Cosenza Travel Guide

Tourist 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, symbolising 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, palaeontology 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 Convento di San Francesco d'Assisi.

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 Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions PalaFerraro and Lake Arvo are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (476 reviews)
"Re noisy…there was a popping/banging sound every night right outside window. We were on the 4th floor. Thought it was a branch hitting window but it was not. Otherwise we were quite pleased. Room on the small side though. Location great as it was next to a grocery store."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Italiana Hotels Cosenza
beb dei sogni

beb dei sogni

Via Carlo Cattaneo 92c, Cosenza, CS
The price is Rp892.357 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
Rp892.357
Rp1.057.253 total
23 Aug - 24 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this B&B in Cosenza. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, housekeeping and climate control. Popular attractions Santa Teresa Church and Bilotti Open-Air Museum are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (9 reviews)
"Really nice with all amenities, very clean, lovely stuff if you get to meet her easy offstreet parking, close to supermarket, stayed once before and loved it"

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

beb dei sogni
 Ariha Hotel Cosenza

Ariha Hotel Cosenza

4 out of 5
Via Raffaele Coscarella, Cosenza, CS
The price is Rp1.719.576 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
Rp1.719.576
Rp2.005.026 total
23 Aug - 24 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cosenza. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (134 reviews)
Great service
"We literally went from the airport in Rome after flying in from Bari at 10:00pm and left the next morning at 6:45. The owners greeted us, walked us to our room, got a cab for us to get to the airport the next morning. The room was very clean and comfortable. In the morning our cab was early and they ..."

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Ariha Hotel Cosenza
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.
RESIDENZA DEL CORSO

RESIDENZA DEL CORSO

Via Maria Luigi Greco 5, Cosenza, CS
Stay at this apartment in Cosenza. Enjoy free Wi-Fi. Popular attractions Bilotti Open-Air Museum and Santa Teresa Church are located nearby.
RESIDENZA DEL CORSO
Billotti Central Loft - Cosenza

Billotti Central Loft - Cosenza

Piazza Carlo Bilotti 24, Cosenza, CS
Stay at this business-friendly apartment in Cosenza. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Bilotti Open-Air Museum and Lake ...
Billotti Central Loft - Cosenza
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.

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