Not too far inland from the Adriatic coast, you will find a small mountain with a tiny country on top of it. San Marino, officially called the Most Serene Republic of San Marino. It has a land area of 23.6 square miles or 61 square kilometers (smaller than Washington, D.C., a population of roughly 34,000 people, and a claim to being the world's oldest surviving republic, having been founded in 301 AD by a Christian stonemason named Marinus who fled persecution from Diocletian's Rome.
It is entirely landlocked within Italy and has been for its entire existence. Through the various unifications, wars, occupations, and shifts in political landscapes that reshaped the Italian peninsula over seventeen centuries, San Marino has remained sovereign. It declined Napoleon's offer of expanded territory in 1797. It sheltered refugees during the Italian unification wars of the 1860s and Giuseppe Garibaldi briefly sheltered there. During World War II it managed to maintain neutrality despite being occupied by both German and Allied forces at different points.
Where Exactly Is It?
San Marino sits on top of Monte Titano, a limestone peak rising from the flat coastal plain of the Emilia-Romagna and the Marche regions of northeastern Italy. The nearest major Italian city is Rimini to the east. Bologna is to the northwest. The country is accessible by bus from Rimini's main bus station (roughly 40–50 minutes) or by car via the SS72 road from Rimini.
The capital is also called San Marino, or officially Città di San Marino and sits on the upper ridgeline of Monte Titano. There are three medieval towers (the Tre Cime, or Three Feathers in the Sammarinese coat of arms) and are the universal symbol of the republic. The view from the third tower on a clear day extends across the Adriatic Sea, with the Croatian coast visible on clear days.
Why Should You Visit?
It's a Unique Country Within Italy
San Marino is a functioning microstate with its own government, its own military (the Corps of the Crossbow of San Marino, founded in 1295, is still active), its own currency (it uses the euro but mints its own euro coins, which are highly sought by collectors), its own football team, and its own Formula One race (the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in nearby Imola is technically in Italy but is always associated with San Marino).
The Old City is Iconic
The historic center of San Marino City was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. The medieval fortress walls, the three towers (the Guaita, Cesta, and Montale), the Palazzo Pubblico government building on the Piazza della Libertà, and the narrow cobblestone roads winding between centuries-old stone buildings are all well-preserved. The Guaita tower dates to the 11th century, the Cesta to the 13th, and both are accessible with a combined ticket.
Shopping and Tax Advantages
San Marino is not a member of the EU (despite using the euro) and has historically offered lower tax rates on certain goods, particularly tobacco, alcohol, and electronics. The prices on some items are notably lower than in Italy. The main shopping street leading up from the lower parking lots to the historic center is lined with shops, which explains why over three million tourists visit annually, and many are Italians who come specifically to shop.
Passport Stamps
San Marino is not in the Schengen zone, which means crossing the border (which is just a line on a road through a town) is an international border crossing. The tourist office in the historic city center offers an official San Marino passport stamp as a souvenir for a small fee.
Some Additional Information
- Best basecamp: Most visitors stay in Rimini and day-trip. San Marino itself has hotels, but they fill quickly in July and August.
- Time needed: Half a day is enough to see the towers and old city but a full day allows a more relaxed visit with shopping and a meal.
- Crowding: Peak summer (July–August) is very crowded. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer the most comfortable conditions and better light for photography.
- Food: Local specialties include piadina (flatbread), nidi di rondine (a pasta dish unique to the region), and Brugneto (a local herbal liqueur).