Bottidda is set 400 metres above sea level at the foot of Mount Rasu and on the hill of sa Corona, in a mountainous area covered in flourishing woodland of elms, oaks and chestnut trees, moving into gentle hillsides, rivers and natural lakes. The town is in the Goceano area, surrounded by protected natural heritage that has been developed for tourism, and the local economy is based on agriculture and sheep-farming. The name is derived from the ancient village of Gocille, which evolved through various phases to Gotille, Botille, Botilla through to the modern-day Bottidda.

The town centre has flourished since the Middle Ages and today hosts ancient homes and small squares decorated with characteristic murales. There are two particularly noteworthy monuments.