By Solomon Wiesen, TLV Beaches. Last reviewed October 2026.
There is no nude beach in Tel Aviv, and public nudity is not officially legal in Israel. The best known unofficial spot is Ga’ash Beach, north of the city. Nordau Beach is Tel Aviv’s gender-separate beach, not a clothing-optional one.
Israel, with its modern and pretty landscapes and Mediterranean climate, offers several beach spots where nudists and naturists can enjoy the sun and sea in their natural state – with no clothes. While public nudity is not officially sanctioned and technically against the rules, certain beaches have become popular among those seeking a nude, clothing-optional experience.
Here’s a guide to the known nude beaches of Israel:
1. Ga’ash Beach
Located approximately 22 km north of Tel Aviv, near Kibbutz Yakum, Ga’ash Beach is probably the best known unofficial nude beach in Israel. The beach is accessible via a 30-minute walk south from Poleg Beach. If you are coming from Tel Aviv for the day, the closest beach hotels are in Herzliya, about 12 km south; see our list of hotels near Herzliya Beach. It’s known for its long and wide sandy stretches, but keep in mind that it is an unauthorized nude beach!
The northernmost part of the beach is popular with the LGBT community.
2. Shefayim Nude Beach
Approximately 19 km north of Tel Aviv, Shefayim Nude Beach is a small, quiet spot. It is secluded, which is why naturists like it. It sits just north of Herzliya, so it pairs well with a day on the regular Herzliya beaches.
Also on the Mediterranean: Israeli naturists also use the quiet strip of shore near Neve Yam, between Atlit and Nahsholim on the Carmel coast. Like the others, it is unofficial.
3. Metsoke Dragot Beach
Situated by the Dead Sea, near the village of Metsoke Dragot, this beach has the mineral-rich Dead Sea water and very little noise. It’s a natural beach without facilities, but nearby sweet water springs can be used for rinsing off after a dip.
4. Neve Midbar Beach
At the northern end of the Dead Sea, Neve Midbar is a private, paid beach. It has been reported to set aside a section of its shoreline for nude bathing; we could not confirm that this is still the case, so ask the beach before you go.
5. Lighthouse Beach near Eilat
Approximately 10 km southwest of Eilat, near the Princess Hotel, the end of Lighthouse Beach is a favored spot for nude sunbathing. The area is also known for snorkeling over coral reefs. For the rest of the coast there, see our guide to the beaches in Eilat.
Legal Considerations for Nude Sunbathing in Israeli Beaches
While these beaches are popular among naturists, public nudity is not officially legal in Israel!! No law names nudity as such: the police rely on the Penal Law’s ban on indecent acts in public, and arrests have been reported at Ga’ash. In Tel Aviv itself a city bylaw requires clothing or a swimsuit on the beach, with a fine of NIS 320. These spots have become accepted over time due to their seclusion and the communities that frequent them. Nude sunbathers should definitely exercise discretion and respect for other beachgoers! So if there are kids around then do not undress!!!
4 Etiquette Tips for Visiting Nude Beaches in Israel
- Respect Personal Space: Maintain a respectful distance from others.
- Photography: Always seek permission before taking photos, as privacy is highly valued.
- Cleanliness: Keep the beach clean by disposing of trash properly and leaving the environment as you found it.
- Awareness: Be mindful of local customs and sensitivities, especially in areas where public nudity is not the norm.
These beaches are unofficial, so there are no lifeguards and few people around. Read our beach safety and theft prevention tips before you go, and leave valuables at your hotel or in a beach locker in Tel Aviv.
Additional Nude & Naturist Ideas in Israel
Feel free to check out a community called Naturism which hosts nude beach related events all throughout Israel on different calendar dates. Here’s an example of a naked pool party they hosted last year. However they have strict rules about joining their community please read them below. Also, follow the news to see the latest legal updates impacting naturist communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a nude beach in Tel Aviv?
No. Tel Aviv itself has no nude or clothing-optional beach. The nearest well-known naturist spot is Ga’ash Beach, about 35 minutes north of the city. Tel Aviv’s Nordau Beach is a gender-separate religious beach, which visitors sometimes confuse with a nude beach; it is the opposite.
Is nude sunbathing legal in Israel?
Public nudity is not officially sanctioned in Israel, and none of the beaches on this list is an officially designated nude beach. In practice, naturists use a few secluded spots, listed above, where nude bathing has long been tolerated. Discretion and the etiquette tips above matter.
Which nude beach is closest to Tel Aviv?
Ga’ash Beach, just north of Shefayim, is the closest and the best known. It sits below cliffs and takes a short walk to reach, which is part of why it stays secluded.
Do I need to be nude at these beaches?
No. These are unofficial clothing-optional spots rather than mandatory nude beaches, and on any given day you will see a mix. Going nude is accepted there; staring, photography and bad manners are not.
Sources: Time Out Tel Aviv’s tour of Israel’s naturist beaches and its report on the law and the Tel Aviv bylaw (both Hebrew), and the legal explainer linked in the text. None of these beaches is official, and we could not confirm current conditions at each one. Checked October 2026.
Solomon (Shlomo) Wiesen is the author and photographer behind TLV Beaches. Originally from New York, he moved to Israel in 2011 and lives in Tel Aviv, a short walk from Frishman and Bograshov beaches. Every guide on the site is written from the beach, with more than 200 of his own photos of the Tel Aviv coast. He works in marketing, SEO and startups.
Leave a Reply