My two girlfriends and I from the States plan to go topless at the beach on our visit to Barcelona this June/July. Like most Americans we are not accustomed to sunbathing topless ... is it safe for three twenty-something women to expose themselves alone on one of Barcelona's city beaches, or would we attract too much unwanted attention? Are the beaches at Sitges or elsewhere better for relaxed swimming and sunbathing? This must sound like a stupid question but two of us are rather well-endowed and we seem to get a lot of attention (some great, some unwanted) when we go to the beach together. Do most European women go topless? Where are the best sections of beach in Barcelona? Thanks!

Best advice is to go and look around you. If the other women at the beach in Barcelona are topless and you can do it without giggling too much or otherwise making fools of yourselves, do it! <BR>If the majority are not topless, don't do it. <BR>Go to France instead (beach at Biarritz will do).

Hi gerri <BR> <BR>Was on the beach (at the tip of the Barceloneta area) this past Monday (24th April 2000) and there were a few topless ladies, well endowed and not, no one paid a bit of attention... <BR> <BR>But that all depends on what lecherous goats happen to be on the beach that day... <BR> <BR>Certainly it was busy enough that you would be unlikely to suffer any serious hassling as there are too many people around... <BR> <BR>Kavey <BR>

When we went to the main beach in Barcelona, i would say that 3/4 of the women were topless. Therefore I don't think you would be out of place. The greatest concern would be sunblock, in my opinion. In a way your question is ironic, though. There are very few reasons to sunbathe topless (for an american) other than to gain attention.

Yes, I think that was their point!!!

Jeanie, <BR> <BR>Why would the motive be different for an American woman to sunbathe topless as opposed to a European woman?

Thanks for all of the info. We like to go topless or nude wherever possible, like many Europeans, but sometimes it is not appropriate due to local custom, local laws or potential threat to safety. You will get a big fine in the States for simply exposing your breasts on the beach, one reason that Europe and Spain like a superior travel destination. Again, sorry if this seemed like a stupid question but we are looking forward to enjoying this freedom.

Do anything you'd like. But for our sake, tell as few people as you can you are an American.

No one will bat an eyelid at topless sunbathing in Spain. It is entirely personal preference and will attract no attention one way or the other.

There is a nude beach near Sitges - just south of Barcelona. Sitges is about 30 minutes south.

I know someone already mentioned this, but the sunblock issue is KEY. Whatever sun protection you normally wear on your arms, shoulders, etc., it will not be NEARLY enough on skin that has never "seen the sun." I learned this the hard way in Greece. Start with 45 SPF and then go to 30 if you don't burn, etc. Ay yi yi -- just thinking about it hurts.

The funny thing about the topless beaches is the ones that you see that have been out in the sun a few too many years. The breasts are all sort of wrinkled, like the girls in the states that worship the sun and then wake up at age 40 looking 65. Good luck, have fun. Hope you are not planning on looking young for too many more years. It does not really matter as there are always more being born each year to keep the beaches looking nice.

Hey Ron: <BR> <BR>This is funny, how? <BR> <BR>The same thing can be said about knees or faces, I suppose. Two decades of sun worship and they won't look the same at age 40 as at age 20. Imagine that. <BR> <BR>Go however you want, wherever you want at the beaches near Barcelona, Gerri. Someday America will come around.

Does anyone know if you can go nude in Barcelona-on the beaches of course? I hear that Europe is very open and that you can but I'm a little nervous about it since I have never done it before.

I went topless in Barcelone -- it's no big deal. However, if you want to avoid unwanted attention, put your top on before walking down to go in the water. Only go topless while lying on the beach, ya know? Also, be prepared: three young women alone will get a lot of attention in Spain! Have fun!

Please! Nude - I don't think so! Why do some Americans think they can do anything in Europe?!? <BR> <BR>A European woman

To avoid the pink and white headlight syndrome and the serious burning problem-use a tanning salon before you go do it. They will make a big difference in the way you'll feel and look! Too bad we can't all run around over here like that isn't it?

Pleeeeeease-Americans think they can do anything? I have traveled all over and see Europeans stripping down buck naked on the beach in front of my children or anyone else on the beaches of France and the Carribean, etc. I've seen little 10-12 year old European girls running around completly naked on the beach as they are just starting to mature. I'vee seen 13-16 year old girls walking around topless with thongs on. I wouldn't be criticizing anything Americans do-we sure don't act like that in the US.

Why is it that so many american women can't wait to get to Europe and pull out their tits or strip completely naked and go to the beach. Is it the sheep syndrome of follow the heard or a big long pent up desire to show your nice body? Perhaps it is for the extra attention you might get, an extra look here and there-is that it?

Yowza, Janey! <BR>Not everyone is ashamed of their body. American women can't wait to do it over there because they can't legally do it here in the US, eh. Men on the other hand can "pull out their tits" whenever they want to. What's up with that? Even if you have no desire to sunbathe topless, it's nice to have a choice.