San Leone Beache

At a glance. Hamlet and beach of Agrigento, between sea and nature, this coastline blends nightlife, history, and wild nature. Did you know that besides golden beaches and Punta Bianca’s cliffs, San Leone guards the ancient Port of Akràgas and the Sea Museum? Find it on the map and read more!

Good to know. The 16km stretch of varied coastline between the beach of Caos, just below Casa Museo Luigi Pirandello, and Punta Bianca is composed of many sandy beaches and suggestive coves. The beaches closest to Agrigento, from Cannatello to Maddalusa, are generally grouped together under the name of ‘San Leone’ which is also the name of the beachfront area and the touristic port from which boats depart for excursions to the Scala dei Turchi and Punta Bianca.

West of the small harbor lies the lush beach of Maddalusa (or Montelusa), extending to the left of the Akràgas River mouth, natural oasis today. This was the site of the ancient Greek city’s harbor; beyond the river mouth lay a navigable stretch of the river and a vast lagoon – which vanished over the centuries – where vessels docked to unload goods destined for processing, storeing and sale at the emporium. It is no coincidence that the road connecting the Valley of the Temples to San Leone is still known today as Viale Emporium.

Thanks to a redevelopment and museum project at the river mouth – carried out by the Free Municipal Consortium of Agrigento in collaboration with the Superintendence, the Archaeological Park, and the Municipality of Agrigento, the ancient Port of Akràgas has once again opened to visitors thanks to a new and evocative route running along the river mouth.

Welcomed by the full-scale silhouette of the ancient Greek penteconter, a fifty-oared vessel, visitors can explore the exhibition spaces, featuring dioramas – scaled-down three-dimensional reconstructions illustrating the likely layout and organisation of the ancient harbour – and an immersive experience that brings to life its origins and the ships that once called at this historic port. The path is completed by a natural history section and dedicated birdwatching spots, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the rich aquatic wildlife of the river mouth.

A unique experience that invites visitors to rediscover the age-old bond between the city, its river and the sea, it also marks the first step in a wider redevelopment and museum development project aimed at creating a Museum of the Sea. The museum will showcase not only ancient amphorae and archaeological artefacts recovered from the seabed, but also faithful scale models of Greek and Roman ships.

In the summer months San Leone gets very crowded with tourists and residents flocking to the beaches; after dusk it turns into the perfect spot to have an ice-cream, a drink or to dine on fresh fish and seafood in one of the trendy seafront pubs and restaurants or go dancing all night long in the open-air clubs on the beach. To the west of the port, beyond the mouth of the river Akràgas, nature lovers can enjoy the relatively quiet beaches of Maddalusa and Montelusa. But the real hidden pearl lies to the East: Punta Bianca is a spectacular rocky white marlstone headland (a minor version of the famous Scala dei Turchi) which juts into crystal clear waters. It’s not easy to reach but ruggedly beautiful. It is the southernmost tip of Monte Grande, archaeologically relevant due to the prehistoric presence of the Sicani. Some archaeological objects found in this area are exhibited in the Archeological Museum of Agrigento.