The Achilleion Palace is a neoclassical summer residence in the village of Gastouri, about 10 km south of Corfu Town. Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, had it built around 1890 and gave it an Achilles theme. The interior has been closed for restoration since 2023, so a visit now means the gardens, the exterior and the terraces. Statues of Greek gods and heroes line the grounds, including the Dying Achilles, and the hilltop terraces look out over Corfu Town, the bay and the Ionian Sea. Screens around the site give the history.
Why Empress Elisabeth built it
Elisabeth of Bavaria, Empress of Austria and known as Sisi, came to Corfu on a journey through the Mediterranean islands and chose it as a place to settle. She was grieving the death of her only son and was also troubled by illness. She commissioned the summer residence in 1888, and it was finished around 1890. She stayed there in the summers until 1898.
The site is a hilltop in Gastouri, about 10 km south of Corfu Town. The road climbs through olive groves, and the position gives wide views across the island and out to sea.
Architecture and the Achilles theme
The Italian architect Raffaele Caritto designed the palace in a neoclassical style, with the Greek hero Achilles as the central theme. Elisabeth loved Greek mythology and classical Greece, and the name of the building comes from that devotion. One source also notes art nouveau elements in the design.
The interior held an intricately decorated central staircase, frescoes, mosaics and the empress's furniture and personal items. This part of the palace is currently closed, so the exterior and the garden terraces are what visitors see.
Statues and terraces in the gardens
The German sculptor Ernst Herter made many of the statues in the grounds, all inspired by Greek mythology. The best known is the Dying Achilles, which shows the hero in his final moments. The Victorious Achilles is the largest statue of him on the site, and a giant bronze figure of Achilles stands over the gardens.
The Colonnade of the Muses is a terrace with a black-and-white tiled floor, lined with statues of gods, heroes, muses, poets and philosophers. The northern terrace gives a view of Corfu Town and the bay. Mosaics and paintings with mythological subjects add to the garden walk, and screens along the way show videos about the palace history.
After Elisabeth
After the empress died, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany bought the palace and used it as a summer residence. During the First World War it served as a hospital. The building was later repaired and opened as a museum. In the 1980s it appeared as the casino in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.
Visiting during the restoration
The interior has been closed since 2023, and no reopening date had been announced as of 2025. A ticket covers the gardens and the exterior. A walk around the building takes little time, but the terraces, statues and viewpoints can fill the better part of an hour.
The site is outdoors with only pockets of shade, so summer visits are hot. It is also one of the island's busiest sights in summer, with guided tours through the day. If you drive, follow signs at the last stretch, because GPS has sent drivers toward closed roads. Ride-hailing and taxis work for the trip up, and some drivers will return for you if you keep their number.
FAQ
Is the Achilleion Palace open inside?
No. The interior has been closed for restoration since 2023, with no reopening date as of 2025. The gardens and the exterior can be visited with a ticket.
How much does it cost to enter?
The garden ticket has cost 7 euros per person. Check the official website for the current price.
How far is the Achilleion Palace from Corfu Town?
It is in the village of Gastouri, about 10 km south of Corfu Town. The trip takes around 30 minutes by car or bus.
How long do you need at the Achilleion Palace?
With the interior closed, 30 to 60 minutes is enough for the gardens, statues and terraces.
Is there parking at the Achilleion Palace?
There is a small parking lot and some free spaces along the winding access road. Both are limited, and the road is narrow.
