Location
Greece
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Rock
Best season
June to September
About Limanakia Beach
Limanakia ('little harbours') is a string of rocky coves cut into the limestone cliffs between Vouliagmeni and Varkiza on the Athens Riviera, about 20 km from central Athens and right below the coastal road. There is no sand: you lie on flat white rock ledges and climb into deep, very clear water, which is why the coves are popular with snorkellers and cliff jumpers as well as sunbathers. The coves are numbered by the bus stops above them. Limanakia A draws a young crowd and has a small canteen; Limanakia B, and the coves beyond it, are the long-standing nude area of the Athens coast and a well-known gay meeting place, as Lifo and Athens beach guides describe. Nude and clothed bathers share the rocks, with nudity more common the further you scramble from the paths. Shade is almost nonexistent and the rocks get very hot by midday. Sea urchins are common, so water shoes help. It is one of the few places near Athens where nude bathing is an established habit rather than an occasional one.
Getting there
Take the tram or metro to Elliniko or Argyroupoli and then bus 122 (towards Saronida), or bus 117 from Glyfada, and get off at the 'A Limanakia' or 'B Limanakia' stops on Poseidonos/Athinon-Souniou avenue. By car, park along the roadside where space allows; there is no formal car park and summer weekends fill up. Dirt paths lead down steep, uneven rock from the road to the coves in a few minutes; wear proper shoes, not flip-flops. Not accessible for wheelchairs or anyone unsteady on rough ground.
What visitors say
Visitors describe Limanakia as a rocky, unorganised but beautiful place to swim, with very clear deep water and good snorkelling. Guides agree the B cove and beyond are where nude and gay bathers go, while A is younger and livelier. Common tips: bring water, an umbrella and shoes for the rocks and urchins, and arrive early on weekends. Some guides note limited facilities and litter on busy days, and the paths down are rough.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Limanakia is not an officially designated nude beach. Greece has very few officially recognised nude beaches; elsewhere nudity is technically not permitted and could be charged under the Penal Code's indecency provision (Lifo, 2022, cites article 353), but on secluded beaches it is widely tolerated and police usually start with a warning. Lifo (2022) lists Limanakia as a long-standing nude spot.
Naturism at Limanakia Beach sits under Greece's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: Greece public nudity guide.
Researched 25 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 37.8000, 23.7939
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 Greece
Frequently asked questions
Which Limanakia cove is nude?
Limanakia B (the second bus stop) and the coves past it; nudity is more common the further you go from the path.
How do I get there from Athens?
Bus 122 from Elliniko or Argyroupoli metro, or bus 117 from Glyfada, to the A or B Limanakia stops.
Is it family-friendly?
Not really: the access is steep rock, there is no sand, and the B area is a known gay cruising spot.
Are there facilities?
Only a small canteen near Limanakia A; bring water, food and shade.
Is it legal?
It is not officially designated, but nude bathing here has been tolerated for decades.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
Members’ reviews
Write a review →Loading member reviews…