On the outskirts of Agrigento is one of the preserved architectural legacies of ancient Greece: the ruins of Akragras, a prosperous Greek colony, which during its golden age around 450BC was said to have Doric temples to rival the Acropolis in Athens. Quite a claim for a small city in Sicily, and a claim still attracting plenty of visitors today. We only have a few recommendations for our list of the best places to stay in Agrigento: converted villas and palazzos, and traditional Sicilian hotels. Agrigento has a number of newer hotels and resorts, but we recommend choosing a hotel with either views of Akragras’s Valley of the Temples, or close to the beach.
The best views of the Valley of the Temples can be found in the historic part of town, close to the Via Atenea, which runs though the whole of Agrigento. Stick by this and you’re surrounded by wonderful architecture, but stray too far and your views will be marred by the motorways and Brutalist tower blocks of the new town. The beaches are Agrigento’s other great appeal, and while most hotels in Agrigento are booked up with tourists for Ancient Greece, there are plenty of people visiting Agrigento for its beaches, and to use as a stylish base for exploring the rest of Sicily.
Whether it’s the main focus of your visit or not, Akragras is Agrigento’s main sight, and comprises a collection of fantastic temples and their numerous statues and decorations. Not all of the site has been excavated, but many of the highlights that have been discovered are now housed in Agrigento’s impressive archaeological museum.
As you might imagine, this is an incredibly popular destination especially in the peak summer months. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Agrigento, book well ahead to avoid disappointment.