Exploring Sicily's Valley of the Temples: Your Ultimate Guide

Things to Know Before Visiting Valley of the Temples

If you are planning to visit the Valley of the Temples soon, here are a few things I think you should know before embarking on the journey:

• Do not bring a tripod with you to the Valley of the Temples, or it will be confiscated at the entrance. This will prevent you from following this itinerary and exiting from another entrance, as you would have to return to the same entrance to retrieve your confiscated tripod.
• Pack at least 2 liters of water because there is no place to buy water inside the park, and most of the trails here are completely exposed to the sun.
• Visit as early in the morning as you can to avoid the heat and the crowds. The morning also has the best light for photography since most Greek temples often face east, and in the morning, the light should be shining right at these temples. If you are a photographer, visit the park in the morning.
• Enter from the east and exit from the west in order to avoid backtracking, and you can catch the bus back from the East Entrance.

Valley of the Temples Suggested Itinerary

Enter from East Entrance and Visit Tempio di Giunone

Our journey to explore the Valley of the Temples begins in Agrigento and from the city's train station, you can make your way down towards the valley on foot to enter the archeological site from the Eastern Entrance.

The distance between Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples is around 2 km and it should take you about 30 minutes on a nice stroll along the downhill footpath. It is an easy walk and you will be able to see the valley in its entirety from the road which should give you a glimpse of how big the place is.

Once you arrive at the East Entrance, you should go straight to the security check. Hopefully, you are there early enough before the tour buses arrive. Once you pass through the security, you can then proceed to the ticket kiosks or if you booked the ticket online, you should be able to skip the ticket line and go straight inside.

Your first stop is Tempio di Giunone, or Temple of Juno, an ancient Greek temple built in the 5th Century BC dedicated to the goddess Juno, the queen of the gods, and goddess of marriage and childbirth.

The Tempio di Giunone is known for its well-preserved Doric columns and its historical significance as one of the largest and best-preserved ancient Greek temples in the world.

You can admire the beautiful columns here that have stood the test of time for over 2500+ years! That fact alone is so mind-blowing to me that it felt so surreal to be walking among these ancient ruins. One can only imagine what life must have been like living in this city back in the day.

Admire the Beauty of the Temple of Concordia

Here comes the highlight of the Valley of the Temple. Next up, we are visiting the Temple of Concordia, probably one of the most well-preserved Greek temples in the world and it is one of my favorite structures out of all.

The temple was built in the 5th Century BC and is dedicated to the goddess Concordia, the goddess of harmony and unity. Most of the temple's exterior is left pretty much intact except the roof which is considered a prime example of the Doric architectural style which is not so easy to see in such a complete form.

While you can not go inside the temple, to see the perfectly preserved exterior and all its Doric columns is worth seeing in and of itself.

Not too far from the temple, you will find a massive bronze statue of Icarus laying on the ground, legless and wingless, perfect for the metaphor Icarus represents.

If you are there in the morning, the light should be perfect for photos as the sun will be shining toward the temple and the statue, creating beautiful depth for photography.

Since you are not allowed to bring in a tripod, you are going to have to get a little creative when it comes to taking photos of yourself here. What I did was I went around the area to find a ledge nearby and use it as my tripod instead. Not ideal, but it's better than not having a photo of myself here in one of the best places to visit in Sicily.

Stroll Around the Garden of Villa Aurea

Once you are done at the Temple of Concordia, you can continue west along the road and drop by Villa Aurea, a 19th Century villa, in which the British archaeologist Alexander Hardcastle lived in the years 1925 to 1932, who financed the reconstruction and conservation work of many temples here.

There is a nice small garden you can stroll around on the premise of the villa, a great way to escape the scorching heat of Sicily. Here, you will also find a nice cooled water tap where you can freshen up and refill your bottle of water before continuing on to the next stop.

Be Amazed by the Temple of Heracles

Continue west and you will find the Temple of Heracles, an ancient Greek temple built in the 5th century BCE and dedicated to Heracles, the Greek god of strength and courage.

The temple is located on a rocky spur near the Villa Aurea with a nice view over both sides of the hill. You can even see the city of Agrigento as well as the ocean from here.

Although not much is left of the temple, you can still see its 9 massive Doric-style columns as well as a bunch of collapsed columns spread across the temple ground. It is a nice photo stop before we continue on to the western section of valley.

Stroll Around the Altar of the Temple of Zeus

As you continue west, you will find a bridge connecting the 2 sections of the Valley of the Temples together. You do not have to exit and enter the park again as the bridge goes over the road that cuts through the valley and connects both sides.

Right off the bridge, on your right, you will find curious-looking lines of rectangular rocks laid on the ground across several meters. This is the Altar of the Temple of Zeus where they sacrifice animals during festivals and ceremonies.

The rocks are laid out that way so that the animal sacrificial ceremonies can be done easily and the people of the ancient city can feast upon them. Imagine a big dinner table and you will be able to get a glimpse of what it must have been like back then.

Hunt Down the Massive Collapsed Statues of Zeus at the Temple of Olympian Zeus

Next to the altar, you will find the Temple of Olympian Zeus, another ancient Greek temple built 5th century BCE and dedicated to Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus was one of the largest ancient Greek temples in the world and was considered to be one of the most important religious sites in the ancient world.

Despite its size, only a few columns and ruins of the temple remain today. A few of the remaining structures left behind can give us a glimpse of the artistic achievements of ancient Greece and provide insight into the beliefs and practices of the ancient Greeks.

The statues, which were created to commemorate important figures and events, were once part of the temple's grand architectural design and served as powerful symbols of the ancient Greek civilization.

Be sure to spend some time here and explore the ruin thoroughly while keeping an eye out for these fallen statues. There are 3 of them at the temple so be sure to track them all down while you are here.

Check Out the View from the Temple of Dioscuri

As we continue toward the western side of the valley, you will find the Temple of Dioscuri, another ancient Greek Temple built in the 5th century BCE and dedicated to the Dioscuri, the twin brothers Castor and Pollux in Greek mythology.

Again, supposedly, the size of the temple is massive but not much of the temple remains today except the foundation of the temple and a few Doric-style columns standing right at the center of the hill.

The whole area is still being excavated and so many of the areas are still closed up as archeologists work day and night to restore and preserve these ruins for us to see.

While you are at the Temple of Dioscuri, be sure to check out the view of the surroundings. From here, you can see the hill where Agrigento city was built as well as the valley around the temple. There are some shades in this area as well so if you are looking for a little rest spot, you can do so here.

Stroll Around the Giardino della Kolymbethra (Optional)

If you bought the combined full ticket, you will also have access to Giardino della Kolymbethra or the Garden of Kolymbethra, a botanical garden located not too far from the Temple of Dioscuri.

The garden features a wide variety of exotic and indigenous plants, as well as an ancient Greek waterworks system known as the Kolymbethra, which was used for irrigation and water management.

The garden has different opening hours and so if you plan to visit the garden, be sure to align your visit according to the opening hours here.

Exit from the West Entrance and Take a Bus Back to Agrigento

Once you are done, you can make your way south passing the Temple of Dioscuri along the walking path that will take you through a tunnel that goes under the traffic road to the West Entrance where you will find the Valley of the Temples' bus stop.

Here, you can buy some snacks, drinks, and souvenirs as you wait for the bus to take you back to Agrigento. The bus runs every 30 minutes and it should take about 20 minutes to get you back to Agrigento Train Station. Be sure to prepare around 2 EUR in cash to buy the ticket from the bus driver. And that should complete our itinerary for the Valley of the Temples.

Where to Stay Near Valley of the Temples (Agrigento)?

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Euterpe LHT

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When to Visit Valley of the Temples?

Italy can get pretty hot in the summer and so if you want the weather to be a little milder so that you can leisurely explore all the ruins of the Valley of the Temples while the tourist crowds are a little thinner, I highly recommend you visit during spring or Autumn from April to May and September to October respectively.

That said, the chance of clear days is also fewer during those periods unlike the summer months of June to August and so if you do not mind the heat and the crowds but you just want the weather to be nice out most of the time, visiting the Valley of the Temples during the summer months is also recommended.

For the best light, be sure to visit the Valley of the Temples in the morning since most Greek temples often face east and you will have much better light for photography when the facades of these temples aren't in the shade.

How Long to Spend in Valley of the Temples?

Expect to spend at least 2 hours and a ton of walking in the Valley of the Temples since the archeological site is divided into 2 sections with the west and east entrances and walking across the park from one entrance to another can take over 15 minutes along the 2 km walking path.

All the highlights of the Valley of the Temples are also spread out across the park and if you want to see all the highlights, you are going to have to be ready to walk quite a bit. Considering the amount of time it takes to travel from Agrigento to the archeological site, be sure to spare at least half a day to visit the Valley of the Temples.

If you are a little short on time and you want to see the highlights of the Valley of the Temples in under 2 hours, you can also go with an organized tour as your guide will help you navigate the park a little easier.

You can visit the archeological as a day trip from Palermo as well as from Catania if you choose to go on an organized tour. If not, you can spend one night in Agrigento and either visit the Valley on the evening of your arrival date or the next morning before you depart. All in all, I would suggest not staying longer than 1 night in the area.

How to Get to Valley of the Temples?

Palermo is the closest city with the largest travel hub in the area and you should be able to find direct flights from anywhere to Palermo Airport (PMO) without problems.

From the US, there is no direct flight so you are going to have to rely on transit flights from places like New York and Los Angeles via ITAL Airways through Rome (FCO). The whole journey should take about 11 hours. You can browse through great direct flights from here.

From Europe, there are a ton of low-cost flights from Wizz and Ryanair flying between Palermo and other European cities and the price can be as low as 35 EUR. You can find cheap airline tickets in Europe here.

From Asia, there is no direct flight from Asia but you should be able to find many transit flights that connect via middle east countries like Emirates via Dubai or Turkish Airlines via Istanbul. You will likely have to transit again somewhere in Europe before you can go to Palermo airport. The journey should take approximately 15 - 20 hours.

To find a cheap flight to Palermo, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.

How to get from Palermo to Agrigento?

From Palermo, you will have to get yourself to Palermo Central Train Station to catch a train to Agrigento. There are many direct trains connecting these 2 cities together starting from 5:43 AM to 8:43 PM. The train should take about 2 hours and costs around 11 EUR. You can book the train ticket here.

How to get from Agrigento to Valley of the Temples and vice versa?

From Agrigento, there are several ways to get to the Valley of the Temples independently, but the best way I found is to walk from the city to the park and enter from the East Entrance. The walk should take about 20 minutes and you are going downhill so it should be pretty easy and straightforward.

Once inside, walk through the park following my itinerary, exit from the West Entrance where you will find a bus stop right at the gate, and you can catch a bus back to Agrigento. That way, you do not have to walk back through the park and up to Agrigento again.

The bus runs every 30 minutes and it should take you all the way back to Agrigento arriving at the city's bus terminal in 20 minutes. The ticket should cost about 2 EUR per person and you can buy it on the bus. Be sure to bring cash and exact change for the ticket!

Keep in mind that this only works one way since the bus stop is only available at the West Entrance. Unlike what some blogs said, there is no bus stop on the East Entrance. If you want to take the bus both ways, you are going to have to enter and exit from the West Entrance only.

How to Get Around Valley of the Temples?

By walking: Of course, the only way to get around the Valley of the Temples is to walk and there is a ton of walking you have to do here so please prepare accordingly. Make sure you carry enough water and wear comfortable shoes for your Valley of the Temples visit.

By tours: You can also get around the Valley of the Temples via guided tours where the local guide will help you navigate the massive park and visit all the highlights without you having to worry about the logistics, perfect for those who are short on time.

Valley of the Temples Tickets, Costs, and Discounts

The Valley of the Temples ticket costs around 10 EUR for an adult, 5 EUR reduced price for EU citizens between the ages of 18 and under 25, and it is valid for 24 hours.

Every first Sunday of the month, every visitor will get free entry to the Valley of the Temples until 7 PM. After 7 PM, it's 10 EUR per person. You can book the ticket online from here.

If you wish to go inside the Giardino della Kolymbethra, be sure to buy the combined full ticket that includes access to the garden. The combined full ticket price should be around 15 EUR per person. You can book the ticket from here or buy it at the entrance.

You can also get a skip-the-line ticket which costs a little more but you will be able to skip the summer crowds and get access to the park instantly. You will also get an e-postcard for free as well as free cancellation in case your plan changes, etc.

Valley of the Temples Opening Hours

The opening hours from 1st July to 18th September on weekdays are between 8:30 AM and 11 PM with the last admission at 10 PM while on weekends, the opening hours are between 8:30 AM to 12 PM with the last admission at 11 PM.

During the off-season between 19th September and 31st December, the park is open from 8:30 AM to 8 PM with the last admission at 7 PM every day.

What to Pack for Valley of the Temples?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Valley of the Temples, Italy:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Valley of the Temples, Italy in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Note: Do not bring a tripod with you to the Valley of the Temples or they will confiscate it at the entrance and you won't be able to follow this itinerary and exit from another entrance since you would have come back to the same entrance and get your confiscated tripod.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in Valley of the Temples, Italy while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Tiqets is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Sicily

I hope you found this Italy travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Italy, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Sicily? Check out: One-Week Backpacking Sicily Itinerary
• First time visiting Italy? Here are the 15 Best Places to Visit in Italy.
• Want to see the highlights of Italy in 2 weeks? Be sure to check out our 2-Week Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
• Want to travel around Italy for one month, from the Dolomites in the north to Sicily in the south? You're going to love this backpacking itinerary packed with information: One Month Backpacking Italy Itinerary
• The capital city of Sicily, Palermo, is a diverse city steeped in rich and unique history, cultures, and traditions, making it the best place to begin your journey in Sicily. Planning a trip to Palermo? Be sure to check out the 17 Best Things to Do in Palermo.
• A great day trip from Palermo, Cefalu is a great destination complete with beautiful beaches and epic hikes. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Cefalu.
• Wondering what other things to do in Agrigento are? Check out: 8 Best Things to Do in Agrigento.
• Syracuse is a great base to explore eastern Sicily. If you are planning to visit the city, be sure to check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Syracuse.
• Planning to visit Noto and its famous flower festival in Sicily? Check out the 8 Best Things to Do in Noto.
• If you are looking for a great base to explore Puglia and Southern Italy, Bari is the best place to be. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Bari.
• Known for its unique cave dwellings and rock-cut architecture, Matera is one of the upcoming places for travelers to visit in Southern Italy. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Matera.
• For a complete 7-day backpacking itinerary in Central Italy that will take you from Rome to Pompeii to the Amalfi Coast, be sure to check out: 7 Days Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
• Rome needs no introduction from me. From well-trodden attractions like the Colosseum to hidden gem spots like the Appian Way, here are the 20 Best Things to Do in Rome you shouldn't miss!
• Wondering what you can do in Rome in 3 days? Check out our 3-day Backpacking Rome Itinerary.
• Looking for a complete itinerary for Northern Italy? Check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Northern Italy Itinerary.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Italy, visit the Italy Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.