Travel in San Marino: when to go, places and advice
Perched on Mount Titano above the Romagna Riviera, the Most Serene Republic of San Marino is the oldest republic in the world: independent since the year 301, 61 km² and three watchtowers raised along the crest. You climb up for the medieval lanes, the ramparts in the clouds, the panoramas over the Adriatic and the singular pleasure of visiting an entire country in a day, passport stamped as a souvenir.
- Capital
- San Marino
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Language
- Italian
- Direct flight
- No airport, via Rimini or Bologna
- Time difference
- None from central Europe
Itineraries
Our trip ideas in San Marino
The itineraries in San Marino are in the works: the day-by-day programme, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.
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The right season
When to go in San Marino?
From May to September, Mount Titano enjoys the Adriatic summer: warm days tempered by the altitude, mild evenings on the ramparts. July-August bring the neighbouring Riviera's daytime crowds, sleep on the mountain to get the calm back. Autumn offers superb light and spectacular mists below the crest; winter, calm and cool, keeps its medieval charm.
- January : In-between
- February : In-between
- March : In-between
- April : Pleasant
- May : Ideal
- June : Ideal
- July : Pleasant
- August : Pleasant
- September : Ideal
- October : Pleasant
- November : In-between
- December : In-between
- Ideal
- Pleasant
- In-between
- Avoid
Quick guide
Understanding San Marino
Getting around
The direct bus leaves Rimini station every hour and climbs up in 50 minutes. By car, park at the entrance car parks: the upper town is pedestrian. A funicular links Borgo Maggiore to the summit.
Money
The euro (€), though the country is not in the Union: San Marino even mints its own coins, much sought after by collectors. Cards work everywhere.
Language
Italian. English and French help in the shops. The official passport stamp is bought for a few euros at the tourist office.
Useful apps
No essential local app: the Rimini-San Marino bus timetable online and an offline map are more than enough for the day.
Accommodation
Sleeping within the walls changes everything: come evening, the day-trippers gone, the upper town regains its medieval silence facing the sunset over the Adriatic.
Etiquette
Italian customs apply: greet on entering, dress properly for the basilica, and respect the changing of the guard in front of the Palazzo Pubblico.
The iconic places
Guaita Tower
Mount Titano
The first and oldest of the three towers, an 11th-century fortress planted on its rock. The rampart walk offers a 360° panorama.
Passo delle Streghe
Mount Titano
The Witches' Passage, a vertiginous crest linking Guaita to the Cesta tower: the country's finest photo, cliffs plunging on both sides.
Palazzo Pubblico
Upper town
The neo-Gothic town hall where the captains regent sit, elected twice a year for seven centuries. Changing of the guard in summer.
Basilica del Santo
Upper town
The neoclassical sanctuary holding the relics of Saint Marinus, the stonecutter who founded the republic in 301.
Borgo Maggiore
Borgo Maggiore
The market town at the foot of the crest, linked to the summit by funicular: arcades, small squares and real Sammarinese life.
Tap a dot, or browse the list below the map.
- Guaita Tower : The 11th-century fortress
- Cesta Tower : The highest point, 756 m
- Palazzo Pubblico : The seat of the oldest republic
- Basilica del Santo : The founder's relics
- Borgo Maggiore : The market town and its funicular