Valley of the Temples: Tickets, Hours, the Train from Palermo and a Route (2026)

The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is one of the largest ancient Greek sites anywhere. Despite the name, it is not a valley but a long ridge, lined with Doric temples above the sea. According to the park authority, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. This guide covers the official 2026 tickets, the hours, the train from Palermo and a route that avoids the worst heat.

Last updated: September 30, 2026

Want a guide to bring the ruins to life? Then our page on a Valley of the Temples tour compares a short guided walk and a full day from Palermo.

Valley of the Temples tickets at a glance

All prices below come from CoopCulture, the official ticket office (checked September 2026). Buying online is recommended there.

In short, the basic ticket covers the temples. The museum combo adds the finds from the site, so it is worth it if you have a full day. For how these prices compare with other big sights, see our snapshot of museum ticket prices in Italy.

Opening hours and the best time to go

According to CoopCulture (checked September 2026), the Valley of the Temples opens every day from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with last admission at 7 p.m. In summer, the park adds evening openings. In 2026, from June 20 to September 20, it stayed open until 11 p.m. on weekdays and until midnight before holidays.

• Go early. The ridge has little shade, so the first two hours are the most comfortable.
• Or go late. The golden light on the Temple of Concordia is the classic photo, and it comes in the last hours before closing.
• Fall is ideal. October and November bring milder heat and fewer groups. For the season, read Italy in fall.
• Bring water and a hat in every season except winter.

FAI Autumn Days in October 2026

The Kolymbethra Garden is run by FAI, the Italian national trust. During the FAI Autumn Days on October 4, 10 and 11, 2026, CoopCulture says the combined Valley and Garden ticket is suspended. Instead, you enter the garden with a voluntary contribution on site. In October, the garden itself opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last admission at 5:30 p.m.

A walking route through the Valley of the Temples

The site stretches for a few kilometers along the ridge. So the most practical plan is a one-way walk, from one end to the other, with transport at each end. Here is a route that follows the main temples:

• Temple of Juno: at the eastern end, on a high point with wide views.
• Temple of Concordia: the best preserved of the temples, and the star of the park.
• Temple of Heracles: the oldest of the group, with a row of rebuilt columns.
• Temple of Olympian Zeus: once one of the largest Greek temples, now a vast field of ruins.
• Temple of Castor and Pollux: four columns that became a symbol of Agrigento.
• Kolymbethra Garden: a green gully with citrus and olive trees, on a combined ticket.

Allow at least two to three hours for the temples alone. Then add an hour or more for the Pietro Griffo museum. Also, wear good shoes, since the paths are uneven.

Getting to the Valley of the Temples from Palermo

Agrigento has no airport, so most visitors arrive from Palermo. The train is the easiest option. According to the Trenitalia journey planner (checked September 2026, for a weekday in mid-October), direct regional trains run from Palermo Centrale to Agrigento Centrale about once an hour:

From Agrigento Centrale, local buses and taxis link the station with the park’s entrances. So allow extra time for that last stretch. The winter timetable starts on December 13, 2026, so check the times again for later trips. For more on the rail network, see our guide to trains in Italy.

By car, the Valley of the Temples is an easy stop on a road trip across the island. Our Sicily itinerary puts Agrigento on a day between Palermo and the east coast.

Where the Valley fits in a Sicily trip

Most visitors see the Valley of the Temples as a long day trip from Palermo, or as an overnight stop in Agrigento. In fact, staying one night lets you visit at opening time and again in the late light. Our list of things to do in Sicily ranks it next to Mount Etna, Taormina and Ortigia. If you prefer a guide for the whole island, see our Sicily tours page.

Also, Palermo is a food city, so plan an evening there. Our guide to Palermo street food explains what to order and where.

Tours and experiences across Sicily

These experience pages on our site each compare options, with prices and ratings read on Viator:

• Valley of the Temples tour: the temples with a guide.
• Palermo street food tour: markets and snacks in the capital.
• Taormina tour: the Greek theater above the sea.
• Syracuse and Ortigia tour: another great Greek city of Sicily.
• Mount Etna tour from Catania: the volcano with a guide.
• Private Sicily tour: the whole island with a driver.

For the region, see our Sicily travel guide.

Valley of the Temples: frequently asked questions

How much is a Valley of the Temples ticket?

A full ticket costs €14 and EU citizens aged 18 to 25 pay €7. Visitors under 18 enter free. Until October 31, 2026, paid tickets carry a €3 exhibition supplement (checked September 2026).

What are the Valley of the Temples opening hours?

The park opens daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with last admission at 7 p.m. In summer 2026, evening openings ran until 11 p.m.

How long do you need at the Valley of the Temples?

Allow two to three hours for the temples, plus an hour or more if you add the Pietro Griffo museum.

Can you visit the Valley of the Temples as a day trip from Palermo?

Yes. Direct regional trains take about two hours each way for €11.40, and they run about once an hour on weekdays.

What is the best time of day to visit?

Early morning or the last hours before closing. The ridge has little shade, and the late light on the Temple of Concordia is the best of the day.