Gozo to Agrigento Road Trip: Sicily's South Coast Drive

The road trip from Gozo to Agrigento begins with a curious logistical twist: you must first drive from Villa Rundle Gardens, Gozo's central hub (36.0448° N, 14.2431° E), to the Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal (36.0308° N, 14.3086° E) for the 25-minute crossing to Ċirkewwa, Malta. Once on Malta proper, you'll navigate the 20-mile (32 km) drive to Valletta's Grand Harbour (35.8967° N, 14.5127° E) to catch the VMM ferry to Pozzallo, Sicily (36.7172° N, 14.8450° E).

The entire sea journey takes approximately 2.5 hours. Upon landing in Pozzallo, you'll follow the SS115 eastward through Modica and Ragusa, merging onto the A18/E45 near Catania. From there, the A19 westbound leads to Agrigento's Valley of the Temples (37.2896° N, 13.5843° E). Total driving distance from Pozzallo to Agrigento is about 130 miles (210 km), taking 2.5 hours without stops. However, we recommend 4-6 hours with detours.

The A18 and A19 motorways are in excellent condition, with crash barriers, good lighting, and emergency phones every 2 km. Speed cameras are common; always obey limits. In Sicily, seat belts are mandatory and phone use while driving is prohibited.

For families, the area offers many kid-friendly stops. The Po Valley (Valle dei Templi) has a small museum and playground. In Modica, the Teatro Garibaldi puts on puppet shows. The best stops Gozo to Agrigento for children include Parco Radicepura near Catania, a botanical garden with interactive paths.

Fatigue management: Take breaks at the Autogrill 'Agrigento Ovest' on the A19, which has a rest area with picnic tables and a children's play area. We recommend the Wayro blog for planning strategic stops. Pets are welcome on virtù ferries (with a carrier) and in many Sicilian restaurants' outdoor seating.

The SS115 between Pozzallo and Modica is a stretch of stunning coastal scenery: golden cliffs drop into turquoise Ionian Sea. Inland, the Hyblaean Mountains rise with terraced olive groves and dry-stone walls. Modica itself is a cascade of Baroque buildings perched on a gorge.

Modica is famous for its artisanal chocolate made with an ancient Aztec recipe. Stop at Antica Dolceria Bonajuto (Corso Umberto I, 159) for a tasting. The town's chocolate production is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage element. For a savory bite, try 'scacce'—stuffed bread from Ragusa.

• Best stop: Ragusa Ibla's Piazza Duomo, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Off-route gem: the prehistoric necropolis of Pantalica, a 20-minute detour on SS124.

Further west on the A19, the landscape flattens into wheat fields dotted with ancient farmhouses (masserie). Near Agrigento, the Hill of the Temples dominates the skyline. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage site (since 1997) and includes the Temple of Concordia, one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world.

The SS115 from Pozzallo to Ragusa is a well-maintained two-lane road hugging the coast through vineyards and Baroque towns. At Ragusa, it becomes the SS194, which merges onto the A18/E45 toll motorway near Catania. The A18 has a speed limit of 130 km/h (80 mph) and features modern rest stops with fuel, cafes, and clean toilets every 20-30 km.

Fuel prices in Malta are slightly higher (€1.35/liter) than in Sicily (€1.50/liter). We recommend filling up in Sicily before returning. Toll costs from Catania to Agrigento via A19 are about €8.90 for a standard car.

• Malta-Sicily ferry: Set sail from Valletta to Pozzallo, book Virtu Ferries in advance.
• Car rental: Use Malta-based companies for gozo pick-up; many allow one-way drop-off in Sicily.
• Documents: EU driving license, passport, vehicle registration, and green card insurance.

For those wondering how long to drive Gozo to Agrigento including stops, plan 6-8 hours total. The drive itself (excluding ferries) is only 2.5 hours, but we recommend taking time to explore. how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities offers guidance on unearthing off-route treasures.