Things to do in Achilleion Palace
A testament to a bygone era, the Achilleion Palace is one of Corfu’s most popular attractions for a reason. It was built by Empress of Sisi of Austria in the 1890s after a family tragedy as a retreat where she hoped to find comfort and solace. Inside, you’ll find mementos of her life in elegant reception rooms. But the star of the show is the lavishly decorated staircase in a hallway adorned with scenes from ancient Greece. Outside, the classical-inspired gardens are studded with statues and cypresses. The grounds also offer panoramic views over Corfu town, the coastline and even mainland Greece. After Sisi’s death, Germany’s last kaiser bought the palace and his legacy lives on in the tiny strip beach below the palace named after him.
Our recommendations in Achilleion Palace
Small Group Corfu Tour with Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa
Corfu is jam-packed with palaces, monasteries and picturesque villages. On this small group tour, you'll head into the rolling hills and along its rugged coastline to discover the Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa. You'll also get to taste the fruits of the countryside. Spiros, one of our local guides, says, ‘It's a tour that mixes scenery with spirituality and nostalgia. And the visits to the kumquat distillery and olive oil museum offer a real glimpse of rural traditions.'As you journey your way through Corfu, you'll visit some of its top attractions. There's Achillion Palace, built by Empress of Sisi of Austria a year after a family tragedy. It was in its classical-inspired gardens and interiors that she hoped to find comfort and solace. It also boasts panoramic vistas over Corfu town, the coastline and even mainland Greece. And the views are also top-notch at the seaside village of Paleokastritsa. You'll have free time to visit the Orthodox monastery – admission is free – or the coves. A boat trip can also be arranged here.Plus, you'll get to sample some of the rich flavours of rural Corfu. There's a visit to a family-owned kumquat distillery. Here, you'll learn everything there is to know about this citrus fruit and the sweet and fragrant liqueur made from it. There's also a visit to a local olive oil museum. ‘Seeing historic pressing equipment in state-of-the-art modern facilities really drives home the timelessness of olive oil production,' says Spiros.
en
Best of Corfu: Half-Day tour with transportation
Explore the very best of Corfu and enjoy a half-day tour seeing the island's best highlights!
en
Corfu in a day: Achillion Palace, Paleokastritsa and Old Town
Kickstart this full-day private tour of the enchanting island of Corfu and explore everything in a day!
en
Small Group Corfu Tour with Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa
Corfu is jam-packed with palaces, monasteries and picturesque villages. On this small group tour, you'll head into the rolling hills and along its rugged coastline to discover the Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa. You'll also get to taste the fruits of the countryside. Spiros, one of our local guides, says, ‘It's a tour that mixes scenery with spirituality and nostalgia. And the visits to the kumquat distillery and olive oil museum offer a real glimpse of rural traditions.'As you journey your way through Corfu, you'll visit some of its top attractions. There's Achillion Palace, built by Empress of Sisi of Austria a year after a family tragedy. It was in its classical-inspired gardens and interiors that she hoped to find comfort and solace. It also boasts panoramic vistas over Corfu town, the coastline and even mainland Greece. And the views are also top-notch at the seaside village of Paleokastritsa. You'll have free time to visit the Orthodox monastery – admission is free – or the coves. A boat trip can also be arranged here.Plus, you'll get to sample some of the rich flavours of rural Corfu. There's a visit to a family-owned kumquat distillery. Here, you'll learn everything there is to know about this citrus fruit and the sweet and fragrant liqueur made from it. There's also a visit to a local olive oil museum. ‘Seeing historic pressing equipment in state-of-the-art modern facilities really drives home the timelessness of olive oil production,' says Spiros.
en
Best of Corfu: Half-Day tour with transportation
Explore the very best of Corfu and enjoy a half-day tour seeing the island's best highlights!
en
Corfu in a day: Achillion Palace, Paleokastritsa and Old Town
Kickstart this full-day private tour of the enchanting island of Corfu and explore everything in a day!
en
How to get there
Achilleion Palace
Corfu
Greece
Reviews Achilleion Palace
“The Bus stop is right at the port, The staff was very friendly and professional. I would highly recommend this tour.”
“Under the circumstances, the holiday was great. While the hotel wasn't offering the usual entertainment options, it's understandable. I was disappointed with TUI communications on site. I wrote asking about excursions, Covid testing and transportation and received no response.”
