Corfu: Walking & Boat tour “The steps of the Durrells”｜Greece

Follow in the footsteps of the Durrells on a full-day tour of Corfu. Explore the island's cultural heritage on foot before taking a boat cruise to see the island from the water.

Begin your tour at the Durrells spot at the center of Corfu. Make a quick stop at the Town Hall square with the theater of San Giacomo, a Baroque Renaissance building of the early 18th century.

Next, head to the Esplanade square, home to the most important monuments of Corfu town. The Liston buildings surrounding it are decorated with French arcades, making the place reminiscent of Rue De Rivoli in Paris.

Close to it, find the Old Byzantine Fortress of Corfu, that was built in the 6th century AD and reinforced during the years of Venetian rule. The citadel of Corfu stood between the imposing rocks of the promontory and protected Corfu from pirate attacks.

The Boschetto garden next to the fortress is dedicated to the famed authors Lawrence and Gerald Durrell. The palace of St. George and St. Michael was built in the years of the British protectorate. It is an elegant regency-style building with an ionic peristyle, overlooking the garden.

The church of St. Spyridon is the most venerated church on the island. Inside the church, there is a small crypt and the relic of St. Spyridon is laid in a silver gilt ebony casket.

Pass through the Campielo area, the oldest and most authentic part of Corfu. Walk through narrow alleys with Italianate houses, small squares, and picturesque churches.

After walking a short distance, arrive at the new fortress of Corfu. Built in the 16th century, it serves as an impressive example of Italian defensive architecture. The area around the fortress is quite charming with the Tenedos church, the traditional old houses, and the old Jewish neighborhood.

Board a boat for a unique ride along the coastline of Corfu town with its remarkable pastel-colored 400-year-old Venetian houses. Spot from afar the elegant Mon Repos Palace, where Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband was born in 1921.

Finally, reach the idyllic “Mouse island” (Pontikonisi) with its white picturesque Greek Orthodox chapel “Vlacherna”- both serve as landmarks of Corfu island. Sail back and anchor at the beautiful uninhabited island of Vidos, where local fauna and flora exist untouched from humans.

Relax on board and listen to several short stories of the Durrells whilst sailing along the east coast towards the North. Come across the beautiful Venetian Villa in Kontokali, that served as the setting for the Durrells’ home in the series.

Spot yet another idyllic chapel, that of Saint Arsenius, a serene location that Larry & Nancy Durrell favored as a swimming spot. Arrive at the small village of Kalami, where you can have lunch at the famous White House, where Lawrence Durrell lived with his wife Nancy in the 1930s.