Quick answer: Agios Pavlos is a small south-coast hamlet about 58 km south of Rethymno, near Cape Melissa. Its main beach is a sheltered sandy bay with calm, deep green water, and a path leads over the hill to a beach backed by sand dunes.
- Region
- South Rethymno
- Distance
- About 58 km from Rethymno
- Beaches
- Village bay, sand-dune beach
- Facilities
- Umbrellas, pedal boats, tavernas, rooms
The village bay
The bay is protected by the headland, so it stays calm when the open coast is rough. The sand gives way to a rocky seabed. A small chapel of St Paul stands above the beach; local tradition says the apostle stopped here.
Just west of the beach, the Apoplystra rock folds show striking colourful layers in the cliff.
The sandhills beach
A path of about 600 m climbs over the hill to a long beach backed by sand dunes, wilder and often windier, with views toward Triopetra.
Getting there
The road comes down from Sachtouria. Triopetra is about 1.8 km away by the coast and further by road; the monastery of Agios Onoufrios near Akoumia is about 4 km.
Questions before you go
Is Agios Pavlos beach sheltered?
Yes, the village bay is protected by the headland.
What are the sand dunes at Agios Pavlos?
A separate beach over the hill, backed by large sand dunes.
How far is Agios Pavlos from Triopetra?
About 1.8 km along the coast.
