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Suit Yourself! How to NOT visit a nude beach in Greece

By deTraci Regula, About.com

Marmara Beach in southwestern Crete

Marmara Beach, despite a tavern and signs, still goes bare much of the time.

deTraci Regula
Want to avoid the glare of being bare? Here's how to find the beach that's right for you.

1. Ask
At the time of your hotel booking, ask about the local beaches. Be specific that you are looking for a beach that doesn't encourage nude sunbathing. (Many visitors will be asking for just the opposite!)

2. Then Ask Again
When you arrive, ask what beaches are clothed. This often changes from year to year, or even within the same season. Generally, nude beaches are losing the battle rather than gaining new sand.

2. Beware - Family-friendly May Still be Bare
European families have a more liberal attitude toward nude sunbathing. If you ask if a beach is family-friendly, or "good for kids" you may simply be sent to the one with the smallest waves and fewest sea anemones - not necessarily the one with the most bathing suits.

3. Beaches Change Their Clothing, Too
On weekends, many beaches are mostly or fully clothed as Greek families descend and outnumber the tourists. During the off-days early in the week, the same beach may be much more nudist-friendly. The opposite is also true - what's bare on Monday may be totally textile (clothing-preferred) on Saturday.

4. Look to the Church for Guidance
In general, if you can see a church or monastery near the beach, you won't be seeing bare bodies. The religious presence tends to keep the suits on, at least within sight lines of the buildings.

5. Not religious? Then look to the Taverna
Generally, the areas around businesses on the beach will tend to be fully clothed.

6. Safety in Numbers
Busy beaches (with the exception of a few "renowned" nude beaches, such as Paradise or Super-Paradise on Mykonos will tend to be clothed. Remote beaches which require a boat to get to will tend to be bare.

7. Pay to park
If you're at a managed municipal beach with formal paid parking, chances are virtually everyone will be fully suited.

8. Stay near Athens
Nudism aficionados have been excited about rumors of a bare beach near Athens - but no one has confirmed it as yet. Bare beaches are very rare near the capital, and, in general, the coasts of the mainland or Peloponnese peninsula will never be as bare as the island coasts.

9. Stay Away from the Rocks
Natural rock formations may also provide a boundary line between bare and not-bare beaches. Peek around that boulder carefully.

The other point of view - How To Visit a Nude Beach in Greece.

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