Naturism & Nudist Beaches

With warm water, reliable sun and mile upon mile of open sand, the Canary Islands are one of Europe's great naturist destinations. Naturism has a long, relaxed history here — the golden dunes of Maspalomas were drawing sun-worshippers in the buff long before the resorts around them were built. Spain's easy-going attitude to the naked body, combined with year-round warmth and dozens of quiet, hard-to-reach coves, makes the archipelago a natural fit for anyone who prefers to sunbathe without tan lines. This guide covers the main naturist beaches and areas, the etiquette and the law, and where to base yourself for a nudist-friendly holiday.

Why the Canaries suit naturists

Three things line up perfectly. First, the climate: it is warm and swimmable all year, so there is no short "naturist season" the way there is in northern Europe. Second, the geography: each island has a long, wild coastline of volcanic coves and vast dune systems, much of it a walk away from the nearest road, which gives naturists the space and discretion they like. Third, the culture: as part of Spain, the islands sit within a country where public nudity on beaches is entirely legal and completely unremarkable. Locals and long-term visitors think nothing of it, and the resorts are used to welcoming every kind of holidaymaker.

The main naturist beaches and areas

Maspalomas dunes, Gran Canaria

This is the most famous naturist spot in the islands — arguably in Spain. The protected Maspalomas dunes are a rolling Sahara-in-miniature between the resorts of Playa del Inglés and the Maspalomas lighthouse, and the long stretch of Maspalomas beach below them has well-established textile and naturist zones. The further you walk from the main entrances, the more naturist and the quieter it becomes, and there is a long-standing, clearly understood gay naturist section too. Chiringuito bars punctuate the sand, and the sheer scale of the place means there is always room to spread out.

Corralejo, Fuerteventura

The Grandes Playas of Fuerteventura — the enormous white-sand beaches inside the Corralejo Natural Park, north of the town — are a classic naturist haunt. They run for kilometres beside a smaller dune sea, and once you walk beyond the parked cars and the two beachfront hotels you will find plenty of quiet space where clothing is optional and nobody minds. Fuerteventura's steady breeze keeps things cooler than the still air of Gran Canaria's dunes, so it suits sun-lovers who wilt in real heat.

Papagayo coves, Lanzarote

At the southern tip of Lanzarote, the Papagayo coves are a string of sheltered, golden crescents tucked between cliffs inside a protected area. Several of the smaller, harder-to-reach coves are traditionally naturist, and the clear, calm water makes them a lovely place to swim in the nude. A modest access fee is usually charged for the dirt road into the headland, and facilities are minimal, so bring water, shade and everything you need for the day.

Montaña Roja and El Médano, Tenerife

On Tenerife's breezy southeastern coast, the long beach beneath the red cinder cone of Montaña Roja, near El Médano, is the island's best-known naturist stretch. Walk around the base of the mountain, away from the windsurfers and kitesurfers who make El Médano famous, and you reach open, wild sand where naturism is the norm. It is exposed and windy — part of why it stays quiet — so pick a calmer day if you can.

Other quiet corners

Almost every island has its own remote, unofficial naturist coves for those willing to walk. On the wilder western isles — La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro — small black-sand and pebble beaches at the end of a footpath are often naturist by custom simply because so few people go there. Ask discreetly among long-term residents, or look for the tell-tale signs: a long walk, no facilities, and towels well spread out.

The law and the etiquette

Public nudity on the beach is legal across Spain, including the Canaries, and there is no need to hide it on the beaches described here. That said, a few points of common courtesy keep everyone comfortable.

• Read the beach. On mixed beaches, keep to the naturist end rather than stripping off among families with young children. Where a naturist zone is understood, it is usually the quieter, further-from-the-entrance part.
• Cover up to leave. Nudity belongs on the sand, not in the beach bar, the supermarket or the resort promenade. Slip something on before you wander off.
• No photos. This is the golden rule. Never point a camera or phone at anyone on a naturist beach. If you want a picture of the scenery, be obvious and considerate about it.
• Sit on a towel for hygiene, and respect people's space — a naturist beach is a relaxed, not a flirtatious, place.

Naturist-friendly resorts and stays

You do not have to book a dedicated naturist resort to enjoy a nude beach holiday here — most people simply stay in a normal resort near a good beach and walk to the naturist zone. The south of Gran Canaria, within easy reach of the Maspalomas dunes, is the obvious base and has a handful of naturist-oriented and clothing-optional apartment complexes among its many bungalow resorts. Corralejo on Fuerteventura and Playa Blanca on Lanzarote both put you close to the naturist beaches above. When booking, look for properties that describe themselves as naturist or clothing-optional if that is what you want; otherwise any comfortable base near the sand will do. Our where to stay guide explains the different resort styles across the islands.

Making the most of it

The joy of naturism in the Canaries is the freedom to combine it with everything else the islands offer — a swim in warm Atlantic water, a long dune walk at golden hour, and a plate of fresh fish afterwards. Base yourself sensibly, respect the simple etiquette, protect your skin, and you have the makings of a wonderfully relaxed holiday. Naturist travellers often overlap with the islands' welcoming LGBTQ+ scene, especially around Maspalomas, where the two have coexisted happily for decades. Pick your beach, walk a little past the crowds, and enjoy the sun the way nature intended.