Agrigento is a city on the southern coast of Sicily and the capital of the province that shares its name. Known as the City of Temples, it draws visitors mainly for its archaeological heritage. The ancient Greek city of Akragas was founded by colonists from Gela, and its temples stand on the Valley of the Temples, a ridge rather than a valley. The site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The Temple of Concordia is remarkably intact, and the archaeological park covers about 1,300 hectares.
The old town is worth a few hours too. The Cathedral of San Gerlando was begun in the second half of the 11th century, and the Basilica di Santa Maria dei Greci stands on a Doric temple's foundations, with glass floors that reveal the older remains. This trip suits travelers who want ancient ruins and medieval and Baroque churches in one stop. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, since summers are very hot. Plan at least a day for the temples and another for the old town and the coast.
Agrigento in five
- Walk the Valley of the Temples early or lateThe ridge has little shade, and the temples glow at the end of the day. Aim for opening time or the last hours, and check the park's official site for hours, tickets and any evening openings.
- Allow half a day, plus the museumThe archaeological museum explains the finds and the temple plan. Walking the park and museum takes a long half day in the heat, and more if you read the displays.
- Stay in the upper town, not by the templesModern Agrigento is up the hill, with old lanes, restaurants and a cathedral. Rooms near the Valley are fewer and quieter, so choose by whether you want evenings in town.
- Hire a car or book a transfer for the coastPublic buses connect Agrigento with Palermo and other towns, but the white cliffs at Scala dei Turchi and the coast need a car, a taxi or a tour. Check local access rules before you go.
- Pair it with the rest of SicilyPalermo and Enna are within a few hours, so Agrigento works as a stop on a loop. Read the island guide before you set the order of your route.Sicily travel guide
Things to do in Agrigento
See all attractions in AgrigentoNeed to know
- Airport
- Palermo (PMO), about 2 hours by road; Catania a little farther
- Getting there
- Intercity bus or train from Palermo; car from Catania
- Getting around
- Local buses between town and the Valley; a car for the coast
- Best base
- The upper town for evenings, a farm stay near the Valley for quiet
- Time needed
- 1 night, 2 if you add the coast or Enna
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Cool, rainJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rain
- FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Almond blossomFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Almond blossom
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Spring, greenMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, green
- AprilClear7 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Mild, quietAprilClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MayClear6 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Warm, clearMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Hot, dryJuneClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Very hotJulyClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Very hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot, busy
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Warm, easierSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easier
- OctoberClear9 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Mild, quietOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Rain, coolerNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 148 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, cooler
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Mild, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
Average daily high and low in Agrigento, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Agrigento
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 34 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Agrigento
10:56 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today15°14°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 15°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue19°12°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed20°11°20%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Thu19°15°63%Thursday: Rain. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Fri20°14°29%Friday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Sat20°13°7%Saturday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sun20°14°24%Sunday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 24%.
Updated 10:17 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Scala dei Turchiabout 25 to 40 min by carWhite clay cliffs on the coast. Check the current access rules first.
- Ennaabout 1.5 hours by carA hill town in the center of the island, a base for Roman mosaics nearby.Read the guide
- Palermoabout 2 hours by bus, train or carMarkets, churches and palaces, better as a separate stay than a day trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Agrigento
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Rules for Agrigento, checked
- Check current entry rules with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you book your trip.Source
- Ponte Akragas, also called viadotto Morandi, is partly reopened to light vehicles under 3.5 tonnes. Heavy vehicles should check current access before driving.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Dress modestly in churches, covering shoulders and knees, including the cathedral and the Basilica di Santa Maria dei Greci.
Plan around Agrigento
Regions, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideSicily travel guideRoutes, ferries and where Agrigento fits
Read the guidePalermoThe island's capital, 2 hours by road
Read the guideEnnaHill town and Roman villa country inland
Read the guideBest time to visit ItalyHeat, crowds and the shoulder months
Read the guideEES, explainedBorder checks at Italy's airports and ports
Read the guideAgrigento FAQ
Is Agrigento worth visiting?
Yes, for the Valley of the Temples alone. It is one of the best-preserved Greek sites outside Greece, and the setting on the ridge is the draw. The modern town is secondary, so one night is enough.
How long do you need at the Valley of the Temples?
Allow 3 to 4 hours for the park and 1 to 2 more for the museum. In summer, split the visit into early morning and the last hours before closing.
Can you visit Agrigento as a day trip from Palermo?
Yes, by bus or train, about 2 hours each way. It works as a long day, but staying a night gives you the temples in good light and an evening in town.
Do you need a car in Agrigento?
Not for the Valley and the town, which have local buses and taxis. A car helps for Scala dei Turchi, the coast and inland towns, and for onward travel without bus schedules.
What is the best month to visit Agrigento?
March to May and September to October. Summer midday heat on the open ridge is hard, and many people avoid July and August for that reason.
