On Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026, millions of Italians tuned in to Rai 3 to watch the grand finale of Il Borgo dei Borghi — the beloved annual competition that crowns Italy’s most beautiful village. San Nicola Arcella, the small cliff-top town on the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria, placed 5th out of 20 villages selected from across the entire country.
It’s a result worth celebrating. And if you’ve ever stood at the edge of Arcomagno beach and looked up at those white houses stacked against the cliff, you’ll understand exactly why.
What is Il Borgo dei Borghi?
Now in its 13th edition, Il Borgo dei Borghi is Italy’s most watched celebration of its hidden villages, broadcast within the RAI 3 travel programme Kilimangiaro, hosted by Camila Raznovich. Each year, one village is selected to represent each of Italy’s 20 regions. They’re judged on history, landscape, architecture, traditions, and community identity — by a jury of experts and by the Italian public.
This year’s jury included Tiziana D’Angelo, archaeologist and director of the Paestum Archaeological Park; Fabio Toncelli, filmmaker and explorer; and Jacopo Veneziani, art historian and cultural communicator.
The 2026 winner was Cingoli in Le Marche — known as “the balcony of Le Marche.” Second place went to Arenzano in Liguria, third to Zungoli in Campania, fourth to San Fele in Basilicata. And fifth — representing Calabria — was our village: San Nicola Arcella.
Who represented San Nicola Arcella?
Two young local tourism professionals, Francesco Dattoli and Chiara Tarantino, made the case for San Nicola Arcella on national television — presenting the village’s extraordinary combination of crystalline sea, natural landmarks, and a hilltop historic centre steeped in tradition. By all accounts, they made it count.
Why 5th place means more than it sounds
Finishing in the top five out of 20 villages — one from every Italian region — is a serious achievement. It means San Nicola Arcella outranked 15 other villages, including well-funded contenders from Tuscany, Umbria, Piedmont, and Sicily.
For a small village on the Calabrian coast, the national visibility alone is significant. But what the result really confirms is something that anyone who has visited already knows: this place is genuinely special.
What makes San Nicola Arcella worth the trip
The village sits above the Tyrrhenian Sea on the upper coast of Cosenza province, part of one of southern Italy’s least-discovered stretches of coastline. Its defining landmark is Arco Magno — a natural sea arch forming a sheltered lagoon of impossibly clear turquoise water, regularly listed among Italy’s most beautiful beaches.
Beyond the beach, there’s a medieval old town with panoramic views across the Tyrrhenian, traditional religious processions that draw the whole community together, and the kind of slow, unhurried pace that’s becoming increasingly hard to find in Italy’s more famous destinations.
It’s not a secret — but it’s not overrun either. The Borgo dei Borghi result will change that equation, at least a little. This summer will see more curious visitors arriving after watching the RAI 3 broadcast. The question is whether they’ll find somewhere to stay.
Stay in the village — and wake up to that view
Lilja’s Flat sits right in San Nicola Arcella, five minutes from Arcomagno Beach, with direct sea views from the terrace. It’s a fully equipped holiday apartment designed for slow travellers, couples, digital nomads, and anyone who wants to experience the real Calabria rather than just pass through.
With the Borgo dei Borghi spotlight now shining on San Nicola Arcella, summer availability is filling up. If you’re thinking about a stay this season, it’s worth checking dates sooner rather than later.
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