Cosenza

Travel Guide

Centro Storico
Centro Storico
Centro Storico
Convento di San Francesco d\'Assisi
Centro Storico

Enjoy a pleasant mix of ancient history, fascinating cultural attractions and southern Italian hospitality in this lovely city in Calabria. 

Climb the hills of Cosenza to overlook tile rooftops of buildings clustered in the city with a forested mountain backdrop. Bring good walking shoes to explore the narrow cobblestone streets and steps of the Old Town (Centro Storico), much of which was built in medieval times.

Begin to understand the culture and mingle with locals at the Museo all’aperto Bilotti (MAB), an open-air museum stretching along a pedestrianized street in the modern part of the city. Dalí’s Saint George and the Dragon has a prominent position. Look for The Renaissance of Culture by Mimmo Rotella, a sculpture created after 9/11, symbolizing art’s ability to overcome terrorism. Nearby is Rotella’s less abstract sculpture of a green singing wolf. With many other artworks, as well as shops and restaurants, this is a section of town you’re likely to revisit for photos, meals and souvenirs.

The more traditional archaeological museum Museo dei Brettii e degli Enotri provides evidence of the town’s founding in the 4th century B.C. See extensive artworks from southern Italy in the National Gallery. Walk west along narrow streets to reach the Cosenza Cathedral. Step inside this 11th-century structure that has seen several renovations over the centuries, but still features beautiful stained glass and a Byzantine Madonna. Climb to the 1,000-year-old Castello Normanno Svevo and gaze down upon the Old Town.

The University of Calabria is in the northern outskirts of Cosenza in Arcavacata. Visit its botanical garden, paleontology museum and sports events.

Many natural beauty spots are within a 1-hour drive of Cosenza. Head west to enjoy views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Stretch out on the soft sands of Amantea’s long beach. East lies Sila National Park and north is Pollino National Park, both offering scenic hiking through mountains and forests and past small villages.

Fly into Lamazia Terme’s airport and drive or take a bus to Cosenza in about an hour or ride the train from Naples in 4 to 5 hours or Rome in over 6 hours. Listen for a friendly “Ciao!”

Where to stay in Cosenza

Centro Storico

Centro Storico

You'll enjoy the cafes and monuments in Centro Storico. You might want to make time for a stop at Duomo di Cosenza or Piazza del Duomo.

Centro Storico
Italiana Hotels Cosenza
Italiana Hotels Cosenza
4 out of 5
Via Panebianco 452, Cosenza, CS
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cosenza. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions PalaFerraro and Lake Arvo are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (470 reviews)
"A very comfortable and clean hotel with professional staff."

Reviewed on 29 Jun, 2025

Italiana Hotels Cosenza
 Ariha Hotel Cosenza
Ariha Hotel Cosenza
4 out of 5
Via Raffaele Coscarella, Cosenza, CS
The price is S$119 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
S$119
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cosenza. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (131 reviews)
"Our dining experience was amazing. Chef Giordano was very attentive and professional. Our servers made our dinner enjoyable. I didn’t like the fact that there was nobody attending the lobby bar. They had to call somebody from the restaurant to serve us every time we needed a drink."

Reviewed on 28 Feb, 2025

Ariha Hotel Cosenza
beb dei sogni
beb dei sogni
Via Carlo Cattaneo 92c, Cosenza, CS
The price is S$84 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
S$84
3 Jul - 4 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this B&B in Cosenza. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and housekeeping. Popular attractions Santa Teresa Church and Bilotti Open-Air Museum are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (4 reviews)
"Muy lindo todo e impecable. Para ir a restaurantes, tiendas o supermarket hay que ir en auto y estas cerca de Rapallo, sta. Margarita, Portofino."

Reviewed on 16 May, 2025

beb dei sogni
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Casa sul Corso
Casa sul Corso
Corso G. Mazzini, 282, Cosenza, CS
Book a stay at this business-friendly apartment in Cosenza. Enjoy free WiFi, bathrobes, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Bilotti Open-Air Museum and ...
Casa sul Corso
RESIDENZA DEL CORSO
RESIDENZA DEL CORSO
Via Maria Luigi Greco 5, Cosenza, CS
Stay at this apartment in Cosenza. Enjoy free WiFi. Popular attractions Bilotti Open-Air Museum and Santa Teresa Church are located nearby.
RESIDENZA DEL CORSO
Residence Mareblu
Residence Mareblu
3 out of 5
Strada Statale 18 n.26, Nocera Terinese, CZ
Stay at this 3-star beach residence in Nocera Terinese. Enjoy free parking, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions Nocera Terinese ...
"Struttura vicina al mare, eccelle per la tranquillità, la pulizia, il rapporto qualità prezzo e la disponibilità dei gestori. Appartamento molto carino con cucina attrezzata di tutto e bellissima vista sul mare ed incantevole tramonto. Residence ideale per famiglie, ma io l’ho scelto per la posizione ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jul, 2019

Residence Mareblu
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit