The following communities neighbour Badia: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Corvara, Mareo, Livinallongo del Col di Lana, San Martin de Tor, La Val and Sëlva.

Since the 12th century, the valley estates belonged to the possessions held by the Benedictine nunnery of Sonnenburg near St. Lorenzen, hence the name Abtei ("abbey") first mentioned in a 1325 deed.

While the Puster Valley in the south was held by the Counts of Görz at Lienz, the Ladin language and culture in the Val Badia, due to the remote location, have been preserved up to today.

The emblem is that of the Winkler von Colz zu Rubatsch noble family which, in the 16th and 17th century, had property and the castle at La Ila.

The shield is party per fess, at the top is represented a sable steinbock, holding with the front hoofs a red broken branch on an or background.

The start of the annual single-day seven mountain passes crossing Maratona dles Dolomites bicycle race is every year in La Ila.