The Achilleion Palace is a neoclassical summer palace near Corfu Town, built in 1890 for the Austro-Hungarian Empress Elisabeth, known as Sisi, and devoted to the myth of Achilles. Its marble statues, frescoes and terraced gardens overlook the Ionian Sea. This guide covers the palace’s history, the gardens and statues, the tickets and how to visit.
The palace is one of the island’s most-visited sights, a highlight in the wider Corfu tours and travel guide. It stands in the hills above the east coast. The sections below cover the visit.
What is the palace?
The palace is a grand neoclassical villa built in 1890 in the village of Gastouri for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi. Designed in a Pompeian style around the theme of the hero Achilles, it served as her summer retreat after the loss of her only son.
The Achilleion is a romantic monument to a tragic empress. Built in 1890 in the hillside village of Gastouri, about 10 kilometres from Corfu Town, it was commissioned by Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the beloved Sisi, as a summer escape in the year after the death of her son. Designed by the Italian architect Raffaele Caritto in a Pompeian neoclassical style, the palace is dedicated throughout to the Greek hero Achilles, Sisi’s idol, with whom she felt a deep affinity. Its setting and story make it unforgettable, set within the wider things to do in Corfu. The gardens are the highlight.
What are the gardens and statues like?
The gardens are terraced over the Ionian Sea, dotted with marble statues and offering panoramic views. The most famous is Sisi’s cherished Dying Achilles, showing the hero pulling the arrow from his heel, alongside a later giant statue of the Victorious Achilles.
The gardens are the palace’s glory. Laid out on terraces falling toward the sea, they frame sweeping views over the Ionian and are studded with marble statues of gods and heroes from Greek mythology. The most poignant is the Dying Achilles, Sisi’s favourite, depicting the hero trying to draw the fatal arrow from his heel, while Kaiser Wilhelm II, a later owner, added the towering bronze Victorious Achilles gazing out to sea. The statues, frescoes and views make the gardens perfect for an unhurried, photogenic wander, set out alongside the guide to Corfu villages nearby. Tickets and access are simple.
What are the tickets and opening hours?
The palace charges an entry fee, with reduced admission for students, seniors over 67 and groups, and free entry for young children and people with disabilities. Note that the interior may be closed for renovation at times, though the gardens stay open.
Visiting is straightforward, with a modest entry fee. A standard ticket admits visitors to the palace and gardens, with a reduced rate, around €5, for students, seniors aged 67 and over, large families, the unemployed and tourist groups of ten or more, and free entry for children under six and people with disabilities with an escort. At times the palace interior closes for ongoing renovation work while the gardens remain open, so checking the current status before visiting is wise. Opening hours run daily through the season, set within the guide to a Corfu itinerary. Reaching the palace is easy.
How do you get there and how long to visit?
You get there by the Blue Bus number 10, which heads straight to the palace gate from the capital, by car in about 20 minutes, or on a guided tour. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours to see the gardens, the statues and the views without rushing.
The palace is an easy trip from the capital. The Blue Bus number 10 heads straight to the palace gate from the capital, the most convenient option without a car, while driving takes about 20 minutes, and many island tours include a stop. Allowing around 1.5 to 2 hours gives time to explore the multi-level gardens, admire the statues and frescoes, and enjoy the panoramic sea views without hurrying. Combining it with the nearby resort of Benitses or a south-coast beach makes a full day, set out in the guide to how to get to Corfu. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who built the Achilleion Palace?
The Achilleion Palace was built in 1890 for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, as a summer retreat after the loss of her son. Designed in a Pompeian neoclassical style, it is dedicated to the Greek hero Achilles, her idol.
Can you visit the Achilleion Palace gardens?
You can visit the Achilleion’s terraced gardens, with their marble statues and panoramic Ionian views, including the famous Dying Achilles. The palace interior may close at times for renovation, but the gardens remain open with a modest entry fee.
How do you get to the Achilleion Palace from Corfu Town?
You get there on the Blue Bus number 10, which heads straight to the palace gate from the capital, by car in about 20 minutes, or on a guided tour. The palace sits in Gastouri village, about 10 kilometres from the capital.