The Shirley Valentine Beach
“The only thing I ever wanted to do was travel. I’d like to drink a glass of wine, sitting by the sea, watching the sun go down”.
Shirley Valentine.
A long time ago in my late teens, I remember my mother going to the movies to see Shirley Valentine. At the time I thought it was just a movie for oldies and I never thought anything more about it. That was until many years later, in my early 30s. I was a stay at home mum with two kids of my own. I often had the television on in the background, whilst running after two young kids, but on this particular day, the title caught my eye – Shirley Valentine. I found myself thinking back to my mum and how much she loved the movie. I continued on with the housework, all the while listening to the dialogue. I soon found myself sitting, tea towel in hand, thoroughly drawn into Shirley’s world. Shirley is the champion in all of us and it was then I understood why my mother and a whole generation were wanting to drop everything and fly to Greece!
The big screen movie, starring Pauline Collins, is a movie that resonates to anyone who has ever felt stuck in a rut, caught within the bounds of routine or just felt unappreciated. The movie follows Shirley’s mediocre life in Liverpool and her disillusionment of marriage, as she ponders getting her ‘old self’ back. She then impulsively embarks on a two week journey of self-discovery in Greece. It’s a beautifully written movie that combines comedy with empathy and the message is to be true to yourself.
Shirley Valentine Beach
I was lucky enough to get to visit Mykonos and Santorini during my travels in 2015. Of course after seeing the movie, on my list was to visit the beach where Shirley sat. In fact, I was travelling alone to the Greek Islands and I kind of felt a lot like Shirley in a strange kind of way.
The movie is set to the wonderful backdrop of Mykonos in the Greek Islands. Mykonos with it’s traditional white washed buildings, narrow little alley ways and a bustling nightlife, why it’s hard not to yearn this carefree life.
So, here I was, off to find the Shirley Valentine beach. A pilgrimage that many others have also done before me and I’m sure many more after me. This famous beach is located at Agios Ioannis or what is now known to most tourists as the Shirley Valentine Beach. Tourists still come in their droves to see the beach where the most poignant part of the movie was filmed. The scene where Shirley is sitting alone at a table, with her glass of wine, watching the sunset. The scene where she addresses the audience and gives an emotive and honest look at the realities of life. I think this is what people relate to, and hence have their own little journey.
After catching the bus from Mykonos town, I was dropped off on the side of the main road. There was a long pathway leading down to the beach and once at the bottom, I immediately was on the look out for the restaurant called ‘Hippie Fish’. Hippie Fish is now where the little taverna was in the movie. As you approach you will see the only relic (a makeshift sign) that denotes that this was where the movie was filmed. I believe the sign was made well after the movie by the original taverna to capitalise on the popularity of the movie.
The beach itself looks a bit different to how it was back in the late 1980s due to development. The beach is pretty and quite peaceful, with not too many tourists. The vibe here is chilled out, with sun lounges and comfy outdoor couches. The restaurant Hippie Fish is seamless with the outdoors, more of a pavilion style building and can be a welcome relief from the hot sun.
The restaurant Hippie Fish is pretty laid back, the service is pleasant, although some staff seemed to be there just to do their job and nothing more. Which was okay by me on this day as I was happy in my own company, to just sit and relax with my own thoughts. Music pumps it’s way through the restaurant and funnily enough, at one point they were playing ‘all by myself’ which had me thinking about the Bridget Jones movie too!
The menu caters for both light meals or something more substantial. I opted for just a light dish and a couple of glasses of wine. It’s definitely a great place to relax by the beach and is very popular with families.
So here I am, finally at the Shirley Valentine beach, having my Shirley Valentine moment, minus the sunset!
Where to Find
The Shirley Valentine Beach is actually located at Agios Ioannis, a small beach town about a 15 minute drive from Mykonos Town. Catch the bus at the main bus terminal in Mykonos. The ride should cost you about 1.60 euros. The bus comes by regularly for the return journey.
The iconic beach scene from the movie Shirley Valentine on Agios Ioannis Beach.
Have you visited the Shirley Valentine Beach? Have you seen the movie?
15 Comments
Linda Beghtel
Yes, I’ve seen the movie and it resonates with me on as deep a level as it did with Shirley Valentine (and your mom & her friends!). I am trying to get over a 8 yr long episode of Agoraphobia/PTSD/Panic Attack Disorder so that I can actually go to the Resort where Shirley went, sit on the beach and drink the wine in the country where the grapes were grown. I need that, just like she did, for the same reasons.My one question is: what kind of wine was it that she had at that little table for one? I know that they told her but I’ve forgotten… any help?
Linda in Grover Beach, CA
Wendy Kerby
Hi Linda, it’s such a poignant movie and it touched me on a deep level too. I’m sorry to hear that you are going through a challenge at the moment, it must be hard to plan things. I truly hope that you will be able to overcome your panic attacks and make that visit to Mykonos. I can’t remember the wine either, so I can’t help you with that one! I might have to watch the movie again to find out!
mervyn lamb
The wine was Retains.
mervyn lamb
Correction. Retsina. Made spell era in first comment.
Wendy Kerby
Thanks Mervyn!
Erna Vyncke
Famous Greek White Wine is called RETSINA – dry white wine, cheap, cheerful and refreshing. Much enjoyed by Shirley Valentine. Wish to go soon again!
Wendy Kerby
Thanks Erna! I’d love to go back too but sadly it wont be for awhile for me now since covid19. Australian’s aren’t allowed to travel out of the country.
Michelle
Love the movie and one day hope to go and sit watch the sun go down while drinking a glass of wine on the beach my kind of heaven… Feeling alot like Shirley valentine at the moment.
Wendy Kerby
Such a great movie, I hope one day you do get to visit and have that wine on the beach.
Margaret
Was there on that beach 3 years before the film was made. You could get a small boat over to paradise beach. I stayed on paradise beach for 2 weeks on campsite. Only had a nightclub and restaurant on the beach. That was where the scene was shot of Shirley sitting alone talking to the rock. Looked exactly like that when i was there
Wendy Kerby
That would have been an experience, especially seeing it untouched before all the tourist boom.
Pili
Hi! I’m from Argentina. I first warched the movie when I was around 11 years old. I was little but I found the movie really touching and moving anyway. I’m now 44 years old and I have seen the movie several times after that. It’s been always my favourite film. I hope I can travel to Greece one day, it’s been my dream since I watched the movie. Thanks for such a complete description of the place where the movie was filmed.
¡Saludos desde Argentina!
Wendy Kerby
I think the movie definitely lasts the test of time, with new people discovering and relating to Shirley as the years pass. I hope you get to visit the Greece and maybe have a wine on the same beach that Shirley did.
David Gibbs
I think this film resonates to everyone over a certain age, who questions what they have done, & even though you may of lead a life which you think has been fulfilling & interseting, you still feel that you there’s unfinishied business. Get on with it folks!
Wendy Kerby
Absolutely agree with you David. Life is full of self reflection, the choices we’ve made and the roads not travelled. It kind of spurs us on to take second chances and get out there amongst it!