Is Public Nudity Legal in Italy?
OfficialLegal in designated areas· Checked by Reto Pascal Wyss
Only on naturist beaches recognised by the local municipality; Italy has no national naturism law. Elsewhere, public nudity risks an administrative fine for acts contrary to public decency (art. 726 c.p.), though the Court of Cassation held in 2000 that nudity on a naturist beach is not indecent.[2][1][3]
Main provision: Codice penale, art. 726 (atti contrari alla pubblica decenza) and art. 527 (atti osceni), as amended by D.Lgs. 8/2016
Designated nude beaches or tolerance?
The federation FENAIT lists 24 official naturist beaches recognised by their municipalities, for example Capocotta near Rome, which a 1999 city resolution opened. Six regions (Piemonte, Lombardia, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Abruzzo and Sardegna) have passed naturism laws.[3][2]
Private naturist clubs and resorts
FENAIT groups federated naturist associations and lists certified naturist centres.[2]
Penalties
Since D.Lgs. 8/2016, acts contrary to public decency in public carry an administrative fine of €5,000 to €10,000 (art. 726). Obscene acts in public carry €5,000 to €30,000 (art. 527), or 4 months to 4.5 years in prison if committed in or near places habitually frequented by minors with a risk they see it.[1]
Official naturist places in Italy
Places NudistMap lists as officially designated or naturist-only. Status comes from open data; check each place page.
- Capocotta
- Nido dell'Aquila
- naturist beach Lecciona
- Piscinas
- Spiaggia Del Troncone
- Spiaggia di Feraxi
- Focene
- Baia delle Ninfe
- Is Benas
- Forza d'Agrò naturist beach
- Sassoscritto
- Spiaggia Lido Le Morge
- FKK Lido di Dante
- Bedrock naturista
- Bulala
- Porto Ferro
- Cron4
- Acquarena Sauna
- ACQUAin
- Secchiello Selvaggio
- Spiaggia Naturista della Balangera
Frequently asked questions
Is public nudity legal in Italy?
Only on naturist beaches recognised by the local municipality; Italy has no national naturism law. Elsewhere, public nudity risks an administrative fine for acts contrary to public decency (art. 726 c.p.), though the Court of Cassation held in 2000 that nudity on a naturist beach is not indecent.
Are there official nude beaches in Italy?
The federation FENAIT lists 24 official naturist beaches recognised by their municipalities, for example Capocotta near Rome, which a 1999 city resolution opened. Six regions (Piemonte, Lombardia, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Abruzzo and Sardegna) have passed naturism laws.
Is nudity allowed at private naturist clubs in Italy?
FENAIT groups federated naturist associations and lists certified naturist centres.
What is the penalty for public nudity in Italy?
Since D.Lgs. 8/2016, acts contrary to public decency in public carry an administrative fine of €5,000 to €10,000 (art. 726). Obscene acts in public carry €5,000 to €30,000 (art. 527), or 4 months to 4.5 years in prison if committed in or near places habitually frequented by minors with a risk they see it.
Sources
- D.Lgs. 15 gennaio 2016, n. 8, art. 2 (Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 17, 22 Jan 2016) (statute)
- FENAIT: Il naturismo e la legge (federation)
- FENAIT: Luoghi naturisti (official naturist beaches) (federation)
This page summarises the law for travellers and is not legal advice. Laws, local bylaws and enforcement change; follow local signs and check the sources below. Last checked 31 October 2026.