Nudists have lost a seven-year legal battle for access to a popular tourist resort beach on Spain's southwestern tip.

The Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the Spanish Federation of Naturism against local government legislation prohibiting nudists to use beaches within the historic port city of Cadiz. The federation had argued that nudism could be considered a fundamental right to freedom of ideology as defended by Spain's constitution.

The court disagreed, saying in a ruling on Friday that local authorities of Cadiz had the power to "manage properly the use of its services, equipment, infrastructure, facilities and public spaces". It said the federation had failed to make a convincing case that nudism was "at this moment, an accepted practice by the majority of beachgoers."