Leave your swimwear at home. Where to go for a nudist beach in the Czech Republic, and why nude swimming isn’t just a passing fad
There are people who walk onto a nudist beach for the first time with confidence, strip off their clothes and, within three minutes, are lying on a towel as if they’d been born that way. And then there are the rest of us. Those who spend their first visit feeling as though everyone is definitely staring at them. They aren’t. That’s precisely the magic of nudist beaches – after a while, you realise that nudity is actually the least interesting thing there.
On a normal beach, people are often subtly judged. Who’s wearing what swimwear, what sort of body they have, how tanned, toned, shaved or ‘summer-ready’ they are. On a nudist beach, this game disappears surprisingly quickly. When everyone is naked, there isn’t much left to put on a front about. All that remains is the body, a towel, the water, the sun and a strange sense of relief that, for a moment, you don’t have to pretend to be anything.
Yet nudism is neither an erotic pursuit nor a summer provocation for the daring. It is closer to naturism – that is, the idea that nudity can be a normal part of spending time in nature. The International Naturist Federation describes naturism as a way of life in harmony with nature, associated with shared nudity, self-respect, and respect for others and the environment. And respect is the key word here. A nudist beach is not a place where people go to ogle others. It is a place where people go to simply be.
Nudity as freedom, not an attraction
Modern naturism in Europe draws heavily on the German tradition of FKK, or Freikörperkultur – the culture of the free body. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, it was linked to a return to nature, the sun, fresh air, exercise and a healthier lifestyle.
In Czechoslovakia, however, it was not that simple for a long time. Sunbathing in the nude clashed with the authorities and with the contemporary notion of decency. In the past, nudists were confronted by the Public Security authorities, and until 1983 a regulation was in force stipulating that swimming was only permitted in proper swimwear.
Perhaps that is why Czech nudist beaches have such a special atmosphere. They are not ostentatious. They are often situated at the far end of a lake, behind a copse, round a bend in the road, or at a sandpit that requires a bit of a walk to reach. It is as though, even after all these years, they still carry something of that original, unassuming act of defiance – leave me be, let me breathe, let me go for a swim without my body being turned into a spectacle.
Lhota: a classic spot where nudism feels completely natural
If there is such a thing as a nudist legend in the Czech Republic, it is Lake Lhota, a short distance from Prague. The former sandpit boasts clear water, pine-tree surroundings and one of the country’s best-known nudist beaches. The official website states that a sandy beach over half a kilometre long on the eastern shore of the lake is reserved for nudists, with facilities including toilets and refreshments.
Lhota is particularly good for those who are new to nudism and don’t want to feel as though they’re doing something ‘on the sly’. Here, nude swimming is simply part of the experience. Nobody makes a fuss about it as if something out of the ordinary were happening. You arrive, find a spot, get undressed, and after the first ten minutes you realise that the biggest drama is whether you’ve forgotten your sun cream at home.
Hostivař: a nude holiday without leaving Prague
Hostivař in Prague is something of a godsend for anyone who doesn’t want to plan a trip halfway across the country just to go for a swim. The nudist beach is situated in a quieter part of the complex, separated from the main beach by a wood, and the operator describes it as one of the oldest and most beautiful nudist beaches in the country.
The best thing about Hostivař is that you’re still in the city, yet within a few minutes it feels as though the city has vanished. No major planning, no exotic locations, no journey into the unknown. Just a tram, a bus, a short walk, and suddenly you’re lying by the water without your swimwear.
Poděbrady: a nudist beach for those who want comfort
Lake Poděbrady is a good choice for visitors who want a naturist area but also want clear facilities. The nudist beach is situated in the eastern part of the lido, separated by a hedge and trees, and, according to the official website, offers both sandy and grassy areas. There is also a restaurant on the edge, accessible directly from the nudist section.
This is exactly the place for people who aren’t looking for romance ‘somewhere behind the bushes’, but rather a normal summer’s day with all the comforts. If you’re hungry, you don’t have to put on your swimwear just to go and get something to eat. If you want some shade, you’ll find it. If you want water, it’s right next to you. Here, nudism doesn’t feel like an adventure, but simply a perfectly normal way to go for a swim.
Velké Dářko: for those who want nature, not beach facilities
Velké Dářko has a different atmosphere. Less of a ‘swimming spot’, more of the Vysočina region. Water, forest, sand, grass, wind and the feeling that you’re a little further away from it all. According to the Kudy z nudy website, the naturist beach here has been operating since around the 1980s, and its history hasn’t always been entirely smooth.
That’s exactly what suits Dářko. It’s not a place that tries to be perfect. It’s more for people who enjoy swimming in natural surroundings and don’t mind that comfort isn’t the main attraction. Here, nudity blends in with the landscape more naturally than it does with a plastic sun lounger. And if you’re looking for a place where you can be truly quiet for a while, Dářko will do the job better than any wellness retreat.
Opaťák: a sandbank with a reputation as a place to relax
Opaťák, near Hradec Králové, is one of the well-known naturist spots in eastern Bohemia. Mapy.com lists it as an unofficial naturist beach with a predominantly naturist crowd, free entry and a natural sandbank setting.
Opaťák isn’t a polished resort. And that’s precisely why some people love it. It has the atmosphere of a summer spot that does things its own way. Part campsite, part water, part improvisation, part throwback to a time when you didn’t take half the household with you just to go for a swim. If you like places where you spend more time lying in the grass than posing for Instagram, this might be just the spot for you.
How not to behave like an idiot on a nudist beach
The most important rules are simple. Don’t take photos. Don’t stare. Don’t comment on other people’s bodies. Don’t mistake a nudist beach for a dating site or a place for sexual escapades. Sit on your own towel, respect other people’s space, and bear in mind that other people’s nudity isn’t an invitation to anything.
And then there’s one more rule that nobody needs to write on a sign for you: just be normal. It’s normality, after all, that’s the most liberating thing on a nudist beach. After a while, you realise that bodies aren’t advertising space. They’re all different. Young, older, hairy, smooth, firm, soft, tanned, pale, scarred, insecure and self-assured. And they all have the right to simply lie by the water in summer.
