Beach
Spiaggia naturista del Parco del Ticino (Vizzola Ticino)
in Milan, Italy
A naturist and gay-popular river beach on the Ticino inside the natural park, northwest of Milan near Malpensa. A 15-minute walk through the woods leads to the bank; busy in summer, with cruising in the adjacent trees. Nudity is practised but not officially permitted – stay discreet.
Where it is
The river beaches lie on the Ticino at Vizzola Ticino in the province of Varese, about 50 km west of Milan inside the Parco del Ticino nature reserve, reachable only on foot.
What it is
These are wild, unspoilt river beaches in the woods, with no facilities and a traditionally naturist, LGBT-friendly character. Anyone visiting should check the municipal rules currently in force, behave discreetly and leave nothing behind but footprints.
History
The secluded gravel banks of the Ticino have for years been used by naturists and a queer crowd, and form part of the protected river park between Piedmont and Lombardy. In recent years the municipality has clamped down on nude bathing with bans, fines and the removal of parking, leaving the situation contested and at times restricted.