Agrigento tourist information

Agrigento is on just about every tourist's Sicily itinerary for one overwhelming reason: the Valley of the Temples.

Agrigento is situated on Sicily's southern coast, and the town's Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest legacies of ancient Greece. This parade of well-preserved Doric temples, just outside town, dates back to the fifth century BC and is what remains of the Greek city of Akragas.

The temples are spread along a rocky ridge a short way to the south of the medieval town centre, in a designated archaeological park. You can walk there, or catch a bus from the railway station. Food options are limited so you might wish to take a picnic lunch.

The town's Museo Archeologico on Via Petrarca has a wide range of exhibits from the area, including statues and funerary urns. You can save money by buying a combined ticket for the museum and the Valley of Temples. As elsewhere in Italy, there are reductions for under-25s and students, and free entry for under-18s and over-65s (bring your passport/proof of status).

A more recent tourist sight is the childhood home of writer Luigi Pirandello (Six Characters in Search of an Author), which has been turned into a museum. His Casa Natale can be visited in the brilliantly-named suburb of Caos.

Agrigento offers a full day's worth of sightseeing, and is a long way from the other major tourist destinations of Sicily. Consequently most visitors stay overnight in the town or nearby - this is especially advisable for those relying on the infrequent public transport.

Travel to Agrigento

Bus services operate to Agrigento from Catania, Siracusa, Palermo and Caltanissetta. Trains to/from Palermo run approximately every hour and the journey takes just over two hours. Check the timetables first as there are some slow trains on the route. Trains from Catania are rarer, take over three hours, and may involve a change. Agrigento's main railway station, Stazione Centrale, is located in the centre of town on Piazza Marconi.

Agrigento accommodation

Colleverde Park Hotel ****

A four-star hotel in a practical location, not far from the temples. It has nice gardens and is a decent place to stay in a town not renowned for its hotels.

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Villa Amico

A friendly and cheap bed and breakfast option in a residential area outside Agrigento, recommended by past guests.

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> More accommodation in Agrigento, with guest reviews and easy online booking