Agrigento full day tour
Full-day round trip from Palermo to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Hotel pick-up in Palermo, approximately 2 hours' drive each way, independent 2-hour visit of the archaeological site (admission not included), then return to Palermo and hotel drop-off. Vehicle with air conditioning and an English-speaking driver provided.
In Collaboration with TOUR OF SICILY & ITALY. Updated on March 15, 2026.
This itinerary was created in collaboration with TOUR OF SICILY & ITALY, inspired by the tour Agrigento full day tour. Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Door-to-door hotel pick-up and drop-off in Palermo
- Independent 2-hour visit to the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples (Parco Archeologico Valle dei Templi)
- Round-trip comfortable transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver
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Itinerary
Day 1
Start in Palermo with hotel pick-up, drive to Agrigento for a 2-hour independent visit of the Valley of the Temples, then return to Palermo and hotel drop-off.
Pick-up at Palermo accommodation
Driver meets you at your hotel lobby in Palermo. After boarding there is an approximately 2-hour drive to Agrigento (Valley of the Temples). This activity includes time for boarding and the transfer to the archaeological park.
Tips from local experts:
- Be in your hotel lobby at 08:30; if your hotel is inside Palermo's historic centre, note some streets are narrow so the driver may ask you to meet in the main lobby or at the hotel entrance.
- Keep a small day bag, essential medication, and any mobility aids easily accessible during boarding and the transfer.
- Use your hotel restroom before departure; the transfer includes continuous driving stretches of about 2 hours.
Valley of the Temples
Independent visit of the Parco Archeologico Valle dei Templi in Agrigento. The suggested on-site walking time is approximately two hours covering the main temples (Temple of Hera, Concordia, Hercules and Zeus). Admission fees are not included and can be paid at the park entrance. You may hire a licensed local guide at the site if you wish.
- Monday8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sunday8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Tips from local experts:
- The archaeological park terrain is uneven with some gravel paths and limited shade; wear sturdy, supportive shoes and bring sun protection and water.
- Admission is purchased at the Parco Archeologico Valle dei Templi ticket office near the main entrance (admission fees are not included in the tour).
- Public restrooms are located near the main entrance area; plan restroom and seating breaks during the two-hour visit if mobility or comfort is a consideration.
Back to Palermo
Return drive to Palermo with hotel drop-off at the end of the tour. The transfer includes driving time and a short drop-off window at your hotel in Palermo.
Tips from local experts:
- The return transfer to Palermo takes roughly two hours; inform the driver in advance if you need an intermediate comfort stop before departure.
- Palermo city centre has restricted vehicle access on some streets; expect a short walk from the drop-off point to hotels with entrances on narrow lanes.
- If you need assistance with luggage or a mobility ramp at drop-off, notify the driver when boarding so they can prepare.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 1 |
| Highlights | 3 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Seniors |
| Transfers | 1 |
| Restaurants | - |
| Total Activities | 2 |
| Total Places | 2 |
| Activities Types | Hotel, Attraction, Transfer |
Why this experience
You're leaving Palermo behind for a day to stand in one of antiquity's greatest temples. Agrigento, about two hours south along the coast, holds the Valley of the Temples — eight temples from the 5th and 6th centuries BC scattered across a limestone ridge that catches the light differently every hour. You start early, arriving before midday heat, and walk the valley floor while the gold and amber blocks cast long shadows. The Temple of Concordia is the best-preserved Greek temple outside Greece itself; the Temple of Juno sits at the eastern edge with views down to the coast. Lunch is in the town itself, at one of the family-run trattorias serving pasta con le sarde and arancini — the food is cheap and authentic because locals eat there, not tourists. The afternoon is slower, either resting in a café or taking a second loop through the valley at a different angle, catching the light change. You return to Palermo at dusk, the kind of exhausted-happy that means you've absorbed something real.
This is archaeology that doesn't require hushed museum voices or explanatory panels. You're standing in the places they stood, feeling the scale they intended you to feel.
For culture-lovers and history travelers who want ancient Greece without the crowds of Athens.
Before you go
- Best time: Spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October) for manageable heat and clear light. Summer temperatures can exceed 35°C on the exposed ridge.
- Budget: Check the booking widget for tour pricing. Plan budget for lunch in Agrigento (inexpensive) and any snacks. Museum entry (if included) varies.
- Difficulty: Moderate — involves 2–3 hours of walking over uneven ancient stone with minimal shade. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.
- What to bring: Sturdy walking shoes, sun hat, sunscreen, water bottle (refill stops available), light layers, camera for the changing light.
- Getting there: Private car pickup from your Palermo accommodation, or a guided tour with transport included. Self-driving is an option if comfortable with Sicilian roads.
- Accessibility: The valley paths are unpaved and uneven. Some temples require climbing stone steps. The landscape is exposed with minimal shade or seating. Consider mobility constraints carefully.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Palermo to Agrigento? About two hours each way, mostly highway (A19). Expect three-hour total with a short stop en route.
Is Agrigento just the temples? The valley is the highlight, but the town itself has a medieval core and the Agrigento Museum (off-site) has artefacts from the temples. Most tours focus on the valley itself.
How many temples will I actually see? Eight temples remain visible, though only two (Concordia and Juno) are nearly complete. The others are partial — some just foundations or a few columns. The scale of even the ruins is what makes it powerful.
Is it worth going with a guide? A guide adds real value here — the context about which temple served what purpose, the construction timeline, and the views that matter most make the walk more coherent. Self-guided is possible, but you'll miss layers of meaning.
What's included? This itinerary on TheNextGuide is free to read. The full-day tour through the booking widget includes transport from Palermo, guide services, temple entry, and often lunch in Agrigento.
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Last updated: April 2026
