Agios Pavlos Beach(Paralia Agios Pavlos)

Located on the southern coast of Crete, Greece, near the village of Agios Pavlos in the Rethymno region, Agios Pavlos Beach is a 1.5-kilometer-long, golden sand pebbly beach with many rocky portions.  The beach has an amazing backdrop of lush green vegetation, dunes, steep cliffs, and its unique geological formations called the Apoplystra Folds, created over millions of years, which provide stunning views of the Libyan Sea.  The area around the beach is rich in history, with ancient ruins and historical sites nearby, including an old Minoan settlement and a Byzantine church.  Agios Pavlos Beach is promoted as an ecotourism destination; local communities and environmental groups are making efforts to protect the unique landscape, biodiversity, and historical sites.

Agios Pavlos Beach does not have lifeguards but offers several other amenities, including shaded areas, a traditional tavern, a church, and a few nearby guesthouses.

Agios Pavlos Beach is a family-friendly beach that offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, hiking, watching wildlife, yoga, and photography.  If you plan to go in the water near the beach, there is a safe swimming area, and the waves are usually calm.   Also, there are a few small sea caves in the area that swimmers can explore.  The underwater rock formations and clear waters make Agios Pavlos Beach a great spot for snorkeling, allowing visitors to explore marine life, including sea turtles, rays, fish, crabs, and sea urchins.  This beach is often considered an unofficial nude beach, especially towards the far ends.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  This beautiful beach is famous for its stunning natural beauty, with crystal-clear, turquoise waters, and dramatic cliffs surrounding it, making it a popular spot for photography.   The beach is ideal for visitors looking for a quiet beach experience.  Dogs are not allowed on the beach, which is open from sunrise until sunset.

Agios Pavlos Beach, Crete, does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Agios Pavlos Beach is easy - the beach has a few parking spots near Alonia, Ag. Ioannis 730 11, Greece.  After parking, visitors must walk on a dirt road in the northeast for 10 minutes to access the beach.

The beach's name, "Agios Pavlos," means "Saint Paul" in English, named after the tenth-century Byzantine church built on the coast that is believed to have housed Saint Paul on his journey to Rome.

Pavlos Beach offers breathtaking sunset views, with the sun setting over the Libyan Sea, creating a picturesque scene.

There are many attractions near Agios Pavlos Beach.  Frangokastello Castle is a 14th-century fortress built by the Venetians to protect the island from potential invasions and to establish a strategic military presence in the region.  It is positioned on a hill and features thick stone walls and cannons, which were used for defense.  Visitors can enjoy guided tours that provide insights into the history and significance of the fort, enhancing the visitor experience.  Kormokopou Cave is renowned for its impressive rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites, which are illuminated by natural light filtering through small openings, creating a surreal and enchanting environment.  Visitors can hike through rugged terrain and take a guided tour to explore the cave.  Tripiti Gorge features steep limestone cliffs that rise up to 600 meters on either side, forming a narrow passage that adds to its allure and offers excellent hiking opportunities.  It has a moderately challenging hiking trail that runs through the gorge, with high walls that rise dramatically on both sides, creating a narrow, winding path that opens up to the beautiful beach.   

Spili Village is a charming traditional village located at the foot of the Kedros Mountain, known for its traditional Cretan architecture, churches, monasteries, a museum, shops selling local handicrafts, traditional taverns, and cafes that offer a glimpse into authentic Cretan life and its vibrant culture. The village is also famous for its Venetian-style fountain, known as "Kefalovrissi."  This unique fountain has 25 lion-head spouts lined up in a row, from which cold, fresh water flows continuously, making it a favorite spot for photography.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction,  Preveli Monastery is one of the most significant and historic monasteries on the island of Crete, which is mainly divided into two main complexes: the lower monastery, situated closer to the sea, is now in ruins, and the upper monastery, popularly known as Piso Monastery of St. John the Theologian, perched on a hill offering breathtaking views of the Libyan Sea.  In addition, it also has a small museum on-site displaying religious artifacts, manuscripts, icons, and traditional robes that provide insights into the monastery's historical significance.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Agios Pavlos Beach.  Faragi Taverna serves amazing salads, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes. Taverna Dialeskari is a beachfront restaurant that serves salads, pasta, meat, seafood, and poultry dishes.  Nikos Restaurant Small Paradise serves incredible Greek-inspired dishes, including salads, seafood, and meat dishes.  Cafe Restaurant Ostria serves amazing seafood.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant nearby, Platanos Tavern serves incredible salads, pasta, risotto, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for Agios Pavlos Beach, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Pilot Beach Resort is one hour and thirty minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including outdoor pools, a spa, a fitness center, a kids' club, five restaurants, and three bars.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Palazzo Greco Villas, which offers a few amenities, including an outdoor pool and free WiFi.   Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Eleana Nature & Art, which has several amenities, including free WiFi and a dining room.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Sifis, which offers several amenities, including a terrace with sea views and a tavern.   If you are looking for another affordable hotel, Artemis offers a few amenities, including a terrace and a dining room.