Exploring the fairytale country of San Marino!
Last updated on May 17th, 2026 at 08:39 am
Sure – you can go and tick off the things to do San Marino in a day. But I highly highly recommend spending a bit longer in this little gem of a country! It may be the fifth smallest country in the world but it has a lot to offer! Apart from the main sights on top of Mt Titan, you can hike for days, visit a huge number of specialty museums for the size of the country, and of course see some wonderful views and sunsets if you spend a night in the medieval city up on top of the (local) world!
Most people visit San Marino, San Marino and maybe the Old Town, Borgo Maggiore at the bottom of the Cable Car, but not much more. However there is much more to the country than this – especially if you like to walk! In this post I cover the main sights but also many more options to get a fuller feel for the country.
Enjoy!
Plan for your trip
First a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!
Money, language – Euro, Italian – but most speak some English.
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight. I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails. It means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith. These are some highly recommended top picks for San Marino:
- San Marino in a Small Group: Guided Tour with Pass for 7 Museums and Towers
- Private Tour of San Marino: UNESCO World Heritage Site
- San Marino: A Self Guided Audio Tour or San Marino’s Three Towers: An Audio Tour of the Ancient Republic
- Cook Like a Local in San Marino Countryside
- Titanus Museum entrance
- San Marino Adventure Park Entry
Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!
The best things to see and do in San Marino
The majority of people just visit the city of San Marino on top of Mount Titan, but there is more to the country than that as you will see in this post!
Fun Fact – not only is the country called San Marino, but it has a number of “castelli” (like tiny provinces) within its borders. The medieval town on top of Mount Titano is also called San Marino. The other castelli have unique names – they are Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino and Serravalle.
I do highly recommend a tour to start your exploring the city – you learn so much more and get to notice small details as well as the big sights. I do recommend this tour which includes entry costs to many key sights San Marino in a Small Group: Guided Tour with Pass for 7 Museums and Towers and if you want a private tour, this Private Tour of San Marino: UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At the minimum I recommend taking an audio tour with either San Marino: A Self Guided Audio Tour or San Marino’s Three Towers: An Audio Tour of the Ancient Republic
1. Take in the views across the country from Monte / Mount Titano
Its worth going just for the views! As soon as you get off the cable car, or out of the bus, start walking and start taking in the views – they are of course spectacular. From the Piazza della Libertà, from the towers, from almost anywhere in the city of San Marino which is at the top of Monte / Mount Titano you will love the views in any direction!
2. See another Statue of Liberty in the Piazza della Libertà (Liberty Square) and go on a treasure hunt
San Marino is the oldest surviving republic in the world! And the Piazza della Liberta is its public square which also has their Statue of Liberty – or Lady Liberty.
Lady Liberty is made from white Carrara marble and was donated by the Countess of Berlin in the 1800s as a symbol of freedom. If you look at her closely you will see her crown has three towers of San Marino worked into it. The crown itself is said to represent the walled city.
The word liberty is also used in the coat of arms, and the white feathers on top of the three towers is a symbol of liberty. You will see liberty, the towers, and the feathers scattered around the city in motifs on walls and doors – just keep your eyes open and you will see them more than once! Its kind of a fun treasure hunt!
Underneath the Piazza is where the water reserves for the entire population of San Marino were once housed in the ancient cisterns. The Palazzo Pubblico (see below) and the State Museum are both on the square, and the view from here is spectacular!
3. Visit the The Palazzo Pubblico – the Public Palace
This is the Government Palace, and is where the official ceremonies of the Republic are held. It is built on the site of the old Palace which was torn down to make way for this palace built in the late 1800’s. It is very picturesque with a clock tower on top, and a beautiful entrance door, museum, art, statues etc and a nice staircase leading up to the chambers of government where you can go into the politicians chambers!
San Marino is one of few diarchies remaining in the world, (di as in two rulers, as opposed to monarchy which you know is one ruler), known as Captains Regent. These Captains Regent are elected every six months through a vote in the parliament, known as the Grand and General Council.
I was lucky enough to be there on the day the citizens of San Marino can make petitions and present projects to the newly elected governors. It was a very formal affair (see the feature picture for this post) with the military in full regalia marching through the streets to the Palazzo Pubblico. Great to see.
4. Stroll through the medieval streets of San Marino city
The city of San Marino is medieval and has the stone walls and buildings, and laneways, stairs and ramparts that go with this. Just wander and take it in. By far this is best early or late in the day when the day trippers have gone home. I almost had the place to myself – just a few locals and me!
5. Walk the Witches Path – Passo delle Streghe – and visit the three Towers
The Three Towers are “the” symbol of San Marino. They are known as Guaita, Cesta and Montale and are spaced along the very top of Monte Titano. You see them on the national flag as well as the Coat of Arms and of course on top of the San Marino Statue of Liberty!
The first tower is Guaita. It is the oldest and the most iconic of the three towers. Inside you climb a very steep narrow staircase to get to the top (ladies – wear trousers or shorts not a dress). The view is definitely worth it!
The second tower is Cesta. In here you can visit the Museum of Ancient Arms. But even better is the view both towards Guaita as well to the third tower – Montale.
The third tower, or Montale, is not open to the public. But do absolutely keep walking as this is the Passo delle Streghe!
The Passo delle Streghe is the rather romantic walkway on top of the mountain between the 2nd and 3rd towers. You wander along a beautiful and ancient stone path – sweeping you back in time to the days when these towers were needed to protect the realm! It is an absolute favorite thing to do here for me.
Legend has it that in the Middle Ages witches gathered there to practice their magic rituals. The name may also have something to do with the fact that, being so high, the wind blows and whistles as if someone is speaking.
Whatever the naming – this is an absolute “must-do” in San Marino – and the views of course are fabulous.
As I said, I do recommend a tour or at least an audio tour to see all these things from 1-5 above. I do recommend this tour: San Marino in a Small Group: Guided Tour with Pass for 7 Museums and Towers but if you want a private tour, this Private Tour of San Marino: UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At the minimum I recommend taking an audio tour with either San Marino: A Self Guided Audio Tour or San Marino’s Three Towers: An Audio Tour of the Ancient Republic. If you do this, you should also buy the San Marino Museum pass – see No. 6 below.
PS – See the feather in the photo below!
6. Visit the Palace, and the many museums
The most important thing to buy in San Marino is the San Marino Museum Pass! It givens you entry into all the state museums and sites for one set price. Most of these are in the city of San Marino on top of Mount Titano.
At the time of writing it costs €11,00 – this is a real bargain. You can buy it at the museums and I recommend this as it is easier, and if you are a student or pensioner you get a discount! These are the sites / museums you get entry into with it:
- The Guaita – The First Tower is the oldest of the three towers, first built in the 11th century, and the most famous.
- The Cesta – The Second Tower, often known as Falesia, but also as De La Fratta. It was built at the end of the 11th century and is on the highest peak of Titan at around 750 meters above sea level.
- The Public Palace – Government Palace, is where the country holds its official ceremonies (see 3 above).
- The State Museum – has about 5000 pieces and documents the history of the republic!
- The San Francesco / Saint Frances Art Gallery – this gallery is in a convent building from 1361! It has masses of art and is popular with art historians.
- The National Gallery – has modern and contemporary artworks from the post-World War II period to the present day.
- The Stamp and Coin Museum – has displays of local coins and stamps from the 1800s up to the present. It is in Piazza Garibaldi, in the old town near the bottom of the cable car!
Other museums, not covered by the pass are:
- Titanus Museum – a very highly rated Multimedia Experience giving you the history of San Marino. Get a Titanus Museum entrance ahead here.
- Il Mondo di Leonardo – a highly regarded interactive 3D displays of all Leonardo’s discoveries!
- Museo di criminologia medioevale e della tortura – the Torture Museum – a charming topic for sure!!
- Musée de la curiosité – mind-boggling oddities, inventions, unusual characters who have achieved world records, and rare and weird objects like a cup for people with moustaches, the nose watch, glasses to correct squinting, clogs 60 centimeters high to cope with the Venetian high tide, a 19th-century flea trap……
- Creature della Notte – Vampiri e Licantropi – another charming one with the history about the world of vampires and werewolves!
- Museo dell’Emigrante – tells the story of the people who emigrated from San Marino. It also describes the San Marinese communities throughout the world.
- Museo Illusione Tra Arte E Scienza – museum of optical illusions – great for kids!
- Ferrari Museum – this museum has an ancient car collection, several Ferraris, Formula 1 vehicles, and the first Spyder Ferrari that belonged to Marilyn Monroe!
- Museum of Agricultural Culture and Traditions – shows the countries rural customs and traditions inside a restored farm and farmhouse.
7. Take time out in the Basilica del Santo Marino
You could say the Basilica del Santo Marino is more impressive from the outside than inside. The outside columned porch resembles a temple – like the classicism of the time (around 1830). Inside, the building is quite simple which has its own beauty – with numerous statues and altars. But I thought the coffered ceiling was really quite beautiful and worth my time to see.
8. See the Cava dei Balestrieri – if you are lucky see it during a festival or practice session!
The Cava dei Balestrieri is a quarry created in the late 1800s getting stone to build the Pallazo and now used for crossbow. Crossbowmen train in the quarry and have won numerous titles and awards.
9. Ride the Cable Car (Funivia) and explore the Old Town and its stamp and coin museum
The Cable Car is a short fun ride between the Old Town of Borgo Maggiore and the ancient city of San Marino. It is really a way of transport rather than a tourist attraction, although the short ride is scenic. I do recommend you explore the Old Town. I loved wandering around in the weaving pathways through the “all shapes and sizes” of houses there. Its a great place for a meal or a gelato too (generally with better prices than above in San Marino).
You can also visit the Stamp and Coin museum. It is known locally as the Museo Del Francobollo e Della Moneta Di San Marino. and apart from stamps and coins from the 1800s onward relating to San Marino, there are medals for various honors in the country as well.
10. Take a hike!
I’ve written a whole post on the hiking you can do in this amazing little country. It offers farmland, forests, waterfalls, rivers and old mills, gorges, wildflowers, cliffs and always amazing views!! There are over 100km of paths, as well as miles of country lanes to walk. There is even a path – the Path of the Titans that circumnavigates the whole country in a 2 day 43 km walk!
The most popular walk( even though I saw only one small group when walking it in April) is the Sentiero della Rupe or the Cliff Path. It takes about 2 hours and is 4km. You can see the trail on AllTrails here.
This path links San Marino city to the historic center of Borgo Maggiore in a loop walk along the top of the city and then under the towers along the cliffs.
In the steepest or most exposed sections it has ropes, cables and ladders to help you so most mobile people should have no real trouble walking this section.
There are lots of other walks as well – read my post about all the hikes in San Marino and pick one or two!
11. Climb up to the refuge of Saint Marinus / Marino – the founding father of San Marino
Talk about a fun little walk and great view with a ton of history! This was the refuge where Saint Marinus or Saint Marino – the founding father of San Marino – spent his last years. It is a stepped path up a cliffside – not great if you don’t like heights but fine otherwise!
According to written legend, the origins of San Marino date back to the time of Saint Marino, a stone cutter from Dalmatia who arrived in Rimini in 257 AD, and took refuge on Mount Titan to escape the persecution against the Christians ordered by Emperor Diocletian. His place on Mt Titan was a gift from Donna Felicissima in thanks for the healing of her son. It is said that his dying words in 301 A.D were “Relinquo vos liberos ab utroque homine” or “I leave you free from both men,” meaning the Emperor and the Pope.
The path starts from Strada della Baldasserona next to a picnic area! Its called Sacellum of the Holy Marino in Googlemaps.
12. Take home new cooking skills – a great souvenir!
Even though I don’t typically write about it, exploring food in any country is always fun and interesting – in San Marino too! What I love about this Cook Like a Local in San Marino Countryside experience is that it takes you out of the city , onto one of the San Marino farms. So you get to see the farm before you even start learning to make the local dishes. You will create and cook tagliatelle and ragù, and a traditional dessert, the bustrengo!
13. Explore more outside of the city
Other than hiking, cooking and climbing to the refuge of Saint Marinus, there are other things to see and do around the country that I enjoyed, outside of San Marino city :
1. Montegiardino Town
Montegiardino is the smallest of the nine castelli in San Marino. I am recommending this as an untouristed area to visit because it is quite picturesque and has lovely medieval architecture with narrow streets and stone buildings. It really is people living in history. There is also a lovely 3km walk from the town to the Montegiardino chalks. See my post on hikes in San Marino!
2. The Adventure park
I didn’t – but you can and it looks like fun tbh! I would have gone if I had had my kids with me as there is all sorts from treetop walks, archery and adrenaline bikes! Buy your San Marino Adventure Park Entry here ahead of time.
3. The Shinto Shrine
First, the San Marino Jinja – a Shinto Shrine! This shrine was built by volunteers as a memorial to the thousands of victims of the Great Tohoku Earthquake of March 11, 2011. It is the only shrine in Europe that is officially recognized by the Shinto Headquarters. There is a proper torii gate and a small main hall. It is in Serravalle in the lower eastern part of San Marino.
4. The Santuario Cuore Immacolato Di Maria
The Santuario Cuore Immacolato Di Maria is an unusual building in San Marino. It has modern architecture created in an octagon form. This church is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is surrounded by a very peaceful garden which you can literally just chill out in! There is a small water feature and outdoor area of prayer near the gates. At 8.30pm on the 13th of the month there are night-time torchlight processions. It is in Domagnano in central San Marino.
5. The old Railway and carriages
If you go walking in San Marino you might come across parts of what used to be an old railway line from Rimini to San Marino. It was a 31.5-kilometre (19.6-mile) electrified narrow-gauge railway that ran until 19
On Piazza della Stazione are the remains of the railway and one of the railway tunnels (800meters long), as well as one of the old blue and white carriages that were used on the railway! You can walk through the tunnel and there is a good view part way along! This was once the terminus of the railway!
There is another carriage sitting on top of a viaduct on Via Fontevecchia – which is near the end of a walk I cover in my post on hikes in San Marino that follows the old railway line!
Frequently Asked Questions for travel to San Marino
Q: When is the best time to go to San Marino?
A: I definitely recommend the shoulder seasons to avoid day time crowds. Although if you make use of the early morning and evenings when the day trippers are gone, it should be okay any time of year!
Q: What are the top must-see things to do in San Marino?
A: The top highlights for a short day trip are the city viewpoints, the towers, and the historic old town of San Marino. This post covers a lot more options for people wanting to see more of the country.
Q: How long do I need in San Marino?
A: Many people come for a day and you can just do a day trip seeing the key sights. But there is a lot more to the country than that and I recommend 2 days to really enjoy it and 3-4 days if you like to do some walking.
Q: Do you need a visa to visit San Marino?
A: Not for San Marino itself, but you need to be able to enter Italy so Schengen rules apply.
Q: Do you go through border control entering San Marino?
A: No.
Q: How do I get to San Marino?
A: Take a bus or drive from Italy (usually from Rimini). This shuttle bus from Rimini is the most common option. In Rimini the bus stop is located across from Rimini train station in front of the Napoleon Hotel. In San Marino, the bus drops you off at the P2 Parcheggio Bus Parking area.
Travel Tips for San Marino?
1. An Important Schengen note – San Marino is not in the EU or officially in Schengen, BUT it follows Schengen rules in practice. Most important is that any time you spend in San Marino is still counted toward your 90-day Schengen limit.
2. You can get a passport stamp as a souvenir – you can get this at the Tourist Office!
3. Costs are like most Italian cities but not as expensive as the major ones like Florence and Venice. If you stay overnight and visit some attractions, expect to spend approximately €40–80 (budget), €80 – €150 (mid range) and €150+ (higher end) per day.
Note for serious budget travellers – If you come for a day trip and are on a budget, you can visit for the cost of the bus fare alone if you bring your own lunch and don’t go into any attractions – there is plenty to do even without that.
5. Stay a night – if you stay a night you get to experience the city and its medieval streets without the crowds – it is absolutely worth it. The sunrise and sunset is also lovely from the viewpoints on top of Mt Titan.
6. Visit the towers early – this is easiest if you are staying a night or drive to the city early.
6. If you are driving and don’t want to navigate the windy streets or try and compete for a car park on top of the hill, then park down by the cable car and take the cable car up – it takes you to the heart of San Marino and is a fun ride.
Where to stay in San Marino?
Book a hotel with booking.com or Tripadvisor, or, a hostel with Hostelworld.
I have hand-picked the best rated options for you – all rated above 9/10 unless noted.
Higher End – Skyline – Olimpio suite Vista MARE or Skyline Virgilio SUITE
Mid Range – the Residenza Monteforte Stardust or Antica Bifora, or great views at Above The Sky – Flying Apartment
Budget – Welcome Hotel or the Panoramic B&B
Hostel – not the best but not the worst hostel I have stayed in – Hostal San Marino!
For a family – an entire home at the modern Casa Indipendente or the stunning Residenza Monteforte Stardust or this relaxing farmhouse with pool!
Related Posts
Hiking in San Marino – your guide in English!
35 unusual and usual things to do in Florence – including my personal gelato and wine window trail!
and for inspo a bit further afield
First timers guide to London – 20 must-do’s and 20 unusual and fun things to do too!