The Valley of the Temples is a magical place.

Perched on a set of hills overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, is a sanctuary of history and cultural heritage that plays with the imagination. Here, in the Southern corner of Sicily, lies one of the most mesmerizing collection of ancient Greek temples found anywhere in the world.

Ancient Greek settlers inhabited the coasts of Spain, Southern Italy, and Sicily as part of their manifest destiny of establishing Magna Graecia, or greater Greece. Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples quickly became one of the most prominent sea colonies in Magna Graecia.

Although the Greeks are long gone from Sicily, the testament of their architecture and ambition remain. The timeless orange and amber temples stretching among hundred-year old olive trees, native plants, and cacti attest to the Greek Golden age on Sicily. Many equate these temples in importance and grandeur to the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens.

My guide contains everything you need to know before visiting the Valley of the Temples. I’ve also included personal tips and insight for making the most of your time exploring these storied hills. I hope you come to cherish the Valley of the Temples as much as I did.

Valley of the Temples Essentials

• Located in Agrigento, Southwestern Sicily  
• Unesco World Heritage Site including eight ancient Greek temples and ruins
• Regular tickets cost €10-€12 per person (see ticket section for deals)
• Average time needed to visit 2-4 hours; recommended 2 days
• Prepare to walk between 2-3 miles to see all the temples

History of Valley of the Temples – It’s All Greek to Everyone

As a half Greek American, I was amazed at the presence of Greek Temples along the coast of Southern Sicily. Surprisingly, this area was part of the region in the Mediterranean Sea called Magna Graecia (Greater Greece) and included Sicily and the south of the Italian Peninsula.

Akragas, modern Agrigento, quickly emerged as one of the most powerful and prosperous colonies in the ancient Greek speaking world. The lush and serene port city was renowned for its art, culture, and majestic temples dedicated to the Greek gods.

Greek Temples with a Sicilian Flare

The Greek settlers used all of their techniques and styles from the mainland to decorate and adorn their new home. But unlike the imposing Parthenon of the Acropolis in Athens which was made of marble, the Valley of the Temples were built out of local sandstone called calcarenite. The gold-orangish color among the dense Mediterranean plants and olive trees give these soaring temples a distinctive feel from what the Greeks had built before. Using material that was indigenous to the area complemented the surrounding landscape. Indeed, the most magical time to be at Valley of the Temples is at sunset and sunrise, when the Mediterranean light casts the temples into different shades of orange and amber. Additionally, it’s when the temples have the fewest tourists.

Eventually Agrigento was conquered by the Carthaginians and then the Romans. All of the temples were renamed with the Roman god’s new and flashy Latin titles. The port city and the temples gradually diminished in importance. Many of the temples became churches with the rise of Christianity and Byzantine rule on Sicily. Because of this, many ruins were preserved and protected from complete abandonment (most notably Temple Concordia).

Interest in the Valley of the Temples increased during the Renaissance, when classical buildings and styles became important again in Italy. Moreover, efforts in the modern age resulted in the Valley of the Temples becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

How long do you need at Valley of the Temples

How much time you dedicate to exploring the Valley of the Temples depends on the objectives of your trip to Sicily. Most people can see the entire archeological site and all the temples in 2-3 hours.

However, I personally recommend spending at least 2 full days exploring the Valley of the Temples and the surrounding area. This will allow you time to go at sunrise when the sun casts early morning colors on the temple and at sunset. In the afternoon, as the sun starts to disappear over the Mediterranean Sea, the ruins become illuminated by soft orange lights. Personally, visiting the Valley of the Temples was one of my highlights of my trip to Sicily. I thought it was worth it to spend more time here on my trip. You can also go to some of the nearby beaches which are some of the best in Sicily.

Spending two days at the Valley of the Temples will also alow you ample time to visit the Scala Dei Turchi, which I discuss at the end of this blog.

Is it possible to do a day trip to the Valley of the Temples

Yes, it’s possible to take a day trip to the Valley of the Temples. Most people need 2-3 hours to see the highlights, leaving plenty of time to see the site.

If you are planning to do a day trip, I recommend leaving early. This will help to maximize your time exploring the ancient ruins and temples.

While a day trip to the Valley of the Temples is possible on paper, it may feel overwhelming. Furthermore, you may feel like the majority of your day is being spent getting to and from Agrigento and not actually exploring the temples.

Valley of the Temples Opening Times

The valley of the Temples is open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. There are extended evening hours during summer.

Getting to Valley of the Temples

There are several ways to get to the Valley of the Temples.

Car

The easiest and fastest way to get to the Valley of the Temple is by car. I rented a car on my weeklong road trip to Sicily. Renting a car in Sicily gave me the flexibility to explore and venture off the beaten path. I recommend renting a car so you can explore the surrounding area or visit one of the phenomenal golden beaches nearby.

It takes 2 hours to get to the Valley of the Temples from Palermo and 3 hours from Catania. Also, there are free and paid parking options available.

I have included everything you need to know about driving in Sicily in my blog documenting my Sicilian road trip.

// Road Trip Sicily Guide and Itinerary (COMING SOON)

Buses

There are public busses that run from Palermo and Catania to Agrigento. You can see schedules and pre purchase your tickets below.

• Palermo Bus providers include SAIS Autolinee and Autoservizi Cuffaro
• Catania Bus providers include SAIS Autolinee, FlixBus, and Itabus

Trains

Another option is to take the train to Agrigento. You can check the train schedules here.

• Palermo to Agrigento: The ride is usually around 2 hours. There are around 20 train departures to Agrigento per day.
• Catania to Agrigento: It usually takes 5-7 hours to get to Agrigento from Catania by train.

Getting Around Valley of the Temples  

Car

Having a rental car was very beneficial to get around Valley of the Temples and to visit nearby beaches like Scala Dei Turchi.

Walking

If you are staying in Agrigento town, it’s a 30-45 minute walk to the Valley of the Temples entrances. It can be a scenic route to see the temples, rolling hills, and old town. However, it involves an incline on the way back. Keep in mind, this walk can be quite extreme during the hot Sicilian summers.

Taxi / Rideshares

Rideshares, like Uber, are available in Agreigento along with regular taxis.

// Palermo Guide | Travel Itinerary and Review of the Sicilian Capital

Hotel Villa Athena

Staying at the hotel Villa Athena was a more luxurious and immersive way to experience the Valley of the Temples. Original built as an 18th century private villa, Hotel Villa Athena is now the premiere accommodation for travelers looking to get the full experience in the Valley of the Temples.

Patio Garden and Direct Temple Views

The moment I arrived, someone immediately greeted me and parked my car for me. Afterwards, A hotel staff member proceeded to give me a tour of the pristine hotel grounds which includes a pool with direct temple views, a private herb garden where fresh ingredients are used for all the meals, and an outside patio with upfront views of the ruins. The patio garden was the perfect place to truly disconnect under an oversized umbrella surrounded by mature olive and citrus trees under the gaze of the withered orange temples. Enjoying savory margarita pizzas and sweets towers during breakfast while admiring the temples was a truly once in a lifetime experience.

There are two restaurants on the property Federico is an outside patio restaurant and cocktail bar while Terrazza Degli Dei offers Sicilian specialities in a more formal setting. There are also frequent communal dinners in the private garden where guests at the property can meet one another over a home cooked meal. Also, there is a fully functioning spa at the villa.

Sicilian Luxury at the Valley of the Temples

The Hotel Villa Athena is a 5 stay luxury property and is everything you would expect of a boutique Italian hotel. No detail was spared and the feeling of leisure enjoying direct views of the temples was the true definition of luxury. The hotel staff also displayed a level of professionalism and attention to detail and went out of their way to make sure I was having a great stay.

Although rooms can be pricey, staying at the Hotel Villa Athena definitely elevated my experience at the Valley of the Temples. Not only was I able to visit the archaeological site multiple times, but I was able to admire the temples by gazing at the ruins during meals and while enjoying drinks by the pool. The screwdrivers were my favorite while contemplating the beauty of Temple Concordia.

Private Temple Access

Another perk of staying at the Hotel Villa Athena is that the hotel offers a private entrance to the Valley of the Temples. While regular visitors enter through the main points at either the East or West entrance of the archaeological park, hotel guests have an exclusive entry point through an ancient olive grove.

Room Prices

The Hotel Villa Athena is on the pricier end of accommodations in Agrigento. Rooms can range from $300-$1,000 depending on the time of year and type of room you book. The earlier you make your reservation the better prices will be.

Although my room didn’t have a full view of the temples, I was able to see part of Temple Concordia from my patio balcony. Rooms without direct temple views are much more affordable, and since you can see the Valley of the Temples from anywhere in the villa, it seemed like a fair sacrifice.

//Planning a Trip to Italy? Check out all my blogs, itineraries, and inspiration for travel to Sicily or mainland Italy.

Tickets for the Valley of the Temples

Entry tickets cost between €10–€12 for adults depending on the time of year. Children can visit the Valley of the Temples for free and EU adults ages 18-25 can visit for €5–€7.

Additionally, admission is free the first Sunday of the month for all visitors. Understandably, the archaeological site is usually much busier this day.

I recommend getting the ticket that also has access to the museums and Kolymbethra Gardens, which cost between €15–€20.

You can get your tickets for the Valley of the Temples here.

Parking

Parking at the Valley of the Temples cost between €3–€5. You can see parking options in my Google Maps I have included in this blog.

Eastern Vs. Western Zones

The Valley of the Temples is generally split between a Western and Eastern zone to make navigating in the 3,200 acre archaeological park easier.

Eastern Zone

Temple Concordia

The Temple Concordia is one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. Showcasing the iconic Doric style, the Temple Concordia is definitely the most beautiful of the temples.

Also look out for the winged Fallen Statue of Icarus in front of the temple.

Temple of Hera

Just above Temple Concordia is the Temple Hera. Situated on a hilltop, the Temple of Hera overlooks the entire Valley of the Temples, the dense olive groves, and the expansive Mediterranean Sea below. Furthermore, many of the columns show signs of burning, likely from animal sacrifices. The Temple of Hera remains remarkably well preserved.

Temple of Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux)

All that remains of the Temple Dioscuri is a corner of the original foundations. It has become a symbol of Agrigento.

Roman and Byzantine Necropolis

The Roman Necropolis is located between the Temples of Concordia and Hera. It is filled with olive trees and has burial holes that were built into an ancient cistern.

Olive Groves

Directly adjacent to Temple Concordia, across the main road that runs through the Valley of the Temples is an olive grove. There are several paths you can wander and see centuries old olive trees, native plants, and cacti. You may also see some indigenous goats that have long-spiral horns roaming about.

Cafe

Caffetteria Degli Arcosoli is a local cafe within the park. It sells gelato, sandwiches, and Sicilian specialties.

I ordered a double espresso over ice and the employees laughed at me. They were actually very nice and playful about it, but iced coffee is still not super common in Italy.

Western Zone

Temple of Zeus

The Temple of Zeus was the largest of the temples built in Agrigento. It is remarkable to see how the temple has been weathered by time and just how large in scale it would have been.

Temple of Hercules

People say the Temple of Hercules was the first temple built in the valley. Dedicated to the son of Zeus, the Temple of Hercules still has several original Doric columns standing.

Eastern Or Western Entrance – Which is Better

While there are pros and cons of using the Eastern and Western entrances, I believe the Eastern entrance is the best choice for most travelers.

The Eastern Entrance is closest to the best preserved temples of Concordia and Hera and is a downhill walk. If you arrive early enough, you will get to photograph the temples with their higher views with significantly fewer crowds.

The Western Entrance is an uphill walk and takes more time to get to the center of the archaeological park.

Shuttles

You can also use the shuttle which costs between €3–€5 to get from the Eastern to the Western zones of the Valley of the Temples. This way you don’t have to walk back uphill once you have finished exploring the park at the Western zone.

Practical Tips

Below are a couple more tips before you explore the Valley of the Temples

• Visit Early: The early mornings and late afternoons have cooler weather and fewer crowds. It also has the best light for pictures.
• Take the Heat Seriously: Sicily can get brutal in the Summer. Remember to wear airy clothes, take breaks in the shade, and drink lots of water. Also remember to wear sunscreen.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes: A day in the Valley of the Temples is a lot of walking. Make sure to wear shoes you will be comfortable in for a few hours
• Buy tickets in Advance: This will save time waiting in line just to enter.
• Be a Respectful Traveler: The UNESCO-protected archaeological park lacks proper fencing in many areas. Stay on the proper paths and don’t climb or alter the ruins.

// Everything you need to know about Taormina – the Beverly Hills of Italy (COMING SOON)

Scala Dei Turchi – Stairs of the Turks

The Scala Dei Turchi (also known as the Stairs of the Turks) is a limestone cliff formation that projects into the Mediterranean Sea and resembles a large staircase. As one of the island’s top geographic landmarks, it stands out for its various layers of smooth white limestone shaped by the wind and waves. The weathered cliff gracefully meets the sea.

I recommend visiting in the early morning or late afternoon to beat the worst of the crowds. It takes around 20 minutes by car to get to the Stairs of the Turks from the Valley of the Temples.