Last updated 09 March 2008

A heavily package-touristed island which therefore has an awful lot of textiles.  But the island undoubtedly has a lot to see and do and some of the beaches are very good, although perhaps best visited outside the peak season in July/August.  And there certainly are various well-established naturist beaches which Barefooters enthuse over.

Click for small scale map showing Kos naturist beaches

SOUTH COAST

Tropical Beach – For a number of years, correspondents have reported an excellent but small nude beach about 3 kilometres to the west of the centre of Kardamena, with a single stand warm shower (heated by the sun and gravity fed from a tank above the beach), refreshments and sunbeds/umbrellas.  In 2005, two sunbeds and an umbrella were available at the standard Kos price of 6 euros per day.  Some correspondents have referred to this beach as the only official naturist beach on Kos.

The beach can be reached by the main road going west from Kardamena and takes about 10 minutes by bicycle.  A contributor reported in July 2005 that a bus also runs from Kardemena.  You pass the Aegean Beach complex on your right on the road from Kardamena, and approx 500 yards on is a single apartment/house on your left hand side. 50 yards further on is a track off the road towards the beach, with a sign indicating Tropical Beach as the only official naturist beach. The road completely finishes shortly afterwards at Porto Bello Beach.  Access to Tropical Beach is via the track that takes you to the back of the beach. There is limited parking for cars/bikes, etc. in the shade of the trees at the rear of the beach.  As the access is not too firm, the beach would not accommodate disabled naturists easily.

So, it's easy to find and no long walks involved! However, it’s perhaps not the best beach for the shy naturist, as it’s small and there are textile walkers passing – and quite a lot of them, according to correspondents who visited at different times in 2005, although the walkers seemed unfazed. 

A correspondent who visited in September 2005 reported that there is no permanent taverna, but the small cafe that has been there for a number of years usually opened around midday, selling cold soft drinks and beer. Its owner also “whips up a mean Greek Salad” and will make filled rolls.  His prices are conventional for Kos, and whilst the cabin is a bit basic, there is a shaded concrete area, with room for tables and a dozen or so chairs.

Whilst much of the sand at the waters edge has disappeared, leaving quite an uncomfortable walk across sharp stones into the water or along the water line, sandbags have been placed to help with access to the water.  Several contributors comment favourably on the lovely sand, warm water and clean sea, although keen swimmers might be disappointed that you have to walk at least 100 yards from the beach before you’re more than waist deep.  In September 2005, there was some snorkelling and even a bit of line fishing going on.

Barefooters who visited in May 2006 were surprised to find a fresh batch of sand had been imported!  Others, a family with two daughters now aged 23 and 17, have been visiting this particular beach now since 2002 and find it fantastic, the girls in particular enjoy it because they can sunbathe in peace as you do not get large groups of young men ogling and jeering.

The taverna usually opens around 11.30am, it's a family run affair, with reasonable prices.  There is a good mix of people, gays, mature couples and families. My reporters say it's like home from home and have made several new friends.

A slightly less positive report from a Barefoot couple who visited in June 2007 says that although the beach was quiet, once they had undressed they were bothered by two "dirty old men" (it seems the only way these pathetic souls could find out what a naked woman looks like was to ogle one on the beach).  The beach wasn't over-clean, and it is right next to another beach, so the advice is if you're easily embarrassed give it a miss.

One naturist's view from Tropical beach

On the other hand, a Barefooter reporting from September 2007 thought this a very friendly beach.  He was made very welcome by regulars: a mix of Brits with some German Italian and Greek.  He says Angie keeps a perfect house with limited but perfect (basic) facilities.  People come back year after year.  Soft sand, sunbeds and cold beers.  They will be back.  90% rating.

That view was confirmed by another pair of Barefooters who visited in September 2007.  They happened on this beach when trying to escape the "cigarette end-littered sands of Kardamena". This is a very small group of sunbeds and umbrellas (6 Euros) in front of a little stall and veranda selling refreshments, sandwiches etc. The road sign described above was missing. The sandbags leading into the sea are still there and very useful.  Most if not all of the sunbeds were occupied on both days, mostly with a mix of German and British folk.  All were very friendly and gave the impression that many were regular visitors having overheard conversations like  "I remember him from three years ago"  and  "Cheerio, see you tomorrow". This beach is quite isolated and my reporter was able to stroll 500 yards in each direction without encountering anyone. A few walkers came past the site at the edge of the water but took little notice, except for a couple of women who grinned at him. Highly recommended.

To summarise, contributors have found the beach to be good for access, thoughtfulness, friendliness and cleanliness.  Main downsides are its relatively small size and the textile walkers, but mostly they are no bother and just pass through without caring. 

Travelling west towards Kefalos along the main road from the airport, there are several good beaches before you reach Kefalos.  These are all signed with turnings to the left off the main road, and some have more than one name. 

Polemi/Magic/Exotic Beach is the first you come to, and there is a large ‘Magic Beach’ sign.  The access road is quite good, and the beach is one long beach of about 5km.   You should fork left at Magic Restaurant, fork left again at the beach and park by the Parking sign just before the kiosk (named Exotic).  In front of the kiosk are sunbeds and straw parasols with netting windbreaks (costing the usual 6 euros per day in 2005) that the owner is happy for naturists to use.  Beyond the sunbeds to the east, there are no facilities whatsoever (a contributor who visited in September 2005 described it as a DIY Beach!) and the wide sandy beach just stretches away into the distance.  A report from a couple whose first experience of being naked in public on a beach visited in September 2000 and May 2001 (evidently they liked it). There was only one family wearing clothes and everyone else was nude. There were other English couples there and they were very encouraging. Also Germans and French couples and a few single men.

Contributors who visited Kos in September 2003 and May and June 2004 all reported that it was almost deserted, with the few people there almost all naked.  A visitor in October 2005 took a picnic lunch for each of 5 days spent there, when the beach had just a few (mainly nude) visitors, and he and his wife enjoyed walks along the water’s edge.  He rated it 95%.  There are dunes with some delightful hollows at the back of the beach with juniper bushes growing there, affording some shade if the sun is too hot and you don’t have your own parasol, and some shelter if the wind is strong.  Inevitably, there’s the odd single nude male wandering about there!  Even in high season, it’s difficult to imagine this beach would ever get crowded, and a report from an August 2003 visitor stated “there were only a few guests and the textiles were in the minority” – and probably thought “I wish I could do that”. A correspondent who visited in September 2005 reported that it would accommodate literally thousands of nudists!  Otherwise, it’s a great beach with lovely clear water, and ideal for those who feel uncomfortable with textiles walking back and forth.  In June 2006 Polemi beach was virtually empty when away from the sunbeds by the exotic taverna. A few Germans dotted around, but it is no problem walking naked right to the northern end of this beach. It is a lovely beach just to be free and naked. It does get occasionally grubby with debris, but this is not a great problem.

If you turn right when you reach the beach from the access road, there are more sunbeds/parasols, and the further along you go, the more textile the beach becomes.

One report of a visit in August 2006 found toplessness on the beach but no nudity.  The Captain hopes this is just a result of seasonal variation.

Barefooters who visited in May 2007 found this lovely sandy beach 100% nude. They went every day for two weeks, saw one couple 'textile' on one day, and that's all. The sunbed operator also uses the sunbeds au naturel on quiet days!  They rated the beach 95%. 

Other July visitors spent the whole week on exotic beach.  They thought it brilliant.  Pani who runs the kiosk and sunbeds was very helpful.  It was 95% nude and was given a 100% rating by my reporter, who thought it the best beach he'd been on. 

A September 2007 visitor says Exotic Beach is a row of two dozen umbrellas each with a pair of sunbeds (7 Euros) and is separated from and to the East of Magic Beach but on the same approach road. There is a sizeable restaurant on this road just a couple of minutes walk from the beach. Each pair of sunbeds has a screen on two sides giving a little seclusion.  All sunbeds were occupied by midday. The sand is clean and the water clear. The beach extends for quite a distance to the east and there are dunes and trees at the back of the beach, which can be used for shade. I walked quite far along in this direction and encountered very few people, all nude. Given the proximity to other populated stretches of the beach there were surprisingly few textile strollers passing Exotic Beach. Highly recommended.

At the end of Exotic Beach is an army complex, and manoeuvres are carried out on a regular basis.  It is a sensitive area and the Army don't take kindly to people getting to close. 
 

Psilos Gremos/Sunny Beach – this is a continuation of Polemi to the west, but with a separate (signed) reasonably good access road.  Again, it’s long, wide, and sandy with clear water, and there are sunbeds/parasols with windbreaks, but part of the beach has no facilities.  The eastern end of this beach, where it merges with Polemi/Magic/Exotic appeared to have just a sprinkling of mainly nude people in the autumn of 2005.  Further to the west, the sheer size of the beach suggested to one contributor that discreet nudism should be possible. He also reported that there is easy access to the clear sea, without stones or rocks, and that the Sunny Beach Taverna is a good 200m from the beach up a steep hill.

Markos Beach – Signed from the road, with its own access, Markos is a continuation of Sunny, with plenty of sunbeds.  Markos is also the name of a restaurant, situated about 100m back from the beach.  Whilst less crowded than Paradise, you may have to wear a costume on Markos, although discreet nudity may be possible.

Paradise Beach – the next beach along, with its own signed access.  This used to be recommended by contributors, but is now totally commercialised and a no-go for nudism.  A 2005 report refers to the beach reeking of success, with a well-maintained tarmac access road, loads of very expensive water sports and sun beds (costing 7 euros a day) piled three deep as far as the eye can see.

The only curiosity worth visiting for is the famous air bubbles.  Looking from the shore, to the left of the main water sports area, there is a large black buoy 200m from the shore. Swim towards that and you will run into a curtain of air bubbles rising from the sand. These come from the volcano on the neighbouring Nissiros Island. This is the famous Bubble Beach!

Kamila/Camel Beach – this is again signposted from the main road, but has a steep and difficult access road, although this is passable with care by car and scooter.

This beach is in its own cove as it is separated by headlands from Stephanos beach to the south west and all the other beaches to the north east.  The beach is fine shingle and sand, and is very pleasant.  The main part has sunbeds and parasols and is textile, with the nude bit in a separate little bay to the right hand side, accessed either by wading through the water or climbing over rocks. When they visited in August 2003, a contributor reported that the small cove was littered with rocks and not attractive at all.  Other, more recent visitors have commented more favourably about it.  However the Captain has report from 2006 of nudists on the CO side of the beach with umbrellas being required to put their swimsuits back on. 

Barefooters who visited in May 2007 had the beach to themselves (apart from a group of ducks), so there were no problems with being nude. With many of these small beaches out of the main season. If you are the first ones there by your presence you have declared the beach a naturist beach, however if textiles beat you to it then you would often feel uneasy about stripping off so it is then a textile beach.

Agios Stefanos Beach - a nice sandy beach with its own (signed) access.  However, it’s right in front of the large Club Med premises, and appears to be wholly textile.

Kefalos/Kamari Beach – a long and mainly narrow beach in front of the resort.  Wholly textile.

WEST COAST

Wave Beach/Sunset Beach - A report from 1998 recommends this rather isolated beach that is near Agios Theologos. You have to drive through Kefalos village (taking the westerly road out of the village past the cemetery) and across some rather hilly, wild terrain to get there, but the road is all tarmac.  It is an empty area on the extreme west coast with a (surprisingly) quite large taverna just behind the main beach.  Breakers here can be strong so you can body surf without a board. The Captain received a nice report about skinny dipping whilst watching the sunset there.  A June 2004 visitor reports that there is erosion on this side of Kos, but enthused over several small coves reached by following the path south along the coast past a little church – with several couples each having their own cove!  A 2007 visitor noted that as the name suggests there were lots of waves due to its steep shelving, and the beach is mostly stones with two little pockets of sand, There is a taverna close by so you need to walk quite a way to sunbath nude. He thought this beach nothing to shout about.

Cavo Paradiso Beach – an August 2005 correspondent introduces this beach, which he awards 100%.  It is to the south of Wave Beach, and again reached by following the road out of Kefalos village past the cemetery.  You then fork left at the sign to Agios Ioannis, after which the narrow, hilly road is passable with care.  Just before the monastery, there is a small “FKK Beach” sign where you fork left onto a track, which is of poor quality.  However, my contributor reports that the small beach is very beautiful, with a taverna selling cold drinks and renting umbrellas (5 euros) where you can stay nude.  Indeed, the manager of the taverna and his girl friend are nude!  Unsurprisingly, given the access and remote location, even in high season there were very few people there, but it does sound worth the effort.  Perhaps a 4WD vehicle is desirable.  A 2006 report describes it as the most beautiful beach on the island and endorses the 100% rating. FKK signed but not many nude people there in August 16th-30th - only 2-4 young couples including my Barefoot reporters, other people textile. No problem with nudity. 5 EUR/sunbed, cold beer, soft drinks, iced coffee. 

A Barefooter who visited in spring 2007 confirmed that this is a very beautiful beach, one of the best he had ever found!   It is a sheltered cove with beautiful golden sand, However, there is a 4km track which requires a 4x4 vehicle. The track is still signposted with a FKK sign from the start of the approach road to the monastery.  My reporters visited twice in May and on both occasions were the only two people on the beach all day. There were sunbeds available (and no one to take any money), but no taverna, although it was in the process of being re built a new concrete base was there on our first visit and the walls were in place on our second visit.

According to an August 2007 visitor, a 4x4 vehicle is a must to visit this beach which is not easy to reach. This is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach. Firm, clean, golden sand backed by cliffs, with clear water and possibilities for snorkelling. However, there was no nudity (or even topless bathing) at the "umbrella and sunbed" end of the beach and my intrepid reporters had to walk quite a long way to the left before they found a suitable spot.  Even then, there were a lot of walkers and they weren't entirely comfortable. But they were joined later by a Greek couple who seemed encouraged to find them nude and stripped off too.

Virgin beach - only 3 miles from Exotic Beach on the other side of the island.  Easy access to the sea which allows safe swimming; very clean and unpopulated.
 

NORTH COAST

Lambi Beach - A correspondent visited the beach just north of Kos town (which may also be called Lampi) in early October 1999. The weather was sunny but there was a strong meltemi wind. The bar was closed. There were not many people and only a few were naked. The sand is all right and you have a nice view on the Turkish coast. A September 2005 contributor states that Lambi embraces the area on both sides of Cape Amoudia.  East of the Cape is pretty well all built up, but the western side is not.  The beaches are exposed to the prevailing wind which has a welcome cooling effect in hot weather.  The washed firm sand at the water’s edge is great for walking on, but a road and cycle path run beside the beach.  My correspondent and his wife spent 2 weeks there swimming and sunbathing naked, with nudity seeming to be accepted if not general.  As he rightly states, a precedent is sometimes needed to encourage others to strip off!  However a Barefooter who visited in August 2007 said it was not very clean, and there were too many textile visitors and walkers to be comfortable nude.

Tingaki/Tigaki Beach

The Captain has been receiving reports about this beach since the site began, and some reports give accounts of visits in the early 1990s. 

A correspondent who visited as long ago as1993 reported on Tingaki (or Tigaki). It’s a really long sandy beach and relatively uncrowded.  From the square in the town, by the parasol covered and textile town beach, follow the road to the left (westwards) and after about 1km, turn right to the dunes and then left at the beach. Alternatively, you can walk from the town along the beach to reach the naturist area. Nudism has been practised in this location for the past 20 years.  No facilities, but parasols can be purchased in Tingaki. This beach can also be accessed by going eastwards from Marmari.

The beach westwards (in front of Alikes salt lake) becomes naturist as far as bathing and the back of the beach are concerned, but the strip along the sea's edge is subject to textile walkers and horse riders who pass by, especially in high season.

A report from September 1999 describes a sufficient number of nudists using Tingaki beach. Yes, textiles do walk along the shore line, but apart from the occasional inquisitive glance did not seem to take much notice. The beach is backed by an area of low lying, grass covered dunes, but unfortunately these were roamed by single nudist men, and couples and females kept to the front of the dunes overlooking the sea. The beach is good sand that continues into the sea and allows you to wade out quite a long way without going out of ones depth. There is occasionally a slight problem with weed in the sea but this certainly did not spoil this holiday. There are no facilities along this part of the beach but it is only a shot walk back to Tingaki, which is quiet a lively resort without being to overwhelming.

A report from July 2000 describes Tingaki as excellent, but a lot of people walking along the shore without taking notice. My contributor says this is the best nude beach on Kos and advises not spending time on other beaches as they are very empty and not attractive if you want to be nude.

According to a report from May 2002 the beach beyond the salt lake has been declared the official naturist/nudist beach on the island, so my contributors were told by their holiday company. 80% of the people were nude during the 2 weeks they were there. There were surprisingly many couples with youngsters. To be highly recommended.

One visitor advises not to worry about passing walkers or horse-riders on this beach.  The last time he was there (about 2002) one of the riders rode his horse into the surf, bareback and naked.  The horse was wearing a bridle.

The Captain receives several reports each year, mainly enthusing over Tingaki Beach:

August 2003 – naturists bathers tended to be couples (mixed and male/male) and single men, often wandering in the dunes....naked walks possible...

June 2004 – wonderful place...... tell others.....

October 2004 – easily accessible wonderful nudist beach in front of salt lake....beach never crowded because it’s so large...bathing very safe and suitable for all ages...Salt lake now designated a SSSI area, so no chance of development, suggesting the nude beach is safe.......

July 2004 - have been there three times in the last four years and it is one of our favourites...

July 2005 – lots of dunes and lots of naturists...spent virtually every day of our two weeks naked with no hassle from anyone.  Take plenty of water and a parasol.....

September 2005 – THE perfect naturist beach!....about 200 naturists in 1km area...some gay couples, but no “activities”...

September 2005 – an hour by bicycle from Kos Town...very quiet, more nude people than clothed...

October 2005 – just a few people about (mostly nude) ... lovely sandy, gently shelving beach...no horses and few textile walkers...only problem could be when onshore wind blows...

May 2007 - a very long beach, with plenty of naturists even in May. You can bypass the textile section by driving along the short road west from Tingaki and then park at the back of the beach. You can walk for about two miles west before you reach the next textile area. There are plenty of dunes at the back of the beach although the first section is often habited with single men who seem to spend all day standing up in the dunes (more on this below). The sea water is shallow and much warmer than on the south and west coasts, but the beach is somewhat featureless.

June 2007 - no sunbeds or parasols, though you can buy parasols in the shops - but beware of the wind.  One of my many gay readers reports that the beach at times became a little seedy with some "activity" among the gay guys.  The Captain always asks readers, gay or straight, to respect the difference between beach and bedroom and avoid giving offence.  As my reporter says, "there is a time and place".

July 2007 - plenty of room on this very large beach which also slopes very gently which makes it safe to bathe in.  You get the occasional people passing by but they don't seem to take any notice, in fact we had several long walks along the beach with no problems at all.  The sand dunes give welcome shelter should the wind get up but take some sort of sun shade - 75%.

August 2007 - many happy nude days here. It is a long, clean beach which is easy to access and attracts naturist couples, singles and families. There are lots of passers-by as it is possible to walk between resorts along the beach. This is never a problem; indeed a number of walkers stripped off when they reached the nude part of the beach and continued walking naked. Depending on the wind direction, there was sometimes an accumulation of weed at the water's edge, but the water is clear and shallow and therefore safe for children.

September 2007 - "As a first time naturist I found it unintimidating as initially I could strip off by the edge of the dunes. Yes, there were passing holiday makers and horse riders but they are aware this place is a naturist beach so all are easy about it and yes, there was the occasional single male voyeur/cruiser but not one of these factors spoiled my days on the beach. Very windy some days but I got my first lovely all over tan. Am I going back there? YES!"

Mastichari Beach

Mastichari beach has a middle section away from the main town, but before the hotel on the south end of the beach, where quite a large number of people were naked (June 2006). This is really a lovely beach, but constantly has a on-shore breeze.  It is an excellent sandy beach. A correspondent from 2001 said this was his favourite beach. One negative is the hotel complex at the other end of the beach, which means that there are passers-by.

Another correspondent some years ago said this beach stretched empty to the west away from the textile zone and was his first introduction to the pleasures of walking nude along a Mediterranean beach. Another correspondent enjoyed a holiday there a few years ago, when the dunes to the west of the village allowed them to go nude, but a footpath through the dunes connecting the new development to the west may have spoilt this location for nudism.

In June 2002, a contributor reported that the beach to the west of the main town beach was almost 100% nudist, with people of all ages and families having fun.  The path from the new holiday complex was always fairly busy, but nobody seemed interested.  The beach is clean and the water crystal clear, but washed up leaves piled up on the shoreline.  Sponge sellers go up and down the beach plying their trade, and don’t mind who they sell to. After a hard day on the beach, he recommended a cool beer at the Horizon Bar, 10 mins walk from the beach.

In September 2002, another report mentioned that it’s a long walk from the dunes to the water, but the beach is good and sandy, and unlikely to get really crowded, even in high season.

Also, for the more adventurous nudists, follow the road to the west of Mastichari past the power station and then take one of the numerous tracks leading to the coast.   You could find yourselves with a sandy beach to yourselves, backed by cliffs/dunes, although I cannot guarantee the cleanliness of it due to sea debris that can wash up.

Barefoot reporters who visited in June 2006 say this is not so much a naturist beach as a "clothing optional" one. Once past the wind-surfing school, there are many places, backed by the dunes, where nudity is accepted as normal.

The path (concreted and lit) is behind the dunes and most areas of the beach are not overlooked. The few places where there is a clear view from the path, across the beach, are parts of the beach which are not particularly attractive - so, no problem (unless you really like rocks).

Although nudity seems "quite acceptable", I would recommend care and consideration on Sunday afternoons, as many local (Greek) families choose this un-commercialised area of the beach. That said, simply going a hundred metres or so further west will take you to less popular space.

There is an almost constant on-shore wind which provides a wonderful cooling breeze and makes up for the relative lack of shade. However, it also forces a noticeable amount of broken seaweed into the first ten metres of the sea - enough to notice but not too much to make for difficulties. Overall, the breeze makes it entirely possible to stay on the beach all day - provided you remember to bring plenty to drink.

Apart from Sunday afternoons, my reporters never found any problem with going naked on this beautiful beach. Although there are a few "gawkers" who deliberately choose to walk along the beach, rather than the path, they are few and infrequent.

It seems several local residents (ex-pat, the Captain is told) bring their dogs to this beach ... and strip before exercising them.

There are plenty of small stony beaches along this area of coast, however is not a very beautiful section of coastline and the power station sometimes issues smelly bright yellow sulphurous smoke. Some contributors wonder why anyone would want to use this area when there are much better sites on the island.
 

EAST COAST

Agios Fokas Beach – A contributor has recommended this beach, which is about 8km south of Kos Town, on the SE tip of the island.  It’s just after the watch tower on the left hand side of the road.  My correspondent says you have a great opportunity to be nude on the left hand part of the beach.