Explore The Valley Of Temples In Agrigento In Sicily
On our stay in Sciacca in Sicily, we could not pass on a day trip to explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento. The Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are one of the largest archaeological sites in the world.
The Valley of Temples are in fact not in a valley but are on the rocky ridge near where ancient Akragas once stood. Akragas was once one of the most important Greek colonies in Sicily. When it was later conquered by the Romans, the name was changed to Agrigentum.
This impressive archeological site is famous for its imposing Doric temples built at the end of the sixth century BC. It was fascinating to visit such amazing Greek ruins on our visit to Sicily in Italy.
Getting To The Valley Of Temples
We visited the Valley of Temples from our stay in the seaside town of Sciacca. The drive was about an hour and it was easy to find the site. We got our first glimpse of the ruins high on the hills as we exited the highway.
There were two different entrances to the ruins site. Finding parking was a little more challenging but we finally found a large paid parking lot near the west entrance.
If you are visiting the town of Agrigento, you could walk for about 3km to reach the Valley of Temples. But that option added to the long walks around this large site. The town #1 bus had stops at the west entrance to the site and at the Archaeological Museum. Bus #2 ran less frequently to the east entrance. You could even get a taxi.
Day trip tours to the Valley of Temples were also available from most places in Sicily. We found them on our stay in Palermo and later in Catania. Tours added other popular spots like the mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale or the cliffs at the Scala dei Turchi.
Once we got parked, we wandered through the shopping area and planned a circular route back to the parking lot. We were ready to explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento.
Entering The West Gate V
We entered the site through Gate V which was the “Sacred Gate” of the former city of Akragas. It was a good example of military architecture for that period. The gate was backed into the walls. This created a funnel which helped with the defence of the city.
We entered the part of the old city that was dedicated to Demeter and her daughter Persephone (or Kore). These goddesses were linked to earth fertility and the agriculture cycle (the Chthonic Deities). The first thing we saw was the Temple of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux). Today only four of the original 34 columns stand in the ruins. This became the symbol of the city of Agrigento.
We wandered to the edge and looked out over the garden of Kolymbetra. Entrance to this part of the site was an additional nominal cost that we did not pay. The botanical wealth of Kolymbetra included five distinct areas of vegetation. Over the garden we saw the city of Agrigento.
Heading towards the temples we saw in the distance, we passed the remnants of what was once the vast complex of altars and small buildings known as the Sanctuary of the Chthonic Gods.
Teased at the entrance, we were excited to move on to explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento.
The Temple of Hercules Drew Us Further Into The Site
We found the Temple of Heracles (Hercules). Only 8 of the original 38 Doric columns remained. The columns were reconstructed in the 20th century from the original components found in the area. We learned that the temple originally contained a bronze statue of the hero Hercules.
Our stop at the Temple of Heracles only made us want to explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento even more.
The Stunning Temple of Concordia At The Valley Of Temples In Agrigento
We continued our walk along the Via Sacra. And we were amazed when we got our first view of the Temple of Concordia.
This temple was built around the 5th century and was transformed into a sacred building in the 6th century. There is no certainty about the god to whom it was dedicated. The name “Concordia” comes from a Latin inscription found in the vicinity of the temple.
This is the best preserved of all the temples at this site. And along with the Parthenon, it is the best preserved Doric temple in the world. We walked around and admired this temple from all sides.
On one side we found the Statue of Icarus lying on his side. The statue represented the fall of Icarus. When he disobeyed his father, he flew too close to the sun, burnt his wax wings and fell into the Mediterranean. The was one of the most popular spots for selfies in the Valley of Temples.
The Temple of Concordia alone was worth a visit to explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento.
Walking Along The Roman Temple Wall To The Temple Of Juno
From the Temple of Concordia we continued along the Via Sacra and slowly passed by the Roman Temple Wall. We were a bit perplexed when we saw two headless statues along the wall.
As we continued we got our first view of the Temple of Juno in the distance. The wall looked like it had caves or recesses in the weathered rock.
We got close and saw the Temple of Juno high on the hill. This was the sight we got as we approached from the highway. This temple was originally dedicated to the Greek God Hera and later to the Roman God Juno.
David climbed the hill while I walked around to the other side and climbed the stairs. We reached the summit and got a stunning view of what has been preserved of this site.
With this spot high on the hill, we saw clear back to the Temple of Concordia on one side. And on the other we saw Agrigento in the distance.
We walked for over 2 hours to reach this point by the west entrance. We turned around and headed back. But we were not yet finished our visit to explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento.
Finishing Up In The Ruins Of The Temple Of Zeus
We took that path that took us past the huge heap of ruins that was once the Temple of Olympian Zeus (Jupiter). This was originally built to thank the god Zeus for the 480 BC victory of the Agrigentines over the Carthaginians.
When the Temple of Zeus was built, it was the largest Doric temple ever built. Between the columns, it had giant statues (7.61 metres high) called Telamons or Atlantes. Only pieces of the temple remain scattered around the site. A covered display area contained a few preserved pieces.
We were sure that the Temple of Zeus was once a magnificent site. It was a reminder of the destructive power of time. And a sobering note to end our trip to explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento.
A Few Tips For Your Visit The Valley Of Temples In Agrigento
There were a few things we wish we knew when we planned our visit to explore the Valley of Temples. Hopefully these tips will help prepare you for a visit.
Understand The Ticket Options
Tickets were available to buy in advance. But we drove and were not sure when we might arrive or how long we wanted to stay. So we were not prepared to buy tickets in advance. Luckily there was no line when we arrived just after opening.
We learned there were tickets for different things and different groupings of activities to buy. There was also an option to buy a ticket with a tour guide. For this visit, we explored only the main part of the Valley of Temples.
Little Shade
It was very sunny and hot with little shade when we visited.
Wear light clothes, a hat and bring water to cool you down a little.
Plan Your Entrance – East Or West
The park is split across two zones. There is parking at both entrances. But when we parked at one end, we walked a complete circle route to get back to our car. This does double the walking.
Large Area To Walk
It was a long walk around the Valley of Temples. When we walked from the West entrance, the walk was mostly uphill. Wear good walking shoes and make sure you can do the walk uphill.
We saw taxis outside and a shuttle available that took people between the two entrances. When we finally reached the Temple of Juno, we understood the transportation was provided so people did not have to walk a complete route and could be returned to cars parked at the other entrance. And indeed this could mean no uphill walk!
Plan To Take A Break
You can bring a picnic lunch. And we saw food stalls at the parking entrance. But there were also two food stops about midway along the Via Sacra.
We stopped at the Cafe Ristoro Acrosoli and got take out food. But close to the Temple of Concordia, we saw the signs for the Casa Barbadoro Diodoros. This restaurant offered a variety of food and wine experiences to discover Diodoros products. There were gourmet tastings of products grown right in the Park and interesting narration by local experts.
A Great Visit To The Valley Of Temples In Agrigento In Sicily
We were so glad we planned a day trip to explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento. When we originally planned our trip to Sicily, we considered staying in Agrigento. But we ultimately chose a stay in Sciacca by the sea. But a visit to the Valley of Temples was something we did not want to miss.
We enjoyed wandering through the ancient ruins. But sadly missed the Regional Archaeological Museum “Pietro Griffo” in Agrigento. This was considered one of the most important and visited archaeological museums in Sicily. It would definitely be on a plan for a return visit to see all that came from the excavations done at this site.
After we left the Valley of Temples we drove along the coast on our way back to Sciacca. It was the perfect end to our day on this visit to Sicily.
Did you explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento? Did you visit the museum and other ruins around Agrigento?
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We loved our visit to the Temples in Agrigento. I’d second your recommendation on taking a break. We took one of our breaks in the Gardens of Kolymbetro. Shady, and they had food samples and products to enjoy as well.
We were definitely glad we planned a day at the Valley of Temples. We were prepared for the walk and the heat but many may not be. Sorry we missed the Gardens of Kolymbetro.
This site is simply stunning! Great pictures. I love places like this, so filled with history. They’re always highlights of a trip.
I am always amazed when we find Greek and Romans around the world on our travels. The Valley of Templese in Sicily was definitely worth exploring.
Your visit to the Valley of Temples sounds absolutely incredible! I love how you captured the history and significance of the site—it’s fascinating to learn about the Greek and Roman influences in Sicily. The scenic drive from Sciacca to Agrigento must have been stunning, especially with those ancient ruins coming into view. I can’t wait to explore this UNESCO gem myself one day!
Sciacca was a great base and an easy drive to the Valley of Temples. Lots to see along the way and that preview of the temples did get us excited.
I think I get why the Statue of Icarus, a handsome naughty dude, became the most popular spot for selfies. Lol. But I wonder why the Temple of the Dioscuri became the symbol of Agrigento instead of the Temple of Concordia. Maybe because it looks unique with its four columns?
There was a lot more history to this site that I found after we visited. But we sure did love that the Valley of Temples was in such great shape to give us some idea of how vast this area once was.
I’m embarrassed to say I had never heard of this, but it is now on my bucket list. This looks like a stunning day out and a wonderful way to explore ancient European history.
We were glad we did our research and learned about the Valley of Temples in Agrigento before we got to Sicily. They were definitely on our travel itinerary.
Wow this looks so beautiful! I’d love to visit sometime. Thanks for the tips as well, the different ticket options can be confusing so good to know there’s lots of different combinations possible.
It was great to visit the Valley of the Temples. If we had more time we might have considered a multiple site ticket. But the ruins were stunning to wander.
I LOVE history travel! Such an amazing place, the “cradle” of civilization, Sicily is definitely on my bucket list (have not got this far south in Italy yet!)
I would heartily recommend Sicily. We were there for 5 weeks and loved the whole trip. So much amazing history. And we loved the chance to explore the Valley of Temples.
I am going to Sicily in Septemeber and still ironing out the details. Will add the Valley of the Temples to the list! Thank you!
I am glad the timing was good for this post to help you with your Sicily planning. We were glad we added the Valley of Temples by Agrigento to our itinerary.
Wow. What a great write. The older I get, the more I love history. Thanks for sharing. izzy
We are fascinated when we find Greek and Roman ruins around the world. The Valley of Temples was a real historical treat in Sicily.
I visited last September. I thought I was in Greece. This is truly an incredible ruin to visit.
We too were quite amazed when we saw the Valley of Temples in Agrigento in Sicily. Definitely an amazing site to visit.
I really didn’t know much about this site at all. Apart from seeing photos of the Icarus statue. We must visit this when we are in Sicily.
The site was much bigger than we expected when we planned our visit. It was amazing to see how well preserved many of the ruins were. Definitely glad we visited the Valley of Temples when we were in Sicily.
I have never been to the Valley of Temples in Agrigento in Sicily, but it is on my list. It certainly looks beautiful.
Glad to add the Valley of Temples in Agrigento to your travel wish list. We were sure glad we visited!.
Hello! The place looks amazing! I think many tourists don’t even know that Sicily can boast not only spacious beaches, but such a huge cultural Heritage!
We visite Sicily for 5 weeks and were amazed at the variety of sights we found. And the ruins at the Valley of Temples were amazing. A great reason to head to Agrigento.
This looks amazing. As I was reading and looking at your photos I was thinking about how hot is must be. Then got to your tips about the lack of shade and taking water. Also great point about taking a break.
It was indeed very hot. We were glad we were prepared and planned to move at our own pace as we explored the Valley of Temples.
I’m in Turkey right now so seeing your post gives me an instant connection as I was just in Ephesus yesterday. The preservation of these historical sites is amazing!
The preservation of these historical sites around the world really is amazing. Ephesus was fascinating when we visited. The Greek and Roman history we learned about on our visit to the Valley of Temples in Agrigento was a bit eye opening.
I love ancient ruins and Sicily is high on my bucket list! Exploring one of the largest archaeological sites in the world is def worth a day trip!
I hope you do get to visit the Valley of Temples when you get to Sicily. Well worth a day trip!
I was there during covid times and I love how they preserved the ruins. I agree that it’s best to equip yourself with the heat during the summer months as it’s open. Sicily in general is a region worth exploring. Thanks for sharing.
Sicily was such a lovely surprise. We loved the variety of things we found to see and do. And a visit to the Valley of Temples in Agrigento was well worth a day trip.
Your exploration of the Valley of Temples in Agrigento, Sicily, sounds like an unforgettable experience! The details you shared about the ancient Greek and Roman architecture, combined with the stunning views of the temples, really bring the history of the place to life. The tips at the end, especially about the ticket options and the need for shade, are also very helpful for future visitors. It’s incredible how much history and beauty can be packed into one site. Thank you for sharing this!
I am glad you found this guide to the Valley of Temples in Agrigento helpful. We were sure glad we visited on our trip to Sicily.
You are who I want to be when we retire! So much travelling. And we love Sicily!
We were definitely glad we got to visit the Valley of Temples on our visit to Sicily. We too loved this travel destination.
We absolutely loved the valley of temples when we visited Sicily and this is making us want to go back. My husband loves history but I was there for climbing and we rushed our visit. I think we will stay in the same place you mention (Sciacca) next time. We went in December which was perfect temperature wise, but you are right about being no shade. We still got sun burnt. I wish we had read this before and knew how big the area was and how much there was to see. We would have made sure we had the energy to stay and take our time.
We were glad we stayed in Sciacca (blog post in draft). It was an easy drive to get to the Valley of the Temples and explore other things along the way. Well worth at least half a day. And being prepared will help.
This was one of the most incredible places I’ve visited. In general, Sicily is such a stunning part of Italy to explore, but for people who have a passion for history, especially ancient history, Agrigento is a must-see. Walking through the grounds feels absolutely magical, like being transported back in time.
We were definitely glad we visited the Valley of Temples in Sicily. So much history did indeed transport us back in time.
This!!!! I had booked a ticket to Sicily, esp. to go here. Unfortunately, something else came up and I was unable to go… Too bad I missed the Athens of Sicily! I love how it stands impressive over the hill, just like in Athens. It is indeed one of the older constructions, of the Doric times. It looks so raw & majestic! Good to know that the day tours included trips to see the mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale. I was really worried that I’m going to miss it as I couldn’t find any public transport on Google Maps. Now that I know, I’ll make sure to take one of those tours.
I am so sorry you missed getting to visit the Valley of Temples in Sicily. It is definitely worth a visit. And glad to have helped you to plan for when you do get to visit.
As you know, we love visiting archaeological sites too, and we haven’t been to Sicily yet. Thanks so much for the detailed report and the gorgeous pictures! I’m definitely saving this for when we plan our Sicily trip!
I am sure you guys would love to visit the Valley of Temples. Plan a little longer time than we did to see all the spots.
The Temple of Concordia looks so cool, wow! I lived in Sicily and somehow during my 6 months didn’t get a chance to visit this area but I heard such lovely things from fellow international students. Thanks for including that tickets can be bought in advance.
I hope you do get to visit the Valley of Temples. We were sure glad we added it to our Sicily agenda.
Sicily is one place I am yet to discover properly. The Temple complex loos very interesting and similar to many others I have visited around Europe, but somehow at a much larger scale. The Temple of Concordia looks so well preserved, especially compared to the temple of Zeus, where you have to let your imagination go wild to imagine how it used to look like.
We were amazed at how much ruins remained in good shape. The Valley of Temples is worth a visit when you finally get to Sicily.
Wow! This is definitely a must-visit. It would be nice to explore these structures up close. By the way, I thought the statue of Icarus was out of place. I had no idea this was intentional. I get why this is a popular spot for selfies.
Icarus definitely drew the selfies! A very different spot to visit in Sicily for sure.
Well this is going on my Italian bucket list!! I’m going to Italy next year and cannot wait, have been debating Scilly and now really want to go as I love history and these temples are incredible
Laura x
I am sure you will love Sicily if you visit. So many different kind of sights to visit. And the Valley of Temples was such a unique spot.