The beaches of Sicily. Southwest coast

21.08.2020

Agrigento is the ancient capital of the province of the same name in Sicily, the seat of the bishop and one of the most amazing cities in all of Italy. Ancient architectural monuments from the archaeological site are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Most of the temples of Agrigento are unique in their preservation. The city itself is small, but very picturesque: on the one hand, it is surrounded by a turquoise sea surface, and on the other, there are endless olive groves and gardens with almond and orange trees. In Agrigento, amazingly beautiful photos of natural landscapes are obtained.

Area: 244 km²;
Time zone: UTC + 1, UTC + 2 in summer;
Population: 59,400.

general information

Despite its rich history, this beautiful corner of Sicily has preserved many medieval buildings, including palaces, cathedrals, and squares - this place has absorbed the heritage of several dozen cultures. Today there is a well-developed railway network connecting Agrigento with major cities- Palermo and Catania. Also, this area is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches - the best on the entire coast of Sicily. The swimming season lasts almost all year, but the dry and very sunny weather in Agrigento is complemented by African winds, and it is especially hot between May and October. Therefore, for a comfortable exploration of the main attractions, it is better to come in mid-autumn or spring.

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Valley of the Temples

The small town is steeped in the atmosphere of antiquity and welcomes tourists with many colorful medieval buildings, but all the streets invariably lead to the main relic for travelers: the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento, which is a huge archaeological museum under open air... There are 7 ancient temples here:

- The Temple of Hercules is recognized by scientists as the oldest building in the entire valley. Its construction dates back to the 510th century BC. NS. Over its more than a thousand-year history, the temple has undergone minor restorations, but only 8 columns out of 36 and small parts of the altar have survived to this day - the rest was destroyed.

- The Temple of Zeus Olympion, built presumably in 480 BC, was originally conceived as the most majestic and largest in everything known at that time in the world: its area was 6340 square meters, the height of the columns reached 19 meters, at the entrance there were huge niches with figures of 8 meters Atlanteans, made up of stone blocks. Archaeologists have discovered the surviving part of such a sculpture, an exact copy of which is located at the foot of the temple, and the original is carefully preserved by the Regional Archaeological Museum located in the Valley. Unfortunately, it was this beautiful building that underwent maximum destruction even before the beginning of our era.

- Temple of Dioscuri - Pollux and Castor. These deities were especially revered in ancient Akragas, which stood on the site of modern Agrigento, as they were considered the patrons of warriors and sailors. The construction of the temple dates back to the middle of the 5th century BC. Its 4 surviving columns and entablature were cleared in the middle of the 19th century. This part of the temple has become one of the symbols of Agrigento.

- The Temple of Concordia or Concord dates from approximately the 5th century BC, Its name comes from a Latin inscription found nearby about the conclusion of peace. It is assumed that this temple is also dedicated to the Dioscuri. This is the best preserved building that has survived to this day due to the fact that in the 6th century AD it was rebuilt into the Church of Peter and Paul. The temple is represented by 34 columns of almost 7 meters in height, located on a large rectangular platform. The unique majestic simplicity and proportionality of all proportions of such an ancient building amazes every tourist.

- The Temple of Juno also belongs to the 5th century BC. NS. Burned down in 406 BC and rebuilt by the Romans, it was supposedly used for weddings. Only the northern colonnade of the temple is well preserved.

- Temple of Asclepsius - V century BC, is small in size, it is located near the walls of the ancient city of Akragas that once stood in this area. It is believed that this was a place of pilgrimage for the suffering, seeking to heal their illnesses. Excavations began in 1926 and are still ongoing. Scientists found that there was a hospital or a hotel for 28 people next to the temple, and a cistern with medicinal water was also found there.

- Temple of the Volcano - V century BC. From the ruins, it was a monumental and possibly the largest building in the Valley. However, only the ruins of a completely destroyed temple have survived to this day.

Agrigento is a charming ancient city, and it is not possible to tell about all its attractions, moreover, it is better to see once than hear a hundred times. Come and experience the thousand-year history of once mighty civilizations.

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Last Minute Tours to italy

Agrigento is a small medieval town, which in itself deserves attention, but completely fades away next to the neighboring Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi), the most important ancient Greek ruins in Sicily. Modern Agrigento is one of the most lively cities in Sicily, enjoying, moreover, a special, very peculiar status: it is here, as you know, that many notorious mafia families of Italy found shelter.

During the day, the ruins are usually teeming with tourists, so it is worth arriving there early in the morning or by closing time to avoid the crowds.

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Walking tours in Agrigento

How to get there

Agrigento is easily accessible by both bus and train. For example, several trains a day run from Palermo (8-13 EUR, 2 hours on the way, 11 trains a day) and Catania (15-23 EUR, about 6 hours, 6 a day). To other directions, although trains run there, it is better to get there by bus.

There is a left-luggage office at the station, 3 EUR for 12 hours.

Buses are considered the number one transport in Sicily, and Agrigento is no exception: many locals and tourists prefer to get to the city by them. The bus station is located in Piazza Rosselli, just behind Piazza Vittorio Emanuele I, where the ticket office is located and you can find the timetable. Autoservizi Cuffaro runs buses to Palermo every day (11 EUR, 2 hours on the way, 7 flights from Mon to Sat, two on Sunday). Lumia organizes bus services to Trapani (from 48 EUR, 5 hours, three times a day from Mon to Sat, one on Sunday), while SAIS runs buses to Catania (17-24 EUR, 5 hours on the way, departures every half hour). Prices on the page are for April 2019.

Agrigento maps

By car

The SS189 highway connects Agrigento with Palermo, while the SS115 highway runs to the coast, northwest of Trapani and southeast of Syracuse. To get to Enna, look for the SS640 road through Caltanissetta.

It is impossible to drive a car into the medieval city center, since almost all of it is pedestrian. Parking is available near the station (in Piazza Marconi) and in Piazza Rosselli.

Hotels

There are not so many hotels in Agrigento, but it will not be difficult to find an option to your liking: there are “fives” and cute “treshki”, and in the vicinity you can even find farms that accept agritourists under their roofs.

Transport

You can get to the Valley of the Temples by city buses that stop opposite the railway station. station. Look for buses 1, 2 or 3, get off at the Museu or Piazzale dei Templi stops. Bus line 1 continues to Porto Empedocle (2.80 EUR). Bus number 2 - to San Leone (1.20 EUR). Linea Verde buses (Green Line) leave every hour from the railway station. train station to the cathedral.

Tickets can be bought at the bar opposite the stop and booked on board.

3 things to do in Agrigento

Once in Agrigento in February, it is imperative to go to the Valley of the Temples, even if you are not a big fan of antiquity. It is in this month that hundreds of almond trees from all over Italy bloom there. No impressionist dreamed of such a collection of white and pink shades.
During the rest of the year, you can still go to the Valley of the Temples, if only for the sake of visiting the Spizzulio wine cellar (Via Panoramica Valle dei Templi, 23). And taste amazing pasta with sun-dried tomatoes with a glass or two of wine.
Falling in love with the local cuisine (everyone does it here for sure), go 30 km from Agrigento to the Mandranova estate. There you can buy a bottle of olive oil with you, and then, under the supervision of the hostess Sylvia, take a three-hour cooking course. If you wish, you can also stay here for the night, be sure to swim in the pool (it is filled with water from mineral springs).

Agrigento entertainment and attractions

Here are the unique temples of Juno Lakinia and Concordia with adjacent early Christian catacombs, the ruins of the temples of Zeus, Hephaestus and Hercules, the sanctuary of Asclepius, the pre-Hellenic cave temple near the sanctuary of Demeter and the church of San Nicola.

Much of Agrigento itself is quite modern, but the city still boasts a fair amount of medieval buildings, especially cathedral and the church of Santa Maria dei Greci. There is also an excellent Archaeological Museum with an exposition of objects found at the excavations of the ancient city.

In the Italian region of Sicily is the city of Agrigento. The current modern city originated on the site of the ancient settlement of Akragas, founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC.

general information

On the map of Italy, Agrigento is located in the southwestern part of the island of Sicily. The climate in the city is moderately warm. The maximum temperature in summer is +25. In winter, the temperature ranges from +10 to +15. The greatest amount of precipitation falls in the winter months.

Important! Agrigento does not have its own airport. You can fly by plane to Catania, Palermo and Trapani.

The city can be easily reached by bus or train. From the capital of Sicily Palermo, where is located international Airport, there are several trains a day. Agrigento can be reached from Catania, where the airport is also located.

The ancient city of Agrigento

Ticket price: From Palermo - 8… 13 euros *. The duration of the trip is 2 hours. From Catania, a ticket costs 15 ... 23 euros. The duration of the trip is 6 hours.

The bus in Silicia is considered the main transport. You can get to Agrigento by bus from Palermo, Catania and Trapani.

Ticket prices: from Palermo - 11 euros, trip duration - 2 hours; from Trapani - from 48 euros, travel time - 5 hours; from Catania - 17 ... 24 euros, travel time - 5 hours.

In addition to the bus and train, the city can be reached by car. Coordinates on the map for motorists: the SS 189 highway leads from Palermo to the city.

Important! Agrigento is almost all pedestrianized and it is almost impossible to enter the city by car. You can find a place to park your car near the station where the car park is located.

Valley of the Temples

Agrigento (Sicily): description of the main attractions

The main attraction of the city is the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento. It is located a few kilometers from the city center. The valley is an area where the remains of ancient temple buildings are located. The buildings were erected by the ancient Greeks living in this area (ancient Akragas) in the 5-6th centuries BC. NS. The archaeological park is divided into two parts by the road.

Temple of Concordia

This temple is the best preserved of all the ancient buildings that have survived to this day. It is also called the Temple of Concord. This ritual building in the Doric style was erected in 430 BC. NS. The temple has a rectangular shape with columns around the perimeter.

Temple of Concordia

The columns were designed by ancient Greek architects in such a way as to create in those present optical illusion(the building looks much more massive and majestic than it really is). In the 7th century BC. NS. the temple became the Christian church of Saints Peter and Paul.

Temple of Hera and Juno Lacinia

This temple is located at the highest point in comparison with other buildings. It was erected in 450 BC. NS. Previously, the building had 38 columns. Only 25 of them have survived to this day.

There is a belief that it was in this temple that a painting depicting the goddess Juno, painted by the ancient Greek painter Zeuxis, was kept.

Temple of Hera and Juno Lacinia

Temple of Hercules

Its purpose was to personify the strength and power of Hercules, revered in Sicily. Of the 38 columns, only 8 have survived to this day. The structure dates back to 510 BC. NS.

Temple of Jupiter

It was erected in the second half of the 4th century BC. NS. Was the most magnificent of all the temples. It was surrounded by 38 semi-columns of 6.5 meters in circumference. The temple was supported by telamons (sculptural images of men, they were also called Atlanteans) 7.5 meters in height. Only the remnants of the former greatness have survived to this day. The original of one of the telamons is kept in the National Archaeological Museum.

In addition to the above structures, in the Valley of the Temples you can see the remains of temples:

Dioscuri;
Aesculapius;
Ephesus or Vulcan;
Also on the territory are the necropolises of early Christians.

Additional Information! Entrance to the territory of the Valley of the Temples is paid - 5 euros, preferential - 3 euros. Opening hours: daily from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm.

Agrigento itself in Sicily is also of interest to tourists: it has preserved medieval buildings, and there are also many churches, museums, squares and alleys. In the city itself, the following attractions are of interest:

Cathedral. The building of the cathedral, together with the bell tower, remained unfinished. The building has excellent acoustics. Inside you can admire beautiful paintings. It was built in the middle of the 15th century.
Episcopal Palace and Seminary (14th century), as well as the building of the Luquesian Library. All these buildings are located opposite the Cathedral.
Church of Santa Maria dei Greci. Her building was erected in ruins ancient temple Athens.
Teatro Luigi Pirangelo (18th century).
Municipal Museum, located in Piazza Pirandello. The city mayor's office is also located there. Address: Cortile St Spirito, I-92100 Agrigento.
Diocesan Museum.
Churches of St. Lawrence, Holy Spirit, San Biagio.
Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone.
Archaeological Museum (considered the largest and most visited museum).

Temple of Jupiter

Excursions

To get a better knowledge of the history of all the sights of Agrigento, it is worth ordering a tour of the iconic places of the city. The cost of excursions starts from 200 euros. In addition to excursions around the city itself, you can book a tour of other provinces of Sicily and see local attractions.

Leisure activities

Agrigento is famous for its beaches. The best time to relax on them is summer - mid-autumn. There are no beaches in the city itself, but the road to suburban ones will take no more than 15 ... 20 minutes.

San Leone beach. It is located not far from the main attraction of the city - the Valley of the Temples. In high season, the beach is crowded with holidaymakers.
Skala dei Turchi. The nature is beautiful here, Sandy shore and very warm sea water, which is suitable for families with a child.
You can also note such beaches as Khaos, Marinella, Lido Azzuro.

In addition to relaxing on the beaches, you can stroll along the streets of the city and try to feel the spirit of the Middle Ages - here it will not be difficult. True, the view of the city itself creates a feeling of dilapidation, but this does not hurt to take excellent photographs that convey the mood of Agrigento.

A few kilometers from Agrigento is San Leone - a tourist destination by the sea. You can go here after all the interesting places have been explored in Agrigento. There are amusement parks for adults and children. Also from here you can go to boat trip on the ship.

San Leone beach

You can arrange a gastronomic trip around Agrigento. The city is famous for its cuisine, however, like any other city in Italy. You should definitely try:

pasta with sardines;
various types of mussels, fried fish;
local delicacy - pickled shrimps;
Cubaita's signature dessert is a confectionery with sweet honey and toasted almond grains.

Information for tourists

Going on an excursion to the Valley of the Temples in summer, you should definitely take with you a minimum supply of drinking water and a hat.

There are not many hotels in the city, but you can choose an option and find both a 5-star hotel and a 3-star hotel.

On a note! In February, hundreds of almond trees bloom in the Valley of the Temples, which gives the place a special beauty.

The direction of Agrigento Sicily can rightfully be called one of the most interesting. This city is definitely worth a visit. It contains everything in order to get vivid impressions, a sea of emotions and wonderful memories of what you saw.

* The prices indicated in the article are valid at the time of publication of the material.

From the point of view of transport accessibility, the southwestern coast of Sicily (conditionally, from Marsala to Cape Passero) is perhaps the least attractive and is inferior to the other two coasts: the north and east. And the tourist infrastructure in this part of the island is far from ideal. However, the local beaches are often no worse than, say, in San Vito lo Capo and Mondello or in Fontana Bianca and Lido di Noto. Moreover, just because of the relatively undeveloped transport and resort infrastructure, the southwestern coast is much less crowded, and therefore the beaches here, as a rule, are much more spacious. What else do you need for a secluded beach holiday? Maybe a car. Because moving around the south-west of Sicily without personal transport is very, very difficult in places. Fortunately, car rental is not a problem. This can be done immediately upon arrival: at the airports of Catania (see, for example,), Palermo (see) or Trapani (see). It is also worth mentioning the Comiso airport, which is located near Ragusa. Ryanair and some others fly here low cost airlines... This is the southernmost airport in Sicily, through which it is convenient to get to many seaside resorts, including places such as Marina di Ragusa, Pozzallo, etc. Of course, in Comiso there is also an opportunity to rent a car (see).

However, let's not forget about public transport. Many beaches on the southwest coast can be easily reached by railroad(see www.trenitalia.com) and by bus (links will be given below).

For further convenience, we will divide the southwestern coast into two parts: (it is more convenient to get here through Trapani and Palermo) and (it is better to go here through Comiso and Catania).

Usually Marsala(Marsala) considered as a destination for a short sightseeing trip. The city is really interesting. However, few people pay attention to the fact that in addition to historical sights, Marsala also has pretty good beaches. They are located far from the city center, but getting to them will not be difficult. For example, to the beach Lido Signorino with railway station Marsala can be reached by train in just 5 minutes (you should get off at the Terrenove stop, from where about 10-15 minutes walk to the beach). The Linea 9 city bus will also do (see www.comune.marsala.tp.it for timetables). By car, as you might guess, getting to Lido Signorino is also easy (and no parking problems!).

As a matter of fact, if you need a quiet, non-touristy place, then it is quite possible to settle here. The beach is sandy, the entrance to the water is shallow. There are several equipped beaches with sun loungers, umbrellas, bars, etc. You can stay in one of the small family hotels, such as the Suitebeach B&B (located right on the beach) or B&B Voglia di Mare (slightly away from the beach, but a few steps from the railway station). Another option is to rent a cottage or villa: see, for example, Terrazza dei Sogni or Villa Profumo di Mare.

By the way, about houses, villas and apartments. Having your own kitchen will be of great help if you like fresh seafood and do not mind cooking something yourself (Marsala has a wonderful fish market).

In addition, it is convenient to travel around the area from here: within an hour's drive (both by car and by train), not only Old city Marsala, but also Trapani with the medieval village of Erice next door, and the town of Mazara del Vallo, whose history goes back centuries, and Castelvetrano, where it is worth visiting if only for the sake of chiesa di San Domenico, and other interesting places that often slip out of sight of travelers.

In turn, the most convenient way to get to Marsala is via Trapani Airport (Aeroporto Vincenzo Florio Trapani-Birgi), which is connected to Marsala by direct bus service (it takes about half an hour, see autoservizisalemi.it). It is also possible to get from Palermo to Marsala by bus (the journey takes a little more than two hours, see the schedule).

Let's go back to the seaside resorts.

The town mentioned above Mazara del Vallo(Mazara del Vallo) like Marsala, it is not deprived of beaches. The Madzar beaches themselves (they, again, are located at a distance from the historical center), may be not bad, but the adjacent territories (in contrast to the historical center) make a rather dull impression - spending all the time by the sea will be elementary boring. Therefore, it makes sense to focus on them only if you will be by car, or if a 30-40 minute walk is not a problem for you and the summer heat does not frighten you.

Further, the railway goes away from the sea, and in order to get to those located on the coast settlements the car will come in handy even more. Although, of course, buses run in this area (see autoservizisalemi.it).

As for the beaches, here you should pay attention to the surroundings of the ancient city of Selinunte. Today Selinunte is an archaeological park with ruins of ancient temples and other antiquities. Nearby places such as Trishina(Triscina), Tre Fontane(Tre Fontane), Cartibubbo(Kartibubbo)- to the west, as well Marinella di Selinunte(Marinella di Selinunte) and Porto Palo(Porto Palo)- to the east. The closest thing to the archaeological park is Marinella di Selinunte - a convenient place to combine sightseeing with ancient sights with a beach holiday, since there are opportunities. In particular, it is worth considering the Eracle Hotel, located near both the entrance to the territory of the archaeological park and the beach. Do you want a hotel with its own beach? Then take a look at the Miramare Hotel, a little outside the center of Marinella, but also close to the archaeological area. There are also apartments nearby (for example, the Case Vacanza Vivaldi complex) and other interesting options both in Marinella and Trishin, and in Tre Fontana, and so on on the list. If you prefer resort hotels with its own territory, beach infrastructure, full board and animation, then there are such: see, for example, Le Dune Resort, not far from Porto Palo. The beaches are sandy everywhere and, as a rule, wide enough, and the entrance to the water is shallow, which is perfect for children.

However, it is worth making a reservation. For the southwestern coast of Sicily, in general, and for the area in question - Valle del Belice - in particular, the following feature is characteristic: the sea here is quite unpredictable and at times (even in July and August) is much cooler than desired would be many tourists. On the surface, the sea warms up well, but either because of the winds, or because of currents, warm water mixes with cold water. It turns out a kind of layer cake: layers of warm water are interspersed with layers of cold water. Although the children splashing along the shore do not care.

Apparently, due to the same feature, the southwest coast is well suited for wind, kite and just surfing. From this point of view, it is worth paying close attention to the area of the tourist village of Cartibubbo: see, in particular, Agriglamping WindResort, where you can not only stay, but also undergo the necessary training.

However, we will continue to move towards Agrigento. The next point on which we will stop our eyes is - Shakka(Sciacca)... It is more convenient to get here by car, but there are also buses: in particular, from Palermo (about 1 hour 40 minutes, see www.autolineegallo.it) and from Trapani (about two hours, you can go directly from the airport, see www. autolineelumia.it). This old town is located on a small hill: below is the port, and a little to the side of the port are the beaches. Basically, you can stay right here - somewhere not far from the port (that is, between the sea and the Old Town): see, for example, Hotel Aliai, a small townhouse Casa Corallo or the Tonnara di Sciacca apart-hotel (a little further away). Thus, you can always easily reach the beaches, and for a change, the historic center of Sciacca is at hand (15-20 minutes on foot), where you can find local attractions (in particular, the Church of St. Margherita, Chiesa di Santa Margherita), and shops , and restaurants. This option is quite suitable for accommodation for several days in the "Shakka + beach" format (plus, possibly, thermal waters and therapeutic mud, which are also available in Sciacca). If you are interested in a longer vacation with an emphasis on the sea, then you should hardly be guided by city beaches. In this case, it makes sense to shift the focus of attention to the surroundings of Shakki.

There are villages to the west of Shakki San Marco(San Marco) and Maragani(Maragani)... Both places are non-touristy, but they are very popular among locals, and therefore you can find here not only beaches (sandy in San Marco and sandy-rocky in Maragani), but also grocery stores, beach bars, pizzerias and even discos (in San Marco ). There is also a place to rent a sun lounger and umbrella, if this is important to you. In addition, next to San Marco is the cape of the same name, the territory of which is nature reserve(Riserva Naturale di Capo San Marco), which is very conducive to walking in the fresh air (plus, if you wish, you can dive here with a mask). If we talk about where to live, then pay attention to the San Marco in Riva al Mare apartments, not far from the well-maintained beach, or to the small hotel Maragani Beach with a cozy secluded private beach.

There are also many places to the east of Shakki that are quite suitable for a beach holiday: first of all, Sovareto(Sovareto), Lumiya(Lumia), San jojo(San Giorgio) and Macauda(Makauda)... These places are chosen by large beach hotels, although for the most part the coastline remains "wild", and equipped paid beaches are rare here. But there are many villas and apartments for rent: see, for example, the Case Bongiovi complex or the Makauda Beach apart-hotel (it would also be useful to scour sites like www.interhome.ru). As for beach hotels, then they often do not meet the expectations of tourists: many of them are pretty dilapidated and require repair. But there are also decent places. In particular, in Sovareto there is a huge tourist complex consisting of four club hotels - Alicudi, Lipari, Cala Regina and Torre del Barone (by the way, some Russian tour operators bring tourists here - you can look for tours). Not a bad option. But perhaps even better is the Verdura Resort located in the Macauda area, where there is a private beach, several restaurants, and opportunities for various sports, including golf, and a kids club, and a spacious pool, etc. etc. In a word, a great resort! True, it is by no means cheap. In addition, the hotel's sandy-pebble beach will not be to everyone's taste. Therefore, it will be very convenient to have a car on hand - so you can visit many beautiful beaches located in the immediate vicinity, or at any time get out to the same Shakku.

Then a series of large, mostly "wild" beaches begins (for example, Piana Grande beach, Spiaggia di Piana Grande), which stretch right up to the place Eraclea Minoa(Eraclea Minoa)... This place, I must say, although small, but quite interesting. Available: a beautiful sandy beach, separated from the resort village by a coniferous forest, a picturesque cliff and an archaeological zone. There are also some accommodation options for tourists: see, for example, the Eraclea Minoa Village camping (in fact, this is not just a camping, it offers both apartments and rooms) or the B&B Eraclea Minoa Mare guest house. Plus a decent beach restaurant.

From here to the village Sikuliana Marina(Siculiana Marina) again, the "wild" ones are dragging on, only now sandy beaches... The places are not at all touristy and very beautiful (pay attention, in particular, to Torre Salsa beach, Spiaggia di Torre Salsa- here it is on the map). But you can only get here by car, and you can't go everywhere. Sikuliana Marina is an island of civilization. There is a beach, several restaurants, and some accommodation options like Resort Sole Mediterraneo and Miky Holiday Home. In the summer (especially on weekends, since mostly locals come here) the local beach is quite crowded, but finding a free spot is not difficult. In addition, if you are by car (otherwise it’s hardly worth going here), you can always go to the surrounding “wild” (like the aforementioned Torre Salsa) or, let's say, “semi-wild” (like Giallonardo, Spiaggia di Giallonardo) beaches.

Finally, we cannot fail to mention two more places that are already very close to Agrigento. It - Lido Rossello(Lido Rossello) and Punta Grande(Punta Grande), two resort villages with nice sandy beaches, between which you can find one of the most impressive natural attractions in Sicily. We are talking about the so-called Turkish staircase (aka Scala dei Turchi, Scala dei Turchi). Lido Rossello Beach offers a breathtaking view of this dazzling white ledge cliff. If you wish, you can even walk to the “stairs” from here (many people do this, despite the ban of local authorities). Punta Grande is also within walking distance of the Turkish Stairs (as far as we know, there are no prohibitive signs on this side; walk 15-20 minutes). Accordingly, if you want to combine a visit to this attraction with a beach holiday, then it makes sense to stay in one of these places: see, for example, the Case Vacanze Baia aparthotel in Lido Rossello or the small guest house B&B Mammaliturchi in Punta Grande. The disadvantages of the resorts in question include their popularity. In summer, the local beaches, to put it mildly, are not empty. Nevertheless, you can always find a more or less secluded place.

If we talk about transport, then it is more convenient to go here by car. However, fortunately for the "horseless" travelers, there are buses from Agrigento to Realmonte (Realmonte, it takes about 20 minutes, see www.autolineelumia.it), from where it is a stone's throw to Lido Rossello (about 3.5 km away): you can even walk on foot , or arrange a transfer with the hotel / owner of the apartment, or take a taxi. You can get to the village of Punta Grande in approximately the same way: first by bus from Agrigento to Porto Empedocle (drive about 25 minutes, see www.autolineesal.it), and from there to your destination. It is also worth mentioning that Realmonte can be reached by direct bus from Trapani airport (see), and Porto Empedocle from Catania (see www.saistrasporti.it), Palermo (see www.autolineesal.it) and Comiso airports (see ibid.). In all cases, the journey will take about three hours.

By the way, there are beaches in Porto Empedocle(Porto Empedocle), from where, by and large, it is also possible to reach the Turkish stairs on foot. If you walk along the sea through Punta Grande, the road will take about an hour. Alternatively, you can stop somewhere halfway between Porto Empedocle and Punta Grande. There are a couple of good four-star hotels in the area, among other things: Hotel Villa Romana and Hotel Riviera Palace. Both are two steps away from Azure beach(Lido Azzurro) and are suitable for both car travelers and those who travel without a car (it is possible to order a transfer to the hotel, say, from Agrigento, which is both convenient and relatively inexpensive).

In Agrigento itself, there is no sea or beaches. However, the coast is not far away. In addition, Agrigento is the largest transport hub in this part of Sicily (there is a train station - about two hours' drive from Palermo, with trains running almost every hour). Agrigento is convenient to use as a staging post on the way to nearby resorts (by the way, for more details on where to stay in Agrigento, read the corresponding article). In addition, the Valley of the Temples, the Turkish Stairs and other iconic landmarks are nearby.

If we talk about beach resorts, then within half an hour's drive from Agrigento are the aforementioned Lido Rossello, Punta Grande and Porto Empedocle, as well as San Leone and Fumenaro, which can also be reached by public transport(see bus routes Linea 2 and Linea 3 at www.trasportiurbaniagrigento.it).

San leone(San Leone) typical resort town. Here you can find a pretty embankment, a small amusement park, a tourist port, discos, numerous restaurants, and rented villas, apartments, etc. The beaches in San Leone are sandy. There is a small beach in the center of the town (landmark - Hotel L "Approdo). A little further from the center, a series of beaches covered by breakwaters begins (here you can take a closer look, for example, at B&B Villa Adriana). Fumenaro(Fiumenaro) and the adjacent town Lido di Cannatello(Lido di Cannatello), where, just like in San Leone, there are villas, apartments, and guest houses. If you prefer traditional hotel service, check out the Baia Di Ulisse Wellness & Spa and Residence Hotel Antica Perla.

Further afield, you can find a number of "wild" beaches, many of which are hidden in secluded coves between the rocks. The places are beautiful, but really wild and completely non-touristy. Here you feel like a real discoverer, but the presence of a car, as well as the spirit of adventurism, is strictly required. Islands of civilization - Marina di Palma, Ciotta and Torre di Gaffe.

Closer to Likat, comfortable beaches begin to meet again. From this point of view, it is worth paying attention to places such as Pisciotto(Pisciotto) and Mollarella(Mollarella)... Separately, we will mention the picturesque Rocca di San Nicola beach (Spiaggia della Rocca di San Nicola, here it is on the Google map). It is more convenient to get here by car, but in summer there is a seasonal Linea 5 bus from Likata (see comune.licata.ag.it for a schedule). Licata, in turn, can be reached by bus both from Agrigento (about an hour's drive, see www.autolineesal.it), and from Comiso airport (just over an hour and a half, see ibid.), And from Catania (about two and a half hours drive, can be reached directly from the airport, see www.etnatrasporti.it), and from Palermo (about three hours drive, see www.atabusservice.it).

Likata(Licata) is also worthy of consideration for a beach holiday. The city is adjacent to a rather long sandy Marianello beach (Spiaggia di Marianello), where there are also equipped areas, but there are enough free zones for everyone (the further from Likata, the more spacious). It is on this beach that you should be guided if you want to combine a visit to Likata with sun and sea baths. Nearby accommodation options are 10-15 minutes' walk from Marianello Beach, such as the Antica Dimora San Girolamo, Casa Vacanze Porto Marina and the 3-star Al Faro.

On the coast to the east of Likata and almost to Gela itself, there are also good sandy beaches. There are almost no paid sites here, but you can find such pleasant places with their own beach equipment, such as the B&B Valoroso Village and the Serenusa Village beach hotel. By the way, seasonal buses also run in this direction (Linea 4, see comune.licata.ag.it). Another good resort hotel is located in the town Falconara(Falconara)- see Falconara Charming House Resort & Spa. And finally, here we will mention the all-inclusive hotel Sikania Resort & Spa.

Approaching Dzhele, we note that until quite recently the sea here was completely unsuitable for swimming. The situation is gradually changing for the better, and Gela(Gela) begins to gain prominence not only as a center for the petrochemical industry, but also as a beach destination. For example, according to the Italian Ministry of Health (see - in the "Comune" field, indicate "Gela") now even in the city center (for example) it is quite possible to swim. Nevertheless, areas not suitable for swimming are still preserved in Dzhel (they can be found again at the link above). Thus, Gela can hardly be called a full-fledged beach resort. However, this city may well be used as intermediate point on the way from the same Agrigento to Syracuse and Catania (or vice versa). There are not many accommodation options here, but those that exist (for example, the Aurora Residence apartment complex) are pleasantly pleased with their prices. In addition, Gela is one of the oldest cities in Sicily (in ancient times the city was called Gela), which is also interesting (in particular, it is worth visiting the local archaeological park).

Usually travelers bypass not only Gelu, but also the surrounding beaches, which does not prevent them from being popular among the local population. Beaches in places such as scenic Manfria(actually Manfria + Lido di Manfria) or worn out among greenhouse farms Marina di Akate(Marina di Acate), are quite crowded, although almost unknown to tourists.

Be that as it may, it is hardly worth going to this area specially if you plan to travel around Sicily by public transport (despite the fact that you can get to Gela by bus and even by rail). But if you are traveling by car, then for a couple of days it is quite possible to drop in here in order to replenish the treasury of Sicilian impressions.

The picture changes markedly as we move further south. For example, Scoglitti(Scoglitti) gives the impression of a typical resort town, where you can find not only good sandy beaches, but also numerous shops, restaurants, a small port, several discos and a pretty historic center. Of course, there are hotels, apartments, and other tourist accommodation facilities: see, for example, the Sul Mare Al Gabbiano and B&B Marejada hotels (both practically in the center of Scoglitti), or the Mediterraneo Apartments complex (on the outskirts of the village).

Of no less interest from the point of view of beach recreation are Punta Bracchetto(Punta Braccetto), Torre di Mezzo(Torre di Mezzo), Punta Secco(Punta Secco) and of course Marina di Ragusa(Marina di Ragusa) Is a place renowned as one of the most prestigious beach resorts in the south of Sicily. True, you will not find fashionable five-star hotels here, but there are several good "fours": see, for example, a hotel located in the very center of the village and at the same time a stone's throw from the beach is a hotel with the self-explanatory name Miramare (some of the rooms really open up beautiful sea views). There are other options, including more budgetary ones, like the Appartamenti Sud Est apartment complex (about a five-minute walk from the beach).

By the way, the beaches here are sandy, with a convenient entrance to the water. In summer, the sea is generally calm and warm. The tourist infrastructure is well developed by the standards of southern Sicily. In short, Marina di Ragusa is perfect for a measured beach holiday, which can always be diversified by trips around the surrounding area: to Ragusa, Modica, Scicli, etc.

At the same time, Marina di Ragusa is of interest not only for auto travelers, but also for those who travel by public transport. For example, you can get here directly from Catania (or even from Catania airport) - the journey takes about two and a half hours (see www.etnatrasporti.it). If you go from Ragusa, you can get there in just half an hour (see www.tuminobus.it). Comiso airport within an hour by bus (see schedule). There are other routes - the sites of bus companies have been mentioned above, where you can find detailed information on this matter.

There are several other resort towns nearby, which also deserve attention. This, in particular, Playa Grande(Plaja Grande) and Donnalucata(Donnalucata)... Both are also quite suitable for a beach holiday, but it is better to go here by car. The Zafran Boutique Hotel in Donnalucat deserves a special mention. An excellent hotel (though not the cheapest). Further south are Sampieri(Sampieri) and Marina di Modica(Marina di Modica)- too good options with more than decent beaches.

Let's dwell in a little more detail on Pozzallo(Pozzallo)... This small town looks almost like a metropolis against the background of the above-mentioned villages. It's no joke to say that it even has its own railway station (just over an hour's drive from Syracuse). By the way, there is a railway station in the aforementioned Sampieri, but it is located quite far from the village. In Pozzallo, everything is much more convenient - from the station to the sea just 10 minutes on foot. It is also worth noting that Pozzallo has a direct ferry service with Malta, where it is quite possible to go on a one-day excursion (see www.virtuferries.com, in order to save money, it is better to buy tickets in advance). Moreover, since modern ferries cover the distance between Pozzallo and Malta in less than two hours, it becomes possible to create a non-trivial travel itinerary and get to Pozzallo in transit via Malta airport, rather than the traditional route via Catania or Comiso.

In summer, Pozzallo is a lively seaside resort - life is in full swing (especially on weekends), the embankments and in the center of the town are noisy and fun. Mostly Italians rest here, but tourists are by no means uncommon. The beaches in Pozzallo are very, very decent (fine sand, calm clear sea, smooth entry into the water) and there are a lot of accommodation options. For the most part, these are rented houses and apartments (see, for example, the Attico Fronte Mare penthouse with excellent sea views), as well as small guest houses (in particular, B&B Gioclora), but there are also hotels (for example, Hotel Villa Ada and Mare Nostrum Petit Hotel).

Pozzallo is perfect for the rest of the most varied categories of travelers - both for families with children, and for young people, etc. If you do not like to sit in one place, but do not plan to rent a car, then in this case Pozzallo will excellent choice: to Ragusa, Modica, Scicli, Noto, Syracuse and some others interesting places really get there by rail or bus.

If you are looking for a more secluded place, it is better to rent a car. It is worth driving a few kilometers from Pozzallo, as the spacious and uncrowded beaches begin. From this point of view itself close attention deserves a beach in the town Santa Maria del Focallo(Santa Maria del Focallo)- long-long, sandy-sandy and in places completely deserted even in the height of the summer season. Take a closer look at Le Dune Residence, for example. Despite being adjacent to the large beachfront Hotel Club Marispica, it is very quiet and peaceful. There are, of course, other options nearby, including villas, apartments and guest houses.

Alternatively, consider Granelli(Granelli)... This is perhaps an even more secluded place than Santa Maria del Focallo.

It is impossible not to mention the picturesque beach located even further south. Carratois(Playa Carratois), where you can find several beach bars and restaurants, as well as rent a sun lounger and umbrella if you wish. If you live somewhere in the vicinity, then it is worth coming here at least for a few hours. There are some accommodation options in the immediate vicinity of the beach: see, for example, Casa Vacanze Carratois.

Finally, completing our review of the beaches of the southwestern coast of Sicily, let's say a few words about the beach located on the edge of Capo Passero Isola delle Correnti(Isola delle Correnti)... This is the most southern point Sicily. As a matter of fact, that is why many tourists come here. The beach itself is not bad, but it is more of a place for a short half-day sightseeing trip. It is hardly worth staying here for long, unless you are interested in kitesurfing or windsurfing. From this point of view, Isola delle Correnti (as, by the way, and Carratois) looks very attractive. Be that as it may, many of the places discussed above (the same Santa Maria del Focallo or Pozzallo) are located much more conveniently, and the beaches there are at least no worse.

The total area of the monument is about 1300 hectares. In the VI century. BC. Greek settlers founded the Akragas colony here, which was conquered by the Carthaginians two centuries later. Witnesses rich history cities - Doric temples, squares, pagan and Christian burials, as well as a dense water supply network.

Valley from a bird's eye view

Scientists have uncovered in the valley the ruins of as many as ten Doric temples and three sanctuaries, as well as many burials, fragments of a fortification system and part of an ancient Roman quarter built on the site of an ancient Greek one. There were also two market squares, where meetings were held (in Greek they were called "agora"), and an administrative building for meetings of the city council - the bouleuterium.

Temples

The temple of the mythical twins Dioscuri Castor and Pollux, the sons of Jupiter (Zeus) and the wife of the Spartan king Leda, became the symbol of Agrigento.

Temple of Concordia. Photo / Shutterstock.com

The temple of the goddess of consent Concordia stands on a sacred road; it was built around the 5th century. BC. and is distinguished by the best preservation among the whole complex. In the VI century. AD a Christian church was built in it. The original purpose of the temple was determined by an inscription found near the building.

The Temple of Jupiter (Zeus) was built in gratitude for the victory of the inhabitants of Akragas over the Carthaginians in 480 BC. A giant figure of the Atlantean, consisting of massive stone blocks, has been preserved here.

Temple of Hercules (Hercules)

Temple of Hercules (Hercules) - the oldest in the valley; the cult of the legendary hero was one of the central ones in Akragas. The building housed a bronze statue of Hercules; the temple was destroyed by an earthquake, and today only eight columns remain.

Temple of Juno Lacinia

The Temple of Juno Lacinia (scientists find it difficult to establish with accuracy to whom the temple is dedicated, therefore the name is conditional) stands on a spectacular cliff, on the eastern part of the hill. On the walls of the cella (interior, boundary), traces of a fire are still clearly visible: in 406 BC. this temple, almost indistinguishable from the temple of Concordia, was destroyed by the Carthaginians. Near the ruins of the temple, you can see a large altar for sacrifices (on the east side) and a section of the road with deep marks from the wheels of carts passing along it.

The temple of the god of healing Aesculapius was built quite far from the walls of the ancient city: the sick flocked here, praying for recovery. The walls of the temple were dotted with gratitude inscriptions from those who were fortunate enough to be cured.

The Temple of Vulcan (Hephaestus) was built in the 5th century. BC. and, apparently, had a rather impressive scale. Unfortunately, very little remains of it today. In the foundation, the ruins of an even more ancient and very small temple were revealed.

Near the Golden Gate is the so-called "Tomb of Theron". It has nothing to do with the ruler of Akragant Theron: in fact, this pyramidal building made of tuff is a monument to those who died in the Second Punic War (Rome v. Carthage, 218-201 BC).

Acropolis and Burials

The agora also makes a great impression - the market square, which served as the main center of social life in the Greek city-states. Also worth seeing is the Council Room to the north of San Nicola Hill and the gymnasiums, a place where the townspeople played sports, studied and spent their leisure time.

The valley contains many Greek, Roman and early Christian necropolises located just outside the ancient city. Also noteworthy are the plumbing, floor mosaics from Greek and Roman residential areas, and early Christian basilicas from the subsequent era, such as near the Temple of Concordia.