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Things to do in Piazza Armerina

Our most recommended things to do in Piazza Armerina

Villa Romana del Casale Guided tour & skip the line

1. Villa Romana del Casale Guided tour & skip the line

On this guided tour, bear witness to the wealth and luxury of the daily lives of 4th-century patricians in the late Roman age. Dive into the culture and history of the late Roman Empire while you admire ancient mosaics. During your visit, see the baths, guest quarters, and private rooms. Begin your tour when you meet your guide outside the entrance to the villa and enjoy the convenience of fast entry with your skip-the-line ticket. Your first visit is to the thermal baths. Feel the enveloping warmth of the caldarium and cool off in the frigidarium, fed by the Gela River. Continue your tour while you appreciate the beauty and vividness of the intricate mosaics. Throughout the villa's rooms, gain insights into the cultural activities of ancient Rome. In the baths, imagine the shouts of the spectators at a quadriga race of four-horse chariots. Next, wander towards the guest apartment. Here, enjoy scenes of daily life, including fishing activities, hunting, and banquets. Feel the hunters’ anticipation in the “Little Hunt” mosaic. In the dining room, imaginethe enchanting sounds of Orpheus playing his lyre as animals gather around him. Venture further to explore the grand public halls where the villa received "clientes." Marvel at the mosaic known as the "Great Hunt," which shows a monumental map of the Roman Empire. Watch as a lioness attacks a hunter, as an elephant boards a ship, and a ship sails through the waves. Finally, enter the private rooms belonging to the "domina" and "dominus" of the villa. See how the wealthy owners slept, ate, and conducted daily business in this palatial complex. Learn more from your guide about who may have owned the villa before concluding your tour.

Piazza Armerina: Roman Villa del Casale Mosaics Tour

2. Piazza Armerina: Roman Villa del Casale Mosaics Tour

Discover the Roman Villa Romana del Casale in the town of Piazza Armerina in Sicily, one of the most precious jewels left by the Roman civilization in Sicily. Enjoy a guided tour of the villa, which probably belonged to Valerio Massimiano, a powerful patrician of the empire. Admire the spectacular mosaics as you relive the history of the greatest empire with scenes of daily life, depictions of heroes and deities, hunting scenes, and games.  Then stroll through the 48 rooms of the domus, of which the peristyle floor is made entirely from mosaic with drawings of European and African animals. Walk through the garden which is enriched by a large fountain composed of 3 pools, covered in marble on the outside and mosaics on the inside. Enter the Great Hall Corridor with 2 columns depicting female figures to symbolize the 2 peripheral provinces of the empire. Next, pass into the oval-shaped triclinium or dining room and see the private rooms which were reserved for domestic people. Continue the tour with a visit to the room that depicts 10 girls in bikinis playing various sports: throwing a discus, playing with a ball, exercising with weights, and cross country. Then marvel at the Basilica and its polychrome marble floors. Enter a bedroom with a rectangular alcove and mosaic decorations depicting theatrical masks and the famous central medallion with lovers. Access the domus baths with the Frigidarium and the Tepidarium. The guided tour ends in the Circus Hall which was used as a gym. Admire the mosaic reproduction of the Circo Massimo in Rome.

From Palermo: Villa Romana and Valley of the Temples Trip

3. From Palermo: Villa Romana and Valley of the Temples Trip

Follow in the footsteps of the Greeks and Romans on a day trip where your transport is taken care of for you. Discover some of the finest Roman mosaics in the world at the Villa Romana del Casale. Learn all about the Valley of the Temples archaeological site with a licensed local guide. Meet your driver in central Palermo and be taken straight to Piazza Armerina, where you will explore the Villa Romana del Casale independently. Marvel at the luxurious 4th-century villa, home to an influential Roman family. Take your time to examine its exquisite mosaic flooring. Continue to Agrigento for a guided tour of the magnificent Valley of Temples, built by the Greeks in the 5th century BC. See the ruins of temples, necropolises, houses, streets, and everything else you'd expect to find in an ancient city. Finally, return to the meeting point in Palermo.

Catania: Valley of the Temples & Piazza Armerina with Brunch

4. Catania: Valley of the Temples & Piazza Armerina with Brunch

Drive to the southern coast of Sicily in a comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle to explore and learn about the history, culture, and art found in Sicily in the Valley of the Temples and Villa Romana del Casale.  Begin with a visit to the majestic archaeological area of the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pindar, the Greek poet, and writer described it as “one of the most beautiful cities of those inhabited by mortals”. Famous for its seven well-preserved temples, the Valley of the Temples is dedicated to various divinities including Juno, Hercules, Hephaestus, and Athena. The visit to the Valley of the Temples is a wonderfully memorable experience that allows you to delve into the Greek culture and history that has been woven into Sicily.  After strolling through the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, you will stop to enjoy a delicious brunch, made of Sicilian street food, water, and wine before traveling to Piazza Armerina. Found in the heart of Sicily, Piazza Armerina is home to the splendid Villa Romana del Casale a majestic imperial villa originally the property of a powerful Roman family. At the villa, you will find the best conserved in-situ Roman mosaics in the world.

From Catania: Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Audioguide Tour

5. From Catania: Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Audioguide Tour

Enjoy two of the most iconic spots in Sicily on a full-day tour. Accompanied by an audio guide, explore the Valley of the Temples housing the ruins of sacred Greek temples. Visit the Villa Romana del Casale to see extensive examples of vivid Roman mosaics. Start from the center of Catania, where your driver will welcome you in a comfortable air-conditioned van. Head to your first stop, the Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park in Agrigento. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its well-preserved Doric temples dedicated to Greek divinities. Wander back into ancient times as you walk through Greek ruins during your 3 hours at this site. Next, head to Piazza Armerina, yet another UNESCO-listed site. Visit the Villa Romana del Casale, an imperial villa with the world's best-preserved Roman mosaics. Marvel at its mosaic floors, walls, columns, and coins. Over the course of 1.5 hours, explore this historic masterpiece.

From Catania: Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Full-Day Trip

6. From Catania: Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Full-Day Trip

Depart Catania and travel to the hilltop city of Agrigento, known for the ruins of the ancient city of Akragas. Discover the well-preserved ruins of the Valley of the Temples, including the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Temple of Juno and Temple of Concordia. See the former theater used for the assembly of free citizens at the Ekklesiasterion, along with 3 sanctuaries and the necropolises of Montelusa, Moses and Pezzino. Continue to Piazza Armerina in the Erean Mountains and marvel at the stunning mosaics in the ruins of a Roman nobleman's residence at the Villa del Casale.

From Catania: Caltagirone & Piazza Armerina Tour with brunch

7. From Catania: Caltagirone & Piazza Armerina Tour with brunch

Start your tour with a visit to Caltagirone UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its production of pottery, dating back to Arab dominations, with characteristic colors.  Visit the historical center, the famous Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte, and the culture of pottery in the city. See the excellent colored glazes that adorn the streets, staircases, balconies, squares, fountains, churches, and palaces. In Caltagirone we will offer you a brunch made of typical Sicilian products, Etna's red wine, and water (included in the price). In the afternoon, head to Piazza Armerina to see the huge UNESCO-listed Villa Romana del Casale, originally belonging to a powerful Roman family. Find the best conserved in-site Roman mosaics in the world, including the mosaic flooring, wall mosaics, columns, statues, capitals, and coins. Return to the starting point around 6:30 PM to complete your tour.

From Catania or Taormina: Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Tour

8. From Catania or Taormina: Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Tour

Leaving from Catania or Taormina, the first stop of the tour will be Agrigento, known for its Valley of the Temples, one of the most striking archaeological areas of Italy, as well as the largest in the world, which contains within it an extraordinary monumental heritage and landscape. Inserted by UNESCO among the World Heritage Sites, in 1997, for the excellent state of conservation of the temples, the Archaeological Park houses within it the remains of eleven Greek temples, including the Temple of Concord, one of the best preserved in the world. Afterwards, you'll head to Piazza Armerina, a city located in the heart of Sicily, where you'll visit the famous Villa Romana del Casale, a site of great artistic and archaeological interest, dating back to the fourth century. Inside, you can admire the largest collection of Roman mosaics best preserved in the world, characterized by the depiction of mythological stories, hunting scenes, banquets, moments of daily life: real encyclopedias of antiquity.

Piazza Armerina Full-Day Tour

9. Piazza Armerina Full-Day Tour

Piazza Armerina is a small town two hours by road from Palermo. The town is famous chiefly for its Roman mosaics in the Villa Romana del Casale, about 3 kilometers (2 miles) to the southwest. It has a range of significant architecture dating from medieval times through to the 18th century. The discovery and excavation of the well-preserved, highly refined mosaics has helped attract tourists. The Villa Romana del Casale is a Roman villa urbana built in the first quarter of the 4th century and located about 3 km outside the town of Piazza Armerina, Sicily, southern Italy. It contains the richest, largest and most complex collection of Roman mosaics in the world, and has been designated as one of 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy. This tour is operated only with a Driver/Escort. The visit to the Roman Villa of Casale will be independent. The Driver/Escort is not a Licensed Tourist Guide. The Driver/Escort is not a Licensed Tourist Guide. Licensed Tourist Guides are the only professionals, with a regional license, permitted to conduct visits and tours in all sites and museums within a city. The Driver/Escort cannot escort people inside the monuments, because this is not allowed by Italian law. However, they have the competences to promote the most important highlights providing basic historical and cultural information. This tour is operated with a Licensed Tourist Guide on the spot to visit the Roman Villa.

From Taormina: Valley of The Temples & Piazza Armerina Tour

10. From Taormina: Valley of The Temples & Piazza Armerina Tour

Join this tour of Agrigento and Piazza Armerina so you can see two of Sicily’s most famous historical features: the Valley of the Temples and the Villa Romana del Casale. Situated just outside Agrigento, the splendid Valley of the Temples archaeological park consists of 8 separate temples and various other ruins built between about 510 BC and 430 BC including: the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Heracles, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Hephaestos, the Temple of Demeter, and the Temple of Asclepius. Aside from the latter, found on the banks of the Akragas River, all are situated in the same area on the rocky crests south of modern-day Agrigento - not really in a valley at all. Your second stop is Piazza Armerina, situated deep in the Sicilian hinterland, at 721 meters above sea level, this is one of Sicily’s most frequented tourist spots. This area is known for the famous Villa Romana del Casale, which was originally intended for use as a hunting lodge in the middle of the 4th Century AD by a Roman patrician but is now home to some of the best-preserved examples of Roman mosaics. These extraordinarily vivid and intricate mosaics, probably produced mostly by North African artisans, deal with a range of subjects, ranging from Homeric escapades and mythological scenes to portrayals of daily life, including the famous tableau of girls exercising in their ancient bikinis. It's a must do stop on your trip to Italy.

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What people are saying about Piazza Armerina

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 178 reviews

Nicola is a thorough expert in Agrigento & shares the history of Sicily as we travel... and Prof. Giovanna Lombardo a true scholar of Ancient Sicily provides a Wonderful Insight to the Archaeological Site in the Valley of The Temples... we ate at a really homey trattoria dishes that Nicola recommended. Yummy! Then Piazza Armerina ROMAN VILLA was Absolutely Fascinating where you're on your own, free to absorb at.your pace all those amazing Mosaics! Unfortunately my personal interest and fascination required a slower pace and one hour barely sufficed (for Me)!!

A full day seeing the sights of the country outside Palermo where we stayed. The valley of the temples was a great experience with lots of useful information given on the bus before the stops about the area and history.

Giusy was fabulous! The tour was very expensive and I wondered how much of the money actually went to her. It was worth it to us because we learned so much more than we would have on our own.

It was an excellent trip, to lern about ansient Greek plus Roman art

The tour was great, an excellent way to get to see more of Sicily