Location: Agrigento
Top Things to do in Agrigento
- 1. Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi)
- 2. Tempio della Concordia
- 3. Tempio di Giunone
- 4. Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Greci
- 5. Tempio di Ercole
- 6. Tempio dei Dioscuri
- 7. Tempio di Giove Olimpico
- 8. Statua di Icaro caduto
- 9. Il Giardino della Kolymbetra
- 10. Museo Archeologico Regionale di Agrigento
10 Things to Do in Agrigento That You Shouldn't Miss
Though Agrigento is a modern city of about 60,000 on Sicily’s southwest coast, the majority of visitors come to experience the past just outside of town. At the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi), citizens of the then-major Greek colony of Akragras began building seven Doric style holy monuments in the sixth century BC. The nearby Archaeological Museum helps put everything into context. Agrigento also has some fascinating sights in its old town, like the medieval Norman cathedral.
Restaurants in Agrigento
1. Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
This region is one of the most important archeological sites in the world with many great temples such as Hera (Juno,) Lacinia, Concordia, Heracles (Hercules) and Olympian Zeus (Jupiter,) all dramatically perched along a long rocky scarp.
Reviewed By Helmuth K - Vienna Region, Austria
very easy to find and its only a small part of every things to visit at Siracusa.Staff is very friendly and helpful.
2. Tempio della Concordia
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Built in 430 BC, this is one of the best-preserved Greek Temples located outside of Greece.
3. Tempio di Giunone
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 499 reviews
Reviewed By John_The_Miner - Salisbury, United Kingdom
The Temple is considered to be attributed to Juno/Hera although this is now disputed. The temple dates from about 450 BC and is in a commanding position at the highest point of the Valley of the temples. The north colonade is especially well preserved.
4. Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Greci
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
Reviewed By nkdp - Alexandria, VA
So often, in Europe, upon visiting a church or mosque, you learn of other ancient religious buildings that stood on the same place, often converted to others. In Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Greci, pillars and floors of an ancient Greek temple can be seen. It's truly amazing to walk down along the side of the church and see the Greek pillars. In the church, they've made part of the floor glass, so you can look down at the original Greek temple.
The church is pretty - I especially like the wooden ceiling. A visit here helps pull make the ancient history human - people through the ages.
5. Tempio di Ercole
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 445 reviews
Built to honor the god Hercules in the early 6th century, this is Agrigento's oldest temple that was constructed over a structure of 38 columns, of which only eight are still standing.
Reviewed By martinu - Leominster, United Kingdom
Its all very well looking at what the Greeks and Romans did, but what you see here is the result of a Yorkshireman's enthusiasm for antiquity.
6. Tempio dei Dioscuri
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 267 reviews
Reviewed By ChrisC6649 - Tumwater, Washington
This is a part of the Valley walk. Magnificent ruins along with the other temples along the walk. Amazing what the ancients built.
7. Tempio di Giove Olimpico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By Lee L - Valhalla, New York
Unlike the Temples of Concord, Juno and Hercules this temple to Zeus/Jupiter is in ruins. As you walk thru the area you can get an idea of how enormous the Temple must have been when it was standing.
8. Statua di Icaro caduto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 434 reviews
Reviewed By DM S - Port Macquarie, Australia
One inside the park you will have access to this. No idea of its significance, but it appears to be a well endowed fallen angel!
9. Il Giardino della Kolymbetra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 750 reviews
Reviewed By Joseph G - Montreal, Canada
It is on account of the FAI , Fondo Ambiente Italiano (Italy's National Trust) that this splendid garden was finally open to the public in 2001 and is managed by FAI volunteers.
The origins of the Garden date back to the Greek colonization of Sicily in 500 BC and through the ages underwent many changes including abandonment.
We were anxious to visit the Garden and bought a combination ticket with the visit to the Valley of the Temples.Citrus trees (almost a third of the vegetation), Mediterranean maquis, riverbank vegetation and almond & olive groves are the great categories in which is regrouped the Garden vegetation.
A small brook runs through the garden.
Walking through the groves is interesting and peaceful and full of little discoveries like a small Fountain, a black mulberry tree full of ripe berries, a staff garden, and many others.
Definitely worth the visit.
10. Museo Archeologico Regionale di Agrigento
Overall Ratings
4 based on 701 reviews
Museum that features Phoenician, Greek, Etruscan, Carthaginian and Roman remains, including impressive sculptures from the Selinunte archeological area.
Reviewed By MelbourneJade - Melbourne
We visited this Museum after walking the Valley of the Temples. It is situated not far from the Western Gate and has been beautifully presented. It is totally set up for wheelchair access. There are many rooms with artefacts in and all signs are in Italian and English. It is worth visiting in combination with Valley of the Temples.
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