San Marino

Travel Date: December 2024

Don’t overlook visiting the beautiful microstate of San Marino. It is one of the world’s smallest and oldest republics, and is landlocked within Italy’s central region. The country was founded in A.D. 301 by Saint Marinus, a Christian stonemason, who was escaping religious persecution under Roman Emperor Diocletian.

Must see in San Marino

Three Towers of San Marino – If you visit San Marino, you cannot miss exploring the three towers, which are actually depicted on their national flag. The towers are where you’ll get the most exquisite panoramas of the country.

• First Tower (Guaita) – The oldest of San Marino’s three towers, the views of the surrounding landscape here are stunning, and you can enjoy a breathtaking sight of the second tower in the distance. The climb up involves a steep staircase, and you’ll need to squeeze through a narrow opening, so it’s best to not have a large backpack. We spent about 30 minutes exploring this tower, and it costs €9 per person to access both the first and second towers.
• Second Tower (Cesta) – With the same ticket, you can access the second tower, which serves more as a museum, showcasing a collection of historical weapons. The tower offers beautiful views of San Marino and a fantastic vantage point of the first castle. We spent about 30 minutes exploring this one as well.
• Third Tower (Montale) – The third tower is the only one not open to the public, but you can still walk around its base for beautiful views of the surrounding San Marino landscape and the distant coastal city of Rimini. It’s about a 7-minute walk from the second tower, and another 7 minutes down to the parking area behind the Centro Congressi Kursaal. On the way down, you’ll pass by another lovely scenic view of San Marino.

Passo delle Streghe (Witches Pass) – This walkway connects the first and second towers, and offers a charming medieval vista along the way.

Piazza della Libertà – Make a quick stop at San Marino’s main city square for more scenic views.

Must eat in San Marino

La Terrazza Ristorante – I highly recommend this restaurant for both the delicious food and fantastic views of Piazza della Libertà and the surrounding hills of San Marino. Be sure to try the mouthwatering cappellacci verdi—green pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese and served in a rich tomato sauce. We also ordered the venison sirloin and carpaccio, though both were okay.

Other tips when visiting San Marino

• Italian is their main language and they use the euro, so it really doesn’t feel like you left Italy.
• According to Google Maps, there’s plenty of paid parking throughout San Marino. We tried to park closer to the top, near the first two towers, but the police wouldn’t let us go any further. Instead, we parked on the street (€4.50 for 5 hours) across from the Centro Congressi Kursaal. There’s also a small parking lot at the back if you drive a bit further down. It’s a bit of a walk, but we took the opportunity to explore the towers and browse the shops around town.