The Valley of the Temples is one of Sicily’s most popular attractions. This ancient Greek archeological site contains the remains of seven temples, several of which are in amazing condition.
This archeological sit sits on the southern coast of Sicily, just outside of the town of Agrigento. It can be visited on a road trip through Sicily or as a long day trip from Palermo, Cefalù, or Catania.
The Valley of the Temples was one of our highlights on our road trip through Sicily. It really is amazing to see, this huge collection of ancient temples, some very well preserved and some scattered across the ground.
In this guide, we cover what you need to know to plan your visit, from the must-see sights to how to get here and where to stay.
What is the Valley of the Temples?
The Valley of the Temples (also called Valle dei Templi) is an archaeological site that contains seven Greek temples that are over 2,600 years old. At 1300 hectares, it is the largest archaeological site in Europe.
These temples are one of the best examples of Greek architecture from Magna Graecia. Between 800 and 400 BC, the Greek population exploded and they colonized coastal areas throughout the Mediterranean. The Valley of the Temples is one of the most important sites that remain from this time (Paestum, not far from the Amalfi Coast, is another great place to see Greek temples in Italy).
All seven temples that remain were built in Doric style. The main attraction is the Temple of Concordia, the best-preserved temple in the valley.
The Valley of the Temples has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
Temple of Concordia
How to Visit the Valley of the Temples
How to Get to the Valley of the Temples
The Valley of the Temples is located next to Agrigento, a small town on the southern coast of Sicily. If you plan to use the public bus or train to get to the Valley of the Temples, you will go through Agrigento.
By Rental Car
The easiest way to get to the Valley of the Temples is by rental car. Having a car gives you more freedom to get around Sicily, plus makes it easier to add on coastal sites near the Valley of the Temples.
Here are the driving distances and times for other cities in Sicily:
Palermo: 130 km, 2 hours 15 minutes
Catania: 170 km, 2 hours
Taormina: 220 km, 2 hours 30 minutes
Cefalù: 140 km, 2 hours 30 minutes
Modica: 145 km, 2 hours 30 minutes
Castellammare del Golfo: 145 km, 2 hours
Trapani: 160 km, 2 hours 20 minutes
There are several parking lots located around the Valley of the Temples.
Parcheggio Porta V Valle dei Templi (the name on Google Maps) is the largest parking lot. It is located on the western side of the archaeological park. There is a ticket office here and from the parking lot it is a 350 meter walk to enter the Valley of the Temples.
Parcheggio Saba Giuone is on the east side of the park. This is a smaller parking lot, but it also has a ticket office and is located very close to the Temple of Hera, the far eastern temple.
If you stay at the Villa Athena Resort, this hotel offers parking for its guests. From the hotel, it’s a short walk into the archaeological site.
By Bus
There are two bus lines that run between the Valley of the Temples and other cities in Sicily: Ibus Srl and Sais Transport SPA.
By Train
There is a train station in Agrigento, so it is possible to travel to Agrigento by train from Palermo and Caltanisseta.
Getting from Agrigento to the Valley of the Temples
Once in Agrigento, you can take a taxi or the local public bus to get to the archaeological site. Line 1 runs to the western entrance and Line 2 runs to the eastern entrance. Learn more about the bus stops and bus routes here.
By Tour
If you will be staying in Palermo, Catania, Taormina, or Cefalù and have no plans to rent a car, there are many tour options that include your transportation.
Entrance Fee and Hours
Entrance Fee: €17 per person; free the first Sunday of every month
Hours of Operation: 8:30 am to 8 pm, last entrance at 7 pm; from early July through mid-September, the park will remain open until 11 pm
Tickets can be purchased at the entrance gates or in advance through GetYourGuide.
Get updated hours and pricing on the official website.
Via Sacra
Things to See at the Valley of the Temples
Overview & Quick Geography Lesson
This long park stretches almost 2 km (about 1.2 miles) from end to end. It takes about 30 minutes to walk the full length of it one-way. If you walk out-and-back from one entrance, you will end up walking 4 to 5 km (2.5 to 3.1 miles), so you will get your steps in while you are here.
EAT & DRINK: The Doric Bar (Caffeteria Arcosoli Bluecoop) is a small café that sells snacks and drinks. There are also public toilets.
VIA SACRA: Via Sacra is the long, wide path that runs the length of the archeological site.
SHUTTLE BUS: There is a shuttle bus that runs along Via Sacra through the archeological park. There are several shuttle stops (in front of the main temples) and tickets cost a few euros. This is well worth it in the hot summer months and for those with mobility issues.
The shuttle bus on Via Sacra
ENTRANCES: There are three entrances into the park: east side (next to the Temple of Hera aka Tempio di Giunone), west side (next to Parcheggio Porta V Valle dei Templi), and a private entrance for Villa Athena, which is located near the Temple of Concordia.
Below is a map of the Valley of the Temples, with its top sites to visit, the entrances, parking lots, and where to stay.
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
The Temple of Concordia
The Temple of Concordia is the largest and best-preserved Doric temple in Sicily and one of the best-preserved Doric temples in the world. It is the centerpiece of the Valley of the Temples, located at about the midway point in the park.
This temple was built between 440 and 430 BC. It was named after Concordia, the Roman goddess of harmony.
Temple of Concordia with the Temple of Hera in the distance
The Statue of Fallen Icarus
Taking a photo of the bronze statue of Icarus, which sits in front of the Temple of Concordia, is the Valley of the Temples most famous photo spot. This statue was built by Igor Mitoraj, a Polish sculptor, in 2011, although it looks as if it could have lain here for centuries.
The Temple of Concordia, an olive tree, and the Statue of Fallen Icarus
PRO TRAVEL TIP: There is very little shade at the Valley of the Temples. Bring sunscreen and a hat and if you are here in the summer months, plan your visit early or late in the day to avoid the midday heat.
The Temple of Hera
This temple sits on the far eastern end of the Valley of the Temples. It is also called the Temple of Juno and Tempio di Giunone. If you park and enter at Parcheggio Saba Giunone, this is the first temple you will see.
It was built in 450 BC. This temple sits at the highest point of the park and is one of the most photogenic.
A view of the Valley of the Temples (and Temple of Concordia) from the Temple of Hera
Another view from the Temple of Hera
Greek Walls and Acrosolia
On the walk between the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Concordia are ancient Greek walls and the remains of Byzantine tombs (acrosolium tombs).
The Temple of Heracles (Hercules)
Not much of this temple remains intact. A few columns remain standing, but most of its columns lie in piles around the base of the temple.
This temple was built in 510 BC in honor of Hercules, the national hero of Sicily.
Temple of Heracles
The Temple of Olympian Zeus
This once massive, magnificent temple now lies in rubble on the ground. It was built following the Agrigentines’ victory over the Carthaginians and was one of the grandest temples at that time. This Doric temple was decorated with huge stone male statues.
The temple was destroyed and later used as a quarry. What remains are pieces of the columns, one reconstructed statue suspended on a platform, and one reconstructed statue that lies on the ground.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Temple of Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux)
There is something very beautiful about the section that remains of this temple. Located on the western end of the archeological park is just a corner of the Temple of Dioscuri. This reconstruction dates back to the 19th century and is actually made up of pieces of other temples in the complex.
Temple of Dioscuri
The Garden of Kolymbetra
This garden once served as a water reserve for the Greek city of Akragas. It later became a citrus grove and now is home to olive trees, almond trees, and citrus groves. This garden has an additional fee and is accessed through the Valley of the Temples archaeological park.
Nighttime Visit to the Valley of the Temples
If you are planning an overnight stay near the Valley of the Temples, seeing it in the evening when the temples are illuminated is a popular experience.
The park stays open past sunset from early July through mid-September (get exact dates on the official website), so you can explore the temples on your own at this time or take a guided tour.
You can also get beautiful nighttime views of the Temple of Concordia from the Villa Athena Resort.
The view of the Temple of Concordia from Villa Athena Resort
Two More Temples to Visit
These next two temples are still part of the Valley of the Temples, but they are a very long walk from Via Sacra, so these are best visited by car.
The Temple of Asclepius
The Temple of Asclepius is located south of the archaeological park. This was one of the smallest temples and it once housed a statue of Apollo. It is over a 30-minute walk from the park, so it is best to drive here if you have a car, and only worth it if you have a lot of time.
The Temple of Demeter
Like the Temple of Asclepius, the Temple of Demeter is best visited by car. It is located north of the park and only worth it if you have a lot of time. Here you will see a small stone building and some archaeological excavations.
How Much Time Do You Need at the Valley of the Temples?
A visit to the Valley of the Temples lasts between 2 and 4 hours, if you visit the main temples along Via Sacra (Concordia, Hera, Heracles, Olympian Zeus, and Dioscuri). Speed demons will be closer to two hours, but you could easily spend much longer, to read the informational signs and take it all in.
If you plan to add on a visit the Temples of Asclepius and Demeter, add on another 1 to 2 hours.
Since a visit is rather quick, you can also spend some time exploring Agrigento or visit the Stair of the Turks.
BEST ONE WAY WALKING ROUTE: To minimize your steps, park at one end of the archaeological park, pay to ride the shuttle to the opposite end, and then walk back to the entrance, visiting the sites along the way. If you park at the western entrance, ride the shuttle to the Temple of Hera, and then it will be a mostly downhill walk back to the west entrance.
Temple of Hera
Things to Do Near the Valley of the Temples
Regional Archaeological Museum ‘Pietro Griffo’
On display are artifacts that portray the history of Agrigento from prehistory through the end of the Greco-Roman age. This museum is located near the Valley of the Temples and is on a separate ticket, although you can purchase a combo ticket with the Valley of the Temples. Learn more here.
Stair of the Turks (Scala dei Turchi)
Scala dei Turchi are beautiful white seaside cliffs that are a 20-minute drive from the Valley of the Temples. Visitors were once allowed to walk on these cliffs, but they have recently been closed due to instability of the cliffs. Even so, they are beautiful to see from a distance.
There is a clifftop viewpoint called Belvedere Scala dei Turchi, photo below.
You can also park along Strada Provinciale 68 near Lido Scala dei Turchi and walk the steep path down to the beach. This is a great place to spend the afternoon on the beach, with a view of the cliffs. There are several cafes and beach clubs in the area.
Where to Stay
We stayed at the Villa Athena Resort and absolutely loved it. I celebrated my 50th birthday at the Valley of the Temples, so we splurged by staying at this 5-star hotel. Not only is it a luxurious resort, but it offers several advantages for a visit to the Valley of the Temples.
The Villa Athena Resort has rooms and an outdoor restaurant with a view of the Temple of Concordia. To have dinner outside, watch the sunset and then the lights illuminate the temple is an unforgettable experience. You do not have to be a guest of the hotel to dine here.
This resort also has a private entrance into the Valley of the Temples. It is about a 5-minute walk to get to Via Sacra and the Temple of Concordia. That makes parking a breeze and getting into the archaeological site super easy, as you can bypass the ticket line (the hotel will sell you a ticket so no need to purchase one in advance).
Villa Athena Resort and the Temple of Concordia
Villa Athena Resort with Agrigento in the background
If staying at a 5-star resort isn’t in your budget, here are a few more recommendations. Mid-range hotels that get rave reviews include La Perla della Cattedrale (small property with a terrace that has gorgeous views of Agrigento and the coast), B&B Villa San Marco (bed and breakfast located very close to the Valley of the Temples), La Casa di Pippo Flora (hilltop property that also gets excellent reviews), and B&B Liola (bed and breakfast located in Agrigento).
Oneira Rooms is a small, boutique hotel in Agrigento that gets near perfect reviews.
Casa Realia is located closer to the coast. This small property has a beautiful garden-like setting, an outdoor pool, and coastal views.
Mare – Scala dei Turchi is a 3-bedroom apartment near the Stair of the Turks that gets excellent reviews.
Is the Valley of the Temples Worth It?
The Valley of the Temples was one of our highlights on our Sicilian road trip and Tim’s favorite experience in Sicily. This UNESCO World Heritage is well worth the time and effort to get here, as it is one of the best places to see Greek temples in Italy.
Temple of Concordia
More Greek Sites in Sicily (+ One on Mainland Italy)
The Valley of the Temples is the #1 place to see Greek temples in Sicily, but there are several other important sites located on this island.
Selinunte Archaeological Park is smaller than the Valley of the Temples but also has several amazing temples that are still very intact. This park gets less visitors and is more fun to explore, in my opinion, and also well worth the visit (I liked Selinunte a little more than the Valley of the Temples, as it gets far fewer visitors and you can walk into some of the temples).
Segesta Archaeological Park is located in northwestern Sicily. Here visitors will see the Temple of Segesta (another very well-preserved Doric temple) and the Theater of Segesta.
Also not to be missed is the Greek Theater in Taormina and the Greek and Roman archaeological sites in Syracuse.
On mainland Italy, Paestum is home to three Greek temples that are in impeccable condition. Paestum is located near Salerno and the Amalfi Coast.
Tours of the Valley of the Temples
Get the most out of your visit by taking a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples (this does not include transportation).
You also have the option to take a private tour of the Valley of the Temples.
Tour the Valley of the Temples on an electric scooter.
Valley of the Temples Tours
If you have any questions about how to visit the Valley of the Temples, let us know in the comment section below.
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