Achillion Palace Tours

Located in the village of Gastouri, around 10km south from Corfu Town, Achillion Palace was built in the 19th century as a summer residence for Empress Elizabeth of Austria (also known as Princess Sissi). Constructed to a light, airy neoclassical design by the Italian architect Raffaele Caritto, Achillion was Sissi's escape from the oppressive court life of Austria and personal tragedy after the death of her son. Captivated by Greek mythology, Sissi named the palace after the hero of the Trojan War, Achilles and filled it with artworks celebrating her favourite mythical hero but also numerous other characters from Greek mythology and history.

The impressive gardens surrounding the palace offer wonderful views both of the Corfu countryside and the Ionian Sea. The two largest and most significant statues here are “Achilles dying", pulling the arrow from his heel, and “Achilles triumphant”, standing at over 11 meters from its base to the tip of his sword. The beautiful garden also features statues of other significant Greek philosophers and poets as well as the Peristyle of the Muses, a courtyard surrounded by columns featuring the Nine Greek Muses: Urania, for example, the Muse of astronomy, holding a globe or Terpsichore, the Muse of dance, playing her lyre.

Inside the palace, the rooms are richly decorated and there are many paintings. A fresco representing the four seasons adorns the ceiling of the reception hall, while at the top of the staircase there is an enormous painting of Achilles, this time in battle. Other highlights include the ornate chapel, the elegant period furniture on display throughout the building and a collection of Sissi’s personal belongings, including her jewellery.

After the assassination of Empress Elisabeth in 1898, the palace was bought by German Kaiser Wilhelm II who used it as his summer residence. During World War I, the Achillion was used as a military hospital, and during World War II, the Axis powers used it as their military headquarters. Nowadays, Achillion Palace is a public institution that acts as a museum and it is unarguably one of the most significant landmarks of Corfu. Its popularity has also increased due to the fact that some scenes of the popular James Bond film ''For your eyes only'' were shot here!

Take one of our Corfu Private Tours or Corfu Shore Excursions and have the chance to explore Achillion Palace along with other significant Corfu landmarks such as Corfu Town & Mouse Island (Private Tour to Achillion, Kanoni & Corfu Town), the famous Paleokastritsa (Private Tour to Achillion & Paleokastritsa) or some of Corfu's most picturesque, traditional villages (Private Tour to Achillion & Corfu Villages).