Location
Spain
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
All year
About Playa Matagorda
Matagorda is the sandy beach between Puerto del Carmen and Arrecife airport on the south-east coast of Lanzarote, in the municipality of Tías. It is a narrow strip of pale sand around a kilometre long, fronted by a promenade, apartments and hotels, with mostly calm water and frequent wind. For most of its length it is an ordinary resort beach used by families. The local English-language paper Gazette Life reports that nudists often use the far end of Matagorda where aircraft come in to land, an unofficial arrangement rather than a designated area; the same article stresses that the main resort beaches of Puerto del Carmen are not naturist. Expect a mixed crowd and keep nude use to the quieter airport end.
Getting there
Matagorda is on the seafront promenade at the eastern edge of Puerto del Carmen, reachable by local bus or on foot along the promenade; there is street parking in the Matagorda urbanisation. The airport end is a further walk along the beach or promenade.
Amenities
Legal context
Spanish law does not make simple nudity an offence (public-scandal offences were removed in 1988), so nude bathing is not illegal on Spanish beaches unless a municipal bylaw restricts it. Nudity on Puerto del Carmen's main resort beaches would be poorly received and could attract a public-order complaint; nude use at the airport end of Matagorda is unofficial (2023 report).
Naturism at Playa Matagorda sits under Spain's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: Spain public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 28.9272, -13.6270
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 Spain
Frequently asked questions
Is Matagorda a nudist beach?
No. It is a resort beach; only the far airport end is reported to be used informally by nudists.
How do I get there?
Walk or take a local bus along the Puerto del Carmen seafront to the Matagorda area and continue towards the airport.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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