Agrigento is a small pearl of southern Sicily , cradle of Magna Graecia for its vast historical and archaeological heritage of ancient Akragas. It is the ideal destination for lovers of history and culture , a journey into the past among the ancient churches of the historic center and the Doric temples of the Valley of the Temples for a peaceful holiday where there is no shortage of crystal clear sea and excellent local cuisine .
What to see in Agrigento
1 – Valley of the Temples
Photo by Michal Osmenda. The Valley of the Temples holds the record for the largest archaeological area in the world. Inserted in 1998 in the World Heritage Sites by Unesco, it consists of the ruins of Akragas, an ancient city of Magna Graecia which constitutes the original nucleus of Agrigento. Inside the valley , twelve Doric temples are preserved ; the temple of Concordia and the best preserved of the whole site, thanks also to its reuse as a Christian temple. Of considerable importance follow the temple of Hercules, the first to be built in Akragas, the Temple of Zeus, which at the time of its construction was the largest in the whole West, and the temple of Juno, burned during an invasion. Carthaginian.
We advise you to visit the Valley of the Temples during opening hours or in the last hours before closing to avoid the hottest and most crowded hours.
SEE ALSO : Valley of the Temples: how to get there, prices and advice
Wear comfortable shoes to tackle the rough terrain of the area, bring water and a hat with you to protect yourself from the sun given the long duration of the visit (at least two hours). We also recommend that you try the guided E-scooter tour in the Valley of the Temples.
If you visit Agrigento in the months of July and August, we recommend an evening visit around sunset time, a truly suggestive sight! All the info on the official website.
- How to get there: from piazza Rosselli bus lines 1, 2 and 3. By car, parking is available at a fixed cost of € 3.00 for the whole day – Get directions
- Hours: every day 8: 30-19: 00
- Ticket price: full € 10.00, reduced € 5.00 (under 25), free under 18
2 – Giardino della Kolymbetra
Photo by fab .. In the heart of the Valley of the Temples , in a small valley, stands the Garden of Kolymbethra, an archaeological area where history and nature merge . It takes its name from the kolymbethra, a pool created by conveying the water that exuded from the porous stone. The space was born as a vacation spot for the tyrants of Akgragas and a meeting point for citizens. Today it is cared for by the FAI after having been in a state of decay for years, and houses a Mediterranean garden with citrus, pistachio and almond trees . It is advisable to visit it in the late morning, after visiting the nearby Temples, to rest in the shade of its shrubs and visit the Temple of Hephaestusand the ancient hypogea.
The use of comfortable shoes is recommended. People with reduced mobility can make a partial tour of the area, but advance booking is required. If you are here in spring, this is the perfect time to visit, as you can also witness the spectacle of almond trees in bloom.
- Hours: closed in January. In the summer months we recommend (July and August) it is open from 9:30 to 19:30. For the details of the timetables it is possible to consult the FAI website
- Ticket price: full € 6.00, for the hypogea € 10.00, cumulative € 15.00. Reductions and free on the official website
3 – Archaeological Museum
Photo by poudou99. The archaeological museum of Agrigento was founded in the 60s where the ancient agora of Akragas stood, and the sequel used the villa of Ciantro Panittieri as its seat. It is one of the most visited museums in Sicily and exhibits over 5,600 artifacts connected to the Valley of the Temples and beyond , covering a time span that goes from prehistoric times to the Greco-Roman era. The museum is divided into two sections: the first is dedicated to ancient Agrigento, while the second to the territories of the province of Agrigento and Caltanissetta, in particular at the time before the Greek settlement.
It is advisable to visit the museum at the same time as the Valley of the Temples, to have a complete picture of the Hellenic historical period and the provenance of the finds.
It is advisable to buy the combined ticket for access to the Valley and the museum, for a total cost of € 13.50 full (with a saving of € 4.50) and € 7.00 reduced.
- How to get there: from piazza Rosselli bus lines 1, 2 and 3. By car, parking is available at a fixed cost of € 3.00 for the whole day – Get directions
- Hours: Mon-Sat 9: 00-19: 30, Sunday and holidays 9: 00-13: 30
- Ticket price: full € 8.00, reduced € 4.00 for young people between 18 and 25 years old
4 – Beach of San Leone
The beach of San Leone is a few km from the center of Agrigento , and is the reference beach for the people of Agrigento. The beach adapts to the needs of all types of travelers: it is equipped with tennis and volleyball courts for the more sporty, playgrounds for children and numerous bars and clubs for young people looking for cocktails and music at all hours .
The golden beach and the crystalline water will make you want to dedicate at least a full day to the Lido di San Leone, whether you are a surf type or a lounger on the water’s edge.
5 – Monastery of the Holy Spirit
Photo of Mboesch. The monastery of the Holy Spirit is located in the historic center of Agrigento. Built during the Middle Ages, in the thirteenth century, the monastery was the home of the Benedictine nuns until the mid-nineteenth century , when the monastery was transformed into an orphanage. Later the monastery also had other functions , first as a canteen for the poor and later as a warehouse for weapons during the Second World War. From the postwar period until today, the monastery has become a civic museum, under the guidance of the Benedictine nuns themselves . Do not miss to taste the homemade almond cakes, made directly by the nuns: they are an excellent souvenir!
We suggest you visit the monastery in the late afternoon to avoid the crowds and especially to take advantage of the nuns’ handmade sweets for the afternoon snack.
- How to get there: on foot – Get directions
- Hours: Mon-Fri 9: 00-13: 00 and 15: 00-18: 00. Saturday 9: 00-13: 00
- Ticket price: free admission, but the nuns usually ask for a small donation to visit the monastery or museum exhibition
6 – Luigi Pirandello house-museum
Agrigento was the homeland of Luigi Pirandello , one of the greatest Italian playwrights and poets, winner of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1934 . A few kilometers from the city center it is possible to visit his birthplace, now converted into a museum. The structure dates back to the end of the eighteenth century, and suffered serious damage during the Second World War due to the explosion of a nearby ammunition depot. The ground floor of the house-museum periodically hosts temporary exhibitions dedicated to Pirandello , while the upper floor displays first editions of his works by him, photographs, manuscripts and personal objects of the author.
It is advisable to schedule the museum in the late morning or afternoon, as the visit to the author’s tomb can be done up to one hour before sunset
- How to get there: it is located in a country district outside the city center. The best way to reach it is by car, along the state road 115 in the direction of Villaseta – Get directions
- Hours: Mon-Sat 9: 00-19: 30, Sunday and holidays early closing at 13:00
- Ticket cost: full € 4.00; reduced € 2.00
7 – Cathedral of San Gerlando
Photo by Mboesch. The Cathedral of San Gerlando is dedicated to the patron saint of Agrigento and is the largest church in the city . As often happens, the building was built on the remains of previous places of worship: in this case the temple of Athena Lindia and Zeus Atabyrios, from the Greek era. Subsequently there are traces of Roman catacombs between the 2nd and 3rd centuries, up to the construction of the church in the Byzantine era with the characteristic plant in the shape of a Latin cross. Visit the church at a time free from functions to avoid disturbing the faithful , and pay attention to a particular acoustic phenomenon: speaking in a low voice at the entrance of the cathedral, in fact, the voice is transmitted up to the apse.
It is advisable to visit the cathedral before lunch, as the church is located at the top of a steep climb. As this is a place of worship, it is recommended to silence cell phones and wear appropriate clothing.
- How to get there: on foot – Get directions. The nearest bus stop is in Piazza Plebis Rea (line 1), five minutes away
- Hours: Tue-Sun 10: 00-13: 30 and 15: 30-19: 00
- Ticket price: free cathedral, tower € 3.00
8 – Porta di Ponte
Porta di Ponte was the most important gate for accessing the medieval city , consisting of a drawbridge and surmounted by a Gothic arch bearing the Aragonese coat of arms of King Frederick III. The gate was destroyed in 1868 and rebuilt in a neoclassical style, without the arch, as it still appears today. The door constitutes the access to what is now via Atenea, the main street of the historic center of Agrigento .
The current door project was carried out by Raffaello Politi. Two testimonies of the original door remain in the form of a drawing from the 1820s.
9 – Scala dei Turchi
About 13 km from Agrigento, in Realmonte, the Scala dei Turchi eone of the most photographed places in all of Sicily , thanks to its incredible shape with soft lines and its pure white color.
It is a huge white marl cliff that slopes like a grand staircase towards the blue sea, shining under the sun thanks to its white color. It is composed of clayey and limestone sedimentary rock, and between the steps of this staircase you can sit down to sunbathe and take incredible photos.
Its name derives from the raids of the Saracen pirates (apostrophized as “Turks”), who landed in these shores took advantage of the ladder conformation to climb up to the center and plunder.
It is advisable to stop in the paid parking lots (Parking Scala dei Turchi, Get directions – from € 5.00 per day) and get off from one of the beaches and then reach La Scala.
SEE ALSO : Scala dei Turchi: info, pictures and how to get there
Make sure you have rubber shoes with you to avoid slipping on the rock! Furthermore, the actual beach is a small strip of sand between the cliff and the sea, not equipped, therefore it is not the best for families with children. If you prefer sandy beaches, reach Capo Rosso, near the Scala dei Turchi, in the municipality of Realmonte, ideal for a swim in peace and for photography lovers.
10 – Eraclea Minoa and Torre Salsa
Photo by Tiberio Frascari. Today’s town of Cattolica Eraclea hosts the remains of Eraclea Minoa, a city of Magna Graecia founded by the Selinuntini in the sixth century BC. It is about 44 km from Agrigento.
Not far away, the Torre Salsa Nature Reserve is a protected natural area currently managed by the WWF . The coast extends for about 6 km and is home to various species of birds, ideal for birdwatchers. Behind the coast a pine forest allows you to find refreshment from the sun and sit down for picnics.
One day itinerary in Agrigento
We start with an early morning walk in the historic center , to visit the Monastery of the Holy Spirit and the Cathedral of San Gerlando.Take a photo on the Scalinata degli Artisti : this is the most colorful staircase in Agrigento, where the steps have been painted and decorated with writings and drawings. This small work of art has also been included among the most colorful stairs in the world! Not to be missed!
After an hour, reaching the Scala dei Turchi , to treat yourself to a morning of sea and super instagrammable photos.
After a packed lunch break, take it easy and go to Pirandello’s birthplace . No later than 4.30pm you will reach the Valley of the Temples . To optimize time, we recommend that you try the guided E-scooter tour. If you manage to hurry, you can also stop at the Kolymbetra Gardenat the end of the path inside the Valley, which closes half an hour later, at 19:30 (the entrance ticket must be paid separately, € 6.00).
Finally, end the day in San Leone , on the coast, a real point of the Agringento nightlife, with restaurants, clubs and discos.
One day itinerary at a glance
- Old Town
- Scala dei Turchi
- Birthplace of Pirandello – opening hours: 9: 00-19: 30, Sunday closing at 13:00 – ticket price: full € 4.00; reduced € 2.00
- Valley of the Temples – opening hours: 8: 30-19: 00 – ticket price: full € 10.00, reduced to € 5.00
- Kolymbetra Garden – opening hours: 8: 30-19: 30 – ticket price: from € 6.00
- San Leone
Where to eat in Agrigento
- Sicilian : ideal for Sicilian street food and typical traditional dishes. You can sit at the tables or order food and eat it on the street
Average price per person: € 8.00
Address and contacts: via Pirandello 21 (Get directions) / tel: 0922 1881799 - La Posata di Federico II : intimate setting, typical Sicilian cuisine with elegant and original dishes. Try the red prawns with colonnata lard
Average price per person: € 35.00
Address and contacts: piazza Cavour, 19 (Get directions) / tel: 0922 28289 - La Terrazza degli Dei : incredible location overlooking the illuminated Temple of Concord. Elegant, exclusive, certainly not cheap but ideal for indulging in a royal dinner.
Average price per person: € 60.00
Address and contacts: Via Passeggiata Archeologica 33 (Get directions) / tel 0922 596288 - Akropolis : Original Sicilian specialties in an elegant location with designer furnishings and views of the Valley of the Temples.
Average price per person: € 35.00
Address and contacts: Via Francesco Petrarca, 30/35 (Get directions) / tel 0922 402861 - Il Re di Girgenti : traditional gourmet dishes in a location with a magical view of the temples
Average price per person: € 45.00
Address and contacts: Via Panoramica Valle dei Templi, 51 (Get directions) / tel 0922 401388
SEE ALSO : 10 Things to eat in Agrigento and where
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and best clubs
The Agrigento nightlife is concentrated mostly on the coast , in the town of San Leone. Here the promenade is dotted with numerous bars offering aperitifs, cocktails and live music until late at night, while in the city center the atmosphere is quieter , and the evenings are enlivened by pubs and wine bars.
- Noctis Disco Club : the most popular nightclub in the province, in Villaggio Mose. The ideal place for a party night. It is 15 minutes by car from the center of Agrigento (8km).
Address: via Parco degli Angeli (Get directions) – Tel 0922606277 - Construction site 12.25 : the place par excellence where young people from the city meet in the center, where they can drink wine and beer at reduced costs. You can easily reach it on foot.
Address: via Neve 10 (Get directions) – Tel 3349353697 - ‘Nzolia : refined wine bar for quality aperitifs with excellent wine, meats and cheeses. Easily reachable on foot from Via Atenea, which is 450 meters away.
Address: piazzetta San Calogero (Get directions) – Tel 0922054447 - Aquaselz cafe : elegant and modern lounge bar in San Leone, where you can drink excellent cocktails and dance until late at night, especially suitable for young people. It can be easily reached by car from the center of Agrigento in 15 minutes.
Address: Lungomare Falcone e Borsellino (Get directions) – tel 0922081225 - Boca Club : a recently opened club that has rightfully entered the nightlife trends of the area for its themed parties and attention to detail. It is located in the locality of San Leone, and can be reached by car in a quarter of an hour.
Address: Piazzale Luigi Giglia (Get directions) – Tel0922414646
Plan your stay in Agrigento: info and useful tips
Although it is a very popular tourist destination in the summer , the province of Agrigento maintains competitive prices compared to other destinations in Western Sicily, with rooms from € 45.00 per night and dinners with grills of fish from € 15.00 per person . Tickets to access the areas of interest have an average cost of € 12.00, but you can save money by taking advantage of the combined tickets for most of the attractions in the area.
- How to get there: Agrigento and equidistant from the 3 main airports. It is in fact 2 hours from the Falcone Borsellino of Palermo, from that of Trapani and from the Fontanarossa of Catania. It can be reached by bus or rental car (recommended)
- How to get around: the city can be easily explored on foot but a car is recommended to move around and reach the Valley of the Temples
- Where to park : the main attractions, both the Valley of the Temples and for example the Scala dei Turchi, have paid parking lots. We do not recommend parking in unmarked areas for parking.
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 45.00 per room – compare the offers on Booking
- What to see in the surrounding area : Scala dei Turchi (13 km), Eraclea Minoa (35 km), Torre Salsa (20 km), Sciacca (65 km)
