Diamante - the mural town
Diamante is a picturesque town south of Scalea, just a few minutes away by train or car. It is known for its long promenade, clean beaches, and turquoise sea. It is also nicknamed the "city of murals" because its historic streets are adorned with dozens of colorful murals by artists from all over the world.
Personally, I really enjoy the coastal promenade before sunset. The town also has a charming center, which you can explore in about an hour. If you want to enjoy something delicious, plan for a 2-hour trip.
Trains from Scalea run here several times a day, and it's worth a visit in any season. So when you're looking for an evening outing, you definitely won't go wrong.
Do You believe in the Malocchio?
Do you believe in the evil eye? In our homeland, we would rather use the term "uhranutí" (bewitchment). People believed, and perhaps still believe, that someone can cast a spell with a glance. And red peppers are said to have the power to protect you. In southern Italy, the ritual against Malocchio is reportedly still practiced today.
A bowl of water is taken, and a few drops of oil are added. If the oil dissolves or the drops scatter, it means the person is bewitched. If the drops stay together, that's good. The ritual is usually performed by a nonna, who whispers a secret prayer passed down from generation to generation at Christmas.
And to make sure you don't accidentally fall victim to Malocchio, get yourself a talisman in the form of a red Calabrian pepper. It's not just for its mystical power that people in Calabria love their peppers. It's a talisman that protects, adds strength, life energy, and wards off evil forces. When I asked the locals what the red pepper means to them, to my surprise, the gentlemen unanimously said, "our Viagra." I delved into what truth there is to this, and indeed, it is so. It dilates blood vessels, speeds up blood circulation, stimulates the nervous system, and supports vitality and energy, resulting in even the local octogenarians not lagging behind. But it's not just these legends, superstitions, and myths that are associated with peppers; they also hold a firm place in the kitchen. There is hardly an area in gastronomy where Calabrians wouldn't be able to use (or stuff) them. From all sorts of pickles, wine, to gelato. You can try and taste all of this in September at the annual Pepper Festival in Diamante. It lasts 5 days and takes place around September 10th. It's not mentioned anywhere that it's more of an evening festival, so I recommend going no earlier than 5 PM and planning for a return after dark. You won't regret it.
A train from Scalea costs €2.1 one way and takes about 10 minutes to get there. However, be careful as the last train leaves around 10 PM (on weekdays) and then not until early morning. The festival is popular, so expect difficult parking, which is why I find the train a good and carefree option—it was almost empty. I took the train at 6 PM, and you can return either at 8 PM or 10 PM. It depends on how long you want to enjoy and endure the spicy tastings or watch the culinary shows in their original form. I'm attaching lots of photos from the 2025 festival to the post.