Agrigento’s headline attraction is the Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples), a UNESCO World Heritage site with some of the best-preserved ancient Greek ruins outside Greece. But the city offers more than temples: a medieval historic centre, nearby natural wonders, and one of Sicily’s best archaeological museums. Most of the key sights cluster within a 5km radius, making Agrigento doable in two full days. Entry fees, opening hours, and practical tips are included for every attraction below. For more details, see our Agrigento weather by month. For more details, see our Agrigento travel guide.
Things to Do in Agrigento: Valley of the Temples
Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples)
The Valley of the Temples is the archaeological remains of Akragas, a Greek colony founded in 582 BC. The site stretches across 1,300 hectares on a ridge overlooking the Mediterranean, making it one of the largest archaeological parks in the world. The entry fee is 12 EUR (10 EUR reduced for EU citizens aged 18-25) and the combined park-plus-museum ticket costs 18 EUR. Opening hours vary by season: 8:30-19:00 daily in summer (last entry 18:00), 8:30-17:00 in winter. The main entrance is at the Temple of Juno end (Porta V on Via Panoramica dei Templi) with a large car park (3 EUR). Allow 3-4 hours to walk the full 2km route. There is also a shuttle bus (3 EUR) that runs between the temples for those who prefer not to walk the entire distance. The site has two cafes near the parking areas but minimal shade on the path itself, so bring water and a hat. For more details, see our best time to visit Agrigento.
Temple of Concordia (Tempio della Concordia)
The Temple of Concordia is the star of the Valley and one of the best-preserved Doric temples in the world. Built around 440-430 BC, it survived because it was converted into a Christian basilica in the 6th century AD. All 34 columns of the peristyle still stand, topped by architraves and parts of the tympanum. The temple measures 39.44 metres by 16.91 metres. It is the centrepiece of the archaeological park and the most photographed monument in Agrigento. The best light for photography is late afternoon when the sandstone glows gold. A life-size bronze statue of Icarus by Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj was installed in front of the temple in 2011 and has become a popular photo spot. For more details, see our Agrigento events and festivals.
Temple of Juno (Tempio di Giunone)
Perched at the eastern end of the ridge, the Temple of Juno (Hera Lacinia) dates to around 450 BC. It sits at the highest point of the archaeological park with sweeping views of the Mediterranean and the rest of the temple ridge. Thirty of the original 34 columns remain standing, some still bearing traces of the fire damage from the Carthaginian sack of 406 BC (visible as reddish discolouration on the stone). It is the first major temple you reach when walking from the eastern Porta V entrance. Sunrise here, with the sea in the background, is one of the best photo opportunities in Sicily. For more details, see our Agrigento neighborhoods guide.
Temple of Hercules (Tempio di Eracle)
The Temple of Hercules is the oldest of the Valley temples, built around 510 BC. Only eight of the original 38 columns stand today, re-erected in the 1920s by English archaeologist Alexander Hardcastle. It was once the second-largest temple at Akragas and dedicated to Hercules, the mythical founder of the city. The fallen column drums scattered around the base give a good sense of the temple’s original scale: 73 metres by 27 metres. This is the first temple you encounter when entering from the western (Porta V car park) side. For more details, see our where to stay in Agrigento.
Temple of Olympian Zeus (Tempio di Zeus Olimpico)
The Temple of Olympian Zeus was built to commemorate the Greek victory over the Carthaginians at the Battle of Himera in 480 BC. At 112 metres by 56 metres, it was the largest Doric temple ever constructed, but it was never completed and an earthquake later toppled it. Today the site is a sprawling field of fallen stone blocks with a few remnants of the giant telamones (38-foot stone figures that stood between the columns). A copy of one telamon is displayed lying on the ground; the original is in the archaeological museum. The scale of the ruins makes this one of the most impressive stops in the park despite the lack of standing columns. For more details, see our Agrigento travel tips.
Things to Do in Agrigento: Museums and Historic Centre
Museo Archeologico Regionale Pietro Griffo
Sicily’s finest archaeological museum sits on the hill of San Nicola, just across from the Valley of the Temples entrance. The museum houses finds from Akragas and surrounding Greek sites across 17 rooms organised chronologically. The star exhibit is the original telamon (giant stone figure) from the Temple of Olympian Zeus, standing nearly 8 metres tall. Other highlights include the Ephebus of Agrigento (a rare Greek marble kouros statue from 480 BC), an outstanding collection of red-figure and black-figure Greek vases, and coin hoards from the ancient city. Entry is 8 EUR standalone or included in the 18 EUR combined park-and-museum ticket. Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9:00-19:00, Sunday 9:00-13:00, closed Monday. Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours. The museum is modern, air-conditioned, and has English signage throughout.
Via Atenea and the Historic Centre
Agrigento’s main artery is Via Atenea, a pedestrian-friendly street that runs through the heart of the medieval historic centre. It is lined with shops, cafes, and gelaterie with side streets climbing steeply uphill toward the Cathedral of San Gerlando. The street itself is about 800 metres long and best walked in the early evening when locals take their passeggiata. Key stops include the Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Greci (a Norman church built directly on the foundations of a 5th-century BC Greek temple, visible through a glass floor panel), the Teatro Luigi Pirandello (named after Agrigento’s Nobel Prize-winning playwright, born in the nearby village of Caos), and the Monastery of Santo Spirito, where cloistered nuns sell almond pastries through a wooden wheel (the ruota) without being seen. The pastries cost 5-8 EUR and are some of the best in Sicily.
Cattedrale di San Gerlando
Agrigento’s cathedral sits at the highest point of the old town on Via Duomo. Built in the 11th century by the Normans, it has been repeatedly rebuilt after earthquakes and a 1943 Allied bombing. The interior is a mix of Norman, Gothic, and Baroque styles. The highlight is the wooden ceiling with painted panels and the 15th-century marble sarcophagus in the chapel. Entry is free and it is open daily from about 8:00 to 12:30 and 15:30 to 19:00 (hours vary). The bell tower offers decent city views on clear days; access is sometimes available for 2 EUR.
Things to Do in Agrigento: Natural Attractions
Scala dei Turchi
The Scala dei Turchi (Turkish Steps) is a striking white limestone cliff formation 15km west of Agrigento in the town of Realmonte. The cliff face, shaped by wind and sea into smooth white steps, contrasts dramatically with the turquoise Mediterranean below. The name comes from the Ottoman pirate raids of the 16th century when Turkish ships used the sheltered cove. Access to the actual rock formation was restricted in 2020 due to erosion and safety concerns; you can view and photograph it from the adjacent beach at no cost but walking on the white marl steps themselves is now prohibited and carries fines of up to 500 EUR. The viewing beach (Spiaggia di Scala dei Turchi) is free and has parking for 3-5 EUR. Arrive before 10:00 in summer to secure a parking spot. There are no facilities on the beach itself so bring water.
Giardino della Kolymbethra
The Garden of Kolymbethra is a 5-hectare ancient garden tucked inside the Valley of the Temples archaeological park, in a natural hollow where the Greeks built a swimming pool (kolymbethra) fed by aqueducts in the 5th century BC. Today it is managed by the FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) and contains centuries-old olive trees (some over 500 years old), citrus groves, almond trees, and Mediterranean scrub. It is a shady oasis in the middle of the exposed temple ridge, with marked paths and benches. Entry is included in the Valley of the Temples ticket or costs 5 EUR separately. Open daily 10:00-18:00 (extended to 19:00 in summer). The garden closes on rainy days due to slippery paths. In January and February the citrus trees are heavy with fruit and the aroma is remarkable.
San Leone Beach
Agrigento’s beach suburb, San Leone, sits 5km south of the city centre and has about 3km of sandy beach with a long promenade of restaurants, bars, and gelaterie. The beach itself is free but the stabilimenti (private beach clubs) charge 15-25 EUR per day for a sunbed and umbrella. The water is shallow and calm, suitable for families. Bus line 1 runs from Agrigento centre (Piazzale Rosselli) to San Leone every 30 minutes (1.20 EUR, 15-minute ride). Parking near the beach is free along the lungomare but fills up by 11:00 on summer weekends. The promenade is also where Agrigento’s best seafood restaurants are concentrated: try Trattoria Caico or Il Pescatore for fresh swordfish and sardines at 20-30 EUR per person.
