Overview of Agrigento
This city located on the southern coast of the island of Sicily is one of the best places to go to if you are into Greek mythology and history. It is the home of a number of Greek ruins, temples, Gothic-style buildings, and archeological museums. It is also the home of the Almond Blossom Festival, which signals the beginning of Spring in Italy.
View of Agrigento City from the Valley of Temples
Agrigento is probably not as popular as most of the tourist-heavy destinations in Italy. However, it is a city that is well-worth adding to your list of places to visit in Sicily. Try to schedule a trip to this part of the country in late February or early March to be able to catch the almond trees blooming or in July when numerous festivals, like the Festa di San Calogero and Festa Del Mare happen.
Where to Go and What to See
In Agrigento, the main tourist attractions are those that have something to do with Greek mythology and culture. These are the many temples and ruins that have been around since 5th and 6th Century B.C. and are located south of the city center. Other tourist destinations here include the gothic-style cathedrals, Mediterranean-style monasteries, natural wonders, and the historical city center itself, which you can enjoy with a leisurely walk.
Valle dei Templi – This means Valley of Temples in English, and is called such because of the many Greek temple ruins found here. This one “valley” alone has around 7 notable temples that you can explore to your heart’s desire. There is the Temple of Juno, Temple of Hephaestus, Temple of Dioscuri, and the Temple of Heracles. Of course, you will also find the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Zeus here, along with other ruins such as the Olympeion Field, Greek Bouleuterion, and Oratory of Phalaris.
La Scala dei Turchi – One of the natural wonders you might not want to miss seeing here is the Turks Staircase, which is located southwest of the city of Argento, near Punta Grande. The blinding white color of these natural “stairs” is due to the white marl, which is a calcium carbonate stone, integrated into the soft limestone of these cliffs. The name of this natural wonder stems from the fact that this bay is where Turks in ancient times found shelter from time to time.
Regional Archaeological Museum of Agrigento – For those who love history and love to learn more about the city’s background, a visit to this museum may be in order. This museum shows you how the city rose from obscurity into one of the biggest cities in ancient times. Here you can see 7-meter high stone statues along with thousands of artifacts that were gained from the surrounding temple ruins and from private collections belonging to other museums.
What to Do
After you are done absorbing as much history as you want from the many ancient sites in and around Agrigento, you can then enjoy some of the other activities that you can indulge in here. Some of the things you should consider doing while in this Sicilian city include the following:
Gelato Selection in an Agrigento Gelateria
Head to the Beach – Sicily is, after all, an island that is surrounded by marvelous waters and has a total coastline of 1,484 kilometers. One of the beaches nearest to Agrigento is the one found in San Leone. If you want a quieter beach with fewer crowds, Fiumenaro is where you should go. For more privacy and breathtaking unspoiled nature, Punta Bianca is worth going to.
Farm Cultural Park – If ancient art is not your cup of tea, you might want to head over to Favara where the contemporary art of this abandoned village might enthrall you. Lots of modern artists leave their own versions of art here, with galleries, music events, and photo exhibits for you to enjoy along with the unique paintings and artwork on the walls of the seven white courtyards of this unique travel destination.
Try Sicilian Ice Cream – What better way to end a hot day of sightseeing than with a cool cone or two of Agrigento’s best ice cream? Locate the Le Cuspidi Gelateria in this city and choose from one of the many unique (and sometimes odd) flavors on display there. The most popular flavor? It is a toss-up between pistachio and the pecorino flavored ones.
To start planning your trip to Agrigento, call us at 800.955.4418 and we will be happy to answer any of your questions as well as plan your trip for you. You can always see this city on your Escorted Tour to Sicily or make it part of your custom tour of the country.
