Guvano Beach, Italy - Officially Recognised Nude Beach

From the Corniglia train station (follow road north, go over tracks, then zigzag below the tracks, following signs to the tunnel in the cliff; walk past proprieta privata sign) travelers buzz the intercom and the hydraulic 'Get Smart'-type door is opened from the other end. After a 20-minute hike through a cool, moist, and dimly-lit unused train tunnel, you'll emerge at the Guvano nude beach — and be charged 5 euros. The beach has drinking water, but no toilets. The crowd is Italian counterculture: pierced nipples, tattoed punks, hippie drummers in dreads, and nude exhibitionist men. The ratio of men to women is about three to two. About half the people on the nude beach keep their swimsuits on. Bonfires bring this varied crowd together each night. - Rick Steves 1998

Guvano on the Cinque Terre (Italia) is a fine place for nude sunbathing and swimming. Even during what I thought was peak time (August) this year, there were only a few dozen people. The biggest problem? Jellyfish. While their sting is relatively shortlived (a few hours), you might not be used to the pain induced in the, er, normally less exposed areas of the body. YOW! - Michael Horne 11/04/98

The local gov't in the Cinque Terre has recently made it much more difficult to get to Guvano Beach by locking the abandoned rail tunnel. You now have to hike about 40 minutes from Corniglia (towards Vernazza) and take a grueling, steep, scary trail down from the main path. And of course, getting back up is even harder. This means that only a few hardy souls make it to the nude beach. I was there in early July and there were only about 20 people on the beach all day. Beautiful beach, though; I think it's worth the hike. - Mike 08/01/02

The earlier comments about access are no longer true, at least as of late Sept. 2002. You can access by the old rail tunnel (the doors are now permanently open). You can also reach it by the path mentioned, but it is hard to find from the top. - Rick Steves 10/09/02

Guvano nude beach is not easy to find, and the locals don't promote it to the tourists so it is usually very quiet and peaceful. It is also known to be a nude beach, so you are likely to find half the people on the beach completely naked. Don't let that stop you from going, nudity is optional. How to find the allusive beach? Find the bottom of the long stairway that leads from the Corniglia train station up to the village. (Don't go up the stairs). Walk down along the ramps that are just above the seashore and continue to the right. The path turns and will take you behind some small houses and you will find yourself in front of a gate at the entrance to an abandoned train tunnel. (If you see a sign that said private property.ignore it!). Ring the bell that is located to the left of the tunnel gate and the gate will automatically open and then close behind you. (You may feel like you are doing something wrong, but don't worry about it. Just walk on). Walk through the tunnel for about 15 minutes until you reach the end. Don't be alarmed if you hear trains passing in the tunnel that is adjacent to the one you are walking in. When you come out of the tunnel you will find a beautiful beach awaits you. Someone will be waiting close to the exit of the tunnel and will expect a fee for the use of the tunnel and beach (usually 5 Euro). The main Corniglia beach is opposite the Corniglia train station there is a long beach, but it is mostly rocky and becomes very small with the high tide. - www.notamall.com