Agrigento is best known for its Greek-Roman archaeological heritage and the “Almond Blossom Festival”. However, few people know that the Agrigento area is also home to another tree that produces a nut of exceptional quality: the Raffadali Pistachio. Less famous today than its cousin from Bronte, this pistachio once delighted the Palermo nobility, served in canapés, savory mousses, cookies, and pastries with an incomparable taste. Raffadali is undoubtedly the center of pistachio production in this region due to the vastness of its plantations, but pistachio trees can be found throughout the Agrigento countryside, embellishing the countryside around the Valley of the Temples together with olive and almond trees.
Our private tour will combine the history and beauty of the Temple Hill with the tradition of Raffadali pistachio, offering a different perspective on this remote part of Sicily.
Guided by our expert guides, you will first immerse yourself in the ruins of ancient Akragas, which today form one of the most important archaeological complexes in the Mediterranean. As you walk along the rocky ridge of the Temple Hill, you will explore a series of sanctuaries dedicated to the most important deities of the ancient polis and built from the end of the 6th century BC. From the Temple of Juno to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, you will take a journey through Greek temple architecture that here, as in few other places, has preserved its formal perfection.
Next, you will head into the Raffadali countryside to learn about its pistachio, which has recently obtained the prestigious PDO certification. Inside a private pistachio grove, home to majestic century-old trees of rare beauty, the owners will guide you through the cultivation techniques, harvesting process, and transformation of this prized nut. After being captivated by the passion these farmers have for their land, the sacred moment of sharing will arrive, which, as in the time of the Greeks, culminates with a banquet. Among pestos, pastries and other irresistible delicacies, you will conclude your day immersed in history and flavor.
