Do you want to take a vacation in Agrigento but don’t know what to see? Great, you’ve come to the right article. Agrigento is a beautiful city with a lot to offer, and contrary to what you might think, its treasures are not limited to the Valley of the Temples. First of all, if you’re planning a visit, you can easily organize a DIY trip by booking all the services independently.
Let’s start by talking about the famous Valley of the Temples, which is not the city’s only attraction but has been declared the largest archaeological site in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. This itinerary follows the Via Sacra and will lead you to discover the majestic temples of Agrigento: starting from the Temple of Juno, then passing through the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Zeus, and finally arriving at the beautiful Temple of the Dioscuri.
Along the way, you may have a special encounter with the rare Girgentana goat with spiral horns. We also recommend a horseback excursion to admire the Archaeological Park from a completely different perspective.
Vacation in Agrigento: What to See
In Agrigento, you can also visit the Kolymbethra Garden located within the Valley of the Temples Park, a garden that is classified as a true earthly paradise. Here, you can find the true agricultural essence of Sicily among the many centuries-old olive trees, almond trees, and fragrant citrus groves. You can also explore the lush landscape by purchasing a combined ticket.
We recommend participating in the guided tour promoted by the FAI, which includes visits to hypogea—underground tunnels and fantastic caves dating back to the 5th century BC that lead to the ancient aqueduct.
But that’s not all. Agrigento also boasts a beautiful museum, the Pietro Griffo Museum, one of the most visited in all of Sicily. It houses numerous ceramics, sculptures, inscriptions, coins, and various archaeological materials from prehistory to the Greco-Roman era. For instance, the telamon you see among the ruins of the Temple of Zeus is apparently a faithful reproduction, as the original statue from the temple is housed in this museum.
Moreover, you can’t visit Agrigento without stopping by the Pirandello Theater. If you want to spend an evening differently from the usual, make sure to visit because you won’t regret it. This refined 19th-century building can be reached through the cloister of the Palazzo dei Giganti, which is the municipal seat. It was built following the unification of Italy and is dedicated to the Agrigento-born writer Luigi Pirandello. The theater hosts memorial plaques in his honor and stages numerous interesting performances each year.
Lastly, we suggest visiting the enchanting Staircase of the Artists and the historic center. The heart of Agrigento is constituted by Via Atenea, from which charming alleys and side streets branch off. One of these is crossed by the Staircase of the Artists, which is listed among the 16 most colorful staircases in the world.
