Country
Spain
Reviews
No reviews yet
Family friendly
Yes
Terrain
Rock
Season
Year-round
About Charco del Palo
Charco del Palo is a small naturist village on the north-east coast of Lanzarote, about 3 km from Mala and Guatiza, surrounded by fields of prickly-pear cactus and old volcanic cones. It was founded around 1970 by the German developer Gregor Kaiser and is regarded as the first naturist resort in the Canary Islands. Most of it lies in the municipality of Haría, though the boundary with Teguise cuts through its southern edge. The village is made up of low white holiday apartments, bungalows and villas, many owned by northern Europeans, with a permanent population of only around 140-160. There is no sandy beach: the shore is dark volcanic rock, with concrete sunbathing terraces, ladders into the sea and three bathing spots, two of them natural pools that fill and empty with the tide and one giving access to open water. The clear water makes it popular for snorkelling and diving. A small supermarket and a few restaurants and terraces serve the village. Nudity is accepted throughout the streets, terraces and coast, and Spain's national tourism site describes the cove as facing a nudist development.
Legal context & local rules
Spain does not prohibit public nudity nationally, and nudity is accepted throughout the village. The Teguise part of the settlement falls under a municipal ordinance banning nudity in public spaces; a 2017 motion sought an exemption for Charco del Palo.
Spain's legal framework for nudity is complex and regionally variable. Some interpretations suggest public nudity is constitutionally protected as part of personal development rights (Spanish Constitution). However, most regional autonomous communities and cities impose restrictions through local ordinances. Urban areas typically prohibit public nudity (Barcelona fines 300-500 EUR), while beaches are generally permissive. Federación Española de Naturismo (FEN) confirms legal naturism in designated beach areas. The Spanish Supreme Court (2023) ruled that mandatory nudity policies at private facilities are discriminatory but did not alter public space rules.
What’s here
Getting there and visiting
Charco del Palo is signposted off the LZ-1 between Arrecife and Órzola, turning towards the coast near Mala; it is about 30 minutes' drive from the airport and Arrecife, and a hire car is the practical option. Most visitors rent an apartment or villa through owners or holiday-rental sites, often for a week or more. Day visitors can come to swim at the rock pools; the coast is easy to reach on foot from the village streets. Bring water shoes for the rocks and check the sea state before swimming outside the pools.
Before you go
- 1 Check the current local rules and access conditions before travelling.
- 2 Bring a towel and sit on it when using shared seating.
- 3 Never take photographs of other people without clear consent.
- 4 Respect the venue’s clothing, privacy, and behaviour rules.
Location
⌖View this place on the map
29.0841, -13.4517
Frequently asked questions
Is there a sandy beach at Charco del Palo?
No. The coast is volcanic rock with concrete terraces, ladders and tidal rock pools; one bathing area opens to the sea.
Is nudity allowed in the village streets?
Yes. Nudity is accepted throughout the village and on the coast, though the Teguise side technically falls under a municipal nudity ban.
Do I need a car?
Practically yes. The village is off the LZ-1 in the rural north-east and public transport is limited.
Are there shops and restaurants?
Yes, a small supermarket and a few restaurants and bars.
Sources
- Playa: Charco del Palo (Haría) - Spain.info Official
- Charco del Palo - Wikipedia
- PP requests the exclusion of Charco del Palo from the ordinance prohibiting nudism (La Voz de Lanzarote)
- Charco del Palo - Hello Canary Islands
Researched 25 October 2026 ; confirmed against an official source 25 October 2026.
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