The Achilleion Palace is not just a monument to Neoclassical architecture; it is a monument to a broken heart. Built in the 1890s by Empress Elisabeth of Austria—famously known as Sisi—this sprawling estate in Gastouri was never meant to be a royal residence. It was built as an escape. A place where a woman who hated the rigid protocols of the Hapsburg court could breathe. Today, walking through its grand halls and lush gardens, you can still feel that duality: the breathtaking beauty of the palace, and the deep melancholy of the woman who built it.
Current Status: What’s Actually Open (2026)
Before you plan your visit, you need to know the reality of the Achilleion Palace today. Here is the real story, not the brochure version.
The main restoration contract for the palace was originally approved in June 2020, with a budget of €12.95 million. The contract was later terminated, leaving a significant part of the work unfinished. As of 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.
What this means for your visit: The palace’s interior has been substantially affected by this drawn-out process. While the gardens and outdoor areas have often remained accessible (including a 2025 upgrade adding digital tour installations), access to the interior varies year to year.
Don’t rely on fixed opening-hours tables right now—check directly with ETAD or ask locally shortly before you go.
So, when will Achilleion fully reopen?
Honest answer: nobody knows for certain. There is now a second multi-million euro contract aiming to finish what the first one didn’t. If this changes, we will update this section.
Tickets & Contact Information
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.
Standard Ticket Prices (subject to change):
- General Admission: €7
- Reduced (€5): Students (ages 6–18), university students, large families, 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.
Location: Gastouri village, Corfu, Greece (10 km from Corfu Town, 3 km from Benitses).
Contact: Phone 26610 56210 | Email: msachil@hppc.gr
The Woman Behind the Palace
To understand the Achilleion, you have to understand Sisi. Following the tragic death of her only son, Crown Prince Rudolf, Sisi withdrew from court life entirely. She found a kindred spirit in the mythical hero Achilles—a warrior who, like her, was beautiful, restless, and ultimately doomed by fate. She supervised every detail of the palace’s decoration, filling it with statues of gods, philosophers, and the Nine Muses, creating a temple to classical Greece right in the middle of the Ionian Sea.
What to See Inside
The palace is named after Achilles, and his presence is felt everywhere. The most iconic feature is the massive 11.5-meter statue of the “Dying Achilles” in the gardens. Inside, the grand staircase features a stunning mural of the “Triumph of Achilles,” painted by Austrian artist Franz Matt. Other highlights include statues of Dionysus with Satyros and Lord Byron.
The gardens are equally impressive. Terraced into the hillside of Gastouri, they offer panoramic views of the Ionian Sea. It is easy to see why Sisi chose this spot. The air is cooler here, the cypress trees provide deep shade, and the view stretches endlessly toward the horizon.
The Kaiser and the Casino
After Sisi’s assassination in Geneva in 1898, the palace passed to Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, who used it as a base for his Mediterranean ambitions. During World War I, it served as a military hospital. Later, in the 1970s and 80s, it famously housed the Corfu casino. Today, it stands as one of the island’s most visited monuments, a testament to the restless spirit of the woman who created it.
How to Get 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. If you are using public transport, the Blue Bus from Corfu Town to Gastouri is the most direct route.
Visitor Tips for Achilleion Palace
- Confirm current access (interior, gardens, or both) before setting out.
- Visit in the morning to avoid the crowds and the midday heat.
- Allow 1.5–2 hours to explore the interiors and gardens (when both are open).
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking the terraced gardens.
- Combine your visit with nearby Corfu attractions (like Benitses) for a full-day itinerary.
Is it Achilleion or Achillion?
The correct spelling is Achilleion, named after the Greek hero Achilles. The variant “Achillion” appears commonly in searches and on some signs. See the Wikipedia page for more historical context.
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