Achilleion Palace in Corfu – Visitor Guide
Achilleion Palace is one of the most famous attractions in Corfu, located in Gastouri village, 10 km south of Corfu Town. Built by Empress Elizabeth of Austria (“Sisi”), the palace is known for its gardens, statues of Achilles, Ionian Sea views, and Neo-Classical architecture.
This visitor guide includes:
- Current status and what’s actually open
- Tickets and prices
- How to get there
- What to see inside
- Travel tips for visiting Achilleion Palace
Achilleion Palace has been going through a long, complicated restoration since 2020, and access has changed several times as a result. Read the section below before planning your visit — it’s the most important part of this guide right now.
Current Status: What’s Actually Open (2026)
Here’s the real story, not the brochure version.
The main restoration contract for Achilleion Palace was originally approved in June 2020, with a budget of €12.95 million. That contract was later terminated with a significant part of the work left unfinished, and its final closeout was only formally recorded in June 2025.
As of August 2026, Greece’s Hellenic Public Properties Company (ETAD) has published a new restoration tender, this time worth €14.2 million, aiming to finally complete the project. Local Corfu MP Alekos Avlonitis has publicly pushed back on the announcement, demanding clarity on what the previous contract actually delivered and when the palace will realistically reopen in full.
In practical terms: the palace’s interior has been substantially affected by this drawn-out process, while the gardens and outdoor areas have, at various points, remained accessible to visitors — including a 2025 upgrade adding digital tour installations in the garden area. Whether the interior, the gardens, or both are open on any given date has genuinely varied year to year during this restoration saga.
What this means for your visit: Don’t rely on any fixed opening-hours table right now, including ones published by other guides — check directly with ETAD or ask locally shortly before you go.
So, when will Achilleion fully reopen?
Honest answer: nobody knows for certain, including, it seems, the people running the tender. There’s now a second multi-million euro contract aiming to finish what the first one didn’t. If this changes, or if someone from ETAD wants to prove me wrong with an actual date, I’ll happily update this section.
Tickets & Contact
Since access has varied during the restoration, ticket prices below reflect the palace’s standard published pricing when open — confirm current pricing and what’s actually accessible before you go.
Ticket Prices (standard, subject to change during restoration):
- General Admission: €7
- Reduced (€5): Students (ages 6–18), large families, university students, military personnel, unemployed individuals with valid certificate, seniors 67+, tourist groups of 10+
- Free Admission: Children 0–5, persons with disabilities (with one escort), group leaders and drivers, licensed tour guides, info group staff
Location: Gastouri village, Corfu, Greece
Distance: 10 km from Corfu Town, 3 km from Benitses
Contact: Phone 26610 56210, Fax 26610 56284, Email: msachil@hppc.gr
Highlights: Palace interiors, gardens, statues of Achilles, Dionysus, Lord Byron, panoramic views of the Ionian Sea
History of Achilleion Palace & Queen Elizabeth
Achilleion Palace is a Neo-Classical masterpiece built in 1890 by Empress Elizabeth of Austria, widely known as Queen Sisi. Constructed on the former estate of diplomat Petros Vrailas Armenis in Gastouri, the palace reflects her admiration for Classical Greece, mythology, and elegance.
Following personal tragedies, including the loss of her son Rudolf, the Empress spent time in Corfu seeking peace and inspiration. She became deeply attached to the island and was remembered locally for charitable acts, including funding a well for the women of Gastouri. After her assassination in Geneva in 1898, the palace later passed to Kaiser Wilhelm II and became one of Corfu’s most important historical landmarks.
Achilleion Palace Architecture & Art
The palace is named after Achilles and features statues, paintings, and murals depicting scenes from Greek mythology. Highlights include the 11.5-meter statue of Achilles, Dionysus with Satyros, Lord Byron, and the triumph of Achilles, painted by Austrian artist Franz Matt.
The Empress supervised the decoration herself, showing her admiration for Classical Greece. Columns and balconies feature statues of gods, philosophers, and the nine muses. The gardens are equally impressive, offering panoramic views of the Ionian Sea, perfect for photography and sightseeing.
How to Get to Achilleion Palace
Getting There
Achilleion Palace is located in Gastouri village, about 10 km south of Corfu Town. Visitors can reach the palace by car, taxi, local bus, or organized tours from most resorts in Corfu.
Visitor Tips for Achilleion Palace
Visitors can explore the palace and gardens at their own pace. Recommended tips:
- Confirm current access (interior, gardens, or both) before setting out
- Visit in the morning to avoid crowds
- Allow 1.5–2 hours to explore interiors and gardens, when both are open
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking in gardens
- Audio guides provide historical context, when available
- Combine your visit with nearby Corfu attractions for a full-day itinerary
Interesting Facts About Achilleion Palace
- The Kaiser of Germany, William II, later owned the palace and built the Kaiser’s bridge 2 km from Benitses.
- During WWI, the palace served as a military hospital.
- In the 1970s–1980s, it housed the Corfu casino.
- Queen Elizabeth’s influence is still visible in the palace design and decoration.
Is it Achilleion or Achillion?
The correct spelling is Achilleion, named after the Greek hero Achilles. The variant “Achillion” appears commonly in searches. See the Wikipedia page.
6 Responses
Jennifer
The kaiser certainly made no secret war plans! He never planned or wanted a war but he is the most demonished man in history due to allied propaganda.
Teo
All war plans are secret by definition, also war plans are not necessarily offensive.
Thanks for your comment, I can assure you that this sentence was written not offensively but as a figure of speech.
Diana Owen
Is the Palace open this week please?
Teo
Yes, it is.
Michael
Hi, I visited in June 2022 and the Palace was closed with the exception of the garden, for renovation.
Is the Place now fully open again, I will be visiting after 25th September 2022.
Thanks
Meri
HI, will the castle be open during summer 2023? 08-15 august? Thanks