Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) Tours
19 Reviews
Italy is rich with ancient Roman ruins, but Sicily’s Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) is unique. Here, some of the some of the best-preserved ancient Greek ruins on earth dot the hillside outside of what was once the Greek city of Akragas, dating from when this area was part of Magna Graecia in the fifth century BC.
The Basics
The Greeks built several Doric temples on a ridge just outside their ancient city, now Agrigento, and the remains of seven of those impressive temples are now protected as part of the Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside this vast 3,200-acre (1,295-hectare) site, you can view the largely intact remains of the Temple of Juno Lacinia and the Temple of Concordia, both constructed in the fifth century BC, and five other Doric-style temples built between the fifth and sixth centuries BC. The park also includes an archaeological museum and a structure that archaeologists believe was once a war memorial to Roman soldiers.
The best way to visit is on a private tour that includes transportation from Agrigento. Because the archaeological site covers such a large area, joining a walking tour led by an expert guide guarantees that you won’t miss any important ruins. You must purchase a ticket to enter the park, and lines at the ticket office can be especially long in summer, so consider booking a tour that includes skip-the-line tickets.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Valley of the Temples is a must-see for archaeology and ancient history buffs.
- Entry to the Valley of the Temples is ticketed; book skip-the-line tickets in advance to avoid waiting around.
- Kids enjoy exploring the park, but to maximize their experience consider booking a private tour with a local guide who offers family-friendly tours.
- The park is outdoors, so be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen in summer, and always wear comfortable shoes.
- The Valley of the Temples is accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Valley of the Temples archaeological park is located in the olive-tree–covered hills outside Agrigento. You can easily visit on a day trip from Taormina, Catania, Syracuse, or Palermo.
When to Get There
The Valley of the Temples archaeological site is almost entirely open air, so it’s best visited on mild days. In summer, arrive in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of midday. Valley of the Temples tours also run on summer evenings, so you can enjoy the temples dramatically lit.
Visiting the Villa Romana del Casale
Not far from the Valley of the Temples, Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina is an ancient Roman hunting lodge and thermal baths decorated with the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. Consider visiting both of these sights on a single combined tour.
Address: Taormina, Sicily, Italy
8 Tours and Activities to Experience Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi)
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Valley of the Temples and Villa Romana del Casale Day Trip from Taormina
Explore two of Italy's greatest archeological sites on this exciting guided tour of the Valley of the Temples and Villa Romana del Casale. Leave Taormina with a local guide and be prepared to get very acquainted with Ancient Greek statuary and architecture, as well as, as centuries-old monuments from the Roman Empire. See the amazing collection of mosaics and even an ancient hunting lodge.
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From
$66.29
From
$66.29
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Villa Romana Del Casale in Piazza Armerina and Valley Of Temples in Agrigento
Sicily is home to some of the most spectacular Greek and Roman archaeological sites in Italy, but visiting on your own means navigating the island’s confusing rural roads. With this tour, reach Villa Romana Del Casale in Piazza Armerina and the Valley of Temples in Agrigento with a private driver for a stress-free jaunt through ancient history, taking in these remarkable ruins at your own pace.
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From
$239.53
Price varies by group size
From
$239.53
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Valley of the Temples & Scala dei Turchi: small group tour from Taormina
The small-groups formula makes this one day tour unique and customized for your needs; in fact, our expert and passionate tour leaders will take care of you; they will lead you to the discovery of our territory in a friendly, cosy and at the same educational atmosphere.
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From
$150.67
Price varies by group size
From
$150.67
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Agrigento Helicopter Tour including tour of the Valley of Temples
Take to the skies for an unforgettable helicopter tour of Sicily’s most impressive ancient and natural attractions. Fly over Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples and the Greek Theater of Syracuse for stunning aerial views of the Greek ruins, and then get a ground-level perspective on the Valley of the Temples with skip-the-line access and a guided tour. After a gourmet picnic with Sicilian wine while relaxing in the shade of an olive grove, soar above the cauldron of mighty Mt Etna — Europe’s largest active volcano.
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From
$7,129.63
per group
From
$7,129.63
per group
Valley of the Temples & Villa Romana del Casale: small group tour from Taormina
The small-groups formula makes this one day tour unique and customized for your needs; in fact, our expert and passionate tour leaders will take care of you; they will lead you to the discovery of our territory in a friendly, cosy and at the same educational atmosphere.
…More
From
$150.67
Price varies by group size
From
$150.67
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Agrigento+scala dei turchi
The province of Agrigento is one of the most beautiful in Sicily. This beautiful province stretches between ancient ruins and baroque architecture, crystal-clear beaches and wonderful islands, clear waters and lush waters. The ideal place where it is combined with the search for art, culture and history, absolute relaxation under the hot sun.
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From
$602.67
Price varies by group size
From
$602.67
Price varies by group size
Visit Agrigento - From Taormina
Founded by Greek colonists in 581 AD, Agrigento is a history-packed town in the southern coast of Sicily, and is home to one of the island’s major attractions: the Valley of the Temples. This vast archeological site includes some of the the finest and best-preserved Greek remnants in the world. The guide will take you on a fascinating stroll around the archeological ruins, including the eight pillars of the Temple of Hercules, the oldest complex dating from the 6th century BC, and the beautiful Temple of Concord, which is the best-preserved Greek temple currently in existence. Other notable shrines are the Temple of Juno, which offers stunning views over the valley, and the colossal Temple of Jupiter.
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From
$741.29
Price varies by group size
From
$741.29
Price varies by group size
Agrigento & Piazza Armerina - From Taormina
After picking you up from your hotel, the driver will take you to Agrigento, a history-packed town founded by Greek colonists in 581 AD, home to a vast archeological site featuring some of the finest Greek remnants in the world. Here you will be guided through stunning ruins like the Temple of Hercules, the oldest complex dating from the 6th century BC and the colossal Temple of Jupiter. Then you will reach the town of Piazza Armerina to visit Villa Romana del Casale, a stunning Unesco heritage site with over 3,500-sqm of flooring covered in stunning mosaics. The 4th-century villa was covered by a mudslide, which helped the natural preservation of these beautiful artworks. These include the famous "bikini girls” portrayed playing various sports and the 60-meter corridor with hunting scenes.
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From
$1,147.49
Price varies by group size
From
$1,147.49
Price varies by group size
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