Why You Should Visit San Marino in 2024
San Marino is a democratic country where people elect representatives to make laws. They have a Captain Regent who is the head of state. The government and the Grand and General Council both have power to make laws.
San Marino started way back in 301 AD. Some say it became a republic in the fourth century, but most agree it officially began as a constitutional republic in the 13th century. San Marino’s constitution, written in 1600, is the oldest one still in use today.
San Marino is a small, independent country completely surrounded by Italy. It’s in a good spot, nestled among mountains near the Adriatic Sea. It’s the third smallest country in Europe and the fifth smallest in the world.
Is San Marino Expensive to Visit?
When considering a trip to the quaint country of San Marino, a frequent query arises: “How costly is it?” Situated within Italy, this sovereign state provides a distinctive getaway boasting rich cultural heritage, history, and breathtaking vistas. For savvy travelers, especially those utilizing contemporary lodging solutions such as Holiday Swap, exploring San Marino can prove remarkably economical. Holiday Swap presents an excellent lodging alternative, providing authentic local encounters at affordable rates.
But why should you visit San Marino?
Because San Marino is small, you can see all the important sights while enjoying a great lunch.
You’ll find a maze of old cobblestone streets, small cafes, shops, and outdoor restaurants in perfect locations with stunning views.
From the squares to the guard towers, the amazing views will grab your attention. Here are six more reasons to visit San Marino.
When I visited San Marino, it was a really memorable experience for me. Even though it’s close to Rimini on the Italian coast, I felt like I had been transported to another time and place. Today, you can get to the top of the mountain by bus or car, and I chose the bus. I looked at the mountains and the big sky and felt really free. You don’t need a passport to go into the country, but I still felt like it was far away, in a good way, of course.
With so many old buildings in the center of San Marino, it’s easy to feel like you’ve gone back in time. I’m not sure what I expected, but I fell in love with San Marino right away.
I spent hours exploring every corner, and I enjoyed every bit of it. Walking along the old city wall with its guard towers, I half-expected to see knights in armor. Some places looked like they were right out of a Renaissance movie.
The Palazzo Publico, where San Marino’s government meets, was built in the 19th century but fits perfectly into the ancient surroundings. Many other cities in Europe should learn from San Marino’s conservation efforts, which helped it become a UNESCO World Heritage site.
What impressed me most about San Marino, and something I wish more cities would do, is that the historic center is completely free of cars.
Things to do in San Marino
1. Walk the Medieval Town Walls San Marino
The idols and symbols of their beliefs surround the king and the country. When we first arrived in Rajadhaane, we climbed the Portanova gate and walked up to the center of the country. Saint Mary used to cherish the gods as they were, but they were destroyed to make room for the city’s growth.
2. Explore the narrow cobblestone streets San Marino
The capital city is filled with narrow alleyways where space is tight, adding to the country’s charm. They make the most of every possible view for both tourists and residents, from small balconies with just enough room for a chair at sunset to tall walls adorned with blooming plants. It’s a place I could easily imagine calling home!
3. Wander through the Markets San Marino
San Marino, like many European countries, features numerous small market stalls along its cobblestone pathways and walkways between the three towers and the main square. While most stalls sell leather goods, we also found a few offering various liquors and San Marino products, all priced lower than in Italy due to the absence of taxes on these items!
4. Explore the Three Towers San Marino
San Marino’s three towers are celebrated like a big birthday bash, with flags flying high and yummy cake!
The Guaita Fortress is the oldest tower of the three. It’s really famous because it sits right at the very top of Monte Titano.
Cesta Tower is the second tower along the country’s ridge. Inside, there’s a neat Museum of Ancient Weapons. Some folks skip the third and final tower because it’s a bit of a hike through the woods. But don’t skip Montale Tower! It offers the most incredible views in San Marino because it used to be a lookout point.
5. Enjoy the Delicious Wine San Marino
Terroir
San Marino shares a climate similar to southern Emilia-Romagna, blending Mediterranean and continental influences. This combination brings warm summers and cold winters, which are perfect for growing grapes. This climate allows the grapevines to fully develop their fruit during the growing season before resting and regenerating during the winter months.
Grape varieties and wine style
I spent two hours tasting local wines and food in the center of San Marino. It was a special experience where I got to try some great wines.
In Tuscany, there’s only one vineyard and it’s not far from here, just 16 kilometers to the west. They grow Sangiovese grapes, which are famous in Italy for making red wine. The food there often includes lots of cheese, ham, beef, and rabbit cooked with garlic and rosemary. It’s got that real Italian taste.
Around here, they also make dry white wines using grapes like Ribolla and Biancale (also called Biancame and Bianchello). These wines go really well with seafood from the Adriatic shore, just 15 kilometers to the east.
They use Moscato Bianco grapes to make sweet and sparkling Muscat wines. These are perfect with a traditional dessert called Torta Tre Monti, named after three towers in San Marino.
It was a delightful way to spend the afternoon, enjoying the local flavors of wine and food.
6. Discover the Piazza Della Libertà San Marino
This square in San Marino is very popular among people.
The Three Towers of San Marino are three tall towers in the country. They sit on the three peaks of Monte Titano, the main mountain in the capital city, also called San Marino. These towers are important symbols for the country, shown on its flag and coat of arms.
The oldest and most famous tower is called Guaita. The second tower, called Cesta, is at the highest point of Monte Titano. Inside Cesta, there’s a museum about Saint Marinus that opened in 1956. It displays more than 1,550 weapons from the Middle Ages to today. Cesta was built in the 13th century, on top of an old Roman fort.
The third tower is Montale, found on the smallest peak of Monte Titano. Unlike the other towers, Montale is not open to the public.
7. Relax in the Liburnian Garden San Marino
This hidden garden is a must-visit in San Marino. You’ll be captivated by the gentle sound of water flowing as you pass through a hallway to reach a quiet courtyard where few visitors venture. The peaceful atmosphere is perfect for relaxing after a day of hiking up and down the hills of the country!
8. Walk the Via Donna Felicissima San Marino
This street is named after Donna Felicissima, a noblewoman from Rimini. According to legend, she gave Marino Monte Titano in exchange for healing her son Verissimo. It’s a great idea to stroll along this street to experience San Marino’s culture. On one side, you’ll see statues, and on the other side, there are beautiful flower beds and views of the distance.
10. Enjoy the views San Marino
How to get to San Marino:
Which airport should I use for San Marino?
The closest airport to San Marino is Federico Fellini International Airport in Rimini, which is about 17 kilometers away. However, if you’re traveling from outside Europe,
How to get to San Marino by car
San Marino is easy to reach from nearby Italy and other European countries. However, parking can be a challenge here due to limited space. The country’s medieval lanes are very narrow, so driving into the main center is not allowed. If you rent a car in Italy, you can drive into San Marino without any border checks.
How to get to San Marino by public transport – Rimini to San Marino Bus
San Marino doesn’t have its own airport or train station because of its small size. Therefore, the easiest way to get to San Marino is by taking a local bus from Rimini, Italy. Rimini has the closest airport and train station, making it the logical starting point for your journey to San Marino.
The bus ride from Rimini Station to San Marino takes about an hour and costs around 5 euros each way. The views along the route are definitely worth experiencing! Alternatively, you could drive or take a taxi, but parking in San Marino is very limited and a taxi ride can cost between 30 and 50 euros.
How to get around San Marino
The best way to get around San Marino is by walking. Its narrow paths, cobblestone streets, and numerous trails are perfect for exploring on foot. While cycling through the beautiful Emilia Romagna countryside to and from San Marino can be enjoyable, cycling within San Marino itself is not recommended.
Despite there being more cars than people in San Marino, we don’t recommend driving there yourself. It’s a small country where you can easily get around without a car, and finding parking among the locals’ cars can be challenging. Additionally, you’ll need an International Driving Permit to drive there.
San Marino FAQ:
When is the best time to visit San Marino?
The ideal time to visit San Marino is during spring or autumn to avoid the peak tourist season and hot weather. We visited in September, and the weather was delightful, with fewer tourists around.
What is San Marino popular for?
San Marino is famous for its medieval streets, squares, and ancient watchtowers, set in a stunning location high in the Italian countryside. Established in 301, it is also the world’s oldest existing sovereign state.
Is San Marino cheaper than Italy? Is San Marino expensive?
Even though San Marino is completely surrounded by Italy, it’s actually more affordable. San Marino benefits from low taxes, and since tourism is vital to its economy, visitors often find they get more value for their money compared to Italy.
Do you need passport to visit San Marino?
You don’t need a passport to enter San Marino because it has an open border with Italy, and international tourists have already gone through passport checks. However, you can get your passport stamped for a small fee at the tourist office if you wish.
Is San Marino tourist friendly?
San Marino is quite welcoming to tourists, despite limited public transportation options to reach there. Despite its small size, there’s plenty to see and do, such as historic landmarks like towers and a medieval walled town, charming cobblestone streets, beautiful gardens, and scenic viewpoints. The locals are very friendly, and the food is excellent, blending local dishes from neighboring Italy with a unique San Marino flair.
San Marino : Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| 1. San Marino has a really cool history! It’s one of the oldest countries in the world, founded way back in 301 AD. You can see old medieval buildings there, like tall towers and a town surrounded by walls that look really cool. | 1. Not Many Buses: In San Marino, there aren’t a lot of buses or other ways to get around, so it can be tricky to travel without a car. |
| 2. Beautiful Views: In the pretty Italian countryside, San Marino has amazing panoramic views you can see from different places in the country. Since it’s small, it’s easy to get to these stunning spots. | 2. Tiny but Charming: San Marino’s small size makes it really cute, but it also means you might see all the cool stuff there quicker than in bigger places. |
| 3. Nice People: People in San Marino are really friendly and welcoming to visitors, making it a nice and inviting place to visit. | 3. Hard to Find Parking: Because San Marino is small and lots of tourists visit, it can be tricky to find a place to park, especially when lots of people are there. |
| 4. Special Food: In San Marino, they mix traditional Italian flavors with their own special twists, making yummy food that shows off local ingredients and special recipes. | 4. Not Too Busy: If you’re looking for lots of nightlife or big shopping places, San Marino might seem quieter and more relaxed than bigger cities. |
| 5. Less Taxes: San Marino has lower taxes than nearby Italy, which makes it a cheaper place to shop and have fun. | 5. Tourism is super important for San Marino’s economy. It means that sometimes there are more visitors and things might change with the seasons for what’s open and happening. |
Conclusion: Things to do in San Marino
In San Marino, a small and magical country in the Italian countryside, there are so many fun things to do! You can start by exploring its cool history by visiting old towers and a medieval walled town. Walk through charming cobblestone streets where you might find hidden treasures, and don’t forget to check out the amazing views from different spots around the country.
The people in San Marino are super friendly and love to welcome visitors. You can try yummy food that mixes Italian flavors with special San Marino twists, making it taste really unique. And there are beautiful gardens where you can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
San Marino is a great place if you like learning about history, culture, and seeing beautiful nature all in one place. Whether you’re walking through old streets, trying tasty food, or just looking at the awesome views, San Marino is sure to give you a fun and memorable experience! If you enjoyed this post and want to create more like it, here are some recommendations: