Agrigento: Day Trips and Tours from Catania

Explore the ancient remains of the Valley of the Temples on an Agrigento day trip from Catania. Visit important historic locations along the way such as Piazza Armerina, home to the incredible Roman mosaics of Villa del Casale.

Discover the ruins of the ancient city of Akragas which has an abundance of well-preserved Greek temples and is one of Europe’s most important archeological sites.

How to get to Agrigento from Catania?

Agrigento can be found on the southwest coast of Sicily. It is around 160 kilometers west of the city of Catania and can be reached by road in under two hours.

From Catania to Agrigento by car

If you plan to rent a car and drive, the journey from Catania is fairly straightforward and takes around an hour and 50 minutes. Simply take the Asse Attrezzato di Catania out of the city and join the A19 towards Palermo.

Follow the A19 for over 80 kilometers until Villarosa and then take the exit for the SS640. Then simply follow the SS640 southwest for around 60 kilometers until you reach Agrigento.

From Catania to Agrigento by bus/train

It is possible to travel between Catania and Agrigento by bus or train, and the bus is the cheapest and most frequent of the two. It runs every few hours from Via D’Amico bus station and the journey takes around two hours and 45 minutes on average.

The train requires a change at Caltanissetta Xirbi and only runs twice a day. It takes over four hours to reach Agrigento from Catania.

Guided tour to Agrigento from Catania

For the easiest way to travel, consider joining an Agrigento day trip from Catania. These tours stop off at multiple interesting locations, include comfortable air-conditioned transportation in the price and usually feature an English-speaking guide too.

How much does the entrance ticket to Agrigento cost?

There is generally an entry fee to visit the Valley of the Temples, the Pietro Griffo Archeological Museum and the Kolymbetra Gardens.

Valley of the Temples Archeological Site:

• Adults: €10
• Children, seniors, students and unemployed: €5

Archeological Site and Kolymbetra Gardens:

• Adults: €15
• Children, seniors, students and unemployed: €9

Archeological site and Pietro Griffo Archeological Museum:

• Adults: €13.50
• Children, seniors, students and unemployed: €7

Archeological Museum only:

• Adults: €8
• Children, seniors, students and unemployed: €4

If you happen to visit on the first Sunday of each month, admission to all sites is free of charge.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Agrigento from Catania?

A typical Agrigento day trip will begin with pickup from your hotel or accommodation in Catania where you will meet your guide and driver. Then, begin your journey to Agrigento by minivan or private car.

The first stop on an Agrigento day tour is usually at the town of Piazza Armerina where you will visit the famous Villa del Casale which dates back to the Roman era. The villa is known for its impressive and extensive mosaics and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The next stop on your journey will be the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento where you can see and learn a little about the eight ancient Greek temples found here, as well as the Greek and Roman necropolises and tombs.

You will usually have some free time to explore the site and visit the ruins and museums before returning to the vehicle for the return journey to Catania.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Agrigento?

There are a few different Agrigento day trips to choose from. Here are some of the different excursion types to make planning your trip as simple as possible.

Guided tours to Agrigento from Catania

Take a small group guided tour of the must-see historic sites of Agrigento. Call at Piazza Armerina to glimpse the fabulous mosaics of the Villa del Casale before heading on to explore Agrigento and the famous Valley of the Temples.

These tours include pickup and drop-off from your accommodation in Catania and transport to and from Agrigento. These tours have a driver and guide, but tickets and a tourist guide for the historic sites are not included in the price.

Transfer without guide to Agrigento from Catania

Visit the city of Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples in your own private car without a guide. Enjoy the privacy and comfort of a personal chauffeured vehicle to take you between Catania and Agrigento.

These Agrigento day trips are suitable for single people, couples and groups of up to eight people. Pickup and return at the airport or your hotel in Catania is included if booked as vice versa, but tickets to attractions must be purchased separately.

Private tour to Agrigento from Catania

Enjoy a private excursion to Agrigento for just yourself and your group, and travel at your own pace. Explore the Valley of the Temples with an expert guide to show you around and explain the history of the site.

Some private tours include tickets and a guide for the attractions in the price, and some just include transportation. Be sure to check the details carefully before booking.

How much does a tour to Agrigento from Catania cost?

There is a range of prices for Agrigento day tours and there is sure to be one to match your budget.

The small group guided tours are the cheapest and cost between €100 and €200 per person. Transfers cost between €130 and €170 per car each way.

Private tours cost in the region of €180 per person for a basic tour and up to €640 per person with a guide for the whole day and tickets are included in the price.

What will you see and do in Agrigento?

History lovers will be in their element on these fascinating Agrigento excursions from Catania. The tours take in some of the most important historic sites in Sicily and visitors will get the chance to see firsthand some of the wonders of the ancient Greek and Roman world.

Piazza Armerina

The town of Piazza Armerina is the location of some of the best-preserved Roman mosaics anywhere on the globe. The detailed and extensive mosaics can be found in the Villa del Casale, which was once the center of a great estate that could have belonged to the emperor Marcus Aurelius Maximinianus.

The intricate mosaics are fascinating not only for their artistic appeal, but because they illustrate many aspects of Roman life such as hunting, games and the Roman heroes and gods.

Valley of the Temples

The Valley of the Temples is a huge archeological park with around eight ruined temples from the Hellenic period and numerous other statues and monuments. The most well-preserved of all the ruins is the Temple of Concordia which dates from around the fifth century B.C.

There are lots of other fascinating sights to see, including a gargantuan atlas statue which was once a column in the Temple of Zeus, though to be the largest Doric temple ever built. Visitors to the Valley of the Temples can also check out the Archeological Museum and the beautiful Kolymbetra Gardens.

When is Agrigento open over the year?

The archeological sites are open all year round.

What are the opening times?

The Valley of the Temples is open between 8:30 AM and 8 PM daily and the last entry is at 7 PM.

When is the best time to visit Agrigento?

The spring and autumn months will offer the most comfortable temperatures for exploring the Valley of the Temples on an Agrigento day trip.

The summer is usually warm and dry with temperatures averaging around 25 degrees Celsius.

Travel tips

• Book your Agrigento day tours in advance to get the best deals and ensure availability during your time in Catania.
• Bring a sunhat and sunscreen, as there is little shade in the Valley of the Temples.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as there will be some walking involved on these tours.
• Look out for the tourist train which travels between the park entrances to save yourself the walk.