Home to some of the best preserved Greek ruins outside of Greece itself, the Valley of the Temples is a must-see for any history buffs. I am a HUGE nerd when it comes to ancient Greece and Greek mythology so I was really excited to finally visit the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) on my most recent visit to Sicily.

Perched on a hill just outside the Sicilian city of Agrigento, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a sprawling archaeological park, spanning a whopping 1,300 hectares. Inside you can find amazing Greek Doric temples, dating back to the 6th and 5th centuries BC. Although it’s called a valley, the temples are actually on a high ridge, giving visitors stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

In this post, I will share everything you need to know to plan a trip to the Valley of the Temples, including what to expect, what to bring, when to visit, entrance times and ticket prices. Let’s go and explore this spectacular site together!

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How to Get There

• By Car: If you feel confident renting a car in Sicily, driving to the Valley of the Temples is definitely the most convenient. From cities like Palermo or Trapani, the journey takes just over two hours. It’s even quicker from Catania (under two hours).
• By Train: Regular trains run from Palermo to Agrigento Bassa station (journey time ~2hrs). You can compare train times and book your tickets online at Omio. From the station, take a taxi or the local bus (TUA lines 1, 2, 3 to the Valley of the Temples. There aren’t any direct trains from Catania and all the connecting trains look like a real hassle, so if you’re coming from Catania, take the regional bus instead!
• By Bus: There’s one Flixbus per day from Catania to Agrigento (roughly 3hrs 30). There are several buses per day between Palermo and Agrigento city centre (journey time 2hrs). From the centre, take a taxi or local bus to the park entrance.

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What to See in the Valley of the Temples

The archaeological park consists of eight temples and various other relics, including the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Heracles, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Hephaestus and the Temple of Demeter. You might recognise these names from Greek mythology (if not, I encourage you to read Stephen Fry’s fantastic book “Mythos”).

You might be wondering “Why are there ancient Greek temples in Sicily?”. It’s because Southern Italy once had several colonies belonging to ancient Greece. They were known collectively as Magna Graecia (Great Greece). The colonists, who founded the city of Akragas (modern day Agrigento) in 6th century BC, built these temples in honour of the Greek Gods. These ruins have taught historians so much about ancient Greek traditions and culture that some rank the Valley of the Temples just behind Athens’ Acropolis in historical importance.

I don’t want to spoil the excitement of seeing these majestic monuments in person, so I’ll briefly describe three of my favourite sights:

Temple of Concordia

A true marvel of ancient architecture, this temple stands as the crown jewel of the Valley of the Temples. Built around 440 BC, the Temple of Concordia remains exceptionally well-preserved as it was converted into an early Christian church in the 6th century AD. It features 34 imposing columns and stands on a high podium, commanding our attention and admiration.

Temple of Heracles (Hercules)

Dating back to the late 6th century BC, this is believed to be the oldest temple in the valley. Today, only eight of its original columns are still standing – the result of a 20th-century reconstruction effort. Heracles (the Roman version of the Greek hero Herakles) was a popular figure in both Greek and Roman mythology, making this temple a symbolic bridge between cultures.

Temple of HERA (JUNO)

Constructed in the mid-5th century BC and dedicated to the goddess of marriage, this temple is perched at the eastern point of the ridge. This temple has two common names – Hera and Juno – depending on the mythology. Juno and her husband Jupiter (the ultimate Roman power couple) were the counterparts of Hera and Zeus in Greek mythology. Though partially destroyed by an ancient earthquake and the Carthaginian attack in 406 BC, its remaining columns are still very impressive.

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Organised Tours

While you can visit the park by yourself and read the information boards dotted along the paths, I suggest joining an organized tour to gain a deeper understanding of the site, its history and the Gods the temples were dedicated to. There are lots of tours to choose between, most starting from the park entrance.

I decided to join this tour – From Catania: Valley of the Temples & Piazza Armerina – after comparing some of the options. What I liked is that it was a small group (seven tourists plus our friendly, helpful driver). The driver didn’t come inside the park with us so we were free to wander at our own pace. Lunch was included in the price of the ticket, and we visited Villa Romana del Casale afterwards.

I was lagging by the time we left the Valley of the Temples but I quickly perked up when we got to the villa, which is home to some of the best Roman mosaics I have ever seen! If you have the opportunity to visit this after the Valley of the Temples, I strongly recommend it.

If you’re not travelling from Catania, check out these alternative Valley of the Temples tours which have really good reviews:

• Valley of the Temples Private Archaeological Tour (Experience an in-depth tour with a private guide who can answer all your questions!)
• Valley of the Temples Skip-the-Line Guided Tour (Make your own way to Agrigento and join this guided tour in English/Italian and fast-track entry)
• Valley of the Temples and Turkish Steps (Visit the Valley of the Temples and the impressive nearby Turkish Steps in this combined tour)
• Valley of the Temples Skip-the-Line Sunset Tour (Tour starts in Agrigento and takes place with the best light of the day!)
• From Cefalù: Guided Tour to Agrigento Valley of the Temples (Tour starts in Cefalù, the coastal town near Palermo).

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Best Time to Visit

I recommend visiting in the spring (March to May), especially if you want to enjoy mild temperatures and the beautiful spring flowers and almond trees blossoming. Alternatively autumn (September to November) is a good idea as it will be less crowded than the peak summer months. I visited in October and the weather was absolutely wonderful!

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Opening Hours

The park is open every day, 8.30am to 19.00. If you want to arrive for the late afternoon light or sunset, keep in mind that you need to exit the park by 20.00.

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Ticket Prices 

If you want to buy a ticket on arrival, it costs €15 for a full-price ticket. Reduced tickets are available for EU citizens aged 18-25 (€9). Free entry for EU citizens under the age of 18.

You can also buy combined tickets with the Valley of the Temples and the Archaeological Museum “Pietro Griffo” in Agrigento, or the Kolymbetra Garden (which is inside the Valley of the Temples). 

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Practical Tips

• Remember to pack a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against the intense sun.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes for the uneven terrain.
• Bring plenty of water! Sightseeing is thirsty work, especially in a large archaeological site like this with little shade.
• In terms of facilities, there’s a cafe near the entrance, and a coffee shop roughly in the middle of the complex. Toilets are available at the entrance, the cafe and the exit.
• Need data during your visit to the Valley of the Temples? I recommend Airalo E-SIM cards for reliable internet access throughout Sicily. They offer different data packages for 7, 15 or 30 days – ideal for both short and extended stays on the island.

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I hope this post has shown you that a trip to the Valley of the Temples is like stepping back in time – with spectacular ruins and gorgeous views to match. Any questions or tips of your own? Leave them in the comments – I’d love to hear from you!

If you’re planning a trip to Sicily, don’t miss my helpful posts like Ultimate Sicily Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors and 10 Days in Sicily: The Ultimate First-Time Itinerary. I’ve also created travel itineraries about the main cities and the ultimate Sicilian food guide that you can find here. I absolutely adore Sicily and hope you have an amazing time there!

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow