Diamante, Calabria

Overview

Discover Diamante: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

Jutting out into the aquamarine waters of the Mediterranean, the windows of Diamante reflect the sharp light of the hot Calabrian sun.

The city is famous for its murals that were initiated in the 1900's by artists who wanted to paint but couldn't afford canvas. Today, the narrow streets within the town, drip with colour, expression and creativity, artists have poured into the city.

Diamante is considered by Italians one of Italy’s prettiest towns and is without question one one of the country’s most artistically inspiring. In spite of its colourful appeal however, Diamante is also one of Italy’s most over-looked beautiful cities, by travelers to the Southern regions of the country.

Diamante, not only famous for the mural works which cover the city’s walls, has centuries, been renowned throughout Italy for the hot peppers, which hang from every balcony, known as Peperoncini, used in any number of Calabresi dishes, such as the spicy Sopressatta sausage, Pecorino cheese, jarred ‘nduja (a very spicy pesto).

More commonly, the Peperoncini is known in Italy as “Piccante” a type of hot-sauce Italians sprinkle on everything from pasta to bruschetta. The peppers, are an extremely important part of local culinary traditions in are in fact part of what distinguishes southern Italian food from that of the north, where pasta dishes are mild by comparison. As the peppers are harvested at the end of each summer in , the communities come together to celebrate. The Pepperoncino is also said to have some very special "side effects" as well and is known as Viagra for the poor.....

This small spicy pepper bursting with flavour is at the centre of the festival which comes to a head each year in Diamante from September 5th to 9th. More than 100,000 people from all over Southern Italy come to participate in the festivities known as “The South’s Carnival”, where dancing on every street corner, open-air bars, men on stilts and traditional music continue well into the late hours of the night.

Visiting Diamante anytime of year however, will leave visitors satisfied, for the city beams with colour, life and style. Churches, fish markets and cafes await art enthusiasts and those simply looking to enjoy a beautiful seaside retreat.

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Our own photographs

Diamante Through Our Eyes

Photographed during our own travels and research, these images follow the journey through Diamante, from the first view of the landscape to the small details that give the place its character.

Panoramic view of Diamante. Calabria. Italy.

Calabria Region Italy

Calabria Region Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists

Diamante

Experience beautiful Diamante on the Cedri Riviera

Map

Get your bearings before you go

Multi-Day Holidays Tours

Whole journeys, planned end to end

Kingdom of the Sun: Undiscovered Calabria & Basilicata || Highlights include Maratea and the mountain-top redeemer, Praia a Mare and the Madonna Della Grotta, Diamante the city of murals. Cooking, food and wine and highlights with chef Michelangelo

Join us for an 8-day package in Calabria and explore the deep south of Italy, including the regions of Calabria and Basilicata. Our tour is centered around the charming town of Tortora, and from there, we embark on daily excursions to some of Calabri...

Private

8 Days / 7 Nights

Calabria with Local Hosts: Food, Coast & Village Life

This is an opportunity to stay in a private family home in Praia a Mare, Calabria a beautiful sea-side resort town famous for Dino Island and the Arcomagno caves. During this unique holiday experience you will visit the coast of Maratea, Diamante th...

Private

5 Days / 4 Nights

Private & Small Group Tours in Diamante

Days out with people who know the way

Taormina Private Half Day Walking Experience

Discover the ancient city of Taormina and the majestic Greco-Roman theatre with our English speaking guide who will show you the best of this incredible Sicilian city.

Private

2 hours 30 minutes

Photo Gallery

The skyline of Florence at dusk, with Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo

Italian American Life with Frankie D Our Founder on the Italian American Life Podcast: 20 Years of Living and Breathing Italy March 2025 Our founder Jesse Andrews joins Frankie D on Episode 144 to tell the story behind Italy Vacation Specialists, from a summer job in Calabria to planning custom trips across Italy. Read the story

All press & recognition

Aieta

Altomonte

Amantea

Cedri Riviera Calabria

Lavender Fields of the Parco Pollino National Park at Morano Calabro

Vibo Valentia

Aieta

Altomonte

Amantea

Cedri Riviera Calabria

Cosenza

Diamante

Dino Island

Gerace

Grisolia

Lamezia Terme

Lavender Fields of the Parco Pollino National Park at Morano Calabro

Maiera

Morano Calabro

Orsomarso

Papasidero

Parco Pollino

Pentidattelo

Praia a Mare

San Nicola Arcella

Scalea

Scilla & Chianalea

Stilo

Tortora

Tropea

Vibo Valentia

Our Featured Properties

Stays we picked one by one

Italy,Calabria,Vibo Valentia

Villa

Villa Costa Azzurra

4 Beds 3 Baths 8

Family Oriented +9 more

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Italy,Calabria,Praia a Mare

Villa

Villa Vecchia

5 Beds 5 Baths 10

Air Conditioning +14 more

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Getting here

The Road to Diamante

Most of our guests arrive by private car, with a driver who knows these roads and where it is worth stopping along the way. These are the journeys we arrange most often.

Lamezia Terme Calabria, Lamezia Terme Airport Tropea Calabria Matera Basilicata Salerno Campania Bari Puglia, Bari Airport Naples Campania, Capodichino Airport

City and Cathedral, South Italy, Lamezia Terme, Calabria

Clear Waters of Troea, Calabria Region Italy

Bari region of Apulia, Italy Big ferris wheel on the waterfront of Bari

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In their words

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“We're home now from the most amazing trip to Italy! I can't thank you enough for your efforts and coordination of what was without question the finest vacations I've been on to date”
Carol Carson Read their story

“I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and…”
Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent Read their story

“I traveled with JoAnn West through your services, guided by Giuseppe, in July of this year. What a wonderful experience; your service is really top notch! If I return to Italy for a tour, I will absolutely use your services again and recommend you to my friend…”
Lucretia Brower Read their story

“The trip was great; we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details, in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as w…”
Leon and Michele Read their story

“Jesse, There are no words to describe the fabulous time we had in Italy. Everything went as you promised. Absolutely no problems! The venues were fabulous. The guides were punctual and helpful. It couldn't have worked out better. You and your staff deserve hig…”
Jo Ann West Read their story

“This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destinati…”
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