Guide to Agrigento

'If you're into ancient temples and oodles of history, Agrigento is the place to be. And the beaches aren't bad either! '

Five centuries before the birth of Christ, the Greek poet Pindar described Agrigento as the 'most beautiful city of the mortals'. Wander through the amazing Valley of Temples and you'll get a feel for what he was talking about. The ruins of temples, necropoli, houses, streets and an amphitheatre conjure up a glorious past when the city, then known as Akragas, was one of the world's most happening places. For one of those real 'ooh-ahh' moments, treat yourself to a view of the illuminated Temple of Concord by night. It rivals anything you'll see in Athens or Rome. As for the city of Agrigento itself, there's a mix of ancient and modern. The focal point is the stunning Romanesque Gothic cathedral, while there's a reasonable choice of tourist shops and eateries, mainly around the bustling Piazza dei Templi. Beach life centres around the resort area of San Leone, where there are several stretches of good quality golden sand, with safe swimming courtesy of some man-made breakwaters. There are some seafront cafes (the perfect place for a cappuccino and a delightfully decadent slice of cassata!), plus a good selection of restaurants where you can try some fresh swordfish or the catch of the day, washed down with a glass of crisp, dry Bianco d'Alcamo wine. Nightlife is pretty low key, but there are a few lively bars along the prom at San Leone, as well as an outdoor disco near the harbour.

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