can i visit san marino

Visiting San Marino: 11 tips for your visit to this magical tiny country

San Marino is one of the smallest countries in the world – and one of the least-visited. But if you go to Bologna or Rimini in Italy and don’t make the very slight detour to visit San Marino, you’re missing out on a spellbinding country with a lot to offer. Read on for advice and tips for visiting San Marino, and how to get the most out of your trip.

Where is San Marino?

San Marino is a tiny country, just 24 square miles in area and completely surrounded by the Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions of Italy. It’s 8 miles from the Italian seaside resort of Rimini.

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San Marino is made up of 9 regions, although most visitors to San Marino will only visit the capital, Cittá di San Marino. While the whole country is hilly, Cittá di San Marino perches astonishingly on top of a mountain peak, so pretty it could come straight out of a fantasy movie.

Tip: Don’t say San Marino is in Italy! While it is surrounded by Italy, it’s an independent country.

Is San Marino worth visiting?

Absolutely yes – there are few places that I’ve been that are as spectacular and atmospheric. I’d planned a trip to San Marino mainly to tick another country off my list (my 42nd), but what I found was an incredibly beautiful and welcoming place that I’d love to return to.

Standing on the ramparts of one of the castle towers, climbing the narrow stone streets or taking the Witches’ Path through the forest between the towers, you could easily imagine yourself to be in a fairy tale. There’s some decent shopping, but what you’re really visiting San Marino for is the exceptional location, the extraordinary views and the otherworldly atmosphere.

Tip: If you have some flexibility in when you visit San Marino, try to pick the clearest day – the fewer clouds there are, the more you’ll see of the amazing views. That said, if you go to San Marino on a cloudy day in Rimini, you might well be above the clouds when you get to the top of Monte Titano.

How long to stay in San Marino

Most visitors to San Marino take a day trip from Bologna or Rimini, but I strongly recommend that you stay for at least one night and preferably two, particularly if you visit when there are events on. I definitely recommend staying overnight in San Marino if you’re visiting by public transport, as the bus timetable from Rimini doesn’t give anything like enough time to explore the city properly.

Cittá di San Marino is a maze of narrow streets which run along the sides of Monte Titano, gradually climbing as they go. Because everything is so compressed into a small space and lots of the roads run parallel to each other (but higher or lower up the mountain) it can be difficult to orientate yourself. We got lost when visiting San Marino a lot more than we normally do! There are a lot of steps so getting around takes a bit longer than you might expect based on looking at a flat map of the city.

Tip: staying for one or two nights in San Marino will give you the chance to see the city in the evening, when all the day trippers have gone home and the city is quiet and mysterious.

Getting to San Marino

Which airport should i use for san marino.

San Marino doesn’t have its own airport. The nearest is in Rimini, on the Italian coast, which is served by low cost carriers Ryanair and Wizz. If your local airport doesn’t have flights to Rimini, try Bologna, which is 85 miles to the north of San Marino.

How to get to San Marino by car

It’s probably easiest to visit San Marino by car, although large parts of the historic old town are either pedestrianised or access only so you’ll need to leave your car at one of the car parks. These are either on the edge of Cittá di San Marino or in Borgo Maggiore, the town further down the slopes of Monte Titano.

There are some hotels with parking, although not many. I stayed at the Hotel Rosa , which had parking for a small number of cars right outside the door. Parking in the main San Marino car parks cost 4 euro a day if you’re staying in a hotel in San Marino.

If you do bring your car when you’re visiting San Marino, I really recommend going on Google Maps’ Street View and planning your route before you arrive. The roads up Monte Titano zig-zag their way up, with hairpin bends and I found it quite confusing to know which way I should be going (I do generally have a decent sense of direction!).

Tip: If you’re renting a car, I recommend choosing as small a car as you can manage as the roads are narrow and twisty, and parking spots can be tight. You should also check that your car rental company will be ok with you taking the car into another country.

How to get to San Marino by public transport

The nearest railway station to San Marino is in Rimini, on the Italian coast.

If you’re flying into Bologna airport, the route that Google Maps recommends is the Marconi Express monorail to Bologna Centrale railway station, then a train from Bologna Centrale to Rimini, then a bus from Rimini to San Marino. This is fine, and it’s what I did, but I wish we’d taken the Shuttle Italy Airport bus straight from Bologna airport to Rimini.

The fast Frecciarossa and Intercity trains from Bologna to Rimini which take around an hour often sell out. If they do, you’ll have to take one of the slower Regionale trains which can take well over 2 hours and sometimes require a change.

The Regionale train I travelled back from Rimini to Bologna on was absolutely packed and we had to stand almost all the way back. The Shuttle Italy Airport bus takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to Rimini; it also means you don’t have to contend with the Marconi Express monorail, which was a lot less fun than it sounds!

Tip: Intercity trains from Bologna are around half the price of the Frecciarossa, but only take around 20 minutes longer. You should consider booking fast trains a week or so in advance – or if you’re travelling from Bologna airport, you could take the Shuttle Italy Airport bus.

Rimini to San Marino bus

Bonelli Bus runs a scheduled bus service between Rimini’s main train station and San Marino. The bus runs every day, including on Sundays and public holidays. There are around three timetables each year, one for the summer (April to mid September), one for the Autumn (mid September to November) and one for the winter (November through to April).

There are eight buses per day in each direction, with the first bus setting off from Rimini just after 8am and the last bus from San Marino returning just after 7pm. The journey takes between 50 and 55 minutes, depending on the time of day. The buses are more like a coach than a city bus, with comfortable seats and luggage storage underneath.

You can either buy tickets on board the bus or, in Rimini, at the little tabaccheria immediately across the street from the train station. Tickets cost 6 euro each way and are valid for any service; if you buy a return at the tabaccheria you’ll be given two tickets which you can use anytime. I was able to pay for my tickets by card in the shop but lots of people say that they don’t always accept cards, and can be funny about taking small change.

The bus stop for San Marino has recently moved – it was by the Burger King but it’s now a little further along Piazzale Cesare Battisti, outside the Hotel Napoleon.

In San Marino, the bus from Rimini stops at Parcheggio P1 A, just outside the city walls and immediately below the Porta del Paese – Porta San Francesco (Gate of St Francis).

A queue forms at the bus stop before each bus departure. Leaving San Marino it was very orderly, a bit less so in Rimini. While all of us managed to get on each time, I’ve read that that’s not always the case. If you go for the last bus back to Rimini from San Marino and don’t get on, you’re looking at a 45-50 euro taxi. We opted to catch the bus before the one we actually needed to catch to make sure we got a seat.

Tip: Make sure you’re at the bus stop well before the bus is due to leave, just in case there’s a long queue.

Things to do in San Marino

Tip: If you stay in a San Marino hotel, you’ll be given a TuttoSanMarino discount card , which gives you money off entry tickets for the three towers and lots of San Marino’s museum, along with discounts at shops and restaurants and on the cable car.

Visit the three towers

If you do one thing when you’re visiting San Marino, it should be to see at least one of San Marino’s iconic towers. The towers sit on Monte Titano’s three peaks and are connected by a ridge.

The first tower, known as Guaita, is the oldest, built in the 11th century. It’s also the most popular with visitors. You can explore almost every part of the Guaita fortress, including climbing up a very steep and narrow ladder to get to the highest turret!

The second tower, Cesta (but also known as De La Fratta) is temporarily closed for restoration work as of October 2022, but hopefully it’ll be open again soon. There are gorgeous views across to the Guaita tower and across the city, and many visitors say they found it the most beautiful tower. The Cesta tower is also home to the Museum of Ancient Weapons – while it’s closed, there’s a small display in the prison section of the Guaita tower.

San Marino’s third tower is the smallest, and it isn’t open to the public, although you can walk to it. It was built in the 14th century and was used as a prison tower.

Passo Delle Streghe – the Witches’ Path

Between the first and second towers, there’s a narrow path, known as Passo Delle Streghe, or the Witches’ Path. There are two stories for how the Witches’ Path got its name. One story says it was named because witches gathered here at night. In the morning, they would turn themselves into black cats and flee. The other story is more gruesome – it was where women who had been accused of being witches were taken to be thrown from the ridge.

The path is exceptionally beautiful, with stunning views in both directions. If you’ve seen a gorgeous picture that’s made you want to visit San Marino, there’s a good chance that it was taken here. Since it is so stunning, it’s also very popular with visitors so you might have to wait a while to get your perfect Instagram shot.

See Piazza della Libertà and the Palazzo Pubblico

A big part of my reason for visiting San Marino was because it is an independent country. The Palazzo Pubblico, on lovely Piazza della Libertà is San Marino’s official government building and where official ceremonies take place.

During summer (until mid September), you can watch the changing of the guard here – unfortunately I visited the week after it finished for winter.

Get your passport stamped

There’s no border control entering San Marino from Italy, but you can still make your visit official by getting your passport stamped at the tourist office on Piazzetta Garibaldi. It costs 5 euro and you’ll get a carefully-placed San Marino postage stamp and date stamp as a souvenir of your trip.

Next door to the tourism office, you’ll find San Marino’s Museum of Stamps and Coins. San Marino has its own stamps, some of which are highly sought after – it’s believed that at one point in history, selling stamps to foreign collectors made up 10% of San Marino’s national income.

Ride on the cable car

The cable car that takes you from the lower slopes of Monte Titano at Borgo Maggiore up to the centre of Città di San Marino, behind the Palazzo Pubblico. The ride only takes a couple of minutes but the views are spectacular.

Tip: If you get off the bus from Rimini to San Marino in Borgo Maggiore, you can arrive in the heart of the old town by cable car – much more exciting than the bus!

Visit San Marino’s unusual museums

San Marino has lots of museums, most of which have a distinctly dark nature! When you visit San Marino you can go to the Museum of Torture, the Museum of Curiosities and the Museum of Creatures of the Night. On a lighter note, you can visit the Museum of Waxworks – it’s no Madame Tussauds but it’s worth a look if you have the Tutto San Marino card which gets you into all these museums half price.

Check what’s on at Cava dei Balestrieri

Cava dei Balestrieri is an old quarry in the centre of San Marino, between the cable car station and Piazza della Libertà and is the setting for lots of San Marino’s most exciting events. The annual crossbow competition is held here in September, when you can see representatives of San Marino’s 9 regions compete to be named the crossbow champion.

In July, San Marino comes alive with 4 days of medieval parades and pageantry , with evening events featuring jesters, archery, troubadours, duels and flag-waving at Cava dei Balestrieri.

Tip: Check out the events calendar on the San Marino tourism office’s website before booking your trip – there are events throughout the year.

See the old train

These days, San Marino’s nearest train station is in Rimini, but it did have its own station for a while. The San Marino to Rimini railway opened in 1932 but closed only 12 years later due to the damage caused by bombs and fighting in World War 2. San Marino was neutral during the war but being surrounded by Italy meant that fighting did spill over the border.

I’m really into trains (check out my posts about my favourite heritage railways and a vintage market in Madrid’s railway museum ) so after I saw The Tim Traveller’s video about San Marino’s railway I had to go and see it.

There’s nothing left of the railway station in San Marino (it’s underneath the P2 bus park and the roundabout) but if you walk a little way down Via del Voltone you’ll see a stretch of track, a tunnel entrance and inside it, one of the old trains.

You can walk down the tunnel as far as you dare; when I visited there was an art installation further inside the tunnel and there’s apparently a great viewpoint where the tunnel briefly emerges on the side of the mountain, but it was a bit spooky for me. If you do go in, please let me know what it’s like in the comments! (Niche) tip: If you watch carefully, you can spot bits of the old railway line when you’re on the bus from Rimini to San Marino. The old Cerasolo station is right by the side of the road, next door to Federici Sofà.

Where to stay in San Marino

Choosing the best place to stay in San Marino will depend on how you’re getting to San Marino and how much luggage you’re bringing with you.

I stayed at Hotel Rosa , which is near the top of the mountain and in a prime position just underneath Guaita Tower. The views from our hotel terrace were absolutely amazing, and some rooms at Hotel Rosa have these incredible views from their windows. Breakfast was included, and the hotel had its own small car park. We arrived by bus, and it was a long way up a lot of steps from the bus stop. Luckily we’d packed light with just one small backpack each – I’m not sure I would have fancied the walk up with a lot of luggage!

Tip: For an extra-special stay, choose a hotel room with a view; the morning light over San Marino’s rolling hills as you open the curtains will take your breath away.

The best-reviewed hotel in San Marino is Hotel La Grotta . While it doesn’t quite have the views that you get further up the mountain, it does have some rooms with views across the valley. It’s right in the middle of the historic centre and easy walking distance to the bus stop and all the top sights you’ll want to see when visiting San Marino.

If you’re arriving by bus and you do have a lot of luggage, it’s worth looking at hotels at around the same level as the bus stop. Hotel Joli is up either a short slope or up in a lift to the next street up, and from there’s it’s a nice level walk to the hotel.

If you’re arriving by car, Grand Hotel San Marino could be a good option. It’s right in front of one of the largest car parks in the city and a short, gently sloping walk from Piazzetta Garibaldi where the tourist office is.

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San Marino: Things to Do & Travel Guide for First-time Visitors

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: May 11, 2023

San Marino: Things to Do & Travel Guide for First-time Visitors

Are you thinking of visiting San Marino , but are not sure what to expect or whether San Marino is worth a trip? Or maybe you’re already set on going and are wondering what there is to see and do in San Marino and how much time you need?

This complete travel guide to San Marino, including the best things to do in San Marino, should answer all your questions. Read on!

San Marino is a real hidden gem of Europe that somehow still managed to stay under the radar of most tourists. Surrounded by such famous Italian cities as Venice , Bologna , Florence , and Rome , San Marino is often overlooked by most people visiting Italy…

I have to say that it was the same with us – it took us tens of trips to Italy before we finally visited San Marino… And now that I discovered this little gem of Europe, I want to inspire you to do the same. San Marino has so much more to offer than it looks at first sight… Find out!

Disclosure: I visited San Marino in cooperation with the San Marino tourism board . As always, all opinions and enthusiasm are my own.

Passo delle Streghe - the Witches Path in San Marino

Below you can find a short overview of all the information we cover in this article. From interesting facts about San Marino, the best things to do in San Marino, to practical information for visiting San Marino and a handy map indicating all the main landmarks and attractions….

This article contains all the information that you need in order to plan your own dream trip to San Marino. Take a look!

Visit San Marino – OVERVIEW

What is san marino.

Why visit San Marino
How much time do you need in San Marino
What to do in San Marino
Map of the main San Marino attractions
Practical info and tips for visiting San Marino

Incredible view from Cesta tower in San Marino

San Marino is the 5th smallest country in the world and the 3rd smallest country in Europe. Surrounded by Italy, the Republic of San Marino is actually an independent country.

Below are some more interesting facts you may want to know about San Marino as a tourist:

San Marino is the world’s oldest republic and was never ruled by a king. San Marino was founded in the year 301 by Christian refugee St Marinus who, together with some others, was forced to flee from Roman persecution.
In San Marino, any citizen who is elected for parliament can also become a president. They have had more female presidents than any other country in the world and also the world’s youngest president, just 26 years old. San Marino has two presidents every year. They change every 6 months, on the 1st of April and on the 1st of October.
The area of San Marino is just 61,2 km² (24 square miles). Only the following countries are smaller: Tuvalu, Nauru, Monaco, and Vatican City.
The population of San Marino is just over 33,000 people.
San Marino is completely surrounded by Italy, but it’s not part of the European Union .
San Marino uses the Euro as its currency . Taxes are very low in San Marino and most things are cheaper in San Marino than in Italy.
San Marino has 9 towns, called castelli (municipalities), but most tourists only visit one – the city of San Marino , which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sammarinese people have their own language, the Sammarinese dialect of Romagnol, which is basically a dialect of Italian also spoken in the nearby Emilia Romagna region. The official language of San Marino is Italian.
You can’t buy or even rent a property in San Marino as a foreigner.

Car of the president of the Republic of San Marino at Palazzo Pubblico

Why Travel to San Marino

There are so many reasons to visit San Marino! Spectacular views, fairytale castles, picturesque medieval streets, friendly people, fantastic atmosphere, delicious food, and cheap prices to mention just a few…

San Marino exceeded all my expectations! Lively during the day, fairytale-like and mysterious in the evening, and simply unforgettable while exploring the castles completely on my own early in the morning…

Those who like to count countries or collect passport stamps will love San Marino as well. If interested, you can get a really nice passport stamp at the tourist office that is located near the San Marino cable car. At the moment of writing, this costs 5 euro.

How Much Time Do You Need to Visit San Marino

All the main landmarks of San Marino can be seen in half a day to a day. Therefore, most tourists visit San Marino as a day trip . However, I highly recommend spending at least one night in San Marino!

There are only a few places in the world where you can still have one of the most incredible UNESCO sites all to yourself, and San Marino is one of them! If you explore it early in the morning or late in the evening, without the crowds of day tourists.

If you stay in San Marino for the night, you’ll have one of the most unique places in Europe all to yourself! Imagine strolling the deserted medieval alleys, visiting historic castles, or watching a spectacular sunset with gorgeous views and nobody else around… It’s simply magical!

Best Things to Do in San Marino

While most travel guides to San Marino only focus on the best things to do in San Marino city, I want you to have a more complete picture of what San Marino is about.

Therefore, in addition to the main San Marino attractions, this guide contains a few extra things to do in San Marino that you won’t find in most other guides. While not everyone might want to make an effort to explore a bit deeper, these additional suggestions will hopefully inspire those who do have a bit more time in San Marino and like some off-the-beaten-path experiences.

But first, let’s start with the best places to see and things to do in San Marino that everyone should see do . Further below, you’ll find my additional suggestions for what to do in San Marino. Read on!

Good to know: If you plan well, you can do everything mentioned below in San Marino in one day. You won’t be able to visit each and every single museum in a day, but San Marino is so small and everything is so close to each other, that one day is sufficient to visit all must-see attractions. Once again, if you can, stay in San Marino for the night. You’ll love it!

TIP: Check out this highly-rated tour of the main places in the historic city center with a local guide . It’s a good way to see all the musts in a short time.

Here are the best things to do in San Marino:

Piazza della Libertà & Palazzo Pubblico

Among the must-see places in San Marino, Piazza della Libertà with Palazzo Pubblico (which serves as the Parliament Building) is probably the most important one. This is the main town square where official celebrations, festivals, and various events are held.

At certain times, you can watch the changing of the guard ceremony. If you are lucky, you may run into the president of San Marino, as we did.

Palazzo Pubblico on Piazza della Liberta in San Marino

Medieval Streets of Città di San Marino

When people talk about visiting San Marino, they actually refer to visiting the Unesco-listed capital town, Città di San Marino , or the city of San Marino . It’s here that you’ll find the historic buildings, the famous castles, and the iconic postcard-views of San Marino.

The old town of San Marino City is a beautiful labyrinth of narrow medieval streets, historic buildings, restaurants, cafes, shops, and museums.

The best way to explore this tiny city with narrow cobbled streets is on foot. Some streets are lined with souvenir shops, cafés, and restaurants and can get really busy during the day. Some others, just off the main tourist routes, are completely empty…

The city is built on a mountain, so there are lots of staircases and narrow passageways. Take your time and just wander the streets of San Marino – there are some amazing treasures hiding behind each and every corner.

Exploring the medieval streets of the Old Town is one of the best things to do in San Marino

Visit the Three Towers of San Marino

The Three Towers of San Marino – Guaita, Cesta, and Montale – are the symbol of the Republic of San Marino. They represent San Marino’s freedom and independence and are depicted on the national flag as well as on the coat of arms of San Marino.

Visiting these iconic towers is something every San Marino visitor should do.

Read on for an overview of what to expect when visiting the towers or click on the link below for an even more detailed guide!

LEARN MORE: Three Towers of San Marino

Guaita Tower

Guaita Tower , also known as La Rocca , is the first tower you’ll come across. It’s also the first tower that was built in San Marino (some sources say it’s built in the 10th, some – in the 11th century). Most locals just refer to it as The First Tower .

The tower has been rebuilt in the 15-16th centuries when a double line of walls and a roof have been added to it.

The First Tower is the most picturesque tower in San Marino – the one you’ll see in most pictures and travel guides.

Make sure to climb up the tower – the views are simply spectacular. Just note that there are many stairs involved and the last part is actually a ladder that leads you to the top of the tower via a narrow hole in the ceiling. This last part is probably not for everyone, but if you make the effort, you’ll be rewarded with the most spectacular views of the surroundings.

TIP: Get a 2-museum ticket that gives access to the first and the second tower – it’s cheaper than buying two separate tickets (6 EUR vs. 4,5 EUR for a single ticket). There is also a ticket that includes 6 museums and is valid for 10 days. At the moment of writing, this ticket costs 10,5 Euro.

San Marino old town as seen from Guaita Tower

Cesta Tower

The Second Tower , Cesta Tower , stands on the highest peak of Mount Titano. This tower has several names as well (why make things simple, right?) and is also called Fratta or Falesia Tower .

In addition to stunning architecture and incredible views, Cesta Tower also houses a really interesting Museum of Ancient Arms . Here, you can find a big selection of ancient weapons used in San Marino around 15-17th centuries and later.

Cesta Tower and view over Montale in San Marino

Montale Tower

The third tower of San Marino sits on the Montale peak and cannot be visited. Nevertheless, it’s nice to see it and the walk between the second and the third tower takes just a few minutes.

It’s said that Montale is the most important tower of San Marino because it offers 360° views of the valley. Therefore, it always had a strategic role in defending this tiny country from the enemies.

Passo delle Streghe

Passo delle Streghe (the Witches Path) is a cobbled walkway between the Guatia Tower and the Cesta Tower. To me, this is the most beautiful place in San Marino!

As you walk from one tower to another, don’t forget to turn back several times, because the nicest view is actually looking towards the first tower. It will take your breath away!

Passo delle Streghe - the Witches Path - is the most beautiful place in San Marino

TIP: Just as you reach the lowest point of the Witches Path, turn right at the little building that now houses public bathrooms. From there, you have a great view overlooking a hole in the rock and a narrow bridge that is part of the Witches Path.

San Marino Guaita tower and a bridge over the Witches Path to Falesia tower

Basilica di San Marino

Basilica di San Marino , also called La Pieve , is a 19th-century church that was built using the foundation of the church that stood at the same location before. It’s dedicated to Saint Marinus, the founder of San Marino.

This is the biggest church in town, the one where all official ceremonies take place. It’s definitely worth a short visit.

Next to the Basilica, on the right-hand side, you’ll notice a smaller church, Chiesa di San Pietro . Inside, there are stone beds, on which according to a legend, San Marinus and San Leo rested. The doors of this church are usually open in summer, so you can take a look inside, but visits are only available upon request.

San Marino Cable Car & View from Il Cantone

San Marino cable car connects Borgo Maggiore to the historical center of San Marino. It’s a short 2-minute ride that offers spectacular views over the surroundings. According to the official website, you can see 200 km of the Adriatic coast from here.

This gondola is a great way to get to San Marino if you don’t want to drive all the way up to town. But if you’re already there, you don’t really have to take it just for the views. The best view is from the terrace to the left of the cable car entrance in San Marino city.

Practical information: Single ride costs 2,8 EUR; return ticket – 4.50EUR. Discounted tickets available. Operating hours are different depending on the season. For example, in July – beginning of September, gondola runs from 7.50 AM to 1 AM, whereas in January – February only till 6.30 PM.

Cava e Loggia dei Balestrieri

Crossbowmen’s Quarry and Logggias (Cava dei Baletrieri) is an area that has been used for the extraction of stone needed for the reconstruction of the Public Palace in the 19th century. In 1966, the first Italian national crossbow tournament took place here and the area has been used for the training of San Marino’s crossbowmen ever since.

Crossbow tournaments are an ancient tradition in San Marino and they are still held here every year. These events are organized by the San Marino Crossbowmen Federation that is made up of musicians, flag throwers, figurants, and shooters.

The most important events take place between spring and autumn. In June, there is a National Competition where the best five shooters of each Castle participate. During Giornate Medievali, usually the last weekend in July, and on the 3rd of September, National Holiday dedicated to Saint Marino, there are important crossbow tournaments as well.

In addition, there are parades and other traditional celebrations during pretty much all public holidays in San Marino. So, depending on when you visit, you might be lucky with the timing and witness this colorful spectacle yourself (here you can check the events calendar to see what’s happening on your travel dates). And otherwise, it’s nice to see the Cava dei Baletrieri anyway.

Giornate Medioevali at Cava dei Baletrieri in San Marino

San Marino’s Quirky Museums

For such a small country, San Marino has a big variety of museums, including the Museum of San Francesco, Museum of Ancient Arms (located inside the second tower), Emigrant Museum, Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, and several others.

In addition to these more traditional museums, there are also several really strange ones that might be worth visiting if you have more time. See a small selection below.

TIP: Most museums offer discounts in combination with San Marino card, or hotel discount cards.

Torture Museum

Museum of Medieval Criminology and Torture (Museo della Tortura) is a journey that takes you through the history of human cruelty, showing all kinds of ways and machinery used to torture people in the past. This is probably not the best place to visit in San Marino with kids. But in general, reviews are really positive and most people find this museum well worth a visit. I didn’t have the time to check it out, so I can’t comment on it myself.

Museum of Curiosities

Museum of Curiosities (Museo delle Curiosità) is much more family-friendly and a nice place to visit if you are traveling to San Marino with kids. This museum has nothing to do with San Marino, but has a big display of interesting oddities, such as statues of the world’s fattest man, tallest man, longest beard, and many others.

Vampire Museum

Vampire Museum (Museo delle Creature della Notte – Vampiri e Licantropi) is a small fun museum about vampires, werewolves, and other horror legends. If that’s your thing, you may want to pay it a short visit when in San Marino.

San Marino Tourist Train

A good way to see more of San Marino (beyond the historic center) is to take a tourist train. It brings you to places you wouldn’t see otherwise, coupled with an audio guide that gives you more information about the country and the sights along the way.

The train runs between San Marino city and Borgo Maggiore (bottom station of San Marino cable car). The one-way journey lasts just 40 minutes and you can take the cable car the other way. It’s something really nice to do if you are visiting San Marino with kids.

If interested, you can find more information about the train route here . But you can also do it without booking in advance and decide upon arrival if it’s something you want to do.

San Marino tourist train - Trenino Borgo Maggiore

San Marino Cooking Class & Museum of the Agricultural Culture

All the things to do in San Marino mentioned above are located in the historic town of San Marino. However, if you want to get a bit off the beaten tourist path, you may want to visit the Museum of the Agricultural Culture and take part in a cooking class .

The House of Fabrica in Montecchio , where the museum is located, is one of the oldest farmhouses in San Marino. It was mentioned in 1770 in the Register of the landed property of the Republic of San Marino. You can visit different rooms that show how farmers’ houses in San Marino used to look like.

Museum of the Agricultural Culture - House of Fabrica in San Marino

In addition to visiting the museum, we attended a cooking class organized by the Consorzio “Terra di San Marino”. We learned how to make the regional specialty strozzapreti (literal translation means ‘priest-choker’) and a real piadina – Italian flatbread. It’s actually really easy, doesn’t take much time, and at the end, you are rewarded with warm piadinas topped with a local Casatella cheese and acacia honey. Such a simple meal, but absolutely delicious!

Everything was so good that I couldn’t resist and bought some local specialties at their little shop. They sell all kinds of local products made by farmers in San Marino – from olive oil and flour to honey and wines.

Good to know: The museum exhibition is open to the public the whole year-round, but only for a few hours in the mornings (more info here ). If you are interested to attend a cooking lesson in San Marino, you can book it directly with Consorzio (website in Italian) or via the tourist office next to the cable car in Città di San Marino.

TIP: One of the simplest ways to book a cooking class in San Marino is on Viator .

Piadina bread with cheese and honey - made in a cooking class in San Marino

E-bike tour in San Marino

If you have a few hours to spare, it might also be fun to explore the tiny country of San Marino by e-bike . At the bottom station of San Marino Gondola, Borgo Maggiore, you can find an e-bike rental shop. They have different options for e-bike tours in San Marino, or you can just rent a bike.

This is probably not something you want to do if you only have a day in San Marino and also not something for people looking for a relaxing ride… However, if you are staying in San Marino longer and like some adventurous off-road e-biking, then give it a go.

It’s a different way to explore San Marino that brings you to some cool places that most tourists never see.

If you want to get a bit off the beaten path in San Marino, you can book an e-bike tour here . It’s best to do this in advance since the number of guided tours (and guides) is limited. And it’s also easier to plan your time this way.

Best Things to Do in San Marino on the Map

To help you plan your visit to San Marino, I created this map indicating all the places to see and things to do in San Marino mentioned in this article.

How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Practical Information and Tips for Visiting San Marino

Below you can find some tips and practical information for planning your trip to San Marino. How to get to San Marino, where to eat, and where to stay in San Marino. Take a look!

Do You Need a Passport to Visit San Marino?

There is no border control between San Marino and Italy, so you don’t really need any additional travel documents that you wouldn’t need in Italy.

However, you may want to bring your passport if you want to get a San Marino tourist visa in your passport. See ‘Why Travel to San Marino’ section above for more information.

San Marino tourist visa and stamp in an American passport - visiting the Republic of San Marino

Where is San Marino

San Marino is located on the border between the Emilia Romagna region and the Marche region in Northern Italy. The closest international airport to San Marino is Bologna Airport.

To give you an idea, here are some distances and driving times from some bigger cities and nearby towns in Italy:

Rimini to San Marino: 20km – 30min
Ravenna to San Marino: 75km – 1h15
Bologna to San Marino: 130km – 1h30
Ancona to San Marino: 130km – 1h30
Florence to San Marino: 150km – 3hrs
Venice to San Marino: 280 km – 3hrs
Rome to San Marino: 330km – 4hrs

When is the Best Time to Visit San Marino

San Marino is truly a year-round destination.

In summer, it can get really busy, so if you can, I’d advise traveling in other seasons. I visited San Marino at the end of September and it was just magical! If you see pictures of San Marino covered in snow, you’ll want to come in winter…

There is really no bad time to visit San Marino, but shoulder season (the months of September or May) are probably the best months to be in San Marino. The weather is nice, everything is open, and there are fewer visitors.

How to Get to San Marino

The easiest way to get to San Marino is by car . There are several big car parking areas in San Marino city. Alternatively, you can leave your car in the town of Borgo Maggiore, from where you can take a cable car to Cita San Marino.

Renting a car in Italy isn’t expensive and driving outside of big cities is quite easy. You can find some of the best deals for car rental on the Rental Cars website . We always use this site for all our car rentals anywhere in the world and can highly recommend it.

If you are traveling in Italy by public transport , the best way to get to San Marino is by taking a bus from Rimini . There are no trains going to San Marino.

There are also private transfers available, for example, this transfer from Bologna Airport. However, the prices are usually so high that renting a car is really the best option for visiting San Marino.

Shopping in San Marino

Since taxes are much lower in San Marino and it’s not part of the European Union, it’s a good place to go shopping if you like.

In addition to typical San Marino local specialties and souvenirs, you’ll find lots of leather products – from wallets and handbags to leather jackets and belts. It’s also a place where you can buy some incredibly cheap perfume… There are also nice clothing stores, jewelry, and pretty much anything else you can imagine.

Amaretti Morbidi - traditional pastry of San Marino

Best San Marino Restaurants

There are several really nice restaurants in San Marino. Their food is pretty much the same as in the nearby Italian regions and is absolutely delicious. San Marino also has its own wine. We tried several varieties of white and red San Marino wines during our stay and they were all excellent.

Two restaurants that I particularly recommend in the city of San Marino are Righi and La Terrazza.

Righi is San Marino’s only Michelin-star restaurant. This family-run place serves delicious food in a historic building right near the Parliament building. Ask them to show you a stone crown that was found during the renovation of the building!

La Terrazza is a restaurant located at Hotel Titano and has probably the best views in town. The food was absolutely delicious as well!

Delicious pasta in San Marino restaurant La Terrazza

Where to Stay in San Marino

I stayed at the Grand Hotel San Marino . It has a very good location in San Marino city. You can easily get there by car and then also walk to all the main points of interest in town. Another good option is Hotel Rosa.

Other highly-rated hotels with excellent location in San Marino include Hotel La Grotta , Hotel Titano , and a lower-budget option Hotel La Rocca .

However, all these are in the Old Town and not ideal if you are coming by car. You’ll probably have to leave the car at the public parking at the city gates and ask the hotel to come and pick you up. It’s not a big deal – the town is small and easy to navigate, just probably not with a big suitcase.

LEARN MORE: Best Hotels in San Marino

Hot tub at Grand Hotel San Marino with a view of the castle

So, this is our travel guide for San Marino. If you have any questions or want to share your own experience visiting San Marino, don’t hesitate to leave a reply below.

TIP: If you are traveling to San Marino, don’t miss the incredible Emilia Romagna region in Italy. It’s one of the hidden gems of Italy that most tourists never see and it’s just nearby.

For inspiration on where to go and how to plan your visit, please check our Emilia Romagna itinerary . It will bring you to some incredible places like Ravenna , Rimini , and a few others in just 2-3 days. Check it out!

READ ALSO: Best Places to Visit in Italy

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San Marino travel guide - how to visit, what to do, and what to know before your trip

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Thursday 28th of March 2024

Just stumbled onto your blog post. I been to San Marino twice, so reading this brought back some fantastic memories, especially the views from the top looking out to the sea. Beautiful photos. :) Hope to return one day.

We hope to return too - it's such a beautiful little country!

John Sgammato

Tuesday 29th of August 2023

My wife is afraid of heights...I think San Marino looks incredible, but incredibly scary for her!

Wednesday 30th of August 2023

Hi John, I cannot really tell you how your wife would feel in San Marino, but the fact that it sits high on the hill doesn't mean that you have steep drops everywhere. It's not a dangerous place in any way, plus she can always skip climbing the towers and just enjoy the rest. Hope this helps.

Monday 15th of May 2023

Hermosa guia de San Marino, lo anotaré como mi proximo destino, muchas gracias

Tuesday 16th of May 2023

Glad to hear that you found some travel inspiration on our blog, Silvia. San Marino is definitely worth a trip!

Saturday 7th of January 2023

What is the weather like in February (like in next month)? Would like to visit and stay overnight per your recommendation.

Monday 9th of January 2023

Hi, you can never really predict the weather. Normally, it should be just above the freezing point, but it can be much warmer too. There is definitely a chance of rain and maybe even snow in February. There is really no way to tell this in advance and your best bet is to check the weather forecast a few days in advance. That being said, San Marino should be just as nice in the winter, but it will likely be VERY quiet, especially in the evening. I think it will even be quiet during the day unless it's a weekend with exceptionally beautiful weather.

Saturday 23rd of July 2022

Wonderful information. My husband and I are planning a trip to the Emilia Romagna area and then Puglia, in October. The info is priceless. Our main dilema now is getting to San Marino. Train rides have two to three stops. With two suitcases, not fun, even when we travel as light as possible. Rental car or bus (from Rimini) could be an easier possibility. We were not planning to stay in Rimini but perhaps we could do one night and take a bus. I assume there are taxis from the bus terminal to the hotels in the Old Town?

This will be our 115 country visited. Fun and exciting!

Again, thanks for the useful info.

Monday 25th of July 2022

@Jurga, thank you again for the great advise. We are now thinking of renting a car in Bologna, just to get to San Marino and back.

Happy Travels.

Hi, Laura. San Marino is indeed not the easiest place to get to without a car. You could also just rent a car for a few days in Rimini (or another place where you are traveling from). Usually, car rental in Italy is very cheap. But it all depends on when you travel/ how long in advance you book. We use this website for all our car hire now, check it out and see if you can find something suitable for your trip. And otherwise, indeed, you can take a bus from Rimini, and I'm sure you'll find taxis once you get to San Marino. Have a great trip!

San Marino – A Travel Guide to the Oldest Republic and Fifth Smallest Country in the World

By Author Rossi Thomson

Posted on Last updated: 4th September 2022

Categories San Marino

San Marino is the ultimate proof that good things come in small packages.

Landlocked by italy, san marino is simultaneously the world’s smallest and oldest republic and the world’s fifth smallest country. in europe, there are only two other countries that are smaller than san marino – the vatican city and monaco..

With a historic centre clinging to the steep Mount Titano, San Marino looks plucked from a fairytale. Its centuries-old defensive walls and fortresses that seem to spring from the rocky outcrops complete the picture.

And then, there is the stunning panorama that opens over the surrounding undulating landscape all the way to the sparkling Adriatic Sea.

History, architecture, and natural beauty turn San Marino into a great destination. Plus, the world’s oldest republic has some legendary tax-free shopping!

The best thing about all this is that you can easily experience San Marino for yourself. It is a great country to head to when you are in Italy!

So, if a visit to San Marino sounds tempting, keep reading!

This blog post gives you all the relevant information to make planning your visit to San Marino as easy as possible:

a short geographical and historical overview;
main things to see and do in and around San Marino;
how to get there;
when is the best time to visit; and
what was my personal experience in the world’s fifth smallest country.

All this and so much more is covered in quite some detail.

Have a look and I hope you will find this first-hand tried and tested information useful when you plan your own trip to San Marino!

San Marino – A Travel Guide to the Oldest Republic and Fifth Smallest Country in the World

Where is san marino.

You will find San Marino in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna.

Now, San Marino is a country and Emilia-Romagna is one of the 20 regions which Italy is made of. So, San Marino is such a small country that it is completely landlocked in another country’s region!

It’s one of those things that make you scratch your head for a bit when you first hear it to then enthusiastically declare: ‘How very cool!’

In fact, San Marino is very cool on many accounts.

Built on a mountain that is three-quarter of a kilometer high, San Marino is a direct real-life reference to those city-states which populated Europe of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

If you think that once Florence was a city-state or Milan was a city-state and you struggle to comprehend how they used to function, you just need to look at San Marino for a present-day historic reference.

Anyway, you will find San Marino very close to the border between Emilia-Romagna and the Central Italian region of Marche . From the historic centre of San Marino’s capital city, you can enjoy a soul-inspiring panorama over the rolling hills of these two Italian regions.

The green hills then become a flat as a pancake plain stretching all the way to the sparkling Adriatic Sea. And you can see it all from the privileged position that San Marino has on Mount Titano’s top.

San Marino is about half an hour away from Rimini – an important city in Emilia-Romagna and also one of Italy’s major seaside resorts. On the Marche side, San Marino is closest to the city of Pesaro which is renowned as the City of Music for the famous Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini was born there.

How big is San Marino?

The Republic of San Marino is the world’s fifth smallest and Europe’s third smallest country. Its territory is just over 61 sq. km. (24 sq.m.). The country has nine administrative districts which, locally, are called castelli . Dogana and Borgo Maggiore are, respectively, San Marino’s first and second largest settlements.

San Marino’s capital city is officially called Citta’ di San Marino (or City of San Marino in English). It has its own castello (administrative district) which is called San Marino. The names of the other eight castelli are: Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, and Serravalle.

It’s the historic centre of the City of San Marino – picturesquely clinging to the slopes of Mount Titano – that most people who travel to the country of San Marino are eager to see.

San Marino’s other castelli are located on the lower slopes and in the plains at the foot of Mount Titano – a mountain of the Apennines that reaches 739 m above sea level.

About 4,000 people live in the City of San Marino. The republic as a whole has just over 33,000 inhabitants.

What is the history of San Marino?

San Marino is the world’s longest surviving republic. It has an interesting and rich in events history which can be summarised in four words – from Saint to State .

Here are some important historical facts tracing the fate of San Marino through the centuries:

San Marino’s territory has been inhabited since times immemorial. Artifacts discovered there date back to the Iron and Bronze Ages .
In 257 AD , the stonecutter Marinus from the island of Rab in Dalmatia (nowadays Croatia) arrived in Rimini. Subsequently, he retreated to Mount Titano to live as a hermit. His strong Christian faith soon attracted several followers who set up a monastic community.
In 301 AD , St. Marinus passed away leaving Mount Titano to his followers and thus – according to the established tradition – he founded the state of San Marino and bequeathed it its Libertas – Freedom – an intrinsic to San Marino value and way of life.
In the 9th-10th century , a monastery existed on Mount Titano. An 11th-century document called Placito Feretrano (which is actually a copy of an original document from 885 AD) confirms the existence of the monastery. The Placito Feretrano is considered to be the oldest document preserved in the State Archive of the Republic of San Marino.
During the late 13th century , San Marino became a free and autonomous city-state with its own legal Statutes. The historic centre of the City of San Marino dates back to that time.
In the 15th century , San Marino fought on the side of the Duke of Urbino against the Lord of Rimini – Sigismondo Malatesta. As a reward for defeating Malatesta, San Marino received more territories, reaching its current area of about 61 sq. km. in 1463.
The next couple of centuries brought repeated attempts to suppress the independent state and absorb it into the Papal State. Against all odds, San Marino managed to preserve its independence in spite of suffering several temporary setbacks along the way.
The arrival of Napoleon in the 18th century led to the granting to San Marino of several economic concessions by the French Emperor.
In 1849 , Garibaldi sought refuge in San Marino after the fall of the Roman Republic. This led to the besieging of San Marino by Papal and Austrian armies. Garibaldi escaped at night with his wife and a few faithful to him soldiers.
After a few politically fraught years, in 1862 San Marino was recognised for the first time as a sovereign State with the signing of a treaty with Italy’s King Vittorio Emanuele II. Since then, the fate of San Marino has been tightly connected to that of Italy, although the Republic of San Marino zealously guards its political and social independence.
During the Second World War , San Marino remained neutral. In spite of its tiny size, the republic gave shelter to 100,000 people who had been evacuated from the nearby Italian lands. San Marino was heavily bombed by the Allied Forces which led to a significant loss of life and infrastructure. One notable casualty was San Marino’s railway system.
Nowadays , San Marino attracts millions of tourists every year eager to see for themselves one of the world’s smallest countries which also happens to be the world’s oldest republic.

Let’s finish this historical overview of the Republic of San Marino with a curious fact:

In Los Angeles County there is a residential city called San Marino . It is one of the USA’s wealthiest places. There is no historical connection between the Republic of San Marino and its American namesake. However, the seal of the city of San Marino in California is modeled after the crest of the Republic of San Marino in Europe.

What to see and do in San Marino?

There are many things to do and see in San Marino to keep a history enthusiast, an art lover, a shopping aficionado and/or a fan of hiking happily entertained for hours.

Although small, the City of San Marino hides many surprises and discovering them one by one as you walk through its historical centre is a great way to spend a day or two. Or a few hours if this is all that you can spare for this beautiful place.

In recognition of how unique San Marino is, in July 2008, it was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site List . The inscribed area covers the historic centre of San Marino as well as Mount Titano.

All sights – large and small – that are dotted around the City of San Marino are clearly signposted. Plus, there are many maps positioned around the historic centre. This way, you always know where about you are at any one moment and what’s near you to see and explore. The informational boards telling the story of each sight in Italian and English come in very handy when you want to quickly learn interesting facts about the city’s and the country’s most important points of interest.

Here is a tiny shortlist of what to see when in the City of San Marino:

Mount Titano – reaching a height of three-quarters of a km above sea level, Mount Titano is part of the Apennines mountain range. The historic centre of the City of San Marino clings to its craggy slopes.
The Three Towers – Guaita, Cesta, and Montale. They are referred to as torri (towers) but the first two are small military fortresses and only the latter is a single tower. The three towers are San Marino’s most emblematic buildings. Built on Mount Titano’s three rocky peaks, they also feature on the country’s flag and coat of arms.
Guaita (also known as the First Tower, Rocca Maggiore, and Prima Arx) is the oldest among the three. It was originally built around the 11th-12th century although it could be earlier. The fortress took its current shape in the 15th century during the wars fought between San Marino and the House of Malatesta – the then ruling family of the nearby city of Rimini. The tower bell is rung to announce the sessions of San Marino’s Parliament. In the past centuries, the bell was rung by the fortress’ custodian in case of danger of attack. In fact, the word Guaita is still used in San Marino in the sense of ‘to keep watch’.
Cesta (also known as the Second Tower and De La Fratta) stands on the highest peak of Mount Titano. At 755 m above sea level, the fortress was first mentioned in a document in the 13th century (although the peak on which it stands has been used as an observation point since Roman times). At times of war, a garrison of crossbowmen lived in Cesta. Nowadays, the fortress houses the Museum of Ancient Arms where you can trace the history of cold weapons and firearms over the centuries.
Montale – the third tower was once a strategic observation point helping the citizens of San Marino to keep an eye on their lands from the top of Mount Titano. You can reach it by following a stone-covered path that starts from the second tower – Cesta – and then winds through a nice little forest. The tower is not open for visits, however don’t miss it as the walk to reach it is very nice and it gives you a moment away from the historic centre of the City of San Marino which can get very busy during the high season.
Passo delle Streghe – the Witches’ Pass is a sinuous stone path that connects the Guaita Tower with the Cesta Tower. Crossing it is an incredibly emotional experience. The fortresses look like they have spontaneously sprung from the craggy rocks underneath and the pass itself seemingly hangs over the abyss below opening stunning panoramic views all the way to the Adriatic Sea. Personally, for me, this easily is the most memorable spot in the whole of San Marino.
Public Palace – a proud-looking late 19th-century building that houses San Marino’s main administrative and institutional bodies. Neo-Gothic in style, it was built on the foundations of the Domus Magna Comunis – the Large House of the Commune – which had been erected there at the end of the 14th century. A clocktower adorned with the images of St. Marinus, St. Agatha, and St. Leo peeks above the Public Palace’s stern facade.
Liberty Square – known also as Pianello , this is an elegant square flanked by the Public Palace and dominated by a fountain crowned by a late 19th-century statue of Liberty. Curiously enough, underneath the square are the ancient water tanks. San Marino’s most ancient Statutes contain rigorous provisions about access to the water stored in these tanks. For a country built on a rocky mountain, the availability of water was often a matter of life or death.
San Marino’s Funicular – zipping up and down between the City of San Marino at the top of Mount Titano and Borgo Maggiore down there in the plains below. A spectacular journey allowing you to enjoy far-reaching views over the nearby hills and the sparkling Adriatic Sea.
Basilica di San Marino – the imposing Neo-Classical building of San Marino’s main church preserves the relics of St. Marinus – the republic’s founder. If this building from the first half of the 19th century looks familiar to you, it could well be because you’ve seen its image on a 10 euro cent coin or two. The adjacent bell tower is centuries older than the Basilica itself. Originally built in the Romanesque style, it was then renovated in the 16th century. It has seven bells each of which used to be rung for a specific reason – from festivities and funerals to death penalties.
Church of San Pietro – a small church right next to the Basilica di San Marino. In its crypt, there are two niches, which, according to popular belief, were the beds of St. Marinus and St. Leo (a companion of Marinus from the island of Rab in Dalmatia). It is believed that the niches (especially the one of St. Marinus) have miraculous properties. In more recent times, Garibaldi and his wife Anita took refuge in this church after the fall in 1849 of the Roman Republic.
State Museum – housed in the recently restored Palazzo Pergami, San Marino’s State Museum has a rich exposition of over 5,000 artifacts tracing the archaeological, artistic, and numismatic history of the fifth smallest country in the world.
Orti Borghesi – also known as Lovers’ Gardens, these are beautiful gardens in the historic centre of the City of San Marino. Their designer – Bartolomeo Borghesi – was a famous archaeologist and numismatist.
Violin Museum and House of Music – a museum and concert place honouring the life work of Marino Capicchioni – a renowned luthier from San Marino.
Cava dei Balestrieri – a former quarry which nowadays has been turned into an open-air theatre. This is where many of San Marino’s traditional events – like the annual Palio – take place.

In addition, in the City of San Marino there is a number of novelty museums like the Museum of Curiosities, the Museum of Vampires, the Museum of Medieval Criminology and Torture, and the Wax Museum.

How to reach San Marino?

The most convenient way to reach San Marino from anywhere in Italy is by car. There are several paid-for car parks on the outskirts of the historical centre of the City of San Marino.

If driving there is not possible, consider taking a train to the city of Rimini in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna (check train timetables at TrenItalia ).

Once in Rimini catch the bus to the City of San Marino. The journey takes between 40 and 50 mins. For most up to date timetables and prices, you can check Rome2Rio , Gruppo Benedettini , and/or Bonelli Bus .

Unfortunately, San Marino can’t be reached directly by train. Although in the 1930’s the country had a very advanced for the time electric railway connecting it with nearby Rimini, the railway system was destroyed during World War II.

Nowadays, the Galleria Montale of San Marino’s former railway can be visited free of charge by tourists. Alternatively, a tourist train that circulates between Borgo Maggiore and the historical centre of the City of San Marino travels through some of the tunnels of San Marino’s former railway system. For current timetables, itinerary, prices and other information about the tourist train, please, click here .

You can find lots of useful information about parking in the City of San Marino, the tourist train, taxis, and other amenities at this link .

Do I need a visa to visit San Marino?

No, there are no border checks and no visa is required to visit San Marino.

As you drive, you will glimpse a sign on the side of the road announcing that you are crossing into the Republic of San Marino and that’s that.

If you want a San Marino stamp in your passport, you will need to visit the Tourist Information Centre in the historic centre of the City of San Marino and have your passport stamped there. The current price for this is 5 euros.

What was your personal experience in San Marino?

Like all good things in life, our visit to San Marino happened by complete chance.

Earlier in February this year, we spent a couple of days in a tiny village lost in the green rolling hills of the Central Italian region of Marche . Called Fortino, it was historic, peaceful, and beautiful.

Driving back from Fortino to Vicenza – where we currently live – it was with some delight that we realised that San Marino was on our way.

The road – patchy and potholed – curved through the Marche’s hills. Then, just before crossing over into Emilia-Romagna, we spotted a small mountain in the distance that was crowned by a fortress and had a city spilling down its steep slopes.

Soon, a sign stating ‘San Marino’ flew past our car and we knew that we had arrived.

Well, almost, as we soon discovered that San Marino is not just a hilltop town. Instead, its area of 61 sq. km takes in Mount Titano and a small portion of the plains around it, too. So, we kept driving following the zigzaggy road which, soon enough, started its ascent.

It being February, traffic was very low volume. Hence, we easily found a place at the topmost car park, right next to the imposing Porta della Fratta – one of the main gates leading into the historic centre of the City of San Marino.

The streets were largely deserted and although lined up by shops selling perfumes, jewellery, souvenirs, and (for some reason) lots of knives and B&B guns, most of them were closed in expectation of the high season which, apparently, starts around Easter and lasts until the end of September.

I was glad we had made it to San Marino in the off-season. I wasn’t looking to shop and crowds tire me quickly. Instead, we felt like we had the town to ourselves and exploring it felt like a pleasure rather than ticking sights off a never-ending must-see bucket list.

Most importantly, we had all of the best viewpoints in town completely at our disposal and we could spend as long there as we wanted just taking in the stunning views in front of our charmed eyes without a crowd of impatient selfie-takers elbowing us out of the way.

For the views that San Marino offers to its visitors are – I feel – the most precious thing about this tiny country. Taking full advantage of its mountain-top position, San Marino opens a soul-inspiring panorama over the green rolling hills of the Italian regions of Marche and Emilia-Romagna and then the eye travels unobstructed all the way to the sparkling blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.

Seeing it was truly glorious!

Standing on top of Mount Titano, we feasted our eyes on the views that opened beneath us.

It was almost as if we were birds, flying even without wings, the fresh air filling our lungs, and our souls expanding with the beauty of it all – green hills to the horizon on one side, densely populated plains and the blue Adriatic Sea on the other. In the middle of it all stood San Marino with its stonewalls that sprang straight from the mount’s rocks, crenelated towers that had presided over the hills and the plains below for centuries, buildings that embodied the country’s history, and stone-paved streets which we traversed in peace and quiet.

The only noise that momentarily pierced the peace was that of a Russian radio station. The sales assistant in a solitary open kiosk selling leather bags and souvenirs was tuning into it. As soon as we walked past it, the quietness returned.

So, we walked the deserted streets of San Marino, followed the sinuous Witches’ Pass over the heart-stopping abyss and hiked the stone road through the forest to the 14th-century Tower of Montale. It was fairytale-like. And with the weather changing from a cold drizzle to a sunny rainbow-crowned afternoon to then dissolve in an early evening of icy hail, I felt we had the unique chance to see and feel the true San Marino – a city-state built on a mountain top where the elements and the human spirit meet to test each other’s resolve.

When to visit San Marino?

San Marino is a great year-round destination!

If you like long warm days of shopping, large-scale events and fun, head to the world’s smallest republic during the high season which runs roughly from Easter to the end of September.

In case you prefer your exploration of San Marino free of large tourist crowds, pencil a trip there during the off-season. This is when most tourist shops and restaurants are closed and weather can vary from sunny days to chilling rain and even large snowfalls. Yet, the freedom to explore San Marino without battling the crowds and to appreciate the beauty of its centuries-old fortifications without having to wait in line for a selfie or two is priceless.

What else can I see and visit near San Marino?

San Marino is very conveniently located for trips to some of the most important and well-known Italian cities as well as to a long list of lesser-known yet unmissable local sights and hidden corners.

Landlocked in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, San Marino is just a stone’s throw away from the Central Italian region of Marche and within a convenient distance from both Tuscany and the Veneto .

Here are some suggestions and ideas in order of their distance from San Marino to make your travel planning easier (links to directions in Google Maps are provided, too):

Rimini – one of the largest cities in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. It is also one of Italy’s most popular summer resorts. Directions from San Marino to Rimini
Cesena – a beautiful city in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna where, among many other things, you can see the Biblioteca Malatestiana – the first public library in Europe. Directions from San Marino to Cesena
Pesaro – a seaside city in the Central Italian region of Marche . It is widely known as the City of Music and it was the birthplace of the famous Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini. Directions from San Marino to Pesaro
Urbino – a fortified city with medieval and Renaissance roots in the Central Italian region of Marche . The renowned artist Raphael was born in Urbino and his house is one of the city’s most important sights. Directions from San Marino to Urbino
Faenza – a relaxed city in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. It’s famous for its centuries-old traditions of glazed pottery called faience after the name of Faenza. Directions from San Marino to Faenza
Ravenna – a must-see city in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. It’s famous for its colourful mosaics adorning churches and tombs dating back to the times of the Western Roman Empire, the Ostrogothic Kingdom, and the Byzantine Empire. Ravenna is also where the famous Italian poet Dante is laid to rest. Directions from San Marino to Ravenna
Ancona – the capital of the Central Italian region of Marche . It’s well-known for its beaches, antique artifacts and proximity to stunning nature parks. Directions from San Marino to Ancona
Bologna – the capital of the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna is also the place where the world’s oldest University was founded in 1088. The city is rich in must-see sights. Directions from San Marino to Bologna
Florence – the capital of the Central Italian region of Tuscany, Florence is famous all over the world as the centre of the Italian Renaissance and as one of the most beautiful cities ever to exist. Directions from San Marino to Florence
Venice – the capital of the Northern Italian region of the Veneto , Venice is the world-famous city of water. Formerly the head of a large commercial and political empire, nowadays Venice is a treasure trove for art, history and architecture lovers. Directions from San Marino to Venice
Acquafan – a large water park with lots to keep both kids and adults entertained for hours. Directions from San Marino to Acquafan
Italia in Miniatura – a miniature park where you can see famous Italian and European buildings recreated in mini format. Directions from San Marino to Italia in Miniatura
Acquario di Cattolica – with over 3,000 fish, this is the largest aquarium on the Adriatic Sea and the second largest public aquarium in Italy. Directions from San Marino to Acquario di Cattolica
Gradara – a fairytale-like fortified village in the Central Italian region of Marche . It’s famous as the setting of the love story of Paolo and Francesca to which most of the Canto V of Dante’s Inferno is dedicated. Directions from San Marino to Gradara
Cervia – a town in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna which is famous for its ideal city plan and salt flats. Cervia is also a major seaside resort. Directions from San Marino to Cervia
Frontino – a tiny yet very beautiful fortified village on top of a hill in the undulating landscape of the Central Italian region of Marche . Directions from San Marino to Frontino
Brisighella – nestled in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, this is one of Italy’s loveliest villages. It has a castle, a clock tower built on top of a steep hill, a covered road and sweeping views over the Apennines. Directions from San Marino to Brisighella

Where can I find more information about San Marino?

Please, refer to the official websites of the Republic of San Marino, the City of San Marino and other relevant organisations as given below. They contain a wealth of information which will help you learn more about this beautiful country and plan an exciting trip to it.

Republic of San Marino
City of San Marino
Visit San Marino
Convention & Visitors Bureau of the Republic of San Marino (in Italian)
Agricultural Consortium Terra di San Marino (in Italian)

In Conclusion

San Marino is the world’s fifth smallest country. It is also the world’s oldest and smallest republic. It was founded in 301 AD by the Christian Saint Marinus on top of Mount Titano.

San Marino is landlocked by Italy. You can find it in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna.

If you have ever wondered if San Marino is worth a visit, the answer to this question is a resounding yes.

With its unique location, centuries-old defensive architecture and heartfelt dedication to preserving its freedom and identity, San Marino is a great destination to explore in Europe.

The above blog post provides you with detailed and first-hand tried and tested information about visiting San Marino. From how to get there and when it’s best to visit the world’s oldest republic to what to see and do there, everything is covered.

I hope that you find the information useful when you are planning your own trip to San Marino!

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Home » Travel Guides » San Marino » 15 Best Places to Visit in San Marino

15 Best Places to Visit in San Marino

When people say that good things come in small packages, they may well be talking about San Marino, the oldest sovereign state in the world that measures just 61 metres squared. The Republic of San Marino, or the Serene Republic of San Marino as it is poetically also known, is an independent state in the centre of Italy, nestled next to the Apennine Mountains with views as far as the Dalmatian Coast.

San Marino is the third smallest country in Europe after Vatican City and Monaco , but you will find everything from forests, fortress towers, and shopping malls, to medieval markets and Olympic stadiums in this quirky and unique part of the world.

Let’s have a look at the best places to visit in San Marino !

1. Rocca Guaita and Torre Cesta

Perhaps the best known of all of San Marino’s attractions, Rocca Guaita and Torre Cesta are two fortress towers situated on a ridge at the summit of Mount Titano.

The towers are part of a set of three that feature on the official flag of San Marino, and visitors can visit and tour the towers, the earliest of which, Rocca Guaita, dates from the 13th century. The two towers are usually visited together and Torre Cesta has a traditional weaponry museum on site.

From the top of the towers there are stunning views that stretch as far as the Dalmatian Coast, as well as over the nearby Apennines. On top of Mount Titano, and surrounding the towers, you will find food and drink stands, souvenir stalls, and tourist kiosks.

2. Torre del Montale

The third tower atop Mount Titano, Torre del Montale, can be accessed by walking a little further along the bluff from Torre Cesta and Rocca Guaita.

Torre del Montale is sadly not open to the public, but it is well worth making the trip along the marked footpath that skirts the ridge of Mount Titano to see it, as you will find even more spectacular views over San Marino, as well as several quaint spots to relax with a picnic as you take in the unspoilt scenary.

3. Mount Titano

Aside from the main path that leads to the tower, there are other marked walking trails that take you through picturesque and lush woodlands that give you a different perspective to the more crowded city centre down below.

You will find old stone benches dotting the mountain that are the ideal place to relax as you take in the vistas, and as Mount Titano is found at an elevation of 750 metres above sea level, the mountain air is crisp and bracing, so be prepared for it to be cooler than the lower regions of the state and plan accordingly.

4. The Museums

San Marino, the capital city of which is also called San Marino, may be small but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have a lot going on in terms of the museum scene, and anyone who likes a stroll around an exhibition won’t be disappointed here.

San Marino seems to specialise in quirky museum topics and with that in mind, and apart from the National Museum, there are a whole host of niche museums to visit on a trip here. One of these is the Museum of Torture, featuring a range of torture devices through the ages that is a slightly macabre but highly interesting place to visit.

If you are in the mood for something a little lighter then you can head to the Wax Museum that features a wide selection of famous historical characters through the ages as well as several nods to the history of San Marino so you can learn about its development and influencers at the same time.

There is even a coin and stamp museum for those who want to learn about the history of the currency and postage of San Marino.

The town of Faetano is one of the nine communes that make up the catelli of San Marino and used to be part of neighbouring Rimini in Italy until it became part of San Marino in the 15th century.

A sleepy area of San Marino with little over 1,000 inhabitants, visitors make the trip to Faetano to see the Church of San Paolo Apostolo as well as the quaint town hall.

Visitors can spend a tranquil day wandering the small streets of Faetano and taking in the local atmosphere as well as trying some of the local food and wines.

6. Montegiardino

Another of the nine communes of San Marino, Montegiardino is most famous for being a university town, the only one in San Marino in fact, and home to the University of the Republic of San Marino.

The town is often described as the most beautiful of all San Marino and it has the relaxed and intellectual vibe of university towns the world over.

Said to date from the Roman period, Montegiardino is stepped in history and you can enjoy the well established cafe culture here as you while away a few hours trying the local food and drink including special flat bread sandwiches called piadina that are also popular in the neighbouring provinces of Italy.

7. Borgo Maggiore

Borgo Maggiore started life as a sleepy village and has grown into the modern town which is one the largest residential areas in San Marino. Borgo Maggiore is most famous for its street markets that are held every Thursday from early in the morning until around 2pm.

The first markets ever held in Borgo Maggiore (previously known as Mercatale) are said to have taken place in the 13th century, so if you come here know that you are shopping in a place with a long and proud history. The markets used to sell cattle but in the present day you are more likely to find fresh local produce and household wares as well as arts and crafts from the region.

The town is also connected to the city of San Marino by a funicular which allows you to enjoy the beautiful vistas over the state as you ascend.

8. Serravalle

Another of the castelli of San Marino, Serravalle is the largest municipality in the state and lies at the foot of the Apennine Mountains. The town dates from medieval times and was previously a small village named ‘The Village of the Elm Trees’.

Places of interest in Serravalle are the Serravalle Castle which feature on the castello’s coat of arms, as well as Saint Andrea’s Church built in the 19th century.

In terms of modern architecture, check out the Olympic Stadium, something of a misnomer and not actually linked to the Olympic Games, but rather the national stadium used predominately for football matches.

9. The Festivals

If you enjoy festivals and happen to be visiting San Marino during the month of July, then you will have plenty of choice, as the state features the renowned San Marino Jazz Festival in the city of Borgo Maggiore, as well as the Adriatic Music Festival.

For something more quirky, look out for the Medieval Days festival which features period costumes, food, games, and arts and crafts as San Marino goes back to its roots and celebrates all things medieval in the state.

10. Piazza della Liberta

Come to Piazza della Liberta for one of San Marino’s best loved traditions, the changing of the guard ceremony with the Guardie di Rocca.

The Guardie are known for their green uniforms and red pompom hats, and the changing of the guard happens on the hour every hour during daylight hours in the summer months.

After you have enjoyed this engaging traditional spectacle, head down the single main street that leads off Piazza della Liberta which is packed with restaurants, cafes, and charming boutiques that sell local handicrafts including San Marino’s most famous items, its duty-free products and exquisite ceramics.

11. Dogana

The town of Dogana is found in the north of San Marino near the border with Rimini and as such the town is used as the main entry and exit point for visitors wishing to travel to San Marino.

The name Dogana literally translates as ‘Customs House’ although there are no border checkpoints as you enter or exit San Marino, and the main buses that run from Italy into the state usually stop at several shopping malls that are located in Dogana.

Here you can pick up duty-free items and souvenirs including local arts and crafts products.

12. National Museum

Wander down to Palazzo Pergami Belluzzi where you will find the National Museum that has an eclectic mix of Neolithic pieces, Roman artefacts, and even Egyptian and Byzantine historical works.

The museum also features a range of artwork dating from as early as the 17th century as well as early examples of San Marino currency. There are over 5,000 excellently preserved and presented curiosities in the National Museum which will take you through the history of San Marino as well as that of the wider region.

The museum has been supported over the years by a great many prominent Italian public figures, from politicians, to artists, to celebrities, and many of the works on display here are the result of donations.

13. The restaurants of San Marino city

The food in San Marino is, as you would expect, heavily influenced by Italian flavours and ingredients, with an emphasis on pasta dishes, fresh local produce, and plenty of flowing wine.

Distinctly Sammarinese however, are Faggioli con le cotiche, a kind of bean and bacon soup that is perfect for the milder winter months, as well as Torta Tre Monti, a favourite Sammarinese desert.

Many visitors from surrounding Italy also come to San Marino for two famous products, the wine and the local truffles which are quite the delicacy here. The city of San Marino is said to have some of the best restaurants in the whole of the state.

14. Palazzo Pubblico

Palazzo Pubblico is easily recognisable in San Marino due to its Gothic style and the ornate facade. Palazzo Pubblico is the official Town Hall of the state and all the main government events and ceremonies take place here.

The building is made from stone taken from neighbouring Mount Titano, and dates from the 1800s. As you approach you will notice a square clock tower that tops the building and features battlements that echo Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.

Well worth a visit, there is a staircase located inside the building that leads to the top tower.

15. Basilica di San Marino

Dating from the early part of the nineteenth century, the Basilica di San Marino was actually built upon the remains of a Roman church that originally stood in the fourth century.

The Basilica is famous for housing the bones of the patron saint of San Marino, Saint Marinus, which are stored in an urn, and there is a high alter that features a statue of the saint.

The basilica has seven alters in all that are ornate and intricate in design, and visitors should also take the time to explore the paintings within Basilica di San Marino which are exquisite in their craftsmanship.

15 Best Places to Visit in San Marino:

Rocca Guaita and Torre Cesta
Torre del Montale
Mount Titano
The Museums
Montegiardino
Borgo Maggiore

Visit San Marino: The complete travel guide to the Most Serene Republic

Nestled in rocky hills and overlooking the splendid Adriatic coast, San Marino is one of the smallest European countries. Its rocky territory is part of the Apennine mountain range, and Italy surrounds the tiny landlocked country. However, while it’s pretty easy to visit San Marino , most travelers tend to ignore it.

Despite its small size, there are many things to do in San Marino. People on a road trip to Italy usually spend just a couple of hours there. However, San Marino is charming, and it’s a pity not to give it a proper chance and spend at least one night there. After all, how often can you see a whole country in just two days?

Therefore, in this travel guide to San Marino , you will find everything you need to know before visiting the Most Serene Republic. Specifically, you will read how to reach San Marino, several things to do, and the best hotels for your stay. Moreover, I’ll share my photos and a 4K video, and you’ll also find a separate FAQ section full of San Marino travel tips.

So, let’s start with the travel guide and what you need to know for your San Marino visit.

Table of Contents

*Some of the links are affiliate links. It means that if you buy something, I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Visit San Marino – Travel Guide

How to reach San Marino

It doesn’t come as a surprise that San Marino doesn’t have an airport . Don’t forget that this is a microstate, in other words, a country with a small population (33,000 inhabitants) and an equally small territory (61,2 sq. km/23,1 sq. miles).

That said, the easiest way to visit San Marino as an international traveler is to fly to one of the nearby airports. The closest airport to San Marino is the Federico Fellini International Airport in Rimini. It is just 22 km away, and you won’t need more than half an hour to reach the small republic. However, the Rimini Airport is small, and just a few seasonal flights are landing on its airstrip.

A better alternative for your upcoming San Marino visit is definitely the Bologna International Airport (BLQ) in the Emilia Romagna region. Many international flights are landing daily on BLQ, even though it takes a bit longer to reach San Marino. The airport is 135 km away, and you’ll need a bit more than 90 minutes by car to San Marino.

No matter what, make sure to book your tickets in advance. You can find the best flight deals here .

Visit San Marino by car

The closest Italian city to San Marino is Rimini. If you happen to be on this side of Italy and would love to step foot in the small country, it won’t take more than 30 minutes to reach it. All you have to do is follow the A14/E45 motorway , take a turn before entering Rimini (there are plenty of street signs), and drive the SS72 road uphill. The route is really scenic, and it goes through some smaller settlements of the country.

You can prebook a car and pick it up at the airport on your arrival. Find here the best prices for renting a car in Italy .

Visit San Marino by bus

A company called Bonelli operates the bus service between Rimini and San Marino . The buses run daily all year long, even though you can expect fewer itineraries during the winter. You can buy the ticket from the bus driver, and the journey won’t take more than 50 minutes. You can find the bus schedule here .

To San Marino by train

There’s no rail network in San Marino. However, if you land in Bologna, you can take the train to Rimini and from there hop on the bus to San Marino.

The best things to do in San Marino

Apart from strolling around the picturesque (and steep) streets of San Marino, there are plenty of other things to do in the tiny republic. Even though it remains undiscovered and most of its visitors come from Italy, San Marino hosts some unique attractions that deserve a visit. And while you can see every single attraction on a day trip to San Marino , I recommend spending at least one night there.

Also, if you’d like to have someone to show you around, there’s an excellent guided tour that will bring you to all places of interest in San Marino. You can find more info about the guided tour here .

So, here are the must-sees for your San Marino visit:

Palazzo Pubblico & Piazza della Libertà

The Town Hall, known as Palazzo Publico, is located at the Piazza della Libertà , the most famous square in the whole country. It actually stands at the same spot where the Old Town Hall once was. However, after consecutive restorations throughout the centuries, the old building was demolished in 1884, and a decade later, the new Town Hall was erected.

Francesco Azzurri, the architect of Palazzo Publico, designed the new Town Hall to resemble the austere style of 14th-century municipal halls. Today, the Palazzo Publico hosts the Parliament of San Marino and several governmental offices.

As for the Piazza della Libertà, it took its name from the Liberty Statue that stands at the square’s center. Several cafes and restaurants occupy one side of the piazza, and the views from the square over San Marin0’s rocky landscape are breathtaking. No matter how much you walk around the compact city center of La Citta (the city of San Marino), you’ll cross this spot several times.

Visit the Three Towers of San Marino (Guaita, Cesta, and Montale)

The whole historic center of San Marino city is built on Mount Titano . That’s the oldest part of the republic, dating back to the 13th century, showcasing an impressive number of towers, gates, and medieval walls. In the 55 hectares of Monte Titano, one can see three medieval towers on three peaks: Guiata , Cesta , and Montale .

These towers are the most iconic landmarks of the Republic of San Marino, and each one has its remarkable history. Make sure to walk the beautiful Passo Delle Streghe (Witches Path), which connects the first two towers. It’ll be one of the highlights of your San Marino visit.

So, here’s what makes each of these must-see towers unique.

Guaita – The First Tower

The so-called first tower is also the most famous. Constructed almost a thousand years ago, in the 11th century, the Guaita served for a short period as a prison. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 2008, the Guaita is also presented on both San Marino’s flag and its coat of arms.

In the local dialect, the word “Guaita” means “to guard,” and since the restoration of 1930, it’s open to the public. One remarkable thing is that the Tower has no base, and it’s built straight on the rock. Last but not least, the tower is also known as La Rocca, and a small chapel on the southern part is dedicated to Santa Barbara.

Cesta – The Second Tower

The name of the second tower is Cesta or de la Fretta. Cesta Tower lies on the highest peak of Monte Titano (755 meters) and hosts a museum honoring Saint Marinus, the republic’s founder (more facts on the FAQ section). The museum presents more than 1,500 weapons dating back to the Middle Ages, but you can also see some contemporary ones. In addition, the tower served as an observatory, and as is the case with the other two towers, Cesta is also on the country’s flag.

Montale – The Third Tower

Montale is the third tower of San Marino. It’s built on the lowest peak, and it’s the only tower that is not open to the public. According to historians, the Montale Tower was built to protect the locals from the increasing power of the Malatesta family , which ruled for centuries the area.

Apart from that, Montale also served as a prison and hence its bizarre architecture: it has only one entrance which lies seven meters from ground level, a common architectural concept for prisons of this time. Nevertheless, even though it remains closed to the public, Montale contributes to the magnificent skyline of San Marino, and you can enjoy a walk towards it.

Try the Torta tre Monti

While this is not strictly part of the sightseeing, it’s one of the best things to do in San Marino. Although I could save it for later, I thought of adding it here since it directly connects with the Three Towers of San Marino.

The Three Towers have their own sweet called Torta Tre Monti, which stands for “the three mountains cake.” That’s a traditional Sammarinese cake made of multiple layers of wafers cemented with chocolate (or hazelnut) creme. The cake is covered in chocolate. Don’t miss the chance to taste it while strolling around the medieval streets of the city of San Marino.

Visit the Basilica di San Marino

Located in the Piazzale Domus Plebis, the Basilica is the city’s main church. The church is dedicated to Saint Marinus, the country’s founder and his relics are enshrined in it. While there was already a Basilica at the same spot since the 7th century, the current one dates back to 1836. It has a Neoclassical style, featuring eight Corinthian columns .

Museo di Stato

If you’d like to see how the history of San Marino developed through the centuries, the Museo di Stato offers a unique view. The state museum of the country showcases a collection including archaeological artifacts and works of art. You can visit the museum at the iconic Palazzo Pergami-Beluzzi, and it has four floors. Every year, several temporary exhibitions take place in the museum, presenting stories from the country’s past.

Take a ride with the San Marino cable car

If cable cars fascinate you, then one of the best things to do in San Marino is riding the one starting from Borgo Maggiore. It is a short 2-minute ride to the City of San Marino, and you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the country. Locals say that you can see more than 200 km of the Adriatic coast on a clear day.

Visit (at least) one of the 4 bizarre museums in San Marino

For a country that compact in size, the existence of four unconventional museums is definitely an oddity. While I don’t think they are representative of the Sammarinese mentality (the locals are extremely friendly), you should consider visiting at least one of them. These museums are:

The museum of torture . Knee-breaker or Guillotine? This quirky museum in San Marino features more than 100 devices dedicated, well, to torture. So if you think that humanity didn’t advance that much, well, you’d better think about it twice. You can find more info on the Torture Museum website .

The museum of curiosities . That’s a more friendly museum showcasing oddities from around the world. See the tallest man that ever walked on Earth or even the fattest.

The museum of vampires . The museum “exhibits” werewolves and vampires made of wax. If it sounds good to you, make sure to stop by.

The Ferrari museum . Last but not least, if you’re a die-hard fan of the famous automobile company, here’s your chance to see some classic models up-close. The small Ferrari museum of San Marino hosts 25 cars, presenting the evolution of the iconic car company.

Where to stay in San Marino

While most people spend just a couple of hours in the country, I strongly recommend staying at least one night. When the daytrippers leave, you’ll discover another side of San Marino -quiet, beautiful, and with a strong local color. Therefore, I add this section to this San Marino travel guide to help you find the best hotel for your stay.

Before writing down the best hotels in San Marino, I must tell you that you should only consider staying in La Citta . The so-called City of San Marino is the country’s capital and main settlement. While there are some places outside of it for your stay, like Borgo Maggiore, the Citta is where all the things to see are. At night, walking around the medieval buildings is quite an experience. Plus, it’s the most lively area in the country.

Let’s start.

Where I stayed in San Marino

I chose to stay at Hotel Joli , which is just two minutes out of the city walls. Since there aren’t so many hotels in the City of San Marino, I thought of keeping an eye on the budget and the services offered. As you can see from the photo above, the Hotel enjoys fantastic views of the Sammarinese landscape, and that’s a big plus for every traveler.

Moreover, the rooms were clean and the prices reasonable. A breakfast buffet is included in the price, and the front desk will solve every question you have. If you don’t expect a luxurious stay, but you’re after a clean room as close to the city center as possible, look no further. You can book your room at Hotel Joli here .

The best hotels in San Marino

Apart from the Hotel Joli mentioned above, there are a few more options for your stay in San Marino. These are:

Hotel Rosa . Located in the heart of San Marino, Hotel Rosa is a great place for your stay. It’s just 200 meters away from the Guaita Tower. Its rooms are relatively simple but clean, and they enjoy fantastic views of the countryside. A reasonably priced hotel. Book your room at Hotel Rosa .

Grand Hotel San Marino . That’s probably one of the really few hotels in San Marino that you can splurge. While the standard rooms are normally priced and nothing spectacular in terms of design, the suites of the Grand Hotel are exquisite. If you want a stylish stay in the city’s heart and great views of the Montefeltro valley, then that’s your best option. Book your room at Grand Hotel .

Hotel Titano . One more hotel in the heart of San Marino. The Hotel Titano offers typical Sammarinese rooms, but it has one big plus. It’s also where the La Terrazza restaurant is located, which is assumed as one the best (if not the best) in the country. Its nicest room is the maisonette, but it comes at a cost. The rest of the rooms are priced reasonably. Book your room at Hotel Titano here .

Hotel La Grotta . At a short distance to the Piazza della Liberta, you’ll also find the easygoing Hotel La Grotta. Don’t expect something very fancy, but the hotel is nice and clean, and you’ll be close to every sightseeing spot in San Marino. Book your room at Hotel La Grotta .

Last but not least, if staying in the city’s heart is nothing for you, there’s a great hotel a few kilometers away. Therefore, if you have a car and don’t mind driving a bit, the Grand Hotel Primavera is worth mentioning. Check it out too.

Please use the interactive map below for all other San Marino accommodation options.

Where to eat in San Marino

Despite being a small country, the eating options are more than you’d probably expect. While San Marino cuisine is more or less Italian, you should also try a couple of local dishes. Moreover, you should also taste its local wine when you visit San Marino. Therefore, make sure to order a bottle of Sammarinese wine, and if you’re into red wine, make sure to try a Brugneto .

Now, assuming that you won’t stay that long in San Marino, I’d give you just three options for food. Although I didn’t exhaust the country’s eateries, I believe that they are great places to have some local food.

La Terrazza . As I wrote above, it belongs to Hotel Titano, and it’s a great dining option. If you visit San Marino during the summertime, it’s almost a must: as its name betrays, it has a fantastic terrace. Book a table and enjoy a spectacular sunset accompanied by delicious food. See La Terrazza here .

Agli Antichi Orti . That’s the place I enjoyed the most when I traveled to San Marino. The food is delicious, and so is the homemade wine. Of all the places I visited, this had the more local atmosphere and charm. The owners might seem rough at first, but they are polite and funny. If there’s only one place you can eat when you visit San Marino, this should be it. Go for the handmade pasta and/or pizza. See Agli Antichi Orti on Facebook .

Ristorante Righi . I didn’t visit Righi, but some of you might want to. Located straight at Piazza Liberta, Righi is the only restaurant in San Marino with a Michelin Star . So if you enjoy fine dining and can afford it, that’s probably the place to eat in San Marino. The 4-course menus start from 40-60 euros (no wine included, the bottles start from ~25 euros). See the Ristorante Righi here .

The best activities in San Marino

San Marino is an excellent addition to your Italian trip. Apart from the beautiful scenery, there are some unique activities to enjoy while visiting this landlocked country. Below, you will find a few selected activities to elevate your San Marino experience.

An E-Bike excursion in the San Marino Castles . In this 2-hour tour, you will ride an e-bike and see the castles of San Marino. Of course, you will have a professional guide with you, and they’ll also provide you with a helmet for your safety. Check the e-bike tour here .

A cooking class at a San Marino farmhouse . I guess it doesn’t get more unique than this. Participate in a small cooking class in one of the smallest countries in the world. You’ll learn how to make regional specialties like tagliatelle or strozzapreti pasta. At the course’s end, you’ll eat some Sammarinese food created by you. See the cooking class here .

Guided tours in San Marino . Last but not least, if you’d like to have a professional guide to show you around, there are a couple of great tours. There’s a big price range, which usually depends on the group’s size. So, you can see here a great tour around the historical center , but if you’re on a tight budget this one here is probably more suitable.

FAQ about San Marino

Here you can find answers to some of the most common questions about San Marino. Moreover, you’ll also read some fun facts about San Marino that will help you get a better overview of this small landlocked republic. So, here’s what you need to know before visiting San Marino.

Do I need a visa to visit San Marino?

No. You should only check if you need a visa to visit Italy. There’s no border control in San Marino. In fact, you won’t probably notice that you entered the country.

What’s the currency of San Marino?

San Marino has used the euro since 2002. It replaced the Sammarinese lira. However, San Marino is not a member of the European Union.

Is San Marino safe?

San Marino is one of the safest places in Europe. Of course, as it’s the case with every place attracting tourists, pickpocketing exists here too.

Why is San Marino called “the Most Serene Republic”?

That’s actually a title with a historical background. In former times, republics that wanted to highlight their sovereignty added the phrase “Most Serene” in front of the word “Republic” to emphasize their independent status. The term is no longer in use in other states, and only San Marino sometimes uses it.

Who was its founder?

The founder of San Marino was Saint Marinus . He established a monastery on Mount Titan, where San Marino is today back in 301 AD. It was around this monastery that the state started to grow.

Fun fact: Saint Marinus lived in Rab, a small island that today belongs to Croatia; however, back then, it was a Roman territory.

Is it really the oldest republic in the world?

Since Saint Martinus founded this monastic community in 301 AD, San Marino claims they are the oldest surviving republic in the world. The country’s constitution dates back to 1600, and it’s indeed the oldest constitution in the world. All that said, it’s more accurate to call San Marino the oldest constitutional republic in the world.

How much time do you need in San Marino?

You can visit San Marino on a day trip from several nearby Italian cities. However, although it’s easy to see everything on a day trip, I recommend spending at least one night there.

When it’s the best time to visit San Marino?

Any time between April and September will be pleasant. I visited San Marino in late October, and apart from the shorter days, the weather was pleasant. However, during the wintertime, San Marino can be really cold.

Is San Marino expensive?

You should more or less expect European-level prices in San Marino. However, the country feels slightly cheaper than Italy.

Final Thoughts

San Marino is the third smallest country in Europe and the fifth smallest in the world. As you can imagine, it doesn’t get that much attention, and most people aren’t even aware of its existence. However, its compact size doesn’t mean that it has no interest. On the contrary, a mixture of medieval architecture and fantastic landscape makes a visit to San Marino a must, especially if you happen to be on this side of Italy.

As I wrote several times in this travel guide to San Marino, try to spend at least one night there if you decide to visit it. Honestly, the next time I’m in the region, I’ll consider having it as a base for my trip. After all, you won’t have that often the opportunity to spend a night in one of the world’s smallest countries and have its streets at night for yourself.

More Italy : San Gimignano , Pienza , Taormina , Catania , Florence

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Last Updated on April 17, 2022 by George Pavlopoulos

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Landscape with the oldest tower in the Guaita Castle - San Marino.

Of Earth's 196 independent countries, San Marino is the fifth smallest and – arguably – the most curious. How it exists at all is something of an enigma. A sole survivor of Italy's once powerful city-state network, this landlocked micronation clung on long after the more powerful kingdoms of Genoa and Venice folded. And still it endures, secure in its status as the world's oldest surviving sovereign state and its oldest republic (since AD 301). San Marino also enjoys one of the planet's highest GDP per capita, but some say it retains a curious absence of heart and soul.

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Experience the real San Marino. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Palazzo Pubblico

The neo-Gothic Palazzo Pubblico overlooks Piazza della Libertà and is San Marino's official seat of government. Visitors can watch a small video about the…

Torre Cesta

Dominating the skyline and offering superb views towards Rimini and the coast, the Cesta castle dates from the 13th century and sits atop 750m Monte…

Museo di Stato

San Marino's best museum by far is the well laid out if disjointed state museum, which displays art, history, furniture and cultural objects.

Changing of the Guard

One of Città di San Marino's summer highlights is the changing of the guard in Piazza della Libertà, which takes place several times daily between late…

Torre Guaita

The oldest and largest of San Marino's castles, Torre Guaita dates from the 11th century. It was still being used as a prison as recently as 1975.

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Jun 28, 2012 • 6 min read

Size isn't everything. Here are ten of the smallest countries in the world. Some of them are rarely visited, except by travellers collecting visa stamps…

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The Full Guide to the Tourist Attractions of San Marino

San Marino flies under the traditional tourist’s radar, but this tiny little country has more tourist attractions than you’d think. If you’ve ended up here, you’re probably considering a trip to San Marino. So rest assured I will show you that this beautiful little country is totally worth your time!

Completely surrounded by Italy, the Republic of San Marino is a jewel waiting to be discovered. With a population of 33,600 people and a total land area of barely 23 square miles, San Marino is one of the smallest countries in the world.

The capital city – also named San Marino – is perched atop a mountain overlooking the Adriatic Sea. When I visited, the city was literally above the clouds. It’s a magical place to visit and somewhere you should not miss if you’re on the east coast of Italy.

San Marino – What You Need to Know

A very brief history of san marino , the top san marino tourist attractions, outside san marino city, san marino – frequently asked questions, final word .

Note: this article contains affiliate links, which means that should you purchase something or get a quote through them I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps keep the site running with up to date information. I do not represent World Nomads, Booking.com, Viator, or Rentalcars.com. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy the product mentioned in this article.

Where is San Marino?

San Marino is about 3 hours east of Florence and 3 hours south of Venice . Though it’s far closer to Florence as the crow flies. There are no major highways that cut across this part of Italy so it’s a slow drive on winding mountain roads if coming from Tuscany . There is no coastal access from within San Marino but the Adriatic Sea is visible from the top of the mountain in the city.

How to get to San Marino

The best option is having your own car. While the city is on a steep mountain and roads are narrow, there are ample parking lots that offer pretty cheap rates.

For renting cars in Europe we rentalcars.com . You can find a great deal on a rental car from Florence or elsewhere in Italy using the search bar below.

Getting there by public transportation is possible, but it’s sort of a mess. If you don’t have a car your best bet is to get to Rimini (the closest Italian city) by train and take a taxi to San Marino.

Weather and when to visit

The weather in San Marino is like anywhere in mountainous central Italy. It can be cold and dreary in the winter and hot and sunny in the summer. The city is high atop a mountain and can often be above the rain clouds.

San Marino never gets as crowded as some of its Italian neighboring cities. But it’s a popular destination for Italians and as a small country and capital city, can feel quite crowded if busy.

It’s best to avoid the typical Italian travel month of August. Other than that it will not be too busy. For the best weather and long evenings, May-July would be ideal.

How to get around San Marino

If you’re in the city, you will walk everywhere. The city is literally tiny. You can walk around the entire place in less than an hour, so long as you don’t get too tired climbing all the stairs! Within the country, it’s best to have a rental car. Be sure to check out my guide to driving in Europe before renting a car.

It’s essentially Italian food in San Marino. Avoid the touristy restaurants with big menus outside and head to Ritrovo Dei Lavoratori XXVIII Luglio , a fantastic restaurant popular with locals. I’m pretty sure I was the only tourist when I had dinner there and the place was packed!

San Marino is on the euro, just like Italy, even though it’s not a member of the EU. In general it’s cheaper than popular italian cities, but in line with cheaper Italian cities not as often visited by tourists.

You can still find a half liter carafe of wine for 6 euros at a decent restaurant, and pastas are typically under 12 euros unless you’re at a very nice restaurant.

They speak Italian in San Marino but most people in hospitality speak English. Though if you don’t go to a touristy restaurant it’s likely the staff won’t speak any English. You shouldn’t have any trouble with communication in San Marino. You’ll manage though.

It’s unclear exactly why, but there are gun stores all over San Marino. Like more gun stores than I’ve ever seen in my life. And I used to live in Texas!

These stores are also loaded with knives. Yet the country is incredibly safe. So I don’t know who is buying all these guns or why. Extensive internet research has yielded nothing in trying to find out why these gun stores are so prevalent in San Marino. If you happen to know, drop a comment below. You’ll also see many perfume stores and a whole lot of leather goods stores.

Where to stay in San Marino

There are not many hotel options in San Marino, with most of them being in the city center. In general, they are quite affordable, though. Most of the hotels will offer a discount on parking too.

If you stay outside the city it will be a bit more difficult to get into the city, but doable on the limited bus system. There are no major chain hotels so you’ll be staying at a locally owned accommodation.

Antica Bifora rsm

Hotel Cesare

How long to stay

One day and one night is sufficient to see San Marino, unless you want to have an extended trip through the countryside. The city is small and compact and you can explore it along with its historic castle in one afternoon without ever setting foot in a vehicle. It’s best combined with a road trip around central Italy.

Travel insurance

Having travel insurance is comforting on any trip to Europe. We use World Nomads when we travel internationally. Word Nomads provides coverage to travelers in over 100 countries. You can search for a coverage plan using the link below.

San Marino was founded in the year 321 by Saint Marinus. Escaping persecution of Christians, he fled to the top of Mount Titan and laid claim to his own independent state.

Present day San Marino city is still atop the mountain. The country remained this way for over 1000 years before some of the surrounding villages joined the republic. The country’s border has remained the same since 1463.

To this day San Marino is the oldest republic in the world, having survived many advancements from foreign powers as well as the Italian reunification efforts in the 19th century.

That is not to be confused with the oldest continuously running democracy in the world, which is actually the United States (many countries today are still not democracies). San Marino is a parliamentary republic. But enough of the civics lessons. Let’s get to the good stuff!

Let’s go through the main tourist attractions in San Marino and the top things to see and do in the city. Walking around is super easy but also super hilly. You will climb a hell of a lot of stories walking to all these sights. But you won’t actually cover that much ground.

San Marino city is tiny and can easily be seen in an afternoon, even with significant time at some of the stops discussed below. Refer to the map below for a visual representation of the top things to see in San Marino.

Prima Torre – La Rocca – Guaita

The most famous of the many tourist attractions in San Marino is its 11th century castle and fortress that sits at the very top of the mountain. To the west is the city center and to the east is a steep cliff that drops 700 feet to the countryside below.

The First Tower is closest to the city center and charges 5 euros for entrance. There is a small museum as part of the castle, which itself does not take long to explore. But from here you get a great view of the valley below and the Adriatic Sea. You can also see along the cliff to the Second Tower.

Seconde Torre

Entrance to the second tower has been closed since 2020 for an extensive renovation and it’s anyone’s bet when it will open again. From the Prima Torre it’s a steep walk up the mountain to the second tower. But for me the best part was the view of the second tower from the walkway between towers.

Right along the cliff, above the public toilets of all places, there is a stone bench that gives you the absolute best view of this tower built right on the cliff. Don’t miss this view!

Terza Torre

The third and final tower is essentially the end of town. You can’t go inside this one as it’s permanently closed to the public but it’s worth the 15 minute walk from the first tower.

The walk is up and down along the cliffside and offers many beautiful views. You can actually continue on past the third tower and walk through some woods back into town. Very few tourists make the short trek to the third tower so you’ll likely be all alone!

Palazzo Pubblico

San Marino’s main government building is the Palazzo Pubblico. It’s right in the middle of town and is open to the public. The current building dates back to 1894.

You can think of it as San Marino’s capital building or parliament building. Amazingly enough, there are 60 members of parliament in San Marino. Has to be the highest number of parliament members per capita in the world!

Museo di Stato

The Museo di Stato is the national museum – San Marino’s answer to the Smithsonian or the British Museum. It’s small but contains artifacts from all over the world.

I was expecting the national museum to be all about the history of San Marino, but that’s not really what this is. There really isn’t much San Marino related anything in the museum, so if you’re short on time and really interested in the country, this is something you can skip. But if you’re really into museums and ancient artifacts it’s definitely worth a stop.

Basilica di San Marino

The city’s main church has an epic location, right at the edge of a cliff on the northern side of town. It’s small by Italian standards but looms large in the tiny city. The church dates back to 1826, so it’s young compared to its Italian neighbors. It’s in beautiful condition today and definitely one of San Marino’s main tourist attractions.

Museum Pass

You can purchase a pass that gets you into all the government-run museums as well as the Prima Torre and Seconde Torre for only 9 euros from any of the sites discussed in this article. If you’re spending a day in the city the pass is worth it. Even if you just plan on going to the towers you might as well buy the pass and get the other sites for free.

A Leisurely Walk

There are various other little museums and sights to see in the city. But the most enjoyable thing will just be a walk through the little narrow streets, up and down the hills. Every so often there is a nice viewpoint to the valley below or a cute little street that’s Instagram-worthy.

You can’t go wrong just wandering the city. And you can’t get lost either, as it’s so small and so steep you’ll always know where you are!

San Marino country from the top of the mountain

There are not a whole lot of sights on the tourist trail outside the central city. The rest of the country is pretty residential and it’s mostly farmland.

One place worth a stop, however, is Consorzio Vini Tipici di San Marino . This is the only winery in the entire country. It’s not a beautiful vineyard or anything like Tuscany. More like just an industrial building with a shop. The vineyards are spread throughout the country and visiting them is not possible.

But should you stop by the tasting room you’ll be treated with a ton of local wines to try, as well local olive oil and chocolates. They even have wine on tap. Numerous locals come by to fill up their jugs.

The wines are very well priced and far cheaper than anything you’ll find in Tuscany. The basic wine is about 3 euros and a bottle of very good red wine is only 7 euros. They’ll let you try before you buy too. I bought one bottle to take home with me. It’s not every day you can bust out a bottle of wine from San Marino!

What is San Marino Famous for?

San Marino is “famous” for being the world’s oldest republic. I put “famous” in quotation marks, because it’s not really world famous. Very few people around the world know that little bit of trivia. But now you do so you can impress your friends!

Is 1 day enough for San Marino?

1 day is sufficient to see the main tourist attractions in San Marino. It’s such a small country with a tiny capital city. And most of the things you will be seeing are in the city, making them easily walkable.

Why is San Marino not Italy?

It sure seems like San Marino should be part of Italy. But this little country is the oldest surviving republic in the world and has continuously rejected becoming part of Italy. During the Italian unification movement in the 1800s the small nation-state basically said they weren’t interested in becoming Italians!

Is San Marino the smallest country in the world?

While San Marino is pretty damn small, it is only the 5th smallest country in the world. It falls behind Tuvalu, Nauru, Monaco, and another country completely encapsulated by Italy: Vatican City.

In this article we have gone over the main tourist attractions in San Marino, a tiny country that is off most people’s travel radar. But should you find yourself in Central Italy it’s definitely worth a visit to this ancient republic. The capital city is built on the top of a mountain and the view of the castle with the countryside in the background is to die for. Don’t sleep on San Marino!

Chris Heckmann

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San Marino travel guide: everything you need to know

Table of Contents

Do you know anything about San Marino? Is this country on your bucket list and are looking for a San Marino travel guide? Well, you found it! In this guide, I will walk you through what to do in San Marino, how to get there, how to explore it on a sort of budget and more!

I’ve always been fascinated by San Marino and the fact that it’s not only the oldest republic in the world but also because it’s a separate country enclosed within Italy. I know that it’s the same as Vatican City but San Marino felt more mysterious to me. Visiting this country is not always easy if you don’t have a car, which is why it took me so long to do it. In February I had one of my best friends visiting from Australia who wouldn’t stop talking about San Marino.

He REALLY wanted to visit and I did too but I was concerned about the cost of everything (I have a very budget traveller mindset like you might have noticed from How to visit Copenhagen on a budget or New Zealand on a budget ). However, we managed to find some pretty good deals and he was willing to cover more of the costs because I wasn’t working at the time. We visited San Marino in February which is a very quiet time. We only found a handful of tourists and had the pleasure to live it like a local.

Now, without further ado, let me walk you through this San Marino travel guide on a sort of budget.

San Marino history

First of all, let’s recap some of San Marino’s very long history! The Most Serene Republic of San Marino is a landlocked country within Italy. It covers a land area of just over 61 km2 and has a population of 33,562 which makes it the third smallest country in Europe and fifth in the world. Its capital is the City of San Marino located at the top of Mount Titano.

Its name comes from Saint Marinus who was a stonemason from the island of Rab. In AD 301 he founded a monastery at the top of Mount Titano which became San Marino. The country’s borders haven’t changed since 1463! There have been many times when institutions or countries tried to conquer San Marino but they all mostly failed.

This country is not a member of the European Union although it uses Euros as its official currency. The official language is Italian, its citizens hold the San Marino passport which is quite a powerful one! At the border, there are no formalities with Italy and to visit it you’d need an Italian visa (if you are not an EU citizen).

How to get to San Marino

Getting to San Marino can be tricky if you don’t have a car. There are buses that run within San Marino and one from Rimini to the coach terminal but that’s about it ( this is the timetable of the bus from Rimini ).

Having a car will definitely give you more freedom to explore not only this country but also its surrounding areas. Parking is made easy in the City of San Marino with its many carparks.

The closest airport to San Marino is either Rimini or Bologna but I suggest flying to Bologna as you get more choices.

We flew to Bologna and rented a car through Sixt . It was my first time doing so and the process went very smooth and easy. The guy at the front desk was very helpful and he even upgraded our car choice! We ended up getting an automatic Golf with the middle tear insurance that covered us for any damage.

In total, for 2 full days, we paid 186 €. We could have paid less but decided to upgrade the insurance to have more peace of mind.

The journey from Bologna Airport to San Marino is around 135km and it takes 1.5 hours as it’s a freeway. We had to pay a toll which was around 8€ each way. ( Remember to go through either the pay with card or cash lane because we were so stressed the first time! The Telepass lane is reserved for people who have the electronic toll collection device).

Where to park in San Marino

I was very surprised at how organised San Marino is when it comes to parking. There are 13 parking areas scattered around town. The cost to park in San Marino is:

1,50€ per hour
4,50€ for 3-5 hours
8€ for the whole day.

However, a very great thing is that if you are staying in a hotel in San Marino, you can buy a 24-hour parking pass for 4€. This allows you to park in any parking area and you can come and go as many times as you want.

Where to stay in San Marino

Depending on what area of San Marino you want to stay in, you can find different accommodation at different price points. Usually, the cheaper places are located just below the capital while the slightly more pricey ones are in the capital.

We decided to stay at Hotel Rosa which is right in the capital. At first, I was concerned about the cost of it but it was definitely worth it!

Hotel Rosa is a family-owned hotel located very close to the Guaita Tower and the main street full of shops and restaurants. The staff were super friendly and helpful and gave us lots of tips and suggestions. The room was nice and had everything we needed and the view was spectacular! It was hard for me to close the window because I was so in love with it. Moreover, you get free breakfast and they also have on-site parking.

We paid 100€ for two nights which was a very good price for what we got. I’m not sure if it gets more expensive in summer but it was worth it.

Finally, when staying at a hotel in San Marino you get the San Marino card which gives you access to discounts for shops, restaurants and tourist sites.

Where to eat in San Marino

San Marinese cuisine is highly influenced by the one from Emilia Romagna. Being located so close to it, it’s no surprise that you can find lots of Emiliani dishes.

During lunch, we would often eat something quick like a slice of pizza or a piadina. For dinner, instead, we tried two different but very local places. Unfortunately, when we were there lots of places were closed probably due to it being low season.

Ritrovo Dei Lavoratori XXVIII Luglio

This is the first restaurant we tried. It was a bit challenging to find and we had to ask for directions but we managed to get there. What I really liked about il Ritrovo Dei Lavoratori XXVIII Luglio was it being very local. When we arrived there was only another tourist couple and the rest of the people were all from San Marino. I really enjoyed looking at them and trying to pick up some unique characteristics.

Food-wise, I didn’t find it super tasty. The bread they gave us was plain and the waitress made a rude comment on the fact that we didn’t order any wine! Other than that, I had some nice tagliatelle ai porcini while my friend had some pasta with ragu’ and meat which he enjoyed.

Ristorante del Ghetto da Ottavio

Ristorante del Ghetto da Ottavio is located very close to the border with Italy in the castello (San Marino suburbs are called castelli) of Fiorentino. We ended up going there because that night all the other restaurants were shut! The road to get to it was a bit narrow and tricky but also fun.

Just like the previous restaurant, even this one was packed with locals which were very nice! I had a pizza while my friend had a fish risotto. Moreover, we also had some of their homemade desserts which were also tasty.

The view from outside the restaurant was truly stunning as you were able to see the whole capital very clearly.

What to do in San Marino

Walk, walk and walk.

Most of the historical places are located within the capital of San Marino which makes walking a very convenient and easy way to explore them. We loved getting lost in its small and narrow roads and seeing what we would have found at the end of them. From breathtaking lookouts to elegant and unique shops, you’d be surprised at what you can find just by walking.

Passo delle streghe

This is probably one of the most famous walks in San Marino and that’s not a bad thing because it’s beautiful! This walk connects the first tower to the second one and it immediately transports you to medieval times as it was built in the 1200s!

Why is it called the “Witches’ walk”?

There are a few legends that try to explain why it’s called this way and they all date back to the Middle Ages. The story says that the most beautiful girl in San Marino was a witch and every night she went to the Passo delle Streghe to transform herself into a black cat thanks to the moonlight. Back then black cats were believed to be the incarnation of witches. In addition to this, on this walk, every night dozens of girls used to gather around large fires to dance and perform mysterious rituals. Some people believed that they also were witches. One night, a young man decided to spy on them. As soon as he saw the beautiful girl he fell in love with her. He promised her his love and swore to keep her secret safe. From that night on, he always went to see her and never revealed to anyone what the truth was. Even today, especially on summer nights, you might be able to hear the witches’ laughing and singing.

Besides the interesting legend, this walk is beautiful because it allows you to see both the Adriatic Sea, the Emilia Romagna coast and the Valli di Comacchio!

Visit the Three Towers of San Marino

San Marino is famous for its three towers which are also depicted on their coat of arms. They are the Guaita , the Cesta and the Montale .

The Guaita tower

This is the oldest tower in San Marino and the closest to the actual city. It was first used as a prison and then rebuilt numerous times until the 15th century. The Guaita is easily accessible from both the town centre or the Hotel Rosa. Simply follow the Salita alla Rocca walk and you’ll get to the tower in no time.

As I mentioned before, if you are staying in a hotel in San Marino you will get the TuttoSanMarino Card . This card allows you to get discounts on participating restaurants, shops and all the museums and other touristy places. It also gives you a 50% discount on the private museums that accept it.

When we visited the first tower we bought the multi-museum ticket at a reduced price of 7,50€. This ticket gives you access to the first and second tower, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Pinacoteca, the Palazzo Pubblico and the Mint Museum.

The Cesta tower

The second tower can be easily reached via the Passo delle Streghe. When we were there it was closed to the public due to work so we didn’t visit it.

The Montale tower

Finally, the third tower is a bit further out and can be reached via a 15 min walk but this tower is not open to the public.

Visit the Palazzo Pubblico

This palace is both the town hall and the government building. This is where official State ceremonies take place and you can visit it every day until either 5, 6 or 8 pm depending on the season.

Visit its countless museums

San Marino is full of very unique museums like the “ Museum of Curiosities ”, “ Wax Museum ” and the “ Vampire’s Museum ” just to name a few. We didn’t manage to visit them but they might be interesting if you have some spare time.

Get a stamp on your passport

Ok, I know that this is a very touristy thing to do but it was fun. Simply stop by the Ufficio del Turismo which is connected to the Mint Museum. There, you can purchase a San Marino stamp that will be applied to your passport for 5€.

Hop on the cableway

The cableway connects the castle of Borgo Maggiore with the historical city centre. The journey is roughly two minutes and you can get a return ticket for 3,50€.

Explore the surrounding areas

If you have a car and time, I highly suggest you explore the surrounding areas of San Marino, even the Italian ones. We explored places like the Castello of Coriano which I had never heard of before that was stunning. The drive was especially beautiful because we went through small towns and green and lush hills.

Bonus: Explore Urbino

On our last day in San Marino, we decided to visit Urbino. It was a new town for me which didn’t really know much about. I knew of its existence but that was about it. I’m now soooo glad we went because I loved it.

Urbino is so beautifully medieval, full of wonderful buildings and lookouts that give you an uninterrupted view of the city and the mountains. It was a Sunday when we were there so not much was open but we enjoyed the peace. We also loved learning more about its long history and finding out that Raphael was from there!

Final Thoughts

Despite being relatively small in size, San Marino is packed with beautiful buildings and natural places. You can find great lookouts, friendly people, historical places and a very relaxed lifestyle. It felt so weird knowing that I was not in Italy while also feeling like I kinda was. I also enjoyed trying to guess what areas were in Italy and what ones were not!

Finally, I’m glad that I got the chance to visit this country! I hope you enjoyed this San Marino travel guide and found it useful! Have you ever been to San Marino?

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Discover San Marino: The Perfect Day Trip from Italy

Welcome to the fifth-smallest country in the world – San Marino! Easily mistaken as part of its encircling neighbor Italy , this tiny and ancient republic on the slopes of Mount Titano makes the perfect day trip. It’s full of beautiful architecture, from the three medieval towers peering out over the Umbrian wine country to the narrow cobblestone streets leading towards the city’s Public Palace and old-timey restaurants. Spend a few hours roaming the mountain-top microstate, enjoying the atmosphere, stunning views, and all the best things to do in San Marino.

Things to do in San Marino

Like Vatican City, the microstate of San Marino lies “in” Italy, as it’s encircled entirely by its neighbor. Though much larger than the pope’s home, it makes a fascinating day-trip destination to add to your Italy itinerary .

As you walk along the city’s medieval stone walls, take in the beautiful surrounding scenery, and discover the many alleys lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops selling ceramics and duty-free products. Though it resembles a lot of Italy, such as the language and architecture, soon enough, you’ll notice that the 61-square-kilometer country has its very own character.

Good to know: Before entering the old town of San Marino, you’ll walk past many shops selling various luxury goods. Although the city is known as a great place to go tax-free shopping, be aware that there are also some strange stores selling more questionable products.

Here are all your hotel options in San Marino.

1. San Marino Castle (Guaita Tower)

Perched high up on the hill overlooking the beautiful Umbrian landscape stands the Guaita Tower, the eye-catcher of San Marino. Out of three that sit on the peaks of Monte Titano, this 11th-century fortress is by far the most iconic.

As if it came straight out of a fantasy story, the impressive stone building towers over its surroundings, with the city of San Marino at its feet.

Over the years, San Marino Castle has been rebuilt several times for different uses; it even served as a prison once.

Now, it’s there for locals and tourists to admire the ancient history and incredible views. Though it takes a bit of time to climb the medieval fortress, the panoramic views from the top make it more than worth it!

Exploring San Marino

Most things to do in San Marino can be done by purchasing a combi-ticket. You can get these at one of the sites, such as the towers. Combi tickets cost between 6 – 8 EUR (6,50 – 8,70 USD) and include entry to the towers, the Public Palace, and up to four museums.

Alternatively, book a private tour of San Marino to explore the best places in the area with an expert. See tickets and availability here .

2. Basilica of Saint Marinus

The 19th-century Basilica of Saint Marinus, full of valuable statues and paintings, is a must-see when visiting San Marino. This beautiful religious building stands atop a pre-existing Romanesque church and is dedicated to the city’s patron saint, St. Marinus.

things to do in san marino basilica of saint marinus

The classic basilica-style interior, with a long nave and two side aisles, is lined with seven altars. As you walk past the wooden benches and the building’s pillars, take a moment to look at the church’s intricate paintings and sculpt work. At the very front, you’ll also find a high altar with a statue and the relics of St. Marinus. Entrance to the basilica is free.

Also read: The best cities to visit in Europe in 2023

3. Second Tower (Cesta)

Not too far from the iconic Guaita Tower stands the second tower of San Marino, Cesta. Perched even higher than its older sibling, this 13th-century tower offers breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, you can even see as far as the Apennine Mountains.

The ancient building sits right between the other two towers, connected through a panoramic route on the mountain’s edge. Inside, the tower houses a traditional weaponry museum, where you can discover about 700 different weapons from various periods in time.

Discover San Marino: The Perfect Day Trip from Italy

You can buy a combi-ticket to enter the San Marino Castle (Guaita) and Cesta. At the top, you’ll also find some food and drink stands and a couple of tourist kiosks. If you would like to learn more about the different monuments while exploring the old town’s narrow streets, you can also choose to join a walking tour.

Book your walking tour in San Marino here

4. Palazzo Pubblico

In the heart of the old town, on Piazza della Liberta, you’ll find one of the most popular places in San Marino: the Public Palace. Covered in small elaborate details, the stone building with its grand doorways functions as San Marino’s government town hall.

Inside, a staircase leads up to the Council Hall, which is richly decorated with a large fresco on the wall. You can also visit this room on days when there are no sittings scheduled to take place. In summer, watch as the guards change in front of the ornate building, a ceremony that takes place several times a day between June and September.

Tip: If you enjoy festivals and happen to visit San Marino during July, there are plenty in town, from the city’s Adriatic Music Festival and San Marino Jazz to the quirky Medieval Days fest celebrating the country’s roots with costumes, food, and games.

things to do san marino palazzo pubblico

5. The State Museum

From state museums and private collections, small San Marino has a total of 12 (!) museums you can choose to visit. The State Museum in the stunning Palazzo Pergami Beluzzi houses some impressive archaeological artifacts of the region’s past. It’s one of the best things to do in San Marino, with over 5,000 items from different times in history.

Other Museums to Visit in San Marino

Apart from the State Museum, there are plenty of other interesting, even quirky, museums you can visit in San Marino. A few included with a combi-ticket are:

The Stamp and Coin Museum , full of beautiful postage stamps and coins that the republic has issued as regular series since the mid-19th century. Although the country has adopted the Euro, it continues to mint limited editions of gold coins for collectors. These coins are only accepted as a currency in San Marino.
The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art . This incredible building houses over 1,000 pieces of work of some of the most renowned artists of the 20th century, making it a great visit when in San Marino.
The San Francis Art Gallery , inside the cloister of the St. Francis church. This building houses a collection of beautiful frescoes and paintings illustrating the order’s long history in San Marino.

6. Head to the Beach

About half an hour’s drive from the microstate, you’ll find kilometers of beautiful soft sand on Italy’s eastern coastline. This holiday region is dotted with different beach resorts, cute towns, and many colorful umbrellas perfect for lounging under. Most also have lush greenery, offering some shade, and are equipped with changing rooms and lifeguards.

Spend a few hours soaking up the sun on one of the public or private beaches, cooling off whenever you’d like in the gentle waters of the Adriatic Sea. The eastern coastline also makes a great stop on your visit to San Marino or your road trip through Italy .

From San Marino to the beach town of Rimini: takes about 25 minutes by taxi (30 – 40 USD) or 40 minutes by bus (3 – 6 USD).

Is San Marino in Italy?

Though it is often mistaken as a part of Italy, San Marino is actually an independent country with its own government and laws. It’s one of the few microstates in the world, spanning only 61 square kilometers in size, though Italy does completely surround it.

It’s also known as the oldest sovereign state in the world, and the capital city (old town) lies atop the rugged Monte Titano, the highest point of the area. There’s no border control that you need to pass through when you enter San Marino. However, you do need a valid passport when you’re there. You can even buy a passport stamp for 5 EUR (5,45 USD)!

Also read: Best things to do in Florence, Italy

The Best Cafes and Restaurants in San Marino

The food in San Marino is, as you would expect, heavily influenced by Italian flavors. You’ll find lots of pasta dishes, local products, and delicious rich wines. Enjoy some incredible seafood or hand-made gnocchi in one of the traditional Osterias with views over the stunning Umbrian hills.

Some of our favorite restaurants were:

La Terrazza
Ristorante Pizzeria Smaller
Ritrovo Dei Lavoratori
Strapizzati (pizza to-go to eat on the castle walls)
Cacio & Pepe

Tip: The Republic of San Marino is also known as a vineyard settlement, making it a must-visit for wine lovers looking to try the region’s specialties.

How to Visit San Marino

Due to its size, San Marino doesn’t have an airport. If you’re only visiting the microstate, the closest place to fly is beach town Rimini or Umbria’s capital, Perugia . However, note that these are small airports with specific flight schedules.

Situated between the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany and Umbria , San Marino makes a great stop when traveling through Italy by car. From Perugia , it’s a 2.5-hour drive to get to the medieval hilltop city, and from Florence , it’s about 3 hours.

We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Getting Around

As all the best sights of San Marino lie on top of Monte Titano, enclosed in the ancient city, it’s best to explore the medieval city on foot. In the lower Borgo (town), the new part of town, there are plenty of parking spaces to park your car. From there, you can take the bus or funicular up to the old part of the city.

Using San Marino’s cable car to get to the upper city is not only quick and convenient but an experience in itself. While you move up the edges of Mount Titano, you’ll be able to get your first glimpse of the microstate’s incredible surroundings.

The funicular opens at 7:45 AM and operates every 15 minutes. A single journey costs 2 EUR (2,20 USD), and a return ticket 3,50 EUR (3,80 USD).

Tip: The data connection doesn’t properly work in San Marino, so we recommend downloading maps on Google Maps beforehand. Otherwise, there’s also wifi in the city.

Where to Stay

San Marino makes a great location to explore on a day trip. A few hours is all you need to stroll the streets, climb the towers, and visit some city’s city’s museums. However, the small republic is also an incredible place to stay the night.

Hotels in San Marino 😴

Watch as the city calms at the end of the day while a glowing sun sinks behind the hills. The most convenient hotels are located in the old town, where you also find most of the top attractions.

How Much Does San Marino Cost?

San Marino is one of the cheaper locations to travel to in Europe , with reasonably priced hotels, BnBs, and restaurants. Additionally, the country is known as a tax haven, with many (Italian) tourists coming to do some tax-free shopping.

Costs of Traveling in San Marino

Travel on a budget in San Marino, from $220 − $470 USD weekly per person, mid-range $520 − $1090 USD, and high-end from $1020 − $1740 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

Hotels: $25 − $200 USD Check available hotels
Hostels: $15 − $40 USD Check available hostels
Transport: $3 − $40 USD Book public transport
Food: $5 − $30 USD
Activities: $5 − $10 USD See tickets & tours
Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

Best Time to Visit San Marino

The country is relatively quiet all year round, although it does get much busier in the summer when Italians have their holidays. Because of this, we recommend visiting in April – June or in September – October. During these shoulder seasons, it will still be warm, allowing you to enjoy the city with plenty of sunshine.

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Borders Of Adventure

Leading Culture and Adventure Travel Blog by Becki Enright. Looking at the world with a different angle to change perceptions of misunderstood places, for the best in travel.

Cultural Travel , San Marino

Microstate Travel to San Marino – Visit the Oldest Republic in the World

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to handpicked partners, including tours, gear and booking sites. If you click through or buy something via one of them, I may receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and allows this site to keep running.

Travel to San Marino and visit the oldest Republic in the world – a microstate whose expressions of freedom remain unchanged since 301 AD.

For those who like fairytale castle fortresses perched upon mountaintops, travel to San Marino is a living dream. For those who are fascinated by the makeup of unique societies and the workings of long-established republics, you can visit San Marino to see a real-time success story.

Just don’t let its tiny 61 Kilometre square size fool you, for travelling to San Marino has more to it than the day trips from Italy’s Rimini and Bologna it is usually afforded. In the words of its very proud people, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is “small enough to be big” and dedicating two or more days here means digging deeper into one of the world’s most fascinating countries.

My fascination with it stems from its unconventionality. San Marino lays claim to being the oldest Republic in the world and the only surviving Italian ‘city-state’. It’s a timeless microstate whose institutional functions, political system and expressions of freedom, liberty and staunch independence remain unchanged since its inception in 301 AD by a stonecutter, Marinus of Arba, as part of a monastic community, even after various wars and annexations.

Indestructible as it may be, it can’t be missed. The historic Old Town centre of the Republic of San Marino is perched meticulously on the ridges of Mount Titano and surrounded by the Emilia Romagna region of Italy on all sides.

The elevated isolation has helped protect it throughout the ages, alongside the dedication of its inhabitants. A living historical city, it’s where I spent a long weekend, wandering the fairytale castle towers, archways, narrow lanes and open squares and staying in an old stonemasons house that has been passed down through generations.

Visit San Marino fir fairytale castle fortresses perched upon mountaintops

It’s exactly these heritage sites and preservation of cultures and traditions that will preserve San Marino’s distinct values of freedom (dating back to 1296) alive for future generations and continue to serve as “a model of representative democracy and peace worldwide” (in the words of UNESCO).

It is presented to the world as an archetypal society and invites people to come and learn of it.

San Marino Towers

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Hardly unchanged in its geographical layout since the 15 th Century, San Marino’s towers, palaces and fortification walls pave the history of the city, whose origins lie in the disputes of neighbouring and rivalling families of Malatesta and Montefeltro during the Middle Ages. This led to the ramparts of villages and strategic points, which further widened the territory you can see today.

San Marino’s geographical layout hasn’t changed since the 15th Century

edieval Festival in San Marino, Medieval Days

Within San Marino Old Town, you can’t miss the defence towers, nor resist the opportunity to climb them. Start at the former military fortress of the First Tower Guaita for a view down to the countryside below before clambering the steps up to the Second Tower Cesta (a former garrison of crossbowmen) via the ‘Passo Delle Streghe’ (Passage of the Witches) for one of the most sought after views – it stands on the highest peak of Mount Titano, 756 metres above sea level.

The First Tower Guaita in San Marino, a hotspot for wider territory and countryside views

Passage of the Witches in San Marino, Italy, Emilia Romagna

Walk the Passo Delle Streghe (Passage of the Witches) to the San Marino Second Tower Cesta and stand on the highest peak of Mount Titano

Tower of San Marino, Italy, Emilia Romagna

The historical centre of San Marino is very touristic in parts, whose narrow alleys are overrun by souvenir shops serving the day-trippers. However, it breathes history through every monument, wall and cobblestone path, and despite extensive restoration where Old Town walls were adjusted, restructured and widened at the end of the 19 th Century onwards, it remains relatively unchanged.

In the summer San Marino is a spectacle during the annual Medieval Days festival that revives the country’s long history.

Saint Francis Gate, San Marino’s former guarding post, still acts as the main gateway to the city, and the Basilica of Saint Marinus dominates the square.

St Francis Gate San Marino, Italy, Emilia Romagna

A winding pathway up through the woodland-blanketed limestone mound of Mount Titano means being to walk in the very footsteps of Saint Marino himself.

Hike Mount Titano. San Marino, Italy, Emilia Romagna

San Marino never succumbed to hefty urban modernisation. The 32km tracks and 17 tunnels of the Borgo and Montale Railway Tunnels (paid by the Italian fascist government between 1928 and 1932) are markers of modern development yet are also a testament to San Marino’s history of liberty.

During WWII tunnels gave refugee to 100,000 Italians and Jews seeking refuge, although the territory, including the railway, suffered damaged at the hands of English bombing in 1944. Planned restoration and the re-opening of the route over the next few years is a work in progress.

Railway tunnels of San Marino, Italy, Emilia Romagna

To this day, any restoration of the microstate is with consideration to its antiquity. The territory of San Marino is rebuilt and repaved using the sandstone from the Mount – regenerated from the very foundations from upon which it sits.

Sandstone of San Marino, Italy, Emilia Romagna

Much like its long-established societal systems and sovereignty that has remained untouched over the centuries. How San Marino is governed is just as intriguing as its aesthetics. San Marino has an exclusive system of two heads of state (Captains Regent) that remain in office for only six months at a time with equal power and a parliament formed of 60 members (of which two are the Captains Regent). The Neo-Gothic style Public Palace is the symbol of this and the governmental centre of San Marino, and an open house for visitors to come and learn more about the country’s distinctive ideals of freedom.

Palace, San Marino, Italy, Emilia Romagna

Outside of San Marino’s sociological formation, agriculturally rich landscapes are helping to rediscover farm-to-table culinary and winemaking traditions. The Consorzio di San Marino was established in 2003 to preserve the tastes of the territory and continue the production of locally made products and forms a core part of its tourism offering.

Conzorsio di San Marino, Italy, Emilia Romagna

This includes an extra virgin olive oil with a naturally subtle spicy kick, cheeses including Casatella, Caciotta and Nuvoletta from the dairy offering of 30 cattle breeders; honey from the country’s 80 beekeepers and their thousand beehives; and a wide selection of affordable and fine wines from the 170 winemakers, with the distinct grape varieties of Sangiovese, Biancale, Moscato, Ribolla and Canino. The naturally sparkling rose wine called Briza is my top choice.

Wine tasting San Marino, Italy, Emilia Romagna

San Marino has a long history of resilience and preservation, a deeply rooted culture and a political system unparalleled. In the words of Abraham Lincoln: “Although your dominion is small, your State is one of the most honoured in all history”.

It is a destination whose legacy will continue as it becomes more known on the world stage, as it strives to bring people to connect with its distinct customs and ways of operation far more interesting than just a quick day trip to a new country and a novelty passport stamp.

Travel to San Marino – Things to Know:

Travelling to San Marino is easy and best accessed from the seaside town of Rimini, via a short 30-minute bus journey. A final cable car stop (should you not quite fancy the short hilly walk) takes you right up into the heart of the historical centre.

The TuttoSanMarino Card (which you can arrange through your accommodation or tourist office) includes a discounted multi-museum ticket to the First and Second Tower, the Public Palace and State Museum, a 50% discount to private museums (including Waxworks, Museum of Curiosity, Torture Museum and the Exhibition of vampires and Werewolves), discount on cable cars rides, guided tours, restaurants, coffee shops and local stores.

No. Although San Marino us a separate country surrounded by Italy on all sides, there are no official border controls. Anyone with a valid visa to Italy can enter the enclave of San Marino. However, an official passport stamp can be purchased from the Tourism Office at the cost of 5 Euro and is rather a pretty one for your passport.

The historic centre, while touristic, still provides a great base from which to explore the surrounds. Below is the San Marino territory of Borgo Maggiore – the second largest town and one of the nine overall regions of the country – accessible via the cable car. Wander the quiet streets, indulge in eats and wine tasting, and begin your ascent up the mountain for those wanting to experience the short hiking trail.

Borgo Maggiore, San Marino, Emilia Romagna, Italy

The parallel hilltop town of San Leo makes for a scenic day trip. This quiet town is perfect for a relaxing stroll, and top sites include the cathedral and the elevated fortress with far-reaching views across the Emilia-Romagna region.

San Leo, San Marino day trip, Emilia Romagna, Italy

As mentioned, I stayed right in the very heart of the Old Town in a restored local house Bed & breakfast called Balsimelli 12 . This house, built using the stone of Mount Titano and beautifully renovated with a stylish interior has been passed down through generations of the Balsimelli family. The current owner Fabrizio keeps the family legacy alive, welcoming you in as one of his own. There are two bedrooms, although the bedroom on the top floor has an enviable balcony whose vantage point across San Marino makes you feel even more at the very centre of the action. And did I mention the two adorable puppies?

Check out VisitSanMarino.com who facilitated the Medieval Days and Visit San Marino project. Further insights can be found on social media platforms using these hashtags.

A woman looks out over the fairytale hilside turrets of San Marino, shown in close up on the top image

About Becki

Becki Enright is a British Travel Press Award-winning writer whose work focuses on changing perceptions about misunderstood aspects of destinations. Her writing combines storytelling with insight into the social, historical, political and economic factors that shape the country or place in relation to tourism. Becki has appeared live on Sky News and CNN and has contributed to high profile media including National Geographic, Time.com, Guardian online, New York Times, Grazia and Buzzfeed.

Constance Webster Kinnear says

26 March 2021 at 3:07 pm

I and my husband visited this beautiful spot in 1963 while on honeymoon. What a perfect dream . I am so glad to have experienced our visit, to have enjoyed the History and breathtaking vistas, the overall beauty and to marvel at the buildings and just an amazing lifestyle experienced in such a compact space. At that time, trying to imagine life here over the centuries together with the fascinating fact of it staying virtually the same as it was perched on the mountain We had a marvellous meal siting at the edge of a cliff and looking out over such scenery. I remember it like it was yesterday, and so will all who visit. How I would love to have a other trip. Can you imagine building railway and tunnels .??

Bruno B says

15 November 2016 at 12:07 pm

Such a small place but with so much to see! Next time I’m in Italy will definitely try to incorporate a trip to San Marino 🙂

jcmatt says

15 October 2016 at 5:31 am

Absolutely beautiful. I wanted to go when I stayed in Italy but didn’t have a chance–I missed too much.

The San Marino Travel Guide: Finding Castles in the Sky

September 26, 2021

Use our San Marino travel guide to plan your trip to one of Europe’s smallest countries.

High above the clouds of Italy, you’ll find castles in the sky. More than just a legend, they mark the home of the world’s oldest republic.

Disclosure – if you buy or book through some of the links in this article, we may earn a small amount at no extra cost to you. Cheers! Also, I visited San Marino as a guest of the San Marino tourism board. As ever, as always, I kept the right to write what I like. I wouldn’t recommend everything we did. This article covers the many things I would recommend. Ta!

Table of Contents

The Ultimate San Marino Travel Guide

What is San Marino?

The Most Serene Republic of San Marino is both a beautiful and curious place to visit. It’s a tiny, landlocked nation surrounded entirely by Italy. Only three places in the world share this set up. The other two are Lesotho and Vatican City.

Where is San Marino?

You’ll find San Marino surrounded by Italy, just an hour from the Old Town of Rimini on the Adriatic coast. It’s one of the smallest countries in Europe, with a population of around 33 000 and a land area of 24 square miles.

Is it Worth Visiting San Marino?

Yes, yes, yes! It’s one of the most interesting places I’ve visited in Europe (and I’ve visited a lot.)

However, I imagine that a crowded day trip could possibly feel a little soulless. I’d highly recommend an overnight stay to have the place to yourself. And push yourself beyond the main sights to start to get a sense of the place and its people.

Why is San Marino a Country?!

It’s a fascinating question, isn’t it? While wars raged on the ground below and then in the air above (Allied Forces accidentally bombed San Marino during WW II,) San Marino remained independent throughout.

To understand why, we need to travel back in time a little and remember that Italy as we understand her today is actually very young. For most of history, Italy has consisted of city states, kingdoms and principalities until the formation of the Republic of Italy in 1871.

Since the fall of the Roman Empire in 301AD and the foundation of San Marino by the saint of the same name, wise strategic choices have maintained independence. Governments provided just enough support to roving armies to keep them alive, but not enough to “back them.” San Marino persuaded Napoleon not to invade and then negotiated exemptions from the united Italian state.

Do you need a passport to visit San Marino?

With all that said, San Marino has maintained a harmonious border with her much bigger neighbour. You don’t need separate passport and visa checks to enter San Marino, but you can pay for a passport stamp to commemorate the event!

Fun Facts About San Marino

The San Marino capital is called… San Marino.
In 2010, twins Aldo and Davide Simoncini wrote themselves into the history books by each scoring an own goal in an international football match against Sweden. The record stands to this day.
Her people are called Sanmarinese.
The San Marino area isn’t just Mt Titano. The surrounding foothills make her territories larger than the Vatican and Monaco, but apart from those two, she’s the smallest sovereign state in Europe.
San Marino has two presidents and no army.
The entire city of San Marino is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

How to see San Marino Travel Guide for Italy

What To Do in San Marino

The great pleasure of visiting San Marino involves strolling around her medieval cobbled streets and battlements and pondering the events of world history while gazing out over the land below.

But for more concrete examples and a more traditional San Marino travel guide, you can:

Take The Cable Car to the UNESCO World Heritage City

A cable car connects the large (for San Marino) town of Borgo Maggiore with San Marino City – and it’s a fantastic way to make the journey.

Clean and efficient, it’s only as you rise up above the terracotta rooftops that the geography of the area makes sense. No wonder weary soldiers thought better of trying to invade and opted for a bowl of warm soup instead. This area is steep amid a flatland of rolling vineyards and olive groves.

Ride up at sunset for one of the most spectacular views in the world.

Walk along the witches’ path between the three towers of San Marino

Visit the Three Towers

Ay caramba. The three medieval towers that claw across the craggy peaks of Titano like a dragon’s spine make fairy tales seem real.

Known as the three towers, and featured on the San Marino flag, you can climb two of the three and teeter around the battlements and ramparts of the rest of the complex.

11th century Guaita is the oldest of the three, with steep stony steps and a ladder that gives the view across to Cesta tower.

Cesta is the fairytale turret rising out of the green. Built on a the ruins of a Roman fort, it houses over 1550 weapons from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century.

Once a prison, the Montale tower is no longer open to the public.

Walk the Witches’ Path

The atmospherically named Witches’ Path curves and claws along the ridge between the Guaita add Cesta towers. And it lives up to the promise of the name. Wear comfy shoes and stride along, imaginary broomstick in tow.

See the Piazza Della Libertà

A beauty spot in itself, Piazza della Libertà offers fantastic views across the countryside as well as the entrance to the Palazzo Pubblico, the official government building. If your’e lucky, as we were, you may even see one of the presidents arrive…

Watch the Changing of the Guard

The changing of the guard ceremony takes place every half hour from 8am to 6pm outside the Palazzo Publico in Liberty Square.

Cycle Mount Titano

Not for the faint of heart or foot (!) you can take the roads and off-road paths of Monte Titano herself in a hair-raising downhill scramble.

Hire an eBike from the base of the Cable Car to help get back up again ;-)

Nothing tastes better than a freshly cooked piadina

Take a Cooking Class: Make a Mean Piadina

Food in San Marino shares a lot in common with the surrounding Emilia-Romagna countryside. While tourists focus on the UNESCO World Heritage Site citadel, the rest of San Marino consists of traditional farming land and practices.

And some farmhouses are opening their doors to visitors, forming cooperatives, and running cooking classes through the kind of agroturismo that warms my cockles at night. Once such operation is the Terra di San Marino, where I learned how to make a traditional flatbread called piadina.

You can also learn how to make handmade pasta and buy locally produced olive oil to take home. That’s easily two of the best Italian souvenirs right there, even though they’re Sanmarinese here.

Duty Free Shopping

“More knives and guns than Texas,” was a phrase I heard a lot, although make of that what you will. Many day trip visitors are lured in by the duty free shopping experiences and there are a lot of weapons on display.

Enjoy the Sunset

The sunset views from the 2500 high Mt Titano take some beating. Another good reason not to race away after a day trip.

Visit Some Quirky Museums

I didn’t have time for all of these on my trip (too busy enjoying that sunset?!) but you can find the following in San Marino.

The Museum of San Francesco – religious sculptures and paintings in cloisters that date back to the 1400s.
The Museum of Ancient Arms – think armour, swords, crossbows and firearms.
The Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art – houses over 800 pieces of work.
The Museum of Emigrant – as befits such a small nation, many Sanmarinese need to leave. This museum explores why and how they live elsewhere in the world and discusses the patterns that drive people to go – and then return.
The Ferrari Museum – leave the city confines of San Marino and immerse yourself in shiny cars.
The San Marino Museum of Torture – not for me, but if you have the stomach for it, you can visit and reflect that perhaps our current European governments are not so bad after all.

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The San Marino Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go

When to visit san marino.

July and August are peak months for tourism in Italy – and hence San Marino. The UNESCO World Heritage City is a little cooler than down on the ground, so a trip to San Marino can provide some light relief.

That said, the spring and autumn months are often far less crowded and the temperatures easier to manage for outdoor activities. May to July and September are probably the best times to go. San Marino can look festive in December but bad weather and mist can obscure the views (although, to be fair, that can happen at any time of year.)

What to wear in San Marino

As with most of Italy, a degree of effort in what you wear is appreciated. Stylish, good quality clothes will help you fit in. But no one will mind if you opt for the full tourist shorts, sneakers and strappy top combo.

What languages do people speak in San Marino?

You can get by in English in most tourist spots, although the official language is Italian.

Do you need a visa to visit San Marino?

If you don’t need a visa to visit Italy, you don’t need one for San Marino. You can pay for a passport stamp as a souvenir, if you wish at the San Marino Tourist Office. At the time of typing, visits are visa free for EU, US and Canadian citizens.

How much time should you spend in San Marino?

Many (many) people visit San Marino as a day trip but if I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. Stay overnight to truly get a sense of the place beyond just being a tourist hotspot. That said, San Marino is small so unless you really enjoy slow travel, one night should be fine.

How to Get to San Marino

San Marino doesn’t have an airport of its own. The closest airport is Federico Fellini International in Rimini (RMI.) However, Bologna Airport (BLQ) serves more international flights.

By Public Transport

From Rimini

Bonelli Bus 72 runs from Rimini Train Station to San Marino on a daily basis. The trip takes just under an hour.

From Bologna

Take the train from Bologna to Rimini and the bus from there. Links are easy to follow and close together and the journey will take around 2 hours 30 minutes.

It takes just over 4 hours to travel from Rome to San Marino.

I’d highly recommend creating a road trip through the Emilia-Romagna region, combining Bologna, Casa Artusi, Rimini and San Marino.

You will be able to explore more of the rest of San Marino with your own transport, such as the farmhouse cooking lessons run by the Terra di San Marino.

It takes 90 minutes to drive from Bologna and 45 minutes from Rimini.

Top tip: speak to your hotel about where to park your car in advance. It’s often simpler to park out of the UNESCO area and have the hotel pick you up.

Getting Around San Marino

You won’t need a car in the central UNESCO World Heritage City of San Marino. It will only get in the way!

However, to explore the rest of the countryside, it will make life much easier.

San Marino Currency

San Marino has its own mint and while they are not in the European Union, they do use the Euro.

Using Your Phone in San Marino

There are no additional roaming charges as you cross from Italy to San Marino. So, if you have EU coverage or a SIM for travel within the EU, you will be fine in San Marino.

Hotels in San Marino

For a taste of Agatha Christie-era grandeur, stay at the Grand Hotel San Marino. Although a little dated, the view across San Marino is unbeatable and it’s easier to get to that other San Marino city hotels.

San Marino Tours

Head to the Tourist Office website to book some official tours. Otherwise, a good book and a pair of sturdy shoes should be all you need. It’s a small place and (almost) impossible to get lost.

Where and What to Eat in San Marino

Gastronomy in San Marino is heavily influenced by the surrounding Emilia-Romagna region – or should that be the other way around? Either way, it’s great news for foodies as great wine, pasta, cheese and breads march their way onto the table.

San Marino has its own wine and protects its cultural traditions, such as making pasta and piadina by hand.

San Marino city may be small but their gastro ambition is not. Here are some restaurants in San Marino that I would recommend in particular:

El Righi – Michelin Star Restaurant right in the heart of the city near the parliament building. Includes great pasta and a stone crown discovered during recent renovations.
La Terrazza Restaurant at Hotel Titano – the terrace overlooks medieval turrets and the landscape below.

San Marino Nightlife

Dinner is the main event, followed by strolling around the cobbled streets. San Marino is not a place for night clubs and all night revelry. Thankfully ;-)

What to Pack for San Marino

Build on your standard packing list for Italy with something a little warmer for San Marino. It can get breezy up on that mountaintop!

Looking for a guidebook for San Marino?

Buy the Lonely Planet Guide to Italy (it has a great section on San Marino)

Is San Marino Safe?

With its wealth, small area and full police force, it’s probably one of the safest places in the world. Unless you include mountain biking.

What next after San Marino?

A trip to San Marino fits really well into a road trip around the surrounding Emilia-Romagna countryside. Check out this great Emilia Romagna road trip guide and itinerary here.

Visit San Marino, the Oldest Republic in the world

As you can see on the map above San Marino is landlocked by Italy. It is one of the only three countries in the world entirely landlocked by another country. I managed to visit all of them: Vatican City, surrounded again by Italy, and Lesotho, landlocked by South Africa.

A brief history of San Marino

Sammarinese flag outisde a balcony in the Old Town.

The country, whose independence has ancient origins, claims to be the world’s oldest surviving republic in the world. Legend says San Marino was founded on the 3rd of September 301 AD by the Christian stonecutter Marinus, later venerated as Sain Marinus. He emigrated from the island of Rab (in Croatia) to escape the Dioletianic Persecution. He made his way to Mount Titan. There he built a little church which led to the foundation of the micronation that we know today as San Marino.

Originally San Marino was just Mount Titan, however in 1463, due to an alliance against the Lord of Rimini, the Pope awarded San Marino the cities of Montegiardino, Serravalle, and Fiorentino. In 1631, the Papacy recognized the independence of this state.

During 1797 the Napoleon’s Army threatened the independence of San Marino. It was thanks to one of its regents, Antonio Onofri, that San Marino kept its indipendence. Onofri inspired in Napoleon a friendship and respect toward the sovereign state. Napoleon then promised to guarantee and protect the independence of the Republic and went even a step beyond, offering to extend its territory according to its needs. While grateful to Napoleon, San Marino politely denied the offer of territorial expansion.

During the Italian unification process in the 19th century, San Marino became a sanctuary for people persecuted due to their opposition for the unification. For this reason, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italian military and a political figure, granted the request of San Marino not to be part of the Italian States.

How to get there?

There is no airport or train station in San Marino. You can only reach the country by bus or by car. There is a bus from Rimini to San Marino which takes 50 mins and costs 5€.

I went by car and I did a little road trip around Italy, stopping by Civita di Bagnoregio, “the Dying Town” , on the way to San Marino. On the way back I explored Umbria, with the 2 towns of Perugia and Terni.

Where to stay?

There is only one hostel for backpackers that visit San Marino: San Marino Hostel . It has fair pricees, okay rooms, a big common area and an open kitchen for guests. I stayed there and left satisfied. It offers free parking and has a supermarket nearby.

You can reach the Old Town by Cable Car or you can drive to the top. If you have a car you better drive and park at parking number 9. The hostel provides you a discount card and you can leave your car in the old town at a rate of 4€ for 24 hours.

What to do in San Marino?

Stroll around the old town.

The Old Town of San Marino is a pictoresque labyrint of narrow medieval streets, dotted with cafes and small shops. Check out Piazza della Liberta with Palazzo Publico, which serves as the Parliament Building.

At certain times you can also watch the changing of the Guard cerimony.

Have a look at the Basilica of San Marino, the biggest church in town, where all cerimonies take place.

Visit the Three Towers

The three towers of San Marino, view from the hostel

Unmissable spot in San Marino, you need to check out the Three Towers:

Rocca Guaita (First Tower)

Rocca Guaita is the biggest, most iconic and best preserved tower on the peaks of Mount Titan. Historically the population of San Marino would take refuge against sieges inside this tower. Also, it was used as a prison up to as late as 1970! It can be visited and the ticket costs 4.5€.

Castello Cesta (Second Tower)

View of Cestello Cesta (Second Tower) from Rocca Guaita.

This tower hosts the city’s Museum of Archaic Arms , a large collection of ancient and medieval weaponry and battle dress.

Montale (Third Tower)

Montale is the smallest of the three towers. However, it had a strategic importance for its defensive role. In fact it is the best lookout post in the country, perfect to spot enemies trying to attack San Marino.

Walk along The Witches Path

The Witches Path (or Passo delle Streghe in Italian), is a cobbled walkway between the Guaita Tower and the Cesta Tower. Unmissable walk to do and admire the surrouding landscape.

Take the San Marino Cable Car

The Cable Car connects Borgo Maggiore to the Old Town. It is a 2 minute ride with great views of the surroundings and costs 2.8€ one way. If you have a car it is not the cheapest way to reach the Old Town (as parking 9 with the hostel discount is cheaper). Hence, you may skip the Cable Car, and just enjoy the view from one of the many other lookout points in San Marino.

Food to try in San Marino

The culture of San Marino is very similar to the one of Emilia Romagna, and the food is also quite the same. There are two food specialties you really need to try when you visit San Marino:

Thinner than the one from Emilia Romagna, the piadina is a flat bread, shaped as a disk and filled with any ingredient you like. Ham, cheese. mushrooms, tomatoes and anything you prefer.

You can find many shops preparing the piadina, so you have plenty of choice.

Zuppa di fagioli con le cotiche

A typical winter dish, the “zuppa di fagioli con le cotiche” is a bean soup with pork rinds. Delicious but not recommended when the weather is hot.

Torta Tre Monti

Torta Tre Monti is a traditional Sammarinese cake made of layers of thin wafers, cemented together with chocolate or hazelnut creme. Chocolate fondant is put over the edges of cake as a final touch. It takes its name from the Three Towers of San Marino, symbol of the country.

Interesting things about San Marino

The official currency is €, even though it’s not part of the European Union.
You don’t need a Visa to visit San Marino and there are no borders with Italy.
You can get your passport stamped at the Tourist Office for 5€
San Marino has an embassy in the US, but not the oppostite.
San Marino remained neutral in both the 1st and the 2nd World War.
The City of San Marino is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The people of San Marino are referred to as Sammarinese.
It is the 5th smallest country in the world, after Vatican City , Monaco, Nauru and Tuvalu.

Check out the official tourism board website of San Marino , if you want to find some more info!

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About Manuel

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Hey, I’m Manuel, intrepid traveller and full time adventurer. I’ve visited over 100 countries and been to some of the most remote places of this planet. Join me on my adventures around the world as I will share tips, itineraries and interesting travel stories.

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An Insider’s Guide to the Best Things to do in San Marino

By: Author Contributor

Posted on Last updated: 16th August 2023

Categories San Marino

Last Updated on 16th August 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

Nestled in the heart of the Italian Peninsula, San Marino is one of the oldest and smallest nations worldwide. It is an ideal destination to reach from the nearby Emilia-Romagna region in Italy as well as a fantastic day trip from the lively holiday resort of Rimini. If you’re thinking about visiting soon, read on and check out the best things to do in San Marino , as well as what to know before visiting this micro-state!

Where is San Marino?

Curious facts about san marino, what is the capital of san marino, how to get to san marino, where to stay in san marino, how long do you need in san marino, walk around the capital, discover the three towers, visit the palazzo publico, hang out in piazza della libertà, explore the national museum, san marino basilica, check out the cable car, get your passport stamped, pick and visit one of the many museums in san marino, embark on a day trip, a final note on planning a trip to san marino.

San Marino is a small micro-state nestled within Italy, close to the Italian city of Rimini . The pint-sized country lies in the northeastern side of the Apennine Mountains and borders the Italian regions of Emilia Romagna and Marche.

Unknown European gem, San Marino is a very small independent republic in Europe. The country is about 60 square kilometers big, which makes it the fifth smallest republic in the world .

Furthermore, despite being on such a small territory, the country is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. The country is a landlocked state, surrounded by Italy.

However, it has its government, laws, flag, and customs. Even though San Marino does not belong to the EU, its official currency is the Euro, making it easy enough to pay for things during your visit.

The state is located on hilly terrain while the capital city of San Marino is located on Mount Titano, the highest point in the country.

San Marino is also the oldest sovereign state in the world, founded in the fourth century AD. Therefore, faithful to its Medieval origins, the state’s capital city is surrounded by impressive stone walls and defensive fortresses dating back to the Middle Ages.

The capital of the country is the City of San Marino, which is known as the Città di San Marino or Città for short.

The country does not have an airport, for that reason, to reach San Marino, it’s necessary to travel to Italy first and then head to the tiny state by land.

San Marino’s nearest airport is the Italian Federico Fellini International Airport in Rimini. From here, there are buses connecting Rimini train station to San Marino. Alternatively, you can drive from Rimini, the trip is less than 20 minutes.

It is also possible to get to San Marino from other close-by regions in Italy, including Bologna and the port city of Ancona.

To explore San Marino, enjoy its gastronomy, and join organized tours, but also for more convenience, the best thing to do is to stay in the City of San Marino. These are the places we recommend:

La Grotta Hotel: Offering family rooms and a convenient shuttle service to Rimini, this hotel is centrally located in the center, only meters from the city’s main square. Check prices and availability here.
Garden Village San Marino: This is a pet-friendly property located amidst a green garden, featuring a pool area and offering sports and activities to guests. It’s close to bus stops offering easy access to the center of the city and Rimini. Check prices and availability here.
Titano Suites: Featuring a restaurant and a wellness center, this hotel is in the City of San Marino, only meters from San Marino’s Basilica. It’s only 25 km from the beach of Rimini. Check prices and availability here.

Thanks to its status as one of the smallest countries in the world, you don’t need a great deal of time to explore San Marino and can easily see all of the major attractions over the course of a day.

With this being said, you’ll want to schedule an overnight stay so as to enjoy the micro-state in the early evening and early morning before the day trippers arrive (most visitors to the country only stay during the daytime).

Best Things to Do in San Marino

Are you ready to explore the best of this small country? Let’s dive into the most amazing things to do and places to discover in San Marino!

Since the City of San Marino is mostly a pedestrian area, the best way to be surprised by sights, admire the local architecture, go souvenir-hunting, and soak in the atmosphere of the country is by walking.

You can easily enjoy a self-made walking tour of San Marino’s capital starting on the main street, to soon reach Liberty Square, the most popular meeting point, also home to some of the most important buildings in the city.

During your stroll around San Marino, you’ll be often surprised by the amazing views that, from atop the mountain, overlook the green Italian landscape, reaching as far as the Adriatic Sea on clear days.

The old state of San Marino is not only very small but also surrounded by foreign land, therefore, protecting its independence from foreign invaders has always been of utmost importance.

For that reason, the country is surrounded by massive stone defensive walls and ancient protective watchtowers.

Also known as the three fortresses of San Marino, these three towers spread across the three peaks of Mount Titano where also the capital is located.

These three towers can be seen on the flag of the country, they are not just important landmarks but three beloved national symbols. Unfortunately, not all of them are open to the public.

The oldest of the three towers is Torre Guaita, also known as Rocca Guaita this is also the most visited of the three as it is impressively beautiful and has unique views of the surrounding countryside landscape.

Torre Guaita dated back to the eleventh century, and during its long life it also served as a prison for a short time and today it is possible to visit.

The second tower, also open to the public, is Torre Cesta, standing on the highest summit of Mount Titano. The tower is slightly newer than Torre Guaita and it houses a weapon and armor museum with exhibits from the Middle Ages to modern times.

Torre Montale (which is closed to the public) is the smallest and newest of the three. Built in the fourteenth century, this tower was also used as a prison during a period in history.

Access hours to the two main towers vary according to the season and time of the year. Since climbing up to the summit can take a while and might require some effort, do check at the tourist office in the center of town before attempting the climb.

A mountain path known as the Passo delle Streghe (or Witches’ Passage) connects the three towers. The path runs along the top of Mount Titano and offers breathtaking views.

Both the historic center of San Marino as well as the complex of towers are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This interactive tour of San Marino is conveniently affordable, you can download it to your phone and use it any time during the trip also includes a stop and more information about the three towers.

If you choose a private tour instead , you will visit with a local guide that will answer all your questions and give you every curious detail you are eager to know about the towers and other ancient sights in the historic center of San Marino, this option also includes a cable car ride to avoid some of the most difficult climbs.

Important tip: Although the way up to the summit is not very tiring and the vistas are worth the effort, climbing along the old stone paths would certainly require comfy shoes. Don’t forget to pack them, they will be super useful for exploring the whole Republic of San Marino, which is quite hilly in general.

Known as Palazzo Publico, the government seat of San Marino is in Freedom Square (or Piazza della Libertà). It is one of the most important places in the country and features a magnificent square tower made with stones from Mount Titano itself.

The Neo-Gothic palace is next to the defensive walls and its watchtowers were also part of the defensive system that sued to protect the republic.

You can see the picturesque ceremony of the change of the guard in the palace every half an hour every day of the week.

Right next to the Palazzo Publico, Liberty Square is another great spot to witness the change of the guard performed by the Guardie di Rocca , the fortress guard corps.

At the center of the square, you can easily spot the Statue of Liberty, which adorns a fountain. Around the square, there are souvenir shops and cafés where you can sit for a while and engage in some people-watching moments.

Although there are several museums to visit (which you can check down below), we’ve given a special place to San Marino’s national museum for its impressive collection.

Known as Museo di Stato, the national museum of San Marino is worth a few hours of your itinerary. Loaded in the small Piazzetta del Titano Square, the beautiful historic palace hosting the museum is the first reason to visit.

Inside the venue, different exhibitions portray archaeological finds from the Neolithic and the mysterious Etruscan civilization.

There is also an area devoted to ancient art that includes a curious Egyptian collection, but also paintings, coins, and icons from the Byzantine school.

The most important church in the city (and the country) is the Neoclassical basilica in Domus Plebis Square.

Although the building is relatively new if compared to other landmarks in San Marino, the nineteenth-century basilica stands on top of a more ancient Romanesque church.

The basilica presents seven impressive altars. The main one is dedicated to Saint Marinus whose relics are also guarded in the sanctuary.

San Marino’s funivia (cable car) is an easy way to reach the highest point in the country, the capital city and historic center traveling from Borgo Maggiore, a lower district also known as Borgo Basso or Campo della Fiera.

However, the best reason to jump on the cable car is the fantastic opportunity to snap the best panoramic shots of the Adriatic coast and the rolling hills of the Italian countryside.

The ride is short (about two minutes only!), but gives you plenty of time to admire the surrounding panoramas.

A simple ride costs €3, while a return ticket is €5. There are also discounts for groups and special categories of travelers. You can check these details and the opening hours on the official website .

While you won’t have to get your passport stamped upon entering San Marino, many visitors choose to get their passport stamped at the local tourist office, which makes for a unique and unusual souvenir from the small state.

Despite being a micro-state with limited territory, it’s nothing short of surprising to discover that there are a lot of interesting exhibitions scattered throughout San Marino.

These are some of the museums we recommend checking out in San Marino:

Museum of Agricultural Culture and Traditions

Located in the City of San Marino, this is a farmhouse museum that honors the rich agricultural heritage of the country. The museum is in an ancient patronal house built in the 1700s.

The visit, which can last about an hour, takes participants into the heart of a restored farm and farmhouse that portrays the way of life and rural customs as well as ancient tools and rudimentary instruments used to work the land back in time.

Museum of Curiosities: Perfect to visit with kids as well as to keep your inner child happy and entertained, this quirk exhibition is also in San Marino City.

This fascinating place features curious objects, strange world records, and weird inventions that will surprise you with their unicity and creativity. Get ready to be amazed and learn about the exhibits through very informative signs.

Ferrari Museum

Also known as the Vintage Car Museum, this is another collection that attracts the attention of visitors of all ages, as long as they share a passion for vintage cars.

The exhibition includes an ancient car collection, several Ferraris, Formula 1 vehicles, and the first Spyder Ferrari that belonged to Marilyn Monroe!

Wax and Torture Instruments Museum

Although small and easy to visit, this museum is a fascinating place to spend time in San Marino, mostly if you travel with the family.

Located in the City of San Marino, inside this place, you will be amazed at over a hundred wax figures of different historical characters like former European rulers, Popes, famous artists, scientists, and inventors.

The best part of the exhibition is a curious section of the museum devoted to ancient instruments of torture used with people suspected of crimes, witchcraft, or conspiracy.

Coin and Stamp Museum

Visited by stamp collectors from all over the world, this gorgeous stamp and coin collection is in the main church of Borgo Maggiore, the main settlement at the foot of Mount Titano.

Inside the venue, it is possible to learn all about the gold coins that San Marino mints still to this day. These can only be used in San Marino but are a rare attraction to coin collectors from every corner of the planet.

San Marino is close to many seaside towns on the Riviera Romagnola, which gives you endless day trip opportunities in the area.

The first and most obvious visit would take you to the sea. Located under 30 minutes from the Italian coast, it’s easy to spend a beach day on the Adriatic coastline.

Some of these include the coastal towns of Rimini, Riccione, and Cattolica, arguably the most popular towns in Italy for summer among locals. They have gorgeous sandy beaches and tons of nightlife entertainment. In fact, both Riccione and Cattolica host some of the best discos and clubs in the country.

Alternatively, if you prefer to enjoy bucolic landscapes and tranquil experiences, head to the nearby castle towns surrounding the capital of the micro-country.

These tiny villages located on relatively low peaks feature a castle or fortress, a picturesque old center, and ancient cobblestoned alleys. If this kind of day trip sounds interesting, renting a car is a must. Check car rental comparison prices here.

In the area, it is possible to visit the Fortress of Montelupo, the Castle of Malatesta in Fiorentino castle town, and the small settlement of Montegiardino.

As you can see, San Marino can be an excellent short break if you’re spending a vacation in Italy (ideally near Rimini), but also a fascinating destination on its own, with incredible landscapes, captivating history, and stunning ancient fortresses, this fantastic little country has a lot more to offer than you would have imagined.

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Gabi Ancarola is a journalist and travel writer who has lived over 20 years in Italy, and has been living in Crete for the last five years. She hosts culinary tours, translates and writes for her Crete travel blog The Tiny Book . She’s written for Greek Reporter and published several travel guides about Greece.

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San Marino Itinerary: Top Things to Do in San Marino This Year

Beautiful aerial view taken while visiting San Marino

San Marino is a tiny country completely landlocked by Italy and situated on the slopes of Mount Titano in the Apennine Mountain range near the Adriatic Sea . It’s one of the world’s smallest countries with a claim to being the oldest surviving republic. This micro-state spanning 23.6 square miles is the third smallest country in Europe after Vatican City and Monaco. It contains rich history, medieval fortifications, charm, dramatic views, and of course, wine.

Where to Stay in San Marino

San marino’s three towers, get your passport stamped, take a sammarinese wine tour.

A Little History

Legend claims that this little country was founded in 301 by Saint Marinus, a Christian from Dalmatia who climbed up Mount Titano to escape religious persecution. He traveled to Rimini as a stonemason, went to the nearby Mount Titano to collect stone from quarries, and ultimately spent his life on top of the mountain. Saint Marinus was gifted the mountain in gratitude for his performing of a miracle. Upon his death in 301 he gave the land to those living among him.

San Marino Itinerary

Extending your stay in Italy to tour this beautiful enclave is very doable since San Marino is nearby to many frequently visited Italian cities . By car, San Marino is ~35 minutes from Rimini, ~1 hour and 45 minutes from Bologna, ~3 hours and 15 minutes from Florence or Venice , or ~4 hours from Milan .

If you do plan on visiting San Marino as a day trip, we highly recommend booking a privately guided tour with Curioseety , led by a local, to make the most of UNESCO-listed San Marino.

Getting to San Marino

Visitors to San Marino first need to travel to Italy since San Marino does not have an airport and is surrounded by Italy. The closest international airport providing service to San Marino is the Rimini Airport . You can search for the best deals on flights here .

Once in Italy, renting a car to drive to San Marino may be the most convenient option as there is no train station in San Marino. Remember to bring your International Driving Permit .

If private transfers are your preference, some operators offer this service from Rimini to San Marino and can drop you off at the hotel of your choice.

To get to the capital city, you will drive right up the steep, winding mountain road. Public parking within walking distance to the historic old town is well-marked. If you’re not staying in the historic center and prefer not to drive all the way up, you can take the short 2-minute cable car up from Borgo Maggiore .

If you are traveling via public transportation, you can take a train to Rimini railway station with Trenitalia and then take a bus to San Marino with Bonelli Bus .

Things to Know Before You Go

Transitioning from Italy to San Marino will be smooth as San Marino’s official language is Italian , the currency is the Euro even though not a member of the EU, driving is on the right side of the road , the cuisine has many similarities, and there’s no formal border control .

The Hotel La Grotta, San Marino is a charming boutique family friendly hotel arranged over 3 floors conveniently located in historic San Marino walking distance to all the top sites. For those traveling with babies, we were able to reserve a Pack n Play.

For more hotel options, search San Marino hotel deals on TripAdvisor . If you stay in San Marino, ensure your hotel gives you the free Tutto San Marino card to receive discounts on museum admission prices.

Best Things to Do in San Marino

Book tickets for things to do in san marino online, where to eat.

As you walk around, you’ll pass plenty of restaurants, many of which offer great views. La Terrazza is currently ranked as one of the best restaurants in San Marino. For a truly unique dining experience, dine in a cave at Il Piccolo .

One challenge we encounter while traveling to Europe with babies is that we need to dine early to get the babies in bed and many restaurants don’t reopen for dinner until after 7 pm. La Gatta , next door to Hotel La Grotta, served dinner early and was a great option for families traveling with young children.

Touring San Marino, San Marino

Mount Titano, rising 2,425 ft., and the historic center of San Marino are a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Being that the historic center located in San Marino’s capital city, also known as San Marino, is located on top of a mountain, breathtaking panoramic views of the below countryside surround you from nearly every corner. We highly recommend this private guided tour of the city center led by local resident Sarah.

As you explore fortresses, churches, museums, walk through centuries old gates, shop duty free, and try Sammarinese wines, you may be reminded of a time when Italy and other parts of Europe were made up of independent city-states.

Comfy shoes are recommended as you tour the historic center as there is little flat ground. Expect a lot of uphill walking over streets made of uneven and varying sizes of stone, and lots of rugged stone steps.

Three defensive fortifications are perched on top of Mount Titano’s three peaks in the capital city. They’re connected by medieval stone walls and cobbled paths. These towers are the symbol of the country, and were the first thing that caught our eye as we approached San Marino. They are portrayed on the national flag, the coat of arms, and inspired the Sammarinese traditional cake, Torta Tre Monti (meaning “Three Mountain Cake”).

The Guaita Tower (also known as Rocca or the First Tower), the oldest and the most famous and impressive of the towers, was originally built in the 11th century. At Guaita Tower, you are surrounded by stunning panoramic views to the below countryside, and all the way to the Adriatic Sea on clear days.

There is a pathway connecting the first two towers called Passo delle Streghe , translating to mean the Witches Path. If you are walking from the first to the second tower, make sure to turn around throughout your walk for the better view.

If you only have time or energy to climb up to one of the towers, climb up to the Cesta Tower (also known as Fratta or the Second Tower) constructed on the highest peak of the mountain in the 13th century. From this tower, you can capture the quintessential image of San Marino with the dominating Guaita Tower in the backdrop resting on Mount Titano. The Museum of Ancient Weapons is also here.

The Montale Tower (the Third Tower) isn’t open to the public, but you may enjoy the walk and continued scenic overlooks. While it is the smallest of the towers, historically this tower aided San Marino’s defense as it has an optimal lookout position.

More Things To Do in San Marino

For being such a tiny country, I was surprised by the number and variety of museums ranging from historical, artsy, and to the somewhat peculiar, including the State Museum , the Wax Museum with historical wax characters, Torture Museum , Museum of Ancient Weapons (in the Cesta Tower), Vampire Museum , Museum of Curiosities and Museum of the Emigrants .

Winetraveler Tip : If you plan on visiting multiple museums, make sure to get the Multi-Museum Pass (€10.50) that covers the admission for the First Tower, Second Tower, Saint Francis Art Gallery, State Museum, the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the Public Palace when open to the public.

The Basilica of San Marino, a Catholic Church, built in 1836 in neoclassical style is dedicated to the country’s founder, Saint Marinus, with a porch surrounded by columns at its entrance. This church was built on the same spot as a much older church and contains the relics of Saint Marinus. Other nearby churches to see include the Small Church of St. Peter and the St. Francis Church.

Palazzo Pubblico

Meaning Public Palace, Palazzo Pubblico is San Marino’s official government building and its town hall. Depending on the time of your visit, you may witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony from here. We visited in late November and were informed this happens during the summer.

Many come to San Marino for shopping as taxes are lower. The most memorable items I noticed aside from commonplace souvenirs, clothing, handbags, jewelry, ceramics, and wine were an abundance of weapons.

Festivals & Events

For those who love festivals and events, San Marino schedules quite a few throughout the year. You can look up upcoming events here .

If adding a San Marino tourist visa on your passport is desirable to you, you can acquire one for a fee at the Tourist Information Office.

Sammarinese Wine

Visit cantina di san marino.

Trying wine from San Marino, known as Sammarinese wine , should be a “must-do” for all Winetravelers during a stay in San Marino, especially since tasting Sammarinese wine outside of the country may be very challenging. Winemaking has been an integral part of San Marino’s history for centuries. In 1979, Consorzio Vini Tipici di San Marino, now known as Cantina di San Marino , was established, and is the only entity producing wine in San Marino.

This winery produces approximately 6500 hectoliters of wine per year based on coordinating with and collecting grapes from ~100 local farmers who grow and sell the grapes to the consortium across ~120 hectares. To put this quantity in perspective, that equates to a volume of more than 866,000 standard 750 ml bottles, but not all the wine is bottled and some is sold in bulk at the winery. The main grape varieties include Sangiovese for red wines, Biancale and Ribolla for white wines, and Moscato for sweeter white wines. Wines in San Marino can also be made with popular grapes such as Chardonnay , Cabernet Sauvignon , and Merlot .

Staying in San Marino for two days should allow time for a visit to San Marino’s winery Cantina di San Marino, as long as you’re visiting during the week or on a Saturday morning. The weekday hours are from 8:30 am until 12:30 pm, and then from 2:30 pm until 6:30 pm; and from 8:30 am until 12:30 pm on Saturdays. The winery is closed on Sundays. No reservation is required for a simple tasting in their shop of one or two wines. To sit in their tasting room and visit the winery, contact the winery at least 2-3 days in advance.

If visiting the winery isn’t possible due to timing/scheduling, you will easily be able to purchase bottles as Sammarinese wine is sold all over in the shops lining the timeless streets.

One of the best ways to experience Sammarinese wine from Cantina di San Marino around the city is to take a 2-hour wine and food tasting walk with local Nico . You’ll get the inside scoop on the best wine bars and restaurants in San Marino. We purchased a couple of bottles from a boutique wine shop where we were able to find higher end Sammarinese wines that were still very reasonably priced. You should also try wines while dining in San Marino as the winery produces certain wines exclusively sold to restaurants.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting San Marino

How long should i spend in san marino.

Two days should be sufficient to explore this tiny country and make it to their winery. Since San Marino is quite small, if you are only visiting for a day trip , as many do, you should be able to see most everything on a cursory level. If you do plan on visiting San Marino as a day trip , we highly recommend booking a privately guided tour with Curioseety , led by a local, to make the most of UNESCO-listed San Marino.

Is San Marino worth visiting?

San Marino, an independent nation surrounded by Italy, is certainly worth visiting for its rich history, unique architecture, and breathtaking views. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Marino’s historic center and Mount Titano offer a captivating atmosphere and a glimpse into the past. The Three Towers of San Marino, situated atop Mount Titano, provide stunning panoramic views of the Italian countryside and the Adriatic Sea. The country also boasts impressive architecture, such as the Palazzo Pubblico, the Basilica di San Marino, and ancient defensive walls. For those interested in shopping, San Marino presents a unique duty-free shopping experience, featuring local artisan shops with traditional Sammarinese crafts and souvenirs.

Can you do San Marino as a day trip?

Easily accessible from nearby Italian cities like Bologna, Florence, or Rimini, San Marino is an ideal day trip destination for travelers looking to explore a distinct culture and country.

What are the best things to do in San Marino?

In San Marino, visitors can indulge in a variety of engaging activities that showcase the country’s rich history, beautiful landscapes, and unique culture. A must-see attraction is the historic city center, where you can wander through medieval streets, admiring well-preserved buildings and structures. While there, don’t miss the iconic Three Towers of San Marino – Guaita, Cesta, and Montale – perched on the peaks of Mount Titano. These towers provide not only fascinating insights into the country’s past but also panoramic views of the surrounding region. Another remarkable site is the Palazzo Pubblico, the seat of San Marino’s government, which features striking architecture and hosts the official ceremonies of the Republic. Nearby, the Basilica di San Marino, dedicated to the country’s patron saint, is a splendid example of neoclassical architecture and houses important religious relics. History enthusiasts will enjoy the State Museum, which showcases a diverse collection of archaeological artifacts, art pieces, and historical items related to San Marino and its people. For those who appreciate the outdoors, San Marino offers scenic walking trails around Mount Titano and through its natural parks, allowing visitors to explore the beautiful landscapes and take in the fresh mountain air. Finally, don’t forget to take advantage of the duty-free shopping opportunities in San Marino, where you can find a wide range of products, from electronics to local crafts, at competitive prices.

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Very informative and well written article. Not too much, nor too little detail, just perfect to help with trip planning. Thank you 🙂

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Tourism in San Marino

Hospitality and tourism. San Marino offers tourists who decide to stay in the Ancient Land of Liberty an indescribable variety of ideas.

From camping to staying in characteristic hotels, every tourist can choose to live their holiday in a truly unique and engaging way. Everyone can experience the friendliness of the people and the possibility of having all services at their disposal in every situation. The excellence and authenticity of the local cuisine will accompany every meal making it an unforgettable one.

Staying in the old Republic is a perfect opportunity not only to get to know an evocative territory, full of historical and natural locations, from up close, but also an incentive to discover festivals, shows, cultural and sport events offered at all times of the year.

San Marino tourism has plenty to offer for your next holidays: find out more restaurants, hotels, holiday packages and promotions.

What to do and see in San Marino

Art and culture of San Marino

Discover the true essence of San Marino

Nature Trails

An interesting territory panoramically and nature-wise

San Marino on two wheels

Cycling in the world’s oldest republic

Fun and attractions in San Marino

The day to live, the night to discover

Shopping in San Marino: a variety of opportunities for every type of purchase

Shopping centres and small shops: you’re spoilt for choice

Experience a holiday in contact with nature? In San Marino you can!

Have an active holiday in the local beauty spots

Sports activities

People in San Marino are sporty, for both passion and participation

San Marino Outlet Experience

Luxury brands in a unique location for an unforgettable shopping experience

Religious Tourism

Walking paths between faith, culture, art and traditions

Travel on the Treno Bianco Azzurro

A unique experience for a journey into the past

Plan your trip

How to get to San Marino

Recommended routes, parking and cable car

Useful information about San Marino

All the information you need to visit San Marino

Where to sleep in San Marino

The hotels of San Marino

Where to eat in San Marino

The Restaurants of San Marino

TuttoSanMarino Card: all the discounts and benefits for tourists

San Marino is Pet Friendly!

Four-legged friends are welcome in San Marino!

San Marino: accessible tourism for all

Special offers for people with special needs: Triride and PiùperteCard

San Marino: sustainable mobility

E-way: San Marino is moving different

San Marino ByTrain

Old Town Centre shuttle service

Agli Antichi Orti Restaurant

Amodomio Tapas & Co. Restaurant

Antica Trattoria Ugolini Restaurant

Bellavista Restaurant

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Cantina di Bacco Restaurant

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Da Italo Restaurant

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Da Walter e Lella Restaurant

Del Ghetto Restaurant by Ottavio

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Ristorante Don Camillo Taste

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Good Fellas Restaurant

Green Mood & Food Restaurant

Guang Dong Restaurant

Hostaria Da Lino Restaurant

Il Beccafico Restaurant

Il Castello Restaurant - Gourmet Tavern

Il Monte Restaurant

Il Passetto Restaurant

Il Piccolo Restaurant

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L'Arengo Restaurant

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Pier Restaurant

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Raschi Restaurant

Ritrovo dei Lavoratori Restaurant

Smaller Restaurant

Spingarda Restaurant

TerraBlu Restaurant

Testacla' Restaurant

La Serenissima

We tell you the story of one of the oldest and most famous confectionery companies in San Marino

Hotel La Rocca

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Residence San Marino Antica Repubblica

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Centro Vacanze San Marino

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San Marino Travel Guide: Is San Marino Worth Visiting? [2023]

· the san marino travel guide ·.

aerial view of san marino castle and city in a valley of green

As one of the smallest countries in the world, San Marino draws intrigue from a lot of visitors to Italy. After all, San Marino is fully surrounded by Italy and is no bigger than a small city! San Marino is a pretty unique place that many people are excited to visit, either because of the fun things to do or simply out of intrigue that such a small country can exist within another country’s borders.

This post will cover everything you need to know about visiting San Marino and will answer any questions you may have about this tiny nation.

This post contains affiliate links through which we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own.

Is San Marino a Country?

San Marino is indeed a country by every measure. This tiny little nation only consists of about 24 square miles of territory and 33,000 inhabitants, but nevertheless is a fully independent country with its own elected government and diplomatic relations. San Marino is surrounded on all sides by Italy, speaks Italian as its language, and is not all that different from Italy in most ways.

San Marino’s independence is a long story of friendship and diplomacy, and it remains a country to this day because it never really did anything to irk its neighbors. Italy as we know it didn’t exist until the 1800s, and it was just small kingdoms before that.

San Marino managed to become allies with every nation that occupied Italy over time, and as it offered very little strategic advantage, nobody was really all that interested in conquering it.

So in summary, yes San Marino is a fully independent country with its own government, passports, diplomats, and laws. It is entirely independent of Italy even though it is surrounded on every side and has an open border policy. If you are able to enter Italy, you are most likely able to enter San Marino without any kind of additional visa.

How to Get to San Marino

Get to san marino by flying.

San Marino is a very small country, and it doesn’t have its own international airport. To get to San Marino, you will need to fly into a city in Italy (if you aren’t already in Italy, that is).

San Marino is closest to the city of Rimini, but Rimini’s airport is small and will not have great international flight options, if any. Your best airport options to get to San Marino are either Florence or Bologna , which both made my list of the best airports to fly into in Italy.

From either of these airports, you can take a train to San Marino. There is no direct train, and you will need to make two train changes along your route.

If you plan on taking a train to San Marino, Bologna is the better choice to fly into, as it is two hours closer by train. In fact, if you fly into Florence, you will need to take a train that goes through Bologna, anyway.

If you plan on driving a car, Bologna is about a 90-minute drive from San Marino and Florence is about 3 hours (and like the train, the drive also passes through Bologna).

– R E A D –

Get to San Marino by Train

I mention this in all of my Italy travel guides, and I will say it again here. Italy has one of the best and most extensive train systems I have ever used. Trenitalia , which is the country’s national train line, is simply incredible. The train cars are nice, the prices are affordable, and the system is incredibly well-connected.

I personally think that traveling by train through Italy is the best way to go, and the same holds true when it comes to getting to San Marino.

San Marino does have a train station and you can take a train right into the country. However, you may have even better luck taking a train to Rimini and then boarding a bus for the 15-mile ride to San Marino. Rimini is a much bigger and busier city than San Marino, meaning that you may have faster train options to Rimini that require fewer stops and switches than the train to San Marino.

Right outside of the Rimini train station, you will find the buses that go to San Marino, and they are very clearly marked. The company is Bonelli Bus. You can buy tickets in cash from the bus driver, and buses leave all throughout the day, every day of the year.

Best Things to Do in San Marino

1. hike up to the three towers.

To me, this is the best thing to do in San Marino. The most iconic images of San Marino are all of its three towers at the peak of Mount Titano, Guaita, Cesta, and Montale.

Guaita was the first tower built in San Marino, and historians debate whether it was built in the 11th or 12 century. This is the most iconic structure in San Marino and is the castle-like tower that you are sure to recognize from photos of the tiny republic.

You can explore the tower much more than you may think, as you can even enter inside and climb some stairs and a ladder to get onto its roof.

drone shot view of castle towers on green cliff overlooking the country of san marino

Trust me – it is worth it for the view!

Cesta, the second tower, is now the home of the Museum of Ancient Arms . This tower isn’t quite as grand as the first one, but is still worth the trip to visit! After all, if you hiked up to see the first tower, you may as well see the others, right?

The cobblestone path connecting the first two towers, known locally as the Witches Path, is one of the most tranquil places in the country, too, and is the perfect place to sit on the ledge and catch your breath. The museum in the second tower is a cool place to visit, too, displaying weapons and armor from centuries past.

Montale, the third tower, serves much less of a purpose from a tourism perspective as it cannot even be entered. Still, you should walk out to it to enjoy the fantastic views it offers of the valley below.

2. Visit the State Museums of San Marino

The State Museums of San Marino are a nifty spot to check out, as they do a fantastic job of documenting San Marino’s history and legacy. This is especially unique, as San Marino is such a tiny country and has never had a monarch.

white concrete building with roman columns near green trees under blue sky during daytime

It is the oldest republic in the world, was founded by a priest, and survived an era of city-states that has since passed.

Other than Vatican City, there is no other city-state remaining in Italy.

How in the world did San Marino not get invaded or conquered over the past thousand years? Even Napoleon couldn’t do it? Visit the State Museums of San Marino for the answers to these questions and more.

The museum in the second tower is one of the State Museums, actually. Tickets cost €6 for entrance into two museums, or €8 for a pass granting you access to all of the museums.

3. Visit the Torture Museum [Queasy Warning]

I have been to torture museums all around the world. From California to Amsterdam to London to Prague , I have seen my fair share of these places. However, in my opinion, nothing tops the Torture Museum in San Marino. This museum is extremely well put together and is really a must-do thing in San Marino.

This museum is not for those with weak stomachs.

Room filled with renaissance torture devices

With that being said, I feel the need to give you a warning. The museum is not for those with weak stomachs. I don’t have a weak stomach, but even I had to sit down and take some deep breaths at points throughout the museum.

It is dark, it is disgusting, and it is hard to handle. But it’s human history, and it’s important to see and acknowledge. This place is not kid-friendly whatsoever. Tickets cost €8 per person and are worth every penny.

4. Ride the San Marino Cable Car

The San Marino Cable Car connects the town of Borgo Maggiore to the City of San Marino. It provides some really spectacular views of the town and the sea off to the east and is a really great way to get up to the city.

Personally, I don’t think that it is worth the time or money if you are already up in the City of San Marino, as the views from the towers are better than the views from the cable car.

If you are parking in Borgo Maggiore, though, don’t take the bus up to the city. Take the cable car! Tickets cost €2,80 one way or €4,50 round trip and can be purchased at the cable car station.

5. Hang Out in the Piazza della Libertà

The Piazza della Libertà is the main square in the City of San Marino and is one of the centers of life and culture in the little nation. Here is where you can meet and mingle with locals, grab a nice bite to eat, and even watch the changing of the guard outside of the municipal building.

White stone statue in San Marino square with flag during daytime

There isn’t much to actually do here other than relax, but I am a big fan of just grabbing a coffee and soaking in the sights, smells, and sounds around me. The Piazza della Libertà is the place to do that in San Marino.

Once you are done relaxing in the square and watching the changing of the guard, be sure to explore the streets that extend off from here. The little cobblestone streets are narrow and date back over 500 years, and you really do feel like you’re stepping back in time.

How to Get Around San Marino

San Marino is tiny. The entire country is only 24 square miles, and the parts that you will want to see are even smaller. The country is made up of the city and the rural land surrounding it. The city is small enough to be fully explored in a day on foot, and there is no need at all for a bike, car, or scooter. Walking is absolutely the way to get around San Marino.

With that being said, San Marino is a very hilly country and actually requires a little physical fitness to explore. Hiking to the castle takes some real effort, and the slopes and steps are pretty steep.

San Marino is not a very handicap-accessible country, either. You can’t do much in the city without walking up steep hills, so be sure to take that into consideration before visiting.

How Many Days Do You Need in San Marino?

As I mentioned before, San Marino is pretty tiny. While there is more to the country than just the City of San Marino, the city is really where you will spend the brunt of your time. You can easily do San Marino as a day trip from Bologna or Rimini, if you’re already there.

Seeing all of the major sights, visiting the most popular museums, and stopping for a couple meals can all be done in a day or less.

I recommend staying a night if you can, though. Day trips feel rushed to me, and while a day trip might check off all of the boxes of the best things to do in San Marino, you miss out on a bit of the country’s vibe by rushing through it. I recommend trying to stay a night and catching a sunrise or sunset up by the towers.

brown concrete Italian church steeple with cross during daytime

Is San Marino Worth Visiting?

This question really just depends on what you are looking for. In many ways, San Marino isn’t all that unique from Italy. In other ways, it’s extremely different.

If you are a history buff, I think San Marino is a must. The country’s history is very unique and interesting, and the sole fact that it still exists as a country is a historical marvel. I mean, the country’s leaders were best friends with both the pope and Napoleon!

If history isn’t really your thing, San Marino could still be worth visiting. Personally, I think the views from the towers are worth the trip themselves if you aren’t too far away. I wouldn’t recommend flying from another country to get here. But if you are already in Eastern Italy, it doesn’t hurt to come to check San Marino out for at least a day.

So, if you ask me “Is San Marino worth visiting while in Italy?” I would say yes. Is San Marino worth visiting on a trip of its own? Not really. Pair it with a trip to Bologna, though, and you’re in for a real treat!

That’s all we have for you about San Marino! Hopefully, this post has helped you to determine whether or not San Marino is worth visiting on your next trip to central Italy. I sure think so!

If you’re planning a trip to San Marino, comment below ! We’d love to chat ahead of time and answer any questions you have.

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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San Marino – Why you must visit one of the smallest countries in the world

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San Marino, one of the world’s oldest and smallest countries is a must-visit for any traveller to Europe and especially Italy, due to its proximity to this country. If you are a first-time traveller to San Marino, follow our guide for the best things to do in San Marino City and tips for how to plan your trip.

Read one of those “Top 10 places to see before you die” articles lately? Or perhaps, “The top places to visit this year?” How about “Top 10 Bucketlist countries in Europe!” Chances are, if you have, you won’t have seen any mention of San Marino. That’s what makes it even more special.

San Marino is one of those countries that keeps itself hidden. Those who have visited San Marino know all about why it is such a special country and yet it remains unknown to so many. Or, for those who have heard about it, many think San Marino is in Italy.

city of san marino - things to do in san marino

The history of San Marino

Have you heard of people mentioning San Marino, Italy ? If you have, it is not correct. Despite its physical location, where it is wholly enclosed by Italy and close to many of the well-known Italian cities like Bologna and Florence, it actually isn’t in Italy at all?

Blink and you will miss San Marino. That’s if you are one of the fortunate people who actually know where it is. It’s a very common misconception that San Marino is part of Italy. Google searches will attest to this, with common searches of “San Marino Italy” rising to the fore. It’s understandable, given that it is completely landlocked by Italy.

However, the Republic of San Marino is one of the world’s oldest republics and one of the smallest countries and as such totally independent of Italy and any other country for that matter.

San Marino fast facts

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It is also the only survivor from the Italian Renaissance days. Back in the 14th and 15th centuries, Italy was divided up into areas known as city-states. Regional areas surrounding important cities like Venice, Florence and Milan were ruled, usually by a strong and wealthy family.

The Papal city-state, ruled by the Pope, was also a key part of the Italian system. With the later demise of the powerful city-states, curiously, San Marino maintained its independence.

Planning a trip to Bologna? Read our comprehensive guide on planning your itinerary .

San Marino is the fifth smallest country in the world.
San Marino is one of only three countries in the world that is entirely surrounded by another country. San Marino is entirely surrounded by Italy.
People who are from San Marino are called Sammarinese.
Italian is the principal language spoken although Romagnol, an Emilio-Romagna dialect is also spoken.
San Marino is not part of the European Union but uses the Euro as its currency.
The Republic of San Marino is officially known as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino. That’s quite a mouthful.
Around 33,500 people call San Marino their home.
The entire size of San Marino is 16 square kilometres.
US President Abraham Lincoln held citizenship to San Marino.
San Marino managed to remain neutral during both world wars, even with Italy heavily involved.

It sure is. For first-time visitors, we recommend spending your time, if it is short, in the San Marino city, atop Mount Titano.

Yes, it is. Even at night, if you are staying on the mountain, you can walk around the empty streets without any cause for concern.

While the main language spoken is Italian, you will find many people who speak English here.

There is no border control in San Marino, but don’t forget to go to the local Tourism Office to get your own novelty passport stamp in your own passport.

The best sights in San Marino are the Three Towers, the Public Palace and Liberty Square. But there are many other historical buildings, squares and things to see within the walls of San Marino city.

Yes, the city of San Marino is very small so if you only have one day here that will still be enough. Of course, if you do have more time, spending the night means you get to visit some of the great restaurants and enjoy that magical view from the hill, under the stars.

The Republic of San Marino is aesthetically beautiful, to match its interesting history. San Marino is located close to the Adriatic Sea which runs along the east coast of Italy. It is surrounded by the Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions of Italy and bordered to the west by the Apennine Ranges.

The capital of the republic, also called San Marino, was built as a fortress on top of Mount Titano, some 650 metres above sea level. It’s a place of stone fairytale castles and buildings. While it is the city of San Marino that most people go to visit, there are many villages at the base of the mountain.

It’s a very special place at the top of Mount Titano. Here you can sit and sip a cold glass of wine on the edge of the mountain, as you take in the view below. On a very clear day, sweeping views across the Adriatic Sea can be seen and the magnificent Apennines can be seen in the distance.

view over san marino - things to do in san marino

As a mostly pedestrianised city, your trusty feet are the best option for exploring. Take your time, stopping along the way to take in everything this city has to offer. It’s impossible to get lost!

Pro travel tip: Note that many of the cobblestone streets are quite steep, and wearing good walking shoes is a must. I wore heels out to dinner one night and had to almost tippy-toe on the stones. Luckily, I didn’t have to walk too far.

Despite relatively low tourist numbers, there is still a juxtaposition between this ancient city and its attempt to eke as much money as they can from those who visit. Whilst the streets lined with shops add to the overall ambience and beauty, I would much prefer to see the majority of them filled with the unique local crafts that can be found in some of the shops.

Once a tax haven and duty-free shopping city, the remnants of this over-commercialisation can still be seen in the bountiful handbag shops and other touristy items.

I didn’t allow this to cloud my view of the city though, as it’s easy to just ignore the shopping aspect and focus on the real beauty. I didn’t come here to shop anyway, and I’m not tempted by shiny baubles and souvenir offerings.

Three Towers

The Republic of San Marino and the city of San Marino is all about the fortress that sits aloft on its mighty mountain. As you approach it from the ground, it elicits that first gasp. It sneaks up on you ever so quietly that for a moment, you wonder if it’s someone else making that noise. I look sideways at my husband and see his eyes wide with an appreciation of what we are about to see.

The fortress, built in the 1200s, is comprised of three towers, all of which have been restored in some way over the years. Two of them were actually used as prisons up until the 1960s. The second tower sits on the highest part of Mt Titano, 756 metres above sea level. The third sits on its own, isolated from the others. Towers 1 and 2 can be accessed by the public.

Pro Tip: Despite the website stating that the towers are open all day, they were closed when we visited, probably due to a midday siesta. Before climbing up the hill, find out whether they are actually open!

The three towers, Guaita, Cesta and Montale are joined on top of the mountain by a path that winds its way along the top. Guaita was the first one built and in a significant act of defence, it was built with not one but two walls. Visitors to the Guaita Tower are able to walk one of them.

If you can, take the opportunity to walk the path between the towers and imagine yourself there centuries ago. The views on a good day from up here are epic. The Guaita and Cesta Towers only are open to the public,

At the Cesta Tower, you can climb up to the roof via a step-ladder. This one isn’t. for anyone with mobility issues though. If you are a fan of armour, be sure to visit the Armoury Museum found here.

Pro tip : Buy a combined ticket that includes the two towers. The Two Museum pass allows you to choose two from the following; Tower 1, Tower 2, St Francis Museum, State Museum, National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art and Public Palace (when open to visitors). A Combined Museum Pass gives entry to Towers 1 and 2, St Francis Museum, State Museum, National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art and Public Palace (when open to visitors).

Public Palace

The Public Palace is the main location of all things official here in San Marino, including parliament. Located right on the town walls, it also contains guard towers, part of the city’s military defence in times gone by. It is particularly spectacular at night time.

As the scene of much of San Marino’s political history, the building has several Coat-of-Arms that represent both the republic and municipalities. It is of a Gothic style although much more sedate than many other Gothic buildings in Europe.

The Guardia di Rocca perform in a changing of the guard ceremony at the Palace during summer. They are performed every 30 minutes from 8.30 am until 6.30 pm seven days a week during this time.

Liberty Square

The Public Palace sits on one side of Liberty Square. A fountain adorned with the Statue of Liberty sits in the centre of the square that overlooks the hills below. Take a break in one of the many bars and cafes that line the square and watch the people go by.

Parva Domus Communis

This was the site of the former postal administration and also the town clock, although its internal workings of it were transferred to the Public Palace sometime later. The building dates back to the 1300s.

Basilica di San Marino

This Catholic church is the main church of San Marino and stands apart from other buildings here due to its Roman architecture, notably the Corinthian columns at the front. The coat of arms of the Republic of San Marino can be seen above the front door.

The Basilica is a relatively new construction by normal European standards, having been built in the 1820s. It sits on the site of a church built in the 7th century.

Cava dei Balestrieri

Just over the side of one of the walls of the city, is a huge hole, created when the rock was excavated to reconstruct the Public Palace. The San Marino Crossbowmen’s Federation was formed in 1956 and is made up of approximately 70 members.

This is now used as a training area and exhibition space for the members. As luck would have it, on the day we were here, we were given a great display of this sport. Various contests and festivals featuring this ancient art take place throughout the year. The most important ones happen between Spring and Autumn.

The steps nearby were packed with people, sitting in the hot summer sun, watching the men ready their crossbows and shoot arrows into targets at the other end. The speed at which they whizzed past my eyes as I was watching them from above told me I didn’t need to get too close!

San Marino is home to medieval festivals throughout the year. The Medieval Days Festival generally happens over the last weekend in July.

This is a little bit kitsch, but with San Marino being an incredibly hilly place to get around, the train is perfect for those who find the hills hard going, or just need a break. It is also wheelchair accessible.

Take the train from the Borgo Maggiore at the bottom of the hill up to the city of San Marino. The ride takes around 40 minutes and has an audio guide included, giving you the chance to take in the view while listening to the history of the city.

For a small city, there are plenty of opportunities to eat, stop for a refreshment or enjoy an aperitif as the sun goes down. Given the physical location of San Marino, it’s easy to understand that the Italian influence is significant, and this extends to their food. There’s plenty of pizza (good pizza) on offer, along with the usual Italian suspect of pasta.

There are many locations that offer a great view down into the valley or towards the Adriatic Sea. Alternatively, there are cosy cafes and restaurants, hidden in stone buildings on the main streets.

Bar Piadineria la Capanna

With sweeping views and a location on the way to the First Tower, this bar is one that I would normally be enticed by the view but fear the service. Unfortunately, bars in these areas have proven time and time again to be expensive (over the top really) and lacking in service. This was not the case here, with prompt service, excellent prices, and their own specially brewed beer as well. We just had a refreshing beer here but the pizza and pasta that we saw stream continuously from the kitchen looked very good.

Location : Location: Salita alla Rocca 47 San Marino Città, San Marino, San Marino 47890

Hotel Bellavista

Located on one of the highest points of the city of San Marino, the Hotel Bellavista restaurant offers traditional Italian fare, overlooking the Cava dei Balestrieri. In warm weather, take a seat outside on the street, overlooking the training area for the crossbowmen.

Location : Contrada Del Pianello, 42/44 47890 San Marino

Hotel Cesare

Hotel Cesare has a wonderful outdoor deck perfect for an early afternoon aperitif. Whilst in Italy this time I took a fancy to their Aperol spritzers, a simple blend of Aperol, soda and prosecco. Served in a huge wine glass over plenty of ice, it’s the perfect drink for a hot day

Location: Salita Alla Rocca, 7, 47890 Città di San Marino

Restaurant Righi – Osteria

For casual dining, the osteria on the ground level of Restaurant Righi, overlooking Liberty Square would be my pick. With food overseen by Michelin-star chef Luigi Sartini, this is traditional family fare, served with the freshest of ingredients and the greatest of care.

Location : Piazza Libertà, 10 San Marino

Restaurant Righi

For a significant step away from the common (but tasty) food of San Marino, look no further than Restaurant Righi, the fancy friend of its stablemate osteria. Located above the osteria is the pride and joy of Chef Luigi Sartini.

With one Michelin star under his belt, this intimate restaurant serves up innovative food made with only the freshest of ingredients. With degustations as a principal offering, the chef will prepare food unlikely to be seen elsewhere and perfectly matched with an impressive wine list.

Location: Piazza Libertà, 10 San Marino

Read about our own experience at Restaurant Righi San Marino

If you are wanting to stay in the Old Town itself there are only a handful of hotels.

We stayed at Hotel Cesare.

Four-star hotel just inside the city walls
Small rooms
Full-size shower and bathroom
Good restaurant and bar
Amazing thermal pools in the cave below
Breakfast on the terrace overlooking the Adriatic coast is stunning

Check reviews and book online .

Centrally located in the city of San Marino and close to the Cava dei Balestrieri
Views over the Adriatic coast and the Apennines mountain range
Its restaurant is also one of the best places to eat in San Marino

Check reviews and book online

Hotel Titano

Get the vibe of San Marino by staying in this 19th-century building
Some rooms with views over the valley and Piazza della Liberta
Small-animal friendly

The easiest way to get here is from within Italy itself.

San Marino by train

Unlike much of Europe, it is not possible to catch a train to San Marino. The train line was bombed during World War Two and has never been fully rebuilt. Instead, you will need to travel to Rimini, about an hour to an hour and a half away, depending on the train. While int is recommended to catch the express train, it will depend entirely on your timing. Trenitalia is the main train service in Italy.

San Marino by car

The San Marino historic centre is a pedestrianised area, traffic controllers monitor the traffic. Towards the top of the mountain, the road becomes one-way, with one road leading into the city and one out.

From Bologna to San Marino : This trip covers 134 kilometres and just under two hours when traffic is normal. Be mindful that many locals head to the seaside on Friday to spend the weekend so traffic will be much heavier during these times. The A14/E45 are the main routes out of Bologna.

From Rimini to San Marino : Rimini is approximately 20 kilometres from San Marino, a trip that takes around 30 minutes.

Florence to San Marino : Located approximately 238 kilometres from Florence, this drive will take just under three hours.

conductors limit traffic into the city of San Marino

There are street parks along the road for cars and a car park right outside the city gates. Parking is also available at Borgo Maggiore. From here you can ride the funicular back up to the top. Car parks in San Marino can be found here .

San Marino by bus

Buses leave from the main Rimini train station (20km away) and cost €5 per person each way or €9 return. The trip takes about 45 minutes. The buses, operated by Bonelli Buses in conjunction with Fratelli Benedittini, run daily and tickets may be purchased on the bus. The buses also have wifi.

For the current timetable of Bonelli buses, click here .

If you are catching the bus back into Rimini, the area at St Francis’ Gate where the traffic controllers are is where you need to go to. The bus exchange lies directly beneath here and can be accessed via walking the winding road or by a lift just down a hill. If you are confused, just ask them as they are extremely helpful.

San Marino by air

There are no airports in San Marino. The closest airports can be found in Rimini, Bologna and Ancona.

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is the largest airport in Emilia Romagna and where the majority of visitors to Bologna (and San Marino) arrive. Depending on your itinerary, it might be a good idea to hire a car from the airport.

Buses are the cheapest option for getting from Bologna to Rimini. The Shuttle Italy Airport bus costs €22 one way and with several stops along the way takes approximately 90 minutes to arrive at Rimini Train Station.

Federico Fellini International Airpor t is in nearby Rimini. Trains run from the airport to Rimini Central Station. The number 9 bus also runs into the city. Cars may also be hired from here.

Aeroporto delle Marche is a very small airport servicing only a handful of cities. A train also runs from the airport into Rimini.

San Marino by funicular

A funicular is also a fun addition to San Marino, providing access up and down from the town of Borgo Maggiore. Great views are a bonus.

Walking in San Marino

There is an ancient walkway called the Costa dell’Arnella path that runs up the side of the mountain from Borgo Maggiore to San Marino. If you fancy some incredible views and some exercise, this one is for you. It starts in the centre of Borgo Maggiore and ends at the city gate entrance to the walled city of San Marino.

This one is easy. The small size of the historic city means that your two feet are the best option for getting around Marino. Cars are prohibited inside the city walls.

Like so much of Italy that surrounds it, San Marino enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate. In summer it is warm (and can get hot) but the ocean breezes coming up from the Adriatic usually keep the temperature at a reasonable level. Summertime means heaps of tourists and even though this is one of the least visited countries in Europe, the number of people and its sheer size means it gets very crowded.

If you are coming via Rimini this is also important, particularly in the summertime. As a beach town, tourists flock to Rimini in the summer and so do locals on their weekends and on their summer holidays. Visitors almost always end up doing a day trip from Rimini to San Marino too, so the crowds can become quite unbearable.

Winter is much cooler given its location on the top of a mountain. We visited at the end of October and it was a really beautiful time to visit. The streets were also not busy at all. It’s also a perfect time to go truffle hunting in the Romagna Hills nearby.

Is San Marino worth visiting? Yes is the answer. There are plenty of things to do in San Marino, but there’s one thing in San Marino that you shouldn’t miss. There’s no denying it can feel a bit touristy, but we really wanted to come here. There are no official borders into San Marino, so a passport is not required.

Trying to squeeze as much out of the visitor’s experience as possible, the San Marino tourism office provides a “tourist passport stamp” upon presentation of your passport at their office. It will cost €5 for the pleasure, despite it having no official certification whatsoever.

However, I know I probably won’t come back here. As beautiful as it is, this is a place for a day trip, two days at most.

Looking for additional reading on San Marino. These travel guides might be helpful.

Northern Italy : Emilia-Romagna: including Bologna, Ferrara, Modena, Parma, Ravenna and the Republic of San Marino
What to do in Bologna from one day to one week
Day trips from Bologna: Cesenatico
Truffle hunting in Italy
Rent a Vespa or scooter in Bologna
The best food tours in Bologna: Experienced food and travel writers reveal their favourite food tours
Bologna cooking classes with a local in their home
Two-week Motorhome itinerary – south of France
What you need to know about buying a motorhome in France
What to do for two days in Bordeaux France

Book your flight: Flights are an important part of travel and we’re always looking for the best deals. If you can travel mid-week and be flexible, you’ll often find great deals on flights. We also use Skyscanner and Expedia for flight bookings. Dollar Flight Club is a great resource for getting special advance offers and even error fares directly to your inbox.

Book your accommodation: We all love to stay in different places, from the comfort of a self-contained apartment or house to a resort or luxury hotel. Sometimes we need something quick, easy and comfortable for an overnight stay.

We use all of the following online booking portals depending on where we want to stay and the type of accommodation we are looking for.

VRBO and Stayz (in Australia) – great for holiday rentals of more than seven days and often have discounts for longer periods.
Booking.com and Expedia – two of our favourites due to their cancellation and refund policies.
Trip Advisor – perfect for getting reviews, checking availability and pricing comparisons all in one place.

Book your rental car or motorhome: We always use Discover Rental Cars anywhere in the world for car hire. Anywhere Campers is our preferred motorhome hiring company in Europe, especially if you want to be able to pickup and drop off at different locations (even countries) in Europe. If you’d like to buy your own motorhome in France , we use and recommend France Motorhome Sales . Use our code FMS1022 or tell John we sent you!

Book a tour: We travel independently, but when we do book we book them with reputable companies who have a great cancellation and refund policy. If you are looking for advance tickets to an attraction, group or private tours, we use and recommend Get Your Guide and Viator . Both have a great range of tours and flexible cancellation policies. If you are looking to do a food tour in Europe, we also recommend Eating Europe Tours .

Be covered: We always travel with travel insurance . We did it before the pandemic and it’s even more important for us to do so now. We use Cover-More in Australia. SafetyWing has great rates for travellers who are away from home for extended periods.

Be ready : Make sure you pack a few essentials: universal adaptor , power bank and noise-cancelling headphones

About The Author

Kerri McConnel

A former corporate business executive, Kerri is the content creator for Beer and Croissants, a trusted source of detailed guides on motorhome travel, road trip itineraries, and destinations.

Together with Stirling, they are motorhome experts, having independently road-tripped their way across much of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand since 1995. Back home in Australia, they own their own motorhome and can always be found on a regional road trips, taking in towns that often no one has heard of.

They are responsible travellers; long, slow trips in motorhomes, spending time in small regional communities where the tourists usually don't wander, and spending money in their small economies. And where possible, they travel in shoulder and off seasons, so they don't add to the tourist rush.

As an Honorary Barge Lady for Barge Lady Cruises and a regular on European Waterways vessels, Kerri is also an expert on luxury barge travel in Europe, having completed five barge cruises in France and Scotland.

Kerri is a Digital Travel Publisher Member and former board member and treasurer of the Australian Society of Travel Writers (2020-2023).

Everything written and produced on this site is our own work. there's no AI and if we've written about it, you can trust we've been there, done that!

23 thoughts on “San Marino – Why you must visit one of the smallest countries in the world”

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did Peter. Such a wonderful location and hard to believe it has remained its own country. I wish you good weather as the views from the top are incredible on a fine day.

Thanks for this excellent guide. I have intended to visit it for such a long time but it looks like I will finally get there next month, just for a day trip so this will maximise my time there. Scotland seems to often get drawn against San Marino in the various football tournaments and not having an airport or railway adds to the fun of the challenge for the Tartan Army but I was always too busy to go when we were playing them.So far I have managed to get to the Vatican and Gibraltar, still to get Monaco to add to my city states list.

Hi Sasha, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to tell me about your project. San Marino is indeed a beautiful place so I am quite sure you will do very well and show everyone how special it is.

I only searched about San Marino because this is for a project that I will be doing in Social Studies. My classmates even teased my picked country because it kinda sounds like a brand of sardines/corn beef. I never actually knew that San Marino is a country before my teacher assigned me to this country. When I searched the country and stumbled upon this blog, I thought, “Shame on those boys who made fun of this country because it is absolutely breathtaking! Thank you for posting such a really informative and helpful blog! Wish me luck on my project! I believe it will go well with this information and reaction I got from someone who actually traveled and stayed there. Don’t worry because I will put credits with your blog website captioned “the most helpful one of them all”. I rambled on so much and I think I should stop. Oh well, hope I have a good grade in Social Studies!

It’s such an incredible place isn’t it!

we’ve visited it in May with our baby:)) I chose it as our first family trip! loved it! But still haven’t blogged about it properly..

I’ve never heard of San Marino before, but now I really want to go. It has so much history and the photos are beautiful!

Cheers T, we really loved it.

Thanks so much for this post. I had no idea San Marino was an independent country, and it looks beautiful. I’m planning an Italy trip right now, and I will definitely be adding this as a destination. Thanks for the great information, and the pictures are fantastic.

I certainly think you would love it all over again!

the rail connection was bombed and I guess they just haven’t had the $$$ to rebuild

Thanks so much Val, it was such a delightful place to visit and one I had wanted to for so long.

Yep, you’re right – San Marino has not made it onto any lists I’ve seen going into 2018! Their loss! Though you’re correct – sometimes getting too much attention is almost like a curse because these spots often get overrun with tourism to the point where they lose their authentic charm. Which San Marino seems to ooze!

I’ve actually learnt something new today, because I did think it was part of Italy – sorry San Marino!! So thanks for setting that straight. The foretress looks absolutely incredible – kind of reminds me of the Great Wall of China it looks so grand! And I would lovet o just wander and get lost among the cobbled streets. Thanks for the article!

I tend to be fonder of charming little places than overly hyped tourist spots. That, and the Public Palace is lovely! I’d love to visit San Marino one day.

If ever I’d come and visit San Marino, I’d definitely see Basilica di San Marino, whenever I’m in a new place, I look for a Catholic church. Being raised as a Catholic, I love paying a visit to churches. The View from Bar Piadineria la Capanna is a must here I could say, I would definitely choose to dine in here provided by the stunning view. Pizza and pasta are always a perfect combination for me. And of course, the stamp is so nice! I’d like to get this one, too! Sure 5euro is worth it! Indeed!

Oh wow, the architecture in San Marino looks stunning! That’s really neat that it was built as a fortress on Mount Titano—the views from the city look really amazing. The Public Palace looks absolutely gorgeous as well—I love how it looks like it is just perched up on the top of the hill! That’s too bad the train line was destroyed during the war, but I’m glad to hear there are busses running there still. I would want to get a passport stamp too—yeah, it’s touristy but it’s a fun souvenir! We really need to look into visiting San Marino now for sure!

Okay, I’ve officially added San Marino to my list of places I must visit – and before reading this post I had no idea it even existed! Your photos are absolutely breathtaking and it looks like such a darling little city to spend a few days. The fortress looks so beautiful! Were you able to go when it was actually open? I love the way it looks with the greenery growing up the walls. I’m so glad I stumbled upon this post – thanks for writing!

I understand your concern about San Marino becoming popular… it will soon get infested with tourists. Looks such a cute little place with typical cobbled streets.Strange it doesn’t have rail connection.

Oh I totally forgot about the existence of San Marino until I read your post here! haha… I think we stopped in San Marino for a couple of hours on our way down to Scerne di Pineto when I was a kid. That was such a long time ago, and back then I just tagged along without asking or caring where we traveled to. haha… But your photo of the fortress and the three towers reminds that I’ve seen this before! I remember that it looked impressive, and now I would definitely want to return to explore San Marino more in depth. Let’s hope that it stays a hidden gem among the other famous European “must-see destinations”! And thank you for your list of places to eat, I would love to try out Restaurant Righi! And it’s good to know that there’s not train going to San Marino. But that’s OK, it’s gonna be another road trip then! :)

I’ve been to Italy twice and I told myself that I plan to visit the smaller cities. Great information to know that the train is a bust to San Marino. However, I can see the drive as the best adventurous and scenic rid.

I’ll admit, I hadn’t heard of San Marino until about a year ago, but have read much about it since. Hill-top towns are so picturesque. I love Aperol Spritz’s too, so sitting at the Hotel Cesare with one of those sounds simply marvellous. I love the idea of putting a passport stamp in your passport, despite not needing one. I love love love passport stamps, so it is such a lovely token of your visit.

Adorable! Of course, I had no idea that San Marino existed but would love to walk those cobblestone streets. Great tips about getting there and the discount card. The views are breath taking. I’m not much of a shopper either but it’s fun to people and window watch.

It does look beautiful. It’s a great day trip idea, even if it’s just to cross the country off the list.

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San Marino Republic

Hospitality, directions to san marino, top things to see, shopping in san marino, san marino is history, culture and fun for everyone.

San Marino is a small independent State between Adriatic Coast, the italian region of Romagna and Marche. A territory full of charm for its ancient history of freedom and cultural places of interest, such as castles, monuments and museums . Its nature reserves fascinating landscapes and fun for children: come and discover all its wonders!

Riviera Romagnola: hotels and beach near San Marino

If you would like to spend some days in a seaside location full of entertainment and relax on the beach, book now an accommodation in Romagna where you can find a lot of hotels, b&bs, residences and special offer for your stay. Check the web site www.info-alberghi.com to find the perfect offer for you.

Here you can find special and last minute offers very affordable. The two location near San Marino are Rimini e Riccione: check now the two section info alberghi Rimini e info alberghi Riccione .

SAN MARINO a land to discover

Hospitality.

Where to stay in San Marino, our hotel recommendations in the historical center, in the seaside and the carming Castelli.

Restaurants

Eating in San Marino: restaurants, pizzerias, piadinerie. The best restaurants to taste typical San Marino and Romagna cuisine. Also Gluten Free.

Camping and RV vacations are a real passion for travelers who prefer autonomy and a bit of adventure in their …

Map of San Marino

The Serenissima Republic of San Marino covers 61.19 km² and has 33,745 inhabitants (2021 data). DOWNLOAD THE FREE MAP of …

THINGS TO SEE

The 3 towers of san marino, a tiny city: children’s tour in san marino in 5 moves, visit san marino ancient land of freedom, territory of san marino, castles of san marino, romagna and adriatic coast, one-day tour in san marino: what to see and what to do, useful info, holidays and ceremonies, residence permit, helpful san marino phone numbers, parking in san marino.

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Things to do in san marino, explore popular experiences, popular cities in san marino.

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Guide to San Marino: 3 Easy Ways To Travel from Italy to San Marino

With its proximity to Italy, San Marino is a must-see for any European traveler. And it is also quite easy to travel from Italy to San Marino.

One of the world’s smallest and oldest countries, San Marino has not made it on many people’s travel wish lists just yet. But this fact only makes a visit even more special.

Italy surrounds the tiny country of San Marino, which is said to be the oldest republic in the world. St. Marinus, a Christian stonemason, is said to have founded the country in 301 AD, which bears his name today.

The capital city of San Marino, also known as San Marino, is home to the majority of the country’s cultural attractions. Located at the summit of a mountain, the city is a tourist destination full of historic buildings, restaurants, and shops.

In addition, there are many small museums and stunning views of the surrounding towns and countryside.

San Marino is a must-see for anyone who enjoys fairy-tale castle fortresses perched on mountaintops.

San Marino, despite its diminutive size, has a lot to offer beyond the typical day trips from Italy’s Rimini and Bologna.

Spending two or more days in San Marino, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an excellent way to learn more about one of the world’s most fascinating countries.

Table of Contents

How to Travel from Italy to San Marino

The only way to get to San Marino is via Italy .

For a hassle-free visit, you only need your passport and visa (especially if you’re not Italian or European). After 30 days, you must obtain a visa and a residence permit from the authorities.

So, how do you reach this stunning microstate? We’ve prepared an easy guide for your smooth travel from Italy to San Marino.

To begin with, there are no airports in San Marino. If you’re flying in from another country, you’ll need to land in Rome , Milan , Bologna , Venice , or Remini to get to San Marino. If you’re flying into one of these cities, you’ll need to take a train to Remini first.

There are two ways to get to San Marino from Rimini: driving or taking the bus from the Rimini train station to San Marino.

1) Train to Remini

San Marino does not have a train or rail system. It is, however, easily accessible via bus from Rimini, Italy, which is where most visitors to San Marino begin their journey.

If you’re traveling from any major city of Italy to San Marino from any of Italy’s major cities, the first step is to board a train to Rimini Station.

Italy’s rail networks use a system that allows the price of tickets to be flexible. The price tends to rise as the departure date approaches. As a result, if you have the opportunity to book in advance, take it.

It is also possible to buy a train ticket on the day of travel, but expect to pay more.

Your point of departure has a significant impact on the cost. The following are the standard Trenitalia ticket costs and travel times for various routes:

Bologna to Rimini –

Direct trips. Travel time : 1 hour to 2 hours 15 minutes Fare : 9.85€ to 30€

Florence to Rimini –

Usually includes a transfer in Bologna or Faenza. Travel time : 2 hours 13 minutes to 4 hours Fare : 13.95€ to 50€

Milan to Rimini –

There are direct trains, but some trips have a transfer in Bologna. Travel time : 2 hours 6 minutes to 5 hours Fare : 25€ to 100€

Venice to Rimini –

Usually includes a transfer in Bologna. Travel time : 3hours 15 minutes to 5 hours Fare : 20€ to 80€

Rome to Rimini –

Usually has a transfer in Bologna. Travel time : 3.5 to 8 hours Fare : 24€ to 100€

*The majority of routes include a stopover in Bologna, the nearest major city to Rimini.

2) Bus from Remini to San Marino

When you arrive at Rimini Station, one of the first things you’ll notice is the Burger King across the street. You must proceed to that side of the road.

There is a small tabaccheria (tobacco shop) to the left of Burger King. That is where you can purchase San Marino tickets.

Don’t go to the Rimini Bus Station because they don’t sell tickets. You can only buy tickets at this small tabaccheria .

The first trip departs at 7:55 AM, and the last trip departs at 7:10 PM. The schedules are also 1.5 to 3 hours apart, so you may have to wait a while.

The one-way ticket costs 5 euros. You can also get a return ticket from the same tabaccheria .

The journey takes 50 minutes.

Once you have your ticket, walk to the Rimini Stazione (Rimini FF.SS.). The bus stop is located in the same street, in front of the Napoleon Hotel, just a quick walk from Burger King.

You’ll want to get on the bus early if you don’t have a seat assignment on your ticket.

The ticket is also not timed. You can wait for the next bus if you can’t find a seat or if you miss the first one. But the wait will take a few hours.

Piazzale Calcigni in San Marino’s old town is where the bus stops. Look around you and remember the location of this bus stop, because that’s where you’ll be returning to Rimini.

To get to the area’s tourist attractions, all you have to do is walk.

3) Traveling to San Marino by Car

San Marino is easy to reach by car if you have a current driver’s license and plan on renting a car.

There are no border controls to travel from Italy to San Marino.

However, parking in San Marino is limited; you’ll have to leave your car in nearby Borgo Maggiore and take the cable car up to the city. There is no shortage of parking spaces to choose from in the area close to the cable car station.

That’s it! We hope this guides helps on your travel from Italy to San Marino. Have a wonderful time!

Where To Stay In San Marino

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5 Best Places To Visit In San Marino
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10 Top Tourist Attractions in San Marino & Easy Day Trips
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Visiting San Marino: 11 tips for your visit to this magical tiny country

Where is San Marino?

Is San Marino worth visiting?

How long to stay in San Marino

Getting to San Marino

How to get to San Marino by car

How to get to San Marino by public transport

Rimini to San Marino bus

Things to do in San Marino

Visit the three towers

Passo Delle Streghe – the Witches’ Path

See Piazza della Libertà and the Palazzo Pubblico

Get your passport stamped

Ride on the cable car

Visit San Marino’s unusual museums

Check what’s on at Cava dei Balestrieri

See the old train

Where to stay in San Marino

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15 Best Places to Visit in San Marino

1. Rocca Guaita and Torre Cesta

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3. Mount Titano

4. The Museums

6. Montegiardino

7. Borgo Maggiore

8. Serravalle

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