Agrigento

Agrigento is a quiet town located in southern Sicily, and is most famous for being the site of the ancient Greek city of Akragas, which was founded in 582 BC. After numerous invasions by the Carthaginians, Byzantines, and Normans, Agrigento today stands proudly as a tourist spot on the island of Sicily, enhanced by the inclusion of its prime attraction, the Valley of Temples, on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites.

Attractions

The Valley of Temples, a collection of 7 Greek temples built in the Doric style, is the focus of tourism in Agrigento, and is located to the south of the main town. The two best-preserved sites are the Temple of Concord and the Temple of Juno Lacinia, at the eastern end of the complex. Aside from the temples themselves, the complex houses the Botanic Gardens, rich in Mediterranean species, as well as the archaeological museum, which has many relics from Akragas.

In the centre of Agrigento, the cathedral, founded in the 11th century and built in the Gothic-Norman style, is worth taking a look at, as is Santo Spirito Abbey, built in 1260 and comprising a church and an adjacent Cistercian monastery.

Shopping

Tourist souvenirs are readily available at the Valley of Temples complex. Agrigento is home to a number of jewellery shops, especially along the main pedestrian thoroughfare Via Tenea, and Sicilian produce such as wine and cheese are easily found throughout the town’s shops and markets.

Nightlife and Eating Out

Whereas Palermo is the hub for Sicilian nightlife, Agrigento offers a more relaxed and quiet ambience in the evenings. There are a number of restaurants in the town centre, with seafood being the speciality of the area. It is easy to find traditional Italian staples such as pizza and pasta in practically all the restaurants in Agrigento, though it is worth sampling local dishes such as scataddizzi (small snails), sausages seasoned with sesame seeds, and roasted “blue” cod.

Tourist Information

Agrigento Local Holiday and Tourist Board92100 AGRIGENTO - Via Empedocle, 73

Tel: +39 (0) 922 20391

Airport

Being a small town on the southern Sicilian coast, it is perhaps no surprise that Agrigento has no airport. The nearest is Palermo, which is also the hub for all international flights coming into Sicily. There are many European carriers that fly into Palermo, including low-cost providers such as Ryanair. To get to Agrigento from Palermo, the quickest way is a direct train that takes 2-3 hours; taking the bus is another option though this will take longer.