Mozia and Marsala Excursion – Full Day Tour

Shared tour (1 to 3 people) available on Mondays only
Private tour (minimum 4 people) available daily upon request

Departure from:
San Vito Lo Capo and Custonaci

Duration:
Approximately 9 hours

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Daily itinerary:

08:50 – Meeting point in San Vito Lo Capo at our office, Via Duca degli Abruzzi 60
09:00 – Departure for the Archaeological Park of Agrigento
09:20 – Pick-up in Custonaci at our office, Via Scucina 155
11:30 – Arrival at the ticket office of the Valley of the Temples and start of the self-guided visit

Optional extras (tickets to be purchased on site):

* Archaeological Museum “Pietro Griffo”
* Kolymbethra Garden (FAI-managed)

Upon request, licensed professional guides (registered with the regional register) are available to accompany visitors.

15:30 – Meet with the driver, panoramic minibus tour around the Valley of the Temples, and return journey
17:40 – Arrival in Custonaci and end of excursion
18:00 – Arrival in San Vito Lo Capo and end of excursion

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Excursion Highlights – Valley of the Temples

The visit begins ideally from the top of the Rupe Atenea, once home to the Sanctuary of Zeus Atabyrios and Athena Lindia, deities from Rhodes mentioned by Polybius.

At the eastern edge of the cliff, near the Bonamorone cemetery, you’ll find the Temple of Demeter, integrated into the medieval Church of San Biagio, and the Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone, linked to ancient water cults. You can also see remains of the Greek fortifications and city gates (Gate I, Gate II – also known as Porta Gela).

Heading down the Panoramic Road of the Temples, the first major monument is the Temple of Juno (circa 460 BC), with ruins of a sacrificial altar and Gate III nearby.

The Sacred Hill of the Temples:

From here, follow the Sacred Way, cutting across the hill from east to west. Along the route you will see:

* Remains of Greek walls and Byzantine tombs
* The Paleo-Christian Antiquarium
* The Temple of Concordia, one of the best-preserved Doric temples in the ancient Greek world
* Paleo-Christian tombs and catacombs in Villa Aurea's garden
* The Temple of Heracles, the oldest temple in Agrigento, partially restored in 1924
* The so-called Tomb of Theron, a Roman-era monument

Further along, through Gate IV (also called Porta Aurea), you reach:

* The Temple of Asclepius
* The area of San Leone (ancient Emporion)
* The colossal Temple of Zeus (Jupiter Olympius), once among the largest in the Greek world, with statues of giant Telamons (7.61 m high)
* The Sanctuary of the Chthonic Deities (Demeter and Persephone) with the iconic reconstructed Temple of Castor and Pollux

To the north lies the Kolymbethra Garden (citrus grove managed by FAI). At the southern end is Gate V, leading to the Sant’Anna ticket office and parking area. From here, a path leads to the Temple of Vulcan, of which only the base and two columns remain.

From the Agora to the Archaeological Museum:

On the way back toward Porta Aurea and the modern town, you reach the San Nicola hill, site of the ancient upper agora. Here stands the Gothic-Cistercian Church of San Nicola, home to the famous sarcophagus of Phaedra and Hippolytus and the "Lord of the Ship" crucifix, which inspired a short story and play by Luigi Pirandello.

Nearby, you can also visit:

* The Ekklesiasterion (assembly building)
* The so-called Oratory of Phalaris
* The Archaeological Museum with 19 exhibition rooms, featuring the Telamon and the famous Ephebe of Agrigento
* The Hellenistic-Roman quarter with ancient homes and road systems

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Included in the price:

* Round-trip transportation in comfortable minibuses
* Professional and qualified driver
* Fuel, parking fees, and VAT

Not included:

* Meals and drinks
* Entrance tickets to the archaeological sites
* Licensed tour guides (available upon request)

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Good to know:

We recommend allowing at least 2.5 hours to visit the Valley of the Temples, plus time to return to the parking area.
Take your time and enjoy the visit without rushing.

The Archaeological Park of Agrigento was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in November 1997.
The ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) report outlines the criteria used by UNESCO to include the site in the World Heritage list.

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Opening hours and ticket prices – Valley of the Temples

Opening hours:
Weekdays, holidays, and pre-holidays: 08:30 – 19:00 (last entry at 19:00, exit by 20:00)

Ticket prices (valid from January 1 to December 31, 2024):

* Full price: €12.00
* Reduced price: €6.00
* Free admission: First Sunday of each month

Who qualifies for the reduced ticket (50% off):

* EU citizens aged 18–25
* FAI (Italian Heritage Fund) members

Who qualifies for free admission:

* EU and non-EU citizens under 18
* Italian schoolteachers (with proper certification)
* Licensed EU tour guides and interpreters
* Employees of the Sicilian Cultural Heritage Department
* ICOM and ICCROM members
* School groups (EU) with one teacher per 10 students
* University students of archaeology, art history, architecture, restoration (with valid enrollment certificate)
* Erasmus and Socrates program students (in relevant fields)
* High school art history teachers
* Students of restoration schools (e.g. Central Institute for Restoration, Opificio delle Pietre Dure)
* Journalists (with valid press credentials)
* Visitors with disabilities and one companion
* Volunteers working with the Ministry under article 112, paragraph 8 of the Cultural Heritage Code

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Important notice:
Our service depends on punctuality. We kindly ask all guests to respect the scheduled times to ensure the smooth operation of the excursion.
Thank you for your understanding – we hope you enjoy this unforgettable experience.