at the border with Portugal and goes north, but an unusual feature of the motorway is that it splits into two spurs near its northern end and has two northern termination points. The western spur of AP-9 goes to A Coruña (the capital city of the province of the same name), while the eastern spur goes to the town of Ferrol. Assume that you are following the western spur of AP-9 toward A Coruña. Exit 3 is on the southeastern outskirts of A Coruña. It is the last exit before the motorway ends. All exiting traffic is filtered onto the eastbound lanes of a road that connects several numbered routes. After merging into that road, keep straight ahead, following panels that point toward Lugo and route N-VI. About one kilometer later, you will cross a bridge. The bridge is called Ponte da Pasaxe (in Galician) or Puente del Pasaje (in Spanish).
As you cross the bridge, be sure that you are in the left or middle of the three eastbound lanes. Just past the end of the bridge and the Perillo locality sign, the lanes split. Keep to the left, following the sign for Santa Cristina, Santa Cruz and Praias. Shortly you will reach a roundabout. Keep to the right, barely skirting the edge of the roundabout, following the sign for Santa Cruz.
At that point, you will be at what used to be the start of AC-173 (kilometer 0), but—as noted above—the kilometer markers have been removed. Continue about a kilometer to the next roundabout. Take the second departure to stay on the main road, toward Santa Cruz. Continue 900 meters to the next roundabout, at which point you will be in the Bastiagueiro neighborhood.
When you reach the Bastiagueiro roundabout, take the departure that goes toward the coast if you are going to Playa de Bastiagueiriño, then proceed as directed above. Or, to continue toward Cala Atalaya, keep straight ahead through the roundabout toward Santa Cruz. Upon departing the roundabout, you should pass under a suspension pedestrian bridge.
About 900 meters past the pedestrian bridge, keep straight ahead through another roundabout (next to Gadis Hiper supermarket). At that point, you will be in the Santa Cruz neighborhood. About a kilometer farther along, the road will curve to the right away from the bay as you pass through the commercial center of Santa Cruz. About 400 meters farther along, watch carefully for the small sign indicating you are leaving Santa Cruz. (It is a white panel with a red slash through the words Santa Cruz, and it is directly below a 50 KPH speed-limit panel.) About 50 meters farther along, take the next possible left at the brown Praia de Nava sign, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-9 Exit 3 to parking (Bastiagueiriño)
MAP from AP-9 Exit 3 to parking (Atalaya)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Bastiagueriño and Cala Atalaya.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Bastiagueiriño and Cala Atalaya.

Playa de Bastiagueiro (textile)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Bastiagueiriño and Cala Atalaya.

suspernsion pedestrian bridge
This placemark pertains to Playa de Bastiagueiriño and Cala Atalaya.

Camping Bastiagueiro

Gadis Hiper supermarket

Castillo de Santa Cruz

"leaving Santa Cruz" sign (facing traffic going north)

pull-in parking spaces

small parking overlooking bay

tall apartment building

Playa de Naval (textile)

main road through Santa Cristina, Bastiagueiro & Santa Cruz neighborhoods (formerly AC-173)

roads from main road to parking (Bastiagueriño)

roads from main road to parking (Atalaya)

Playa de Canabal

Playa de Canabal
A Coruña is the capital city of the province of the same name. Oleiros, the next municipality east of the city, is part of the metropolitan area of A Coruña. Oleiros and A Coruña are separated by a large inlet called the Ría do Burgo (also known as the Ría da Coruña), and that inlet in turn is pocked with a number of smaller inlets. One of those smaller inlets is the Enseada de Canabal, located on the eastern side of the Ría do Burgo where it opens to the Atlantic. The Enseada de Canabal is in Mera, a neighborhood in the far northern area of Oleiros. The most interior part of the Enseada de Canabal is a small, shallow bay that is mostly enclosed by land. The roughly circular bay has a circumference of about 850 meters, about 750 meters of which is land and the other 100 meters of which is the mouth of the bay where is opens to the deeper part of the Enseada de Canabal then to the ocean. The only structures next to the bay are the facilities of a tennis school.
Playa de Canabal (also spelled "Canaval") is a small beach below the tennis school. The main area of the beach, where the access path lands, is comprised of two pockets of sand that are partially separated by an outcropping of rock. These pockets of sand collectively span no more than 40 meters, and they are backed by low but steep moss-covered cliffs that provide a lushly beautiful backdrop. North of the main beach (to the right when facing the bay), there are several sandy niches directly below the courts of the tennis school. When the tide is out, it is fairly easy to clamber over the rocks to access these niches, but at high tide they are inundated. Going in the opposite direction from the main beach, there is an isolated sandy niche about 250 meters away, diametrically opposite the main beach. The isolated niche is also inundated at high tide, and it is difficult to access unless you are willing to swim, raft or wade there.
Nudity occurs at Playa de Canabal, but on crowded days the beach tends to be overtaken by textiles. When the tides allow it, nudists typically retreat to the niches when the prevailing sentiment at the main beach favors fabric. All in all, you should probably keep your expectations in check since the practice of nudity seems quite variable and there is little room to spread out at high tide. Playa de Canabal has no amenities.
Oleiros, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KIqvHw
43.3807N, 8.3367W (turnoff to lighthouse at kilometer 10.85 of AC-163 in Mera)
Mera is a neighborhood in the northern area of Oleiros, and the turnoff referenced above is marked by a sign pointing toward the lighthouse (Faro de Mera). There are also signs pointing toward Praias Espiñeiro-Canabal and several other locations.
Upon turning you will at first be on Rúa Antonas, which will quickly merge into Rúa Celso Emilio Ferreiro. Just keep straight ahead through all intersections for 800 meters, then turn right at the brown signs that point toward Seixo Branco and Praia de Canabal. You will then be on Rúa Seixo Branco, which is a narrow residential road that is about one kilometer long. Watch the numbers on the residential gates on the left side of the road, which are ascending odd numbers. In 500-600 meters, the broad track to Playa de Canabal leaves from the left side of the road, at the corner of the residence numbered 33. Parking is along the side of the road (43.3913N, 8.3410W). As you start along the track to the beach, the cinderblock fence wall that surrounds residence 33 should be on your left-hand side. It is a walk of about 250 meters to the beach, with a wood-planked ramp with a side rail for the final descent.
Note: Rúa Seixo Branco ends about 500 meters beyond the path of Playa de Canabal, past the tennis school (Escuela de Tenis y Pádel Canabal). A walking path that begins straight ahead from the end of the road leads about 650 meters to a beautiful scenic overlook called Seixo Branco.
starting point:  Exit 3 (AC-12, Ponte da Pasaxe) of the AP-9 motorway in A Coruña
The AP-9 is the busiest and most important motorway in Galicia, connecting all its major cities. The motorway begins at the border with Portugal and goes north, but an unusual feature of the motorway is that it splits into two spurs near its northern end and has two northern termination points. The western spur of AP-9 goes to A Coruña (the capital city of the province of the same name), while the eastern spur goes to the town of Ferrol. Assume that you are following the western spur of AP-9 toward A Coruña. Exit 3 is on the southeastern outskirts of A Coruña. It is the last exit before the motorway ends. All exiting traffic is filtered onto the eastbound lanes of a road that connects several numbered routes. After merging into that road, keep straight ahead, following panels that point toward Lugo and route N-VI. About one kilometer later, you will cross a bridge. The bridge is called Ponte da Pasaxe (in Galician) or Puente del Pasaje (in Spanish).
From the bridge, it is about 10 kilometers to the Mera neighborhood of Oleiros. Although it is a fairly direct route, the numbering is a bit peculiar. For about half the distance you will be on a decommissioned segment of AC-173 (i.e., the kilometer markers have been removed and the road is no longer numbered), then you will be on the extant segment of AC-173 where there are still kilometer markers, then the road number will change from AC-173 to AC-163 as you enter Mera. You will pass through the Santa Cruz neighborhood along the way to Mera, so watch for signs for Santa Cruz and Mera to keep you on course.
As you cross the bridge (Ponte da Pasaxe), be sure that you are in the left or middle of the three eastbound lanes. Just past the end of the bridge and the Perillo locality sign, the lanes split. Keep to the left, following the sign for Santa Cristina, Santa Cruz and Praias. Shortly you will reach a roundabout. Keep to the right, barely skirting the edge of the roundabout, following the sign for Santa Cruz. From that point, just keep straight ahead through subsequent roundabouts on the way to Santa Cruz.
In 5 kilometers, just after passing through Santa Cruz, you will pass kilometer marker 5 of AC-173, which is the first marker you will encounter. Continue another 4 kilometers and watch for marker 9, which is the last marker along AC-173. 300-400 meters past marker 9, the road surfacing changes from asphalt to red brick as you enter Mera. The road remains bricked for 500 meters, and the road number changes from AC-173 to AC-163 somewhere along that segment (with the marker numbering of AC-163 descending rather than ascending). You will pass marker 11 of AC-163 at the point where the road surfacing changes from brick back to asphalt. From that point, continue 150 meters and take the next possible left toward the lighthouse, then proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Canabal.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Canabal.

tennis school (Escuela de Tenis y Pádel Canabal)

dead end of Rúa Seixo Branco

Mera lighthouse

Seixo Branco scenic overlook

segment of AC-173/AC-163

Rúa Antonas/Rúa Celso Emilio Ferreiro

Rúa Seixo Branco

Cala de Insua

Cala de Insua
Near the villages of Perbes and Parga, Cala de Insua is a small beach tucked deeply within the Ría de Betanzos, a large fjord-like inlet that prominently indents the coastline between the cities of A Coruña and Ferrol. The beach has two parts. From the parking area, steps descend to a sandy beach that is just 30 meters across and nearly encircled by land, with a narrow opening to the shallow water. The west side of that beach (to the right when facing the water) is formed by a slab-like rocky outcropping. On the other side of the outcropping there is another beach that is broken into multiple sandy niches by boulders and outcroppings, and it extends about 80 meters at low tide, contracting significantly at high tide. Nudity is the norm along the entire beach, which has a substantial but not exclusive gay following. There are no amenities.
Pontedeume, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OVw5Yv
43.3864N, 8.2132W (turnoff toward coast at kilometer 5.06 of DP-4803, between Perbes and Parga)
Perbes and Parga are nearby villages that both belong to the municipality of Pontedeume. The location referenced above is a minor four-way intersection that is poorly signed. It is the first intersection north of kilometer marker 5. (At the intersection, the road going toward the coast is signed Insua and the road going inland is signed Curio. However, you will not be able to read the signs if you are heading north toward Parga since the signs are visible only to traffic going south toward Perbes.)
Turn toward the coast at the intersection. Upon turning, you will be on a narrow road going west toward the Ría de Betanzos, and you can glimpse the water in the distance. Follow the road 600 meters, then turn left into an earthen parking area (43.3860N, 8.2200W). (The road dead ends about 100 meters past the parking area.) The parking area is directly above Cala de Insua, at an elevation of about 10 meters. A narrow cement staircase with a handrail descends to the small beach that is the main gathering area. There are more sandy niches to the right when facing the water.
starting point:  Exit 12F (Miño, Perbes) of the AP-9 motorway near Miño
The AP-9 is the busiest and most important motorway in Galicia, connecting all its major cities. The motorway begins at the border with Portugal and goes north, but an unusual feature of the motorway is that it splits into two spurs near its northern end and has two northern termination points. The western spur of AP-9 goes to A Coruña (the capital city of the province of the same name), while the eastern spur goes to the town of Ferrol. Exit 12F is along the eastern (Ferrol) spur of the motorway. (All exits along the Ferrol spur have an "F" after the exit number.) The exit is about 24 kilometers south of the end of the motorway in Ferrol, and it is about 12 kilometers north of the point where the two spurs of AP-9 split apart. 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, all traffic must continue straight ahead for 800 meters to a stop sign at a "T" junction. Turn right at the stop sign, following the sign for Perbes. You will then be on route DP-4803, going north and skirting the coastal edge of Perbes.
As you follow DP-4803, take note of the kilometer marker numbers, which ascend the farther you go. In 4.5 kilometers you will pass kilometer marker 5. Just 60 meters past marker 5, turn left at the next intersection and proceed as directed above. (If you pass the small Parga village sign, you have missed the turnoff by 300-400 meters.)
MAP from AP-9 Exit 12F toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Cala de Insua.

This placemark pertains to Cala de Insua.

"Parga" village sign, facing traffic going north

dead end of road

minor side road

Playa de Lumebó

Playa de Lumebó
Playa de Lumebó is a small, beautiful, boulder-strewn beach that is cut into a steep hillside near the pastoral village of Fontá. It is separated by a headland from Playa de Doniños, a much larger textile beach to the north that is nearly 2 kilometers long. There is a large earthen parking area atop that headland. Facing the ocean at the headland, look to your right and you will see the south end of Doniños. However, the main parking area for Doniños is at its north end, so most of the textile crowd will be at the opposite end of that beach. Looking to the left from the headland, Lumebó is tucked away just around a slight bend of the coastline. However, the beach just about completely disappears at high tide, so you may see a 250-meter-long crescent of sand, or you may see a much smaller swath of sand, or you may see no sand at all.
Although Playa de Lumebó begins just south of where you park, both the slope of the land and the tides make it very difficult to descend directly to the beach from the headland. Instead, you will first have to hike uphill above the beach then descend to the beach. The hike is somewhat physically challenging, but the distance is just 700 meters. Due to the access difficulty, the beach is uncrowded, and most visitors go nude. There is a restaurant between Playa de Doniños and Playa de Lumebó which you will pass just before you enter the earthen parking area. Other amenities are located at the north end of Playa de Doniños. Lumebó and Doniños are about 11 kilometers west of the city center of Ferrol, which is the second largest coastal city in the province of A Coruña.
Ferrol, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45oszfA
43.4869N, 8.3215W (mini-roundabout next to Boa Onda restaurant in Fontá)
Fontá is a small coastal village that is part of the municipality of Ferrol, and it is about 10 kilometers west of the city center. Boa Onda restaurant is perched above the south end of Playa de Doniños.★ Two asphalted roads feed into the mini-roundabout that is next to the restaurant. A dirt track that leaves from the roundabout goes west toward the ocean. Follow the dirt track, which shortly will branch into a jumble of tracks atop a headland overlooking the ocean. The entire area is an informal, amorphous earthen parking area.
The parking area is about 25 meters above sea level. Facing the ocean, Playa de Doniños is to your right (north). Playa de Lumebó is to your left (south), somewhat hidden around a bend, nestled at the base of a steep, grassy hillside with lots of rocky protrusions. You can see the beach if you walk out far enough toward the ocean, but be aware that Playa de Lumebó all but completely disappears at high tide. As the crow flies, the distance from the parking area to the beach is just 250 meters, but the steep terrain makes it difficult to follow a direct route. Follow the track that goes toward a grove of trees atop the hill above the beach. You will be going uphill along a grassy slope, with the ocean to your right and the grove of trees to your left. In about 250 meters you will reach a fork, at which point you will be about 75 meters above sea level. Keep to the right. (The left fork continues uphill into the grove of trees.) At that point you will begin going very gradually downhill. After the first fork of the track, it is 300 meters to the next fork. Continue almost but not quite to the next fork. About 25 meters before the next fork of the track, turn right onto a much smaller and fainter path that goes downhill through a slight cleft of the hillside. From that point is a steep descent of about 160 meters to the beach, with an elevation loss of about 55 meters. The total hiking distance is about 700 meters.
starting point:  Exit 34F (As Pontes, Narón, Porto Exterior Prioriño) of the AP-9 motorway in Ferrol
The AP-9 is the busiest and most important motorway in Galicia, connecting all its major cities. The motorway begins at the border with Portugal and goes north, but an unusual feature of the motorway is that it splits into two spurs near its northern end and has two northern termination points. The western spur of AP-9 goes to A Coruña (the capital city of the province of the same name), while the eastern spur goes to the town of Ferrol. Exit 34F is along the eastern (Ferrol) spur of the motorway. (All exits along the Ferrol spur have an "F" after the exit number.) Going north, Exit 34F is the next-to-last exit before the motorway terminates near the city center of Ferrol. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a large roundabout that circles under the elevated lanes of the motorway. Take the departure of the roundabout that is signed Cedeira, As Pontes, Rio do Pozo and Porto Exterior.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be heading north on a short expressway numbered FE-12. Stay on it just 600 meters and take the first exit, which is signed Narón, Cedeira and Porto Exterior Prioriño. At the end of the exit ramp, you will reach a roundabout that circles over the expressway. Take the third departure (effectively a left turn), following the sign for Porto Exterior Prioriño.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be at the start of route N-655, and you will pass kilometer marker 0. N-655 is unusual in that it is an expressway even though it is an undivided two-lane highway, so it has exits rather than stops signs or red lights. Follow N-655 west about 10.3 kilometers and take the exit signed Valón and Prioriño, which is a few hundred meters past kilometer marker 10.
At the end of the exit ramp, you will reach a roundabout that circles underneath N-655. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Valón and Prioriño. In about 600 meters, you will enter a 100-meter-long tunnel. Immediately upon emerging from the tunnel, you will enter a roundabout that forms the junction with a minor road numbered DP-3608. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), toward Prioriño (NOT Valón). In 600 meters you will pass kilometer marker 4 of DP-3608, which is where the numbered route ends. Just keep straight ahead. You will then be on an unnumbered local road.
After marker 4, continue exactly one kilometer farther to a fork at a 50 KPH speed-limit panel (next to a residence numbered 128). Keep to the left, following the sign for Chetencia. (The right fork★ is signed Fontá and Outeiro.) From the fork, continue another 1.3 kilometers to the mini-roundabout next to Boa Onda restaurant, then proceed as directed above.
★ Playa de Doniños is most commonly accessed from a huge parking lot at its north end, at the opposite end of the beach from Boa Onda restaurant. If you were to go right instead of left at the last fork in the driving route (following the sign for Fontá and Outeiro), it is 2.5 kilometers to that parking lot.
MAP from AP-9 Exit 34F to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Lumebó.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Lumebó.

roundabout that circles under N-655

roundabout along DP-3608

fork at a 50 KPH speed-limit panel

Boa Onda restaurant

Playa de Doniños (textile)

hiking route to beach

Playa de Ponzos

Playa de Ponzos
Playa de Ponzos is a 1.4-kilometer-long beach located just north of the village of Covas and 11 kilometers north of the town center of Ferrol, one of the major cities of the province of A Coruña. The beach is a broad expanse of sand with a very pastoral feel. There are rolling grassy meadows just inland from the southwestern area of the beach, yielding to larger tree-covered hills toward the northeastern area. The main access is a parking area that is perched above the far southwest end of the beach, where portable toilets and a snack stand are available during peak season. Most textiles cluster within a few hundred meters of the main access, while nude bathing is common along the central and northeastern parts of the beach. Most nudists bypass the main access and park at an alternate access near the midpoint of the beach. Going northwest from the alternate access (to the right when facing the ocean), picturesque grassy cliffs rise up behind the beach, providing the backdrop for most of the nude area. Nudists tend to be widely dispersed since there is so much space on the beach. Textiles often stroll through to enjoy the scenery, but nudists and textiles seem to coexist without issue.
Ferrol, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/444ZSDz
43.5403N, 8.2705W (turnoff toward coast at kilometer 8 of DP-3603 in Covas)
The village of Covas (alternately spelled "Cobas") is part of the municipality of Ferrol, and it is about 9 kilometers north-northwest of the city center. The turnoff referenced above is next to a café named Aires de Cobas, and it is marked with signs pointing toward Covarradeiras, Piñón and Praias de Ponzos.
Upon turning, you will begin going north through a residential area. Proceed 800-900 meters to a fork and keep to the left, following the sign for Praia de Mine★ and Ferruxeda. The road will turn to gravel, and in about 100 meters you will reach a three-way junction with another gravel road★★ that goes off to the left. Keep straight ahead. Continue 400 meters to another fork and again keep to the left. In 300-400 meters, the gravel road will fade into a rougher track next to the beach, at which point there is informal parking (43.5543N, 8.2655W). Once you step onto the beach, you will be roughly in the center of Playa de Ponzos, which is where the zone of nude use begins. Facing the ocean, nude bathing is possible going to the right all the way to the northeast end of the beach—a distance of about 800 meters.
★ Praia de Mine seems to be an alternate name for the nudist part of Playa de Ponzos, but it is an obscure name, rendering the sign a bit confusing.
★★ The main access to Playa de Ponzos is at its southwestern end. Assume you turn left at the three-way junction. Follow the gravel road a little over a kilometer to a four-way intersection where all the other roads are asphalted. Turn right and proceed 500 meters to the end of the road at the main beach parking area. From there, it is about 1.4 kilometers across the beach to its opposite end, and nudity is generally acceptable once you have walked several hundred meters, sufficiently beyond the textiles.
starting point:  Exit 34F (As Pontes, Narón, Porto Exterior Prioriño) of the AP-9 motorway in Ferrol
The AP-9 is the busiest and most important motorway in Galicia, connecting all its major cities. The motorway begins at the border with Portugal and goes north, but an unusual feature of the motorway is that it splits into two spurs near its northern end and has two northern termination points. The western spur of AP-9 goes to A Coruña (the capital city of the province of the same name), while the eastern spur goes to the town of Ferrol. Exit 34F is along the eastern (Ferrol) spur of the motorway. (All exits along the Ferrol spur have an "F" after the exit number.) Going north, Exit 34F is the next-to-last exit before the motorway terminates near the city center of Ferrol. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a large roundabout that circles under the elevated lanes of the motorway. Take the departure of the roundabout that is signed Cedeira, As Pontes, Rio do Pozo and Porto Exterior.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be heading north on a short expressway numbered FE-12. Stay on it just 600 meters and take the first exit, which is signed Narón, Cedeira and Porto Exterior Prioriño. At the end of the exit ramp, you will reach a roundabout that circles over the expressway. Take the third departure (effectively a left turn), following the sign for Porto Exterior Prioriño.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be at the start of route N-655, and you will pass kilometer marker 0. N-655 is unusual in that it is an expressway even though it is an undivided two-lane highway, so it has exits rather than stops signs or red lights. Follow N-655 west about 4.9 kilometers and take the exit that is signed Esmelle, Covas and Serantes. The exit is almost a full kilometer past kilometer marker 4, and you will pass marker 5 once you are on the exit ramp.
Once you exit, there are two roundabouts to navigate that are part of the exit interchange: the first circles under N-655, and the second is on the south side of N-655. At each, follow signs for Covas. Upon departing the second roundabout, you will cross a high-span bridge over N-655 to its north side as you head north on DP-3603, with the kilometer marker numbers ascending. About 1.5 kilometers past the bridge, take note when you pass kilometer marker 7. After marker 7, continue 800-900 meters and take note when you pass a round red-and-white 50 KPH speed-limit panel, at which point you will be in Covas. (The speed limit is also painted on the asphalt.) After the speed-limit panel, continue 100 meters and take the next possible right at a stack of multi-colored signs that is immediately before Aires de Cobas café and marker 8. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-9 Exit 34F to the final fork★★★ toward nude area of beach
★★★ Note that Google Maps will not draw the final segment of the route described above, beyond the last fork.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Ponzos.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Ponzos.

kilometer marker 8 of DP-3603, next to Aires de Cobas café

fork

main beach parking area

roads to main beach parking area

roads from DP-3603 to parking closest to nude area

Playa de Porto Carrizo & Playa de Baleo

Ferrol is the second largest coastal town in the province of A Coruña. About 15 kilometers northeast of Ferrol, Valdoviño is a municipality along the Atlantic composed of a number of spread-out neighborhoods, and there are two beaches in Valdoviño that offer opportunities for nude bathing. Both beaches are in an area of Valdoviño called Pantín, and the two beaches are very close to one another.
The main beach of Pantín is located in a prominent bay, and it has two names. In Spanish, it is just called Playa de Pantín, but in Galician it is usually called Praia do Rodo. It is about 900 meters long, facing north. Just beyond the east end of Playa de Pantín in the same bay, there is a much smaller beach called Playa de Porto Carrizo. It is at a right angle to Playa de Pantín, facing west rather than north. The two sandy beaches are separated by a low-lying land mass that is easily climbed over. Very sheltered and less than 150 meters in length, Playa de Porto Carrizo has a history of sporadic, discreet nude use on uncrowded days. Several sources describe Playa de Porto Carrizo as an "official" nude beach, but that gives a misleading impression that requires some explanation. In an attempt to boost tourism, in 2010 the Valdoviño town council declared Porto Carrizo a naturist beach, but that initiative was not universally appreciated by locals. Perhaps due to the blowback, it seems the effort to make the beach a firmly established naturist venue never really got off the ground, and little if anything changed. While the Valdoviño town website continues to describe Porto Carrizo as a nude beach, the reality is that you are likely to encounter only textiles on crowded summer weekends and holidays. However, there are plenty of times when the beach is deserted or nearly so, when nudity can occur more comfortably. Pantín is equipped with toilets, showers and a snack bar. It takes 5 to 10 minutes to walk to Porto Carrizo from the parking lot at Pantín.
Playa de Porto Carrizo is wedged into the land mass that forms the east side of the bay of Playa de Pantín. On the other side of that land mass, Playa de Baleo is located in a smaller bay. Baleo changes considerably with the tides, with a total length of 400 meters at low tide. The broadest part of the sandy beach is backed by a gently sloping hillside that provides easy access to the main textile area, where there is always a lot of exposed sand even at hight tide. Going east from the main area (to the right when facing the ocean), there are cliffs with protruding land masses that divide that part of the beach into multiple niches at high tide. On off days when there are few people, nudity may be possible in the niches that are closest to the main area of the beach, but those niches tend to be textile on more crowded days. The more consistently nude area is farther east, beyond a protruding land mass that is significantly larger than the others. The nude area is roughly 70 meters long, consisting of a few sheltered niches wedged against the grassy cliffs. While the nude area is quite secluded from the rest of the beach, it is visible from a road that passes above the beach, but that isn't really an issue since it is a very minor local road with hardly any traffic. Attendance tends to be sparse since the nude area is usually difficult to access. At low tide, you can simply walk around the land mass that separates the main beach from the nude beach. Otherwise, it is much more difficult to get around the land mass. An alternative access is a footpath that descends directly to the nude beach, but it is quite steep. The main beach is equipped with toilets and showers, with a picnic area uphill near the parking lot, but there are no food and drink amenities.
While Playa de Porto Carrizo and Playa de Baleo are both very picturesque beaches, both are rather minor nudist venues.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Porto Carrizo and Playa de Baleo.

Playa de Porto Carrizo
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Porto Carrizo and Playa de Baleo.)
Valdoviño, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain
There are 13 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Porto Carrizo and Playa de Baleo.

Playa de Baleo
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Porto Carrizo and Playa de Baleo.)
Valdoviño, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain
There are 13 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Porto Carrizo and Playa de Baleo.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OHYbpW
43.6341N, 8.1003W (turnoff toward coast at kilometer 19.05 of AC-566, east of Valdoviño)
The turnoff referenced above is signed Freixo, Ariño and Praia do Rodo, and it is located next to an old white church with an adjacent mausoleum. Upon turning, follow the narrow road just under one kilometer until you reach a four-way intersection, where there is a blue-and-white "P" parking panel with an arrow pointing right. Turn right. You will immediately reach a "T," and which way you turn at the "T" depends on whether you are going to Playa de Porto Carrizo or Playa de Baleo.
To go to Playa de Porto Carrizo:
Turn left at the "T." Shortly you will enter a large parking lot (43.6388N, 8.1091W). The parking lot overlooks the east end of a large beach called Playa de Pantín (a.k.a. Praia do Rodo), which is located in a prominent bay. From the parking lot, Playa de Porto Corrizo is the smaller beach that is visible farther east (to the right when facing the ocean), a few hundred meters away. Playa de Porto Corrizo is perpendicular to Playa de Pantín, tucked into the land mass that forms the east side of the bay. To get there, follow the walkway down to Playa de Pantín, turn right, then proceed about 300 meters to the end of the beach, where you will find a footpath that goes over the low-lying rocky land mass that separates Pantín and Porto Corrizo. It is a fairly easy hike along the footpath, which is just over 100 meters long.
To go to Playa de Baleo:
Turn right at the "T." Continue about 500 meters to a fork and keep to the left, staying on the road that is closer to the ocean. About 400 meters farther along, veer right at the blue "P" sign to enter the parking area for Playa de Baleo (43.6440N, 8.1011W). The parking area is an earthen lot built in two tiers along the hillside, directly above the beach on the inland side of the road. If you miss the first turnoff into the parking area, you can turn into the opposite end about 150 meters farther on.
Across the road from the parking area, there are two walkways that make a gradual descent to the beach. Each is about 125 meters long, and they are just 40 meters apart. Both walkways land toward the middle of the beach, which is about 400 meters long at low tide. The nude area is the easternmost part of the beach (i.e., the part farthest to the right when facing the ocean), which is hidden from the rest of the beach. As you head in that direction, you will at first go past several large rocky masses in the intertidal zone amid a few niches that are tucked into the cliffs, partially hidden from the main expanse of the beach. Those niches have nudist potential on uncrowded days but are usually considered part of the textile area on more crowded days. The nude area is a bit farther along, beyond a prominent rocky land mass that projects seaward.
Even at low tide, you will have to walk through wet sand to get to the nude area. The higher the tide, the more difficult it becomes to get around the land mass at sea level. There is an alternative access that bypasses the main beach altogether, but it presents a bit of a physical challenge. Starting from the more distant entrance into the parking lot (i.e, the more eastern entrance, farther right when facing the ocean), continue east on foot along the narrow asphalted road, such that the ocean is on your left-hand side. In about 150 meters, turn left, leaving the road and making your way through the treeless landscape. (You have gone about 70 meters too far if you reach a three-way intersection where a gravel goes inland, to the right from the asphalted road.) There is a narrow footpath that is often overgrown and difficult to discern, but you can easily blaze your own path through the grass and other low-lying vegetation. Shortly you should be atop the land mass that separates the main area of Playa de Baleo from the nude area. About 100 meters from the road, watch on the right for the path that zig-zags down to the nude area. It is a very abrupt and steep descent, with an elevation loss of about 20 meters.
starting point:  Exit 34F (As Pontes, Narón, Porto Exterior Prioriño) of the AP-9 motorway in Ferrol
The AP-9 is the busiest and most important motorway in Galicia, connecting all its major cities. The motorway begins at the border with Portugal and goes north, but an unusual feature of the motorway is that it splits into two spurs near its northern end and has two northern termination points. The western spur of AP-9 goes to A Coruña (the capital city of the province of the same name), while the eastern spur goes to the town of Ferrol. Exit 34F is along the eastern (Ferrol) spur of the motorway. (All exits along the Ferrol spur have an "F" after the exit number.) Going north, Exit 34F is the next-to-last exit before the motorway terminates near the city center of Ferrol. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a large roundabout that circles under the elevated lanes of the motorway. Take the departure of the roundabout that is signed Cedeira, As Pontes, Rio do Pozo and Porto Exterior.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be heading north on a short expressway numbered FE-12. Follow it 2.1 kilometers to a roundabout where the expressway ends. Keep straight ahead, toward As Pontes and Rio do Pozo. One kilometer farther along, you will reach another roundabout, which is recognizable by the art installation in the middle that consists of five metal cubes. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), following the sign for Castro.
Once you leave the roundabout with the metal cubes, you will on Avenida Gonzalo Navarro, going east through an industrial area. In 1.3 kilometers you will reach the next roundabout. Take the third departure (effectively a left turn), toward Valdoviño and Cedeira.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be going north on route AC-566. Take note of the kilometer marker numbers, which ascend the farther you go. In 15.3 kilometers, after passing through Valdoviño, you will reach kilometer marker 19, which is next to an old white church with an adjacent mausoleum. Just 50 or so meters past marker 19, take the next possible left and proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-9 Exit 34F to parking (Porto Carrizo)
MAP from AP-9 Exit 34F to parking (Baleo)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Porto Carrizo and Playa de Baleo.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Porto Carrizo and Playa de Baleo.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Porto Carrizo.

Playa de Pantin, a.k.a.Praia do Rado (textile)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Porto Carrizo.

fork
This placemark pertains to Playa de Baleo.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Baleo.

main (textile) area of Playa de Baleo
This placemark pertains to Playa de Baleo.

3-way intersection with gravel road

segment of AC-566

roads to beaches

road into parking lot

connecting boardwalk

faint footpath

steep footpath

Lugo

Playa de Portonovo

Playa de Portonovo
The province of Lugo has a relatively short stretch of coastline, and Playa de Portonovo is a small beach located toward far west end of the province. The beach is in the town of Viveiro, about 7.5 kilometers northeast of the town center. Portonovo is an undeveloped beach with no amenities, and it consists of two side-by-side areas of sand that are sheltered in a small cove and separated by a very low and easily traversable outcropping of rock. Those two beaches are collectively just 100 or so meters long. Parking is just slightly uphill from the larger of the two beaches, and the short access path descend to the larger beach. Facing the water, turn to your left and you will have a clear view of the smaller beach.
Portonovo is often described as a nude beach, and it is certainly a charming little hidden cove in a pastoral, forested location that seems perfect for nudity. However, it is probably at best a semi-established nude beach. Portonovo is easily accessible, so there are times when there are just too many textiles present for nudity to be a viable option. On crowded days Portonovo is basically a textile beach, but nudity occurs frequently on sparsely attended days. To the extent that nudists are present, they are more likely to be at the smaller beach. Although the two sandy niches are in view of one another, the smaller niche is less visible from the parking area. Visit on a weekday to have a better chance of experiencing this idyllic little beach without clothing.
Viveiro, Lugo, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47AMXfE
43.6852N, 7.5816W (turnoff toward Monte Faro at kilometer 89.4 of LU-862 near Viveiro)
Monte Faro is a prominent seaside hill located on the east side of an inlet called the Ría de Viveiro, and it is north and slightly east of the Viveiro town center. Playa de Portonovo is just east of Monte Faro. The turnoff toward Monte Faro is marked by signs pointing toward Albergue Xuvenil, Praia de Area, Praia de Portonovo, Mirador Monte Faro, Hotel Ego and Nito Restaurant.
Upon turning away from LU-862, you will be at the start of a minor road numbered LU-P-6606, at kilometer 0. Near the start of the road, you will pass Hotel Ego. About 400 meters farther along, the road will curve sharply to the right as you go past a youth hostel (Albergue Xuvenil Area), which abuts Playa de Area. 800-900 meters farther on, you will reach a mini-roundabout at a five-way junction. Take the third departure, which is signed Mirador Monte Faro.
Upon departing the five-way junction, you will be on LU-P-2610. Shortly you will pass a small church with a modern design (on your left). There are kilometer markers along the road, with the numbers descending, but the markers are of limited use since they face traffic coming from the opposite direction, such that you can only read them in your rear-view mirror. 1.8 kilometers past the church and just past marker 5, take note of the signed left-hand turnoff toward Mirador Monte Faro,★ but do not turn there. Continue exactly one kilometer farther, then make a sharp left turn onto a side road that is just past marker 4. The side road (43.7089N, 7.5687W) is the access road to Playa de Portonovo, and it may not be signed. Follow the road downhill about 500 meters and park alongside the road near its end. From the end of the road, steps descend to the small beach.
starting point:  Exit 524 (Barreiros, Foz, San Cibrao) of the A-8 motorway near Foz
Exit 524 is about halfway between A Coruña and Gijón (roughly 140 kilometers from either city). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the coast side of the motorway then to a roundabout at a junction with route N-634. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward San Cibrao, Viveiro, Ribadeo and Oviedo. Proceed about 700 meters to the next roundabout, which is the junction of N-634 and N-642. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), toward San Cibrao and Viveiro. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on N-642, heading in a north-northwesterly direction near the coast with the kilometer marker numbers ascending. Keep straight ahead on N-642 for 27 kilometers to kilometer marker 54, at which point you will be in the vicinity of San Cibrao.
About 400 meters past marker 54, just past a furniture store (Caloto Muebles) and just before a hotel (O Castelo), you will reach a junction where N-642 turns off to the right, continuing toward San Cibrao. Do NOT turn. Keep straight ahead, following the sign for Viveiro. The road number will change to LU-862.★★ About 500 meters farther on, you will pass kilometer marker 99, with the marker numbers descending. Continue along LU-862 toward Viveiro another 9 kilometers and take note when you pass marker 90 just after you go through a roundabout. (By that point, you will have travelled about 39 kilometers from the A-8 motorway, and you will be on the outskirts of Viveiro.) After marker 90 of LU-862, continue 600 meters and take the next right toward Monte Faro, then proceed as directed above.
★ You may wish to take a short excursion to Monte Faro, a prominent conical hill mostly encircled by water, rising to an elevation of about 190 meters above sea level. You can drive all the way to the top for panoramic views of the area. Assume you turn onto the road that is just past kilometer marker 5 of LU-P-2610. In less than 150 meters you will reach a fork with a dirt track that veers off to the right. The main asphalted road continues uphill to the peak of Monte Faro, while the dirt track goes gradually downhill, skirting the hill toward its base and ending at a small red lighthouse. The asphalted road to the peak and the dirt track to the lighthouse are each about a kilometer long.
★★ An express route is currently in development through most of the coastal area of Lugo, extending into part of neighboring A Coruña. Ultimately, that route will be the primary coastal traffic corridor, superseding most of the route described above. The roughly 120-kilometer-long route will begin as the A-74 motorway at Exit 524 of the A-8 motorway (the starting point indicated above). The A-74 will extend westward to the vicinity of San Cibrao, morphing into a lower category of expressway numbered CG-2.3 (yes, that is "2 point 3"), which will continue westward (through Viveiro) to the provincial border of Lugo and A Coruña, where the number will change to CG-1.3 as the highway continues west toward Ferrol. As of 2019, very little of the route is extant, and ground hasn't even been broken on most of it. However, there is an 8-kilometer-long segment of CG-2.3 that opened in early 2017 between San Cibrao and Viveiro, and that segment intertwines with LU-862. Heading west toward Viveiro, you can access CG-2.3 between kilometer markers 99 and 98 of LU-862. The existing segment of CG-2.3 comes to an end at the roundabout that is just before kilometer marker 90 of LU-862.
MAP from A-8 Exit 524 to final turnoff★★★ toward parking
★★★ Google Maps will not drawn the short beach access road.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Portonovo.

kilometer marker 90 of LU-862
This placemark pertains to Playa de Portonovo.

kilometer marker 89 of LU-862
This placemark pertains to Playa de Portonovo.

Hotel Ego & Nito Restaurant

Albergue Xuvenil Area (youth hostel)

kilometer marker 1 of LU-P-6606

mini-roundabout at 5-way junction

small church with modern design

kilometer marker 2 of LU-P-6606

kilometer marker 6 of LU-P-2610

panoramic views from top of Monte Faro

small red lighthouse at base of Monte Faro

segment of LU-862

segment of LU-P-6606

segment of LU-P-2610

road to top of Monte Faro

dirt track to lighthouse

Playa de Portonovo access road

steps down to beach

Playa de Area Brava (Los Alemanes)

Playa de Area Brava (Los Alemanes)
Foz and Burela and neighboring coastal municipalities that are in the central area of the relatively short segment of coastline that belongs to the province of Lugo. Playa de Areoura is a small textile beach near the municipal border that is quite visible from the highway that roughly parallels the coastline. South of Areoura, on the other side of a flat-topped land mass, there is another small beach that is quite hidden from the highway, with no signs pointing the way. The hidden beach is attended mostly by nudists, and it goes by two names. Officially, it is Playa de Area Brava. Colloquially, it is Playa de los Alemanes ("Beach of the Germans"), or Praia dos Alemáns in Galician.
Area Brava is a sandy beach that is about 200 meters long at low tide, but it nearly disappears altogether at high tide. It takes just a few minutes to walk to the beach from the closest parking area, but the access path is quite inconspicuous, with a short but steep final descent to the beach. The beach typically has just a handful of visitors. There are restrooms and showers a few hundred meters away at Playa de Areoura, and there is also a snack stand there during peak season.
The flat-topped land mass that separates Playa de Areoura and Playa de Area Brava is occupied by a cluster of nine houses, a few of which overlook the nude beach. However, all the houses are unfinished structures that have never been occupied. An injunction halted completion of the houses circa 1980, and the ultimate fate of these empty shells is apparently still indefinite after decades of litigation.
Although Area Brava and Areoura are technically in Foz, at the northern border of its municipal limits, both beaches are commonly associated with the neighboring municipality of Burela since they are much closer to the town center of Burela than to that of Foz
Foz, Lugo, Galicia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45qPKpJ
The town of Burela is located along route N-642, a highway with a mix of regular intersections and expressway-type exits. There are two exits and one turnoff for Burela. The main exit, near kilometer marker 44, is signed Burela and Hospital da Costa. A secondary exit (southeast of the main exit) is between markers 42 and 43, then the turnoff (northwest of the main exit) is near marker 47.
To go to Playa de Area Brava, start at the secondary Burela exit. For traffic heading northwest toward Burela, the secondary exit is signed Burela and is a bit past marker 42. For traffic heading southeast toward Foz, the secondary exit is not signed, so after passing the main exit watch for marker 43 and take the next exit thereafter.
Upon exiting, head toward Burela and shortly you will pass a municipal boundary sign that indicates you are leaving Foz. (It is a white panel reading Foz, Parroquia de Cangas, with a red slash through the name.) Less than 100 meters farther on, take the next right at signs indicating Urbanización O Cantiño and Praia do Areoura. (You have missed the turn by about 100 meters if you pass an oblong Burela "welcome" sign, with Burela spelled vertically in large letters.)
Just after turning, you will cross a very narrow one-lane bridge over a railroad. Just after the bridge, stay on the main course of the road as it bends sharply rightward at a three-way junction. You will then be going south, with the ocean to your left and the railroad to your right. Shortly you will pass Playa de Areoura, a small textile beach that is clearly visible from the road. There is no parking lot adjacent to Playa de Areoura, so on busy days there are likely to be cars parked tightly alongside the road next to the beach, but you are not ready to park just yet. A little over 100 meters past the beach, there is another very narrow one-lane bridge that crosses back to the inland side of the railroad. Drive over the bridge then immediately turn left into an informal earthen parking area,★ (43.6386N, 7.3431W).
Upon parking, cross back to the ocean side of the narrow bridge on foot. Immediately at the end of the bridge, descend several cement steps that are next to a metal utility pole. At the bottom of the steps, your back will be to the ocean, with the railroad directly in front of you. Turn left and follow the narrow footpath along the ocean side of the railroad (such that the railroad is to your right and the ocean to your left). In about 70 meters, you will reach an abandoned, unfinished brick house★★ that is close to the railroad. Keep straight ahead on the path as it skirts the inland side of the house and enters a growth of trees. Shortly the path will curve leftward and descend to Playa de Area Brava. The total walk from the parking area is at most 200 meters.
starting point:  Exit 524 (Barreiros, Foz, San Cibrao) of the A-8 motorway near Foz
Exit 524 is about halfway between A Coruña and Gijón (roughly 140 kilometers from either city). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the coast side of the motorway then to a roundabout at a junction with route N-634. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward San Cibrao, Viveiro, Ribadeo and Oviedo. Proceed about 700 meters to the next roundabout, which is the junction of N-634 and N-642. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), toward San Cibrao and Viveiro. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on N-642, heading in a north-northwesterly direction near the coast with the kilometer marker numbers ascending. Proceed 15 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 42 after passing through the village of Cangas de Foz. After marker 42, continue 200 meters and take the next exit, which is the secondary Burela exit described above. Proceed as directed above.
★ The parking area is wedged between the inland side of the railroad and the coast side of N-642. Next to the parking area, the road curves rightward and becomes an entrance ramp that feeds into N-642. If you were to enter N-642 via the ramp then immediately exit, you would be taking the Burela exit—the exit described above that is a bit past kilometer marker 42.
★★ The brick house close to the railroad is one of the nine abandoned houses noted above under "Description."
This placemark pertains to Playa de Area Brava (Los Alemanes).

This placemark pertains to Playa de Area Brava (Los Alemanes).

Burela "welcome" sign

Playa de Areoura (textile)

cluster of 9 incomplete, abandoned houses

N-642 exit ramp / road into Burela

minor road along coastline, becoming N-642 entrance ramp

Islas Baleares

Ibiza

Cala de los Molinos

Cala de los Molinos
There is just one location within Ibiza town that is known to draw nude bathers, and it is the tiniest of tiny niches. The beach does not even have a proper name. We are calling it Cala de los Molinos because it seems to be called that as often as anything else. The name comes from a hotel called Los Molinos, which is about 300 meters west of the beach. Cala de los Molinos is merely 30 meters long, and although there is hotel and apartment development all around, the beach is quite hidden below a steep rock face. You will have to scramble down some rocks to get there. Most visitors who find their way to this tiny beach go nude. The beach usually has a dozen or fewer sunbathers, and there is not room for many more than that. If the beach is too crowded, there are some large rocks nearby that offer a bit more space for sunbathers. There is also a large rocky mass just offshore from the beach, within easy wading distance. Sunbathers are often present atop the rock—some naked, some not. Cala de los Molinos is attended mostly by gay men, but there are sometimes a few women present.
Cala de los Molinos is very close to Dalt Vila, which is the hilltop, fortified old part of Ibiza town that dates to the 16th century. Despite the proximity of the beach to the hub of the entire island, it remains mostly a secret. It is quite a small-scale nudist experience compared to the other nude beaches of the island.
municipality, island, autonomous community, country:
Eivissa/Ibiza (town), Ibiza, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YzAOU2
starting point:  the Eivissa, Sant Josep exit of the E-20 expressway near Ibiza town
The E-20 is a short express highway that is about 8 kilometers long. It begins at Ibiza's airport then goes north, skirting the inland edge of Ibiza town. The E-20 is also named the Circunvalación de Ibiza, and some signage labels the highway as the E-20 Ronda, with "ronda" meaning bypass or expressway. The panels that direct you toward the city center are different depending on which direction you are headed. Furthermore, be advised that all signage has the Catalan form of Ibiza, which is Eivissa.
If you are going north on the E-20 (coming from the airport), take the exit that is signed Eivissa and Sant Josep. (It is the next exit after two exits that are signed Sant Jordi.) The Eivissa/Sant Josep exit also has a "city center" symbol (concentric circles in a square). You will enter a roundabout at the end of the exit ramp. Take the first departure, which is signed Eivissa. You will pass by Ford Motor Ibiza as you leave the roundabout.
If you are going south on the E-20 (going toward the airport), take the exit that is signed Cementeri Nou, Ca N'Escandell, Sant Josep, Eivissa and Figueretes. You will enter a roundabout at the end of the exit ramp. Keep straight ahead through it, following the signs for Eivissa, Sant Josep and Sant Jordi. In 600 meters you will enter another roundabout. Take the third departure, which is signed Eivissa. You will pass by Ford Motor Ibiza as you leave the roundabout.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be going northeast toward the city center. In about one kilometer, just after you pass under a pedestrian bridge, you will enter another roundabout, and it is a rather large roundabout that has a number of palm trees in the middle. Take the second departure. There is no conspicuous signage at the point where you depart the roundabout, but you will have passed an "upcoming roundabout" panel a bit earlier that indicates that the second departure goes toward the city center (centre, centro). Upon departing the roundabout, you will be on Avinguda d'Espanya, and there is a rather inconspicuous blue placard affixed to a glass-paneled building that indicates the street name.
Follow Avinguda d'Espanya about 300 meters, keeping straight ahead through the first intersection then the second intersection (where there is a red light). At the third intersection, turn right. The street is named Carrer de Ramón Muntaner. From that point, there are no more turns. Just stay on Carrer de Ramón Muntaner about 700 meters to the end of the automobile-accessible portion of the street at a small roundabout that is a bit past Hotel Los Molinos. There is a fenced parking lot on the inland side of the roundabout (38.9038N, 1.4305E). The parking fee is about €1 per hour.
Beyond the small roundabout, the road keeps going, but there are posts that block vehicular access. Walk along the road, which follows a rocky hillside above the coastline. The downslope of the hill will be on your right and the upslope on your left. In about 100 meters, you will begin to pass by a couple of apartments buildings that are perched on the hillside, on your left. As you walk past those buildings, the tiny nude beach that is your destination will be directly below you, but the hillside is too steep to descend from there, so you have to keep walking a bit farther before doubling back toward the beach. Just past the apartment buildings, the road will curve sharply to the left, and there are stairs on the right that start at the curve and go downhill past another cluster of small apartment buildings. Follow the long staircase about halfway down, then watch for a path on your right. It is a short but rugged path that leads down the rocks to the beach. The total walk from the parking lot is less than 400 meters.
MAP from starting point to parking
This placemark pertains to Cala de los Molinos.

roundabout over E-20 expressway next to Ford Motor Ibiza
This placemark pertains to Cala de los Molinos.

roundabout with palm trees
This placemark pertains to Cala de los Molinos.

Hotel Los Molinos

posts that block vehicular access

Dalt Vila (hilltop, fortified old part of Ibiza town)

route from E-20 expressway to parking

path and stairs to beach

Playa Es Cavallet & Playa Ses Salines

At the southern tip of Ibiza, bordering the large salt ponds that are south of the island's airport, there are two long beaches that are very close to one another even though face opposite directions. Playa Es Cavallet is an east-facing beach, while Playa Ses Salines is oriented mostly toward the southwest. Going south from Es Cavallet or east from Ses Salines, the land tapers into a long cape called Punta Ses Portes. Nudity becomes prevalent on both beaches as you move toward the cape. Both beaches (but especially Ses Salines) have views of the island of Formentera, which is less than 5 kilometers from the tip of Punta Ses Portes.
The main sandy expanse of Playa Es Cavallet is about one kilometer long. The beach is entered at its north end, where there is a large parking lot. There are two restaurants along the beach next to the parking area: La Escollera (at the extreme north end) and El Chiringuito. While nudity may potentially be encountered anywhere along Es Cavallet, the area around La Escollera and El Chiringuito tends to be mostly textile. As you go south from El Chiringuito (to the right when facing the sea), the crowd will begin to thin out and the prevalence of nudity will increase. About 800 meters south of El Chiringuito, the beach will suddenly become very crowded again next to a restaurant called Chiringay, which you'll recognize by the rainbow flags. The southern end of Es Cavallet near Chiringay is populated overwhelming by gay men. It is the premier gay beach of the Balearic Islands and one of the top gay beaches anywhere in Europe. The gay area is attended by a mix of nudists and textiles. If you keep going south past the end of the sand, you will be on Punta Ses Portes, and you will see a medieval, cylindrical stone tower in the distance, at the southernmost tip of the cape. The tower is about one kilometer from Chiringay. The rugged shoreline of Punta Ses Portes in punctuated with small niches where you are likely to find nude bathers.
The main sandy expanse of Playa Ses Salines is also about one kilometer long, and there is a huge parking area behind the western half of the beach. There are four restaurants along the beach, three of which area close to one another and just steps from the parking area. Going west to east, those restaurants are Beso Beach, Malibu and Jockey Club. The area around the three restaurants is typically very congested, and it is all textile. As you go east from Jockey Club (to the left when facing the sea), the crowd will thin out a bit and there is a stretch of a few hundred meters where you will often encounter some nudists, but textiles are typically a majority (and greatly so on crowded days). Keep walking a few minutes through that area and you will reach Sa Trinxa, which is the fourth and final restaurant along the beach. The beach typically becomes quite congested again around Sa Trinxa, and while there may be a few nudists around, the immediate vicinity of the restaurant is overwhelmingly textile. The main sandy expanse of Ses Salines ends at Sa Trinxa. Farther east, the seashore become more rocky and irregular, with lots of pockets of sand and other small niches, and you will see the cylindrical stone tower in the distance, about 1.3 kilometers from Sa Trinxa. There is lots of nudity along the span between Sa Trinxa and the stone tower, much more so than on the main much. About halfway between Sa Trinxa and the stone tower, there is a small sandy cove that is particularly popular with nudists. It is recognizable by the small stone shack that is partially built into the surrounding rocks. The walk from Sa Trinxa to the stone tower is on the opposite side of Punta Ses Portes vis-à-vis the walk from Chiringay to the stone tower. It is possible to shortcut across the peninsular cape to go back and forth from Ses Salines to Es Cavallet without having to go all the way to the stone tower. Nudity is common all over the cape.
Both Es Cavallet and Ses Salines are equipped with toilets and showers, and lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. If you want to be naked near the beach amenities, Es Cavallet is the better choice. At Ses Salines, it is usually necessary to go past the amenities before nudity becomes commonplace. Es Cavallet and Ses Salines collectively comprise the most popular gathering place for nudists in Ibiza. If you visit during peak season, be sure to arrive early before parking is maxed out. By afternoon, cars will be parked along the road and every other available place well before the parking lots.
There is bus service from Ibiza town to Ses Salines (line 11) that runs every 30 minutes during peak season. The end stop is at Ses Salines, at the far west end of the beach. The bus does not go to Es Cavallet. The walk from the Ses Salines bus stop across Ses Salines to the Chiringay part of Es Cavallet is about 1.6 kilometers. Alternatively, you can get off at the next-to-last stop of the bus, which is at the mini-market (pinpointed) that is referenced in the driving directions. From there, it is a walk of 1.5 kilometers to the north end of Es Cavallet.
This placemark pertains to Playa Es Cavallet and Playa Ses Salines.

Playa Es Cavallet
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa Es Cavallet and Playa Ses Salines.)
municipality, island, autonomous community, country:
Sant Josep de Sa Talaia/San José, Ibiza, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 20 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa Es Cavallet and Playa Ses Salines.

Playa Ses Salines
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa Es Cavallet and Playa Ses Salines.)
GPS: 38.8409N, 1.3924E (start of nude area, roughly), 38.8357N, 1.4006E (isolated sandy pocket)
municipality, island, autonomous community, country:
Sant Josep de Sa Talaia/San José, Ibiza, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 20 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa Es Cavallet and Playa Ses Salines.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45765Af
starting point:  the En Bossa, Es Cavallet, Ses Salines exit of the E-20 expressway southwest of Ibiza town
The E-20 is a short express highway that is about 8 kilometers long. It begins at Ibiza's airport then goes north, skirting the inland edge of Ibiza town. The E-20 is also named the Circunvalación de Ibiza, and some signage labels the highway as the E-20 Ronda, with "ronda" meaning bypass or expressway. The exit named above is located toward the southwest end of the expressway, near the airport. The white exit panel has a brown inset with the name of three beaches: En Bossa, Es Cavallet and Ses Salines. Additionally, the exit panel includes the name of two villages: Sant Jordi and Sa Canal.
Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic will enter a roundabout the circles over the expressway. Take the departure that is signed Es Cavallet, Ses Salines and Sa Canal. At that point, you will be on route PM-802, but there are few signs indicating the road number. The road goes through an area of salt flats where there isn't much development. Follow PM-802 south for 3.7 kilometers and watch on the right for a small, two-story mini-market called Autoservicio Can Pep Tixedo. Just past the mini-market, you will pass kilometer marker 4, immediately beyond which there are two brown panels, one of top of the other, that point toward Platja de Ses Salines and Platja des Cavallet. The top sign indicates that Platja de Ses Salines is straight ahead. The bottom sign indicates an upcoming left turn toward Platja des Cavallet.
To go to Playa Es Cavallet:
After passing kilometer marker 4 and the two brown signs, continue 200 meters, then turn left at the another sign for Es Cavallet. Follow the road south and east about one kilometer, where the road will make a crook around an old water wheel. A bit past the water wheel, turn right into the large beach parking lot (38.8484N, 1.4008E), where a fee is collected. There is also limited free parking outside the lot, or along the road leading up to it. The parking lot abuts the far north end of the beach. Nudity becomes more prevalent as you walk south (to the right when facing the water).
To go to Playa Ses Salines:
After passing kilometer marker 4 and the two brown signs, keep straight ahead about one kilometer farther and you will enter a roundabout just past kilometer marker 5. The roundabout is very close to Playa Ses Salines, and you will see lot of signs pointing toward various parking areas. Some of the parking areas are free. There are also pay lots entered via gated kiosks. To get closest to the nude area of the beach, take the third departure of the roundabout and follow the road a few hundred meters to a pay lot (38.8434N, 1.3897E) where the parking rows are covered with thatched awnings. From that lot, you will access the beach next to Jockey Club restaurant. Nudity begins to occur a bit east of Jockey Club (to the left when facing the water), but you are not likely to encounter much nudity until you are past Sa Trinxa (the next restaurant going east).
MAP from starting point to parking (Es Cavallet)
MAP from starting point to parking (Ses Salines)
This placemark pertains to Playa Es Cavallet and Playa Ses Salines.

Autoservicio Can Pep Tixedo (mini-market)
This placemark pertains to Playa Es Cavallet and Playa Ses Salines.

kilometer marker 4 of PM-802

This placemark pertains to Playa Es Cavallet.

La Escollera restaurant
This placemark pertains to Playa Es Cavallet.

El Chiringuito restaurant
This placemark pertains to Playa Es Cavallet.

Chiringay restaurant

medieval, cylindrical stone tower at tip of Punta Ses Portes

kilometer marker 5 of PM-802
This placemark pertains to Playa Ses Salines.

roundabout near Ses Salines parking areas
This placemark pertains to Playa Ses Salines.

end stop of Bus #11 from Ibiza town
This placemark pertains to Playa Ses Salines.

This pay, covered parking lot is the closest to the nude area of the beach, but there are other parking areas nearby, including some that are free.

Beso Beach restaurant

Malibu restaurant

Jockey Club restaurant

Sa Trinxa restaurant

isolated, sandy pocket that is a favorite spot of nudists

segment of PM-802

road to Es Cavallet

road to Ses Salines pay parking lot

Cala Conta

Cala Conta
Cala Conta is a beach on the west side of Ibiza, roughly equidistant from the towns of Sant Josep de sa Talaia and Sant Antoni de Portmany. The beach has great views of several rocky islets that are just offshore, the most prominent of which is Illa des Bosc, but Cala Conta is most famous for its incredible sunsets. The beach actually consists of several small coves that span about 500 meters, wedged into a rocky and irregular seashore, and this multiplicity of coves is better suggested by the pluralized Catalan name of the beach, Platges de Comte.
Cala Conta is a very popular beach that is attended mostly by textiles, but there is a significant nudist presence at the southernmost of the coves. There are three restaurants along the beach: Sunset Ashram, S'ílla Des and Ses Roques. These restaurants are especially popular during the evening, when diners take in the sunset for which the beach is famous. The immediate vicinity of all the restaurants is textile. The main parking area is next to Sunset Ashram, the southernmost of the restaurants. Facing the water, turn left and walk south just a minute or two until you get to a staircase that winds down the low escarpment to a tiny niche. That is the nude area of the beach, which is just 50 or so meters long. There is a small snack stand at the base of the stairs. The nudist niche often has several dozen visitors and can feel quite crowded, as can the rest of the beach. Nudist are often in the majority on less crowded days. On more crowded days, there is more of a nudist and textile mix.
Besides the sunsets, Cala Conta is also know for its shallow, clear water, which makes it a fantastic choice for swimming. There often seems to be as many people in the water as on the beach. Lounge chairs and umbrellas can be rented, and there are restrooms next to Sunset Ashram.
Sant Josep de Sa Talaia/San José, Ibiza, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qzOEt2
starting point:  the turnoff from PM-803 toward Cala Conta near the village of San Agustín
PM-803 is a road in the far south of Ibiza that runs between Ibiza town and Sant Antoni de Portmany (a.k.a. San Antonio Abad), passing through Sant Josep de Sa Talaia (a.k.a. San José Obrero). The turnoff toward Cala Conta is between kilometer markers 15 and 16, about 3.5 kilometers north of Sant Josep and 5 kilometers south of Sant Antoni. It will be a left if you are coming from Sant Josep or a right if coming from Sant Antoni. There are three brown signs at the turnoff that point toward Cala Tarida, Platges de Comte and Cala Bassa. (Note that Platges de Comte is the Catalan name for Cala Conta.)
Upon turning, follow the road northwest for 2.5 kilometers to a small roundabout. Take the second departure, which has more signs pointing toward Cala Tarida, Platges de Comte and Cala Bassa. Continue west another 2 kilometers until you reach a fork that is next to a small supermarket, housed in a building that is distinctive for its two-story, arched veranda.
Keep to the right at the fork. Continue west about 3 kilometers farther, keeping straight ahead on the main road at all subsequent forks, until you reach the end of the paved road at Cala Conta. The road ends at a turnaround circle that has yellow stripes in the middle, and there is parking throughout the area (38.9619N, 1.2206E). On crowded days, there will be cars lined up all along the main road and a number of unpaved side roads leading up to the turnaround circle.
Facing the sea the turnaround circle, you will be looking out toward a prominent islet that is just offshore, with a restaurant just a few dozen paces away to your right. Walk to your left about 100 meters until you find steps that descend to a tiny beach. That is the nude part of the Cala Conta.
MAP from starting point to parking
This placemark pertains to Cala Conta.

fork next to small supermarket
This placemark pertains to Cala Conta.

This placemark pertains to Cala Conta.

Restaurante Sunset Ashram

Restaurante S'ílla Des Bosc

Restaurante Ses Roques

Illa des Bosc

road from Restaurant Stop Ibiza to Cala Conta

Playa de Aguas Blancas

Playa de Aguas Blancas
Playa de Aguas Blancas is a beach in the far northeast of Ibiza near the village of Sant Carles de Peralta, about 26 kilometers from Ibiza town. It is a rather narrow beach that stretches about 750 meters at the base of a steep bluff. At high tide the beach gets broken into multiple coves, so you may have to walk through wet sand or shallow water to get from one segment of the beach to the next. Aguas Blancas is a very popular beach that is attended by both textiles and nudists, and while nudity may potentially be encountered anywhere along the beach, there is generally a good bit of self-segregation, especially on crowded days. Nudity patterns are best understood in relation to two café that are along the beach.
There are two access points to the beach. The main access takes you to the central area of the beach, where the larger of the two café is located. The immediate vicinity of the main café is the most consistently textile part of the beach. An alternate access leads to the far southern end of the beach, where the second, smaller café is located. The immediate vicinity of the smaller café likewise tends to be occupied by clad bathers, but it is not unusual to see a stray nudist or two among the textiles. The area between the two café has more of a nudist and textile mix, with textiles being the majority. The area north of the main café (i.e., to the left when facing the sea) is where most nude bathers gravitate, and you don't have to go far from the main café before you encounter nudists. About 300 meters north of the main café, there is a scree of of rocks that appears to be the end of the beach. If you walk across that short stretch of rocks, you will reach the northernmost segment of the beach, which is about 100 meters long.
Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent near the main caf, and the only restrooms along the beach are located in the main café. There are a couple of huge rocky masses that are just offshore from the part of the beach that is between the two café, within easy wading and swimming distance. It is common to see beachgoers climbing on these rock islands, and while most are clad, some do it nude.
Aguas Blancas, which means "white waters," is a beach with a number of name variants. In Spanish, the singular form Agua Blanca and the plural form Aguas Blancas seem to be used with similar frequency. The same goes for the Catalan versions, which are Aigua Blanca and Aigües Blanques. The sign along the main highway that points toward the beach names it as Platja de s'Aigua Blanca, while the signboard along the path to the beach names it as Aigües Blanques. Go figure.
Santa Eularia del Río, Ibiza, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OUSHcH
starting point:  the northern terminus of the E-20 expressway near Ibiza town
The E-20 is a short express highway that is about 8 kilometers long. It begins at Ibiza's airport then goes north, skirting the inland edge of Ibiza town. The E-20 is also named the Circunvalación de Ibiza, and some signage labels the highway as the E-20 Ronda, with "ronda" meaning bypass or expressway. Follow the E-20 north past the exits for Ibiza town (noting that all signage has the Catalan form of Ibiza, which is Eivissa) until the expressway end and you are on a regular, undivided two-lane highway. At that point, the highway will be numbered C-733. Keep straight ahead, following the signs that point toward Santa Eulària and Portinatx.
About 5 to 6 kilometers past the E-20 terminus, you will reach a junction where the routes toward Santa Eulària and Portinatx diverge. At that point, it would be necessary to turn left to continue along C-733 toward Portinatx (and Sant Joan), but do NOT turn. Just keep straight ahead, toward Santa Eulària. You will be at the start of route PM-810, at kilometer 0. Follow PM-810 about 16 kilometers until you get to kilometer marker 16. By that point, you will have passed through the town of Santa Eulària des Riu and the village of Sant Carles de Peralta.
After marker 16, continue less than 100 meters and take the next possible right at the brown sign that points toward Platja de s'Aigua Blanca. (If you pass marker 17, you have missed the turn by nearly a full kilometer.) Immediately upon turning, the road will fork. Keep to the left, staying on the paved road. (The other fork is gravel.)
Continue about 300 meters and take note of a paved right-hand turnoff, but do not turn. Keep straight ahead another 200 meters. There is a parking lot on the right (39.0590N, 1.5861E) at the point where farther vehicular access along the road becomes restricted. There is a fee to park in the lot. Parking is free along the road leading up to the lot. Once you park, walk along the continuation of the road, which will begin to go downhill. In about 300 meters you will land at the center of the beach next to the main café. Most nudity occurs north of the café (to the left when facing the water).
If parking is full, backtrack to the aforementioned paved turnoff. Follow that road 400-500 meters and you will find a track on your left that is an alternate beach access. Parking is along the street (39.0572N, 1.5886E). Follow the track downhill about 200 meters and you will land on the far southern end of the beach, next to the smaller of the two beach cafés.
MAP from starting point to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Aguas Blancas.

kilometer marker 16 of PM-810
This placemark pertains to Playa de Aguas Blancas.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Aguas Blancas.

larger of two beach cafés

smaller of two beach cafés

segment of PM-810

road to Aguas Blancas main access

road to alternate access

Formentera

Es Trucadors / Espalmador Beaches

La Savina and Es Pujols are villages on the north side of Formentera that are on opposite sides of a huge salt pond called Estany Pudent. On the north end of the salt pond, there is a very distinct peninsula called Es Trucadors that tapers northward for several kilometers. At the northernmost tip of Es Trucadors, a shallow channel of water separates it from Espalmador Island to the north. There are a number of beaches along Es Trucadors and Espalmador Island, and nudity is quite common along most of them.
If you drive onto Es Trucadors, you will pass through a toll booth, where a fee is collected for motorized vehicles. Beyond the toll booth, you will be going north along the western side of the peninsula. In about 700 meters, you will pass Es Moli de Sal restaurant (on your left) and then El Pirata restaurant (also on your left). After El Pirata, you will begin to pass the two main beaches of the western side of the peninsula (on your left): Playa Cavall d'en Borràs then Playa de Illetes. Juan y Andrea restaurant is between those two beaches. Playa Cavall d'en Borràs and Playa de Illetes are adjacent crescents that are each about 400-500 meters long, and both are very crowded. While there may be some nudity on either beach, particularly during the off season, both beaches are overwhelmingly textile during peak season. At the end of the road, there is a parking lot next to Es Ministre restaurant.
From Es Ministre restaurant, follow the boardwalk that goes out over the small area of dunes that is on the opposite side of the restaurant from the parking lot. When you reach the end of the short boardwalk, you will be at the far northern end of Playa de Illetes, and at that point Es Trucadors is just 125 meters wide, so the sea will be on either side of you. Straight ahead, across a short expanse of sand, you will see a low, rocky hillock. Walk over that hillock and you will see another expanse of sand that extends about 500 meters northward, with the sea on either side. That beach is technically called Playa Pas d'En Adolf, but no one really calls it that or even knows the name. It is commonly just regarded as the northern extension of Playa de Illetes. Nudity is common along Pas d'En Adolf, although textiles outnumber nudists on crowded days. If you walk across the main sandy expanse of Pas d'En Adolf and keep going north, Es Trucadors will become mostly rocky again, with patches of sand. As you near the northern tip of the peninsula, you will pass through an area where visitors have stacked rocks into piles, cairns and other formations, lending the landscape a bit of an extraterrestrial feel. Nudity remains common all the way to the tip of the peninsula, which is about 1.7 kilometers north of El Ministre restaurant.
At the tip of the peninsula, you will be very close to Espalmador Island, which is just a few hundred meters away. Espalmador covers about 2 square kilometers, and although it is privately owned, it is open to the public. Nudity occurs freely all over the island, and nudists generally comprise a substantial minority of visitors. Espalmador has two main beaches, both of which are oriented toward the west. The southern of the two beaches, closest to Es Trucadors, is Playa S'Alga, and it is a large crescent that is about one kilometer long. At the north end of the beach, there is a path that goes through the interior of the island and leads about one kilometer to Playa Sa Torreta, a very sheltered and much smaller beach that is about 250 meters long. The path from Playa S'Alga to Playa Sa Torreta goes by a large mud pond. Although its therapeutic benefits are dubious, bathing in the mud is quite popular, and if you've even wanted to take a naked mud bath, this is the place to do it. Expect to encounter a number of naked "mud people" walking back toward the beach to clean up.
At low tide, the water between the tip of Es Trucadors and Espalmador is shallow enough that wading across is possible, and you are likely to see a number of people doing so, but that is not necessarily recommendable due to the potentially strong current. Keep in mind that even if the water is shallow and calm when you wade across, conditions may change by the time you are ready to go back, and there have been fatalities. Most visitors to Espalmador play it safe and get there by private boat or by taking the beach ferry to Playa S'Alga. (See the last paragraph for more about the beach ferry.) Playa S'Alga draws lots of visitors but is big enough that is does not generally feel overcrowded. Playa Sa Torreta is far more lightly attended. During peak season, there are typically lots of boats docked in the bay of each beach. If you visit Espalmador, be advised there are no commercial services on the island. Bring everything you need, including drinking water.
Going back to the south, Playa de Llevant is the long beach along the east side of Es Trucadors, before the peninsula tapers so narrowly around El Ministre restaurant. Stretching about 2 kilometers, Playa de Llevant is the longest beach of Es Trucadors, and it has several access points. If you go north from the previously mentioned toll booth, shortly after you pass Es Moli de Sal restaurant, you will see a sign pointing right to "Tanga." Follow that road and shortly you will reach a parking lot next to Tanga bar and restaurant, which is in the central area of Playa de Llevant. The restaurant is so well known that the beach is often called Playa de Tanga or Tanga Beach rather than Playa de Llevant. The immediate area around the restaurant tends to be all textile, but nudists and textiles mingle along the rest of the beach. Instead of parking by Tanga restaurant, you can also park in the lot next to El Ministre restaurant. From that lot, a short path leads to the far north end of Playa de Llevant. (Keep in mind that El Ministre is basically the point where three beaches come together: Playa de Illetes, Playa Pas d'En Adolf and Playa de Llevant.) It is also possible to bypass the toll booth altogether and drive toward the village of Es Pujols, just before which where there is a road that goes to the far south end of Playa de Llevant. The southern access is next to a small restaurant called Kiosco Llevant. Facing the sea at Kiosco Llevant, look to your right and you will see what appears to be the far southern end of the beach. A short boardwalk goes over a rocky hillock and leads to an entirely separate cove that is a favorite gathering spot for nudists. That hidden cove is less than 150 meters long. While Playa de Llevant is very well attended, it does not get nearly as crowded as Playa Cavall d'en Borràs and Playa de Illetes on the opposite side of the peninsula.
South of Playa de Llevant, the next beach is Playa Sa Roqueta. Parking is next to a small hotel called Hostal Sa Roqueta. There is a small pocket of sand immediately abutting the hotel on its south side (to the right when facing the sea), and it is likely to be all textile. From that tiny beach, continue south about 300 meters over a sandy pathway across a stretch of rocks and you will reach the main part of Playa Sa Roqueta, a crescent of sand that is about 175 meters long. Playa Sa Roqueta is a favorite spot for nude bathers and frequently has a nudist majority. There is a restaurant at Hostal Sa Roqueta, and there is also a restaurant at nearby Hotel Roca Bella, which is just a few hundred meters south of Playa Sa Roqueta. Parking near Hotel Roca Bella is an alternative way to access the beach. If you were to walk the opposite directions (i.e., north) from Hostal Sa Roqueta, in about 400 meters you'd reach the hidden cove of Playa de Llevant described in the previous paragraph. Note that some sources refer to Playa Sa Roqueta as Playa Ses Canyes, which may in fact be the technically correct name of the main part of the beach. However, there are no prominent signs that indicate Ses Canyes, but there are signs indicating Sa Roqueta, so the latter is the name that is more commonly used. Hotel Roca Bella is at the northern end of Playa Es Pujols, which is the beach that abuts the village of Es Pujols. While there is occasional nudity at Playa Es Pujols, that beach is just about entirely textile.
About the Espalmador ferry: There is a small ferry called Barca Bahía that makes trips from the La Savina port to Playa de Illetes and then to Playa S'Alga on Espalmador Island. To go to Espalmador, you can take the ferry all the way from La Savina or catch it at Playa de Illetes, where the ferry drops off and picks up passengers near Es Ministre restaurant. The ferry does not operate continuously. It makes three departures (two late morning, one early afternoon) and three return trips (two late afternoon, one early evening). You will need to take the ferry if you want to go to Espalmador (unless you rent a private boat at La Savina). However, if you do not have your own transportation and you just want to get from La Savina to Playa de Illetes to explore the beaches of Es Trucadors, you may find it more convenient to rely on bus or taxi service considering the limited ferry schedule. For the current schedule and fares, visit the website of Es Ministre restaurant and look for the "Barca Bahía" link.
This placemark pertains to Playa Sa Torreta, Playa S'Alga, Playa Pas d'En Adolf, Playa de Llevant and Playa Sa Roqueta.

Playa Sa Torreta
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these five beaches: Playa Sa Torreta, Playa S'Alga, Playa Pas d'En Adolf, Playa de Llevant and Playa Sa Roqueta.)
island, autonomous community, country:
Formentera, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 39 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa Sa Torreta, Playa S'Alga, Playa Pas d'En Adolf, Playa de Llevant and Playa Sa Roqueta.

Playa S'Alga
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these five beaches: Playa Sa Torreta, Playa S'Alga, Playa Pas d'En Adolf, Playa de Llevant and Playa Sa Roqueta.)
island, autonomous community, country:
Formentera, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 39 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa Sa Torreta, Playa S'Alga, Playa Pas d'En Adolf, Playa de Llevant and Playa Sa Roqueta.

Playa Pas d'En Adolf
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these five beaches: Playa Sa Torreta, Playa S'Alga, Playa Pas d'En Adolf, Playa de Llevant and Playa Sa Roqueta.)
island, autonomous community, country:
Formentera, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 39 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa Sa Torreta, Playa S'Alga, Playa Pas d'En Adolf, Playa de Llevant and Playa Sa Roqueta.

Playa de Llevant
38.7517N, 1.4375E  A  northernmost part of beach, mixed nudist & textile
38.7456N, 1.4392E  B  near Tanga restaurant, typically all textile
38.7417N, 1.4408E  C  long crescent, frequent nudity
38.7389N, 1.4423E  D  three small crescents near Manolito restaurant, mostly textile
38.7365N, 1.4440E  E  southernmost part of beach, frequent nudity

Playa Sa Roqueta
38.7327N, 1.4469E  F  northernmost part of beach near Hostal Sa Roqueta, limited nudity
38.7301N, 1.4502E  G  main part of beach, frequent nudity
38.7298N, 1.4529E  H  cove south of main beach, some nudity north of boat shelters

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47yx7ll
starting point:  the port in La Savina
The La Savina port, located on the north side of Formentera, is the only point of entry to the island. There are ferries to La Savina from Ibiza or, seasonally, from Dénia on the mainland of Spain. While it is possible to bring a car to Formentera, doing so is quite expensive, so most visitors arrive without a vehicle then rent a car, moped or bicycle in La Savina, or else rely on bus or taxi service to get around the island. To find out more about getting to and getting around Formentera, a good starting point is the multi-lingual official Formentera tourism website.
From the La Savina port, continue through the palm-lined commercial strip of La Savina. Roughly one kilometer from the port, turn left at the signs that point toward Platja de Ses Illetes and Es Pujols. Follow that road east through an area of salt ponds for 1.8 kilometers until you see another brown sign that points left toward Platja de Ses Illetes.
To go to Playa Pas d'En Adolf, or to the central or northern parts of Playa de Llevant, or to catch the ferry to Espalmador Island from Playa de Illetes:
Turn left at the Platja de Ses Illetes sign. About 200 meters after you turn, you will reach a toll both where a fee is collected for any type of motorized vehicle. There is no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists. After the toll booth, continue north 900 meters and watch for a sign that points right to Tanga. If you turn there, the road leads 700 meters to parking next to Tanga restaurant in the central area of Playa de Llevant (38.7458N, 1.4377E). Or, instead of turning at the Tanga sign, keep straight ahead about one kilometer farther to parking at the end of the road next to El Ministre restaurant (38.7558N, 1.4358E). From that lot, you can access Playa Pas d'En Adolf or the far northern end of Playa de Llevant, or you can catch the ferry to Espalmador Island (the location of Playa Sa Torreta and Playa S'Alga).
To go to the southern end of Playa de Llevant or to Playa Sa Roqueta:
Instead of turning at the Platja de Ses Illetes sign, keep straight ahead toward Es Pujols another 1.4 kilometers and watch carefully for a sign that points left toward several hotels: Luguna, Lago Playa I y II and Rosamar. That turnoff is immediately before a line of about seven palm trees on the left side of the road. To go to the southern end of Playa de Llevant, make a sharp left at the hotel signs. Just after turning, stay to the left, following a Playa Levant sign that is painted on a white fence wall. Continue about 800-900 to the end of the road at the parking area next to Kiosco Llevant at the southern end of Playa de Llevant (38.7383N, 1.4418E).
To go to Playa Sa Roqueta, do not turn at the hotel signs. Continue less than 100 meters and take the next possible left, just after the line of palm trees, at the brown Platja de Sa Roqueta sign. Follow that road about 250 meters to its end at parking next to Hostal Sa Roqueta, a small seaside hotel (38.7324N, 1.4457E). Facing the sea, the main part of Playa Sa Roqueta is a few hundred meters to the right (south).
The description preceding the directions contains more about getting to the various beach areas from the parking areas.
MAP from starting point to parking (next to Tanga restaurant)
MAP from starting point to parking (next to El Ministre restaurant)
MAP from starting point to parking (next to Kiosco Llevant restaurant)
MAP from starting point to parking (next to Hostal Sa Roqueta hotel)
This placemark pertains to Playa Sa Torreta, Playa S'Alga, Playa Pas d'En Adolf, Playa de Llevant and Playa Sa Roqueta.

La Savina port
This placemark pertains to Playa Sa Torreta, Playa S'Alga, Playa Pas d'En Adolf, Playa de Llevant and Playa Sa Roqueta.

Estany Pudent (huge salt pond)

toll booth (for motorized vehicles)

Es Moli de Sal restaurant

El Pirata restaurant

Playa Cavall d'en Borràs (mostly textile)

Juan y Andrea restaurant

Playa de Illetes (mostly textile)

Es Ministre restaurant

low, rocky hillock

La Savina - Illetes - Espalmador ferry (approximated by pink line)

mud pond

medieval stone tower

Tanga restaurant

Kiosco Levante restaurant

several neighboring small hotels/apartment buildings: Luguna, Lago Playa I y II & Rosamar

line of seven palm trees

Hostal Sa Roqueta (small hotel, with a public restaurant)

Hotel Roca Bella (with ZulMar restaurant on the premises)

Playa Es Pujols (mostly textile)

A: Playa de Levant: northernmost part of beach, mixed nudist & textile

B: Playa de Levant: near Tanga restaurant, typically all textile

C: Playa de Levant: long crescent, frequent nudity

D: Playa de Levant: three small crescents near Manolito restaurant, mostly textile

E: Playa de Levant: southernmost part of beach, frequent nudity

F: Playa Sa Roqueta: northernmost part of beach near Hostal Sa Roqueta, limited nudity

G: Playa Sa Roqueta: main part of beach, frequent nudity

H: Playa Sa Roqueta: cove south of main beach, some nudity north of boat shelters

segment of road that start at ferry port

segment of road that skirts north end of Estany Pudent

Platja de Ses Illetes road

Tanga road

road to southern end of Playa de Llevant

Platja de Sa Roqueta road

La Savina - Illetes - Espalmador ferry

Playa de Migjorn, Caló d'Es Mort & Playa Es Caló

If you look at a map of Formentera, you will notice a prominent isthmus on the eastern side of the island. The isthmus begins near the geographic center of the island and extends southeast toward the village of El Pilar de la Mola, which is located on the prominent land mass at the southeastern extreme of the island. The main highway of Formentera goes across the isthmus, providing access to beaches on both sides.
The southwest side of the isthmus is occupied primarily by a long beach called Playa de Migjorn, which consists of numerous stretches of sand that are regularly interrupted by short stretches of rock. Playa de Migjorn is actually a long chain of small beaches rather than one continuous beach. There are commercial establishments at regular intervals along the beach. These include just a few large hotels, several smaller-scale lodgings and numerous eateries. The GPS location of 26 landmarks along Playa de Migjorn (mostly commercial establishments) are pinpointed. (This list is not comprehensive.) From northwest to southeast, the landmarks are: (01) Can Miguel Torres (lodging); (02) Pelayo (eatery); (03) Sol y Luna (eatery); (04) Sa Platgeta (eatery); (05) Kiosko 62 (bar, snack stand); (06) Gecko Hotel (lodging/beach club); (07) Ca Marí (eatery); (08) Hotel Formentera Playa; (09) Real Playa (eatery); (10) Kiosko Lucky (bar, snack stand); (11) Blue Bar (eatery); (12) Las Banderas (former eatery, now closed); (13) Es Codol Foradat (eatery); (14) Vogimari (eatery); (15) isolated cluster of boat sheds; (16) isolated parking area; (17) 10.7 (eatery); (18) La Fragata (eatery); (19) Piratabus (bar, snack stand); (20) Flipper & Chiller (eatery); (21) Es Arenals (eatery); (22) Kiosko La Franja (bar, snack stand); (23) Club Maryland Hotel; (24) Hotel Riu; (25) Es Cupina (eatery) and (26) Bartolo (bar, snack stand). The distance between locations (01) and (26) is about 7 kilometers. Nudity is widely practiced all along Playa de Migjorn, even in close proximity to hotels and eateries.
Playa de Migjorn is accessed from multiple turnoffs from the main highway. You can park at or near most of the commercial establishments named above, and at most of them there are sun chairs and umbrellas available for rent. Nudity can and does occur all over the beach near these various establishments, but most of the time you will find textiles occupying the beach segments immediately adjacent to a particular establishment, with nudists going just a bit off to the periphery. In other words, if you take a long walk along Playa de Migjorn, you will go past multiple clusters of textiles and nudists. The eateries along the beach are not considered nudist establishments, so you will need to be sufficiently covered to patronize any of them.
Just southeast of Playa de Migjorn, about 250 meters from location (26), Caló d'Es Mort is a small and picturesque cove that is recognizable by the old wooden boat storage shacks at one end. While it could really just be considered part of Playa de Migjorn, Caló d'Es Mort is typically regarded separately. Wedged into red-hued cliffs, Caló d'Es Mort is typically crowded and has at most 30 meters of sand. Visitors flock to the cove both for its picturesque setting and for its shallow, calm water that is the perfect swimming area. The cove is very popular with nude bathers, but it can also be quite crowded with textiles during peak season.
On the opposite side of the isthmus from Playa de Migjorn and Caló d'Es Mort, Playa Es Caló is a northeast-facing beach next to the village of Es Caló de Sant Agustí. About 350 meters long, the beach consists of three distinct crescents that are all roughly the same size. Nudity occurs all over the beach but seems more common toward the northwest end (to the left when facing the sea), more distant from the adjacent village. There is a snack bar toward the middle of the beach where beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented. Playa Es Caló is quickly and easily accessible from the main highway.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Migjorn, Playa Es Caló, Playa Es Copinar and Caló d'Es Mort.

Playa de Migjorn
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these four beaches: Playa de Migjorn, Playa Es Caló, Playa Es Copinar and Caló d'Es Mort.)
38.6857N, 1.4437E  01  Can Miguel Torres (lodging)
38.6847N, 1.4675E  08  Hotel Formentera Playa
38.6792N, 1.4841E  12  Las Banderas (eatery, closed)
38.6784N, 1.4867E  13  Es Codol Foradat (eatery)
38.6742N, 1.4951E  15  isolated boat shelters
38.6727N, 1.4986E  16  isolated parking area
38.6653N, 1.5113E  22  Kiosko La Franja (eatery)
There are 48 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Migjorn, Caló d'Es Mort and Playa Es Caló.

Playa Es Caló
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these four beaches: Playa de Migjorn, Playa Es Caló, Playa Es Copinar and Caló d'Es Mort.)
There are 48 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Migjorn, Caló d'Es Mort and Playa Es Caló.

Caló d'Es Mort
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these four beaches: Playa de Migjorn, Playa Es Caló, Playa Es Copinar and Caló d'Es Mort.)
There are 48 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Migjorn, Caló d'Es Mort and Playa Es Caló.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QGerKO
starting point:  the port in La Savina
The La Savina port, located on the north side of Formentera, is the only point of entry to the island. There are ferries to La Savina from Ibiza or, seasonally, from Dénia on the mainland of Spain. While it is possible to bring a car to Formentera, doing so is quite expensive, so most visitors arrive without a vehicle then rent a car, moped or bicycle in La Savina, or else rely on bus or taxi service to get around the island. To find out more about getting to and getting around Formentera, a good starting point is the multi-lingual official Formentera tourism website.
The road that begins at the La Savina ferry port is numbered PM-820, and it is the main road of the island. Not quite 20 kilometers long, PM-820 goes from La Savina to a lighthouse called the Far de la Mola at the southeastern extreme of the island. The kilometer markers ascend going toward the lighthouse (but the first several markers in the vicinity of La Savina seem to be missing). Besides La Savina, PM-820 passes through four other villages en route to the lighthouse, all of them signed:
• The village of Sant Francesc Xavier is between kilometers 3 and 4.
• The village of Sant Ferran de Ses Roques is between kilometers 5 and 6.
• The village of Caló de Sant Agustí is between kilometers 11 and 12.
• The village of El Pilar de la Mola is between kilometers 16 and 17.
There are just three roundabouts along the entire length of PM-820. Two of them are close together in Sant Francesc Xavier. The other is in Sant Ferran de Ses Roques.
From La Savina, follow PM-820 for 5 to 6 kilometers to the roundabout in Sant Ferran de Ses Roques.
To go to Playa de Migjorn:
Playa de Migjorn has about 20 points of access. Between kilometer markers 6 and 13 of PM-820, you will see signs pointing toward many of the establishments noted at the top of the page (GPS locations 01 through 26). Parking is available at most of these locations. Nudity is widely practiced all over Playa de Migjorn, although not necessarily immediately adjacent to some of the hotels and eateries. The following directions lead to one of the more isolated segments of the beach.
From the roundabout in Sant Ferran de Ses Roques, follow PM-820 southeast toward the Far de la Mola for 5.1 kilometers, then turn right onto a gravel road marked only by a white rock with "10.5" painted on it. The road is halfway between kilometer markers 10 and 11. Follow the gravel road one kilometer to its end at an earthen parking area next to the beach (38.6727N, 1.4986E). The parking area is location 16 listed at the top of the page.
To go to Playa Es Caló:
From the roundabout in Sant Ferran de Ses Roques, follow PM-820 southeast toward the Far de la Mola for 5.6 kilometers and take note when you pass kilometer marker 11. Playa Es Caló is coming up on the left. The beach is close to the road, and several short boardwalks or other paths connect the road to the beach. About 200 meters past marker 11 you will reach the start of wooden rail fencing along both sides of the road. The fencing extends nearly 500 meters, coming to an end just past the Caló de Sant Agustí village sign. Watch for gaps in the fence along the left side of the road. There are four of them, and a path to the beach begins at each fence gap. Mopeds can be parked alongside the fence. If you are in a car, there is a parking lot in Caló de Sant Agustí. About 150 meters past the village sign, turn left then immediately turn left again to enter the asphalted parking lot (38.6770N, 1.5171E), which is marked by a blue-and-white "P" panel.
To go to Caló d'Es Mort:
From the roundabout in Sant Ferran de Ses Roques, follow PM-820 southeast toward the Far de la Mola for 6.6 kilometers and take note when you pass kilometer marker 12. Continue another 700 meters and turn right at the browns signs for Caló d'Es Mort and Platja des Copinar (which is just a name for the southeastern area of Migjorn). There is also a large sign for Hotel Riu. Upon turning, immediately keep to the left to stay on the main road. As you head toward the sea, the facilities of Club Maryland resort will be to your right. In 800 meters, the road ends at a turnaround circle that overlooks the sea, next to Hotel Riu. There is parking all along the road leading up to its end (38.6637N, 1.5138E).
At the end of the road, you will be between locations 23 and 24 in the GPS locations listed at the top of the page. Facing the sea, turn left and head southeast past Es Cupina restaurant and Bartolo snack stand (locations 25 and 26), which are the last establishments along Playa de Migjorn. After Bartolo, the coastline becomes rocky. Follow the path above the coastline about 250 meters to Caló d'Es Mort, which is a small pocket of sand next to a few dilapidated boat shelters.
MAP from starting point to parking (Playa de Migjorn, at end of 10.5 road)
MAP starting point to parking (Playa Es Caló).
MAP from starting point to parking (Caló d'Es Mort)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Migjorn, Playa Es Caló, Playa Es Copinar and Caló d'Es Mort.

roundabouts

roundabout in Sant Francesc Xavier
This placemark pertains to Playa de Migjorn, Caló d'Es Mort and Playa Es Caló.

roundabout in Sant Ferran de Ses Roques
This placemark pertains to Playa de Migjorn, Caló d'Es Mort and Playa Es Caló.

kilometer markers

This placemark pertains to Playa de Migjorn, Caló d'Es Mort and Playa Es Caló.

lodging

(01) Can Miguel Torres (bungalows)

(06) Gecko Hotel

(08) Hotel Formentera Playa

(23) Club Maryland Hotel

(24) Hotel Riu

eateries

(02) Pelayo

(03) Sol y Luna

(04) Sa Platgeta

(05) Kiosko 62

(07) Ca Marí

(09) Real Playa restaurant (with a few hotel rooms available)

(10) Kiosko Lucky

(11) Blue Bar restaurant

(12) Las Banderas restaurant (permanently closed)

(13) Es Codol Foradat restaurant

(14) Vogimari restaurant (with adjacent bungalow rentals)

(17) 10.7 restaurant

(18) La Fragata restaurant

(19) Piratabus bar

(20) Flipper & Chiller restaurant

(21) Es Arenals restaurant

(22) Kiosko La Franja

(25) Es Cupina restaurant

(26) Bartolo snack stand

other

(16) parking at isolated part of beach (one on many options)

bicycle / moped parking along road

parking along street

sports field (camp de futbol)

(15) isolated cluster of boat sheds

segment of PM-820

Camí Vell de la Mola

minor road

10.5 road

road to Club Maryland & Hotel Riu

sandy path

Mallorca

Cala Es Canyaret

Cala Es Canyaret
The Serra de Tramuntana is an incredibly rugged and scenic mountain chain that dominates the geography of northwestern Mallorca since the mountains span the entire length of the northwest-facing part of the island's coastline—a distance of more than 80 kilometers. Most of the Tramuntana coast is not easily accessible, and there are no major beaches along the northwestern coast. The limited places where the sea can be accessed easily are the domain of textiles, so while the Tramuntana coast is a must-see attraction for its scenic beauty, it is just not the part of the island to visit for nude bathing. The only known exception is a rather obscure beach called Cala Es Canyaret, which is located in the general vicinity of Sóller, one of the larger towns of the northwest shore. Sóller is about halfway along the Trumutana coast.
Cala Es Canyaret is a small beach that is no more than 100 meters long, and there is no sand. The beach is composed entirely of rocks of all sizes, from small pebbles to large boulders. The beach is located directly below a tiny village called Llucalcari, which clings to the side of a mountain about halfway between the sea and the coastal road that winds along the mountainside above the sea. Thus, Cala Es Canyaret is very often called Cala de Llucalcari as well. There are paths from the village down to the sea, but there is no parking in the village or within reasonable walking distance, so access directly from Llucalcari is not practical unless you have a bicycle or make other arrangements. The most common way to get to Cala Es Canyaret is by going to Cala Deià, a popular little textile cove that is accessed by a very twisty road that winds down the mountain. Parking is along the road near its end. From Cala Deià, a trail that follows the rugged coastline leads about 1.7 kilometers to Cala Es Canyaret. The walk takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Cala Es Canyaret is well attended on weekends, but you aren't likely to encounter many other visitors during the week. Not everyone goes naked, but nudity is very well established and always acceptable. The terrain of the beach does not make for very comfortable sunbathing, so considering bringing some kind of padded surface to sit or lie on. The water is shallow and usually calm. While Cala Es Canyaret may not be the quintessential Balearic nude beach, keep it in mind as part of your exploration of the Trumutana coast.
Deià, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45wdtVm
starting point:  the Sóller exit of the Ma-20 perimeter motorway in Palma de Mallorca
The Ma-20, also known as the Vía de Cintura, is an 11-kilometer-long motorway that is the perimeter road of Palma de Mallorca, arcing around the inland periphery of the city. The Sóller exit is toward the middle of that stretch, and it is numbered 5A for westbound traffic (heading toward Andratx) and 5B for eastbound traffic (heading toward the airport). Depending on which direction you are headed, you will also see other locations on the exit panels, including the city center, the hipòdrom, the university and the town of Valldemossa. The exit is set up quite a bit differently depending on your direction of approach. Just keep watching for signs that point to Sóller and follow those. Before long, you should be on route Ma-11, heading north.
About 12 to 13 kilometers after you exit from the perimeter motorway, watch for kilometer marker 16 of Ma-11. About 900 meter past marker 16, you will reach a roundabout where you have two choices in continuing toward Sóller, which is on the other side of the prominent mountain that will be straight ahead of you. You can keep straight ahead and go through the 3-kilometer-long tunnel through the mountain, which takes just a few minutes. There is a toll booth just before the tunnel entrance, and the toll is about €5. Or, you can follow the free alternate route toward Sóller that leaves from the roundabout. It is a scenic route of about 10.5 kilometers that twists and turns multiple times and takes about 20 minutes.
Once you have made it through or over the mountain, continue about 2 kilometers and you will pass the Sóller town sign. Continue another 1.7 kilometers (staying straight ahead on Ma-11 through all roundabouts), then turn left at the sign for Deià, Andratx and Valldemossa. The turnoff is about halfway between kilometer markers 31 and 32.
Upon turning, you will be on Ma-10, heading in a generally westerly direction, but the road is very twisty. Follow Ma-10 about 6.3 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 59.
After marker 59, continue 500-600 meters and take note of a turnoff on your right, but do not turn. The turnoff is not signed, but an identifying landmark at the start of the road is a bus stop shelter with a tile roof. The road goes downhill to Llucalcari, which is a small village that clings to the hillside, overlooking the sea. The beach that is your destination is directly below Llucalcari, and while there are paths from Llucalcari that go down to the shoreline, there is no available parking in the village. Keep straight ahead on Ma-10 another 1.6 kilometers, then turn right at a large brown Deià sign that indicates "world heritage site" in four languages. (The turnoff is about 200 meters past kilometer marker 61, and you have missed it by 400 meters if you pass the Deià village sign. There is a tile-roofed bus stop shelter at the start of the road, identical to the one previously described.)
Upon turning, follow the twisty road downhill about 2 kilometers until the road bends sharply to the left toward a cluster of houses. The signed path to Cala Deià starts straight ahead from that bend, and there is parking alongside the road (39.7588N, 2.6415E). As you start along the short path to Cala Deià, immediately watch for a side trail to the right. You don't actually want to descend to Cala Deià. Instead, you want to stay uphill and pass above Cala Deià, following the rocky coastline northeastward back toward Llucalcari. The sea should be on your left-hand side as you follow the trail. In about 1.5 kilometers, watch for a vaguely arc-sharped grouping of about half a dozen boulders that are in the water just offshore. Cala Es Canyaret is the small, rocky beach that is just beyond that grouping of boulders.
This placemark pertains to Cala Es Canyaret.

kilometer marker 59 of Ma-10
This placemark pertains to Cala Es Canyaret.

bus stop shelter at turnoff toward Llucalcari
This placemark pertains to Cala Es Canyaret.

kilometer marker 60 of Ma-10

kilometer marker 61 of Ma-10

brown Deià world heritage site sign, next to bus stop shelter

"Deià" village sign

Cala Deià (textile)

segment of Ma-10

road to Cala Deià

Caló des Monjo

Caló des Monjo
Peguera is a seaside town that is part of the municipality of Calvià, and Cala Fornells is a seaside neighborhood of Peguera that consists mostly of vacation villas and hotels. Peguera is about 25 kilometers west of the city center of Palma de Mallorca. On the west side of Cala Fornells, there is a small inlet called Caló des Monjo. There is no sandy beach along the inlet, but there are a few flat pebbly areas that are shored up by the remaining foundations of some derelict structures. The most inland part of the inlet is mostly encircled by land, with a rather narrow opening to the open sea. The geography of Caló des Monjo lends it a very sheltered feel, and the calm and shallow water combined with spectacular natural beauty make it an idyllic swimming area. Caló des Monjo is well attended but does not typically get overcrowded, and it is accessed by hiking about 10 minutes through the woods. Nudity occurs regularly, but textiles are almost always in the majority. There are some partially hidden niches within the inlet where nudists can go for a bit more privacy if too many textiles are about.
Calvià, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qw4G74
starting point:  Exit 11A (Palmanova, Andratx) of the Ma-20 perimeter motorway in Palma de Mallorca
The Ma-20, also known as the Vía de Cintura, is an 11-kilometer-long motorway that is the perimeter road of Palma de Mallorca, arcing around the inland periphery of the city. Follow the Ma-20 west (toward Andratx). You will pass through a short tunnel as you approach Exits 11A and 11B, which are the final motorway exits at its western end. After the tunnel, take Exit 11A. You will be filtered onto the Ma-1 motorway (a.k.a. the Autopista de Ponent), heading west.
After following Ma-1 about 13 to 14 kilometers, the motorway portion of the route will end at Exit 20 (Peguera, La Romana). Keep straight ahead past Exit 20, toward Andratx. Ma-1 will narrow from four to two lanes. Even though the motorway ends, there are still a few more numbered exits. Continue several kilometers farther, staying straight ahead past Exit 22 (Peguera, Es Capdellà) and Exit 23 (Peguera, Cala Fornells).
Shortly past Exit 23, you will pass through the Son Vic tunnel, which is about 800 meters long. After the tunnel, continue 1.4 kilometers and take the next possible left, following the sign for Camp de Mar and Peguera. (The road widens to include a center turn lane at the turnoff, which is just past kilometer marker 26, but the marker is difficult to see because a guardrail obscures it.)
Upon turning, you will be on route Ma-1A (formerly numbered C-719), but there are not any signs at first indicating the road number. Follow the road southeast about 2.5 kilometers (staying straight ahead toward Peguera past the turnoff toward Camp de Mar) and you will reach the Peguera town sign (next to a Mercadona supermarket). Immediately past the town sign, you will enter a roundabout. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), toward Cala Fornells.
Upon leaving the roundabout, follow the road 500-600 meters to a stop sign at a "T" junction. Turn right. Within a few hundred meters, you will begin to pass Hotel Cala Fornells, which is on the right. At the far end of hotel, take the next possible right. At the rear of the hotel, the pavement will end and a gravel road continues into an informal earthen parking area (39.5311N, 2.4352E).
Straight ahead, watch for the round red-and-white panel that indicates that further vehicular access is prohibited. Near that panel, there is a signboard for Caló des Monjo-Cap Andritxol that has a map of the immediate vicinity. There are a number of footpaths in the area. For the easiest route to Caló des Monjo, just walk straight ahead along the broad gravel track about 250 to 300 meters until you cross beneath elevated power lines. Just after that, you will reach the junction of a number of tracks. Stay on the widest track, which will curve leftward. After the curve, you should be walking such that the power lines are on your left-hand side. A bit farther ahead, the track will begin to run alongside a low stone fence wall, which will be on your left-hand side. At that point, your destination is directly downhill, and you can see the sea through the trees. Keep following the track. After the far corner of the fence wall, the track will begin to make a long leftward curve as it begins to go downhill. The track ends at the main "beach" area of Caló des Monjo, which is the foundation of a derelict structure. The total walk from the parking area is about 800 meters. The power lines go to a dilapidated building that is uphill from Caló des Monjo, so if you get lost, watch for the power lines to help you along.
Note: You will notice from the references in the directions that there are several ways to get to Peguera and Cala Fornells. The directions above outline the easiest-to-follow route, which avoids going through the center of Peguera.
This placemark pertains to Caló des Monjo.

Peguera town sign
This placemark pertains to Caló des Monjo.

Mercadona supermarket
This placemark pertains to Caló des Monjo.

Hotel Cala Fornells

signboard next to automobile barrier

derelict structure

route from Peguera town sign to parking

segment of power lines

Playa El Mago

Playa El Mago
Portals Vells in an inlet in the far southwest of Mallorca that is about 21 kilometers by car from Palma de Mallorca, the island's capital and largest city. There are several small bays and beaches in the inlet, and one of them—Playa El Mago—is a nude beach. The sandy beach is just 25 or so meters across, and lounge chairs and umbrellas can be rented. A restaurant spans most of the length of the beach, and parking is just uphill from the restaurant. Playa El Mago is publicized as a nude beach and is well attended by bare bathers, often having a nudist majority. The shallow water of the bay is the ideal place for swimming. Since there is so little room on the sandy beach, there are often nude sunbathers on the rock ledges than flank either side of the bay.
Calvià, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OAdkcI
starting point:  Exit 11A (Palmanova, Andratx) of the Ma-20 perimeter motorway in Palma de Mallorca
The Ma-20, also known as the Vía de Cintura, is an 11-kilometer-long motorway that is the perimeter road of Palma de Mallorca, arcing around the inland periphery of the city. Follow the Ma-20 west (toward Andratx). You will pass through a short tunnel as you approach Exits 11A and 11B, which are the final motorway exits at its western end. After the tunnel, take Exit 11A. You will be filtered onto the Ma-1 motorway (a.k.a. the Autopista de Ponent), heading west.
Follow Ma-1 about 8 kilometers, then take Exit 14, which is signed Magaluf and El Toro. All exiting traffic is filtered to a large, elongated roundabout that circles over the motorway. Take the departure that is signed Magaluf, El Toro, Son Ferrer and Port Adriano.
Upon leaving the elongated roundabout, you will begin heading south on an unnumbered road. Go 2.3 kilometers (keeping straight ahead through two roundabouts) and watch carefully for a BP gas station, which is on the left.
Just past the gas station, at a 30 KPH speed limit panel, the road will widen to include a center lane as the main course of the road curves sharply rightward. Get in the center lane and shortly you will reach a stop sign. After yielding to oncoming traffic, continue straight ahead. The road will begin to angle southwest through the Poniente golf course and will soon become much narrower. 2.9 kilometers after the previously mentioned stop sign, bear left at a fork, following a sign for Playa El Mago. (The right fork continues to Playa Portals Vells.) Continue about one kilometer farther, parking as close as possible to the end of the road (39.4754N, 2.5207E). From there, a short path to the right leads to the beach.
This placemark pertains to Playa El Mago.

BP gas station
This placemark pertains to Playa El Mago.

stop sign at 3-way junction
This placemark pertains to Playa El Mago.

Poniente golf course

Playa El Mago / Playa Portals Vells fork

streetside parking at end of road

El Mago Bar & Restaurante

Playa Portals Vells (textile)

route from gas station to parking

short path to beach

Caló des Grells

Caló des Grells
Punta des Grells is a protrusion of land on the far western end of Palma de Mallorca, and it forms the western side of the city's large port area. There is a small beach called Caló des Grells that is nestled in the western side of the land mass. No more than 70 meters long, Caló des Grells is a pebbly beach that typically draws 20 or fewer visitors, and nude bathing is very well established. Usually at least half the crowd is naked. The beach has no amenities, but access is easy. There is a paved parking lot almost directly above the beach, and a long wooden staircase with handrails descends to the beach.
Nude bathers at Caló des Grells are in full view of the sidewalk of the road that runs above the beach. However, that road is not really on the main tourist beat. The road leads to a shipping dock called Dic de l'Oest (or Dique del Oeste). Caló des Grells is the only established place for nude bathing that is within the city limits of Palma de Mallorca.
Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QNtwKe
starting point:  the western terminus of the Ma-20 perimeter motorway in Palma de Mallorca
The Ma-20, also known as the Vía de Cintura, is an 11-kilometer-long motorway that is the perimeter road of Palma de Mallorca, arcing around the inland periphery of the city. Follow the Ma-20 west (toward Andratx). You will pass through a short tunnel as you approach Exits 11A and 11B, which are the final motorway exits at its western end. You do not want to take either of the exits. After the tunnel, be sure to stay in the left lane past Exit 11A, following the yellow sign toward the port. Shortly after passing Exit 11A, keep straight ahead past Exit 11B (which is a left-hand exit), following the panel that points toward the port and Passeig Marítim.
At that point you will be looped around onto the Ma-1 motorway (a.k.a. the Autopista de Ponent), heading southeast toward the port. In about one kilometer or so, keep straight ahead past Exit 4, which is the last motorway exit of the Ma-1, at its terminus. 400 to 500 meters farther on, you will pass a Palma sign, which indicates you are re-entering the city limits of Palma de Mallorca. Kilometer marker 4 is less than 100 meters farther on.
Just after the Palma sign and kilometer marker 4, take the next possible right at a major intersection, following the signs for Dic de l'Oest and El Terreno. Upon turning, you will be on a four-lane road that has a median. Follow it about 500 meters, then veer right into a parking lot that overlooks the sea (39.5458N, 2.6190E). (You will see a blue "P" parking panel. The road ends at Dic de l'Oest, which is a shipping dock, a bit past the parking lot.)
Facing the sea at the parking lot, walk to your right along the sidewalk. You will be backtracking along the road on which you arrived, and you will pass above Caló des Grells, which is in full view of the sidewalk. Less than 100 meters from the parking lot, turn left at the Punta des Grells sign and follow the long wooden walkway and staircase, which leads directly to the beach. The total walk from the parking lot takes just a few minutes.
This placemark pertains to Caló des Grells.

Palma town sign
This placemark pertains to Caló des Grells.

This placemark pertains to Caló des Grells.

gate into shipping dock (restricted area)

short segment of Ma-1

road to Dic de l'Oest (shipping dock)

sidewalk& stairs to beach

Playa Es Trenc

Playa Es Trenc
Playa Es Trenc is a beautiful beach with white sand and a forested backdrop, located in the far southeast of Mallorca between the seaside villages of Colònia de Sant Jordi and Ses Covetes. The main expanse of the beach is 2.6 kilometers long, then there are a few distinct crescents toward the Sant Jordi end of the beach (i.e., the southeast end) that add several hundred meters more to the length of Es Trenc. Nudity occurs along several hundred meters in the middle of the main expanse of the beach, while the rest of the beach is the domain of textiles. The nude area can be approached from either end, but the parking lot in Ses Covetes is not next to the beach and requires a bit more walking, so most nudists approach from the huge parking lot that is toward the Sant Jordi end of the beach, which is where the given directions lead. Facing the sea from that access, turn right and walk northwest. First, you will pass a restaurant called Na Tirapel, then shortly thereafter you will pass a much larger eatery called Restaurant Es Trenc, which is set back from the beach in the dunes. After that, you will pass a small first aid building (with a blue cross symbol) then a derelict white stucco house-like structure with an orange tile roof. Just after that, you will reach El Ultimo Paraiso café. At that point, you will have walked about 700 meters from the parking lot. Nudity begins to occur after El Ultimo Paraiso, and two close-together concrete bunkers that are a bit beyond the café are landmarks that more or less define the center of the nudist zone of the beach. As you continue northwest, the beach becomes all textile again as you approach the buildings of Ses Covetes. The central part of Es Trenc draws more nude bathers than any other beach of Mallorca, and the beach as a whole is tremendously popular. On summer weekends, expect to see lots of textiles walking through the nudist area.
Campos, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KILz0B
starting point:  the start of Ma-19 in Palma de Mallorca
The Ma-19, also called the Autopista de Llevant, is a 50-kilometer-long highway that begins along the seafront near the city center of Palma de Mallora and goes eastward past the airport to the town of Santanyí in the far southeast of the island. The first few kilometers of the highway are along the seafront, then Ma-19 becomes a motorway for the next 25 or so kilometers. Exit 26 is the last numbered motorway exit, then the motorway terminates a bit past kilometer marker 27. At the terminus of the motorway, keep to the right, following the panel for Campos and Santanyí. You will still be on Ma-19. Continue another 8 to 9 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 35, just beyond which you will pass the sign indicating you are entering Campos. You will be at the western edge of the town.
Shortly after the town sign, you will enter a roundabout that is next to an Eroski supermarket. The first departure is signed Santanyí, Sà Rapita, Colònia de Sant Jordi and Es Trenc. The second departure is signed Felanitx, Ma-19 and the town center. It does not matter which departure of the roundabout you take since both roads go through Campos and rejoin on the other side of town, and the distance is virtually the same either way. Whichever departure you take, just keep following signs for Santanyí and Colònia de Sant Jordi at all subsequent roundabouts and intersections for the next 2.6 kilometers. The two roads will rejoin at a small roundabout on the eastern edge of town, next to a Campsa gas station. After that roundabout, take the next possible right turn at the sign for Colònia de Sant Jord, Ses Salines, Es Trenc and Sa Salinera. You will then be at the start of route Ma-6040, and you will pass kilometer marker 0.
Follow Ma-6040 south for 8 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 8. Continue another 900 meters, then turn right at the brown Es Trenc sign, which is next to a boxy stone structure. (If you pass marker 9, you have missed the turn by 100 meters.) Once you turn, the road will meander about 2.5 kilometers and end in a huge parking that is near the southeastern end of the beach (39.3400N, 2.9931E). Facing the water, turn to the right and walk about 10 minutes you will begin to encounter nudity after you pass El Ultimo Paraiso café.
Note: As you pass through the town of Campos, you may notice there are brown signs pointing toward different parts of Playa Es Trenc. Some signs indicate Es Trenc and Sa Salinera, and those lead to the southeastern end of the beach, as directed above. Other signs in Campos point toward Es Trenc and Ses Covetes. Those signs lead to the northwestern end of the beach. Since nudity occurs toward the central area of the beach, you can access the beach at either end.
This placemark pertains to Playa Es Trenc.

This placemark pertains to Playa Es Trenc.

huge parking lot

Na Tirapel restaurant

Restaurant Es Trenc

first aid building

derelict house-like building

El Ultimo Paraiso café

segment of Ma-6040

road to main parking area

Cala Varques

Cala Varques
Cala Varques is a small fjord-like bay located about 10 kilometers southeast of the large town of Manacor, and the bay includes two small sandy beaches. The access path goes to the larger of the two beaches, which is at most 70 meters across. The beach is actually deeper than it is wide. Nudity occurs along the larger beach, especially on uncrowded days, but during peak season the beach is overwhelmingly textile. To the right as you face the water, there is a path that runs above the rocky shoreline and leads about 250 meters to a small stone structure that is in ruins. Just before the stone structure, there is a pocket of sand that is hidden from the main beach. This smaller beach is perhaps 40 meters wide but not nearly as deep as the main beach. The smaller beach always has a significant nudist presence. Unlike the larger beach, the smaller beach completely disappears at high tide, but there are some flat places in the rocky area above the beach where visitors can gather when the tide is in. On the opposite side of the bay from the smaller beach, there is a stunning natural bridge that is worth exploring.
Cala Varques is well attended despite being very hidden and poorly signed. There are no amenities, nor is there any nearby parking. Visitors used to park along the gravel road that leads toward the beach, but that narrow road was insufficient to handle the ever increasing peak-season crowds of the 2000s, so local authorities posted a "no parking" sign at the start of the road circa 2015. Now the closest parking is at least 2 kilometers away, and a walk that used to take 10 minutes now takes at least half an hour. Some visitors defy the parking prohibition, but illegally parked cars are subject to a steep fine and possible towing.
municipality, island, autonomous community, country
Manacor, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qw7Rvs
starting point:  the Cales de Mallorca depature from the Manacor ring road in Manacor
Manacor is a large town on the eastern side of Mallorca that is about 10 kilometers inland from the coast, and a number of highways lead to the town. A ring road (6 to 7 kilometers long) surrounds Manacor, and through traffic is routed along the ring road, bypassing the city center. Regardless of how you approach Manacor, once you pass the town sign, watch carefully for signs that point to Cales de Mallorca. You will first be routed onto the ring road, much of which is a boulevard with a palm-lined median. Keep following the Cales de Mallorca signs. Once you are along the part of the ring road that skirts the southern side of Manacor, you will reach a roundabout that has a departure signed for Cales de Mallorca, Cuevas de Drach and Museu de Manacor. Take that departure and you will begin heading away from Manacor toward the coastal mountains on route Ma-4015. There aren't any signs at first with the number of the road, but before long you will begin to pass kilometer markers that have the road number on them. The marker numbers descend the farther you go.
Follow Ma-4015 southeast for 8.5 kilometers to the end of the route at a "T" junction with route Ma-4014. (When you reach the "T," you will be at kilometer marker 0 of Ma-4015, close to kilometer marker 9 of Ma-4014.)
At the junction, turn left toward Porto Cristo and Coves del Drach. In just 150 meters, take note of the first road going off to the right (39.5104N, 3.2760E). That narrow gravel road leads toward Cala Varques, and you will need to return to it on foot once you find parking. The gravel road is unsigned other than a panel that indicates that parking along the road is prohibited. (It is a round blue sign with a red diagonal slash, with the words Als Dos Costat specifying that parking is not allowed on either side of the road.)
As for parking, there is limited roadside parking along the left (i.e., inland) side of Ma-4014 near the Ma-4015/Ma-4014 junction. If you can't find a space, continue along Ma-4014 (toward Porto Cristo) for 250 meters past the gravel road to the point where Ma-4014 begins to make a sharp rightward curve. At that point, keep straight ahead (yielding to oncoming traffic) onto an old segment of Ma-4014 that has been taken out of service. The old segment loops about 200 meters then rejoins the current road, and the grassy area between the old road and the current road now serves as an informal parking area (39.5128N, 3.2782E) where there is generally plenty of room to park even during peak season.
The gravel road is a perfectly straight road that goes southeast through an orchard, and there are low stone fence walls on either side. Follow the road for 1.4 kilometers to the point where it bends sharply to the left, then keep straight ahead through a gateway. At that point, you will be on a narrower, rougher track that goes through a scrub forest, and in 700 meters you will reach the main beach of Cala Varques. Facing the water, a path to the right leads a short distance to the smaller beach where nudists tend to gather on crowded days. The total hike to the main beach is 2.1 kilometers if you can find parking near the start of the gravel road, plus perhaps a few hundred meters more depending on where you can park. Allow at least half an hour.
Note: In case you follow a different route other than the one described above, be aware that the road to Cala Varques is the only road that leaves from the coast side of Ma-4014 between kilometer markers 9 and 10.
MAP from starting point to start of gravel road
This placemark pertains to Cala Varques.

This placemark pertains to Cala Varques.

limited roadside parking

"no parking" sign at start of gravel road

parking along an old segment of Ma-4014

smaller beach (nudist)

small stone structure in ruins

natural bridge

segment of Ma-4015

gravel road, along which parking is prohibited

path through scrub forest

path to smaller beach & stone structure in ruins

Cala Petita & Caló d'en Rafalino

Toward the middle of Mallorca's eastern coast, Porto Cristo and S'Illot are nearby seaside villages that are both part of the municipality of Manacor. The two villages are about 2.5 kilometers apart, and the stretch of coastline between them is rocky and backed by a small patch of forest. There are two small coves along this rocky stretch, both of which draw a mix of nude and textile bathers. Cala Petita is closer to Porto Christo, requiring a walk of just under one kilometer. Caló d'en Rafalino is closer to S'Illot, just a few hundred meters from the closest parking. The hike along the coastline from one cove to the other is slightly less than 2 kilometers.
Cala Petita is a narrow fjord-like inlet that extends a few hundred meters inland, with a tiny, sandy beach at its most inland point. The shallow turquoise water of the inlet in the perfect swimming area. While there is some nudity at Cala Petita, it is often full of textiles during peak season.
Caló d'en Rafalino is a bay that is more open to the sea compared to Cala Petita. It has a small sandy beach that is no more than 20 meters wide, and the sand completely disappears at high tide, when visitors gather on the rocks instead. While Caló d'en Rafalino is not as geographically unique as Cala Petita, it is nonetheless quite picturesque, and nudity seems better established at Caló d'en Rafalino than at Cala Petita. There is often a nudist majority on uncrowded days, and there are usually at least a few nudists even when the beach is packed with textiles.
This placemark pertains to Cala Petita and Caló d'en Rafalino.

Cala Petita
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala Petita and Caló d'en Rafalino.)
Manacor, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 15 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Petita and Caló d'en Rafalino.

Caló d'en Rafalino
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala Petita and Caló d'en Rafalino.)
Manacor, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 15 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Petita and Caló d'en Rafalino.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3sidq12
starting point:  the Porto Cristo depature from the Manacor ring road in Manacor
Manacor is a large town on the eastern side of Mallorca that is about 10 kilometers inland from the coast, and a number of highways lead to the town. A ring road (6 to 7 kilometers long) surrounds Manacor, and through traffic is routed along the ring road, bypassing the city center. Regardless of how you approach Manacor, once you enter the town limits, watch carefully for signs that point to Porto Cristo. You will first be routed onto the ring road, much of which is a boulevard with a palm-lined median. Keep following the Porto Cristo signs. At the southeastern corner of Manacor, you will reach a roundabout with a departure for Porto Cristo that also has a small orange sign with the road number, which is Ma-4020. Take that departure and you will begin going southeast, away from Manacor. Within a few hundred meters, you will pass the sign indicating you are leaving Manacor, and kilometer marker 2 is just past that sign. Continue another 9 kilometers and you will pass marker 11. After marker 11, continue about 900 meters (keeping straight ahead through a roundabout) and you will reach the Porto Cristo village sign, which is beneath a 40 KPH speed limit panel.
Just after the Porto Cristo village sign, you will enter a roundabout. Take the third departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed for S'Illot, Cala Millor and Son Servera. You will then be at the start of Ma-4023, and kilometer marker 0 is at the roundabout departure. Continue 700-800 meters to the next roundabout, which is at the northeastern edge of Porto Cristo. Among the businesses that circle the roundabout are a pharmacy (watch for the big green cross) and a Repsol gas station. Which departure of the roundabout you take depends on whether you are going to Cala Petita or Caló d'en Rafalino.
To go to Cala Petita:
When you reach the roundabout with the pharmacy and the Repsol gas station, take the first departure, which is signed for the village center and also has brown and yellow signs pointing toward other attractions. The pharmacy should be to your left as you depart the roundabout, and you will be on Carretera de Son Servera. Follow it about 200 meters and turn left onto a broad street, the lanes of which are divided by a median with bushes. (It is the first left you can make, not counting a street marked with "do not enter" panels.) The broad street is named Carrer de Mitjàdel Mar for just 100 meters until the median ends, then the name changes to Avinguda de Cala Petita. Once the median ends, keep straight ahead about 350 meters farther. Just before the street makes a sharp rightward curve, it will widen into a wedge of asphalt. When you reach the widened area of the road, to your left you should see a small public utility structure with several mechanical boxes. A stone fence wall extends from either side of the structure. To your right, there are a number of private residence, and the ones closest to the utility structure have gateposts numbered 50, 52, 54 and 56. Park streetside in the widened area of the road (39.5453N, 3.3445E).
If you stand next to the utility structure such that it is to your left, straight ahead you will see a broad track. Follow that track, which will quickly morph into a narrower walking path. You will be walking parallel to the fence wall, which will be to your left. To your right, there will be a small scrub forest that extends to the rocky coastline. In about 500 meters, the fence wall will turn a corner such that you are no longer directly next to it. Continue about 100 meters to a three-way junction where the path to the right is equally prominent to the path that is straight ahead. Take the path to the right. In 250-300 meters you will reach Cala Petita. The total hike is just under 900 meters.
Note: There are a number of footpaths through the scrub forest, and it does not really matter if you veer off the course described above. The lay of the land is such that you can't help but find Cala Petita.
To go to Caló d'en Rafalino:
When you reach the roundabout with the pharmacy and the Repsol gas station, take the third departure, which continues toward S'Illot, Cala Millor and Son Servera. You will still be on Ma-4023. Continue 2 kilometers, then turn right at the signs for S'Illot, Cala Morlanda and Platja Cala Moreia. (The turnoff is just before kilometer marker 3, and there is a short right-turn lane.) Upon turning, follow the road (which is numbered Ma-4025) for 1.3 kilometers until you get to the curve where the main flow of Ma-4025 traffic turns sharply leftward, continuing toward S'Illot. Do NOT turn. Keep straight ahead onto the narrower road, which is named Carrer de la Gavina. About 150 meters farther on, the road will dead end overlooking the sea. Park toward the end of the road (39.5573N, 3.3693E). (Or, if no spaces are available, look for parking along Avinguda Llop, the last side street to the left before Carrer de la Gavina dead ends.) Facing the sea from the end of the road, turn right and walk along the path that follows the rocky coastline. In about 250 meters you will reach Caló d'en Rafalino.
To hike between Cala Petita and Caló d'en Rafalino:
The hiking distance between Cala Petita and Caló d'en Rafalino is 2 kilometers. There are a number of paths through the scrub forest between the two coves, but you can't get lost as long as you just keep toward the coastline. If you are going from Cala Petita to Caló d'en Rafalino, the sea will be on your right-hand side. Caló d'en Rafalino is the last cove before the residential development of S'Illot. If you are going from Caló d'en Rafalino to Cala Petita, the sea will be on your left-hand side. You will known you are at Cala Petita when you reach an inlet that is nearly surrounded by land.
MAP from starting point to parking (Cala Petita)
MAP from starting point to parking (Caló d'en Rafalino)
This placemark pertains to Cala Petita and Caló d'en Rafalino.

This placemark pertains to Cala Petita and Caló d'en Rafalino.

Porto Cristo village sign, beneath 40 KPH speed-limit panel

roundabout near km 12 of Ma4020 & km 0 of Ma-4023

roundabout next to pharmacy & Repsol gas station

streetside parking near small public utility structure
This placemark pertains to Cala Petita.

kilometer marker 1 of Ma-4023, near "leaving Porto Cristo" sign

This placemark pertains to Caló d'en Rafalino.

route from Ma-4023 to parking (Cala Petita)

Carrer de la Gavina (short dead-end street)

path to Cala Petita from closest parking

path to Caló d'en Rafalino from closest parking

path between Cala Petita & Caló d'en Rafalino

Cala Moltó

Cala Moltó
Cala Agulla is a beach on the outskirts of the town of Capdepera in the far northeast of Mallorca. It is a sandy crescent about 500 meter in length that is quite popular and usually crowded, and it is entirely textile. There is hotel development just beyond the south end of the beach. The north end of the beach (to the left when facing the sea) is formed by a low, rocky outcropping that extends several hundred meters into the water. The outcropping is actually a narrow peninsula, and it is very easy to go across it, where there is a small bay called Cala Moltó on the other side. Cala Moltó is far less populated than Cala Agulla, and the bay is quite scenic, with a prominent conical hill as a distinctive part of its backdrop. The bay is frequented by a mix of nudists and textiles. There is several hundred meters of accessible shoreline along the bay, and the water is calm and shallow, but there are not any large expanses of sand. The few pockets of sand along the bay mostly disappear at high tide.
If you are facing the sea at the most inland point of Cala Moltó, look to your right (south) and you will see a small house on the rocky peninsula. That house is actually visible from both Cala Moltó and Cala Agulla, so you will have seen the house from its opposite side as you walk across Cala Agulla to get to Cala Moltó. The small sandy niches just below the house are the preferred gathering spots for nude bathers. Since you have to descend a small rocky escarpment to get to those niches, nude sunbathers have a small degree of privacy. Other parts of the bay are more exposed and tend of be occupied mostly by textiles, but sometimes there are also nudists along the rocky ledges that are toward the north side of the bay, opposite the previously mentioned house. Food, restrooms and showers are available at Cala Agulla, and it takes just a few minutes to walk to Cala Moltó from the parking lot of Cala Agulla.
Capdepera, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DZzCzC
starting location:  route Ma-15 in Artà
Artà is a small town that is one of the larger population centers in the northeastern part of Mallorca. Route Ma-15 passes through the town, and a few other numbered roads lead to it. However you approach, follow signs that point toward Capdepera when you reach Artà and you will end up on Ma-15.
Follow Ma-15 northeast out of Artà about 5 to 6 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 74. Not quite a full kilometer past the marker, you will enter a roundabout at the edge of Capdepera. Take the third departure, which is signed Cala Rajada and Cala Mesquida. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will still be on Ma-15, and you will almost immediately pass kilometer marker 75. Continue another 1.5 kilometers (keeping straight ahead through the next roundabout), then turn left at the brown signs for Cala Agulla and Cala Lliteres. The road widens to include a center turn lane at the turnoff, which is about halfway between kilometer markers 76 and 77.
Upon turning, follow the road about 1.6 kilometers, then turn left at another sign that points toward Cala Agulla. Follow that road almost one kilometer to the large parking area at its end (39.7207N, 3.4512E). There are several rows of covered parking spaces. From there, a short path leads to the middle of Cala Agulla, which is a sandy textile beach. Facing the sea, turn left (north). At the end of the beach, you will see a low, rocky, tree-covered outcropping that extends several hundred meters into the sea. There is a small house about halfway along the outcropping, prominently in view. The outcropping is actually a narrow peninsula, and the bay called Cala Moltó is on the other side. Walk across Cala Agulla about 250 to the end of the sand, then keep straight ahead such that you cross the peninsula where it attaches to the mainland. Very shortly you will reach Cala Moltó, and the house on the peninsula that you first spotted from Cala Agulla will still be visible, but you will be looking at its opposite side. The total walk from the parking lot takes just a few minutes.
MAP from starting location to parking
This placemark pertains to Cala Moltó.

This placemark pertains to Cala Moltó.

turnoff toward Cala Agulla & Cala Lliteres
This placemark pertains to Cala Moltó.

parking area at Cala Agulla

Cala Agulla (textile)

rote from Ma-15 to parking

Cala Mesquida

Cala Mesquida
In the far northeast of Mallorca, north of Artà and Capdepera, Cala Mesquida is the name of a beach and an adjacent resort village. The beach is about 325 meters long, and it is backed by a huge area of sand dunes. All of the hotel and apartment development is clustered on the west end of the beach and the dunes. The western two-thirds or so of the beach is textile, but the eastern third of the beach, beyond the cluster of beach umbrellas, is predominantly nudist. There is a restaurant at the far west end of the beach, next to the resort development.
Capdepera, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3sfNe7p
starting location:  route Ma-15 in Artà
Artà is a small town that is one of the larger population centers in the northeastern part of Mallorca. Route Ma-15 passes through the town, and a few other numbered roads lead to it. However you approach, follow signs that point toward Capdepera when you reach Artà and you will end up on Ma-15.
Follow Ma-15 northeast out of Artà about 5 to 6 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 74. Not quite a full kilometer past the marker, you will enter a roundabout at the edge of Capdepera. Take the third departure, which is signed Cala Rajada and Cala Mesquida. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will still be on Ma-15, and you will almost immediately pass kilometer marker 75. Continue about 800 meters to the next roundabout and take the third departure, which is signed Cala Mesquida. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on a minor road that meanders northward through a pastoral area. Stay on the main road at all forks. In 4.2 kilometers, you will reach the Cala Mesquida village sign, which is just past a 40 KPH speed limit panel.
Just after the village sign, you will enter a roundabout. Take the second departure, staying straight ahead through the roundabout. Continue 500-600 meters and you will reach a parking lot on the left (39.7455N, 3.4308E). Just watch for a blue "P" parking panel. Opposite the entrance into the lot, there is a sign pointing to the beach. Follow the bricked, streetlight-lined promenade and shortly you will reach the far west end of the beach. Walk a few hundred meters across the beach to its opposite (east) end to find the nude area.
Alternate parking:
At the roundabout that is just after the village sign, take the first departure instead of the second. In a bit less than 200 meters, the road will bend sharply to the right. On the left, there is bricked, streetlight-lined promenade that leave from the bend of the road. It is the opposite end of the promenade described in the previous paragraph. There is streetside parking nearby (39.7414N, 3.4293E). Follow the promenade about 400 meters and you will reach the far west end of the beach. Walk a few hundred meters across the beach to its opposite (east) end to find the nude area.
Note: Slightly inland from the beach, a boardwalk that is 400-500 meters long leaves from the promenade and zig-zags through the dunes. If you follow the boardwalk to its end and walk out to the beach, you will be in the nude area.
MAP from starting location to parking (in the lot)
This placemark pertains to Cala Mesquida.

Cala Mesquida village sign
This placemark pertains to Cala Mesquida.

This placemark pertains to Cala Mesquida.

segment of main road through Cala Mesquida

short road with streetside parking

bricked, streetlight-lined promenade

Cala Torta & Cala Mitjana

Cala Torta and Cala Mitjana are nearby beaches that are separated by a hillside that forms a headland between them. About 10 kilometers from the town of Artà in the northeastern part of Mallorca, the two beaches are rather remote, accessed by a winding, forested road through a rural area that has almost no development except a stray house here and there. The road toward the beaches forks near its end, and the fork leading to either beach is a bit rough, but otherwise both Cala Torta and Cala Mitjana are easily accessible by car, with parking adjacent to each beach.
Cala Torta is about 130 meters long, and its sand extends into the interior such that the width of the beach is about the same as its length. The mountains, trees and dunes that form the backdrop of the beach make for a beautiful setting. Although Cala Torta is often described as a nude beach, that seems like a historical reference considering the actual current patronage of the beach. It has been discovered by textiles and gets fairly crowded during peak season, so it is basically a textile beach during July and August. When the beach is not as crowded, there are some nudists among the textiles, particularly at the far east end of the beach (to the right when facing the water). However, textiles are just about always in the majority, except perhaps on days where there are just a handful of people in attendance. There is a small snack stand along the beach toward its west end.
There are a number of footpaths over the hill that is on the west end of Cala Torta, near the snack stand. Hike along one of those paths and within just a few minutes you will reach Cala Mitjana. Or, you can just drive there. At about 100 meters long, Cala Mitjana is slightly smaller than its neighbor, and in many ways it is the forgotten sister of Cala Torta. Signs along the road from Artà point the way to Cala Torta but not to Cala Mitjana. While it is a pretty-enough beach, it is not nearly as idyllic as Cala Torta, and the road that skirts one edge of the beach makes it feel a bit exposed. Even when Cala Torta is packed, there are comparatively far fewer visitors at Cala Mitjana. There is some nudity, but it does not have any particular renown as a nudist location. Cala Mitjana does not have any amenities.
This placemark pertains to Cala Torta and Cala Mitjana.

Cala Torta
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala Torta and Cala Mitjana.)
Artà, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 8 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Torta and Cala Mitjana.

Cala Mitjana
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala Torta and Cala Mitjana.)
Artà, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 8 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Torta and Cala Mitjana.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3DY8P6N
starting location:  route Ma-15 in Artà
Artà is a small town that is one of the larger population centers in the northeastern part of Mallorca. Route Ma-15 passes through the town, and a few other numbered roads lead to it. However you approach, follow signs that point toward Capdepera when you reach Artà and you will end up on Ma-15, going northeast. Once you are on the east side of Artà (heading toward Capdepera) and have gone past the dense cluster of buildings, watch for kilometer marker 69. Just past the marker, there is a brown sign pointing left toward Cala Torta. About 100 meters farther on, turn left next to a Petronor gas station. There is another brown Cala Torta sign at the turnoff.
After turning, go just a few hundred meters and there will be a walled sports complex on your right. At the corner of the sports complex, where you will see Camp Municipal Ses Pesqueres on its gate, the main course of the road will begin to curve to the left, back toward Artà. Turn right instead, staying along the sports complex wall. You will then begin to go in a generally northeasterly direction on a small paved road through a rural, mostly forested area, and there are no turns to make for a while. All forks and junctions are with smaller roads, so just keep straight ahead on the main road. 8.2 kilometers after turning at the sports complex, you will reach a fork, and by then you will be close to the sea. The right fork has a large Cala Torta sign, while the left fork (straight ahead) has a large Cala Mitjana sign.
To go to Cala Torta:
Go right at the fork and follow the road about 1.3 kilometers to a large dirt parking area next to the beach (39.7487N, 3.4146E).
To go to Cala Mitjana:
Keep left (straight ahead) at the fork. About 150 meters farther along you will reach another fork. You can take either fork since the two forks form a loop road that makes a circuit of about 3 kilometers, but it is a bit shorter if you take the right fork. Assuming you stay to the right, continue 1.2 kilometers. The road will begin to run along the western edge of Cala Mitjana before curving away from the beach and looping back inland. Parking is along the side of the road (39.7517N, 3.4126E).
Whether you go to Cala Torta or Cala Mitjana, the condition of the road will deteriorate along the final stretch as you get close to parking.
MAP from starting location to parking (Torta)
MAP from starting location to parking (Mitjana)
This placemark pertains to Cala Torta and Cala Mitjana.

signed Cala Torta / Cala Mitjana fork
This placemark pertains to Cala Torta and Cala Mitjana.

large dirt parking area
This placemark pertains to Cala Torta.

unsigned fork at start of loop
This placemark pertains to Cala Mitjana.

This placemark pertains to Cala Mitjana.

road to Cala Torta

road to Cala Mitjana, which makes a loop

Playa Sa Cánova, Playa Son Real & Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat

Son Serra de Marina, or just Son Serra for short, is a seaside residential area, or urbanizacion, on the outskirts of the town of Santa Margalida, northeast of the main part of the town. At each end of the urbanizacion, a small river flows into the sea: Torrent de Na Borges on the east side and Torrent de Son Real on the west side. Most of the time, the sandy deposits along the beach dam the river mouths, backing up the water a bit and keeping the rivers from actually meeting the sea. Nudity occurs on either side of Son Serra, and the river mouths are the landmarks for finding the nude areas.
If you park at the far east end of Son Serra, you will be next to Torrent de Na Borges. Go past the river mouth (to the right when facing the sea). At the parking lot, you will be in the municipality of Santa Margalida. Once you are on the other side of the river, you will have crossed the municipal line into neighboring Artà, and you will be at the start of Playa Sa Cánova, which extends eastward about 1.5 kilometers. It is quite a beautiful beach backed by extensive sand dunes, and as you walk east, you will soon begin to encounter nudists. The building you will see in the distance just past the eastern end of the beach are part of S'Estanyol, a small urbanizacion of Artà. Nudity is possible all along the beach, but most nudists cluster toward the San Serra end, with the beach becoming more deserted as you go toward S'Estanyol. There is always ample room to spread out, even at times when Mallorca's other beaches are overcrowded.
If you park on the west side of Son Serra and take a short walk westward, you will reach a small beach at the mouth of Torrent de Son Real. The beach is Playa Son Real, and is a sandy stretch of a few hundred meters, with rocky segments of the shoreline on either side. While some nudity occurs at Son Real, it does not seem to be a particular draw for large numbers of naturists. If you keep walking west (to the left when facing the sea), you will at first be walking along a rocky part of the shoreline, then you will reach a few tiny beaches among the rocks, then you will reach a longer beach. The longer beach is Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat, and its main expanse stretches about 500 meters. That main expanse begins about a kilometer past Son Real. S'Arenal d'En Casat is never crowded, even during peak season, and nudity is common. However, you are unlikely to encounter a large number of nudists—or textiles, for that matter. It is a mostly empty beach since all the roads that lead directly to it from the highway are gated.
Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat is about halfway between Son Serra and Can Picafort, which is a much larger urbanizacion of Santa Margalida. The beach can be approach from either end, and either way it is a walk of about 1.7 kilometers. There are ample opportunities for bare bathers at Son Real, S'Arenal d'En Casat and the various other much smaller beaches between Son Serra and Can Picafort. However, most nude bathers seem to prefer Playa Sa Cánova on the other side of Son Serra since it always has a larger concentration of bare bodies. There are a couple of cafés next to where you park to access Playa Sa Cánova. The other beaches are farther removed from the nearest amenities.
This placemark pertains to Playa Sa Canoval, Playa Son Real and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.

Playa Sa Cánova
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these three beaches: Playa Sa Cánova, Playa Son Serra and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.)
Artà, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 14 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Plage Sa Cánova, Playa Son Real and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.

Playa Son Real
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these three beaches: Playa Sa Cánova, Playa Son Serra and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.)
Santa Margalida, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 14 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Plage Sa Cánova, Playa Son Real and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.

Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these three beaches: Playa Sa Cánova, Playa Son Serra and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.)
Santa Margalida, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 14 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Plage Sa Cánova, Playa Son Real and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KGnYNU
starting point:  the turnoff from Ma-12 toward Son Serra de Marina
Route Ma-12 is a 34-kilometer-long highway that runs between Alcúdia and Artà in the far north of Mallorca. Son Serra de Marina is an urbanizacion on the outskirts of the town of Santa Margalida. The turnoff from Ma-12 toward Son Serra de Marina is between kilometers markers 14 and 15, about 14 kilometers west of Artà and 20 kilometers southeast of Alcúdia.
Turning north from Ma-12 toward Son Serra de Marina, you will be at the start of a divided residential street called Avinguda de Talaiot de Sa Nineta, which has a line of trees in the middle. Avinguda de Talaiot de Sa Nineta is 2 kilometers long, ending at the coast. Near its end, Avinguda de Talaiot de Sa Nineta intersects a 1.7-kilometer-long-street called Carrer Fra Juníper Serra. There are parking lots at each end of Carrer Fra Juníper Serra. Playa Son Real and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat are both accessed from the earthen lot at west end of the street, while Playa Sa Cánova is accessed from the paved lot at the east end of the street. However, since Carrer Fra Juníper Serra is a one-way street for traffic going east, you will not be able to turn directly onto the street to get to the parking area at its west end.
As you head toward the coast on Avinguda de Talaiot de Sa Nineta, at first there will be pastures on either side of the road. In about 900 meters, you will reach the start of the residential development of Son Serra de Marina. About 900 meters farther on, watch carefully for a bus stop shelter beneath the trees in the median of the street. By that point, you will be just 150 meters from the end of the street, with the sea clearly visible straight ahead. Just past the bus stop, the next cross street is Carrer Llarg, a one-way street for westbound traffic. You will see a sign indicating that a right turn is prohibited. (There is street signage, but cross street names are affixed to placards on fence walls, rendering them rather inconspicuous.)
To go to Playa Son Real and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat:
Turn left onto Carrer Llarg. Proceed two blocks, then turn right onto Carrer Brasil. Proceed one block to the intersection with Carrer Fra Juníper Serra, then pull into the earthen parking lot that is at the northwest corner of that intersection (39.7390N, 3.2197E). A dirt track leaves from the corner of the parking lot that is diagonally opposite the street intersection. That track follows the coastline west about 600 meters before petering out near a river (Torrent de Son Real) that usually does not quite flow into the sea, its mouth often dammed by a buildup of sand. The beach at the river mouth is Playa Son Real. If you continue walking west (to the left when facing the sea) about a kilometer farther, the next long expanse of sand you will reach is Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.
To go to Playa Sa Cánova:
Continue one more block past Carrer Llarg, then turn right onto Carrer del Fra Juníper Serra, where there is a caravanas sign as well as a stack of wooden signs pointing right toward the beach and other attractions. Follow the street east 1.5 kilometers to the paved parking lot at its end (39.7311N, 3.2360E). The nude part of the beach is straight ahead (east) from the parking lot. Most nudity occurs beyond a river (Torrent de Na Borges) that usually does not quite flow into the sea, its mouth often dammed by a buildup of sand.
MAP from starting point to parking (Son Real and S'Arenal d'En Casat)
MAP from starting point to parking (Sa Cánova)
This placemark pertains to Playa Sa Cánova, Playa Son Real and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.

This placemark pertains to Playa Sa Cánova, Playa Son Real and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.

turnoff from Ma-12 toward Son Serra de Marina
This placemark pertains to Playa Sa Cánova, Playa Son Real and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.

bus stop shelter in street median

no westward turn onto one-way Carrer del Fra Juníper Serra

This placemark pertains to Playa Son Real and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.

mouth of Torrent de Son Real (usually dammed by sandy deposits)
This placemark pertains to Playa Son Real and Playa S'Arenal d'En Casat.

paved parking lot
This placemark pertains to Playa Sa Cánova.

mouth of Torrent de Na Borges (usually dammed by sandy deposits)
This placemark pertains to Playa Sa Cánova.

entire length of Avinguda de Talaiot de Sa Nineta

entire length of Carrer Fra Juníper Serra (one-way street, eastbound only)

short segments of Carrer Llarg & Carrer Brasil

path along coastline

Playa Coll Baix

Playa Coll Baix
Alcúdia is the major center of tourism for the northern shore of Mallorca, and it is most famous for its compact old town, which is surrounded by a medieval stone wall and has building dating all the way back to the 1200s. Playa Coll Baix is hidden in the mountainous peninsula that extends seaward from Alcúdia. The beach, just over 200 meters long, is set amid spectacular scenery. Access by land is challenging, so a lot of visitors arrive by boat instead. If you drive to the parking area above the beach, you will have to follow a trail that descends the mountainside, and the last part is steep. Be in shape and agile. The beach is well attended but not crowded, and nudity is generally accepted. However, despite the isolation, nudists usually comprise a small fraction of the crowd, except on days when there are just a handful of visitors in attendance. Since you may find a large textile majority in July and August, you may want to consider whether it is worth the effort to hike down to the beach if you aren't comfortable being surrounded by non-nudists. As you might expect, there are no amenities at the beach. The mountain trails above the beach are very popular with hikers.
Alcúdia, Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OAeXaf
starting point:  the terminus of Ma-13 in Alcúdia
The Ma-13 is one of the primary routes of Mallorca. It begins in the capital city of Palma de Mallorca on the southern coast of the island and goes through the interior to the island to Alcúdia on the northern coast. The highway is about 50 kilometers long, and most of it is a motorway, but it becomes a regular highway for the last 10 or so kilometers approaching Alcúdia. Going toward Alcúdia, Ma-15 ends about 500 meters past kilometer marker 50 at a roundabout at the edge of town. From there, follow signs toward Port d'Alcúdia and the town center (centre).
Before long you will reach the prominent medieval stone wall that surrounds the oldest part of Alcúdia. Keep following the signs for Port d'Alcúdia and the town center and you will being to skirt part of the perimeter of the old town. The wall should be on your left-hand side. Once you pass the end of the wall, keep straight ahead a few hundred meters farther to a red light at a "T" junction. At the light, make a right turn followed immediately by a left turn, following the signs that point toward Es Mal Pas, La Victòria, Bonaire, Manresa and Fundació. After making those two successive turns, you will be at the start of a street called Carrer de Xara.
Follow Carrer de Xara northeast 1.7 kilometers until you reach a five-way junction at the edge of the village of El Mal Pas. The junction, which has a small tree in the middle, is next to Bodega del Sol Bar.
At the junction, take the first possible right, following the purple Fundació sign. You will then be on the road that goes all the way to Playa Coll Baix. For about 2 kilometers, you will be on a smooth surface, then the road passes through a gate that should be open. After the gate, the road gets rougher. Some segments are unpaved and others are old pavement that has not been maintained. Continue about 3.3 kilometers beyond the gate to a parking clearing (39.8583N, 3.1826E). Just beyond the clearing, there is a chain across the road. Continue on foot and the road will morph into a trail that descends to the beach. While the trail is just 700 meters long, it is challenging due to an elevation loss of about 100 meters.
This placemark pertains to Playa Coll Baix.

5-way junction next to Bodega del Sol Bar
This placemark pertains to Playa Coll Baix.

gateway where road gets rougher
This placemark pertains to Playa Coll Baix.

wooded parking area at end of road

road to Coll Baix

downhill path to beach

Menorca

Cala Macarelleta & Cala des Talaier

Toward the western end of Menorca's southern coast, Cala en Bosc and Cala Galdana are seaside resort villages that are about 10 kilometers apart as the crow flies. There are five beaches along the stretch of coastline between the villages. From west to east, those beaches are Playa de Son Saura, Cala des Talaier, Cala en Turqueta, Cala Macarelleta and Cala Macarella. None of the five beaches are directly accessible by car from either Cala en Bosc or Cala Galdana since there is not a coastal road between the two resort villages. The beaches are accessed from a rural road that leaves from Ciutadella. That road splits into forks that go to the various beaches. Two of the five beaches, Cala des Talaier and Cala Macarelleta, are frequented by nude bathers.
Playa de Son Saura is by far the largest of the beaches that are between Cala en Bosc and Cala Galdana. It consists of two sandy crescents that are slightly separated from one another, both along the same small bay. The smaller western crescent is about 200 meters long, and the larger eastern crescent is about 300 meters long. Even though the beaches are geographically distinct, they are collectively called by the same name, and both parts of the beach are textile. There is a parking lot at the far west end of Playa de Son Saura. If you park there, walk across both crescents of the beach, then continue a bit through the forest, you will reach Cala des Talaier, a tiny beach nestled in its own bay, separate from the bay of Son Saura. It is a pocket of sand that is just 40 meters long, and the sand extends into the interior such that the width of the beach is about the same as its length. Talaier is a very beautiful cove where nude bathing is well established. Nudists are sometimes a majority early and late during the summer season, but there are usually more textiles than nudists during July and August.
The middle of the five beaches listed above, Cala en Turqueta, is a small beach that is accessed from its own parking area. It gets sporadic nude use during the off season, but it seems to be an exclusively textile beach any time there are crowds, and the beach is well attended during summer.
Cala Macarelleta and Cala Macarella are small beaches located along a deep inlet, and the beaches are positioned such that they are at a 90° angle to one another, each hidden from the other. The parking lots are located such that Cala Macarella is accessed first. If you park in the pay lot, which tends to fill up quickly despite the parking fee, it is a fairly level walk of just a few minutes out to the beach. If you park in the free lot, it is a gradual downhill hike of about one kilometer down to the beach. Cala Macarella is the larger of the two beaches, but it is just 100 meters long, and it is a textile beach. Keep walking around the inlet another 400 meters and you will reach Cala Macarelleta (basically "Little Macarella" by virtue of the diminutive suffix). At about 45 meters long, Macarelleta is about half the size of its neighbor, and it is where nude bathers congregate. While Menorca has no shortage of beautiful inlets and beaches, the inlet of Macarella and Macarelleta is quite commonly cited as the the best of the best for its stunning beauty. As a result, both beaches are tremendously popular. To get an idea of just how crowded it gets, know that the two parking lots for the beaches cover more surface area than the actual beaches, and during July and August those lots are full. During those months, there are more textiles than nudists at Macarelleta, and sometimes vastly so, but you can always be nude there if you don't mind being considerably outnumbered.
Cala Macarella is not far from Cala Galdana (the resort village). If you stay in Cala Galdana, you have to make a ridiculously long circuit to drive to Cala Macarella since the minor unpaved roads between them are not open to the public. However, the hiking distance along the coastal trail from Cala Galdana to Cala Macarella is just 1.8 kilometers, then it is just a bit farther to Cala Macarelleta. The five beaches between Cala en Bosc and Cala Galdana are generally lacking in amenities. Cala Macarella is the only one where there is a café. There is sometimes a roving snack vendor at Playa de Son Saura.
This placemark pertains to Cala des Talaier and Cala Macarelleta.

Cala des Talaier
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala des Talaier and Cala Macarelleta.)
Ciutadella de Menorca, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 14 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Macarelleta and Cala des Talaier.

Cala Macarelleta
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala des Talaier and Cala Macarelleta.)
Ciutadella de Menorca, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 14 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Macarelleta and Cala des Talaier.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qy43de
starting point:  the start of the RC-2 ring road at Me-1 in Ciutadella
Route Me-1 is the east-west highway that runs about 45 kilometers across the entire island of Menorca, connecting Maó-Mahón on the east end to Ciutadella on the west end. Toward the western end of the highway, on the eastern outskirts of Ciutadella, there is one roundabout along Me-1 that is between kilometer markers 42 and 43. Two bypass roads start at that roundabout. The RC-1 goes north and the RC-2 goes south. Take the departure of the roundabout that is signed RC-2. The departure also has a brown sign for Cap d'Artrutx and a pink sign for Pedreres de s'Hostal.
Follow RC-2 for 2.3 kilometers, keeping straight ahead through two roundabouts. At the third roundabout, take the third departure of that roundabout, following the orange Platjes sign. There are also brown signs pointing toward five beaches: Macarelleta, Macarella, Turqueta, Es Talaier and Son Saura.
Upon leaving the roundabout, follow the road south for 2.7 kilometers to a fork. It is the first fork you will reach, and there are brown signs pointing toward the beaches that are accessed from either fork.
To go to Cala des Talaier:
At the fork, bear to the right, following the browns signs pointing toward Es Talaier and Son Saura. Continue about 7 kilometers on the narrow road and you will reach a parking lot at the end of the road (39.9291N, 3.8889E). (All forks you encounter along the way are with roads that are either gated or marked as no access, so there are no turns to worry about.) Once you park, you will be at the far western end of Playa de Son Saura, which consists of two distinct crescents separated by a short rocky area. Walk east (to the left when facing the water) across the first crescent then continue about halfway across the second crescent, where you will find a path that goes slightly uphill into the dunes. As you follow that path, you will be short-cutting across a land mass that separates Playa de Son Saura from Cala des Talaier. When you see water again, you will be getting close to Cala des Talaier. The total hike from the parking lot is about 1.3 kilometers.
To go to Cala Macarelleta:
At the fork, keep to the left (really just straight ahead), following the brown signs pointing toward Macarelleta, Macarella and Turqueta. Continue 1.7 kilometers to a yield sign. Keep to the left again, staying on the wider of the two roads, following signs for Macarelleta and Macarella (but no longer toward Turqueta). Continue another 7.5 kilometers until you reach a fork with a gravel road, where there is a sign indicating free parking straight ahead along the paved road. If you veer right, you can follow the gravel road about 800 meters to a long parking lot where a fee is required. From the far end of that long lot, it is a fairly level walk of about 400 meters out to Cala Macarella. If you keep straight ahead at the fork, staying on the paved road and following the gratuit parking sign, in 700-800 meters you will reach the end of the road at a large parking lot where no fee is charged (39.9443N, 3.9434E). From there, it is a gradual downhill hike of about one kilometer to Cala Macarella. Once you are at Cala Macarella, it is about 300 meters farther to Cala Macarelletta, via a path runs above the rocky shoreline on the west side of the inlet. Along the hike from Cala Macarella to Cala Macarelletta, the water should be on your left-hand side.
MAP from starting point to parking (Es Talaier)
MAP from starting point to parking (Macarelleta, in free lot)
This placemark pertains to Cala des Talaier and Cala Macarelleta.

fork: south to Es Talaier & Son Saura; southeast to Macarella, Macarelleta & Turqueta
This placemark pertains to Cala des Talaier and Cala Macarelleta.

This placemark pertains to Cala des Talaier.

Playa de Son Saura, western cove (textile)
This placemark pertains to Cala des Talaier.

Playa de Son Saura, eastern cove (textile)
This placemark pertains to Cala des Talaier.

yield sign where route to Macarella/Macarelleta diverges from route to Turqueta
This placemark pertains to Cala Macarelleta.

free parking lot
This placemark pertains to Cala Macarelleta.

This placemark pertains to Cala Macarelleta.

Cala Macarella (textile)

Cala en Turqueta (textile, with sporadic nude use in off season)

road to Son Saura & Es Talaier

road toward Macarella, Macarelleta & Turqueta

road to Macarella & Macarelleta

spur to Macarella/Macarelleta pay parking

road to Turqueta

walking route from parking lot to Cala des Talaier

walking route from free parking lot to Cala Macarelleta

walking route from pay parking lot to Cala Macarella

Cala Mitjaneta & Cala Trebaluger

Cala Galdana is a seaside resort village that is toward the western end of Menorca's southern coast, and it is also the name of the village's adjacent beach. Just a bit east of Cala Galdana, Cala Mitjana is a small beach nestled in an extremely beautiful bay. Mitjana is a very popular beach, and at not quite 100 meters long, it can get very crowded. Mitjana itself is a textile beach, but it is the gateway to two areas where nudists gather.
On the west side of the main beach area of Cala Mitjana, a rocky outcropping has the effect of creating a hidden bay within a bay. The mini-bay on the other side of the outcropping, which is no more than 50 meters from one side to the other, is informally known as Cala Mitjaneta (basically "Little Mitjana" by virtue of the diminutive suffix). Mitjaneta gets a good bit of nude use, but, like most of Menorca's traditional nudist locations, it gets overrun with textiles during July and August. The mini-bay includes a sandy beach that is quite narrow and broken up by a number of boulders. Very few people can fit on the sandy beach, so sunbathers also scatter along the rocky ledges that partially enclose the mini-bay. Even if space is limited, it is a stunningly beautiful and charming little area.
To the east of Cala Mitjana, there is an isolated beach called Cala Trebaluger. It is reached by hiking through the coastal forest above the rocky shoreline. The total distance from the Mitjana parking lot to Cala Trebaluger is about 1.7 kilometers. Trebaluger (also spelled "Trebeluja") is a sandy beach about 130 meters in length situated in a small bay at the mouth of a small river. While its bay is not as intricately stunning as that of Cala Mitjana, Cala Trebaluger is nonetheless quite beautiful. Although known as a nude beach, the nudity patterns are similar to those of many nude beaches of the island. There are far more textiles than nudists during July and August, with a higher percentage of nudists when the beach is not overcrowded. The beach is quite popular despite the requisite hike. Trebaluger is a favorite of boaters, to the chagrin of visitors who complain that docked boats spoil the otherwise wild and pristine environment.
Mitjana, Mitjaneta and Trebaluger are all undeveloped beaches with no amenities. If you keep hiking east from Cala Trebaluger, within 2 kilometers you will reach two more beaches where nudity takes place: Cala Fustam and Cala Escorxada. Those two beaches, along with Playa de Binigaus, are described under a different set of placemarks, and they are more commonly accessed from their other side, starting from the resort village of Sant Tomàs.
This placemark pertains to Cala Mitjaneta and Cala Trebaluger.

Cala Mitjaneta
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala Mitjaneta and Cala Trebaluger.)
Ferreries, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 9 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Mitjaneta and Cala Trebaluger.

Cala Trebaluger
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala Mitjaneta and Cala Trebaluger.)
Es Migjorn Gran, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 9 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Mitjaneta and Cala Trebaluger.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OYuVww
starting point:  the turnoff toward Santa Galdana from Me-1 in Ferreries
Route Me-1 is the east-west highway that runs about 45 kilometers across the entire island of Menorca, connecting Maó-Mahón on the east end to Ciutadella on the west end. The kilometer marker numbers ascend going east to west (i.e., going from Maó-Mahón to Ciutadella). The turnoff that is signed Santa Galdana leaves from a roundabout that is on the western edge of Ferreries, near kilometer marker 29 and the signs that indicate you are leaving or entering the town limits, depending on your direction of approach. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be at the start of route Me-22.
Follow Me-22 for 6 kilometers then turn left at the signed turnoff for Cala Mitjana. The turnoff is at kilometer marker 6.
Follow the narrow access road about one kilometer to the parking lot at the end (39.9356N, 3.9734E). At the parking lot, there is a signboard with an area map, and there is a broad path behind the signboard. You will head in different directions along the path depending on whether you are going to Cala Mitjaneta or Cala Trebaluger.
To go to Cala Mitjaneta, go right at the signboard. The path will wind around the western side of Cala Mitjana, with the water on your left-hand side. Shortly after you have passed Cala Mitjana, you will see a prominent mass of rocky that juts into the water. Cala Mitjaneta is the narrow beach that is just past the rocky mass. Keep walking above the beach to its far end, where you will find stone steps that descend to the beach. The total walk from the parking lot is 400 to 500 meters.
To go to Cala Trebaluger, go left at the signboard and shortly you will reach Cala Mitjana. Instead of walking all the way out to the sea, watch on your left for a path that goes uphill from the east side of the beach and follow that path. After a steep ascent, the path will level out and continue east through the forest. You will be a few hundred meters from the coastline, walking such that the sea is on your right. Eventually the path will start to go downhill again, and you will see Cala Trebaluger. Once you are at sea level, the beach is just beyond a shallow river, but most of the time sandy deposits dam the river mouth such that it does not quite connect to the sea, so it is unlikely that you will have to wade across. The total hike from the parking lot is about 1.7 kilometers. Look for green paint markings on rocks along the path to help you stay on the course.
This placemark pertains to Cala Mitjaneta and Cala Trebaluger.

kilometer marker 5 of Me-22
This placemark pertains to Cala Mitjaneta and Cala Trebaluger.

kilometer marker 6 of Me-22

kilometer marker 7 of Me-22

Cala Mitjana (textile)

segment of Me-22

road to Cala Mitjana

path to Cala Mitjaneta

path to Cala Trebaluger

Playa de Binigaus, Cala Escorxada & Cala Fustam

Along the southern coast of Menorca, Sant Tomàs is a seaside resort village that is part of Es Migjorn Gran, a small town that is a few kilometers in the interior. Playa de Binigaus is a beach that begins just west of the development of Sant Tomàs, and extends westward about one kilometer. This beautiful beach is distinctive for the reddish rock that is the backdrop for much of its length. Binigaus is accessed from its far east end. Nudity takes place along most of the beach, generally beginning several hundred meters from the parking area. Binigaus consists of three distinct areas. The eastern part of the beach, closest to parking, is backed by a low rocky escarpment and an open grassy area. That part of the beach mostly disappears at high tide. At low tide, it tends to be mostly textile, with some nudists in the mix the farther you go from the parking area. In the central area of Binigaus, the escarpment disappears and the beach gets considerably wider. Nudists are sometimes a majority and always a substantial minority along the central stretch of Binigaus, which becomes the main gathering place on the beach when the tide is in since there is always sand there. Moving west beyond the wide central area, the landscape changes abruptly as the escarpment begins to rise again, but the escarpment of the western several hundred meters of the beach is substantially higher and more rugged than the escarpment of the eastern end. Nudity is the norm on the western end of the beach, which most disappears at high tide.
Beyond the western end of Playa de Binigaus, there are two much smaller beaches where nudity occurs, but they require a substantial hike to reach. Cala Escorxada is about 1.5 kilometers west of the far western end of Binigaus. Escorxada is a small and idyllic crescent of white sand that stretches about 130 meters. Nude bathing is well established, but during peak summer season there are far more textiles than nudists. If you visit during July or August, you are likely to find that Binigaus is a better choice for nudity. Even through Escorxada is farther removed and takes far more time and effort to reach, nudists and textiles have to share close quarters, which is an inhibiting factor for nudity. At Binigaus, there is always enough room for nudists and textiles to spread out. During the off season, Cala Escorxada is often deserted and can be a good choice if you are seeking your own private nude beach.
Cala Fustam is about 200 meters west of Cala Escorxada on the other side of a headland, but the walk from one beach to the other is about 600 meters. Cala Fustam is just 30 meters long. While nudity is not out of the ordinary, the beach is often empty or nearly so even during peak season. While Cala Fustam is a very pretty little cove, the sand is much nicer at Cala Escorxada.
There is a restaurant next to the parking lot that is just beyond the far east end of Playa de Binigaus, and there is sometimes a snack stand set up along the central part of Binigaus. Otherwise, there are no amenities on any of the beaches. It takes just 10 minutes or so to walk from the parking area to the central area of Binigaus where most nudists congregate, but the total walk from parking to Cala Escorxada is about 3.2 kilometers, or about 3.8 kilometers total to Cala Fustam. Allow the better part of an hour to reach either of those beaches.
From Cala Fustam, a hike of about 1.4 kilometers farther west takes you to Cala Trebaluger, which is described under a different set of placemarks. Cala Trebaluger is also a nude beach that requires a substantial hike to reach, but it is most often approached from Cala Mitjana to the west, from which the walk is much shorter.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Binigaus, Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam.

Playa de Binigaus
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Binigaus, Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam.)
Es Migjorn Gran, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 13 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Binigaus, Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam.

Cala Escorxada
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Binigaus, Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam.)
Es Migjorn Gran, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 13 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Binigaus, Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam.

Cala Fustam
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Binigaus, Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam.)
There are 13 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Binigaus, Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/447DY2l
starting point:  one of three turnoffs to Es Migjorn Gran and Sant Tomàs from Me-1
Route Me-1 is the east-west highway that runs about 45 kilometers across the entire island of Menorca, connecting Maó-Mahón on the east end to Ciutadella on the west end. The kilometer marker numbers ascend going east to west (i.e., going from Maó-Mahón to Ciutadella). There are three turnoffs along Me-1 that go south toward Es Migjorn Gran and Sant Tomàs. (All the signs indicate Es Migjorn and Sant Tomàs, omitting Gran.) All three turnoffs first lead to the inland town of Es Migjorn Gran, then there is just one road that continues to Sant Tomàs on the coast. Going east to west, here are the three turnoffs:
The eastern turnoff is at kilometer marker 16, about halfway between Alaior and Es Mercadal. As you head toward Es Migjorn Gran, you will at first be on Me-16, then you will be on Me-18.
The middle turnoff is near kilometer marker 21 in Es Mercadal. The road to Es Migjorn Gran is Me-18.
The western turnoff is near kilometer marker 29 at the western edge of Ferreries. The road to Es Migjorn Gran is Me-20.
Whichever route you take, the distance to Es Migjorn Gran is roughly the same—6.5 to 7 kilometers. Once you arrive in Es Migjorn Gran, keep following signs to Sant Tomàs. Regardless of which route you took to Es Migjorn Gran, you will be on Me-18 by the time you pass the sign indicating you are leaving Es Migjorn Gran. About 700-800 past that sign, you will pass kilometer marker 8.
2.4 kilometers past marker 8, you will pass the Sant Tomàs village sign, then about 125 meters after that you will enter a roundabout that is close to the sea, with the water visible straight ahead. Take the first departure of the roundabout into a small paved parking lot (39.9176N, 4.0334E) next to a seaside restaurant called Bar Es Brucs. The paved lot connects to a large earthen overflow lot.
When you access the sea from the parking area, you will be at the western end of Playa de Sant Adeodato, which is one of two beaches that abut the development of Sant Tomàs. Looking to your right as you face the sea, in the near distance you will see a prominent rocky mass along with several smaller rocky masses that are slightly offshore. Those rocks are the dividing point between Playa de Sant Adeodato and Playa de Binigaus, the adjacent one-kilometer-long beach to the west. Follow the coastal path westward (to the right when facing the sea). That path runs atop a low escarpment of reddish rock. You will be walking such that the beach will be to your left, just slightly below the level of the path, and an open grassy area will be on your right, with a forested hillside a bit farther in the background. At first you are likely to see only textiles along the beach. About halfway along Playa de Binigaus, you will get to an area where there is a break in the hills that form the backdrop of the beach. The beach widens considerably and the escarpment disappears. That widened central area of the beach is the main hub of the beach, and by that point you will be in the nude area. The total walk from the parking area to the central area of Binigaus is about 700 meters.
The widened central area of Binigaus is a few hundred meters long. Continuing west, then landscape quite abruptly gets more rugged as the escarpment resumes. You will have to hike a good bit beyond the western end of Binigaus to reach Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam. From the central area of Binigaus, make sure you access the path that continues atop the escarpment since it will be difficult to get up to that path if you stay at sea level past the point when the escarpment begins to rise up behind the beach. From central Binigaus, it is about 2.3 kilometers to Cala Escorxada, staying on the path that follows the shoreline, with the sea on your left-hand side. At Cala Escorxada, the path joins with a broader track that come in from the interior. If you keep hiking west along the shoreline, about 600 meters past Cala Escorxada you will reach Cala Fustam.
MAP from eastern turnoff to parking (via Me-16 and Me-18)
MAP from middle turnoff to parking (via Me-18)
MAP from western turnoff to parking (via Me-20 and Me-18)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Binigaus, Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Binigaus, Cala Escorxada and Cala Fustam.

"Sant Tomàs" village sign

Playa de Sant Tomàs (textile)

Playa de Sant Adeodato (textile)

rocky masses, just slightly offshore

segment of Me-18

Playa de Son Bou

Playa de Son Bou
Along the central part of Menorca's southern coast, there are three contiguous resort developments that are part of the town of Alaior, and they are called Son Bou, Sant Jaume and Torre Solí Nou. The beach that is next to these resorts is called Playa de Son Bou, and it is about 2.5 kilometers long. The eastern third of the beach is the most crowded part of the beach, and it is textile. The most prominent landmarks along the textile part of the beach are Hotel Sol Milanos Pingüinos and the large beach parking lot. Beginning just beyond the parking lot and extending westward, there is a narrow stretch of wetlands behind the beach, separating the beach and its dunes from the resort development that is on a hillside several hundred meters inland. The wetlands-backed part of the beach is frequented by nude bathers. Depending on how crowded the beach is, you may begin to encounter nudists mixed in with the textiles within just a minute or two of the parking lot. Nudity becomes more prevalent as you go farther west. There is a restaurant next to the parking lot, not far from where the nude area of the beach begins. There are two more restaurants farther east along the textile part of the beach.
Playa de Son Bou is the longest beach in Menorca, and it is the island's most popular nude beach. Even during peak summer season, the beach has ample space. Beginning a bit west of the parking lot, there is a pathway that parallels the beach through the dunes, and about half a dozen short boardwalks go over the dunes out to the beach. The dunes path is a quicker way to get to more distant parts of the beach.
Alaior, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45lqSzE
starting point:  the Alaior, Son Bou, San Jaume exit of Me-1 in Alaior
Route Me-1 is the east-west highway that runs about 45 kilometers across the entire island of Menorca, connecting Maó-Mahón on the east end to Ciutadella on the west end. The kilometer marker numbers ascend going east to west (i.e., going from Maó-Mahón to Ciutadella). A limited number of junctions along the highway are set up as exits. The Alaior, Son Bou, San Jaume exit is between kilometer markers 12 and 14 (marker 13 is between the opposing exit lanes), and it is the westernmost of three exits for the town of Alaior. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout that circles under the highway. Take the roundabout departure that is signed Son Bou, Sant Jaume and Torre Solí Nou, then proceed southwest 6 kilometers and you will pass through a short tunnel with Son Bou in blue lettering above the entrance.
After the tunnel, continue 400-500 meters to a roundabout. Take the second departure, following the purple sign pointing toward an archaeological site (Basilica Paleocristiana de Son Bou). In 150 meters keep straight ahead through a smaller roundabout (no longer heading toward the archaeological site). In another 150 meters the road will end, with all traffic filtered into a large beach parking lot (39.8998N, 4.0749E). Drive to the opposite end of the lot to park as far west as possible.
Playa de Son Bou is about 2.5 kilometers long, and if you walk out to the beach from the western end of the parking lot, you will be about 700 meters from the east end of the beach and 1.8 kilometers from the west end. The eastern third of the beach (abutting the parking lot and hotel development) is the textile area. Walk westward (to the right when facing the sea) and shortly you will begin to encounter nudists as the crowd gradually begins to thin out, and nudity is possible all the way to the western end of the beach.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Son Bou.

short Son Bou tunnel
This placemark pertains to Playa de Son Bou.

first roundabout after tunnel
This placemark pertains to Playa de Son Bou.

small roundabout

Hotel Sol Milanos Pingüinos

Basilica Paleocristiana de Son Bou (archaeological site)

route from tunnel to parking

Cala Coves

Cala Coves
Cala Coves is located toward the eastern end of Menorca's southern coast, about 11 kilometers from Maó-Mahón, the island's capital city. It is a beautiful fjord that branches into two arms. Popular with boaters, Cala Coves can also be reached by car. There aren't any good sandy beach areas, but nude sunbathing is common on the rocks, just around the corner from the parking area. While it may not be the ultimate nude beach experience of Menorca, this site is worth the visit for the scenery alone. In the Catalan language, coves is the plural of cova, which means "cave." There are many caves in the fjord that were prehistoric dwellings.
Alaior, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QHUNy0
starting point:  the junction of routes Me-14 and Me-12 near Maó-Mahón
About 3 kilometers west of the town center of Maó-Mahón, routes Me-14 and Me-12 intersect at a roundabout that is on the north side of Menorca's only airport, and the airport entrance is located at that roundabout. From wherever you are in the vicinity, just follow signs to the airport and you will reach the roundabout, which is easily recognizable by the pyramidal obelisk in the middle. Take the roundabout departure that is signed Sant Climent and Cala En Porter, then you will begin going west on Me-12.
Follow Me-12 about 5 kilometers (passing through Sant Climent) and watch for kilometer marker 8. About 300-400 meters after marker 8, you will enter a small roundabout. Take the departure that is signed Son Vitamina and Calas Coves. In less than 200 meters you will reach a roundabout of sorts that is asphalted all the way through, with a painted circle for a median. Keep to the right, barely skirting the edge of the roundabout, and take the first departure. You will then be on a gravel road. Follow it about 1.4 kilometers until you reach a sign indicating that vehicular access is prohibited beyond that point. (The sign is a round white panel with a red border.) At that point, there is an informal earthen parking area amid the bushes (39.8707N, 4.1521E).
Continue along the gravel road on foot another 800-900 meters to its end, at which point you will be at a small beach at the most inland part of Cala Coves. That beach is little used by nudists or textiles. Hike in either direction to explore the inlet. Nude sunbathers are often present on large rocks of the rugged shoreline.
This placemark pertains to Cala Coves.

This placemark pertains to Cala Coves.

roundabout along Me-12
This placemark pertains to Cala Coves.

roundabout with asphalted center

segment of Me-12

portion of gravel road open to automobiles

paved road between roundabouts

portion of gravel road closed to automobiles

Cala Biniparratx

Cala Biniparratx
Toward the eastern end of Menorca's southern coastline, there is a chain of seaside vacation villages that are comprised mostly of private villas. Binidalí and Cap d'En Font are two of those villages, and they are just a kilometer or so apart. Between them, there is a small fjord-like inlet called Cala Biniparratx, and the sandy beach at the top of the inlet is at most 20 meters long. The municipal border of Maó-Mahón and Sant Lluís runs through that small beach. Despite its proximity to development, Cala Biniparratx is a bit obscure because there are no signs pointing the way. (There are a few "Biniparratx" signs in the area, but those point to Campament de Biniparratx, a nearby youth camp.) Nudity is quite common at the beach, which tends not to be very crowded. Then again, it does not take too many people for it to feel crowded since the beach is so small. As is the case with most of the island's nudist locations, Cala Biniparratx can be overrun with textiles during peak season, but even on more congested days there is usually a naked body or two in the crowd. The beach is accessed via a short hike through a creek bed that cuts through the rocky hills. The beach has a very sheltered aura owing both to the steeply sloping land that forms its backdrop and to the shape of the inlet, which curves such that the open sea is not in view from the beach. However, a few private houses of Cap d'En Font that are near the mouth of the inlet are visible from the beach, reminding you that you aren't really too far off the beaten path.
Maó-Mahón / Sant Lluís, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QFiJSk
starting point:  the junction of routes Me-14 and Me-12 near Maó-Mahón
About 3 kilometers west of the town center of Maó-Mahón, routes Me-14 and Me-12 intersect at a roundabout that is on the north side of Menorca's only airport, and the airport entrance is located at that roundabout. From wherever you are in the vicinity, just follow signs to the airport and you will reach the roundabout, which is easily recognizable by the pyramidal obelisk in the middle. Take the roundabout departure that is signed Sant Climent and Cala En Porter, then you will begin going west on Me-12.
Follow Me-12 about 1.6 kilometers and you will reach the Sant Climent village sign (which is between kilometer markers 4 and 5). Less than 200 meters after the village sign, turn left at the signs for Es Canutells, Binidalí, Biniparratx, Binissafuller and Binibéquer.
Upon turning, you will be on an unnumbered road, heading south. Proceed 4.3 kilometers and take note when you pass the Binidalí village sign at a speed bump, by which point the sea will be visible straight ahead of you. After the sign, continue just 50 meters and take the next left at signs for Binibéquer, Binissafuller and Cap d'En Font.
Upon turning, proceed east for 1.1 kilometers, then turn right into a small, unsigned dirt parking area that can hold about ten cars. The parking area (39.8362N, 4.2036E) is immediately before the sign indicating the municipal limits of Sant Lluís, which reads Terme Municipal de Sant Lluís. (If you reach a left-hand turnoff with a large, stylized Campament de Biniparratx sign, you have missed the parking area by about 300 meters.)
The hike begins straight ahead from the parking area at the round red-and-white panel that indicates that further vehicular access is prohibited. A dirt track leads about 300 meters to the small beach.
This placemark pertains to Cala Biniparratx.

"Binidalí" village sign
This placemark pertains to Cala Biniparratx.

This placemark pertains to Cala Biniparratx.

"Terme Municipal de Sant Lluís" sign

stylized "Campament de Biniparratx" sign

segment of unnumbered local roads

Cala Mesquida
Sa Mesquida is a small seaside village on the east side of Menorca, just 6 kilometers from Maó-Mahón, the island's capital city. Just north of the village, Cala Mesquida is a crescent-shaped beach that is about 300 meters long, and there are prominent landmarks at either end. At the northern end of the beach, there is a large and mostly bare rocky hill that juts into the sea such that it is mostly encircled by water. At the southern end of the beach, there is a circular, squat, stone defense tower atop a rocky headland. The tower dates to 1799. Nude bathing is well established at Cala Mesquida. When the beach is sparsely attended, you may potentially encounter nudity anywhere on the beach. Most of time, and especially when the beach is crowded, nudists gravitate to the far southern end.
The access path leads to the middle of the beach. If you look toward the stone tower from there, you will see a few rocky masses toward the southern end of the beach. Partly on the sand, those rocks extend into the water, and they are the informal dividing point between the textile and nudist zones of the beach. Most nudity takes place beyond those rocks, in a niche of the beach that is not quite 60 meters long. At the end of that niche, there is a low rocky outcropping that appears to be the end of the beach. It is not terribly difficult to climb over the outcropping, where you will find a hidden pocket of sand that is perhaps 30 meters long. Nudity also occurs there. Cala Mesquida does not have any amenities.
Maó-Mahón, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qBdDvV
starting point:  the oblong roundabout along Me-1 toward the western end of Maó-Mahón
Route Me-1 is the east-west highway that runs about 45 kilometers across the entire island of Menorca, connecting Maó-Mahón on the east end to Ciutadella on the west end. The kilometer marker numbers ascend going east to west (i.e., going from Maó-Mahón to Ciutadella). The roundabout referenced above is located between kilometer markers 1 and 2, and it is a short distance west of the Maó-Mahón town center. The roundabout is readily identifiable because it is a long oval with a grassy lawn in the middle. Take the departure that is signed for the port, Fornells and Fortalesa de la Mola. There is a Repsol gas station at the point where you leave the roundabout.
Upon leaving the oblong roundabout, you will be on a ring road called RM (for Ronda Maó). In 900 meters, you will reach a more conventional roundabout. Keep straight ahead through it. (Signs point toward Moll Cos Nou, Base Militar San Isidro, Estació Naval, Sa Mesquida and Cala Llonga.) 400 meters farther along, watch for the turnoff to Cala Llonga and Sa Mesquida and follow it. You will be making a "jug-handle" left—at first bearing right in order to accomplish a left turn.
After making the jug-handle turn, you will be on Me-3. In about a kilometer, just past kilometer marker 1, keep to the left, staying on the main road at a fork. About a kilometer farther on, just past kilometer marker 2, turn left at the signs for Sa Mesquida and Es Murtar. Upon turning, follow the road 1.6 kilometers and you will pass a 20 KPH speed limit panel as you enter the village of Sa Mesquida.
After the speed-limit panel, the road winds through the village about 400 meters. Once you have passed the main cluster of village buildings, the road continues another 500 meters or so meters and ends, and there are several dozen paved parking spaces along the last part of the road (39.9142N, 4.2841E) along with an earthen overflow lot. Straight ahead from the end of the road, a broad path goes gradually downhill about 200 meters to Cala Mesquida. Facing sea from the end of the path, look to your right and you will see a few masses of rock that are partly on the sand and partly in the water. Most nude bathing occurs in the small niche of the beach that is beyond those rocks.

20 KPH speed-limit panel at edge of Sa Mesquida

parking spaces at end of road

squat stone tower

large rocky hill, nearly encircled by water

main road through Sa Mesquida

broad, paved path to beach

Cala Presili & Cala Tortuga

In the northeastern part of Menorca, between Maó-Mahón and Fornells, there is a large nature reserve called S'Albufera des Grau that covers about 20 square kilometers. The main access to the coast from the nearest highway involves a bucolic drive of about 7 kilometers through pastureland that ends at Cabo de Favàritx, a small cape near the north end of the reserve that is the location of a tall lighthouse with spiraling black-and-white stripes. A bit south of the lighthouse, Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga are neighboring beaches that are quite similar in size and appearance. Both are rather narrow beaches, and each is about 180 meters long. These beaches are a bit off the beaten path, and while they are well attended during summer, they do not get nearly as crowded as some of Menorca's other beaches. Both Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga tend to be mostly textile, especially during peak season, but nudity is well established, and there are typically a substantial percentage of nude bathers present at both beaches.
There are no amenities at either beach or anywhere nearby, so come prepared. It is especially important to bring drinking water for the hike. The walk to Cala Presili is 800-900 meters. The walk to Cala Tortuga is 1.6 kilometers. The last part of either hike involves a gradual descent. To get from one beach to the other the shortest possible way, it is a hike of 400-500 meters over the headland that separates them. South of Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga, the wild and undeveloped coastline of the S'Albufera des Grau reserve continues for some distance. If you were to keep hiking south along the coastal track from Cala Tortuga, in 5 to 6 kilometers you would reach a small seaside village called Es Grau. Along that expanse, there are half a dozen or so small pebbly beach coves that tend to be deserted, even during peak season. It is a good part of the Menorcan coastline to explore if you are seeking your own private nude beach.
Be aware that Cala Presili is also frequently called Playa de Capifort.
This placemark pertains to Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga.

Cala Presili
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga.)
Maó-Mahón, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 9 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga.

Cala Tortuga
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga.)
Maó-Mahón, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 9 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qyYX0m
starting point:  the oblong roundabout along Me-1 toward the western end of Maó-Mahón
Route Me-1 is the east-west highway that runs about 45 kilometers across the entire island of Menorca, connecting Maó-Mahón on the east end to Ciutadella on the west end. The kilometer marker numbers ascend going east to west (i.e., going from Maó-Mahón to Ciutadella). The roundabout referenced above is located between kilometer markers 1 and 2, and it is a short distance west of the Maó-Mahón town center. The roundabout is readily identifiable because it is a long oval with a grassy lawn in the middle. Take the departure that is signed for the port, Fornells and Fortalesa de la Mola. There is a Repsol gas station at the point where you leave the roundabout.
Upon leaving the oblong roundabout, you will be on a ring road called RM (for Ronda Maó). In 900 meters, you will reach a more conventional roundabout. Take the third departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), which is signed Fornells and Es Grau. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on Me-7.
Follow Me-7 northwest toward Fornells for 7.3 kilometers, then turn right at the turnoff that is signed for the Favàritx lighthouse. (The turnoff is between kilometer markers 8 and 9.) Follow the lighthouse road northeast about 6 kilometers until you cross a cattle guard that is between stone gate posts. One post is signed Son Camamil La and the other Propiedad Privada.
Continue through the gate posts. (There is not an actual gate, and despite the private property sign, it is okay to pass through to get to the coast.) About 1.3 kilometers farther along, watch on the right for a large signboard with an area map. A broad path begins there and goes south to the nude beaches. There is informal parking near the signboard (39.9968N, 4.2566E). (If you reach the end of automobile access near the lighthouse, you have gone about 600 meters past the signboard.)
Camí de Cavalls is a hiking route that makes a complete circuit around the coastline of Menorca (a distance of 186 kilometers). To get to Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga, you will follow a relatively short segment of this route. For the last few kilometers of your drive, as you approach the Favàritx lighthouse, you will be along a segment of Camí de Cavalls where it follows the same course as an automobile road. The signboard is where Camí de Cavalls turns away from the automobile road.
Starting from the signboard, follow Camí de Cavalls south. It is a broad track that very gradually goes uphill. About 500-600 meters from the signboard, you will reach a three-way junction that is the first major trail junction. The path straight ahead is the continuation of Camí de Cavalls. The path to the left is a 300-meter-long side path that goes downhill to Cala Presili (a.k.a. Playa de Capifort), landing roughly at the center of the beach.
If you stay straight ahead past the side path to Cala Presili, Camí de Cavalls will begin to veer inland a bit. In about 300-400 meters, you will reach a three-way junction that is the second major trail junction. Turn left to continue along Camí de Cavalls, which begins to head toward the sea. (The path straight ahead passes through a gate and continues inland.) 500-600 meters farther along, as you near the sea, the path will begin to descend to Cala Tortuga, landing at the north end of the beach.
The total hike from the signboard to Cala Presili is 800-900 meters, while the hike from the signboard to Cala Tortuga is 1.6 kilometers.
Note: Camí de Cavalls continues across Cala Tortuga, going uphill from the south end of the beach then veering inland a bit. There are several isolated and usually deserted beaches farther south if you are inclined to continue exploring the coastline.
This placemark pertains to Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga.

cattle guard between stone gate posts
This placemark pertains to Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga.

informal roadside parking

signboard with area map

parking closest to lighthouse

Faro de Favàritx (lighthouse)

final segment of road to lighthouse

segment of Camí de Cavalls

side path to Cala Presili

Playa de Cavalleria & Cala Rotja

Toward the middle of Menorca's northern coastline, north of the town of Es Mercadel, there are several prominent peninsular land masses. The peninsula that extends farthest into the sea is called the Cap de Cavalleria (in Catalan), or the Cabo de Cavalleria (in Spanish). The tip of the peninsula is the northernmost point of Menorca. At the base of the Cap de Cavalleria on its western side, there are two beaches in the same shallow bay—Playa de Cavalleria and Cala Rotja. The beaches are separated by a small headland of red clay, and they are situated such that they are at a 90° angle to one another. Both beaches get nude use, with nudists at one beach tending to cluster such that they are at the opposite end of the bay from nudists at the other beach.
A path from the parking area leads to the headland, which is the access point to both beaches. If you take the winding wooden staircase that goes down one side of the headland, you will land at the far east end of Playa de Cavalleria. The beach is about 450 meters long, and its sand is orange tinted. There is a slight protrusion in the middle of Playa de Cavalleria that has the effect of dividing the beach into two distinct crescents, with the eastern crescent (where the stairs land) being somewhat larger than the western crescent. The two crescents form a continuous sandy expanse, and the land rises up behind the western crescent, giving it a more sheltered feel . On days out of peak season when the beach is not too crowded, there may be a scattering of nudists mixed in with textiles along the entire beach. On more crowded days, nudists gravitate to the western crescent of the beach, which is always less crowded than the eastern crescent.
On the other side of the headland, the land slopes more gently, so there are no stairs. A short dirt path takes you down to Cala Rotja, which has a very different feel from Playa de Cavalleria. Cala Rotja is about 180 meters long, and there is just a narrow sliver of beach. Covered with lots of boulders and smaller rocks, there are limited patches of exposed sand. The name of the cove comes from the red clay that forms much of its backdrop. Rotja is the word for "red" in the Balearic dialect of Catalan. While not nearly as heavily visited as its neighbor, Cala Rotja gets a surprising number of visitors considering its proximity to a beach with much more sand, and nudists mingle with textiles along the entire beach.
Note that Cavalleria is the only proper name you will encounter along the roads that lead to the parking area. As a result, the two beaches are often collectively named as Playa de Cavalleria. The beaches lack any amenities and are a bit removed from the nearest towns, so come prepared. If you keep driving about 4 kilometers past the parking lot, the road ends at a lighthouse at the tip of the Cap de Cavalleria, as far north as you can go in Menorca.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Cavalleria and Cala Rotja.

Playa de Cavalleria
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Cavalleria and Cala Rotja.)
Es Mercadal, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 8 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Cavalleria and Cala Rotja.

Cala Rotja
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Cavalleria and Cala Rotja.)
Es Mercadal, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
There are 8 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Cavalleria and Cala Rotja.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44cdYmo
starting point:  the turnoff toward Fornells from Me-1 in Es Mercadal
Route Me-1 is the east-west highway that runs about 45 kilometers across the entire island of Menorca, connecting Maó-Mahón on the east end to Ciutadella on the west end. The kilometer marker numbers ascend going east to west (i.e., going from Maó-Mahón to Ciutadella). Es Mercadal is a small town located about halfway along the highway, more or less at the geographic center of the island, and the the turnoff that is signed Fornells is located near the eastern edge of the town, between kilometer markers 20 and 21.
Upon turning, keep following the Fornells signs as you negotiate your way through Es Mercadal.★ In about a kilometer, you will pass the sign that indicates you are leaving Es Mercadal. By that point, you will be on route Me-15. About 3.4 kilometers thereafter, you will pass kilometer marker 4, then not quite one kilometer farther on you will enter a large roundabout that is notable because its center is completely paved in cobbled stones and contains an abstract sculpture of dancing figures. Take the third departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), which is signed for Binimel-là and Far de Cavalleria.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will begin heading west on a narrow, paved, unnumbered road through pastureland. Follow that road for 4.1 kilometers, then turn right toward Cap de Cavalleria. The signs at the turnoff point toward Cap de Cavalleria, Far de Cavalleria, Platja de Cavalleria and a few other locations. While the signs are bright yellow and easy to spot, the print on the signs is rather small, making it a little hard to plan for the turn in advance.
Upon turning, you will be on a similar narrow paved road, heading north. Follow the road about 3 kilometers, then turn left into Playa de Cavalleria parking lot, which is a large earthen lot (40.0592N, 4.0808E). There is a blue "P" panel at the point where you need to turn into the lot, which is immediately before a cattle guard and a Cap de Cavalleria sign with "welcome" in four languages.
From the parking lot, a broad dirt track leads toward the sea. In 300-400 meters, you will reach a long wooden staircase, which will be to your left if you are facing the sea. To go to Playa de Cavalleria, take the stairs, which land at the far eastern end of the beach. To go to Cala Rotja, do not take the stairs. Turn the opposite directions (to the right as you face the sea) and you will find a short dirt path that descends to the narrow beach.
★ When you are driving through Es Mercadal, you will notice brown signs pointing toward three beaches: Cavalleria, Binimel-là and Pregonda. There are also occasional signs that collectively label those beaches as the Platges Costa Nord. You can follow those signs to get to Playa de Cavalleria, but it is not the same route described above. The directions above chart a route that is a bit longer but has fewer turns and seems easier to follow. The driving time is roughly the same whichever route you take.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Cavalleria and Cala Rotja.

turnoff onto road to Cavalleria lighthouse
This placemark pertains to Playa de Cavalleria and Cala Rotja.

cattle guard, next to sign with "welcome" in four languages

Cavalleria lighthouse

road to the Cavalleria lighthouse

path to Playa de Cavalleria

side path to Cala Rotja

Cala Pregonda

Cala Pregonda
Cala Pregonda is a small bay located toward the middle of Menorca's northern coastline, north of the inland towns of Es Mercadal and Ferreries. It is a beautiful bay that is most distinctive for a cluster of craggy rock islets that are just a bit offshore. There are two sandy beaches in the bay that lack individual proper names to distinguish them even though they are disconnected from one another, each being toward the opposite side of the bay from the other. The beaches are collectively referred to as Cala Pregonda. While there is a road to Cala Pregonda, it is a restricted road not available to the general public, so the Cala Pregonda beaches are accessed via a westward from a beach called Playa de Binimel-là. There is a parking lot a bit inland from that beach.
Starting from the parking lot, it is a hike of about 1.5 kilometers to the eastern beach of Cala Pregonda, and you will pass through a somewhat Martian landscape of red clay along the way. The eastern Pregonda beach is a small crescent of golden sand that is about 100 meters long, backed by a swath of sand dunes that extends quite a distance into the interior. The eastern beach is very likely to be entirely textile, especially during peak season. However, if you go over the rocks on the eastern side of the beach (to the right when facing the water), you will reach a hidden nook where there is a tiny expanse of sand and a few flat areas of rock. Nudity seems to occur sporadically at that hidden nook.
From the eastern Pregonda beach, you can see the western Pregonda beach across the bay, a few hundred meters away. To get there, you have to hike over a rocky red hill from the eastern beach. At the top of the hill, you will connect to the restricted automobile road, shortly after which you will reach the beach on the other end of the small bay. About 230 meters long, the western Pregonda beach is also covered in golden sand. Surprisingly, there are a number of vacation houses built next to the beach (accessed via the restricted road). The vacation houses are a major source of contention for many beachgoers since they seem out of place on such a remote beach, detracting from an otherwise pristine landscape. There is a large house in the dunes just behind the middle part of the beach, and there is also a large white stucco house at the far northwestern end of the beach that is especially prominent since its foundation is directly on the sand. There are several more houses built into the rocky hillside above the white house. Oddly, despite the houses, the western Pregonda beach draws a small contingent of nude bathers. Nudity occurs at the southeastern end of the beach (to the right when facing the water), which is the opposite end of the beach from the white house. There is a cluster of boulders at the nude end of the beach, beyond which there is a hidden niche. On days when the beach is crowded, nudists often gravitate to that niche for a bit of privacy from textiles on the rest of the beach, but the entire beach is visible from the road, so there is really no privacy from the view of those trekking to and from the beach.
There is a restaurant next to the parking lot that is near Playa de Binimel-là, but otherwise there are no amenities at any of the beaches that are accessed from that parking lot. Be sure to bring drinking water for the hike.
Es Mercadal, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3ODwxKr
starting point:  the turnoff toward Fornells from Me-1 in Es Mercadal
Route Me-1 is the east-west highway that runs about 45 kilometers across the entire island of Menorca, connecting Maó-Mahón on the east end to Ciutadella on the west end. The kilometer marker numbers ascend going east to west (i.e., going from Maó-Mahón to Ciutadella). Es Mercadal is a small town located about halfway along the highway, more or less at the geographic center of the island, and the the turnoff that is signed Fornells is located near the eastern edge of the town, between kilometer markers 20 and 21.
Upon turning, keep following the Fornells signs as you negotiate your way through Es Mercadal.★ In about a kilometer, you will pass the sign that indicates you are leaving Es Mercadal. By that point, you will be on route Me-15. About 3.4 kilometers thereafter, you will pass kilometer marker 4, then not quite one kilometer farther on you will enter a large roundabout that is notable because its center is completely paved in cobbled stones and contains an abstract sculpture of dancing figures. Take the third departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), which is signed Binimel-là and Far de Cavalleria.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will begin heading west on a narrow, paved, unnumbered road through pastureland. Follow that road for 5.9 kilometers, then turn right at signs that point toward Cala Pregonda and Platja de Binimel-là. While the signs are bright yellow and easy to spot, the print on the signs is rather small, making it a little hard to plan for the turn in advance.
Upon turning, you will be on a very broad gravel road. In 1.1 kilometers, you will pass a signboard with an area map and a large Pregonda/Binimel-là sign with "welcome" in four languages. 300 meters farther on, turn left at the blue-, white-and-red panel that indicates the road straight ahead dead ends. You will then enter the parking lot (40.0477N, 4.0544E) that serves both Playa de Binimel-là and Cala Pregonda. The parking lot is basically just a 300-meter-long stretch of unpaved road with pull-in parking along both sides.
★ When you are driving through Es Mercadal, you will notice brown signs pointing toward three beaches: Cavalleria, Binimel-là and Pregonda. There are also occasional signs that collectively label those beaches as the Platges Costa Nord. You can follow those signs to get to Cala Pregonda, but it is not the same route described above. The directions above chart a route that is a bit longer but has fewer turns and seems easier to follow. The driving time is roughly the same whichever route you take.
As you walk toward the sea from the parking area, you will reach a smaller adjacent lot marked as private. It is for patrons of Binimel-là bar and restaurant. Turn left just before the entrance into the private lot. The long walk to Cala Pregonda begins on a broad gravel road that is blocked to vehicular traffic. For most of the hike, you will just be following the coastline, and there are signs along the way pointing toward Cala Pregonda, so there is no need to worry about getting off course.
Just after you begin your hike, the gravel road will curve rightward. As you continue toward the sea, shortly you will begin walking along a boardwalk that skirts one edge of a small lagoon. At the end of the boardwalk, you will be at Playa de Binimel-là.
Facing the sea, turn left and walk westward. Toward the end of Playa de Binimel-là, follow the path that goes gently uphill and sightly inland. Less than 200 meters along that path, you will pass through a gateway in a stone fence. After the gate, the path will take you slightly downhill and you will pass a rocky beach crescent that does not seem to have a proper name. It is almost always deserted.
Just after the rocky beach, the path will go slightly uphill again and pass through a wide gap in another stone fence. By that point, you will be in an area where the earth is very distinctly red. After walking several hundred meters through the red-earth area, the terrain will change to a more golden color and you will descend to the smaller eastern beach of Cala Pregonda, which is generally all textile.
Continue across the small beach and up the rocky red hill on the other side, at the top of which you will pass through a gateway of yet another stone fence. Just after that fence, you will connect to a dirt road that is wide enough for vehicular traffic. Keep straight ahead on the road such that the sea is on your right-hand side. You will be perhaps a dozen meters above sea level at that point. The larger western beach of Cala Pregonda will come into view, easily identifiable by the houses that abut it, particularly the bright white house built directly on the sand at its far end. The part of the beach where nudists cluster is actually the first area you will reach, on the opposite end of the beach from the white house. Keep following the road a minute or two until it begins to curve away from the sea, at which point the land begins to slope such that it is easy to descend directly to the nude area of the beach.
The total walk from the parking lot is just under 2 kilometers and takes about half an hour.
Note: Back up to the first (eastern) beach of Cala Pregonda. Facing sea, turn right and go past the rocks at the eastern end of that beach. There is a hidden little niche where nudists are sometimes present.
This placemark pertains to Cala Pregonda.

turnoff onto gravel road signed for Cala Pregonda & Platja de Binimel-là
This placemark pertains to Cala Pregonda.

This placemark pertains to Cala Pregonda.

Binimel-là bar & restaurant

boardwalk that follows river-like lagoon along part of hiking route

Playa de Binimel-là (generally textile, with sporadic nudity in eastern niches)

gateway in stone fence

rocky beach, typically deserted

gap in stone fence

hidden niche with sporadic nudity

eastern beach of Cala Pregonda (generally all textile)

white stucco house built directly on beach

Cala del Pilar

Cala del Pilar
Cala del Pilar is one the most beautiful and geologically distinctive beaches in Menorca. Located toward the western end of the island's northern coast, the beach is most notable for its colors. It is a 220-meter-long crescent of orange-tinted sand set against a backdrop of steep rugged hills composed of a deep red clay. The crescent gets broken up into several segments at high tide. Getting to Cala del Pilar takes some effort, and as a result it does not get as crowded as some of Menorca's more accessible beaches. However, it is still well attended during peak season. Nude bathing is well established and acceptable all over the beach, but textiles outnumber nudists on more crowded days.
Unless you have a boat, you will have to hike to get to Cala del Pilar, and there are two basic routes that leave from different parking areas. There is parking at a nearby rocky cove called Cala de Alocs, and from there it is about one kilometer to Cala del Pilar, hiking west along the coastline. The hike takes about 20 minutes. There is also a parking area in the interior of the island, and a mostly forested path of about 2 kilometers goes to Cala del Pilar, taking about 40 minutes. There are no amenities at the beach or anywhere nearby.
Cala del Pilar is technically located at the edge of the sprawling municipal limits of Ciutadella, but the beach is actually closer to the town center of Ferreries, the neighboring municipality.
Ciutadella de Menorca, Menorca, Islas Baleares, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KCuHZq
Route Me-1 is the east-west highway that runs about 45 kilometers across the entire island of Menorca, connecting Maó-Mahón on the east end to Ciutadella on the west end. The kilometer marker numbers ascend going east to west (i.e., going from Maó-Mahón to Ciutadella). There are two turnoffs from Me-1 that go north toward Cala del Pilar, and those two turnoffs are 2.7 kilometers apart. Neither road goes all the way to the beach, so a substantial hike is necessary from either approach.
The western of the two turnoffs, signed Camí del Pilar, is between kilometer markers 34 and 35, about 6 to 7 kilometers west of Ferreries and about 10 kilometers east of Ciutadella. The turnoff is also signed Rutas Ecuestres. Camí del Pilar is the most common way to access Cala del Pilar even though the hike is longer compared to the other approach. That's because the drive is easier, with well-surfaced roads all the way.
The eastern of the two turnoffs, signed Camí dels Alocs, is between kilometer markers 31 and 32, about 3 to 4 kilometers west of Ferreries and about 13 kilometers east of Ciutadella. The turnoff also has signs for Castell de Santa Àgueda and Binissuès. While the hike is about 800 meters shorter via this approach, the last part of the drive is along a dirt road that is a bit rough.
starting point:  the Camí del Pilar turnoff from Me-1 between Ferreries and Ciutadella
Upon turning away from the highway, you will be going in a generally northward direction along a narrow paved road. In 3 kilometers, immediately past a cattle guard, the pavement will end at a "T" junction with a gravel road. Turn left (several signs point toward parking) and follow the gravel road about 800 meters to its end at a long earthen parking area (40.0359N, 3.9729E).
The parking area is about 50 meters above sea level, and the hike to the beach begins straight ahead on a narrow road that is signed as restricted to authorized vehicles. You will be on that road just a few dozen paces. When you reach a large signboard, veer right onto a broad footpath. The path goes over a hill through a forest, ascending gradually to a height of about 100 meters before beginning to go slightly downhill. About 1.5 kilometers from the parking area, you will reach a junction that is near the coast but still at an elevation of about 70 meters. Go to the right (east) and follow the path as it begins to go downhill more steeply. In about 500 meters you will reach the start of the long and prominent wooden staircase for the final descent to Cala del Pilar. The total hike is a bit more than 2 kilometers.
alternate starting point:  the Camí dels Alocs turnoff from Me-1 near Ferreries
Upon turning away from the highway, you will be going in a generally northward direction along a narrow paved road. Stay on the paved road at all junctions with gravel roads. In 5.3 kilometers, the road will turn to gravel at the point where it passes through a narrow gap in a stone fence wall. About 800 meters farther along, you will reach a fork that is below a large white house that is prominently perched atop a hill. Keep to the left. Continue another 1.3 kilometers to a gate at the end of the automobile-accessible portion of the road, where there is a small parking area (40.0509N, 3.9905E).
Straight ahead from the parking area, cross a footbridge over a gully then keep straight ahead on a dirt track. In about 200 meters you will arrive at a small, rocky beach called Cala de Alocs, which is mostly used as a boat launch. Cala del Pilar is west of Cala de Alocs (to the left when facing the sea). The hike basically just follows the coastline but involves a bit of up and down, and en route to Cala del Pilar you will descend nearly to sea level twice before making the final descent via the wooden steps.
As you begin the trek, you will at first be following a path that hugs a hillside a bit above the coastline, then you will make the first descent toward sea level into a small valley, where you will see a stone fence wall that extends seaward, ending near the coastline. A steep hill rises up just beyond the stone fence. The path forks before the stone fence, and it does not matter which fork you follow since the paths will rejoin on the other side of the hill. Each path passes through an opening in the stone fence. The broader path goes uphill on the inland side of the hill (with the sea temporarily disappearing from view) then descends back toward sea level via a series of long earthen steps. The narrower path stays along the coastline. Once you have descended toward sea level into another small valley on the other side of the hill, the two paths around the hill will rejoin, then you will begin to go uphill yet again as you continue westward. Within 200 meters you will reach the start of the wooden staircase that descends to Cala del Pilar. The total hike from the parking area is about 1.3 kilometers.
MAP from alternate starting point to parking
This placemark pertains to Cala del Pilar.

This placemark pertains to Cala del Pilar.

Camí del Pilar at Me-1

cattel guard at "T" with gravel road

signboard at start of footpath

start of Camí dels Alocs at Me-1

large white house prominently perched atop a hill

small parking area

Cala de Alocs (mostly used as boat launch)

Camí del Pilar

Camí dels Alocs

hiking route, from Camí del Pilar

hiking route, from Camí dels Alocs

alternate segment of hiking route from Camí dels Alocs

long wooden staircase

Playas de Algaiarens

Toward the western end of Menorca's northern coast, La Vall d'Algaiarens is a valley that is bracketed by two clusters of large hills. One cluster of hills is next to the sea, while the other is a bit farther inland. The northwest end of valley opens up to the sea at a beautiful inlet called Cala d'Algaiarens, and that inlet contains two white sandy beaches that are very close to one another, separated by a cone-shaped hill. The two beaches are most often collectively called the Playas de Algaiarens, and "Algaiarens" is the only proper name you will encounter along the roads leading up to the parking lot that serves both beaches. The individual Algaiarens beaches also have lesser-known proper names which come in handy for comparing them. The larger western beach is Playa Es Tancats, while the smaller eastern beach is Playa Es Bot. Both beaches get a certain amount of visitation by nudists, although neither is associated with nudity as much as some of the other beaches of the island.
Playa Es Tancats is a little over 300 meters long, and there are a three distinct areas of the beach that are all about the same size: a western crescent; a middle area where there is a reef-like stretch of rocks between the sand and the water; and an eastern crescent. The parking area is a bit inland from the far western end of Playa Es Tancats. The main access path takes you to the western crescent, which is always the most crowded part of the beach, but there is also an alternate path you can take that goes behind the dunes and leads directly to the eastern crescent. When the beach is not too crowded, textiles tend to stay on the western crescent, and there is a good bit of nudity at the eastern crescent. On peak days during July and especially August, textiles spread out along the entire beach, and during such times there may be little or no nudity at the beach.
Starting from the eastern end of Playa Es Tancats, you have to hike around the prominent hill to get to Playa Es Bot. There is a path that encircles the base of the hill, so you can follow the path along the edge of the sea or around the inland side of the hill. Either way, in about 250 meters you will reach Playa Es Bot, and you will have to cross a small stream that flows into the sea at the edge of the beach next to the hill. Much of the time, the stream is so narrow that you can just jump across it. At about 160 meters long, Playa Es Bot is about half the length of the beach through which it is accessed, and it does not get as crowded since it takes a bit more effort to reach. Nudity is common at Es Bots, particularly at the end of the beach that is farthest from the stream. As is the case with its neighbor, there tends to be far less nudity during July and August. On crowded days, it is likely that the best place for nudity along the Algaiarens beaches is the far end of Playa Es Bot. There are no amenities at either beach, so come prepared.
This placemark pertains to Playa Es Tancats and Playa Es Bot.

Playa Es Tancats
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa Es Tancats and Playa Es Bot.)
There are 6 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa Es Tancats and Playa Es Bot.

Playa Es Bot
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa Es Tancats and Playa Es Bot.)
There are 6 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa Es Tancats and Playa Es Bot.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QFQwLq
starting point:  the start of the RC-1 ring road at Me-1 in Ciutadella
Route Me-1 is the east-west highway that runs about 45 kilometers across the entire island of Menorca, connecting Maó-Mahón on the east end to Ciutadella on the west end. Toward the western end of the highway, on the eastern outskirts of Ciutadella, there is one roundabout along Me-1 that is between kilometer markers 42 and 43. Two bypass roads start at that roundabout. The RC-1 goes north and the RC-2 goes south. Take the departure of the roundabout that is signed RC-1. That departure is also signed Cala Morell, Cala En Blanes and the port.
Follow RC-1 north 800 meters to the next roundabout and take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Cala Morell and Platges d'Algaiarens. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will begin heading east-northeast on an unnumbered road. In 3.3 kilometers, the main course of that road will curve leftward toward Cala Morell, but do not follow the curve. Instead, bear slightly to the right in order to stay on the road that continues straight ahead, following the Algaiarens sign. The road will be narrower but still paved.
About 2.5 kilometers farther along, you will pass a blue "P" sign that indicates that there area two parking areas up ahead. About 600 meters after that sign, the road will bend leftward at the first of the parking lots. Keep going another 500 meters to the other parking lot, which is at the end of the road (40.0425N, 3.9204E). A parking fee is charged.
There are two paths you can take to Playa Es Tancats, and they go to opposite ends of the beach. One of the paths will be straight ahead in front of you as you drive into the parking lot, while the other will be to your right. If you follow the straight-ahead path, in about 250 meters you will reach cement steps that descend to the far western end of the beach. Facing the sea, turn right and walk a few hundred meters to the eastern side of the beach. If you follow the path that is to your right as you drive into the parking lot, you will be skirting the inland side of the dunes. Keep to the left at all junctions. About 800 meters from the parking lot, you will reach the far eastern end of the beach.
Facing the sea at the eastern end of Playa Es Tancats, there will be a prominent, hilly land mass on your right-hand side. Go around that hill to get to Playa Es Bot. You can either follow the coastline, or you can follow a path that skirts the inland side of the hill. Either way, it is a walk of about 250 meters.
This placemark pertains to Playa Es Tancats and Playa Es Bot.

start of Algaiarens road at sharp curve of road to Cala Morell
This placemark pertains to Playa Es Tancats and Playa Es Bot.

Algaiarens road

path to textile end of Playa Es Tancats

path to nude end of Playa Es Tancats

path around hilly landmass that separates Playa Es Tancats & Playa Es Bot

Islas Canarias

Fuerteventura

Playa de las Dunas de Corralejo

Playa de las Dunas de Corralejo
Corralejo is a resort town that is part of the municipality of La Oliva. Located near the northern extreme of Fuerteventura, Corralejo is 25 to 30 kilometers north of Puerto del Rosario, the island's capital and largest town. Corralejo is on the eastern side of the island, overlooking a prominent islet called the Isla de Lobos that is just a few kilometers offshore. The development of the town abuts the northern edge of a immense area of sand dunes that extends southward toward Puerto del Rosario. Route FV-1, the principal route connecting Puerto del Rosario and Corralejo, cuts through the dunes. The dunes occupy about 8 kilometers of coastline and extend a couple of kilometers inland, forming something akin to a mini-Sahara next to the sea. Nudity is possible along most of the long beach of the dunes.
There are two large hotel complexes in the Corralejo Dunes: Hotel Riu Palace Tres Islas (the northern of the two) and Club Hotel Riu Oliva Beach Resort. The two hotels are just a few hundred meters apart. Built in the early '90s, the hotels are the only major structures in the otherwise pristine landscape, and they are a major source of consternation to environmentalists. The hotels are slated for eventual demolition, but apparently not until 2030. About halfway between the northern hotel and the northern edge of the dunes at the Correlejo town limits, there is a small windsurfing center (a beach hut with a large sign that says Kite-Wind-Surf School). The immediate vicinities of the two hotels and the windsurfing center are the most crowded parts of the beach, and those areas tend to be all textile. Nudity is possible along most other areas of the beach. The Riu Oliva hotel is near kilometer marker 24 of the highway (FV-1), and the marker numbers get lower as you go south. The part of the beach that seems attract the most nudists corresponds to the stretch of the highway between markers 24 and 22.
The given directions lead to parking next to Riu Oliva. In that area, there are several clusters of lounge chairs and umbrellas set up along the beach. Nudists typically occupy the chairs that are farthest south (to the right when facing the ocean), and nudity continues along the vast area beyond the end of the chairs. In addition to parking next to the hotel, there is also parking along much of the highway. If you park along the highway, you will have to walk about 500 meters through the dunes to get to the beach.
About halfway between kilometer markers 22 and 21, the highway curves such that it begins to run very close to the ocean along the southernmost stretch of the dunes. Nudity tends not to occur south of kilometer 21.5 due to the proximity of the highway. There are a number of snack stands and other eateries along the beach near the hotels, including one in the area frequented by nudists. There are also restrooms and showers near the hotels.
La Oliva, Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45cW8Ba
starting point:  the start of route FV-1 in Puerto del Rosario
Route FV-1 is an approximately 26-kilometer-long highway that begins in Puerto del Rosario, the capital and largest town of Fuerteventura, and goes north along the east side of the island, terminating in Corralejo. The kilometer markers along the highway ascend going north. Follow FV-1 north about 18 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 18.
Marker 18 is roughly the start of the vast Correlejo dunes, which continue to the edge of the town of Correlejo, which is about 8.5 kilometers past (i.e., north of) marker 18. At marker 18, FV-1 will be very close to the ocean, which will be on your right-hand side. Continue about 6 kilometers to marker 24. By that point, FV-1 will have curved inland a bit such that the ocean is about 600 meters away. About 400 meters past marker 24, you will reach a small roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively just a right turn), following the signs for Grandes Playas and Club Hotel Riu Oliva Beach Resort. Continue about 300 meters to the parking area at the end of the road next to the hotel (28.7092N, 13.8392W). The beach is a short distance straight ahead.
Facing the ocean, turn right and walk south. You will pass several clusters of lounge chairs. In about 400 meters, you will begin to encounter nudists in the chairs that are most distant from the hotel.
You can also park along FV-1 and walk across the dunes to the beach. There are broad shoulder areas on each side of the road. If you near park near kilometer marker 24, you will land in the part of the nude area where there are sun chairs. Or, if you park closer to marker 23, you will land on a more remote part of the beach beyond the amenities. Either way, it is a reasonably level walk of about 600 meters through the low dunes.
If you are starting in Correlejo, head south on FV-1 and take note when you pass the sign indicating you are leaving Correlejo, by which point the dunes will be on both sides of the road. Just under 2 kilometer after the sign, there are two roundabouts along the road that are less the 200 meters apart. Parking next to Club Hotel Riu Oliva Beach Resort is accessed from the second (i.e., southern) of the two roundabouts. Or, keep going past the roundabouts and park near kilometer marker 24 or 23.
MAP from Puerto del Rosario to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Dunas de Corralejo.

kilometer marker 22 of FV-1
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Dunas de Corralejo.

kilometer marker 23 of FV-1
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Dunas de Corralejo.

kilometer marker 24 of FV-1

Club Hotel Riu Oliva Beach Resort

Hotel Riu Palace Tres Islas

windsurfing & kitesurfing center

Corralejo town sign (entering going north, leaving going south)

segment of FV-1

short road next to hotel

El Cotillo Beaches

In the extreme northwest of Fuerteventura, El Cotillo is a small resort town that is part of the municipality of La Oliva. A single paved road from the interior of the island leads to El Cotillo. Going north out of El Cotillo, a paved road leads to Faro de Tostón, a tall and prominent lighthouse with red and white stripes. There are no paved roads going south out of El Cotillo. There are a number of beaches in either direction from El Cotillo that get varying degrees of nude use.
On the north side of town, the Playas de los Lagos are a chain of beaches that are interspersed with clusters of black lava rock. Collectively, the beaches span about 2 kilometers. The southernmost and longest Los Lagos beach, which we'll refer to as the first beach, comprises about half that span. Backed by hotel development, the first Los Lagos beach is textile. Going north, the second Los Lagos beach is a sandy crescent about 250 meters long, and it is separated from the first beach by a low, rocky outcropping that juts about 200 meters into the water. There is a snack stand near the division between the first and second beaches. At the north end of the second beach, there are two large orange-roofed houses that are distinctive for their whimsical design elements, most notably a raindrop-shaped cupola that tops one of them. From some angles, these two neighboring houses look like one big house. The second beach is mostly textile, but there are often nudists present at the north end of the beach near the houses. Continuing north, the third Las Lagos beach is a crescent that is just 100 or so meters long, and it is backed by a large solid white house that consists of several vacation apartments. Nudity is quite common on the third beach despite the proximity of the apartments. Continuing north, the fourth and fifth beach are somewhat smaller than the third beach, and there is no development next to these beaches, which all get nude use. A paved road runs behind all the Los Lagos beaches, and there are a number of places where you can park close to the beach of your choice.
The aforementioned paved road ends just a bit north of the Playas de los Lagos at the Faro de Tostón. At the lighthouse, the coastline bends. A sandy track begins near the lighthouse and follows the coastline east about 10 kilometers to the tiny village of Majanicho, where it connects to pavement again. Nudity occurs sporadically all along this stretch at various little inlets and niches. The small beaches along the first few kilometers of the sandy track (closest to the lighthouse) are known as the Playas de los Charcos, which—like the Lagos beach—are sandy expanses interspersed with clusters of lava. Nudists are typically scattered among textiles throughout the area. There is not one particular spot where nude bathers congregate, but nudists tend to shift a bit farther away from the lighthouse on more crowded days. Nude bathers are typically more farther dispersed from one another at the Charcos beaches compared to the Lago beaches.
On the other end of El Cotillo, there are several beaches that extend southward. All are accessed from an unpaved road that follows the coastline, and all get mixed nudist and textile use. Just south of town, there is a beach about 1.5 kilometers in length that is usually called Piedra Playa, but parts of the beach have alternate names. The northernmost few hundred meters of Piedra Playa, which is separated from the rest of the beach by a low rocky outcropping, is known as Playa del Castillo due to its proximity to Castillo del Cotillo, a cylindrical stone fortification uphill from the beach that dates to the 1700s. The rest of Piedra Playa is alternately known as Playa del Aljibe de la Cueva. It is really all one long beach, and there are multiple parking areas above the beach from which it can be accessed via a short hike down the dunes.
A few kilometers south of Piedra Playa, the next major beach is Playa del Águila. About 750 meters long, the beach is below a steep escarpment. The only access is a long cement staircase, parts of which lack handrails. The northernmost part of the beach gets cut off from the rest of the beach at high tide, but it is possible to skirt around the rocks to explore the entire beach even when the tide is in. A little over a kilometer south of Playa del Águila, Playa de Esquinzo is a beach with a unique geography. About 300 meters long, Playa de Esquinzo is situated at the mouth of a creek that is usually dry, and the creek bed cuts a deep ravine into the plateau. From the beach, it is possible to hike some distance into the ravine. On one side of the beach, there is a huge sand dune that rises to the top of the cliff. Access to the beach is by hiking down the sand dune, which is a bit challenging.
This placemark pertains to Playas de los Lagos, Playas de los Charcos, Piedra Playa, Playa del Águila and Playa de Esquinzo.

Playas de los Lagos
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playas de los Lagos, Playas de los Charcos, Piedra Playa, Playa del Águila and Playa de Esquinzo.)
La Oliva, Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 26 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playas de los Lagos, Playas de los Charcos, Piedra Playa, Playa del Águila and Playa de Esquinzo.

Playas de los Charcos
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playas de los Lagos, Playas de los Charcos, Piedra Playa, Playa del Águila and Playa de Esquinzo.)
La Oliva, Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 26 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playas de los Lagos, Playas de los Charcos, Piedra Playa, Playa del Águila and Playa de Esquinzo.

Piedra Playa
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playas de los Lagos, Playas de los Charcos, Piedra Playa, Playa del Águila and Playa de Esquinzo.)
There are 26 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playas de los Lagos, Playas de los Charcos, Piedra Playa, Playa del Águila and Playa de Esquinzo.

Playa del Águila

Playa de Esquinzo

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3sjDTv9
starting point:  the northern terminus of FV-10 in El Cotillo
Route FV-10 is a highway that is about 35 kilometers long. It begins in Puerto del Rosario, the capital and largest town of Fuerteventura, and takes a northwesterly course through the interior of the island, passing through La Oliva then terminating in El Cotillo. The highway ends at the El Cotillo town sign.
Continue about 250 meters and watch for a stack of multi-colored signs pointing toward various locations. Just past those signs, you will reach a four-way intersection.
To go to Playas de los Lagos or Playas de los Charcos:
Turn right at the four-way intersection, where a brown sign points toward Playas Los Lagos. Proceed about 100 meters and take the first possible right (not counting the one-way street where you can't turn). Upon turning, you should be on Avenida Los Lagos, heading north through the town development. In about 700 meters, after you have passed through the main part of town, the road will begin to curve gently to the right, then a few hundred meters farther on the road will curve very sharply to the left. Immediately after the sharp curve, you will pass a 50 KPH speed limit panel. At that point, you will begin to drive through a very open, mostly treeless landscape with scattered vacation apartments and villas. The ocean will be in the near distance off to your left.
About 500 meters after the 50 KPH speed limit panel, you will pass Azzurro Restaurant, which is on the right (inland) side of the road. Just past the restaurant, there is large earthen parking lot on the left (coast) side of the road. It is the main parking area for the Lagos beaches, and it is located approximately at the dividing point between the areas that are textile only and the areas where nudists are typically present. You could park in the lot, but you can get a closer to the nude area by continuing just a bit farther. Immediately past the large parking lot, the road will begin to curve slightly to the right. Starting at the curve, there are three gravel roads on the left within a span 200 meters. All three of those short roads go in the direction of three prominent seaside houses. Two of those are cream-colored houses that are next to one another, while the other is a large bright white house (actually a small collection of apartments) that is a set a bit apart from the other two. Park anywhere in the area (28.6967N, 14.0161W). The three houses are next to a few of the smaller coves of the Playas de los Lagos. Nudity occurs along those coves and at a few coves to the north (to the right when facing the water).
The white house is the last structure on the ocean side of the road. If you stay on the paved road past it, in about 500 meters there is an informal parking area on the left at the next slightly rightward curve in the road (28.7011N, 14.0148W). That parking area is next to the northernmost of the Playas de los Lagos. Or, if you continue along the paved road, about 700 meters farther along you will enter a roundabout, which is a roundabout in the middle of nowhere (apparently built in anticipation of future development that has yet to happen). Take the second departure of the roundabout, which is effectively a left turn. You will then begin heading toward the Faro de Tostón, which is a tall lighthouse will red and white stripes. The lighthouse will become move visible the farther you go. About 1.2 kilometers from the roundabout, turn right onto an unpaved road. (This turnoff is just a few hundred meters before the paved road dead ends at the lighthouse.)
The unpaved road is a sandy track that hews close to the coastline, with the ocean on your left-hand side. The track continues about 10 kilometers to the village of Majanicho, where it connects to a paved road. The first few kilometers of the track is an area known as Los Charcos, which is a collection of sandy niches amid rocky clusters. 2.2 kilometers from the start of the track, it passes through a gap in crude fence wall built of lava rock, and that is roughly the end of the area called Los Charcos. Nudists are typically interspersed with textiles throughout the area. There is not a particular spot identifiable as the nude area, nor is there a particular place to park. Cars are typically scattered throughout the area, alongside the track and off the track closer to the water. If you park around 28.7127N, 14.0036W, you will be roughly in the middle to the Charcos area. You can also park close to the paved road and explore the area on foot if you don't want to drive on sand.
To go to Piedra Playa, Playa del Águila or Playa de Esquinzo:
Turn left at the four-way intersection, where a brown sign points toward Piedra Playa. In about 200 meters the pavement will end. At that point, zero out your car's trip meter and begin clocking your distance.
km 0.0  start of unpaved road
km 0.5  first parking area for Piedra Playa (28.6762N, 14.0055W)
km 2.0  last parking area for Piedra Playa (28.6642N, 14.0104W)
There are multiple other parking areas between the kilometers 0.5 and 2.0, and you can park and access the beach at any of them.
km 3.8  Veer right onto a smaller track, staying close to the coastline. In about 400 meters, you will reach parking above Playa del Águila (28.6474N, 14.0205W). If you keep going along the track, staying near the coastal cliff, about 1.3 kilometers farther along you will reach parking above Playa de Esquinzo (28.6366N, 14.0254W). At that point, the track curves inland due to the presence of a large ravine.
MAP from starting point to parking (Playas de los Lagos, near vacation houses)
MAP from starting point to parking (Playa des los Lagos, next to northernmost cove)
MAP from starting point to parking (Playa de los Charcos, random location about one kilometer along sandy track)
MAP from starting point to parking (Piedra Playa, first parking area)
MAP from starting point to parking (Piedra Playa, last parking area)
MAP from starting point to start of track to Playa del Águila and Playa de Esquinzo (the route along the track is not mappable)
This placemark pertains to Playas de los Lagos, Playas de los Charcos, Piedra Playa, Playa del Águila and Playa de Esquinzo.

El Cotillo town sign
This placemark pertains to Playas de los Lagos, Playas de los Charcos, Piedra Playa, Playa del Águila and Playa de Esquinzo.

main intersection in El Cotillo

Azzurro Restaurant

large earthen parking lot

prominent outcropping about halfway along Los Lagos beaches

two red-roofed houses with whimsical features

large solid white villa

parking along short gravel road
This placemark pertains to Playas de los Lagos .

This placemark pertains to Playas de los Lagos .

Faro de Tostón (lighthouse)

informal parking along sandy track
This placemark pertains to Playas de los Charcos.

sandy track passes through gap in stone fence wall

Castillo del Cotillo

This placemark pertains to Piedra Playa.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Águila.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Esquinzo.

paved road from El Cotillo to lighthouse

gravel road south out of El Cotillo

segment of sandy track to Majanicho

stairs to Playa del Águila

Los Lagos beaches, mixed nude/textile area

Los Lagos beaches, textile area

Playa de Tebeto & Playa de Jarugo

Playa de Tebeto and Playa de Jarugo are on the west coast of Fuerteventura near the municipal boundary of La Oliva and Puerto del Rosario. The beaches are about 2.5 kilometers apart, and they are accessed from a gravel road that leaves from the community of Tindaya. Both these remote beaches get some nude use, but neither is particularly well known as a nudist location.
Playa de Tebeto is about 200 meters long, and it is situated at the mouth of a small canyon. The stream that flows through the canyon empties into the ocean in the middle of the beach. Parking is at the top of the canyon, about 20 meters above sea level. Access is a bit challenging since it is necessary to negotiate your way down into the canyon to get to the beach. There are generally few visitors, and nudity is well established. The north half of the beach disappears at high tide. The canyon cuts about 200 meters inland, and if you hike into it, you'll find a pool in the stream that is an inviting spot for a skinny-dip.
Playa de Jarugo is about 300 meters long, and it is a much wider beach than Playa de Tebeto. It is also easier to access, with parking adjacent to the beach and no difficult terrain to go over. Jarugo is thus much better attended than Tebeto, and it is popular with surfers. Jarugo gets some nudist attendance, with most nudity occurring toward either end of the beach, especially on days when there are a lot of surfers in the central area of the beach.
There are no amenities of any kind at either Playa de Tebeto or Playa de Jarugo. The route to the beaches is not signed, and Tindaya has an irregular street grid with few if any street signs, so it is necessary to navigate either by landmark or by GPS to find the beaches. The directions below provide a number of landmarks along the way.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Tebeto and Playa del Janubio.

Playa de Tebeto
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Tebeto and Playa del Janubio.)
There are 19 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Tebeto and Playa de Jarugo.

Playa de Jarugo
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Tebeto and Playa del Janubio.)
Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 19 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Tebeto and Playa de Jarugo.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KGR1Ry
starting point:  either of the two turnoffs from route FV-10 toward Tindaya
Tindaya is an urbanizacion within the municipality of La Oliva, and it lies on the west side of FV-10. There are two turnoffs from FV-10 that go into Tindaya, and they are 1.7 kilometers apart. Both turnoffs are signed Tindaya and Montaña de Tindaya. The northern turnoff (between kilometer markers 18 and 19) is 4 to 5 kilometers south of La Oliva. The southern turnoff (between kilometer markers 16 and 17) is 2.1 kilometers north of the FV-10/FV-207 junction (which is just northwest of La Matilla). Whichever turnoff you take, proceed a little over a kilometer and you will reach either a stop sign or a yield sign at a road junction that has large triangular planter in the middle. The planter has about half a dozen palm trees. Either way, just keep straight ahead. The two Tindaya turnoffs merge into one road at the junction with the planter.
Continue west along the main road through Tindaya. In 250 meters, you will reach a stop sign where the main road bends rightward. Turn right in order to stay on the main road. Continue about 800 meters to a fork that is next to a residence with the street number "67" affixed near its entry. Keep to the left in order to stay on the main road.
Continue another 400 meters, then turn left at a triangular planter containing a utility pole and a street lamp. (There is no street sign, but shortly after turning you will pass a house on the right with a small Casa Negra sign.) In just over 100 meters you will reach a fork, where the left fork is paved and the right fork is gravel. Veer right onto the gravel road.
In about 300 meters, on the right you will pass a wooden windmill on a stone foundation. Less than 200 meters after the windmill, you will reach a five-way junction. All the roads are gravel, there are no signs and there are two roads going off to the right. Follow the road that veers off to the right (NOT the road that would require a hard right turn). About 400 meters farther along, keep straight ahead and you will merge into a paved road, but you will just barely be on the paved road before you leave it. Within 50 meters, veer right onto another gravel road.
Near the start of the gravel road, you should pass a 40 KPH speed limit sign. At that point, you are past all the confusing turns. The gravel road goes northwest toward the coast, and it is pretty much a straight shot. In about 3.3 kilometers, the road will begin to make a sharp curve toward the left at the coastline. If you veer right at the start of that curve (28.5891N, 14.0308W) and follow the track straight ahead, in about 250 meters you will reach informal parking above a small stream canyon. The beach at the end of that canyon in Playa de Tebeto. Carefully hike down into the canyon to get to the beach.
If you keep following the main gravel road where it begins to curve leftward, you will begin going southwest, parallel to the coastline. Continue 2.8 kilometers, then turn right into the informal parking area next to Playa de Jarugo (28.5694N, 14.0468W). (That parking area is just before the road begins to descend into a stream canyon.)
MAP from northern Tindaya turnoff to parking (Playa de Tebeto)
MAP from southern Tindaya turnoff to parking (Playa de Tebeto)
MAP from northern Tindaya turnoff to parking (Playa de Jarugo)
MAP from southern Tindaya turnoff to parking (Playa de Jarugo)
This placemark pertains to Playa del Tebeto and Playa del Janubio.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Tebeto and Playa de Jarugo.

triangular planter with palm trees

stop sign where main road through Tindaya bends

house numbered "67"

triangular planter containing utility pole & street lamp

small "Casa Negra" sign

fork: gravel road to right, paved road to left

wooden windmill on stone foundation

5-way junction of gravel roads

segment of FV-10

southern of two turnoffs from FV-10 into Tindaya

northern of two turnoffs from FV-10 into Tindaya

segment of main road through Tindaya

roads from Tindaya to beaches (gravel, except two very short paved segments)

very short paved segment along gravel road route drawn in aqua

Playa del Viejo Rey

Playa del Viejo Rey
Next to the vacation village of La Pared on the west side of Fuerteventura, Playa del Viejo Rey is at the start of the Jandí peninsula, where the land mass hooks into the main body of the island. The starkly beautiful beach setting is a palette of browns, with dark sand against a backdrop of sandstone cliffs that are rugged, undulating and bare. El Viejo Rey is about 900 meters long, and the main access is a long set of stone steps that land near the far northeast end of the beach. As you move toward the opposite (southwest) end of the beach, a few nudists are often present. Much of the northeastern half of the beach disappears at high tide, but there is always plenty of sand on the southwestern half. There is a depression in the cliffs along the southwestern half of the beach through which you can access or exit that area of beach, avoiding the tide limitations of the main access. El Viejo Rey has no amenities, and it is not nearly the draw for nude bathers as are the vast Sotovento beaches, which are 10 to 20 kilometers away on the opposite side of the island.
Pájara, Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45mj5li
starting point:  Exit 64 (Costa Calma este, Pájara) of the FV-2 motorway near Costa Calma
FV-2 is a nearly 90-kilometer-long highway that begins in Puerto del Rosario, the capital and largest town of Fuerteventura, and goes south along the east side of the island, terminating in Morro Jable. The kilometer markers along the highway ascend going south (with kilometer 0 in Puerto del Rosario and kilometer 88 in Morro Jable). For most of its length FV-2 is a two-lane highway with cross traffic, but there are some short motorway segments with exit numbers that correspond to nearby kilometer markers. The Costa Calma resort area is spread out from kilometers 64 to 69 along a motorway segment. Exit 64 is the more northeastern of two Costa Calma exits.
Upon exiting, follow signs for La Pared and Pájara. When you depart the roundabout that is on the inland side of the motorway, you will be on FV-605, heading north toward the western side of the island. The kilometer marker numbers of FV-605 will descend the farther you go.
Follow FV-605 about 4.7 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 23. About 100 meters past the marker, you will pass the La Pared village sign. After the village sign, continue 300 meters and take the next left. You will then be on the main road through La Pared, which is a modern housing development.
The main road is about a kilometer long, and it is a two-way street at its start and at its end, with a middle segment that is a boulevard with an elaborate, palm-lined median. Just keep straight ahead until the pavement ends where the development abruptly ends. At that point, a gravel track continues through a barren plateau toward the ocean, which will be clearly visible straight ahead of you. Playa del Viejo Rey will also be straight ahead but not in view due to the slope of the terrain.
There are two parking and access options. Just past the end of the pavement, there is a gravel parking area to the left (28.2126N, 14.2208W). Just beyond it, the automobile track bends to the right and continues about 200 meters, ending at another parking area that is closer to the ocean.
Assume you park just after the pavement ends. At the point where the automobile track bends to the right, a broad walking track continues straight ahead. That track gradually angles southward, with the ocean to your right as you follow it. The track is relatively level for about 400 meters, then it descends into a sandy depression that slopes down to the beach, landing on the beach a bit southwest of its center point. The total hike is about 600 meters. If only textiles are about when you land on the beach, you can find more seclusion a bit farther southwest (to the left when facing the ocean).
Alternatively, assume you park in the area that is closer to the ocean. The path to the beach is a long set of stone steps with ropes as handrails, and it lands near the far northeastern end of the beach. Nude bathing is more likely to occur on the opposite end of the long beach (to the left when facing the ocean). However, much of the area between the steps and the southwestern end of the beach gets inundated as the tide comes in, making the other approach a generally better option.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Viejo Rey.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Viejo Rey.

"La Pared" village sign, facing traffic going north
This placemark pertains to Playa del Viejo Rey.

"leaving La Pared" sign, facing traffic going north

segment of FV-605

main road through La Pared

steps to northeast end of beach

path across plateau to beach

Playa de Cofete

Playa de Cofete
Playa de Cofete is both the longest and most remote beach of Fuerteventura. The beach lies on the north side of the rugged ridge of mountains that runs through the Jandía peninsula. With the possible exception of the immediate vicinity of the parking lot, nudity is acceptable anywhere on this enormous beach, which extends west about 5 kilometers from the parking area and east about 9 kilometers, making it roughly 14 kilometers long altogether. The beach is never crowded due to the effort required to reach it as well as its size. It you want to get lost in a remote, endless naked paradise, you'd be hard pressed to find a better beach than this one. The beach has no amenities, but there is restaurant in the settlement of Cofete, which you will pass through on the way to the beach. Its a little over a kilometer from the parking area.
Playa de Cofete is also known as Playa de Barlovento (which means "windward"), and the sign pointing toward the parking area names is as Playa de Barlovento. However, Cofete is the name that is far more commonly applied to this location. Driving to Playa de Cofete is an adventure. The literal distance from Morro Jable to Playa de Cofete is about 7.5 kilometers, but the driving distance is about 20 kilometers, and all but the first few kilometers is along gravel roads. It is a very twisty and slow drive over the mountains that takes one to 1.5 hours.
Pájara, Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/459nZSR
starting point:  the turnoff from route FV-2 toward Punta de Jandía in Morro Jable
Morro Jable lies along the southernmost part of FV-2. As you head south along FV-2, you will see signs pointing straight ahead toward the port (puerto) and Punta de Jandía. The turnoff to Punta de Jandía is 300-400 meters past kilometer marker 88, which is the last kilometer marker of FV-2 before the road terminates at the port.
Once you turn away from FV-2, you will begin heading into Punta de Jandía, the westernmost part of Fuerteventura. While this is the most remote part of the island, there are so few roads that you can't get lost. It is 20 kilometers to Playa de Cofete, but there are just two turns to make, both at signed junctions.
As you start along the Punta de Jandía road, you will be heading in a generally westward direction, with mountains to your right and the ocean to your left. Just 1.8 kilometers from FV-2, the pavement ends, and you will be on gravel roads the rest of the way to the beach. Once the road turns to gravel, continue about 9.6 kilometers and you will reach a fork, where a sign indicates that Cofete is to the right and El Puertito is to the left. Keep to the right at the fork. (The other fork continues 9 to 10 kilometers before dead ending at a lighthouse at the westernmost tip of Fuerteventura, just past the settlement of El Puertito.)
After the fork, the road will for a time be considerably curvier as it winds over the mountains to the other side of the island. By the time the road flattens out, you will be heading in a generally eastward direction, with mountains still to your right and the ocean still to your left. About 7.5 kilometers from the fork, you will pass through the ramshackle settlement of Cofete.
Just after you pass the last of the scattered houses of Cofete, turn left★ at the sign for Playa de Barlovento★★ and Cementerio de Cofete. In about one kilometer the road will end at a large earthen beach parking area (28.1097N, 14.3883W), next to a cemetery that is surrounded by a low stone wall. The parking area is toward the center of the vast beach. Walk a few minutes in either direction and you will likely begin to encounter nudists.
★ 1.3 kilometers past the turnoff to the beach and the cemetery, the road that continues straight ahead dead ends at Villa Winter, a grand and mysterious mansion constructed in the 1940s that is now is a state of decay.
★★ Playa de Barlovento is just another name for the beach that is more commonly called Playa de Cofete.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Cofete.

Punta de Jandía road turns to gravel
This placemark pertains to Playa de Cofete.

Cofete / El Puertito fork
This placemark pertains to Playa de Cofete.

Cofete (small settlement)

sign pointing to beach & cemetery

cemetery surrounded by low stone wall

Villa Winter

long gravel road through Punta de Jandía

road to beach (gravel)

Playas de Sotavento

Playas de Sotovento
Geographically, Fuerteventura consists of two basic parts: Maxorata and Jandía. The northern and central parts of the island constitute Maxorata, which has a roughly ovoid shape. Jandía is the distinctively shaped tail-like appendage that projects southwestward from Maxorata. The name sotovento (which means "leeward") is often applied to the eastern side of Jandía—i.e., the side that faces Africa. Costa Calma and Morro Jable are both located on the sotovento side of Jandía, roughly 20 kilometers apart. Costa Calma, the more northern of the two towns, is near the start of Jandía where it blends into Maxorata. Created in the late '70s, Costa Calma is a purely tourist phenomenon. Founded in the early 1900s, Morro Jable has a history as a fishing village that predates the advent of modern leisure travel. Both towns have experienced an explosion of mass tourism since the turn of the millennium, and both are replete with large resort hotels and other types of lodgings. The sandy beach that extends from Costa Calma to Morro Jable is more than 20 kilometers long. It is actually not a continuous stretch of sand but rather a series of sandy expanses that are occasionally interspersed with rocky outcrops. Some parts of the beach all but vanish at high tide, but it is possible to get from one expanse to the next even when the tide is in, making it possible to walk along the beach all the way from Costa Calma to Morro Jable. The beaches from Costa Calma to Morro Jable are often collectively called the Playas de Sotovento. From northeast to southwest, the seven constituent beaches are:
•  Playa de Costa Calma
•  Playa de la Barca
•  Playa del Risco del Paso
•  Playa del Salmo
•  Playa del Mal Nombre
•  Playa de Esquinzo-Butihondo
•  Playa del Matorral
Nude bathing occurs on every segment of the Playas de Sotovento, both in remote areas and along stretches that are very close to huge resort hotels. There are many access points to these beach segments. To get familiar with the lay of the land, we'll start in Costa Calma and head southwest to Morro Jable. If you were to actually do such a hike along the sand, it would likely take at least five hours, and you could do just about all of it naked. While not many visitors are inclined to walk that entire distance, the various segments of the Playas de Sotovento are popular with long-distance naked beach strollers.
Playa de Costa Calma is actually a series of adjacent beaches spanning about 4 kilometers, and there are over a dozen large resort hotels along the Costa Calma beachfront. By custom, most of Playa de Costa Calma is textile, but nudity becomes commonplace next to the three southwesternmost resorts of Costa Calma, then from there nudists are interspersed with textiles for over the next 15 or so kilometers all the way to Morro Jable. The three southwesternmost Costa Calma resorts are H10 Tindaya, R2 Pájara Beach and H10 Sentido Playa Esmeralda. H10 Tindaya and H10 Sentido Playa Esmeralda each overlook an expanse of sand that extends about 200 meters, and sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented at either beach. R2 Pájara Beach, which is between the two H10 resorts, overlooks a more rugged and rocky expanse that is pocked with multiple sandy niches.
A bit southwest of H10 Sentido Playa Esmeralda, Villa Esmeralda is a large vacation house that is recognizable by the curving white staircase that descends to an expanse of sand that extends about 300 meters. A bit farther southwest, the beach changes considerably, getting much wider. This is the start of the lagoon area of the beach, which extends several kilometers. At low tide, the beach is a vast expanse of sand. When the tide comes in, the influx of water creates a temporary lagoon, with numerous sand ribbons and islets in the shallow water. It is a complex and beautiful landscape. While the water is quite shallow, some parts of the lagoon are at least deep enough for windsurfing and kitesurfing, two sports that are tremendously popular at the beach. A snapshot of the lagoon is likely to include naked bodies amid colorful sails and kites. Two beach segments comprise the lagoon area: Playa de la Barca and Playa del Risco del Paso.
Villa Esmeralda is approximately where Playa de Costa Calma blends into Playa de la Barca, which is the name of the beach around the northeastern end of the lagoon. Playa de la Barca is the location of a large resort hotel called Meliá Gorriones and the facilities of René Egli, which include a windsurfing center, a kitesurfing center and a chiringuito. At the opposite (southwest) end of the lagoon, the Ion Club windsurfing and kitesurfing center is along Playa del Risco del Paso. There are a few vacation rental houses near Ion Club, but there are no hotels along this part of the beach, nor are there any restaurants or snack bars. The distance from René Egli to Ion Club (i.e., the distance from one end of the lagoon to the other) is about 3.5 kilometers.
Continuing southwest from Ion Club, there are a couple of enormous sand dunes that collectively span nearly a kilometer. These giant dunes are where Playa del Risco del Paso blends into Playa del Salmo, a remote part of the Playas de Sotovento where the crowd is much sparser compared to parts of the beach closer to Costa Calma and Morro Jable. Southwest of the sand dunes, Playa del Salmo is overlooked by the skeleton of several hotel buildings that have remained in a half-built state since circa 2007. These buildings are among a number of abandoned hotel projects that mar the landscape of Fuerteventura. Some are monuments to overbuilding leading up to the Great Recession, while others are projects that were halted due to a lack of proper planning permission. While the buildings overlooking Playa del Salmo are eyesores, they are actually not readily visible from most parts of the beach. Much of Playa del Salmo contracts substantially at high tide.
Continuing southwest, the next beach is Playa del Mal Nombre. Sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented at a chiringuito named Tierra Dorada. Going southwest, Tierra Dorada is the next place for food and drink after the eateries at Meliá Gorriones and René Egli (a distance of over 6 kilometers). A bit southwest of Tierra Dorada, there is another never-finished hotel perched above the beach but not readily visible from the beach. Beyond the hotel, a ravine called the Barranco del Mal Nombre ends at the ocean. It is among the larger of many dry creek beds along the Playas de Sotovento. The coastline makes a slight bend at the mouth of the ravine—the Boca del Mal Nombre. This is where Playa del Mal Nombre blends into Playa de Esquinzo-Butihondo, and as you continue southwest you will soon reach a chain of hotel development.
Butihondo and Esquinzo are just names of contiguous hotel areas that are outgrowths of Morro Jable, with Butihondo being the closer to Morro Jable of the two. The area is often hyphenated as Esquinzo-Butihondo. There are eight oceanfront hotels along an expanse of about 4 kilometers, all perched atop escarpments above the sand. From northeast to southwest, those hotels are: SBH Club Paraiso Playa, Marina Playa, Robinson Club, Club Jandía Princess, Fuerteventura Princess, Tui Magic Life, Royal Palm and Aldiana. There are two eateries on the beach—Atalaya chiringuito and Caretta Beach Fuerteventura, both located between Robinson Club and Club Jandía Princess. Atalaya is next door to another location of Ion Club (the windsurfing and kitesurfing center). There are multiple clusters of sunbeds toward the middle of the beach, stretching about 700 meters. While nudists may be encountered all along Playa de Esquinzo-Butihondo, the stretch with the sunbeds tends to be textile with the exception of the northeastern cluster a bit northeast of Atalaya and directly below Robinson Club. That cluster of sunbeds is a bit removed from the others, and nudity is common.
Aldiana Hotel is located where Playa de Esquinzo-Butihondo blends into Playa del Matorral, which is the beach of Morro Jable. Playa del Matorral extends about 4 kilometers altogether, and there are clusters of sunbeds scattered along most of its length. Next to Aldiana, there are three adjacent Iberostar hotels that overlook a chiringuito called Pasion Pirata. After the Iberostar hotels, there is no commercial development (other than chiringuitos) directly along the beach for more than 2 kilometers. The tall and prominently visible Morro Jablo lighthouse is along this part of the beach, which is backed by a protected band of scrubland that is devoid of trees. There are three chiringuitos next to the scrubland: Saladar, El Faro (next to the lighthouse) and Heidi. Beginning immediately beyond Heidi chiringuito, there is hotel development along the westernmost segment of Playa del Matorral. Nudists and textiles mingle along the part of Playa del Matorral that is backed by scrubland, but patterns seem quite variable. A good bit of spontaneous self-segregation seems to occur. For example, on a random day you may walk past several clusters of sunbeds occupied only by textiles and then come upon a cluster that is mostly occupied by nudists, but the next day that pattern may change. Whatever the case, Heidi chiringuito is customarily a dividing point. The westernmost part of the beach is quite likely to be all textile.
Along many parts of the Playa de Sotovento, there are ribbons of dark stones along the inner part of the beach. These stones have been arranged into hundreds of circles that dot the beach, with walls typically not more than knee high. Sunbathers lay down their towels in the circles for just a bit of shelter and privacy, and more often than not the circles are occupied by nudists.
28.1587N, 14.2257W  main textile area (Costa Calma)
28.1513N, 14.2297W  H10 Tindaya Hotel (Costa Calma)
28.1495N, 14.2307W  R2 Pájara Beach Hotel (Costa Calma)
28.1464N, 14.2338W  H10 Sentido Playa Esmeralda Hotel (Costa Calma)
28.1427N, 14.2375W  Villa Esmeralda Hotel (Costa Calma↔La Barca)
28.1383N, 14.2403W  René Egli Windsurfing (La Barca)
28.1357N, 14.2446W  Meliá Hotel, René Egli Kitesurfing (La Barca)
28.1225N, 14.2523W  center of lagoon, approx. (La Barca↔El Risco del Paso)
28.1119N, 14.2630W  Ion Club Windsurfing & Kitesurfing (El Risco del Paso)
28.1079N, 14.2677W  giant sand dunes (El Risco del Paso↔El Salmo)
28.0969N, 14.2748W  abandoned hotel (El Salmo)
28.0906N, 14.2830W  Tierra Dorada chiringuito (El Mal Nombre)
28.0843N, 14.2864W  Boca del Mal Nombre (El Mal Nombre↔Esquinzo-Butihondo)
28.0798N, 14.2941W  SBH Club Paraiso Playa Hotel (Esquinzo-Butihondo)
28.0769N, 14.2982W  Marina Playa Hotel (Esquinzo-Butihondo)
28.0744N, 14.3012W  Robinson Club Hotel (Esquinzo-Butihondo)
28.0718N, 14.3039W  Club Jandía Princess Hotel (Esquinzo-Butihondo)
28.0694N, 14.3053W  Fuerteventura Princess Hotel (Esquinzo-Butihondo)
28.0662N, 14.3080W  Tui Magic Life Hotel (Esquinzo-Butihondo)
28.0624N, 14.3114W  Royal Palm Hotel (Esquinzo-Butihondo)
28.0590N, 14.3141W  Aldiana Hotel (Esquinzo-Butihondo↔El Matorral)
28.0546N, 14.3190W  Iberostar Hotels, Pasion Pirata chiringuito (El Matorral)
28.0468N, 14.3284W  Saladar chiringuito (El Matorral)
28.0446N, 14.3326W  lighthouse, El Faro chiringuito (El Matorral)
28.0462N, 14.3403W  Heidi chiringuito (El Matorral)
Pájara, Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 92 placemarks related to the various Sotavento locations.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qAyCPx
FV-2 is a nearly 90-kilometer-long highway that begins in Puerto del Rosario, the capital and largest town of Fuerteventura, and goes south along the east side of the island, terminating in Morro Jable. The kilometer markers along the highway ascend going south (with kilometer 0 in Puerto del Rosario and kilometer 88 in Morro Jable). For most of its length FV-2 is a two-lane highway with cross traffic, but there are some short motorway segments with exit numbers that correspond to nearby kilometer markers. The Costa Calma resort area is spread out from kilometers 64 to 69 along a motorway segment.
To go to Playa de Costa Calma or Playa de la Barca:
Take Exit 68 (Costa Calma oeste) of FV-2, which is the more southwestern of two Costa Calma exits. Head to the large roundabout that is on the coast side of the exit interchange.
To go to Playa de Costa Calma, keep straight ahead through the roundabout that is on the coast side of Exit 68, following the brown Playas de Jandía sign. You will almost immediately reach a stop sign at a "T" with Avenida Jahn Reisen. (Street signage is limited.) Turn right and proceed 300-400 meters to the small roundabout at the next junction. Take the second roundabout departure (effectively a left turn). When you leave the roundabout, you will be on Calle Sicasumbre. Continue 200 meters to the next small roundabout and take the second departure (effectively a left turn). When you leave the roundabout, you will be on Calle Punta Junquillo. In 200 meters Calle Punta Junquillo will curve sharply to the right then continue another 800 meters, ending at a roundabout (28.1489N 14.2361W★) that is basically a turnaround circle. Between the sharp curve and the end of the street, there are three large resort hotels on the left (coast) side of the street: H10 Tindaya, R2 Pájara Beach and H10 Sentido Playa Esmeralda. The three hotels correspond to the nudist part of Playa de Costa Calma. There is parking and access to the beach throughout the area.
To go to Playa de la Barca, go right at the roundabout that is on the coast side of Exit 68, following the signs for Playas de la Barca and Meliá Gorriones. You will then be on a road that parallels the coast side of FV-2. In 2.4 kilometers the road will curve sharply to the left, then about 1.5 kilometers farther on the asphalt will end next to Meliá Gorriones Hotel (28.1376N, 14.2445W★). Access to the beach is straight ahead, and there is parking throughout the area.
★ The two locations indicated by an asterisk are either end of a 1.6-kilometer-long gravel road that connects two asphalted roads. There are more parking and beach access options along the gravel road, which goes by Villa Esmeralda and the René Egli Windsurfing Center.
To go to Playa del Risco del Paso:
A turnoff signed Risco El Paso★★ is located just south of kilometer marker 72 of FV-2. Upon turning, follow the road 2.2 kilometers to its end at an earthen parking lot (28.1121N, 14.2642W) that is next to Ion Club.
★★ As of 2019, the Risco El Paso turnoff is along a non-motorway segment of FV-2 that is between two motorway segments. As the motorway is being expanded, there will likely be a Risco El Paso exit at some point.
To go to Playa del Salmo:
Take Exit 74 (El Salmo) of FV-2. (Be advised that Exit 74 exists only for traffic going north—i.e., coming from Morro Jable. If you are heading toward Morro Jable, take Exit 77 then re-enter the motorway going in the opposite direction and take Exit 74.) Exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the first departure, which is signed Butihondo. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on FV-602, and in just 100 meters you will pass kilometer marker 7. 400-500 meters farther on, the next possible left turn you can make is to a scenic overlook named the Mirador del Salmo. The overlook is poorly signed but easy to find since the road widens to include a center-turn lane and there isn't anything else nearby. There are two places where you can park to access Playa del Salmo: just south of the giant sand dunes or just south of the abandoned, unfinished hotel. Neither access has signs pointing the way.
To park near the sand dunes, turn left into the scenic overlook then immediately turn left again (such that the ocean is on your right-hand side). You will then be on a road that parallels the coast side of FV-602, and it will quickly turn to gravel. In a little over 300 meters, keep to the right at a three-way junction to stay on the main road as it makes a sharp curve and begins heading downhill toward the ocean. Continue another 500 or so meters to the end of the road at a parking area next to the beach (28.1034N, 14.2717W).
The skeletal structures of the abandoned hotel are just past the scenic overlook, but you have to take a rather circuitous route to get to parking near these structures. Keep straight ahead past the scenic overlook. In about 500 meters you will pass marker 6 of FV-602, immediately beyond which FV-602 will cross under a segment of FV-2 that is elevated atop columnar supports. Once you are on the inland side of FV-2, continue 250 meters and take the first possible left onto an unmarked gravel road. In less than 200 meters the gravel road will cross under the elevated segment of FV-2, so you will once again be on the coast side. About 700 meters farther on, the gravel road feeds into the blocked-off final segment of an asphalted road—part of the abandoned hotel project (28.0968N, 14.2760W). The asphalted area serves as a beach parking lot.
To go to Playa del Mal Nombre:
Take Exit 77 (Mal Nombre) of FV-2 then proceed to the large oblong roundabout that is on the coast side of the motorway. Take the second roundabout departure, which is signed Mal Nombre. When you depart the roundabout, you will be on a street named Calle la Herradura. You will immediately pass a yellow building, which will be on your left. It is the only building in the immediate area, and it is the front building of a hotel complex that cascades downhill toward the ocean. (The hotel is vacant, having closed in the early 2010s.) At the far edge of the building, turn left onto an unmarked road that skirts the edge of the hotel complex. Follow the road about 500 meters to parking next to Tierra Dorado chiringuito (28.0908N, 14.2836W).
To go to Playa de Esquinzo-Butihondo:
There are many parking and access options for this beach, which is lined with multiple hotels. Below are two options, with parking at parts of the beach that are more popular with nudists.
First assume you take Exit 79 (Butihondo), which is the last exit going toward Morro Jable. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the third departure, which has signs for Playa Esquinzo, El Salmo and several hotels. Proceed about 250 meters to the next junction and veer right toward Esquinzo. You will then be on Calle Fuente de Hija. (Street signage is limited.) In 400-500 meters, Calle Fuente de Hija will bend sharply to the left and the street name will change to Calle Volcán de Vayuyo. Proceed about 150 meters. Immediately past Marina Playa Hotel and its attached restaurant, turn right into a gravel parking area that is perched above the ocean. You are not ready to park just yet. Facing the ocean, a gravel road leaves from the left side of the parking area, leading to parking much closer to the beach. Follow the gravel road downhill about 400 meters to the parking area at its end (28.0783N, 14.2967W). The parking area is between Marina Playa Hotel and SBH Club Paraiso Playa.
Alternatively, proceed to the only roundabout between kilometer markers 82 and 83 of FV-2. The roundabout it is easy to identify due to the art installation in the center of it: sculptures of about a dozen children gazing toward the sky. Take the roundabout departure that goes toward the ocean, which will be in clear view. Upon leaving the roundabout, the white stucco fence of Aldiana Hotel will be on your right-hand side. In about 300 meters, the asphalt will end at a tiny roundabout. Straight ahead, a dirt road goes downhill about 200 meters, ending at a small parking area (28.0613N, 14.3128W). The parking area is between Aldiana and Royal Palm hotels. There is additional parking alongside both the dirt and asphalted roads.
To go to Playa del Matorral:
The Morro Jable lighthouse is a prominently visible landmark along the nude part of the beach, so just watch for the lighthouse to find your way. Assume you are heading southwest into Morro Jable along FV-2. By the time you reach kilometer marker 84, the ocean will be in clear view several hundred meters to your left beyond a treeless band of scrubland, and the lighthouse will be in view up ahead. About 250 meters past marker 84, keep straight ahead through a roundabout that has a large and distinctive metal whirligig sculpture in the middle. Starting at the roundabout and extending over the next kilometer or so, there are pull-in parking spaces along both sides of FV-2, which by that point will have a palm-lined median between the opposing lanes of traffic. The path through the scrubland to the lighthouse begins about 400 meters past the whirligig roundabout, at the second crosswalk past the roundabout. The parking spaces closest to the lighthouse are around 28.0489N, 14.3333W.
MAP from FV-2 Exit 68 to parking (Playa de Costa Calma, at end of Calle Punta Junquillo)
MAP from FV-2 Exit 68 to parking (Playa de la Barca, near Meliá Gorriones Hotel)
MAP from FV-2 Exit 74 to parking (Playa del Salmo, near giant sand dunes)
MAP from FV-2 Exit 74 to parking (Playa del Salmo, near abandoned hotel)
MAP from FV-2 Exit 77 to parking (Playa del Mal Nombre, next to Tierra Dorado chiringuito)
MAP from FV-2 Exit 79 to parking (Playa de Esquinzo-Butihondo, between Marina Playa Hotel and SBH Club Paraiso Playa)
This placemark pertains to Playas de Sotavento.

kilometer markers & exits

This placemark pertains to Playas de Sotavento.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Butihondo.

Exit 68 interchange of FV-2

Exit 74 interchange of FV-2 (only for northbound traffic)

Exit 77 interchange of FV-2

Exit 79 interchange of FV-2

roundabout on coast side of Exit 68

oblong roundabout on coast side of Exit 77

roundabout on coast side of Exit 74

oblong roundabout on coast side of Exit 79

roundabout with sculptures of children gazing skyward

roundabout with large metal whirligig sculpture

landmarks near beach

main textile area of Playa de Costa Calma

René Egli Windsurfing Center

René Egli Kitesurfing Center

center of lagoon, approximately

Ion Club Windsurfing & Kitesurfing Center

giant sand dunes

Mirador del Salmo (scenic overlook)

unfinished, abandoned hotel

abandoned hotel

Boca del Mal Nombre

Faro de Morro Jable (lighthouse)

beach segments

pink line: Playa de Costa Calma

yellow line: Playa de la Barca

blue line: Playa del Risco del Paso

red line: Playa del Salmo

green line: Playa del Mal Nombre

orange line: Playa de Esquinzo-Butihondo

purple line: Playa del Matorral

hotels

H10 Tindaya

R2 Pájara Beach Hotel

H10 Sentido Playa Esmeralda

Villa Esmeralda

Meliá Gorriones

SBH Club Paraiso Playa

Marina Playa

Robinson Club

Club Jandía Princess

Fuerteventura Princess

Tui Magic Life

Royal Palm

Aldiana Resort

Iberostar

Palmita

Tierra Dorada

Atalaya

Caretta Beach Fuerteventura

Pasion Pirata

Saladar

El Faro

Heidi

selected parking areas

pull-in parking spaces along FV-2

roads, lines, etc.

roads through Costa Calma

road to Playa de la Barca

road to El Risco del Paso

1.6-km-long gravel road connecting two paved roads

unmarked road

roads to Mal Nombre

roads through Esquinzo

Calle Club Aldiana

walkway to lighthouse

outline of the high-tide lagoon, roughly

Playa de Costa Calma

Playa de la Barca

Playa del Risco del Paso

Playa del Salmo

Playa del Mal Nombre

Playa de Esquinzo-Butihondo

Playa del Matorral

Gran Canaria

Playa Maspalomas / Playa del Inglés

Playa Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés
Directly south of the twin resort towns of Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés is an enormous field of sand dunes called the Maspalomas Dunes. It is like a microcosm of the Sahara Desert, and the beach along this area extends over 5 kilometers. The beach goes by two names, even though it is one continuous area. The south-facing part of the beach is Playa Maspalomas, and the main point of access is at its far west end. The east-facing part of the beach is Playa del Inglés (same as the town), and the main point of access is at its far north end. A large portion of these two beaches is signed for nude use, and nudity is also quite common within the dunes as well. The nude area covers about 3 kilometers of coastline.
There are a number of small, square kiosks on the beach where snacks and beverages are sold, and at each kiosk there is a collection of lounge chairs and umbrellas. Each kiosk (or kiosco) is identifiable by a number and the name of the beach, and these kiosks can help you get oriented. (The kiosks are numbered sequentially, but there are some missing numbers.)
Assume that you enter the beach from the Playa Maspalomas end. Kiosk 1 is located near the parking lot and the lighthouse, along a textile part of the beach. Facing the water, go to the left (east). In 300-400 meters, you will reach Kiosk 3, which is also in the textile area. Continue about 300 meters farther and you will reach Kiosk 4 at the start of the nude area of the beach. At this kiosk, the lounge chairs are available for nude use. Beyond Kiosk 4, clothing is not necessary for about as far as you'd care to walk. Another 300 meters past Kiosk 4 is Kiosk 7, which is the last kiosk of Playa Maspalomas. This area is attended almost exclusively by gay men, and this part of the beach is one of the most renowned gay beaches anywhere in the world. Beyond Kiosk 7, the crowd begins to thin out. You would have to walk more than 1.5 kilometers past Kiosk 7 to reach the curvature of the land that is the dividing point between Playa Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés. This stretch of the beach is the most sparsely populated section.
Now assume that you enter the beach from the Playa del Inglés end. Facing the water, go to the right (south). Kiosks 1 and 3 are both along the part of the beach that corresponds to the huge parking lot, and there are numerous shops and eateries in this area. Continuing about 400-500 meters past the end of the shops, you will pass Kiosks 4 and 5, which are both still in the textile area. The nude area begins shortly past Kiosk 5, then Kiosk 8 is within the nude area. The curvature of the land that is the dividing point between Playa del Inglés and Playa Maspalomas is a few hundred meters past Kiosk 8.
Since Maspalomas is such a contained resort area, some visitors choose not to rent cars unless they are going farther afield. Taxi service is abundant and inexpensive. If you ask to go to Playa Maspalomas, you will be dropped off by the lighthouse. If you ask to be taken to the beach of Playa del Inglés (as opposed to the town of the same name), you will be dropped off next to the huge parking lot where all the shops and eateries are located. Another taxi hub is Club Hotel Riu, which is located behind the field of sand dunes at 27.7471N, 15.5767W. (Or arriving by car, it is also possible to find streetside parking near the hotel.) From the hotel, a walk of about 20 minutes across the dunes gets you to the nude beach. However, many visitors advise that it can be difficult to figure out which way you are going through the dunes if you want to head to a particular area of the beach.
San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Yz2tEA
Note: To get to the Maspalomas nude beach, you can either park near the Maspalomas lighthouse or in Playa del Inglés. The directions below describe the most straightforward route to the two parking areas from a common starting point.
starting point:  Exit 46 (San Fernando, Maspalomas, GC-500) of the GC-1 motorway near Maspalomas
Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the coast side of the motorway onto a road that goes south, then very shortly the southbound lanes will split. Stay in the left lane to keep straight ahead toward El Inglés and Maspalomas. You will then pass beneath an overpass with a Maspalomas Costa Canaria sign and the lanes will split again, and that is the divergence point of the two routes described below.
To access the beach near the Maspalomas lighthouse:
After passing beneath the overpass with the Maspalomas Costa Canaria sign, get in the right lane and follow the sign for Mogán and GC-500. You will then be filtered onto route GC-500 westbound (toward Puerto Rico). Stay on GC-500 about 1.8 kilometers, keeping straight ahead through all roundabouts until you get to the roundabout at kilometer marker 18. (There is a Cespa gas station next to the roundabout.) At that roundabout, take the departure that is signed Maspalomas and Meloneras.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will no longer be on GC-500. You will be on the road that goes directly south to the Maspalomas lighthouse. Follow that road for 1.7 kilometers, keeping straight ahead through three roundabouts, until you get to a large roundabout that is immediately past a large bus stop pavilion. When you get to that roundabout, the lighthouse will be in view straight ahead, but you cannot continue straight ahead since the final 300 meters of the road to the lighthouse is open only to taxis and other authorized traffic. At that roundabout, take the third departure (effectively a left turn), following the Avenida de las Dunas sign. Proceed about 150 meters to a mini-roundabout, where you will see a stone wall with a sign for Palm Beach Hotel. Go right at the mini-roundabout. In 150-200 meters you will enter a parking lot next to the Hotel Riu Palace Oasis (27.7369N, 15.5967W). Park there★ if possible, avoiding the reserved spaces marked Carga y Descarga Solo.
At the east end of the hotel, there is a medical center called Clinica Oasis that is housed in a small white building. A broad brick walkway begins between the handicap parking spaces and the clinic. Follow the walkway and shortly you will arrive at the beach near a snack stand that is named Maspalomas Kiosk #4. At that point you will be several hundred meters east of the tall lighthouse, along the south-facing stretch of beach known as Playa Maspalomas. Facing the ocean, the nude area of the beach begins about 750 meters to your left (east), at Maspalomas Kiosk #4. Maspalomas Kiosk #7 (the gay area) is about 300 meters farther on. If you keep walking 1.3 kilometers past Maspalomas Kiosk #7, the coastline will bend northward, and beyond the bend you will be on the east-facing stretch of beach known as Playa del Inglés. 600 meters farther on, El Inglés Kiosk #8 is the last of the three snack stands in the nudist zone. El Inglés Kiosk #5 is about 500 meters past El Inglés Kiosk #8, and by that point the beach will be all textile.
★ Parking is limited next to Hotel Riu Palace Oasis. If you can't find a space, backtrack to the mini-roundabout and go right, keeping the stone wall with the Palm Beach Hotel sign on your right-hand side. Shortly you will enter a one-way street named Avenida del Oasis. The street is 400 meters long, and it makes a long loop, coming out next to Clinica Oasis. There is streetside parking all along the street.
To access the beach at Playa del Inglés:
After passing beneath the overpass with the Maspalomas Costa Canaria sign, stay in the left lane to keep straight ahead toward El Inglés and Maspalomas. You will then pass beneath another overpass, then about 300 meters farther along you will enter a large roundabout. Take the third departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed Playa del Inglés. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be heading east on a street that will soon be signed as Avenida Alfereces Provisionales. Keep straight ahead through all roundabouts. In about one kilometer, you will pass the Hotel Neptuno, which will be on your right.
About 250 meters past Hotel Neptuno, you will pass two long and prominently signed apartment building that are next to one another, both on the right. The first is Apartamentos Australia and the second is Apartamentos Europa. Just after those buildings, the street will begin to make a series of gentle curves as it gradually winds downhill past a number of other apartment buildings. About 600 meters past Apartamentos Europa, you will reach a roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively just a right turn), then immediately keep to the left to enter a large pay parking lot. You will pass through a lift gate where you take a ticket.
The huge parking lot is over 400 meters long, with the entrance at the far north end. The coast side of the lot is edged by restaurants and shops, and there are several corridors amid those businesses that go out to the beach. For the quickest access to the beach, look for a parking space near the McDonald's in the central area of the lot (27.7540N, 15.5694W).
When you access the beach, you will be along the east-facing stretch of beach known as Playa del Inglés. Facing the ocean, turn right and walk south. In about 500 meters you will pass El Inglés Kiosk #5, then El Inglés Kiosk #8 is about 500 meters farther on. Nudity becomes common at some point between those two snack stands. If you keep walking south about 600 meters past El Inglés Kiosk #8, the coastline will bend westward, and if you keep walking you will be on the south-facing stretch of beach known as Playa Maspalomas. About 1.3 kilometers beyond the bend is Maspalomas Kiosk #7 (the gay area), with Maspalomas Kiosk #4 about 300 meters farther on. The beach becomes textile again after Maspalomas Kiosk #4.
MAP from starting point to parking (near Maspalomas lighthouse)
MAP from starting point to parking(in huge lot next to Playa del Inglés)
This placemark pertains to Playa Maspalomas / Playa del Inglés.

Exit 46 interchange of GC-1 motorway
This placemark pertains to Playa Maspalomas / Playa del Inglés.

"Maspalomas Costa Canaria" sign on overpass
This placemark pertains to Playa Maspalomas / Playa del Inglés.

roundabout at km 18 of GC-500, next to Cespa gas station

roundabout next to large bus stop pavilion

mini-roundabout at stone wall with "Palm Beach Hotel" sign

Hotel Riu Palace Oasis

Palm Beach Hotel

Clinica Oasis

Maspalomas lighthouse

Hotel Neptuno

Apartamentos Australia

Apartamentos Europa

entrance to huge parking lot

McDonald's, among many other restuarants & shops

Club Hotel Riu Gran Canaria

Kiosk #1 of Playa Maspalomas (textile)

Kiosk #3 of Playa Maspalomas (textile)

Kiosk #4 of Playa Maspalomas (nudist)

Kiosk #7 of Playa Maspalomas (nudist / gay)

Kiosk #1 of Playa del Inglés (textile)

Kiosk #3 of Playa del Inglés (textile)

Kiosk #4 of Playa del Inglés (textile)

Kiosk #8 of Playa del Inglés (nudist)

route from Exit 46 to parking (Playa Maspalomas)

route from Exit 46 to parking (Playa del Inglés)

Avenida del Oasis (one-way street with streetside parking)

Playa de Pasito Bea & Playa de Montaña de Arena

Pasito Blanco is a resort development and marina on the western periphery of Maspalomas. Just west of Pasito Blanco, there are three beaches within a span of about one kilometer. Going east to west, those beaches are Playa de Pasito Bea, Playa de Montaña de Arena and Playa de Carpinteras.
Playa de Pasito Bea (alternately known as Playa de las Mujeres) is the easternmost of the three beaches. A hidden beach that is a little over 100 meters long, it gets mixed nudist and textile use, with nudists tending to gravitate toward the niche at the western end of the beach (to the right when facing the ocean) on more crowded days.
Just over a headland from Pasito Bea, the middle beach of the three is Playa de Montaña de Arena. It is about 250 meters long and backed by a steeply sloping hillside that resembles an avalanche of dark sand. Montaña de Arena is attended mostly by nudists, and it is the second most popular nude beach in Gran Canaria (but it is a very distant second to the huge nude area of Playa de Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés). Informal camping is popular, so the beach is often lined with small tents. Montaña de Arena is more challenging to access than Pasito Bea, requiring a steep final descent with an elevation loss of about 33 meters.
Just over a headland from Montaña de Arena, the westernmost of the three beaches is Playa de Carpinteras. The beach is a bit less than 200 meters long, and there is a large parking area adjacent to the beach, so it is easy to access. Unlike the other two beaches, Playa de Carpinteras is composed entirely of stones and pebbles, with no sand. It generally has fewer visitors than Pasito Bea and Montaña de Arena. While some sources name Carpinteras as a nude beach, it does not seem to have a consistent nudist presence, nor does it have any renown as a nudist location, so we have named it as a textile beach.
Pasito Bea, Montaña de Arena and Carpinteras are all undeveloped beaches with no services. There is a coastal path about 250 meters long between the east end of Carpinteras and the west end of Montaña de Arena. However, parts of the path have eroded away, so it is no longer recommendable to try to access Montaña de Arena from Carpinteras. The given directions describe hikes to Pasito Bea and Montaña de Arena that leave from the same parking area.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Montaña de Arena and Playa de Pasito Bea.

Playa de Pasito Bea
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Montaña de Arena and Playa de Pasito Bea.)
San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 10 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Montaña de Arena and Playa de Pasito Bea.

Playa de Montaña de Arena
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Montaña de Arena and Playa de Pasito Bea.)
San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 10 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Montaña de Arena and Playa de Pasito Bea.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OVx8Zy
starting point:  Exit 50 (Pasito Blanco, Meloneras) of the GC-1 motorway near Maspalomas
Exit 50 is on the western outskirts of Malpalomas. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the coast side of the motorway, then within several hundred meters the road will fork. Keep to the right, toward Pasito Blanco. You will then merge into route GC-500 westbound, then within a few hundred meters you will enter a roundabout. Keep straight ahead, toward El Pajar. 200-300 meters after the roundabout, you will pass kilometer marker 21.
After marker 21, continue 500-600 meters and watch for a pair of corresponding bus stops (named La Presilla) (27.7531N, 15.6338W). The bus stop on the right (inland) side of the road is slightly before the bus stop on the left (coast) side of the road, and there are gravel parking areas at each bus stop. The parking area on the coast side of GC-500 is small, but the one on the inland side is substantially larger. (If you pass marker 22, you have missed the bus stops and parking areas by about 400 meters.)
The bus stop on the coast side of GC-500 is at the start of a gravel track that used to be open to automobiles but has been sealed off. Facing the ocean at the bus stop, there is a creek bed less than 100 meters to your right that is typically bone dry. It snakes downhill to Playa de Pasito Bea, where the intermittent stream flows into the ocean. If you hike to Playa de Pasito Bea, the creek bed will be to your right all the way there. If you hike to Playa de Montaña de Arena, you will cross the creek bed along the hike. The total hike to either beach is 500-600 meters. To begin the hike, follow the track about 50 meters to the point where it crosses under power lines, where the track forks.
To continue to Playa de Pasito Bea, stay on the broader track, which angles off to the left as you pass beneath the power lines. In 300-400 meters you will reach the old earthen parking area that is directly above the beach. From there, a short path descends to the small beach.
To continue to Playa de Montaña de Arena, veer right onto the smaller track at the power lines. In a few hundred meters the path will go down into the creek bed them climb uphill from the other side. When you get to the top of the rise on the other side of the creek bed, you will see Playa de Montaña de Arena off to your right as you face the ocean. A steep path descends to the far east end of the beach.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Montaña de Arena and Playa de Pasito Bea.

kilometer marker 21 of GC-500
This placemark pertains to Playa de Montaña de Arena and Playa de Pasito Bea.

parking area at bus stop "La Presilla"

kilometer marker 22 of GC-500

kilometer marker 23 of GC-500

Playa de Carpinteras (very limited use by nudists)

segment of GC-500

track/path to Playa de Pasito Bea

path to Playa de Montaña de Arena

segment of intermittent stream / (usually) dry creek bed

Playa del Medio Almud & Playa de Tiritaña

West of Maspalomas, Tauro and Taurito are large resort developments that are about 4 kilometers apart. Between the two resorts, there are two beaches that are frequented by nude bathers. The two beaches are quite similar in appearance. Each is a small sandy beach along a shallow bay at the mouth of a ravine.
Playa del Medio Almud is the eastern of the two beaches, closer to Tauro. It is a bit less than 100 meters long, and it used to be exceptionally easy to access, with parking adjacent to the beach. However, at some point in the mid-2010's the access road to the beach was closed to motorized vehicles. Now it is necessary to walk about 600 meters from the closest parking, but it is a very easy walk along an asphalted road. Playa del Medio Almud gets mixed nudist and textile use.
Playa de Tiritaña is the western of the two beaches, closer to Taurito. It is about the same size as El Medio Almud, but it is more difficult to access. Parking is along the coastal road, and you must hike down through a ravine to get to the beach. Because of its hidden location, Tiritaña has become a site for informal camping. The beach often has a cluster of tents, even though camping gear must by hauled down the ravine or brought by boat. (It should be noted that such "wild camping" seems to be technically illegal, but it happens.) Nudity is a well-established part of the culture of the beach.
El Medio Almud and Tiritaña are both undeveloped beaches with no amenities. The beaches are about 20 minutes away from Maspalomas by car.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Medio Almud and Playa de Tiritaña.

Playa del Medio Almud
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Medio Almud and Playa de Tiritaña.)
Mogán, Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 15 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Medio Almud and Playa de Tiritaña.

Playa de Tiritaña
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Medio Almud and Playa de Tiritaña.)
Mogán, Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 15 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Medio Almud and Playa de Tiritaña.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45bmrYj
starting point:  Exit 62 (Puerto Rico, Tauro) of the GC-1 motorway near Puerto Rico
Exit 62 is about 15 kilometers west of Malpalomas and 6 kilometers east of the western terminus of the motorway. The exit is between two tunnels. If you are going west when you exit (coming from Malpalomas), the exit is just past the Túnel del Lechugal. If you are going east when you exit (heading toward Malpalomas), the exit is just past the Túnel de Candelaria. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Keep straight ahead toward Tauro and Mogán. Continue 1.5 kilometers to the next roundabout and take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Tauro, Taurito and Mogán.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on route GC-500. Follow GC-500 west for 2.2 kilometers (passing through Tauro, a large resort development) and you will enter a short tunnel signed Los Frailes, which is just past kilometer marker 39. Just a few hundred meters after the tunnel, the next junction (at a brown Barranco de El Medio Almud sign) is an atypical type of roundabout that is superimposed on the highway. In other words, the highway bisects the roundabout, so GC-500 through traffic does not stop or enter the roundabout.
To go to Playa del Medio Almud:
The access road to Playa del Medio Almud leaves from the coast side of the junction that is past the Los Frailes tunnel, and there is a red-and-white lift gate at the start of the road (27.8077N, 15.7383W). The asphalted access road is about 600 meters long, ending next to the beach. If the gate is open, you can drive through and park along the road near the beach. However, it seems the gate has been permanently closed since the mid-2010's, so the roundabout and the adjacent gravel shoulder areas now serve as informal parking. It takes about 5 minutes to walk the length of the road to the beach.
To go to Playa de Tiritaña:
Keep straight ahead through the junction that is past the Los Frailes tunnel. About 400 meters farther on, you will pass kilometer marker 40, then another 400 meters after that you will enter the Tiritaña tunnel. About 200 meters after you emerge from the tunnel, you will reach a brown Barranco de Tiritaña sign, and at that point there are short paved lanes on either side of the road where you can park (27.8100N, 15.7446W). Looking down toward the ocean from the parking area, you will see a creek bed (probably dry). Access to Playa de Tiritaña is by hiking through the creek bed. To get down to the creek bed, first walk westward along GC-500 a short distance until you reach another brown Barranco de Tiritaña sign that faces traffic coming from the opposite direction. (In other words, you will be walking toward the blank back side of the sign.) At the sign, cross the guardrail and follow the footpath that descends into the creek bed, then follow the creek bed out to the beach at the end. It is a hike of 300-400 meters, with an elevation loss of about 70 meters.
MAP from starting point to parking (Playa del Medio Almud)
MAP from starting point to parking (Playa de Tiritaña)
This placemark pertains to Playa del Medio Almud and Playa de Tiritaña.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Medio Almud and Playa de Tiritaña.

Los Frailes tunnel

brown "Barranco de El Medio Almud" sign (facing westbound traffic)

This placemark pertains to Playa del Medio Almud.

brown "Barranco de El Medio Almud" sign (facing eastbound traffic)

Tiritaña tunnel

brown "Barranco de Tiritaña" sign (facing westbound traffic)

This placemark pertains to Playa de Tiritaña.

brown "Barranco de Tiritaña" sign (facing eastbound traffic)

access road (apparently permanently closed to motorized vehicles)

path through creek bed

Playa de Veneguera

Playa de Veneguera
Like many of the beaches on the southwestern side of Gran Canaria, Playa de Veneguera is located at the mouth of a ravine. The motorway that goes west from Maspalomas ends near a resort village called Puerto de Mogán. As the crow flies, Playa de Veneguera is just 4 kilometers northwest of Puerto de Mogán. The two locations are separated by a number of rugged mountain ridges. While there is a road that winds over the mountains from Puerto de Mogán to Playa de Veneguera, it is a private road that has a barricade at its start. So, to get from Puerto de Mogán to Playa de Veneguera, you will first have to follow the highway that goes about 10 kilometers through a ravine into the interior of the island and then continue along that highway for several kilometers as it crosses the mountains. You will then leave the highway and follow a minor road that goes back toward the coast through a different ravine, and most of that 10-kilometer distance is along a gravel road.
About 350-400 meters long, Playa de Veneguera is a striking beach that is comprised of a band of black sand and a wider band of pebbles. At high tide, most of the sand is inundated, so Veneguera basically become a pebble beach. Due to its rather remote location, it does not get nearly as crowded as the resort-adjacent beaches farther east, nor does it have any amenities. Nudity is well established, and nudity may potentially be encountered anywhere along the beach, but if a good many textiles are present, nudists tend to gravitate toward the northwest end of the beach (to the right when facing the water).
The narrow gravel road to Playa de Veneguera goes through a ravine that is full of banana plantations. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is not necessarily required, but parts of the road can be challenging for regular vehicles, depending on recent weather conditions. Once the road turns to gravel, it is another 8.5 kilometers to the beach. That portion of the road is a slow drive that takes at least half an hour. Be sure to take note of your vehicle's trip meter at the point where the road turns to gravel so that you will know the remaining distance to the beach if you get to a point where you do not want to drive farther. If you make it most of the way by car, you may be willing to walk the rest of the way.
Mogán, Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QH2mF1
starting point:  the western terminus of the GC-1 motorway near Mogán
The western terminus of the GC-1 motorway is Exit 68, and it is about 21 kilometers west of Maspalomas. As you approach the western terminus, the Túnel de Mogán is the last of series of tunnels. Just after the tunnel, the two westbound lanes split, and both are numbered Exit 68. Keep to the right, following the sign for Mogán and GC-200. You will be filtered onto route GC-200, heading northeast into the interior of the island.
As you follow GC-200, watch the kilometer marker numbers, which descend the farther you go. In about 9 kilometers, you will pass marker 56. Just 100-200 meters farther on, be sure to stay on GC-200 as it curves sharply to the left. The road will become much curvier as it begins to wind westward over a mountain. Continue 3 to 4 kilometers and watch for marker 52. About 300 meters past that marker, turn left at the Veneguera sign.
About 400 meters after turning, keep straight ahead as you begin to pass through the dense center of the small village of Veneguera. At the end of the main cluster of buildings, you will pass a bus stop shelter on the right side of the road. (It is a distinctive structure made of stone, with a tile roof.) At that point, there will be lots of palm trees, mostly on the right side of the road. Just over 100 meters past the bus stop shelter, turn right at an a la playa sign. At that point, you will begin going in a mostly southwesterly direction on a narrow road through a narrow valley, and that road goes all the way to the beach. The road follows the course of a creek bed that is likely to be dry. After about one kilometer, the road will turn to gravel.
Once the road turns to gravel, just continue straight ahead, staying in the valley at all forks. (If you begin to climb out of the valley, you have taken a wrong turn.) After following the gravel road about 8.5 kilometers, you will reach parking at the south end of Playa de Veneguera (27.8460N, 15.7903W). Most nudity takes place toward the opposite (north) end of the beach.
MAP from western terminus of GC-1 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Veneguera.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Veneguera.

Veneguera turnoff from GC-200
This placemark pertains to Playa de Veneguera.

stone bus stop shelter with tile roof

"a la playa" sign

segment of GC-200

roads from GC-200 to Playa de Veneguera

Playa del Confital

Playa del Confital
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, or just Las Palmas for short, is the largest city of both Gran Canaria and all the Canary Islands. Of the roughly 850,000 residents of Gran Canaria, about 45% live within the municipal limits of Las Palmas, and at least 30% more live within its metro area. Las Palmas is at the northeast corner of Gran Canaria, and the development of the city extends onto a peninsula called La Isleta, which protrudes northeastward from the city center. On the west side of La Isleta, there is an unusual beach called Playa del Confital. It is not a sandy beach but rather a relatively flat rocky shelf at the base of a very steep hillside. Nude bathing has traditionally occurred toward the north end of the beach. El Confital used to be the location of a shanty town, but it was dismantled in the early '00s and an elaborate boardwalk was constructed later in the decade. The boardwalk follows the rocky shoreline nearly 600 meters, and an official sign near the northern end of the boardwalk reads, in two languages, Zona Recomendada Naturista and Naturism Recommended Area. The nude area runs from the sign to the northern end of the boardwalk, which is a distance of about 100 meters. It is the only such designated naturist area within the city limits.
A gravel road follows the entire length of El Confital, running parallel to the boardwalk and continuing beyond it. This makes it possible to park just steps away from the naturist area. However, the flip side to that convenience is that naturists have no privacy from passersby, either on foot or in cars. El Confital has no amenities, and the only way to get to the beach is by passing through the dense urban center of Las Palmas.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YDVSsg
starting point:  the western entrance to the Túnel del Ingeniero Julio Luengo in Las Palmas
The Túnel del Ingeniero Julio Luengo is a 1.1-kilometer-long tunnel at the far eastern end of the GC-2 motorway, and the western entrance to the tunnel is next to the junction of the GC-2 and the G-23 motorways. (The G-23 is a 4-kilometer-long connector that links the G-2 and the G-3.) The tunnel goes under the dense central area of Las Palmas, and it is the major connection between the motorways and the city's large eastern harbor. To enter the tunnel at its western end, you must approach from either the GC-2 eastbound or the G-23 northbound. If you are on the GC-2, you will be going east, with the kilometer marker numbers descending. You will enter the tunnel about 800 meters after passing kilometer marker 2. If you are on the GC-23, you will be going north. Take Exit 1B (puerto, aeropuerto), which is the last exit for northbound traffic. All exiting traffic merges into the GC-2 eastbound at the point where the GC-2 enters the tunnel.
Just after you emerge from the long tunnel at its eastern end, you will reach the eastern terminus of the GC-2 at a roundabout that is next to the harbor. (The roundabout has a tall, arching metal sculpture in the middle, and there is no road that continues straight ahead from the roundabout.) Take the second departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), following signs that point toward Zona Comercial José Mesa Y Lopez, Playa de Las Canteras and Puerto. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on a frontage road. In about 200 meters, merge left at the blue overhead Puerto panel. At that point, you will be going north on the busy multi-lane expressway that goes toward the port. (It is actually the northernmost segment of route GC-1, beyond the part of the GC-1 that is designated as a motorway. There are no conspicuous signs with the route number, and the exits along this segment of the GC-1 are not numbered.) Follow the expressway about 1.5 kilometers, then take the exit that is signed Calle Pérez Muñoz.
Once you exit, you will enter a tunnel and go under the expressway. Once you emerge from the tunnel, you will merge into Calle Pérez Muñoz just after a yield sign. It is a one-way northbound street that goes through a dense commercial area. Watch the street numbers, which get higher as you go north. In about 700 meters, just past a building with the number 128, turn left onto Calle Coronel Rocha, a street that has divided opposing lanes. (There are not any prominent street signs, but as you are making the turn you should see signs pointing toward Las Coloradas and El Confital.)
Folllow Calle Coronel Rocha west 400-500 meters. As you near the ocean, the road will bend sharply to the right and narrow into a gravel road that follows the coastline northward. About 400 meters along the gravel road, you will pass the main parking area for Playa del Confital, but don't park just yet. Continue a few hundred meters and you will reach a point where the road begins to run directly alongside a broad wooden boardwalk. About 100 meters farther on, you will pass a blue-and-orange sign along the boardwalk that reads Zona Recomendada Naturista. There is informal parking throughout the area (28.1612N, 15.4378W).
This placemark pertains to Playa del Confital.

Calle Pérez Muñoz exit of route GC-1 (for traffic going north only)
This placemark pertains to Playa del Confital.

yield sign at end of exit ramp
This placemark pertains to Playa del Confital.

building along Calle Pérez Muñoz numbered 128

blue-and-orange "Zona Recomendada Naturista" sign

route from GC-1 exit to parking

broad boardwalk & wooden platforms

Playa de las Salinas

Playa de las Salinas
Playa de las Salinas is a coastal area in Arucas, a short drive west from Las Palmas. It is actually not a beach in the traditional sense, but rather an expanse of rocky shelf along the coastline. There are a number of depressions in the shelf that trap sea water when the waves come crashing in at high tide. Some of the pools are deep enough for swimming. Las Salinas is one of those places that is hidden in plain sight. On the one hand, it is just downhill from the motorway that follows the northern coastline of Gran Canaria. On the other hand, it is neither well signed nor well publicized, so most people whiz right by it without ever known it is there. Las Salinas is visited largely by nude bathers, and there are no amenities. As you hike down from the parking area toward the pools that are next to the ocean, you will first pass a cluster of small copper-colored pools that are just a bit inland from the shoreline. Those pools are called Las Salinas del Bufadero, and they are primitive salt collection pools that are thought to date to the 1600s. The pools are surrounded by a chain-rail fence and are a protected archeological site. Most nudity in the area occurs within 100 meters of the archeological site.
Arucas, Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45mm7pG
starting point:  Exit 9 (El Puertillo) of the westbound lanes of the GC-2 motorway near Arucas
Exit 9 is about 10 kilometers west of the center of Las Palmas. The kilometer marker numbers along the motorway ascend going west, with each exit number corresponding to a nearby kilometer number. To access parking for Playa de las Salinas, you must be in the westbound lanes of the GC-2 motorway.
Once you exit, you will be on a frontage lane that runs directly alongside the motorway. In about 200 meters, you will pass kilometer marker 10 immediately after you cross under a pedestrian bridge that spans the motorway and the frontage lane.
Just past marker 10 and the pedestrian bridge, take note of a dirt road going off to the right, but do NOT turn there. Continue about 300 meters and take the next possible right thereafter into a large earthen parking area that is perched above the ocean (28.1511N, 15.5232W). The parking area is not signed. The turnoff is located immediately at the point where the guard rail on the coast side of the frontage lane ends. Watch carefully and do not miss the turnoff into the parking area. You cannot turn around, and you will have to make a long circuit in order to try again.
Walk to the ocean edge of the parking area. Downhill you will see a small boxy white building next to a cluster of small salt pools that are full of copper-colored water. The building and the salt pools are surrounded by a small fence (just short posts connected by a couple of ropes), and the fenced area is about 25 meters below the level of the parking area. Follow one of the steep zig-zagging paths downhill from the parking area, then go to the ocean side of the fenced area to find the pools along the shoreline where nudists gather.
GOING EAST ON GC-2
starting point:  Exit 8B (Trasmontaña, Cardones) of the eastbound lanes of the GC-2 motorway near Arucas
If you are going east (toward Las Palmas) on GC-2, do NOT take Exit 9. Take Exit 8B, which is after Exit 8A. Immediately after merging into GC-20, take the exit that is signed Granja and Agrícola. You will then be filtered to a roundabout. Take the departure that is signed Las Palmas to get back on the GC-20 going back toward the GC-2, then follow signs for Bañaderos, Guía and Gáldar to get on the GC-2 going west. After merging into the westbound lanes of the GC-2, continue about a kilometer and take Exit 8, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from GC-2 Exit 9 westbound to parking
MAP from GC-2 Exit 8B eastbound to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Salinas.

kilometer marker 9 of GC-2 motorway
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Salinas.

GC-2 Exit 9 (for westbound traffic)
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Salinas.

kilometer marker 10 of GC-2 motorway (next to pedestrian bridge that spans motorway)

kilometer marker 11 of GC-2 motorway

small white building next to salt pools full of copper-colored water

segment of GC-2 motorway

frontage lane segment

rope fence enclosing salt pools

Playa de Guayedra

Playa de Guayedra
Agaete is a small town near the northwestern coast of Gran Canaria, and Playa de Guayedra is a rather hidden beach that is located less than 2 kilometers from the town center as the crow flies. However, that distance is closer to 7 kilometers by car since there are mountains between the town and the beach. Playa de Guayedra feels more isolated that it really is, and that isolation in enhanced by the lack of signage pointing to the beach. Guayedra is composed of stones with some patches of black sand, and it is set against a spectacular backdrop where steep, rugged mountains plunge precipitously into the ocean. Guayedra is about 600-700 meters long, but most of that expanse is likely to be deserted due to the rocky terrain. Most beach visitors gravitate toward its northern end, where there is the largest expanse of sand along the beach. Guayedra is usually uncrowded, and it is visited mostly by nudists. There are no amenities at the beach.
Agaete, Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OCok9F
starting point:  the western terminus of route GC-2 in Agaete
Route GC-2 is a highway that roughly parallels the north coast of Gran Canaria, and it is about 32.5 kilometers long, beginning in Las Palmas in the northeast of the island and ending in Agaete in the northwest of the island. The kilometer markers along the route ascend going west (toward Agaete). Starting in Las Palmas, most of the GC-2 is a motorway, but the motorway ends between kilometer markers 27 and 28, and the westernmost 5 or so kilometers is a regular highway. As you approach the western end of the GC-2, the last kilometer marker you will pass is marker 32. After marker 32, keep straight ahead another 500-600 meters until you reach the roundabout where there is not a road that continues straight ahead. That roundabout is the western terminus of the GC-2. Take the second departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), which is signed La Aldea and GC-200. Continue a little over 300 meters, then turn right at another La Aldea sign. Upon turning, you will be at the start of route GC-200, and you will see kilometer marker 0.
GC-200 is a twisty road that will begin to go uphill and wind through the mountains. Watch the kilometer markers. In 5 kilometers you will pass marker 5, which is next to a brown Barranco de Guayedra sign. After marker 5, continue just 100-200 meters farther and take the next possible right turn at a break in the guardrail. The turnoff is not signed, but there is a blue-and-white bus stop panel at the turnoff.
Upon turning, you will be on a gravel road that clings to a mountainside, gradually descending toward the ocean. In about 800-900 meters, you will pass a private driveway on the right that goes into a large estate that is perched just above the ocean. Shortly after that point, the road will morph into a walking path. There is no parking lot, but parking is possible at various niches alongside the road near its end (28.0841N, 15.7082W).
Continue downhill along the walking path. When you get down to sea level, keep following the path as it goes north (i.e., the water should be on your left-hand side). After you pass the ocean edge of the previously mentioned estate, you will be at the northern end of Playa de Guayedra, which is where most beach visitors (nudist and textile) gather due to the rugged terrain of the rest of the beach. The total walk from the end of the road to the north end of the beach is about 500 meters.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Guayedra.

kilometer marker 5 of GC-200, next to "Barranco de Guayedra" sign
This placemark pertains to Playa de Guayedra.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Guayedra.

continuation of gravel road & path along beach

La Gomera

Playa del Inglés

Playa del Inglés
Along the central area of La Gomera's western coast, Valle Gran Rey is a municipality with a number of constituent villages, one of which is La Playa de la Calera, or just La Playa for short. La Playa consists mostly of a small cluster of tourist development, and it is located at the westernmost point of the island. On the north end of La Playa, there is a beautiful black sand beach called Playa del Inglés that has an incredible backdrop. A majestic, rugged mountain of multiple earthen hues rises abruptly at one end of the beach. The main sandy expanse of Playa del Inglés is a little over 200 meters long, then there are narrower rocky area extending in either direction. Playa del Inglés is a popular beach where nudity is commonplace, and there may be a a nudist majority or a textile majority, depending on when you visit. There are no amenities at the beach, but the closest cafés and shops in La Playa are just 600 meters away. Playa del Inglés is easily reached by car, and it is the best established nude beach of La Gomera.
Valle Gran Rey, La Gomera, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YBf5ed
starting point:  the ferry dock in San Sebastián
La Gomera has three principal highways—GM-1, GM-2 and GM-3. Two of those highways, GM-1 and GM-2, begin in San Sebastián. The other highway, GM-3, is a loop road that goes to the airport and intersects GM-2 in two different locations. From the ferry dock, just keep straight ahead until you see a yellow sign pointing toward GM-1 and GM-2, then head that direction. About one kilometer from the ferry dock, you will reach a roundabout where GM-1 and GM-2 both begin. Take the GM-2 departure, which is has signs for Alajeró, Valle Gran Rey and the airport. Follow the entire length of GM-2, a distance of about 33.5 kilometers, to a three-way intersection with GM-1.★ Turn left, following the Valle Gran Rey sign. Follow GM-1 about 14.8 kilometers to kilometer marker 64.
When you reach marker 64, you will be in La Calera, which is one of a number of scattered villages that comprise Valle Gran Rey. At that point, you will be near the end of GM-1, and the ocean will be visible in the distance straight ahead of you. Just after marker 64, you will reach a roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), following the orange La Playa sign.
Once you depart the roundabout, you will be going northwest toward La Playa de la Calera, or just La Playa for short, which is the next cluster of development. In about 600 meters, you will reach a three-way junction in La Playa that is next to the ocean. Turn right, following the Playa del Inglés sign. You will then begin to pass through the dense development of La Playa, and there are Playa del Inglés signs to help you along. Continue about 200 meters to the sign that indicates the road straight ahead is a dead end, then turn left. Continue less than 100 meters to a T junction, then turn right. Continue 400-500 meters to a small paved parking lot (28.0986N, 17.3466W). The lot is next to a sports complex called Polideportivo Municipal Playa del Inglés. (The road continues through a gate that goes into the sports complex, but you want to park before the gate.) The path to the beach is straight ahead from the parking lot, and the walk is less than 200 meters.
★ It is possible to follow GM-1 all the way from San Sebastián to Valle Gran Rey instead of following GM-2, which is effectively a shortcut. Following GM-1 the entire distance adds about 16 kilometers and about 30 minutes more driving time since La Gomera's roads are extremely curvy.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Inglés.

kilometer marker 64 of GM-1 at end of route
This placemark pertains to Playa del Inglés.

roundabout at GM-1 terminus
This placemark pertains to Playa del Inglés.

Polideportivo Municipal Playa del Inglés (sports complex)

route from kilometer marker 64 of GM-1 to Playa del Inglés

Playa del Medio & Playa de Chinguarime

Playa de Santiago (also known by the name Tecina) is a small resort area on the south coast of La Gomera, just east of the island's small airport. On the east side of Playa de Santiago, there is a trio of ravines separated by ridges, and there is a small beach at the end of each ravine. The western ravine is called Barranco de Tapahuga, and its beach is Playa de Tapahuga. The middle ravine is Barranco de Biquillo, and its beach is Playa del Medio. The eastern ravine is Barranco de Chinguarime, and its beach is Playa de Chinguarime. All are fairly lightly attended beaches with no amenities. Playa de Tapahuga is the most exposed of the three beaches. It is regarded as a textile beach, but it is actually just seldom used as a bathing beach at all, serving mostly as a boat anchorage. Playa del Medio and Playa de Chinguarime are more secluded, and nudity is well established at both.
Playa del Medio is about 250 meters long, and the ridges along either side of Barranco de Biquillo extend into the water, becoming headlands at either end of the beach . El Medio is mostly a pebble beach, with some black sand mixed in. Nude bathing is well established, but the beach is generally uncrowded, so some days the majority of visitors are naked and some days not. An asphalted road leads to parking adjacent to the beach, so it is quite easy to access.
Facing the water at Playa del Medio, look to your left. The headland abruptly tapers off and becomes a rocky outcropping. At the base of the headland below the tapering point there is a short tunnel—that is, a natural arch. Playa de Chinguarime is hidden on the other side. Nude bathing is also the norm at Chinguarime, but it is trickier to access. At low tide, it is possible to go through the arch to get from one beach to the other, but it is a bit risky and probably a bad idea. A better option is to follow the trail that goes over the headland, connecting the two beaches. It used to be that the trail was little more than a goat path, but it was shored up and improved substantially circa 2011. It is still a bit of a physical challenge, and while you don't need to be as agile as a mountain goat, you do need to be comfortable with heights. You won't have to get too far along the trail before you know for sure whether or not you're up for it. If you make it all the way, you'll land at the far west end of Playa de Chinguarime.
Like Playa del Medio, Playa de Chinguarime is also a mostly pebble beach with some black sand mixed in, but it is a somewhat longer beach, extending about 350 meters. Furthermore, the ravine leading up to Playa de Chinguarime is much broader and flatter that the ravine leading up to Playa del Medio, so the main expanse of Playa de Chinguarime has a rather wide-open feel. If you walk all the way across Playa de Chinguarime, you will reach a rocky outcropping at its east end that is not terribly difficult to climb over. On the other side, there is a hidden cove that backs up against a cliff. The hidden cove is about 150 meters long, and it is likely to be deserted.
There is actually a road that goes over the ridge that separates Playa del Medio and Playa de Chinguarime. However, there are reports that the road is often chained off, apparently due to issues of right of way through private property. Even if you are able to go over the ridge by car and park in Barranco de Chinguarime, it is still a hike of about 750 meters through the ravine out to the beach. Under all possible conditions, Playa de Chinguarime takes some effort to reach.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Medio and Playa de Chinguarime.

Playa del Medio
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Medio and Playa de Chinguarime.)
San Sebastián de La Gomera, La Gomera, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 15 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Medio and Playa de Chinguarime.

Playa de Chinguarime
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Medio and Playa de Chinguarime.)
GPS: 28.0387N, 17.1771W (Chinguarime, main beach), 28.0395N, 17.1748W (Chinguarime, hidden eastern area)
San Sebastián de La Gomera, La Gomera, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 15 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Medio and Playa de Chinguarime.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KGBbpY
starting point:  the ferry dock in San Sebastián
La Gomera has three principal highways—GM-1, GM-2 and GM-3. Two of those highways, GM-1 and GM-2, begin in San Sebastián. The other highway, GM-3, is a loop road that goes to the airport and intersects GM-2 in two different locations. From the ferry dock, just keep straight ahead until you see a yellow sign pointing toward GM-1 and GM-2, then head that direction. About one kilometer from the ferry dock, you will reach a roundabout where GM-1 and GM-2 both begin. Take the GM-2 departure, which has signs for Alajeró, Valle Gran Rey and the airport. Follow GM-2 about 14 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 14, then continue about 900 meters farther and turn left onto route GM-3, toward Playa de Santiago and the airport. (The turnoff is just before kilometer marker 15 and just after a dramatic scenic overlook that is worth a stop.)
Once you turn, you will be at kilometer 0 of GM-3. Follow GM-3 for 12 kilometers and watch for marker 12. After marker 12, the speed limit will begin to decrease as you enter the development of Playa de Santiago (a.k.a. Tecina). Continue about a kilometer. Near marker 13, turn left at the signs for Tecina Golf and Hotel Jardín Tecina. (There is also an orange sign pointing toward three beaches: Chinguarime, El Medio and Tapahuga.) Upon turning, you will be going east. In 500-600 meters, you will pass under a wooden pedestrian bridge that spans the road. Just after the bridge, the road will curve leftward and begin to descend into the Tapahuga ravine, and you will see a beach downhill on your right-hand side. That beach is Playa de Tapahuga. About 500-600 meters farther on, the road will make a very sharp rightward hairpin curve. At the hairpin curve, turn left onto a road that is paved but not signed. (The main road ends at Playa de Tapahuga a bit after the hairpin curve.)
Once you turn at the rightward hairpin curve, the road will at first go inland and then make a long rightward curve back toward the ocean and then begin to climb uphill out of the Tapahuga ravine. In 700-800 meters, the road will make a leftward hairpin curve at the crest of a ridge, then it will begin to go downhill into the Biquillo ravine. About 500-600 meters farther on, once you've descended into the Biquillo ravine, you will reach a fork. Keep to the right, staying in the ravine. (The left fork begins to climb out of the ravine.) In about 300 meters the road will end at a small parking area next to Playa del Medio (28.0379N, 17.1814W).
If you want to go to Playa de Chinguarime, there is a path that begins at the point where you enter the parking area. (Facing the ocean, the path will be to your left.) The path gradually climbs uphill, crosses the headland that separates Playa del Medio and Playa de Chinguarime, then descends to Chinguarime. It is a hike of about 500 meters, with an elevation gain (and loss) of about 35 meters. You should be comfortable with heights if you attempt the hike.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Medio and Playa de Chinguarime.

kilometer marker 12 of GM-3
This placemark pertains to Playa del Medio and Playa de Chinguarime.

kilometer marker 13 of GM-3

Hotel Jardín Tecina

wooden pedestrian bridge that spans road

hairpin curve in Tapahuga ravine

Playa de Tapahuga (textile)

hairpin curve at crest of ridge

road fork in Biquillo ravine

sea arch at base of headland

hidden eastern area of Playa de Chinguarime (nudist, or empty)

segment of GM-3

road to Playa de Tapahuga

unsigned road to Playa del Medio

path from Playa del Medio to Playa de Chinguarime

La Palma

Playa de las Monjas

Playa de las Monjas
The island of La Palma has two principal towns that are comparable in size. Toward the center of the island's eastern coast, there is Santa Cruz de la Palma, usually truncated to just Santa Cruz. It is the capital and the location of the island's only airport. Toward the center of the island's western coast, there is Los Llanos de Aridane, usually truncated to just Los Llanos. It is the slightly larger of the two towns. About 10 kilometers south of Los Llanos, Playa de las Monjas is the only well-established nude beach in La Palma. Less than 100 meters long, Las Monjas is a black sand beach backed by a low, tortured-looking cliff. The beach is located below a banana plantation, and access is via a narrow, unmarked lane through walled-off plots of banana trees. Finding the very inconspicuous road to the hidden beach is the hard part. Once you do that, you can park above the beach, and a staircase with handrail makes access easy. The beach usually has a dozen or fewer visitors, but just about everyone goes naked. As you might expect, Las Manjas has no amenities. However, there is a textile beach called Playa del Charco Verde that is less than one kilometer to the south, and it is equipped with showers and a small café.
Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3P0MlZu
starting point:  the junction of routes LP-213 and LP-21 at a roundabout in Los Llanos de Aridane
Los Llanos de Aridane, usually truncated to just Los Llanos, is the largest town (but not the capital) of La Palma. The main highway that passes through town is LP-2, but there is a 3.4-kilometer long bypass road numbered LP-21 that skirts around the southern side of Los Llanos, intersecting LP-2 at two different locations. There is one roundabout along LP-21, and it is between kilometer markers 1 and 2. At that roundabout, there is a departure signed Puerto Naos. Take that departure and you will begin headings south on LP-213.
As you follow LP-213, watch the kilometer marker numbers, which ascend the farther you go. In 9.7 kilometers, just after you pass through Puerto Naos, you will pass kilometer marker 11.
Less than 50 meters after marker 11, take the next possible right turn. The road is not marked. It is a very narrow lane that runs between two agricultural plots of banana trees, and there are fence walls on either side of the lane. In 150 meters, the fence wall that is on your left-hand side will end at a corner with another fence wall, and the lane will widen into a small dirt parking area that overlooks the ocean (28.5759N, 17.9061W). Playa de las Monjas will be downhill on the left. To get down to the beach, walk south (to the left when facing the ocean) on the cliff-top path above the beach. In about 100 meters, you will reach a staircase with handrails that descends to the beach.
MAP from starting point to turnoff toward parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Monjas.

kilometer marker 10 of LP-213
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Monjas.

kilometer marker 11 of LP-213
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Monjas.

kilometer marker 12 of LP-213

Playa del Charco Verde (textile)

segment of LP-213

short, narrow, unmarked lane to beach

path & steps to beach

Lanzarote

Charco del Palo

Charco del Palo
Charco del Palo is a seaside vacation village that was built in the '70s specifically for naturist vacationers. Nudity is possible along the village coastline, and all of the accommodations are clothing-optional as well. While clothing is worn in the restaurants and other shops of the village, wandering the streets naked is possible and commonplace.
Day trippers can drive into Charco del Palo just like any other village. There is actually no real beach as the coastline is very rocky. However, there is a collection of enchanting bathing spots along the coastline. The GPS location indicated above pinpoints a popular, developed pool at the end of Calle Punta del Pasito. Go south from there (to the right when facing the ocean) and you'll reach a number of tidal pools and coves over the next 750 meters. Since there is no development on either end of Charco del Palo, you can explore the coastline in the nude for a good distance in either direction.
Haría, Lanzarote, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YIRbh1
starting point:  the Mala exit of route LZ-1 in northern Lanzarote
Route LZ-1 begins in Arrecife (the capital and largest town of Lanzarote) and goes to Órzola at the northern tip of the island. The Mala exit is about 17 kilometers north of the start of LZ-1. There are no exit numbers, but the exit is located between kilometer markers 17 and 18. Upon exiting, follow the signs for Mala and Jardín de Cactus.
Once you leave the roundabouts that are part of the exit interchange, you will be heading south on a road that roughly parallels LZ-1, and soon you will enter the village of Mala. Toward the southern end of the village, about 1.7 kilometers from the highway exit, turn left toward Charco del Palo. There is a Charco del Palo sign at the turnoff, but it is difficult to see. The turnoff is between Don Quijote restaurant and a small health center (Centro de Salud; watch for the red cross symbol). If you reach the sign indicating that you are leaving Malo, you have missed the turn by 300-400 meters.
Once you turn, you will be on a paved road that essentially dead ends in Charco del Palo. Just keep straight ahead. The road will curve a number of times as it heads in a generally southeasterly direction toward the ocean. After passing a scattering of houses near the start of the road, you will begin driving through an area devoid of development. 2.4 kilometers from the start of the road, you will pass a large Charco del Palo billboard as you arrive in the village.★ Shortly after you enter the village, the road will curve leftward and become Calle Selfio. At that point, you will be going north, with the ocean off to your right. Continue about 300 meters and turn right onto Calle Punta del Pasito. (There is a small triangular planter containing a street lamp at the intersection where you need to turn, which is the next-to-last possible right turn you can make before Calle Selfio turns to gravel.) Follow Calle Punta del Pasito about 200 meters to its end at a small parking lot that overlooks the ocean (29.0854N, 13.4497W).
The oceanfront buildings of Charco del Palo stretch about 750 meters along the coastline, and the entire area is naturist. At the small parking lot, you will be at the north end of the village development, just steps away from one of the pools along the rocky coastline that is a main gathering place for bathers. Facing the ocean, other pools and niches to explore are to your right, within a walk of about 10 minutes.
★ Charco del Palo is a naturist holiday village, so nudity is acceptable as soon as you enter the village. The road going into Charco del Palo does not go anywhere else. The village has a small grid of paved streets (most of which are dead ends) contained within an area of just a fraction of a square kilometer, and the roads going north or south out of the village along the coastline turn to gravel at the edge of the village. The small parking lot referenced above has just a dozen or so parking spaces, but there is ample streetside parking throughout the village.
This placemark pertains to Charco del Palo.

Mala town sign (entering going south, leaving going north)
This placemark pertains to Charco del Palo.

Don Quijote restaurant
This placemark pertains to Charco del Palo.

health center (Centro de Salud)

Mala town sign (leaving going south, entering going north)

small parking lot (with ample streetside parking nearby)

segment of main road through Mala

road to Charco del Palo

Playa de Famara

Playa de Famara
Toward the north end of Lanzarote's western coast, Playa de Famara is a long beach that extends several kilometers against a dramatic backdrop of steep, rugged mountains. There are two pockets of development along the beach. At the far southwest end, there is a village called Caleta de Famara. About halfway along the beach, there is a large bungalow complex called Bungalows Playa Famara (labeled as Urbanización Famara on some maps). The beach is textile from Caleta de Famara to the bungalows, but nudity occurs going northeast beyond the bungalows.
Playa de Famara is accessed from a highway numbered LZ-402. When you turn away from the highway, you will be on a paved road that briefly parallels the beach (heading northeast) before turning away from the beach and skirting the inland edge of the bungalow complex. After the bungalow complex, the road (having morphed into a gravel track) curves back to the ocean and once again parallels the beach, heading northeast. Once the track begins to follow the beach, it continues about 1.6 kilometers before morphing into a hiking path, and nudity is apt to occur anywhere along that stretch. Nude bathers tend to be quite spread out since the beach is so large. Playa de Famara has no amenities. Restaurants and cafés in Caleta de Famara are about 3.5 kilometers by car from parking that is closest to the nude end of the beach.
Teguise, Lanzarote, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45oPgAc
starting point:  the San Bartolomé / La Santa exit of route LZ-3 in Arrecife
Route LZ-3 is a 5-kilometer-long partial ring road that skirts the inland side of Arrecife (the capital and largest town of Lanzarote), serving as a connector between routes LZ-1 and LZ-2, the two highways that respectively go all the way to the north end and the south end of Lanzarote. There are no exit numbers, but the San Bartolomé / La Santa exit is located between kilometer markers 3 and 4. For traffic coming from either direction, there are actually two nearby exits that are part of the same interchange, so be sure to take the exit signed San Bartolomé and La Santa, NOT the one for Arrecife. Regardless of the directions of approach, you will be filtered onto route LZ-20 heading north. Follow LZ-20 about 7.5 kilometers (passing through San Bartolomé) until you get to a roundabout that forms the junction with route LZ-30. (The roundabout is about 500 meters past the sign that indicates you are leaving San Bartolomé.) Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), toward Teguise and Mirador del Rio.
Follow LZ-30 east-northeast for 4.5 kilometers to a roundabout at kilometer marker 3. Take the second departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), toward Caleta de Famara. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be at the start of route LZ-402. Follow it northeast for 8 kilometers though an area that is devoid of development and watch for kilometer marker 8.
By the time you reach marker 8, the ocean will be in clear view straight ahead of you. Continue 700 meters, then turn right onto an unmarked road that is next to a windmill with blue and white blades. The unmarked road is a short connector road. In about 200 meters you will reach a "T" junction with the road that parallels the beach. Turn right. About 200 meters farther on, the beachfront road will curve inland and begin to skirt the edge of Bungalows Playa Famara, a complex of a few hundred low-slung white vacation houses built in a large rectangular grid. The bungalows will be on your left-hand side, and you will be heading toward the mountains.
After following the edge of the bungalow complex about 900 meters, the paved road will end at a "T" with a gravel road. Turn left. You will then be driving along another side of the complex, with the bungalows still on your left-hand side. In 300-400 meters, you will pass the last bungalow. Continue about 500 meters to a fork. Veer left, following the road that heads toward the ocean. In about 400 meters, the road will bend sharply to the right near the coastline, then it will parallel the beach about 1.6 kilometers before morphing into a hiking trail that begins to go uphill away from the beach. You can park at the bend of the road (29.1202N, 13.5426W) or at any point over the next 1.6 kilometers to the end of the road. The entire area is frequented by nudists.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Famara.

kilometer marker 8 of LZ-402
This placemark pertains to Playa de Famara.

kilometer marker 9 of LZ-402
This placemark pertains to Playa de Famara.

windmill with blue & white blades

Bungalows Playa Famara

segment of LZ-402

route from LZ-402 to parking

Papagayo Beaches

The far south end of Lanzarote is the location of a sprawling resort town called Playa Blanca. On the east side of Playa Blanca, there is a tapering land mass called the Punta del Papagayo that protrudes southward, and its tip is the southernmost point of the island. Part of a protected natural area called the Monumento Natural de Los Ajaches, the Punta del Papagayo has six main beaches along with a few small pocket beaches. These beaches, which are collectively called the Papagayo beaches, are contained in an area of just a few square kilometers. To visit any of these beaches by car, you will pass through a gate where an entry fee of a few euros per person is collected. On one side of the Punta del Papagayo, there are four beaches that mostly face west: Playa de las Mujeres, Playa del Pozo, Playa de la Cera and Playa del Papagayo. On the other side of the Punta del Papagayo, there are two beaches that mostly face southeast: Playa de Caleta del Congrio and Playa de Puerto Muelas. Some sources classify all the Papagayo beaches as nude beaches, but that is misleading. Collectively, the beaches are mostly textile, especially on crowded days. Lanzarote (like all the Canary Islands) does not have an extended low season, but some months are busier than others, with May tending to be the least busy. So, if you happen to visit when the island is not abuzz with tourists, you may find all the Papagayo beaches to be sufficiently uncrowded that nude bathing can occur at any of them without raising eyebrows. However, most of the time that is not the case, and nudists are typically present only on certain beaches or parts of beaches.
Starting on the west side of the Punta del Papagayo, the northernmost of the beaches is Playa de la Mujeres, which is about 400 meters long. Most of the beach is textile, but some nudists are usually present amid the textiles toward the south end (to the left when facing the water). Going south from La Mujeres, there is a rugged stretch of about 300 meters where there are several tiny pocket beaches where nudists may also be present, then the next major beach is Playa del Pozo, which is about 350 meters long. Playa del Pozo is a bit isolated from parking compared to the beaches that are north or south of it, so it tends to be less crowded than its neighbors. Nude bathing is quite common at El Pozo. While nudity may occur anywhere along the beach, nudists tend to gravitate toward either end of the beach.
Continuing south, the next two beaches are Playa de la Cera and Playa del Papagayo, and each is less than 150 meters long. Between the beaches, there is a headland, atop which is a restaurant. Both La Cera and El Papagayo are very likely to be all textile, with sporadic nudity perhaps occurring during the rare times when attendance is sparse. El Papagayo is sheltered in a very scenic cove with a shallow swimming area, making it the crown jewel of the Papagayo beaches. It is also consistently the most crowded of the beaches. The restaurant that is between Playa de la Cera and Playa del Papagayo is the only eatery in the vicinity of any of the Papagayo beaches.
The tip of the Punta del Papagayo is a bit south of Playa del Papagayo, then the direction of the coastline changes. The next beach is Playa de Caleta del Congrio, which faces southeast and spans about 300 meters. Of all the Papagayo beaches, Caleta del Congrio is most associated with nude bathing. The beach is attended by a mix of nudists and textiles, with nudists often in the majority. Nudity occurs along the entire length of the beach, even on peak days when all the other Papagayo beaches are overrun with textiles.
Going northeast from Caleta del Congrio, the next beach is Playa de Puerto Muelas, and it is about 130 meters long. The beach is backed by a rather stark caravan park that is open during summer months. The restrooms and showers of the caravan park are the only such facilities in the vicinity of any of the Papagayo beaches, and those facilities are available to visitors of any of the Papagayo beaches. There may be sporadic nudity at Puerto Muelas at times when the caravan park is closed, but otherwise the beach is very likely to be all textile.
The sprawling development of Playa Blanca occupies almost all of Lanzarote's south-facing coastline. If you stay in the far eastern end of Playa Blanca, in the area called Las Coloradas, you will be within walking distance of the Papagayo beaches. The easternmost coastal resort is Sandos Papagayo Beach Resort, and from there is a walk of 400-500 meters to Playa de las Mujeres.
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Mujeres, Playa del Pozo and Playa de Caleta del Congrio.

Playa de Caleta del Congrio
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these three beaches: Playa de las Mujeres, Playa del Pozo and Playa de Caleta del Congrio.)
Yaiza, Lanzarote, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 22 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de las Mujeres, Playa del Pozo and Playa de Caleta del Congrio.

Playa del Pozo
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these three beaches: Playa de las Mujeres, Playa del Pozo and Playa de Caleta del Congrio.)
Yaiza, Lanzarote, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 22 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de las Mujeres, Playa del Pozo and Playa de Caleta del Congrio.

Playa de las Mujeres
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of these three beaches: Playa de las Mujeres, Playa del Pozo and Playa de Caleta del Congrio.)
Yaiza, Lanzarote, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 22 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de las Mujeres, Playa del Pozo and Playa de Caleta del Congrio.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Ouf4nS
starting point:  the southern terminus of route LZ-2 in Playa Blanca
Route LZ-2 begins in Arrecife (the capital and largest town of Lanzarote) and goes to Playa Blanca in the far south of the island. Going south on LZ-2, the highway terminates at the second roundabout after kilometer marker 36. The roundabout is less than 200 meters after the Playa Blanca town sign. Take the departure of the roundabout that is signed Marina Rubicon and Femés. Upon leaving the roundabout, follow the road toward Femés northeast for 2 kilometers and you will reach a huge roundabout that is in a wide-open area with no nearby development. Take the first departure of the roundabout, following the Papagayo sign.
As you depart the large roundabout, the road will turn to gravel. Continue southeast 2 kilometers to an entry booth, where you will have to pay a fee to enter a park called the Monumento Natural de Los Ajaches. There are four parking lots in the park from which the various Papagayo beaches are accessed. Continue another 1.6 kilometers to a three-way junction, which is the first junction after the entry booth.
To go to Playa de las Mujeres:
Keep straight ahead at the three-way junction that is after the entry booth. Continue another 500 meters until you reach a turnoff on your left that is just before Playa de las Mujeres. You can either go straight ahead to a parking lot at the north end of the beach (28.8551N, 13.7928W), or you can turn left and go 200 meters to another lot (28.8533N, 13.7917W) that is closer to the nude (south) end of the beach.
To go to Playa de Caleta del Congrio:
Turn left at the three-way junction that is after the entry booth. Continue south 1.6 kilometers to another three-way junction, where there is a large sign indicating that Playa del Papago is straight ahead and that Caleta de Congrio and Puerto Muelas are to the left. You can go either way to get to Playa de Caleta del Congrio. First, assume you stay straight ahead. About 500 meters farther along you will enter the large Playa del Papagayo parking lot at the end of the road (28.8439N, 13.7859W). It is the largest and generally the fullest of the four parking lots. Immediately upon entering the lot, there is a path on the left. It is a sandy track that leads about 300-400 meters to the southwest end of Playa de Caleta del Congrio. Alternatively, assume you turn left at the sign. In about 250 meters you will enter a large parking lot (28.8459N, 13.7827W) that is next to a camping and caravan park, with Playa de Puerto Muelas just beyond. (The caravan park is devoid of vegetation, so it really just looks like a huge parking lot.) Follow the rock-lined perimeter of the caravan park toward the beach until you get to the corner that is next to Playa de Puerto Muelas. Instead of continuing out to Playa de Puerto Muelas, turn right and follow the ocean perimeter of the caravan park to the next corner, then veer left out toward the ocean. Shortly you will arrive at the northeast end of Playa de Caleta del Congrio. The total walk is about 500 meters.
To go to Playa del Pozo:
Playa del Pozo can be accessed from either route described above. If you park at Playa de las Mujeres, then Playa del Pozo is the next significant beach to the south (to the left when facing the water), not counting the tiny pocket beaches. If you park at the Playa del Papagayo lot, you will see a restaurant straight ahead from where you enter the lot. That restaurant is perched atop a headland that separates Playa del Papagayo and Playa de la Cera. The beach immediately north of the headland (to the right when facing the water) is Playa de la Cera, then Playa del Pozo is the next significant beach farther north, again not counting any tiny pocket beaches.
MAP from starting point to parking (Playa de las Mujeres, southern lot)
MAP from starting point to parking (Playa del Papagayo)
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Mujeres, Playa del Pozo and Playa de Caleta del Congrio.

kilometer marker 36 of LZ-2
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Mujeres, Playa del Pozo and Playa de Caleta del Congrio.

Playa Blanca town sign, facing traffic going south

roundabout at southern terminus of LZ-2

huge roundabout in wide-open area with no nearby development

entry booth to Monumento Natural de Los Ajaches

first junction after entry booth

parking lot, north end of Playa de las Mujeres

parking lot, south end of Playa de las Mujeres

Playa del Papagayo parking lot (largest of the 4)

Playa de la Cera (usually all textile)

Playa del Papagayo (usually all textile)

camping & caravan park

parking lot next to caravan park

Playa de Puerto Muelas (usually all textile)

Sandos Papagayo Beach Resort (easternmost coastal resort of Playa Blanca)

route from LZ-2 terminus to park entry booth

road from park entry booth to Playa de las Mujeres

short road to alternate parking at Playa de las Mujeres

road from 3-way junction to Playa del Papagayo

side road to caravan park & Playa de Puerto Muelas

path to southwest end of Playa de Caleta del Congrio

path to north end of Playa de Caleta del Congrio

Tenerife

Playa de las Gaviotas

Playa de las Gaviotas
San Andrés is a town that is part of the municipality of Santa Cruz, and it is about 8 kilometers northeast of the urban core of Santa Cruz. San Andrés is notable for its colorful buildings that cascade down a mountainside as well as for Playa de las Teresitas, a palm-lined crescent of golden sand that stretches over a kilometer. Playa de las Teresitas is an extremely popular beach that does not look like the dark-sand beaches that are typical of Tenerife, and there's a reason for that: it is artificial. In the early '70s, sand from the Sahara Desert was shipped in to create the idyllic beachscape. Las Teresitas is a textile beach, but just northeast of it, beyond a formidable headland, there is a much smaller beach called Playa de las Gaviotas, which is accessed from the twisty mountain road that passes above Las Teresitas. Las Gaviotas is about 250 meters long with dark sand, and it is quite easy to access by car despite its location at the base of a steep mountainside. An access road winds all the way down to the beach, with a parking lot near sea level. Las Gaviotas is attended by a mix of nude and textile bathers, and it is the only nude beach that can be quickly accessed from Santa Cruz, which is by far the island's largest city. Therefore, Las Gaviotas can get quite crowded, with overflow parking often winding uphill along the access road. There is a snack stand along the beach next to the parking lot, but there are no other amenities.
As you drive toward Playa de las Gaviotas, you will pass a scenic overlook that is between kilometer markers 2 and 3 of route TF-121. Perched atop the headland that separates Playa de las Teresitas and Playa de las Gaviotas, the overlook affords incredible views of both beaches, so be sure to stop there.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3shkmfa
starting point:  the northern terminus of either the TF-1 or the TF-5 motorway in Santa Cruz
TF-1 and TF-5 are the two major motorways of Tenerife. If you follow either motorway north as far as possible, you will be filtered toward the urban center of Santa Cruz, and you have to pass through the city to get to the northeastern part of the island. Going northbound on either motorway, the speed limit will gradually begin to drop as you approach the terminus. Near the 60 KPH speed limit panels, TF-1 and TF-5 will merge together, and briefly there will be five lanes of northbound traffic. Watch the overhead panels. Get in any lane signed La Salle and carefully follow the La Salle signs until you are filtered onto Avenida Manuel Hermoso Roja, an elaborately landscaped divided street with palm trees on both sides and in the median. Once you are on the palm-lined street, you will be going east toward the ocean. Keep straight ahead through all red lights for 500-600 meters until you reach the red light at a "T" junction where the street ends, where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left.
Once you turn, you will be on Avenida Constitucion, a busy multi-lane street that follows the coastline (with the ocean on your right-hand side). In about 400 meters you will pass the Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, a solid-white seafront arts center that is arguably the most architecturally distinctive structure in the Canary Islands (with a huge arc that is reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House). Keep straight ahead. About a kilometer past the arts center, you will enter a 500-meter-long tunnel (the Túnel Plaza de España), which is next to the city's large port. After the tunnel, keep straight ahead through a number of red lights. You will be on route TF-11, continuing north along the coastline through the industrial area on the northern periphery on the city, but there does not seem to be any conspicuous signage with the road number. 4.7 kilometers past the tunnel, TF-11 will become a motorway when you pass the blue autovía signs. Continue along the short motorway for 2.5 kilometers to its end at a three-way intersection that is next to the San Andrés town sign.
Keep straight ahead past the town sign along the palm-lined street that continues along the waterfront. In about 300 meters, the street will make two sharp curves in quick succession—first to the left, then to the right. About 200 meters farther along, you will reach a red light, and the street will fork immediately after the light. Keep to the left, following signs for Suculum, Igueste and Las Gaviotas. (The right fork goes to into the huge parking lot for Playa de las Teresitas). At that point, you will be at the start of route TF-121, which will begin to go uphill, winding through the mountains above the coastline.
Follow TF-121 for 3 kilometers and watch for kilometer marker 3, then continue about 300 meters farther and turn right at the Las Gaviotas sign. (You can't miss it. It is the only turnoff between kilometer markers 3 and 4.) Follow the twisty road downhill. After 1.2 kilometers, you will reach the end of the road at a parking lot that is adjacent to the beach (28.5139N, 16.1752W).
Note: The only access to Playa de las Gaviotas is through San Andrés. TF-121 ends in Igueste about 5 kilometers past the Las Gaviotas turnoff, and all other roads from Igueste dead end in the mountains.
MAP from where TF-1 & TF-5 motorways merge to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Gaviotas.

"San Andrés" town sign
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Gaviotas.

red light where TF-121 begins
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Gaviotas.

Playa de las Teresitas (textile)

kilometer marker 1 of TF-121

kilometer marker 2 of TF-121

kilometer marker 3 of TF-121

sign pointing to Las Gaviotas

apartment building built into cliffside

road from town sign to start of TF-121

segment of TF-121

road to Playa de las Gaviotas

Playa de Benijo

Playa de Benijo
The Macizo de Anaga is the mountain range that occupies the northeastern tip of Tenerife. The mountains extend eastward about 20 kilometers from the large city of Santa Cruz and the island's northern airport. Some of Tenerife's most rugged coastal landscapes are located in the Macizo de Anaga, much of which cannot be reached by car. On the north coast of the mountains, there is a stunning beach called Playa de Benijo below the tiny village of Benijo, which is located at the dead end of a minor highway. It is among the more accessible beaches of the Macizo de Anaga, requiring only a hike down a long staircase with a handrail. Playa de Benijo is set against a steep mountain slope, and its most distinguishing features are the tall, craggy rock formations that are just offshore, like miniature Matterhorns rising out of the water. At low tide, there is a broad expanse of black sand that extends about 300 meters, but the beach contracts to a narrow sliver at high tide.
Since Benijo is off the beaten path, it does not draw as many visitors as its natural beauty warrants, and it is typically uncrowded. Although described by many sources as a nude beach, that requires further explanation. Benijo is actually visited overwhelmingly by textiles. Nude usage is light and inconsistent. For some reason, Benijo is just not on the nudist radar as much as the island's other nudist locations, even though it seems it should be. When you descend the steps to the beach, you will land on its western end. If only textiles are present and you aren't comfortable stripping down, walk all the way across the beach (to the right when facing the water) and then continue across a rocky stretch of shoreline that begins at the eastern end of the sand. In a few hundred meters you will arrive at a separate and more secluded expanse of black sand that is about 200 meters long. It is likely to be deserted or nearly so, making it ideal for nudity. (That separate beach is technically named Playa de Fabián, but there aren't any signs, so the proper name almost never gets used. It is commonly regarded as just being part of Playa de Benijo.) There are other niches you can explore farther along, but be cautious about going too far near high tide lest you get stranded.
The distance by car from Santa Cruz to Playa de Benijo is about 30 kilometers, but the last half of the drive is along very twisty mountain roads, so the trip takes the better part of an hour. Following the driving directions, you will park a bit before the road dead ends amid the small cluster of buildings that comprise the village of Benijo. Assume you continue toward the village and take the next possible left after El Mirador restaurant. You will then be on a road that passes next to El Frontón restaurant, just beyond which the road turns to gravel. That road continues about 2 kilometers to the village of El Draguillo, clinging to the side of the mountain as it winds above Playa de Benijo. It is a hair-raising but worthwhile excursion. Beyond El Draguillo, the road continues as a hiking path.
The two restaurants mentioned in the previous paragraph are close at hand above Playa de Benijo, but there are no amenities on the beach itself.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qG0i5o
starting point:  the northern terminus of either the TF-1 or the TF-5 motorway in Santa Cruz
TF-1 and TF-5 are the two major motorways of Tenerife. If you follow either motorway north as far as possible, you will be filtered toward the urban center of Santa Cruz, and you have to pass through the city to get to the northeastern part of the island. Going northbound on either motorway, the speed limit will gradually begin to drop as you approach the terminus. Near the 60 KPH speed limit panels, TF-1 and TF-5 will merge together, and briefly there will be five lanes of northbound traffic. Watch the overhead panels. Get in any lane signed La Salle and carefully follow the La Salle signs until you are filtered onto Avenida Manuel Hermoso Roja, an elaborately landscaped divided street with palm trees on both sides and in the median. Once you are on the palm-lined street, you will be going east toward the ocean. Keep straight ahead through all red lights for 500-600 meters until you reach the red light at a "T" junction where the street ends, where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left.
Once you turn, you will be on Avenida Constitucion, a busy multi-lane street that follows the coastline (with the ocean on your right-hand side). In about 400 meters you will pass the Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, a solid-white seafront arts center that is arguably the most architecturally distinctive structure in the Canary Islands (with a huge arc that is reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House). Keep straight ahead. About a kilometer past the arts center, you will enter a 500-meter-long tunnel (the Túnel Plaza de España), which is next to the city's large port. After the tunnel, keep straight ahead through a number of red lights. You will be on route TF-11, continuing north along the coastline through the industrial area on the northern periphery on the city, but there does not seem to be any conspicuous signage with the road number. 4.7 kilometers past the tunnel, TF-11 will become a motorway when you pass the blue autovía signs. Continue along the short motorway for 2.5 kilometers to its end at a three-way intersection that is next to the San Andrés town sign.
Turn left at the intersection, following signs for Taganana, El Bailadero and Anaga. Upon turning, you will be at the start of route TF-12, a highway that will soon begin to twist and turn as it winds inland through the mountains. Watch the kilometer marker numbers, which ascend the farther you go. In 9 kilometers you will pass marker 9. After marker 9, continue 500 meters, then turn right at the sign for Taganana and Benijo.
Upon turning, you will be at the start of route TF-134, which is another very twisty mountain road. In about 600 meters, you will enter a tunnel, then you will pass kilometer marker 1 at the point where you emerge from the tunnel. 5 kilometers farther on, after passing through the periphery of Taganana, you will pass marker 6. At that point, TF-134 will begin to run along the coastline, with the ocean on your left-hand side. Continue another 3 kilometers to marker 9 (which is the last marker before the dead end of TF-134 in Benijo).
About 300 meters past marker 9, you will pass the Benijo village sign. Next to the sign, there is a pullout on the left that is lined with blocks of cement, overlooking the ocean. At one end of the pullout, there is a danger sign (a red-and-white triangle with an exclamation point) due to the steep drop off below. At the other end of the pullout, there is a small tile-roofed building that houses El Mirador restaurant. The path to Playa de Benijo starts at the pullout. You can park at the pullout (28.5746N, 16.1887W) if there is room; it holds just a few cars. There is also a small dirt lot on the inland side of the restaurant.
Facing the ocean at the pullout, go to the right, passing next to the ocean side of the restaurant. Shortly you come to the beach access, which is a long and winding stone staircase with a handrail. The elevation loss is about 60 meters. Facing the ocean at the bottom of the stairs, turn right and walk east until you find sufficient seclusion for nudity.
MAP from where TF-1 & TF-5 motorways merge to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de Benijo.

kilometer marker 9, last marker along TF-134
This placemark pertains to Playa de Benijo.

Benijo village sign
This placemark pertains to Playa de Benijo.

small parking pullout

El Mirador restaurant

El Frontón restaurant

dead end of road in Benijo

Playa de Fabián (often deserted, potentially nudist)

segment of TF-134

long, winding stone staircase

Playa de los Patos & Playa del Ancón

Just east of Puerto de la Cruz on the north coast of Tenerife, there is a trio of beautiful black-sand beaches that are tucked away below steep cliffs, separated from one another by rocky promontories. They are accessed via narrow roads and footpaths that wind through the terraced orchards of a large banana plantation. From west to east, the three beaches are Playa del Bollullo, Playa de los Patos and Playa del Ancón.
Playa del Bollullo, the western beach, occupies a crescent that spans about 400 meters. It is the only one of the three beaches that has conspicuous signage pointing the way. It is also the easiest to access, with nearby parking and a gentle descent. El Bollullo is a textile beach.
Playa de los Patos is the middle beach, and it is over a kilometer long at low tide. What used to be the main access to the beach consists of stairs that have been eroded and storm-damaged to the point of being quite terrifying. There are two alternative ways to descend the cliff to the beach. However you access the beach, you must be reasonably agile and physically fit. Bare and clad bathers mingle along the entire length of Playa de los Patos. Nudity typically becomes more prevalent toward the east end of the beach (to the right when facing the ocean), toward the prominent mass of rock that separates Los Patos from Playa del Ancón.
Playa del Ancón is the eastern beach, and it spans about 500 meters at low tide. While El Ancón is the farthest removed of the beaches from the nearest parking, the descent to the beach is easier compared to Los Patos. Therefore, El Ancón tends to get a much higher proportion of textiles compared to Los Patos. While Los Patos is a bona fide nude beach with a consistent nudist presence, nudity patterns at El Ancón are somewhat less predictable, and there are times when only textiles are present.
There are no amenities at Los Patos or El Ancón, but there is a snack stand along the beach at El Bollullo. Additionally, there are two restaurants nearby, both referenced in the directions that follow.
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Patos and Playa del Ancón.

Playa de los Patos
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de los Patos and Playa del Ancón.)
La Orotava, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 23 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de los Patos and Playa del Ancón.

Playa del Ancón
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de los Patos and Playa del Ancón.)
La Orotava, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
There are 23 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de los Patos and Playa del Ancón.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45w5yYq
starting point:  Exit 32 (Puerto de la Cruz, Martiánez, El Rincón) of the TF-5 motorway near Puerto de la Cruz
Exit 32 is located on the eastern outskirts of Puerto de la Cruz. Once you exit, you need to access a road numbered TF-176, and the only way to do that is from a roundabout that is on the inland side of the motorway. If you are going east when you exit (i.e., going away from Puerto de la Cruz), you will already be on the inland side of the motorway, so just keep straight ahead through the yield sign at the end of the exit ramp and shortly you will reach the roundabout. If you are going west when you exit (i.e., heading toward Puerto de la Cruz), keep to the left at the end of the ramp and cross under the motorway, then continue as the road curves sharply leftward toward the roundabout.
When you reach the roundabout, take the departure that is signed El Rincón and El Bollullo. Immediately upon departing the roundabout, you will enter a tunnel that goes under the motorway, then you will reach a "T" as soon as you emerge from the tunnel. Turn right. You will then be at the start of TF-176 (continuing toward El Rincón and El Bollullo). Follow TF-176 for 1.4 kilometers, passing through a large banana plantation, until you reach another "T" (28.4152N, 16.5163W). You will have a view of the ocean straight ahead. San Diego restaurant is on the ocean side of the intersection. TF-176 ends at the "T" (making it unusually short for a road that has a number).
There are three locations where you can begin hiking to the beach:
First, assume you turn right at the "T" next to San Diego restaurant. The road goes straight east 200 meters, then it makes two bends in quick succession—first to the right (location 1), then to the left. After the two bends, the road continues east another 200 meters to a three-way junction (location 2) where signs indicate that the road straight ahead is a dead end and that driving straight ahead is prohibited, with the exception of residents and service vehicles (excepto vecinos y servicios). There is parking along the side of the road, but parking is very tight since the road is quite narrow. (Roadside parking is more spacious if you instead leave your car alongside TF-176 leading up to the "T" next to San Diego restaurant.)
Alternatively, assume you turn left at the "T" next to San Diego restaurant. The road makes several bends over the next 1.2 kilometers, ending near Bollullo restaurant, which is perched above Playa del Bollullo. There is a pay parking lot (location 3) next to the restaurant.
Read more below to determine where to proceed from the "T" next to San Diego restaurant.
About the lay of the land:
In a nutshell, three beaches collectively span about 2 kilometers. From west to east, they are Playa del Bollullo, Playa de los Patos and Playa del Ancón. Playa de los Patos, the middle beach and by far the longest of them, is bracketed by rocky promontories. The promontory at the west end of Playa de los Patos, which divides it from Playa del Bollullo, is called the Punta del Fraile. The promontory at the east end of Playa de los Patos, which divides it from Playa del Ancón, is called the Punta del Ancón. The grounds of a private estate occupy the flat, mesa-like top of the Punta del Ancón.
There are two clifftop paths that run atop parts of the three beaches. We'll refer to the more western of the two paths as the Punta del Fraile clifftop path and to the more eastern of the two as the Punta del Ancón clifftop path.
The Punta del Fraile clifftop path is about 600 meters long, and it runs atop the western half of Playa del Bollullo and roughly the eastern quarter of Playa de los Patos. The Punta del Fraile is about halfway along the path. Just east of the Punta del Fraile, there is a segment of the path—roughly 100 meters long—where a thicket of trees creates a jungle-like canopy over the path.
The Punta del Ancón clifftop path begins above the eastern quarter of Playa de los Patos and goes east a little over 300 meters, where it joins a private road that is the access road to the Punta del Ancón estate. The private road continues east about 200 meters, passing the inland side of the villa of the private estate. On the other side of the Punta del Ancón, the private road morphs into a footpath that climbs steeply away from the coastline. The segment of the private road between the footpaths is an easement for hikers.
There is no clifftop path along the central expanse of Playa de los Patos.
Altogether there are five access paths that descend the cliff to the three beaches. Playa del Bollullo and Playa del Ancón each have one access path. Playa de los Patos has three, all of which pose challenges. We have dubbed the access paths A, B, C, D and E, from west to east.
A  access to Playa del Bollullo, starts at 28.4191N, 16.5183W, length 250 meters, elevation loss 30 meters
B  western access to Playa de los Patos, starts at 28.4189N, 16.5167W, length 150 meters, elevation loss 36 meters
C  middle access to Playa de los Patos, starts at 28.4184N, 16.5148W, length 100 meters, elevation loss 40 meters
D  eastern access to Playa de los Patos, starts at 28.4212N, 16.5078W, length 160 meters, elevation loss 60 meters
E  access to Playa del Ancón, starts at 28.4225N, 16.5059W, length 120 meters, elevation loss 40 meters
Access A begins atop the Punta del Fraile about halfway along the Punta del Fraile clifftop path. It is by far the easiest of the beach accesses, and it is noted here only as a landmark since Playa del Bollullo is a textile beach.
Access B leaves from the Punta del Fraile clifftop path, about halfway between A and C. It is a dirt path with a long series of steps at it start, and there are ropes or handrails along parts of the path. The final descent requires clambering down rocks. You will land toward the far west end of Playa de los Patos. This is the easiest of the three access options.
Access C leaves from the eastern end of the Punta del Fraile clifftop path. Historically this has been the main access to Playa de los Patos, consisting of several flights of cement steps. However, there has been a lot of severe erosion and storm damage at this access. You will likely encounter a sign indicating that the access is closed and dangerous. Some visitors heed the sign while others ignore it. Others consider ignoring the warning sign only to have a "Hell no!" reaction upon seeing the condition of the access. At first there is a cord you can hold onto to assist you along a short segment of eroded trail then down a precarious-looking staircase. Once you have lost about 10 meters of elevation, there are handrails along the additional stairs and the rest of the descent is a piece of cake, comparatively. You will land toward the far west end of Playa de los Patos, not far from the landing of access B.
Access D leaves from the Punta del Ancón clifftop path. It is a steep dirt path, and along parts of it there is a cord you can hold onto. The final descent involves negotiating your way down a scree of rocks.
Access E begins just east of the Punta del Ancón, leaving from the segment of the private road that is an easement for hikers. The access is a stepped path with several flights of stairs for the final descent. Some of the stairs are steep but there are handrails.
Hiking from location 1 to accesses C and B:
Assume you park alongside the road somewhere near the "T" next to San Diego restaurant. From wherever you park, head to location 1 referenced above. Facing the ocean (which will be clearly in view), you should see a cement staircase descending from a small outbuilding, near a tall metal power line pole. Go down the stairs then head toward the ocean along a path that goes through a small gully. In 300-400 meters you will reach the edge of a cliff above the ocean. Look to your right and you will see two precarious-looking cement staircases—one going up and one going down. Ignore the staircase that goes up. (It ends at an agricultural terrace.) The staircase going down is access C. There are also steps going up to your left as you face the ocean. Go up those steps and you will be on the Punta del Fraile clifftop path, heading west, with the ocean on your right-hand side. In about 120 meters the broad cemented path will morph into a narrower dirt path. Continue about 60 meters and watch for steps going down the cliff. Those steps are the start of access B, and they begin at the point where the path enters a jungle-like canopy of trees. If you were to continue along the Punta del Fraile clifftop path another 175 or so meters (passing all the way through the canopy), you would reach access A atop the Punta del Fraile.
The total hiking distance from location 1 to Playa de los Patos is 450 meters (via access C) or 700 meters (via access B).
Hiking from location 2 to accesses D and E:
Assume you park alongside the road somewhere near the "T" next to San Diego restaurant. From wherever you park, head to location 2 referenced above, then continue along the road beyond the point where automobile access becomes restricted. In 500 meters you will reach a solid gate that barricades the road. At that point, turn left and follow a narrow path between two cement fence walls. In less than 100 meters you will reach the edge of the cliff, and at that point you will be standing above Playa de los Patos toward its east end. At the edge of the cliff, the path bends rightward, and at that point you will be on the Punta del Ancón clifftop path.
As you follow the Punta del Ancón clifftop path, you will be heading east and losing elevation, with the ocean on your left-hand side. There is metal railing along the ocean side of the path and a fence wall on the inland side of the path. The base of the wall is stone while the upper part is cement blocks painted white. About 80 meters along the path, you will reach a long series of about 35 steps in a row. At the end of that series, the steps become more intermittent. About 50 meters past the long series of steps, the wall turns a couple of sharp corners but remains next to the path. About 25 meters farther on, the wall bends a few more times, with a cluster of small trees in the wedge created by the bends in the wall. Access D to Playa de los Patos is located at the end of that wedge, where the wall is once again directly next to the path. It is not an obvious side path, and you will have to climb over the railing to look for it.
To continue to Playa del Ancón, stay on the clifftop path. A little over 100 meters farther along, the path ends at a three-way junction with the private road. Keep straight ahead. (The part of the private road going off to the right is blocked by a gate.) Follow the private road across the Punta del Ancón. You will pass the villa of the private estate (on your left-hand side behind a wall). Shortly past the villa, you will see steps going down to your left. That is access E to Playa del Ancón.
The total hiking distance from location 2 to Playa de los Patos is about one kilometer (via access D). The total hiking distance from location 2 to Playa del Ancón is 1.2 kilometers (via access E).
Hiking from location 3 to accesses B and C:
Assume you park at location 3 near Bollullo restaurant. The Punta del Fraile clifftop path begins next to the pay parking lot. As you start along the path, you will be heading east above Playa del Bollullo, with the ocean on your left-hand side. In about 250 meters you will pass access A as the path rounds a bend atop the Punta del Fraile. Continue east along the path. In less than 100 meters you will enter the jungle-like canopy of trees, which continue about 100 meters. At the end of the canopy, watch for steps going down the cliff. That is access B. Or, stay on the clifftop path about 200 meters farther to its end and you will reach access C.
The hiking distance from location 3 to Playa de los Patos is 500-600 meters (via access B) or 700 meters (via access C).
More hiking:
In the hiking directions above for Playa del Ancón, assume you were to keep hiking a short distance past access E to the end of the private road. From the end of the road, a footpath goes uphill and inland, climbing all the way to the TF-5 motorway. If you were to follow the path all the way up to the top, you'd come out at a residential street named Calle Sancho Panza, next to the tunnel through which that street crosses under the motorway. Although the path is just 700 meters long, the elevation gain is over 200 meters, so the grade is quite steep. There are handrails along the path, which makes it a bit less scary. Although it is a tiring hike all the way to the top, it may be worth your while to climb partway up for the panoramic views and great photo ops. Furthermore, you could start from Calle Sancho Panza as an alternative access to Playa del Ancón. If you do that, there is ample parking in the commercial area on the inland side of the motorway near the aforementioned tunnel.
MAP from starting point to "T" at San Diego restaurant
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Patos and Playa del Ancón.

roundabout on inland side of TF-5 motorway near Exit 32
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Patos and Playa del Ancón.

tunnel under motorway near Exit 32, connecting roundabout to start of TF-176

roadside parking (more room)

San Diego restaurant

outbuilding and cement staircase near bend of road

roadside parking (very tight)

automobile access restricted beyond this point

gate across road

cluster of small trees in wedge of fence wall

villa atop Punta del Ancón

Punta del Ancón

tunnel where Calle Sancho Panza crosses under motorway

Bollullo restaurant

Playa del Bollullo (textile)

jungle-like canopy of trees over footpath

Punta del Fraile

TF-176 (very short numbered route)

road from which beaches are accessed

part of road with restricted automobile access

private road (eastern end is hiking easement)

Punta del Fraile clifftop path

access A

access B

access C

path through gully

path between two cement fence walls

Punta del Ancón clifftop path

access D

access E

steep path up to Calle Sancho Panza

approximate extent of Playa del Ancón at low tide

approximate extent of Playa de los Patos at low tide

Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is tucked away in a short, undeveloped stretch of the otherwise highly developed Adeje resort area on the western coast of Tenerife. This scenic beach (which is also known by the name Playa de Diego Hernández) is a favorite of nude bathers, and its hidden location ensures that there is usually a nudist majority. At low tide, Playa Blanca is a continuous beach that stretches 200 meters, with a rocky protrusion roughly in the middle of the beach. At high tide, much of the sand disappears, and the rocky protrusion basically divides the beach into two distinct coves.
There are several ways to access Playa Blanca, all of which require hiking 20-30 minutes. Wear study shoes for the trek. As you might expect, there are no amenities, so be sure to bring water. The given directions take you through La Caleta, which is the large resort development that is south of Playa Blanca. As you hike from La Caleta to Playa Blanca, you will first pass a small beach called Playa de los Morteros. Nudity sometimes occurs at Los Morteros, but it does not really have a strong identity as either a nude beach or a textile beach since it is lightly attended compared to Playa Blanca. At both Blanca and Los Morteros, there are hippie-ish squatters who live in tents along or near the beach. You may find their presence adds to the character… or not. Just be advised of this reality if it is likely to make you uncomfortable.
Adeje, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3sd5RZI
starting point:  Exit 79 (Adeje) of the TF-1 motorway near Adeje
The TF-1 is the approximately 100-kilometer-long motorway that begins in Santa Cruz and goes in a southwesterly direction along Tenerife's southeastern coastline before turning northward and ending near the village of Santiago del Teide toward the northern end of the island's western coast. The exit numbers ascend going from Santa Cruz toward Santiago del Teide, and Exit 79 is toward the Santiago del Teide end of the motorway. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a large oblong roundabout that circles over the motorway. There are two departures of the roundabout that are signed Campo de Golf—one on the coast side of the motorway and one on the inland side. Take the Campo de Golf departure that is on the coast side of the motorway. That departure is also signed Centro Comercial, and you should have a clear view of the ocean when you leave the roundabout.
Upon leaving the oblong roundabout, you will begin going northwest, parallel to the coast side of the motorway. After one kilometer, you will reach another large roundabout, which also spans the motorway. Make almost a complete circle and take the fifth departure, following signs for La Caleta and Campo de Golf.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you be on a street named Avenida de Ayyo, going in a generally southwesterly direction toward the La Caleta resort area. After 3 kilometers, you will reach the end of Avenida de Ayyo at a roundabout with about a dozen palmetto trees in the middle. Take the second roundabout departure, which is effectively a left turn. You will then be on Avenida de los Acantilados, a broad divided street with a palm-lined median, but there is no prominent street signage. In about 200 meters, keep straight ahead through another roundabout that looks virtually identical to the last one, with about a dozen palmetto trees in the middle. Less than 200 meters farther along, just before a yield sign, there is a paved parking lot on the right (28.1017N, 16.7548W). Keep it in mind as a back-up parking option.
At the yield sign, you will enter a mini-roundabout with short green-and-white posts in the middle. Turn right. You will then be on a street named Calle las Artes. Shortly you will reach another mini-roundabout, which has a variety of cacti and other succulents in the middle. Keep straight ahead. Calle las Artes will then become a one-way street that makes a loop back to the roundabout with the cacti.
After following the one-way street about 100 meters, it will curve sharply to the left. Just after the curve, look on the right for a long flight of brick stairs going up through Bahía La Caleta, which is a terraced complex of shops and apartments built up the slope of a hill.
Park streetside if you can find a space (28.1024N, 16.7570W), or else return to the aforementioned parking lot, then return on foot to Bahía La Caleta and go up the stairs. (There are actually three staircases: one that goes straight up through the middle of the complex plus a zig-zagging staircase at each end of the complex.)
When you get to the top of the stairs, continue hiking slightly uphill, such that Bahía La Caleta is to your back. Shortly you will reach the crest of a ridge, with a steep drop-off to the ocean on the other side. You will be standing atop a cove, looking toward a headland on the opposite side of the cove. Playa Blanca is beyond the headland, out of view. To get there, follow path that follows the coastline, keeping the ocean on your left-hand side.
You will at first descend to Playa de los Morteros, a small beach in the innermost part of the cove. The beach is composed of black rocks, and the area around the beach is often full of tents and shanty structures. Nudity is generally acceptable there. After Playa de los Morteros, the path will become quite steep as it climbs up and over the headland. At the top of the headland, the path will flatten out a bit, then you will begin going downhill on the other side of the headland. Shortly the path will begin to pass above Playa Blanca, which will be visible below you. It is not especially easy to descend to the south end of the beach, which is the first part of the beach you will pass. Just stay on the main path until the terrain changes such that you can make an easy descent to the north end of the beach. (Remember that the north and south ends will be small separate beaches at high tide.)
The total hike starting from Bahía La Caleta is 1.5 kilometers, with a lot of uphill and downhill. Allow at least half an hour.
MAP from TF-1 Exit 79 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa Blanca.

large oblong roundabout spanning TF-1 motorway at Exit 79
This placemark pertains to Playa Blanca.

large roundabout spanning TF-1 motorway
This placemark pertains to Playa Blanca.

Golf Costa Adeje

roundabout with palmettos in middle

mini-roundabout with short green & white posts in middle

mini-roundabout with cacti & other succulents in middle

Bahía La Caleta (complex of shops & apartments)

Playa de los Morteros (potentially nudist, often empty)

route from TF-1 Exit 79 to parking

one-way looping segment of Calle las Artes

approximate extent of beach at low tide

Cala Amarilla

Cala Amarilla
Montaña Amarilla is a volcanic cinder cone at the east end of an area of large resort hotels called Costa del Silencio. The hilly land mass rises to height of about 70 meters, with a circumference of about 1.5 kilometers. About 400 meters of that circumference is along the ocean. The shoreline of Montaña Amarilla is not exactly a beach but rather a rocky shelf with niches at either end that offer just a bit more space. It is an enchanting location of yellow-orange hues and wavy rock textures. Sunbathers spread out along the shelf and in the niches. Textiles occupy the western end of the hill near parking and a small snack stand. Nudists gather along the eastern end, which is around a slight bend, secluded from the textile area.
San Miguel de Abona, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YIlZi4
starting point:  Exit 62 (San Miguel, Los Abrigos, Las Galletas) of the TF-1 motorway in southern Tenerife
The TF-1 is the approximately 100-kilometer-long motorway that begins in Santa Cruz and goes in a southwesterly direction along Tenerife's southeastern coastline before turning northward and ending near the village of Santiago del Teide toward the northern end of the island's western coast. The exit numbers ascend going from Santa Cruz toward Santiago del Teide. Exit 62 is between the Tenerife South Airport (Aeropuerto Sur) and Los Cristianos. Upon exiting, follow signs for Las Galletas to negotiate your way through the interchange. As you leave the interchange, you should begin heading west on route TF-655, paralleling the motorway on its south side. In 1.7 kilometers, turn left onto route TF-652 at a sign that points toward Guargacho and Las Galletas. Follow TF-652 south for one kilometer and you will pass the Guargacho town sign, which is next to kilometer marker 1.
After the town sign, continue southwest through Guargacho for 1.2 kilometers, then turn left at the sign for Costa Silencio. (The turnoff is about 200 meters past kilometer marker 2, which is difficult to see since it is next to a building.) Upon turning, you will be on a street named Calle Olimpia, which is a perfectly straight road. Follow Calle Olimpia south for 2.4 kilometers, at which point the road will curve 90° to the right as you enter the development of Costa del Silencio. Just after the sharp curve, take the next possible left at the four-way intersection with Calle Chasna.
Along Calle Chasna, you will pass three blocks of apartment buildings on your left that are named Chasna A, Chasna B and Chasna C. You will be heading straight toward a peach-colored building, which is one of about a dozen buildings that comprise the Costa Sol apartments. In 200 meters, Calle Chasna will curve sharply rightward (becoming Calle Eneas). At that curve, turn left onto Calle Montaña Amarilla. (There is a small blue sign with the name of the street, but it is impossible to see until you have already turned).
Calle Montaña Amarilla passes between the Chasna C building (which will be to your left) and the peach Costa Sol building (which will be to your right), then you will reach an open space next to the ocean. There is parking all along the edge of the open space (28.0093N, 16.6398W).
Head toward the ocean along the edge of the Chasna C building. Just beyond the building, you will be at a bend of the coastline, where you will see a prominent hill that slopes down to the ocean. That hill is actually the volcanic cinder cone known as Montaña Amarilla. Cement steps next to a small snack stand descend to a rocky niche tucked into the west end of the hill. The nudist niche is hidden from view about 400 meters away at the east end of the hill. Depending on the tides, it is sometimes possible to hike across the rocky shelf along the ocean base of the hill to get to the nude area. At high tide when the shelf is submerged, you can hike around the inland periphery of the hill to get to the nudist area on the other side. The hill is an isolated land mass amid a treeless landscape, so finding the way around is easy. Going around the inland side of the hill, the hiking distance increases to a little over one kilometer.
MAP from TF-1 Exit 62 to parking
This placemark pertains to Cala Amarilla.

kilometer marker 1 of TF-652, next to Guargacho town sign
This placemark pertains to Cala Amarilla.

This placemark pertains to Cala Amarilla.

Chasna "C" apartment building

peach-colored apartment building (one of many in Costa Sol complex)

parking at edge of open space next to ocean

Montaña Amarilla (volcanic cinder cone)

segment of TF-652

Calle Olimpia

Calle Chasna / Calle Eneas

Calle Montaña Amarilla (short dead-end street)

low tide hiking route

high tide hiking route

Playa de la Tejita

Playa de la Tejita
Playa de la Tejita is a south-facing beach on the southern coast of Tenerife, very close to Tenerife's southern airport (which is one of two airports on the island). The main expanse of the beach is a broad area of dark sand that is about one kilometer long. The most eye-catching feature of La Tejita is Montaña Roja ("Red Mountain"), a steep hill that rises abruptly at the east end of the beach to a height of about 170 meters above sea level. The hill, which is barren except for desert scrub, is notable for its reddish-brown hue and its whaleback shape. La Tejita is about 5 kilometers by car from the motorway, and as you follow the route toward the beach, Montaña Roja will be prominently in view the entire trip. It is a geographic anomaly in the otherwise relatively flat landscape of the airport area.
Playa de la Tejita is the most popular nude beach in Tenerife, and it is not out of the question to see nudists scattered all over the beach on uncrowded days. However, nude use is heavily skewed toward the eastern end of the beach, while the western side of the beach tends to be textile. There are two large beach parking lots that are about 700 meters apart, and the parking lot that is farther east provides direct access to the area that is most popular with nudists. A rock-lined path from the parking lot leads to a cluster of sun chairs and thatched umbrellas that can be rented. That area is typically occupied by a mix of nudists and textiles, sometimes with a nudist majority. Nearby, a walkway goes over an outcropping of rock to a small, partially hidden beach that is nestled against the base of Montaña Roja. That little eastern niche of La Tejita always has the highest concentration of bare bathers of any part of the beach, and sun chairs are available there as well.
The snack stand in the nude area seems to be open irregularly, so come prepared with food and drink. There are several restaurants and snack stands amid the cluster of hotels and apartments just beyond the west end of the beach, but they are over a kilometer away from where nudists gather.
From the inland side of Montaña Roja, a path goes up the spine of the hill to its peak, from which there are sweeping view of Playa de la Tejita and the surrounding area. The landscape is wide open and mostly barren, so it is easy to find your way there if you are inclined to do the hike.
28.0302N, 16.5524W (east end of main expanse of beach)
28.0294N, 16.5513W (semi-hidden eastern niche)
Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OX7Wll
starting point:  Exit 55 or Exit 57 (San Isidro, Granadilla, El Médano) of the TF-1 motorway near San Isidro
The TF-1 is the approximately 100-kilometer-long motorway that begins in Santa Cruz and goes in a southwesterly direction along Tenerife's southeastern coastline before turning northward and ending near the village of Santiago del Teide toward the northern end of the island's western coast. The exit numbers ascend going from Santa Cruz toward Santiago del Teide. Exit 55 and Exit 57 each exists for traffic coming from one direction but not the other, so which exit you take depends on your direction of approach. If you are going southwest when you exit (heading toward Los Cristianos), the exit number is 55 (and there is no 57). If you are going northeast when you exit (heading toward Santa Cruz), the exit number is 57 (and there is no 55). Exit 57 is the next exit after the exit for Tenerife's southern airport (Aeropuerto Sur).
Upon exiting, follow signs for El Médano to negotiate your way through the interchange. You should end up on the south side of the motorway, going south on route TF-64. After following TF-64 for 1.8 kilometers, you will pass kilometer marker 9 (which is just before a large Cepsa gas station that is on the right side of the road).
After marker 9, continue about 800 meters farther, the turn right at the sign for Los Abrigos and La Tejita. (If you pass kilometer marker 10, you have missed the turn by about 200 meters.) Upon turning, you will be at the start of route TF-643. In 1.8 kilometers, you will pass a small parking area on the left with a yellow Montaña Roja sign (but do not park there). About 200 meters farther on, you will pass kilometer marker 2. After marker 2, continue another 500 meters, then turn left into into a large unpaved parking lot that is ringed by a line of small boulders (28.0344N, 16.5537W).
Straight ahead from the entrance to the parking lot, follow the rock-lined track that angles south and east. In about 400 meters, you will reach the nude area toward the far eastern end of the main expanse of the beach. The semi-hidden nudist niche at the base of Montaña Roja is nearby, to your left as you face the ocean.
MAP from TF-1 Exit 55 to parking
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Tejita.

This placemark pertains to Playa de la Tejita.

Cepsa gas station
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Tejita.

parking area for trail to top of Montaña Roja

eastern parking lot of Playa de la Tejita

western parking lot of Playa de la Tejita

semi-hidden eastern niche (nudist)

small rocky outcropping

highest point of Montaña Roja

Tenerife South Airport / Aeropuerto de Tenerife Sur

path to east end of beach

walkway to hidden far eastern area

area most popular with nudists

Madrid

La Pedriza

La Pedriza
The Sierra de Guadarrama is a mountain range north of Madrid, and La Pedriza is an area of the mountains near the town of Manzanares el Real. La Pedriza is notable for its fantastical rock formations and sheer rock faces, and a cold mountain river called the Río Manzanares courses through its main valley. This beautiful, shallow river is replete with natural pools and small waterfalls, and it is the same river that eventually winds southward and passes through the heart of Madrid. La Pedriza used to lie entirely within a vast reserve called the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares Regional Park, but much of the northern realm of the regional park has been superseded by the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, which was created in 2013. The 32 square kilometers of La Pedriza is now mostly in the national park. La Pedriza is quite a draw for outdoors enthusiasts owing to its natural beauty and its proximity to Spain's largest metropolitan area. From the city center of Madrid, it is about 60 kilometers to La Pedriza.
One of the top draws of La Pedriza is a deep pool in the Río Manzanares called La Charca Verde ("The Green Pond"). While there are many pools in the river, La Charca Verde is the true gem among them. It is the largest and by far the most popular, and it is also the domain of textiles. However, there is a stretch of the river upstream from La Charca Verde that is popular with nude bathers. Slightly off the main beaten path of the park, the nudist area is a stretch of about 600 meters of the river with several shallow pools. Nude sunbathing also occurs in the grassy meadow next to the river. From the nearest parking, it is a fairly easy hike of about 2.5 to 3 kilometers to the nude area. There is a café in the parking lot where the hike begins.
La Pedriza is very popular with hikers and rock climbers, and traditionally it has also been popular with swimmers who bathe in the Río Manzanares. There are a few issues concerning high usage about which potential visitors should be aware. First, there is a traffic control gate 4.6 kilometers before the closest parking lot to La Charca Verde and the nude area, and there is a quota on the number of vehicles allowed beyond the gate at any given time. (See the directions below for more details). Furthermore, since 2016 there has been a ban on bathing along a stretch of the Río Manzanares that includes La Charca Verde and the nude area. The ban was apparently implemented as a response to excessive trashing of the area around La Charca Verde, and time will tell whether this ban will remain permanent. Violators face a potentially stiff fine. If going in the water is important to you, you should contact the national park in advance of your visit to find out the status of the ban. See Parquenacionalsierraguadarrama.es.
Manzanares el Real, Madrid, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YElhCw
40.7253N, 3.8684W (Rotonda del Montañero, at kilometer 25.1 of M-608 in Manzanares el Real)
The Rotonda del Montañero is a large roundabout with a statue of a mountaineer is its median, located at the west end of Manzanares el Real. From the roundabout, briefly head west on N-608, toward Cerceda. In 500 meters, veer right at the La Pedriza sign. It is the first right turn you can make.
Once you turn away from M-608, there are no more turns. You will drive as far as possible then continue hiking along the same road beyond the point where automobile access is prohibited. There are kilometer markers along the automobile segment of the road that continue sequentially along the pedestrian segment. They are gray stone markers that are quite inconspicuous, with etched numbers that are difficult to read from a distance. You are unlikely to notice the markers from your car, but they are easier to spot once you are on foot, and they are useful landmarks along the hike.
1.4 kilometers after turning away from M-608, you will reach a red-and-white lift gate that is a traffic control barrier.★ (See below for information about when and why the gate may be closed.) After the gate, the road will begin to twist and turn in a generally northward direction. Continue 4.6 kilometers to the asphalted parking lot at the end of the drivable part of the road (40.7519N, 3.9017W). Kilometer marker 6 is located in the parking lot. (If parking is full, there are two earthen lots leading up to the asphalted lot, both within 500 meters.)
Straight ahead from the parking lot, there is another red-and-white gate, beyond which the road is open only to foot and bicycle traffic. The continuation of the road is at first weathered asphalt, with patches where the smooth surfacing has worn away altogether. It eventually morphs into a gravel road. As you follow the road, you will be roughly paralleling the course of a small river (i.e., a mountain stream) called the Río Manzanares. The river will be on your right-hand side, and you will hiking upstream (generally north) along the west side of the river. Three bridges are referenced below: Puente de Cola de Caballo, Puente del Vivero and Puente del Francés. All are footbridges that span the river, but you will not cross any of them en route to the nude area. They are referenced just as landmarks.
About 600 meters beyond the parking lot, a side path descends to the Puente de Cola de Caballo. About 250 meters past the bridge, you will reach kilometer marker 7. Along the next kilometer, there are two forks followed by two hairpin curves. About 150 meters past marker 7, keep to the left at the first fork. (The right fork goes to the Puente del Vivero.) Less than 150 meters farther on, keep to the left again at the second fork. (The right fork goes to La Charca Verde.★★) About 100 meters farther on, the road makes a leftward hairpin curve, then 400 meters after that it makes a rightward hairpin curve, then not quite 200 meters farther on you will reach marker 8. At that point, you will be at an altitude about 130 meters above that of the parking lot, having gained the elevation gradually.
After marker 8, it is another kilometer to marker 9 and then a little over 200 meters farther to the Puente del Francés, where the road crosses the river. The stretch of the river where nudists gather begins roughly halfway between markers 8 and 9 and extends a bit past marker 9 toward the bridge. The 1.2-kilometer-long segment of the road between marker 8 and the bridge is fairly level, but the elevation of the riverbed increases going toward the bridge, meaning it gets easier to hike down from the road to the river as you near the bridge. Once you have walked about 500 meters past marker 8, the terrain becomes gentle enough that you can leave the road and hike down through the sloping meadow to the river. The upstream part of the nudist stretch, around kilometer marker 9 and going toward the bridge, is a heavily gay area.
starting point:  Exit 57 (Colmenar Viejo, Tres Cantos) of the M-40 motorway in northern Madrid
The M-40 is a 62-kilometer-long ring motorway that makes a complete loop, encompassing most of Madrid. Exit 57 is along the segment of the M-40 that is more or less directly north of the city center. Upon exiting, continue to follow signs for Colmenar Viejo and Tres Cantos to negotiate your way through the interchange, then you should begin heading north on route M-607, which is also a motorway.
After following M-607 north about 21 kilometers, you will pass kilometer marker 35. Around that point, the speed limit will gradually drop as the motorway ends and M-607 becomes a regular highway. Keep straight ahead on M-607, following the signs for Cerceda and Navacerrada. About 13 kilometers farther on, just after you pass the town sign for Cerceda, you will pass marker 48. About 800 meters farther on, at the second roundabout after marker 48, take the departure for Manzanares el Real and El Boalo. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will begin heading east on M-608.
As you follow M-608, watch the kilometer marker numbers, which descend as you go east toward Manzanares el Real. In 5.4 kilometers, you will pass marker 26. About 300 meters past marker 26, the road to La Pedriza is on the left, but a left turn is prohibited (and there aren't any signs pointing toward La Pedriza for eastbound M-608 traffic). Keep going 500-600 meters to the Rotonda del Montañero. Make a complete circle through the roundabout (effectively a U-turn) and begin backtracking westward along M-608, proceeding as directed above.
★ La Pedriza is a very popular area, and parking is potentially an issue. The red-and-white lift gate is a traffic control barrier. There is a quota of a few hundred cars that are allowed beyond the gate at one time. Parking is unlikely to be an issue on non-holiday weekdays, but the gate is often closed by mid-morning on weekends and holidays. If you can't arrive early on peak days, it may be best to wait until later in the afternoon when the crowd begins to thin out. Bicycles are always allowed beyond the gate, and if you bring a bike you can park in the large lot that is next to the gate. There is also a shuttle service that operates on weekends and holidays. You can board the shuttle at the lift gate or at the Rotonda del Montañero. For more about the shuttle, see this page at Parquenacionalsierraguadarrama.es.
★★ La Charca Verde is a deep emerald pool along the the Río Manzanares that is very popular attraction and well worth a visit. If you leave the main road at the fork, it is about 400 meters to the pool. Most of the trek is along a broad road that peters out, then the last bit is over rock slabs. An alternative approach to the nude area is to go to La Charca Verde then continue upstream about 500 meters. There are small footpaths you can follow on either side of the river, but the hiking is slower compared to staying on the main road.
MAP from M-40 Exit 57 to parking
This placemark pertains to La Pedriza.

kilometer marker 26 of M-608
This placemark pertains to La Pedriza.

no left turn from M-608
This placemark pertains to La Pedriza.

Manzanares el Real town sign (entering going east, leavin going west)

Rotonda del Montañero

kilometer marker 25 of M-608

Puente de Cola de Caballo (footbridge over river)

Puente del Vivero (footbridge over river)

La Charca Verde

kilometer marker 7 (approximate location)

kilometer marker 8 (approximate location)

kilometer marker 9 (approximate location)

Puente del Francés (footbridge over river)

segment of M-608

La Pedriza road (automobile portion)

La Pedriza road (segment of the pedestrian/cyclist portion)

track to Puente del Vivero

track toward La Charca Verde

Pantano de San Juan

Pantano de San Juan
The Pantano de San Juan is a lake in the far west of the autonomous community of Madrid, about 65 kilometers from the city center. The lake is a reservoir along the Río Alberche, set in the foothills of the mountains that arc through the western and northern peripheries of Spain's capital city. Toward the east end of the Pantano de San Juan, there is a beach where nudists gather that is a little over a kilometer away (as the crow flies) from the reservoir's dam. The nude beach is along an arm of the lake that is largely encircled by forested hills, and the setting is quite beautiful. Just north of the beach, there is a particularly distinctive hill called the Cerro del Yelmo, which peaks about 100 meters above the level of the lake. The side of the hill visible from the beach is mostly bare rock, resembling a rock dome.
The nude beach has coarse sand amid rock slabs and boulders, but the sandy area is inundated when the lake level is particularly high. The beach is especially popular on weekends as a nearby getaway from the city. Gay men comprise the core of visitors, but the crowd is mixed. The nude beach has no amenities, and it is accessed by a drive of a little over 3 kilometers on a gravel road then an easy hike of 5 to 10 minutes. Coming from Madrid, the closest food, gas and other services are located just a bit past the turnoff toward the nude beach heading into the town of Pelayos de la Presa.
San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Madrid, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qqP2dl
40.3745N, 4.2995W (start of gravel road at kilometer 49.1 of M-501, between Navas del Rey and Pelayos de la Presa)
The gravel road leaves from the west side of M-501, and it is not signed. Take note of your car's trip meter when you turn away from M-501. The gravel road will immediately curve sharply to the right and parallel M-501 for a bit before curving away from the highway and going uphill into the woods.
Follow the gravel road for 3.2 kilometers and watch for a track on the left that has a chain across it along with a round red-and-white panel indicating no entry for vehicles. There is informal parking near the start of the track (40.3845N, 4.3106W). The track leads directly to the nude beach. It is a pleasant and shaded hike of about 600 meters that goes downhill gradually.
starting point:  Exit 36 (Boadilla, Ciudad de la Imagen) of the M-40 motorway on the western periphery of Madrid
alternate starting point:  Exit 69 (Brunete, Boadilla, Villaviciosa) of the M-50 motorway on the western periphery of Madrid
The M-40 and the M-50 are both ring roads in Madrid. The M-40 is a 62-kilometer-long motorway that makes a complete loop, encompassing the central city. The M-50, which is a little farther out than the M-40, is an 85-kilometer-long motorway that partially encircles the city, forming a horseshoe around the eastern, southern and western peripheries of Madrid but lacking a northern segment.
If you are on the M-40, take Exit 36. Once you exit, follow the signs for Boadilla to negotiate your way through the complex interchange. Once you leave the interchange, you should begin heading west on route M-501, and you will be at kilometer 0 of that route.
If you are on the M-50, take Exit 69. Once you exit, follow the signs for Villaviciosa to negotiate your way through the complex interchange. Once you leave the interchange, you should begin heading west on route M-501, and you will be near kilometer 5 of that route.
Once you are on M-501, watch the kilometers marker numbers, which ascend as you go west. Follow M-501 about 49 kilometers (if you started from M-40) or 44 kilometers (if you started from M-50) until you reach kilometer marker 49. (Marker 49 is about 8 to 9 kilometers past Navas del Rey, the last town through which you will pass.)
After marker 49, continue just 100 or so meters and take the next possible right onto a gravel road. Proceed as directed above. (You have missed the turn by about 800 meters if you begin to cross the bridge over the Río Alberche. Marker 50 is on the bridge.)
MAP from M-40 Exit 36 to parking
MAP from M-50 Exit 69 to parking
This placemark pertains to Pantano de San Juan.

kilometer marker 48 of M-501
This placemark pertains to Pantano de San Juan.

This placemark pertains to Pantano de San Juan.

San Juan reservoir dam

Cerro del Yelmo (hill with exposed rock face on south side)

segment of M-501

track to nude beach

Río Lozoya, Hoya Encavera

Río Lozoya, Hoya Encavera
The Río Lozoya is a shallow river in the mountains north of Madrid. The river is dammed near the small town of Lozoya, forming a reservoir called the Embalse de Pinilla. Downstream from the dam, there is an area known as Hoya Encavera where the river carves a number of narrow gorges with pools, rapids and sculptured rocks as it meanders toward the next reservoir (the Embalse de Riosequillo). Spanning the river in the Hoya Encavera area, there is an old bridge called the Puente Congosto, which is a picturesque arched stone structure that dates to medieval times. A bit upstream from the bridge, there is a stretch of the river that is a traditional gathering place for nudists, although there are generally just a handful of nude bathers.
The Río Lozoya is quite scenic, but the nude area of the river happens to be in the middle of an open cattle grazing area. While the cows add to the pastoral charm, they also do what cows do wherever cows are, including in the water. Just be aware of that reality, and perhaps think twice about getting in the water. Also, be advised that the current of the river is quite strong and potentially hazardous in places where the water is forced through narrow gorges.
Lozoya, Madrid, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qydLfG
starting point:  Exit 69 (Rascafria, Lozoya) of the A-1 motorway near Lozoyuela
Exit 69 is about 70 kilometers north of the center of Madrid and 25 kilometers south of the border of the autonomous communities of Madrid and Castilla y León. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the west side of the motorway. Take the departure that is signed Rascafria. You will then be at the start of route M-604, heading west. Take note of the kilometer marker numbers, which ascend the farther you go. In about 12 kilometers, you will reach marker 12.
Less than 200 meters after marker 12, take the next possible left onto a narrow asphalted road that veers off from the highway. There is a brown Presa de la Pinilla sign near the beginning of the road, but it is difficult to see until you have already turned.
A bit less than 200 meters after turning onto the asphalted road, take the first possible left (40.9475N, 3.7660W). Upon turning, you will immediately cross a cattle guard that is between stone fence posts. Beyond the stone posts, several gravel roads branch out in all directions. Follow the road that is straight ahead. In about 300 meters, the road will end at a short parking loop that is next to the Río Lozoya.
Just as a point of reference, a modern footbridge with red metal side rails spans the river on the west side of the parking loop (to the right when facing the river). Do NOT cross that bridge. Follow the footpath that leaves from the left (east) side of the parking loop. As you follow the path, you will be going downstream, with the river on your right-hand side. It is 600-700 meters to the Puente Congosto (the old stone bridge that spans the river). The nudist zone is about halfway between the parking loop and the old stone bridge, a discreet distance away from both.
MAP from A-1 Exit 69 to turnoff at cattle guard
This placemark pertains to Río Lozoya, Hoya Encavera.

This placemark pertains to Río Lozoya, Hoya Encavera.

cattle guard flanked by stone fence posts

modern footbridge with red metal side rails

Puente Congosto, old arched stone bridge over river

Pinilla reservoir dam

segment of M-604

road to Prese de Pinilla

gravel road to river

riverside path

Murcia

Calblanque Beaches

The Mar Menor is an enormous lagoon that is the most prominent feature of the coast of Murcia. South of the Mar Menor and east of Cartagena, there is a large nature reserve named Parque Regional de Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas y Peña del Águila. Truncated and anglicized, it's just Calblanque Regional Park. The park covers about 25 square kilometers, with roughly 14 kilometers of south-facing coastline. The mountainous topography of the park includes two peaks that rise over 300 meters. The most accessible area of Calblanque is toward its east end, where there are a number of beautiful sandy beaches within a stretch of 5 kilometers. At either end of this chain of beaches, the coastline becomes much more rugged, and the dramatic terrain is popular with hikers and cyclists.
The beaches of the park are divided into western and eastern sectors. The two sectors are separated by a 1.5-kilometer-long rocky coastal shelf backed by a cluster of salt ponds. In the western sector, Playa Larga is the most visited of the Calblanque beaches. Going east toward the rocky shelf and the salt ponds, the beach adjacent to Playa Large is Playa de las Cañas. The two beaches collectively span 900 meters. Much of the time Larga and Las Cañas are a continuous stretch of sand, but they become separate beaches at high tide. Going west from Larga, neighboring Playa de Negrete is bracketed by rocky land masses. Negrete varies from roughly 400 to 600 meters in length. Sandy niches at both ends of the beach are often inundated but exposed at low tide. Continuing west, the Calas de Parreño are a collection of four beaches that extend about 500 meters.
In the eastern sector, the first beach east of the rocky shelf and the salt ponds is a 300-meter-long crescent named Playa de Cablanque. Farther east, there are two much smaller beaches: Cala Arturo (80 meters) and Cala Magre (100 meters). The three beaches are separated from one another by very low-lying masses of rock. East of the three beaches, a more formidable land mass called Punta Negra must be crossed to reach the final beach of the eastern sector, Cala de los Déntoles. About 50 meter long, Los Déntoles is a deep pocket of sand that extends inland over 50 meters. While the beach is named Los Déntoles on park signs, many sources name it as Los Dentones instead. To make matters more confusing, the beach is alternately known as Cala Dorada.
Calblanque is a primitive park that is very short on amenities. There are no toilets at any of the beaches, nor is food or drink available anywhere in the park, so come prepared. Nude bathing is common at several locations in the park. While Playa Larga is generally regarded as a textile beach, nudity could conceivably occur on any of the other beaches on very uncrowded days. However, nudists tends to gravitate toward either end of the chain of beaches. The most accessible beach with a consistent nudist presence is Playa de Negrete. On crowded days, the east end of Negrete at its main point of access is likely to be all textile, but nudity becomes more common toward the west end. A short hike over the land mass at the west end of Negrete takes you to the Calas de Parreño, which are never crowded even during the height of summer. Nudity is freely practiced along all the Parreño beaches. At the opposite end of the Calblanque beaches, nudity is well established at Cala de los Déntoles due to its isolation. However, be advised that sometimes the presence of textiles seems to inhibit nudity at Los Déntoles due to the small size of the beach. If you have limited time to explore the Cablanque beaches, remember that nudists have more space and options at Negrete and Parreño than at Los Déntoles.
Since 2016, during peak season it has been necessary to take a shuttle bus to reach the beaches of Calblanque Regional Park. The shuttle service is explained in the directions.
This placemark pertains to Calblanque Beaches.

Playa de Negrete
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Negrete, Calas de Parreño and Cala de los Déntoles.)
37.5980N, 0.7622W (mid-point of Playa de Negrete)
37.5969N, 0.7652W (low-tide niches, west end of Playa de Negrete)
municipality, province/autonomous community, country:
Cartagena, Murcia, Spain

Calas de Parreño
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Negrete, Calas de Parreño and Cala de los Déntoles.)
37.5971N, 0.7674W (Calas de Parreño, easternmost)
37.5973N, 0.7694W (Calas de Parreño, second from east)
37.5971N, 0.7710W (Calas de Parreño, second from west)
37.5969N, 0.7717W (Calas de Parreño, westernmost)
municipality, province/autonomous community, country:
Cartagena, Murcia, Spain

Cala de los Déntoles
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Negrete, Calas de Parreño and Cala de los Déntoles.)
municipality, province/autonomous community, country:
Cartagena, Murcia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OSv5oW
NOTES ABOUT PARKING AND ACCESS: There are a number of parking areas associated with Calblanque Regional Park, and where you park depends on what time of year you visit. There are two inland parking lots that are not within easy walking distance of the beaches of the park. One of the inland lots is not even in the park but rather in the nearby town of Los Belones. The other inland lot is at the edge of the park, near the start of the main park access road at the RM-12 motorway. There are also six beach parking lots (all named farther down). Starting in 2016, the six beach parking lots have been closed to automobiles during peak season in an effort to reduce the negative environmental effects of too many motorized vehicles in the park at once. (The exact dates vary from year to year, but peak season includes the entire months of July and August along with the last few days of June and the first few days of September.) If you visit during peak season, you will need to park at one of the inland lots and take a shuttle into the park. Outside of peak season, there is no shuttle service, but you can drive to the beach parking lots. There are no parking fees in any of the lots at any time of year, nor are there entry fees for hikers and cyclists, but there is a fee to take the shuttle bus. Roundtrip fare can be purchased at either of the two inland parking lots. The directions below first assume that you will drive all the way into the park, followed by more information about the shuttle bus.
37.6228N, 0.7531W (start of the main road into Calblanque Regional Park in the eastern outskirts of Cartagena, between Los Belones and Cabo de Palos)
The RM-12 (Autovía de la Manga) is a 20-kilometer-long motorway connecting Cartagena to the La Manga peninsula. The road into Calblanque Regional Park leaves from the south side of the motorway at kilometer 14.8. The road can be accessed either from Exit 9bis or Exit 10 of the RM-12. Both these exits exist only for traffic going east (toward La Manga).
Once you turn away from the motorway, you will be going south on a paved road that at first is very straight as it heads toward a range of small mountains that must be crossed to reach the beaches of the park. Assuming you are visiting outside of peak season, keep straight ahead, continuing south about one kilometer until you reach a signed fork.
To continue to Playa de Negrete and the Calas de Parreño:
Keep to the right when the main park road forks, following the arrow for Playas sector Oeste: Playa Larga y Playa Negrete. Along the rest of the drive, the road surfacing is inconsistent. Some segments are surfaced and some segments are gravel. Continue one kilometer to a signed four-way intersection and turn left, toward Playa de Las Cañas, Larga y Negrete and Aparcamiento acceso playas. About 50 meters farther on, you will pass through a lift gate (which will be open any time automobiles are permitted) that is next to a small visitor center named Las Cobaticas. About one kilometer farther on, you will pass a large parking lot (on the left) signed Área El Atochar. Keep going, keeping straight ahead through another lift gate. About 150 meters past the gate, you will pass a scenic overlook (Mirador de Playa Larga), and by that point the sea will be clearly in view off to your left. About 100 meters farther on, the road will fork into a one-way loop where an arrow sign instructs you to keep to the right. The loop, which has a perimeter of about one kilometer, provides access to two large earthen parking areas. Área Playa Larga is at the start of the loop, but do not park there. As you continue along the loop, the sea will disappear from view. After about 600 meters, when the sea comes back into view, park at Área Playa Negrete. The parking area is at the far end of the loop, at 37.5994N, 0.7597W.
The parking area is next to the rocky land mass that separates Playa Larga and Playa de Negrete. Find the small wooden bus stop shelter in the parking area. Two boardwalks begin near the bus stop, but you do not want to follow either of them. (The two boardwalks converge into a single walkway that lands at the far west end of Playa Larga.) Instead, follow the earthen path that is just west of the boardwalks (i.e, to the right of the boardwalks when facing the sea). The earthen path is bordered by wooden rail fencing. After walking just 50 meters on the path, you will reach a signed fork, with estimated walking times posted on the signs. The arrow pointing left indicates a walking time of 5 minutes to the east end of Negrete (Negrete Este) and 10 minutes to the west end of Negrete (Negrete Oeste). The arrow pointing right indicates a walking time of 20 minutes to the west end of Negrete and 25 minutes to Cala Parreño. The hiking times seem a bit overestimated, so it will probably not take you as long as the signs suggest.
Most nude bathing at Negrete occurs on its west end. If you follow the left arrow to the east end of the beach, walk across the sand toward the opposite end of the beach from where the path lands. If you follow the right arrow, you will be on a path that undulates above Playa de Negrete. In 500-600 meters you will reach a signed junction at Punta Negrete, which is the rocky land mass between Playa de Negrete and the Parreño beaches. If you go left, you will descend to the west end of Playa de Negrete. If you go right, you will ascend to the crest of Punta Negrete, which is about 30 meters above sea level. At that point you will have a sweeping view of all four of the Parreño beaches, which are contained within an expanse of 500 meters. The most distant of the Parreño beaches is wedged against Punta Parreño, a hilly land mass that is much taller than Punta Negrete. From Punta Negrete, the main path goes downhill a bit then runs atop the Parreño beaches as it continues toward Punta Parreño. There are several side paths that descend to the Parreño beaches. If you go all the way to Punta Parreño, you will have hiked about 1.2 kilometers from the parking area.
There is actually quite a maze of paths through the foothills above Playa de Negrete and the Calas de Parreño, but you can't get lost since the paths are wedged between the mountains and the sea, meandering through an open landscape of panoramic views. Just watch for signs to stay on the best route. Signs will lead you to Punta Negrete, then once the Calas de Parreño come into view it is easy to intuit your way to Punta Parreño. Beginning at Punta Parreño, it becomes much more challenging (but possible) to continue hiking along the coastline.
To continue to Cala de los Déntoles:
Keep to the left when the main park road forks, following the arrow for Playas sector Este: Calblanque, Arturo, Magre. Shortly the road will turn to gravel, and the rest of the drive is along unpaved roads. In 250 meters, turn left when you reach a "T," upon which you will immediately pass through a lift gate (which will be open any time automobiles are permitted). Follow the winding road another 2.1 kilometers and take note when you pass an abandoned house, which is on the left very close to the road. After the derelict house, the road continues about 500 meters, with parking areas for three beaches along this final stretch. Continue past the parking areas named Área Playa Calblanque and Área Cala Arturo. As the road comes to an end, it will fork into a one-way loop (at 37.6067N, 0.7247W) where an arrow sign instructs you to keep to the right. The loop circles a few hundred meters through a parking area named Área Cala Magre. Park along the loop.
Immediately east of the parking area (to the left when facing the sea), a steep hill with a long ridge projects all the way to the sea, ending in a rocky land mass called Punta Negra. A derelict building that is covered in graffiti is perched on the slope of the hill, below the ridge. 25 to 30 meters above the level of the parking area, a scenic overlook called the Mirador de Punta Negra is situated toward the seaward end of the ridge, where the ridge begins to slope down toward the sea. Cala de los Déntoles is on the other side of Punta Negra from the parking area. Follow the path that leaves from the far (east) end of the parking loop (diametrically opposite the start of the loop at the arrow sign). You will be climbing steeply uphill, hiking such that the graffiti-covered building is on your left-hand side. After about 125 meters, the path will level out when it converges with another path that comes in from your left, and at that point you will be directly below the scenic overlook. Keep straight ahead just a bit until you round a bend, then Cala de los Déntoles will come into view. Go right onto the next side path, which goes downhill to the beach. The total hiking distance from the parking area is about 350 meters.
Note: After the Mirador de Punta Negra, the main path winds above Cala de los Déntoles and continues to Cala Reona, a textile beach located at the end of the mountains. The hiking distance from the Mirador de Punta Negra to Cala Reona is a little over 2 kilometers. After Cala de los Déntoles, the path begins to cling to the mountains above the sea. It is quite a dramatic hike that is terrifying in a few places.
Taking the shuttle bus:
From late June to early September when motorized vehicles are prohibited from driving all the way to the beaches of Calblanque Regional Park, there are two shuttle buses that provide access to the beaches: Line 1 and Line 2. There is bus service every 20 to 30 minutes from 9:30 am through 8:30 pm. Line 1 makes four stops while Line 2 makes three stops. The first and second stops of Line 1 and Line 2 are the same. Both buses pick up passengers at the two inland parking lots mentioned above, first at the parking lot in Los Belones then at the parking lot at the edge of Calblanque Regional Park near the RM-12. (The exact location of each of those parking lots is noted farther down in the additional directions.) You can purchase round-trip bus tickets at either of the inland parking lots. Next, the buses deliver passengers to the coastal area of the park. Line 1 goes into the western sector of the park, while Line 2 goes into the eastern sector.
Take Line 1 to go to Playa de Negrete or to the Calas de Parreño. The Line 1 bus makes two beach stops, first at Área El Atochar then at Área Playa Negrete. Be sure to stay on until the second of those stops. Hike to Playa de Negrete or to the Calas de Parreño as described above.
Take Line 2 to go to Cala de los Déntoles. The Line 2 bus makes just one beach stop, at Área Playa Calblanque. From there, you will need to go east to Área Cala Magre to begin the hike detailed above. This adds about 400 meters to your walk than would be necessary if you were able to drive to Cala Magre.
A YouTube video provides a short visual of the two shuttle routes.
If you want to explore both the western and eastern sectors of Calblanque Regional Park, you will have to change buses at one of the inland parking lots or else hike or cycle across the coastal edge of the park. The hiking distance from Cala de los Déntoles to the Calas de Parreño is roughly 5 kilometers.
In the northeastern periphery of Cartagena at a locality called Los Beatos, there is a very complex junction of three motorways: the AP-7, the CT-32 and the RM-12. The junction is a terminal point for the CT-32 and the RM-12, while the AP-7 passes through the junction. The Los Beatos junction is your most likely starting point for accessing the RM-12, a fairly short motorway that goes east to the La Manga peninsula, which is a geographic cul-de-sac. If you are heading south toward Cartagena on the AP-7 (with the exit numbers increasing), take Exit 800 (Los Beatos, La Manga). If you are heading in the opposite directions on the AP-7 (with the exit numbers decreasing), there is not a numbered panel at the point where you depart the AP-7, so remember to stay in the right lane after you pass Exit 801. If you are on the CT-32 (going northeast toward the junction), take Exit 8A (El Algar, Cabo de Palos, La Manga). Whichever exit you take, watch for signs pointing toward El Algar, Cabo de Palos and La Manga and follow those signs to negotiate your way through the interchange. Once you have made it through the interchange, you will be on the RM-12 going east. Take note of the exits, which are numbered sequentially with the numbers ascending. The exit numbers do not correspond to the kilometer markers along the motorway.
Once you have driven about 10 kilometers along the RM-12, a bit past kilometer marker 10 you will pass a pair of Cepsa gas stations—one on each side of the motorway. After the gas stations, take note of the next four exits, which are along an expanse of about 3 kilometers. Those exits are:
Exit 8 (Los Belones, Portman)
Exit 9 (Los Belones, Mar de Cristal, Islas Menores)
Exit 9bis (Calblanque vía de servicio)
Exit 10 (Parque Regional de Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas y Peña del Águila)
Exits 8 and 9 are both full exits for traffic going in either direction along the RM-12, while Exits 9bis and 10 exist only for traffic going east toward La Manga.
Take Exit 8 only if you want to park in Los Belones and take the shuttle bus from there to Calblanque Regional Park (available only during peak season, as described above). Upon exiting, follow Los Belones signs to negotiate your way through two roundabouts—one on each side of the motorway. When you depart the second roundabout (the one on the north side of the motorway), you will also see a sign pointing toward Parking Calblanque. Once you leave the roundabout, proceed just 150 meters and take the first possible left to enter the parking lot (at 37.6236N, 0.7820W). You have just missed it if you cross a short bridge and enter the commercial center of Los Belones. Bus tickets can be purchased from the information kiosk at the bus stop shelter.
If you do not intend to take the shuttle from Los Belones, continue along RM-12 and take either Exit 9bis or Exit 10. It makes no difference. They both lead to the same place. If you take Exit 9bis, you will be filtered onto a service road that parallels the RM-12. Continue about 800 meters until you reach a stop sign, then turn right and you will be at the start of the road into Calblanque Regional Park. If you take Exit 10, take the first possible right just after exiting and you will be at the start of the road into Calblanque Regional Park. If you are visiting outside of peak season, stay straight ahead on the park road until you reach a fork, then proceed to parking closest to the beach of your choice, as described above. If you are visiting during peak season, proceed just 50 meters and take the first possible right onto a gravel road that runs parallel to the RM-12 and the service road. At the start of the road, there is a long wooden bus stop shelter with an information kiosk where bus tickets can be purchased. About 75 meters past the bus stop, there is parking along both sides of the gravel road (starting around 37.6224N, 0.7543W). The gravel road continues quite a distance, so there is always ample room to park even on crowded days.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 800 to road toward parking at Playa de Negrete (Google Maps does not recognize the final 800 meters of the road.)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 800 to parking (at Cala Magre, for hiking to Cala de los Déntoles)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 800 to parking (at Los Belones, for taking shuttle)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 800 to parking (near start of road into Calblanque Regional Park, for taking shuttle)
This placemark pertains to Calblanque Beaches.

Cepsa gas stations (one on each side of motorway)
This placemark pertains to Calblanque Beaches.

Exit 8 interchange of RM-12 motorway

shuttle bus parking in Los Belones (peak season)

shuttle bus stop, Lines 1 & 2

Exit 9 interchange of RM-12 motorway

Exit 9bis of RM-12 motorway (exists only for eastbound traffic)

Exit 10 of RM-12 motorway (exists only for eastbound traffic)

shuttle bus parking at park entrance (peak season)

park road forks toward western & eastern sectors

lift gate

Las Cobaticas visitor center

Área El Atochar

shuttle bus stop, Line 1

Mirador de Playa Larga

Área Playa Larga

Área Playa Negrete

low-tide niches, west end of Playa de Negrete

Calas de Parreño, easternmost

Calas de Parreño, second from east

Calas de Parreño, second from west

Calas de Parreño, westernmost

Playa Larga

Playa de las Cañas

salt ponds

Área Playa Calblanque

shuttle bus stop, Line 2

Playa de Cablanque

Área Cala Arturo

Cala Arturo

Área Cala Magre

Cala Magre

derelict graffiti-covered building

Mirador de Punta Negra

segment of RM-12 motorway

route from Exit 8 (eastbound) to shuttle bus parking in Los Belones

service road, Exit 9bis

Exit 10 ramp

segment of gravel road through parking area

main road into Calblanque Regional Park (paved)

one-way loop

roads into western sector of park (paved & gravel segments)

path to east end of Playa de Negrete

path toward western end of Playa de Negrete & Calas de Parreño

path to western end of Playa de Negrete

path above Calas de Parreño

road into eastern sector of park (gravel)

hiking route to Cala de los Déntoles

Playa de Negrete

Calas de Parreño

Cala de los Déntoles

Playa de la Morena

Playa de la Morena
Playa de la Morena is a small beach that is less than 150 meters long, against a beautiful backdrop of rugged mountains. It lies with the municipal limits of the small city of Cartagena, but it is far removed from the central city. La Morena abuts a naturist camping resort called Camping El Portús, and the geographic situation of the beach is such that the only convenient way to get there is by passing through the private property of Camping El Portús. Thus, La Morena is effectively (if not technically) the private nude beach of Camping El Portús, but is it available to the general public. Non-registered guests must pay a fee of about €6 per person to pass through Camping El Portús to get to the beach. The resort has a nude-only policy at the beach, so everyone is naked. There is a way to hike over a large mass of rock to bypass Camping El Portús and access the beach for free, but it requires a degree of physical fitness. Those who pay the day-use fee have access to all the facilities of the naturist resort, including toilets, showers, a restaurant, a snack bar and the swimming pool.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3scj453
37.5862N, 1.0710W (mini-roundabout at end of RM-E21 in El Portús)
El Portús is a tiny seaside community that is within the municipality of Cartagena, about 10 kilometers southwest of the city center. A minor road numbered RM-E21 is the only road that goes into (or out of) El Portús, which is a geographic cul-de-sac with no through roads. You will arrive in El Portús when you reach the mini-roundabout referenced above, at which point the road basically splits into three forks that all continue toward the sea. Take the third departure of the mini-roundabout (i.e., take the fork that is farthest to your left when you enter the roundabout). You will immediately pass through an elaborate yellow gateway with a Camping Naturista sign. (There is not an actual gate.) After 300 meters, you will reach the wall that surrounds Camping El Portús. Keep straight ahead and the road will curve around the end of the wall, where you will reach the small reception building at Camping El Portús. Stop there to inquire about day-use fees. If you park at the reception, it is a walk of 400-500 meters to the beach. For a higher fee, you can proceed beyond the reception building and park much closer to the beach.
Alternative access: The geographic situation of Playa de la Morena is such that the only convenient way to get there is by passing through the private property of Camping El Portús. There is an alternative free access if you are able-bodied enough to climb over a substantial mass of rock. When you get to the wall of the resort, turn right and follow the road that skirts the edge of the wall. The wall should be on your left-hand side. The road will end in a few hundred meters, and there is parking all along the road. Facing the sea at the end of the road, you will see a rocky mass directly in front of you, with access to a small textile beach called Playa de la Losa off to your right. The rocky mass is part of a large rocky outcropping that separates La Losa from La Morena. Walk out to La Losa and, facing the sea, look to your left. You will see crude steps built into the mass of rock. Go up the steps and cross the outcropping, then descend to the nude beach on the other side. The distance across the rocky mass is about 200 meters.
starting point:  Exit 815 (Cartagena Oeste) of the AP-7 motorway in Cartagena
Exit 815 is on the western outskirts of Cartagena. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto a connector road that is on the coast side of the motorway. Follow that road south about a kilometer to a roundabout that forms the junction with route RM-332. Take the second departure, which is signed Cartagena. You will then be going southeast. In 1.3 kilometers, keep straight ahead through a large roundabout that has lots of small trees in the middle, following the signs for Canteras and the city center (centro ciudad). Continue 800-900 meters to the next roundabout, which is a bit past Kia Motors. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Tentegorra. Less than 200 meters farther on, you will reach another roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Canteras.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be going west on a local road that is not numbered but that will eventually become route RM-E22. Stay straight ahead for 4 kilometers, skirting the edge of Canteras, then turn left at a blue-and-white sign that reads Camping El Portús FKK. (This turnoff is at kilometer marker 0, which indicates that the road straight ahead becomes RM-E22. The El Portús turnoff is also marked by signs pointing toward Galifa, El Almendrico and Albergue.)
Upon turning toward El Portús, you will be going in a generally southward directions toward the coast on a minor road numbered RM-E21. Keep straight ahead at all forks and turnoffs. After 4.3 kilometers, you will reach a mini-roundabout at the edge of El Portús. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Morena.

This placemark pertains to Playa de la Morena.

small reception building (inquire about parking & day-use fees here)
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Morena.

free parking (if hiking over the rocky outcropping)

Playa del Portús, a.k.a. Playa de los Pescadores (textile)

Playa de la Losa (textile)

Camping El Portús (naturist)

road to Camping El Portús

side road to Playa de la Losa

path over rocky outcropping

wall along west side of Camping El Portús

Bolnuevo Beaches

Bolnuevo Beaches
West of Cartagena, the Sierra de las Moreras is a small range of mountains contained almost entirely within Mazarrón, a municipality with an eponymous main town and a number of satellite towns. The arid brown mountains extend all the way to the sea, comprising about 5 kilometers of rugged coastline bracketed by swaths of flat farmland. Wedged against the east end of the mountains, the coastal town of Bolnuevo is known for eroded columns of sandstone called Las Gredas de Bolnuevo. The main beach of Bolnuevo is long, broad and sandy. Beginning just west of the main beach, there is a chain of nine smaller and much more rustic beaches that are composed mostly of gravel mixed with sand. The beaches, which are lacking in amenities, are connected by a main gravel through road and a number of side tracks. Seven of the nine beaches are designated for nude bathing, and a couple of signboards near the start of the beaches pinpoint those where nudity is condoned and those where swimsuits are necessary.
Going west from Bolnuevo, Playa del Rincón and Playa de la Piedra Mala are contiguous beaches that collectively span over 300 meters. While these two beaches are not designated for nudity, some nudity occurs nonetheless, especially during the off season and particularly at La Piedra Mala, the more distant of the two. Since the mid-2010's signs have been posted advising that nudity is prohibited, and violators are subject to a fine. El Rincón and La Piedra Mala are near residential development, while the beaches farther southwest are far more secluded.
Continuing southwest, there is an extended rocky segment of coastline before Playa de la Cueva de los Lobos, the first of the designated nude beaches. A little over 100 meters long, La Cueva de los Lobos is the most popular of the nude beaches since it is the closest to Bolnuevo. Just over a headland from La Cueva de los Lobos, the next nude beach is Playa Amarilla. About 250 meters long, Playa Amarilla is named for the yellowish cliffs that rise up at either end of the beach. La Cueva de los Lobos is largely visible from the main gravel road that winds above the coastline, but from a distance. A bit of Amarilla can also be glimpsed from the road, but most of the beach is secluded.
Beyond another extended rocky segment of coastline, the next four beaches are entirely secluded from the main road. First there is a trio of beaches—Playa de la Grúa (about 50 meters long), Cala Leño (80 meters) and Cala Desnuda (25 meters) contained within an expanse of 250 meters, each separated from the next by a scree of boulders at the base of a rocky hillock. Playa de Barranco Ancho (60 meters) is slightly removed from the trio. Barranco Ancho is the most secluded of the seven nude beaches, and it has a small gay following, as does Desnuda. After yet another extended rocky segment of coastline, Playa del Jondón (140 meters) is the final nude beach, and it is directly next to the road, not at all secluded from passersby. A bit southwest of El Jondón, the terrain abruptly changes. The next several kilometers of coastline is backed by agricultural land covered with immense tracts of greenhouses.
Until 2017, the main gravel road and all the side tracks were open to cars, making it possible to drive directly to all the nude beaches and even to drive directly onto some of them. However, most of the road has been closed to motorized vehicles since July of 2017, and now all the nude beaches must be accessed on foot or by bicycle. While the road closure has disgruntled some nudists, others have welcomed the decrease in automobile-related noise, dust and pollution. Cyclists who use the road for recreation have also welcomed the automobile ban. The closed section of the road extends 4.4 kilometers, beginning next to Playa de la Piedra Mala and ending just beyond Playa del Jondón. From Bolnuevo, it is necessary to follow the gravel road to reach Playa de la Cueva de los Lobos or Playa Amarilla. Starting at Playa Amarilla, it is possible to depart the road and follow a coastal path all the way to Playa del Jondón, passing through the other four nude beaches along the way. For those on foot, following the coastal path presents several advantages: it is shorter; you will be next to the sea; and you don't have to watch for cyclists coming around blind curves. Nude hiking is also possible along the coastal path, but nudity is not common along the road due to the number of cyclists passing through.
From the closest available parking in Bolnuevo, the total walking distance to Playa del Jondón is 3.6 kilometers. Historically, those going to the nude beaches have tended to start from Bolnuevo. However, due to the road closure, some of the nude beaches can be more quickly accessed from the outskirts of Cañada de Gallego, the town farther west on the other side of the mountains. However you approach, be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Summertime temperatures can be quite hot—sometimes even Arizona hot.
37.5618N, 1.3289W (Playa de la Cueva de los Lobos)
37.5556N, 1.3437W (Playa de Barranco Ancho)
37.5533N, 1.3499W (Playa del Jondón)
Mazarrón, Murcia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qukw28
The seven nude beaches that are west of Bolnuevo are located along a rugged stretch of coastline that has recently (July 2017) been closed to motorized vehicles. The gravel road from which the beaches are accessed has long been popular with cyclists, and bringing a bicycle is an especially good idea now that cars are prohibited. The nude beaches can be accessed from Bolnuevo or from Cañada de Gallego. If you are on foot, a good bit of walking will be required to explore all seven beaches. The two nude beaches that are closest to Bolnuevo (Playa de la Cueva de los Lobos and Playa Amarilla) are most quickly accessed from Bolnuevo, but the other five nude beaches are most quickly accessed from Cañada de Gallego.
To start from Bolnuevo, set your GPS device to:
37.5654N, 1.3002W (roundabout at east end of Bolnuevo)
Bolnuevo is a small seaside town that is part of the municipality of Mazarrón, and all signs pointing toward the town lead to the roundabout referenced above, which has a minimalist sculpture of a sailboat in its median. Take the roundabout departure signed Bolnuevo and Gredas de Bolnuevo. Almost immediately after leaving the roundabout, you will pass the blue-and-white Bolnuevno town sign. You will be going west parallel to the long town beach of Bolnuevo, which will be on your left-hand side. At first buildings will obstruct your view of the beach, but after about one kilometer the buildings will come to an end, with the beach and the sea clearly in view next to the road. At that point, you will be toward the west end of the town beach. On the right (inland) side of the road, there is a huge gravel parking lot that extends almost 400 meters. The far (west) end of the parking lot abuts a small complex of apartments prominently signed Oasis de las Palmeras. Keep this parking lot in mind as a backup parking option on crowded days, parking as far west as possible (37.5636N, 1.3136W).
Continuing west past Oasis de las Palmeras, in about 350 meters the road will begin to make a long rightward "U" curve. On the left at the curve, a wooden walkway and staircase descends to Playa del Rincón, which is the first (easternmost) in the chain of beaches that extend westward from Bolnuevo. There is room for a few cars to park along the shoulder at the curve. Just past the "U" curve, the road feeds into an atypical oblong roundabout with a cluster of palm trees and cacti in its median. There is limited parking around the oblong roundabout. Watch carefully for posted restrictions.
Depart the oblong roundabout at the signboard that reads Calas Nudistas y Textiles, Zona de Playa para la Práctica del Naturismo. You will then be at the start of a narrow road that continues west along the coastline, with the sea still on your left-hand side. In about 400 meters, there is a wooden staircase on the left that descends to Playa de la Piedra Mala, and by then road will have turned to gravel.
Playa del Rincón and Playa de la Piedra Mala are adjacent beaches that are not among the designated nude beaches of Bolnuevo. Just before the wooden staircase to Playa de la Piedra Mala, there is room for about 15 cars to park in a gravel pullout that overlooks the sea, and this is the closest parking to the point where the road becomes closed to automobiles. If there is no room to park, you will need to backtrack to one of the other parking options mentioned above.
About 25 meters past the wooden staircase to Playa de la Piedra Mala, there is a wooden gate across the road along with round red-and-white panels indicating that the road is closed to motorized traffic. (The prohibited two-wheeled vehicle depicted on the panels is a motorcycle, not a bicycle. Bicycles are allowed.)
The restricted part of the road is described below, with distances applicable to bicyclists. Shortcuts are available to hikers. There are a number of cuts along the road—i.e., places where earth has been removed for passage of the road. Only the two most prominent road cuts are noted as landmarks below. Passing through these cuts is almost like going through a tunnel, except there is no ceiling.
Landmarks along restricted segment of road:
• km 0.00  barrier at start of restricted part of road, at 37.5634N, 1.3206W
• km 0.37  prominent road cut
• km 0.78  Playa de la Cueva de los Lobos becomes visible from road
Playa de la Cueva de los Lobos is the first of the seven designated nude beaches. If you are hiking, there is a narrow footpath that is a shortcut to the beach. The footpath starts at 37.5625N, 1.3284W, which is the point where you can first see the beach immediately beyond a mound of earth at a rightward curve of the road. The path is a bit less than 100 meters long. If you are cycling, continue a bit farther.
• km 1.05  side track to Playa de la Cueva de los Lobos, at 37.5625N, 1.3302W
The track is signed, and it leads just over 100 meters to the beach, which is below a very low escarpment.
• km 1.19  prominent road cut
Playa Amarilla comes into view after the road cut. Hikers can shortcut to the beach along a footpath that begins immediately at the end of the road cut, at 37.5613N, 1.3310W. It is about 100 meters to the beach.
• km 1.33  start of 160-meter-long side track to Playa Amarilla, at 37.5616N, 1.3320W
• km 1.55  start of 400-meter-long side track to Playa Amarilla, at 37.5618N, 1.3340W
Neither of the two side tracks to Playa Amarilla is signed. The two tracks converge, ending close to one another. The shorter track ends at a plateau that is slightly above the beach. The longer track follows a dry wash (i.e., the bed of an intermittent creek), ending at the level of the beach.
If you are on foot, your hike to the nude beaches that are farther southwest will be a bit shorter if you follow the coastal footpath that begins at Playa Amarilla rather than continuing along the road. See Hiking from Playa Amarilla to Playa del Jondón below.
• km 1.62  start of a row of palm trees
Within a stretch of 100 meters, there are about half a dozen palm trees along the inland side of the road. By this point, your view of the sea will be blocked by a large hill.
• km 2.09 to 2.31  several turnoffs toward the sea, starting at 37.5593N, 1.3386W
Along this stretch of about 200 meters, there is a rocky hillock between the road and the sea, and there is a jumble of turnoffs (none of them signed) on the sea side of the road that merge into one of two side tracks. If you head toward the sea keeping the hillock on your right-hand side, you will end up on the track to Playa de la Grúa. If you head toward the sea keeping the hillock on your left-hand side, you will end up on the track to Cala Leño. Whichever track you follow, it is no more than 200 meters to one beach or the other.
• km 2.48  start of double curve
Over the next 100 meters, the road makes an "S," curving first sharply to the left then sharply to the right as it winds uphill. At the second curve, the sea will again come into view (in the distance), and there is an unsigned side track on the left at 37.5586N, 1.3421W. (The side track begins immediately before the ruins of a stone wall that briefly runs along the left side of the main road.) Turn onto the side track to go to Cala Desnuda or Playa de Barranco Ancho. After following the track just 150 meters, you will reach a four-way junction next to a small building in ruins. To go to Cala Desnuda, turn left at the junction and continue about 150 meters to the end of the track. Facing the sea, the small beach will be to your left. To go to Playa de Barranco Ancho, keep straight ahead at the junction. Continue about 100 meters until the track descends into a dry wash, then turn left and follow the track that goes through the wash about 100 meters to its end at the beach.
• km 2.58 to 3.28  "S" curve to "U" curve
After the "S" curve, the road meanders inland for about 700 meters until it makes a leftward "U" curve in a dry wash (the same wash that ends at Playa de Barranco Ancho).
• km 3.28 to 4.14  "U" curve to sea
After the wash, the road angles back toward the sea for the next 800-900 meters.
• km 4.14 to 4.31  Playa del Jondón
Once the road returns to the sea, it winds directly above Playa del Jondón, which is the last of the nude beaches and the only one that is adjacent to the road.
• km 4.39  red-and-white lift gate, at 37.5525N, 1.3513W
Just past Playa del Jondón, there is a gate across the road amid a small cluster of derelict structures. The gate is a barrier for automobile traffic coming from the opposite direction. This is where the segment of the road that is restricted to hikers and cyclists comes to an end.
Hiking from Playa Amarilla to Playa del Jondón:
Going southwest, Playa Amarilla is the second of the seven nude beaches. Starting at Playa Amarilla, it is possible to follow the coastline to Playa del Jondón, which is the seventh and last of the nude beaches. Along the way, you will pass through the other four nude beaches. Following the coastal hiking route is a shorter alternative to exploring all the nude beaches compared to staying on the road. The route is lined with short, thick cement posts. (These squat posts are identical to the ones you will have already seen along the main road and side tracks.) The posts are typically not more than 50 meters apart, and they are easily spotted in the mostly treeless landscape. You do not have to strictly adhere to the posts. If there is an obvious path that hews toward the coastline, just follow it. When you get to a place where it isn't obvious which path to follow to continue to the next beach, just look for the next post to help you along.
From the main road, the two side tracks to Playa Amarilla lead to the central area of the beach, which is backed by relatively flat land. From the central area, rugged cliffs rise up behind both ends of the beach. Find the footpath that runs atop the cliff above the southwest end of the beach (to the right when facing the sea). A post marks the start of the path. You will be hiking such that the sea is on your left-hand side. For the first few minutes, you will be going gradually uphill above the southwest end of Playa Amarilla.
Once you have hiked about 900 meters, Playa de la Grúa, Cala Leño and Cala Desnuda will come into view. The trio of beaches is contained within an expanse of 300 meters. Watch for the posts to guide you over the rocky hillocks that separate the beaches. After Cala Desnuda, it is not quite 300 meters farther to Playa de Barranco Ancho, then it is about 600 meters farther to Playa del Jondón, where you will reconnect to the road.
The total hiking distance from Playa Amarilla to Playa del Jondón following the coastline is about 2.3 kilometers.
To start from Cañada de Gallego, set your GPS device to:
37.5708N, 1.3873W (roundabout at kilometer 43 of RM-322 on the outskirts of Cañada de Gallego)
Part of the sprawling municipality of Mazarrón, Cañada de Gallego is a small farming town near the sea, about 10 kilometers west of the town center of Mazarrón. Take the roundabout departure signed Cañada de Gallego and Playa de Percheles, which is the only departure that isn't part of RM-332. As you head toward Cañada de Gallego, watch for three prominently signed businesses that are all on the left side of the road: first Perichan (a large agribusiness), then Frutas Mendez (also an agribusiness), then a BP gas station. Once you have driven 1.6 kilometers from the roundabout, turn left onto the next road after the BP gas station (37.5586N, 1.3793W). The road is not signed, and you have missed it by 150 meters if you reach the blue-and-white Cañada de Gallego town sign.
Upon turning, proceed 200 meters then keep to the right at a fork. Continue toward the coast along a road that passes through an array of huge greenhouses. In about 1.8 kilometers the asphalt will end just before the road ends at a "T" with a gravel road that runs directly along the beach. Turn left (northeast), following the gravel road such that the sea is on your right-hand side. After paralleling the long beach about 1.2 kilometers, the road will veer slightly inland at an Atención sign indicating the road is used by motorized vehicles, bicyclists and hikers. 300-400 meters farther on, there is a red-and-white lift gate across the road, beyond which motorized vehicles may proceed no farther. There is no designated parking area, so look for informal parking in off-road niches leading up to the gate.
The gate is the same one described above (at kilometer 4.37 of the restricted part of the road when approaching from Bolnuevo), and Playa del Jondón is just a bit beyond the gate. Reverse the directions above to find your way to the nude beaches that are east of Playa del Jondón.
starting point:  Exit 845 (Totana, Mazarrón, Puerto Mazarrón, MU-603) of the AP-7 motorway near Mazarrón
Exit 845 is located about 35 kilometers west of Cartagena. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Shortly after the toll plaza, you will reach a roundabout. Take the second departure, which is signed Puerto Mazarrón, Totana and Morata. You will then be on route D-4 for a very short distance. Just after crossing under an overpass, you will reach another roundabout. Take the second possible departure (not counting the "do not enter" road), which is signed Puerto de Mazarrón. You will then be filtered onto the RM-3 motorway going south, heading straight toward a chain of impressive coastal mountains. (Your destination, by the way, is pretty much directly south on the other side of those mountains, but you'll have to skirt the mountains to get there.)
In slightly less than one kilometer you will reach the terminus of the RM-3 at a roundabout that forms the junction with route RM-332. Which departure you take depends on whether you want to approach the nude beaches from Bolnuevo or from Cañada de Gallego.
To continue toward Bolnuevo:
When you reach the roundabout at RM-332, take the second departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed Puerto de Mazarrón and Mazarrón. Heading east on RM-332, in 1.7 kilometers you will pass kilometer marker 36, then 500 meters farther on you will reach the next roundabout. Take the first departure, which is signed Puerto de Mazarrón and Bolnuevo. You will then be on a road numbered D6. Continue 3.3 kilometers (southeast) to the next roundabout and take the first departure, which is signed Bolnuevo. Proceed as directed above.
To continue toward Cañada de Gallego:
When you reach the roundabout at RM-332, take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Aguilas. Heading west, in about 3.3 kilometers you will reach a point where RM-332 will briefly run alongside the lanes of the motorway (but with no access to the motorway), then you will enter a tunnel. Upon emerging from the tunnel, continue along RM-332 about one kilometer farther to the roundabout that is immediately past kilometer marker 43, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 845 toll plaza to automobile barrier along gravel road (Bolneuvo end)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 845 toll plaza to automobile barrier along gravel road (Cañada de Gallego end)
MAP of restricted segment of gravel road

approximate midpoint of Playa de Bolnuevo (textile)
This placemark pertains to Bolnuevo Beaches.

Playa del Rincón (textile)
This placemark pertains to Bolnuevo Beaches.

Playa de la Piedra Mala (textile)
This placemark pertains to Bolnuevo Beaches.

Playa de la Cueva de los Lobos (nudist)

Playa Amarilla (nudist)

Playa de la Grúa (nudist)

Cala Leño (nudist)

Cala Desnuda (nudist)

Playa de Barranco Ancho (nudist)

Playa del Jondón (nudist)

roundabout at east end of Bolnuevo

limited parking

oblong roundabout with limited parking

east start/end of restricted segment of road

prominent road cut

row of palm trees

short segment of stone wall in ruins

small building in ruins

southwest start/end of restricted segment of road

informal parking in off-road niches

"Atención" sign

main road through Bolnuevo

coastal road west of Bolnuevo

coastal hiking route, lined with squat cement posts

path & stairs to Playa del Rincón

path to Playa de la Piedra Mala

shortcut for hikers

side track to Playa de la Cueva de los Lobos

side track to Playa Amarilla

side track to Playa de la Grúa

side track to Cala Leño

side track toward Cala Desnude & Playa de Barranco Ancho

side track to Cala Desnuda

side track to Playa de Barranco Ancho

Playa de la Cueva de los Lobos

Playa Amarilla

Playa de la Grúa

Cala Leño

Cala Desnuda

Playa de Barranco Ancho

Playa del Jondón

Playa de las Minas

Playa de las Minas
On the southwest side of Mazarrón, isolated from the more populated parts of the municipality, there is a large agricultural area that is surrounded by mountains except where it borders the sea. The landscape is distinctively dotted with huge greenhouses, and the area is absent of any development not related to farming. The primary access to this rural expanse of coastline is via a minor road that goes through the village of Cañada de Gallego. Most of the beaches near Cañada de Gallego are quite uncrowded, even during peak summer season, with one exception: Playa de Percheles, a popular, sandy, palm-lined crescent of golden sand that spans about 300 meters. During peak season, the beach is equipped with primitive toilets and a snack stand. Percheles itself is textile, but there are plenty of opportunities for nudity at beaches that are nearby. However, the only really well-established nude beach in the immediate vicinity of Percheles is an adjacent and mostly hidden beach called Playa de las Minas. In fact, Percheles and Las Minas could plausibly be considered different areas of the same beach since Las Minas is really just an appendage of Percheles. Las Minas is accessed by a quick and easy climb over a rocky outcropping from the southwest end of Percheles. Playa de las Minas is just 100 meters long, and most visitors go nude. The rocky outcropping provides a privacy barrier between the small nude beach and the larger textile beach.
The municipality of Mazarrón has nearly 20 kilometers of coastline, and Playa de las Minas is near the far southwestern end of that stretch. The only designated nude beaches in Mazarrón are the cluster of isolated beaches near Bolnuevo, about halfway along the coastline of the municipality. While Playa de las Minas is not officially recognized as a nude beach, it is much easier to access compared to the Bolnuevo beaches, which lie in an area that has been off limits to motorized vehicles since 2017.
Mazarrón, Murcia, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3sfVFiU
37.5320N, 1.3811W (gate at entrance to parking lot at Playa de Percheles near Cañada de Gallego)
Playa de Percheles is located at the end of an asphalted road, and the entrance to the beach is marked by a lift gate (i.e., the kind often encountered at level railroad crossings) that is normally open. Just after driving through the gate, you will round a bend and the sea will come into view beyond a huge earthen parking lot that abuts the beach. Look for parking as far west as possible—i.e., as far to the right as possible when facing the sea. When you step out onto the sand, you will be on a palm-lined crescent-shaped beach. Facing the sea, turn right and head west until you reach a rocky outcropping that extends across the sand into the water. A short, sandy path winds throughs the inland side of the mass of rock, and on the other side you will be at the hidden nude beach. From the closest parking, the distance to the nude beach is about 250 meters.
starting point:  Exit 845 (Totana, Mazarrón, Puerto Mazarrón, MU-603) of the AP-7 motorway near Mazarrón
Exit 845 is located about 35 kilometers west of Cartagena. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Shortly after the toll plaza, you will reach a roundabout. Take the second departure, which is signed Puerto Mazarrón, Totana and Morata. You will then be on route D-4 for a very short distance. Just after crossing under an overpass, you will reach another roundabout. Take the second possible departure (not counting the "do not enter" road), which is signed Puerto de Mazarrón. You will then be filtered onto the RM-3 motorway going south, heading straight toward a chain of impressive coastal mountains.
In slightly less than one kilometer you will reach the terminus of the RM-3 at a roundabout that forms the junction with route RM-332. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Aguilas. Heading west, in about 3.3 kilometers you will reach a point where RM-332 will briefly run alongside the lanes of the motorway (but with no access to the motorway), then you will enter a tunnel. Upon emerging from the tunnel, continue along RM-332 about one kilometer farther to the roundabout that is immediately past kilometer marker 43. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed Cañada de Gallego and Playa de Percheles.
Upon departing the roundabout, proceed 1.8 kilometers and take note when you pass the blue-and-white Cañada de Gallego town sign. Continuing through the center of the small town, 600 meters farther on you will reach a fork. Keep to the left at the fork, following the Percheles sign. (The other fork is signed Calnegre.) Continue south toward the coast (keeping straight ahead on the main road at all junctions) for 2.8 kilometers until you reach the gate straight ahead from the end of the asphalt. Continue through the gate, then proceed as directed above.

"Cañada de Gallego" town sign
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Minas.

This placemark pertains to Playa de las Minas.

gate at entrance to parking lot
This placemark pertains to Playa de las Minas.

Playa de Percheles (textile)

route from Cañada de Gallego town sign to parking at Playa de Percheles

Playa del Charco & Playa de Junquera

Puntas de Calnegre is a name that refers both to a village and to a stretch of coastline in the southwest of Murcia. The small seaside village named Puntas de Calnegre is at the edge of an agricultural plain, wedged against the foothills of a small range of mountains called the Loma de Bas. The village is part of the municipality of Lorca, but it is considerably removed from the eponymous main town of the municipality, which is over 30 kilometers inland. (Lorca has the largest land area of any municipality in Spain.) Following the sea southwest from the village, first there is the rugged coastline of the Loma de Bas, which is most commonly called the Puntas de Calnegre. Continuing southwest beyond the mountains, the terrain flattens out into another agricultural plain. The plain extends southward to the seaside town of Calabardina, which is wedged against a distinctive promontory called Cabo Cope. Rising abruptly from the plain, Cabo Cope is an isolated mountainous mass that is mostly surrounded by water. Calabardina and Cabo Cope are not in Lorca but in the neighboring municipality of Águilas, with the eponymous main town of the municipality located a bit farther southwest along the sea.
Measured roughly along the shoreline, the distance from the village of Puntas de Calnegre to Cabo Cope is about 12 kilometers, and a few dozen small beaches pock this stretch of coast. Nude bathing has historically been possible at most of these beaches due to their isolation and general lack of visitors. The beaches along the Puntas de Calnegre are isolated by the mountains, while those closer to Cabo Cope are isolated by the limited number of paved roads across the agricultural plain, which is mostly traversed by rough tracks best suited to four-wheel-drive vehicles. However, everything changes, and the Calnegre-Cabo Cope coast is not as uncharted as it once was. Since 1992, the entire coastline has been part of a protected area called El Parque Natural de Cabo Cope y Puntas de Calnegre, and over the decades the park has become a destination for hikers and mountain bikers. Furthermore, the area has become generally more accessible since a nearby segment of the AP-7 motorway was completed in 2007. There is still plenty of isolation to be had, but be aware that a number of sources continue to describe certain beaches as naturist venues when in fact the nudist potential of those beaches has been greatly diminished over the years.
The municipality of Águilas and the municipality of Lorca have both made efforts to steer nude bathers toward certain beaches, no doubt due at least in part to the overall increase in visitors. There are now two beaches along the Calnegre-Cabo Cope coast where nude bathers can bare all without a need for discretion. One of them couldn't be easier to access by car. The other requires a bit of effort to reach if you don't have a heavy-duty set of wheels.
The easy-access beach is Playa del Charco near Calabardina. El Charco is a broad swath of sand that extends about 150 meters, and the land mass that is prominently visible looking south from the beach is Cabo Cope, which is less than 2 kilometers away. The beach is described as nudist on the Águilas tourism website, which lends it at least a quasi-official status. Secluded from the nearby road by a dense growth of coastal scrub, El Charco is bracketed by a rocky hillock at one end and by the fence wall of a grand private residence on the other end. The beach rarely gets crowded, and there are no amenities, but it takes just a few minutes to walk to a snack stand on nearby Playa del Sombrerico, which is the next beach going south.
Following the coastline, Playa de Junquera is about 5.5 kilometers north-northeast of Playa del Charco. Junquera is among the more isolated beaches of the Loma de Bas. Covered in small pebbles, the beach extends about 75 meters. Until recently, Junquera was no more or less likely to draw nude bathers than any of the other nearby beaches. However, in 2018 the beach was officially sanctioned for nude bathing by the Lorca municipal council, with the apparent intent of discouraging nude use at other Lorca beaches. Junquera now has a small but consistent nudist following. The beach is most quickly accessed from the southwest side of the mountains. It is possible to drive to Junquera, parking uphill from the beach, but doing so requires negotiating your way along 3.4 kilometers of dirt tracks that may be a bit challenging for conventional automobiles. If you prefer not to drive off pavement, you will have to hike about 2 kilometers to the beach. As you may expect, Junquera has no amenities, nor do any of the remote beaches you will pass en route to Junquera.
The directions below reference the location of other beaches along the Calnegre-Cabo Cope coast. A good many of these beaches are very lightly visited and potentially nudist.
This placemark pertains to Playa del Charco and Playa de Junquera.

Playa del Charco
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Charco and Playa de Junquera.)
Águilas, Murcia, Spain
There are 54 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Charco and Playa de Junquera.

Playa de Junquera
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa del Charco and Playa de Junquera.)
Lorca, Murcia, Spain
There are 54 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa del Charco and Playa de Junquera.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OYkusU
To go to Playa del Charco, set your GPS device to:
37.4491N, 1.4842W (turnoff to Playa del Charco from RM-D15 near Calabardina)
RM-D15 is an 8.25-kilometer-long road that makes a loop, passing by Cabo Cope and going through Calabardina. At each end, RM-D15 connects to RM-D14. Playa del Charco is about 3 kilometers northeast of Calabardina, and the unsigned turnoff to the beach is about 150 meters north of the entrance to Tortuga Mora, a business that includes an eatery along Playa del Sombrerico and a small caravan park that may or may not be permanently out of business, having suspended operations in 2018 due to licensing issues. (If you approach from the nearest motorway exit, as indicated in the additional directions farther down, you will turn toward Playa del Charco before Tortuga Mora, and you will not go past Cabo Cope or through Calabardina.) Upon turning, follow the dirt track about 150 meters to parking adjacent to the small nude beach.
A rocky hillock separates Playa del Charco from Playa de Rafal (37.4527N, 1.4813W), the next beach going north. Playa de Rafal can be directly accessed by car from the next turnoff north of Playa del Charco, at a bend in RM-D15. Playa de Rafal gets some nude use, but it is not as consistently nudist as Playa del Charco. Continuing north, from Playa de Rafal it is about 3.5 kilometers to Playa de Cala Blanca (noted farther down since it is an access point to Playa de Junquera). Between Rafal and Cala Blanca, there are several beaches that are automobile accessible, but only by a network of unmarked dirt tracks. From south to north, those beaches are: Playa de Rambla Elena (37.4575N, 1.4775W), Cala del Pocico del Animal (37.4616N, 1.4765W), Playa del Saladar (37.4660N, 1.4740W), Cala del Pozo de Huertas (37.4678N, 1.4726W), Playa de los Abejorros (37.4690N, 1.4712W), Playa de la Galera (37.4730N, 1.4688W) and Playa Larga (37.4789N, 1.4665W). Playa de la Galera is the most popular of these beaches due to its unique scenery, and in 2018 Playa Larga was designated as a dog beach, so those two beaches are best regarded as textile. The other beaches have nudist potential, but none of them are well established as nudist venues.
Playa de Junquera is directly accessible via dirt tracks that are unchallenging for four-wheel-drive vehicles but a bit questionable for more conventional cars. Follow the first set of directions below to stay on paved roads and hike to the beach. Follow the second set of directions to attempt the dirt tracks.
To hike to Playa de Junquera, set your GPS device to:
37.4942N, 1.4825W (turnoff to Playa de Cala Blanca in the hamlet of El Cantar, near Calabardina)
El Cantar is a tiny, poorly signed settlement that appears on very few maps (and when it does appear, it is often spelled El Cantal). It is a few kilometers inland from the sea in the coastal periphery of the sprawling municipality of Lorca. The hamlet lies along a minor unnumbered road (Camino El Cantar) that connects two minor numbered roads (RM-D20 and RM-D14). The closest significant population center is the seaside town of Calabardina (part of the neighboring municipality of Águilas), which is about 9 kilometers away by car, but you are unlikely to pass through Calabardina en route to El Cantar, which is just a few kilometers away from a motorway exit.
The turnoff to Playa de Cala Blanca is on the southwest end of El Cantar, and it is the only paved road that leaves from Camino El Cantar. The turnoff is not signed with a name, but there are speed-limit and weight-restriction panels at the start of the road along with a very small sign with the road number: CRS-24-96. Follow the road 2.3 kilometers to the end of the pavement at a small parking area (37.4825N, 1.4635W).
The parking area is on a seaside knoll next to an abandoned building in a state of decay. Going northeast (to the left when facing the sea), it is 2.4 kilometers as the crow flies to the Cuartel del Ciscar, which is the next structure overlooking the sea. Once used as a barracks by the Civil Guard, The Cuartel del Ciscar is a derelict structure similar to the one next to the parking area. To get to Playa de Junquera, you will hike most of the way to the Cuartel del Ciscar. It is possible to drive all the way to the Cuartel del Ciscar along a road that passes directly above Junquera, but the road is rough and best suited to four-wheel-drive vehicles. From the parking area, it is possible to hike along the coastline all the way to Junquera. If you strictly adhere to the directions that follow, you will never actually be on the Cuartel del Ciscar road, but you will reach a point just before Junquera where the coastal footpath and the Cuartel del Ciscar road are nearly tangential.
From the parking area, follow the track that goes that downhill to Cala Blanca (37.4834N, 1.4623W), a small beach (about 75 meters long) in a deep inlet. There is steep cliff along the far side of the inlet from the parking area, and the cliff face is very distinctively dotted with a honeycomb of small caves. Many sources name Cala Blanca as a nude beach, but it has been many years since nudists were a regular presence there. The potential for nudity goes up once you are past Cala Blanca. To get past Cala Blanca, follow the track that veers slightly inland as it climbs uphill to the top of the cliff. Shortly you will be standing above another inlet (37.4848N, 1.4610W) that is similar to Cala Blanca, but on a smaller scale. The inlet lacks any kind of substantial beach, and it also seems to lack a proper name.
Continuing past the inlet with no name, shortly you will descend to Playa de los Hierros (37.4866N, 1.4597W), which is over 300 meters long. Along the southwest end of Playa de los Hierros (the part closest to Cala Blanca), there are a number of caves like the ones at Cala Blanca. Los Hierros is very lightly attended and potentially nudist. Walk almost all the way across the beach. Near its far (northeast) end, follow the footpath that climbs out of the beach and continues along the coastline.
In about 250 meters, the footpath will begin to run directly above Playa de Cala Leña (37.4889N, 1.4568W), a very secluded and potentially nudist beach that is about 60 meters long. At the far end of the beach, the footpath will briefly blend into a track that is broad enough for automobiles. Stay toward the coast past the point where the track curves inland and goes uphill (where it connects to the Cuartel del Ciscar road). Once you are again on a narrow footpath, continue about 150 meters and the path will go past an even smaller and more isolated beach (37.4905N, 1.4542W) that seems to lack a name and is at most 25 meters long.
About 150 meters farther along, you will reach the point where you will begin hiking very close to and roughly parallel to the Cuartel del Ciscar road. Continue a few hundred meters farther and the path will descend to Playa de Junquera. The total hiking distance following the coastline is just shy of 2 full kilometers. If you are interested in hiking beyond Junquera, refer to the driving directions below.
To drive to Playa de Junquera (4WD recommended), set your GPS device to:
37.4970N, 1.4803W (turnoff to Playa de los Hierros in the hamlet of El Cantar, near Calabardina)
The turnoff referenced above is a dirt track that is not signed, and it leaves from the northeast side of El Cantar, the previously referenced hamlet. It is one of just two turnoffs toward the coast in El Cantar (the other being the paved road to Cala Blanca). The road goes 2.3 kilometers to Playa de los Hierros, and you will drive almost all the way to the beach before making another turn. Along the first part of the road, there will be an earthen embankment on your right-hand side, then there will be agricultural fields along both sides of the road, then the road will become slightly curvy as it begins to run through a dry wash (i.e., the bed of an intermittent stream). Just over 2 kilometers from the start of the road, veer left onto a track that climbs out of the wash (at 37.4883N, 1.4614W).
Once you turn, you will be on the road to the Cuartel del Ciscar. In just under 400 meters (at 37.4901N, 1.4591W), keep to the left at a fork. (The right fork goes downhill about 400 meters to Cala Leña.) After the fork, continue one kilometer farther, then turn right into a small parking area (37.4936N, 1.4497W) that overlooks Playa de Junquera. Straight ahead from the parking area, a path goes downhill, landing on the beach in less than 100 meters.
If you continue along the road toward the Cuartel del Ciscar, not quite 200 meters past Junquera the road will pass through a wash (37.4951N, 1.4480W). If you follow the wash out to the sea, in about 250 meters you will reach a small, rocky beach named Playa de la Gruta (37.4935N, 1.4480W), notable for a small sea cave formed by a hole in the rock. Continuing along the road past the wash, about 500 meters farther along the road comes to an end near the Cuartel del Ciscar (37.4960N, 1.4428W).
The road to the Cuartel del Ciscar coincides with a hiking route numbered GR 92, which is a long-distance hiking route with several segments, one of which traverses the entire coastal realm of Murcia. If you continue hiking beyond the Cuartel del Ciscar, the GR 92 will morph into a much narrower footpath. Red-and-white paint markings blaze the path to keep you on course. From the Cuartel del Ciscar, the trail makes a long ascent, gaining about 60 meters of elevation in 250 meters. This is the most challenging part of the trail. Once the trail levels out and begins to undulate more gently, continue about a kilometer and the trail will descend into a wash (37.5026N, 1.4368W). Just after the trail climbs out of the wash, it broadens into a track that at one time was open to automobiles but is now restricted. About 400 meters farther along, the track crosses another wash (37.5041N, 1.4343W). If you follow either wash downhill toward the sea, in about 300 meters you will reach the confluence of the two washes, then it is a little over 100 meters farther to Playa de Cala Honda (37.5011N, 1.4329W), which is the most remote beach along the Puntas de Calnegre. Cala Honda is generally regarded as a nude beach due to its isolation, but it is usually deserted.
ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS TO PLAYA DEL CHARCO AND PLAYA DE JUNQUERA
starting point:  Exit 866 (Calabardina, Cabo Cope) of the AP-7 motorway between Mazarrón and Águilas
Exit 866 is located roughly 55 kilometers west-southwest of Cartagena. 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 roundabout.
To continue to Playa del Charco:
At the roundabout that is just beyond the toll plaza, take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Águilas and Calabardina. In 600-700 meters, keep straight ahead at a three-way junction that is immediately past a small roadside chapel. After the chapel, the road will be numbered RM-D14. 1.8 kilometers farther on, just past a C.P.G. La Marina gas station, RM-D14 will curve sharply to the right next to a restaurant named El Pocico★ (which is on the left at the curve). After the curve, continue about 600 meters and take note when you pass Marina Beach, a restaurant and recreation complex that is set back a bit from the left (coast) side of the road amid a cluster of trees. After Marina Beach, continue about 300 meters and take the next possible left (37.4611N, 1.5036W). The turnoff, which is unsigned, is immediately past a long, low-slung derelict white building that is on the left side of the road.
Upon turning, you will be on RM-D15. As you start along the road, which is lined with metal utility towers, the sea will be clearly visible amid the mostly treeless landscape of agricultural fields. In about one kilometer, you will pass a desalination facility on the left side of the road that is prominently signed Desaladora La Marina. 1.2 kilometers farther on, the road will curve sharply to the right as it nears the sea. (The unsigned access to Playa del Rafal is on the left at the curve.) Just past the curve, watch for a small utility building on the left that is surrounded by a chainlink fence. Just past that building, your view of the sea will be blocked by a thicket of scrubby trees. Continue about 200 meters and take the next possible left onto an unmarked dirt track. Shortly you will arrive at Playa del Charco, which is on the other side of the thicket. (You have missed the turn by about 100 meters if you pass a pair of private residential gates numbered "40" and "39," which are both on the coast side of the road. Tortuga Mora is just beyond those gates.)
★ If you were to turn left at the curve in front of El Pocico restaurant, you would be on Camino El Cantar, but at the opposite end of the road from the turnoff described below. From the restaurant, it is about 4 kilometers to El Cantar.
To continue to Playa de Junquera:
At the roundabout that is just beyond the toll plaza, take the second signed departure (effectively a left turn), toward El Garrobillo and Ramonete. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be going northeast toward the mountains on a minor road numbered RM-D20. In 1.6 kilometers, you will pass through a cluster of greenhouses that are directly alongside both sides of the road for about 200 meters, then the road will become slightly curvy as it begins to wind through the smallest foothills of the mountains. About 900 meters past the greenhouses, turn right onto the next paved road (37.5013N, 1.4807W). The turnoff is very inconspicuously signed El Cantar, but there are no other turnoffs nearby with which to confuse it (and you will know you have missed your turn if RM-D20 becomes quite curvy as it winds through the mountains).
Upon turning, you will be on Camino El Cantar. Watch for turnoffs on the left (coast) side of the road. In 400-500 meters you will reach the first turnoff, which is an unsigned dirt track. Continue along Camino El Cantar another 400 meters (passing through El Cantar, where there is a cluster of houses along both sides of the road) and you will reach the second turnoff, which is a paved road numbered CRS-24-96. To drive to Playa de Junquera, turn at the first turnoff and follow the driving directions above. To hike to Playa de Junquera, turn at the second turnoff and follow the hiking directions above.
ALTERNATE ROUTE TO PLAYA DE JUNQUERA (LONGER HIKE)
starting point:  Exit 857 (Cañada de Gallego, Ramonete, Puntas de Calnegre) of the AP-7 motorway between Mazarrón and Águilas
Exit 857 is located roughly 46 kilometers west-southwest of Cartagena. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the inland side of the motorway then to a roundabout that forms the junction with RM-332. Take the second departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), toward Ramonete. Proceed one kilometer to a roundabout that is bisected by RM-332. (It is the only signed road junction between kilometer markers 49 and 50.) Veer right to enter the roundabout then take the third departure (effectively a left turn), toward Puntas de Calnegre. Upon turning, you will be on a road numbered RM-D21, and in less than 100 meters you will cross under the elevated lanes of the motorway. Continue along RM-D21 another 5.5 kilometers (passing through a sprawling settlement called Los Curas), then turn right at a large signboard that reads, in part, Accesso a Calas de: Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres y Siscal. The turnoff is located at 37.5130N, 1.4144W, and you have missed it by one kilometer if you reach the Puntas de Calnegre village sign (just past which RM-D21 will curve leftward and begin to run along the coast).
Upon turning, the road will almost immediately turn to gravel. Well maintained and passable to all vehicles, the gravel road winds through the coastal hills for 2 kilometers before becoming off limits to motorized traffic. The road provides direct access to three beaches: Playa de Calnegre (37.5070N, 1.4161W), a 200-meter-long beach with a restaurant; Cala del Baño de las Mujeres (37.5055N, 1.4186W), a small crescent that is just 60 meters long; and Playa del Siscal (37.5039N, 1.4246W), a 150-meter-long crescent at the end of the road. Playa de Calnegre is a textile beach. Some sources list Cala del Baño de las Mujeres and Playa del Siscal as nude beaches, but their nudist potential has diminished over the years as the number of visitors has increased. Nudity is now quite unlikely except on uncrowded days during the off season.
To hike to Playa de Junquera, park at Playa del Siscal if possible, or take the shuttle. (Starting in 2018, the gravel road has been closed during peak season for traffic control, with parking at the start of the road and a shuttle providing transit to the three beaches.) Beyond Playa del Siscal, the road becomes blocked to vehicles, and it is roughly a kilometer to the two washes that lead to Playa de Cala Honda, which has far more nudist potential than the three beaches along the gravel road. (The GPS location of Cala Honda is noted farther up.) Beyond the vicinity of Cala Honda, the road will morph into a hiking trail, then it will morph back into a road again at the Cuartel de Ciscar. The total hike from Playa del Siscal to Playa del Junquera is about 3.4 kilometers.
MAP from AP-7 Exit 866 toll plaza to turnoff toward Playa del Charco
MAP from AP-7 Exit 866 toll plaza to parking at Playa de Cala Blanca (for hiking to Playa de Junquera)
MAP from AP-7 Exit 857 toll plaza to parking at Playa del Siscal (for hiking to Playa de Junquera)
This placemark pertains to Playa del Charco and Playa de Junquera.

This placemark pertains to Playa del Charco and Playa de Junquera.

motorway tunnels, southwest end

motorway tunnels, northeast end

small roadside chapel

C.P.G. La Marina gas station

La Marina (restaurant / recreation complex)

El Pocico restaurant

long, low-slung derelict white building

Desaladora La Marina (desalination facility)

small utility building surrounded by chainlink fence

parking

Chiringuito Tortuga Mora

Torre de Cope (16th-century watchtower)

greenhouses along both sides of road for 200 meters

El Cantar (hamlet)

Cuartel del Ciscar (derelict building perched above sea)

kilometer marker 48 of RM-332

kilometer marker 49 of RM-332

roundabout bisected by RM-332

kilometer marker 50 of RM-332

Puntas de Calnegre village sign, next to crosswalk

parking (for seasonal shuttle to beaches)

Playa del Sombrerico

Playa de Rafal

Playa de Rambla Elena

Cala del Pocico del Animal

Playa del Saladar

Cala del Pozo de Huertas

Playa de los Abejorros

Playa de la Galera

Playa de Cala Blanca

unnamed cove between Playa de Cala Blanca & Playa de los Hierros

Playa de los Hierros

Playa de Cala Leña

unnamed beach east of Playa de Cala Leña

Playa de la Gruta

Playa de Cala Honda

Playa del Siscal

Cala del Baño de las Mujeres

Playa de Calnegre

segment of AP-7 motorway

segment of RM-D14 & RM-D20 (continuous road that changed numbers)

short beach access track

Camino El Cantar (paved)

CRS-24-96, road to Cala Blanca (paved)

hiking route to Playa de Junquera

dirt track to Playa de los Hierros (4wd recommended)

dirt track to Cuartel del Ciscar (4wd recommended)

side track to Cala Leña (4wd recommended)

hiking route through most remote section of Puntas de Calnegre

segment of RM-332

segment of RM-D21

gravel road (suitable for all vehicles)

Playa del Charco

Playa de Junquera

Navarra

Pantano de Alloz

Pantano de Alloz
Pamplona, or Iruña in Basque, is the only major city in Navarra, more commonly called Navarre in English. The city is internationally famous for the running of the bulls that occurs every July as part of the San Fermín festival. Roughly 40 kilometers southwest of Pamplona, the Pantano de Alloz is a reservoir that is not especially large, fed by two minor rivers and covering about 3.5 square kilometers. The gently rolling hills and farmland surrounding the lake render a peaceful and bucolic backdrop. On the eastern shore, the tiny village of Lerate is the recreational hub of the lake, with a beach, a campground and an aquatic center for activities like windsurfing and pedal boating.
Lerate draws the lion's share of visitors to the Pantano de Alloz since it is the only area along the lake with amenities, but there are a number of gravel roads and dirt tracks that lead to primitive beach areas all along the lakeshore that are lightly visited if not deserted. There are ample opportunities for nude bathing, but the only area with an established nudist presence is along the south shore of the lake, a bit west of the dam. The nude area is an undulating stretch of rocky shoreline that extends about a kilometer, with a scattering of trees that provide a bit of shade. Visitors are afforded sweeping views of the idyllic rural surrounding, and on sunny days the water is a beautiful shade of turquoise. While there is ample room to spread out, the entire beach seems to be attended almost exclusively by gay men.
Valle de Yerri, Navarra, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45BcHXs
starting point:  Exit 34 (Valle de Yerri, Abárzuza, Lezáun) of the A-12 motorway near Valle de Yerri
Exit 34 is about 32 kilometers southwest of Pamplona and 50 kilometers northeast of Logroño. Upon exiting, follow signs for Valle de Yerri and Lácar (not to be confused with similar-appearing Lorca) to navigate away from the interchange. You will begin going north on route NA-7320. Watch the kilometer marker numbers, which ascend the farther you go. About 4 kilometers from the motorway, you will reach marker 4 (which is about 600 meters past the small village of Alloz). Immediately after marker 4, veer right onto at a stack of bilingual (Spanish/Basque) brown signs that point toward parking, the Alloz reservoir and a scenic overlook. (The wording on the signs reads: Aparcamiento/Aparkaleku; Embalse de Alloz/Allotzeko urtegia; Mirador/Begiratokia.)
After just 100 or so meters, the road will turn to gravel. 600 to 700 meters farther along, there is an earthen parking area on the left (42.7039N, 1.9608W). There is rooms for a few dozens cars. It is possible to drive farther and park along the road closer to the reservoir, but the road gets rougher. After the parking area, walk or drive another 700 to 800 meters. As you near the water's edge, there will be a cluster of several very tall trees on the left side of the road at the point where the road bends to the right, briefly running parallel to the shoreline before going uphill into a thickly wooded area. Walk out to the water near the tall trees and you will be roughly at the center of the kilometer or so of shoreline where nudity occurs. Facing the water, you will be heading toward the dam if you go to the right. If you go to the left, you will see a forested hillock a few hundred meters away at the water's edge at a bend of the shoreline. The nude area extends a bit beyond the hillock.
MAP from A-12 Exit 34 to turnoff★ toward Pantano de Alloz
★ Google Maps does not recognize any portion of the road that goes 1.5 kilometers to the reservoir.
This placemark pertains to Pantano de Alloz.

kilometer marker 3 of NA-7320
This placemark pertains to Pantano de Alloz.

Alloz village sign (for traffic going north)
This placemark pertains to Pantano de Alloz.

"leaving Alloz" sign (for traffic going north)

kilometer marker 4 of NA-7320

kilometer marker 5 of NA-7320

cluster of very tall trees

segment of NA-7320

road to reservoir (gravel, except at very start)

nude area of shoreline, roughly

Pais Vasco

Vizcaya

Playa de Azkorri & Playa de Salvaje

Playa de Azkorri and Playa de Salvaje are neighboring beaches located within metropolitan Bilbao. Separated by a headland, the beaches are on the east side of the Port of Bilbao. Both beaches are crescents backed by steep escarpments, accessed by broad paths that descend gently from cliff-top parking areas. Azkorri and Salvaje are quite popular, and both are attended by a mix of nudists and textiles.
Playa de Azkorri is an 800-meter-long beach that is also known by its Basque name, Gorrondatxe Hondartza. ("Hondartza" is Basque for beach.) Azkorri is a bit unusual in that the flat beach area is mostly covered with grass, so sunbathing is akin to lying on a park lawn that happens to be next to the ocean, especially at high tide. At low tide, the exposed area is largely a rocky shelf, but there is some sand as well. The escarpment behind the beach is covered with grass, and some of the rocks exposed at low tide are covered in algae. Combined with the grassy lawn, all the green lends Azkorri a feel that seems Celtic. The access path lands near the eastern end of the beach. Nudists and textiles mingle along the entire beach, but nudists who want more privacy from the concentration of textiles tend to go toward the western end of the beach (to the left when facing the water).
Playa de Salvaje is also known by its Basque name, Barinatxe Hondartza. Salvaje is similar in length to Azkorri, but it is a much deeper crescent of sand. Owing to its abundant sand, Salvaje tends to draw much larger crowds than its neighbor. Two paths descend to the beach, both landing along the central expanse. Nudity may occur anywhere along the beach when crowds are sparse. When substantial crowds are present, the central expanse of the beach is very likely to be entirely textile, with nudists concentrating toward either end of the beach.
Collectively, Azkorri and Salvaje comprise the most popular gathering place for nudists in the Basque region of Spain. Both beaches are equipped with toilets, outdoor showers and snack stands. While Azkorri and Salvaje are side by side, their parking lots are not connected via a direct route. In other words, going to one beach or the other by car involves taking a different exit from the nearest express highway. The driving distance from one beach to the other is about 7 kilometers, or slightly less if you can figure out the route via an unsigned shortcut. However, once you park at one beach or the other, it is easy enough to explore both beaches following a broad walkway that runs atop the cliff. The walk from one beach to the other, including the requisite ascent and descent, is about 1.7 kilometers.
There are also three more nude beaches very close to Azkorri and Salvaje that draw much smaller overall crowds: Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de la Cantera. They are collectively described in a separate listing.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Azkorri and Playa de Salvaje.

Playa de Azkorri
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Azkorri and Playa de Salvaje.)
Getxo, Vizcaya, País Vasco, Spain
There are 19 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Azkorri and Playa de Salvaje.

Playa de Salvaje
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Azkorri and Playa de Salvaje.)
Getxo and Sopelana, Vizcaya, País Vasco, Spain
There are 19 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Azkorri and Playa de Salvaje.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3E3I5Cc
Leioa, Getxo, Berango and Sopela are a suburban cluster of towns along the northern (coastal) periphery of Bilbao's sprawling metropolitan area. These suburbs are primarily access by a short express highway numbered BI-637, which begins north of Bilbao (on the west side of the airport) and goes to Sopela, where it morphs into a non-express road with a different number. Playa de Azkorri and Playa de Salvaje are both most quickly accessed from, respectively, the next-to-last exit and the last exit of BI-637. The exits are not numbered.
To go to Playa de Azkorri, set your GPS device to:
43.3629N, 3.0031W (oblong roundabout at Getxo/Berango exit of BI-637 near Getxo)
The Getxo/Berango exit is between kilometer markers 16 and 18 of BI-637 (with marker 17 amid the interchange). Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to the roundabout referenced above, which is an oblong roundabout that circles underneath the elevated lanes of BI-637. Take the roundabout departure signed Getxo.
When you leave the oblong roundabout, you will be on the west side of BI-637. Proceed 400-500 meters to the next roundabout, which is just past a pair of Repsol gas stations (one on each side of the road). Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Azkorri. Continue one kilometer to the next roundabout and again take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Azkorri hondartza/playa de Azkorri. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on a street named Carretera Zientoetxe Errepidea (but the occasional street signs are quite inconspicuous).
Carretera Zientoetxe Errepidea goes all the way to Playa de Azkorri, dead ending in a beach parking lot. After following the street about 1.7 kilometers, it will begin to curve leftward next to a residence numbered 57. After the curve, it is about 200 meters to the asphalted parking lot at the end of the road (43.3780N, 3.0112W). However, the parking lot is insufficient for peak summer crowds, so there are often cars parked in the grass alongside the road starting as far back as the curve in the road.
The parking lot is situated about 60 meters above sea level, and a broad asphalted path that descends to the beach begins next to the road a bit before the parking lot. The start of the path is marked by signs indicating that dogs and horses are prohibited. About 150 meters along the path, you will reach a junction with a clifftop walkway.★ Keep straight ahead. About 250 meters farther on you will land on the beach at its east end.
To go to Playa de Salvaje, set your GPS device to:
43.3746N 2.9967W (roundabout at Sopela sur/Berango norte exit of BI-637 near Sopela)
The Sopela sur/Berango norte exit exists only for traffic going north (i.e., coming from Bilbao), which is the most likely direction of approach. The exit is just past kilometer marker 18, and it is the last exit along BI-637 (which narrows into a non-express road with a different number just past the exit). Upon exiting, you will be filtered to the roundabout referenced above, which circles over BI-637. Take the roundabout departure signed hondartzak/playas.
When you leave the roundabout, you will be on the northwest (coast) side of BI-637. Continue 400-500 meters to the next roundabout and take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Arriatera and Barinatxe. Continue 200-300 meters to the next roundabout and take the third departure (effectively a left turn), again following signs for Arriatera and Barinatxe.
When you leave the roundabout, you will be on a street named Arriatera Etorbidea. (There are street signs, but they are inconspicuous.) There are a number of apartment buildings along the street, all on the left-hand side. In about 300 meters, keep straight ahead as Arriatera Etorbidea becomes a one-way street. About 200 meters farther on, there are "do-not-enter" panels straight ahead, forcing a left turn. Less than 50 meters farther on, you will reach a "T" at the entrance to a large beach parking lot (43.3848N, 2.9999W).
The parking lot is a bit unusual. There is a lower lot and an upper lot that are connected by a couple of staircases, and there is a one-way traffic system through each lot. Access to the beach is from the southwest end of the upper lot (to the left when facing the ocean). When you reach the aforementioned "T," turn left for the lower lot or right for the upper lot. Once you park, go to the nearest meter to pay the parking fee, then make your way to the big blue-and-white signboard at the southwest end of the upper lot. It is a bilingual sign (Spanish and Basque) that lists a few generic beach regulations, and it is above the beach at an elevation of about 35-40 meters. Next to the sign, the asphalted path that is farthest inland is the clifftop walkway.★ To descend to Playa de Salvaje, follow one of the two cobbled walkways that leave from the signboard. The walkway that is farther right as you face the ocean makes a steeper descent via zig-zagging stairs, while the walkway farther left is a long ramp that makes a more gradual descent. Both land toward the central area of the beach.
starting point:  the airport/Getxo exit of the A-8 motorway in Barakaldo (just northwest of Bilbao)
The airport exit is signed differently depending on which direction you are headed. If you are going east (toward France), it is Exit 123, which is a left-hand exit that is signed Bilbao (city center), Aireportua, Donostia-San Sebastián and N-647. If you are going west (toward Cantabria), the exit is not numbered. Start watching for it when you pass kilometer marker 121. The exit is signed Bilbao (city center), Getxo, Aireportua and N-647.
Upon exiting, follow signs for Getxo and aireportua. You will begin going north on an express highway that is numbered both as N-637 and BI-637, and in about 2 kilometers you will cross a high-span bridge over a broad river (the Estuary of Bilbao). About a kilometer past the bridge, N-637 and BI-637 will split apart. Keep to the left to stay on BI-637, following the overhead panels for Leioa, Getxo and Plentzia. (N-637 continues toward the airport.) Immediately past the split, the first kilometer marker along BI-637 is marker 8, with the numbers ascending. Continue following signs for Getxo another 8 kilometers and watch for marker 16.
To go to Playa de Azkorri, take the next exit after marker 16 (Getxo/Berango), then proceed as directed above. To go to Playa de Salvaje, continue along BI-634 a few kilometers farther and take the next exit after marker 18 (Sopela sur/Berango norte), then proceed as directed above.
★ The paths that descend to Azkorri and Salvaje are 1.2 kilometers apart via the clifftop walkway, which provides a means of visiting both beaches without having to drive from one parking lot to another. Starting from Azkorri, head east on the clifftop walkway (to the right when facing the ocean) to go to Salvaje. Starting from Salvaje, head west on the clifftop walkway (to the left when facing the ocean) to go to Azkorri.
MAP from A-8 Exit 123 to parking (Azkorri)
MAP from A-8 Exit 123 to parking (Salvaje)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Azkorri and Playa de Salvaje.

kilometer marker 16 of BI-637
This placemark pertains to Playa de Azkorri and Playa de Salvaje.

kilometer marker 17 of BI-637

oblong roundabout at "Getxo/Berango" exit of BI-637

pair of Repsol gas stations (one on each side of road)

kilometer marker 18 of BI-637

roundabout at "Sopela sur/Berango norte" exit of BI-637

lower pay parking lot

upper pay parking lot

segment of BI-637

roads to Playa de Azkorri

paved path to beach

roads to Playa de Salvaje

long ramp to beach

segment of clifftop walkway

Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de Muriola

Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de Muriola are three nearby beaches that are located on the outskirts of Bilbao. These three beaches are all within 3.5 kilometers by car from one another, and they are also quite close to Playa de Azkorri and Playa de Salvaje (described in a separate listing). Meñakoz, Barrika and Muriola are all very scenic beaches that draw nude bathers, and they are smaller-scale alternatives to Azkorri and Salvaje. They are generally short on amenities. Snack stands are sometimes set up, but don't count on it.
Situated below a verdant escarpment, Playa de Meñakoz is a mostly pebble beach that is a little over 200 meters long. It generally draws small to medium-size crowds and often has a nudist majority on days when it isn't too crowded. On peak days, there is more of a mix of nudists and textiles.
Just 1.2 kilometers from Playa de Meñakoz as the crow flies, Playa de Barrika is a beach with a very similar look and feel, except it is about twice the length of Meñakoz and has a much larger parking lot. At high tide, Barrika gets broken into two distinct segments, but it is easy to walk over the scree of rocks that separates them. Barrika usually has more visitors than Meñakoz, but it often feels less crowded due to its larger size. It also requires a bit more effort to reach since you have to go down a very long stone staircase, whereas the descent to Meñakoz is more gradual. The rocky face of the cliff that backs Playa de Barrika is characterized by wavy patterns that are quite fantastical. At the top of the stairs, a verdant clifftop park space with a dozen or so wooden tables is an enchanting spot for a picnic.
Just 1.5 kilometers from Playa de Barrika as the crow flies, Playa de Muriola is geographically distinct from the other two beaches. Just 80 meters long, it is a pocket of sand that is tucked into an escarpment. As you make the final descent to the beach, you may hear a trickle of water from a small cascade that tumbles down to the beach next to the access steps. Muriola is situated along the Bay of Gorliz and has a shallow, calm swimming area. The resort town of Gorliz is prominently in view across the bay. Muriola is attended by nudists and textiles but usually has a nudist majority, and it can sometimes feel crowded since it is such a small beach. Playa de Muriola is also known by the name Playa de la Cantera.
Meñakoz, Barrika and Muriola have rugged yet verdant backdrops that lend them all a mystical aura—like a setting one might conjure when reading a fantasy novel rife with wizards and dragons. Indeed, Basque Country landscapes have figured into the HBO show Game of Thrones. About halfway through Episode 5 of Season 7 ("Eastwatch"), Tyrion Lannister and Davos Seaworth sneak into the city of King's Landing, disembarking on a small beach backed by a huge fortress, as seen in the first 37 seconds of this YouTube clip. The beach is Playa de Muriola, but the fortress is pure CGI. The wooden handrail along the steps to the beach was dismantled for the episode but subsequently rebuilt.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de Muriola.

Playa de Meñakoz
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de Muriola.)
Sopela and Barrika, Vizcaya, País Vasco, Spain
There are 18 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de Muriola.

Playa de Barrika
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de Muriola.)
Barrika, Vizcaya, País Vasco, Spain
There are 18 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de Muriola.

Playa de Muriola
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de Muriola.)
municipality, province, autonomous community, country
Barrika, Vizcaya, País Vasco, Spain
There are 18 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de Muriola.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OFyRAW
Barrika is a small municipality located in the northern (coastal) periphery of Bilbao's sprawling metropolitan area, and the road through Barrika is numbered BI-2122. Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de Muriola are all accessed from a stretch of BI-2122 that is between kilometer markers 22 and 25.
To go to Playa de Meñakoz, set your GPS device to:
43.3919N, 2.9784W (turnoff toward coast at kilometer 22.2 of BI-2122 in Sopela/Barrika)
The turnoff to Playa de Meñakoz is located at the Sopela/Barrika municipal boundary, and it is not signed. It is the only coastal turnoff between kilometer markers 22 and 23 where BI-2122 widens to include a short center turning lane. Upon turning away from BI-2122, follow the narrow asphalted road 300-400 meters to its end at an earthen parking area, at 43.3940N, 2.9819W. Straight ahead from the parking area, a broad gravel track descends to the beach. The distance is about 300 meters, with an elevation loss of about 55 meters.
To go to Playa de Barrika, set your GPS device to:
43.4034N, 2.9699W (only roundabout between kilometer markers 23 and 24 of BI-2122 in Barrika)
Take the roundabout departure that goes toward the coast, which is signed hondartza/playa. Upon leaving the roundabout, proceed just 50 or so meters and take the next possible left. You will pass beneath a height barrier as you enter a large parking lot with several paved rows of parking spaces. Straight ahead from the parking lot entrance, a paved walkway goes gradually downhill about 150 meters to a scenic viewing platform that is perched about 45 meters above the ocean. From there, a long and twisty stone staircase descends to the beach, landing at its northeast end. On more crowded days, nudists are likely to migrate toward the opposite end of the beach.
To go to Playa de Muriola, set your GPS device to:
43.4056N, 2.9620W (only roundabout between kilometer markers 24 and 25 of BI-2122 in Barrika)
Take the only roundabout departure that isn't part of BI-2122, which is signed Barrika and udaletxea/ayuntamiento. In less than 100 meters you will reach a very small roundabout. Take the first departure (essentially staying straight ahead), toward the sports field (futbol zelaia/campo de fútbol). From that point, stay on the main road as it makes two sharp curves—first to the left then to the right. In 500-600 meters the automobile-accessible portion of the road will end, with a broad footpath continuing straight ahead. At that point, there is an earthen parking area on the left (43.4104N, 2.9622W). (On peak days there will be cars parked alongside the road as well.)
The broad footpath continues gradually downhill through the woods about 300 meters, ending at an elevation of about 15 meters above the beach. At the end of the broad path, a narrower path with a wooden handrail provides the final descent, with wooden and stone steps along the way.
starting point:  the airport/Getxo exit of the A-8 motorway in Barakaldo (just northwest of Bilbao)
The airport exit is signed differently depending on which direction you are headed. If you are going east (toward France), it is Exit 123, which is a left-hand exit that is signed Bilbao (city center), Aireportua, Donostia-San Sebastián and N-647. If you are going west (toward Cantabria), the exit is not numbered. Start watching for it when you pass kilometer marker 121. The exit is signed Bilbao (city center), Getxo, Aireportua and N-647.
Upon exiting, follow signs for Getxo and aireportua. You will begin going north on an express highway that is numbered both as N-637 and BI-637, and in about 2 kilometers you will cross a high-span bridge over a broad river (the Estuary of Bilbao). About a kilometer past the bridge, N-637 and BI-637 will split apart. Keep to the left to stay on BI-637, following the overhead panels for Leioa, Getxo and Plentzia. (N-637 continues toward the airport.) Immediately past the split, the first kilometer marker along BI-637 is marker 8, with the numbers ascending. Continue following the overhead panels for BI-637 about 10 kilometers and watch for marker 18.
The express highway comes to an end a bit past marker 18. Just keep straight ahead, following the overhead panel for Sopela, Plentzia and Gorliz. Shortly you will begin to pass through Sopela, and the road number will change from BI-637 to BI-634. Just keep straight through Sopela about 1.5 kilometers until you reach a roundabout with a can't-miss landmark: the roundabout is spanned by a pedestrian bridge. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout (toward Barrika, Plentzia and Gorliz), crossing under the pedestrian bridge.
Upon departing the roundabout, the road number will change again—to BI-2122. In 800-900 meters you will pass kilometer marker 22 just before a prominent pair of bus stops that flank the road. The turnoff to Playa de Meñakoz is the next left after marker 22. Continue along BI-2122 a bit farther to go to the other two beaches. Playa de Barrika is accessed from the next roundabout after marker 23, then Playa de Muriola is accessed from the next roundabout after marker 24. Once you turn away from BI-2122, proceed as directed above.
Note: Despite the number changes, BI-637, BI-634 and BI-2122 are just segments of the same road, and the kilometer marker numbering does not reset as you pass from one segment to the next. However, perhaps due to road rerouting, there are several instances where the distance from one marker to the next is substantially less than a full kilometer.
MAP from A-8 Exit 123 to parking (Meñakoz)
MAP from A-8 Exit 123 to parking (Barrika)
MAP from A-8 Exit 123 to parking (Muriola)
This placemark pertains to Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de Muriola.

roundabout spanned by pedestrian bridge
This placemark pertains to Playa de Meñakoz, Playa de Barrika and Playa de Muriola.

sports field

segment of BI-2122

narrow asphalted road

very short route from roundabout to parking lot

walkway / stairs to beach

route from roundabout to parking

Calas Antzoras

Calas Antzoras
Ibarrangelu is a coastal municipality that is about 45 kilometers (by car) northeast of Bilbao, the capital city of the province of Vizcaya. Two bodies of water form the coastal border of the municipality: the Atlantic Ocean and a deep inlet called the Urdaibai estuary. Ibarrangelu has two popular textile beaches: Playa de Laida and Playa de Laga. Laida is an unusual beach located in the estuary, and it is a large protrusion of sand that is surrounded by water on three sides. Laga faces the Atlantic and is notable for its dramatic landscape, particularly the headland at one end that resembles a miniature Rock of Gibraltar.
Laida and Laga are less than 4 kilometers apart by car, and the coastline between them is mostly rocky. However, there are a couple of small sandy beaches amid the rocks, and these little niches—which are about 500 meters apart following the shoreline—are both attended by nudists. There are no signs at all pointing the way to these little beaches, nor are there commonly agreed-upon proper names for them. The name "Antzoras" seems to be applied to the beaches more often than anything else.
The western of the Antzoras beaches is a niche of sand that extends a little over 100 meters, flanked on either side by tinier little niches. Backed by a verdant hillside, the western beach lies directly below the coastal road, but it is not readily visible to passing traffic due to the contours of the land. The eastern Antzoras beach is a bit more secluded from the road, and it is a sheltered and idyllic pocket of sand that is merely 35 meters long. There are separate footpaths leading to each small beach from the coastal road. Getting from one niche to the other at sea level involves clambering over lots of rocks. Both small nude beaches have prominent views of Isla de Izaro, a small island about 1.5 kilometers offshore that is basically a huge ship-like rock in the ocean.
Although the Antzoras beaches are quite poorly documented, they are packed with bathers on sunny summer days, and most visitors go nude. There is no designated parking area. Visitors park along the shoulder of the road near the two access paths. Furthermore, the parking lots at Playa de Laga and Playa de Laida are insufficient for summer crowds, so on peak days there are parked cars along almost the entire length of the coastal road between Laida and Laga. Eateries, restrooms and showers are available at both Laida and Laga.
Ibarrangelu, Vizcaya, País Vasco, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3E5D389
Playa de Laida and Playa de Laga are the only two major beaches that lie within the municipal limits of Ibarrangelu. Playa de Laida is the farther west of the two beaches, located where the Urdaibai estuary opens to the Atlantic. Playa de Laida and Playa de Laga are both accessed from a road numbered BI-3234. Playa de Laida is between kilometer markers 44 and 45, while marker 48 more or less corresponds to the midpoint of Playa de Laga. The two small sandy niches that comprise the Calas Antzoras are accessed from separate footpaths that leave from BI-3234. Neither path is marked. The path to the western niche begins at kilometer 45.65, while the path to the eastern niche begins at kilometer 46.1. The directions below start from Playa de Laida, and you will be going toward Playa de Laga to find your way to the Calas Antzoras.
43.3991N, 2.6845W (Playa de Laida, at kilometer 44.5 of BI-3234 in Ibarrangelu)
Playa de Laida is located amid a small cluster of restaurants and hotels. From there, head east on BI-3234 toward Playa de Laga. You should be driving such that the estuary is on your left-hand side, and the ocean will come into view around kilometer marker 45. Watch for the next side road on the right (inland) side of BI-3234, which is 600-700 meters past marker 45. The side road goes uphill to a cluster of houses, and it is marked by a small yellow sign that reads Gametxo. The path to the western niche of the Calas Antzoras is directly opposite the Gametxo road. It begins at a break in the guardrail that is on the coast side of BI-3234 (43.4068N, 2.6794W). The inland shoulder of BI-3234 serves as an informal parking area. The narrow footpath makes a direct descent to the western niche, going down a mostly treeless slope through a dense growth of grass and scrub. The distance is about 200 meters, with an elevation loss of about 50 meters.
To park closer to the eastern niche, continue a bit farther along BI-3234. About 300 meters past the Gametxo road you will pass kilometer marker 46 as the road begins to pass through a small cluster of old stone houses that are built very close to the road. Just past the houses, there is a small tile-roofed bus stop shelter on the left (coast) side of BI-3234 (43.4092N, 2.6764W). There is room for a dozen or so cars to park at the bus stop. The path to the eastern niche begins at the bus stop, immediately to the left of the shelter when facing the ocean. It is a narrow footpath that at first passes through a thicket of trees. The distance is about 400 meters, with an elevation loss of about 60 meters.
starting point:  Exit 97 (Amorebieta-Etxano, Gernika-Lumo) of the AP-8 motorway near Amorebieta-Etxano
alternate starting point:  Exit 100 (Amorebieta-Etxano, Gernika-Lumo) of the AP-8 motorway near Amorebieta-Etxano
Exits 97 and 100 are roughly 15 to 20 kilometers east of Bilbao. Both are exits that exist for traffic approaching from one way but not the other. If you are heading toward Bilbao (i.e., going west), the exit is 97 (and there is no 100). If you are coming from Bilbao (i.e., going east), the exit is 100 (and there is no 97). Whatever the case, just follow signs for Gernika once you exit, then you should end up on route BI-635 going north. (From Exit 97, access to BI-635 is straightforward. From Exit 100, the setup is more convoluted, and you will be paralleling the motorway about 3 kilometers before merging into BI-635.)
Soon after you leave the motorway interchange, you will pass two Repsol gas stations along BI-635 that face each other. There is one on either side of the road. Immediately past the gas stations, you will pass kilometer marker 24. As you continue north, be sure to stay on BI-635 past the exits that go into Gernika (a.k.a. Guernica). 13 kilometers after marker 24, you will pass marker 37 just after passing through a short tunnel. 400-500 meters farther on, BI-635 will come to an end at a roundabout. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, following the sign for Lekeitio and Ondarroa.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be on BI-2238, and within a few hundred meters you will pass kilometer marker 33, with the numbers ascending the farther you go. 3 kilometers farther on, you will pass marker 36, and by that point you will be in the village of Gautegiz Arteaga. As you pass through the village, take note of the speed limits that are painted in large white numbers on the pavement. Those numbers will incrementally decrease. 600-700 meters past kilometer marker 36, you will pass a 40 KPH speed limit indicator. Shortly thereafter, BI-2238 will curve slightly to the left, and just as it starts to curve it will also widen to include a short left-turn lane. Get into that lane and turn left, following the brown sign for Laida and Laga.
Once you turn, you will be on route BI-3234, and within 100 meters you will pass kilometer marker 38, with the marker numbers ascending the farther you go. 6 kilometers farther on you will pass marker 44 just a bit past a large Ibarrangelu sign.★ By that point, the road will be following the shoreline of the Urdaibai estuary, with the water on your left-hand side. Shortly past marker 44 you will begin to pass Playa de Laida, an unusual beach that protrudes into the estuary. From there, proceed as directed above.
★ The Ibarrangelu sign marks the municipal boundary. The actual village of Ibarrangelu is east of the estuary on the other side of a cluster of hills, at kilometer 51 of BI-3234.
MAP from AP-8 Exit 97 to roadside parking (near side road signed Gametxo)
MAP from AP-8 Exit 100 to roadside parking (near side road signed Gametxo)
This placemark pertains to Calas Antzoras.

Calas Antzoras, western niche (nudist)
This placemark pertains to Calas Antzoras.

Calas Antzoras, eastern niche (nudist)
This placemark pertains to Calas Antzoras.

Playa de Laida (textile)

Ibarrangelu municipality sign

inland turnoff signed "Gametxo"

kilometer marker 46 of BI-3234, next to cluster of old stone houses

Playa de Laga (textile)

parking next to bus stop shelter

segment of BI-3234

narrow footpath

Playa de Ogeia

Playa de Ogeia
Playa de Ogeia, also spelled "Ogella," is a picturesque beach backed by a thickly forested hillside, located along a rural part of the Basque coastline near the village of Ispaster. The beach is a mix of sand and large pebbles, and it is 400-500 meters long at low tide. At high tide, most of the sand disappears and the beach becomes much smaller. The beach is accessed via a staircase that descends to the far west end of the beach. Ogeia is mostly a textile beach, but there is small nudist presence. Nudists are more apt to gravitate toward the far east end of the beach (to the right when facing the ocean). The beach is equipped with restrooms and showers, but there are no food vendors.
Ispaster, Vizcaya, País Vasco, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3snuaE5
43.3568N, 2.5295W (turnoff to Ispaster at kilometer 50.85 of BI-2238, west of Lekeitio)
The small coastal town of Lekeitio is the closest population center to Playa de Ogeia, and the village of Ispaster is a few kilometers west of the town. Lekeitio and Ispaster are rather isolated from the nearest motorway or major highway. The turnoff referenced above is marked by signs for Ispaster and Ea. Upon turning, you will be on a road that appears on maps as BI-3238, but there do not seem to be any signs or kilometers markers indicating the number. Proceed 1.6 kilometers and you will reach a small roundabout just after you pass through the center of the small village of Ispaster. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout. 200 meters farther along you will reach two successive right-hand turnoffs that essentially leave from the same point. Do NOT make a hard right at the first turnoff (at the Arana Jauregia sign). Instead, veer right at the second turnoff, which is signed Ogella honartza (the Basque name for Playa de Ogeia).
Upon turning, you will be on a road that at first climbs slightly uphill before going downhill. In about 750 meters you will reach a long parking row (43.3707N, 2.5498W). Beyond the parking spaces, the road continues downhill another 300-400 meters, but automobile access is restricted along the final segment. Continue on foot to the end of the road , where stairs descend to the far west end of the beach. Nudity is more likely to occur toward the opposite (east) end (to the right when facing the ocean).
starting point:  Exit 97 (Amorebieta-Etxano, Gernika-Lumo) of the AP-8 motorway near Amorebieta-Etxano
alternate starting point:  Exit 100 (Amorebieta-Etxano, Gernika-Lumo) of the AP-8 motorway near Amorebieta-Etxano
Exits 97 and 100 are roughly 15 to 20 kilometers east of Bilbao. Both are exits that exist for traffic approaching from one way but not the other. If you are heading toward Bilbao (i.e., going west), the exit is 97 (and there is no 100). If you are coming from Bilbao (i.e., going east), the exit is 100 (and there is no 97). Whatever the case, just follow signs for Gernika once you exit, then you should end up on route BI-635 going north. (From Exit 97, access to BI-635 is straightforward. From Exit 100, the setup is more convoluted, and you will be paralleling the motorway about 3 kilometers before merging into BI-635.)
Soon after you leave the motorway interchange, you will pass two Repsol gas stations along BI-635 that face each other. There is one on either side of the road. Immediately past the gas stations, you will pass kilometer marker 24. As you continue north, be sure to stay on BI-635 past the exits that go into Gernika (a.k.a. Guernica). 13 kilometers after marker 24, you will pass marker 37 just after passing through a short tunnel. 400-500 meters farther on, BI-635 will come to an end at a roundabout. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, following the sign for Lekeitio and Ondarroa.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will be on BI-2238, and within a few hundred meters you will pass kilometer marker 33, with the numbers ascending the farther you go. 3 kilometers farther on, you will pass marker 36, and by that point you will be in the village of Gautegiz Arteaga. As you pass through the village, take note of the speed limits that are painted in large white numbers on the pavement. Those numbers will incrementally decrease. 600-700 meters past kilometer marker 36, you will pass a 40 KPH speed limit indicator. Shortly thereafter, BI-2238 will curve slightly to the left, and the road that continues straight ahead is BI-3223. It does not matter which of those roads you follow since they will rejoin, but BI-3223 (straight ahead) is the shorter option.★ After following BI-2238 for 3 kilometers or BI-3223 for 1.7 kilometers, the two roads will converge at a roundabout. Either way, keep straight ahead through the roundabout, following the signs for Ereño and Lekeitio.
Upon departing the roundabout, you will be continuing along BI-2238, and in about 250 meters you will pass kilometer marker 40. Continue another 10 kilometers through a rural, hilly area with lots of curves until you reach marker 50.
After marker 50, continue 800-900 meters, then turn left at the sign for Ispaster and Ea. (If you reach marker 51, you have gone about 100 meters too far, and you have gone a few kilometers too far if you reach Lekeitio.) Proceed as directed above.
MAP★ from AP-8 Exit 97 to parking
MAP★ from AP-8 Exit 100 to parking
★ Both maps above include the BI-3223 shortcut.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Ogeia.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Ogeia.

only roundabout in Ispaster

parking row toward end of road

segment of minor road through Ispaster

road / stairs to beach

Guipúzcoa

Playa de Saturrarán

Playa de Saturrarán
Playa de Saturrarán is located on the outskirts of the town of Mutriku (also known as Motrico). The beach is in the far west of Guipúzcoa, literally at the border with the neighboring province of Vizcaya. The main expanse of Saturrarán, which is about 250 meters long, is sheltered in a small bay at the mouth of the river Artibai. The port of the town of Ondarroa is on the opposite side of that bay, across the border in Vizcaya. The bay part of Saturrarán is textile. If you follow the cement steps over the rocks at the north end of the main beach, you will come to a hidden pocket of sand that is about 50 meters long. That hidden area is attended overwhelmingly by bare bathers. Although the nude area is more oriented toward the open Atlantic, it is protected from the waves by unusual, craggy rock formations that extend into the ocean from the beach. If you squint your eyes and let your imagination run wild, the rocks resemble the backs of giant crocodiles that are partially submerged. It is a common sight to see nudists strolling along the rocks or swimming in the shallow pools between the rocks. Saturrarán is the most popular gathering place for nudists in the province of Guipúzcoa, and its unique setting makes it one of the most geologically distinctive nude beaches in Spain. There are toilets, showers and a snack stand on the textile part of the beach, a walk of just a few minutes from the nude area.
Mutriku, Guipúzcoa, País Vasco, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45zQyss
43.3153N, 2.4114W (turnoff to Playa de Saturrarán at kilometer 7.25 of GI-638 in Mutriku)
Mutriku is the westernmost coastal municipality in the province of Guipúzcoa. The turnoff to Playa de Saturrarán is west of the Mutriku town center and less than a kilometer east of the provincial border of Guipúzcoa and Vizcaya. The turnoff is marked by a small white Saturrarán sign. Upon turning, follow the road about 500 meters to its end at a long paved parking lot (43.3189N, 2.4122W). Go out to the textile area of the beach from the far end of the parking lot. Facing the water, look to your right and you will see a large farmhouse-style structure at the end of the beach. It is a white stucco house with an orange tile roof. To the left of that structure, there are steps going up a mass of rock. Follow those steps. Once you get to the top and can see over the other side, you are likely to see nudists on the long rocky shelves that extend into the water. Go down the steps on the other side of the rocky mass and follow the paved walkway to its end at the sandy part of the nude area. The total walk from the parking lot to the nude area is just a few hundred meters and takes just a few minutes.
starting point:  Exit 54 (Itziar, Deba, Mutriku) of the AP-8 motorway near Itziar
Exit 54 is about 33 kilometers west of San Sebastián and 20 kilometers east of the provincial border of Guipúzcoa and Vizcaya. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a small toll booth on the south side of the motorway. About 750 meters after the toll booth, you will reach a roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), following the sign for Deba and Bilbao. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be going northwest on route N-634. (Before long, you will actually cross over to the north side of the motorway, although you will not be aware of it since the motorway is tunneled through a hill at the point where N-634 crosses it.)
Stay on N-634 for 6.7 kilometers, passing through the seaside town of Deba, until you reach a roundabout on the far end of Deba that is a bit past the sign indicating you are leaving the town limits. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), following the sign for Mutriku and Ondarroa. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on route GI-638, and you will immediately go across a distinctive yellow cable-stayed bridge and then enter a tunnel. Once you emerge from the tunnel, continue along GI-638 about 6.8 kilometers (passing through Mutriku) and watch for kilometer marker 7.
After marker 7, continue about 250 meters, then turn right at the small Saturrarán sign. (The turnoff is a bit past an Avia gas station that is on the left. If you reach the Vizcaya provincial border, which is at kilometer marker 8, you have missed the turnoff by about 700 meters. The Basque name of the province, Bizkaia, is on the sign at the border, and if you happen to pass that sign, the beach that is your destination will be visible in your rear-view mirror.) Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Saturrarán.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Saturrarán

Avia gas station
This placemark pertains to Playa de Saturrarán

main textile area of beach

kilometer marker 8 of GI-638, at Guipúzcoa/Vizcaya provincial border

segment of GI-638

stairs & walkway over rock mass

Playa de Zarautz

Playa de Zarautz
Set against verdant hills, Zarautz is a compact and stylish coastal town that is chock full of vacationers during summer months, in part because it has the longest beach along Spain's Basque coastline. Playa de Zarautz stretches about two kilometers, and it is a broad beach of golden sand. The western two-thirds of the beach abuts urban development, and you will find full beach amenities along that part of the beach. The eastern third of the beach abuts a golf course, and nudity is tolerated along that area. The nude area is not particularly well defined. On less crowded days, nudists may be present near the start of the golf course, but bare bathers tend to go farther east on more crowded days. Whatever the case, nudists are always outnumbered by textiles along the eastern part of the beach, and greatly so on crowded days. Furthermore, a boardwalk spans the entire length of the nudist realm of the beach, so there is no privacy from passersby. Playa de Zarautz is quite lovely, but it probably just isn't your beach if you prefer seclusion from textiles.
A headland rises abruptly at the east end of Playa de Zarautz, just beyond the mouth of a shallow river. For panoramic views of Zarautz, its beach and the green hills of the interior, go to the end of the boardwalk and cross the footbridge over the river to find the start of a path that makes a steep ascent. The entire path is a continuous series of long steps. When you get to the top of the steps, you will have hiked about 400 meters, and you will be about 85 meters above sea level. From the highest point you can go partway down the other side of the headland to a historic point of interest called the Cargadero Malla Harria. The extant stone structures were once part of a 19th-century industrial contraption that loaded iron ore from nearby mines onto ships.
Zarautz, Guipúzcoa, País Vasco, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44dPOrW
Playa de Zarautz abuts dense urban development, and there are no parking lots next to the beach. Streetside parking spaces are usually quite hard to come by. Dashed blue lines painted on the pavement indicate pay parking, so look for the nearest meter. Dashed white lines indicate free parking, but those spaces are subject to restrictions that are hard to interpret if you aren't a local. The directions below lead to a parking lot named Kortazar★ that is probably your best bet for parking near the nude area of the beach. The grassy parking lot occupies a full city block, and it is open during summer. Its north, south, east and west sides are respectively bounded by Gipuzkoa Kalea, Lapurdi Kalea, Mintegi Kalea and Cortazar Kalea.★ (Kalea is the Basque word for street.) The parking lot can be entered from either corner on its south side (the side bordered by Lapurdi Kalea), and the parking fee is about €5 per day.
★ The name of the parking lot comes from the street that bounds its west side. Limited signage leading up to the parking lot name it as Kortazar with a "k," but small placards name the street Cortazar with a "c." To complicate matters further, Google Maps labels the parking lot Aparkaleku Kanpa. Go figure.
starting point:  Exit 38 (Zarautz, Getaria) of the AP-8 motorway in Zarautz
Exit 38 is about 15 kilometers west of San Sebastián. If you are heading west (toward Bilbao) on the AP-8, Exit 38 is the last exit before a huge toll plaza that spans all lanes of the motorway, so you will not go through the plaza. However, you will go through a smaller toll station at the end of the exit ramp. If you are heading east (toward San Sebastián and France) on the AP-8, Exit 38 is immediately after the huge toll plaza, which has about a dozen toll booths. Make sure you go through one of the three booths that are farthest to the right, all signed Zarautz, or else you will not be able to take the exit. The exit ramp begins immediately past the rightmost toll booths.
Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Go straight through the roundabout. You will pass beneath a railroad overpass and immediately reach another roundabout. Take the third departure of that roundabout (effectively a left turn), following the sign for Zarautz. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be on N-634, but not for long. In less than 100 meters take the first possible left, following the Kortazar sign with a "P" parking icon.
Upon turning you will be on Gipuzkoa Kalea, heading west. Proceed 300 meters and take the next possible left. Upon turning, you will be on Mintegi Kalea, and the Kortazar parking lot will be on your right-hand side. To enter the parking lot, proceed not quite 100 meters to a "T" with Lapurdi Kalea (43.2839N, 2.1618W). The parking lot entrance is at the corner next to a solar-powered meter (where the parking fee is payable after you find a parking space). You will pass beneath a red-and-white striped height barrier as you enter the lot.
Upon parking, head to the north side of the parking lot—the side bordered by Gipuzkoa Kalea. On the other side of the street you will find a perpendicular street named Zinkunegi Kalea, which is a one-way tree-lined street that goes north all the way to the beach—a distance of about 400 meters. Just before the beach, Zinkunegi Kalea ends at a "T" with Mendilauta Kalea, next to Karlos Arguiñano hotel and restaurant. Continue along the walkway that is straight ahead from the "T" and shortly you will go down steps. At the bottom of the steps you will be on a broad stone-paved seafront promenade next to a small skateboard park. At that point you will be toward the east end of the part of Playa de Zarautz that is backed by buildings. The part of the beach that is backed by a golf course is a bit farther east, and that is where nudists gather. You could just go down to the sand and head east, but following the walkways along the beach is a faster way to assess the best part of the beach for bare bathing on the particular day you visit.
Facing the ocean, turn right and go a short distance to the east end of the stone-paved promenade. From the end of the promenade, a boardwalk continues east along the beach edge of the golf course, and you have to go up steps to get to its start. The boardwalk is built atop a ridge of sand dunes, and there is wire mesh along the golf course side of the boardwalk as well as overhead (presumably as protection against errant golf balls). The boardwalk is not quite 700 meters long, ending at a footbridge that crosses a shallow river (the San Pelaio). The mouth of the river forms the eastern extreme of the broad, sandy beach. There are three wooden staircases that descend from the boardwalk to the beach. The first staircase is about 200 meters from the start of the boardwalk, the second is about 200 meters farther on, then the third is about 250 meters farther on immediately before the footbridge. Nudity patterns are quite variable, but the first nudists are generally encountered around the first staircase, with nudists typically interspersed amid a textile majority along the rest of the beach.
This placemark pertains to Playa de Zarautz.

all AP-8 Exit 38 traffic is filtered to this roundabout
This placemark pertains to Playa de Zarautz.

This placemark pertains to Playa de Zarautz.

"Kortazar" pay parking lot

Karlos Arguiñano hotel & restaurant

small skateboarding park

Cargadero Malla Harria (19th-century industrial relic)

route from AP-8 Exit 38 interchange to "Kortazar" parking lot

Zinkunegi Kalea

wooden stairs

path over headland to Cargadero Malla Harria

Playa de la Zurriola

Playa de la Zurriola
About 20 kilometers west of the French border, San Sebastián is a very beautiful and cosmopolitan city that is part of the second largest metropolitan area of the Basque region of Spain. San Sebastián is also known as Donostia, which is its name in Basque. The city has three very urban beaches, and the Urumea River flows through the middle of the city. Playa de la Zurriola is an 800-meter-long beach that is on the east side of the mouth of the river. At the west end of the beach, there is a jetty composed of huge boulders that separates the beach from the river mouth. The west end of the beach is also distinctive because its backdrop is the Kursaal Auditorium (Palacio de Congresos y Auditorio Kursaal), which is a renowned performing arts center. The Kursaal is a large, boxy, modern structure that stands out because all the other buildings in its immediate vicinity are older and more traditional in appearance.
Playa de la Zurriola is a very crowded beach, and it is an overwhelmingly textile beach, although topless bathing for women is somewhat common. However, since the turn of the millennium full nudity has begun to occur toward the far west end of the beach, in the area that abuts the Kursaal. It is hard to estimate the nudist-to-textile ratio, but you will probably encounter several dozen textiles for every nudist, and any nudists present will almost certainly be men. Textiles are in such a majority that the occasional naked body seems an anomaly, but nudity nonetheless seems to be well tolerated on the far west end of the beach. Unless you are at ease being in a very small nudist minority surrounded by textiles, then chances are you will not be comfortable going nude at Zurriola.
San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Pais Vasco, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YK7xG7
43.3249N, 1.9764W (entrance to Kursaal parking garage in San Sebastián)
The seafront street along Playa de la Zurriola is named Avenida de Zurriola, or Zurriola Hiribidea in Basque. The Kursaal Auditorium is located at the western end of the street next to the Urumea River, which forms the western end of Playa de la Zurriola. Parking spaces at street level near the beach are hard to come by, so your best bet is to park in the underground garage that is below the Kursaal Auditorium. The part of Playa de la Zurriola where nudists gather abuts the Kursaal, so all you have to do to get to the nude area is walk around to the rear of the Kursaal and descend the stairs to the beach. Remember that nudists are vastly outnumbered by textiles, particularly on crowded summer days.
starting point:  Exit 19 (San Sebastián, Donostia, Astigarraga) of the AP-8 motorway near San Sebastián
Exit 19 is about 19 kilometers west of the French border, and it is one of several exits from which San Sebastián can be accessed. Exit 19 provides the quickest and most direct access to the city center. (Note that San Sebastián and Donostia are, respectively, the Spanish and Basque names of the same city and almost always appear together on signs, sometimes hyphenated. Also, the streets in the city have bilingual Spanish and Basque names.) Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the roundabout departure that is signed San Sebastián and Donostia.
Once you leave the roundabout, you will begin heading north on the GI-41 expressway. In about a kilometer, you will pass through a short tunnel, which is the first of three along your driving route. A few hundred meters thereafter, keep straight ahead through a roundabout. About 600 meters farther on, you will enter the second tunnel, which is the longest of the three, extending 500-600 meters. Once you emerge from that tunnel, be sure to keep straight ahead, staying in the lanes that are signed for the city center (erdia/centro). You will almost immediately pass through another tunnel, a short tunnel that is the third and last of them.
After the last tunnel, the expressway will end and you will be filtered onto a tree-lined street that follows the Urumea River. You will be driving along the west bank of the river, with the river on your right-hand side. There are five bridges that span the river. Keep straight ahead on the riverfront road past the first, second and third bridges. In 1.7 kilometers, you will reach the fourth bridge, and all traffic on the riverfront road will be forced to make a right turn and cross that bridge, which is called the Puente Santa Catalina.
As you cross the bridge, glance to your left. You will see the fifth and final bridge in the near distance, about 300 meters downstream. The fifth bridge is called the Puente de la Zurriola, and the Urumea River flows into the Atlantic just beyond it. To the immediate right of Puente de la Zurriola (i.e., on the east bank of the river), you will be able to glimpse part of a large, boxy building that has a very modern appearance. That building is the Kursaal Auditorium, and that is where you are headed.
Once you cross the Puente Santa Catalina, keep straight ahead and pay careful attention to the parking signs. They are bright yellow signs with blue-and-white "P" icons along with the name of a parking garage. Follow the parking signs that are labeled Kursaal. After the bridge, you will be on Calle de Miracruz (Mirakruz Kalea). In about 500 meters, you will see a Kursaal parking sign pointing left. Turn left and you will be on Calle Gran Via (Nagusia Galtzara). Follow that street about 400 meters and you will reach a "T" with Avenida de Zurriola (Zurriola Hiribidea), which is the beachfront street. Turn left, but as you are turning left immediately veer into the far right lane of the street you are turning onto. That far right lane is filtered into the Kursaal parking garage. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Zurriola.

Puente Santa Catalina
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Zurriola.

Kursaal Auditorium (Palacio de Congresos y Auditorio Kursaal)
This placemark pertains to Playa de la Zurriola.

entrance to Kursaal underground parking garage

Puente de la Zurriola

route from Puente Santa Catalina to Kursaal parking garage

Playa de los Frailes

Playa de los Frailes
The Atlantic border of Spain and France runs through a prominent bay that is called Bahía de Chingudi (in Spanish), Txingudi Badia (in Basque) or Baie de Chingoudy (in French). The Spanish town of Hondarribia is on one side of the bay and the French town of Hendaye is on the other. On the outskirts of Hondarribia, just beyond the mouth of the bay, a small cape called Cabo de Higuer is the easternmost point along Spain's Atlantic coastline. The cape is marked by a prominent, tall lighthouse. Below that lighthouse, there is a beach called Playa de los Frailes. It actually challenges the definition of "beach" since there is no sand. It is just the rocky stretch of shoreline of a small bay. The so-called beach curves along the contours of the shoreline about 200 meters. The shallow water of Los Frailes makes it an ideal swimming area, but if you want to sunbathe, you may want to consider bringing a raft for floating on the water considering the roughness of the terrain. Nude bathing is common at Los Frailes, but textiles often outnumber nudists. It is generally uncrowded, but there are often a good many boaters and kayakers in the area on weekends.
Playa de los Frailes faces east, looking toward the town of Hendaye, which is across the border in France. Plage de Hendaye is the long, sandy beach of Hendaye, and the eastern part of that beach is visible from Playa de los Frailes (at least from parts of it). As it so happens, the far eastern end of Plage de Hendaye is a gathering place for nudists, and the nudist area of Hendaye (43.3790N, 1.7561W) is about 3 kilometers from Los Frailes as the crow flies. The driving distance is about 14 kilometers. After skinnydipping at Los Frailes, you may want to consider a follow-up excursion to Hendaye for a less rugged nude beach experience, especially if you'd like to sunbathe on the sand.
Hondarribia, Guipúzcoa, País Vasco, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YDM3uE
43.3914N, 1.7920W (the Higuer Lighthouse in Hondarribia)
The Faro de Higuer (or "Higer" in Basque) is a lighthouse that is accessed from a local road that goes north from the town of Hondarribia. Just west of the lighthouse, there is a caravan park called Camping Faro de Higuer. Pull-in parking is available all along the road next to the lighthouse and the caravan park. Park as close as possible to the lighthouse.
The tower of the lighthouse rises behind an orange-roofed house-like structure. If you are standing facing the front door, then Playa de los Frailes will be downhill on your right-hand side. To get there, first go to the rear of the lighthouse, then look to your right for a rocky outcropping that has a prominent ridge. You will recognize it by the small stone obelisk that is located near the end of the outcropping. Follow the path that goes onto the ridge toward the obelisk, which resembles a chimney. Before you get to the obelisk, there is a side path on the right that goes down toward the water. You may have to scramble down the rocks a bit to get to sea level.
starting point:  Exit 7 (Irun, Hondarribia, Aireportua) of the AP-8 motorway near Irun
Exit 7 is about 7 kilometers east-southeast of the border of Spain and France. Regardless of your direction of approach, you will reach Exit 7 just before a large toll plaza that spans all lanes of the motorway. You will not pass through the large plaza, but you will go through a smaller toll station once you exit. Upon exiting, follow the signs that point toward Hondarribia and the airport. You will follow part of route GI-636 before merging into N-638. About 6 kilometers after you leave the AP-8, you will reach the right-hand turnoff into the San Sebastián Airport, which is a small airport. Keep straight ahead past the turnoff.
The town of Hondarribia lies just beyond (i.e., north of) the airport, then the lighthouse is north of town. Go through the western periphery of town to avoid the congestion and one-way streets of the town center (hirigunea / centro). Just after the airport entrance, you will pass a Galp gas station (on the right) and then kilometer marker 2 of N-638. From that point, start counting the roundabouts. There are six along the quickest route from the airport to the lighthouse. Below is a quick summary of how to navigate them:
• roundabout 1:  Take the third departure (effectively a left turn).
• roundabout 2:  Take the third departure (effectively a left turn).
• roundabout 3:  Take the second departure (straight ahead).
• roundabout 4:  Take the second departure (straight ahead).
• roundabout 5:  Take the second departure (straight ahead).
• roundabout 6:  Take the third departure (full circle).
At roundabouts 1 through 5, you will be following signs for the beach (hondartza / playa) and the marina (kaia / puerto). Starting at roundabout 4, you will also see signs for the lighthouse (faro or faroa on some signs; the proper name Higer with a lighthouse symbol on others). Then you come to roundabout 6, which has an unusual setup. Make a full circle, basically departing the roundabout at the same point where you entered it. The correct departure is signed for the lighthouse but NOT for the beach and the marina.
When you leave the sixth roundabout, you will have driven about 3 kilometers past the airport, and you will be on a road named Higer Bidea. Follow the road 2.3 kilometers to the lighthouse, which is straight ahead from a sharp leftward bend in the road. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Frailes.

turnoff into San Sebastián Airport
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Frailes.

Galp gas station
This placemark pertains to Playa de los Frailes.

1st roundabout after airport

2nd roundabout after airport

3rd roundabout after airport

4th roundabout after airport

5th roundabout after airport

6th roundabout after airport

Playa de Hondarribia (textile)

Faro de Higuer (lighthouse)

pull-in parking along side of road

small obelisk

Camping Faro de Higuer

roads from airport to lighthouse

paths to Playa de los Frailes

Álava

Embalse de Ullíbarri-Gamboa

Embalse de Ullíbarri-Gamboa
The second largest city of the Basque Country is called Vitoria in Spanish but Gasteiz in Basque. Officially the name is hyphenated as Vitoria-Gasteiz. The city is roughly 50 to 60 kilometers inland from the Atlantic coast. On the northeastern outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Embalse de Ullíbarri-Gamboa is a reservoir along the Zadorra River. It is a large lake that covers about 16 square kilometers, with roughly 50 kilometers of shoreline. Much of the scenic lake is surrounded by verdant hills. A few of the hills bordering the lake rise more than 150 meters above the water, with much higher hills just a bit north. Ullíbarri-Gamboa is a popular recreation area with a substantial network of paths for hikers and cyclists and two developed (textile) beach areas: one toward the east end of the lake near the village of Maturana and the other toward the northwest end near the village of Landa. There are several islands in the lake. Toward the west end of the lake, the largest of the islands is Isla de Zuaza, which has facilities used mainly by summer camp programs. A bit farther west, the dam is on the south side of the lake at its extreme western end, just north of the village of Arroiabe (alternately spelled Arroyabe). There are two areas of the lake where nude bathing is well established. The two nudists areas are close to one another along the south shore of the lake near the western end, not far from Arroiabe.
The less remote of the two nudists areas is next to the dam. From the east end of the dam, the shoreline of the lake extends northward (at a 90° angle to the dam) for about 300 meters before bending eastward. The narrow and rocky beach along this stretch of shoreline draws a small number of nude bathers, with gay men tending to gravitate toward the northern end where the shoreline bends. From the opposite side of the dam, a road (A-3002, described below in the directions) begins to run along the lakeshore. The nude beach is actually visible from the road, but the beach and the road are 500 meters apart—sufficiently removed that privacy is not an issue. If you go to the north end of the beach (where the shoreline bends) and look to your right, you will have a fantastic view of the small village of Ullíbarri-Gamboa on the other side of the lake, about 600 meters away. The church bell tower is especially prominent amid the picturesque tableau of shimmering water and green hills.
The nude beach is along a short west-facing segment of the shoreline. The other nudist area is an idyllic little grassy meadow along an east-facing part of the shoreline, east of the nude beach on the other side of a cluster of hills. The meadow is opposite the westernmost tip of the Isla de Zuaza, which is about 500 meters away. Nestled at the bottom of a steep hill, the meadow is quite hidden, nearly encircled by a dense forest. The lake side of the meadow is lined with rustic wooden fencing and a thinner line of trees through which the lake is visible, and there is easy access to the rocky shoreline. Like the nude beach, the nudist meadow generally has just a scattering of visitors.
There are a number of informal parking areas near Arroiabe, and there are several combinations of paths you could follow to reach the nude beach or the nudist meadow. Two possibilities are detailed below. The as-the-crow-flies distance between the two nudist areas is about one kilometer, while the hiking distance is about 1.7 kilometers.
42.9294N, 2.6020W (meadow facing Isla de Zuaza)
municipality, autonomous community, province, country:
Arratzua-Ubarrundia, Álava, País Vasco, Spain

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OEzUAV
starting point:  Exit 355 (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Durango, Bilbao, Francia, N-240) of the A-1 motorway near Vitoria-Gasteiz
A-1 (not to be confused with AP-1) arcs through the northern periphery of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Exit 355 is several kilometers north of the city center. Upon exiting, follow signs for Durango, Bilbao and Francia. You will be filtered onto N-240 going north.
Stay on N-240 just one kilometer and take the first exit—Exit 7 (Durana, Gamarra Menor). Upon exiting, follow signs for Durana (NOT Gamarra Menor).
When you leave the exit interchange, you will be going east on a minor road numbered A-3004. In less than a kilometer, you will reach a stop sign at a "T" in the village of Durana. Turn left, toward Arroiabe and Landa.
Once you turn, you will be going north on A-3002. In about 3 kilometers, after passing through the tiny village of Mendibil, take note when you pass the Arroiabe village sign. About 700 meters farther on, take note when you pass a right-hand turnoff signed Langraiz/Nanclares, but do not turn there. 300-400 meters farther on, a bit past the sign that indicates you are leaving Arroiabe, A-3002 will curve sharply to the left.★ After the curve, continue 500 meters to the next four-way intersection, which is not signed. (If you reach the point where A-3302 begins to run alongside the lake, you have passed the intersection by about 500 meters.)
At the unsigned four-way intersection, turn right onto a narrow asphalted road. The dam of the reservoir will be visible straight ahead of you. In about 150 meters, a gate across the asphalted road blocks further vehicular access. There is a small parking area just before the gate (42.9270N, 2.6189W).
A gravel track that is off limits to motorized traffic intersects the asphalted road in the parking area. Turn right and follow the gravel track east (such that the dam is on your left-hand side). In about 100 meters you will begin to cross a 250-meter-long wooden pedestrian bridge that crosses the Zadorra River just downstream from the dam. (The river is actually quite narrow. The bridge spans the small wooded vale through which the river flows.) At the east end of the bridge, which way you go depends on whether you are going to the nude beach near the dam or to the nudist meadow that faces the Isla de Zuaza.
To continue hiking to nude beach near dam:
Immediately at the end of the long pedestrian bridge, go downhill to your left to connect to a dirt track that winds toward the dam. Follow the dirt track a little over 300 meters to the eastern edge of the dam. On the other side of the dam, the shoreline of the reservoir is perpendicular to the dam for about 300 meters, then the shoreline bends and becomes more rugged. The expanse between the dam and the bend of the shoreline is the nudist area. The total hike from the parking area is about 800 meters.
To continue hiking to nudist meadow opposite Isla de Zuaza:
Keep straight ahead on the gravel track that resumes at the end of the long pedestrian bridge. You will begin going uphill through a grassy meadow with scattered trees. 350 meters beyond the bridge, another broad track will merge in from your right. Keep straight ahead and uphill. From that point, you will be hiking through a forest. Continue 500-600 meters to a small clearing where five paths meet (42.9274N, 2.6048W).
When you reach the clearing, you will be at the highest point of your hike, about 65 meters above the level of the lake. The path to your left goes uphill through the forest, while the path to you right goes uphill through a meadow. Don't follow either of those paths. There are two paths that are more-or-less straight ahead, and both go downhill through the forest. You can follow either of them to reach the nudist meadow next to the lake.
First, assume you follow the straight-ahead path that is more to the right. That path is 300 meters long, and it makes a direct descent to the nudist meadow.
Alternatively, assume you follow the straight-ahead path that is more to the left. That path is nearly 600 meters long, ending at the lakeshore. Follow the path roughly 400 meters until you reach the first and only side path going off to the right. Turn right and follow the side path a little over 100 meters to the nudist meadow.
The total hike from the parking area is 1.6 to 1.8 kilometers, depending on which route you follow.
This approach decreases the length of the hike to either nude area by about 350 meters. You will not cross the long wooden pedestrian bridge. The hike begins near the east end of the bridge.
Follow the directions above up to the point denoted by the red asterisk,★ where A-3002 begins to curve sharply to the left. At the curve, veer right onto an unsigned road. The road leads about 500 meters to a gate that blocks further vehicular access. There is informal parking alongside the road (42.9269N, 2.6148W).
The pedestrian bridge spans overhead just beyond the gate. Go through the hiking access that is near the gate then cross under the bridge. To go to the nude beach near the dam, just keep straight ahead until you reach the dam. To go to the nudist meadow, turn right just after crossing under the bridge, following the short path the climbs up to the eastern landing of the bridge. Head away from the bridge on the gravel track. In either case, proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-1 Exit 355 to parking (alternate access)
This placemark pertains to Embalse de Ullíbarri-Gamboa.

nude beach near dam
This placemark pertains to Embalse de Ullíbarri-Gamboa.

nudist meadow facing Isla de Zuaza
This placemark pertains to Embalse de Ullíbarri-Gamboa.

Arroiabe village sign (entering going north, leaving going south)

turnoff signed "Langraiz/Nanclares"

Arroiabe village sign (leaving going north, entering going south)

old stone kilometer marker 31 / 11 of A-3002

old stone kilometer marker 30 / 12 of A-3002

long wooden pedestrian bridge

5-way trail junction

Isla de Zuaza

Isla de los Caballos

Monte Atxurdin (672 meters above sea level, 127 meters above lake level)

roads & paths

road toward dam (open to vehicles)

road to dam (closed to vehicles)

track to east end of dam (closed to vehicles)

gravel track

short connecting path

path going uphill from 5-way trail junction

path going downhill from 5-way trail junction

path to high point

alternate uphill path from A-3002

nude beach

nudist meadow

Lodging

General

Camping Cuevas Mar
Carretera de Garrucha a Villaricos
04617 Palomares
Almería, Andalucía, Spain
WEBSITE
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites)
CLIENTELE  general / family
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool (textile), hot tub (textile); less than 2 km to nude beach
NUDITY  This establishment is divided into nudist and textile areas. The nudist zone is at the rear of the property and has its own bathhouse with toilets and showers. All amenities are in the textile zone.

Vera Playa Naturist Complex

Vera Playa Club Hotel

Vera Playa Club Hotel
Avda. Ciudad de Barcelona
04620 Vera
Almería, Andalucía, Spain
WEBSITE
TYPE  resort hotel
CLIENTELE  general / family
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  large outdoor pool, seasonal indoor pool, hot tub; adjacent to nude beach
NUDITY  Vera Playa Club Hotel is the only hotel in the naturist sector of Vera Playa (which is otherwise comprised of naturist subdivisions of apartments and townhouses). Although advertised as a naturist hotel, nudity is not unrestricted. Swimwear is prohibited at the swimming pools, which are open from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm. During pool hours, the entirety of the rest of the hotel is clothing optional with the exception of the main restaurant, where clothing is always required. From 8:00 pm until 8:00 am when the pools are closed, clothing is required in all public areas. The hotel basically becomes textile for evening dining and entertainment hours.

Vera Playa Naturist Subdivisions

Vera Playa
The town of Vera is about 7 kilometers inland from the Mediterranean, but the municipal limits of the town include about 5 kilometers of coastline with a broad and sandy beach. The entire beach is backed by three contiguous areas of resort development: Vera Playa, Puerto Rey and Las Marinas. Vera Playa is the northernmost and largest of those areas, spanning a little over 2 kilometers. The development of Vera Playa includes a few large hotels along with multiple subdivisions of private dwellings. Each subdivision (or urbanización) is comprised of apartments, townhouses or both. There are just a small number of detached houses. Part of Vera Playa is a zone designated for naturism, and this zone is comprised of a large hotel (Vera Playa Club Hotel), a nude beach and ten subdivisions (see the other placemarks). The naturist zone covers about 100 acres, and it is by far the largest naturist resort area in Spain. The subdivisions in the naturist zone range in size from less than an acre to about 17 acres, and each has at least one swimming pool (some have multiple) along with various other recreational amenities. The facilities of a particular subdivision are available only to occupants—i.e., residents or renters, whether long term or short term. Vera Playa Club Hotel and four of the ten naturist subdivisions directly abut the beach, while the other naturist subdivisions are slightly inland.
Although the subdivisions of Vera Playa are basically gated communities, the naturist zone as a whole blends seamlessly into the outside world. Public streets wind through the naturist zone, which is not cordoned off with gates, checkpoints or even signs. An unsuspecting motorist making a wrong turn may be surprised to suddenly see naked pedestrians along the sidewalks. The entire naturist zone is basically clothing optional, with some exceptions. While nudity is not required at the beach, the general ethos is that swimsuits should not be worn along the portion of the beach that abuts Vera Playa Club Hotel and the naturist subdivisions, and nudity is acceptable at the half dozen or so chiringuitos that are along that part of the beach. Individual proprietors determine whether nudity is allowed at the eateries and small shops that are in the naturist zone but not on the beach. Clothing is customary if not required at just about all these businesses. Within each naturist subdivision, nudity is required at pools and other wet areas, but otherwise clothing is optional. Clothing is also optional along portions of some streets, but full nudity along the streets is the exception and not the norm.
There are roughly 2,000 privately owned apartments, townhouses and other dwellings among the ten naturist subdivisions of Vera Playa. Few of them have full-time residents, and most of them are available to rent. Options range from basic to luxurious. There are far too many properties to enumerate individually here. Some naturist travel agencies handle bookings for Vera Playa, but finding a vacation rental in Vera Playa is no different from doing so anywhere else. There are lots of listings on familiar sites like Vrbo, Air B&B, FlipKey and Rentalia. Just be sure that the property you select is explicitly advertised as being in the naturist area. Some owners have set up individual websites advertising their properties. A Google search such as vera playa naturist apartments for rent will turn up many such websites.

Armony Natura

Armony Natura
Vera Playa, Vera
Almería, Andalucía, Spain
See the "i" information placemark.

Bahía de Vera

Bahía de Vera
Vera Playa, Vera
See the "i" information placemark.

La Menara

La Menara
Vera Playa, Vera
See the "i" information placemark.

Marina Natura

Natsun

Natura World

Parque Vera

Torremar Natura

Vera Natura

Vera Luz

Camping Almanat
Carretera N-340, km 269
29749 Vélez-Málaga
Málaga, Andalucía, Spain
WEBSITE
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, bungalows); restaurant, snack stand, bar and grocery shop on premises
CLIENTELE  general / family
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub, sauna, adjacent to nude beach
NUDITY  This establishment is expressly advertised as naturist. At such establishments, nudity may be generally expected or required of guests in some areas (especially poolside), but clothing may be customary or required in other areas.

Costa Natura
Carretera de Cádiz, Km 151
29680 Estepona
Málaga, Andalucía, Spain
TYPE  resort hotel and apartments; restaurant and bar on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, children's pool, hot tub, sauna, adjacent to nude beach
NUDITY  This establishment is expressly advertised as naturist. At such establishments, nudity may be generally expected or required of guests in some areas (especially poolside), but clothing may be customary or required in other areas.
Day passes available.

Finca Johanna
29792 Iznate
Málaga, Andalucía, Spain
TYPE  guesthouse with 5 rooms & 2 cottages
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool
NUDITY  This establishment is expressly advertised as naturist. At such establishments, nudity may be generally expected or required of guests in some areas (especially poolside), but clothing may be customary or required in other areas.

Finca Los Etera
29500 Álora
TYPE  rural guesthouse (5 rooms)
CLIENTELE  general / adults only
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub

Bungalows Puravida
11159 Barbate
Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain
TYPE  small bungalow complex
CLIENTELE  general / no children / gay friendly
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool; one kilometer to closest nude beach (Zahora)
NUDITY  Swimwear is optional at the pool.

Gerona

Camping Relax-Nat
17253 Mont-Ras
Girona, Catalonia, Spain
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, bungalows); restaurant, bar and grocery shop on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, children's pool, 3.5 km to nearest nude beach

Exus Natur
Carrer Ponent 8
17256 Fontclara
Girona, Catalonia, Spain
TYPE  farmhouse retreat with 15 rooms
CLIENTELE  adults only
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub
NUDITY  Swimwear is optional at the pool and spa, but conventional attire is required elsewhere. Once a year, there is a naturist week or weekend when the entire property is nudist.

Golden Bahía de Tossa
Avinguda Puerto Rico 29
17320 Tossa de Mar
Girona, Catalonia, Spain
TYPE  large resort hotel with separate naturist facilities; restaurant and bar on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  naturist rooftop sun terrace; textile pools and other amenities elsewhere in the resort
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. A rooftop sun terrace is divided into two zones: a textile area with two hot tubs and a screened-off naturist area with one hot tub. Conventional attire is required in all other areas of the resort. This placemark is pinpointed on the naturist area.

El Fonoll
43425 Passanant i Belltall
Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, bungalows, caravans for rent); grocery shop on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool

El Templo del Sol
43890 L'Hospitalet de l'Infant
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, bungalows, mobile homes); restaurant, pizzeria, snack stand, bar and grocery shop on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  3 pools, children's pool, hot tub, adjacent to nude beach
NUDITY  This establishment is expressly advertised as naturist. Here is the official policy regarding naturism, from their website: "Naturism is optional within the facilities, but mandatory at the beach and in the swimming pool area. It is not allowed in the Temple (the facilities with services such as a restaurant, pizzeria, supermarket, movie theatre, etc.)."

Sierra Natura
Carretera Moixent-Navalón
46810 Enguera
Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, bungalows)
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub, sauna

Finca Pura
Partida Baya Baja
03292 Elche
Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
telephone (+32) 496 99 46 88 (Belgium phone number)
GPS: 38.2085N, 0.6492W (This establishment does not publicize an exact address. The pinpointed location is within one kilometer of the actual location.)
TYPE  boutique resort (4 rooms, one camper space)
CLIENTELE  adults only (15+)
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub

Finca Soñada
Partida Pla Roig 15
03840 Gaianes
TYPE  bed & breakfast (2 rooms, 2 suites, one bungalow)
CLIENTELE  adults only (16+)
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub, sauna

Finca Robusto
Calle Canes de Caza 9
03730 Jávea (Xàbia)
telephone (+31) 613 682 808 (Netherlands phone number)
TYPE  guesthouse (2 rooms, one studio)
CLIENTELE  adults only
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool

Greenwood Villa
Jávea (Xàbia)
GPS: 38.8011N, 0.1790E (This establishment does not publicize a physical address. These coordinates pinpoint the general vicinity.)
TYPE  bed & breakfast with 2 rooms
CLIENTELE  adults only
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub, sauna
NUDITY  clothing is optional throughout

Hideaway in Jávea
Calle Giovanni Bocaccio, 6
03739 La Mandarina, Jávea (Xàbia)
telephone (not published; see website)
TYPE  bed & breakfast with 2 rooms
NUDITY  clothing is optional throughout

Lavinia Naturist Resort
Camí los Ramos 8
03690 San Vicente del Raspeig
TYPE  4 independent villas with shared recreational facilities
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  2 pools, sauna

Extremadura

Cáceres

Camping Las Grullas
Camino Valdefuentes,4
10185 Benquerencia
Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, one cottage)
CLIENTELE  general / no children under 16

Skinny Dippers Mallorca
07630 Campos
Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain
TYPE  complex of 5 apartments
CLIENTELE  general / no children
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, 10 km to nearest nude beach

Artika Natura
Avenida Touroperador Vingresor 6
35100 Maspalomas (Campo Internacional)
Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain
TYPE  hotel (12 rooms/suites)
CLIENTELE  adults only (16+)

Barceló Margaritas
Avenida de Gran Canaria 40
35100 Maspalomas (Playa del Inglés)
Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain
TYPE  large resort hotel with separate naturist facilities; restaurants and bars on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  naturist rooftop sun terrace; multiple textile pools and other amenities elsewhere in the resort
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The amenities include a rooftop sun terrace that is set aside for naturist use. Otherwise, conventional attire is required in all other areas of the resort.

Gloria Palace Amadores
35139 Puerto Rico
Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain
TYPE  large resort hotel with separate naturist facilities; restaurants and bars on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  naturist sun terrace; multiple textile pools and other amenities elsewhere in the resort
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The amenities include a sun terrace that is set aside for naturist use. The naturist sun terrace overlooks the sea and is just steps from one of the pools, separated by a screen, but conventional attire is required at the pools and all other areas of the resort.

HL Suitehotel Playa del Inglés
Avenida de Gran Canaria 5
35100 Maspalomas (Playa del Inglés)
TYPE  large resort hotel with separate naturist facilities; restaurant and bars on premises
CLIENTELE  general / adults only (16+)
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  naturist rooftop sun terrace with hot tubs; multiple textile pools and other amenities elsewhere in the resort
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The amenities include a rooftop sun terrace with two sections that are divided by a bar. Swimwear is required at the south terrace, which has four hot tubs. The north terrace, which has two hot tubs, is set aside for naturist use. Conventional attire is required in all other areas of the resort. Note that swimwear is required in the wellness area.

Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort
Calle Mar Mediterráneo 1
35100 Meloneras
TYPE  large resort hotel with separate naturist facilities; restaurants and bars on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  naturist rooftop sun terrace; multiple textile pools and other amenities elsewhere in the resort; one-kilometer walk to nude beach
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The amenities include a small part of a rooftop sun terrace that is set aside for naturist use. Otherwise, conventional attire is required in all other areas of the resort. There are no facilities for nude swimming.

Magnolias Natura
Avenida Touroperador Tjaereborg
35100 Maspalomas (Campo Internacional)
TYPE  small resort with 28 bungalows
CLIENTELE  general / no children under 12

Petit Hotel Natura
Calle Las Adelfas 6
35100 Maspalomas (San Agustín)
TYPE  small resort
CLIENTELE  general / adults only (18+)

Playa del Sol Hotel
Avenida de Tirajana 26
35100 Maspalomas (Playa del Inglés)
TYPE  large resort hotel with separate naturist facilities; restaurant on premises
CLIENTELE  general / adults only
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  naturist rooftop sun terrace; pool and other amenities elsewhere in the resort
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The amenities include a rooftop sun terrace that is set aside for naturist use. Otherwise, conventional attire is required in all other areas of the resort.

Charco del Palo Naturist Village
35543 Charco del Palo (Haría)
Lanzarote, Islas Canarias, Spain
GPS: 29.0839N, 13.4520W center of village, roughly
Charco del Palo is a small seaside naturist village on the west coast of Lanzarote that was founded in 1979. Contained in an area of less than one square kilometer, the village is comprised mostly of residential structures along with several restaurants and other shops. Charco del Palo is most heavily visited by Germans and also has a strong following of patrons from the U.K. and the Netherlands. The village does not have a sandy beach, but sea bathing is quite popular nonetheless in the collection of unique tidal pools along the rugged coastline.
Charco del Palo is a few kilometers from the town of Mala, and it is not on the way to anywhere. A single paved road that is not conspicuously signed leads to Charco del Palo. This isolation provides a measure of privacy, but Charco del Palo is accessible to the general public. There are no fences or gates that separate it from the outside world. You can drive through it just as you would any other village, and it is not necessary to be an overnight guest to visit the coastline or patronize the businesses. Charco del Palo does not have any kind of large-scale development, nor are there any standard hotel accommodations. The village consists of privately owned dwellings. There are independent, fully detached houses (some with private pools) along with clusters of apartments, townhouses and bungalows. Some clustered dwellings have pools and other amenities for the exclusive use of residents of that particular cluster.
There are no set-in-stone regulations regarding nudity at Charco del Palo, but there are some conventions that everyone seems to follow. Clothing is expected to be worn when patronizing any of the small number of commercial establishments. Nudity is generally expected when swimming or sunbathing along the coastline. Nudity is also expected at swimming pools that are communal to a particular residential cluster. Otherwise, clothing is optional along the village streets.
Many of the dwellings in Charco del Palo are available for short-term rentals. Some can be rented directly from owners, but most rentals are handled through third-party agencies. To explore what is available, you may wish to start with familiar sites like Vrbo, Air B&B and FlipKey. There are also sites that specialize in Charco del Palo rentals, including Charcodelpalo.com and Castillodepapagayo.com. Or, zoom in on Charco del Palo on Google Maps to find properties that are advertised independently.

H10 Timanfaya Palace
Calle Gran Canaria 1, Urb. Montaña Roja
35580 Yaiza
Lanzarote, Islas Canarias, Spain
TYPE  large resort hotel with separate naturist facilities; restaurant and bars on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  naturist rooftop sun terrace; textile pools and other amenities elsewhere in the resort
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The amenities include a rooftop sun terrace that is set aside for naturist use. Otherwise, conventional attire is required in all other areas of the resort. This placemark is pinpointed on the naturist area.

Hotel Mirador Papagayo
Calle Las Palmas 5
35580 Yaiza
Lanzarote, Islas Canarias, Spain
TYPE  large resort hotel with separate naturist facilities; restaurant and bars on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  naturist rooftop sun terrace; textile pools and other amenities elsewhere in the resort
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The amenities include a rooftop sun terrace that is set aside for naturist use. Otherwise, conventional attire is required in all other areas of the resort.

BHH Naturist Resort
Calle Entresalas 21
35627 Costa Calma, Pájara
Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Spain
TYPE  boutique resort (4 apartments)

Club Jandía Princess Hotel
Esquinzo-Butihondo
35626 Morro Jable, Pájara
Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Spain
CLIENTELE  general / family overall, but the naturist area is available only to adults
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool in the naturist area; multiple textile pools and other amenities elsewhere in the resort; short walk to nude beach
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The central area of the resort is occupied by a huge lagoon swimming pool that is textile and available to all ages. Adjacent to the main pool, there is an adults-only area with three pools that cascade down the hillside overlooking the ocean, each pool smaller than the one above it. Swimwear is required in the two adults-only pools that are closest to the main pool. The other adults-only pool, which is the smallest and farthest downhill, is reserved for naturist use. It is available to guests for an additional fee and accessible through an entry clearly labelled "Nudist Area" in three languages. Hotel policy is that swimwear is prohibited in the naturist area. Just outside the naturist area, the sauna and the steam room are technically in the area where swimwear is required, but nude use of those facilities is common. This placemark is pinpointed on the naturist area at the southeast corner of the resort.

Fuerteventura Princess Hotel
Esquinzo-Butihondo
35625 Morro Jable, Pájara
Fuerteventura, Islas Canarias, Spain
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, 2 saunas and hammam in the naturist area; multiple textile pools and other amenities elsewhere in the resort; short walk to nude beach
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The amenities include a separate naturist area overlooking the ocean. Hotel policy is that swimwear is prohibited in the naturist area, but otherwise conventional attire is required in all other areas of the resort. This placemark is pinpointed on the naturist area at the southwest corner of the resort.

Infiniti
Calle Los Matos 10
35660 Corralejo, La Oliva
TYPE  small resort with 8 apartments and 4 villas
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub, close to nude beach

Monte Marina Apartments
Esquinzo-Butihondo
35626 Morro Jable, Pájara
TYPE  complex of 47 apartments; restaurant, snack stand and bar at adjacent textile hotel
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, walking distance to nude beach
NUDITY  This property is divided into two entities: Marina Playa Hotel and Monte Marina Apartments. The hotel is textile. The complex of apartments is naturist. At the apartments, nudity is required at the pool and optional elsewhere.

Tui Magic Life Hotel
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub, sauna and hammam in the naturist area; multiple textile pools and other amenities elsewhere in the resort; short walk to nude beach
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The amenities include a naturist area overlooking the ocean that is available to guests for an additional fee and accessible through an entry clearly labelled "Nudist Area." Hotel policy is that swimwear is prohibited in the naturist area, but otherwise conventional attire is required in all other areas of the resort. Some rooms overlook the naturist area, so inquire when booking if you'd like to a room in that part of the resort. This placemark is pinpointed on the naturist area at the southwest corner of the resort.

Costa Adeje Gran Hotel
Avenida Bruselas 16
38660 Adeje
Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  naturist rooftop sun terraces; textile pools and other amenities elsewhere in the resort
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. There is a large rooftop pool which, like all the other pools of the resort, is textile. However, there are two sun terraces designated for nude use—one at each end of the rooftop pool. Each naturist terrace is walled off and secluded form the main rooftop terrace. Otherwise, clothing is required in all other areas of the resort. This placemark pinpoints the northern of the two naturist terraces.

GF Victoria Hotel
Calle Fernando Lopez Arvelo, 1
38660 Adeje
Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  naturist rooftop pool and hot tub; other amenities elsewhere in the resort
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The amenities include a separate rooftop naturist pool, hot tub and terrace with panoramic views. Otherwise, clothing is required in all other areas of the resort. This placemark is pinpointed on the naturist area.

Hotel Fañabe Costa Sur
Avenida Bruselas 13
38660 Adeje
Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. Most of the rooftop is a large sunbathing area with lounge chairs, and a small cordoned-off part of the rooftop is set aside for nude sunbathing. Otherwise, clothing is required in all other areas of the resort. Note that the naturist area comprises only a portion of the rooftop. Both the rooftop plunge pools are located outside the naturist area. This placemark is pinpointed on the naturist area.

Hotel Puerto Palace
38400 Puerto de la Cruz
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  naturist rooftop pool and hot tub; other amenities elsewhere in the resort
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The amenities include a separate rooftop naturist pool, spa and terrace with panoramic views. Otherwise, clothing is required in all other areas of the resort. This placemark is pinpointed on the naturist area.

Parque Vacacional Eden
Calle Francia 8
38400 Puerto de la Cruz
TYPE  large resort hotel with separate naturist facilities; restaurant and bar on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  naturist rooftop pool; other amenities elsewhere in the resort
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel that is not naturist per se. The amenities include a separate rooftop naturist pool and terrace with panoramic views. Otherwise, clothing is required in all other areas of the resort. This placemark is pinpointed on the naturist area.

Camping El Portús
30393 Cartagena
Murcia, Spain
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, bungalows, apartments); restaurant, snack stand, bar and grocery shop on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  2 pools, children's pool, hot tub, adjacent to nude beach

Camping El Zorro
30890 Puerto Lumbreras
Murcia, Spain
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (20 campsites and several small studio apartments)

Casa de Cinco Hermanos
La Alberquilla
Jumilla
Murcia, Spain
TYPE  rural guesthouse and bungalows

Gay

Finca Fabulosa
Diseminado Arroyo Jevar, parcela 403
29500 Álora
telephone (+31) 617 452 505 (Netherlands phone number)
TYPE  rural guesthouse (2 studios, one room)
CLIENTELE  adults only, substantial LGBT patronage

Casa Los Dos
29754 Cómpeta
telephone (+34) 610 400 344 (WhatsApp)
TYPE  bed & breakfast (4 rooms)
CLIENTELE  adults only (16+), substantial LGBT patronage, exclusively male during July and September
NUDITY  During July and September, this establishment is exclusively male and naturist, with nudity obligatory. During the other ten months of the year, clothing is optional throughout, and all adults are welcome.

Finca La Maroma
Cerro Panadero s/n
29715 Sedella
TYPE  guesthouse (6 studio apartments)
CLIENTELE  gay men
NUDITY  Swimwear is optional at the pool and hot tub.

Seville

Banana Gay House
Calle Rosario 9
41001 Seville
Seville, Andalusia
Spain
TYPE:  guesthouse (9 rooms)
CLIENTELE:  gay men
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES:  hot tub, rooftop terrace with small inflatable pool
NUDITY:  allowed throughout

La Casona de Castilnovo
Calle de la Fuente, 6
40318 Valdesaz
Segovia, Castilla y León, Spain
TYPE  bed & breakfast (5 rooms)
CLIENTELE  gay men
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  hot tub
NUDITY  Swimwear is optional at the hot tub and garden.

La Cigaliere
Carrer de Mercuri 16
08818 Olivella
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
TYPE  hotel with 4 rooms and 2 studios
CLIENTELE  gay men
NUDITY  allowed throughout

Casa Brisa
Carrer de la Serra del Cadi 30
08810 Sant Pere de Ribes
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
TYPE:  guesthouse (4 rooms)
CLIENTELE:  gay men
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES:  pool
NUDITY:  Swimwear is optional at the pool.

Elite Hotel
Carrer d'en Tacó 13
08870 Sitges
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
TYPE  hotel (11 rooms)
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  rooftop sun terrace with hot tub
NUDITY  allowed on rooftop terrace

Villa Apareguda
5 Carrer de l'Apareguda
03560 El Campello
telephone (+33) 7 81 19 36 54 (France-based number)
This establishment does not maintain a website. One or more alternative webpages are listed below.
GAY SEJOUR
TYPE  guesthouse (2 rooms)
CLIENTELE  mostly gay men
NUDITY  Swimwear is optional at the pool.

Hacienda Cabreras
Partida Cabreras 44
03409 Villena
TYPE  2 apartments on the grounds of a private residence
CLIENTELE  adults only; gay men only during July and August
NUDITY  Nude bathing is generally expected during July and August, when this establishment advertises exclusively to gay male naturists. Swimwear is optional during other months.

B&B Sansofí
Sansofí 26
46613 Llaurí
Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
TYPE  bed & breakfast with 2 rooms
NUDITY  allowed in all wet areas

Casa Alexio
07819 Talamanca, Ibiza
Ibiza, Islas Baleares, Spain
TYPE  guesthouse (16 rooms); snack stand and bar on premises
NUDITY  allowed throughout

Aqua Beach Bungalows
Avenida Estados Unidos 43
TYPE  resort with 23 bungalows
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, 2 hot tubs
NUDITY  allowed throughout

Artemisa Bungalows
Calle Timple 5
TYPE  resort with 28 bungalows
NUDITY  Swimwear is optional at the pool.

Atlantic Sun Beach
Calle Roma 13
TYPE  small resort with 15 apartments

Basement Studios
Avenida de Estados Unidos 37
TYPE  small resort with 6 bungalows
NUDITY  allowed throughout; required in public areas during the day
Day passes available.

Birdcage Resort
Calle de Egipto 10
TYPE  small resort

Club Torso
46 Avenida Touroperador Kuoni
35100 Maspalomas (Campo Internacional)
TYPE  small resort with 12 bungalows

Hotel Ritual Maspalomas
Avenida Alféreces Provisionales 33
TYPE  large resort hotel (48 suites, 16 apartments)
CLIENTELE  LGBT
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool (textile)
NUDITY  This is a large resort hotel catering to an LGBT clientele that is not naturist per se. Part of the sun terrace near the pool is set aside for naturist use. Otherwise, conventional attire is required in all other areas of the resort.

Los Almendros
Avenida Francia 3
TYPE  resort with 33 bungalows

Paso Chico Bungalows
Avenida Estados Unidos 39

Rainbow Golf Bungalows
Avenida Touroperador Finnmatkat
TYPE  resort with 21 bungalows; bar on premises

Seven Hotel
Calle Touroperador Matkatala 2
TYPE  resort with 24 rooms
NUDITY  Swimwear is optional at all wets areas.

Tablero Hills B&B
Calle Isla Margarita 39
35109 Maspalomas (El Tablero)
This establishment does not maintain a website. One or more alternative webpages are listed below.
GAY SEJOUR
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, sauna

Tropical La Zona Bungalows
Avendia Sargentos Provisionales 18
TYPE  resort with 25 bungalows; bar on premises

Villa Adler
Calle Inglaterra 16-1
TYPE  small resort with 9 apartments

Villas Blancas
Avenida de Tjaereborg
TYPE  resort with a total of 30 bungalows on two adjacent properties; restaurant and bar on premises
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  2 pools, hot tub, sauna

Vista Bonita Resort
Calle Carmen Laforet 1
35100 Maspalomas (Sonnenland)
TYPE  resort with 20 bungalows; restaurant on premises
CLIENTELE  gay & lesbian
NUDITY  Swimear is optional at the pool and hot tub.

Calle las Rosas 96
35559 Montaña Blanca
TYPE  hotel with 4 rooms and 3 suites
CLIENTELE  mostly gay men

BArcoiris
Calle Padre Mundina 10
28250 Torrelodones
Madrid, Spain
telephone (+34) 625 034 938 (WhatsApp)
TYPE  bed & breakfast (2 rooms)

Adult (not suitable for minors)

Casa Patricia
29500 Álora
GPS: 36.8252N, 4.7030W (These coordinates are very general. This establishment is near Alora but does not disclose its exact location.)
TYPE  rural guesthouse (4 rooms)
CLIENTELE  adults only; naturists and swingers expressly welcomed

Hacienda La Macarena
Carretera de Arenas E-259
29700 Vélez-Málaga
TYPE  resort (14 rooms)
CLIENTELE  adults only (21+), catering to couples

Nice 'n Natural
near the city of Málaga
GPS: 36.7568N, 4.4868W (These coordinates are very general. This establishment does not disclose its exact location.)
TYPE  rural guesthouse (4 rooms)
CLIENTELE  couples only (no children)

La Mirage
Avenida Touroperador Vingresor 25
TYPE  resort (32 bungalows); bar and grocery shop on premises
CLIENTELE  adults only, catering to couples; inquire for availability to singles
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, 2 hot tubs
Day passes available.

Venus Star Resort
Calle Einstein 4
35100 Maspalomas (Sonnenland)
telephone (+34) 682 903 326 (WhatsApp)
TYPE  resort (48 bungalows, 5 suites); bar on premises
CLIENTELE  adults only, catering to couples

Miscellaneous Other Places

Centro Deportivo Municipal La Elipa
street address  Acceso Parque de la Elipa 6, 28030 Madrid
CDM La Elipa is an outdoor municipal sports complex in a neighborhood of Madrid called La Elipa, which is about 5 kilometers east of the city center. It is a typical sports center with swimming pools and sports courts for tennis, soccer and softball, but an unusual feature is a sunning area reserved for naturists. The sunning area is a grassy lawn enclosed by hedges (pinpointed by this placemark), and it is located between the tennis courts and the swimming pools. Note that the designated naturist area is for nude sunbathing only. Swimwear is always required in the pools.
The closest metro station is Estrella (line 9), at coordinates 40.4112N, 3.6600W. It is a walk of one kilometer from the metro station to the entrance to the sports complex. Bus stop Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente (line 71) is about 200 meters from the entrance. There are also a number of other bus stops and metro stations in the general vicinity.
Madrid metro info
Madrid general public transit info

Centro Deportivo Municipal Vicente del Bosque
street address  Avenida Monforte de Lemos 13, 28029 Madrid
CDM Vicente del Bosque is an outdoor municipal sports complex in a neighborhood of Madrid called El Pilar, which is 7 to 8 kilometers north of the city center. It is a typical sports center with swimming pools and sports courts for tennis, basketball and soccer, but an unusual feature is a sunning area reserved for naturists. The sunning area is a grassy lawn enclosed by hedges (pinpointed by this placemark). The entrance to the sports complex is on its north side. As you go through the entrance, the nude area is to your left next to the basketball courts (east of the swimming pools). A signboard labels the nude area as "playa nudista." Note that the designated naturist area is for nude sunbathing only. Swimwear is always required in the pools.
The closest metro station is Barrio del Pilar (line 9), at coordinates 40.4763N, 3.7029W, which is about one kilometer west-southwest of the entrance. Bus stop Monforte de Lemos - Parque Norte (lines 134, 137 and 602) is at the front entrance. There are also a number of other bus stops and metro stations in the general vicinity.
Madrid metro info
Madrid general public transit info

Portugal

Algarve

Praia da Manta Rota

Praia da Manta Rota
The Ria Formosa is a long riverlike lagoon along the eastern half of Portugal's southern coast. The lagoon is separated from the ocean by a network of barrier islands and marshy wetlands, and there are a number of openings (some natural, some artificial) where the lagoon connects to the Atlantic. The small town of Manta Rota is on the Atlantic just beyond the far eastern end of the Ria Formosa, about 11 kilometers west of the border with Spain. A tiny hamlet called Cacela Velha is west of Manta Rota, about 2.5 kilometers away as the crow flies, then a hamlet called Fábrica is about 750 meters farther west. Cacela Velha and Fábrica are along the inland side of the Ria Formosa, and both picturesque hamlets are popular with tourists.
From the parking areas in Manta Rota, several boardwalks cross the dunes to a very popular segment of the beach with full amenities. As you head west from the main beach, the crowd thins out and you will soon be on a spit of land called the Península de Cacela, which is backed by the Ria Formosa. The peninsula ends at the easternmost opening between the lagoon and the ocean, but where this opening is located is subject to change since wetlands geography can be quite fickle. Prior to 2010, the peninsula extended about 3 kilometers to an inlet just beyond (i.e., west of) Fábrica, but that inlet has been filled in by the forces of nature and a new inlet has been carved just east of Cacela Velha, truncating the peninsula to about half of its previous length.
Nude bathing occurs along the part of Praia da Manta Rota that is along the Península de Cacela. The nude area does not have exact boundaries, nor is it a designated nude beach. Bare bathing is possible once you are well beyond the textile crowd. However, nudity should generally be avoided at the western tip of the peninsula where the lagoon connects to the ocean since there are often textiles around the inlet who wade through the shallow lagoon from Cacela Velha. Nude bathers tend to be few in number and spread out, and the nude area is attended mainly by gay men.
municipality, district, region, country:
Vila Real de Santo António, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45hedxP
37.1662N, 7.5204W (cobbled plaza next to beach in Manta Rota)
The cobbled plaza in Manta Rota is the gateway to the beach. The tourism office (Posto do Turismo) is in the middle of the plaza. Restaurants named O Finalmente and Rio's are on the western side of the plaza. There are several parking options. There is free parking in the plaza, but those spaces are hard to come by during peak season. There is a large parking lot on the east side of the plaza where parking is free. There is also a large parking lot on the west side of the plaza, and its entrance is around the corner from Rio's restaurant (37.1651N, 7.5208W). During summer, the western lot is a pay lot for beach visitors. The rates are posted at the lift gate at the entrance to the lot, where a machine dispenses a ticket and you pay upon leaving. (Outside of peak season, the western lot is an overnight parking area for motor homes.)
To park as close as possible to the nude area of the beach, enter the western lot and drive all the way across (250-300 meters) to its far west end. If you visit when the lot is restricted to motor homes, or if you prefer to avoid the parking fee, look for parking as close as possible to the entrance to the western lot. From the western parking lot, there are two boardwalks that cross the dunes to the beach, and there is also a sandy path through the dunes that leaves from the far west end of the lot beyond the boardwalks. Head west on the beach (to the right when facing the ocean). From the end of the parking lot, it is not quite 2 kilometers to the end of the beach at an inlet where the Ria Formosa connects to the ocean. Go well beyond the textiles, about a kilometer or so, before stripping down.
starting point:  Exit 17 (Monte Gordo) of the A-22 motorway near Altura
Exit 17 is 8 to 9 kilometers west of the border with Spain. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a connector road that goes south toward the coast. In about 2 kilometers, you will reach a roundabout that forms the junction with N-125. Go right, toward Faro, Tavira and Altura.
Heading west on N-125, in 250 meters keep straight ahead through a roundabout. 1.2 kilometers farther on, keep straight ahead through another roundabout. About 300 meters farther on, you will pass a large white-and-blue panel that indicates you are entering the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, which is written as concelho V.R.S. António. From that point, continue 500-600 meters and take the next possible left★ at signs that point toward Manta Rota, Praia da Lota and Hotel. (The turnoff is next to a fruit warehouse signed Frusoal.)
Once you turn away from N-125, watch for blue Posto do Turismo signs to guide you to the plaza next to the beach where the tourism office is located. In 600-700 meters, keep straight ahead through a roundabout. 300-400 meters farther on, turn right at a mini-roundabout. Proceed not quite 200 meters and take the second possible left at a four-way intersection. Upon turning, stay on the street as it curves sharply rightward. In about 250 meters, you will reach the plaza when the pavement changes from asphalt to cobblestone. Keep straight ahead when you enter the plaza and you will reach a stop sign in front of O Finalmente restaurant. Turn left. Shortly the cobbled road will bend rightward at the corner of Rio's restaurant, leading to the entrance to the western parking lot. Proceed as directed above.
★ The turnoff noted by the asterisk is the easternmost of several roads that go into Manta Rota. There are other signs pointing toward Manta Rota via different turnoffs a bit farther west along N-125.
This placemark pertains to Praia da Manta Rota.

Frusoal (fruit warehouse along N-125)
This placemark pertains to Praia da Manta Rota.

This placemark pertains to Praia da Manta Rota.

tourism office

O Finalmente restaurant

Rio's restaurant

entrance to seasonal pay parking lot

pay parking lot is restricted to motor homes during off season

inlet connecting Ria Formosa to ocean

Cacela Velha

Fábrica

free parking lot east of tourism office

roads from N-125 (easternmost Manta Rota turnoff) to parking

sandy path through dunes

Praia da Ilha de Tavira & Praia do Barril

The Ilha de Tavira is a long and narrow barrier island that extends about 11 kilometers, just offshore near the far eastern end of Portugal's southern coast. It is separated from the mainland by a riverlike channel of water called the Ria Formosa that varies from about 50 meters to 300 meters in width. The town of Tavira is slightly inland from the northeast end of the island. There is no automobile access to the Ilha de Tavira, but it is nonetheless quite popular with tourists. There are three developed beach areas along the island where there are amenities such as eateries, restrooms, and sun beds. The bulk of visitors are clustered around those three beaches, which are Praia da Ilha de Tavira, Praia da Terra Estreita and Praia do Barril.
While Ilha de Tavira is the name of the entire island, Praia da Ilha de Tavira refers specifically to the largest and most popular of the developed beaches, and it is located at the far east end of the island. Visitors get to this beach by ferry or water taxi. You can depart from the inland side of the Ria Formosa at a dock called Quatro Aguas, which is near the mouth of the Rio Gilão, or you can depart from a dock that is farther upstream along the Rio Gilão in Tavira. Wherever you depart, you will be taken to the inland side of the island at its far east end, then it is a walk of perhaps five minutes to the beach on the ocean side.
About 2.3 kilometers southwest of Praia da Ilha de Tavira, the next developed beach is called Praia da Terra Estreita, and it is the smallest of the three. Visitors also reach this beach by ferry or water taxi. The starting point is a dock in the village of Santa Luzia, which is located along the Ria Formosa. Visitors are taken about 1.3 kilometers eastward along the Ria Formosa to a dock on the inland side of the island, then a 250-meter-long boardwalk leads to the beach on the ocean side.
About 2.2 kilometers southwest of Praia da Terra Estreita, the last developed beach area is Praia do Barril. It is not accessed by ferry. Barril is located along the only part of the island that is bridged to the mainland. Visitors park on the mainland in a residential area called Pedras d'el Rei. From there, a pedestrian bridge spans a particularly narrow part of the Ria Formosa. After the bridge, it is still a little more than a kilometer across the island to the beach on the ocean side, but during peak season there is a tourist train that shuttles visitors back and forth from the bridge to the beach.
The three developed beach areas are all textile, but nudity is widely practiced on other parts of the vast island, and there are two well-established nudist zones: one is officially designated for nudity; the other is not.
One of the nudist zones is between Praia da Ilha de Tavira and Praia da Terra Estreita. To get there, you can go to either one of the textile beaches that flanks the nudist zone. If you go to the Ilha de Tavira, walk west (to the right when facing the ocean). If you go to Terra Estreita, walk east (to the left when facing the ocean). In either case, just keep walking until you are a reasonably discreet distance beyond the textiles (about 500 meters) and you will begin to encounter bare bathers. Nudists tend to cluster toward the eastern end of the nudist zone (i.e., closer to the main area of Praia da Ilha de Tavira than to the main area of Praia da Terra Estreita), and thus the nudist zone tends to be known as Praia da Ilha de Tavira. Far fewer nudists approach the nudist zone from the Terra Estreita end. Nudity is freely tolerated but not officially sanctioned.
The other nudist zone is to the west of the main area of Praia do Barril, and it is an official nude beach. Once you land on at the main beach, you will see a sign pointing right to the nude beach, indicating a distance of 1.5 kilometers. While it is a long walk to the start of the designated nude area, you may actually encounter nudists once you are sufficiently beyond the textile crowd. The nudist zone is usually named as Praia do Barril after the nearest textile beach, but is also often called Praia do Homem Nu (literally, "Beach of the Naked Man"). The end of the nude beach is not definite, but it really isn't all that important. From the start of the nude area, the beach continues west for more than 5 kilometers. There are often textiles present at the far southwestern tip of the island, and they arrive by private boat, but that is far beyond the area where nudists typically venture.
Both nudist zones of the island are well attended, but both are so large that they never feel crowded. While each zone draws a mixed crowd, the Barril nudist zone has more of a gay presence.
This placemark pertains to Praia da Ilha de Tavira and Praia do Barril.

Praia da Ilha de Tavira
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Praia da Ilha de Tavira and Praia do Barril.)
municipality, district, region, country:
Tavira, Faro, Algarve, Portugal
There are 27 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Praia da Ilha de Tavira and Praia do Barril.

Praia do Barril
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Praia da Ilha de Tavira and Praia do Barril.)
municipality, district, region, country:
Tavira, Faro, Algarve, Portugal
There are 27 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Praia da Ilha de Tavira and Praia do Barril.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qDtA4T
starting point:  Exit 16 (Tavira) of the A-22 motorway near Tavira
Exit 16 is about 28 kilometers west of the border with Spain. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout. You will then be on N-270, heading southeast toward Tavira. In 3.6 kilometers, at the edge of Tavira you will enter a large roundabout that is easily recognizable by the art installation in its median: a large sailboat sculpture titled Vela ao Vento.
To go to Praia da Ilha de Tavira, from the Rio Gilão ferry dock or from the Quatro Aguas ferry dock:
Keep straight ahead through the roundabout with the sailboat sculpture, continuing toward the town center. Shortly you will enter the dense development of Tavira, and in about 300 meters you will pass through an archway of a railroad overpass. Just after the archway, turn right at the brown sign for Ilha de Tavira. At that point, you will be at the start of a route that circumvents the densest part of town. Watch the signs very carefully. You will have to make about half a dozen turns. Just follow the brown Ilha de Tavira signs to stay on course. (If you get off course, just head toward the town center and you will eventually start seeing signs for Ilha de Tavira.) If you follow all the turns correctly, in about 1.8 kilometers you will pass a Repsol gas station. Just after the gas station, there is a large parking lot on the right. Just after the parking lot, the road ends at a "T" with the road that runs along the Rio Gilão. At that point, you have two options. You can park and take the longer ferry that goes down the river, or you can keep driving and take the shorter ferry.
First, assume you park at the lot that is just past the gas station (37.1241N, 7.6446W). Facing the river at the "T," look to your left and you will see a "dead end" sign and signs restricting vehicular traffic. Walk about 100 meters and you will find the small booth where you can buy a ferry ticket. You can also hire a water taxi in the same area. The ferry or water taxi will take you 2.5 kilometers down the river to a dock on the inland side of the Ilha de Tavira.
Next, assume you want to continue driving to the shorter ferry. At the "T," turn right onto the road that runs along the river. You will immediately cross under the landing of a bridge that spans the river. Continue along the riverfront road, which will shortly curve away from the river and go through an area of salt ponds. The road leads 1.6 kilometers to the Quatro Aguas ferry dock. Once you have driven 1.2 kilometers, watch for landmarks along the final 400 meters of the road. There are three crosswalks painted across the asphalt, then the pavement changes to cobblestone. Between the first and second crosswalks, there is a free parking lot on the left (37.1186N, 7.6323W). Just past the third crosswalk, there is a pay parking lot on the right (37.1177N, 7.6310W). The cobblestone portion of the road ends at a turnaround circle next to the ferry dock, and while no public parking is available along the cobblestone road, you can drive to the end to drop off or pick up passengers. You can buy a ferry ticket at the small booth on the dock, or you can hire a water taxi in the same area. The ferry or water taxi will take you to a dock on the inland side of the Ilha de Tavira. The trip is 700 meters by ferry or just 200 meters by water taxi.
Ferries and water taxis land at separate docks at the far eastern end of the inland side of the Ilha de Tavira, but the docks are close to one another. Either way, it is a walk of roughly 500 meters across the island to the main beach on the ocean side, where you will find a large area of sun beds and umbrellas. Facing the ocean at the main beach, turn right and walk west about 500 meters past the last of the chairs and you will reach the area where nudists gather.
To go to Praia do Barril, via the pedestrian crossing at Pedras d'el Rei:
At the roundabout with the sailboat sculpture, take the first departure (effectively just a right turn), which is signed Olhão. You will then begin heading southwest on N-125. Continue 3.5 kilometers, then turn left at the signs for Santa Luzia, Barril and Pedras d'el Rei. (The road widens to include a short left-turn lane at the turnoff. You have gone 750 meters too far if you reach an inland turnoff signed Sinagoga.) About 600-700 meters after turning, you will enter Pedras d'el Rei, which is a residential area of white stucco houses and apartments that all look similar. Continue 500 meters through the residential area until the road begins to curve sharply to the left. The cobbled pedestrian road toward Praia do Barril is straight ahead from the curve, marked by a Barril signboard at its start. There are a few parking options. At the start of the curve (just before the cobbled road), you can turn right into a long pay parking lot (37.0932N, 7.6759W). Or, keep going past the cobbled road. Just beyond the curve, there is free parking along the road extending more than 500 meters.
The cobbled road runs atop an embankment that takes you across an area of tidal pools for about 150 meters, then you will cross an 80-meter-long pedestrian bridge that takes you across the Ria Formosa to the Ilha de Tavira. Just past the bridge, there is a covered platform, and Praia do Barril is a little more than a kilometer farther on. You do not necessarily have to walk the entire distance. There is a small tourist train you can catch at the platform, and that train shuttles visitors back and forth to the beach during peak season. Or, you can follow the walkway that parallels the train tracks. Either way, you will come out at the main area of Praia do Barril, where there are sun beds and umbrellas. As you step onto the sand, there is a sign pointing to the right (as you face the ocean) to Praia Naturista, indicating a distance of 1.5 kilometers. The GPS location at the top of this listing is a location that is exactly 1.5 kilometers southwest of the sign, but you may encounter nudists after just half that distance, once you are well beyond the textiles.
To go to Praia da Ilha de Tavira, from the Santa Luzia ferry dock:
Follow the directions above as though you are going to Praia do Barril. When you get to the point where the road curves sharply to the left in Pedras d'el Rei, keep following the road. About a kilometer farther along, you will pass the Santa Luzia village sign. As you drive through Santa Luzia, the Ria Formosa will be on your right-hand side, with a palm-lined promenade between the road and the water. 400-500 meters past the village sign, you will reach the ferry dock (37.1002N, 7.6617W). It is the first pier in Santa Luzia, and the small booth where tickets are sold advertises trips to Terra Estreita. There are parking spaces all along the street. Whether you take a ferry or a water taxi, you will be delivered to a small dock on the inland side of the Ilha de Tavira after a 1.3-kilometer-long boat ride eastward along the Ria Formosa. From the dock, a boardwalk takes you about 250 meters to Praia da Terra Estreita on the ocean side. Facing the ocean, turn left and walk east about 500 meters and you will reach the western end of the nudist zone (but more nudists are likely to be gathered farther on, toward the eastern end of the nudist zone).
MAP from A-22 Exit 16 to parking (near Rio Gilão dock, to go to Praia da Ilha de Tavira)
MAP from A-22 Exit 16 to parking (near Quatro Aguas dock, to go to Praia da Ilha de Tavira)
MAP from A-22 Exit 16 to parking (in Pedras d'el Rei, to go to Praia do Barril)
MAP from A-22 Exit 16 to parking (in Santa Luzia, to go to Praia da Ilha de Tavira)
This placemark pertains to Praia da Ilha de Tavira and Praia do Barril.

roundabout with sailboat sculpture
This placemark pertains to Praia da Ilha de Tavira and Praia do Barril.

archway beneath railroad overpass

Repsol gas station

Rio Gilão ferry dock

Quatro Aguas ferry dock

ferry dock at east end of Ilha de Tavira

water taxi dock at east end of Ilha de Tavira

main textile area of Praia da Ilha de Tavira

turnoff toward Santa Luzia, Barril & Pedras d'el Rei

turnoff toward Sinagoga

free streetside parking

tourist train (route drawn in pink)

main textile area of Praia do Barril

"Santa Luzia" village sign

Santa Luzia ferry dock

Terra Estreita ferry dock

main textile area of Praia da Terra Estreita

route through Tavira to Quatro Aguas ferry dock

road to Santa Luzia, via Pedras D'el Rei

ferry route

path

path to beach, with option to take tourist train most of way

tourist train track

Praia da Ilha da Armona

Praia da Ilha da Armona
The Ilha da Armona is a 7.5-kilometer-long barrier island that is separated from the mainland by the Ria Formosa, which is the riverlike channel of water between the mainland and a chain of barrier islands through much of the southern coast of Portugal. The island is not bridged to the mainland but can be accessed by passenger ferry or water taxi from Olhão or Fuseta. Boats from Olhão deliver passengers to a car-free vacation village at the far southwestern end of the island that is comprised of rental cottages. Boats from Fuseta (alternately spelled Fuzeta) deliver passengers to a dock that is toward the opposite end of the island, near its northeastern end. There used to be a cluster of about 75 vacation cottages near the Fuseta dock, comprising a small vacation village that was just a fraction of the size of the one at the Olhão end of the island, but most of the structures were irreparably damaged in circa-2009 storms, and all the cottages were subsequently razed. Although the Fuseta vacation village no longer exists, the Fuseta beach remains popular with day trippers.
Most of the beach of the Ilha da Armona is deserted and thus available to nudists. Since the Olhão end of the island is more crowded, nudity is more prevalent toward the Fuseta end of the island, and thus most who go to Armona for nude bathing tend to ferry over from Fuseta rather than Olhão. The beach that is near the Fuseta dock is equipped with toilets and snack stands during peak season. Most nude bathing occurs a bit southwest from that part of the beach (to the right when facing the ocean). Walk about 15 minutes from where the textile crowd is concentrated before stripping down. You would have to walk over 5 kilometers to reach the Olhão vacation village, so you are unlikely to meet anyone approaching from the opposite end of the island.
Crowds of nudists are small and dispersed, and Armona does not draw nearly as many nudists as does the Ilha de Tavira, which is the next island to the northeast. Note that the part of the island around the Fuseta dock is alternately called the Ilha da Fuseta or the Ilha da Fuzeta. Water taxi information for the Ilha da Armona and several other nearby islands can be found at Passeios-ria-formosa.com.
Olhão, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3E6nsVN
37.0630N, 7.7595W (four-way intersection at only red light in Alfandanga)
The small village of Alfandanga is located along N-125 about 9 kilometers east of Olhão. There is a Repsol gas station at the intersection referenced above, which is less than 100 meters west of kilometer marker 122. At the intersection, head south toward the coast, following signs for Fuseta, estação and campismo. In 500-600 meters you will cross a railroad at a level crossing, shortly beyond which you will enter Fuseta. About 500 meters past the railroad, you will reach a roundabout. Take the second departure, toward Mercados, Praias and Parque de Campismo.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be driving parallel to a river (the Ribeiro do Tronco), which will be on your left-hand side. Continue 500 meters to another roundabout and stay straight ahead. About 150 meters farther along, you will reach the ferry dock on your left (37.0537N, 7.7436W). The small building where tickets are told is signed Aqua-táxi, Passeios de Barco, and it is directly opposite a small playground.
About 150 meters past the ferry dock, there is a small white building signed Escola Náutica ("surf school"). 150 meters farther on, the road ends at a turnaround circle next to Borda d'Água restaurant. There are pull-in parking spaces along most of the road between the ferry dock and the restaurant, with more parking if you turn right at the surf school.
From the ferry dock, you can take the seasonal passenger ferry to the Ilha de Armona, or you can hire a water taxi. Either way, boats transport visitors down the Ribeiro do Tronco and then across the Ria Formosa to a dock that is on the inland side of the Ilha de Armona at a small vacation village. The distance from the mainland dock to the island dock is about 1.3 kilometers. From the island dock, it is a very short walk of less than 100 meters to the ocean side of the island. From there, you can walk in either direction to find seclusion for nudity beyond the crowds. Most nudists tend to go west (to the right when facing the ocean).
starting point:  Exit 15 (Olhão) of the A-22 motorway near Moncarapacho
Exit 15 is about 39 kilometers west of the border with Spain. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the second departure of the roundabout, which is signed Moncarapacho and Fuseta. You will then begin heading south. Follow the road for 2.2 kilometers, then turn left toward Moncarapacho Este, Alfandanga and Fuseta. (It is the first major left turn you can make, not counting a few minor residential streets.) After turning, continue another 4.2 kilometers to the red light in Alfandanga, at the intersection with N-125. Keep straight ahead and continue as directed above.
MAP from A-22 Exit 15 to ferry dock in Fuseta
This placemark pertains to Praia da Ilha da Armona.

red light at intersection in Alfandanga
This placemark pertains to Praia da Ilha da Armona.

This placemark pertains to Praia da Ilha da Armona.

level railroad crossing

ferry dock at Fuseta

Escola Náutica (surf school)

parking throughout area

Borda d'Água restaurant

entrance to Parque de Campismo Fuzeta

ferry dock at Ilha da Armona

Olhão vacation village

road through Fuseta

ferry / water taxi route

Praia da Ilha Deserta

Praia da Ilha Deserta
Faro is the principal town in the Algarve region. A major tourist hub, it is the location of the region's only international airport. Faro is sort of a coastal city, but it does not directly abut the ocean. It is separated from the Atlantic by a system of islands, peninsulas and tidal marshes, and the main riverlike lagoon that separates the mainland from the various islands is known as the Ria Formosa. One of the islands near Faro is popularly known as Ilha Deserta, which is just a general term for "desert island," but the formal name of the island is Ilha da Barreta. The island used to be part of a 16-kilometer-long island called Ilha do Cabo de Santa Maria, but in the early 1900s an outlet to the ocean was channeled about halfway along that island to allow Faro quicker seafaring access, and since that time the resulting western island has been known as Ilha da Barreta (i.e., Ilha Deserta), while the eastern island is Ilha da Culatra. Both islands are part of a large coastal area designated as the Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Ferries from Faro deliver passengers to the far eastern end of Ilha Deserta. The ferry landing is located in the man-made channel that separates Barreta and Culatra. Just steps from the ferry landing, you will find a few buildings housing the only amenities of the island, which include restrooms with showers and a restaurant where both fine dining and snack foods are available. From the restaurant, a short boardwalk leads to the main beach, where there are sun beds and umbrellas. Most visitors cluster around the main beach area, but the beach extends westward for more than 8 kilometers, providing ample space for nudists. In 2011, the Portuguese Naturist Federation was successful in having part of the beach specifically set aside for naturist use, making it the most recent of Portugal's small number of officially designated nude beaches.
The nudist zone begins about 1.75 kilometers west of the main beach area and extends westward about a kilometer, but the western boundary of the nudist zone is not terribly relevant since parts of the island farther west are likely to be completely deserted, and you probably are not going to want to walk that far anyway. The nude beach of Ilha Deserta has yet to emerge as one of the major nude beaches or Portugal, and overall visitation to the island by both nudists and textiles is kept in check by the time and expense to get there, making Ilha Deserta one of the quieter parts of the Algarve coastline. Ferry service to the island is more limited than service to other nearby islands (like Tavira and Armona), plus the trip is longer and a bit more expensive. Catamarans transport visitors from Faro to Ilha Deserta, and the 10-kilometer-long trip along the Ria Formosa takes about 35 minutes. The cost is about €10 per person. There is ferry service every day, with service five times a day during peak season but less frequent service other times of year. Be sure to visit Ilha-deserta.com to plan your trip.
Faro, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45WFx4L
37.0116N, 7.9312W (roundabout at entrance to Largo de São Francisco, on east side of Vila-Adentro in Faro)
Vila-Adentro, the oldest part of Faro, is mostly encircled by an ancient stone wall. Largo de São Francisco is a huge cobbled parking plaza on the east side of the old town district. A railroad borders the coastal edge of both Vila-Adentro and the parking area, and the Ria Formosa is next to the railroad. To shorten your walk, look for parking as close as possible to the southwest corner of the parking lot—i.e., the area near both the stone wall and the railroad.
Walk toward the Ria Formosa, then turn right and walk west along the cobbled promenade along the waterfront. You should be walking such that the water and the railroad are on your left-hand side and the wall of Vila-Adentro is on your right-hand side. In about 200 meters you will reach the ferry dock (37.0125N, 7.9357W). Tickets are sold at a kiosk along the cobbled promenade. There are ferries to several locations, so remember that Ilha Deserta is your destination.
The ferry takes you about 10 kilometers along the Ria Formosa through the tidal marsh to a landing at the far east end of Ilha Deserta, at an opening where the Ria Formosa meets the ocean. When you step off the ferry, a lighthouse will be to your left at the end of a rock jetty. The nude area begins about 2 kilometers west of the lighthouse. A boardwalk that is straight ahead goes to Estaminé restaurant then out to the beach. The boardwalk lands on the beach about 200 meters west of the lighthouse. Facing the ocean, head to your right.
Alternatively, there is another boardwalk you can follow. While the overall distance is longer, there is less walking on the sand. From the ferry dock, follow the cement walkway away from the beach and the lighthouse. In about 200 meters you will reach the start of a 1.8-kilometer-long boardwalk that meanders along the inland side of the island before crossing the dunes. The boardwalk lands on the beach about 1.3 kilometers west of the lighthouse. Facing the ocean, head to your right.
Whichever route you follow, it takes about 30 minutes to walk from the ferry dock to the nude area.
The route described below is not the shortest driving route through Faro, but it is the best route to follow to avoid the narrow roads of the town center. There are seven roundabouts along the route. Count them to help you along.
starting point  Exit 13 (Aeroporto, Faro-oeste) of the A-22 motorway near Almancil
Exit 13 is a major interchange on the northwestern outskirts of Faro. Regardless of the direction of approach, there are two exits numbered 13 that are part of the same interchange. Be sure to take the exit that is signed Aeroporto and Faro-oeste (NOT the one for Loulé-sul). All exiting traffic is filtered onto an expressway numbered IC-4, heading southeast toward Faro. Keep following the overhead Faro panels through several junctions. In about 9 kilometers you will reach the first of the roundabouts listed below.
Roundabout #1 This is a large oblong roundabout on the northwest side of Faro. Keep straight ahead, toward Faro (with a city center symbol) and Olhão. Continue 200-300 meters to the next roundabout.
Roundabout #2 Take the third departure (effectively a left turn), toward Olhão and hospital. You will begin going east on a four-lane street with a tree-lined median. The street is called Avenida Calouste Gulbenkian, which coincides with N-125, but there is not any conspicuous street signage with either a name or a number. Follow Avenida Calouste Gulbenkian 1.5 kilometers to the next roundabout.
Roundabout #3 This roundabout has a fountain in the middle. Keep straight ahead, toward Bom João. The street name will change to Avenida Dr. Julio Filipe de Almeida Carrapato, and you will no longer be on N-125. Continue 600-700 meters to the next roundabout.
Roundabout #4 This roundabout has a monument to Infante D. Henrique in the middle (a bust of a man on top of a column). Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), which is signed Parque Pontinha. You will begin going west toward the city center on Avenida 5 de Outubro, which has a narrow median lined with street lights. Continue 500-600 meters to the next roundabout.
Roundabout #5 Take the third departure (effectively a left turn), toward biblioteca municipal and jardim da Alameda. You will begin going southeast on Rua Bernardo Passos. Continue about 400 meters to the next roundabout.
Roundabout #6 Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), which is signed Largo de São Francisco and Vila-Adentro. You will then be on Avenida Engenheiro Joaquim L. Belchior, driving west parallel to a railroad, which will be on your left-hand side. In 400-500 meters you will reach the next roundabout.
Roundabout #7 This roundabout is where you access the huge cobbled parking plaza described above. In the median of the roundabout, there is a statue of three men standing back-to-back with interlocked arms. Keep straight ahead toward the wall of Vila-Adentro, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-22 Exit 13 to parking at Largo de São Francisco
This placemark pertains to Praia da Ilha Deserta.

large oblong roundabout
This placemark pertains to Praia da Ilha Deserta.

This placemark pertains to Praia da Ilha Deserta.

roundabout with fountain

roundabout with bust on column

roundabout at Largo de São Francisco

Largo de São Francisco (main parking plaza of Faro)

Vila-Adentro (oldest part of Faro, mostly surrounded by stone wall)

ferry departure

ferry landing

Restaurante Estaminé

lighthouse

several streets in Faro

Praia da Quinta do Lago

Praia da Quinta do Lago
The Ria Formosa is the riverlike channel of water than parallels the coastline for about 60 kilometers along the eastern part of Portugal's southern coast, and there are a number of openings where the Ria Formosa connects to the ocean. The result is a chain of long islands along most of the Ria Formosa, with peninsulas at either end. The peninsula formed by the western end of the Ria Formosa is called the Península do Ancão, and it is about 9 kilometers long. There are two bridges across the Ria Formosa that connect the mainland to the peninsula. One is a pedestrian bridge, while the other is an automobile bridge.
Toward the northwestern end of the Ancão peninsula, the upscale golf resort community of Quinta do Lago lies on the inland side of the Ria Formosa. You can park there and follow a pedestrian bridge across a marshy part of the Ria Formosa. At the end of the 500-meter-long bridge, you will arrive at the main beach area of Quinta do Lago, where there is a restaurant and a long line of sun chairs and umbrellas. Farther southeast, there is an automobile bridge to the island on the outskirts of Faro. That bridge is located very close to Faro's airport, which is the principal airport for the Algarve region of Portugal. The bridge connects to Praia de Faro, which is both the name of a beach and the name of the community of vacation cottages that spans that beach for several kilometers.
The pedestrian bridge and the automobile bridge are about 3.2 kilometers apart as the crow flies. Between the two bridges, there is a remote segment of beach that is frequented by nudists. It is attended mainly by gay men and has more of a reputation as a gay beach than as a nude beach. The nude area can be accessed from either end, but a parking fee is required if you approach via Quinta do Lago. Either way, plan on a walk of 20-30 minutes.
The nude area is usually regarded as part of Praia da Quinta do Lago. If you come across references to a nude beach at Quinta do Lago or at Praia de Faro, be aware that it is the same location. Furthermore, the part of the Ancão peninsula around Praia de Faro is often called Ilha de Faro even though it is not really an island.
Loulé, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KSjxzQ
To approach from Quinta do Lago, set your GPS device to:
37.0606N, 8.0271W (roundabout at commercial center of Quinta do Lago)
Quinta do Lago is a golf resort community west of Faro, about 14 kilometers from the Faro city center. There is a large letter "Q" set in a fountain in the median of the roundabout referenced above, which is the central junction of the community. Take the departure signed Praia, Golfe, Aldeamentos, Hotel and Centro Médico. When you leave the roundabout, you will be at the start of a 4-kilometer-long street named Avenida André Jordan, which goes southeast toward the coast. Follow the entire length of the street, following the Praia signs and keeping straight ahead through the next five roundabouts. The sixth and final roundabout is at the entrance to Hotel Quinta do Lago. At that roundabout, take the departure signed by a blue-and-white "P" parking panel. Immediately upon departing the roundabout, you will enter a pay lot with covered parking spaces (37.0302N, 8.0204W). The rates are posted. Take a ticket at a machine to activate the lift gate, then paying upon leaving.
From the far end of the parking lot, a boardwalk that is about 500 meters long takes you across a marshy area of the Ria Formosa to the main beach area of Quinta do Lago. Facing the ocean at the end of the boardwalk, turn left and walk southeast. It is 2.2 kilometers to the westernmost boardwalk of Praia de Faro. The nude area is about halfway between the boardwalks.
To approach from Praia de Faro, set your GPS device to:
37.0237N, 7.9705W (roundabout at main entrance to Faro airport)
The Faro airport (Aeroporto Internacional de Faro) is west of the city center. From any major thoroughfare around Faro, follow the airport symbols and you will be directed to the roundabout referenced above, which is at the main airport entrance. In the median of the roundabout, there are several squat, bulky white sculptures of people gazing upward (as though watching airplanes in the sky). Take the roundabout departure signed PSP and Praia de Faro. You will be filtered onto a road that skirts the western side of the airport. In about 2 kilometers, keep straight ahead through a small roundabout. 700 meters farther on, you will cross a one-lane bridge over the Ria Formosa. Bridge traffic is controlled by a red light. At the end of the bridge, you will be in the middle of the Ilha de Faro vacation village, and you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right. You will then be on Avenida Poente, going northwest. In about 400 meters, you will reach a small parking lot (37.0106N, 7.9986W). (There are also streetside parking spaces leading up to the lot.)
From the parking lot, follow the narrow asphalted road that continues northwest. In less than 100 meters, the road ends and a boardwalk continues straight ahead. The boardwalk is about 650 meters long, and runs parallel to the beach, passing through an area of ramshackle beach houses. Follow the boardwalk almost all the way to its end. Toward the far end of the beach shacks, go left onto another boardwalk that goes over the dunes out to the beach. Facing the ocean at the end of the boardwalk, turn right and head northwest. It is 2.2 kilometers to the boardwalk in Quinta do Lago. The nude area is about halfway between the boardwalks.
starting point:  Exit 13 (Aeroporto, Faro-oeste) of the A-22 motorway near Almancil
Exit 13 is a major interchange on the northwestern outskirts of Faro. Regardless of the direction of approach, there are two exits numbered 13 that are part of the same interchange. Be sure to take the exit that is signed Aeroporto and Faro-oeste (NOT the one for Loulé-sul). All exiting traffic is filtered onto an expressway numbered IC-4, heading southeast toward Faro.
To approach from Quinta do Lago:
From Exit 13, follow IC-4 about 2.8 kilometers, then take the exit signed Quarteira and Almancil. You will be filtered onto N-125 going west. Proceed about 3 kilometers, then exit toward Almancil next to a cemetery. You will be filtered onto Avenida Duarte Pacheco, continuing west through Almancil. Proceed about 1.5 kilometers to a small roundabout in the town center—the first roundabout you will reach. Make a complete circle through the roundabout such that you begin backtracking, then in less than 50 meters take the next right, toward Correios (the post office) and Quinta do Lago. You will then begin going south on Rua da República. In about 250 meters, the street will fork. Keep to the left, following the sign for Quinta do Lago (NOT Vale de Lobo). You will then be at the start of Rua Sacadura Cabral. Continue south 2.8 kilometers to the end of the street at the roundabout at the commercial center of Quinta do Lago—the one with the letter "Q" in its median. Take the third departure and proceed as directed above.
To approach from Praia de Faro:
From Exit 13, it is about 10 kilometers to the airport, and the route is prominently signed. When you reach the roundabout at the airport entrance (the one with the sculptures of people gazing upward), take the first departure and proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-22 Exit 13 to parking (Quinta do Lago)
MAP from A-22 Exit 13 to parking (Praia de Faro)
This placemark pertains to Praia da Quinta do Lago.

roundabout with letter "Q" set in fountain
This placemark pertains to Praia da Quinta do Lago.

This placemark pertains to Praia da Quinta do Lago.

Hotel Quinta do Lago

pay covered parking

rounadbout at Faro airport entrance

Aeroporto Internacional de Faro

one-lane automobile bridge across Ria Formosa

main parking lot for Praia de Faro

parking at NW end of Praia de Faro

beach shacks along boardwalk

Avenida André Jordan

roads from airport roundabout to parking

Praia do Trafal

Praia do Trafal
The municipality of Loulé has two principal towns: the eponymous town of Loulé, which is about 10 kilometers inland; and Quarteira, which is on the coast. The urban beach of Quarteira is divided into multiple segments by breakwaters. Southeast of Quarteira, Vale do Lobo is a sprawling and affluent modern community blanketed in villas with swimming pools amid two golf courses—the Ocean Course and the Royal Course—that have 36 holes between them. Several holes of the golf course directly abut the beach. Hole 15 of the Ocean Course is the northwesternmost beach-adjacent part of the golf course in Vale do Lobo. The distance from the southeasternmost breakwater in Quarteira to Hole 15 is just 2 kilometers, and it is a continuous expanse of sand except when small streams sometimes break through to the ocean. Despite the relatively short distance, five names are applied to segments of this 2-kilometer expanse. From northwest (closest to the breakwaters) to southeast (closest to Hole 15), the five beach segments are: Praia do Forte Nova, Praia do Almargem, Praia da Lagoa, Praia de Loulé Velho and Praia do Trafal. As you may well imagine, these names often get confused and conflated. Nude bathing occurs on Praia do Trafal.
The nude beach can be approached from either end, but most parking in Vale do Lobo requires a fee. You can park for free in a gravel lot next to Tempêrus restaurant. (Parking is also possible directly inland from the nude beach, but getting there requires driving on a track that is often in poor condition.) The proper names Loulé Velho and Trafal are on the brown beach signs that point the way to the gravel lot. A short boardwalk next to the restaurant leads to the beach segment called Praia de Loulé Velho, where sun chairs and umbrellas can be rented during peak season. Looking northwest, you will see the skyline of Quarteira. Heading southeast, at some point you will cross the arbitrary line that divides Praia de Loulé Velho from Praia do Trafal. 300 to 400 meters from the boardwalk, you will begin to encounter nude bathers. The nude area extends roughly 250 meters, ending approximately at the mouth of a stream. The exact location of the stream mouth varies from year to year, and the stream often does not break all the way through to the ocean, instead pooling into a small pond. As you head through the nude area, you will see the manicured grounds of the golf course just inland from the beach beyond the sand dunes. If you reach the point where the golf course directly buts the beach, you will be beyond the nude area on Praia de Vale do Lobo, next to Hole 15. The golf course is adjacent to the beach for about 300 meters, then there is a short stretch of beautiful red sandstone cliffs.
Praia do Trafal has a consistent and well-established nudist presence, but it is never crowded. It is heavily but not exclusively visited by gay men.
Loulé, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OJAddJ
37.0733N, 8.0785W (roundabout next to Lidl supermarket in Quarteira)
The roundabout referenced above is on the east side of Quarteira, along the main street through town. (The main street is numbered M-527-2 on maps, but there is no signage with a number.) Take the departure signed Faro and Almancil, heading away from Quarteira. Proceed 400-500 meters and take the next possible right at brown signs for Loulé Velho and Trafal. (If you pass a Cepsa-Elf gas station, you have missed the turn by about 100 meters.)
Upon turning, you will immediately pass a small white Trafal locality sign. In 750 meters, you will pass another small white Trafal locality sign. Just 50 meters farther on, keep to the right at a fork, following more brown Loulé Velho and Trafal signs.
From the fork, you will be on a well-surfaced gravel road. Continue 1.1 kilometers to the gravel parking lot next to Tempêrus restaurant (37.0568N, 8.0772W). From the restaurant, follow the boardwalk out to beach, then head southeast (to the left when facing the ocean) for 300-400 meters to reach the start of the nudist zone.
As you enter the gravel parking area, you will see a dirt track going off to your left. You can follow that track 400-500 meters to its end at a shaded dirt parking area (37.0548N, 8.0728W). The dirt parking area directly abuts the nudist zone of the beach, but be advised that the rough track is sometimes muddy or waterlogged.
starting point:  Exit 12 (Quarteira, Almancil) of the A-22 motorway near Loulé and Almancil
Exit 12 is a major interchange on the northwestern outskirts of Faro. Regardless of the direction of approach, there are two exits numbered 12 that are part of the same interchange. Be sure to take the exit that is signed Quarteira and Almancil (NOT Loulé). All exiting traffic is filtered onto route N-396 heading south toward the coast. At first, N-396 is an expressway. In 3.5 kilometers, you will reach a large roundabout where the expressway ends.
Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, staying on N-396 toward Quarteira. In about one kilometer, you will pass Aquashow water park on the right. Watch carefully for the orange parque aquático sign that points toward the Aquashow parking lot, but do not turn there. Once you pass the orange sign, continue 200 meters and take the next possible left onto a residential street, where a blue sign points toward Área de Serviço. Upon turning, you will be on a street named Avenida do Cerro da Vila, but there is no prominent street signage.
Follow Avenida do Cerro da Vila south for 2.1 kilometers to the roundabout next to Lidl supermarket. Take the third departure (effectively making a left turn), proceeding as directed above.
MAP A-22 Exit 12 to parking (next to restaurant)
This placemark pertains to Praia do Trafal.

roundabout where N-396 expressway ends
This placemark pertains to Praia do Trafal.

entrance to Aquashow water park
This placemark pertains to Praia do Trafal.

Cepsa-Elf gas station

"Trafal" locality sign

road forks

Tempêrus restaurant

informal parking (not always accessible due to poor road)

stream mouth (often shoaled)

Hole 15, Vale do Lobo Ocean Golf Course

red sandstone cliffs along Praia de Vale do Lobo

Praia do Forte Nova (textile)

Praia do Almargem (textile)

Praia da Lagoa (textile)

Praia de Loulé Velho (textile)

roads from end of N-396 expressway to Praia do Trafal

track to informal parking (rough, not always passable)

Praia Grande

Praia Grande
The small coastal town of Armação de Pêra is located between Albufeira and Portimão, two of the larger towns of the Algarve. Salgados is a golf resort located several kilometers southeast of Armação de Pêra, toward Albufeira. Praia Grande, also known as Praia Grande de Pêra, is the long sandy beach between Armação de Pêra and Salgados. Backed by coastal scrubland and wetlands, Praia Grande extends about 2.2 kilometers. Its northwest end (next to Armação de Pêra) is defined by the mouth of a stream called the Ribeira de Alcantarilha. It southeast end (next to Salgados) is defined by the mouth of a shallow lagoon called the Lagoa dos Salgados. Both the mouth of the stream and the mouth of the lagoon are often shoaled, not breaking through to the ocean and rendering Praia Grande continuous with the beaches of Armação de Pêra and Salgados. Praia Grande has two areas where textiles cluster—a western zone and an eastern zone, which are respectively known by the terms poente and nascente. These two zones are about one kilometer apart. There is a snack stand at each zone, and sun beds and umbrellas are available to rent during peak season. The western zone is close to Armação de Pêra, while the eastern zone is actually along the central part of the beach but closer to Salgados than to Armação de Pêra. Each zone is accessible by its own parking area, with a long boardwalk over a substantial expanse of dunes connecting each parking area to the beach.
Nude bathing is well established along the central area of Praia Grande. The nude area is between the western and eastern zones where the sun beds are set up, but it is much closer to the eastern zone. Just a bit west of where the boardwalk lands in the eastern zone, there is a substantial mass of rock that extends seaward across the sand, but it is always easy to walk around the ocean side of the outcrop even at high tide. The rocky mass functions as something of a privacy screen. The nude area is the other side of the outcrop from the eastern zone. Nudity is well established and informally tolerated over an area of a few hundred meters, but the nude area is never crowded.
Silves, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KSGFOx
37.1265N, 8.3463W (roundabout near kilometer 61.9 of N-125 at east end of Alcantarilha)
The village of Alcantarilha is several kilometers inland from the coast along N-125. The roundabout referenced above is at the east end of the village, less than 100 meters northwest of marker 62. Head south toward the coast from the roundabout, following the Armação de Pêra and campismo signs. In 300-400 meters, keep straight ahead through the next roundabout, continuing toward Armação de Pêra. In 500-600 meters you will reach another roundabout after you pass a BP gas station and the entrance to Camping Canelas. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), toward Albufeira.
Head east 800-900 meters then keep straight ahead through a roundabout that has no prominent signage. Continue another 800-900 meters to the next roundabout and take the first departure (effectively a sharp right turn), which is signed Praia Grande.
The asphalted road toward Praia Grande at first goes southwest and then gradually curves leftward and begins to head southeast toward the coast. In about 1.2 kilometers, the asphalt ends and the road forks into two well-surfaced gravel roads. Both forks lead to Praia Grande, with the left fork going to the eastern parking area and the right fork going to the western parking area. Follow the left fork, which is really just straight ahead. In 600 meters you will reach an earthen parking area (37.0961N, 8.3365W).
Straight ahead from the parking area, a 300-meter-long boardwalk takes you across the dunes, landing on the beach next to a small snack stand. Facing the ocean, look to your right and you will see a rocky outcrop just 50 or so meters from the end of the boardwalk. The nude area is on the other side of the outcrop, which is easily skirted around. Alternatively, assume you are at the parking area facing the ocean at the start of the boardwalk. Just 50 meters to the right (west) of the boardwalk, there is a path that cuts through the dunes and leads directly to the nude area of the beach. The total walk is not much different either way.
starting point:  Exit 7 (Alcantarilha, Armação de Pêra) of the A-22 motorway near Alcantarilha
Exit 7 is 13 to 14 kilometers west of the junction of A-22 and A-2, which is the only junction of two major motorways in the Algarve region. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a large roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the third departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), toward Faro and Albufeira. You will then be on N-125 going east. It is about 900 meters to the next roundabout next to an Aldi supermarket, and along the way you will pass the Alcantarilha village sign then kilometer marker 61. Keep straight ahead at the roundabout next to the supermarket, continuing toward Faro and Albufeira. In about 500 meters you will enter the roundabout at the east end of Alcantarilha. Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Praia Grande.

roundabout at A-22 Exit 7
This placemark pertains to Praia Grande.

Alcantarilha village sign (entering going east)
This placemark pertains to Praia Grande.

roundabout next to Aldi supermarket

roundabout at east end of Alcantarilha

Camping Canelas

Armação de Pêra town sign (entering going south)

concelho Albufeira municipal border sign (entering going east)

asphalted road forks into two gravel roads

eastern parking area

western parking area

snack stand in eastern textile zone

low rocky outcrop

snack stand in western textile zone

Lagoa de Salgados

mouth of Lagoa dos Salgados

mouth of Ribeira de Alcantarilha

segment of road to Armação de Pêra

segment of secondary road toward Albufeira

asphalted road toward Praia Grande

gravel road to eastern parking area

gravel road to western parking area

sandy path over dunes

boardwalk to Praia dos Salgados

Praias de Ferragudo

Praias de Ferragudo
Ferragudo is a coastal neighborhood of Lagoa that is southwest of the town center, on the east side of the Arade River. The lighthouse in Ferragudo, called the Farol da Ponta do Altar, is near the mouth of the river. Ferragudo has several beaches in the river delta, but the beaches east of the lighthouse are along the ocean. Going east from the lighthouse, there are four sandy beaches over an expanse of just over one kilometer. The backdrop of these beaches is formed by steep sandstone cliffs in hues of yellow and orange. From west to east, the four beaches are Praia do Torrado, Praia dos Caneiros, Praia da Afurada and Praia do Mato. The beaches are best understood in relation to Praia dos Caneiros, which is the only one of the beaches is easily accessible and that has signs pointing the way.
Praia dos Caneiros is a popular beach that is about 200 meters long at low tide. Its amenities include a restaurant, a snack stand and toilets. Sun chairs with canopies are available to rent, as are kayaks and pedal boats. Praia dos Caneiros is, as you may expect, a textile beach. The other three beaches offer varying degrees of nudist potential.
Praia do Torrado is west of Praia dos Caneiros, toward the lighthouse. The two beaches are separated by a headland that projects into the intertidal zone. Praia do Torrado is about 130 meters long, and at low tide it is possible to walk around the headland from Praia dos Caneiros. However, the tidal window for easily getting back and forth between the beaches is less than four hours. There is another access, but it requires physical fitness and agility. The cliffs are generally about 20 meters high, but at Praia do Torrado the cliff top dips to a saddle point where it is less than 10 meters above the sand. A rope at the low point in the cliff provides assistance for the vertical climb, and pocks in the cliff face can be used as footholds.
Praia do Torrado is frequented by nude bathers, but there are a few hitches. During peak season, the beach is flooded with textiles who come over from Praia dos Caneiros during the tidal window. During such times there is usually little or no nudity. Bare bathing is more apt to occur at Praia do Torrado when Praia dos Caneiros is uncrowded or when the two beaches are not easily accessible to one another. If you visit, be sure to mind the tides if you have any doubts about your ability to climb up the cliff, or consider renting a watercraft at Praia dos Caneiros.
The two beaches east of Praia dos Caneiros also have nudist potential. The next beach east of Praia dos Caneiros is Praia da Afurada. Separated by a headland that is about 200 meters long, Praia dos Caneiros is Praia da Afurada are not easily accessible to one another even at low tide. Praia da Afurada is about 300 meters long when the tide is out, and the most distinctive feature of the beach is a very tall and deep grotto at its west end. The arched opening of the grotto rises about 20 meters, almost to the top of the cliff. Just around a headland from Praia da Afurada, Praia do Mato is a crescent of sand that extends about 85 meters at low tide. It also has a deep grotto in its cliff, but the ceiling of the grotto is much lower than that of Praia da Afurada, rendering it much more cavelike. While Praia da Afurada and Praia do Mato are not easily accessible to one another, it is possible to wade around the headland if the surf is calm.
Praia do Mato is accessible only by water. There is a land access to Praia da Afurada, but it is daunting to say the least. As with Praia do Torrado, getting to the beach requires a vertical descent down the cliff face, except the cliff is much higher, rising about 20 meters. You will need to channel your inner mountain goat to negotiate your way down a crevice in the cliff face, then there may or may not be a rope to assist with the final descent. It is a feat only for exceptionally fit and agile climbers who are not prone to vertigo. For everyone else, plan to come by boat.
While Praia da Afurada and Praia do Mato are both potentially nudist, groups of textile kayakers often disembark at both beaches. Nude bathers are more apt to choose Praia da Afurada since there is more space to coexist with non-nudists, but both Praia da Afurada and Praia do Mato have a sporadic nudist presence at best.
37.1059N, 8.5158W (Praia do Torrado, irregular nudity)
37.1051N, 8.5137W (Praia dos Caneiros, textile)
37.1034N, 8.5087W (Praia da Afurada, sporadic nudity)
37.1023N, 8.5062W (Praia do Mato, sporadic nudity)
Lagoa, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47LdruH
37.1122N, 8.4958W (roundabout on west side of Sesmarias in Lagoa)
Sesmarias is a residential area of Lagoa that is several kilometers southwest of the town center. The roundabout referenced above is at the west end of the main road through Sesmarias. Take the departure signed Ferragudo, Caneiros and campismo. After going southwest 800 meters, the road will begin to make a rightward curve.★ From the curve, continue about one kilometer, then turn left at the brown Caneiros sign. Upon turning, you will be on a 300-meter-long road that ends in a turnaround circle (37.1059N, 8.5131W). There is parking along the entire length of the road. Parking is in short supply on peak summer days, when cars are often parked alongside the main road leading up to the turnoff. Straight ahead from the turnaround circle, stairs descend to Praia dos Caneiros.
Praia do Torrado is the next beach west of Praia dos Caneiros (to the right when facing the ocean). If the tide is sufficiently out, you can just walk around the headland that separates the two beaches. Otherwise, hike over the headland. Facing the ocean at the turnaround circle, follow the narrow footpath that goes uphill to your right. Follow the edge of the cliff. Praia do Torrado will come into view after the top of the cliff begins to slope downward. About halfway above the beach, the cliff sinks to a saddle point, and at that point there is a rope to assist with the descent. The total walk from the turnaround circle is about 250 meters.
Praia da Afurada and Praia do Mato are east of Praia dos Caneiros, and the beaches are very difficult to access at sea level, even at low tide. Kayaks and pedal boats are available to rent at Praia dos Caneiros. It is 400-500 meters to the midpoint of Praia da Afurada then a few hundred meters farther to Praia do Mato.
To go to Praia da Afurada by land (extremely difficult):
Refer to the curve marked by the asterisk★ above. At the curve, turn toward the ocean onto an unmarked gravel road (37.1063N, 8.5013W). Upon turning, it is about one kilometer to a large white metal post that marks the path down to Praia da Afurada. While it is possible to drive all the way, the going gets quite rough as you near the edge of the cliff, so you will probably want to park at some point and continue on foot. The gravel road is well surfaced for about 300 meters, then it morphs into a jumble of tracks that meander through a scrub-covered plateau. Facing the ocean, angle toward your right (west) to the edge of the cliff. When you reach the edge, you should be standing above Praia do Mato, the small beach immediately east of Praia da Afurada that is only accessible by water. Continue west atop the cliff until you reach the white post, which is about the height of a door and the circumference of a telephone pole. The path through the crevice down to Praia da Afurada begins about 40 meters west of the post (37.1037N, 8.5093W). Only physically fit and experienced climbers should attempt the nearly vertical descent.
starting point:  Exit 6 (Lagoa, Silves) of the A-22 motorway near Lagoa
Be sure not to confuse Lagoa with Lagos, which is farther west. (The two towns are about 27 kilometers apart.) Exit 6 is 22 to 23 kilometers west of the junction of A-22 and A-2, which is the only junction of two major motorways in the Algarve region. Upon exiting, follow the signs for Lagoa and Carvoeiro to negotiate your way through the exit interchange. As you leave the interchange, you will begin heading southwest on N-124-1. In about 2 kilometers you will reach the end of the route at a junction with N-125. Stay in the left lane, following the Lagoa Sul sign. You will be filtered onto N-125 going southeast into Lagoa.
Follow N-125 about a kilometer and keep straight ahead through the roundabout that has a big compass in the middle. Continue along N-125 another 500-600 meters to the next roundabout, where there is a Galp gas station. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Carvoerio.
Once you turn away from N-125, you will be going south toward the coast. Proceed 300-400 meters to the next roundabout and keep straight ahead, toward Ferragudo. Proceed 1.4 kilometers to the next roundabout and again keep straight ahead, toward Ferragudo. 1.4 kilometers farther on you will pass a small white Sesmarias locality sign. 1.5 kilometers farther on you will reach the roundabout at the west end of Sesmarias, where there is not a road that continues straight ahead. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), then proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-22 Exit 6 to parking (at Praia dos Caneiros)
This placemark pertains to Praias de Ferragudo.

Praia do Torrado (irregular nude use)
This placemark pertains to Praias de Ferragudo.

Praia dos Caneiros (textile)
This placemark pertains to Praias de Ferragudo.

Praia da Afurada (sporadic nudity)

Praia do Mato (sporadic nudity)

roundabout west of Sesmarias

signed turnoff to Praia dos Caneiros

parking all along road

Rei das Praias restaurant

Farol da Ponta do Altar (lighthouse)

entrance to Parque Campismo Ferragudo

informal parking along dirt tracks

large white post atop cliff

segment of road between Sesmarias & Ferragudo

asphalted beach access road

path to Praia do Torrado (with rope for final descent)

one of a jumble of dirt tracks

very steep path through crevice in cliff

Praia de João de Arens

Praia de João de Arens
The municipality of Portimão has about 8 kilometers of coastline, bounded by outlets to the ocean at each end. The coastline is roughly equally divided between two coastal districts: the city proper of Portimão to the east, ending at the mouth of the Arade River; and Alvor to the west, ending at the mouth of the Alvor Estuary. The beautiful sandy beaches of Portimão and Alvor are quite popular. For a better understanding of the geography of the area, here is a brief summary of those beaches. Starting at the Arade River and going west, first there is Praia da Rocha. By far the longest beach in the city proper, Praia da Rocha is a broad expanse of sand that extends more than one kilometer, backed by the skyline of Portimão. Continuing west, the coastal landscape changes. There is a chain of five much narrower beaches that blend into one another at low tide, collectively spanning a little over 2 kilometers. This chain of five consists of Praia dos Três Castelos, Praia do Amado, Praia dos Careanos, Praia do Vau and Praia do Alemão. Those five beaches are geographically similar, backed by reddish cliffs and dotted with rocky columns and other curious landforms. Praia do Alemão is alternately known as Praia do Barranco das Canas, and it is the westernmost beach in the city proper that is easily accessed by car. Continuing west, you enter an area the straddles the border of Portimão and Alvor, where there is a southward projection of land called the Ponta de João de Arens. The scenery is similar to that of the chain of five, except everything is condensed, multiplied and intensified. The little beaches along this expanse of roughly one kilometer require some effort to access. Continuing west beyond all the hard-to-access beaches, Praia de Prainha is located below the grounds of Prainha Resort, a large resort in Alvor. It consists of several niches and looks similar to the hard-to-access beaches, but it is easier to get to via a well-maintained staircase. Just beyond the resort, the last of the rock formations are located on Praia dos Três Irmãs, then all the visual drama abruptly ends. Praia do Alvor is a broad, sandy beach that extends more than 3 kilometers to the mouth of the Alvor Estuary, and it has none of the eroded landforms that characterize the beaches farther east.
All segments of the coastline of Portimão and Alvor are quite beautiful, but the area around the Ponta de João de Arens stands out for its concentration of fantastical geologic anomalies. It is a wonderland of eroded clay and limestone with a multitude of caves, grottos, arches, sinkholes and other landforms that defy description. Just offshore, a collection of ship-like rocky islets resembles a departing—or arriving—armada. There are multiple pockets of sand along this coastal segment that blend into one another at low tide but become more distinct (or vanish altogether) at high tide. The sandy niches can be divided into four areas. From east to west, they are Praia de Boião, Praia de João de Arens, Praia do Submarino and Praia do RF. Of these areas, Praia de João de Arens is a well-established gathering place for nudists, while the others have varying degrees of nude use or nudist potential.
Assume you go to Praia do Alemão, which is accessed from a sandy ramp (as described in the directions below). Facing the ocean at the end of the ramp, look to your right. The prominent land mass that projects into the ocean is the Ponta de João de Arens. Between where you are standing and the land mass, there are a dozen or so large ship-like rocks—some in the ocean, others in the intertidal zone. The sandy niches amid those rocks, extending onto the Ponta de João de Arens, comprise Praia de Boião. Those niches extend about 200 meters, and they are basically just an extension of Praia do Alemão. Even at low tide, you will have to trudge through wet sand and shallow water to explore all the niches, which are divided by rocky protrusions of the cliff face. Less than 200 meters west of the ramp to Praia do Alemão, one of the first prominent features of Praia de Boião is a huge grotto. Enter the grotto and look up to see a large hole in the ceiling—a little like the oculus in the dome of the Pantheon. Beyond the grotto, the more distant niches of Praia de Boião are more secluded. These niches would seem to have some nudist potential on uncrowded days. However, there is not an established nudist presence, and on crowded days there are just too many people wandering over from Praia do Alemão. All in all, Praia de Boião is best regarded as a textile beach. To be naked, you need to go to one of the beaches on the other (west) side of the Ponta de João de Arens. All those beaches are reached by hiking down from the top of the bluff.
Praia de João de Arens is wedged against the west side of the Ponta de João de Arens. The small beach is bracketed by nearly vertical walls of rock that rise about 15 meters. Just inland from the beach, there is a small labyrinth of craggy orange landforms in an intricate cleft in the land. It resembles a miniaturized version of Utah's Bryce Canyon. The cleft provides a beautiful backdrop for the beach, and it also provides the only way down. A bit of stamina is necessary for the climb down (and back up), but the reasonably fit and agile should have no problem. The beach has two parts. You will land on a pocket of sand that is 30 to 50 meters across, depending on the tide. Facing the ocean, you will see a large grotto on the right side of the beach and a natural tunnel on the left side. Both are in the intertidal zone. The tunnel—perhaps 10 meters long—is a portal to a hidden part of the beach. You can see the other side when you enter. It takes less than half a minute to walk through, with no crawling required. Just duck down a time or two where the ceiling is low. (It the tide is sufficiently out, you can walk through wet sand and circumvent the tunnel altogether. If the tide is in, there will be water in the tunnel.) On the other side, you will be on a curious isthmus of sand that is about 25 meters long. This part of the beach is mostly inundated at high tide. On the opposite side of the sand from the tunnel, there is a natural arch in a large mass of rock that is basically an island, connected to the main land mass only by the sandy isthmus. The rocky island forms the southernmost tip of the Ponta de João de Arens, and the arch is but one of its peculiar features. If the tide is sufficiently out and the water is calm, go to the Portimão side of the isthmus, where you can see the city skyline. Wade around the island just a bit and you will find a large arched opening that is a portal to a huge crater-like sinkhole that forms a roofless interior chamber of the island.
Nude bathing occurs on both parts of Praia de João de Arens. On peak summer days, there may be a dozen or more bathers on each part of the beach at low tide, but most of the time crowds are much smaller. Remember that everyone is confined to the main part of the beach at high tide. Nudists are often in the majority on uncrowded days but in the minority on crowded days. The beach has a substantial gay presence.
In the directions below, there is a reference to a trio of sinkholes that are encircled by wooden cross-rail fencing. Praia de João de Arens is on the east side of those sinkholes. On the west side of the sink holes, there is a beach called Praia do Submarino, named for a rock just offshore from the beach that looks like a submarine emerging from the water. Praia do Submarino is comprised of multiple niches that span about 250 meters. The niches are connected by small tunnels and other openings in the rocks. Getting down to the beach is a manageable feat. However, the path lands in a rock-enclosed area from which it is difficult to get to other parts of the beach at higher tides. Nude bathing occurs frequently at Praia do Submarino, but the presence of nudists is much more sporadic compared to Praia de João de Arens. Unlike Praia de João de Arens, Praia do Submarino has almost no dry sand at high tide.
A bit west of Praia do Submarino, there is a pocket beach with the unusual name of Praia do RF. About 30 meters across at low tide, the beach all but disappears at high tide. A narrow wooden staircase provides the final descent to Praia do RF, rendering it relatively easy to access compared to Praia de João de Arens and Praia do Submarino. The beach gets spotty attendance overall, and nudist use is likewise hard to gauge.
If you hike to Praia do RF following the directions below, you will see metal see-through fencing near the edge of the cliff as you begin your descent to the beach. The fence surrounds a small hotel called Villa Nautilus. Just west of the hotel, there is a clifftop swimming pool that is part of Prainha Resort, overlooking a niche of Praia da Praiha. If you want to get from Praia do RF to Praia da Prainha, be advised that the hiking path is routed through the resort grounds, skirting the inland side of the fenced enclosure containing the swimming pool.
To visit Praia de João de Arens or any of the other hard-to-access beaches, it is crucial to wear shoes suitable for climbing. Be sure to heed the multiple signs posted throughout the area warning of falling rocks. There are snack stands at Praia do Alemão and Praia da Prainha.
37.1162N, 8.5679W (Praia de João de Arens)
37.1164N, 8.5713W (midpoint of niches of Praia do Submarino)
Portimão, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3YHK0Wp
37.1228N, 8.5637W (Rotunda Simón Bolívar, at Portimão/Alvor border)
Avenida V3, the coastal thoroughfare that connects Portimão and Alvor, is a four-lane street with a narrow median separating the opposing lanes of traffic. To turn toward the coast from Avenida V3, you must turn right from the eastbound lanes since it is not possible to turn left across the median from the westbound lanes. There are several roundabouts along the street where you can reverse direction. At the border of Portimão and Alvor, the Rotunda Simón Bolívar is a roundabout with a bust of the military leader for which it is named perched atop a pedestal in its median. There are two approaches to Praia de João de Arens.
Option 1:
Head west toward Alvor from the Rotunda Simón Bolívar. (A sign points toward an Intermarché supermarket.) Proceed one kilometer to the next roundabout, where there is a gated entrance to the Prainha resort complex. Make a complete circle through the roundabout (effectively making a U-turn) such that you begin backtracking. Continue about 150 meters, then turn right onto a gravel road, where signs point toward Villa Nautilus. (It is the first right you can make past an asphalted parking lot that abuts one of the Prainha buildings.)
Upon turning, you will be on a road that goes almost all the way to the edge of the bluff above the ocean. Parking is available along the first 400 or so meters of the road. About 200 meters from the start of the road, there is an informal dirt parking area on the left (37.1193N, 8.5723W). Continuing past the parking area, watch on your left first for a small house close to the road then for a much larger house set back from the road behind a solid fence wall. Roadside parking is available as far as the end of the fence wall.
Upon parking, continue along the road on foot. In a few hundred meters you will reach Casa da Guarda, a vacation rental property consisting of a small white house and a swimming pool. At that point, the road blends into a jumble of tracks. Continue straight ahead, such that the fence that surrounds Casa da Guarda is to your immediate right. Just beyond the vacation property, there is a trio of sinkholes on the bluff above the ocean. The sinkholes—the largest of which is over 20 meters across—are encircled by wooden cross-rail fencing to keep visitors from getting too close to the edge. A long wooden fence encloses the two largest sinkholes, while a shorter fence encloses the smallest of them. Facing the ocean at the sinkholes, go to your left about 50 meters and you will be standing directly above Praia de João de Arens. The small beach is backed by a tortured cleft in the bluff that extends inland for over 100 meters. Standing near the edge of the bluff above the ocean, the drop-off to the beach (about 15 meters) is precipitous. To get down to the beach, find the footpath that descends into the cleft of colorful orange rock. As you near the beach, there are crude, narrow steps carved into the earth that assist with the final descent.
The total walk from the dirt parking area to the beach is about 600 meters.
Head east from the Rotunda Simón Bolívar, taking the roundabout departure signed Portimão, Praia da Rocha and Praia do Vau. In just over 100 meters, take the first possible right onto an unsigned asphalted road. Upon turning, you will enter a small seaside neighborhood that is next to Praia do Alemão. There are half a dozen or so large houses behind high walls, but otherwise the land is empty and overgrown. The neighborhood feels partially built but incomplete. All the streets are dead ends, and most of them serve no apparent purpose. The entire neighborhood is basically a big beach parking area. Proceed 100 meters to an irregular junction where a residence is straight ahead. Turn right. About 100 meters farther on the road will begin to make a long leftward U-shaped curve. At the end of the curve, about 50 meters before the asphalt ends at a turnaround circle, turn right onto a gravel road that winds downhill into an informal dirt area that is the closest parking area to the beach (37.1204N, 8.5642W).
From the parking area, a broad sandy ramp with rope fencing along one side makes a gradual descent to Praia do Alemão. Do NOT follow the ramp (unless you want to explore Praia de Boião). At the start of the ramp, turn right as you face the ocean and follow the small, crude steps that take you slightly uphill to a scrub-covered bluff. There is a maze of paths atop the bluff. Just stay near the coastal edge, hiking west such that the ocean is on your left-hand side. You will be about 15 to 20 meters above sea level. In 250-300 meters, watch for a sinkhole near the edge of the bluff, through which you can see the beach below. (The sinkhole is the hole in the ceiling of the grotto described above—the one compared to the Pantheon.) Shortly past the sinkhole, the path will veer slightly away from the ocean to circumvent a few gash-like clefts that open out to the more distant niches of Praia de Boião. (It is very difficult to hike down through those clefts to get to Praia de Boião, which is best accessed at sea level.) About 250 meters past the grotto sinkhole, the path will briefly pass under a dense canopy of trees. Less than 200 meters past the canopy, you will reach the cleft that opens out to Praia de João de Arens. You should be able to glimpse the aforementioned wooden cross-rail fencing (encircling the trio of sink holes) on the opposite side of the cleft. Descend into the cleft to make your way to the beach. The total walk from the dirt parking area to the beach is about 700 meters.
Hiking from Praia de João de Arens to Praia do Submarino and Praia do RF:
Start from the aforementioned trio of sinkholes that are encircled by wooden cross-rail fencing. Head west along the footpath that runs atop the bluff next to the edge, such that the ocean is on your left-hand side. In 150-200 meters, the path will descend about half a dozen cement steps (37.1168N, 8.5706W). At the steps, you will be about 15 meters above sea level at the east end of Praia do Submarino. The niche of the beach that has the most sand at high tide will be directly below you, in clear view. If there is only wet sand and the beach is empty, the rest of the beach is probably inundated. Shortly past the steps, you will be able to see some of the other niches.
To access Praia do Submarino, continue about 25 meters beyond the steps, then go left onto a path that goes down a small cleft. As you near sea level, you will cross a short and very narrow metal footbridge (basically a horizontal ladder) that takes you over a gap, beyond which you will land on the beach after climbing down a few steps. When you land on the sand, you will not see the ocean. You will be in a circular open-air chamber, completely surrounded by rock. If the sand is dry, you can continue to the other niches. If the chamber is mostly inundated, the rest of the beach will be mostly inundated as well. The chamber has two exits. A small tunnel that almost always has water is your portal to the niche that you saw from the steps. A doorway-sized gap in the rock wall is your portal to the niches farther west.
To go to Praia do RF, stay atop the bluff, continuing a little more than 300 meters until you reach a drop-off where you cannot continue farther without turning inland. At that point, you will be standing directly above Praia do RF. To descend to the beach, turn inland and shortly you will find a footpath that descends into a verdant cleft. The path continues downhill almost all the way to the beach, then a very narrow wooden staircase built into a crevice provides the final descent.
starting point:  Exit 5 (Portimão, Monchique) of the A-22 motorway near Portimão
Exit 5 is about 21 kilometers east of the western terminus of the motorway. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the second departure of the roundabout, toward Portimão. You will then begin heading south toward the coast on N-124.
Upon leaving the roundabout, keep straight ahead through all subsequent roundabouts and other junctions as you head into Portimão. In just over 4 kilometers, southbound traffic is filtered onto a street called Avenida V6 via a looping ramp.
Continue south on Avenida V6 (staying straight ahead through all roundabouts) for 2.4 kilometers until you reach the last roundabout, which is next to the ocean. The roundabout is recognizable by the large fountain in the middle. Just barely enter the roundabout and take the first departure (effectively just a right turn), toward Alvor.
Upon leaving the roundabout with the fountain, you will be heading west on Avenida V3. Continue 1.2 kilometers to the next roundabout, which is the Rotunda Simón Bolívar. For Option 1 described above, keep straight ahead through the roundabout then proceed as directed above. For Option 2 described above, make a complete circle through the roundabout then proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-22 Exit 5 to parking (Option 1)
MAP from A-22 Exit 5 to parking (Option 2)
This placemark pertains to Praia de João de Arens.

roundabout with large fountain
This placemark pertains to Praia de João de Arens.

Rotunda Simón Bolívar
This placemark pertains to Praia de João de Arens.

roundabout at entrance to Prainha resort complex

no parking beyond this point

Casa da Guarda (small vacation rental property)

sinkhole

sinkhole in ceiling of grotto

natural tunnel connecting two parts of beach

natural arch in mass of rock

steps along bluff-top path (landmark for finding access to Praia do Submarino)

submarine-shaped rock

Villa Nautilus (small hotel)

oceanside swimming pool of Prainha Resort

Prainha resort complex

west end of Praia da Rocha (textile)

Praia dos Três Castelos (textile)

Praia do Amado (textile)

Praia dos Careanos (textile)

Praia do Vau (textile)

Praia do Alemão (textile)

Praia de Boião (multiple niches, best regarded as textile)

Praia do Submarino (multiple niches, sporadic nudity)

Praia do RF (sporadic nudity)

Praia da Prainha (multiple niches, textile)

Praia dos Três Irmãos (textile)

east end of Praia do Alvor (textile)

segment of Avenida V3

gravel road that morphs into track toward ocean

asphalted roads through small neighborhood of dead-end streets

path through cleft

final descent to Praia de João de Arens

gravel ramp to Praia do Alemão

path atop bluff

cross-rail fencing around sinkholes

cross-rail fencing around sinkhole

path through cleft to Praia do RF

access to Praia do Submarino

niches of Praia de Boião

both parts of Praia de João de Arens

niches of Praia do Submarino

Praia do RF

niches of Praia da Prainha

Meia Praia

Meia Praia
Meia Praia is a name that applies both to a long beach east of the town center of Lagos and to a resort area along part of that beach. The beach begins on the east side of the entrance to the port of Lagos, which is the mouth of the Rio Bensafrim. (The old town district of Lagos is on the west side of the port.) From the port, the sandy beach arcs eastward for 5 kilometers, ending at the mouth of the Alvor Estuary, where long rock jetties project into the ocean. A railroad parallels Meia Praia for most of its length. Just inland from the western area of the beach (toward Lagos), the resort area is a 2-kilometer-long strip lined with hotels, apartments and restaurants. The low-key resort area is fairly modest in scale, with no high-rise structures or flashy amusements, and it comes to an end along the central area of the beach. Beyond the resort area, a golf course and part of the estuary form the backdrop for the eastern area of the beach. The 26-hole golf course, named Onyria Palmares, is mostly on the inland side of the railroad, but four holes of the course (20-23) are on the beach side of the railroad. The beach-adjacent part of the golf course begins where the resort strip ends and extends eastward about 600 meters. From the end of the beach-adjacent part of the golf course, the beach continues another 1.3 kilometers to the estuary jetties. The estuary-backed part of the beach, accounting for about a quarter of its total length, is the farthest removed segment of Meia Praia.
The easily accessible western area of Meia Praia swarms with visitors during summer, but the eastern area of the beach is never crowded. Nude bathing is common and tolerated. In 2016, there was even buzz about Meia Praia being added to Portugal's short list of legally recognized nude beaches, but ultimately that did not come about. The easternmost parking lot of Meia Praia is slightly east of the midpoint of the beach. From there, it takes just a few minutes to walk to the part of the beach backed by the golf course. Most nudity occurs along the part of the beach that corresponds to the golf course, the fairways of which are separated from the beach by an area of dunes. The east end of the nude area beyond the golf course is not well defined. Nudity sometimes occurs all the way to the rock jetties where the beach ends, but few visitors are inclined to walk that far. Furthermore, beach usage actually becomes a bit more mixed approaching the jetties. That is because a causeway over the estuary provides an access to the far eastern part of the beach. It used to be possible to drive across the rather primitive causeway, which is basically just a narrow dirt road atop a rock embankment, but that has not been possible since the mid-2010's due to washed out areas that have never been repaired. A small number of visitors, mostly locals, access the beach by crossing the causeway, but not all them come to the beach for nude bathing. A good many come to walk their dogs or just to enjoy a nearly empty beach. If you are inclined to take a long walk eastward, just be aware that you will be going beyond the main zone of nude use into an area where usage patterns are more variable. Incidentally, the causeway is not directly accessible from the Meia Praia resort area. Getting to the causeway by car involves following a circuitous route around the inland periphery of the golf course then passing through a rural area called Vale da Lama. The established zone of nude use is much more quickly accessed from the easternmost parking lot of Meia Praia.
The railroad along Meia Praia ends at the Lagos train station, which is on the east side of the port. For trains departing from Lagos, the first stop is 2.5 kilometers away next to the easternmost parking lot at Meia Praia. The train potentially provides a quick link from the city center to the nude beach, but be advised that trains run infrequently, with some gaps in service exceeding two hours.
Lagos, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3P6fO3T
37.1189N, 8.6476W (roundabout at east end of Meia Praia resort area, on east side of Lagos)
The main road through the Meia Praia resort area appears on some maps as Estrada da Meia Praia and/or M534. In reality there are no signs with a street name or a number, but Meia Praia signs along the main thoroughfares of Lagos lead to the road. From Lagos, the main road through the Meia Praia resort area goes east past all the hotels, apartments and restaurants, then the road turns inland (continuing toward the golf course entrance and Vale da Lama). The roundabout referenced above is located next to Restaurante Jardim, at the point where the road turns inland. From the roundabout, turn toward the ocean. (The departure is not signed.) You will almost immediately cross the railroad at a level crossing then enter a large earthen parking lot that is the easternmost parking area along the beach.
A pair of eateries—Bar Quim and Por do Sol—are side by side at a corner of the parking area next to the beach. From there, head east (to the left when facing the ocean). In about 300 meters, the golf course begins at a wall that extends inland, perpendicular to the beach. The wall is roughly the start of the nude area, but on more crowded days you may need to walk a bit farther beyond the textiles before you encounter nudists.
starting point:  Exit 1 (Lagos, Vila do Bispo) of the A-22 motorway near Lagos
Exit 1 is on the northern outskirts of Lagos, 3 kilometers east of the western terminus of A-22. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto a connector road that goes south toward Lagos. Follow that road a little over 4 kilometers until you reach a roundabout. Two departures of the roundabout are signed Lagos. Take the third departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed Lagos (with a city center symbol) and Portimão. At that point, you will begin heading east on N-125. In 2.1 kilometers, N-125 crosses a short bridge over the Bensafrim River, and there are three roundabouts along the way to the bridge. Watch carefully for and follow Meia Praia signs to negotiate your way through those roundabouts, staying on N-125. Once you cross the bridge, take the next possible right at an irregular junction next to a Pingo Doce supermarket, continuing to follow Meia Praia signs.
When you turn away from N-125, count the roundabouts. You will enter the first roundabout almost immediately, next to the supermarket entrance. Take the third departure, following another Meia Praia sign. 500 meters farther on, keep straight ahead through the second roundabout, toward Meia Praia, Hotéis and Golfe. 500 meters farther on, you will reach the third roundabout, which is not signed. Take the second departure, keeping straight ahead. In about 200 meters you will pass a Repsol gas station, on your right. By that point, the road will have curved such that it is parallel to the beach. The hotels and apartments of Meia Praia are along the left (inland) side of the road. The ocean will be off to your right but not always clearly visible beyond the grassy dunes. About 1.6 kilometers past the gas station, you will enter the fourth and final roundabout at the east end of the resort area next to Restaurante Jardim. Take the first departure of the roundabout toward the ocean, then proceed as directed above.
alternate starting point:  Exit 2 (Odiáxere, Lagos este) of the A-22 motorway near Lagos
Exit 2 is on the northern outskirts of Lagos, 6 kilometers east of the western terminus of the motorway. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a connector road, going south. Follow that road for 3 kilometers to its terminus at a roundabout that forms the junction with N-125. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), toward Lagos. As you head southwest on N-125, the kilometer marker numbers will descend. In 2.3 kilometers, you will pass marker 27 (just before a pair of BP gas stations—one on each side of the road). 700 meters farther on, the road to Meia Praia is to your left, next to the Pingo Doce supermarket. However, the junction is not set up to allow a left turn, so you will have to take a slightly convoluted approach to accomplish that turn. Keep straight ahead and shortly you will cross the bridge over the Bensafrim River then enter a roundabout. Make a complete loop such that you begin backtracking on N-125. Cross the bridge again, take the next possible right, then pick up with "When you turn away from N-125…" in the preceding paragraph.
This placemark pertains to Meia Praia.

This placemark pertains to Meia Praia.

BP gas stations (one on each side of road)
This placemark pertains to Meia Praia.

bridge over Bensafrim River

roundabout along N-125

Pingo Doce supermarket

roundabout at supermarket entrance

roundabout next to Restaurante Jardim

Bar Quim & Por do Sol (side-by-side eateries)

Onyria Palmares golf course (area on beach side of railroad)

mouth of Alvor estuary

T-junction

causeway over estuary (cars no longer allowed)

Lagos train station

Meia Praia train stop

main road through Meia Praia

road into parking area

zone of most nudist use, roughly

Praia dos Pinheiros & Praia do Canavial

The old town district of Lagos lies along the west side of the Rio Bensafrim where the river meets the Atlantic. The heavily altered mouth of the river is the entrance to city's port. A few kilometers directly south of old town, a lighthouse lies at the tip of a peninsular land mass that, on maps, resembles a triangle projecting southward from Lagos. This wedge-shaped peninsula is the Ponta da Piedade, and it is a small land mass with an area of roughly one square kilometer. There is residential and hotel development along the inland part of the triangle where it blends into the broader land mass, but there is open green space farther south toward the lighthouse. The green space is a plateau covered in tall grass and scrubby trees, about 50 meters above sea level. If you are standing in the middle of the flat open space looking toward the lighthouse, you can see the ocean on either side of the peninsula. From that perspective, the views are pleasant but not extraordinary. To appreciate the beauty of the Ponta da Piedade, you have to go to the edge of the plateau. The land falls away to the ocean to reveal a spectacular multicolored cliffscape. The coastline of the Ponta da Piedad is a scenic wonderland of arches, caves, grottos and tiny islands of rocky columns and spires. Since it a fairly compact area, it is easy and well worthwhile to explore it in detail. Plan on taking a lot of photos.
There are nine beaches along the Ponta da Piedade that have proper names along with a number of tiny little nameless niches. Seven of the beaches are on the east side of the peninsula while just two are on the west side. From the port to the lighthouse, the as-the-crow-flies distance along the east side of the Ponta da Piedade is a little over 2 kilometers. Starting at the port and going southwest toward the lighthouse, the first five of the seven east-side beaches are Praia da Batata, Praia dos Estudantes, Praia do Pinhão, Praia da Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo. All these beaches have well-maintained accesses, with more steps required the closer you get to the lighthouse. There are about 225 steps on the way down to Praia do Camilo, but the access is a sturdy staircase with handrails along both sides. All five beaches are textile, and the lion's share of bathers at the Ponta da Piedade go to these five beaches since the other four are considerably harder to access.
Continuing toward the lighthouse, the next beach after Praia do Camilo is Praia dos Pinheiros, and it is slightly off the beaten path compared to the beaches closer to the port. Praia dos Pinheiros is a small beach that is about 50 meters long at low tide, but at high tide there is just 20 or so meters of dry sand. The beach is tucked into a tiny bay that is more than three-quarters surrounded by land, with a small opening to the ocean. The setting is positively enchanting. When the ocean is calm, the shallow water of the bay is ideal for swimming. Access to Praia dos Pinheiros is via a steep path that winds down through a fissure in the cliff, with lots of crude earthen steps shored up with wooden planks. There is no handrail. A bit of stamina and agility is necessary to negotiate the path, which is poorly maintained and quite eroded in places. Due to its isolation, Praia dos Pinheiros is a favorite spot of nude bathers, and regulars often post unofficial signs with "nude beach" in several languages. The beach can feel crowded on peak summer days due to limited space, and most visitors opt to be naked. Small boats full of tourists snapping photos cruise along the Ponta da Piedade. One of the tour companies, BlueFleet, even advertises "Nudist Beach" on the itinerary of its Ponta da Piedade tours. However, the boats do not come all the way up to beach, generally staying at least 50 meters away at the entrance to the small bay.
Beyond Praia dos Pinheiros, the last beach before the lighthouse is Praia da Balança. The only land access to the beach is through a nearly vertical fissure in the cliff face. It is a pursuit only for seasoned rock climbers. Practically speaking, the beach can only be accessed by water. Rounding the tip of the Ponta da Piedade to it western side, there are two more beaches, and the one closer to the lighthouse is Praia do Barranco do Martinho. It likewise has a challenging access via a fissure in the cliff face, but climbing down to Praia do Barranco do Martinho is not nearly as daunting a feat as climbing down to Praia da Balança, so a good many visitors negotiate their way down the cliff. Both Praia da Balança and Praia do Barranco do Martinho are roughly comparable to Praia dos Pinheiros in size and appearance, and both would also seem ideal for nudity considering the difficulty of access. However, neither beach has an established nudist presence. This is mainly because both beaches are popular with kayakers, including large organized tour groups that paddle up and stay for a while. While there may be some nudist potential during off times, Praia da Balança and Praia do Barranco do Martinho are de facto textile beaches.
Beyond Praia do Barranco do Martinho, the other beach on the west side of the peninsula is Praia do Canavial. The beach extends about 400 meters at low tide, but the half of the beach closer to the lighthouse vanishes at high tide. The rugged red-orange cliffs of Praia do Canavial are quite beautiful, but the beach is not surrounded by the fantastical columns and arches that characterize many of the other beaches of the peninsula, so the tour boats that start from the port tend to turn around at Praia do Barranco do Martinho. Furthermore, the only access to the beach is a bit hidden, so Praia do Canavial seems to fly under the radar compared to other beaches of the Ponta da Piedade. Consequently, the beach is a draw for nude bathers. The access to the beach is a series of earthen steps like the ones that descend to Praia dos Pinheiros, but the steps are comparatively a bit less steep and easier to descend. There is no handrail except along a few short segments. The steps land at the far northwest end of the beach. Nudity occurs all along the beach, but on more crowded days nudists tend to gravitate farther away from the access. While Praia dos Pinheiros and Praia do Canavial often have a comparable number of visitors, Praia do Canavial always feels less crowded since there is far more room to spread out. Praia do Canavial also tends to have a higher percentage of textiles compared to Praia dos Pinheiros.
Beyond Praia do Canavial, Praia do Porto Mós is a long beach (nearly one kilometer) that is the first beach west of the Ponta da Piedade. At low tide, it is possible to cross wet sand and a scree of boulders to get from one beach to the other. Although each end of Praia do Porto Mós is backed by sheer cliffs, the central area of the beach is easy to access. In contrast to the beaches of the Ponta da Piedade, Praia do Porto Mós is a handicap-accessible beach. The Praia Acessível signs you will pass en route to the Ponta da Piedade point toward Praia do Porto Mós.
There are toilets and a snack stand next to the lighthouse, reasonably close to Praia dos Pinheiros and Praia do Canavial. There is also a restaurant nearby atop the plateau above Praia do Camilo. When you visit, be sure to make your way to the stairs that begin immediately east of the lighthouse. The long staircase zigzags all the way down to the ocean, providing the best views you can get of the spectacular land formations without taking a boat tour.
This placemark pertains to Praia dos Pinheiros and Praia do Canavial.

Praia dos Pinheiros
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Praia dos Pinheiros and Praia do Canavial.)
Lagos, Faro, Algarve, Portugal
There are 30 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Praia dos Pinheiros and Praia do Canavial.

Praia do Canavial
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Praia dos Pinheiros and Praia do Canavial.)
Lagos, Faro, Algarve, Portugal
There are 30 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Praia dos Pinheiros and Praia do Canavial.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3QQ3QwL
37.0953N, 8.6750W (Rotunda do Pêndulo, south of old town Lagos)
The city center of Lagos is a compact old town district that is partly encircled by a stone wall. N-125, an east-west road that is the main route through Lagos, used to loop around the southern side of old town, but it has been re-routed (since 2016) and now passes north of old town. The Rotunda do Pêndulo ("Roundabout of the Pendulum") is a roundabout located along the old route of N-125, south of old town next to Hotel Montemar. The roundabout is named for the distinctive art installation in its median: a huge ball suspended from a metal frame. At the roundabout, take the departure signed Ponta da Piedade, Praias, Hotéis, and Praia Acessível.
When you leave the Rotunda do Pêndulo, you should be heading south, with the front entrance to Hotel Montemar to your left. You want to go almost all the way to the lighthouse at the southern tip of the Ponta da Piedade. Watch for and follow the brown Ponta da Piedade signs to guide you there. About 100 meters past Hotel Montemar, keep straight ahead through a small roundabout. 150 meters farther on, take the next possible left. Continue about 200 meters, then turn right when you reach the "T" next to Abode furniture store.
Once you turn next to the furniture store, you will be on the road that dead ends at the lighthouse. In 600-700 meters, you will reach a four-way intersection where a brown sign points left toward Praia do Camilo (but do NOT turn there). Keep straight ahead through the intersection. By that point, you will be in a fairly open landscape with lots of grass and scrubby trees but no tall trees or other prominent visual obstacles. Continue south 250 meters and take note when you reach a derelict fenced property on the left (east) side of the road (37.0842N, 8.6706W). The perimeter fence that surrounds the property is cement on bottom and chain link on top, and it extends alongside the road about 75 meters. Behind the fence, there is an abandoned house that is hard to see, obscured by overgrown vegetation. The path to Praia dos Pinheiro begins at the northern edge of the derelict property, on the same (east) side of the road. The path to Praia do Canavial begins at the southern edge of the derelict property, on the opposite (west) side of the road. You can park alongside the road. If you prefer to park in a lot, continue about 200-300 meters to the lighthouse, then make a hard left to enter a gravel parking lot on the east side of the road. (However, there is insufficient space in the lot during peak season, when cars are likely to be parked all along the road.)
The hike to either Praia dos Pinheiros or Praia do Canavial begins as a fairly level walk to the edge of the plateau, with an abrupt final descent to the ocean. There are no signs to help you find the way to either beach (other than hand-made signs that are sometimes posted), but the plateau is a compact area, so it isn't possible to get terribly off course. From the derelict property, the total walking distance to Praia dos Pinheiros is about 300 meters, while the total walking distance to Praia do Canavial is about one kilometer.
Hiking to Praia dos Pinheiros:
Praia dos Pinheiros is directly east of the derelict property. As you follow the path toward the beach, the perimeter fence along the northern side of the property will be to your immediate right, and the ocean will be visible straight ahead. Once you are beyond the end of the fence, there will be a jumble of tracks atop the plateau. Just keep straight ahead toward the edge of the plateau. Watch for side paths going off to your right, but do not turn onto any path that remains level. Continue until you reach a path that goes abruptly downhill to your right. Follow that path. You will quickly lose about 5 meters of elevation as you descend a rocky escarpment. At the base of the escarpment, keep to the left at a fork. Proceed about 30 meters and watch for steps going downhill to your right (37.0846N, 8.6680W). Those steps wind down through a fissure to the beach.
Hiking to Praia do Canavial:
The part of the plateau that is west of the road to the lighthouse has a network of new boardwalks that were built in the late 2010s. Several boardwalks leave from the west side of the road. The boardwalk most distant from the lighthouse leaves at a sharp angle to the road, directly across the road from the southern edge of the derelict property. As you follow the boardwalk, you will at first be walking alongside an overhead power line, and the buildings that you see straight ahead in the distance are part of Cascade Wellness Resort. In 150 meters, the boardwalk will curve sharply leftward away from the power line. As you continue along the boardwalk, keep straight ahead at junctions with other boardwalks. About 400 meters beyond the sharp curve you will begin to skirt the grounds of the resort, which will be to your right. Continue several hundred meters toward a solid residential fence wall that is straight ahead. When the boardwalk curves rightward★ next to the wall, go left instead, following a dirt path toward the ocean. When you round the bend of the wall, you will be near the edge of a cliff with the ocean on your left-hand side. Continue about 50 meters until you see a chain-link fence.★ The steps to the beach begin next to the chain-link fence (37.0847N, 8.6797W). As you start down the steps, the chain-link fence should be on your right-hand side.
★ At the point where the boardwalk curves rightward, assume you were to stay on the boardwalk. Or, at the point where you see the chain-link fence, assume you were to keep walking such that the fence was on your left-hand side. In either case, shortly you would reach parking areas that are alternative access points to Praia do Canavial, as described below.
Alternative accesses to Praia do Canavial:
Parking is available much closer to Praia do Canavial. Begin as directed above, going south from the Rotunda do Pêndulo. Keep straight ahead through the small roundabout that is past Hotel Montemar. Once you are past that roundabout, do NOT follow the Ponta da Piedade signs as instructed above. Keep straight ahead another 900 meters to the next roundabout, which is a junction of residential streets without prominent signs. Take the third departure (effectively a left turn). You will then be on Rua Aparício de Lima Palma. (There is a small and inconspicuous street sign.) Rua Aparício de Lima Palma is a dead-end street that is not quite 400 meters long. There are two side streets going off to the right (Rua das Urzes then Rua do Canavial), while the only side street to the left is the entrance to Cascade Wellness Resort. There are two places where you can park and access the beach.
First, assume you follow Rua Aparício de Lima Palma 100-150 meters and take the second possible right onto Rua do Canavial. Continue 100 meters to a "T" and turn left. Continue 100 meters to another "T" and turn left again. The street will end as it widens into a parking area (37.0853N, 8.6799W). Follow the footpath that begins straight ahead from the parking area. In less than 100 meters, you will reach the steps that descend to the beach, on your right.
Alternatively, assume you follow Rua Aparício de Lima Palma past the entrance to Cascade Wellness Resort and park along the side of the street near its dead end, around 37.0855N, 8.6784W. Facing the dead end of the street, follow the boardwalk to your right. The aforementioned solid residential fence wall will be on your right-hand side. In less than 50 meters, keep straight ahead onto a dirt path when the boardwalk curves leftward away from the wall. Round the bend of the wall and watch for the chain-link fence about 50 meters farther on, where the steps to the beach begin.
starting point:  Exit 1 (Lagos, Vila do Bispo) of the A-22 motorway near Lagos
Exit 1 is on the northern outskirts of Lagos, 3 kilometers east of the western terminus of A-22. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto a connector road that goes south toward Lagos. Follow that road a little over 4 kilometers until you reach a roundabout, which is the current junction with N-125. Two departures of the roundabout are signed Lagos. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, taking the departure signed simply Lagos. (The other Lagos departure—the one you do NOT want—has a city center symbol and is also signed Portimão.) In 700 meters you will reach another roundabout. Take the third departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed Lagos. When you leave the roundabout, you will be going east on what used to be N-125 before it was re-routed, and you may still encounter N-125 signs. Stay on the road for 2 kilometers, keeping straight ahead through two roundabouts. The third roundabout is the Rotunda do Pêndulo. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), then proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-22 Exit 1 to roadside parking (next to derelict property)
MAP from A-22 Exit 1 to parking (Rua do Canavial)
This placemark pertains to Praia dos Pinheiros and Praia do Canavial.

Rotunda do Pêndulo
This placemark pertains to Praia dos Pinheiros and Praia do Canavial.

Hotel Montemar

Abode furniture store

derelict property surrounded by fence

start of earthen steps to beach

staircase next to lighthouse (amazing views!)

entrance to Cascade Wellness Resort

entrance to port / mouth of Rio Bensafrim

Praia da Batata (textile)

Praia dos Estudantes (textile)

Praia do Pinhão (textile)

Praia da Dona Ana (textile)

Praia do Camilo (textile)

Praia da Balança (difficult access, but still textile)

Praia do Barranco do Martinho (difficult access, but still textile)

Praia do Porto Mós (textile)

road from Rotunda do Pêndulo to Praia do Porto Mós

roads to lighthouse

Rua Aparício de Lima Palma

Rua do Canavial

path & steps to Praia dos Pinheiros

steps to Praia do Canavial

dirt path

stairs next to lighthouse

part of residential fence wall

Praia das Cabanas Velhas

Praia das Cabanas Velhas
Located about halfway between Lagos and Vila do Bispo, Praia das Cabanas Velhas is a rural but easily accessible beach backed by beautiful cliffs. At low tide, it is a broad, sandy crescent that extends about 500 meters. At high tide, much of the beach disappears. The access point to the beach is near its west end, where there is a restaurant next to the parking lot, and that part of the beach is always textile. There are often a few nudists toward the east end of the beach. Or, if you walk in the opposite direction for several hundred meters, there is a narrow sliver of beach west of the main crescent of Cabanas Velhas that extends toward Forte de Almádena, a stone structure in ruins at the top of the bluff that dates to the 16th century. Nudity occasionally occurs on that sliver of beach, which completely disappears at high tide. Praia das Cabanas Velhas is often uncrowded enough that nudity can be practiced at the periphery, but if you visit on a day when the beach is particularly crowded, chances are there will be few or no nudists.
Vila do Bispo, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qPaUyZ
37.0906N, 8.7829W (turnoff toward Burgau, at kilometer 12.6 of N-125 between Lagos and Vila do Bispo)
The signed turnoff toward Burgau is located about 9 kilometers west of Lagos. Upon turning away from N-125, you will be heading south toward the coast. In 1.7 kilometers you will pass the Burgau village sign. Continue 400-500 meters, then turn right at the signs that point toward Boca do Rio, Cabanas Velhas and Forte de Almádena. At that point, you will be on a minor road that goes west toward Salema, roughly paralleling the coastline. Follow that road about 2.2 kilometers, then turn left at a brown Cabanas Velhas sign. (You have missed it by 750 meters if you reach the turnoff to Forte de Almádena.) The short gravel beach access road leads 300 meters to an earthen parking lot (37.0668N, 8.7954W). From the parking area, the short track to the beach is next to Cabanas Beach Restaurant. When you step onto the beach, the far east end of the beach is about 300 meters away (to your left when facing the ocean). Most nude bathing occurs toward that end.
starting point:  Exit 1 (Lagos, Vila do Bispo) of the A-22 motorway near Lagos
Exit 1 is on the northern outskirts of Lagos, 3 kilometers east of the western terminus of A-22. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto a connector road that goes south toward Lagos. Follow that road a little over 4 kilometers until you reach a roundabout. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), toward Vila do Bispo, Sagres and Luz. When you leave the roundabout, you will be heading west on N-125, and in 600-700 meters you will pass kilometer marker 20, with the marker numbers descending. Continue following Vila do Bispo signs at subsequent roundabouts to stay on N-125. 7 kilometers past marker 20, you will pass marker 13, shortly past which you will pass a concelho Vila do Bispo sign (which indicates you are entering the municipal limits of Vila do Bispo, NOT the town of Vila do Bispo). A few hundred meters farther on, turn toward the coast, following signs for Burgau. (It is an unusual type of junction where you will accomplish a left turn by first veering right then crossing over the lanes of N-125.) Proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Praia das Cabanas Velhas.

This placemark pertains to Praia das Cabanas Velhas.

municipal border signs (concelho Vila do Bispo, concelho Lagos)
This placemark pertains to Praia das Cabanas Velhas.

Burgau village sign

Cabanas Beach Restaurant

Forte de Almádena (ruins)

roads through Burgau

Praias da Figueira

Praias da Figueira
Figueira and Salema are nearby villages in the far southwest of Portugal, about halfway between Lagos and Cabo de São Vicente. Figueira is a small traditional village located about 1.5 kilometers inland from the coast. Just a few kilometers southeast of Figueira, Salema is along the coast, consisting of a traditional fishing village and a terraced hillside of modern dwellings. Next to the village, Praia da Salema is a popular sandy beach that is about one kilometer long. South of Figueira and west of Salema, there is a series of small sandy beaches that extends about 2 kilometers. At low tide, it is possible to explore all these beaches at sea level, at times walking through wet sand and clambering over boulders. However, the beaches become more distinct and isolated from one another as the tide comes in. One of the beaches—the one that is directly south of Figueira—is named Praia da Figueira, but we will refer to the entire chain of beaches as the Praias da Figueira since some of the individual names are not well known. Going from east to west, the five beaches in the chain are Praia da Santa, Praia da Figueira, Praia da Fóia do Carro, Praia de Blimunda e Baltasar and Praia das Furnas. Nude bathing occurs at all these beaches, which are wild and beautiful locations that are a bit off the beaten path and lacking in amenities.
The Praias da Figueira are backed by a cluster of rugged and rocky hills that are covered in scrub. The undulating hills rise as high as 70 meters above the ocean, and the rocks are multiple shades of yellow, red and orange. Two of the beaches, Praia da Figueira and Praia das Furnas, are situated at the end of creek beds that cut through the hills. There are two basic options to access the chain of beaches. You can park a bit south of Figueira and take a straightforward and fairly level hike through the creek bed to Praia da Figueira, or you can follow the gravel road that goes through the creek bed all the way to Praia das Furnas. While Praia da Figueira and Praia das Furnas are easy to access, a bit of effort is required to reach the other three beaches.
Praia da Figueira is about 250 meters long at low tide, and it usually has just a few dozen visitors during peak season, with much smaller crowds at other times. Nude bathing is well established, but textiles are typically a majority on more crowded days. If there are too many textiles about, go east (to the left when facing the ocean) to Praia da Santa, which is about 150 meters away on the other side of a hill. Extending about 75 meters, Praia da Santa is an isolated pocket of sand sheltered in an amphitheater of rock. The beach is often deserted and may have just a handful of visitors on days when Praia da Figueira is full of textiles. Anyone present at Praia da Santa is likely to be naked. If the tide is sufficiently out, you can clamber over boulders at sea level to get to Praia da Santa. Otherwise, hike over the hill, starting from where the creek bed opens out to the sand of Praia da Figueira. It is a hike of about 300 meters, with an elevation gain then loss of about 35 meters. At the top of the hill, you will pass through the ruins of Forte da Figueira, a defense structure dating to the 16th century.
At the west end of the chain of beaches, Praia das Furnas generally has slightly larger crowds than Praia da Figueira since it is possible to drive all the way there. Praia das Furnas is about 300 meters long at low tide. The western half of the beach is a broad plume of sand at the end of the creek bed, while the eastern half of the beach is much narrower, getting broken into several niches at high tide. There are caves and grottos along the eastern part of the beach, and toward the far eastern end there is a spectacular arch in the rock that is a natural portal through which you can pass. Depending on the tides, there may be dry sand, wet sand or water below the arch. As is the case at Praia da Figueira, textiles are usually in the majority at Praia das Furnas on more crowded days, but nudity actually seems a bit more prevalent at Praia das Furnas than at Praia da Figueira even though Praia das Furnas is the easier beach to access.
As the crow flies, the distance from Praia da Figueira to Praia das Furnas is about one kilometer, and there are two beaches along this expanse. Closer to Praia da Figueira, Praia da Fóia do Carro is about 300 meters long. Closer to Praia das Furnas, Praia de Blimunda e Baltasar is usually about 125 meters long, but its length is more variable with the tides. Both these beaches are often deserted or nearly so even when Praia da Figueira to Praia das Furnas have substantial crowds, and nude bathing is the norm at these isolated beaches.
Praia da Fóia do Carro is accessible regardless of the tides, and it is most quickly reached from Praia da Figueira. If the tide is sufficiently out, just go right when facing the ocean from the end of Praia da Figueira, going through a bit of wet sand and making your way over a few boulders. In a few hundred meters, Praia da Fóia do Carro is the next broad expanse of sand. If the tide prevents you from accessing the beach at sea level, then begin your hike where the creek bed opens out to the sand of Praia da Figueira. Facing the ocean, follow the path that goes steeply uphill to your right, then hike west over the hill above the coastline. The path remains fairly level atop the long hill for a while then descends into a ravine that opens out to Praia da Fóia do Carro. The total hike is about 650 meters, with an elevation gain and loss of about 65 meters. It is also possible to hike eastward over the hills to Praia da Fóia do Carro from Praia das Furnas, but the hike is much less straightforward, and the hiking distance increases to about 1.8 kilometers.
Unless you are an especially agile climber, the only reasonable access to Praia de Blimunda e Baltasar is at sea level since the rocky hillside against which the beach is wedged is quite steep. To go to the beach, go east (to the left when facing the ocean) from Praia das Furnas, keeping in mind that if the tide is in you will have to climb over some rocky outcrops and trudge through wet sand and shallow water. Once you pass through the aforementioned archway, continue about 150 meters until the sand broadens into Praia de Blimunda e Baltasar, which can actually be thought of as the most remote and hidden part of Praia das Furnas. At high tide, it will be difficult to hike even as far as the archway, and the trek should be avoided if the surf is rough.
37.0608N, 8.8400W (Praia da Figueira)
37.0590N, 8.8454W (Praia da Fóia do Carro)
37.0567N, 8.8502W (Praia de Blimunda e Baltasar)
37.0558N, 8.8521W (archway at east end of Praia das Furnas)
37.0553N, 8.8546W (Praia das Furnas)
Vila do Bispo, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45mdPhU
37.0742N, 8.8475W (roundabout near kilometer 6 of N-125 near Figueira)
There are two roundabouts along N-125 that have a departure signed Figueira, and those roundabouts are 1.2 kilometers apart. The location referenced above is the western of those two roundabouts, just west of kilometer marker 6. (The other roundabout, between kilometer markers 8 and 7, is next to the entrance to a golf resort.) Take the roundabout departure signed Figueira and Forte da Figueira.
To go to Praia das Furnas:
Upon departing the roundabout, continue less than 100 meters, then turn right at a brown Furnas sign. You will then be on a narrow asphalted road, going southwest. Proceed just over one kilometer, then turn left at a brown Praia das Furnas sign. (It is the second possible left you can make, not counting private driveways.) Upon turning, you will be on gravel roads the rest of the way to the beach. Proceed 800 meters and you will cross a very short bridge over a small creek that is usually dry. Immediately after the bridge, turn left at a three-way junction. You will then be on a road that parallels the creek bed. In about 500 meters you will reach the parking area at the end of the road (37.0567N, 8.8550W). Refer to the description above for more about hiking to the other beaches from Praia das Furnas.
To go to Praia da Figueira:
Upon departing the roundabout, proceed 400-500 meters, then turn right at a brown Figueira sign. (The turnoff is immediately before a bus stop. If you reach the right-hand turnoff toward Salema, you have missed the turn by about 50 meters.) The road is at first asphalted but turns to gravel. Follow it about 700 meters to a dirt parking area on the right (37.0681N, 8.8436W). After parking, continue on foot along the same road on which you were driving. The driveable part of the road continues a bit farther, but there is no parking farther along. In a few hundred meters, the road will narrow into a walking path that goes through a creek bed and takes you all the way to the beach. The total walk from the parking area to the beach is about 900 meters. Refer to the description above for more about hiking to the other beaches from Praia da Figueira.
Exit 1 is on the northern outskirts of Lagos, 3 kilometers east of the western terminus of A-22. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto a connector road that goes south toward Lagos. Follow that road a little over 4 kilometers until you reach a roundabout. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), toward Vila do Bispo, Sagres and Luz. When you leave the roundabout, you will be heading west on N-125, and in 600-700 meters you will pass kilometer marker 20, with the marker numbers descending. Continue following Vila do Bispo signs at subsequent roundabouts to stay on N-125. 12 kilometers past marker 20, you will pass marker 8 near the village of Budens. 700-800 meters farther on, you will reach the first (eastern) of the two roundabouts near Figueira, next to the entrance to Santo Antonio golf resort. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, continuing toward Vila do Bispo and Sagres. Continue 1.2 kilometers to the next roundabout, which is immediately past marker 6. Take the third departure (effectively a left turn) toward Figueira and Forte da Figueira, then proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-22 Exit 1 to parking (Praia das Furnas)
MAP from A-22 Exit 1 to parking (Praia da Figueira)
This placemark pertains to Praias da Figueira.

Praia da Santa
This placemark pertains to Praias da Figueira.

ruins of Forte da Figueira
This placemark pertains to Praias da Figueira.

Praia da Figueira

Praia da Fóia do Carro

Praia de Blimunda e Baltasar

arched opening in mass of rock

Praia das Furnas

very short bridge over creek

Praia da Salema (textile)

loop road through Figueiras

gravel road to Praia das Furnas

road toward Praia da Figueira (asphalted at start, turns to gravel)

part of hiking route over hills

chain of five nude beaches

Praia do Zavial

Praia do Zavial
Praia do Zavial is located about 6 kilometers southeast of the village of Vila do Bispo. Although not very big, Zavial draws both nudists and textiles, who gravitate toward opposite ends of the beach. The main expanse of the beach is about 350 meters long, and it can roughly be divided into thirds. When you arrive at the beach, you will be at its far west end. The western third of the beach, where the parking area and a restaurant are located, is an alluvial fan formed by the mouth of a stream, and the sand along that part of the beach extends considerably inland. That part of the beach is textile. As you walk east (to the left when facing the ocean), just beyond the alluvial fan you will be on the central third of the beach, which is also textile. A steep, rocky hill rises up behind the beach in the central area, where there is usually a cluster of sun beds and thatched umbrellas. As you continue east, you will see a low outcropping of rock that extends toward the ocean. Depending on the tide, you may be able to walk around the end of the outcropping, or you may have to step over it, but in either case it is an insignificant barrier that is very easy to cross. The low outcropping divides the central third of the beach from the eastern third, which is where nudists congregate. The eastern third is a somewhat deeper pocket of sand than the central part of the beach, and it is backed by a ravine. While the eastern third is often predominantly nudist, there can be a good bit of textile encroachment on peak days when the beach is especially crowded.
The eastern end of the main expanse of the beach is formed by a prominent protrusion of land with a scree of small boulders at its base. If you scramble across the boulders, which is not terribly hard to do, you will reach a hidden extension of the beach that is strewn with about half a dozen huge boulders and a number of smaller boulders. The hidden part of the beach extends about 250 meters, and it is also attended by nudists. It is much narrower than the main expanse of the beach. At high tide, all the huge boulders are surrounded by water and the hidden extension of the beach all but disappears. The main expanse of the beach also recedes substantially at high tide.
Vila do Bispo, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3E7qM32
37.0823N, 8.8899W (four-way intersection at kilometer 1.75 of N-125 in Raposeira)
Raposeira is a small village that is just a few kilometers east of the much larger village of Vila do Bispo. The signs along N-125 indicating you are entering or leaving Raposeira are just 700 meters apart. About halfway between those signs, there is a red light at the intersection referenced above, which is the only four-way intersection along N-125 in the village. Turn south toward the coast at the intersection, following the signs for Ingrina, Zavial, Hortas do Tabual and Monumentos Megalíticos.
Upon turning, follow the road south for 4.4 kilometers until you reach a mini-roundabout near the coast (37.0480N, 8.8723W). Keep straight ahead onto a cobbled road, which is signed Zavial. The cobbled road is just 100 or so meters long, dead ending at a restaurant that overlooks the beach. There is parking along the entire length of the cobbled road. If all the spaces are taken, backtrack a bit. There are parking shoulders along the asphalted road leading up to the mini-roundabout.
The restaurant is at the far western end of the beach. Facing the water, turn left and walk east a few hundred meters to reach the nude area at the opposite end. Nudity also occurs at the hidden coves just beyond the end of the main beach.
Exit 1 is on the northern outskirts of Lagos, 3 kilometers east of the western terminus of A-22. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto a connector road that goes south toward Lagos. Follow that road a little over 4 kilometers until you reach a roundabout. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), toward Vila do Bispo, Sagres and Luz. When you leave the roundabout, you will be heading west on N-125, and in 600-700 meters you will pass kilometer marker 20, with the marker numbers descending. Continue following Vila do Bispo signs at subsequent roundabouts to stay on N-125. 18 kilometers past marker 20, you will pass marker 2 about 100 meters past the Raposeira village sign. Just 200-400 meters farther on, you will reach the four-way intersection referenced above. Turn left and proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Praia do Zavial.

This placemark pertains to Praia do Zavial.

"Raposeira" village sign (entering going west, leaving going east)
This placemark pertains to Praia do Zavial.

red light at only four-way intersection along N-125 in Raposeira

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

road to Praia do Zavial

Praia do Beliche

Praia do Beliche
Praia do Beliche is located a bit west of the town of Sagres in the extreme southwest of Portugal. Situated below sheer cliffs, the entire beach is about 400 meters long. A protrusion of the cliffs divides the beach it into two coves that are roughly equal in size. Parking is directly above the beach about 45 meters above sea level, and the only access to the beach is a series of steps that lands at the eastern cove. At the bottom of the steps, a café is nestled against the cliff wall. The eastern cove of the beach is entirely textile. Facing the ocean, turn right and walk just a minute or two around the protrusion of the land and you will reach the western cove of the beach, which is where nude bathers gather. A grotto between the two parts of the beach is a popular photo op.
Be advised that the tide affects access to the half of the beach where nudity is possible. At low tide, there is dry sand in front of the protruding land, and the two coves are basically one continuous beach. At medium tide, the coves become more distinct, and you will have to cross wet sand to get from one to the other. At high tide, the coves are completely cut off from one another, and you will have to wade around the protruding land, which is inadvisable if the surf is rough. The western cove of the beach is usually empty at high tide. Otherwise, the western cove draws a mixed crowd of nudists and textiles, but textiles almost always outnumber nudists, and on particularly crowded days there may be no nudists at all.
Praia do Beliche is the westernmost beach of Portugal's southern coastline. It is just a few kilometers east of Cabo de São Vicente, the "Land's End" headland that forms the southwestern tip of Portugal—and all of Europe, for that matter.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/47KEg28
37.0078N, 8.9451W (roundabout along N-268 in Sagres)
N-268 is the only road into Sagres, and the location referenced above is the primary junction in the small town. At the roundabout, take the departure signed Cabo de São Vicente, Forte do Beliche and praias. When you leave the roundabout, you will still be on N-268, but there is a general dearth of signage with the road number. You will be heading northwest, with the ocean on your left-hand side. There is little development on either side of the road. Follow the road 2.6 kilometers to a brown Beliche sign, then turn left into a dirt parking lot that overlooks the ocean (37.0262N, 8.9623W). (The parking lot is 3.2 kilometers before N-268 dead ends at the Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse.)
The parking lot is directly above the eastern cove of the beach, and a gradual series of steps leads toward the beach, with a steeper staircase providing the final descent. You will land on the eastern cove. Facing the ocean, turn right and go around the rocky projection of land to the western cove, which is the nudist part of the beach.
Exit 1 is on the northern outskirts of Lagos, 3 kilometers east of the western terminus of A-22. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto a connector road that goes south toward Lagos. Follow that road a little over 4 kilometers until you reach a roundabout. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), toward Vila do Bispo, Sagres and Luz. When you leave the roundabout, you will be heading west on N-125, and in 600-700 meters you will pass kilometer marker 20, with the marker numbers descending. Continue following Vila do Bispo signs at subsequent roundabouts to stay on N-125. In 20 kilometers, just keep straight ahead when you pass kilometer marker 0. The road number will change to N-268 as you continue southwest toward Sagres (but the kilometer markers along N-268 are old and very difficult to read). 7.6 kilometers farther on, you will pass the Sagres town sign. Continue 1.4 kilometers to the roundabout that is the primary junction in Sagres, then proceed as directed above.
This placemark pertains to Praia do Beliche.

Sagres town sign
This placemark pertains to Praia do Beliche.

This placemark pertains to Praia do Beliche.

café

Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse

Praia da Cordoama

Praia da Cordoama
A few kilometers west of Vila do Bispo, over the coastal hills, there is a long stretch of beach that spans a little over 3 kilometers. There are three parking areas that are roughly evenly spaced along that span, and there are three proper names associated with the beach: Castelejo, Cordoama and Barriga. Praia do Castelejo is the southern segment of the beach. It is accessed via an asphalted road that ends in an asphalted parking lot, next to which there is a restaurant. Praia da Cordoama is the middle area of the beach. It is also accessed via an asphalted road that ends in an asphalted parking lot, and there is also a restaurant. Praia da Barriga is the northern segment of the beach, and it is more remote compared to the other two segments. It is accessed by a gravel road, and there are no amenities. A large collection of rock formations that is just offshore defines the boundary of Castelejo and Cordoama. The boundary between Cordoama and Barriga is less defined.
Most beach visitors cluster near the parking lot of either Castelejo or Cordoama. Those two areas are textile. As you move away from the two concentrations of textiles, the beach quickly becomes depopulated, and the rest of the beach has nudist potential. The segment of the beach between Cordoama and Barriga is the part of the beach that is most likely to have nude bathers. However, it is more of a beach where nudity is possible than it is a well-established nude beach, so you are unlikely to encounter more than a scattering of nudists. Even though nude bathing occurs in the area where Cordoama and Barriga blend together, Cordoama is the name more associated with the nude area of the beach. That is simply because there are prominent signs pointing the way to Praia da Cordoama, so Cordoama is just the more familiar name.
As the crow flies, the parking areas for Cordoama and Barriga are 1.2 kilometers apart. If you park at Praia da Cordoama, head north toward Barriga until you are beyond the crowd. If you park at Praia da Barriga, you may find the beach to be sufficiently deserted that you can strip right away. Otherwise, head south toward Cordoama for several hundred meters before stripping down. If you go north from the Barriga access, you will quickly reach a prominent headland. At low tide, you can skirt around the headland, where there is a chain of hidden niches that extend more than a kilometer. Those niches are also potentially nudist since they are likely to be deserted. Just keep an eye on the tide if you explore the isolated beaches so you don't get trapped.
Castelejo, Cordoama and Barriga are worthwhile for the scenery alone. The drive to the beaches through the coastal hills is beautiful, and all three beaches are backed by spectacular cliffs.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KSIo6p
37.0812N, 8.9115W (roundabout at southwest corner of Vila do Bispo, next to fire station)
Vila do Bispo is a small and very compact town that is more or less at the center of the municipality of the same name. Two numbered roads, N-125 and N-268, come together in Vila do Bispo at an irregular junction that defies a concise description. However you arrive in Vila do Bispo, you can't help but find the roundabout referenced above. The roundabout has an abstract sculpture in its median comprised in part of intersecting metal arches. Head north from the roundabout, following the brown praias sign. In 250 meters you will reach a much smaller roundabout that is the only other roundabout in Vila do Bispo. It has several stone sculptures in its median. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), again following the brown signs that point toward several beaches. Just 100 meters farther on, keep to the right at a fork next to A Eira do Mel restaurant to continue toward the beaches. (There are more signs pointing the way.)
After the restaurant, you will head out of Vila do Bispo on an asphalted road that takes you over the coastal hills. Follow the road about 2.5 kilometers to a signed three-way junction. The road straight ahead continues about a kilometer, ending at Praia do Castelejo. Turn right at the junction, following signs for Praia da Cordoama. In 250 meters you will reach a fork. The gravel road to the left leads about 900 meters to a worthwhile scenic overlook that is about 100 meters above Praia da Cordoama, but keep to the right at the fork (staying on the asphalted road) to continue to the beach access. About 900 meters farther on, keep straight ahead at a three-way junction. Continue about 500 meters to the end of the road at an asphalted parking lot next to the beach (37.1091N, 8.9359W). Facing the ocean, turn right and walk north on the beach until you are beyond the textiles.
Exit 1 is on the northern outskirts of Lagos, 3 kilometers east of the western terminus of A-22. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto a connector road that goes south toward Lagos. Follow that road a little over 4 kilometers until you reach a roundabout. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), toward Vila do Bispo, Sagres and Luz. When you leave the roundabout, you will be heading west on N-125, and in 600-700 meters you will pass kilometer marker 20, with the marker numbers descending. Continue following Vila do Bispo signs at subsequent roundabouts to stay on N-125. 19 kilometers past marker 20, you will pass marker 1. There are two upcoming departures signed Vila do Bispo. 600 meters past marker 1, keep straight ahead past an exit signed Vila do Bispo and Aljezur. A few hundred meters farther on you will pass marker 0★ as you cross under an overpass. About 200 meters farther on, take the next possible right at a Vila do Bispo sign. Just after turning you will enter the roundabout next to the fire station. Keep straight ahead and continue as directed above.
★ After marker 0, N-125 becomes N-268 going southwest toward Sagres, while N-268 going north toward Aljezur is accessed from either of the two Vila do Bispo departures from N-125.
ACCESS TO PRAIA DA BARRIGA
While it is possible to follow well-signed asphalted roads all the way to Praia da Cordoama, Praia da Barriga is accessible only by poorly signed gravel roads. There are two ways to get there. The easier way is to follow a fairly straightforward gravel road that leaves from N-268 north of Vila do Bispo. The more challenging way is to proceed almost all the way to Praia da Cordoama then follow a curvy gravel road over the hills.
First, the easier way: From the roundabout next to the fire station, head toward Aljezur on N-268. (If you pass an Alves Bandeira gas station and car wash on your right shortly after departing the roundabout, you are going the correct direction.) Continue following Aljezur signs to stay on N-268 as you head north out of Vila do Bispo. 2.3 kilometers from the roundabout, turn left onto a gravel road at a perímetro florestal sign (37.0982N, 8.9107W). (It is the first signed turnoff once you leave Vila do Bispo.) In just 50 meters you will reach a three way junction next to the gate of a private residence. Turn left. At that point, you will be on a road that goes all the way to the coast—a distance of not quite 3 kilometers. Just stay straight ahead on the widest road at a few junctions along the way. The road is fairly level a little over halfway to the coast, then it begins going downhill. The road ends at an informal parking area next to Praia da Barriga (37.1184N, 8.9285W).
Next, the harder way: Follow the directions above most of the way to Praia da Cordoama, until you get to the three-way junction (37.1049N, 8.9337W) near Praia da Cordoama—the junction that is 900 meters past the fork to the scenic overlook but 500 meters before the parking lot at the end of the road. Turn right at the junction. You will be on a road that is asphalted for less than 50 meters, then it turns to gravel as it begins to wind through the hills. Keep straight ahead at all junctions with minor tracks. In about 1.6 kilometers, you will reach the only potentially confusing fork (37.1075N, 8.9289W). Keep to the left. Continue about 800 meters to a "T" with the gravel road (described above) that connects N-268 to Praia da Barriga. Turn left and follow the road downhill about a kilometer to Praia da Barriga.
MAP from A-22 Exit 1 to parking (Praia da Cordoama)
MAP from A-22 Exit 1 to parking (Praia da Barriga, via perímetro florestal road)
MAP from A-22 Exit 1 to parking (Praia da Barriga, via road to Praia da Cordoama)
This placemark pertains to Praia da Cordoama.

roundabout next to fire station
This placemark pertains to Praia da Cordoama.

Alves Bandeira gas station & car wash
This placemark pertains to Praia da Cordoama.

A Eira do Mel restaurant

signed turnoff to Praia da Cordoama

parking lot at Praia do Castelejo

rocks between Praia do Castelejo & Praia da Cordoama

turnoff from N-268 signed "perímetro florestal"

parking lot at Praia da Cordoama

parking area at Praia da Barriga

headland at north end of Praia da Barriga

road from Vila do Bispo to Praia do Castelejo

side road to Praia da Cordoama

Praia da Murração

Praia da Murração
Near the village of Carrapateira, Praia do Amado is a popular and often crowded beach with a huge parking lot, several snack stands and even a surf school. The beach has particular renown as a surfing location. The next beach going south, Praia da Murração, is a complete contrast, drawing small crowds and having no amenities. The access points to Praia do Amado and Praia da Murração are about 1.5 kilometers apart as the crow flies, but the hilly terrain of the area is such that the driving distance between the two beaches is about 15 kilometers. Praia da Murração is a postcard-perfect pocket of sand with a length that varies from about 150 to 300 meters, depending on the tide. The beach is accessed by an unsigned gravel road that becomes a bit rough toward its end, and the bucolic feel of the beach is enhanced by the occasional sight of sheep grazing on the hillside. Due to its isolation, Praia da Murração gets some nude use, especially on weekdays, but nudity patterns are too variable for it to be described as a well-established nude beach. The nudist potential is best on days when there are half a dozen or fewer vehicles parked near the beach. The more parked cars there are, the more likely the beach is to be entirely textile. If there are only textiles present and the tide is sufficiently out, you may find enough seclusion for nude bathing at either extreme of the beach.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KSHM0F
37.1193N, 8.8925W (turnoff from N-268 toward coast, opposite wind farm between Vila do Bispo and Carrapateira)
Vila do Bispo and Aljezur are small towns that are about 34 kilometers apart, and each is roughly at the center of a municipality of the same name. Going north out of the town of Vila do Bispo on N-268, it is 9 to 10 kilometers to the municipal border, which is signed concelho Aljezur on one side and concelho Vila do Bispo on the other. (Concelho is the word for "municipality." The village of Carrapateira is about 4 kilometers north of the border.) There are no kilometer markers along the rural stretch between Vila do Bispo and the municipal border. Among the few landmarks, there is a picnic area on the coast side of the road about 4 kilometers north of Vila do Bispo, then there is a wind farm a bit farther north, on the inland side of the road. A broad gravel road intersects N-268 at the southern edge of the wind farm, 600-700 meters north of the picnic area. The gravel road going toward the coast at that intersection is the turnoff referenced above.
Upon turning away from N-268, you will be on a road that goes all the way to Praia da Murração—a distance of 4.8 kilometers. Most of the road is not challenging. At first it is level, then it begins to go downhill very gradually, then it makes a steep final descent to the beach. It is best to have a four-wheel-drive vehicle for the last part of the road, particularly for the momentum to climb back up. After following the road for 4.1 kilometers, you will reach a fork as you near the beach (37.1505N, 8.9048W). The fork is about 95 meters above sea level. To avoid driving along the worst part of the road, leave your car nearby and do the last bit on foot. From the fork, the wider road to the right goes steeply downhill for 700 meters, ending in an informal parking area that directly abuts the beach (37.1549N, 8.9078W). (At the fork, the road to the left stays fairly level and continues 300-400 meters to an overlook above the beach.)
Exit 1 is on the northern outskirts of Lagos, 3 kilometers east of the western terminus of A-22. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto a connector road that goes south toward Lagos. Follow that road a little over 4 kilometers until you reach a roundabout. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), toward Vila do Bispo, Sagres and Luz. When you leave the roundabout, you will be heading west on N-125, and in 600-700 meters you will pass kilometer marker 20, with the marker numbers descending. Continue following Vila do Bispo signs at subsequent roundabouts to stay on N-125. 19 kilometers past marker 20, you will pass marker 1. About 600 meters past marker 1, take the exit signed Vila do Bispo and Aljezur. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right toward Aljezur. You will then begin going north on N-268. Proceed about 4 kilometers and watch for a picnic area on the left side of the road. It is marked by a blue-and-white "P" parking sign with images of a tree and and a picnic table. Continue another 600-700 meters and turn left onto an unsigned gravel road. (It is the second possible left you can make after the picnic area. Approaching the turnoff, you will see a few wind turbines above the tree line straight ahead, with an array of turbines off to your right.) Proceed as directed above.
MAP A-22 Exit 1 to parking (next to beach)
This placemark pertains to Praia da Murração.

picnic area
This placemark pertains to Praia da Murração.

wind turbine closest to turnoff toward beach
This placemark pertains to Praia da Murração.

municipal border signs (concelho Aljezur, concelho Vila do Bispo)

parking uphill from beach

parking area at end of road (4wd recommended)

Praia do Amado (textile, popular with surfers)

gravel road to scenic overlook

Praia da Bordeira

Praia da Bordeira
A small stream called the Ribeira da Carrapateira flows into the ocean just north of the village of Carrapateira. Praia da Bordeira is a long sandy beach that extends northward from the stream for about 3 kilometers. The beach has a very distinctive geography. The southern third of the beach is a vast expanse of sand that extends inland several hundred meters, covering about 50 hectares. It is a somewhat Saharan landscape, but the gently rolling dunes are very low. There are two parking areas next to the southern area of the beach, both on the other side of the stream from the beach. To get to the beach, it is necessary to wade through the stream, which is not bridged. The stream has water all year, but it is generally quite shallow during summer. Despite the requisite wading, the beach is quite popular, with the crowd concentrating near the small snack stand that is near the stream. Going north from the huge tract of sand, a prominent mass of red rock projects toward the ocean in the area where the beach narrows. The rocky mass is in the intertidal zone, so you may be able to walk past it on dry sand or you may have to climb over the lowest part of it at its seaward end. Beyond the rocky outcrop, it is about 2 kilometers to the northern end of the beach. This expanse of the beach is backed by rugged rocky hills, and at low tide it is quite broad even though it is much narrower than the part of the beach nearest the stream.
The only access to Praia da Bordeira is at its southern end, and from there it is a rather long walk across the beach to the mass of red rock, then even more walking is necessary to explore the northern realm of the beach. Thus, the beach tends to become more deserted the farther north you go. Nude bathing is common. The rocky outcrop is the landmark that loosely indicates the start of the nude area. On sparsely attended days, nudity may be possible a bit before the outcrop. On very crowded days, you may have to walk several hundred meters past the outcrop before you encounter the first nudists. Whatever the case, nudists tend to be few in number and quite spread out. Even on the most crowded days you can find seclusion from textiles if you walk far enough.
Aljezur, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/44mcd6v
37.1870N, 8.8930W (turnoff from N-268 to Praia da Bordeira in Carrapateira)
The small village of Carrapateira is located about 14 kilometers north of Vila do Bispo and 21 kilometers south of Aljezur. The signed turnoff to Praia da Bordeira is at the northern edge of the village, marked by brown signs pointing toward Bordeira and Pontal da Carrapateira. There are two parking options, both of which are next to the stream that must be crossed to access the beach. Upon turning, proceed 1.2 kilometers. There is a large earthen parking lot on the right (37.1926N, 8.9023W). Or, continue past the earthen lot another 800-900 meters. Just before the road turns to gravel, there is a short side road going off to the right (37.1969N, 8.9080W). The road ends in a turnaround loop, and there is pull-in parking along the short road and leading up to it.
If you park in the earthen lot, you will be 400-500 meters inland from the ocean when you wade across the stream. Head across the vast expanse of sand, going north (to the right when facing the ocean) to the rocky outcrop where the beach narrows.
If you park along or near the short side road, proceed to the turnaround loop, which overlooks the beach from an elevation of about 30 meters. Two boardwalks leave from the turnaround loop. Facing the beach, follow the boardwalk that is farther right. (The other boardwalk runs atop a rocky mass called the Pontal da Carrapateira, ending at a scenic overlook.) The boardwalk goes downhill for 150 meters to the stream. When you wade across, you will be near the mouth of the stream at the ocean. Head north across the beach to the rocky outcrop.
The walking distance to the rocky outcrop is about 1.2 kilometers if you park near the turnaround loop. If you park in the earthen lot, the walk will be a few hundred meters farther. The part of the beach beyond the outcrop offers ample space for nudity.
Exit 1 is on the northern outskirts of Lagos, 3 kilometers east of the western terminus of A-22. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto a connector road that goes south toward Lagos. Follow that road a little over 4 kilometers until you reach a roundabout. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), toward Vila do Bispo, Sagres and Luz. When you leave the roundabout, you will be heading west on N-125, and in 600-700 meters you will pass kilometer marker 20, with the marker numbers descending. Continue following Vila do Bispo signs at subsequent roundabouts to stay on N-125. 19 kilometers past marker 20, you will pass marker 1. About 600 meters past marker 1, take the exit signed Vila do Bispo and Aljezur. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right toward Aljezur. You will then begin going north on N-268. In 9.4 kilometers you will pass a large concelho Aljezur sign, which indicates you are entering the municipal limits of Aljezur (not the town of Aljezur). 3.8 kilometers farther on, you will pass the Carrapateira village sign. Continue 750 meters to the opposite end of the small village, then turn left at the brown signs that point toward Bordeira and Pontal da Carrapateira. (The turnoff is immediately before the sign that indicates you are leaving Carrapateira.) Proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-22 Exit 1 to parking (in earthen lot)
This placemark pertains to Praia da Bordeira.

"Carrapateira" village sign (entering going north, leaving going south)
This placemark pertains to Praia da Bordeira.

"Carrapateira" village sign (leaving going north, entering going south)
This placemark pertains to Praia da Bordeira.

short bridge over Ribeira da Carrapateira

wade through stream

Pontal da Carrapateira scenic overlook

outcrop of red rock

road through parking area

Praia de Vale Figueiras

Praia de Vale Figueiras
Praia de Vale Figueiras is a rather isolated beach located about 15 kilometers southwest of Aljezur, which is the nearest town of any significant size. The sandy beach is backed by rugged cliffs of the coastal hills. The pastoral road to the beach winds through the gently rolling hills, ending next to the beach where a small valley opens out to the ocean. Praia de Vale Figueiras is lacking in amenities, and it draws small crowds during summer but is otherwise sparsely attended. The area near the access point is textile, and a good many surfers are often present. Nudists gravitate toward the periphery, mainly south of the main beach. It is difficult to precisely pinpoint a nude area since the beach changes significantly with the tides. Furthermore, the nudist presence is small and inconsistent.
From the access point, assume you head south (to the left when facing the ocean). Nudity is possible once you are beyond the textiles. The GPS location above is an area about 200 meters south of the access point, and you should be able to walk at least that far even at high tide, but you should probably go a bit farther if possible. You can potentially walk up to 1.2 kilometers to explore the isolated niches at the far south end of the beach. Alternatively, assume you go north from the main beach. The small beach in the next valley is called Praia do Penedo, 500-600 meters away, and if the tide is sufficiently out you can go all the way there. Praia do Penedo is basically just the north end of Praia de Vale Figueiras. It is usually deserted and potentially nudist, but it does not have a regular nudist presence.
Be sure to mind the tides, especially if you explore the south end of the beach. Should you get trapped at Praia do Penedo, just follow the footpath through the valley that opens out to the beach. In about a kilometer, you will connect to the Praia de Vale Figueiras access road.
Aljezur, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45zYg5O
37.2378N, 8.8265W (turnoff from N-268 toward Praia de Vale Figueiras, between Aljezur and Carrapateira)
The town of Aljezur is roughly in the center of the municipality of the same name. The turnoff to Praia de Vale Figueiras is about 10 kilometers south of the town of Aljezur and 11 kilometers north of Carrapateira, a village toward the far southern end of the municipality. The turnoff is marked by a brown Praia sign as well as by signs pointing toward Chabouco, Monte Novo and Vale Figueires.
Upon turning, you will be on a road that goes all the way to the beach—a distance of just under 5 kilometers. For most of its length, the narrow road is asphalted but badly weathered, and along the way you will pass through the hamlets of Chabouco and Monte Novo, neither of which is signed. There are two potentially confusing forks. Otherwise, keep straight ahead at all other junctions. 800-900 meters after turning away from N-268, you will reach a fork (37.2406N, 8.8349W) at the far end of Chabouco. Keep to the left. 1.5 kilometers farther on, you will reach another fork (37.2389N, 8.8471W) in Monte Novo. Keep to the right. From that point, it is about 2.5 kilometers to the end of the road, and part of that stretch is gravel. As you near the beach, you will begin to see blue-and-white "P" parking panels along the final 400 meters of the road, which is newly asphalted (since 2014). On crowded days, you may have to park uphill where you first start to see the panels. Otherwise, continue downhill and park as close as possible to the end of the road (37.2476N, 8.8671W). From the end of the road, a short boarded walkway descends to the beach. Going in either direction, head away from the landing of the walkway for at least a few hundred meters to explore the nudist potential of the beach.
starting point:  the western terminus of the A-22 motorway near Bensafrim
A-22 is the 133-kilometer-long motorway that parallels the southern coastline of Portugal for most of its length, running from the Spanish border in the east to the village of Bensafrim (near Lagos) in the west. If you follow the motorway west to its terminus near Bensafrim, you will reach a roundabout that forms the junction with N-120. At the roundabout, take the departure that is signed Aljezur and Sines. You will then begin heading north on N-120.
After following N-120 for 8.3 kilometers, you will pass a large white-and-blue concelho Aljezur sign that has a list of attractions (costa Vicentina, praias, castelo, percursos pedestres). This is the sign that indicates you are entering the municipality of Aljezur (NOT the town of Aljezur). The sign is located in a hamlet called Espinhaço de Cão, but there are not any prominent signs with the name of the hamlet. You will know you are getting close when you begin to see a number of wind turbines. Less than 100 meters past the concelho Aljezur sign, turn left at signs for Monte Ruivo and Alfambras.
Once you turn, you will be heading west on a minor, unnumbered road that basically serves as a shortcut★ that connects N-120 and N-268. Follow the road for 5.1 kilometers to a stop sign at the junction with N-268. Turn right onto N-268, following the sign for Aljezur.
Follow N-268 north for slightly less than one kilometer, then turn left at the signs for Chabouco, Monte Novo and Vale Figueires and proceed as directed above.
★ If you continue north on N-120 past Espinhaço de Cão instead of taking the shortcut, then about 6 kilometers farther on you will reach the left-hand turnoff onto N-120. Follow N-268 south for 2.6 kilometers, then the turnoff toward Chabouco, Monte Novo and Vale Figueires will be on your right. Taking the shortcut saves about 2.6 kilometers.
MAP from A-22 terminus to parking
MAP from A-22 terminus to parking, but without the shortcut
This placemark pertains to Praia de Vale Figueiras.

turnoff from N-268 toward Chabouco, Monte Novo & Vale Figueires
This placemark pertains to Praia de Vale Figueiras.

fork in hamlet of Chabouco
This placemark pertains to Praia de Vale Figueiras.

fork in hamlet of Monte Novo

Praia do Penedo (usually deserted, potentially nudist)

far south end of Praia de Vale Figueiras at low tide

road from N-268 to Praia de Vale Figueiras

Praia das Adegas

Praia das Adegas
Praia de Odeceixe is a beach at the mouth of a river called the Ribeira de Seixe, several kilometers from the inland village of Odeceixe. The river makes a big curve just before it empties into the ocean, and the result of that curve is that Praia de Odeceixe is a peninsula of sand, with the ocean on one side and the river on the other. Praia de Odeceixe is a very popular textile beach that is the northernmost beach of the Algarve. The river forms the border between the Algarve and the Alentejo.
At the south end of Praia de Odeceixe, a rocky mass separates it from a cove called Praia das Adegas, which is a sheltered beach that is surrounded by walls of rock on three sides. Adegas is one of just a handful of beaches in Portugal that is signed as a nude beach. It has been officially designated for naturist use since 2004. Adegas spans about 200 meters at low tide but shrinks to about half that length at high tide. At low tide, it is possible to skirt around the rocky mass that separates Adegas from Odeceixe, but the beaches are cut off from one another at high tide. However, Adegas is always accessible since there is a long staircase that descends directly to the beach.
At the south end of the main cove of Adegas (where the staircase lands), there is another rocky land mass, beyond which there are a few more small coves that collectively span about 250 meters. Those coves are also frequented by nudists, but attendance is light compared to the main cove of Adegas since there are no stairs and access takes a bit of effort. You can skirt around the rocks at low tide to reach the other coves, or you can survey them from above to find the best way to climb down the rocks.
Adegas is a popular beach that is by far the best attended of the nude beaches that are along the west-facing part of the Algarve coastline. (All the other west-facing nude beaches of the Algarve are really better described as beaches with nudist potential, while Adegas is a bona fide nude beach.) There are no amenities at Adegas. However, there is a small cluster of white houses and other structures that overlooks Praia de Odeceixe, and there is a small selection of eateries amid those buildings. There is a tourist "train" (i.e., the kind that doesn't run on tracks) that shuttles passengers back and forth between the village of Odeceixe and Praia de Odeceixe during peak season.
Aljezur, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3OMOJBr
37.4336N, 8.7667W (turnoff from N-120 toward Praia de Odeceixe in Odeceixe)
The turnoff referenced above is marked by a brown Odeceixe sign, and it is immediately south of a bridge that spans the Seixe River. There is a brown Ribeira de Seixe sign at either end of the bridge. If you are going north on N-120, the turnoff is the last left you can make before the bridge. If you are going south on N-120, the turnoff is the first right you can make after crossing the bridge.
Upon turning, you will be on a road that winds through farmland, roughly paralleling the Seixe River. The river will be on your right-hand side, but along much of the drive the river is not readily visible. As you get closer to the coast, the river will come into better view. After following the road for 2.6 kilometers, take note when you reach a three-way junction where a sign directs traffic to keep straight ahead and another sign indicates that a left turn is prohibited. From that point, the road becomes a loop (parts of which are one way) that winds through several beach parking areas. Continue about 700 meters to another three-way junction where you have the option of keeping straight ahead or turning left. You can go either way to get to the large dirt lot that is the closest parking option for Praia das Adegas.
First, assume you turn left at the three-way junction. Just after turning, keep straight ahead through a large roundabout. Just after the roundabout, you will see the large dirt lot on the left. Keep straight ahead past the first entrance into the dirt lot, continuing a bit farther until the asphalt ends. Just past the point where the road turns to gravel, you will reach the start of the path to Praia das Adegas on the right (37.4377N, 8.7989W). The path is marked by a multi-lingual sign indicating that nude bathing is permitted. Just after the sign, you can turn left to enter the dirt lot from its far end. The path to the beach begins as a broad gravel track, with a long wooden staircase providing the final descent. The total walk is about 200 meters.
Alternatively, assume you keep straight ahead at the three-way junction. From that point, there is parking all long the road for Praia de Odeceixe. Shortly the road will pass through a cluster of white houses and other buildings that overlook the textile beach. There are a few eateries amid those buildings. Once you pass the last building, continue 250-300 meters and you will pass a scenic overlook above Praia das Adegas. Just over 100 meters past the overlook, take the next possible right. The road will turn to gravel and you will be at the start of the path to Praia das Adegas.
starting point:  the western terminus of the A-22 motorway near Bensafrim
A-22 is the 133-kilometer-long motorway that parallels the southern coastline of Portugal for most of its length, running from the Spanish border in the east to the village of Bensafrim (near Lagos) in the west. If you follow the motorway west to its terminus near Bensafrim, you will reach a roundabout that forms the junction with N-120. At the roundabout, take the departure that is signed Aljezur and Sines. You will then begin heading north on N-120.
Follow N-120 for 21-22 kilometers to a roundabout in Aljezur, then follow signs for Odeceixe, Sines and Lisboa to stay on N-120. Continue north another 9-10 kilometers to Maria Vinagre, which is the last village before Odeceixe. Once you pass the sign that indicates you are leaving Maria Vinagre, continue 3.2 kilometers and take note when you see signs pointing left toward Malhadais, Moinho and Odeceixe, but do NOT turn there. Continuing north, N-120 will become very curvy. 1.7 kilometers farther on, there is a white sign pointing left toward Odeceixe, but do NOT turn there either. Continue about 200 meters and take the next left at the brown Odeceixe sign, which is just before the Seixe River. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-22 terminus to parking
This placemark pertains to Praia das Adegas.

bridge over Seixe River
This placemark pertains to Praia das Adegas.

start of road to Praia de Odeceixe at N125
This placemark pertains to Praia das Adegas.

large dirt parking lot

cluster of beaches south of Praia das Adegas (nudity possible, but difficult access)

Praia de Odeceixe (textile)

road from N125 toward Praia de Odeceixe (two-way traffic)

road segment (one-way traffic)

road segment (two-way traffic)

Alentejo

Praia da Amalia

Praia da Amalia
Praia da Amalia is located along the far southern end of the Alentejo coastline, just a few kilometers north of the border with the Algarve region. The beach is hidden away in a rural area, not especially close to any major towns or villages. Although off the radar of most tourists, Amalia is beloved by those in the know. A small crescent-shaped cove about 200 meters in length, it is a beach of exceptional beauty, backed by grassy cliffs. Because the beach is about 500 meters away from the nearest road or parking, it feels very secluded, and a waterfall that gently cascades down the rocks at the south end of the beach tops off it charms.
Praia da Amalia is not a well-established nude beach. It is rather a beach with nudist potential, where nude bathing is known to occur sporadically. Amalia is a bit off the beaten path, it lacks any amenities, and there are no signs pointing the way. Furthermore, while the hike to the beach is not difficult, it does involve going down lots of steps, and there is not a handrail except for the final descent. Thus, it is often empty or nearly so, especially on weekdays. If you happen to visit on a day when the beach is rather crowded, you are unlikely to encounter nudists. When there are just a few visitors, nudity is fairly common but not necessarily the norm. Nudity is more likely to occur toward the north end of the beach (to the right when facing the ocean).
There are just a handful of beaches in Portugal that are officially designated nude beaches. Oddly enough, Praia da Amalia is located between two of them: Praia dos Alteirinhos is to the north and Praia das Adegas is to the south. Each beach is just 4 to 5 kilometers away from Amalia as the crow flies. To get to Alteirinhos from Amalia, it is about 18-19 kilometers by car if you backtrack to the highway (N-120), but it is less than 9 kilometers if you take a shortcut through Carvalhal (https://bit.ly/3E5nwF9 map of shortcut). To get to Adegas, it is about 13 kilometers by car (https://bit.ly/3YJ1UrE map). So, if you visit Amalia on a day when conditions are not favorable for nudity, remember that you have two back-up options near at hand where nudity is always an option.
Odemira, Beja, Alentejo, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3sd90IP
37.4670N, 8.7508W (turnoff from N-120 toward Azenha do Mar, between Odeceixe and São Teotónio)
N-120 is a north-south highway that runs about 180 kilometers, from Lagos at its south end to Alcácer do Sal at its north end. It is the major route that parallels the coastline through the region of Alentejo, and the two largest towns along the route are Odemira and Santiago do Cacém. The turnoff named above is signed Carvalhal, Brejão and Azenha do Mar. It is about 52 kilometers north of Lagos and about 20 kilometers south of Odemira. If you are going north on N-120, start watching for the turnoff when you cross the bridge over the Ribeira de Odeceixe just past the village of Odeceixe. After the bridge, continue 4.8 kilometers, then turn left toward Azenha do Mar. If you are going south on N-120, start watching for the turnoff at the roundabout that is near the village of São Teotónio. (One departure of the roundabout is signed São Teotónio and another is signed Zambujeira do Mar.) From the roundabout, continue south on N-120 another 6.5 kilometers, then turn right toward Azenha do Mar.
Once you turn, you will be heading west toward the coast. In 1.1 kilometers, you will pass a small white Brejão locality sign (next to a water tower). About one kilometer farther on, the road will fork. Keep to the left, staying on the main road, which is signed Azenha do Mar. (The other fork is signed Carvalhal.) At the fork, take note of your car's trip meter. Continue another 1.5 kilometers, then veer right onto a gravel road (37.4784N, 8.7841W). (The road is not signed. If you pass Casa da Seiceira, a rural inn that is on the left side of the paved road, you have just barely missed the turn. Casa da Seiceira is a long white building with blue trim and an orange tile roof.)
Follow the gravel road 600-700 meters through agricultural land full of greenhouses until you reach a fence wall that is straight ahead. Park along the road near the fence (37.4809N, 8.7904W).
Facing the fence wall, head to your left and follow the path that at first runs alongside the fence. As you start along the path, you will be about 55 meters above sea level. At first the path is level, then it bends toward the ocean and begins to go gradually downhill through a lushly vegetated gully. As you near the ocean, the path becomes steeper, with lots of stone steps along the final descent. The total walk is about 500 meters.
MAP from Lagos to parking
MAP from Odemira to parking
This placemark pertains to Praia da Amalia.

start of road to Azenha do Mar at N-120
This placemark pertains to Praia da Amalia.

"Brejão" locality sign
This placemark pertains to Praia da Amalia.

fork in Brejão

Casa da Seiceira (rural inn)

parking alongside fence

"Azenha do Mar" locality sign

waterfall

road from N-120 to Azenha do Mar

Praia dos Alteirinhos

Praia dos Alteirinhos
The small village of Zambujeira do Mar is located toward the southern end of the Alentejo coastline, close to the border with the Algarve. Just a few hundred meters south of the village, Praia dos Alteirinhos is a ruggedly beautiful beach that is about 300 meters long at low tide, situated at the base of steep cliffs and accessed by a long series of wooden steps. The steps lead to the northern end of the beach, which is textile. The opposite (southern) end of Praia dos Alteirinhos has been bestowed with an official status as a nude beach since 2008, making it one of just a handful of officially designated nude beaches in Portugal.
The nudist zone of the beach is split into two parts. As you walk south on the beach, you will see a huge rocky mass that projects into the ocean, and from a distance that rocky mass appears to form the end of the beach. Nudists gather on the 100 or so meters just before that big rocky projection, but as you get closer you will see that there are actually two separate masses of rock. Depending on the tide, there may be dry sand, wet sand or water in the gap between the rock masses. At low tide, you can walk through the gap to find a hidden beach on the other side that extends about 100 meters. The hidden beach is Praia da Meia Laranja, but that name is not terribly well known, so it is usually just named as an appendage of Praia dos Alteirinhos. At high tide, the passage to Praia da Meia Laranja will be inundated, but it is possible to climb over the more inland of the two rock masses. When Praia da Meia Laranja is easily accessible, most nudists gather there since it is much more private than the other part of the nude area, which blends into the textile part of the beach. Both the nude and textile portions of the beach are quite popular, drawing substantial crowds during summer.
A bit south of Praia dos Alteirinhos and Praia da Meia Laranja, there is a small isolated beach called Praia das Bernosas that is quite difficult to access by land. It is potentially nudist but almost always deserted. Since Praia da Meia Laranja is quite secluded, few nudists seem compelled to make the extra effort to get to Praia das Bernosas, which is best accessed by boat.
Praia dos Alteirinhos lacks amenities, but there are toilets and a snack stand at Praia da Zambujeira, a small beach that is the next beach to the north, closer to the village. You will go past Praia da Zambujeira on the way to Praia dos Alteirinhos.
37.5174N, 8.7901W (south end of Praia dos Alteirinhos)
37.5166N, 8.7903W (Praia da Meia Laranja)
37.5146N, 8.7904W (Praia das Bernosas)
Odemira, Beja, Alentejo, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3P5VZd1
37.5104N, 8.7174W (turnoff from N-120 toward Zambujeira do Mar at roundabout near São Teotónio)
N-120 is a north-south highway that runs about 180 kilometers, from Lagos at its south end to Alcácer do Sal at its north end. It is the major route that parallels the coastline through the region of Alentejo, and the two largest towns along the route are Odemira and Santiago do Cacém. The turnoff named above is located at a roundabout that is on the periphery of the village of São Teotónio. The western departure of the roundabout is signed Zambujeira do Mar and the eastern departure is signed São Teotónio. The roundabout is about 58 kilometers north of Lagos. If you are going north on N-120, take note of your car's trip meter when you cross the bridge over the Ribeira de Odeceixe just past the village of Odeceixe. After the bridge, continue 11.4 kilometers to the roundabout and take the departure for Zambujeira do Mar. If you are going south on N-120, take note of your car's trip meter when you cross the bridge over the Rio Mira in the town of Odemira. After the bridge, continue 13.4 kilometers to the roundabout and take the departure for Zambujeira do Mar.
Once you depart the roundabout, follow the road northwest for 4.3 kilometers to a stop sign at a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left, following the Zambujeira do Mar sign. Continue west 1.3 kilometers and you will pass the Zambujeira do Mar village sign.
From the village sign, the ocean is a little over a kilometer directly ahead of you, then Praia dos Alteirinhos is several hundred meters to the left (south). The signposted beach route through Zambujeira do Mar is somewhat circuitous. Just after the village sign, you will pass a campground (Camping Villa Park Zambujeira) on the left. Keep straight ahead about 700 meters past the campground. Shortly after you enter the cluster of buildings that comprise Zambujeira do Mar, the road straight ahead will be blocked with a "do not enter" sign, forcing all traffic to turn right. Make that turn, following the brown praia sign. Go north just 100 meters, then take the next possible left at another brown praia sign.
Continue west a little over 200 meters to a small roundabout next to a circular cobbled plaza that overlooks the ocean. (The plaza is ringed with red brick columns, and there is a white column in the middle that looks like a small lighthouse.) Take the second departure of the small roundabout, effectively making a left turn and skirting the inland edge of the plaza. You will then be on an oceanfront road, going south. In 200-300 meters, the road will curve sharply to the left (inland). At the curve, a beach (Praia da Zambujeira) will be in full view on your right-hand side. After the curve, continue 100 meters to a stop sign at a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right. You will see a brown sign pointing toward Praia dos Alteirinhos.
Just after turning, you will pass through the small parking area for Praia da Zambujeira. Just after that, the road will curve toward the left and begin to climb uphill, with a boardwalk along the left (inland) side of the road. In about 200 meters, just past the end of the boardwalk, take the next possible right. In less than 100 meters you will enter a large parking lot atop the cliff (37.5202N, 8.7861W).
A broad walkway borders the cliff edge of the parking lot. Facing the ocean, turn left. Shortly the walkway will become a staircase with handrails that descends to the beach. It is quite a long staircase, with an elevation loss of 40 meters. You will land on the north end of Praia dos Alteirinhos. Facing the ocean, turn left. It is about 200 meters to the nude area at the south end of the beach, and you can continue south to Praia da Meia Laranja, the hidden beach beyond the rocks.
MAP from Lagos to parking
MAP from Odemira to parking
This placemark pertains to Praia dos Alteirinhos.

south end of Praia dos Alteirinhos (nudist)
This placemark pertains to Praia dos Alteirinhos.

Praia da Meia Laranja (nudist)
This placemark pertains to Praia dos Alteirinhos.

Praia das Bernosas (accessible only by water, potentially nudist)

"Zambujeira do Mar" village sign

entrance to Camping Villa Park Zambujeira

small roundabout next to seaside plaza

Praia da Zambujeira (textile)

passage through rocks, sometimes under water

roads through Zambujeira do Mar

boardwalk alongside road

clifftop walkway, stairs to beach

Praia do Tonel

Praia do Tonel
The small village of Zambujeira do Mar is located toward the southern end of the Alentejo coastline, close to the border with the Algarve. Several kilometers north of the village, Praia do Tonel is a beautiful beach sheltered in a small bay below steep cliffs. At low tide, the beach has a broad expanse of sand that extends over 200 meters. At high tide, the northern half of the beach disappears, and the southern end is a narrow ribbon of sand. In spite of its beauty, Praia do Tonel draws few visitors since there are no signs pointing the way, but it is not difficult to drive to the beach as long as you can find the gravel road leading to it. However, once you get there, you will have to descend a steep path that lands on the far south end of the beach, and the climb requires a certain level of physical fitness.
Praia do Tonel gets some visitation by nudists since it is lightly attended and relatively obscure. However, it is not a well-established nude beach. The two factors that most affect the nudist potential of the beach are the tide and the day of the week. When the tide is out, the northern end of the beach is accessible, offering a bit more seclusion for bare bathers. Be sure to keep an eye on the tide, but, unless the waves are really rough, you aren't likely to get stranded since the bay is shallow and you can easily wade back to the southern end of the beach. Weekdays are generally better for nudity than weekends since the beach is likely to be empty on weekdays, while the handful of weekend attendees may well be all textile.
If there are only textiles at Praia do Tonel and you aren't comfortable bucking the trend, keep in mind that Praia dos Alteirinhos is a short distance away. Part of Alteirinhos is officially designated for nude bathing, so there will always be nude bathers there. Alteirinhos is on the south end of Zambujeira do Mar, just 4 to 5 kilometers from Praia do Tonel as the crow flies, or 7.7 kilometers by car.
Note: In case you decide to look up more information about this beach, you should be aware that there are two beaches in Portugal named Praia do Tonel. The other one is a textile beach located in Sagres in the Algarve.
Odemira, Beja, Alentejo, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3qGMms1
37.5104N, 8.7174W (turnoff from N-120 toward Zambujeira do Mar at roundabout near São Teotónio)
N-120 is a north-south highway that runs about 180 kilometers, from Lagos at its south end to Alcácer do Sal at its north end. It is the major route that parallels the coastline through the region of Alentejo, and the two largest towns along the route are Odemira and Santiago do Cacém. The turnoff named above is located at a roundabout that is on the periphery of the village of São Teotónio. The western departure of the roundabout is signed Zambujeira do Mar and the eastern departure is signed São Teotónio. The roundabout is about 58 kilometers north of Lagos. If you are going north on N-120, take note of your car's trip meter when you cross the bridge over the Ribeira de Odeceixe just past the village of Odeceixe. After the bridge, continue 11.4 kilometers to the roundabout and take the departure for Zambujeira do Mar. If you are going south on N-120, take note of your car's trip meter when you cross the bridge over the Rio Mira in the town of Odemira. After the bridge, continue 13.4 kilometers to the roundabout and take the departure for Zambujeira do Mar.
Once you depart the roundabout, follow the road northwest for 4.3 kilometers to a stop sign at a "T" where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left, following the Zambujeira do Mar sign. Continue west 1.3 kilometers and you will pass the Zambujeira do Mar village sign. About 900 meters past the village sign, shortly after you have entered the clustered buildings of the village, the road straight ahead will be blocked with a "do not enter" sign, forcing all traffic to turn right. Make that turn. You will then begin going north, and in about 600 meters you will pass the sign indicating you are leaving the village. By that point, you will be following the coastline, with the ocean visible on your left-hand side. After the sign that indicates you are leaving Zambujeira do Mar, continue north another 2.3 kilometers to a hamlet called Entrada da Barca, which is not reliably signed. At the only junction of paved roads in the hamlet, turn right at a stack of signs pointing toward Cavaleiro, Cabo Sardão, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Almograve, Malavado and pousada da juventude.
Once you turn, you will be going inland. Your next turn is not signed, but there are few turnoffs. Proceed 1.7 kilometers and turn left onto a gravel road (37.5602N, 8.7784W). At the start of the gravel road, there is a utility pole with "A37" painted on it. (You have missed the turn by 350 meters if you reach a right-hand turnoff signed Odemira, Malavado and Fataca. The gated entrance to a rural inn called Herdade do Touril is about 100 meters farther on.)
The gravel road will zig and zag several times at it skirts the rear edge of the small cluster of buildings that comprise Herdade do Touril, then it will straighten out and head toward the coast. Just stay on the main course of the road. In about 1.6 kilometers, the road will fork near the edge of the cliff above the ocean. At that point, Praia do Tonel will be directly below you. Keep to the left (really just straight ahead) at the fork. In about 200 meters, you will reach the start of the path that descends to the beach (37.5577N, 8.7916W). There is informal parking throughout the area.
The path down the cliff is quite steep, with an abrupt elevation loss of about 35 meters. There are ropes along parts of the path to assist with the climb. The path lands at the south end of the beach.
MAP from Lagos to parking
MAP from Odemira to parking
This placemark pertains to Praia do Tonel.

only junction of paved roads in Entrada da Barca
This placemark pertains to Praia do Tonel.

utility pole numbered "A37"
This placemark pertains to Praia do Tonel.

3-way junction near Herdade do Touril

gate to Herdade do Touril (rural inn)

road fork above beach

segment of asphalted rural road

very steep path down cliff

Praia do Brejo Largo

Praia do Brejo Largo
Praia do Brejo Largo is located south of the town of Vila Nova de Milfontes but a bit north of the nearby villages of Longueira and Almograve. Isolated and off the beaten path, the beach is several kilometers from the nearest paved road, with no signs pointing the way. Backed by low cliffs, Praia do Brejo Largo is a long and beautiful crescent of sand that extends over 600 meters, with lots of large rocks in the intertidal zone. Crude steps provide a fairly easy access to the central area of the beach. Brejo Largo is virtually unknown to tourists, and there is typically just a small number of dispersed visitors even during July and August. At other times, the beach is often deserted. Nude bathing is common. However, there is not a consistent nudist presence simply due to a dearth of overall visitors, so Brejo Largo is not accurately described as a bona fide nude beach. There is always ample space for nudists and textiles to coexist.
The scrubby plateau above Praia do Brejo Largo is covered in a jumble of dirt tracks. Besides being confusing to navigate, the tracks are quite rough, best suited to four-wheel-drive vehicles. The directions below detail the easiest-to-follow route while avoiding the worst tracks, but you will need to leave your car about a kilometer inland to avoid rough roads altogether.
There are 11 placemarks related to this sites.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3slF6Cp
37.6556N, 8.7597W (roundabout along N-393 in Cruzamento do Almograve)
N-393 is a 21-kilometer-long road that begins at a roundabout near Odemira and ends at a roundabout near Vila Nova de Milfontes, crossing a long bridge over the Rio Mira near its end. There is just one roundabout along N-393 between its start and end points, and it is in a poorly signed locality called Cruzamento do Almograve, about 9 kilometers south of the long bridge. From the roundabout, head toward the coast, following the signs for Longueira and Almograve. In 1.2 kilometers you will pass the Longueira village sign. Continue 150 meters and take the second right after the village sign, where a stack of signs point toward centro sócio-cultural, campo de futebol, moinho de vento ("windmill") and a few other locations. Proceed 150-200 meters to a "T" next to the historic windmill. Turn right.
Once you turn next to the windmill, you will be going north on a narrow road, with houses and other structures very close to the road on both sides. In 600-700 meters, just after the village buildings end, you will pass a very prominent water tank—a tall white cylinder adjacent to the road (on the right side). About 50 meters past the water tank, the road will turn to gravel. Continue a little over 400 meters and take the next possible left.
Upon turning, you will be on a gravel road that goes west toward the coast. In about 1.3 kilometers, the road will make two sharp curves in quick succession—first to the right, then to the left. 200 meters farther on you will reach a four-way junction.★ Keep straight ahead. From that point, the road continues about a kilometer, ending at a house that is perched above the ocean. Follow the road almost to its end. A bit before the house, a hiking path crosses the road (37.6794N, 8.7936W). Park alongside the road.
The path that crosses the road is a long-distance coastal hiking trail called the Fishermen's Trail (Trilho dos Pescadores), which is part of a network of trails in southwest Portugal called the Rota Vicentina. The path going south (but not north) is also part of a shorter loop trail called the Dunes of Almograve Trail (Dunas do Almograve). Short wooden posts along the Rota Vicentina trails are blazed with a pair of color-coded horizontal bars that identifies the trail. Head south on the path (to the left when facing the ocean), watching for the wooden posts to keep you on course. Since you are following a path where two hiking routes coincide, the posts are blazed with two pairs of horizontal bars—green and blue for the Fishermen's Trail; yellow and red for the Dunes of Almograve Trail. As you begin the hike, you will ascend a sandy hill. At the top, Praia do Brejo Largo will come into view. You will be overlooking the north end of the beach. Keep hiking above the beach, following the blazed posts until you reach an access path that descends to the central area of the beach. The access path begins at 37.6744N, 8.7955W. To find it, watch below for a rope handrail supported by posts. When you reach the access path, you will be about 17 meters above sea level. The first part of the access path is sandy, then there are crude steps in a mass of rock for the final descent, with the rope-and-post handrail for support. The total hike is 700-800 meters.
starting point:  roundabout along N-120 in Cercal
N-120 is a north-south highway that runs about 180 kilometers, from Lagos at its south end to Alcácer do Sal at its north end. It is the major route that parallels the coastline through the region of Alentejo, and the two largest towns along the route are Odemira and Santiago do Cacém. Cercal do Alentejo, usually truncated to just Cercal, is a small town along N-120 that is about 27 kilometers north of Odemira and about 28 kilometers south of Santiago do Cacém. There is just one roundabout along N-120 in Cercal. At that roundabout, take the departure that is signed Milfontes (short for Vila Nova de Milfontes). Upon leaving the roundabout, you will begin heading southwest on N-390. Keep straight ahead through all roundabouts. In about 13.6 kilometers, you will begin to cross a long bridge over the Rio Mira. By that point, the road number will have changed from N-390 to N-383. After the bridge, continue 8 kilometers to the roundabout in Cruzamento do Almograve. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), proceeding as directed above.
alternate starting point:  N-120 bridge in Odemira
Next to the town center of Odemira, N-120 crosses the Rio Mira via a red truss bridge. From the bridge, head south (toward São Teotónio and Lagos) on N-120 for 2.8 kilometers to the first roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Vila Nova de Milfontes. When you leave the roundabout, you will be at the start of N-393. Head northwest for 12.3 kilometers to the roundabout in Cruzamento do Almograve. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), proceeding as directed above.
MAP from Cercal to four-way junction of gravel roads★
MAP from Odemira to four-way junction of gravel roads★
★ Google Maps does not recognize the road that continues straight ahead from the four-way junction. Furthermore, the road gets rougher after the junction, so you may wish to park sooner and do most of the last stretch on foot.
This placemark pertains to Praia do Brejo Largo.

roundabout along N-393 in Cruzamento do Almograve
This placemark pertains to Praia do Brejo Largo.

"Longueira" village sign (entering going west)
This placemark pertains to Praia do Brejo Largo.

windmill

tall white water tank

4-way junction of gravel roads

parking near end of road

house at end of road

crude steps along final descent

asphalted roads in and around Longueira

gravel/dirt roads

segment of Fishermen's Trail ("Trilho dos Pescadores")

Praia das Furnas
The small town of Vila Nova de Milfontes is about 35 kilometers south of Sines, the largest coastal town of the Alentejo. Vila Nova de Milfontes lies on the north side of the mouth of the Rio Mira. Praia das Furnas is a large beach just south of the river. The area of the beach closest to the river has both oceanfront and riverfront segments backed by a large area of sand dunes, which in turn is backed by a rocky escarpment. The ocean-facing part of the beach is 500-600 meters long, with a broad expanse of sand. There are two restaurants along the broad main area of the beach. Oásis is next to the river, while O7 Ocean Drive Beach Club is farther south, where the escarpment begins to veer toward the ocean. Going south, there is a southern extension of Praia das Furnas that is geographically quite distinct from the main beach. The southern area consists of several sandy niches that collectively span about 750 meters. At low tide, the niches form one continuous expanse of sand that is connected to the main beach, with lots of exposed rock in the intertidal zone. Most of the time, however, the tide isolates the southern niches from the main beach and from one another.
The southern niches of Praia das Furnas are quite beautiful, backed by low dark gray cliffs that transition to shades of orange farther up the escarpment. The niches are sparsely attended, especially when they are cut off from the main beach. Nude bathing occurs sporadically, but there is not a consistent nudist presence. There are clefts through which you can climb to access the beach. It is a manageable descent for the reasonably fit. Climbing down the escarpment provides a way to access the niches when they are not connected to the beach, but a bit of a hike is required to get circumvent some geographic barriers. Plan on a hike of about half an hour.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Ea17qt
37.7033N, 8.7715W (turnoff from N-393 toward Praia das Furnas, south of Vila Nova de Milfontes)
Vila Nova de Milfontes is just north of a long bridge that crosses the Rio Mira near its mouth. The turnoff toward Praia das Furnas, which is marked by a brown Furnas sign, is about 2.5 kilometers south of the bridge. The Furnas road goes northwest through farmland, ending at the river. Follow the road for 1.6 kilometers, then turn left onto the first asphalted side road. Follow the road about 200 meters and take note of a gravel road that goes off to the left (south). Continue along the asphalted road, which will begin to go downhill. In 250 meters the asphalted road will end at a gravel parking area (37.7145N, 8.7849W). (It is the southernmost of three parking areas that are linked by a gravel road.) A restaurant named O7 Ocean Drive Beach Club—just O7 for short—will be straight ahead.
There are two ways to approach the southern niches of Praia das Furnas. If the tide is out, you can simply walk along the beach. However, much of the time the southern niches are cut off from the main beach (and from one another), so you will need to approach from above, descending to the beach through clefts in the cliffs. First, assume the tide is out. Head out to the beach from O7. You will land on the beach near the southern end of its broad main expanse. Facing the ocean, head to your left. The first of the niches is around a bend of the rugged cliffs, at a distance of about 300 meters from O7. When you get there, O7 will no longer be visible when you turn around. If you can't walk far enough for O7 to disappear from view, then the niches are cut off from the main beach by the tide.
To approach from above, you can follow a segment of a long-distance hiking trail called the Fishermen's Trail (Trilho dos Pescadores), which is part of a network of trails in southwest Portugal called the Rota Vicentina. The Fishermen's Trail is blazed with two horizontal bars—one green and one blue. Blazes appear on signs, posts, rocks and trees, and they help you stay on course. The Fishermen's Trail is sometimes an independent footpath, but there are places where it coincides with dirt tracks, gravel roads and even asphalted roads. O7 is along the route of the Fishermen's Trail.
From O7, backtrack on foot along the asphalted road (the one from which you approached) for 250 meters to the top of the hill where the road levels out, then turn right onto the gravel road (i.e., the aforementioned gravel road that goes south). Continue about 200 meters, then keep to the right at a fork. Shortly the road will morph into a narrower track that runs along the edge of a mostly treeless meadow. As you follow the track, the meadow will be on your left-hand side, with a thick growth of scrub on your right-hand side blocking your view of the ocean. About 600 meters beyond the fork, you will begin to see side paths going off to the right through the scrub. Those paths emerge above the southern Furnas niches that are close to the main beach. However, it is easier to descend to the beach if you stay on the Fishermen's Trail a bit farther. About 400 meters farther along, the Fishermen's Trail bends toward the ocean, passing through the dense growth of coastal scrub. Once the trail emerges from the scrub and you can see the ocean, you will be about 20 meters above sea level, above the southern Furnas niches that are more distant from the main beach. There are clefts where you can climb down to the beach. If you were to keep hiking above the beach, about 400 meters farther on the Fishermen's Trail dips into a verdant gully, where there is a narrow wooden footbridge. The gully is just past the end of the Furnas niches. The as-the-crow-flies distance from O7 to the gully footbridge is 1.1 kilometers, but the hiking distance is 2 kilometers since the Fishermen's Trail follows a circuitous route dictated by the terrain.
starting point:  roundabout along N-120 in Cercal
N-120 is a north-south highway that runs about 180 kilometers, from Lagos at its south end to Alcácer do Sal at its north end. It is the major route that parallels the coastline through the region of Alentejo, and the two largest towns along the route are Odemira and Santiago do Cacém. Cercal do Alentejo, usually truncated to just Cercal, is a small town along N-120 that is about 27 kilometers north of Odemira and about 28 kilometers south of Santiago do Cacém. There is just one roundabout along N-120 in Cercal. At that roundabout, take the departure that is signed Milfontes (short for Vila Nova de Milfontes). Upon leaving the roundabout, you will begin heading southwest on N-390. Keep straight ahead through all roundabouts. In about 13.6 kilometers, you will begin to cross a long bridge over the Rio Mira. By that point, the road number will have changed from N-390 to N-383. After the bridge, continue 2.5 kilometers, then turn right onto the first paved road, which is marked by a brown Furnas sign. Proceed as directed above.
alternate starting point:  N-120 bridge in Odemira
Next to the town center of Odemira, N-120 crosses the Rio Mira via a red truss bridge. From the bridge, head south (toward São Teotónio and Lagos) on N-120 for 2.8 kilometers to the first roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Vila Nova de Milfontes. When you leave the roundabout, you will be at the start of N-393. Head northwest for 17.7 kilometers, then turn left at the brown Furnas sign. (At the turnoff, the road widens to include a short left-turn lane.) Proceed as directed above.
MAP from Cercal to parking
This placemark pertains to Praia das Furnas.

bridge over Rio Mira
This placemark pertains to Praia das Furnas.

signed turnoff to Praia das Furnas
This placemark pertains to Praia das Furnas.

southern of three nearby parking areas

O7 Ocean Drive Beach Club

middle of three nearby parking areas

Oásis

northern of three nearby parking areas

main (textile) expanse of Praia das Furnas

wooden footbridge in verdant gully
This placemark pertains to Praia das Furnas.This placemark pertains to Praia das Furnas.

asphalted road to 07 Ocean Drive Beach Club

gravel road through parking area

Praia da Angra da Cerva

Praia da Angra da Cerva
Praia da Angra da Cerva is an isolated and very beautiful beach located a bit north of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Not quite 100 meters long, the beach is a pocket of golden sand tucked into a verdant escarpment. Praia da Angra da Cerva is over 2 kilometers from the closest point of automobile access (not counting four-wheel-drive tracks), and it is a little-known beach that is often deserted. While there are no signs pointing the way, the beach is along a long-distance coastal hiking trail, so hikers are often surprised to come upon such an idyllic and relatively undiscovered nook. The hike down to the beach is steep but not dangerous, requiring a certain level of stamina and physical fitness.
Nude bathers are sometimes present at Praia da Angra da Cerva, but there is not an established nudist presence. It is the type of beach where whoever is already there probably determines the protocol for those who show up later. If the beach is empty, get naked and set a precedent. While Praia da Angra da Cerva is a charming beach, remember that nudity does not occur consistently when deciding whether to invest the time and energy required to get there. The closest bona fide nude beach is the north end of Praia do Malhão, which is 4.3 kilometers north of Praia da Angra da Cerva—as the crow flies, that is. By car, the access points to the two beaches are about 12 kilometers apart.
There are 10 placemarks related to this sites.

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37.7335N, 8.7718W (junction of N-390 and N-393 at roundabout on east side of Vila Nova de Milfontes)
Vila Nova de Milfontes is accessible by two numbered roads: N-390 (if coming from Cercal) or N-393 (if coming from Odemira). Those numbered roads both terminate at the roundabout referenced above, which is the first roundabout north of a long bridge that spans the Rio Mira. At the roundabout, take the departure signed Vila Nova de Milfontes and parque de campismo. You will then begin going southwest toward the town center on the main road through Vila Nova de Milfontes. In about 400 meters, keep straight ahead through a small roundabout, toward centro and praias. Continue 600-700 meters and watch on the right for a small elementary school, which is prominently signed Escola Primária. Immediately past the elementary school, turn right at a stack of signs that point toward praias, posto de turismo and several other locations.
Upon turning, keep straight ahead 300-400 meters to the next roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward porto de pesca ("fishing port").
When you leave the roundabout, you will be on a road that dead ends at the fishing port. Just before the road ends, it makes a sharp leftward curve and goes downhill to the port. Follow the road for 2.2 kilometers and watch for Porto das Barcas, a restaurant on the right (inland) side of the road just before the sharp curve. Just past the restaurant, turn right onto a gravel road. In less than 100 meters the road will end at an informal parking area overlooking the ocean (37.7386N, 8.8015W). (A narrower dirt track continues straight ahead toward a prominent metal lattice telecommunications tower, which is about 300 meters beyond the parking area.)
Facing the ocean at the parking area, turn right and head north along the path that is closest to the coastline, walking such that the ocean is on your left-hand side. You will be following part of a long-distance hiking trail called the Fishermen's Trail (Trilho dos Pescadores), which is part of a network of trails in southwest Portugal called the Rota Vicentina. The Fishermen's Trail is blazed with wooden posts with two horizontal bars—one green and one blue—across the top. Watch for the post to stay on course. The distance to Praia da Angra da Cerva is 2.3 kilometers, and the entire way you will be hiking along the coastline. You will pass a number of small beaches, some of which are hard to access, but all the beaches on the way are pebble beaches that generally have little or no sand. Praia da Angra da Cerva is the first beach you will come upon that is a deep and distinct pocket of golden sand. The steep path down to the beach begins at 37.7525N, 8.8064W, about 35 meters above sea level. You will be hiking through a grassy cleft, and partway along the descent you will cross a small, shallow stream that tumbles down to the beach.
Note: Since the Fishermen's Trail follows the curvature of the coastline, it is not the shortest route to the beach. There are tracks you can follow around the inland side of a large area of sand dunes, reducing the total hike by about 300 meters. However, you may need to rely on GPS to find your way along the jumble of tracks.
starting point:  roundabout along N-120 in Cercal
N-120 is a north-south highway that runs about 180 kilometers, from Lagos at its south end to Alcácer do Sal at its north end. It is the major route that parallels the coastline through the region of Alentejo, and the two largest towns along the route are Odemira and Santiago do Cacém. Cercal do Alentejo, usually truncated to just Cercal, is a small town along N-120 that is about 27 kilometers north of Odemira and about 28 kilometers south of Santiago do Cacém. There is just one roundabout along N-120 in Cercal. At that roundabout, take the departure that is signed Milfontes (short for Vila Nova de Milfontes). Upon leaving the roundabout, you will begin heading southwest on N-390. Proceed 13 kilometers to the roundabout on the east side of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), proceeding as directed above.
alternate starting point:  N-120 bridge in Odemira
Next to the town center of Odemira, N-120 crosses the Rio Mira via a red truss bridge. From the bridge, head south (toward São Teotónio and Lagos) on N-120 for 2.8 kilometers to the first roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Vila Nova de Milfontes. When you leave the roundabout, you will be at the start of N-393. Head northwest 20-21 kilometers and you will cross the Rio Mira again via a much longer bridge that spans the river near its mouth. From the end of the bridge, continue about 500 meters to the next roundabout, which is the roundabout on the east side of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), proceeding as directed above.
MAP from Cercal to parking
This placemark pertains to Praia da Angra da Cerva.

roundabout where N-390 & N-393 meet
This placemark pertains to Praia da Angra da Cerva.

This placemark pertains to Praia da Angra da Cerva.

elementary school (signed "Escola Primária")

Porto das Barcas

fishing port ("porto de pesca")

metal lattice telecommunications tower

roads through Vila Nova de Milfontes

road to fishing port

short gravel road to parking area

steep path down to beach

Praia do Malhão

Praia do Malhão
A few kilometers north of the town of Vila Nova de Milfontes, Praia do Malhão is a large beach with a curious amalgam of geographic elements. There are broad sandy expanses and small sandy pockets, and the backdrop of the beach is a hybrid of rugged rocky masses and lush sand dunes. The sandy areas of Praia do Malhão collectively span about 1.7 kilometers, and there are three basic zones—south, central and north—that blend together at low tide. The southern area is a sandy expanse of 300-400 meters, accessed by either of two long wooden staircases. Going north, there are several pockets of sand that collectively span about 200 meters, then the central part of the beach is the largest: a broad sandy crescent that extends about 750 meters, backed by an array of sand hills. A boardwalk slopes down to the southern end of the central crescent, which has rocky outcrops at both ends. Beyond the northern outcrop, the northern area of Praia do Malhão is isolated from other parts of the beach. Several freshwater springs emerge from the dunes in the northern area, which is alternately known as Praia dos Nascedios—a name that refers to the springs. The northern realm of Malhão is about 300 meters long, ending roughly where a shallow stream (resulting from the springs) empties into the ocean. The stream is located in a transitional area where the coastline becomes thickly covered in rocks. The rocky shoreline extends about 1.5 kilometers to the next point of access at Praia dos Aivados, which is continuous with Praia do Malhão. The rocky beach is usually deserted.
Both the southern and central areas of Praia do Malhão are textile. Nudity has long been customary along the northern part of the beach. In 2019, the northern area of Malhão was designated for naturist use by the municipality of Odemira, making it number nine in Portugal's short but growing list of officially sanctioned nude beaches.
Visitors flock to Praia do Malhão for its unique beauty in spite of a lack of amenities. There are no facilities other than portable toilets, nor are there any food or drink vendors, so come prepared. While there are large crowds on peak summer days, the crowd is heavily skewed toward the access points along the southern part of the beach and along the southern half of the central crescent. The crowd thins out substantially toward the north end of the central crescent, then the northern nudist zone is never crowded. Access to Praia do Malhão was improved in the late 2010s. A network of boardwalks and staircases was built, with two well-surfaced parking lots replacing the old amorphous dirt areas. However, these enhancements are located along the southern and central parts of the beach. There is a dirt parking lot closer to the nude area of the beach, but the tracks leading there are rough.
There are 14 placemarks related to this sites.

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37.7514N, 8.7568W (only roundabout in Brunheiras)
Brunheiras is a small village along N-390, about 10 kilometers southwest of Cercal and about 4 kilometers northeast of Vila Nova de Milfontes. The village signs along N-390 at either end of Brunheiras are less than 600 meters apart, with one roundabout between them. The roundabout is located next to a small elementary school, which is prominently signed Escola Primária. At the roundabout, head toward the coast, taking the departure signed Porto Covo and parque de campismo.
Once you leave the roundabout, follow the road for 2.7 kilometers. When the road begins to make a long rightward curve, turn left at the brown Malhão sign. (The road widens to include a left-turn lane at the turnoff.)
Just the start of the Malhão road is paved, then it turns to gravel. In about 1.5 kilometers, you will pass the rear entrance★ to Orbitur Sitava Camping (which will be on your right). By that point the ocean will be clearly visible straight ahead of you. About 700 meters farther on, the road will curve rightward and begin to run parallel to the beach. Shortly you will pass the more southern of two large well-surfaced pea gravel parking lots. Keep straight ahead. Just a bit farther on the road ends at the more northern of the two lots (37.7821N, 8.8006W).
The nude area of the beach is nearly a kilometer north of the north end of the parking lot. You can park and walk the entire way, or you can continue driving along dirt tracks to park closer to the nude beach.
First, assume you walk the whole way. From the far end of the parking lot at the corner closest to the beach, follow the boardwalk that is farthest right as you face the ocean. Keep straight ahead at junctions with other boardwalks. In 150 meters you will land at the south end of the large central crescent of Praia do Malhão. Facing the ocean, look to your right. At the opposite end of the crescent, a rocky outcrop extends seaward across the sand, blocking your view of the beach beyond. The nude area begins roughly at the outcrop, which is about 700 meters from the end of the boardwalk. The outcrop is easily skirted at low tide. At high tide, you may need to climb over it.
Alternatively, you can keep driving along a track that skirts the inland side of the sand dunes that back the central crescent of Praia do Malhão, but be advised that the track is rough and should be avoided when muddy. Drive all the way through the paved parking lot. From the inland corner, a dirt track continues straight ahead. Soon the track becomes a jumble of tracks. Just follow whichever one seems best while keeping toward the dunes. In about 800 meters you will reach a large dirt parking area, at 37.7894N, 8.7988W. From the parking area, follow the broadest path that goes through the dunes toward the beach. In less than 50 meters the sandy path will fork, and you can follow either fork. If you follow the left fork, in about 200 meters you will land on the beach near the north end of the central crescent. Facing the ocean, turn right and walk about 100 meters to the rocky outcrop, which is roughly where the nude area begins. Or, if you follow the right fork, continue 400-500 meters. You will land on the beach in the nude area, about 250 meters north of the rocky outcrop.
★ The main entrance to Orbitur Sitava Camping is along the road toward Porto Covo, about 1.5 kilometers past the turnoff to Praia do Malhão.
N-120 is a north-south highway that runs about 180 kilometers, from Lagos at its south end to Alcácer do Sal at its north end. It is the major route that parallels the coastline through the region of Alentejo, and the two largest towns along the route are Odemira and Santiago do Cacém. Cercal do Alentejo, usually truncated to just Cercal, is a small town along N-120 that is about 27 kilometers north of Odemira and about 28 kilometers south of Santiago do Cacém. There is just one roundabout along N-120 in Cercal. At that roundabout, take the departure that is signed Milfontes (short for Vila Nova de Milfontes). Upon leaving the roundabout, you will begin heading southwest on N-390. In 10.5 kilometers, you will pass the Brunheiras village sign. Less than 150 meters farther on, you will enter the roundabout next to the elementary school. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), proceeding as directed above.
Next to the town center of Odemira, N-120 crosses the Rio Mira via a red truss bridge. From the bridge, head south (toward São Teotónio and Lagos) on N-120 for 2.8 kilometers to the first roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Vila Nova de Milfontes. When you leave the roundabout, you will be at the start of N-393. Head northwest 20-21 kilometers and you will cross the Rio Mira again via a much longer bridge that spans the river near its mouth. From the end of the bridge, continue about 500 meters to the next roundabout, which is next to Vila Nova de Milfontes. Keep straight ahead, toward Cercal. When you leave the roundabout, the road number will change to N-390. Continue 2 kilometers (keeping straight ahead through another roundabout) and take note when you pass the Brunheiras village sign. 400 meters farther on you will enter the roundabout next to the elementary school. Take the third departure (effectively a left turn), proceeding as directed above.
MAP from Cercal to parking (in northern lot)
MAP from Odemira to parking (in northern lot)
This placemark pertains to Praia do Malhão.

"Brunheiras" village sign (entering going south)
This placemark pertains to Praia do Malhão.

only roundabout in Brunheiras
This placemark pertains to Praia do Malhão.

"Brunheiras" village sign (entering going north)

signed turnoff to Praia do Malhão

main entrance to Orbitur Sitava Camping

rear entrance to Orbitur Sitava Camping

southern expanse of Praia do Malhão (textile)

central crescent of Praia do Malhão (textile)

southern pea gravel parking lot

northern pea gravel parking lot

rocky outcrop at north end of central crescent

segment of minor road from Brunheiras toward Porto Covo

dirt tracks

boardwalk/stairs

sandy path to beach

Praia do Salto

Praia do Salto
The coastline of the Alentejo region is about 125 kilometers long, with the Lisbon metro area beyond its northern boundary and the Algarve region to the south. Sines is about halfway along the Alentejo coast, and it is the largest coastal town of the region. The small coastal village of Porto Covo is about 15 kilometers south of Sines, and there is a very scenic collection of small beaches in and around the village. These beaches are backed by low cliffs and punctuated by small headlands amid rugged islets and other peculiar rock masses. The larger of the beaches get broken up into multiple smaller niches at high tide, when much of the coastline disappears altogether.
Praia do Salto, a small pocket of sand among the Porto Covo beaches, was officially designated for naturism in 2002. Is is exceptionally easy to access. Just a few hundred meters from the northern edge of the village, the beach is just off the coastal road, and there are informal parking areas all along the road. The only hiking involved is climbing down the long, spiraling staircase that leads directly to the nude beach. There is little room to spread out. The beach is about 30 meters across and 50 to 100 meters deep, depending on the tide.
Praia do Salto is just a bit north of Praia Grande, which is the main beach of Porto Covo. Despite its name, Praia Grande is not all that big, but it is the only beach in the village that is equipped with toilets, showers and a restaurant. At low tide, you can walk along the sand to get from Praia do Salto to Praia Granda, crossing the length of Praia da Cerca Nova, which is the beach that separates them. At high tide, you will have to take the stairs up and down the cliffs to get from one beach to the other. Either way, it is a short walk of just 300-400 meters.
Sines, Setúbal, Alentejo, Portugal

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Porto Covo is a rather isolated coastal village located along a minor road that is not on the way to anywhere. The beaches associated with Porto Covo span less than 2.5 kilometers. These beaches are sandy pockets of varying size tucked against cliffs that rise roughly 20 meters. The main road through Porto Covo runs atop the cliff above most of the beaches, but not all the beaches are readily visible from the road.
Approaching Porto Novo, you will most likely be heading south from Sines. As you near Porto Novo, there are five beaches on the northern outskirts of the village. From north to south, those five beaches are Praia da Samoqueira, Praia de Porto Covinho, Praia do Serro da Águia, Praia do Salto (the nude beach) and Praia da Cerca Nova. Praia da Samoqueira has a signed and maintained parking lot, but dirt pullouts serve as parking areas for the other four beaches. Continuing south, the first (northernmost) beach abutting the village is Praia Grande, and it is easily identifiable from the road because it lies directly below a cobbled plaza with several park benches and street lamps. Farther south, there are several more beaches in the village (Praia do Espingardeiro, Praia do Banho, Praia Pequena, Praia dos Buizinhos and Praia da Baía de Porto Covo).
Parking closest to Praia do Salto is about 400 meters north of the cobbled plaza. There is a sign with the name of the beach above the beach, as there are for the other beaches. However, most of the signs cannot be read from the road. If you are not navigating by GPS, you may have to use a little trial and error, so it helps to know the order of the beaches as listed above.
37.8606N, 8.7935W (main road near Praia do Salto sign, just north of Porto Covo)
The location above is along the main Porto Covo road, about 25 meters from the Praia do Salto sign, which is very difficult to read from the road. There are parking pullouts on the coast side of the road on either side of the sign. A curving staircase with a rope handrail descends directly to the small beach. The staircase is just south of the sign (to the left when facing the ocean).
starting point:  Exit 9 (Grândola, Sines) of the A-2 motorway near Grândola
Exit 9 is about 47 kilometers south of the major A-2/A-6/A-13 motorway junction that is east of Setúbal. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll booth on the coast side of the motorway. After the toll booth, you will be on a highway numbered IC-33, heading toward Sines. IC-33 is an undivided highway with just two lanes, but it is an expressway with no stops signs or red lights, and all major junctions are controlled access.
Keep straight ahead on IC-33 through all junctions. 38 to 39 kilometers past the toll plaza, the highway will widen into a four-lane motorway with a median, at which point the number will change from IC-33 to A-26. Continue along A-26 about 7.5 kilometers farther, then take Exit 1 (zona portuária, Santo André, Odemira). Upon exiting, you will be filtered to a roundabout that circles under the motorway. Take the third departure (effectively making a left turn), toward Algarve, ZILS sector sul, zona portuária and Odemira.
Upon departing the roundabout, you will be going south on IP-8, which is a four-lane divided highway that bypasses Sines on its eastern side. In 1.7 kilometers, keep straight ahead through a roundabout, continuing toward zona portuária and Odemira. 1.6 kilometers farther on, you will reach a much larger roundabout near the coast. Take the third departure (effectively making a left turn), toward Algarve, Odemira, Porto Covo and Cercal. You will then begin going south on N-120-1.
Follow N-120-1 for 2.2 kilometers, then turn right at the signs for Porto Covo, São Torpes and Praias. (The turnoff is opposite a power plant, which is an easily identifiable landmark with prominent twin chimneys, the top parts of which are painted in red-and-white stripes.)
Once you turn, it is 8.5 kilometers to Porto Covo, and you will drive almost the entire distance before parking above Praia do Salto, which is just a bit before the village sign. At first the ocean is visible on your right-hand side, then there is a stretch of several kilometers where large dunes obstruct your view of the ocean, then the ocean comes back into view. Once you have driven 7.2 kilometers and the ocean comes back into view, watch carefully on your right for a brown sign pointing toward Praia da Samoqueira (but keep straight ahead past the sign). After the sign, continue 800-900 meters and watch for a crosswalk where broad white stripes are painted across the pavement. There is also a blue-and-white crosswalk sign. Within 200 meters after the crosswalk, there are two nearby parking pullouts on the right (coast) side of the road. The stairs to Praia do Salto are between the pullouts, near the Praia do Salto sign.
You have missed both pullouts by about 250 meters if you reach the small white Porto Covo village sign, which is next to a 40 KPH speed-limit panel. The cobbled plaza that overlooks Praia Grande is a little over 100 meters past the village sign.
If parking at the pullouts is full, turn around and backtrack to the crosswalk. Just past the crosswalk, there is a grassy overflow parking area on the inland side of the road. It is signed by a blue-and-white "P" panel.
This placemark pertains to Praia do Salto.

brown "Praia da Samoqueira" sign
This placemark pertains to Praia do Salto.

Praia da Samoqueira (textile)
This placemark pertains to Praia do Salto.

Praia de Porto Covinho (textile)

Praia do Serro da Águia (textile)

parking pullout

"Praia do Salto" sign (small print, very hard to read from road)

grassy overflow parking area

Praia da Cerca Nova (textile)

"Porto Covo" village sign, next to 40 KPH speed-limit panel (facing traffic going south)

cobbled plaza above Praia Grande

Praia Grande (textile)

Praia do Espingardeiro (textile)

Praia do Banho (textile)

Praia Pequena (textile)

Praia dos Buizinhos (textile)

Praia da Baía de Porto Covo (textile)

"Porto Covo" village sign (facing traffic going west)

main road through Porto Covo

Praia do Salto (nudist)

Praia do Monte Velho

Praia do Monte Velho
The coastline of the Alentejo region is about 125 kilometers long, and the coastal town of Sines is roughly in the middle. The northern half of the Alentejo coastline is a continuous beach that stretches over 60 kilometers from Sines to the Sado River estuary near Setúbal. Praia do Monte Velho is a segment of that immense beach that is located near the town of Vila Nova de Santo André, less than 20 kilometers north of Sines.
Praia do Monte Velho is an undeveloped beach with no amenities, and a boardwalk goes over the dunes to the beach from the only road that leads to the beach. The area in the immediate vicinity of the boardwalk draws just small crowds of textiles, but in either direction it is quite a distance to the next beach access point, so there is ample space for nudists. The area south of the boardwalk seems to be more popular with bare bathers. Facing the ocean, turn left and walk just a few minutes until you are a discreet distance away from the nearest textiles. It is about 3 kilometers to the next access point (at a segment of beach called Praia da Fonte do Cortiço), so you can be naked about as far as you'd care to walk. Crowds of nudists are always small and dispersed.
Praia do Monte Velho has not one but two aliases: Praia do Porto das Carretas and Praia da Vacaria. Be aware that all three names refer to the same segment of the beach.
Santiago do Cacém, Setúbal, Alentejo, Portugal

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38.0697N, 8.7833W (roundabout at northern terminus of A-26-1 in Vila Nova de Santo André)
A-26-1 is a short motorway—just over 12 kilometers long—through the northern outskirts of Sines. The northern terminus of the motorway is an oblong roundabout at the north end of the town of Vila Nova de Santo André. Toward the north end of the long roundabout, take the departure signed Praia do Monte Velho.
When you depart the roundabout, you will be on an asphalted road that goes to the beach. In 2.8 kilometers, the road ends at a small parking lot (38.0807N, 8.8086W). There is additional parking alongside the road leading up to the lot. Straight ahead, a boardwalk takes you over the dunes a few hundred meters to the beach. Facing the ocean, turn left and walk south about 500 meters or until you are sufficiently beyond the textiles.
starting point:  Exit 9 (Grândola, Sines) of the A-2 motorway near Grândola
Exit 9 is about 47 kilometers south of the major A-2/A-6/A-13 motorway junction that is east of Setúbal. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll booth on the coast side of the motorway. After the toll booth, you will be on a highway numbered IC-33, heading toward Sines. IC-33 is an undivided highway with just two lanes, but it is an expressway with no stops signs or red lights, and all major junctions are controlled access.
Keep straight ahead on IC-33 through all junctions. 38 to 39 kilometers past the toll plaza, the highway will widen into a four-lane motorway with a median, at which point the number will change from IC-33 to A-26. Continue along A-26 about 7.5 kilometers farther, then take Exit 1 (zona portuária, Santo André, Odemira). Upon exiting, you will be filtered to a roundabout that circles under the motorway. Take the first departure (effectively making a right turn), toward Setúbal, Tróia, ZILS sector norte, Santo André and Melides.
Upon departing the roundabout, you will be at the start of A-26-1. Follow the entire length of the motorway. In just over 12 kilometers, you will enter the oblong roundabout at the north end of Vila Nova de Santo André. Take the third departure, proceeding as directed above.
Note: The route described above is not the shortest route from A-2 Exit 9 to the beach, but it is the easiest to follow, with the fewest turns.
This placemark pertains to Praia do Monte Velho.

oblong roundabout at northern terminus of A-26-1
This placemark pertains to Praia do Monte Velho.

This placemark pertains to Praia do Monte Velho.

beach access at Praia da Fonte do Cortiço

Praia da Comporta

Praia da Comporta
The coastline of the Alentejo region is about 125 kilometers long, and the northern half of the Alentejo coastline is a continuous beach that stretches over 60 kilometers from Sines to the Sado River estuary near Setúbal. The village of Comporta is toward the far northern end of the Alentejo coastline, where the land begins to taper into the Troia Peninsula that extends into the Sado estuary. The village beach, Praia da Comporta, is just a segment of the immense, continuous beach of the northern Alentejo coastline. From the beach, there are great views of the coastal mountains near Setúbal on the horizon to the northwest.
At the entry point to Praia da Comporta, there are two restaurants (Comporta Café and Ilha do Arroz). Sun beds and umbrellas can be rented in that area. Most textiles congregate near the access point. However, go in either direction from the main part of the beach and the crowd quickly thins out. It is quite a distance to the next point of access, so there is ample space for nudists on peripheral areas of the beach. Most nudists tend to go south. Just walk a sufficiently discreet distance beyond the textiles. On crowded days, you may need to walk about a kilometer before disrobing. Going south from the two restaurants, it is about 3.5 kilometers to a minor beach access near the hamlet of Torre, then it is another 5 kilometers after that to the next major beach access at Carvalhal, so there are vast expanses of deserted beach going on farther than you are likely to care to walk.
Alcacér do Sal, Setúbal, Alentejo, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3ODqMN2
38.3843N, 8.7983W (signed turnoff to Praia da Comporta near Comporta)
The village of Comporta lies at the south end of the Troia Peninsula, which extends northward toward the city of Setúbal. Along the northern part of the peninsula, a resort locality called Troia is connected to Setúbal by two ferries (one carries automobile, the other is just for passengers). The 17-kilometer-long Comporta-to-Troia road is numbered R-253-1, but there are few signs with the number. The turnoff referenced above is toward the south end of the Comporta-to-Troia road, less than 2 kilometers from the only highway junction in Comporta. The turnoff is marked by a brown Comporta sign.
A 350-meter-long gravel access road leads to a parking lot with covered parking spaces. However, the parking lot is insufficient for peak-day crowds, so there are sometimes cars parked along the entire length of the access road and even along the main road leading up to the turnoff. A 200-meter-long boardwalk connects the parking area to the beach. Facing the ocean, turn left and walk south about a kilometer or until you are well beyond the textiles.
starting point:  Exit 8 (Alcácer do Sal) of the A-2 motorway near Alcácer do Sal
Exit 8 is about 24 kilometers south of the major A-2/A-6/A-13 motorway junction that is east of Setúbal. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway. Just beyond the toll plaza, keep to the left (straight ahead) when the lanes split, following the overhead panel signed Alcácer and Algarve. About 1.3 kilometers farther along, the lanes will split again. Again, keep to the left (straight ahead), following the overhead panel signed Grândola, Beja and Sines. From that point, you will be on IC-1, which goes south and skirts the periphery of Alcácer do Sal, bypassing the main part of the town. In about 3.6 kilometers, you will begin to cross a long bridge that spans the Rio Sado and surrounding farmland. At the end of the bridge (which is more than one kilometer long), take the exit that is signed Alcácer, Comporta and Tróia. When the exit lane splits, keep to the right, following the signs for Comporta and Tróia. You will then be filtered onto N-253, heading west.
Follow N-253 about 26 kilometers and you will pass the Comporta village sign. Just after the village sign, you will pass a sign indicating an upcoming "T" junction. Continue about 300 meters to the "T" and turn right, following the signs for Setúbal and Tróia. You will then begin going north on R-253-1. Proceed 1.7 kilometers, then turn left at the brown Comporta sign and proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-2 Exit 8 toll plaza to parking
This placemark pertains to Praia da Comporta.

"Comporta" village sign along N-253
This placemark pertains to Praia da Comporta.

only highway junction in Comporta (N-253, R-261, R-253-1)
This placemark pertains to Praia da Comporta.

signed turnoff to Praia da Comporta

Comporta Café

Ilha do Arroz restaurant

segment of R-253-1 (Comporta-to-Troia road)

gravel access road

Lisboa

Praia do Meco

Praia do Meco
The Setúbal Peninsula (Península de Setúbal), the land mass on the south side of Lisbon where the city's southern suburbs are located, has about 30 kilometers of west-facing coastline. Praia do Meco, toward the southern end of the west-facing part of the peninsula, begins a bit south of the Albufeira Lagoon (Lagoa de Albufeira) and extends southward about 4 kilometers. Except at its northern end, Praia do Meco is backed by sandstone cliffs that are quite beautiful. There are a number of small springs along the beach, some trickling down the cliffs and others emerging from cracks or small gorges. Praia do Meco has four zones, each roughly one kilometer long. From north to south, those zones are Praia do Moinho de Baixo, Praia da Tramagueira, Praia do Rio da Prata and Praia das Bicas. Keep in mind that these are just alternate names for parts of Praia do Meco that blend together. The primary points of access are at Praia do Moinho de Baixo and Praia das Bicas. Praia do Moinho de Baixo is a popular textile beach with easy access, with no steps or steep inclines between the parking area and the beach. Amenities include two restaurants—Onda Azul and Bar do Peixe. Praia das Bicas is also a popular textile beach, but it is always less crowded than Praia do Moinho de Baixo. Access down the cliffs is via a long wooden staircase with handrails. Overlooking the beach atop the cliffs, there is a campground called Campimeco. At the entrance to the campground just before the area that is restricted to guests, there are two restaurants that are available to the public. (There is another restaurant atop the cliff a few hundred meters from the campground entrance, but it is closed as of this writing.)
The as-the-crow-flies distance between the access points at Praia do Moinho de Baixo and Praia das Bicas is about 2.8 kilometers. Most of this expanse has been officially designated for naturist use since 1995. The nudist zone is about 2 kilometers long, encompassing Praia da Tramagueira and Praia do Rio da Prata. The nude beach, which is most often referred to simply as Praia do Meco, is generally regarded as Portugal's premier naturist location owing to its official status, size, beauty, ample sand, ease of access and location within metropolitan Lisbon. The beach is quite popular, but it does not get overcrowded since there is so much space to spread out.
Most visitors to the nude beach park at Praia do Moinho de Baixo. Say you access the beach there and take a long southward stroll along the entire length of the nudist zone. Just south of the most crowded part of the textile beach (where sun beds are set up during peak season), there is a prominent sandstone land mass on the beach that is about the size of a small ship, vaguely resembling a ship in a sea of sand. Nude bathing begins a bit beyond the rocky mass, which roughly defines the boundary between Praia do Moinho de Baixo and Praia da Tramagueira. Most nudists cluster within a few hundred meters of the rocky mass, then the crowd thins out substantially. Praia da Tramagueira is backed by nearly vertical cliff walls. About a kilometer south of the ship-like rock, the cliffs become less precipitous, largely covered in grass and scrub. Around that point you are entering the southern realm of the nudist area, Praia do Rio da Prata. This part of the beach has a significant gay presence. Once you have walked most of the way across Praia do Rio da Prata, you will see two very narrow gorges in the cliffs, about 100 meters apart. A stream called the Rio da Prata, which gives the beach its name, emerges from the larger and more northern of the gorges. A bit beyond the gorges, the cliffs are once again nearly vertical and the beach narrows, with the land projecting toward the ocean such that it obstructs your view of the beach farther south. The nudist zone extends as far as you can see. If you keep walking until the beach broadens again, you will be at Praia das Bicas, beyond the nude beach.
38.4891N, 9.1840W (Praia do Moinho de Baixo, textile)
38.4819N, 9.1857W (Praia da Tramagueira, nudist)
38.4724N, 9.1886W (Praia do Rio da Prata, nudist)
38.4645N, 9.1927W (Praia das Bicas, textile)
Sesimbra, Setúbal, Lisboa, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3Ea1ilD
38.4772N, 9.1614W (roundabout in Alfarim)
Alfarim is among a conglomeration of villages that are part of the municipality of Sesimbra. These villages basically blend together. Alfarim is about 10 kilometers northwest of the Sesimbra town center, and it is about 35 kilometers south of the Lisbon city center. (Maps show roads numbered N-377 and M-561 meeting in Alfarim, but in reality there are no signs with road numbers.) There is just one roundabout in Alfarim, and it is a very small roundabout that is basically just a four-way intersection with a small circular median. There is a tall pole with three street lamps in the median.
There are three ways to access Praia do Meco. Option 1 is to park at Praia do Moinho de Baixo, where a small parking fee is charged. Option 2 is to park at Praia das Bicas, where parking is free. Option 3 is basically a shortcut directly to Praia do Rio da Prata, but there are some access challenges.
Option 1—Praia do Moinho de Baixo:
From the roundabout in Alfarim, follow the road that goes west toward the coast. The departure is not well signed, so be aware that the other three departures are respectively signed Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra and Lisboa. Take the departure that does not have signs pointing to any of those locations. Once you leave the roundabout, you will be on Rua da Marconi. In 1.5 kilometers, you will reach a three-way junction where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn right, following the brown sign for praia do Meco (Moinho de Baixo). Continue about 800 meters to the end of the road next to the beach (38.4893N, 9.1821W).
There is very limited free parking at the cobbled turnaround loop where the road ends. Most of the time, you will have to pay to park. Just before the road ends, there are two large grassy parking lots (one on each side of the road) with rows of parking spaces covered in awnings. Head south on the beach (to the left when facing the ocean) for a few hundred meters. The nude area begins just past the prominent ship-like land mass that is on the beach, surrounded by sand.
Option 2—Praia das Bicas:
From the roundabout in Alfarim, head southwest, following the sign for Aldeia do Meco. Follow the curvy road 1.3 kilometers through a pastoral area to an irregular four-way intersection in Aldeia do Meco (the next village after Alfarim). Turn left. (There is a mural on the curving fence wall of the southwest corner of the intersection. When you leave the intersection, the mural should be on your right-hand side.) Continue less than 200 meters to a stop sign at another four-way intersection. Keep straight ahead, toward praias. Continue 400 meters to a fork and keep to the left (really just straight ahead). At that point, you will begin to pass through an area of modern residential development. Continue 500-600 meters to another fork (which is immediately past a fenced residence on the right that has the number "19" near its entry gate). Keep to the right, onto Rua 25 de Abril. (There is a small, low-to-the-ground sign with the name of the road.)
Follow Rua 25 de Abril a little over 800 meters, then turn right toward praia das Bicas and Pista de Voo Livre. 500-600 meters farther on you will pass the entrance to Campimeco (on the right side of the road). Just past the campground, the road ends at a gravel parking lot (38.4632N, 9.1910W). The parking lot is perched about 30 meters above the beach. A gravel road (closed to vehicles) winds down to the beach, or you can take the long wooden staircase that parallels the road. On the beach, look north (to the right when facing the ocean). About 400 meters away, the beach narrows and the land projects toward the ocean such that it obstructs your view of the beach farther north. Head in that direction. Once the beach broadens again, you will be at the start of the nudist zone.
Option 3—Praia do Rio da Prata:
Option 3 is an alternative for going directly to the southern part of the nude area, but it involves rough driving followed by a steep climb that requires a degree of physical fitness. Follow the directions for Option 2 all the way to the second fork, where Rua 25 de Abril begins. Keep to the right onto Rua 25 de Abril as directed above, but proceed just 50 meters and take the first possible right onto an unmarked dirt track (38.4639N, 9.1781W). From the start of the track, it is 1.2 kilometers to the bluffs above the beach. Four-wheel drive is essential to go all the way to the bluffs. In a conventional vehicle, you can drive about halfway, park under the trees, then continue on foot. About 600 meters from the start of the track, it will begin to branch into a jumble of tracks. Whether you are on foot or driving, just follow the most straight-ahead track at all forks. The path down the bluffs begins at 38.4711N, 9.1876W, about 27 meters above sea level. There are crude rock steps along the final descent. You will land on the beach next to the narrow gorge of the Rio da Prata.
starting point:  Ponte 25 de Abril along the A-2 motorway in Lisbon
The Ponte 25 de Abril is the iconic suspension bridge along A-2 that bears a striking resemblance to the Golden Gate Bridge. The 2.2-kilometer-long bridge spans the Rio Tejo, connecting central Lisbon to its southern suburbs on the Setúbal Peninsula. Follow the bridge south out of the city. On the south side, you will pass the large toll plaza for traffic heading the opposite direction, but there is no toll for traffic leaving the city. Keep straight ahead along A-2, toward Setúbal.
Stay on the motorway about 10 kilometers after the bridge, then take Exit 2 (Sesimbra, Azeitão). At the end of the exit ramp, you will merge into a road that is both N-378 and N-10, but those routes will almost immediately split, so you will need to quickly get over into one of the left lanes. Follow the sign for Sesimbra (NOT Azeitão). You will then begin heading south on N-378, and you will pass through the town of Fernão Ferro.
In about 6 kilometers, you will pass the sign indicating you are leaving Fernão Ferro (a white Fernão Ferro sign with a red diagonal line through the name, near a Galp gas station). About 500 meters farther on, you will enter a large roundabout with a fishing boat in its median. The roundabout is prominently signed Sesimbra with "welcome" in six languages. Take the second departure, which is signed Alfarim, Aldeia do Meco and Lagoa de Albufeira. Continue 10.3 kilometers and take note when you pass the Alfarim village sign. About 500 meters farther on, you will reach the only roundabout in Alfarim. Proceed as directed above.
MAP from Ponte 25 de Abril to parking (Praia do Moinho de Baixo)
MAP from Ponte 25 de Abril to parking (Praia das Bicas)
This placemark pertains to Praia do Meco.

Praia do Moinho de Baixo (textile)
This placemark pertains to Praia do Meco.

Praia da Tramagueira (nudist)
This placemark pertains to Praia do Meco.

Praia do Rio da Prata (nudist)

Praia das Bicas (textile)

roundabout in Alfarim

3-way intersection

ship-like mass of sandstone

irregular 4-way intersection in Aldeia do Meco

stop sign at 4-way intersection in Aldeia do Meco

fork where "Rua 25 de Abril" begins

entrance to Campimeco

approximate point beyond which 4WD is essential

roads from Alfarim to Moinho de Baixo

roads from Alfarim to Bicas

wooden staircase

steep path down bluffs

Praia 19 & Praia da Adiça

The longest river of the Iberian peninsula originates between Madrid and the Mediterranean, flowing westward for 1,000 kilometers through Spain and Portugal to meet the Atlantic in Lisbon. This important waterway is called the rio Tejo in Portuguese or the río Tajo in Spanish, but English speakers known is as the Tagus, a Latin name dating to the Roman conquest of Iberia. As it nears the Atlantic, the Tagus forms a large bay-like estuary. Metropolitan Lisbon nearly surrounds the Tagus Estuary, with Lisbon and its northern suburbs on the north side of the river. The Setúbal Peninsula (Península de Setúbal) is the land mass on the south side of the Tagus where the city's southern suburbs are located. The Setúbal Peninsula has about 30 kilometers of west-facing coastline, about 80% of which is a nearly unbroken beach replete with golden sand. There are no beaches in Lisbon itself, and space is limited at the intermittent sandy beaches along the mostly rocky coastline of the northern suburbs. Thus, when most denizens of Lisbon go to the beach, they head south of the Tagus.
Roughly the northern third of the west-facing Setúbal Peninsula coastline is known as the Costa da Caparica. There are resort hotels toward its heavily urbanized northern end (closer to Lisbon), but the landscape becomes wooded and rustic going south. Wherever you are along the Costa da Caparica, you aren't more than a few hundred meters away from the nearest parking, restaurants and sun beds. There are over 20 proper names for segments of the long beach of the Costa da Caparica, and the southernmost of these contiguous segments is Praia da Bela Vista. A bit south of the Costa da Caparica, Fonte da Telha is a beach community that sprawls several kilometers. With a small grid of unpaved streets and no fancy hotels, Fonte de Telha is popular with surfers and has its own distinct vibe. It looks a bit run-down, but the ramshackle aura is part of its mellow charm. All the beach areas of the Costa da Caparica and Fonte da Telha are tremendously popular. Since the 1960s, the Costa da Caparica and Fonte da Telha have been connected by a seasonal mini-train—the Minicomboio da Caparica—that runs along the beach. Including its two terminal stops, the train once had 21 stops, numbered consecutively going south. The numbering scheme remains even though two of the stops (1 and 18) no longer exist. (In 2007, the northern bit of the track was dismantled, making stop 2 the current northern terminus. Stop 18 seems to have been done away with years ago.) The current length of the beach railroad is 7 kilometers. 16 of the stops (2 through 17) are along the Costa da Caparica. One stop (19) is along the stretch between the Costa da Caparica and Fonte da Telha. Two stops (20 and 21) are in Fonte da Telha.
There are two areas where nudists cluster along the continuous beach of the Costa da Caparica and Fonte da Telha—Praia 19 and Praia da Adiça. Praia 19 is between the Costa da Caparica and Fonte da Telha. Praia da Adiça is at the south end of Fonte da Telha. Both beaches are backed by beautiful orange-tinted sandstone cliffs, with the cliffs of Praia 19 a bit inland from the beach and the cliffs of Praia da Adiça closer to the ocean.
The southernmost parking area of the Costa da Caparica is at Praia da Bela Vista. From there, the as-the-crow-flies distance to the northernmost parking in Fonte da Telha is just 1.6 kilometers, but the driving distance is over 8 kilometers since there is not a road along the beachfront. The beach corresponding to the roadless stretch is Praia 19, a name that comes from the stop number of the beach train. (When spelled out, Praia 19 is Praia Dezanove or Praia do Dezanove.) Sanctioned for naturist use since 1995, Praia 19 is Portugal's first official nude beach. The designated nudist zone extends a little over one kilometer. Most nudists access Praia 19 from Praia da Bela Vista, so the name Bela Vista is often applied to the nudist zone. Praia 19 is a very popular nude beach that has a larger gay following than any other beach in Portugal. It is widely regarded as a gay beach even though usage is mixed. Straight couples tend to gather toward either end of the nudist zone, while the middle section is occupied mainly by gay men. The nude segment of the beach is backed by large sand dunes and low sandstone cliffs. There are no amenities along the nudist stretch, but Casa da Praia restaurant is nearby at Praia da Bela Vista.
South of Praia 19, the beach abutting Fonte da Telha is generally referred to as Praia da Fonte da Telha. Continuing south, the name rather arbitrarily changes to Praia da Adiça. Nude bathing has occurred along Praia da Adiça for years, but the beach was not formally approved for naturist use until 2015, 20 years after such recognition was conferred on Praia 19. The nude area of Praia da Adiça begins approximately where the beachfront road that goes south out of Fonte da Telha comes to a dead end. The designated naturist zone extends 600 meters (ending a bit before the municipal boundary of Almada and Sesimbra), but the end point is not terribly important since the next point of access is about 5 kilometers away just beyond the Albufeira Lagoon, a large body of water that sometimes breaks through to the ocean and sometimes is dammed by deposits of sand. Praia da Adiça has smaller and more dispersed crowds compared to Praia 19, nor is there nearly as prominent a gay presence. Once you pass the initial crowd of nudists, the number of visitors becomes fewer and farther between, then the beach becomes completely deserted. Its an ideal place for an extended naked stroll. If you keep walking and walking and walking until the colorful cliffs end, you are getting close to the lagoon.
The roads of the Costa da Caparica and Fonte da Telha are often choked with traffic on summer weekends, as is the perpetually clogged Ponte 25 de Abril connecting Lisbon to the Setúbal Peninsula. Check a resource like Google Maps to see how traffic is moving before you head out.
This placemark pertains to Praia 19 and Praia da Adiça.

Praia 19
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Praia 19 & Praia da Adiça.)
Almada, Setúbal, Lisboa, Portugal
There are 33 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Praia 19 and Praia da Adiça.

Praia da Adiça
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Praia 19 & Praia da Adiça.)
Almada, Setúbal, Lisboa, Portugal
There are 33 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Praia 19 and Praia da Adiça.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/45kriXt
To park near the north end of Praia 19, set your GPS device to:
38.5973N, 9.2060W (parking lot at Praia da Bela Vista)
The parking lot referenced above is the southernmost beach parking lot along the Costa da Caparica, at the end of a 1.5-kilometer long gravel road from which several segments of the Costa da Caparica beach are accessed. You will pass Casa da Praia restaurant and stop 17★ of the beach train as you walk out to the beach. Facing the ocean, turn left and walk south 400-500 meters to reach the start of the nudist zone, which extends southward a little over one kilometer. Alternatively, you can walk south alongside the railroad tracks about 900 meters to stop 19, which is a remote stop not close to any parking. (Remember there is no stop 18.) From stop 19, it is a short trek through the dunes to the central area of the nudist zone.
To park near the south end of Praia 19, set your GPS device to:
38.5821N, 9.2002W (north end of beachfront road through Fonte da Telha)
The main road of Fonte da Telha is an unsurfaced road of gravel and hard-packed sand that extends 2.8 kilometers along the beachfront. There is informal parking all along the road. At the north end of the beachfront, the road bends inland then becomes off limits to automobiles. At the bend, there is a short path that goes out to the beach, and you will pass stop 20★ of the beach train along the way. Facing the ocean, turn to the right and walk north. Within a few hundred meters, you will reach the start of the nudist zone, which extends northward a little over one kilometer. Alternatively, you can walk north alongside the railroad tracks about 750 meters to stop 19 then cross the dunes to the beach.
To park near Praia da Adiça, set your GPS device to:
38.5588N, 9.1897W (south end of beachfront road through Fonte da Telha)
Barriers block further access at the end of the road. The nude area begins approximately at that point, extending southward (to the left when facing the ocean).
★ From stop 17 or stop 20, you could conceivably board the train for a very short trip to stop 19, but you are not likely to consider it worth the money. The fare is €3 (one way) or €5 (round trip) for a distance you can cover on foot in less than 10 minutes.
starting point:  Ponte 25 de Abril along the A-2 motorway in Lisbon
The Ponte 25 de Abril is the iconic suspension bridge along A-2 that bears a striking resemblance to the Golden Gate Bridge. The 2.2-kilometer-long bridge spans the Rio Tejo, connecting central Lisbon to its southern suburbs on the Setúbal Peninsula. Follow the bridge south out of the city. On the south side, you will pass the large toll plaza for traffic heading the opposite direction, but there is no toll for traffic leaving the city. About 800 meters after the toll plaza, exit toward Caparica and Trafaria. You will then be filtered onto the IC-20 expressway (a.k.a. A-38★★), heading west.
As you follow IC-20, there are several consecutively numbered exits. In about 3.5 kilometers, you will pass Exit 4, which is the last of them (but don't take it). About 2 kilometers farther along, the expressway portion of IC-20 will have ended, and you will reach the start of a palm lined median between the opposing lanes of traffic. Follow the palm-line part of the street about 500 meters to the next red light. Turn left, toward Fonte da Telha. You will then begin heading south on the main road through the Costa da Caparica, driving parallel to the long beach. (The road changes names multiple times the farther you go, but all the name segments comprise a continuous street: Rua Vítimas da Guerra Colonial → Avenida Dr. Aresta Branco → Avenida Dom Sebastião → Estrada Florestal → Estrada da Fonte da Telha. We'll just call it the Caparica beach road.)
As you follow the Caparica beach road, the character of the surroundings gets less urbanized the farther you go, all within a fairly short distance. At first there is a stretch of multi-story hotels and apartment buildings, then there is a stretch with several beachside campgrounds, then finally the road becomes pastoral as it passes through a farming area. Beginning along the campground stretch and continuing through the farmland stretch, you will begin to see blue panels that point right toward various beaches, which are all in fact just segments of the long, continuous beach of the Costa da Caparica. In sequence, going south, the beach names are Nova Praia, Praia da Saude, Praia da Cornelia, Praia da Mata, Praia da Riviera, Praia da Rainha, Praia do Castelo and Praia da Cabana do Pescador. After you have been driving on the Caparica road for 4.8 kilometers, you will reach the last of the beach turnoffs, where there is a cluster of signs pointing toward multiple beaches: Praia da Princesa, Praia do Rei, Praia Morena, Praia da Sereia, Praia do Infante, Praia da Nova Vaga and Praia da Bela Vista. (The signage seems to change regularly. There may not be a sign for every beach.)
To park near the north end of Praia 19:
Turn right at the cluster of signs. You will be on a cobbled road that will quickly turn to gravel. The road provides access to six beach parking lots. Keep straight ahead for 1.5 kilometers to the lot at the end of the road, then proceed as directed above.
To park near the south end of Praia 19, or to go to Praia da Adiça:
Keep straight ahead past the cluster of signs. Continue 2.2 kilometers, staying on the main road until you reach a roundabout at the edge of Marisol. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Fonte da Telha. Continue 2.8 kilometers, then veer right at the blue panel that points toward Praia da Fonte da Telha. (The turnoff is next to a coast guard [Controlo Costeiro] facility. You will see a couple of transmissions towers, the tallest of which is red and white.) Continue 500 meters and you will reach a "T" with the beachfront road of Fonte da Telha. The beach will be clearly visible straight ahead of you at the "T," and which way you turn depends on whether you want to go to Praia 19 or Praia da Adiça. In either case, you will be following the beachfront road to its end. To go to Praia 19, turn right at the "T." Follow the beachfront road north for 1.2 kilometers until you reach the point where the road bends sharply to the right, then proceed as directed above. To go to Praia da Adiça, turn left at the "T." Follow the beachfront road south 1.5 kilometers to its end, then proceed as directed above.
★★ Note: Portugal has some overlapping route numbering that is a little difficult to understand, and sometimes the more prominent route numbering on actual signage differs from what appears to be the more prominent route numbering on online maps like Google Maps. Just be aware that IC-20 and A-38 are the same road.
MAP from Ponte 25 de Abril to parking (Praia 19, north side)
MAP from Ponte 25 de Abril to parking (Praia 19, south side)
MAP from Ponte 25 de Abril to parking (Praia da Adiça)
PUBLIC TRANSIT
If you are visiting Lisbon without a car and want to go the nearest nude beach (i.e., Praia 19), it is possible but time consuming to get from the central city to the nude beach by public transit. The route described below involves about a kilometer of walking (each way), and it is feasible only during peak beach season (June to late September) when the beach train is in operation. Allow about 2 hours of travel time each way.
Your starting point in Lisbon is Cais do Sodré (38.7054N, 9.1453W), a transit hub that includes a train station, a metro station and a ferry dock. The metro station is an end stop of the green line (Linha Verde), one of Lisbon's four metro lines. (See Metrolisboa.pt for metro information.)
At the ferry dock that is next to the train station, passenger ferries depart for three destinations: Cacilhas, Seixal and Montijo. Take the ferry to Cacilhas. (See Transtejo.pt for ferry information.) Service is frequent (three to four times per hour during summer) and tickets are cheap, and the distance you will travel across the Tejo River is just under 2 kilometers. The trip takes about 10 minutes.
When you land on the other side of the river, you will be at the large Cacilhas transportation hub (38.6877N, 9.1471W), where numerous buses and several light rail lines depart for destinations all over the Setúbal Peninsula. (See Tsuldotejo.pt for Setúbal Peninsula bus information.) There are signs indicating which buses leave from the various platforms. There are two buses to the Costa da Caparica—line 135 and line 124. Both are named Cacilhas-Costa da Caparica, but line 135 has the addendum via Rápida because it is an express route with fewer stops. For either bus, you will ride the entire route. Bus 135 has service at least every 30 minutes during most daylight hours each day of the week, and the trip takes about 25 minutes. Bus 124 has service at least every 20 minutes, but the trip takes 55 minutes. It is generally worth waiting for the next express bus.
The end stop of Bus 135 and Bus 124 is a bus hub in the Costa da Caparica called Torre Argolas (38.6405N, 9.2303W). From there, it is a walk of about one kilometer to the beach train. It takes 10 to 15 minutes, and it is an easy walk along sidewalks. When you get off the bus, you will be in a plaza surrounded by residential buildings. Head south (toward the tallest of the apartment towers) until you are able to turn right through a breezeway. On the other side of the breezeway, you will emerge at a roundabout along the Caparica beach road (i.e., the road referenced above under "Additional directions"). Keep straight ahead across the roundabout, heading toward the beach along a side street named Rua Engenheira Henrique Mêndia. (There is a sign with the street name at its start.) Continue 300 meters to the next roundabout, which is next to the beach. Go left. You will then be walking south on Avenida General Humberto Delgado, with the ocean on your right-hand side (mostly obscured by the dunes). Continue about 500 meters to the end of the street at the next roundabout (38.6340N, 9.2305W), which is at the entrance to a segment of the beach called Nova Praia. Head out to the beach and you will find the northern terminus of the beach train (Minicomboio da Caparica) next to Chapéu de Palha restaurant.
The beach train runs every half hour (on the hour and half past) from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. The route has two zones. Since stop 19 is in the more distant zone, the fare is €5 (one way) or €8 (round trip). You will be on the train for most of the length of the 7-kilometer-long line. The trip takes about 25 minutes. When you reach stop #17, you will be at Praia da Bela Vista, and you will see Casa da Praia restaurant. Stay on the train to the next stop (38.5884N, 9.2041W), which is #19. (There is no longer a stop #18.) The sign at the stop reads Transpraia 19 Paragem. Praia 19 is just over the dunes from the train stop.
If you were to stay on the train past stop #19, about 1.4 kilometers farther on you would reach the southern terminus at Fonte da Telha. The remote beach called Praia da Adiça is farther south. However, you would have to walk a little over 2 kilometers from the train end stop to the nude area of Praia da Adiça. It is also possible to take a bus to Fonte da Telha from Cacilhas (line 127, 55 minutes), but the bus only runs once an hour, and it is still a walk of 1.6 kilometers from the bus stop to the nude area of Praia da Adiça. Thus, most visitors are likely to consider the public transit options for Praia da Adiça a little too limiting.
This placemark pertains to Praia 19 and Praia da Adiça.

Ponte 25 de Abril
This placemark pertains to Praia 19 and Praia da Adiça.

exit toward Caparica & Trafaria

red light in Costa da Caparica

Nova Praia

northern terminus of beach train at Nova Praia

Praia da Saude

Praia da Cornelia

Praia da Mata

Praia da Riviera

Praia da Rainha

Praia do Castelo

Praia da Cabana do Pescador

signed turnoff toward multiple beaches

Praia do Rei

Praia Morena

Praia da Sereia

Praia do Infante

Praia da Nova Vaga

Praia da Bela Vista

Praia da Bela Vista parking lot

stop #19 of beach train ("Transpraia 19 Paragem")

roundabout at edge of Marisol

coast guard transmission towers

parking at north end of Fonte da Telha

southern terminus of beach train at Fonte da Telha

parking at south end of Fonte da Telha

Cais do Sodré transit hub

Cacilhas transit hub

Costa Caparica Torre Argolas bus hub

roads from Ponte 25 de Abril to Fonte da Telha

gravel beach access road

road through Fonte da Telha

walking route from Costa Caparica bus hub to beach train at Nova Praia

beach train tracks

Praia da Ursa & Praia da Adraga

Sintra is an affluent suburb northwest of Lisbon known for its abundance of romantic hilltop villas and castles, including the Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena) and Monserrate Palace (Palácio de Monserrate), just to name of few. Along the coastline of Sintra, Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of continental Europe. Tourists flock to the end-of-the-world overlook that is perched about 75 meters above the rocky coastline.
Just a bit north of Cabo da Roca, Praia da Ursa has geographic features that are evocative of Sintra's famously opulent architecture. There are a number of columnar rock formations in the intertidal zone and just offshore, the most prominent of which are two huge side-by-side spires that resemble mini-Matterhorns rising from the ocean. Ursa is often touted as Portugal's most beautiful beach. A good many visitors to Cabo da Roca wander over to snap photographs of Praia da Ursa from above, but just a fraction of them descend to the beach since the requisite hike is challenging. A reasonable level of fitness is necessary, as are sturdy shoes.
Praia da Ursa is a sandy crescent that is about 200 meters long at low tide. A small waterfall trickles down a crevice toward the north end of the crescent near the iconic rocky spires, and there are a few hidden niches at the south end that are inundated at high tide. Nudity is tolerated at Praia da Ursa, but actual nude usage is unpredictable, as is overall attendance. On sunny summer days, there may be a few dozen visitors at the small beach. At such times, just about everyone is likely to be attired in swimwear, but there are sometimes a few intrepid nudists even on days when the beach is at its most crowded. Nudity occurs more freely when the beach isn't too crowded, and there are plenty of times when the beach is nearly or completely deserted. Even when overtaken by textiles, Praia da Ursa is well worth a visit for its breathtaking landscape. There are no amenities, so come prepared.
Praia da Adraga is located about 1.5 kilometers northeast of Praia da Ursa as the crow flies, but the two beaches are nearly 10 kilometers apart by car (or just 4 kilometers if you can find your way along unsigned and unpaved back roads). Praia da Adraga is a beautiful sandy beach amid a backdrop that is similar to that of Praia da Ursa, but less dramatic. The major difference between the two beaches is accessibility. Praia da Ursa is located down a rough gravel road that ends high above the beach, but an asphalted road leads all the way to Praia da Adraga, with parking adjacent to the beach next to a restaurant. Descend fewer than 10 steps and you will step onto the sand at the south end of the beach, where you will see a small arch in the rock mass in the intertidal zone. From there, an expanse of golden sand extends northward about 500 meters at low tide, but at high tide the beach is less than 300 meters long. Praia da Adraga is popular and often crowded, and it is basically a textile beach, but a few nudists are often present at the far north end. A major limitation of Adraga as a nudist venue is that the nude area is completely inundated at high tide. If the tide is in but the beach isn't too crowded, there may be a few nudists present as far north as it is possible to go. If the tide is in and it is really crowded, you will likely find only textiles.
Sintra is a traveler's delight for its natural splendor and historic grandeur, but keep in mind that Praia da Ursa and Praia da Adraga are minor as nudist destinations compared to the three far more popular nude beaches that are south of Lisbon on the Setúbal Peninsula.
This placemark pertains to Praia da Ursa and Praia da Adraga.

Praia da Ursa
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Praia da Ursa and Praia da Adraga.)
Sintra, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
There are 14 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Praia da Ursa and Praia da Adraga.

Praia da Adraga
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Praia da Ursa and Praia da Adraga.)
Sintra, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
There are 14 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Praia da Ursa and Praia da Adraga.

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3P9MKc8
To go to Praia da Ursa, set your GPS device to:
38.7731N, 9.4761W (turnoff from N-247 into Azóia)
The village of Azóia is on the west side of N-247 in the northwest of the Lisbon metro area, at a driving distance of about 38 kilometers from the center of Lisbon. The turnoff is marked by signs pointing toward Azóia and Cabo da Roca. Upon turning, you will be at the start of a 2.8-kilometer-long road that dead ends at the Cabo da Roca lighthouse. Keep straight ahead on the road exactly 2 kilometers, passing all the way through the village, until you reach a sign that points right toward Praia da Ursa (at which point the lighthouse will be visible straight ahead). The sign is at the start of a gravel road. It is possible to drive 600 meters to the end of the road (38.7876N, 9.4902W). However, the road is quite rough, so many visitors park alongside the asphalted road and do the entire length of the gravel road on foot. If you drive, there is informal parking along the last bit of the road.
At the end of the gravel road, you will be about 130 meters above sea level, with a clear view of the ocean and the two most prominent of the rocky spires of Praia da Ursa. There are two main paths to the beach, which you will see going downhill. Both paths leave from the end of the road, less than 15 meters apart. (There may be one or more other paths that visitors have blazed, but those just connect to the two main paths.) Be sure to take the path that is farther left as you face the ocean. (The other path involves a difficult final descent.) As you head downhill, watch for the rocky spires to stay on course. The distance to the beach is less than 400 meters, but it takes at least 15 minutes since it is a steep descent.
To go to Praia da Adraga, set your GPS device to:
38.7938N, 9.4652W (turnoff from N-247 into Almoçageme)
The village of Almoçageme is on the west side of N-247 in the northwest of the Lisbon metro area, at a driving distance of about 42 kilometers from the center of Lisbon. The turnoff is marked by signs pointing toward Almoçageme and Praia da Adraga. Upon turning, proceed about 600 meters to the village center, then turn left at another Praia da Adraga sign. Continue 1.7 kilometers to the parking lot at the end of the road (38.8018N, 9.4846W). The parking lot is at the far south end of Praia da Adraga. Facing the ocean, turn right and walk about 300 meters to the narrower north end of the beach.
starting point:  Exit 12 (Malveira, Cabo da Roca, Guincho) of the A-5 motorway near Cascais
Exit 12 is at the western terminus of A-5, about 27 kilometers directly west of the center of Lisbon. There are two exits numbered 12 that are part of the same interchange. Be sure to take the exit signed Malveira, Cabo da Roca and Guincho (NOT the one for Cascais and Birre). Upon exiting, you will be filtered onto route N-9-1, going north.
Follow N-9-1 for 3.5 kilometers and you will pass the Malveira da Serra village sign. Less than 200 meters farther on, stay on the main road as it curves leftward at a three-way junction. About 200 meters farther on, keep straight ahead at a yield sign (toward Sintra and Colares), merging into N-247. Continue north 3.5 kilometers and take note when you pass several signs at the municipal border where you leave Cascais and enter Sintra. (The most visible sign at the border is the Cascais coat of arms with a red slash through it, signifying you are departing Cascais.) After the municipal boundary, continue 1.4 kilomters and take note of the signed left-hand turnoff into Azóia. To go to Praia da Ursa, turn there and proceed as directed above. To continue to Praia da Adraga, continue north on N-247 another 3.9 kilometers, then turn left into Almoçageme and proceed as directed above.
MAP from A-5 Exit 12 to parking (Praia da Ursa)
MAP from A-5 Exit 12 to parking (Praia da Adraga)
This placemark pertains to Praia da Ursa and Praia da Adraga.

signs at municipal boundary of Cascais & Sintra
This placemark pertains to Praia da Ursa and Praia da Adraga.

turnoff from N-247 into Azóia

parking along gravel road

Cabo da Roca lighthouse

Cabo da Roca, westernmost point of continental Europe

turnoff from N-247 into Almoçageme

parking lot at end of road

Restaurante da Adraga

"Colares" village sign (facing traffic going north)

road from N-247 to Cabo da Roca

rough gravel road

steep path to beach

roads through Almoçageme

Praia da Vigia

Praia da Vigia
About 40 kilometers northwest of Lisbon, Praia de São Julião is a small and easily accessible textile beach located at the mouth of a stream at the municipal border of Sintra and Mafra. Going south from Praia de São Julião, the land rises abruptly. The next stretch of beach, Praia da Vigia, is backed by steep and rugged cliffs. At low tide, Praia de São Julião and Praia da Vigia are connected, collectively spanning about 2.2 kilometers. At high tide, the two beaches are cut off from one another and Praia da Vigia is further divided into several segments. Praia de São Julião is a popular and often crowded beach with a restaurant. Praia da Vigia is a never-crowded beach with no amenities, and there is a small nudist presence along the southernmost few hundred meters of the beach.
While it is sometimes possible to access Praia da Vigia through Praia de São Julião, it is a long walk across the beach to the nude area, then there is the problem with the tides. It is also possible to park toward the southern end of the beach and hike down the cliffs. There are two paths. Both land along the southernmost 500 meters of the beach, which is the longest unbroken stretch of sand at high tide. The paths are short but quite steep, so you must be reasonably fit and agile for the climb challenging. Due to the access difficulties, the two parking areas above the south end of the beach are usually mostly empty even during summer.
Sintra, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal

Follow this link for printable directions: https://bit.ly/3KQ45nR
38.9217N, 9.4164W (turnoff from Estrada de São Julião onto Caminho do Ribeiro Gordo near Assafora)
The village of Assafora is in the far north of the municipality of Sintra. The village is uphill and slightly inland from the coast, and it is not along a numbered road. Assafora is connected to the coast by an asphalted road named Estrada de São Julião, which goes northwest out of the village. (The road is poorly signed, but there are a few plaques with the street name in the village.) Caminho do Ribeiro Gordo is a gravel road that begins between Assafora and the coast. There are no signs along Estrada de São Julião to help you find the turnoff. However, once you turn you will see a small Caminho do Ribeiro Gordo plaque affixed to a stone fence wall.
Upon turning, you will be going south through a mostly forested area of scattered houses with ascending street numbers on gated driveways. (Some numbers are easy to spot but others aren't. Odd numbers are on the left and even on the right.) Follow Caminho do Ribeiro Gordo about 500 meters, then take the next right after you pass neighboring houses numbered "44" and "46." Once you turn, you will be heading across a plateau toward the ocean, which will be visible straight ahead. Continue a little over 200 meters to a four-way intersection with another gravel road. At that point, there are two parking and access options. Both take you to the southern area of the beach.
First, assume you stay straight ahead at the four-way intersection. Continue about 300 meters to the end of the road at a gravel parking lot above the beach (38.9197N, 9.4239W). The parking lot is about 60 meters above the beach. Facing the ocean, head left on the path that leaves from the south side of the parking area. When the path splits, keep to the right, following the path that begins to go down the cliff (not the one that stays atop the cliff). The path makes a short but very steep descent to the beach. When you land on the beach, turn left. It is 500 meters to the south end of the beach, and nude bathers gather along the last few hundred meters.
Alternatively, assume you turn left at the four-way intersection. Follow the road south, staying on the the broadest road at all junction. In 500 meters you will reach the end of the road at a dirt parking area above the far south end of the beach (38.9164N, 9.4258W). Facing the ocean, follow the path that begins on the left side of the parking area. The path makes a short but steep descent through a cleft in the cliffs, landing directly along the nude area of the beach.
Note: The clifftop path connects the two parking areas, which are not quite 400 meters apart.
starting point:  Exit 8 (Sintra, Colares) of the A-16 motorway near Sintra
Exit 8 is about 30 kilometers west-northwest of the center of Lisbon. There are two exits numbered 8 that are part of the same interchange. Be sure to take the exit signed Sintra and Colares (NOT the one for Algueirão). All exiting traffic is filtered west toward the town center of Sintra. In less than a kilometer, keep straight ahead through a roundabout, continuing toward the town center (centro). Continue 500 meters to the next roundabout and take the second departure, where there is a stack of signs pointing toward Colares, Lourel, Varzea and a number of other locations. Upon departing the roundabout, you will be heading into the dense urban center of Sintra. In 300 meters the road will curve sharply rightward, shortly beyond which you will enter a cobbled roundabout with a fountain in its median. Take the first departure (straight ahead), toward Lourel, Terrugem, Pêro Pinheiro, Mafra and Ericeira.
Once you depart the cobbled roundabout, you will begin heading north on N-247. Keep straight ahead through subsequent roundabouts to stay on N-247 toward Ericeira. Follow N-247 for 6.4 kilometers (passing through Lourel and Vila Verde), then turn left toward São João das Lampas, Assafora and Magoito.
Upon turning, you will be on an unnumbered road that goes northwest toward the coast. Follow the road 5.9 kilometers (passing through São João das Lampas) and take note when you pass the Assafora village sign, which is not a standard sign but rather a small tiled mural with the name of the village above an open door. Continue 800-900 meters to a three-way junction opposite a small church. Turn right, toward Praia de São Julião, Ericeira and Mafra.
Upon turning, you will be on Estrada de São Julião. Continue 1.9 kilometers and watch for a Volte Sempre sign (i.e., "Come Again"), indicating you are leaving Assafora. After the Volte Sempre sign, continue 400-500 meters and take the second left (not counting private driveways), at which point you will be at the start of Caminho do Ribeiro Gordo. Proceed as directed above.
alternate starting point:  Exit 5 (Ericeira, Mafra, Malveira) of the A-8 motorway near Malveira
Exit 5 is about 27 kilometers north of the center of Lisbon. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered onto A-21, which is a short spur motorway that goes toward the coast. Follow A-21 west for 15.2 kilometers, then take Exit 2 (Mafra Oeste), which is the western of two Mafra exits. Just after exiting, you will pass through a toll plaza that is on the north side of A-21. Just after the toll plaza, you will reach a roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Mafra. You will then be on the CRIMA ring road (i.e., Circular Regional Interior de Mafra). Stay on it just 400 meters to the next roundabout. Take the first departure (effectively a right turn), toward Carvoeira. You will then be on route M-549, and in 500 meters you will cross over A-21 to its south side.
Keep straight ahead on M-549 another 4.3 kilometers and you will cross a short one-lane bridge over the Rio Lizandro. One kilometer after the bridge, you will reach a stop sign in the village of Carvoeira where you have to turn one way or the other. Turn left, toward Sintra. You will then be on N-247, but there are no prominent signs with the road number, and you will not be on the road for long. Proceed one kilometer to the neighboring village of Baleia, then turn right toward Assafora and São Julião.
Follow the road for 2.3 kilometers to a three-way junction next to the coast, at which point the ocean will be in clear view straight ahead. Turn left. (The junction is not well signed, but the road straight ahead dead ends shortly past the junction. Praia de São Julião is the sandy beach visible from the junction.)
Once you turn, the road at first goes slightly downhill, but then in begins going uphill and inland. In 300-400 meters you will pass a couple of "welcome" (Bem-Vindo) signs at the municipal border where you leave Mafra and enter Sintra (i.e., the municipalities, not the towns of the same name). After the "welcome" signs, continue uphill about 800 meters and take the second right (not counting private driveways) onto Caminho do Ribeiro Gordo, then proceed as directed above. You have missed the turnoff by 400-500 meters if you pass the Assafora village sign (which is the opposite side of the Volte Sempre sign noted above).
MAP from A-16 Exit 8 to parking (gravel lot)
MAP from A-8 Exit 5 to parking (gravel lot)
This placemark pertains to Praia da Vigia.

Assafora village sign ("Assafora" on one side, "Volte Sempre" on other side)
This placemark pertains to Praia da Vigia.

church opposite 3-way junction in Assafora
This placemark pertains to Praia da Vigia.

start of Caminho do Ribeiro Gordo (very inconspicuous sign)

"Bem-Vindo" signs at municipal border (Sintra/Mafra)

Praia de São Julião (textile)

3-way junction next to Praia de São Julião

neighboring houses numbered "44" & "46"

4-way intersection of gravel roads

roads through Assafora

Caminho do Ribeiro Gordo (gravel)

Centro

Gralha & Salgado

São Martinho do Porto and Nazaré are nearby coastal towns along the central coast of Portugal. The towns are roughly 110-120 kilometers north of Lisbon, and they are about 13 kilometers from one another. Both São Martinho do Porto and Nazaré are resort towns with tremendously popular main town beaches, and that of São Martinho do Porto is particularly distinctive for its location along a very sheltered bay that is an almost perfect half circle. Perhaps because of the gravitational pull of the two main beaches, the beaches that are along the stretch between São Martinho do Porto and Nazaré are far less attended and provide opportunities for nude bathing.
Praia da Gralha is located just north of São Martinho do Porto. A little over a kilometer long, this very scenic beach is a broad crescent at the base of a steep bluff, and the geography of the beach makes it popular with paragliders. Gralha is an undeveloped beach with no amenities and a small parking area, and those factors limit attendance. The beach never gets overcrowded and is often virtually deserted. The gravel road that leads to the beach goes all the way down the bluff to a parking area that is toward the southwest end of the beach. Nudity occurs in peripheral areas of the beach, but mainly toward the northeast end (to the right when facing the ocean), at the base of the sheer headland that forms one end of the beach. Although Praia da Gralha feels remote, it is surprisingly close to the main beach of São Martinho do Porto, which is just 1.5 kilometers away.
A bit beyond the sheer headland that forms the northeast end of Praia da Gralha, the next beach is Praia do Salgado, and it is a large beach that is over 5 kilometers long. It ends at the mouth of the Alcoa River (just beyond which is the Nazaré marina). There is just one developed access point to Salgado. Toward the southeastern end of the beach, a paved road leads to a parking lot, and there is a beach café nearby. Just about all visitors cluster near the parking lot, and the rest of the vast beach is mostly empty. There is ample space for nudists in either direction, but more so toward the northeast (to the right when facing the ocean). Just walk a sufficiently discreet distance beyond the textiles. You will see Nazaré in the distance as you walk northeast.
You are unlikely to find large crowds of nudists at either Praia da Gralha or Praia do Salgado. Of the two, Gralha has more of a reputation as a gathering place for naturists. Salgado is better described as a mostly deserted beach with nudist potential.
This placemark pertains to Praia da Gralha and Praia do Salgado.

Praia da Gralha
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Praia da Gralha and Praia do Salgado.)
more info from Rentalia (reviews, mostly in Portuguese or Spanish)
municipality, district, region, country
Alcobaça, Leiria, Centro, Portugal
There are 10 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Praia da Gralha and Praia do Salgado.

Praia do Salgado
(See the "i" information placemark for a collective description of Praia da Gralha and Praia do Salgado.)
more info from Rentalia (reviews, mostly in Portuguese or Spanish)
municipality, district, region, country
Nazaré, Leiria, Centro, Portugal
There are 10 placemarks related to these nearby sites: Praia da Gralha and Praia do Salgado.

starting point  Exit 21 of the A-8 motorway near Alfeizerão
The A-8 is a motorway that is about 130 kilometers long, and it follows the coastline in the central part of Portugal, from Lisbon to Leiria. Exit 21 is signed for Alfeizerão and São Martinho do Porto, and it is toward the northern end of the motorway, about 100 kilometers north of Lisbon. 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 roundabout immediately thereafter. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively just a right turn), toward Alfeizerão and São Martinho do Porto. You will then begin heading west on route N-242, passing through the village of Alfeizerão. In 3.5 kilometers, you will reach an oblong roundabout at the edge of São Martinho do Porto. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, following the sign for Nazaré and Marinha Grande.
THIS PLACEMARK IS PINPOINTED AT THE POINT WHERE YOU DEPART THE OBLONG ROUNDABOUT IN SÃO MARTINHO DO PORTO.
Once you leave the oblong roundabout, continue along N-242 for 1.2 kilometers to the next roundabout, which is just after N-242 crosses a railroad via an overpass. Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, staying on N-242. Continue about 500 meters, then turn left at a white Serra dos Mangues sign and an orange Asa Delta sign. Continue 300-400 meters to a "T" junction with a street named Rua Vasco da Gama. At the "T," the entrance to Camping Colina do Sol is straight ahead.
To go to Praia da Gralha: (continued in aqua)
At the "T" in front of Camping Colina do Sol, turn left onto Rua Vasco da Gama (which will soon change to Rua das Ginjeiras). Follow the street 1.1 kilometers to the first four-way junction. Turn right onto Estrada do Facho. The road will almost immediately begin to curve leftward. In less than 200 meters, take the next possible right onto the Praia da Gralha access road. Follow the road 900 meters to its end at a small parking area next to the beach. (The road turns to gravel as you approach the end, and the last few hundred meters is a downhill stretch.) Once you are on the beach, you can go toward one end or the other to find seclusion for nudity. Most nudists tend to prefer the northeast end (to the right when facing the ocean).
To go to Praia do Salgado: (continued in orange)
At the "T" in front of Camping Colina do Sol, turn right onto Rua Vasco da Gama. Follow the street 1.8 kilometers to a fork. Keep to the left, staying on the more prominent road. At that point, the street will change to Rua Bartolomeu Dias. Continue another 2.1 kilometers and watch for a very old windmill with a large cylindrical white-and-blue base that is just off the right side of the road. After the windmill, continue about 300 meters to a four-way intersection and turn left onto the Praia do Salgado access road. (The other direction goes toward the village of Famalicão). Follow the road 1.6 kilometers to its end at a paved parking lot next to the beach. Facing the ocean, turn right and walk northeast until you are a sufficiently discreet distance past the nearest textiles.
Here is a map that draws the route described above from Exit 21 of the A-8 to parking (Gralha), assuming you are going north when you exit (coming from Lisbon, heading toward Leiria).
Here is a map that draws the route described above from Exit 21 of the A-8 to parking (Salgado), assuming you are going north when you exit (coming from Lisbon, heading toward Leiria).
This placemark pertains to Praia da Gralha and Praia do Salgado.

This placemark pertains to Praia da Gralha.

This placemark pertains to Praia do Salgado.

entrance to Camping Colina do Sol
This placemark pertains to Praia da Gralha and Praia do Salgado.

very old windmill with a large cylindrical white-and-blue base
This placemark pertains to Praia do Salgado.

mouth of the Alcoa River, shored up with rock jetties
This placemark pertains to Praia do Salgado.

Praia de São Martinho do Porto (textile)
The popular main beach of São Martinho do Porto is distinctive for its location on a bay that is an almost perfect half circle.

Vigão

Praia do Vigão
Along the central coast of Portugal, Praia da Vieira (which is the name of both a village and its beach) and Pedrogão are nearby coastal villages that are about 5 kilometers apart, and they are in the general vicinity of Leiria, a large town that is about 25-30 kilometers inland from the villages. The beach between Praia da Vieira and Pedrogão is Praia do Vigão. It is a long beach backed by lush sand dunes, and it is sparsely attended except for its northern access at Pedrogão. The beach has a small following of nudists.
Praia do Vigão has three parking lots. There is one at its far south end, along the Rio Lis near the mouth of the river. (Praia da Vieira is on the other side of the river.) Another parking lot is at its far north end, next to Pedrogão. Those two parking areas are 4 kilometers apart, and the immediate vicinity of those access points is textile. The only other parking area is along the central part of the beach, but closer to its southern end. That is where nudists go to access the beach. The gravel road leading to that parking lot is not signed, and there are usually just a handful of cars parked there. Once you cross the short boardwalk over the dunes, nudity may be possible right away. However, if there are only textiles around, it is probably best to walk a bit in either direction before stripping all the way. Facing the ocean at the central nudist access, the far southern access is about 1.3 kilometers to your left, and the far northern access is about 2.7 kilometers to your right. There is ample space to be naked, but the beach between the access points is likely to be mostly deserted. There are no amenities near the nudist entrance, but there is a café next to the parking lot at the far north end of the beach in Pedrogão.
municipality, district, region, country
Leiria, Leiria, Centro, Portugal

starting point  Exit 3 of the A-17 motorway near Monte Real
The A-17 is a motorway that is about 120 kilometers long, and it follows the coastline in the central part of Portugal, from the vicinity of Leiria to Aveiro. Exit 3 is signed for Monte Real, and it is toward the south end of the motorway, roughly 14 kilometers north of where the A-17 begins at the junction with the A-8 near Leiria. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway.
Just beyond the toll plaza, you will reach the first of a number of roundabouts you will encounter along your drive to the beach. Keep straight ahead, following the sign for N-349, which is the road that goes all the way to the coast. At all subsequent roundabouts and junctions, follow the N-349 sign if there is one. Otherwise, just keep straight ahead. As you follow N-349, you will at first skirt the southern edge of Monte Real (bypassing the town center), then you will pass through the communities of Granja, Carvide and Boço. Just after Boço, you will begin to pass through a substantial-sized town called Vieira de Leiria, shorted to just Vieira on most signs. Just keep straight ahead. You will be on a one-way street as you pass through the heart of the town. Once the road becomes a two-way street again, you will reach a roundabout on the far (i.e., coast) side of Vieira de Leiria. The roundabout is recognizable by the art installation in the middle: there is a colorful boat, and "Vieira de Leiria" is spelled out in white letters on the grassy median. By the time you reach the roundabout, you will have driven 10 kilometers from the toll plaza.
Keep straight ahead at the roundabout that has the boat in the middle, following the sign for Praia da Vieira, Praia do Pedrogão and São Pedro de Moel. Continue 2.2 kilometers (passing through a forested area) to the next roundabout, which is at the inland edge of Praia da Vieira (the name of both a beach and a beach community). Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), which is signed for Pedrogão and Figueira da Foz.
THIS PLACEMARK IS PINPOINTED AT THE POINT WHERE YOU DEPART THE ROUNDABOUT AT THE EDGE OF PRAIA DA VIEIRA.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will begin heading north. In about 800 meters, you will cross a bridge over the Rio Lis. Be sure to reset your car's trip meter at the end of the bridge since your next turn is not signed. After the bridge, continue 700 meters to an intersection with a narrow gravel road. (That is, there are gravel turnoffs on either side of the paved road.) Turn left. You should see low-to-the-ground red-and-white markers on both sides of the gravel road at its start.
In about 250 meters, the gravel road will curve to the right. About 200 meters farther along, take the next left onto a short side road that takes you to a small gravel parking lot that is surrounded by wooden fence posts. From there, a 100-meter-long boardwalk goes over the dunes to the beach.
Here is a map that draws the route described above from the A-17 Exit 3 toll plaza to the start of the gravel road. (Google Maps does not recognize the gravel road.)
This placemark pertains to Praia do Vigão.

This placemark pertains to Praia do Vigão.

bridge over the Rio Lis
This placemark pertains to Praia do Vigão.

parking at the far northern end of Praia do Vigão, next to a café

parking at the far southern end of Praia do Vigão

Osso da Baleia

Praia do Osso da Baleia
Praia do Osso da Baleia is located about 45 kilometers northwest of Leiria along the central coast of Portugal, and it is very roughly halfway between Lisbon and Porto. Osso da Baleia is a segment of a very long beach, and it is backed by sand dunes and a large coastal forest. The beach is a bit isolated, and the access point is over 6 kilometers away from the nearest village. There is a snack bar in the dunes between the parking lot and the beach, and there are few short boardwalks over the dunes. Most visitors cluster within a few hundred meters of the boardwalks. Going in either direction, the crowd quickly thins out, and the next major beach access to the north is about 5 kilometers away, while the next major access to the south is about 8 kilometers away. Needless to say, there is ample space for bare bathers. Most nudists seem to go a bit south (to the left when facing the ocean), but it really doesn't matter since the beach is so long and empty. Just walk a few minutes until you are a sufficiently discreet distance beyond the textiles, then you can be naked as far as you'd care to walk. Although nude bathing is well established on remote parts of the beach, keep in mind that the beach is so huge that nudists are likely to be quite dispersed. The name of the beach means "whale bone," and you will see whale images on signs leading to the beach.
Pombal, Leiria, Centro, Portugal

starting point  Exit 6 of the A-17 motorway near Carriço
The A-17 is a motorway that is about 120 kilometers long, and it follows the coastline in the central part of Portugal, from the vicinity of Leiria to Aveiro. Exit 6 is signed for Pombal and Carriço, and it is roughly 30 kilometers north of Leiria. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the inland side of the motorway.
THIS PLACEMARK IS PINPOINTED AT THE A-17 EXIT 6 TOLL PLAZA.
Route IC-8 begins at the toll plaza, but you will just barely be on it. Less than 200 meters after the toll plaza, take Exit 1, which is signed for for Outeiro do Louriçal, Carriço and Guia. You will be looped under the IC-8 to a roundabout. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed for Carriço and Guia.
In 1.1 kilometers, after crossing over the A-17 to the coast side of the motorway, you will reach the next roundabout. Take the fourth departure (effectively a left turn), which is signed for Leiria, Carriço and Guia. You will then begin going south on N-109, and in 300 meters you will pass the Matos do Carriço village sign. 400-500 meters farther on, turn right at the signs for Apeadeiro do Carriço, Matas Nacionais and Osso da Baleia. (The turnoff is next to a car dealership called Stand Marques Dias.)
Follow the road west, passing through Carriço, and in 1.1 kilometers you will cross a railroad. After the railroad, the rest of your journey is through a large coastal forest with little development. Continue 3.9 kilometers past the railroad to an oblong roundabout that is a bit past the entrance to REN Armazenagem (a large industrial facility on the right). Just as soon as you enter the roundabout, turn right, continuing toward Osso da Baleia. You will then begin heading north. Continue 2.4 kilometers to the next roundabout. Take the second departure (effectively a left turn), continuing toward Osso da Baleia. You will then begin heading west again. Follow the road 4 kilometers to its end at the Praia do Osso da Baleia parking lot.
Here is a map that draws the entire route described above from the A-17 Exit 6 toll plaza to parking.
This placemark pertains to Praia do Osso da Baleia.

This placemark pertains to Praia do Osso da Baleia.

Matos do Carriço village sign
This placemark pertains to Praia do Osso da Baleia.

entrance to REN Armazenagem (a large industrial facility)

Stand Marques Dias (car dealership)

railroad crossing

Cova Gala

Praia da Cova Gala
São Pedro da Cova Gala is a village that is part of the large town of Figueira da Foz, and it is on the south side of the broad Rio Mondego. (The main part of Figueira da Foz is north of the river). The longish name of the village is usually truncated: sometimes to São Pedro, sometimes to Cova Gala. Those names refer to the the same place. The beach of the village is typically called Praia da Cova Gala, and there is a boardwalk along the part of the beach that abuts the village. From the south end of the boardwalk, there is a vast stretch of undeveloped beach that extends for over three kilometers to the next coastal village, which is Costa de Lavos. Nudity occurs along that stretch of the beach, particular toward the São Pedro end.
To get to the nude area, you can park in São Pedro and walk south on the beach, or you can park just outside Camping Orbitur Gala (which is just south of the village) and walk through the forest to the beach. Either way, it will be a walk of about a kilometer from the closest parking. The given directions lead to parking next to the campground. Although there is ample room for nudists on the beach, overall attendance (nudist or otherwise) is very light.
Figueira da Foz, Coimbra, Centro, Portugal

starting point  Exit 1 (Leiria) of the A-14 motorway in Figueira da Foz
Exit 1 is the westernmost exit of the A-14, and it is just east where the motorway terminates at a roundabout. The exit is about 6 kilometers west of the A-14/A-17 motorway junction. Regardless of the direction of approach, there are two exits numbered 1 that are part of the same interchange. Be sure to take the exit that is signed for Leiria (NOT the one for Porto and Aveiro). Once you exit, you will begin heading south on route N-109, and shortly you will cross the main branch of the Rio Mondego via a long suspension bridge.
THIS PLACEMARK IS PINPOINTED ALONG THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE.
After the bridge, you will be on an island in the river for about a kilometer, then you will cross another long bridge over a distributary channel of the Rio Mondego. That bridge is distinctive for the four big red metal arches that run between the opposing lanes of traffic. Just after the bridge, you will reach a roundabout in São Pedro. Keep straight ahead through it, staying on N-109 toward Leiria.
Continue 1.5 kilometers and take note when you reach the first four-way intersection, which is a major junction with a turnoff to Cova Gala on the right and a turnoff to an industrial zone on the left. Keep straight ahead through that intersection for a few hundred meters. Just past a 70 KPH speed limit panel, there will be large white arrows painted on the road indicating an upcoming right turn. Get into the right turn lane. At that point, you will be heading toward the entrance gate of Camping Orbitur Gala. At the end of the right-turn lane, turn right instead of going through the entrance gate. You will then be on a road that goes north away from the campground. Immediately look for parking. (There is informal parking on either side of the road.)
Once you park, you will be near a front corner of the fence that surrounds Camping Orbitur Gala. Follow the path along the edge of the fence that is perpendicular to the entrance gate. You will be walking toward the coast, and the fence should be on your left-hand side. In about 400 meters, you will reach the end of the fence at a back corner of the campground property. Keep straight ahead on the path another 300 meters and you will reach the beach. Facing the ocean, turn left and walk south a few hundred meters or until you are beyond the textiles.
Here is a map that draws the route described above from Exit 1 of the A-14 to parking, assuming you are going west when you exit (i.e., heading toward Figueira da Foz).
This placemark pertains to Praia da Cova Gala.

This placemark pertains to Praia da Cova Gala.

This bridge is distinctive for the four big red metal arches that run between the opposing lanes of traffic.
This placemark pertains to Praia da Cova Gala.

entrance to Camping Orbitur Gala

south end of the boardwalk in the village of São Pedro da Cova Gala

Palheirão

Praia do Palheirão
Praia do Palheirão is located about 55 kilometers northwest of Coimbra, which is one of the major towns between Lisbon and Porto. It is a wild and beautiful beach backed by a coastal pine forest, and it is about halfway between two popular beach resorts: Praia de Mira to the north and Praia da Tocha to the south. Palheirão is about 7 kilometers, as the crow flies, from either resort.
Praia do Palheirão is a comparatively remote stretch of a very long beach that goes on and on for about 50 kilometers. It is accessed by driving about 10 kilometers through a coastal forest where there is no development, and the final several kilometers of the drive is along a gravel road. The beach is rather sparsely attended. A short boardwalk connects the parking area to the beach, and there is a small café in that area. Textile visitors tend to cluster where the boardwalk ends. Just walk a reasonably discreet distance in either direction to find ample space for nudity. You will not have to go very far. Nude bathing is well established and seems to be freely tolerated, but the beach is so vast that nudists are always dispersed, and the beach quickly becomes deserted or nearly so as you walk either south or north away from the access point.
more info from Rentalia (reviews, mostly in Portuguese or Spanish)
Cantanhede and Mira, Coimbra, Centro, Portugal

starting point  Exit 10 of the A-17 motorway near Tocha
The A-17 is a motorway that is about 120 kilometers long, and it follows the coastline in the central part of Portugal, from the vicinity of Leiria to Aveiro. Exit 10 is signed for Cantanhede and Tocha, and it is roughly 40 kilometers south of Aveiro. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a toll plaza on the coast side of the motorway.
THIS PLACEMARK IS PINPOINTED AT THE TOLL PLAZA.
Just past the toll plaza, you will enter a roundabout. Keep straight ahead, following the signs for Figueira da Foz and Mira. You will then be on a connector road that goes west to route N-109. Follow the connector road for 2.3 kilometers, keeping straight ahead through all subsequent roundabouts and intersections until you get to the roundabout that forms the junction with route N-109, where there is no road that continues straight ahead. Take the first departure of that roundabout (effectively a right turn), following the signs for Aveiro and Mira. You will then be on N-109.
Follow N-109 north just 500 meters and you will pass the Caniceira village sign, which is below a 50 KPH speed limit panel. Continue another 500 meters, then turn left at a red light. The street onto which you are turning is named Rua da Floresta, but there is no signage at the turnoff. However, immediately upon turning, look to your left and you should see a small plaque with the name of the street affixed to a derelict house.
Follow Rua da Floresta west for 4.2 kilometers to a four-way intersection that is in the middle of the forest, with no nearby development. (It is a prominent intersection with turning lanes on all sides that form a diamond. You will find it easily even if you lose track of your distance.) Turn right at the intersection and follow the road north for 3.2 kilometers until you see an old white house with an orange tile roof on the right side of the road. It is the first structure of any kind you will reach along the road. Turn left onto the gravel road that is directly opposite that house. Follow the road west 3.4 kilometers to its end, where it widens into a gravel parking area. A short boardwalk leads straight ahead to the beach. Walk in either direction just a short distance until you are away from the textiles.
Here is a map that draws the route described above from the A-17 Exit 10 toll plaza to parking.
This placemark pertains to Praia do Palheirão.

This placemark pertains to Praia do Palheirão.

Caniceira village sign, below a 50 KPH speed limit panel
This placemark pertains to Praia do Palheirão.

prominent intersection in the middle of the forest with turning lanes on all sides that form a diamond

An old white house with an orange tile roof is the landmark for finding the final turnoff to the beach.

Costa Nova

Praia da Costa Nova
Costa Nova do Prado, usually truncated to just Costa Nova, is a small coastal resort town along the northern coast of Portugal near the large town of Aveiro, about halfway between Coimbra and Porto. Costa Nova is located on a peninsular part of the coastline, with a large lagoon called Ria de Aveiro on its inland side, and it is known for its colorful houses, many of which are painted in stripes like candy canes. A bit south of the main part of Costa Nova, nudity occurs on an undeveloped stretch of the beach. There are two campgrounds which roughly define the borders of the informal nudist zone. As you head south out of Costa Nova, shortly you will pass a campground called Camping Costa Nova. About 1.5 kilometers farther south, there is another campground called Acampamento do Clube de Campismo de Aveiro. About halfway between the two campgrounds, there is a short gravel road that goes partway to the beach, with a walking path taking you the rest of the way. That path goes to the middle of the nude area of the beach. Nudity takes place over a stretch of about one kilometer, with nudists typically leaving a buffer zone of a few hundred meters at either end near the campgrounds. Nude bathing is well established and tolerated, but the beach is never crowded. The beach is very broad and sandy, and many visitors bring windscreens.
Ílhavo, Aveiro, Centro, Portugal

starting point  the roundabout at the western terminus of the A-25 motorway near Costa Nova and Barra
The A-25 is an east-west motorway through northern Portugal that goes all the way from the Spanish border to the Atlantic Ocean. Going west, the last major town along the A-25 is Aveiro. Continuing west from Aveiro along the last 8 or so kilometers of the motorway, there is an area of salt flats, an exit for Gafanha da Nazaré, an exit for Gafanha da Encarnação, an exit for the Gafanha port area, a long bridge over a lagoon called the Ria de Aveiro, then a large roundabout where the motorway ends. Take the second departure of that roundabout (effectively a left turn), which is signed for Costa Nova.
THIS PLACEMARK IS PINPOINTED AT THE POINT WHERE YOU DEPART THE ROUNDABOUT AT THE TERMINUS OF THE MOTORWAY.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will begin going south on the main through Costa Nova do Prado (typically truncated to just Costa Nova), which spreads out for several kilometers along the peninsula formed be the ocean and the lagoon. You will be driving such that the lagoon is on your left-hand side, and it will be in view for most of your drive. In about one kilometer, be sure to keep to the left at a fork, staying toward the lagoon and following the blue signs for Parque de Campismo and Hotel. About 1.7 kilometers farther on, the dense development of Costa Nova will abruptly end, and the road will pass through an open, mostly treeless area. You will need to watch for landmarks since the turnoff to the nude beach is not signed. Roughly one kilometer after the town development ends, watch for the right-hand turnoff into Camping Costa Nova. You will see a fence with blue-and-white vertical stripes next to the entry gate. Continue south another 500 meters and watch for a turnoff on the right next to a yellow house with a green fence, but do not turn there. About 200 meters farther on, turn right onto the next road that is not private driveway.
Once you turn, you will be on a gravel road that is about 250 meters long. There is informal parking along the side of the road. Straight ahead from the end of the road, a path continues another 200 meters directly to the nude area of the beach.
(Note that you have missed the turnoff to the beach by about 800 meters if you reach the right-hand turnoff into another campground that is signed Acampamento do Clube de Campismo de Aveiro.)
Here is a map that draws the route described above from the A-25 terminus to the turnoff toward parking.
This placemark pertains to Praia da Costa Nova.

This placemark pertains to Praia da Costa Nova.

fork in the road
This placemark pertains to Praia da Costa Nova.

turnoff into Camping Costa Nova

turnoff into Acampamento do Clube de Campismo de Aveiro

turnoff next to a yellow house with a green fence

Norte

Estela

Praia da Estela
Praia da Estela is a stretch of a long, continuous beach in the far north of Portugal, about 45 kilometers north of Porto. The beach is just north of the town of Aguçadoura and a bit south of the town of Apúlia, and the expanse of the beach is roughly defined by the golf course that stretches out for 2.5 kilometers along the coastline. The main parking lot for the beach is in its central area, near the main building of the golf course. Nudists gather about 600 meters south of the main access, along a stretch of about 200 meters that corresponds to the far south end of the golf course. The area is not officially designated for nude use, and crowds are small. The beach can get a bit blustery at times, so many visitors bring windscreens, which serve both to protect against the wind and to provide a bit of privacy for nude sunbathers. As detailed in the driving directions, the quickest way to the nude area of the beach is to bypass the main parking lot and instead park in the lot next to the sports field that abuts the south end of the golf course.
Póvoa de Varzim, Porto, Norte, Portugal

starting point  Exit 18 (Fão/Apúlia) of the A-28 motorway near Apúlia
The A-28 is a motorway that is about 95 kilometers long, and it follows the coastline in the far north of Portugal, from Porto to very near the border with Spain. Exit 18 is along the central portion of that expanse, about 40 kilometers north of Porto. Regardless of the direction of approach, there are two exits numbered 18 that are part of the same large interchange. Be sure to take the Exit 18 that is signed for Fão and Apúlia (NOT the one for Braga and Barcelos). All exiting traffic is filtered to a large oblong roundabout that is on the coast side of the motorway. Take the third departure (effectively a left turn),which is signed for Póvoa de Varzim and Estela.
THIS PLACEMARK IS PINPOINTED AT THE POINT WHERE YOU DEPART THE OBLONG ROUNDABOUT.
Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be going south on route N-13. Continue 2.5 kilometers, then turn right at signs for Rio Alto and Aguçadoura. (There are also generic signs for a golf course and a campground. The turnoff is immediately before Hotel Contriz, which fronts N-13 at the corner where you turn.)
Upon turning, you will be on a narrow cobbled road that goes west through farmland with lots of greenhouses. In about 2 kilometers, when you pass the right-hand turnoff for Camping Orbitur Rio Alto, the road will curve sharply leftward and begin to head south. About 800 meters farther along, at the next paved four-way intersection, the road to your right goes to the main access to Praia da Estela and the golf course that abuts it, but do not turn there. To park closer to the nude area of the beach, keep straight ahead another 1.1 kilometers, then turn right onto a broad gravel road. There are signs at the turnoff, but they all face traffic coming from the opposite direction, so you will not be able to see the signs until you have already turned. Once you turn, immediately look to your right for blue signs for "Praias/Beach" and "Campo de Jogos" to verify you have found the correct road. Shortly after turning, you will reach a large parking lot next to a sports field ("campo de jogos"). Both the parking lot and the sports field abut the beach.
Facing the ocean, turn right and walk north just a few hundred meters and you will reach the small area where nudists congregate. The nude area begins just past the sports field, and it corresponds to the far south end of the golf course.
Note: The town of Aguçadoura is just south of the sports field. As you are driving south and looking for the turnoff to parking, you will be driving through farmland. If you get to the point where there are houses and apartments on both sides of the road, then you have reached the northern edge of Aguçadoura, missing the turnoff by about 300 meters.
Here is a map that draws the route described above from Exit 18 of the A-28 to parking, assuming you are going north when you exit (coming from Porto, heading toward Spain).
This placemark pertains to Praia da Estela.

This placemark pertains to Praia da Estela.

main (textile) area of Praia da Estela
This placemark pertains to Praia da Estela.

sports field ("campo de jogos")

main turnoff to Praia da Estela and the Estela golf course

turnoff to Camping Orbitur Rio Alto

Hotel Contriz

Rodanho

Praia do Rodanho
Praia do Rodanho and Praia da Amorosa are neighboring segments of a continuous beach that is toward the southern end of the large municipality of Viana do Castelo, which is in the far north of Portugal near the Spanish border. The access points to Rodanho and Amarosa are a little over 2 kilometers apart, and nudity occurs along the more remote part of the beach that is about halfway between the two. The informal nude area is usually considered to be part of Praia do Rodanho, but you can park at either beach.
If you park at Amorosa, you will be in a beach resort community where there is a beachside café along the textile part of the beach. The nude area is about a kilometer to the north. If you park at Rodanho, there are no amenities, but the dunes at the access point are exceptionally beautiful. The nude area is about 750 meters to the south. Nudity takes place along a stretch of beach that is roughly 500 meters long, and crowds of nudists are always small and dispersed. The nude area has a reputation as a gay beach, but it draws some straight nudists as well.
Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, Norte, Portugal

starting point  Exit 21 of the A-28 motorway near Viana do Castelo
Exit 21 is signed for Braga and Barcelos It is located about 8 kilometers south of the main exit for Viana do Castelo, and it is about 60 kilometers north of Porto. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a roundabout on the coast side of the motorway. Take the first departure of the roundabout (effectively a right turn), which is signed for Viana. Upon leaving the roundabout, you will be heading north on route N-13.
THIS PLACEMARK IS PINPOINTED AT THE POINT WHERE YOU LEAVE THE ROUNDABOUT THAT IS NEXT TO EXIT 21.
Follow N-13 for 1.2 kilometers, then turn left at a stack of signs for Turismo de Habitação, Campo de Jogos, Amorosa and Chafé. Go west 300-400 meters, then turn left at a stack of signs for Sede da Junta, Jardim de Infância, Centro de Saúde, Campo de Jogos and Amorosa. Continue west 2.3 kilometers to a large four-way intersection where there is an Azoria gas station at one corner. Turn right, follow the sign for Viana.
Upon turning, you will begin going north through a forested area. In 500-600 meters, you will reach a roundabout. In the middle, there is a tall pole with four street lamps. There are two possible approaches to the nude beach that diverge at the roundabout.
To park at Praia da Amorosa, south of the nude area: (continued in aqua)
Take the third departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), which is signed for Praia da Amorosa. There is also a rather inconspicuous sign with the name of the street, which is Avenida do Atlântico. Follow the street west into the coastal community of Amorosa. In about 1.5 kilometers, just past a small church and very close to the beach, the street will bend sharply to the right (north) and become Avenida Marginal. At that point, there will be pull-in parking spaces all along Avenida Marginal and other nearby streets. In 400 meters, Avenida Marginal will bend sharply to the right (inland) next to a small beachfront café with a "pénareia / bar" sign. Park as close as possible to the café and access the beach via the path that is next to the café. Facing the ocean, turn right and walk north, either on the beach or on the path behind the beach. In about one kilometer you will reach the nudist zone of the beach.
To park at Praia do Rodanho, north of the nude area: (continued in orange)
Keep straight ahead through the roundabout and continue north another 2.2 kilometers to a four-way intersection. There is no conspicuous signage at the intersection, which is just past a bus stop shelter. There is a long two-story white building at one corner.. Turn left at the intersection. Follow the cobbled road west about one kilometer to a dirt parking area near the beach. Straight ahead, a boardwalk takes you over the dunes to the beach. Facing the ocean, turn left and walk south about 750 meters to reach the nude area.
Here is a map that draws the route described above from Exit 21 of the A-28 to parking (Praia da Amorosa), assuming you are going north when you exit (coming from Porto, heading toward Spain).
Here is a map that draws the route described above from Exit 21 of the A-28 to parking (Praia do Rodanho), assuming you are going north when you exit (coming from Porto, heading toward Spain).
This placemark pertains to Praia do Rodanho.

This placemark pertains to Praia do Rodanho.

café with a "pénareia / bar" sign
This placemark pertains to Praia do Rodanho.

tall pole with four street lamps in the middle of a roundabout

long two-story white building

Azoria gas station

Praia da Amorosa (textile)

main area of Praia do Rodanho (textile)

Paco

Praia do Paçô
Carreço and Afife are neighboring small towns that are toward the northern end of the large municipality of Viana do Castelo. These towns are in far northern Portugal, less than 20 kilometers from the border with Spain. Praia do Paçô and Praia da Arda are nearby beaches near Carreço and Afife. They are actually just segments of the same beach, which is a beautiful beach with ample white sand. Their parking lots are just over one kilometers apart (walking distance). Nudity occurs along a small area of the beach between the main areas of Paçô and Arda, but a bit closer to Paçô. The nude area is about 300 meters long, and a scattering of boulders on the sand is an identifying feature of the nude area. Furthermore, the word "nudista" is prominently painted on a few of the boulders.
Nudity is not officially condoned, and the efforts of naturists to have the beach formally designed as a nude beach have been unequivocally spurned by local authorities. Furthermore, there has been some local hostility to nude bathing since the nude area is very close to two area where textile are concentrated. A bit of discretion may be in order. Crowds of nudists are always small. There are snack stands at the main areas of both Praia do Paçô and Praia da Arda.
(Note that Praia da Arda is also commonly known as both Praia do Bico and Praia da Mariana.)
Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, Norte, Portugal

starting point  Exit 27 of the A-28 motorway near Viana do Castelo
Exit 27 is signed for Vila Praia de Âncora, Afife and Moledo. It is located about 14 kilometers north of the main exit for Viana do Castelo, and it is about 14 kilometers south of the northern terminus of the motorway near the Spanish border. Regardless of the direction of approach, all exiting traffic is filtered to a connector road that is an express route to the coast. That road has no intersections or exits. Follow the express road west about 6.7 kilometers to its end at a roundabout in Vila Praia de Âncora. Take the third departure of the roundabout (effectively a left turn), which is signed for Viana do Castelo and Afife. You will then begin heading south on route N-13.
Follow N-13 for 5.4 kilometers to a roundabout in Afife. (Two departures of the roundabout are signed for Afife: one for the town, the other for the beach of the same name.) Keep straight ahead through the roundabout, staying on N-13. After the roundabout, there are a few junctions along N-13 that are set up as exits even though N-13 is not an expressway. 800 meters after the roundabout, keep straight ahead past an exit that is signed for Afife. Continue 1.9 kilometers farther and take the next exit, which is signed for Forte de Paçô and Carreço.
THIS PLACEMARK IS PINPOINTED ALONG N-13 AT THE EXIT FOR FORTE DE PAÇÔ AND CARREÇO, assuming you are going south when you exit.
At the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp, turn right. You will almost immediately reach a "T." Turn right again. At that point, you will be going north on a road that parallels the coast side of N-13. Continue about 200 meters and take the first possible left, then follow the cobbled road west toward the coast. In 800-900 meters, as you are getting very close to beach, you will pass a road on the left that goes a short distance to the large main parking lot for Praia do Paçô. That should be your back-up parking option. Instead of turning, keep straight ahead another 50 meters until the cobbled road surfacing ends in a parking area that can hold about a dozen cars.
There are two paths to the beach from the small parking area. Facing the ocean, take the path that is farther to your right. That path angles northward through the coastal scrub and leads directly to the nude area of the beach. The walk is about 250 meters.
Here is a map that draws the route described above from Exit 27 of the A-28 to parking, assuming you are going north when you exit (coming from Porto, heading toward Spain).
This placemark pertains to Praia do Paçô.

This placemark pertains to Praia do Paçô.

large main parking lot for Praia do Paçô
This placemark pertains to Praia do Paçô.

main part of Praia do Paçô (textile), next to several old fortress structures

Praia da Arda (textile)
This beach is also known both as Praia do Bico and Praia da Mariana.

Cabana del Sol
Monte de Charneca 937A
Loulé, Algarve, Portugal
TYPE  bed & breakfast (5 suites)
CLIENTELE  adults only, couples only
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub, sauna, sandy beachscape

Villa Paraiso
Estrada de Armação de Pêra (M530-1)
Lagoa, Algarve, Portugal
telephone (+31) 641 283 897 (Netherlands phone number)
TYPE  bed & breakfast (5 suites)
NUDITY  Swimwear is optional at the pool and hot tub.

Vilapura
Sítio do Bernardinheiro
Tavira, Algarve, Portugal
TYPE  small resort with 5 rooms
CLIENTELE  general / adults only
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub, short drive to nude beach
NUDITY  Nudity is obligatory in the pool and hot tub. Clothing is optional elsewhere.

Monte Naturista O Barão
7566-909 Ermidas-Sado
Santiago do Cacém, Alentejo, Portugal
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, bungalows, caravans for rent)

Quinta do Maral
Portalegre, Alentejo, Portugal
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, one cabin, one studio, 2 apartments)

Terra Nua
Estrada Municipal 1082, Foros de Vale de Água
7600-375 Messejana
Aljustrel, Alentejo, Portugal
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, one furnished tent)

Samonatura
Odemira, Alentejo, Portugal
TYPE  accommodations for up to 16 guests (one house, one apartment and one studio available)

LimaNature
Largo de Agros n°2
4905-551 Geraz do Lima
Viana do Castelo, Norte, Portugal
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (10 tent sites, 2 sites for small caravans, one geodesic dome cottage)
CLIENTELE   general / family
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, extensive landscaped gardens
NUDITY  This establishment is expressly advertised as naturist. Nudity is obligatory at the pool but optional elsewhere.
Day passes available. Must contact by WhatsApp in advance of visit.

NaturViana
Rua do Divino Salvador
4905-542 Portela Susã
Viana do Castelo, Norte, Portugal
TYPE  camping / rustic retreat (tent and caravan sites, tents for rent)

Casa Marhaba
8400-427 Alfanzina
Lagoa, Algarve, Portugal
TYPE  guesthouse (5 rooms)

Casa Risa
Rua da Igreja 1
8500-132 Mexilhoeira Grande
Portimão, Algarve, Portugal
TYPE  guesthouse (12 rooms)

Casa Amêndoa
Silves, Algarve, Portugal
NUDITY  This establishment is expressly advertised as naturist. Clothing is optional throughout.

Lua Nua
Seladas de Cima
7630-578 São Teotónio
Odemira, Alentejo, Portugal
TYPE  guesthouse with 3 rooms

Lisbon

Villa 3 Caparica
Rua Teresa Leitão Barros 4
2820-241 Charneca de Caparica
Almada, Lisboa, Portugal
TYPE  small resort with 13 rooms
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES  pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room
NUDITY  Swimwear is optional in all wet areas.

Truelove Resort
6100-525 Pedrógão Pequeno
Sertã, Centro, Portugal
TYPE  guesthouse
NUDITY  Swimwear is optional at the pool and hot tub.