Sightseeing in Agrigento - what to see. Complete travel guide

If you plan a vacation on Sicily, consider including a visit to Agrigento as this city definitely deserves the attention of tourists. This is the capital of the province with the same name and a popular destination. Besides this, Agrigento has always been famous as a shelter of the Italian mafia. When visiting this majestic region, don’t forget to take a look at the Valle dei Templi or the Valley of Temples. This is a beautiful archaeological site with the ruins of ancient temples.

Greek colonists, who have arrived in Sicily from Rhodes, founded the first settlement on the site of modern Agrigento in 581 BC. They called this settlement Akragas. This was the most developed city in the area that had an important strategic location. However, the days of prosperity were limited, and so Hannibal and his army almost completely destroyed Akragas in 406. It took many years for Greeks to restore the city, but they succeeded in doing that and bringing Akragas back to life.

Residents of Akragas didn’t know about the future of their homeland. First, Romans took over the authority, and then barbarians conquered the area. In different periods of time, the Byzantine Empire and the Normans occupied this region. The history of Akragas had even a period of the Spanish reign. After that, in 1860, the city became a part of Italy. It got its current name, Agrigento, only in 1929. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The traditions of this part of Sicily formed through centuries, and local cuisine is an essential part of the national culture. Dishes with fish caught in local coastal waters are the first thing that comes to mind when describing the cuisine of Agrigento. The development of fishing in the region changed the most popular food recipes. Local people love pasta with sardines. Besides this classical dish, local restaurants can offer a delicious soup with the cuttlefish. It is also possible to find many delicacies on the menus of local dining establishments, such as marinated shrimps, mussels cooked in a different way, and various dishes with fish.

Among the most popular specialties of Agrigento, it is important to mention the rabbit in a special sauce and the delicious sausage with sesame seeds, dill, and chilly. Visitors can also order roasted kid goat. Beef stuffed with eggs is a dish that all connoisseurs of meat delicacies simply cannot miss.

Having explored the charming city of Agrigento, don’t forget to visit the famous Valley of Temples that attracts tourists from all over the world. This landmark of the ancient world has long become the calling card of Agrigento. This is the right place to learn more about the ancient history of Akragas and explore its majestic ruins. A stroll in the valley is like a journey to the past, the time when Agrigento was a prosperous city in the Greek Empire. You will see breathtaking temples built by ancient Greeks. Many of these buildings couldn’t keep their original look but even their ruins look nothing but spectacular.

Do you want to get acquainted with the religious world of Agrigento? Then don’t forget to explore gorgeous churches of this Sicilian city. The Church of Saint Mary 'dei Greci' is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Agrigento. Chiesa di San Francesco di Paola has two incredibly beautiful bell towers. The architecture of these buildings is simply marvelous. Tourists can easily spend hours walking in halls of local churches and looking at detailed decorations of the walls that tell the history of this region. There are more beautiful churches in Agrigento that have a different design, but all of them look mesmerizing and gorgeous.

The luckiest tourists visit Agrigento in February during the celebration dedicated to almond blossom. Why do local people celebrate this holiday in February? The answer is simple – they try to hurry spring and make it come faster this way. The Almond Blossom Festival symbolizes the start of early spring on Sicily. For the celebration, the city changes its color to the shade of almond flowers, and the Valley of Temples comes back to life in its new tender pink décor.

This part of Sicily has many interesting festivals and holidays in summer. The Festival of San Calogero is one of them. This event lasts two weeks. Almost all residents of this Sicilian city participate in the festive procession. They hold the statue of the saint, who the festival is dedicated to, and take it to the main streets of the city, singing folk songs. Fun, excitement and Zingarella music are essential parts of the celebration.

There is no airport in Agrigento at the moment. In order to get to the city, tourists need to fly to Palermo or Catania first. After that, they can take a daily bus to Agrigento. Guests of Sicily can also book a car and drive to their point of destination. This route might be somewhat longer, but tourists can make a stop whenever they want to admire the beautiful scenery.