Agios Pavlos Beach

Agios Pavlos Beach is located near the picturesque village of Agia Galini (18 km away), right next to Triopetra Beach (Akoumiani Gialia) and the charming village of Sachtouria. The bay features a beautiful beach with deep, clear green waters and a stunning rocky seabed. The warm waters make it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling, offering a unique experience for sea lovers.

Due to the relative seclusion and privacy offered by the coves surrounding the beach, it is quite common to see visitors wearing various types of beachwear—or none at all—enjoying the freedom and tranquility of the area.

Nearby, you will find some accommodations and traditional tavernas where you can savor local flavors. The beach also provides basic amenities such as umbrellas, sunbeds, and bicycle rentals. Above the beach stands the quaint chapel of Agios Pavlos. According to legend, Saint Paul lived here during his journey to Rome — a myth also attributed to other places in Crete, such as Kali Limenes and Selouda.

While the beach in front of the village is beautiful, many visitors prefer to stay and dine at Agios Pavlos but swim at the nearby idyllic beach with impressive sand dunes. Akoumiani Gialia, also known as Melissa, is located behind the western edge of Agios Pavlos Bay and is considered one of the finest beaches in the Rethymno region. Although it is often wavy, it offers a breathtaking natural landscape worth visiting. You can reach it easily via a lovely path that starts from Agios Pavlos.