Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi)

Rising dramatically from the cliffs above the Mediterranean, the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily, is one of the best-preserved collections of ancient Greek architecture anywhere in the world. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, this 1,300-hectare archaeological park stretches along a limestone ridge that the ancient Greeks called Akragas, founded around 580 BC.

The park contains eight principal temples, of which the Temple of Concordia stands as the crown jewel — its 34 Doric columns still intact after more than 2,400 years. The Temple of Juno crowns the eastern ridge with commanding sea views, while the fallen giants of the Temple of Olympian Zeus once supported the largest Doric temple ever attempted in the ancient world. The surrounding almond groves burst into pink blossom each February, transforming the site into a photographer’s dream.

Admission includes access to the Giardino della Kolymbethra, a fertile valley garden maintained by FAI. Night illuminations run seasonally, casting golden light across columns and transforming the site into something almost otherworldly. Allow at least half a day to walk the full ridge road, ideally in the cooler morning hours when the Mediterranean light is at its most flattering. The Valley of the Temples is unmissable for any serious traveller visiting Sicily.