Is St Paul’s Bay in Lindos Worth Visiting?

This article may contain affiliate links. This site is reader-supported, meaning when you purchase something we recommend, we make a small commission. You don’t pay anything extra. 💘 For more details, check out our Terms of Use page.

St Paul’s Bay is one of the most photographed places in Rhodes… but does it actually live up to the hype?

Often described as a “hidden gem”, I would argue that it is anything but that. This place is packed!

It sits right behind the Acropolis of Lindos but it also has the type of light blue water that instantly makes you want to take a dip, no matter the season and makes you dream of people disappearing so you could enjoy it on your own.

But even with how busy it is… that doesn’t mean you should skip it.

Some things are classics for a reason.

It is an easy addition to your Lindos day, or the perfect place to cool down after going up to climb the Acropolis of Lindos.

🚗 Rhodes is a big island, which means you’ll need to rent a car. I prefer booking through platforms like Discover Cars, which takes some of the stress, questions, and uncertainty when it comes to insurance, paperwork, and coverage.

The view from the top of the Acropolis is a great way to spot the parking spots available around Lindos.

Are you looking for tips on rental cars? My recommendation is to always pick a high rating provider, with zero deposit and deductible. This price is without FULL insurance which I highly recommend ($92) so it comes to $66 per day. Trust me, book the insurance. It is easy to scratch a rental when the roads in Lindos are so narrow.

🥳 TESTED TOP PICKS FOR RHODES

🚌 Airport transfer: Rhodes to City Centre — easiest option from Rhodes Airport to City for $39 (private taxi)
⛴️ Ferry tickets: There are a lot of ferry providers but I prefer Ferry Scanner for their simple UI.
📱Grab an eSIM to stay connected with Airalo starting from $1.5 per day

Table of Contents

The setting

If you’ve never visited Lindos before, expect a small white-washed village that resembles the Cyclades more than it does the architecture of islands in the Dodecanese.

The village is a pedestrian-only zone, meaning you park the car (and pay about €7) outside the village, then walk in to explore the alleyways and eventually go up to the archaeological site.

St Paul’s Bay is found on the southern side of the Acropolis, a small bay that was named for Apostle Paul.

The Apostle Paul came to Rhodes (or is believed to have come) in 51 AD to bring Christianity.

To reach this spot, all you have to do is park near the village (there is a car park right above the beach), then walk down to the bay, which should take about 5 minutes at most. Going back up in the heat is a bit more of a struggle, but nothing insane.

What to do at St Paul’s Bay

Swim, relax, dine and repeat.

As you might expect, there is also a chapel (of St Paul) on the west side (your right going down).

It is a very popular spot for weddings and baptisms, so if you have ever thought a Greek wedding sounds nice, you might have to add this spot to your Pinterest board.

The sandy part of the beach is quite small and mostly taken up by a nearby establishment, the restaurant of Tambakio.

I actually love this place, despite the fact that it is pricey, as it has a most relaxing atmosphere.

They also offer sunbed rentals to guests and visitors, which cost about €60-120 depending on location (front spots cost more).

In my experience, if you visit early in the season (May-June) on a day with fewer people, you are also allowed to use the beach for free and just place a towel on the sand.

The story changes during peak season, especially when it’s busy and space is much harder to find.

My recommendation? Arrive early and take a dip in the water or walk up to the church. You can enjoy coffee or a light snack before the lunch guests arrive, when it tends to get a lot more crowded.

⚠️ During peak summer season, Lindos is not a hidden cove-type place but a commercial, lively beach club. If that is not your expectation, I would recommend avoiding the area altogether or just renting a boat and heading out to the coves.

Is St Paul’s better than Lindos main beach?

Very different spots, so it totally depends on what you seek to find.

The bay of St Paul is tiny and intimate. It feels protected and you have an unobstructed view of the Acropolis and the caves under it. Small fishing boats come in while people cliff jump in the distance. The only spot to get refreshments is the one restaurant on the east side, so the experience is more tempered.

You can have lunch, sip cocktails or walk to the little chapel.

Lindos Beach, on the other hand (on the other side of the Acropolis), is much larger. It also enjoys stunning views of the Acropolis, but it is more accessible to visitors, has a lot of tavernas and restaurants to choose from, and a more “active” feeling to it.

Does St Paul’s Bay only have one beach?

Actually no! Most people only spot the beach of St Paul because they visit from the south side looking toward the castle. But if you look closely, you’ll spot another beach inside the bay, called Mikros Gialos (or Small Bay).

You can approach this one by walking up the road toward the village and taking a right turn down to the water. It is a bit rocky and there are no sunbeds or rentals here. Not the easiest place to navigate if you have mobility issues either.

There is a small restaurant here that I’ve visited but cannot find on Google Maps! Not sure if it keeps disappearing or if it closed.

It usually offers a more casual setting with Greek salad, fish-style meals and refreshments.

I would recommend you bring towels, snacks and water if you want to spend the day here.

Want to make it even more adventurous? Okay, I’m so glad you asked. Because BOOK THIS!

🔥 SEA KAYAKING TOUR – DISCOVER LINDOS (with Trekking Hellas Rhodes)

I’ve done various activities with this company all around Greece and recently got to do even more with them in Rhodes island.

In terms of safety, professionalism and experience, they are one company I recommend fully for your holidays in Rhodes.

The actual kayak tour is awesome if you are on the advanced or experienced side. You’ll paddle beneath the Acropolis of Lindos into St Paul’s Bay and through the coves to Navarone Bay.

It is a full day kind of tour as well, it has 5 hours of paddling plus lunch in the taverna.

If you’re in a group of 5 or more, it also makes it much cheaper than the per person price.

But even if you are a solo traveler, I recommend sending them a message. They are fast to reply and have squeezed me into tours at times.

Other things to keep in mind

Parking is paid all around the village. The all-day fee is €7.
There are some fishing and boat tours that depart from St Paul’s Bay. Reviews are mixed and I haven’t tried them myself, so I’ll just say do your research.
If you like to snorkel, cliff jump or free dive, bring your mask and snorkel. There are some awesome caves to explore all around this area.
Try to time it so you stay for sunset. Even though I would recommend doing a sunset day on the west coast of the island (much more impressive!).

FAQ for Lindos

⭐ Can I drive and park in Lindos?

Yes! But you’ll have to park outside the village in various paid parking spots. All of them are about €7 per day. It is a bit stressful and packed in the summer, so aim to arrive before 10:00 AM for closer parking spots. For a good visual, look at the first photo in this article. You’ll spot the parking areas.

⭐ When is the best time to book dinner in Lindos?

Most tourists eat at 6-7PM. Most Greeks eat at 9-11PM. Sunset time in the summer is usually 8PM. Anything will be fine, but you might have to book way ahead, for the prime sunset location spots in the rooftop bars.

⭐ How much time do you recommend I spend in Lindos?

I would say 5-7 hours are plenty for a day trip, depending on how much you enjoy shopping, exploring or being in the sun. You can always relax in nearby beaches though.

⭐ Is the walk to the Acropolis difficult?

Nope. I would say it’s more of a slow trying-not-to-run-into-people walk, and while it is uphill I did it recently on my post-surgery knee and it was fine. Take it slow and make sure to bring enough water for the summer hours.

⭐ Are there any guided trips or tours you suggested from Lindos?

Sure!

Not far from Lindos Old Town, you’ll find Vlycha Beach. There are some interesting and nice day cruise options that depart from here either for sunset dining, or exploring the caves and swimming.