Agios Pavlos Beach is a serene haven located in Rethymno, Crete, Greece. The beach is nestled between the picturesque Selouda pine forest and the clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea, creating a picture-perfect setting for relaxation and exploration.
The beach is recognized for its natural beauty, characterized by its fine grey sand and pebbles, clear waters, and isolated inlets that appear between the rocks. The surrounding environment is rugged, with two nearby gorges, Elygia and Sapounas, enhancing the natural beauty of the beach. A unique feature of Agios Pavlos Beach is the silver-grey appearance of the sand and pebbles covering the beach, which is approximately 1.5 km wide.
Visitors are drawn to the beach's tranquil atmosphere and its pristine, virtually untouched environment. The beach is generally not crowded, even during the peak summer season. However, there may be more people during the first half of August, which is the busiest period of the summer season. Despite this, visitors can find solitude by heading eastwards along the coastline towards a trail that leads to the surrounding pine forest.
A notable landmark at Agios Pavlos Beach is a small and picturesque 10th-century Byzantine-era church, also named Agios Pavlos. The well-preserved church, situated on the beach, is simply decorated with icons and offers a historical point of interest for visitors.
Despite its secluded location, Agios Pavlos Beach offers a range of amenities for visitors. These include umbrellas and sun beds, showers, and toilets. There is also a tavern nearby where visitors can enjoy meals, drinks, and water. Parking is conveniently located next to the beach, with ample space available for vehicles.
Access to the beach is via narrow roads on cliffs, and the journey to the beach is a scenic one, with the road running alongside the sea. A car or scooter is recommended for the journey to the beach, and once there, there are two paths leading to vantage points where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the beach and the Libyan Sea.
The waters at Agios Pavlos Beach are deep and quite cold, but they are also clean and offer various shades of blue, making it an ideal spot for activities such as diving, snorkeling, and fishing. Due to the rocky sea bottom, visitors are advised to bring water shoes, despite the sandy beach.
