Page 440 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

the almond trees blossom in January and February, and when it’s carpeted with wild

flowers in the spring.

A road winds down to the Valle dei Templi from Agrigento, passing the Museo
Regionale Archeologico, a treasure-trove of magnificent artefacts recovered from the
site. If you’re intent upon doing the temples and museum in one go, you’ll need to
allow a full day, and arrive as the site opens. It makes sense to start with the eastern

zone, home to the three major temples, then see the museum, and wind up in the
western zone, with a restorative wander through the Giardini di Kolymbetra.

There are several basic places offering refreshments at the site entrances, and a few
nearby restaurants mostly aimed at coach parties, but it’s far more pleasant to buy a
picnic in Agrigento before coming down to the site.

VISITING THE VALLE DEI TEMPLI

The Valle dei Templi and the Museo Regionale Archeologico are open daily
8.30am–7pm. An €10 entry fee covers both the eastern and western sites, though not

the Giardino della Kolymbetra; there’s also an €13 combined ticket covering the
temples and the archeological museum.

The easiest way to get to the temples is by bus; buses #1, #1/, #2, #2/ and #3/
leave every 20min or so from Piazza Rosselli in Agrigento (also stopping outside
the train station), and drop off at the museum or at the main car park in between the

eastern and western sites. Taxis charge about €15 from the city centre to the eastern
entrance or museum.

The Giunone, Concordia and Ercole temples are also open for evening sessions
(July, Aug & Sept Mon–Fri 7.30–10pm, Sat & Sun 7.30pm–midnight; €15). There’s
a small night-time entrance directly above the Tempio di Giunone, which is best
reached from the main site entrance by taxi (€2 per person); there’s no public

transport to the Giunone entrance, and it’s quite a walk. Note that the site is cleared
before evening entry is allowed, so you cannot stay inside between 7pm and 7.30pm.
Tickets for the evening session go on sale at this ticket office only, from 7.15pm,
with a queue forming rapidly.

Hiring a guide can bring the history of the site to life and greatly enhance your visit.
The talented and informed Michele Gallo ( 380 397 930,

valleyofthetemples.com) is highly recommended. Tours start at €10 per person, plus
entry fee.

In August and September, it’s also worth looking out for posters advertising open-
air concerts on the southeastern edge of the archeological zone at Piano San