Doric Temple of Segesta

The archaeological park featuring the Doric Temple and the Theatre of Segesta is an absolutely essential stop in Western Sicily. Even having visited many ancient sites in Greece and Turkey, the Temple of Segesta stands out as one of the most impressively maintained and stunningly located historical structures we’ve ever seen. The temple's location, perched high on a hill overlooking the magnificent Sicilian landscape, is deeply dramatic. It is remarkably well-preserved for a 5th-century BC structure, showcasing the purity of the Doric style with its 36 intact columns. This incredible state of maintenance elevates the entire experience. What truly impressed us was the management and care taken by the entire park staff. The grounds are spotlessly clean and extremely well-organized—a welcome rarity at major historical sites. While we were there, staff were actively planting new trees and flowers, showing a clear, ongoing commitment to enhancing the beauty of the park. The ticket for the Temple and the Theatre costs €18.50 and conveniently includes the shuttle service up to the remote theatre site. We also noted a significant detail for families: our 14-year-old daughter did not require a ticket, indicating favorable policies for minors. Access to the Theatre: To reach the ancient Theatre, located even higher up the hill, a convenient shuttle service departs regularly from behind the main shop area, making the entire journey seamless and accessible. Park Maintenance: The entire area, from the parking lots to the paths, felt clean and thoughtful. The Temple of Segesta is not just a breathtaking historical monument; it is a prime example of how an ancient site should be managed and presented to visitors. Highly recommended for its beauty and organizational excellence.

Incredible ruins on a hillside. You've seen the pictures but in real life they are even better. As for which entrance to begin at? I went to the eastern entrance and walked tonthe west and back and honestly didn't notice much of a difference in terms of uphill or diwnhill and I am not a spring chicken. However, the most spectacular pasts are at the estern end.

The great temple and mountain valley will take your travel to ancient times and it stops. Magnificent views of the beautiful valley and admirable temple, are simply stunning and picturesque… We visited in mid-October, so there is no waiting for tickets and was on tees n shorts! The trek to Temple and Theater are on different directions. Give yourself atleast couple of hours 😊

One of the finest and most mysterious Doric temples in the ancient Mediterranean. The Elimian Temple of Segesta is a masterpiece of 5th-century BC architecture, built by the ancient Elymians, one of Sicily’s oldest indigenous peoples. Although deeply influenced by Greek culture, the Elymians were culturally distinct — and this temple is one of the clearest signs of their power and refinement. Standing isolated on a hill and perfectly preserved, the temple is striking for one key reason: it was never completed. The outer colonnade of 36 massive Doric columns was finished, but the inner cella and the roof were never built. This gives it its unique “timeless ruin” appearance, even though structurally it remained intact for 2,400 years. Historians still debate why construction stopped — possibly due to war, political change, or a deliberate choice to leave it as an open-air sanctuary. Whatever the reason, the result is one of the most evocative sacred spaces in Sicily. Surrounded by rolling hills and open sky, the Tempio Èlimo di Segesta feels suspended between nature and history — a place where the ancient world is still incredibly alive. A breathtaking landmark and one of Sicily’s most unforgettable archaeological treasures.

The place is alright and well preserved, but it's too expensive for what it is. The entry is 16 euros per adult, but if you want a map you need to pay 5 euros on top of that. Do you want to be taken by bus to the anfitheather, instead of walking 30 mins uphill, well that's another 2 euros... You get the picture. Everything seems to be monetized. Unless you have a lot of extra cash to spend, I would suggest spend this money in some nice Sicilian restaurant.

Really nice place, free parking. I was there today, Wednesday, August 7, 2025. There was a 10-minute wait for tickets. Children under 17 are free, but it's recommended to spend €2.50 per person for the bus to the theater, a 1.5 km route. There's a bar, vending machines, and nice, clean bathrooms. Otherwise, it's worth the view alone.

The place is beautiful and evocative. However, this beauty is marred by poor management. I am Italian and I know these things. We find rubbish that corrupts the cultural level of the place. I would also like to point out that for years the cost of admission has been rising by €2 every year. Although a tourist can afford this expense, a Sicilian cannot spend this money. If local people cannot enjoy the beauty of their land, they will not be able to respect it either. And they will continue to treat Sicily like a huge trash can. Let's respect Sicily and make culture accessible to everyone, not just those with a lot of money. Please write other reviews like mine so that the managers understand how they should behave.

Free on a Sunday, aside from the bus cost up to the amphitheatre if you want it. The main temple is excellent. Beautiful drive in, no problems at all. Recommended.