Agrigento Voyage Tips and guide

Agrigento (Sicilian: Girgenti or Giurgenti) rises on a ridge above the sea, its honey-hued buildings unfolding across the hills like a sunlit amphitheatre. Behind it, vineyards and almond groves stretch inland; below it, the ancient Valley of the Temples spills toward the coast in a sweep of Doric grandeur.

Once one of the great cities of Magna Graecia, Agrigento (ancient Akragas) still bears the layered marks of its history — Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman — all wrapped within a town that manages to feel both timeless and lived-in. Narrow alleyways wind through the historic centre of Girgenti, revealing Baroque churches, tucked-away trattorias, and glimpses of blue horizon between rooftops.

Today, Agrigento balances the weight of its past with a quietly modern rhythm. It draws visitors with world-class archaeology, but rewards them with sunset piazzas, literary echoes of Pirandello, and an authentic Sicilian pulse that lingers well beyond the ruins. This is not just a gateway to the ancient world — it’s a city with a soul of its own.

Founded around 582 BC by Greek settlers from Gela, Agrigento — then called Akragas — quickly rose to prominence as one of the most powerful cities in Magna Graecia. Under the tyrant Theron in the 5th century BC, the city flourished both culturally and architecturally, commissioning grand temples that still dominate the landscape of the Valley of the Temples today.

Akragas reached a golden age of wealth and influence, known for opulence and ambition. The philosopher Empedocles was born here, and the city minted its own coins and expanded deep into the Sicilian interior. However, it suffered from internal strife and was sacked by the Carthaginians in 406 BC, never fully regaining its former power.

Under Roman rule, renamed Agrigentum, the city became prosperous once more, with agriculture, sulfur mining, and a thriving port sustaining its economy. Cicero noted its importance in his writings, and it retained a mostly Greek character for centuries.

Following the fall of Rome, Agrigento passed through Vandal, Ostrogothic, Byzantine, Arab, and Norman hands. The Arabs relocated the town to the higher ridge for defensive reasons and left lasting cultural influences. The Normans renamed it Girgenti, a name it retained until 1927, when the Fascist regime restored the Latinised Agrigento. In 1934, the city gained further recognition as the birthplace of Nobel Prize-winning playwright Luigi Pirandello.

In 1997, Agrigento’s ancient remains were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2025 it will serve as Italy’s Capital of Culture.

Agrigento has a semi-arid Mediterranean climate, with long, hot, and dry summers and mild, relatively wet winters. Summer temperatures regularly reach into the high 20s °C (80s °F), and rainfall is rare between June and September. Winters are sunny and pleasant, with average daytime highs around 16–18 °C. Spring and autumn offer ideal weather for sightseeing, though brief thunderstorms are possible.4.

• 37.30985513.5847881 Ufficio Informazioni, Via Cesare Battisti, 15, ☏ +39 0922 20454, [email protected]. (updated Feb 2017)

Agrigento is well connected by train and bus, though access from the east of Sicily can be time-consuming. The Valley of the Temples and Porto Empedocle are both within easy reach.

The nearest major airports are:

• Palermo Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO) – 160 km north, about 2 hr 15 min by car.
• Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) – 165 km east, roughly 2 hr 30 min by car.
• Trapani–Birgi Airport (TPS) – 150 km northwest, around 2 hr by car.

There are no airports in Agrigento. Palermo and Catania airports offer car rental, trains (via connections), and buses to Agrigento.

Frequent regional trains connect Agrigento Centrale, near the centre of town, with Palermo and Caltanissetta. There are also less frequent services to Enna, but the train station in Enna lies about 5 km downhill from the town centre, making it a less practical option.

The journey between Agrigento and Palermo takes around 2 hours and costs €10.90 (as of March 2023). Reaching the eastern side of Sicily (e.g. Syracuse, Taormina) by rail is possible but slow and requires multiple changes.

• 37.3091213.584911 Agrigento Centrale railway station (Stazione di Agrigento Centrale), Piazza Marconi. The main station in Agrigento, located near the southeast edge of the historic centre.  

• 37.31930513.588342 Agrigento Bassa railway station (Stazione di Agrigento Bassa). Secondary station closer to Porto Empedocle, occasionally used for tourist trains and local services.  

Frequent long-distance buses run to Agrigento from Palermo, Caltanissetta, Catania, Sciacca, and other Sicilian cities. Buses also go to nearby towns such as Eraclea Minoa, and a few run to Gela, Mazara del Vallo, Marsala, and Trapani (2 hr 20 min).

The main bus terminal is:

• 37.31175313.586813 Autostazione (Bus station), Piazzale Fratelli Rosselli. Main terminal for regional buses including AST, SAIS, and Salvatore Lumia. Located a short walk from the train station. 

Check bus schedules on:

• Autolinee Lumia^{[dead link]} (for Trapani, Marsala, etc.)
• SAIS Autolinee (for Palermo, Catania)
• AST^{[dead link]} (for regional and local routes)

Agrigento is not a port city, but nearby Porto Empedocle (3 km southwest) offers ferry and hydrofoil service to the Pelagie Islands, particularly:

• Lampedusa
• Linosa

Ferries operate year-round, but hydrofoils run mainly in summer. Companies include:

• SIREMAR
• Liberty Lines (formerly Ustica Lines)

Local buses connect Porto Empedocle to Agrigento frequently.

37°18′32″N 13°35′2″E

Map of Agrigento

Agrigento’s historic centre and medieval streets are compact and walkable, easily reached on foot from the train station at Piazza Marconi.

The Agrigento Culture Pass includes access to the city’s main cultural attractions as well as a shuttle service connecting key stops: Stazione Centrale, Giunone, Ercole, Marag, and the cathedral, all for a single price.

Details, tickets, and timetables are available from Coopculture.it.

City buses operated by TUA run frequently from the main train station. Routes 1, 2, and 3 serve the Archaeological Museum and continue downhill to the main entrance of the Valley of the Temples. For the Temple of Juno (Tempio di Giunone) entrance, take bus 2/.

Timetables are available online, but the maps may not always reflect actual route changes.

TUA (Trasporti Urbani Agrigento). Buy tickets in advance from bars or tabacchi and validate them on board. You can also pay on board with coins, contactless card, or mobile payment (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay). Single: €1.20 in advance; €1.70 onboard; €1.50 with contactless or mobile payment. Day pass: €3.40. (updated Jun 2025)

Agrigento is rich in history, from its days as the powerful Greek city of Akragas to its later Roman, medieval, and Baroque incarnations. While the Valley of the Temples is its most iconic attraction, the city itself holds a wealth of lesser-known treasures, including archaeological remains, historic churches, and libraries nestled in the old town. Here’s where to begin exploring.

Agrigento’s main museum and archaeological collection is housed halfway between the city centre and the Valley of the Temples. It's an essential stop to understand the cultural and historical context of ancient Akragas — and a cool refuge on hot days.

• 37.29694413.5891671 Museo Archeologico Regionale "Pietro Griffo" (Regional Archaeological Museum), Contrada San Nicola 12 (Buses 1, 2, 2/, or 3 from Piazzale Rosselli), ☏ +39 0922 401565. Tu–Sa 09:00–19:00; Su M 09:00–13:00. This modern museum sits halfway between the city and the Valley of the Temples. Its exhibits showcase artifacts from ancient Akragas, including an impressive reconstructed telamon from the Temple of Olympian Zeus. €8. (updated Jul 2025)
• 37.3137813.576382 Museo Diocesano di Agrigento (Diocesan Museum), Via Duomo, 96 (next to the cathedral), ☏ +39 0922 595304. M–S 10:00–13:00, 16:00–19:00; Su 10:00–13:00. Located beside the cathedral, this museum showcases sacred art, liturgical vestments, silverware, and documents spanning centuries of ecclesiastical history. Housed in the 17th-century Episcopal Palace, its highlight is a richly decorated hall with coffered ceilings and Renaissance paintings. €5 (reduced €3, under 10 free). (updated Jul 2025)
• 37.2913613.551343 Casa Natale di Luigi Pirandello (Luigi Pirandello’s Birthplace and Museum), Contrada Caos, Via Pirandello (about 4 km west of the city centre, reachable by car or local bus), ☏ +39 0922 511218. Tu–Su 09:00–13:00, 15:30–19:00. The childhood home of Luigi Pirandello, Nobel laureate in literature (1934), houses a small museum with photographs, manuscripts, and personal belongings. Outside is a pine tree mentioned in his writings, and nearby is the site of his ashes. €4 (reduced €2). (updated Jul 2025)

Once one of the wealthiest cities in Magna Graecia, Agrigento preserves a sprawling array of Greek ruins and Roman neighbourhoods. The Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the crown jewel — but the lesser-visited Hellenistic-Roman Quarter offers a closer look at ancient urban life.

• 37.29008413.5872454 Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi), Via Panoramica dei Templi, snc (Casa Sanfilippo) (city buses 1, 2, 3 or 2/ from Piazzale Rosselli stop near the entrances), ☏ +39 0922 621657, [email protected]. Main path and Temple of Jupiter: 08:30–19:00. Remote areas (e.g. Demeter, Hellenistic quarter): 08:30–17:00. One of Sicily’s most important archaeological parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Valley of the Temples spans several kilometres of ancient Greek ruins. Its string of monumental Doric temples is comparable to Athens’ Acropolis. For detailed listings of each temple and how to visit, see the Valley of the Temples page. €12 park only, €18 combined with museum. (updated Jul 2025)

• 37.29749313.5917625 Quartiere Ellenistico–Romano (Hellenistic–Roman Quarter) (across the road from the archaeological museum). The remains of the ancient city’s residential area. You’ll find paved streets, cisterns, and several houses with original mosaics and walls. (updated Jul 2025)

Beyond its ancient past, Agrigento's hilltop old town offers a tapestry of architectural styles — Norman churches built on Greek foundations, Baroque monasteries, and stately libraries. A stroll through its upper streets reveals dramatic views and quiet corners filled with local charm.

• 37.31413.57586 Cattedrale di San Gerlando. Nov-Mar: Tu-Su 10:00-13:00; Apr-Oct: Tu-Su 10:00-13:30, 15:30-19:00. The large cathedral is uphill in the northwestern corner of the town center on Via Duomo. Built around 1000 AD it has since been altered several times but today offers grand views across the valley. (updated Feb 2017)
• 37.3132813.577947 Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Greci, Salita Santa Maria dei Greci. Nov-Mar: Tu-Su 10:00-13:00; Apr-Oct: Tu-Su 10:00-13:30, 15:30-19:00. An interesting Norman church built some 1000 years ago on the site of an ancient Greek temple. Free admittance. (updated Feb 2017)
• 37.3126513.579358 Monastero di Santo Spirito (Monastery of the Holy Spirit), Via Santo Spirito, 9 (close to Santa Maria dei Greci and the cathedral). Often open in the mornings; check locally or with the tourist office. A Cistercian monastery and former convent with a richly decorated Baroque interior, built between the 13th–14th centuries. It’s known for its stuccoes, cloister, and traditional almond pastries still made by the nuns. Free or donation. (updated Jul 2025)

• 37.3136313.576689 Biblioteca Lucchesiana (Lucchesiana Library), Via Duomo, 94 (just down from the cathedral), ☏ +39 0922 595275. M–F 08:00–13:30; check ahead for weekend openings. Founded in 1765, this elegant ecclesiastical library has a stunning wood-panelled interior and holds thousands of rare manuscripts, parchments, and incunabula. A hidden gem for architecture and book lovers. Free, donation welcome. (updated Jul 2025)

• 37.3122113.5792610 Church of San Lorenzo (del Purgatorio) (Chiesa di San Lorenzo), Via Atenea (on the main pedestrian street in the old town). Variable; usually open mornings or by request. A lovely Baroque church with dramatic interiors and stucco work by Giacomo Serpotta. Worth stepping into if you’re strolling Via Atenea. Free. (updated Jul 2025)

• 37.30643813.590881 Villa Bonfiglio (Municipal Gardens of Agrigento), Viale della Vittoria (near the southern end of the old town, along Viale della Vittoria). Always open. A pleasant municipal park with shady walking paths, benches, fountains, and sea views. Popular with locals for a relaxing stroll or resting under pine trees, especially in the late afternoon. Free. (updated Jul 2025)
• 37.31186413.5797022 Via Atenea (runs through the historic centre, parallel to Viale della Vittoria). Shops generally open 09:00–13:00 and 17:00–20:00; restaurants and cafés later. The heart of Agrigento’s historic centre, this pedestrian-friendly street is lined with elegant palazzi, boutique shops, historic cafés, gelaterie, and restaurants. In the early evening, it comes alive with locals enjoying the traditional passeggiata — a leisurely stroll and social ritual. A great place to browse, people-watch, or stop for a coffee or aperitivo. Keep an eye out for side alleys and stairways leading to picturesque viewpoints and hidden churches. Free to stroll. (updated Jul 2025)
• 37.290113.58723 Ridge Trail in the Valley of the Temples (Easy archaeological footpath), Start at main entrance, Valle dei Templi (walk from Temple of Juno entrance through temples of Concordia, Hercules and Jupiter). A flat and well-marked ~3 km loop (~1.8 mi) that's ideal for all levels. It links the Valley’s major temples and archaeological sites in a single stroll. Offers excellent views, ancient ruins, and interpretive signs along the route. Built paths make it accessible in dry weather, but bring water and sun protection in summer. Included with park entry (€12–18). 

• 37.311913.57974 Road‑cycling loop: Agrigento to Porto Empedocle and back (Scenic coastal cycling route), Start in Agrigento city centre (ride via coastal road SP21 to Porto Empedocle, then return through countryside roads). A scenic ~65 km (~40 mi) ride through undulating farmland and coastal roads. Moderate difficulty (~600 m elevation gain), suitable for experienced cyclists. Along the way you’ll pass olive groves, seaside villages, and the harbor town of Porto Empedocle. This route is popular on Saturday mornings in spring. Free. 

• Festa del Mandorlo in Fiore (almond Blossom Festival) towards the end of February is to be commended.

Sample the Greek-influenced cuisine, especially eggplant (aubergine) and olive oil-based dishes.

• Passo dei Briganti (Farmhouse), Highway N° 1 Villaseta-Agrigento, ☏ +39 393 12 41 080, +39 328 62 57 587, [email protected]. 
• La Terrazza degli Dei, Via Passeggiata Archeologica, 33 (inside the 5-star Hotel Villa Athena), ☏ +39 0922 596288, [email protected]. Open every day for lunch and dinner 12:30-18:30, 20:00-22:30. Gourmet cuisine with local products and fresh fish. (updated Jan 2019)

Agrigento’s café and bar scene is relaxed and rooted in tradition. During the day, locals gather at cafés for strong espresso or a refreshing granita, especially during the hot summer months. Aperitivo is a popular ritual in the early evening — head to one of the wine bars or terrace cafés along Via Atenea or Viale della Vittoria for a spritz, local wine, or Sicilian craft beer, often served with small snacks.

Nightlife is generally low-key, with a few bars and lounges staying open late on weekends. For a livelier scene, check out beach clubs and cocktail bars closer to San Leone, especially in summer.

• B&B Le Cinque Novelle (B&B Le Cinque Novelle), Via Amendola 24 (city centre), ☏ +39 0922 20232, +39 320 3146111, fax: +39 0922 080325, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 10:30. Free parking, 2 km from the Valley of the Temples min €50, max €80 for room. 
• B&B Night and Day, Via Romano 9 (Close to the main street via Atenea), [email protected]. Quiet and good value accommodation with clean rooms, central located and priced reasonably. Impressive view from the common terrace. Rooms from €50. 
• Belvedere (Via San Vito 20), ☏ +39 0922 20051. Up some steps around the corner from the station. Large & plain, but cheap and friendly. 
• Oceano&Mare (Bed and Breakfast Oceano&Mare), Via Caterina D'Altavilla 35 (in San Leone, 200 m from the sea), ☏ +39 0922 413041, fax: +39 0922 413041, [email protected]. €30 per person. 

• Hotel Baglio della Luna, C.da Maddalusa S.S. 640, Km 4, 150, ph (near the Valley of the Temples), ☏ +39 0922 511061, fax: +39 0922 598802. Rural hotel. 
• Camere a Sud. in the old town centre off Via Athena. Very small, tidy, stylish and modern B&B with nice breakfast served on the roof terrace. 

• Hotel Costa Azzurra (Saint Leone). 
• Hotel Dioscuri Bay Palace, Set in a very nice bay, on the promenade of San Leone. The hotel has 102 rooms, all with balcony over the sea or the hinterland. Bedrooms are decorated uniformly in soft colors. All rooms offer modern amenities such as hairdryer, frigo-bar, telephone, TV color and balcony. Bathrooms are provided either with bathtub or shower.
• Hotel Villa Athena, Via Passeggiata Archeologica 33 (inside the Valley of Temples), ☏ +39 0922596288, [email protected]. Beautiful rooms and suites overlooking the Concordia Temple, a brand new spa, a garden with private pool and the restaurant La Terrazza degli Dei, in a panoramic terrace in front of the Valley. (updated Dec 2018)

• 37.2441113.613761 Camping Nettuno, Via Lacco Ameno 3, ☏ +39 0922 416268, [email protected]. Apartments for rent 
• 37.2693613.583492 Camping Valle dei Templi, Viale Emporium 94 (Villaggio Mosè), ☏ +39 0922 411115, [email protected]. Place for 200 tents and 100 campers. There are also bungalows and mobile homes for rent. There is a swimming pool with bar and a pizzeria 

• Porto Empedocle – A nearby port town that blends into Agrigento’s urban area. It's the gateway to Lampedusa and known for the striking white cliffs of the Scala dei Turchi.
• Heraclea Minoa – Scenic coastal ruins of an ancient Greek city, about 25 km west along the coast.
• Caltanissetta – A hilltop city to the northeast, known for baroque architecture and mining history.
• Gela – A coastal town 64 km southeast, with Greek archaeological remains and wide sandy beaches.