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Travel guides and videos

Agrigento (29,6Km)Holidays in Agrigento: Places to visit

Agrigento (29,6Km)Holidays in Agrigento: Planning the trip

Holidays in Agrigento: Places to visit

Temple of Concordia

On the second day of your trip, you will want to start your intensive tour of the city. You will wake up to the beautiful vegetation and flora of the Valley of the Temples, consisting of pistachio trees, olive trees, almond trees and wild flowers. The Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temple) is the most famous archaeological site in Agrigento housing part of the best preserved Ancient Greek ruins in the globe, more so outside Greece. This may be attributed to the fact that Agrigento had been colonised by Greek since 6th century BC. It is among the most exceptional examples of Greater Greece architecture and art, and is also among the main attractions of Agrigento. By visiting Agrigento, your trip will be incomplete if you do not get to this amazing historical site, which also happens to be a national monument of Italy. The entrance fee is about 8 Euros. The Valley of the Temples (which is more of a ridge than a valley) is majorly comprised of the beautiful relics of nine sacred temples out of the original ten. The best preserved of the relics was built in the 5th century BC, the Temple of Concorde, which was incorporated into a church. The other temples that you will need to have a glimpse at are the Temple of Juno, Temple of Hercules, Temple of Zeus Olympic, Temple of Vulcan, Temple of Asclepius, Temple of Castor and Polllux. To the east of the entrance, the first temple is the Tempio di Ercole (Temple of Hercules). It is thin, long and around a third standing. This is the oldest of the temples, built at the end of the 6th century BC. Close to it are some fascinating deep ruts made by ancient carriages. Next to it, heading east is the large Tempio della Concorda, the most impressive almost whole structure that was built around 440-450 BC. The narrow track continues up the small cliffs on the ridge towards the Temple of Juno. It is partially ruined but offers a perfect spot to look down the ridge at the other temples. The Temple of Zeus Olympic in the museum together with Gigante recreations show the form and size of the temple. At one time, this temple was supported by 38 gigante. Even though it has been reduced to a mere jumble of large stones, this temple was at one time the biggest known Greek temple in the globe. Besides the temples, the valley of the Temples holds numerous other archaeological sites that include the 1st century AD Temple of Theron as well as several sanctuaries which were built in as early as the sixth century. At the western area of the valley where the Temple of Concorde lies, are sections of early-medieval necropolis that were constructed on existing cisterns. You will have the chance to see some of the tombs and catacombs in the Grotte Fragapane that date back to the 4th century AD. Guided tours of the Valley of the Temples may be hired and audio tours are available at the entrance. To complement your trip to the Valley of the Temples you will need to visit the archaeological Museum situated at the city centre as well as the adjacent Roman Quarter. The Museum is approximately half way from the Valley of the Temples to the station and houses various artifacts taken from the site. Interesting exhibits in the archaeological Museum include a large collection of vases, Roman mosaics and lion-head water spouts. When it was built, it was intended to accommodate a large telamon to be constructed from pieces. The ancient centre of Agrigento is worth a visit as well. The magnificent cathedral is uphill to northwestern corner of the city centre on Via Duomo. It was built around 1000AD and has since been renovated several times. Today, the cathedral offers amazing views across the valley. It is advisable to visit this place earlier in the day because it closes from 12-4 pm. From the cathedral you may head yet to another church, the Salita Santa Maria dei Greci. It is an interesting Norman church, built about 1000 years ago at the site where an ancient Greek temple had been built. You will not have to worry about entrance cost since it is free. The historic centre of Agrigento (Girgenti) in itself deserves a tour. It is perched on the Girgenti Hills, a spot chosen for defensive and its proximity to the new port, making it quite favourable to trade. Walking in this ancient centre allows you t explore the piazzas, maze of tiny alleys and side-streets of the old town. The tour begins at the Church of San Calogero, which is located at the corner of Viale della Vittoria, a magnificent vista. You will then proceed to the Via Antenea, the main street and the Porta di Ponte. In case you wish to shop some souvenirs to remind you of your memorable trip to Agrigento, Via Antenea is the place to do so. The street is lined with old palaces, shops and shopping halls on either side. Right ahead, the Monastero di Santo Spirito and the abbey Church beckon you to have a peep in their art. They are a splendid example of prototype Chiaramonte and medieval art in Sicily. They form the most intriguing monument of the historical centre of Agrigento. The generous nuns at this place offer couscous and sugary sweets as well as almond macaroon, which they prepare according to the ancient recipes. Do not miss to taste them because you will never find them anywhere else in the world; the ancient recipes used to make them are kept a secret and jealously preserved. Then next exciting place to go is the Pirandello’s house museum. A visit to Luigi Pirandello’s birthplace starts at his House. It was greatly restored after the war and has been converted into a museum, displaying relics, paintings, family photos, manuscripts, theatrical images and editions of theatrical novels and works. From the house you will take a short path leading to the ‘rough stone’ that contains his ashes, as you admire the unique view on the ‘’African Sea’’. A visit to Agrigento will most definitely expose you to ancient history. By visiting all the exciting places in this amazing city, you will have a life time experience, and you will notice that it is worth the effort.Planning the trip

scritto da Bridget Brackett - ultima modifica il 29/02/2020

Holidays in Agrigento: Planning the trip

Temple of June

Agrigento is a city on the coast of Sicily, Italy. The city is popular as an attraction site of the ancient Greek town of Akragas, one of the leading cities during the golden era of ancient Greece. It is founded on a plateau adjacent to the sea with Rivers Akragas and Hypsas nearby. On its north is a ridge which offers a degree of natural fortification. Agrigento is a main tourist centre thanks to its exceptionally rich archaeological legacy. When you are on a two-day visit to this wonderful city, you will definitely not lack something to do or see. You need to generate a precise plan to follow for you to pay a trip to the multiple fascinating sites in the city, or else you will surely be beaten by time. The First dayOn the first day, you will be quite unfamiliar with the city. You will therefore need to know each corner of the town, places to visit, how to get there and any other relevant information that will be useful in your adventure. Helpful information can be obtained from the tourist information offices on Piazza Marconi close to the railway station or in the city centre on Piazzale Aldo Moro. There also exists general tourist information at the parking lot found at the Valley of the Temples archaeological site.How to arriveTravelling to Agrigento is quite easy for the locals but foreigners need to extensively plan for this trip. In case you are a visitor to Italy and you wish to pay a visit to this great place, you will need to select most suitable of the various airports that are connected to Agrigento. The town does not have its own airport but the nearest include International Airport Palermo, Pantelleria Airport, international Airport Cantania-Fontanarossa and International Airport Trapani-Birgi. Once you are at the airport the preferable solution is to hire a taxi or a car to get to Agrigento. Trains are the most common transport modes to and from Agrigento. The place is quite a distance from other towns which calls for the use of efficient trains from Palermo and Caltanissetta. The journey by train will take about 3 hours and you will have the opportunity to see the countryside as you maneuver through the hills. The coach is the perfect substitute to the trains, where you travel faster and more comfortable. Sitting on the top of the speeding double-decker coach is an experience you will not easily forget. Using a bus makes your journey easier. Agrigento has a superb bus network to Catania, Palermo, Sciacca, Caltanissetta and Gela. Regular city buses run from the train station, stop at the Archaeological Museum then slightly further downhill to the major entrance of the Valley of Temples. If you want to enjoy the sea then you will need to travel by boat. There is daily transport by boats in the summer but limited boat activity during the winter. Porto Empedocle, Agrigento’s port is situated 3 km away from the town. The boats and hydrofoils at this port lead to Pelagie, Lampedusa and Linosa islands. Getting around Agrigento will require you to hire a car or a scooter. They are the mostly used local transportation modes. Most streets in the town are quite wide and vey high while others are more narrow and curved. These scooters find their way around quite easily. The landscape is not flat thus the use of bicycles is extremely limited. The medieval streets and the town centre can be reached from the train station by foot, though it could get quite hot during the summer season. There are a variety of restaurants close to the historic center. Preferably, you may visit the Concordia, off Atenea for good fish dishes and pastas. In case you want to taste a splurge, you may get it at the Villa Athena whenever they are serving on the terrace. Along with the excellent foods, you will have a spectacular view of the temples. Since you are staying in Agrigento for two days, you will probably need to spend the night. There are various inexpensive bases suitable for exploring the area. Places to visit

scritto da Bridget Brackett - ultima modifica il 14/05/2020

Country

Grotte della Gurfa

Alia (23 Km)

The Gurfa caves are an example of Sicilian rock architecture. They consist of six rooms dug into a red sandstone cliff. They are thought to date back to 2500 BC to 1600 BC Bronze Age. The Gurfa caves are divided into two floors connected by the bell cave (thòlos), the main room with a hole at its top that allows the illumination of the cave.

Art and culture

Antiquarium Comunale

Milena (12 Km)

The Antiquarium Comunale di Milena is located inside the Priorale Palace of Otricoli. The museum houses a collection of archaeological objects belonging to the Roman city of Ocricolum and is open to the public.

Palazzo Principe Naselli

Aragona (20 Km)

Palazzo Principe Naselli dates back to the 18th century and has a typical noble structure. It took its name from Baldassare Naselli Branciforti, the prince of the area at the time, and the person who commissioned its construction. Inside you can admire the numerous frescoes and the ancient art gallery that houses several works of great cultural value for the area. Currently the palace is home to the Town Hall of the area and the women's orphanage.

Palazzo Guccione

Alia (23 Km)

Palazzo Guccione is the most important example of residential building of the last century in Alia, built in Art Nouveau style. This was erected in the highest and oldest part of the country, namely in the Rapatello district. The building is eclectic with strong references to Sicilian Liberty.

Chiesa Maria SS. di tutte le Grazie

Alia (23 Km)

The Church of All Graces was built between 1630 and 1639. The building is in late Renaissance style, with arches and round and some decorative elements in Baroque style, among which stand out the stuccoes of the apse with gold reliefs.

Archi Feudali

Alia (23 Km)

The feudal arches were built in the middle of the last century and their history is closely linked to the power of the Guccione family. In fact, in 1852, they had the arches built on a public road in order to connect their homes.

Museo Etnoantropologico

Alia (23 Km)

The Ethnoanthropological Museum of Alia is located in the “Pittà” house. The museum houses objects from private collections and testifies to the agro-pastoral culture of the city. In fact, the museum exhibits tools and tools in use in the past centuries, necessary for the processing of iron, wheat, care for cattle and craft creations. The collection was divided into four sections.

Castello di Bivona

Bivona (24 Km)

Historical news of the Castle of Bivona has been reported starting from the 13th century and it turns out to be built in the Middle Ages with the function of defending the territory and the locality. In fact, it was one of the few fortifications that were built inside the town. Currently, only a few ruins declared a national monument are visible of the castle.

Statua del Bagnasco

Alia (23 Km)

The statue of Bagnasco is the oldest and most relevant gentility tomb from a historical-artistic point of view. Belonging to Alia's most famous family, the tomb was built in about 1870, and was dedicated to the memory of Matteo Guccione Martino. This depicts Death, in the form of a young woman with a small scythe in her hand.

Food and wine

Azienda Agricola Baronia della Pietra

Alessandria della Rocca (22 Km)

Cantina Sociale La Torre

Racalmuto (20 Km)

Castellucci Miano Spa

Valledolmo (22 Km)

Services and tourist information

Comune di Acquaviva Platani

Acquaviva Platani

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Acquaviva Platani

Acquaviva Platani

Comune di Santa Elisabetta

Santa Elisabetta (20 Km)

Comune di Sant'Angelo Muxaro

Sant'Angelo Muxaro (17 Km)

Comune di Campofranco

Campofranco (7 Km)

Comune di Marianopoli

Marianopoli (19 Km)

Comune di Milena

Milena (12 Km)

Comune di Serradifalco

Serradifalco (20 Km)

Comune di Alia

Alia (23 Km)

Comune di Lercara Friddi

Lercara Friddi (21 Km)

Pro Loco Lercara Friddi

Lercara Friddi (19 Km)

La Quercia Grande

Santo Stefano Quisquina (20 Km)

Comune di Mussomeli

Mussomeli (5 Km)

Associazione Turistica Pro Loco Mussomeli

Mussomeli (5 Km)

Comune di Sutera

Sutera (6 Km)

Comune di Vallelunga Pratameno

Vallelunga Pratameno (16 Km)

Comune di Valledolmo

Valledolmo (22 Km)

Comune di Aragona

Aragona (20 Km)

Comune di Casteltermini

Casteltermini (6 Km)

Comune di Castrofilippo

Castrofilippo (25 Km)

Comune di Comitini

Comitini (19 Km)

Comune di Racalmuto

Racalmuto (18 Km)

Comune di Raffadali

Raffadali (24 Km)

Comune di San Biagio Platani

San Biagio Platani (17 Km)

Comune di San Giovanni Gemini

San Giovanni Gemini (8 Km)

Comune di Grotte

Grotte (19 Km)

Comune di Joppolo Giancaxio

Joppolo Giancaxio (24 Km)

Comune di Cianciana

Cianciana (24 Km)

Comune di Alessandria della Rocca

Alessandria della Rocca (22 Km)

Comune di Bivona

Bivona (24 Km)

Comune di Cammarata

Cammarata (9 Km)

Pro loco Sutera

Sutera (6 Km)

Pro Loco Milena

Milena (12 Km)

Pro Loco Mussomeli

Mussomeli (12 Km)

Pro Loco Bivona

Bivona (24 Km)

Pro Loco Chiuddia Casteltermini

Casteltermini (7 Km)

Comune di Montedoro

Montedoro (17 Km)

Comune di Santo Stefano Quisquina

Santo Stefano Quisquina (20 Km)

Comune di Bompensiere

Bompensiere (13 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Alessandria Della Rocca

Alessandria della Rocca (22 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Alia

Alia (23 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Aragona

Aragona (20 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Bivona

Bivona (24 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Bompensiere

Bompensiere (13 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Cammarata

Cammarata (9 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Campofranco

Campofranco (7 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Casteltermini

Casteltermini (6 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Castrofilippo

Castrofilippo (25 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Castronovo Di Sicilia

Castronovo di Sicilia (15 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Cianciana

Cianciana (24 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Comitini

Comitini (19 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Grotte

Grotte (19 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Joppolo Giancaxio

Joppolo Giancaxio (24 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Lercara Friddi

Lercara Friddi (21 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Marianopoli

Marianopoli (19 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Milena

Milena (12 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Montedoro

Montedoro (17 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Mussomeli

Mussomeli (4 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Racalmuto

Racalmuto (19 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Raffadali

Raffadali (24 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica San Biagio Platani

San Biagio Platani (17 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica San Giovanni Gemini

San Giovanni Gemini (8 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Santa Elisabetta

Santa Elisabetta (20 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Sant'angelo Muxaro

Sant'Angelo Muxaro (17 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Santo Stefano Quisquina

Santo Stefano Quisquina (19 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Serradifalco

Serradifalco (21 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Sutera

Sutera (6 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Valledolmo

Valledolmo (22 Km)

I.A.T. Ufficio Informazioni e di Accoglienza Turistica Vallelunga Pratameno

Vallelunga Pratameno (17 Km)

Destinations nearby

Visit Acquaviva Platani - Tourism and travel tips for your vacation or weekend.

Travel guides and videos

Agrigento (29,6Km)Holidays in Agrigento: Places to visit

Agrigento (29,6Km)Holidays in Agrigento: Planning the trip

Country

Art and culture

Food and wine

Services and tourist information

Destinations nearby

Mussomeli

Casteltermini

Campofranco

San Giovanni Gemini

Cammarata

Sutera

Bompensiere

Castronovo di Sicilia

Milena

Comitini

Montedoro

Lercara Friddi

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OTHER LANGUAGES

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

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