Naturism in Crete: The Nudist & Naturist Beaches
Crete is one of Greece's most naturist-friendly islands, and almost all of its clothing-optional beaches line the quiet south coast. Naturism is tolerated at many remote beaches and coves rather than formally legal — only a few licensed spots exist, and Filaki, the beach of the Vritomartis naturist hotel, is the one the author counts as official. This guide runs the named naturist beaches region by region, from Falassarna and the Sfakian coves in the west to Kommos near Matala and the sandy bays of Xerokampos in the east.
- Where
- South coast, mainly
- Legal status
- Tolerated; few licensed
- Naturist hotel
- Vritomartis (Filaki)
- Often rated best
- Kommos, near Matala
Naturism in Crete: the rules
Naturism is tolerated across Crete rather than formally legal. Greek law permits nudity only in a few licensed areas, yet many quiet, remote beaches and coves allow it in practice. The picture shifts with signs and seasons: a new beach canteen often brings a “No nudism” sign, and July, August and summer weekends fill the sand with Greek families. Topless sunbathing stays fine almost everywhere, except on a beach that sits right inside a village. Crete remains a deeply traditional island, so use common sense and avoid deliberately shocking your hosts. Only Filaki, the beach of the Vritomartis naturist hotel, counts as an official naturist beach — treat the rest with discretion. The author's own favourites are Agios Pavlos, the naturist beaches of Tertsa, and the small private coves of Xerokampos.
West Crete & Sfakia (Chania)
Western Crete holds the island's most dramatic clothing-optional beaches, many reached only by boat or footpath. Falassarna, on the far west coast, has a naturist stretch. Around Paleochora in the southwest, part of the long sandy beach is used by naturists, with the beach of Anidri to the east and Gialiskari a short way along the coast. At Sougia the eastern end of the beach is a nudist beach. Beyond the Samaria Gorge, walkers cross the river east of Agia Roumeli to bathe away from the main beach, and a long, almost deserted beach at Agios Pavlos lies an hour's walk further east. In Sfakia, Sweet Water Beach (Glykanera) sits about halfway between Loutro and Hora Sfakion, and Fata Morgana (Orthi Ammos) stretches below Frangokastelo. Filaki, the beach of the Vritomartis naturist hotel, rounds out the west. See more of the region's coast on the Chania beaches page.
Rethymno's south coast
Rethymno's south coast strings naturist stretches between Plakias and Agia Galini. Plakias has a long beach with a naturist section, and nearby Damnoni and Preveli Palm Beach both draw naturists, though the situation at Preveli changes from year to year. The beaches of Rodakino add more quiet options along this shore. Further west toward Agia Galini, a second Agios Pavlos — not the Sfakian one — sits close to Agia Galini and is reached by turning at the village of Akoumia; its two finest beaches lie just outside the village, down a very steep sand dune. Browse the wider coast on the Rethymno beaches page.
Heraklion's south coast
Heraklion's remote south shore, around Matala and the Asterousia coast, hides some of Crete's best naturist beaches. Kommos (Komos), just north of Matala, is often rated one of the island's finest naturist beaches; it is also a nesting site for sea turtles, so take great care not to disturb them. Kali Limenes spreads a long, white-coloured beach with clear water, reached from Mires. Lendas (Lentas) has a large naturist beach just outside the village, with Micro Amoudi close by. Further along the coast you will also find Tris Ekklisies, Kastri and the Green beach at Lagada, and Tsoutsouros. More of the region sits on the Heraklion beaches page.
East Crete (Lasithi)
Eastern Crete rewards naturists with sandy coves around Ierapetra, Myrtos and Xerokampos. Tertsa lies next to Vatos and Myrtos, and both Tertsa and Vatos are among the author's favourites. At Ferma the pebbles give way to sand at the end of the stretch, and it is easy to get into the sea. Kalo Nero, Goudouras and Dermatos offer more quiet bathing in the southeast, along with Livari. The small private coves of Xerokampos are heavenly when you find one to yourself: secluded, sandy underfoot and crystal clear. In the northeast, Itanos near Vai adds another naturist beach. Explore the region on the Lasithi beaches page.
The north coast
The north coast of Crete offers fewer naturist options than the south, apart from tiny coves here and there. One exception is Georgioupoli beach, between Hania and Rethymno: the sandy shore runs 9 kilometres, and nude bathing is possible at its eastern end. In the northeast, the author's small private beach at Tholos and the long, deserted sands of Episkopi beach round out the quieter northern choices.
