Nudists lose battle to bare all on southern Spanish beach

Spain’s Supreme Court on Friday rejected an appeal brought by the Spanish Federation of Naturism against local government legislation banning nudists from beaches within the urban limits of Cádiz.

READ MORE: Top Ten nudist beaches in Spain

The court, presided over by Judge José Luis Requero, rejected the claim in the appeal that nudism could be considered a fundamental right to freedom of ideology as defended in Article 16 of Spain’s constitution.

It ruled that Cádiz local authorities had the power to “manage properly the use of its services, equipment, infrastructure, facilities and public spaces”.

The Spanish Federation of Naturism argued that Cádiz was rolling back “social progress” by fining nudists up to €750 ($840). 

But while nudists may not use beaches within the city limits, they are free to use those outside the city. 

The Spanish tourist board estimates that up to 1.5 million people visit Spain every year specifically to practice nudism, and around 500,000 Spaniards enjoy getting their kit off on a regular basis.

Andalusia, the autonomous community in which Cádiz is located, has the most kilometres of nudist beaches of any Spanish region.