EASTERN SPAIN

	Cataluña				Girona Barcelona Tarragona
	Comunidad Valenciana				Castellón Valencia Alicante

This section covers two autonomous communities of Spain: Catalonia (Cataluña in Spanish, Catalunya in Catalan) and the Valencian Community (Comunidad Valenciana in Spanish, Comunitat Valenciana in Catalan). These are two of the three autonomous communities where Catalan is the first language of most of the people. (The third is the Balearic Islands, detailed under The Islands.) Catalonia and the Valencian Community collectively span about 60% of Spain's Mediterranean coastline. If you start at the French border and travel along Spain's eastern coast, you'll be going in a mostly southwesterly direction, but more south than west. Just beyond the southern end of the Valencian Community, you'd gradually begin to change course, going more west than south. Spain's eastern coast is quite varied and can change from rugged to flat to rugged again over short distances, and the nude beaches are as varied as the terrain. There are nude beaches within the two largest cities of the eastern coast of Spain, Barcelona and Valencia, as well as in resort towns like Sitges and Benidorm. There are also plenty of secluded nude beaches that are off the beaten path. Some of the nude beaches are large and windswept; others are small and sheltered. Some are almost always crowded; others are almost always deserted. Some always have nudist majorities; others draw just a few nudists among tolerant textiles. In short, the variety is endless.

Spain's coastline is, mostly for purposes of tourism, divided into various segments that mean absolutely nothing but sound romantic. We don't make use of the terms in this guide, but here are the ones that pertain to Eastern Spain. Starting at the French border, the Costa Brava includes all of the coast of Girona and just northern Barcelona (i.e., the province). Next, the Costa Dorada spans most of Barcelona, including the city, and all of Tarragona. Starting at the northern border of the Valencian Community, the Costa del Azahar, which means "Orange Blossom Coast," corresponds to Castellón and Valencia. Finally, Costa Blanca is the coast of Alicante. The names of other coastal segments are listed under Southern Spain. There are names for segments of Spain's north coast as well, but those names are not well-known tourist lingo.

CATALUÑA     [ ↑ ]
	Girona      MAP     [ ↑ ]
		NUDE BEACHES       Girona is the northernmost of the three coastal provinces of Catalonia, and it borders France. It has 260 kilometers of coastline (counting all the twists and turns), or about 130 kilometers measured more linearly. As the crow flies, Cala del Pí 42.4304N, 3.1641E  in Portbou is just 600 meters south of the French border. Besides being the northernmost Mediterranean nude beach in Spain, it is also one of the tiniest beaches, and this charming little cove can feel crowded with just a dozen visitors. A bit farther south, Playa del Borró 42.3908N, 3.1630E  is one of several small beaches on a small peninsula that is between Colera and Llançá. Playa del Borró is the most secluded of the peninsula beaches, and it is attended mostly by nudists.       The are two nude beaches in the the town of El Port de la Selva, both of which are located in small bays. Not far from the village center, Cala Tamariua 42.3436N, 3.2097E  is easily accessible and draws a mix of textiles and nudists. Cala Tavallera 42.3296N, 3.2499E  is a geographically similar beach, but it is far more secluded, nestled deep within Cap de Creus natural park. To get to Cala Tavallera, you can take a very long but scenic hike through the park that begins near Cala Tamariua. It's about 7 kilometers each way. Some visitors also arrive by private boat and anchor in the bay.       Cadaqués is a picturesque seaside town, and its hinterland is the ruggedly beautiful Cap de Creus natural park. Cadaqués is popular with tourists and notable for having been the home of surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. There are a number of small nudist niches within the municipal limits, all of which are located within a span of 10 kilometers. While these small beaches are easy potential nudist excursions for visitors to Cadaqués, none of the Cadaqués Beaches   rank among the more popular nude beaches of Girona. North of town, Cala Fredosa 42.3176N, 3.3151E and Cala Jugadora 42.3171N, 3.3110E are tiny beaches in neighboring fjord-like inlets that are just below the Cap de Creus lighthouse. Also north of town but closer to the town center, Playa de Sant Lluís 42.3070N, 3.2893E is a secluded yet easily accessible niche with "nudista" prominently graffitied on a boulder. Not far away, Playa de S'Alqueria Gran 42.2990N, 3.2892E is a small beach with occasional nudist attendance, but it seems to be mostly textile most of the time. Similarly, Playa de Sa Conca 42.2810N, 3.2789E on the south end of Cadaqués gets irregular nude use, with most nudity taking place at a rocky niche that is hidden from the main beach. A bit farther south, Cala Nans 42.2702N, 3.2828E is a small and usually deserted beach located along the hiking path to the Cala Nans lighthouse. It is about a 2-kilometer walk from Playa de Sa Conca, where parking is available.       The town of Roses abuts the southern end of Cap de Creus natural park, and just a few kilometers from the town is Cala Murtra 42.2397N, 3.2247E  , a hidden and idyllic cove where most visitors go nude.       South of the rugged landscape of Cap de Creus, the coastal landscape flattens out in the vicinity of Castelló d'Empúries and Sant Pere Pescador, and there is a stretch of over a dozen kilometers of beach backed by the coastal plains. Along this stretch there are a few places where nude bathers gather. The best established nude beach is Playa de Can Comes 42.2286N, 3.1203E  near Castelló d'Empúries. It's an uncrowded beach where nudity is always acceptable. Farther south, Playa de Cortal de la Vila 42.1702N, 3.1121E  and Playa del Riuet 42.1476N, 3.1160E  are both small segments the 6-kilometer-long beach of Sant Pere Pescador. Sporadic nudity occurs at both locations, especially on uncrowded days, but nudity is not commonplace due to the amount of development along the beach. All in all, Can Comes is a better choice for nudists.       The neighboring towns of Pals and Begur are located roughly in the middle of the coastline of the province Girona, east of the provincial capital of the same name. There are two adjacent beaches that straddle the border of Pals and Begur, and they can be accessed from the same parking lot. The larger of the two is Playa de Pals 41.9866N, 3.2038E  , where nudists typically gather toward the north end but can also sometimes be found among the textiles along the main area of the beach. Immediately to the south of Playa de Pals, Playa de la lsla Roja 41.9774N, 3.2105E  is accessed by a walkway over a mass of rock, and it is a sheltered beach consisting of several coves, geographically distinct from its larger neighbor. Playa de la Isla Roja is often crowded and attended overwhelmingly by nudists. It is generally regarded as the premier nude beach of Girona.       Near the town of Palamós, there are also two beaches that are quite close together. Playa de Castell 41.8625N, 3.1546E  is mainly a textile beach, but sporadic nudity is known to occur at one end. Less than 2 kilometers away, more remote Cala Estreta 41.8654N, 3.1729E  is a very beautiful beach where nude bathing is much better established. Cala Estreta draws quite a mix of clad and bare bathers. Nudists are sometimes a majority but otherwise a substantial minority.       Along the highly urbanized stretch of coastline between Palamós and Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Cala de Roques Planes 41.8328N, 3.0915E  is a tiny niche tucked into a hillside that is capped by small neighborhood of exclusive villas. The small beach has an irregular nudist presence, mainly along the rocks next to the beach, but all in all it is a very minor nudist location.       Between Sant Feliu de Guíxols and Tossa de Mar, there are two neighboring beaches along a particularly twisty segment of the coastal road. Playa de Senyor Ramón 41.7571N, 2.9763E  is the more popular of the two, and nudists are always a substantial part of the crowd at this sheltered beach. Just around the bend from Playa de Senyor Ramón, nudity is also commonplace at Playa de Vallpresona 41.7531N, 2.9710E  , a beach that is more secluded and less populated but also has less sand and requires a longer hike to reach.       Between Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar, Cala Figuera 41.7102N, 2.9071E  is one of a few small coves that are adjacent to Cala Llevadó Camping, which is a textile establishment apart from the beach. Cala Figuera is a tiny beach where virtually everyone goes nude, and it is available to the public, but you may have to pay a fee to park and pass through the grounds of Cala Llevadó.       The resort town of Lloret de Mar is near the southern border of Girona, and it is the location of Playa de la Boadella 41.6903N, 2.8235E  , a very popular and exceptionally beautiful beach where nudists are often predominant on uncrowded days but which is much more mixed when the beach is packed. Playa de la Boadella is one of the top nude beaches in Girona, arguably second only to Playa de la Isla Roja farther north. LODGING      Exus Natur    41.9938N, 3.1200E            Fontclara      Camping Relax-Nat    41.8914N, 3.1567E            Mont-Ras      Golden Bahía de Tossa    41.7230N, 2.9274E            Tossa de Mar
	Barcelona      MAP     [ ↑ ]
		NUDE BEACHES       Barcelona is the largest and most famous city of Catalonia, and it is also the middle of the three coastal provinces of Catalonia. It has 161 kilometers of coastline (counting all the twists and turns), or about 110 kilometers measured more linearly, and the eponymous capital city is roughly in the middle of that stretch. Pretty much the entire province is regarded as the Barcelona metropolitan area. At the northern border of the province, there is a small area of Playa de Malgrat Norte  41.6508N, 2.7773E  that is signed for nude use. The nudist zone is at the mouth of a shallow river, literally at the provincial border of Barcelona and Girona, and it is most often associated with the town of Blanes, which is on the Girona side of the border. It is not among the better-known nude beaches of Catalonia despite being just a short walk from several seaside campgrounds.       There are several more popular nude beaches a bit farther south but still toward the northern end of the province. Adjacent to the huge town beach of Calella, Playa de las Rocas  41.6064N, 2.6434E  is tucked beneath the coastal road and consists of several coves, some of which mostly disappear at high tide. Nudity is the norm at several of these coves even though they are visible to pedestrians on the sidewalk of the coastal road. A bit farther south, Playa del Molí  41.5950N, 2.6081E  and Playa de las Rocas Blancas  41.5919N, 2.5985E  are adjacent beaches in Sant Pol de Mar that also abut the coastal road, and each beach has a zone of nude use. Just a bit farther south still, Playa de la Musclera  41.5718N, 2.5359E  and Playa de la Picòrdia  41.5731N, 2.5391E  are adjacent beaches in Arenys de Mar with a continuous zone of nude use at low tide. At high tide, La Picòdia and La Musclera are distinct beaches. Most visitors prefer nudity at both beaches, and Playa de la Musclera is the most popular of the nude beaches that are toward the north end of the province of Barcelona, with adjacent parking making it particularly easy to access.       Moving south closer to the city of Barcelona, nudity occurs along a remote segment of Playa de Sant Simó  41.5439N, 2.4641E  in Mataró. There is also a designated and signed nudist segment of Playa de Ocata  41.4839N, 2.3424E  which is between Premià de Mar and El Masnou. However, these two beaches are neither as scenic nor as popular as the three nude beaches farther north in the province.       Just north of Barcelona, Badalona is a large town with three nude beaches. Cala Naiara  41.4616N, 2.2715E  is actually just over the northern boundary of Badalona in neighboring Mongat. Within Badalona proper, Playa del Coco  41.4381N, 2.2445E  is the southernmost sector of Badalona's long main beach, then Playa de la Móra  41.4275N, 2.2377E  is a bit farther south, very close to Barcelona. Playa del Coco is a very urban beach where nudists are quite exposed to passersby. Cala Naiara and Playa de la Móra, while a bit more secluded, are a far cry from idyllic in the beauty of their surroundings. Cala Naiara is tucked against a concrete embankment below an old factory site, and three huge chimneys of a decommissioned power plant form the backdrop of Playa de la Móra. Cala Naiara and Playa de la Móra are attended mostly by locals for whom proximity trumps prettiness.       The city proper of Barcelona has four to five kilometers of sandy beachfront, and there are two places in the city that draw nudists. Most prominently, there is Playa de la Mar Bella  41.3974N, 2.2112E  in the El Poblenou neighborhood toward the northern end of the city. Mar Bella is a segment of the beachfront that is officially signed and designed for nudity. Tremendously popular and usually jam packed with sunbathers, it may well be the most urban nude beach in the world. However, despite the official designation, the nudist-to-textile ratio is very heavily skewed toward those who remain suited. Farther south in the city, Playa de Sant Sebastià  41.3713N, 2.1893E  in the Barceloneta neighborhood is likewise a very urban beach, and nude bathers gather toward its far southern end. Like Mar Bella, Sant Sebastià is popular and predominantly textile, but it tends not to get quite as overcrowded. Unlike Mar Bella, Sant Sebastià is not officially designated for nudity, and it is far more exposed to its urban surroundings than is Mar Bella. Although the out-in-the-open setting has made nudity somewhat controversial at Sant Sebastià, nudity seems to occur quite openly nonetheless, and it is not uncommon to see naked bodies beneath the sprays of the open-air showers that are just steps from the busy beach promenade. All in all, you will need to be very comfortable being surrounded by textiles if you choose to be bare at either of the nude beaches in Barcelona. If you are not comfortable being in a rather small nudist minority, you will probably deem these two nude beaches to be just a little too public.       Just southwest of Barcelona proper, Playa de la Ricarda  41.2880N, 2.1083E  is tucked away in an unlikely location next to the Barcelona International Airport (a.k.a. El Prat). It is far less crowded than the city beaches, with a higher ratio of nudists to textiles. A bit farther west, nudity is also common along the part of Playa de Viladecans  41.2724N, 2.0547E  that is east of the main access. Playa de la Ricarda and Playa de Viladecans are so close to the airport that the sights and sounds of planes taking off and landing are part of the beach experience.       Just 40 kilometers southwest of the Barcelona city center, Sitges is a cosmopolitan resort town that draws lots of international travelers, and it is also one of Europe's top gay and lesbian travel destinations. Sitges offers several beaches where nudity is acceptable. On the northeastern periphery of town, removed from the tourist bustle, there is Cala Morisca  41.2426N, 1.8689E  , a small, popular, sandy beach where nudists and textiles mingle. Within the city proper, Playa de Balmins  41.2359N, 1.8208E  is the most urban of the nude beaches in Sitges, with hotels and apartment buildings forming its backdrop. However, Playa de Balmins defies the trend of many urban nude beaches in that it is not overrun with textiles. Nudists are usually in the majority, and this small beach is popular with both gay and straight visitors to Sitges. A bit southwest of the town development, Playa del Muerto  41.2209N, 1.7669E  is a hidden beach accessed by hiking for several hundred meters alongside a railroad, and its ominous name means "Beach of the Dead." Playa del Muerto has three distinct areas contained within an expanse of 600 meters, and it used to be that the westernmost area was a gay beach while the other two areas were more mixed. These days the entirety of El Muerto has a mostly LGBT patronage, and it is well known as one of the world's premier gay nude beaches.       South of Sitges toward the southern provincial border of Barcelona, there are two beaches between Vilanova i la Geltrú and Cubelles that draw nude bathers. The southwestern end of Playa de Sant Gervasi  41.2093N, 1.7102E  is signed as a nudist zone, with nudists clustering along a fairly confined stretch in close proximity to textiles. Just a kilometer or so away, nude bathers also gather at the far northeastern end of Playa Llarga  41.2077N, 1.6966E  , along a part of the beach that is farther removed from textiles and with more room to spread out compared to Sant Gervasi. Both beaches are quite easy to access. Playa de Sant Gervasi draws a mixed crowd, while Playa Llarga is a more of a gay beach. LODGING      La Cigaliere    41.3097N, 1.7678E            Olivella (near Sitges)      Elite Hotel    41.2354N, 1.8106E            Sitges
	Tarragona      MAP     [ ↑ ]
		NUDE BEACHES       The province of Tarragona has 278 kilometers of coastline (counting all the twists and turns), or about 150 kilometers measured more linearly, and the provincial capital of the same name is a small coastal city that is toward the northern end of the province. About halfway between the city of Tarragona and the northern provincial border, Playa de los Muntanyans  41.1524N, 1.4335E  in Torredembarra is a huge sandy beach backed by dunes and wetlands. Nudity has long occurred on more remote parts of the beach, and a 175-meter-long stretch of the beach was officially designated for nudity is 2012.       Moving south into the northern outskirts of the city of Tarragona, there are two neighboring beaches that are hidden in a small patch of coastal forest:  Cala de la Roca Plana  41.1286N, 1.3352E  and Cala Fonda  41.1290N, 1.3285E  . Nudity is commonplace at both beaches, which are just a few hundred meters apart. Of the two, Cala Fonda is the more popular since its backdrop is quite idyllic, and nudists tend to be a majority at Cala Fonda. Also within the city limits of Tarragona but closer to the central city, Playa de la Savinosa  41.1236N, 1.2869E  is a beach with a surprisingly rugged backdrop considering its urban location. Although mainly a textile beach, nudity is common and well accepted toward one end of the beach.       About 35 kilometers southwest of the city of Tarragona, Playa del Torn  40.9709N, 0.8937E  in the town of L'Hospitalet de L'Infant is the premier nude beach of Tarragona and one of the very best not just in Spain but in all of Europe. Nudity is practiced over the entire length of 1.5 kilometers, which is accessed from three parking areas, and just about all visitors prefer being bare. The north end of the beach abuts a large naturist resort, El Templo del Sol (listed farther down). Playa del Torn is a naturist highlight of Spain. A bit farther southwest, Playa de Xelin  40.8955N, 0.8183E  is a tiny beach in L'Ametlla de Mar that provides a much smaller-scale naturist experience. The beach tends to be mostly textile but with a substantial nudist minority, and the clad and unclad mingle freely.       The river Ebro (Ebre in Catalan) 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 civic and commercial hub of the Ebro Delta lies in Deltebre and Sant Jaume d'Enveja, neighboring towns on opposite sides of the river in the middle of the delta plain. The scenery of the delta is atypical of Spain's Mediterranean coastline. It is a very flat, almost treeless area of wetlands and farmland. The delta region has about 50 kilometers of beaches and very little coastal development, and thus there are endless expanses of virtually deserted beaches ideal for nudity. Driving directly on the beach is possible in many areas. Historically, nudity at the Ebro Delta beaches has been quite scattershot since all the beaches are so vast, with bare bathing tending to occur in isolated pockets a discreet distance away from the nearest textiles. However, in the 2010s two areas were signed for naturist use. Northeast of Deltebre, more than a kilometer of a remote beach called Playa de la Bassa de la Arena  40.7493N, 0.8110E  has signs indicating it is a nude beach. Southeast of Sant Jaume d'Enveja, about 500 meters of remote Playa de Migjorn  40.6718N, 0.8299E  is likewise signed for nude use. While sporadic nudity can and does still occur on other Ebro Delta beaches, the two designated nude beaches provide options for those who prefer established naturist areas. Both nude beaches are lightly attended. The beaches of the Ebro Delta offer ample isolation and space, but if you are seeking better attended nude beaches with more visually dramatic backdrops, you should look farther north in Catalonia. LODGING      El Templo del Sol    40.9769N, 0.8995E       beach            L'Hospitalet de l'Infant      El Fonoll    41.5286N, 1.2313E            Passanant i Belltall

COMUNIDAD VALENCIANA     [ ↑ ]
	Castellón      MAP     [ ↑ ]
		NUDE BEACHES       The province of Castellón has 139 kilometers of coastline (counting all the twists and turns), or about 100 kilometers measured more linearly, and while there are some locations that draw nudists, all the nude beaches of the province are fairly obscure in comparison to the nude beaches elsewhere along Spain's Mediterranean coastline. Playa del Riu de la Sénia  40.5222N, 0.5141E  is located at the northern border of the province, at the mouth of the small river that separates Castellón from the neighboring province of Tarragona. It is a small, isolated cove that is often occupied by nude bathers.       Moving south, there is a small mountain range called the Sierra de Irta  40.3411N, 0.3862E  between the northern provincial border and the provincial capital of Castellón de la Plana. A gravel road that winds along the coast side of the mountains connects the towns of Peñíscola and Alcossebre. Nude bathing has long occurred on the small beaches of this rugged and scenic stretch of coastline, but there has been an influx of textiles since most of the Sierra de Irta was declared a natural park in 2002. While there is not a single location along the Sierra de Irta that has a consistent nudist presence, sporadic nudity occurs along a number of small beaches, and even on the busiest days nudists can find seclusion in isolated niches away from the crowds.       Moving south from the Sierra de Irta toward Benicàssim and Castellón de la Plana, the coastal landscape changes, and there is a stretch of over 20 kilometers where the beaches are backed by coastal plains. Roughly in the middle of this stretch, there is a wetlands preserve that extends about 8 kilometers, starting just south of Torreblanca and extending southward toward Oropesa del Mar. The beach of the wetlands preserve is mostly deserted, with ample space for nudity. Most nudists cluster along a segment of the beach called Playa de Cuartel Vell  40.1589N, 0.1813E  .       Between Oroposa del Mar and Benicàssim, there is a short break in the coastal plains where the foothills of the mountains extend all the way to the sea. Along this rugged stretch, Playa de Colomera-Bellver  40.0569N, 0.1008E  is a makeshift coinage for a small and rather obscure nude beach that does not seem to have a proper name. The beach is quite easy to access, but there are no signs to help you find the way there.       Toward the far south end of the province, Playa de Beniesma  39.7856N, 0.1427W  in Moncofa is a pebbly beach near urban development, and a section of the beach was designated for naturist use in 2016.
	Valencia      MAP     [ ↑ ]
		NUDE BEACHES       The province of Valencia has 135 kilometers of coastline (counting all the twists and turns), or about 100 kilometers measured more linearly, and its eponymous capital city is located roughly in the middle, but closer to the northern provincial border. In the far north of the province, just south of the border with the province of Castellón, Playa de Malvarrosa  39.7132N, 0.1925W  in Sagunto has a zone that is officially signed for naturist use. Its location is a bit surprising since the nude beach abuts an area of dense residential development, but dunes provide a degree of privacy from the nearby apartment buildings. Access is quite easy since the parking lot directly abuts the nude area of the beach.       The river Turia empties into the sea just south of the central city of Valencia, just a few kilometers from the city's famous City of Arts and Sciences. Going south from the river mouth, there is a very long stretch of beach backed by the prominent Albufera lagoon and the coastal plains that surround it. There are several locations along this stretch where nudists gather. Closest into the city, there is a nudist segment of Playa de Pinedo  39.4019N, 0.3299W  that is about 10 kilometers south of the city center. It draws a mixed crowd but is especially known as a gay nude beach. About 4 kilometers farther south, there is also a nude area of Playa del Saler  39.3712N, 0.3202W  . Farther south still, at about 16 kilometers from the city center, Playa de la Devesa  39.3445N, 0.3092W  is a vast beach with stretches that are virtually deserted, and much of this beach lends itself to bare bathing.       There are a couple of other well-established nude beaches farther south in the province. On the north end of the town of Cullera, Playa del Mareny de Sant Llorenç  39.2091N, 0.2343W  is a name given to a segment of a very long, continuous sandy beach that is mostly backed by development. Along one of the more remote (but easily accessible) parts of Playa del Mareny de Sant Llorenç, there is a short stretch where nudists gather. In the town of Gandía, Playa de L'Ahuir  39.0327N, 0.1826W  is an undeveloped stretch of beach about 2 kilometers in length that is between two clusters of seaside hotels and residences. Nudists gather along the central area of the beach, roughly equidistant from the development at either end. LODGING      Sierra Natura    38.9199N, 0.8493W            Enguera      B&B Sansofí    39.1252N, 0.3373W            Llaurí
	Alicante      MAP     [ ↑ ]
		NUDE BEACHES       The province of Alicante has 244 kilometers of coastline (counting all the twists and turns), or about 200 kilometers measured more linearly, and it has some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in all of Spain. The town of Denia is near the northern provincial border, and on the southern outskirts of the town is a tiny cove called Cala de Aigua Dolç  38.8208N, 0.1606E  , which is not an actual beach. Steps lead directly to the water, and sunbathers spread out on the rocks. Nestled against a cliff wall, the setting is enchanting, and just about everyone goes naked. A bit farther south, the easternmost part of Alicante is formed by a prominent promontory called Cap de la Nau, which is part of the town of Jávea. Cap de la Nau is characterized by impossibly dramatic cliffs and impossibly expensive real estate, and Playa de Ambolo  38.7305N, 0.2180E  is a small beach with a beautiful backdrop that is tucked beneath the posh coastal villas. A mostly rocky beach with patches of sand, the entirety of Playa de Ambolo is officially signed for nudity, but it is attended by a mix of clad and unclad bathers. Nearby in Benitachell, Playa del Moraig  38.7106N, 0.1672E  has an even more stunning backdrop. Moraig is located at the base of a dramatic cliff, but there is a road down the cliff, with a parking lot at sea level. This impossibly gorgeous beach is popular and often crowded, and it is also mostly textile. Nudity occurs at one end of the beach, but on peak days when the beach is packed there may be little or no nudity. However, a short but somewhat challenging hike through a wash takes you to a tiny, separate and very hidden cove where nudity is more the norm.       Farther southwest in Alicante, there are three beaches in the town of Altea that draw nude bathers. These beaches are located on the northern periphery of the town within a span of a few kilometers. Playa del Mascarat Norte  38.6307N, 0.0025E  is a small, pebbly beach where a custom of nudity predates the apartment development that now surrounds it. A few nude bathers continue to visit this beach despite a lack of privacy. From El Mascarat Norte, it is a short hike to Cala de la Barra Grande  38.6301N, 0.0056E  , a more hidden beach with a custom of nude bathing. However, it too is now overlooked by apartments, which has reduced the occurrence of nudity. More seclusion is possible at a rocky and narrow beach called Playa de la Solsida  38.6275N, 0.0143W  , where nudity occurs along a part of the beach that is tucked away beneath cliffs. All three of these beaches in Altea are fairly minor nudist locations.       Benidorm is unusual among Mediterranean beach resort towns for its vast, dense chain of high-rise hotels. Along a stretch of over 5 kilometers of the coastline, there is veritable sea of hotels overlooking the actual sea, with more than 40,000 hotel rooms in buildings that rise as high as 50 stories. Benidorm is a European anomaly, and its skyline is reminiscent of Miami Beach, except with rugged mountains in the background. The two large main beaches of Benindorm are textile, but there are smaller peripheral beaches for nude bathing. Immediately beyond the northern edge of the hotel development, Cala de la Almadraba  38.5288N, 0.1065W  and Cala del Tío Ximo  38.5280N, 0.1040W  are two small beaches that are so close to one another that they tend to be regarded as a single entity. Both beaches are frequented by nudists, but space is so limited that the occurrence of nudity is highly variable, decreasing substantially when the beaches are really crowded. A bit beyond the opposite end of the vast hotel skyline, Playa del Racó del Conill  38.5166N, 0.1798W  is a small beach between Benidorm and Villajoyosa. Although literally less than a kilometer from the nearest hotel as the crow flies, the beach is tucked away in a rugged setting such that is has the feel of a remote beach, and once you are at the beach there is no sign of the über-modern cityscape that is just over the hill out of view. While the crowd is mixed, there is a sizable gay presence since Benidorm is a popular gay destination, and most visitors go nude. Playa del Racó del Conill can be reached by car, or you can get there on foot from Benidorm by hiking across the ridge of a hillside, following the coastline. Several kilometers farther south, Playa del Esparrelló  38.4944N, 0.2687W  is a beach on the southern periphery of the picturesque resort town of Villajoyosa, which is known for its quaint and colorful buildings. It is a total contrast to Benidorm, to say the least. Situated at the base of a cliff beneath a luxury hotel, Playa del Esparrelló is signed for nude use, and most visitors go nude even though they are visible from parts of the hotel.       About 30 to 40 kilometers southwest of Benidorm and Villajoyosa, the city of Alicante is the capital of the province of the same name. On the northern end of the city, the Calas del Cabo de las Huertas  38.3531N, 0.4144W  are a collection of rocky coves. Nude sunbathing is common along the rocky shelf, but there is no actual sandy beach. On the opposite end of the city, Playa de los Saladares  38.2759N, 0.5198W  is the beach of the resort subdivision of Urbanova. Nudity occurs past the south end of the development, along a stretch of about 300 meters that is officially signed for naturism. Several kilometers farther south in neighboring Elche, Playa del Carabassí  38.2328N, 0.5127W  is a beautiful and enormously popular beach backed by lush sand dunes, and nudity occurs on the south end.       Moving south in the province, part of Playa de la Gola  38.1857N, 0.5992W  in Santa Pola used to be signed for nude use before the town decided to reinvent the beach as a venue for kitesurfing and other water sports. The signs have come down, but nudity continues to occur along the southwestern part of the beach. A much better-attended nude beach is farther south:  Playa de los Tusales  38.1221N, 0.6404W  in Guardamar del Segura. Also often referred to by the name "La Marina," Los Tusales is backed by a vast field of dunes and coastal scrubland, and a sign reading "Playa Libre" points the way to the nude area. Los Tusales is among the more popular nude beaches of Mediterranean Spain. Close to the border with Murcia, Orihuela Costa is home to a large population of foreign-born retirees. Amid the dense conglomeration of residential urbanizations, the Calas del Cabo Peñas  37.9352N, 0.7184W  are a pair of adjacent small nude beaches tucked into a coastal escarpment below a vacant tract of land. The popular twin beaches comprise the southernmost nudist location of Alicante. LODGING      Finca Pura    38.2085N, 0.6492W            Elche      Finca Soñada    38.8053N, 0.4200W            Gaianes      Finca Robusto    38.8006N, 0.1130E            Jávea (Xàbia)      Greenwood Villa    38.8011N, 0.1790E            Jávea (Xábia)      Hideaway in Jávea    38.7506N, 0.1465E            Jávea (Xàbia)      Lavinia Naturist Resort    38.4364N, 0.5414W            San Vicente del Raspeig      Hacienda Cabreras    38.5562N, 0.8722W            Villena