High atop the hills in southern Sicily, overlooking the blue waters, stands a collection of ancient Greek architecture known as the Valley of the Temples. Withstanding wars, eruptions, winds, invasions, and shifting plates, we knew we wanted to visit the site during our Sicily road trip. We’ve collected all the info and our tips — here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Valley of the Temples in Sicily, Italy.
What is the Valley of the Temples?
The Valley of the Temples near Agrigento, Sicily, is one of the island’s biggest highlights. This UNESCO site is home to an incredible collection of eight ancient Greek temples and ruins that have mind-blowingly stood here for over 2,500 years! We spent an afternoon walking through the entire area, soaking up the open valleys and all the incredible historical details.
- There’s an old outer wall surrounding the area, which adds to its historical charm.
- In the middle, you’ll also find a cafe with a terrace where we enjoyed a cup of coffee and pastries.
The Eastern Zone
The Eastern zone of the Valley of the Temples contains the most complete and well-preserved ruins:
- The Temple of Hercules (the oldest temple on site) is dedicated to Heracles, the Greek god of strength.
- The beautiful Temple of Concordia, dedicated to Concordia, the goddess of harmony. Fun fact: These are two of the few Doric (Greek) temples in the world that still stand up straight. Incredibly, the temples’ exteriors remain almost fully intact!
While we roamed the grounds among the stunning examples of ancient Greek art and architecture, we could only imagine what this part of Sicily looked like back then. Make sure to bring your camera, as you’ll want to snap some pictures here!
Also read: best things to do in Cefalu, Sicily
The Western Zone
The western area of the temple complex is home to:
- The Temple of the Olympian Zeus, which is considered the greatest Doric temple in the West. This building was one of the largest Greek temples in the world and one of the most important religious sites.
- On this side of the Agrigento Valley of the Temples, you’ll also find the Temple of Castor and Pollux and a small sanctuary dedicated to the goddesses Demeter and Persephone.
- If you’re lucky, you might also spot some local goats roaming between the buildings and surrounding olive trees!
Please note: These are ancient remnants, and though it’s tempting to admire the buildings from up close, stick to the routes and paths to preserve the archaeological site.
Museum and Kolymbetra Garden
Want to learn even more? Visit the Regional Archaeology Museum and a few other ruins. The museum is on the main road between the Valley of the Temples and Agrigento (here’s the location).
Getting there: It’s about a 20-minute walk from the park’s cafe. The temples are located slightly further south of the park and are best accessed by car.
There’s also a villa with a small, beautiful garden where you can escape the heat. Take some time to freshen up here before continuing to explore the impressive Agrigento temples.
Entrance Fee & Opening Times
To enter the park, there are several options you can choose from, depending on what attractions you’d like to see. Entry costs 10 EUR (10,80 USD); EU travelers aged 18 to 25 pay 5 EUR; children under 18 of all nationalities enter for free. (Get your skip-the-line tickets here)
If you’d like to visit the museum or the Kolymbetra Garden, you can purchase a combined ticket:
- Valley of the Temples + Museum costs 13,50 EUR and 7 EUR for EU nationals aged 18-25 years.
- The Valley of the Temples + the garden cost 16 EUR, 10 EUR for EU nationals aged 18-25.
Tickets for the Valley of the Temples in Sicily can be bought at both the western and eastern entrances with cash or card. You can also purchase a fast-lane ticket online, which allows you to skip the line when you arrive.
Open: Every day from 8.30 AM – 8 PM. In July-September, the park hours extend until 11 PM on weekdays and until midnight on weekends.
Best Time to Visit
We visited the archaeological site in the springtime, as Southern Italy can get pretty hot in the summer. In these shoulder seasons (May and September), the weather is slightly milder. Plus, the temple grounds are much quieter.
- Best time of day: Early morning or late afternoon.
- Visiting in summer? Come to the Valley of the Temples in the morning, when you have the best lighting for photos, too!
Hotels near the Valley of the Temples, Sicily
We stayed at a hotel in the Sicilian town of Agrigento, which lies only three kilometers from the Valley of the Temples and is a great base on the island. (This is the hotel). We had some incredible sandwiches at this place in town!
However, it’s also possible to visit the archeological park on a day trip from other locations, such as Palermo, Cefalu, or Ragusa. No matter where you decide to stay, there are lots of accommodation options to choose from.
How to Get to the Valley of the Temples in Sicily
As it lies a stone’s throw away from the town of Agrigento, the Valley of the Temples is easy to get to. There are two entrances, one on the eastern side and one on the western. Both make a great starting point for your visit.
From Agrigento:
- By bus: Bus number 1 departs every 30 minutes (from here) and stops at the museum and the western entrance. Tickets cost 1.70 EUR, which you can get on the bus.
- On foot: If you’re up for it, you can also walk to the Valley of the Temples. It’s only 3 kilometers to the eastern entrance. In summer, leave early in the morning!
- By car: It’s only a 6-minute drive to the Valley of the Temples. There are two parking lots (at both entrances); we followed the route on Google Maps. Parking fee: 2 EUR for the first hour, 1 EUR for the next hour, then 0.50 EUR for each additional hour.
We recommend to rent a car in Sicily through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Coming from further away? Then the train is a great option. From Palermo, it’s a beautiful 2-hour journey. (Browse your tickets here)
Tips for Visiting the Agrigento Temples
The Valley of the Temples was definitely a highlight during our Sicily road trip. Here are some tips to make your trip to this site unforgettable:
- Visit the Agrigento temples in the morning or late afternoon when the grounds are slightly cooler. The site gets very hot during the peak sunshine hours (12 – 3 PM).
- Bring plenty of water in a refillable bottle. The park has several water stations, so you can easily fill them up while you explore the grounds. This is also a great way of traveling more sustainably.
- Take breaks while you roam across the grounds. The archeological site is quite large, and there’s really not much shade in either zone. Take your time to go slow and look up the shade under a few trees or at the park’s cafe.
- Wear a hat and bring your sunscreen, too!
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