8 Awesome Things to Do in Agrigento for First-Timers

8 Best Things to Do in Agrigento

1. Explore the Valley of the Temples

Of course, one of the highlights of visiting Agrigento is exploring the Valley of the Temples, a collection of ancient Greek temples in the ancient city of Akragas located just outside of Agrigento.

The ruins here are some of the most well-preserved Greek ruins you will find anywhere in the world, many of which date all the way back to the 5th Century BC.

Temples like the Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Zeus, are so well-preserved, considering they were built over 2000 years ago, they provide us with an example of the Doric-Greek-style architecture the ancient Greeks had mastered.

Temple of Concordia in particular, is one of the most well-preserved structures from Ancient Greece I have ever seen. Most of the temple's exterior is left pretty much intact except the roof, something not so easy to see in such a complete form.

Not too far from the temple, you will find a massive bronze statue of Icarus laying on the ground, legless and wingless, perfect for the metaphor Icarus represents.

Other notable attractions in the park you should see are Tempio di Giunone, an ancient Greek temple built in the 5th Century BC dedicated to the goddess Juno, Temple Of Heracles, an ancient Greek temple dedicated to Heracles, the Greek god of strength and courage, and the Temple of Zeus, a temple dedicated to Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology.

The park is pretty big and it can take between 2 - 3 hours to see them all. It is also divided into 2 sections with 2 entrances and if you plan to visit the archeological site by public transportation, the best way to do it is to enter the park from the East Entrance and exit from the West Entrance, that way you won't need to backtrack your way after you are done.

To get to the Valley of the Temples from Agrigento, you will have to walk 30 minutes from the city down to the East Entrance. There is no bus stop at this entrance so there is no way around it. Don't worry though as the walking path from the city to the park is going downhill most of the time so it should be a breeze.

Enter the East Entrance, explore the site, exit to the West Entrance, and right at the exit, you will find a bus stop where you can catch the bus back to Agrigento without having to walk up the hill again.

Definitely one of the best things to do in Agrigento so do not miss it. The entrance ticket is around 10 EUR per person and the archeological site is open from 8:30 AM to 8 PM or 12 PM depending on the season. Be sure to be there early in the morning for the best light and to avoid crowds.

For a complete travel guide to the Valley of the Temples, check out:A Complete Guide to the Valley of the Temples, Sicily

2. Learn More About The Ruins at Pietro Griffo Archaeological Museum

Located just north of the West Entrance of the Valley of the Temples, you will find the Pietro Griffo Archaeological Museum, an archeological museum named after Pietro Griffo, an Italian archeologist, and is dedicated to showcasing the rich cultural and historical heritage of the area.

In the museum, you will be able to see a wide range of artifacts, including ceramics, sculptures, coins, jewelry, and more. The exhibits provide a comprehensive overview of the history and culture of the area, including the ancient Greek city of Akragas, which was located in the area that is now Agrigento, and all the ruins you see here were all part of Akragas.

It is a great place to learn a little bit more about the ruins at the Valley of the Temples. The museum is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day and the entrance ticket is around 13.5 EUR which includes both access to the museum and the Valley of the Temples. You can buy it online here.

3. Explore the Streets of Agrigento Old Town

After visiting the Valley of the Temples, it is time to see what Agrigento has to offer by exploring its charming old town area beginning at Porta Di Ponte, a historic gate, one of the few surviving parts of the ancient city walls of Akragas, the ancient Greek city that once stood in the area.

The gate is connected to a strip of a pedestrian street lined with cafes, shops, and restaurants you can indulge yourself in. It is also a great place to start exploring the awesome street food scene of the city with many delicious varieties of delicacies you can try.

While you explore the crisscrossing streets of Agrigento Old Town, be sure to check out some of the most notable attractions in the area such as Monache cistercensi santo spirito, a beautiful church featuring incredibly detailed stucco sculpture, Chiesa di San Lorenzo detta del Purgatorio, a church with a beautiful facade, and all the small narrow streets with local houses decorated with flowers lined up the hill all the way to the top.

If you are not sure where you should be heading, you can start at Porta Di Ponte and improvise your way to get to Cattedrale di San Gerlando, the highlight of visiting Agrigento and an attraction we will be discussing in the next section. Be prepared to hike several steps to get to the cathedral.

4. Try the famous Sicilian spleen sandwich at L'antica Panineria

Before you enter the Old Town via Porta Di Ponte, be sure to stop by L'antica Panineria Restaurant located not too far from the historic gate, and try out the local delicacy here.

L'antica Panineria Restaurant is an old local restaurant that has been operating in the city since 1965 and the place is known for its delicious Panino Con Milza (schietto), a traditional street food in Sicily made out of soft bread stuffed with boiled, fried chopped veal lung, and spleen, and something you really have to try.

I know, I know! Spleen? Veal lung? Yuck! I also had that perception when I saw it at first but the number of local people queuing and the unbeatable price of 3 EUR had me curious and I just had to try it out myself.

And it was delicious! Really delicious! The spleens are well-cooked in a pot, so much so that you no longer smell the usual spleen adore and they sprinkle it with loads of grated cheese and lime, making it tasty and flavorful. And for 3 EUR! You can't go wrong with that price!

The restaurant is open from 11 AM to 3 PM and again from 6 PM to 10 PM on weekdays, while on Saturdays, it is open from 6 PM to 11 PM, and close on Sundays. If you want to explore the local street food scene in Agrigento, be sure to drop by L'antica Panineria.

5. Check Out Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Greci

As you explore the old town of Agrigento, you will stumble upon Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Greci, a 16th Century historic church with beautiful Baroque-style architecture you can visit and escape the heat along the way to go up to the top of the hill.

The Church of Santa Maria dei Greci is notable for its well-preserved stone structure built atop another ancient greek temple where you can see its foundation inside. A beautiful and quaint place to visit if you like history.

The church is open from 10 AM - 1:30 PM and again from 3:30 PM to 7 PM every day and you can buy a ticket for 6 EUR which also includes the entrance fee to Cattedrale di San Gerlando, a place we will be heading next.

6. Admire the Beauty of the Cattedrale di San Gerlando's wooden ceiling

After you climb all the way to the top of Agrigento, you will find Cattedrale di San Gerlando, a grand, historic Catholic church known for its elaborate, art-covered ceilings, and it is the highlight of Agrigento's Old Town.

Built in the 12th century, the cathedral is considered one of the finest examples of Norman-style architecture in the region. The cathedral was originally built as a mosque but was later converted into a Christian church after the Norman conquest of Sicily.

Inside you will find a minimal and clean central nave, lined with stone arches on both sides. The main altar is surrounded by beautiful frescoes and Baroque-style stucco sculptures that are kept in excellent condition.

The highlight of the Cattedrale di San Gerlando is of course, right above you, on the ceiling where you will find an art-covered wooden ceiling that must be seen up close to really appreciate its fine details.

To get inside, you are going to have to pay the entrance fee of around 6 EUR per person and the ticket will give you access to the cathedral, the bell tower, and the monastery. The cathedral is open from 10 AM to 1 PM and again from 4 PM to 6 PM on weekdays except for Mondays which is closed, while on Sundays, it is open from 10 AM to 1 PM and again from 5 PM to 8:30 PM.

7. Check out the view from the top of Cattedrale di San Gerlando

While you are at Cattedrale di San Gerlando, be sure to climb up all the way to the roof of the cathedral for an incredible view of Agrigento and its surroundings.

Once you get inside the cathedral, do not go straight up to the bell tower just yet. Stop by the second-level balcony and get up close and personal with the incredible wooden ceiling of the cathedral. The amount of beautiful details you can see here is mind-blowing.

Once you are done at the balcony, go straight up the bell tower and to the cathedral's roof where you will be rewarded with an incredible vista of the entire area. The climb isn't particularly difficult as the cathedral is not overly sized like other churches in Italy.

From this viewpoint, you can see all the way to the Valley of the Temples and beyond as well as the mountainous landscapes on the other side of Agrigento which is not so easy to find.

Since access to the bell tower is included in the cathedral entrance ticket, you do not have to pay extra to get up here. It is definitely one of the best things to do in Agrigento so make sure you make it all the way up to the roof of the cathedral while you are here.

8. Explore the Coast on a Boat and visit Scala dei Turchi

Last but not least, if you are staying overnight in Agrigento and are looking for a cool day trip to make, I highly recommend you go on a day trip and visit Scala dei Turchi or the Turkish Staircase, which is not really a staircase but a beautiful rock formation located on the coast near Agrigento.

This towering white cliff that rises up from the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea is considered one of the most beautiful and unique natural attractions in Sicily and a must-visit if you are in the area.

To visit Scala dei Turchi, you either have to rent a car and drive there, or you can go on an organized tour that leaves from the port in San Leone, near Agrigento. You should be able to reach the port via public bus #2 and #3 from Piazza Rosselli Bus Terminal and get off at Lungomare Falcone - Borsellino.

The trip should take about 4 hours with plenty of time to swim around the area. The tour should also take you to the lighthouse of Capo Rossello, the Bay of Madonnina, and Gucciarda rocks on this trip. You can book the organized tour from here.

Further Reading for Sicily

I hope you found this Italy travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Italy, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Sicily? Check out: One Week Backpacking Sicily Itinerary.
• First time visiting Italy? Here are the 15 Best Places to Visit in Italy.
• Want to see the highlights of Italy in 2 weeks? Be sure to check out our 2-Weeks Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
• Want to travel around Italy for one month, from the Dolomites in the north to Sicily in the south? You're going to love this backpacking itinerary packed with information: One Month Backpacking Italy Itinerary
• The capital city of Sicily, Palermo, is a diverse city steeped in rich and unique history, cultures, and traditions, and it is the best place to begin your journey in Sicily. Planning a trip to Palermo? Be sure to check out the 17 Best Things to Do in Palermo.
• A great day trip from Palermo, Cefalu is a fantastic destination complete with beautiful beaches and epic hikes. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Cefalu.
• One of the highlights of visiting Sicily is walking among the ancient ruins at the Valley of the Temples. Here is a complete travel guide to the Valley of the Temples, Sicily.
• Syracuse is a great base to explore eastern Sicily. If you are planning to visit the city, be sure to check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Syracuse.
• Planning to visit Noto and its famous flower festival in Sicily? Check out the 8 Best Things to Do in Noto.
• If you are looking for a great base to explore Puglia and Southern Italy, Bari is the best place to be. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Bari.
• Known for its unique cave dwellings and rock-cut architecture, Matera is one of the upcoming places for travelers to visit in Southern Italy. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Matera.
• For a complete 7-day backpacking itinerary in Central Italy that will take you from Rome to Pompeii to the Amalfi Coast, be sure to check out: 7 Days Backpacking Central Italy Itinerary.
• Rome needs no introduction from me. From well-trodden attractions like the Colosseum to hidden gem spots like the Appian Way, here are the 20 Best Things to Do in Rome you shouldn't miss!
• Wondering what you can do in Rome in 3 days? Check out our 3-day Backpacking Rome Itinerary.
• Looking for a complete itinerary for Northern Italy? Check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Northern Italy Itinerary.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Italy, visit the Italy Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.