Corfu Achillion Palace

Location: Gastouri

Note: The palace is temporarily closed due to restoration works. The outdoor spaces and the gardens remain open to visitors.

Achillion Palace in Corfu: The Achillion Palace is ideally located in the picturesque village of Gastouri. This magnificent Palace was built in 1890 for the former Empress of Austria, Elizabeth (Sissy). The building used to serve as her summer retreat. Unfortunately, the Empress passed away in a rather tragic manner when she was brutally assassinated in 1898 in Geneva and the palace was deserted until 1907 when it was bought by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany.

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The palace is located in a place of mesmerizing beauty with the coast down below, which still has the jetty where the Kaiser would embark on his cruises.

The Palace is not only renowned for its classical features. The impeccable palace garden is absolutely top-class and makes for a picture-perfect setting. Legend has it that the Empress fell so much in love with Corfu, that she ultimately decided to build a residence that she could call her own. The palace is located at the spot where the manor of the renowned philosopher Petros Vrailas Armenis stood.

Empress Elisabeth was also captivated and awestruck by ancient Greek legends and mythology. Her favorite hero was Achilles on whose honor she dedicated the palace. The garden of the palace is replete with rather artistically sculpted statues of the pantheon of Greek Gods and Goddesses that makes for a truly mythical setting.

During the time when the palace was occupied by the Kaiser, he is said to have removed the magnificent statues of Achilles and additionally constructed the House of the Knights with the sole reason of housing his battalion on Corfu. Even the palace garden was relandscaped according to the whims and fancies of the Kaiser.
The palace was given the status of a Public building after World War II.

Visitors can marvel at the exquisite mural positioned right at the reception enclosure which rather artistically portrays Achilles carrying the dead body of Hector. The popularity of the Achillion Palace also comes from the fact that the famous James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only was shot at this magnificent place.

Top Tours and activities

• Best Seller

  Hop on Hop off City Sightseeing Bus Tour

  Category: City, Hop On Hop Off

  This Corfu sightseeing tour offers the perfect way to take in the top attractions. Ride a double-decker bus and hop off and back on at any of the stops on the route. With your headphones you’ll hear about Corfu’s history and the city’s landmarks.

  1 hour Map

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• Private Customized Tour

  Category: Day Trips, Island, Private

  Avoid the hassle of organized group tours and see the attractions of Corfu that you want to see on a 4 or 6-hour private excursion. Choose from pre-existing options or create your own experience.

  4 hours Map

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• Best of Corfu Private Minibus Tour

  Category: Island, Private

  Discover the best of Corfu on a private tour by luxury minibus for up to 15 people. See highlights such as the Achilleion Palace, Paleokastritsa Beach and the sights of Corfu city center.

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How to get there

The Achillion Palace is located in Gastouri village.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the airport, port, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: 0030 26610 39911, 0030 693 484 3704, or 0030 694 726 6811, or booking your taxi online.

Car rental: Τhere’s the option of renting a car and picking it up directly from the airport, port, or your hotel. Using a rental car allows visitors to discover Achillion Palace and many other points of interest in Corfu at their own pace.

Public transfers: The central bus station of the island is located at Corfu Town. There are several buses from Corfu Town to Achillion Palace during the day. Consider that time schedules might change according to the season. Check the official timetables here.
Tip: Since buses don’t always stop at every scheduled stop of their itinerary, our advice to visitors is to inform the driver about their final destination, so that he makes a stop there.