St Paul’s Bay sits at the foot of the Acropolis of Lindos on the east coast of Rhodes, a near-enclosed cove of deep blue-green water reached by a narrow opening to the open sea. Two small pebble beaches frame the inlet, the rocky cliffs shelter the water from wind, and a tiny white chapel dedicated to Agios Pavlos stands above the shore. Named for the Apostle Paul, who is said to have landed here, the bay is one of the most photographed swimming spots on the island and a sought-after wedding setting. For tours, transfers and tailored island itineraries, plan your trip with My Greece Tours.
This page is part of our wider Rhodes travel guide and focuses on one of Lindos’s signature corners. The sections below cover where the bay is and how its lagoon-like shape forms, how to reach the two coves from Lindos village, what the swimming and snorkelling are like, the little chapel of Agios Pavlos and its wedding appeal, and practical tips for visiting in busy peak summer.
Where is St Paul’s Bay and why does it look like a lagoon?
St Paul’s Bay lies on the south side of Lindos, directly beneath the Acropolis on the east coast of Rhodes. High rocky headlands almost enclose it, leaving only a narrow gap to the sea, so the sheltered water stays calm and unusually clear, giving the bay its lagoon-like character.
The bay is a natural amphitheatre of pale limestone cliffs wrapping around a basin of still water. Because the two arms of rock nearly meet, the open Aegean is reduced to a slim channel, and waves rarely reach inside. The result is a pool of glassy, deep blue-green water that shifts colour with the light through the day. From the Acropolis walls high above, the whole shape is visible at once: a rounded inlet split into a larger and a smaller pebble cove, with the white chapel a bright point on the far side and Lindos village stacked on the hillside behind.
The setting is what makes the spot famous rather than its size, which is modest. The cliffs that shelter the swimmers are the same ridge that carries the ancient citadel, so the bay and the monument share one dramatic backdrop. Spring brings wildflowers across the slopes, while high summer turns the water a vivid turquoise against the bleached rock. Our guide to Acropolis of Lindos covers the citadel that towers over the cove, and the next section covers how to walk down to the water from the village.
How do you get down to the two coves from Lindos?
From Lindos village a steep path with rough steps descends to the bay, taking roughly fifteen to twenty minutes on foot. A larger pebble cove and a smaller one lie at the bottom; both involve a climb back up, so sturdy shoes, water and shade are sensible for the return in the heat.
Most visitors start near the edge of Lindos and follow the marked route signed for St Paul’s Bay, dropping down the hillside past low walls and scrub. The trail is uneven in places, with natural rock steps rather than a smooth staircase, and it is exposed to the sun for much of its length. The reward at the bottom is a choice of two landing places: the bigger cove, which is the busier and more developed of the pair, and the smaller cove tucked closer to the chapel, which tends to feel quieter and more sheltered.
Some travellers approach instead by boat trip from Lindos or Rhodes Town, anchoring just outside the narrow mouth and swimming in, which avoids the climb entirely and offers a striking view of the Acropolis from the water. Whichever way you arrive, the descent and ascent reward an early start before the midday heat builds. Our guide to Lindos covers the village, its lanes and its beaches above, and the next section covers what the swimming and snorkelling are actually like once you reach the shore.
What are the swimming and snorkelling like at St Paul’s Bay?
Swimming here is calm and easy because the encircling cliffs block the wind and swell, so the water stays flat and clear even when the open coast is choppy. The pebble shore shelves into clean, deep blue water that is excellent for snorkelling around the rocky edges and the narrow channel.
The sheltered basin makes St Paul’s Bay one of the gentler places to swim around Lindos, well suited to confident swimmers and to families who keep to the shallower fringes of the larger cove. Visibility is generally very good, and snorkellers drift along the rocky walls near the narrow opening, where small fish gather and the seabed drops away into deeper blue. The bottom is pebble and rock rather than sand, so water shoes help with comfortable entry and protect feet on the stones.
Because the coves are small and largely natural, facilities are limited compared with the big organised beaches elsewhere on the island, so bring your own water and snacks. The smaller cove in particular rewards anyone wanting a calmer dip away from the crowds. Our guide to Rhodes beaches covers the wider choice of sandy and pebble shores around the island, and the next section covers the white chapel of Agios Pavlos and why the bay is such a popular wedding spot.
What is the chapel of Agios Pavlos and why do couples marry here?
Agios Pavlos is the small white chapel set just above the shore, dedicated to the Apostle Paul, who is traditionally said to have come ashore in this bay. Its postcard setting between the blue water and the Acropolis makes it one of the most sought-after wedding venues on Rhodes.
The chapel is a simple whitewashed church with a low bell tower, perched on the rocks where the path meets the coves. Tradition holds that Saint Paul landed at this sheltered inlet during his travels, which gave the bay its name and a quiet religious significance that endures. A small annual celebration marks the saint, and the building remains a working chapel rather than only a scenic backdrop, so visitors are asked to dress and behave respectfully around it.
Its combination of sea, cliff and ancient citadel has made the spot enormously popular for weddings and ceremonies, and on many summer days you may see a celebration taking place. Couples are drawn by the natural frame of turquoise water and the Acropolis rising behind. Our guide to Pefkos covers the relaxed resort just south of Lindos, and the next section covers practical tips for visiting St Paul’s Bay during the busy peak season.
When should you visit and what should you bring in peak summer?
St Paul’s Bay is busiest in the height of summer, when both coves fill quickly, so an early-morning or late-afternoon visit means cooler walking, easier parking in Lindos and more space on the pebbles. Bring water, sun protection, shade and shoes suitable for the steep, rocky path.
In high summer the descent is hot and the small coves can feel crowded by mid-morning, especially the larger one with its limited facilities. Arriving early rewards you with calmer water, better light for photographs and a gentler climb before the sun is at its strongest. Lindos itself has very limited vehicle access and parking, so many visitors leave the car on the edge of the village and walk in, then continue on foot down to the bay; factoring in that approach helps you plan the day without stress.
Spring and autumn are quieter and pleasantly warm, with the water still inviting and the paths far less busy, which suits anyone wanting the lagoon closer to themselves. Whenever you come, pack water, a hat, high-factor sunscreen and sturdy footwear, and allow time for the uphill return. To combine the bay with Lindos, the Acropolis and the surrounding coast, see our broader list of things to do across the island. Plan your visit and tours through our Rhodes travel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Paul’s Bay suitable for children and families?
St Paul’s Bay can suit families, but with some caveats worth weighing before you set out. The water itself is one of the calmest around Lindos, because the near-enclosing cliffs block the wind and swell, so the surface usually stays flat and clear. That sheltered, gentle water is reassuring for children paddling along the shallower fringe of the larger cove. The main challenge is access: the path down from Lindos is steep and rocky, with uneven natural steps and little shade, which can be tiring for small children, especially on the climb back up in the heat. The shore is pebble and rock rather than sand, so water shoes help. Bring plenty of water, sun protection and shade, since facilities at the coves are limited compared with the big organised beaches elsewhere on the island.
Can you reach St Paul’s Bay by boat instead of walking?
Yes. While most visitors walk down the steep path from Lindos, you can also reach St Paul’s Bay from the sea. Boat trips run from Lindos and from Rhodes Town along this stretch of the east coast, and many anchor just outside the narrow opening so passengers can swim into the sheltered lagoon. Arriving by water avoids the demanding descent and the hot climb back up, which is a real advantage in peak summer, and it gives you a memorable view of the Acropolis of Lindos rising directly above the cove as you approach. Smaller hired boats and some excursions also pause here as part of a wider coastal route. If you prefer to swim in from a vessel, check that the trip actually stops at the bay rather than simply passing it, and remember that the inlet is small, so it can feel busy when several boats call at once during the middle of the day.
What is the difference between the two coves at St Paul’s Bay?
St Paul’s Bay is really two small pebble coves sharing the same sheltered inlet. The larger cove is the more developed and the busier of the pair; it sits on the side nearer the main descent from Lindos, draws the most visitors and has the limited facilities that exist at the bay. The smaller cove lies closer to the white chapel of Agios Pavlos and generally feels quieter, more tucked away and better suited to anyone wanting a calmer swim. Both look out over the same glassy blue-green water and share the dramatic backdrop of cliffs and the Acropolis above, and both have a pebble and rock shore rather than sand. Snorkellers in either cove can explore the rocky edges and the narrow channel to the sea. If the larger cove feels crowded on a peak-summer day, walking the short distance to the smaller one is often worth the extra few minutes.