Trip to Valley of Temples - Agrigento

After my arrival in Palermo, I was lucky enough to be invited to a spontaneous trip to Agrigento the very next day. There was no time for being tired since I was too excited to be there in the first place, let alone to be able to travel with locals who already know the place.

We embarked on a train journey (9 euros from Palermo – Agrigento) very early in the morning (you never know how humid and hot it can get in Sicily so better leave in the morning and avoid being soaked by the time you arrive at your destination) and that’s where I got the chance and time to meet my two future roommates. I was still living in a temporary house since there were other trainees who had a few more days to stay in Palermo so I did now anything at that time. What's even funnier is that I didn’t even know a little bit of information about Agrigento and what a gem it actually is.

The Valley of the Temples that we wanted to visit is an archeological and scenic park, full of ruined yet breath taking Greek temples that stand as tall symbols of the Greek colonization there.

Since the park is an open space, you are able to visit it everyday as long as you can bare the burning sun. Also, there are usually a lot of tourists too, so the best advice would be to start your tour in the morning or not during the weekend. (Ironically enough, we arrived there at noon, on a Sunday, so learn from our mistake. Travel smart! )

Before departure tips:

• The ticket is 10 euros for non-European citizens and 5 euros for EU members so do not forget your ID if yours is the second case.
• The park is open from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm and a great visit where you will see and enjoy everything lasts around 3 hours. What’s also interesting is that during summer you can also visit the Valley of the Temples at night – something that we only found out later so we couldn’t do it ourselves.
• Get comfortable shoes because you will walk a lot. The park is immense and during summer the heat is almost unbearable since there are not many shaded areas. Do not forget your hat, sun cream and definitely do not forget to wear white to send away some of the sun rays that will inevitably hit you while you’re touring around.
• You are allowed and you should bring water or snacks and even sandwiches with you because there are only two bars in the area (close to the museum).

How to get there

By bus: the urban line 1 and 2 pass the Valley of the Temples and one ride costs 1, 70 euros in the bus and 1, 20 euros if purchased from their office.

By car: Since Agrigento is roughly only 2 h from Palermo you can easily reach the park and leave your car in the parking area that is 3 euros.

Where you can start visiting

There are two different entries so do not let yourself fooled by the confusing parking lots because there are two different sides with ticket offices located in opposite areas of the Valley.

If you arrive by bus you will start your visit from the lower part, in the Porta V side. This is the one that we took. The other entrance is located right at the Temple of Juno which is actually the highest part of the park and also the most impressive one. It is then up to you how to organize your visit, if you want to climb more, yet enjoy a remarkable view in the end, or go downwards and avoid the climbing effort.

What there is to see

1. Temple of Dioscuri Castor and Pollux

This is actually the symbol of the city itself and unfortunately what you can see now in the Valley is only a reconstruction done in the XIXth century, but the view from behind it is again another beautiful spot to take pictures and simply enjoy the heights once the Greeks enjoyed themselves while worshipping their gods as close to the sky as these grounds allowed them.

2. Temple of Zeus

You can only see the foundations of what it once used to be the Temple of Zeus, one of largest temples in the ancient world – almost 6000 square meters.

3. Temple of Hercules/ Heracles

The oldest temple of the Valley and one of the oldest in Sicily itself, that in spite of the ruins, you can still walk around it on a freshly built walkway. If you turn around (not facing the temple) you will naturally see a breath taking view of the Mediterranean Sea and if your eagle eye allows it, even Tunisia itself (just joking, it’s too far, but even the idea of being so close to Africa is simply amazing).

4. The Paleochristian Necropolis

Here you will see some rectangular tombs that are actually carved in the ground and also the house-museum of Alexander Hardcastle – an Englishman and archaeologist who funded all the archeological excavations in the Valley of Temples and due to whom the columns of the temple of Hercules were dated back to the 6th century BC – the oldest in the park.

5. Temple di Concordia (Temple of Concord)

Passing a stunning olive tree park, following a path covered with limestone rocks, you will arrive at the second temple of the Valley – Temple of Concord. One of the best preserved temples here, it functioned as a church and it was plundered later on, but its beauty remained and it is believed that it was dedicated to Demetra, although the archeological findings are not conclusive.

What I found very beautiful about the outside around this temple is an old olive tree who is supposed to be there for more than 600 years! Also, in its immediate vicinity you will find a mesmerizing rusty-green man body that I thought it was such a strong metaphor for the fallen Greek ‘empire’. It simply looks as if time stood still...

6. Templo di Giunone (Temple of Juno)

Situated at the top of the park this is the first temple that you will see if you choose to enter front his side.

Three interesting facts about this temple are:

• It was dedicated to the goddess of marriage and childbirth – Giunone;
• You can still see a few burning marks from the fire started by the Carthaginians who tried to burn the temple in the fifth century BC;
• Not only is the view from here amazing, but it also allows you to see the other important temple here – The Temple of Concord.

Until next time! Stay tuned for other Sicilian trips!

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