The present invention relates to antibodies, including human antibodies, and antigen-binding portions thereof that specifically bind to MAdCAM, preferably human MAdCAM, and inhibit MAdCAM. The antibodies comprise the CDRs or variable domains derived from an antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line 7.16.6 (ECACC Accession No. 03090909) or from an antibody comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs.: 34 and 36. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof, methods of making and using the antibodies and portions, and compositions comprising these antibodies and portions.