Badolato holidays

Holidays to Badolato tick off rustic village vibes, a beach-edged marina, and slow‑paced days on Calabria’s unspoilt coast.

History at the top and sand at the bottom

Badolato is a rustic hilltop village in southern Calabria, perched above a patchwork blanket of olive groves laid out in front of the Ionian Sea. You have the option to stay in the top of the resort – the ‘borgo’, or old town – where Medieval lanes, family run wine bars and a slower pace make it ideal for a taste of authentic Italy. Or, you can make a base nearer to the sandy beach at Badolato Marina. It’s worth noting that from the old town, the beach is about a 40-minute walk downhill. You can prebook a taxi back if you don’t fancy the uphill walk on the way back.

Here is the church, here is the steeple

A whopping 14 churches – arranged in the shape of a Latin cross – used to make up the epicentre of Badolato. Today, 13 remain in their original state, with the 14th now used as a community and arts centre. The hilltop borgo is anchored by two standout churches that capture the village’s history – and these are the two we’d recommend visiting if you can only fit a couple in. Santa Caterina, one of the oldest, sits among winding stone lanes and offers a quiet, atmospheric glimpse into Medieval Calabria. Nearby, the Church of San Domenico, once part of a Dominican convent, adds a grander touch with a historic façade and sweeping views across the coastline.

Calabria’s foodie fever

There’s no way you can holiday in Calabria and not treat yourself to some of the famous morsels that originate from this part of Italy. Badolato’s food scene is rooted in rustic flavours, with trattorias serving handmade pasta, rich tomato sauces and the region’s famous ’nduja sausage. Fresh seafood features heavily, too, especially swordfish and calamari along Badolato Marina. Local farms supply olives, citrus and cheeses, while family‑run enotecas – or wine bars – serve up Ciro wine alongside antipasti boards.