Wayamaya detailed travel guide with useful travel tips to:
Scala dei Turchi and Valle dei Templi
in the Province of Agrigento, Sicily, Italy.
Scala dei Turchi and Valle dei Templi | Treasures of Sicily
Stairs to Scala dei Turchi beach, Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
The sandy south-west coast of Sicily is much different than the rocky east coast of the island. The plants seem greener and the sea has a more turquoise hue. The region is also more local and offers some exceptional sites.
The Province of Agrigento is home to two great Treasures of Sicily - famous Scala dei Turchi (Stairs of the Turks) and ancient UNESCO-listed Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples).
How to get to Scala dei Turchi
Stairs to Scala dei Turchi beach, Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
Travel tip: Scala dei Turchi is located between Realmonte and Porto Empedocle (15 km from Agrigento, 140 km from Palermo, 180 km from Catania and 220 km from Siracusa). During summer you can visit it by bus from both of those cities. If you want to reach Scala dei Turchi by public transport then it's best to take a train, get off at Agrigento Central Station and take a bus to Realmonte from Piazzale Rosselli.
Travel tip: paid parking is available but in the high-season, you should get there as early as possible to avoid a kilometer long parking line and the crowd of people heading down to the beach.
Scala dei Turchi beach
Stairs to Scala dei Turchi beach (Lido Rosello), Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
Scala dei Turchi is one of those dream travel locations that you see on the Internet and instantly want to know where it is. Add it to your ultimate travel bucket list destinations - you won't regret it. Of course, Scala dei Turchi is famous for its white wall cliffs but what most people won't tell you is that there is a fantastic fine sand beach near Scala dei Turchi (Lido Rossello) with two nicely equipped facilities for dining and bathing. The water at the beach is usually quite calm and shallow. It's amazing because you can easily spot fishes and other sea creatures beneath the surface. Let the sea gently wash over your legs while you make your way through the white marl rocks to the west end of the beach.
Scala dei Turchi history
Scala dei Turchi rocky white cliff, Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
Scala dei Turchi is a soft limestone and marl formation facing the Mediterranean Sea.
Its uniqueness lies not only in dazzling white, but also in shape. Scala dei Turchi can be translated as “Stairs of the Turks” due to its stair-like structure. The latter part of Scala dei Turchi name also derives from the ancient Arab pirates (known as Turks) who found shelter from the wind in this bay. From this beautiful natural phenomenon, they robbed and pillaged the whole region.
Lido Rossello white marl beach, Scala dei Turchi, Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
Although UNESCO didn't agree to recognize Scala dei Turchi as worthy of world heritage attractions, it's still one of the top things to see in Sicily.
Scala dei Turchi | a natural wonder
Scala dei Turchi rocky white cliff, Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
Nature is the best artist ever and it certainly took its time to work on Scala dei Turchi sparkling white marl and soft limestone. The salty breeze, the wind and the water helped carve smooth terraces of Scala dei Turchi cliffs that flow into the sea below.
Scala dei Turchi is a natural wonder unlike anything you have seen before and a perfect spot for taking photos.
No words can give justice to the feeling of bliss and tranquillity felt while seating and watching the amazing contrast between white rocks and turquoise water below.
More Scala dei Turchi travel tips
Scala dei Turchi rocky white rocks and sea, Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
Travel tip: the best times to visit Scala dei Turchi are in April and May or in September and October. Avoid high-season or at least try to get there way before noon.
Travel tip: go barefoot to really feel the rocks but be very careful not to slip on wet spots.
Travel tip: take a swim in the shallow water or even better travel to Scala dei Turchi by boat.
How to get to Valle dei Templi
Valle dei Templi, Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
Travel tip: Valle dei Templi is located in 30 minutes walking distance from Agrigento (130 km from Palermo, 170 km from Catania and 210 km from Siracusa). Also, most of the regular Agrigento city buses from Piazzale Rosselli ride by the Valle dei Templi (stops at San Nicola and Porta V).
Travel tip: if you are going to Valle dei Templi by car then there is a parking lot for cars near the Temple of Giunone (Juno) or Porta V - Sant’Anna car-park. There are many police patrols in the area so it's better not to park on the road leading to the entrances.
Valle dei Templi history and facts
Temple of Concordia, Valle dei Templi, Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
Valle dei Templi (meaning Valley of the Temples) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 6th century BC and it's one of Sicily's top attractions and a national monument of Italy.
Together with the Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples, it's the largest archaeological site in the world covering 1600 hectares.
Valle dei Templi isn't a real valley because it's located on a ridge outside the town of Agrigento - the ancient Greek city of Akragas.
Valle dei Templi temples
Temple of Juno, Valle dei Templi, Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
Valle dei Templi is an impressive site that includes: ancient ruins of seven temples, an entry gate, the agora, the Roman forum, the necropolis, the sanctuaries, the city walls and many statues.
Some of the ancient constructions are very well preserved, while others are crumbling after two long millennia and Carthaginians pillaging and burning in 406 BC.
Temple of Concordia, Valle dei Templi, Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
The seven temples are:
- Temple of Concordia (Tempio della Concordia),
- Temple of Juno (Tempio di Giunone),
- Temple of Asclepius (Tempio di Asclepio),
- Temple of Heracles (Tempio di Eracle),
- Temple of Zeus (Tempio di Zeus),
- Temple of Castor and Pollux (Tempio di Castore e Polluce),
- Temple of Vulcan (Tempio di Vulcano).
More Valle dei Templi travel tips
Remains of Temple of Heracles, Valle dei Templi, Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
Valle dei Templi opening hours: daily from 8:30 AM til 7:00 PM. There are extended opening hours from mid-July to mid-September.
Valle dei Templi entrance fee: admission cost for adults is 10 € (audioguide included), children under 18 are free and there is free admission for everybody on the first Sunday of the month. Archeology museum and the Garden of Kolymbethra tickets are priced extra but fortunately, there are combined tickets for them.
Inside Temple of Concordia, Valle dei Templi, Agrigento | Sicily, Italy |
Best time to visit Valle dei Templi: avoid visiting the site in the hottest days of the summer or get there very early in the morning. Also, it's an amazing and much different experience to visit Valle dei Templi by night when the temples are incredibly illuminated.
Travel tip: you should allow more than 3 hours for your visit (the route is 2,5 km long), especially if you are going to take many photos. Also, check the weather forecast to prevent unpleasant surprises. You could also check the live Valle dei Templi webcam.
Travel tip: if you need Valle dei Templi guide and info than guided tours are offered at the entrance.
If you haven't seen them already, check out wayamaya series of travel blog posts about useful Sicily travel tips, Sicily travel essentials, where to go in Sicily, things to do in Sicily, the best places to visit in Sicily and the top things to see in Sicily, Italy:
Covid-19 in Sicily
To know more about the state of Covid-19 in Sicily and new Italy Covid-19 travel and entry regulation rules, please check the main WHO website or the Italian website dedicated to Covid-19 before departure to Sicily.
It's usually a good idea to get covered, especially in the current Covid-19 situation. No matter how long you fly, who you fly with, or where you fly. Remember to get insurance and use the one that well-known globetrotters recommend. Keep SAFETY in mind and a SMILE on your face.
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