What to see in Agrigento in 2 days: Greek temples, Arab old town and crystal-clear sea

Why visit Agrigento in 2 days

Agrigento is far more than the Valley of the Temples. Beneath the tourist surface lie an old town with an Arab layout and extremely narrow alleys, Baroque churches set into the rock, a Mediterranean botanical garden and spectacular beaches just a few kilometres away. Two days let you experience the city in its fullness, from Magna Graecia to the sea.

Day 1: the Valley of the Temples and the old town

Morning - Valley of the Temples

Dedicate the whole morning to the archaeological park, a UNESCO site since 1997. Enter from the eastern gate (Porta V) and follow the downhill route: the Temple of Juno, in a commanding position on the hill, delivers the first extraordinary view. Continue to the Temple of Concordia, among the best-preserved Greek temples in the world thanks to its conversion into a church in the 6th century.

Do not stop at the main temples: the Kolymbetra Garden, a fertile valley managed by Italy's FAI trust amid citrus groves and ancient olive trees, is a hidden gem that few visit. The shade and coolness are a relief on hot days. Finish with the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest ever designed in the Greek west: now in ruins, but the giant telamones convey the monumental scale.

Afternoon - Old town

Climb up to the Agrigento old town, a maze of alleys that reveals its Arab-Norman urban layout. Via Atenea is the commercial axis, but the surprises lie in the side streets: the Monastery of Santo Spirito, where nuns still prepare almond and pistachio sweets following medieval recipes, is a place out of time.

Visit the Cathedral of San Gerlando, with its painted wooden ceiling and the singular acoustics that amplify whispers. Nearby, the Church of Santa Maria dei Greci stands on the remains of a 5th-century BC Doric temple, visible through the glass floor.

Evening

At sunset return to the Valley of the Temples for the evening walk: from July to September the park opens at night with dramatic lighting. The Temple of Concordia illuminated against the starry sky is an unforgettable experience. Dine with pasta con le sarde and caponata in an old-town trattoria.

Day 2: sea, Scala dei Turchi and surroundings

Morning - Scala dei Turchi

Set off early for the Scala dei Turchi, about 15 km from the centre. This stepped white marl cliff plunges into the turquoise sea creating an almost lunar landscape. Arrive before 10 a.m. to enjoy it without crowds. Access from Lido Rossello beach is the most convenient. Bring sunscreen and water: there is no shade.

If you want a lesser-known alternative, Punta Bianca beach, further south, offers wild white-rock coves accessible with a short dirt-track walk. It is one of the most beautiful and least known beaches in Sicily.

Afternoon - Archaeological Museum and hidden gems

Return to town for the Pietro Griffo Regional Archaeological Museum, one of Sicily's most important. The full-size reconstructed telamon and the Gela vase alone are worth the visit.

In the afternoon seek out the Giudecca quarter, the ancient Jewish neighbourhood with its hidden courtyards. Stop by the Biblioteca Lucchesiana, an eighteenth-century jewel with wooden shelves and rare manuscripts, open to visitors yet almost unknown.

Evening

End your stay with a Sicilian granita (almond or black mulberry) and an arancino from one of the kiosks on the San Leone seafront, Agrigento's marina.

Practical tips

**When to go:** April-June and September-October; summer is scorching (bring a hat and water)
**Valley of the Temples:** full ticket around EUR 13, combined with Kolymbetra EUR 17
**Getting around:** car recommended for beaches and surroundings; old town on foot
**Night openings:** July-September, Friday and Saturday evenings
**Sweets:** do not miss the sweets from the Monastery of Santo Spirito
**Parking:** large free car park near the Valley of the Temples (Porta V entrance)