This replica 1930s Corfiot village near Kontokali and Gouvia stood in for the marketplace, town center, police station, and various apartments across multiple series. Restored by the Bouas family, it matched the era so well that the production barely had to dress it. It also served as a location for the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. Today it operates as a ticketed museum village, with entry around 10 EUR as of 2024. Check current opening hours before traveling, as they vary seasonally.
The Short Answer
The Durrells was filmed mainly on location in Corfu, Greece, with exteriors and outdoor scenes shot across four series on the island. Interiors of the family home and other sets were filmed at Ealing Studios, with occasional work at Twickenham Studios, in London. Key Corfu sites include Danilia Village, Mon Repos Palace, and the Old Town.
ITV's adaptation of Gerald Durrell's Corfu memoirs ran from 3 April 2016 to 12 May 2019 across four series, and it put the island's olive groves, bays, and Venetian alleyways firmly back on the travel map. The production shot almost everything outdoors in Corfu itself, which means fans can stand in the same spots as the cast.
Most locations are easy to reach independently, and several bookable tours now trace the family's footsteps. This guide covers every confirmed filming site, what was shot where, and which visit options make sense for different budgets.
Every Location At A Glance
| Location | Where | What was filmed | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danilia Village (Bouas Village) | Kontokali / Gouvia | Marketplace, village scenes, town center, police station, apartment scenes across multiple series | Ticketed |
| Mon Repos Palace | Corfu Town | Home of Countess Mavrodaki (Leslie Caron character) | Ticketed |
| Villa Annemoyani (Villa Posillipo) | Gouvia / Kontokali | Exterior of Durrell family home (Daffodil Yellow Villa stand-in) | Outside only |
| Corfu Old Town | Corfu Town | Streets, port, architecture for various outdoor scenes | Free to see |
| White House | Kalami Bay | Real-life home of Lawrence Durrell (used or referenced in series context) | Ticketed |
| Agios Stefanos | Agios Stefanos | Beach and coastal scenes, especially series 4/5 | Free to see |
| Dassia | Dassia | Village and beach scenes | Free to see |
| Agni Bay | Agni | Beach shots, season 1 | Free to see |
Filming Locations Map
8 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Location By Location
This palace in Corfu Town played the home of Countess Mavrodaki, the character played by Leslie Caron. The neoclassical building sits in a lush park and now houses an archaeological museum, open to the public with an entry fee. It carries an extra historical pull for many visitors: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was born here. It is an easy add-on to a day exploring the Old Town, a short distance from the main squares.
Located between Gouvia and Kontokali, this villa served as the exterior of the Durrell family home, the stand-in for the famed Daffodil Yellow Villa. It is a private residence, now offered as a rentable villa, so interiors are not accessible to casual visitors. Fans typically view it from the road or from the nearby beach, which gives a good angle on the recognizable facade. A stop here pairs naturally with Danilia Village, which sits in the same area.
The historic core of Corfu Town supplied streets, port scenes, and architecture for numerous outdoor sequences across the series. Its Venetian and French influences gave the production an authentic 1930s Mediterranean backdrop with minimal dressing. The whole area is pedestrian friendly and free to explore, making it the simplest location for independent travelers. Several guided walking tours focus specifically on the show's spots within the Old Town, ideal for visitors short on time.
On Kalami Bay in the northeast of the island sits the real-life home of Lawrence Durrell, Gerald's older brother, which features in the series context. Unlike most filming locations, this one doubles as a hotel and restaurant, with rooms available to rent. That makes it the only site where fans can actually sleep inside a piece of Durrell history. The bay itself is one of the prettiest on the island, with calm water and tavernas along the shore.
This beach on the northwest coast was used for coastal and beach scenes, particularly in later series. It is public and reachable by boat or by road, with views stretching across the water toward Albania. The setting matches the show's sun-drenched aesthetic exactly, and it works well combined with other northern coastal spots. Visitors should note the final series aired in 2019, so scenes here reflect the later episodes of the run.
The resort area of Dassia on the northeast coast provided village and beach scenes for the production. It is fully public, with beaches and gardens that are easy to wander without tickets or guides. Its position between Corfu Town and the northeastern bays makes it a convenient stop on a self-drive itinerary. Fans of the show will recognize the general coastal character more than specific landmarks here.
This small bay on the northeast coast appeared in beach shots during season 1. It is publicly accessible and popular for swimming, with a handful of tavernas lining the waterfront, in keeping with the Durrells' taverna scenes. The bay sits close to Kalami, so combining the two makes for a satisfying day trip along the northeast coast. Arriving by boat, as many visitors do, adds a perspective close to what cameras captured.
Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed
The story is set in 1930s Corfu, and the exteriors genuinely were filmed there. The split comes indoors: interiors, including the Durrell villa itself, were shot at Ealing Studios in London, over 1,400 miles from the Corfu exteriors. So a visit to Corfu delivers the authentic landscapes and most recognizable backdrops, but the inside of the family home exists only on a London soundstage.
The Studio Side
Ealing Studios in London handled the interior sets, with occasional additional work at Twickenham Studios. Ealing is not open as a public attraction, so there is no studio tour to book for this series. Fans wanting the indoor experience should focus instead on the Corfu exteriors, particularly Villa Annemoyani, whose facade stood in for the villa.
Tours That Visit These Locations
Several guided options now cover the show's locations, from short town walks to half-day private excursions and a full tour that includes Danilia Village. Walking tours suit visitors staying in Corfu Town, while private tours reach the coastal villas and bays further afield. Ratings and review counts are still thin on most options, so comparing itineraries matters more than usual.
Pathway Tour, Full Route
The Durrells' Pathway Tour
A dedicated pathway tour covering the family's route across the island, priced at 157.64 USD with 10 reviews behind it.
Half-Day Group Tour
Durrells story half day
A half-day group format that keeps costs down while hitting the main filming spots, rated 4.4 from 8 reviews.
Semi-Private Walk, 3 Hours
The Durrells in Corfu Town: Semi-Private tour
A semi-private town tour at 112.6 USD with 6 reviews, balancing cost and intimacy for town-based filming sites.
Private Half-Day Tour
Half Day Private Durrels Tour in Corfu
A private half-day option with flexibility on pace and stops, useful for families or anyone with limited shore time.
Corfu Town Filming Walk
The Durrells in Corfu Town Filming Tour
A town filming walk at 112.6 USD with 4 reviews, covering the Old Town locations seen throughout the series.
Semi-Private Town Walk
The Durrells in Corfu Town: Semi-Private tour
A semi-private town tour with a perfect 5 rating, though only 3 reviews so far, ideal for travelers who want a small circle.
Private Tour With Danilia
Corfu: The Durrells TV Show Tour with Danilia Village
The priciest option at 619.29 USD, and the only listed tour that includes Danilia Village, the replica 1930s backlot.
Walking And Boat Tour
Corfu: Walking & Boat tour “The steps of the Durrells”
Combines walking with a boat leg at 337.8 USD, reaching coastal filming spots that land tours skip.
Guided Old Town Walk
Corfu: Guided Walking Tour “The Durrells in Town”
A guided walk focused on the Durrells' presence in town, priced at 135.12 USD, good for a first orientation.
Semi-Private Old Town Walk
Durrells in Corfu Old Town: Semi Private Walking Tour
A semi-private Old Town walk at 112.6 USD, a newer listing with no reviews yet, priced the same as established rivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit the Durrell family villa?
Only from the outside. Villa Annemoyani, also known as Villa Posillipo, provided the exterior shots, and it is a private residence now let as a rental villa. Visitors can view it from the road or the nearby beach, but interiors were never filmed there anyway; those were shot at Ealing Studios in London.
Is Danilia Village worth visiting?
For most fans, yes. It is a replica 1930s Corfiot village restored by the Bouas family, used for the marketplace, town center, and police station scenes. Entry cost around 10 EUR in 2024. It also appeared in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only, which adds appeal for film fans generally.
Can you stay where the Durrells lived?
Partly. The White House at Kalami Bay, the real-life home of Lawrence Durrell, now operates as a hotel and restaurant with rentable rooms. The show's villa is also a private rental, and both offer a night inside Durrell history, though only one connects to the real family.
Which filming locations can you see for free?
Corfu Old Town, Agios Stefanos, Dassia, and Agni Bay are all public and free to explore. Mon Repos Palace and Danilia Village charge entry, and the villa exteriors cost nothing to view from the road.
Do any tours include Danilia Village?
One listed private tour includes Danilia Village along with the wider filming itinerary, priced at 619.29 USD. Independent visitors can also reach Danilia themselves and pay entry, which is the cheaper route for confident travelers with a car.
How far is Corfu from the studio where interiors were filmed?
Ealing Studios in London is over 1,400 miles from the Corfu exteriors. The production split its work between the Greek island and the London studio, with occasional use of Twickenham Studios as well.
Corfu remains one of the rare cases where a show's locations are almost all publicly reachable, and mostly free. A town walk plus a half-day loop to Danilia Village and the Gouvia area covers the highlights for most visitors, with Kalami and the northeast bays rewarding anyone with an extra day. Comparing the guided options against a rental car depends largely on confidence driving Greek roads and appetite for taverna stops along the way.





