Few families have captured Corfu as vividly as the Durrells. For Gerald, the island became a giant outdoor classroom of birds, insects, olive groves and hidden wetlands, while Lawrence found inspiration in its sea, light and villages.
We have ranked 10 places that still bring you close to their Corfu, from #10 to #1. And the final two are particularly special — one was a favourite family escape, while the other remains the most iconic real-life Durrell location on the island.
9Barbati and the Wild Slopes of Pantokrator
Barbati is known today mainly for its long pebble beach and clear blue water, but look inland and you find a landscape much closer to the Corfu that fascinated Gerald Durrell.
The foothills of Mount Pantokrator rise dramatically behind the coast, covered with old olive trees, cypress trees, scrubland and rocky terrain.
Gerald explored the countryside of northeast Corfu extensively, searching for reptiles, insects, birds and the countless small creatures that later filled his books.
The surroundings of Barbati also appear in the Durrell literary world, including the memorable episode generally known as “The Angry Barrels” in Birds, Beasts and Relatives.
Modern Barbati is far more developed than it was in Gerald’s childhood, but the higher slopes still give a good impression of the rugged landscape he knew.
If you visit, do not spend the entire day looking towards the sea. Turn around and look towards Pantokrator. That wild mountain backdrop is the real Durrell connection here.
Read our Barbati guide for more ideas about exploring the area.
