Crete's Only Naturist Resort
The Vritomartis Hotel on Crete is the island's only nudist resort
Naturist & clothing-optional beaches in Greece and the Greek islands are plentiful but the Vritomartis Hotel in Crete is the only one on the island where you can bare all
Nudity in Greece and the Greek islands is restricted to certain designated beaches, and elsewhere it is technically illegal. However, many people who like to sunbathe naked find a secluded cove or beach for themselves and strip off to swim and relax as naked as nature intended. The Greeks don't have a problem with sunbathing nude, as long as you don't do it where people might be offended. But there is one resort hotel which is actually nudist or clothing-optional, and that is the Vritomartis Hotel on the southern shores of Crete, Greece's largest island.
It isn't compulsory to be naked everywhere at the Vritomartis resort, and in fact in the public areas you are required to wear clothing. In this it is different from some nudist resorts, like in France, where you can find yourself gazing at someone's bottom as you go shopping in the supermarket. In Crete's nudist hotel, you cannot be nude inside the main building, but in the areas around the swimming pool, and on the beach, it is compulsory to go naked. In other areas such as the grounds, volley-ball court, tennis court and paths around the hotel, it is clothing-optional.
Whether you are naked or not, the Vritomartis is a lovely hotel, whose grounds are filled with colorful bougainvillea and other flowers which flourish in Crete's hot climate – across the sea from the Vritomartis Hotel the next stop is North Africa. Non-naturists also stay at the hotel (which is like a mini-resort) quite happily. It makes a great base for exploring southern Crete. It is not far from the end of the Samaria Gorge, and even closer to the Imbros Gorge, so ideal for walkers. Others might enjoy dolphin-watching or taking a boat trip to Gavdos Island, the southern-most point in Europe.
This nudist resort hotel has 85 rooms, with about half of them being in the main block, where there is also an excellent restaurant. There is also a more casual taverna by the swimming pool, and the remaining rooms are scattered around the beautiful grounds, in bungalow-style accommodation. Rooms can only be booked on a half-board basis, which includes breakfast and the evening meal, but the food is excellent and it's a bit of a drive to the nearest town, Chora Sfakion. On several nights a week during summer, there are music and dance nights too.
The Vritomartis Hotel is a wonderful resort hotel, whether you are interested in its clothing-optional facilities or not. For further details on its facilities, what to do in the area, and current prices, check out its website: www.vritomartis.gr.
To read about a naturist resort on Kefalonia in the Ionian Islands. click here.
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