Last Updated on January 16, 2025 by Christine Kaaloa

From pictures it looks like a fairytale country you wouldn’t think existed.  Stepping into San Marino I felt like I was walking into the… Princess Diaries. Cue:  Mia Thermopolis.

In this San Marino travel guide, I’m going to share quirky things to know about San Marino before traveling, so you know to move it on your trip planning list when traveling to Italy. For travelers wanting to tick off countries, this one is not to be missed!

Tucked in the Emilia Romagna region and perched upon a hill surrounded by Italy,  the Republic of San Marino is a tiny country located a half an hour from the coastal city of Rimini, Italy. You might be wondering, “Isn’t San Marino part of Italy?” Well, not exactly.

Read Reasons to Visit Emilia Romagna

Disclosure: I was hosted by the Republic of San Marino Tourism board. As always, all opinions in this article are my own. This post contains affiliate links. I never leave home without travel insurance- here’s a trip insurance finder tool  to search for one that matches your budget.

Watch my San Marino Travel Guide video for my full San Marino experience

In this video, I document my experience getting to San Marino, my impressions and all the San Marino attractions I visit

23 Things to Know About San Marino Before Traveling

1. Why do travelers visit the Republic of San Marino?

Travelers are interested in visiting San Marino city. The capital city is a charming medieval architecture with cobble-stone streets, three towers,  and a history, which transports you back in time.  It is also the seat of the government.

2. San Marino is the third smallest country in Europe.

The Republic of San Marino is the third smallest country in Europe, next to the Vatican City and Monaco and it’s the oldest surviving republic. It’s population is around 35,000 people. In my video I keep accidentally calling it a city, but it’s a country and I am traveling San Marino city.

San Marino is an independent republic with its own unique history and language. During the Italian Unification in the 19th century, San Marino welcomed many Italians who supported their independence. This close relationship eventually led to a friendship treaty in 1862, recognizing San Marino’s independence from Italy.

Resting on a hilltop overlooking surrounding Italy, San Marino was strategically positioned to foresee any approaching enemies. Surrounded by the Appenines and just 8 kilometers from the Adriatic coast, you can even see Croatia on a clear day!

3. San Marino is a wealthy country.

Despite being a micro country, San Marino is a very wealthy country in terms of GDP per capita. It’s economy is nested in tourism, banking, exports and agriculture.

4. Why is it called the Republic of San Marino?

The name “Republic of San Marino” reflects its status as one of the oldest republics in the world, founded by Saint Marinus in the 4th century AD.

5. What language do they speak in San Marino?

San Marino uses the Euro and speaks both Italian and San Marinese, but they are proudly their own culture and country. The locals that live there are both, San Marinese and Italians.

6. Is San Marino part of the EU?

No. The Republic of San Marino is not part of the EU but it uses the EU currency.

7. Do you need a visa to travel the Republic of San Marino?

No. However, one of the best things to do in San Marino is to visit the San Marino Tourism Office and have them stamp your passport for you. I wanted to get a stamp because San Marino is another country visa in my passport, it cost only 5 Euro and that money goes to help the tourism board promote San Marino.

Pro-Tip: Just roll up to the walled entrance to the Old Town and there’s a window where you pay for your entrance and are given a visa stamp in your passport! It is a must!

8. Is the Republic of San Marino a fortressed country?

Yes and no. This confused me at first too.  The Republic of San Merino’s population is approximately 35,000, so it is a small country. But there are a total of nine municipalities that make up the country of San Marino. City of San Marino is the Old Town of San Marino and it is fortressed and sits on a hill. This is the area of San Marino that most travelers visit as it is the historical treasure. The eight remaining municipalities are not on the hill but below in the valley.

9. The national sport of San Marino is the …crossbow?

I met my guide (he didn’t want to be named in the case I said something bad about San Marino) to kind of get an overview of this country. Did you know that crossbow is the national sport in San Marino?

My guide led me to Cava dei Balestrieri aka Crossbowman’s Quarry, a small quarry that looks like a small tennis stadium.

The sport of crossbow goes back as far as the 14th century that crossbows were used to defend their walls from invaders; thus, San Marino has a Crossbowman’s Corps of around 70-80 men in the military. The Crossbowman’s Corps keeps the sport alive and there is a festival

10. Be prepared to walk uphill

The City of San Marino rests upon a steep hill. The romantic cobble-stoned streets are windy and in San Marino City, you’ll find yourself walking uphill, downhill and weaving in-between. It can be a little bit of a workout but go at your own pace and you’ll be fine. Following streets uphill will take you to some hillside cafes with lovely views and the towers.

Tip: Wear comfortable shoes (check out my footwear recommendations) and dress for the season.

11. Republic of San Marino’s Unique Presidential System

Unlike most countries, San Marino has two presidents, who are elected for a six-month term. This unique system, dates back to the 13th century and ensures a balance of power and prevents any single individual from accumulating too much authority. In fact, San Marino has a strong history of female leadership, with at least 20 women serving as president throughout its history. In 2019, the parliament included 16 women and 44 men, showcasing the country’s commitment to gender equality.

I was lucky enough to arrive on the day of the presidential inauguration and witness a lively celebration with a parade and many dignitaries in attendance. It felt like a coronation with marching band and guards decked out in traditional attire. I was stepping into a scene from a historical film.

12. Palazzo Pubblico

The Palazzo Pubblico or Public Palace is a square with a castle-like clock tower.  This parliament building and city hall is the heart and history of San Marino.  The Monument of Liberty fronts the building; you’ll immediately know it when you see it! When I was there, the presidential inaugural parade ended in this square as the dignitaries were led to parliament. It’s a beautiful square and I ate at the restaurant next to it (keep reading for my food tips below).

13. Basilica del Santo San Marino

Not far from the Palazzo Pubblico and resting on Piazzale Domus is the Basilica del Santo San Marino, the main church of San Marino. It’s exterior design is a Neoclassical architecture with Corinthian columns. It’s free to enter. As I started my day late and wanted to get to the towers, I saw it but skipped exploring inside the church. If you have time, you might want to go in and check out the artwork.  I show this in my video guide.

14. Walk the Witches Path

The Witches Path is the paved walking path that goes through the three towers. It’s named after the myth of maidens who traversed that path in the moonlight, practicing medieval spells. It’s a fairly longer way up to the second tower and it gets a little steeper.  Along the way, you’ll find little scenic views of the valley below. It’s random windows carved out by nature. Just to note, the first tower actually has, I think, the best view of the surrounding area.

15. Exploring the Three Towers

The highlight attraction of any trip to San Marino is undoubtedly exploring the three iconic towers of San Marino: Guaita, Cesta, and Montale. These medieval fortresses, built to defend the Republic against invaders, offer breathtaking and drop-dead-gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside.

Views like these just took my breath away. It’s straight out of a fairytale!

Guaita: The oldest and most impressive of the three towers, Guaita offers stunning panoramic views. You can explore its ancient chambers and fortifications, imagining the life of soldiers who once guarded this strategic position.

Cesta: Perched on a lower peak, Cesta provides a more intimate experience.

Note: one of the above towers has a weaponry museum room. As I type this I cannot remember but I show it in my travel video. The video guide is a supplement to show you how things actually are and what you can experience. I often share additional notes through the videos.

Montale: The highest of the three towers, Montale offers the most expansive views, including glimpses of the Adriatic Sea and, on a clear day, even the distant Croatian coast. You cannot go inside of this tower however.

Pro Tip: Purchase the multi-pass with the San Marino Tourism Office for the best value! It grants access to all three towers and several museums for approximately 10.5 Euro. Otherwise, admission is for 4.5 Euro for a single ticket.

16. Ride the San Marino Aerial Ropeway

Who doesn’t love a great view and a cable car ride? Another must when you’re in San Marino city is to take the Funivia di San Marino or Aerial Cable Car Ropeway. It’s a wonderful and romantic way to enjoy the views of San Marino as it overlooks Borgo Maggiore -one of the nine municipalities- and the Adriatic Sea.  The cable car runs every 15 minutes, starting from 7:45am. The admission is approximately 5 Euro.

17. Window shop the weaponry stores

Although San Marino is a peace-loving country, another quirky thing to know about San Marino is that I noticed a surprising number of weaponry shops. They are pretty intense with their weapon shops!

You’ll find Japanese swords, glock guns, rifles, medieval swords and guns. I even saw an Avengers Infinity Gauntlet displayed in the window of one shop, so it felt like a bit of warrior or gaming-shopping experience mixed with military history. You’ll find a lot of quirky Dungeons and Dragons shopping inspiration there.

18. San Marino’s Off-Beat Cultural Museums

San Marino has a fascinating history, and there’s more to see than just the towers. It has this odd sense of the macabre. I visited the Museum of Torture and Medieval Criminology, which was quite an eerie, fascinating but odd experience. The intricate and gruesome torture devices were a stark reminder of the medieval past of how criminals were dealt with (I’ve also seen this museum chain across Italy though!). The three-floor museum was eye-opening. My favorite scariest was a coffin bed full of nails… yikes!

I also considered exploring the Museum of Vampires and the Museum of Curiosities, but I decided to save them for another trip.

19. Foods to Try in San Marino

San Marinese food can come across as similar to Italy and foods of Emilia Romagna. There are many cafes and restaurants serving various pasta fresca (aka fresh pasta) on their menus.

Traveling through Emilia Romagna, I fell in love with tagliatele (the vegetarian version of pasta fresca) in Motor Valley, so I was thrilled to find it on the menu at La Terazza Ristorante. It was a vegetarian-friendly restaurant with an impressively scenic view overlooking the city from the Palazzo Publico. While I was there, some of the political dignitaries arrived and were seated. Needless to say, it’s a slightly posh restaurant.

pasta fresca tagliatele at La Terraza Ristorante San Marino

I had the tagliatele with wild vegetables and mushrooms in a creamy sauce. The veggies were a little on the bitter side but it was still delicious.

I downed it with Pelligrino water fizzy. Of course, I had to have gelato to finish off my meal and it was perfect. La Terraza Ristorante serves a gelato dish of three types of gelato flavors. Watch my video for the full experience!

Gelato is a dessert you’ll find throughout San Marino as you will Italy.

Pro Tip: San Marinese offer water options similar to Italians in that they offer flat (normal table water) or with fizz (sparkling water).

Watch my San Marino Travel Guide video

20. How long should I spend in San Marino?

San Marino is a unique, captivating and quirky nation, offering a glimpse into a different way of life despite being located in Emilia Romagna. It’s a perfect day trip from nearby Italian cities, though I highly recommend staying at least one night to fully immerse yourself in the experience, savor the views from the tower and to explore San Marino city leisurely (especially considering the uphill walks!).

I spent a day walking around the Old Town and I didn’t want to miss the last bus back to Rimini, so my visit felt rushed. As I was leaving I saw more side streets I did not get to walk through, so if I could do it again, I’d spend two days there to see and enjoy more of it.

Pro-Tip: I highly recommend hiring a local guide or booking a day tour with GetyourGuide or Viator. It will make your understanding and interaction in San Marino so much more meaningful. Both have a wealth of day tours and activities to fill your itinerary with! I also recommend getting an Airalo ESIM or Italy Prepaid SIM for last-minute bookings and a data plan in the case you miss the bus and want to Uber it.

21. Safety Tips for Solo Travelers in San Marino

Despite the fact you’ll see a lot of stores selling guns, knives, swords and enough violent artillery to house a war or serial killer, the country itself is ironically very peaceful and safe.

As a female solo traveler and content creator (with a day pack full of film gear), San Marino and its surrounding Emilia Romagna region felt safe and surprisingly laid back.  I would even recommend it to first time solo travelers looking for a memorable Italy trip. As a lesser known destination, San Marino has significantly less tourist crowds compared to Italy cities like Rome, Florence, Venice.  Thus, there is little attraction for pickpockets to do business there.  That does not mean that crime cannot happen and one should always use travel street smarts. On trains going to other cities, I would still be watchful of my belongings.

I highly recommend buying travel insurance for added peace of mind for your Italy trip and read my pickpocket safety tips and anti-theft bag recommendations!

22. Where to Stay in San Marino

Staying inside the Old Town is best as it’s a romantic city with cobblestone streets and you’re in walking distance to many attractions. I’m not sure if there are any hostels but I recommend checking HostelWorld if you’re on a budget.

Budget

Rainbow Depandance Hotel Joli San Marino – This hotel is located in the heart of San Marino and offers comfortable and affordable accommodations. It has received positive reviews for its friendly staff and central location. Check Trip Advisor Reviews

Midrange

Grand Hotel San Marino – This 4-star hotel offers sophisticated rooms and suites, plus a spa, a bar, and stunning mountain/valley views. It’s a great choice for travelers who want a touch of luxury.  It’s a 6-minute walk from the Basilica di San Marino, 4 minutes’ walk from the Rocca Guaita tower. Check TripAdvisor reviews

I hope this blog post inspires you to explore the unique and captivating country of San Marino. It’s a truly unforgettable experience!

23. Getting to San Marino from Bologna:

You can easily reach San Marino by train from Bologna. Take the train to Rimini and outside Rimini train station, there is a bus stop that heads out to San Marino. I documented this in my video guide. I booked most of my trains in Italy through Omio

Check with the bus timetables – it’s listed on the bus stop sign- to make sure you arrive on time. The bus drops you outside San Marino city walls.

Read my Bologna Travel Guide if you’re traveling there! It’s a must visit in Emilia Romagna.

What would you add to this post of things to know about San Marino?

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Watch my San Marino Travel Guide video for my full San Marino experience

In this video, I document my experience getting to San Marino, my impressions and all the San Marino attractions I visit