St Paul's Bay

St Paul's Bay is a small, almost fully enclosed cove just below the Acropolis of Lindos on the southeast coast of Rhodes, about 55 km from Rhodes Town in the South Aegean region of Greece. According to local tradition the apostle Paul landed here, and a small white chapel dedicated to St Paul stands on the shore, which gives the cove its name and its well-known photogenic quality. The bay is a narrow inlet with a thin rim of sand and pebble, and the water is exceptionally calm, clear and deep turquoise because the rock walls on either side shelter it from wind and swell. The cove is small, so it fills quickly, and the atmosphere is intimate and scenic rather than lively, with swimmers, snorkellers and couples sharing a limited area. The sea is deeper close to the rocks, which makes it attractive for confident swimmers and for snorkelling, but the small size means it is less suited to long beach days with large groups. Facilities include paid sunbeds and umbrellas and a snack bar, and the chapel offers a quiet photographic stop. Access is by foot from Lindos village, a walk of roughly 10 to 15 minutes, or by a short boat taxi ride from Lindos Main Beach, which is the easiest option in the heat. Visitors arriving from Rhodes Town take the bus to Lindos first, a journey of about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Because the cove sits right beneath the Acropolis, many visitors combine a morning climb to the ancient citadel with an afternoon swim here. Arriving early in the day or later in the afternoon helps avoid the peak crowd, and water shoes are useful for the rocky edges. The setting is among the most distinctive swimming places on Rhodes.