With so many incredible places to see in Italy – and usually only a limited amount of time – is San Marino worth visiting? Often overshadowed by neighboring heavy-hitters like Rome, Tuscany, and Venice, this charming, independent microstate nevertheless has an appeal all its own.
Take it from me: planning a trip to Italy is hard.
The problem isn’t that it’s a complicated country to visit, or overly expensive, or difficult to navigate. On the contrary! The problem, rather, is that there is so much to see and do in Italy that it can feel borderline impossible to figure out how to spend the precious time that you have there. Should you stick to the “big three” of Rome, Florence/Tuscany, and Venice? Sip aperol spritzes in colorful seaside towns like those along the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre? Road trip through more off-the-beaten-path regions like Basilicata and Calabria? Eat your way through Italy’s “Food Valley” in Emilia Romagna? How in the world do you choose when every place has so much to offer?!
Today, I’m here to make your Italy vacation planning just a little more difficult – sorry! – by telling you why you should consider adding San Marino to your list of destinations.
For those who are unfamiliar, San Marino is located in north-central Italy, just above the regions of (Le) Marche and Umbria . But while San Marino is completely encapsulated within Italy, it is actually a fully independent country. In fact, it’s the fifth smallest country on Earth!
San Marino is just under 24 square miles in size, a holdover of the independent city-states and principalities that once covered the Italian peninsula. As Italy unified around it in the 1800’s, San Marino resisted absorption into the new country. Today, it’s considered the oldest republic – and one of the oldest nations – in the world.
Today, San Marino is a thriving republic with one of the highest GDP’s in Europe. It’s blessed with gorgeous landscapes, great shopping, fascinating history, and delicious food.
So, is San Marino worth visiting? The answer is absolutely, “yes!”
San Marino is divided into nine municipalities (called “castelli”, or “castles,” which really is how all municipalities should be labeled) and has multiple towns and villages within its borders. Perhaps the most worthwhile to visit, especially if you’re short on time, is the UNESCO-listed City of San Marino (Città di San Marino), much of which clings to the sides of Monte Titano. This imposing mountain, part of the Apennine range, is crowned by three fortresses that are visible for miles around and have watched over the rolling hills below for centuries.
If you see nothing else in San Marino, you should make sure to visit the Three Towers. Driving into the City of San Marino, a series of switchbacks takes you higher and higher through the historic streets until you near the top. (It’s a bit of a game figuring out where to park, as you want to save your legs from a long uphill climb, but you also run the risk of higher car parks being full and forcing you back to lower elevations.) Once you’ve parked, you can walk up to and enter two of the three towers.
The first tower, Guaita, is the oldest, dating to the 11th century. The second tower, Cesta, is the highest and has the most commanding views (in my opinion; others give this honor to Guaita!). Third is Montale, the smallest of the three, which is not currently open to the public. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the coastal (Italian) city of Rimini and the Adriatic Sea from Guaita, Cesta, or the paths in between.
Start your visit with a walk up to Guaita, where you can enter the fortress and explore St. Barbara’s Chapel, the bell tower, and the Torre della Penna. Make sure to brave the steep stairs and ladder at the end to go as high as you can within the tower; the views are worth it!
When you’re done, move along the path toward Cesta.
While Guaita has a lot going for it (notably that it’s older and more famous), for me, Cesta took the “favorite tower” prize. It sits at the highest point on Monte Titano, and the views out over the San Marino landscapes are made all the more breathtaking by the two other towers rising up from the rocks on either side.
Cesta is also home to the Museum of Ancient Arms, which contains everything from war axes, swords, and suits of armor to crossbows and guns. While it’s easy to hurry through the museum on your way to the top of the tower, it’s nevertheless an impressive collection and worth some of your time.
As mentioned above, the third tower, Montale, is not open to visitors. It’s a fairly easy walk from Cesta, however, should you choose to wander over and admire the exterior. Fewer people venture this far, so you might even have the place (and its views) all to yourself.
Visiting the Three Towers of San Marino requires a lot of steps, both walking-wise and climbing-wise. But it is so worth it! Ascending these amazing fortresses perched on their craggy peaks and gazing out across miles of Sammarinese and Italian countryside, you truly feel like you’re on top of the world. They’re without a doubt the top reason why San Marino is worth visiting, and spectacular enough to justify a detour on your vacation to Italy.
Other Things to Do in San Marino
We’ve already established that San Marino’s mountaintop fortresses are the star of the show, but they are by no means the only worthwhile thing to do in this fascinating little country! Here are some other great ways to spend your time in San Marino:
- Stroll the beautiful medieval streets of San Marino City, admiring the architecture, sampling the local cuisine, and keeping an eye out for great views!
- Pause in the Piazza della Libertà, the city’s most beloved and famous public square. The piazza is open on one side, affording you a gorgeous panorama out over the city and countryside.
- Visit the city hall, the Palazzo Pubblico, which is right on the square and can be entered when the government isn’t in session. If you’re there in the summer, make sure to catch the changing of the guard!
- Go hiking or biking on one of the country’s many scenic trails and walking paths.
- Take the scenic cable car ride from Borgo Maggiore to the center of San Marino City. The ride lasts two minutes and gives you a totally different perspective.
- Pay tribute to the founder of San Marino at the Basilica of Saint Marinus (Basilica di San Marino).
- Look out for people shooting crossbows – no, really – at Crossbowmen’s Quarry (Cava dei Balestrieri)
- Visit one of San Marino’s many museums, including:
- the State Museum of San Marino, home to thousands of historical artifacts and works of art
- The National Gallery
- St. Francis’ Museum
- The Stamp and Coin Museum
- The Museum of Torture
- and more!
Tips for Visiting San Marino
- San Marino doesn’t have its own airport, but there is one in the nearby city of Rimini (RMI). From there, it’s an easy half-hour drive or cab ride to the city of San Marino. Otherwise, the country is best reached by car.
- Make sure to stop into the visitor center/tourist office at the bottom of Monte Titano to have your passport stamped. M and I didn’t discover that this was possible until we were back home in the US, and I’m still disappointed I didn’t get one!
- Watch your step when exploring the towers. The ground can be uneven, and some areas are only accessible by ladders or narrow staircases.
- Guaita is also known as “Rocca” and Cesta as “Fratta,” so don’t get confused if you see different names used for the towers. It costs €6 to visit both.
- Remember that citizens of San Marino are not Italians and should not be referred to as such; use “Sammarinese” instead.
- While we visited San Marino on a day trip (and a quick one at that), you should definitely consider staying at least one night. Imagine sipping wine as you look out over the rolling hills at sunset… pure bliss! Plus, you’ll get more time to properly explore all this tiny country has to offer.
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons that San Marino is worth visiting! From its soaring mountaintop fortresses and fascinating history to its beautiful streets and gorgeous landscapes, this tiny nation is a perfect addition to your Italy itinerary. Time to start planning your trip!
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