Agrigento area

From Sciacca to Licata, south-west Sicily boasts long golden beaches and important archaeological sites. The spectacular coast is a long uninterrupted line of splendid beaches broken only by the white rocky cliffs at Scala dei Turchi and the Torre Salsa reserve. Between the temples of Selinunte and the archeological site of Eraclea Minoa, the beach of Menfi, winner of the Blue Flag award, is one of the most beautiful in the area. Nearby the villages of Porto Palo and the river Belice reserve are certainly worth exploring. Further south, the town of Sciacca, an ancient spa, is famous for its carnival and ceramics. Overlooking the sea, Sciacca’s Arab quarter and colourful tourist and fishing port are the main attractions. Arab influence can be found in many other towns and villages in the province of Agrigento, often tucked away behind modern grey houses, at times still under construction. Further down the coast is Licata, whose seaport was once important for the grain and sulphur trade and is now southern Sicily’s largest tourist shipping centre. A visit to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is an absolute must. This archaeological site, a UNESCO world heritage site, with its magnificently preserved Doric temples, is one of the most outstanding examples of ancient Greek art and culture.