A first visit to a naturist campsite brings a little nervousness — that is perfectly normal. Every experienced naturist has been there. The good news is that naturist campsites are welcoming places with clear rules and a healthy dose of normality.

What to genuinely expect

The first impression is almost always the same: ten minutes after arriving, nobody is thinking about clothes any more. The atmosphere is relaxed; people are there to camp and enjoy nature, not to judge anyone. You will find families, couples, solo travellers, retirees and young people — a mix you rarely see elsewhere.

The unwritten rules are few but important: always sit on your own towel (even at the bar or pool), respect others' privacy without staring, and wear something when entering restaurant areas or the campsite shop. Everything else is normal camping.

The towel: rule number one

A personal towel is the one truly compulsory item at naturist campsites. Carry it everywhere and place it under you before sitting on any shared surface: a sun lounger, a bench, a bar chair. It is not excessive hygiene — it is simply the shared norm that makes coexistence possible.

Bring two or three towels of different sizes: a large one for the beach or pool, a medium one for the pitch, a small one for unexpected moments.

The naturist card

Many campsites in Italy, Germany and Austria require the INF (International Naturist Federation) card. You get it from your national federation — British Naturism in the UK — for an annual fee. It is recognised almost everywhere in Europe and is often the cheapest way into an affiliated campsite.

If you do not have one for your first trip, many campsites sell a day or week pass at the gate. Always check the campsite's website before you leave.

What to pack (and what you do not need)

Your bag is lighter than usual: no swimwear needed, few evening clothes. What you really need: high-factor sun cream (parts of your body that have never seen sun burn easily), sandals for showers and hot paths, a pareo or light kimono for moments when covering up is required or preferred.

For the beach: a corkscrew-stake umbrella if you expect wind, water shoes if you are going to Istria or rocky coasts, a thermal water bottle because many naturist beaches are far from facilities.

How to behave (and what not to do)

The simplest rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. Do not stare, do not take photographs without the explicit consent of everyone in the frame, do not comment on anyone's body — neither positively nor negatively. Photography is the most sensitive point: at almost all naturist campsites it is forbidden to photograph people, even in passing, without consent.

Naturism is not a sexual practice: any sexual behaviour in public is forbidden everywhere and leads to immediate expulsion. Naturist campsites are family environments and this boundary is taken very seriously.

The moment of undressing

There is no precise moment to take your clothes off. Some people do it as soon as they arrive, others wait until they are settled on their pitch, others start at the beach or pool. Nobody is watching. Do what feels right: if you need an hour or two to settle in, take it. Naturist campsites are not rigid about this — the goal is that you feel comfortable, not that you follow a ceremony.

Where to go for a first visit

Large, well-organised campsites — such as those in Istria (Valalta, Koversada) or in the French Landes (Euronat, CHM Montalivet) — are ideal for a first trip: full facilities, plenty of staff used to newcomers, international atmosphere. Small and remote campsites are more intimate but can feel less accessible if you do not yet know the naturist world.

Check the listings in our guide: each campsite has a specific rating for how beginner-friendly it is.