Guided Tour of Sybaris & Rossano with Typical Lunch

🏛️ Sybaris the Greek and Rossano the Byzantine

🌍 Overview

The tour Sybaris the Greek and Rossano the Byzantine invites you on an 8-hour journey through the ancient heart of Calabria, from legendary Greek colonies to refined Byzantine splendor. Explore one of Europe’s largest archaeological areas at Sibari, then discover Rossano’s sacred treasures, including the unique Codex Purpureus and the centuries-old tradition of licorice production.

With an expert local guide, gentle walking, and a typical Calabrian lunch included, this easy full-day experience is ideal for travelers who love history, culture, and authentic flavors.

🧭 What to Expect

Your day begins at the Archaeological Park of Sibari, one of the most extensive archaeological sites in Europe. Accompanied by an expert local guide, you will walk among the remains of ancient houses and streets, following the lines of the Roman cardo and decumanus that still define the site. You will learn how this land evolved from the Enotrian center to the powerful Greek colony of Sybaris and finally to the Roman colony of Thurii.

The visit continues at the Sibaritide Museum, where artifacts and exhibits help you connect the ruins on the ground with the daily life, trade, and culture of the civilizations that flourished here. After immersing yourself in antiquity, you will sit down in a welcoming local trattoria to enjoy a typical Calabrian lunch based on regional products, included in the tour.

In the afternoon, you move to Rossano, once an important center of Byzantine civilization. At Rossano Scalo you will visit the renowned Museum of Liquorice, where licorice has been produced and processed on site for hundreds of years, and you will enjoy a tasting. The journey continues up to Rossano Calabro, where you will enter the Diocesan Museum to admire the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, a biblical manuscript unique in the world, superbly preserved through the centuries by the friars.

Your guided walk in Rossano Calabro also includes the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Achiropita, the Norman Tower of Sant'Angelo, and the atmospheric Oratory San Marco, offering a complete immersion in the spiritual and architectural heritage of Byzantine and medieval Calabria. At the end of the day, you will have traveled across centuries of history, legends, and faith in a single, well-paced itinerary.

✨ Highlights

• 🏺 Discover ancient Calabria at the vast Archaeological Park of Sibari, one of the largest sites in Europe.
• 🛕 Follow the evolution from Enotrian center to Greek Sybaris and Roman Thurii along original cardo and decumanus streets.
• 📚 Visit the Sibaritide Museum to connect ruins, artifacts, and everyday life in the ancient Mediterranean world.
• 🍝 Enjoy a typical lunch in a local trattoria, savoring authentic Calabrian cuisine included in the tour.
• 🍬 Explore Rossano Scalo’s historic Museum of Liquorice with a tasting of this iconic local specialty.
• 📖 Admire the unique Codex Purpureus Rossanensis at the Diocesan Museum, a world-famous biblical relic.
• ⛪ Stroll through Rossano Calabro to see the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Achiropita, the Norman Tower of Sant'Angelo, and the Oratory San Marco.

🗺️ Itinerary

• Start – Archaeological Park of Sibari
  Meet your expert local guide and begin your visit to one of Europe’s largest archaeological parks. Walk through the remains of ancient houses and streets, and learn about the Enotrian origins, the Greek colony of Sybaris, and the Roman colony of Thurii while following the cardo and decumanus.
• Sibaritide Museum
  Explore the museum’s collections that illustrate the daily life, art, and trade of the civilizations that shaped this territory.
• Typical lunch in a trattoria
  Enjoy a lunch based on typical local products in a traditional restaurant, included in the experience.
• Rossano Scalo – Museum of Liquorice
  Visit the historic Museum of Liquorice, where licorice has been produced and processed on site for centuries, and enjoy a tasting.
• Rossano Calabro – Diocesan Museum & Codex Purpureus Rossanensis
  Enter the Diocesan Museum to admire the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, a unique biblical manuscript preserved for centuries by the friars.
• Rossano Calabro – Historic and religious landmarks
  Continue to the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Achiropita, the Norman Tower of Sant'Angelo, and the Oratory San Marco, discovering Rossano’s Byzantine and medieval soul.
• End of tour
  Return to the starting point or end of services after approximately 8 hours of easy-paced exploration.

✅ What’s Included

• Expert local guide for the entire itinerary
• Visit of the Archaeological Park of Sibari
• Visit of the Sibaritide Museum
• Entrance to the Museum of Liquorice in Rossano Scalo with tasting
• Entrance to the Diocesan Museum of Rossano with the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis
• Visit to the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Achiropita, Norman Tower of Sant'Angelo, and Oratory San Marco
• Typical lunch in a trattoria based on local products

🚫 Exclusions

• Transportation to and from the meeting point (not specified)
• Personal expenses and additional food or drinks not mentioned as included
• Any services or entrances not expressly indicated in the itinerary

ℹ️ Important Information

• Duration & pace: The tour lasts about 8 hours and is described as EASY, suitable for travelers comfortable with light walking and standing.
• Accessibility: Accessibility details are not specified, so travelers with reduced mobility should check in advance.
• Age & fitness: No specific age limits are mentioned, but a basic level of mobility is recommended due to walking in archaeological and historic areas.
• Sites visited: The itinerary includes the Archaeological Park of Sibari, Sibaritide Museum, Museum of Liquorice, Diocesan Museum with the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, Cathedral of Maria Santissima Achiropita, Norman Tower of Sant'Angelo, and Oratory San Marco.
• Weather: The experience includes outdoor visits, so comfortable clothing, sun protection, and appropriate shoes are recommended. In case of adverse weather, local adjustments may be necessary, though this is not specified.
• Meeting point: The exact meeting point and time are not specified in the description and should be confirmed at the time of booking.
• Language: The tour is accompanied by an expert local guide, but the guiding language is not specified.

🚀 Step Into Centuries Of Mediterranean History

From Greek splendor to Byzantine devotion in one unforgettable day.

Join Sybaris the Greek and Rossano the Byzantine to walk ancient streets, taste traditional licorice, and stand before the extraordinary Codex Purpureus in Rossano. This easy, full-day itinerary blends archaeology, sacred art, and authentic cuisine, ideal for travelers who want to experience the soul of Calabria through its most iconic historic sites.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ

1. How long does the Sybaris the Greek and Rossano the Byzantine tour last?

The tour lasts about 8 hours. It combines visits to Sibari, Rossano Scalo, and Rossano Calabro in a single full-day experience.

2. What is the difficulty level of this itinerary?

The itinerary is described as EASY. It includes walking in archaeological areas and historic centers, suitable for travelers comfortable with light walking.

3. Is lunch included in the Sybaris the Greek and Rossano the Byzantine tour?

Yes, a typical lunch in a trattoria based on local products is included. This allows you to taste authentic Calabrian cuisine during the day.

4. Are entrance fees to museums included in the tour?

Yes, the tour includes the visit to the Sibaritide Museum, the Museum of Liquorice with tasting, and the Diocesan Museum of Rossano with the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis. These entrances are part of the structured itinerary of the Sybaris the Greek and Rossano the Byzantine experience.

5. Is transportation between Sibari and Rossano provided?

The description does not specify whether transportation between Sibari and Rossano is included. Travelers should check this detail directly when booking the Sybaris the Greek and Rossano the Byzantine tour.