Belgian couple heads straight to one of Norway’s three naturist campsites

A Belgian couple arriving in Norway by ferry on Wednesday afternoon drove directly to Isefjær Naturistsenter in Høvåg, Agder, one of only three naturist campsites in the country, reports Dagbladet.

Rony, 69, and his wife Leen, 72, had never visited Norway before but chose the destination after finding online that Norway has just three such sites. They plan to tour the country in their campervan for over four weeks.

“Everyone we meet who travels a lot with a campervan or caravan always says: You have to go to Norway. So here we are,” Leen said.

The couple, both long-time naturists, said they were surprised by the low number of dedicated sites in Norway. Rony secured the prime spot at Isefjær, which this year marks its 30th anniversary.

Campsite managers Nina Messell, 63, and Ivar Mehren, 60—who met, fell in love, and married at the site—said the atmosphere fosters a unique social bond. “You see complete strangers meet here, and before you know it, they’re talking late into the night. You don’t experience that in many other places,” Ivar said.

Nina, a naturist for over 25 years, described the philosophy as inherently egalitarian: “You can’t hide behind anything. It doesn’t matter if you’re a CEO or a king.”

Both couples dismissed the idea that naturism is sexual. “This isn’t about sex or eroticism. It’s about freedom,” Rony said. “In all my years as a naturist, I’ve never seen an erection at a place like this. What I have seen is people behaving inappropriately at regular beaches.”

Rony added that younger generations seem more puritanical, citing excessive body focus and smartphone use as contributing factors.