Castel Badia
Brunico, Italy
There’s something about a place where history is still alive in every wall. Castel Badia, perched above Brunico, carries nearly a thousand years of stories yet feels instantly inviting.
With 29 rooms and suites plus a private chalet, the castle feels intimate but never small. Guests find three unique dining spaces led by Chef Alberto Toè, a bar and lounge, and a spa with saunas and pools. Step outside and the Dolomites are right there — skiing in winter, hiking and biking in summer, or just exploring Brunico’s cafés and cobblestone streets a few minutes away.
The story
Castel Badia has been here for close to a millennium. It’s been a fortress, a monastery, a noble house — always part of the valley’s story. Today, the castle has been brought into the present. The spaces are softened with natural materials, warm fabrics, and design that gives it the coziness of a home.
Your stay
The castle holds 9 rooms, 10 junior suites, 9 suites, and 1 private chalet, all with their own character. Some are bright and open with valley views, others are cocoon-like and quiet. All of them are designed to make you slow down and feel at ease.
Outside your room, the castle keeps on giving. Meals that celebrate the land, a spa that resets your body and mind, and spaces you’ll end up lingering in without even meaning to. Every detail feels connected to this place.
How to spend your time
In winter, Castel Badia sits at the gateway to the Plan de Corones ski area, just five minutes away and part of the vast Dolomiti Superski network of slopes. Beyond skiing, the season offers cross-country trails, snowshoe walks, sledding runs, and ice skating, with Cortina also close enough for day trips.
Fall in love with
Chef Alberto Toè brings a modern vision of alpine cuisine, blending tradition with a light, contemporary touch. The castle offers three distinct dining experiences, each with its own character. Stube Badia wraps guests in Tyrolean tradition, where charm meets soulful, hearty cooking. UMES is more intimate, gathering guests around a communal table where conversations flow as naturally as the courses. And in the Bar & Lounge, the mood softens: light bites, a glass of wine, or cocktails shared by the fire.
Expect the unexpected
The herb garden outside isn’t just for decoration — it’s been part of this castle for centuries. From the same land and roots that once flavored the meals of monks and nobility now find their way into your dinner, or steeped into a calming tea after the spa.
The best time to visit
Castel Badia is one of those places that works all year. In winter, it’s all about skiing and evenings that are made for lounging around the fireplace. The warmer weather brings green hills, crisp air, and long days outside.
More to experience with Querido
Three very different stays, all part of the same magical region. Castel Badia shows you history. FORESTIS, high above in the Dolomites, shows you nature and stillness. And in Cortina, Ancora brings elegance and vibrant energy.
How to get there
Innsbruck Airport, 1 hour 20 min
Verona Airport, 2 hours 30 min
Venice Airport, 3 hours
Munich Airport, 3 hours 15 min