"Very good organization, nice guides and beautiful trip."
Palermo · Agrigento · Valley of the Temples
Agrigento & the Valley of the Temples Day Trip from Palermo
Stand among ancient Greek temples at Agrigento on a day trip from Palermo — including the near-perfect Temple of Concordia. From $74, free cancellation.
From
$74
per person
Free cancellation
The Valley of the Temples at Agrigento is the finest group of ancient Greek buildings outside Greece itself — a ridge of honey-gold Doric temples raised by the colonists of Akragas more than 2,400 years ago. It is the single most important archaeological site in Sicily, and this day trip brings it within reach of Palermo: round-trip transport, a guided walk through the temples, and time to take in the scale of it. From $74 per person, rated 4.2/5 by more than 1,336 travellers, with free cancellation.
The Temple of Concordia at Agrigento — among the best-preserved Greek temples anywhere — reached on a day trip from Palermo.What the Valley of the Temples Actually Is
Despite the name, the temples stand along a ridge, not in a valley — the Italian valle here means the wider archaeological park. UNESCO inscribed the site in 1997, recognising it as one of the great achievements of Magna Graecia, the Greek world of southern Italy and Sicily. Ancient Akragas was, in the 5th century BC, one of the richest cities of the Mediterranean, and its citizens spent that wealth on a line of monumental temples facing the sea.
Seven main temples survive in varying states. The crown is the Temple of Concordia — built around 440–430 BC and astonishingly intact, partly because it was converted into a Christian church in the 6th century and so never quarried for stone. Nearby stand the Temple of Juno (Hera) on the ridge’s highest point, the tumbled columns of the Temple of Heracles, and the vast ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which once carried giant stone telamons — eight-metre human figures — between its columns.
The Drive from Palermo
Agrigento sits on Sicily’s southern coast, roughly 130 km and about two hours from Palermo across the island’s mountainous interior. That makes it a very manageable day trip — far closer than the eastern volcano country. On this 8-hour tour, most of your day is spent at the site rather than on the road, with a guided walk explaining the temples followed by time to explore and photograph at your own pace.
What’s Included — and What to Bring
The fare covers round-trip transport and a guide at the Valley of the Temples. Park entrance tickets and lunch are generally paid locally. The park is large, open, and exposed, so a few practicalities matter:
- Sun protection is essential — there is almost no shade among the temples. Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and water.
- Wear proper walking shoes. The paths are gravel and stone, with gentle climbs along the ridge.
- Spring and autumn are ideal; summer middays are very hot. The site is at its most beautiful in soft late-afternoon light.
- Carry some cash for the entrance ticket and a southern-Sicilian lunch.
Add Scala dei Turchi or the Villa Romana?
Several variants pair the temples with a second marvel, and the comparison table below sets them out. One popular option adds the Scala dei Turchi — a brilliant-white cliff of soft marl near Realmonte that steps down to the sea in smooth terraces, dazzling against the blue water (a photo stop on the Valley of the Temples and Scala dei Turchi trip). A longer, higher-rated alternative swaps in the Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina, whose Roman floor mosaics — including the famous “bikini girls” — are themselves a separate UNESCO site. Choose the straight temples tour if you want the most time at Agrigento for the lowest price; choose a combination if you’d rather see two icons in one long day.
Is the Day Trip Worth It?
For most visitors to Palermo, yes — emphatically. The Valley of the Temples is the kind of place that recalibrates your sense of the ancient world, and there is no equivalent within the city. The 4.2/5 rating reflects a large-group logistics experience rather than the temples themselves, which are universally praised. If you only take one excursion from Palermo and you care about history, this is the one.
Planning the Rest of Your Sicily Trip
Pair Agrigento with the city’s other great escapes. For Norman art and a seaside town, see the Monreale and Cefalù day trip. For raw natural drama and a clifftop resort, there’s the Mount Etna and Taormina excursion. And in the city itself, the Palermo street food walking tour is still the best-rated way to get under the skin of Sicily’s capital.
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Valley of the Temples — Compare Your Options
The straight temples day, the temples plus Scala dei Turchi, or a premium temples-and-mosaics marathon.
| Feature | RECOMMENDED Agrigento Temples Day Tour | Temples + Scala dei Turchi | Villa Romana + Temples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 8 hours | 8 hours | 11 hours (long day) |
| Starting Price | From $74/per person | From $75/person | From $143/person |
| Main Sights | Valley of the Temples (Concordia, Juno, Heracles) | Valley of the Temples + Scala dei Turchi cliff | Valley of the Temples + Villa Romana del Casale |
| Travel from Palermo | ~2 hours each way | ~2 hours each way | ~2 – 2.5 hours each way |
| UNESCO Sites | 1 (Valley of the Temples) | 1 + a natural-cliff photo stop | 2 (Temples + Villa Romana mosaics) |
| Guided | ✓ Guided temple walk | ✓ Guided temple walk | ✓ Guided at both sites |
| Best For | Most temple time for the lowest price | Adding a striking coastal photo stop | Two UNESCO icons in one big day |
| Free Cancellation | ✓ Up to 24 hours before | ✓ Up to 24 hours before | ✓ Up to 24 hours before |
| Book Now | View Options | View Options |
More Options
Compare Valley of the Temples Day Trips
Other highly-rated ways to see this part of Sicily — all with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
+ SCALA DEI TURCHIPalermo: Valley of the Temples and Scala dei Turchi Day Trip
Discover Valley of the Temples Park on a day trip from Palermo. Enjoy some time to explore the park at your leisure, and make a photo stop at the Scala dei Turchi cliff.
+ VILLA ROMANAFrom Palermo: Villa Romana and Valley of the Temples Trip
Visit the Roman heart of Sicily and charming Greek temples in one day. See the incredible mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale and take a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples.
ON-SITE GUIDEAgrigento: Valley of the Temples Premium Guided Tour
Experience the Valley of the Temples with a live local guide (English or Spanish). Stroll through the greek ruins and admire a magical sunset in this timeless Sicilian wonder.
Guest Reviews
What Our Guests Say
4/5
from 1336 verified guests
"The trip was amazing! Our driver, Sergio, was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of useful and interesting information about the site. The car was very comfortable, and everything was well organized and convenient. The location itself is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. Sergio even provided an audio guide in several languages during the ride, so we were able to learn a lot before arriving. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. I would highly recommend it!"
"Sergio our driver is experienced and professional, with a great sense of humour. We have sufficient time to walk around and the scenic point was spectacular."
"This was the only organised trip we took during our holiday in Palermo - everything else we did ourselves either on foot or public transport - and it was absolutely worth every euro! Sergio was a lovely friendly driver, he looked after everyone and made sure we had a good time. The food we bought at the morning pitstop was delicious and good value. The Greek temples are hugely impressive and atmospheric and we also managed, just, to squeeze in a quick visit to the Kolymbetra garden, recently restored. But one of the best things about this trip is the journey. It really opens your eyes to how beautiful Sicily is, especially the return via the motorway which took us through a national park. Stunning! All in all I would recommend this trip wholeheartedly."
"Sergio was the best driver! Very pleasant and informative. Made sure everyone was comfortable and good amount of stops to use the washroom along the way!"
"The meeting point was very easy to find and the whole day was well organised. Our driver Sergio was really friendly and was a great driver for this trip. The site itself was incredible and was well worth it. I suggest pre booking a ticket online so you don't have to wait in the queue or the ticket office which gave us a bit extra time to wander around the site. All in all a great trip and well worth the money."
"Everything was convenient, right on schedule, the place was amazing."
"Trip was a good one. I liked the drive down to the valley of the temples. As it was March 8, my wife got in free and we used the money towards exploring the gardens in addition to temples, which I recommend. The vernal setting really added to the atmosphere of the temples, the age of which is at times hard to take in: the time of Pythagoras and Empedocles. Sergio, the driver/guide, was pleasant, and generally kept us informed. After the temples the itinerary seemed to slip a bit and perhaps a bit more info would have helped, as it was unclear to us when we would have time for lunch. But anyway, overall, was a great day out and I'd recommend this trip. Many thanks"
"Great trip to the valley of the Temples, an amazing site. Bring water and good walking shoes it covers a vast area. It might have been mice to actually stop by the sea on the way back. The view was lovely but there was nowhere to even get a coffee."
"Great day of excursion! The stop durations are well chosen and the road is pleasant. Special mention for Ricardo, our driver who was very kind and who assured. Thank you! I recommend this excursion!"
"Th site itself was worth the visit and had a lot more than expected. There’s a cafe at the actual site which isn’t bad, has nice ice cream and a few options for lunch. The hero of the day was the driver, he managed to manoeuvre that bus around tight village streets without raising any eyebrows. Not sure what the purpose of the guide was but oh well, the day ran smoothly and we had a nice day. Definitely would advise bringing snacks on this one, especially if you doesn’t eat meant as ‘meat or don’t eat’ seems to be the theme of these rest stops."
"Le transport se fait par van dont la suspension souffre des conditions de la route. Conduite disons sportive. 2 heures pour la visite, c’est un peu juste. Arrêt au retour alors que nous ne sommes qu’à 20 Minutes de l’arrivée, inutile. Le guide tant qu’à moi n’a servi qu’à séparer les gens par van."
"Tout était parfait, les guides étaient d’une gentillesse incroyable, les endroits visités magnifiques… tout était très bien ficelé du début à la fin sans aucuns problèmes. Le rapport qualité/prix est excellent, c’est une activité à ne surtout pas louper si vous venez à Palerme !"
Read all 1336 verified reviews
See All ReviewsValley of the Temples Day Trip — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking your Agrigento day trip from Palermo.
It is the great archaeological park at Agrigento on Sicily's southern coast — a ridge of monumental ancient Greek Doric temples raised by the colonists of Akragas more than 2,400 years ago. It is the most important archaeological site in Sicily and one of the finest surviving groups of Greek temples anywhere.
Yes. The Valley of the Temples was inscribed by UNESCO in 1997 as an outstanding monument of Magna Graecia, the Greek world of southern Italy and Sicily.
Agrigento is about 130 km and roughly two hours from Palermo, across the mountainous interior of the island. That makes it a very manageable day trip — far closer than the eastern volcano country around Etna and Taormina.
The star is the Temple of Concordia, built around 440 to 430 BC and astonishingly well preserved. You will also see the Temple of Juno on the ridge's high point, the toppled columns of the Temple of Heracles, and the vast remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
This is an 8-hour tour. Because Agrigento is relatively close to Palermo, most of the day is spent at the site itself — a guided walk through the temples followed by free time to explore and photograph at your own pace.
The fare covers round-trip transport from Palermo and a guide at the Valley of the Temples. Park entrance tickets and lunch are generally paid locally, so carry some cash or a card.
The Scala dei Turchi is a striking white cliff of soft marl near Realmonte, a short distance from Agrigento, which steps down to the sea in smooth natural terraces that dazzle against the blue water. Some Valley-of-the-Temples tours add it as a photo stop.
Spring and autumn are ideal, with comfortable temperatures and good light. Summer middays are very hot and the site has almost no shade. The temples are at their most beautiful in soft late-afternoon light.
Wear proper walking shoes for the gravel paths and gentle climbs, and bring serious sun protection — a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and plenty of water. There is very little shade among the temples.
The tour holds 4.2 out of 5 from more than 1,336 travellers. The rating reflects a large-group day-trip experience; the temples themselves are almost universally described as a highlight of any visit to Sicily.
For most history-minded visitors, emphatically yes. There is no equivalent to the Valley of the Temples within Palermo, and the two-hour drive is modest by Sicilian standards. If you take only one excursion from the city and you care about the ancient world, this is the one to choose.
Palermo is well placed for excursions. You can pair Agrigento with the Norman art of Monreale and Cefalù (a short half-day), or tackle the long full-day crossing to Mount Etna and Taormina in the east. Back in the city, the Palermo street food walking tour is the best-rated experience.
Still have questions? Email us at info@palermotour.com
More Sicily Day Trips from Palermo
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Reserve your Agrigento day trip from $74 per person. Round-trip transport, a guided walk through the temples, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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