With a tag line of ‘the world’s best naturist beach resort‘, it’s a fair bet that if you’re looking for a holiday destination where you can ‘let it all hang out’, so to speak, Vera Playa, in Spain, is on your radar. But just what is it that makes this such a premier naturist resort?
It could be the accessibility and the friendly acceptance from the locals; it could be the close-knit community atmosphere; or it could be the many fun activities and events, such as the Guinness World Record Skinny Dip attempt – a title the resort still holds. In fact, it’s the combination of all these aspects that has visitors flocking here every year to shed their stress, inhibitions, and clothes for a few precious weeks of the year. That, and the fact that the Costa Almeria has the highest amount of sunny days in mainland Europe!
The Naturist Beach
Naturism is legal in Spain, and the 2.5km stretch of beach at Vera Playa (Playa el Playazo) is a designated naturist zone, along with the area behind it. Playa el Playazo runs from the Vera Playa Club Hotel (the only totally naturist hotel in Spain) to the Camino de los Tres Olivos. The three olive trees, for which the site is named, are no longer in existence, however, so it’s a little difficult to discern the end of the zone – but nobody really seems to care, and you’ll soon notice if your lack of clothing is out of place!
The beach itself is long, sandy and wide (up to 100m in some places), with excellent conditions for sun bathing and swimming – although the advice is to be more careful in the afternoons as there is often a swell. Even though it’s well known as a nudist beach, broadminded ‘textiles’ (or those who choose to remain clothed) are not discouraged. In the urbanisation directly behind the beach there are numerous bars and restaurants where you can go clothing free all day (weather permitting).
Other Ways to Get Some Sun
Just because you’re on a naturist holiday doesn’t mean everything revolves around sunbathing and swimming in the altogether, although frankly that’s a major part of it!
There are some excellent beaches to go snorkelling, just past Mojacar Playa and, coincidentally, a couple are also naturist. Try Shark Fin Cove, where you can snorkel very close to shore, and also Playa los Muertos, where the water is so clear you can see even the tiniest fish.
On all the ‘textile’ beaches at either end of the naturist zone there are plenty of opportunities for traditional water sports, like windsurfing, kite surfing, scuba diving, canoeing, and pedalos – although all these are definitely ‘clothes on’.
The Aquavera Parque Acuatico Vera is a fun water park with all the bells and whistles, including a variety of water slides – with such appealing names as the Kamikaze and Black Holes – a wave pool, lake pool, adventure river, bar, café, gift shop and mini-golf. In fact, it’s as much fun as you can have in Vera Playa with your clothes on!
Whether you’re a regular naturist or interested in trying it for the first time, enjoying some fun in the sun in Vera Playa is easy – and it’s amazing how light you can travel when you’re only wearing a smile…
How to Get to Vera Playa
While there are three airports that service the area (including Alicante and Murcia), Almeria is by far the most convenient, at 85kms from Vera Playa. From the airport you can take a public bus into the central Almeria bus station, then connect to a local bus to Vera and a taxi to Vera Playa. If you’re looking for the easiest and most convenient way to get there, however, pre-book one of Shuttle Direct’s Almeria airport taxis, and we’ll meet you at the airport and drive you directly to your accommodation. It’ll be bags down and clothes off in just an hour and 10 minutes.
If you’re planning on driving to Spain from the UK, while there are numerous routes, the quickest is via Bilbao. You’ll take the overnight ferry from Portsmouth, then the drive from Bilbao to Vera Playa takes around 10 hours. You can also take a ferry from Portsmouth alighting at Santander, but the driving portion of the trip will be longer.
Where to Stay:
Urbanizacion Naturista La Menara – For an inviting, home-from-home experience, the garden apartments of the Urbanizacion Naturista La Menara offer plenty of room to move and a vibrant, artistic décor. You’ll enjoy excellent apartment facilities including a spacious lounge and well-equipped kitchen, and you don’t even have to go to the beach to relax, with a nudist-only outdoor pool.
Aparthotel Parque Tropical – Cool, modern and funky, the Aparthotel Parque Tropical offers superb accommodation if you’re looking to self cater in a private, quiet area. You’re just a short distance from the beach, but if you’re planning on sticking close to home it’s perfect too, with three pools, bar, restaurant, fitness centre and plenty of sporting activities to enjoy.
Vera Playa Club Hotel – As the only naturist hotel in Spain, the Vera Playa Club Hotel knows what it takes to please discerning guests. With gleaming marble foyers, a huge central palm-fringed pool with sun-terrace, and colourful, sun-drenched rooms overlooking the ocean, you can relax, party, or sunbathe as much or as little as you like. While it’s just steps from the beach, it is completely self-contained, with entertainment, restaurants and bars, and is one of the “5 best hotels in the world for nudists”.
