# Naturism in Crete: The Nudist & Naturist Beaches > Crete's naturist and nudist beaches lie mainly on the south coast, from Falassarna and the Sfakian coves to Kommos near Matala and Xerokampos. Region-by-region guide with the etiquette, the rules and the Vritomartis naturist hotel. | | | |---|---| | Where | South coast, mainly | | Legal status | Tolerated; few licensed | | Naturist hotel | Vritomartis (Filaki) | | Often rated best | Kommos, near Matala | **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. ## Naturism in Crete: the rules Naturism is tolerated across [Crete](https://fly2greece.net/crete.html) 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) _Photo: Gialiskari beach near Paleochora, southwest Crete_ _Photo: Gialiskari beach near Paleochora, southwest Crete_ _Photo: Gialiskari beach near Paleochora, southwest Crete_ 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](https://fly2greece.net/chania-beaches.html) page. ## Rethymno's south coast _Photo: Preveli Palm Beach, southern Rethymno, Crete_ _Photo: Preveli Palm Beach, southern Rethymno, Crete_ 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](https://fly2greece.net/rethymno-beaches.html) page. ## Heraklion's south coast _Photo: Kommos beach near Matala, southern Heraklion, Crete_ _Photo: Kommos beach near Matala, southern Heraklion, Crete_ _Photo: Kommos beach near Matala, southern Heraklion, Crete_ 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](https://fly2greece.net/heraklion-beaches.html) page. ## East Crete (Lasithi) _Photo: The coves of Xerokampos in southeast Crete_ _Photo: The coves of Xerokampos in southeast Crete_ _Photo: The coves of Xerokampos in southeast Crete_ 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](https://fly2greece.net/lasithi-beaches.html) 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. ## Frequently asked questions **Is nudism legal in Crete?** Naturism is tolerated rather than fully legal. Greek law permits nudity only in a few licensed areas, but many quiet, remote beaches and coves allow it in practice. Topless sunbathing is accepted almost everywhere except on a beach inside a village. **Where are the naturist beaches in Crete?** Most clothing-optional beaches sit along Crete's south coast, from Falassarna and the Sfakian coves in the west through Plakias, Preveli and Kommos to Ferma and Xerokampos in the east. The north coast offers far fewer, apart from small coves and the eastern end of Georgioupoli's 9 km beach. **Is there a naturist hotel in Crete?** Yes. The Vritomartis hotel is run for naturists, and it uses the beach of Filaki, which the author counts as Crete's one official naturist beach. **Which are the best naturist beaches in Crete?** The author's own top three are Agios Pavlos near Agia Galini, the naturist beaches of Tertsa, and the small private coves of Xerokampos. Kommos, north of Matala, is often rated among the island's best. **Are Crete's naturist beaches official?** Apart from Filaki, the beach of the Vritomartis hotel, they are not official naturist beaches. Naturism is simply tolerated there, so be considerate of local families and other visitors. --- Source: [Naturism in Crete: The Nudist & Naturist Beaches Guide](https://fly2greece.net/crete-naturisme.html) — fly2greece.net, an independent guide to Greece written and photographed by Hans Huisman since 2000. Reviewed July 2026.