As much as we think we are open minded and less inhibited than generations of the past, there are still numerous beaches in various countries where women are not allowed to go topless, and there are laws against this too. So if you are really keen to ‘free the nipple’, in a place where it is legal and no one bats an eyelid, here are 5 places in the world where you can do so.
Credit: Iris Lillian
1. Costa Natura in Estepona Spain
The Costa Natura naturalist village is situated on the Costa del Sol coast of Spain just outside Estepona.This is one of Spain’s best naked holiday beaches. Apart from going topless you can even go fully nude here. Opened in 1979, this was Spain's first naturalist village. Although the surrounding area is now largely built-up, once you step inside the gates it's a total oasis for those who want to try naturism for the first time naturism or if you are already a naturist. They supply day passes, so do bring your ID or passport.
2. Bondi Beach in Sydney Australia
Bondi Beach is a popular beach and the name of the surrounding suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Since the 1980’s topless bathing has been common at this beach. Going topless isn't illegal there, but there are now signs up everywhere warning not to bring cameras onto the beach (you can be arrested for taking photos).
3. Plakias Beach in Greece
This beach is located on the southern coast of Crete and apart from being renowned for scuba diving, swimmers can also go fully nude here. There are also numerous showers all along the beach. This scenic beach is a huge stretch of golden sand. The south east end is fine sand, with umbrellas and sunbeds, and it is primarily nude for the last section (three or four hundred metres) which is largely screened from the road by dunes. In Greece there is also Banana Beach in Skiathos (banana beach?? Think the name is self explanatory).
4. Meco Beach in Aldeia do Meco, Portgual
This has been the most popular nude beach in Portugal since the 1970’s and is most well known internationally. The natural park is called ‘Serra da Arrabida’. This is a real ‘mecca’ for nudists & surfers. There is well persevered surrounding forest and the climate attracts tourists from all across Europe. Nudist tourism is growing vastly in the last several years in Portugal.
5. Lighthouse Beach in New York’s Fire Island
This is another popular beach for topless women.This used to be one of the best clothing optional beaches in the state until a it stopped being legal to go nude on this beach. To get around this law, most nudists now wear what’s known as a c-patch, a small, paper-thin pouch that covers the genitals but nothing else. However, topless women are protected by state law, so it’s still legal and common to go topless here.