History of Valley of the Temples Sicily
Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) is located in Agrigento, Sicily. It was formerly called Akragas when founded by the Greeks in 580 BCE. This area was a very strategic location due to the high hills next to the coast – allowing inhabitants to spot potential threats or invasions from afar. Not only was Agrigento ruled by the Greeks, but it also spent some time under Roman control, Arab control & Norman control. Agrigento went by the Norman name Girgenti until 1927 when it recovered its Roman name. One of the many reasons this UNESCO Heritage site is so unique is because the temples are some of the best representation there is of life in Ancient Sicily!
Getting There
Valley of the Temples is about 2 miles (3 km) from downtown Agrigento. For those staying in the city, the bus is the most affordable option to get there (Bus 1 & Bus 2 routes take 15-20 minutes and cost only a few euros). You can also take a taxi, which will cost anywhere from €10-€20.
Since we were staying in Palermo, we visited Valley of the Temples for only a day trip. There are a few options from Palermo but the most affordable is the train, which takes 2 hours. From here, you’ll still need to take a bus or taxi to get from Agrigento to the Valley of the Temples. Since we had a larger group, it was easier for us to book a tour*. This included a driver for the day, as well as a stop at Scala dei Turchi (Turkish Stairs) after the ruins. For those traveling with a rental car, there are two paid parking lots onsite to use.
Visiting Valley of the Temples
There are two entrances to Valley of the Temples (Eastern & Western). Our driver was strategic and dropped us off at the Eastern gate, and picked us up at the Western one so we were able to see everything without needing to double back (which you would need to do if you have a rental car parked in one of the lots). It’s a little over a mile (2 km) walk to get through all the ruins, and takes most visitors 2-3 hours to do. We also enjoyed this route because you get to see 3 of the most famous temples first, before you begin to lose steam with the heat of the day!
Pro Tip: Temperatures in Agrigento are extremely high in the summer months so plan accordingly! We recommend a sun hat, sunscreen and a water bottle. There is very limited shade while touring the ruins.
Temple of Juno
When entering through the Eastern Gate, the first impressive ruins you find is the Temple of Juno. The structure faces the east since worshippers believed the gods wanted to see the sunrise. The original temple was partially burned but later restored by the Romans. This temple is named after the Roman goddess, Juno, protector and counselor of state.
Temple of Hercules
The Temple of Hercules, named after the Greek hero, is one of the oldest in the park, dating back to the 6th century BCE. Historians are able to understand the temple’s timeline based on the proportion of the columns used.
Temple of Concordia
The Temple of Concordia is the best preserved structure in Valley of the Temples Sicily. It was built in 5th century BCE. There is actually very little information about the early years of this temple, the name we call it today comes from a much later Roman inscription. In front of the temple, you will find a bronze statue of Icarus (installed in 2011). With his body & wings damaged, it’s meant to look as though he fell straight from the sun to the Temple of Concordia.
Pro Tip: If you want a photo without people in it, just walk around to the back of the temple! (Equally as beautiful, and far less crowded).
Tickets & Visitor Info
It costs €12 to visit Valley of the Temples and can be bought onsite at either the Eastern or Western gates. You also have the option to purchase audio guides for an additional fee. The entrance times vary, depending on the season, but during the summer, the park will stay open as late as 11:00pm. It’s very popular to go at sunset and see the temples transform from day to night.
It’s important to note that the queues can be very long in peak months, so if you are interested, you can opt for a ticket that includes a fast-track with a guide*.
Fun Fact: Did you know that Google paid a reported €100,000 to host a gala dinner at Valley of the Temples as part of their annual summit? It’s said that Coldplay preformed during the event- how crazy!
Scala dei Turchi
If you do book a day tour to Valley of the Temples*, make sure it includes a stop at Scala dei Turchi! The translation means Turkish Steps, which are essentially white rock cliffs along the Southern coast of Sicily. They received their name because Arab & Turkish ships would often find shelter in this bay. Our tour included some free time to check out the beach & enjoy a drink at a bar on the water.
Review
We were thoroughly impressed by how well preserved the ruins at Valley of the Temples Sicily are! It’s absolutely worth a visit for anyone visiting this island. While we didn’t spend any time in Agrigento city, we felt like a day trip was all that was needed to visit the actual ruins. It truly feels as though you’ve stepped back in time while exploring Valley of the Temples.
