Things to do in Realmonte

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Agrigento

Stair of the Turks

Stair of the Turks is a stretch of white cliff on the southwest coast of Sicily. The entire cliff is composed of soft white marl, and the rock layers have been polished by wind and waves over the years, rising from the sea in layers like natural steps, which is how it got the name "Stair." The "Turks" part comes from North African pirates, whom the locals collectively called "Turks" in the Middle Ages. They often used this sheltered white cliff as a place to dock and hide. This layer of white rock was formed by the calcareous remains of countless tiny plankton deposited on the seabed during an ancient era when the Mediterranean Sea nearly dried up and was subsequently refilled, and marine fossils can still be found in the rock layers today. The white cliffs are flanked by golden beaches, with blue-green seawater surging against the pure white base of the cliffs. At sunset, the white rock surface reflects faint pink and orange hues, making it a classic time for sightseeing and photography. It became more widely known after the movie "Malèna" was filmed here, and it was also written about by Italian author Andrea Camilleri in his "Inspector Montalbano" series. The white cliff rock is soft and easily weathered, and there is an observation deck at the top of the cliff, which is an open spot for overlooking the entire coastline.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Agrigento

Valley of the Temples

ValledeiTempli, the Valley of the Temples, is not a valley, but a hill to the south of Acrigento. The terrain is dangerous. On one side, you can overlook the city of Agrigento, and on the other side sit on the green space of the valley, with a wide vision. There are red ancient Greek temple ruins lined up on the top of the hill. The temple is tall and very imposing. Although it has been damaged by natural disasters, wars and early Christians, it is well preserved. In 1997, it was included in the World Heritage List according to the selection criteria C(I)(II)(III)(IV).

Agrigento Cathedral

Agrigento Cathedral(Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta) is located above the city of Agrigento and can be reached by heading up through the beautiful, narrow, and intricate old town. The cathedral blends different architectural styles, including Catalan Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque, and is a beautiful building. Unfortunately, the church has been damaged by earthquakes and landslides, so it is closed and can only be viewed from the outside, but you can still see some weathered reliefs on the exterior walls.

Tempio di Giunone

Temple of Concordia, Agrigento

Temple of Concordia, Agrigento (Temple of Concordia, Agrigento) was built in 440 BC and is a very large Doric structure in Sicily. It is the best-preserved temple in the Valley of the Temples, with its 6 front columns and 34 side columns intact. Its state of preservation is second only to the famous Parthenon, and because of its integrity, it offers an excellent opportunity to understand the temple architecture of ancient Greece. The temple did not suffer the same catastrophic fate as others because it was converted into a Catholic church in the 6th century, which allowed this pagan temple to survive until it was restored to its original appearance in 1788, becoming a symbol of Agrigento.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Temple of Olympian Zeus has long been destroyed. Like many Greek temples in Europe, it is now a ruin. Temple of Olympian Zeus is one of the larger ruins in the Valley of the Temples. Unless you have a special interest in history or archaeology, I do not recommend coming here, because without sufficient background knowledge, this might just be a boring attraction, as most people are not interested in ruins or looking at abandoned stones. The temple's columns are massive sculptures. One of them has been restored and is on display in the archaeological museum. The sculpture was built in 480 BC and was likely destroyed during the Carthaginian invasion in 406 BC. What remains here now is a replica.

Casa Natale di Luigi Pirandello

Archaeological Museum "Pietro Griffo" of Agrigento

The Pietro Griffo Archaeological Museum in Agrigento, Italy, is the ideal starting point for exploring Sicily's rich history. Located near the famous Valley of the Temples, the museum houses a vast collection of artifacts dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. Exhibits include valuable ceramics, sculptures, and everyday objects, vividly illustrating the splendor of ancient civilization and daily life. The museum attracts history buffs and scholars with its carefully curated exhibitions and educational programs.

Spiaggia di Siculiana Marina

Il Giardino della Kolymbethra

Located inside the Valley of the Temples, Kolymbethra Garden is a shaded corner of paradise, where centuries-old olive trees prosper and where the citrus fruits flood the Valley of the Temples with their fragrances. An exceptional garden, where nature is merged with history.