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Agios Pavlos in southern Crete |
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Agios Pavlos is located about 50 kilometres south of Rethymnon, but the difference between them is so big that Agios Pavlos might as well be located on the moon. Agios Pavlos is as close to virgin land as you can get. Here is so calm and quiet that you almost do not think it is true. Add to that an amazing scenery and a couple of incredible beaches and you have the perfect haven. It's no wonder that there is a yoga centre in Agios Pavlos.
Agios Pavlos. It is not bigger than this.
Agios Pavlos in a nutshell.
The village is tiny and there is only a few buildings, most of them houses pensions or tavernas. There are no streets, nor are there any real shops, if you would like to shop away, you have to do it elsewhere. But there is a mini market with quite a good selection.
A mini market is located in the same building as the Agios Pavlos Hotel. |
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Below the village is a pretty okay sandy beach (see picture below). The best beaches are about 10 minutes walk away. To get there, you aim at the high sand dunes after the village beach. There are two sandy beaches with a location so beautiful that it cannot be described, it must be seen. To get down to the beaches you have to slide down a steep sand dune.
The beach and "village" of Agios Pavlos.
One of the sandy dune beaches of Agios Pavlos.
The second dune beach, also called Big beach, in Agios Pavlos. |
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The white arrow in the picture below points to the rocks of Triopetra, which is also a forgotten paradise. Don't miss this gem in southern Crete. Triopetra is one of my absolute favourite villages in Crete. Sometimes it is fully booked in Agios Pavlos and then you can try your luck in Triopetra instead.
It is a bit of a walk in the sand to get down to Big beach. Triopetra starts at the white arrow
Along the Big Beach in Agios Pavlos there are several smaller beaches and caves.
To feel the soul of Agios Pavlos, you should stay overnight. To sit at the Taverna Agios Pavlos and see the warming sun go down behind the crocodile-like rock formation is absolutely marvellous.
The sunset in Agios Pavlos. The crocodile on the left. |
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If you don't fancy sunbathing, swimming, lazing around or lying in a hammock reading books, you can have fun exploring the strange rocks of Agios Pavlos. Because they are, in my words, absolutely fantastic.
Rocks in Agios Pavlos. You can actually swim here too.
One of the strange rock formations in Agios Pavlos.
Restaurant at Agios Pavlos Hotel.
ACCOMMODATION IN AGIOS PAVLOSThe range is, for obvious reasons, small. We have stayed at Agios Pavlos Hotel twice and will certainly stay there next time as well. In the hotel there is a very good restaurant and there is a mini market. Perhaps the best thing about Agios Pavlos Hotel is the wonderful location and the fantastic view. |
WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU VISIT AGIOS PAVLOS |
