Selinunte Archaeological Park

Castelvetrano, TP

Selinunte is one of the largest archaeological parks in Europe and one of the few where you see Greek temples with the sea in front of them. The city was founded in the 7th century BC (tradition says 628) by settlers from Megara Hyblaea and was destroyed by the Carthaginians in 409 BC.

The park is divided into three areas. On the Eastern Hill stand the great temples E, F and G, with Temple E reassembled in the 1950s. Further west is the Acropolis, with more temples, the walls and the streets. Beyond the Modione river lies the sanctuary of Malophoros.

Temple G, left unfinished, is a sprawl of fallen blocks that gives you an idea of how huge these building sites were. The stone came from the Cusa Quarries, about ten kilometres away.

Open every day from 9:00 (from 14 June to 13 September from 8:00); the ticket office closes at the last entry, the gates at sunset. Last entry: 19:00 from the end of March to mid-September; 17:30 from 1 to 27 March and from mid-September to the end of October; 16:00 from the end of October to February. The dates on the park's website overlap in some places: check before you go.
3-4 hours
Full price €14, reduced €7 (rates from the park's website).
Spring and autumn; in summer, go early in the morning or late in the afternoon
Partly unpaved and very large terrain with little shade; between the Eastern Hill and the Acropolis you can also get around by electric shuttle or by bike.
Bring water and a hat, and start from the Eastern Hill, where you will find Temple E and the great Temple G. If you have time, add the Cusa Quarries, about 10 km away.