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Latest update: 15 June 2025
The Greeks saw centuries ago how beautiful Sicily’s southern coast is. They built the Valley of the Temples there, near Agrigento. Valle dei Templi is now pretty much Sicily’s most important attraction. So come check it out.
Journey to the past in Valle dei Templi
According to Greek myth, Daedalus and his son Icarus founded Agrigento. What’s true about such a myth can’t be verified anymore. Historians believe that Akragas, the Greek city located on the site where you now find Agrigento’s temple valley, dates back to 580 BC.
The archaeological park Valle dei Templi is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. What you can see there now are ‘merely’ the remains of what was once the world’s fourth-largest city. Several temples are still well-preserved; in other places, I mainly see chunks of stone, and my imagination really fails me there.
Best-preserved Doric temples outside Greece
Uh, Doric temples? Yes, that’s a specific architectural style where the columns have no base, and on top, there’s a square plate on top of a round ‘cushion’. You’ll find these in Valle dei Templi, and they’re the best-preserved Doric temples outside Greece.
Unfortunately, I know very little about Greek antiquity. I had hoped to change that in Agrigento, but the information signs are limited and lengthy. So I give up and just enjoy what I see.
Poet and philosopher Empedocles (don’t worry, I had to Google him too) lived in Akragas at that time and said about the inhabitants that they ‘feast as if they’ll die tomorrow and build as if they have eternal life.’ You can’t see much of those feasts in today’s Valle dei Templi, but you certainly can see the passion for building.
The route along the temples
Everything basically speaks for itself when you enter. There’s a walking route laid out that’s very doable. There are some uneven parts, but there’s also a paved road on the side. A little train runs at set times, too, but if you’re mobile, you don’t need it.
The route takes you past the nine remaining columns of the Temple of Heracles – there used to be 38. Here, you can also see clearly what a Doric column is. You can see more of the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Concordia, while the Temple of Zeus requires quite a lot of imagination.
Visiting Valle dei Templi in Sicily: tickets, parking and time
The Valley of the Temples is arguably Sicily’s most important historical attraction and draws a large number of people. You can go there on your own and buy a ticket at the box office. That’s what we do, and we spend about 1.5 hours on the site. We combine it with a visit to nearby Scala dei Turchi, by the way.
If you also want to learn something from your visit, it’s a good idea to go with a guide or audio tour. But pay close attention to prices. I pay €15 ($16) at the box office for entry, and an audio guide costs €5 ($5.50) there. Sometimes, booking in advance can work out cheaper, but not always. So always check current prices.
We enter the temple complex at Tempio de Gionone. You park right next to the box office: Google Maps location. You can also go to the Porta V entrance: Google Maps location.
It’s paid parking at both parking lots, and the cost is €2 ($2.20) per car.
I’m in Sicily in the off-season and it’s still pretty busy with visitors. Because it’s such a large temple complex, it’s fairly easy to find space. However, I can imagine that in high season, it’s unbearable crowds. So then I’d definitely make sure you go either very early or very late. Which is also more convenient with the heat. There’s hardly any shade, so bring enough water! Or go chill in the small strip of shade with the street dogs…
More Sicily travel inspiration
Useful links for your Sicily trip
- Accommodation. Always handy is Booking.com. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. Book the best tours and activities at GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator. Book “free” walking tours at Freetour or GuruWalk , and for bike tours, Baja Bikes.
- Attractions and museums. For 5% off museums and attractions, use discount code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Car rental. Compare prices and insurance coverage at DiscoverCars and Rentalcars.com.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Definitely Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Guide books. I love the practical guides by Lonely Planet, for sale at Bol.com and Amazon.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Start your search at Expedia or CheapOair.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high phone and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Yoga retreat. Or join a yoga retreat in Sicily.
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