Lifestyle Press

The three newly-built Kalokeri Villas, which enjoy an impressive panorama overlooking the sea near Vasilithi, in the Peloponnese region of Greece, provide naturist holiday accommodation far from the madding crowd. The nearest airport is at Kalamata, 50km distant, and has direct flights from various European countries including the UK (Stansted). The (English-speaking) German owners want visitors to enjoy peace and tranquility; and they say there’s no need to hire a car – transfers can be arranged and visitors can have a lift to the supermarket two or three times each week.

The well established and ever popular naturist resort on the southern shores of the island of Crete – Vritomartis – has won a 2014 Certificate of Excellence! The family-owned hotel and it’s pretty Filaki bare beach, have long enjoyed great reviews from holiday visitors, many of whom return year after year. The quality of the hotel and its service has now been formally recognised by the prestigious TripAdvisor award. The hotel is featured in The World’s Best Nude Beaches (pages 190 & 191).

An appealing group of three small villas – each with its own pool – are set on the hillside overlooking the sea at Ratzakli. They are between the resort of Skala and the fishing village of Katelios, on the south-east coast of Kefalonia. All are perfect for naturists according to the French-Greek family owners. Thetis has one bedroom and is suitable for 2-4 guests; whilst Galatee and Amphitrite both have two bedrooms with two bathrooms and are suitable for 4-6 guests. The images of Amphitrite (nos 16 & 17) illustrate visitors enjoying the terrace in the buff. Oh, and the naturist beach of Mouda is about 1,400 metres away.

No sooner had we highlighted a holiday-villa company promoting properties suitable for naturists, than another one comes along. An emerging trend? This time on the beautiful Greek island of Kefalonia, Unique Villas, is offering 24 attractive naturist-friendly villas in their extensive portfolio.

Freelance Holidays, based in Stratford-upon-Avon in the UK, have identified no less than 43 holiday properties with private pools in their portfolio that have been assessed as naturist-friendly.

Crete 13 villas; Sicily 5 villas; and Mallorca 25 villas!

A comfortable studio set in the secluded grounds of the naturist owners’ house on the pretty Greek island of Skiathos. The very reasonably-priced rental includes free transfers from the airport. And the website has excellent bare beach information with details of where to strip-off and skinny-dip around the island.

A new exclusively nudist resort has opened on the north coast of the island of Rhodes. Naturist Angel Club Hotel is close to the airport (free transfers offered) and reasonably handy for Rhodes Old and New towns, which are 18km distant. The family-friendly property is a member of the International Naturist Federation (INF) and operates in accordance with its principles. The facilities on offer reflect those expected of a good two-star hotel. The official naturist beach outside Faliraki, is just across the other side of the island (World’s Best Nude Beaches page 205).

A feature on the Cyclades group of Greek Islands in the Daily Telegraph, dated 19 January, indicates that ‘Mesada is a popular naturist cove‘. Not listed in our guidebook (The World’s Best Nude Beaches), it is apparently located on the south-east coast of the island, immediately to the south of the larger Pounda beach (near bottom of list). Mesada also appears on some maps spelt as Mesara.

Also reported in the Daily Telegraph Cyclades travel feature, dated 19 January, Plaka beach is described as ‘where nudists make their first discreet appearance‘. Situated on the west coast of this attractive Greek island, to the south of the town of Naxos. The renowned Cap’n Barefoot’s website describes the location in more detail.

Situated at Vatos, on the west coast of the island of Corfu, the hilltop Villa Kokkini is promoted as ideal for golfers and naturists. Sleeping 10, in five double and twin rooms, the property is obviously suitable for an extended family or a group of like-minded friends. It has fine views and its own swimming pool. The renowned Mirtiotissa naturist beach is just 3.5km distant – see page 196 World’s Best Nude Beaches.

Kalo Kairi is a newly developed and family run naturist site offering a maximum of 10 spacious fully equipped tents, set in over an acre of productive olive grove. There is a swimming pool and a range of facilities available for guests. The site – which opens in May 2011 –  is located near the town of Sitia, in East Crete and is the first naturist facility on that side of the island. A number of attractive naturist beaches are accessible a short drive from the centre.

The family-owned and run Hotel Panorama on the Greek island of Zakynthos (Zante) will operate on a fully naturist basis from May 2010. Accommodation at the well-established property is offered with half board, but in addition, some apartments are available with a kitchenette. Nearby Gerakas beach has a nudist area at one end and is about 10 minutes walk from the resort. Naturist tour operator Chalfont Holidays arranges trips from the UK.

We have just come across a handy website all about Myrtiotissa naturist beach (Mirtiotissa) on the west coast of the Greek island of Corfu. There are a couple of good photo galleries illustrating the location here and here. The beach is described on page 196 of The World’s Best Nude Beaches.

Mark and Samantha Taylor have been in touch to advise that the contact details for their renowned naturist resort on the Greek island of Kefalonia have changed since the World’s Best Nude Beaches was published. The new telephone number is: +44 (0)208 144 2166, which is a UK number available all year, but is automatically forwarded to them in Kefalonia during the summer. Vassaliki Club’s website is www.viglanatura.com and email address: holidays@viglanatura.com

News reaches us of accommodation (textile) handy for the popular nude beach at Faliraki, on the Greek island of Rhodes. Kathara Bay Apartments are situated some 250 meters from the naturist area, described in ‘The World’s Best Nude Beaches’, page 205.

The Ionian island of Lefkas (sometimes written Lefkada) is in fact connected to the west coast mainland of Greece by a road bridge. Close to the village of Agios Nikitas, Milos Bay is rated as the best and largest clothes-optional beach on the island. With limited access and no commercialisation it’s a place to escape. However, we have just heard of some new and rather exclusive villas that have been built into the cliff-side above the shore. The four properties – said to be very private and secluded – each boast a private swimming pool and jacuzzi. There are steps down to the 1-km long beach, which comes highly recommended by Greek naturist guru Cap’n Barefoot.

Nudist Club Greece has a handy and informative guide to bare bathing on many of the islands and the mainland. It includes a selection of official and unofficial naturist beaches, together with directions, photographs and a host of helpful hints and tips. 

Situated on the southwest side of Corfu island – near the village Agios Matheos and about 22km from Corfu town – Villa Panoramic is described as suitable for nudist holidays. The elevated property has three bedrooms, a large pool, gardens and fine views and is only 700 metres from Paramonas beach.

On the southern tip of the Greek island of Zante, around 150 bare bathers a day enjoy the lovely Gerakas nude beach in summer. The shore is a turtle conservation area and is protected by law. To access the naturist section simply walk down the slope, turn right and head to the far end of the beach.

Villa Panoramic – located on the east coast of Corfu – has three bedrooms and accommodates 6-8 people. The detached property with private swimming pool, garden and fine views is described as ‘suitable for naturist holidays’.