Agios Pavlos beach (Selouda)
Agios Pavlos (Saint Paul) is one incredible beach at position Opiso Egiali at Selouda bay, 3km east of Agia Roumeli and 6km west of Loutro, at the exit of the wild Eligia Gorge. The beach is totally secluded from civilization, since the only possible to come here is by boat or by long trekking along the E4 European Trail that runs beside the sea. Walking from Agia Roumeli takes 50'-60'.
The beach is covered by clear gray and brown sand and is hidden inside a beautiful small pine forest. Of course, there are no amenities closeby, except a small tavern where you can get water and food. The shade of pines is plenty, but the trees are not on the beach, thus it would be better to have an umbrella with you.
The name Agios Pavlos means "Saint Paul" in Greek and comes from the very old Byzantine church of Saint Paul that was built at the place Selouda. The church is on the spot where Saint Paul reportedly baptised people on his way to Rome. It is a very picturesque small church, built on the beach using stones from the beach itself. This is why it is not easy to see the church from far. The church has cruciform architecture with an equidimensional cross and a dome over the centre and is in a superb natural setting. It was built around the tenth century by Saint John Xenos and the frescoes probably date from the thirteenth century.
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