Achilleion Palace, Corfu: The Complete Guide to Its History, Sisi and Visiting
DISCOVER CORFU | STORIES & DISCOVERIES
Achilleion Palace in Corfu: a refuge built for an empress
High above the village of Gastouri, surrounded by greenery and views towards the Ionian Sea, stands one of Corfu’s most extraordinary buildings. Achilleion Palace looks like the setting for a fairy tale. Its history, however, is filled with loss, longing and dramatic changes of fortune.
It was commissioned by Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sisi or Sissi, a woman whose life at the Habsburg court was far less carefree than her popular image suggests. Corfu offered her something different: space, classical culture and the possibility of escape.
But why did she build a palace dedicated to a Greek warrior? And how did it later become connected with a German emperor and James Bond?
Who was Empress Elisabeth, and why did she love Corfu?
Born in Bavaria in 1837, Elisabeth married Emperor Franz Joseph I while still a teenager. As Empress of Austria, she faced the rigid expectations of court life and spent considerable time travelling.
Elisabeth developed a strong interest in Greek language, literature and mythology. Corfu’s scenery and cultural associations appealed to her, and she returned to the island on several occasions.
A devastating event deepened her search for solitude: in 1889, her son Crown Prince Rudolf died at Mayerling. Elisabeth’s grief became closely intertwined with the story of the retreat she created on Corfu.
The palace was completed around 1891 on a hillside near Gastouri, approximately nine kilometres south of Corfu Town.
Why is it called Achilleion Palace?
The name comes from Achilles, the legendary Greek hero of Homer’s Iliad. Elisabeth admired classical Greece, and the palace was conceived as a celebration of its mythology and art.
Look closely at the estate’s sculptures and the contrast is striking. The Dying Achilles, created by sculptor Ernst Herter, depicts a wounded hero in his final moments. This is not an image of effortless victory but of suffering and vulnerability.
That interpretation feels particularly poignant in a residence built by an empress who had experienced profound personal loss. It is tempting to see a reflection of Elisabeth’s own grief, although that remains an interpretation rather than a documented statement of her intentions.
The surrounding gardens, colonnades and mythological figures make the entire estate feel like an outdoor gallery.
The second emperor: Kaiser Wilhelm II
Elisabeth was assassinated in Geneva in 1898. The palace stood largely unused until 1907, when Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II purchased the estate.
The Kaiser admired Corfu too, but his vision was different. He restored the gardens and introduced the imposing bronze Achilles Triumphant, a heroic figure standing victorious with spear and shield.
Together, the two Achilles statues offer a memorable contrast: one hero wounded and dying, the other powerful and triumphant. They also reveal something of the personalities and artistic tastes of the palace’s two imperial owners.
Wilhelm II’s connection to Corfu extended beyond Achilleion. He was also associated with the viewpoint near Pelekas now popularly known as the Kaiser’s Throne. His visits ended with the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.
From imperial palace to casino: Achilleion’s unexpected second life
In 1962, Achilleion was leased to a private operator and took on a remarkable new role. Its upper floors became a casino, while the ground floor served as a museum. A residence created as Empress Elisabeth’s peaceful retreat now welcomed visitors for an altogether different experience.
Roulette and blackjack were played inside the former imperial palace. A 1979 edition of The Athenian even listed Casino Achilleion as an attraction in Gastouri, describing gambling in the grand residence once occupied by Elisabeth and Kaiser Wilhelm II.
The glamorous setting also found its way onto the cinema screen. In the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only, starring Roger Moore, scenes set in the Corfu casino were filmed at Achilleion, including gaming-room sequences and a terrace dinner scene.
The private operating arrangement ended in 1983, and the casino subsequently moved away from the palace. Achilleion later hosted the 1994 European Union summit, another chapter in the building’s changing public role.
It is a striking contrast: the same rooms that once offered an empress refuge from court life later echoed with the sounds of casino gaming. The palace’s casino years are an essential part of its modern history.
What can visitors see at Achilleion today?
Achilleion is situated above Gastouri, south of Corfu Town. Its location, gardens and sculptures remain central to its appeal.
Important visitor update (October 2026): the official Achilleion website states that restoration works mean only the outdoor areas and Imperial Gardens are currently open. The palace interior is not available for a normal museum visit.
In August 2026, the public property operator announced a tender for a major restoration project, with an estimated budget of €11.52 million excluding VAT. The work is intended to restore and improve the historic complex.
Before travelling, check the official website for the latest opening arrangements and tickets: https://achillion-corfu.gr/?lang=en. Do not rely on older guides showing access to the interior.
Planning your visit to Achilleion Palace
Achilleion Palace tickets, opening hours and restoration updates
Visitor information checked October 2026. General admission: €7. Reduced admission: €5 for eligible visitors; reduced tickets are issued at the museum ticket office. Free admission applies to certain groups, including children aged 0–5 and eligible disabled visitors and an escort.
Opening hours: 1 April–31 October, daily 08:00–20:00; 1 November–31 March, daily 08:00–16:00. The palace interior remains closed during restoration, with the outdoor areas and Imperial Gardens currently open.
Prices, access and hours can change. Check the official Achilleion opening hours and ticket information and official restoration and access update before setting out.
Planning a wider trip? Corfu Town: What to See and Do is a useful starting point for nearby sightseeing, while Getting Around Corfu compares transport options across the island.
Where is Achilleion Palace? The estate is above Gastouri, roughly nine kilometres south of Corfu Town. It can be reached by road, including by taxi or hire car. Check current local transport routes before setting out.
Is the palace open? As of the October 2026 update above, the official website states that the outdoor areas and Imperial Gardens are open during restoration, while the interior is not available for a normal museum visit. Access, ticket prices and opening hours may change, so confirm these directly with the attraction before travelling.
What should you allow time for? The gardens, classical statues and views are the main highlights while interior access is restricted. Allow flexibility for the current visitor route and consider comfortable footwear for walking outdoors.
Official visitor information and latest opening arrangements: https://achillion-corfu.gr/?lang=en
Achilleion Palace: frequently asked questions
Who built Achilleion Palace?
Empress Elisabeth of Austria commissioned it as a retreat, and the palace was completed around 1891.
Why is it called Achilleion?
Its name honours Achilles, the Greek mythological hero who inspired the estate's sculptures and classical decoration.
Is Achilleion Palace open in 2027?
The Imperial Gardens and outdoor areas are currently open to visitors, but the palace interior is not expected to reopen in 2027. ETAD's restoration timetable targets completion in June 2029, subject to progress and approvals. Specific access arrangements for the 2027 season have not yet been confirmed, so check the official Achilleion website before visiting.
Can you go inside Achilleion Palace?
The official visitor update cited in this article says that restoration currently restricts access to outdoor areas and the Imperial Gardens. Check the official website for changes.
What is the James Bond connection?
Achilleion Palace was used as a filming location in the 1981 film For Your Eyes Only.
Where can I explore more of Corfu?
Browse Corfu & Beyond's travel guides and destination information at https://www.corfuandbeyond.com/.
Nearby places to explore after Achilleion
For a relaxed coastal stop, explore Benitses village, with its marina, waterfront and places to eat. Alternatively, make time for Corfu Town and its historic streets, fortresses and museums. Both make useful additions to a day exploring central and south-east Corfu.
Why Achilleion deserves a place in Discover Corfu
Explore more of the island with these Corfu & Beyond guides: Free Things to Do in Corfu, The Ultimate Guide to Corfu for First-Time Visitors and Hiring a Car in Corfu.
Achilleion is a famous landmark, but its most interesting details are easy to miss if you only stop for photographs.
Think of the palace as the meeting point of several stories: a restless empress captivated by Greek culture, a mythological hero shown in both defeat and victory, a second emperor with a contrasting vision, and an estate that survived an extraordinary century.
It is these layers of history that make Achilleion more than an impressive building.
Have you visited Achilleion Palace?
Have you walked through the Imperial Gardens or seen the two Achilles statues? Which part of the palace’s story surprised you most? Tell us in the comments.
Explore more Corfu stories, places and travel inspiration at https://www.corfuandbeyond.com/.
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