evening tours of Agrigento in Sicily?
 

I've heard about some gorgeous evening tours of the illuminated temples of the Valley of Temples at Agrigento but they seem to only run during the main summer season. Does anyone know of any that we could join in October - we'll be there around 15th?

Can you go into the temples at night alone anyway?

Are there other guides who might do a tour privately?

And any advice about a reasonably priced place to staye (about E60-80 for a double) with a great view of the temples?

Hi there,

Yes, you're right. But I don't think you'll make it. I believe they only run to mid September. Look at the following link for specifics.

http://www.valleyofthetemples.com/night_opening_times

If you decide to go anyway during the day, which by the way will probably be great weather during this time, you can't help but run into tour guides - they are advertised everywhere there.

As for a place to stay, I can't help because I wasn't too keen on where I stayed. But I can tell you if you haven't seen the spiaggia dei turchi you should try while you are so close. It's magical. You won't be able to go for a swim at that time, but it's definitely worth the trip.

Enjoy your trip!

Seems better known as Scala dei Turchi when I look it up , but looks interesting , though complaints about garbage are there too..

From Oct i there is an "exclusive" night tour - probably "exclusive" because it excludes us at Eu700 (plus admission)
A nearby hotel might provide evening views though if it is lit up .
Will look for something affordable to stay nearby.Maybe someone can recommend a place?

When I was in Agrigento, I stayed at the Camera con Vista, from which I enjoyed a memorable, if distant, view of the temples. It has changed ownership since I was there, though, so I can't speak to its merits at this time. Too, when I was there (2007), excavation was underway for a very large parking lot right next to it; I don't know if that was ever completed or how it might affect one's experience.

The hotel that has seemed, over the years, to get the best reviews for its views over the temples is the Hotel Villa Athena, which is probably more expensive than you are hoping to pay. I haven't stayed there and so can't comment, except to say that it is very well positioned to offer views of the temples and for access to the archeological museum and the interesting (and IMO, underrated) medieval center of Agrigento.

I stayed at Camera con Vista in June 2011.

It is pretty far away but got some shots of 3 temples lit in the distance at night.

I searched like crazy to find vantage points at night to photograph the lit temples.

But the one night I tried, it was too windy so the long exposures didn't work out. The main park was suppose to close around 6 or 7 PM but I noticed there was some kind of event occurring where some people were allowed to enter.

Seems like if you want to go into the park at night, you'd have to do it in early spring or late fall or even the winter months, when the sun sets between 5 and 6 PM.

Otherwise, you have to pay through the nose for these private tours.