Villa Posillipo in Corfu: The Durrells Filming Location

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Table of Contents

Villa Posillipo is one of the most remarkable villas in Greece because of its history and unique location. The house is on the east side of the island of Corfu and was built before 1760 next to the Venetian Harbor and Arsenal. The villa looks over the Bay of Corfu, where in the past it could watch Corfu’s Channel in case attackers were coming towards the port. In 1880, after the Ionian Islands united with Greece, a Greek nobleman bought the property and it has stayed in the family for 5 generations as a country house.

Villa Posillipo, Corfu | Photographer Nikiforos Stamenis

Villa Posillipo Charm

Villa Posillipo is found on a large plot with plenty of green space and seafront woodlands. it has undergone a conservation project that revived its genuine old-world character. The villa features antiques and contemporary furniture. Today the owners are proud to share Posillipo with all the guests, who enjoy the historical seafront location. 

Villa Posillipo, Corfu | Photographer Nikiforos Stamenis

In the Area

In the area immediately surrounding Villa Posillipo, you can walk to several bars and shops in under 10 minutes. Also very near is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Corfu Town, with its unique historic sights, churches, and nightlife. For beaches, locals like to visit Kontokali, Gouvia, Spiaggia Bianca, Dassia and Ipsos. If you drive up the coast, you can visit the small villages of Kalami and Aghios Stefanos, as well as the beaches of Avlaki and Kassiopi.

Villa Posillipo, Corfu | Photographer Nikiforos Stamenis

As The Durrells Filming Location

Villa Posillipo was used as the location of the filming of the BBC movie My Family and other Animals, which follows the life of the Durrells family and their adventures in Corfu. It was also the filming location of four years of the famous British TV series The Durrells, a comedy that made the Durrells’ story well-known worldwide. The Producer and Artistic Director visited the venue and chose the location for its authenticity and representation of the old landscape of Corfu. 

The TV series is known for highlighting the individuality and eccentric nature of the family, who were always engaged in their own adventures, writing, and travel (not to mention their exotic animals.) The most iconic photos from the series are of the Durrells family sitting submerged in the sea, eating lunch just above water. 

 

A warm thank you to the Durrells series producer, Christopher Hall, as well as the photographers for offering these behind-the-scenes photos for use in the article.

©Sid Gentle Films Ltd.

Meet the Durrells

The Durrells family is made up of Louisa Durrell, the mother, the four kids – Lawrence, Leslie, Margo, and Gerald. They were all were born in India and moved to Bournemouth, England as a family when their father died. 

Lawrence (Larry) Durrell

Lawrence, a novelist and screenwriter known for his book Alexandria Quartet, was the first to move to Corfu, and the rest of the family soon followed suit. He wrote 18 novels and 6 travel books based on his travel experiences, as well as humor books, poetry, essays, and screenplays. He was once nominated for a Nobel Prize. 

 

When Lawrence Durell moved to Corfu, he was newly married and sought to find somewhere remote. He moved to the north of the island of Corfu with his wife Nancy and wrote his newest novel The Black Book (1938).

Lawrence and Nancy Durrell

Gerald (Gerry) Durrell

On Corfu, when he arrived at 10 years old, Gerald was known for keeping local animals as pets, and he ran wild on the island. The young boy also made friends with Theodore Stephanides, a poet, doctor, and philosopher who became his mentor.

 

Gerald says that his love of wildlife comes from his time with Theodore, when they collected animals. He eventually worked for zoos and even started his own zoo called the Durrell Wildlife Park because he did not like how animals were treated elsewhere. 

 

Gerald Durrell is known as an author and wrote the bestselling Corfu Trilogy. Among the titles are: My Family and Other Animals and then followed by Birds, Beasts and Relatives and The Garden of the Gods.

Theodore Stephanides, Gerald's Mentor | Credit: Alexia Stephanides

Margaret Durrell

Margaret was the middle child and also developed a love for the island. While living there, she fell in love with a RAF pilot. She married him in 1940 and then fled during the war to South Africa. Margaret later moved to Bournemouth, but always considered Corfu her home. 

 

She ran a boarding house in Bournemouth and wrote a book called “Whatever Happened to Margo?” This book retold stories about her curious guests, her love story with a trombone player, and visits from her brother Gerry Durrell with his troupe of exotic animals.

Durrells Family | Photo Credit: The White House Corfu
Durrells Family | Photo Credit: The White House Corfu

Visiting Corfu

You can reach Corfu either by plane (The airport on Corfu offers international flights) or by ferry from Greece’s western port cities. If you plan to visit or stay at Villa Posillipo, you will need to rent a car.

 

Historical Sights on Corfu include the Old Town of Corfu (a UNESCO site), Spianada Square, Agios Spyridonas Church, and the famous Pontikonisi. The Achilleion Palace and Panagia Palaiokastritsa Monastery are also worth visiting if you leave Corfu town.

Looking for something in particular?
Nisyros Geopark, Monachus-Monachus Mediterranean monk seal
BlogIn The News

Nisyros Becomes Greece’s Newest UNESCO Geopark

Few travellers know Nisyros, a Greek small, enchanting island in the Dodecanese, yet it is one of the most geologically unique places in Europe. This ...
Nisyros, Mandraki, Greece
BlogLifestyle

8 Hidden Greek Islands You ‘ve Probably Never Heard Of

When most people think of Greek islands, places like Santorini, Mykonos, Crete or Corfu come to mind. But beyond the famous hotspots, Greece hides a ...
BlogLifestyle

Exotic Fruits in Greece That Will Surprise You

Most people associate Greek produce with olives, grapes, or citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. But did you know there’s a surprising variety of exotic ...
Nafplio
Regional Guides

Nafplio: A timeless destination to call home

Where history, lifestyle, and smart investment meet In the heart of the Peloponnese, just under two hours from Athens, lies Nafplio: A city that combines centuries ...
Expat working remotely in Greece with a sea view
BlogRegional Guides

Working and Living in Greece as an Expat

Have you ever thought of working and living in Greece as an expat? For many people, Greece is more than a summer escape; it’s a ...
Elxis at the Second Home Expo
BlogIn The News

Second Home Expo: Meet Elxis in Ghent

Dreaming of a holiday home abroad? The Second Home Expo in Ghent (Belgium) is where it all begins. On October 11 and 12, 2025, Flanders ...
Your search results

Compare Listings

Featured in

Receive the latest news

Join over 20.000 subscribers and stay informed on the latest market insights, updates, tips and more

We’ll send you our best articles, expert insights and newest listings.​

Personalized Greek Real Estate Guidance

Tell us more and our team of real estate specialists will get in touch! 

This quick form takes less than a minute to complete. We only need minimal information to get started.

Step 1 of 3

Your inquiry will be reviewed within 24 hours on business days.