In short: The Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) near Agrigento is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant complexes of Greek temples outside Greece. Along a long ridge above the south coast stand eight Doric temples from the 5th century BC – foremost among them the outstandingly preserved Temple of Concordia. Despite its name, it isn’t a valley at all but a coastal ridge; the walking route runs largely downhill. Plan for half a day to a full day; the site is large, spread out and offers little shade – start early in summer or make use of the evening opening.
Quick-Facts
- Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 (Archaeological Area of Agrigento)
- Location: Collina dei Templi, south of Agrigento, south coast of Sicily
- Admission: €14 regular, €7 reduced (EU citizens 18–25); free under 18; free on the 1st Sunday of the month
- Opening: daily from 8:30am; evening openings in summer – check dates in advance
- Duration: 2–4 hours for the temples; half a day to a full day with the museum and the Kolymbethra Garden
- Highlights: Temples of Concordia, Juno and Heracles, the Olympeion with its telamons, Temple of the Dioscuri
- Bring: water, sun protection, a hat, sturdy shoes – there’s hardly any shade
History: from Akragas to World Heritage
The city was founded around 582 BC by Greek settlers from nearby Gela under the name Akragas. Within a few generations it grew into one of the richest and largest metropolises of the Greek world; the poet Pindar praised it as the “most beautiful city of mortals”. Wealth from trade and agriculture financed the enormous building programme along the southern ridge in the 5th century BC, which gives the site its appearance today.
In 406 BC Akragas was conquered and plundered by the Carthaginians. Under the Romans the city was later called Agrigentum, and in Arab and Norman times Kerkent and Girgenti respectively – it only received its present name, Agrigento, in 1927. That the Temple of Concordia survives so completely is owed to a twist of history: in the 6th century AD it was converted into a Christian church, which saved it from decay. The site has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1997; in 2025 Agrigento was Italy’s Capital of Culture.
The temples – what you’ll see
- Temple of Concordia – the landmark and one of the best-preserved Doric temples anywhere (around 440–430 BC). Its 34 columns and the complete entablature still stand today because it served as a church for centuries.
- Temple of Juno (Hera Lacinia) – at the highest, eastern end of the ridge, with sweeping views over the site. Traces of fire from the Carthaginian destruction can still be seen on the columns.
- Temple of Heracles – the oldest temple on the site (late 6th century BC); eight of its originally 38 columns have been re-erected.
- Olympeion (Temple of Olympian Zeus) – once one of the largest Doric temples of antiquity, it remained unfinished and today lies as a field of ruins. Famous for the telamons: roughly eight-metre-tall Atlas figures that supported the entablature. A copy lies on site, while an original is displayed in the Archaeological Museum.
- Temple of the Dioscuri (Castor & Pollux) – the striking corner of four columns with a fragment of entablature is a popular photo spot and unofficial symbol of Agrigento (assembled from ancient fragments in the 19th century).
- Kolymbethra Garden – a green hollow with citrus and olive groves right in the middle of the site, now maintained by the FAI. A beautiful, shady contrast to the temples; access is sometimes separate or via a combined ticket.
Tickets & opening hours
The archaeological park charges admission. Children and teenagers under 18 enter free, and the 50% reduction applies to EU citizens aged 18 to 25 on presentation of ID. On the first Sunday of every month admission is free for everyone (until 7:00pm). Payment at the ticket offices is by cash or card.
| Ticket | Regular | Reduced |
|---|---|---|
| Valley of the Temples (Collina dei Templi) | €14 | €7 |
| Combined: temples + archaeological museum | €19.60 | €9.60 |
| Combined: temples + Kolymbethra Garden | €20 | €12 |
| Museo Archeologico “Pietro Griffo” (alone) | €10 | €5 |
Open daily from 8:30am; the regular walking route closes around 7:00pm (exit until 8:00pm), with last admission roughly an hour before closing. In the summer months there are additional evening and night openings (“Valle Illuminata”) with significantly longer hours. Since times and evening dates change seasonally, check them on the park’s official website before your visit. A combined ticket with the archaeological museum is worthwhile if you want to see the finds – including the original telamon – in context.
Book tickets & guided tours online
Admission without queuing or a guided tour can be secured online in advance. A selection of popular options – booking and payment run through our partner GetYourGuide, and cancellation is usually free up to 24 hours in advance:
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Valley of the Temples: Ticket & App Audio Guide
The most-booked entry ticket: skip-the-line access plus an audio guide straight to your own smartphone – ideal for exploring the temples flexibly at your own pace.
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Skip-the-Line Sunset Tour
The most popular tour on site: two hours through the temples in warm evening light, skipping the queue, with explanations of Akragas and the individual buildings.
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Premium Guided Tour of the Valley of the Temples
For culture travellers who want more background: a smaller group and a deeper look into the history and archaeology of the ancient city.
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Skip-the-Line Night Tour
The illuminated temples after sunset – pleasantly cool in summer and full of atmosphere; one of the best-rated tours.
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Day Trip from Palermo
Practical without a rental car: a full-day excursion from Palermo with the journey to Agrigento and time in the Valley of the Temples.
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Prices “from”, as of July 2026; current daily price and availability at GetYourGuide. Affiliate links: if you book, we receive a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
Planning your visit
The site has two main entrances with ticket offices: Porta V (Tempio di Giunone) at the upper, eastern end, and Porta Quinta / Sant’Anna at the lower, western end. It’s practical to start at the top by the Temple of Juno and walk downhill towards the Temples of Concordia and Heracles – that way you cover the largely shadeless stretch on a downward slope rather than an uphill one. If you’re arriving by your own car, park it at the entrance that matches this plan, and bear in mind that your start and end points won’t be at the same car park.
Bring plenty of water, sun protection and sturdy shoes; the paths are uneven in places. Two to three hours are enough for the temples alone; with the “Pietro Griffo” Archaeological Museum and the Kolymbethra Garden it becomes half a day to a full day. The visit combines well with the nearby Scala dei Turchi and the old town of Agrigento.
Getting there
You can reach Agrigento by train: the Agrigento Centrale station is connected to Palermo in just over two hours. City buses run from the town centre (stop “Valle dei Templi”) directly to the park; the ride takes only a few minutes. By car, it’s around two hours from both Palermo and Catania; there are car parks at both entrances. The nearest airports are Palermo (PMO) and Catania (CTA), both roughly two hours’ drive away. More on this under Agrigento and Sicily by rental car.
Best time to visit
Ideal times are spring (April to June) and autumn (September, October): pleasant temperatures and bearable sun on the largely shadeless ridge. In high summer the thermometer regularly climbs above 35 degrees – then it’s worth going in the early morning right after opening, or during the evening opening, when the temples are floodlit. For a general overview, see Best time to visit Sicily.
Video impressions from the Valley of the Temples
The following videos from external YouTube channels give a first impression of the Valley of the Temples – from drone flights over the row of temples to walking tours through the site. They don’t replace your own research, but they’ll get you in the mood for a visit. The videos only load from YouTube once you click them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does admission to the Valley of the Temples cost?
Regular admission is €14, reduced €7 (EU citizens 18–25). Admission is free under 18, and on the first Sunday of every month it’s free for everyone.
What are the opening hours?
Open daily from 8:30am; the regular walking route closes around 7:00pm, with last admission about an hour before. In summer there are additional evening and night openings – check the exact times in advance.
How much time should you plan for?
Two to four hours for the temples; half a day to a full day with the archaeological museum and the Kolymbethra Garden.
When is the best time to visit?
Early in the morning, or – in summer – during the evening opening, since the site is large and offers little shade. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons.
Can you get there without a car?
Yes. Agrigento is reachable by train (Agrigento Centrale), and a city bus runs from the town centre directly to the park.
Can you visit the Valley of the Temples in the evening?
Yes, in the summer months: evening and night openings (“Valle Illuminata”) take place, during which the temples are floodlit.
What is the highlight of the Valley of the Temples?
The Temple of Concordia – one of the best-preserved Greek temples anywhere.
Guided visits, admission and the right accommodation – our travel agency plans your stay in Agrigento around the Valley of the Temples and books everything for you. Just send us a no-obligation travel inquiry.
Send a travel inquiry nowSources & update
Based on: editorial local knowledge as well as the official information from the Parco Archeologico e Paesaggistico della Valle dei Templi (Regione Siciliana) and visitor information from lavalledeitempli.it on prices and opening hours. UNESCO World Heritage “Archaeological Area of Agrigento”. As of: 12 July 2026. Admission prices, opening hours and evening dates are subject to change and should be checked before your visit.
