Location
Italy
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
June to September
About Spiaggia di Bulala
Bulala is a long, wild stretch of sand and dunes on the Gulf of Gela on Sicily's south coast, east of Gela town, in the contrada of the same name near the Biviere di Gela coastal lake. The Comune di Gela authorised nude bathing here in 2016 along the shore between the eastern mouth of the Canale Scolmatore and the mouth of the Dirillo river, a run of roughly 6 km, and for some years it was described as the only authorised naturist beach in Sicily. The setting is open dune coast backed by scrub and coastal ponds, with fine sand, a gently shelving sea and plenty of space; you rarely have neighbours close by. There are no bathing establishments, kiosks, toilets or lifeguards on the naturist stretch. The Sicilian naturist association ASINA reported in 2023 that the beach is in very poor condition, and aggregator listings warn that environmental quality varies along the coast and that some sections near the industrial area have long-standing bathing bans, so check local notices before swimming.
Getting there
Reach the area by car from the coast road east of Gela, following local roads towards the coast near the Biviere and the Dirillo mouth; final access is on dirt tracks. There is no dedicated car park, so park considerately on the tracks behind the dunes and walk over the sand. No public transport reaches the beach. Bring water, food and shade, as there are no services. The soft sand and dunes make it unsuitable for wheelchairs.
What visitors say
Accounts describe a huge, empty dune beach where solitude is easy to find, but with no services at all and a long, sometimes confusing approach on unpaved tracks. Recent naturist-association comment is negative, describing the beach as in very poor condition, and some writers question the water quality near the industrial zone. Visitors recommend going with a car, bringing everything you need and asking locally about current bathing notices.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Legal context
In Italy nudity in a place where it is authorised or customary is not treated as obscene (Court of Cassation rulings), and municipalities may designate naturist areas. Gela's council reportedly authorised this stretch by resolution 171/2016; Balarm (2023) says it was the only authorised Sicilian naturist beach until 2022 and gives no indication the authorisation was withdrawn.
Naturism at Spiaggia di Bulala sits under Italy's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: Italy public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 37.0350, 14.3003
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Italy
Frequently asked questions
Is nude bathing allowed at Bulala?
The Comune di Gela authorised a naturist stretch here in 2016, between the Scolmatore canal mouth and the Dirillo river. Stay within that stretch.
Are there any facilities?
No. There are no kiosks, toilets, sunbed rental or lifeguards, so bring water and shade.
Is the water clean?
Quality varies along this coast and some sections near Gela's industrial area have had bathing bans, so check current local notices.
How do I get there?
By car from the coast road east of Gela, then dirt tracks towards the dunes; there is no public transport.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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