Spanish holiday islands including Ibiza and Mallorca vote in favour of protecting tradition of nude beaches A motion to protect nudism throughout the Balearic Islands was brought to the regional parliament and was unanimously approved on Thursday

Holidaymakers jetting off to Ibiza and Mallorca can let it all hang out this summer with the popular holiday isles taking measures to protect and promote their “naturist tradition”.

A motion to protect nudism throughout the Balearic Islands was brought to the regional parliament by left-wing party Podemos and was unanimously approved on Thursday by the parliament’s Commission for Social Affairs and Human Rights.

Growth in nudism

It called on regional president, Francina Armengol, to respect nudism.

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“The parliament of the Balearic Islands urges the government to recognise the naturist tradition of the Balearic Islands and its practice in freedom, tolerance and respect for people and the environment,” the motion read. The parliament will also urge the government to properly signpost beaches where stripping off is allowed.

“It is a way of living in harmony with nature, characterised by the practice of being naked together,” it said.

Rapid growth in nudism Podemos regional MP Marta Maicas argued that rapid growth in tourism on the islands has relegated the practice to “more reduced and isolated spaces, in many cases because of the lack of information – bathers themselves do not know their rights and where they can practice nudism in a legal and safe manner”.

While the idea of protecting the popular nudist sites of the islands, which comprise Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, proved popular, other more ambitious parts of the proposal were met with less enthusiasm. The parliament rejected the idea of allowing nudism on every single one of the islands’ beaches, while the proposal to allow nudists in all cafés and restaurants – only requiring a towel to sit on – was also rejected.

Laid bare

The Balearic Islands are increasingly becoming a naturist hotspot.

According to the Spanish Naturism Federation, Mallorca is home to 13 nudist beaches, Ibiza has 10 and Menorca has 16.

The most nudist-friendly Balearic island is laid-back Formentera. Known as a hippy hangout that attracted musicians like Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. Most of its coastline is welcoming to nudists.