Best Nudist Beaches in Crete
Crete has no official nudist beaches, but discreet naturism is tolerated at the far ends of some long beaches and in quiet coves, mostly on the south coast. Topless sunbathing is common on almost every beach in Crete, even busy resort beaches, and rarely gets a second glance.
The 10 beaches below are the ones where naturists usually go. None of them is nudist by law, so follow the etiquette at the end of this guide.
Nudist Beaches in Crete
Sougia Beach
Sougia Beach, on the south coast of the Chania region, tolerates discreet naturists at the far end of its pebbly beach, which is over 1 km long. Sougia itself is a small, laid-back fishing village.
The beach faces the clear water of the Libyan Sea. It is mostly unshaded, with only a few sunbeds and parasols for hire. Our Sougia village guide covers the village.
Falassarna Beach
Falassarna Beach lies about 60 kilometres west of Chania on the north-west coast. It has soft golden sand and clean, shallow water. The beach is rocky at its northern end and sandy to the south.
Naturists use the sand dunes for discreet nude sunbathing. The beach faces west, so the sunsets are spectacular. A few umbrellas and sunbeds can be rented.
The nearest village to Falassarna Beach is Platanos.
Sweetwater Beach (Glyka Nera)
Sweetwater Beach (Glyka Nera) is a pebble beach on the south coast of the Chania region, named after the freshwater springs that rise at the water's edge. It is perhaps the most popular naturist beach in Crete. A small kantina sells cold drinks and snacks and rents umbrellas.
The beach lies between Chora Sfakion and Loutro, and you reach it by boat or along the coastal path.
Plakias Beach
Plakias Beach is a long sandy beach in the south coast resort of the same name, about 40 kilometres south of Rethymno. Naturists use the eastern end, which is backed by dunes.
The naturist area is unofficial, so expect other bathers there too. The rest of the beach has sunbeds, umbrellas, water sports and diving trips, with seafront tavernas and beach bars along the bay.
The nearest village to Plakias Beach is Plakias.
Frangokastello Beach
Frangokastello, on the south coast of the Chania region, has 3 beaches: a pebbly beach to the west, a family beach in front of the castle and the sandy "Orthi Ammos" beach. Orthi Ammos is a 10-minute walk east of the castle and has big sand dunes and clear water. Naturists use the far eastern part of this long beach.
Frangokastello is the nearest village.
Preveli Beach
Preveli Beach, also known as Finikas (Phoenix), is the most famous beach of the Rethymno region, on the south coast. Palm trees line the Kourtaliotis River where it meets the sea, behind fine sand and turquoise water. Hippies found their way here in the early 1970s and set up camp, building huts from palm leaves, a practice that went on until the end of the 1980s.
Naturist swimming and sunbathing are possible here because the beach is secluded.
The nearest village to Preveli Beach is Lefkogia, and Preveli Monastery stands on the hill above it.
Damnoni Beach
Damnoni is a sandy beach on the south coast, a few kilometres east of Plakias. Damnoni has small bays and coves with soft sand and clean, emerald-green water. The quieter coves suit nude sunbathing.
The nearest village to Damnoni Beach is Plakias.
Kommos Beach
Kommos (Komos) Beach, on the south coast of the Heraklion region, is a long sandy beach where naturists use the quieter stretches.
Kommos has soft golden sand and clear water. It is also known for its Minoan harbour, a myth about a rock offshore and its nesting sea turtles.
Kommos was the harbour of Minoan Phaistos.
A little off the shore, approximately 80 metres into the sea, there is a large black rock known as Volakas. In Greek mythology it is said that it is the stone which Cyclops hurled against Ulysses, who had earlier pierced the Cyclops' only eye with a stake.
Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) lay their eggs in the sand at Kommos, so keep away from marked nests.
The nearest village to Kommos Beach is Matala.
Elounda Rocky Beach
A small rocky beach between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, close to Schisma, is used by naturists. It is well protected from the wind and has clear blue water. The beach has no facilities, so it is rarely busy.
Myrtos Beach
A quiet pebble beach 2 kilometres west of the village of Myrtos, on the south coast of the Lassithi region, suits naturists. Its rocky parts are good for snorkelling, and it has none of the facilities of the main beach at Myrtos.
The nearest village is Myrtos.
Nudist Beach Etiquette in Crete
Nude bathing in Crete depends on discretion and local custom, because no beach in Greece is officially nudist. Follow these 5 rules to avoid causing offence:
- Choose a quiet stretch away from families, usually the far end of a long beach.
- Treat topless and nude bathing as different things: a beach that accepts topless sunbathing does not always accept full nudity.
- Expect a beach's nudist status to be unofficial and to change with the season or the day of the week.
- Keep covered in August on south coast beaches, when many Greek families holiday there.
- Ask locals whether nude bathing is acceptable before you undress.
Most naturists head for the quieter south coast rather than the busier north coast beaches.
The Hippie History of Crete's Nudist Beaches
Crete's reputation for nude bathing began with the hippies of the 1960s and 1970s on the south coast. Resorts such as Matala, Sougia and Preveli drew the "free love" crowd, and the singer Joni Mitchell was among the visitors. Many of these early visitors returned to Crete year after year. Our guides to Matala and its caves and the fishing village of Sougia cover these resorts today.
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