Cosenza is a cultural centre in Calabria, in southern Italy. It sits in the Calabrian hills, and the city is laid out across two levels: a modern city in the valley and a historic old town set high above it on the hillsides.
What the visit is like
Cosenza suits a visitor who likes to walk and to look at a city from different heights. The modern centre is the practical part of town, with its streets, shops and everyday life. The old town, on the hills above, is where the older character of the place is most visible. Getting between the two levels is part of the experience, and a good way to understand how the city has grown.
Around the city
Because Cosenza is a cultural centre, a stay here fits well with a broader look at Calabria, a region of hill towns, coastline and mountains. The city works as a base for exploring the surrounding area at a relaxed pace.
- Walk between the valley and the hilltop old town.
- Spend time in the modern centre for shops, cafés and daily life.
- Use the city as a base for trips into the wider province of Calabria.
If you enjoy places that combine a lived-in modern town with a historic quarter above it, Cosenza is worth considering as a stop in Calabria.
