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Travellers considering an offbeat destination for their European holiday should head to San Marino. Supposedly the world’s oldest surviving republic since 301 AD, the microstate is entirely surrounded by Italy. With its location on the northeastern side of the Apennine Mountains, it is the fifth-smallest country in the world. It has nine municipalities whose spectacular views, fairytale castles, picturesque medieval streets and delicious wine offer a unique and pleasant experience for visitors, some of whom likely didn't even know it existed.
If you have you interest piqued and are wondering what to expect from a holiday there, here’s your guide to San Marino.
Located on the three peaks of Monte Titano in the capital, these UNESCO World Heritage Sites are depicted on both the national flag and coat of arms. The Guaita is the oldest of them and the most famous. It was constructed in the 11th century and served briefly as a prison. The Cesta is located on the highest of Monte Titano's summits and has a museum to honour Saint Marinus, the founder and patron of the country. It showcases over 1,550 weapons dating from the Medieval Era to the modern day. Then there's Montale which is located on the smallest of Monte Titano's summits. Unlike the other towers, this one is not open to the public. It was constructed in the 14th century and was also used as a prison.
Liberty Square is a must-see destination in San Marino. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the Palazzo Pubblico and the State Museum of San Marino, both of which offer insights into the country's history and political system. Here, visitors can witness the changing of the guard ceremony by the Guardie di Rocca, which takes place multiple times a day during the summer months. Admire the picturesque views and surrounding buildings and go on a stroll to get a sense of the place.
This Catholic church is dedicated to Saint Marinus and his relics are enshrined here. The present church was built in 1836 in place of an earlier one that dated to the 7th century. Built in the Neoclassical style with a porch of eight Corinthian columns, the interior of the basilica consists of three naves and an altar adorned by a statue of Saint Marinus. A reliquary bust in silver and gold lies to its right while in the right aisle is a side altar dedicated to Mary Magdelene. If you're an architecture enthusiast, the church is one of the best places to visit in San Marino. You can walk around the church to discover its architectural features and admire the façade from the outside.
Covering art, history, furniture and cultural objects, this museum is one of the most essential places to visit in San Marino. The ground floor is dedicated to archaeological finds of local provenance. The clay and bronze ex-votos and coins from excavations carried out between 1990 and 1994; beautiful Egyptian objects including amulets, funerary statuettes and bronze statuettes representing the divinities; and pieces from numerous Roman settlements from the region are all on display here. The first floor is given to works of art, including paintings and objects from the ancient Monastery of Saint Chiara. The main room displays masterpieces by Guercino and his pupils, Benedetto Gennari, Matteo Loves, and Elisabetta Sirani.
This is a fascinating establishment that showcases an array of unusual artefacts, strange inventions and unique characters. With over 100 curiosities on display, visitors can expect to see peculiar items such as a flea trap, wax figures featuring the world's most tattooed person, a 19th-century cup for gentlemen with moustaches to keep their bristles from being soiled, and a hand-warmer from the 17th century.
There are 43km of hiking trails in San Marino so take advantage of them as best you can when you’re here. The walk of the Titano covers eight routes, including that of the Rupe Path, the Canepa Path and the Montegiardino Gypsums Path. You can do them on your own or pay for the assistance of an expert guide to lead you through gorges, waterfalls, countryside villages and ancient ruins—the experience will be like none other.
The San Marino cable car line runs between a lower terminus of the Borgo Maggiore municipality to an upper terminus in the City of San Marino. Leaving every 15 minutes, the two-minute ride is renowned for its panoramic views over the microstate, the province of Rimini and the Adriatic Sea. If you want to get good images for the gram, this is one of the best things to do in San Marino. Have your camera ready to snap some of the most enchanting views you will see in all of Europe.
The Rimini-San Marino railway was a 31.5km electrified narrow-gauge railway that connected Rimini in Italy with the City of San Marino for 12 years between 1932 and 1944. A significant engineering feat of its time, it included 17 tunnels, three bridges and three viaducts to negotiate the steep terrain. The line closed after it was bombed during World War II, after which its tunnels sheltered refugees during the Battles of Rimini and San Marino. In 2012, more than 609m of the line through the Montale Tunnel was reopened for tourists and the city has committed to further extensions. The train runs only occasionally, but visitors are free to walk through the tunnel most of the time. At the tunnel entrances, they will see information boards giving details of its wartime use.
Now an exclusively ceremonial part of the army, there are still some 80 members of the Crossbow Corps in San Marino. They show off their skills and hold competitions in the art of firing the heavy form of this ancient weapon at the Cava dei Balestrieri, a former quarry. In addition to the military group, San Marino also has a civilian association determined to keep the art of crossbow shooting alive. As well as crossbow shooting, the range is also used for longbow archery demonstrations and competitions.
Over the years, the Republic of San Marino has preserved a gastronomic tradition based on what its territory produces. The cultivation of vineyards and the production of oil is a 1,000-year-old tradition here so buy a bottle of extra virgin olive oil and white wine to take back with you. Fresh pasta is one of the most authentically traditional dishes of San Marino so eat generous helpings of tagliatelle, pappardelle, stringhetti and tagliolini served with meat sauce, sausage, peas, sea campion (plants collected from the fields), beans and game. For dessert, try bustrengo, a dense and moist cake. Choose from the Ristorante del Ghetto da Ottavio, La Fratta, Il Matterello and the Ristorante Il Beccafico.
Stay at the Grand Hotel San Marino and the Titano Suites Hotel for a luxury experience. Budget-conscious travellers should consider Hotel Rosa, Hotel Joli and Hotel Crocenzi. Backpackers can stay at the Hostel San Marino.
Take a flight to Rome followed by a connection to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ). Take a taxi or bus to the City of San Marino which is 140km away.
