- Local time
- 09:10
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Capital
- San Marino
- Calling code
- +378
- Drive on the
- right
Overview
One of the world's smallest states and its oldest republic: a walled city on Mount Titano with three towers and views to the Adriatic, 10 km from Rimini.
San Marino is a tiny republic completely surrounded by Italy, which claims to be the oldest republic in the world, founded according to tradition in 301 AD. Most of what visitors come for is in the capital, the City of San Marino, a walled town on top of Mount Titano, 657 m above sea level, full of old buildings, small museums, restaurants and souvenir shops. Its historic centre and Mount Titano are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The three towers on the summit, which appear on the national flag, offer views over Italy and the Adriatic. The rest of the country is a handful of more industrial towns. There is no airport or railway: you arrive by road or bus from Rimini, without border controls. San Marino uses the euro, and its own euro coins and stamps are popular with collectors.
- Guaita and Cesta towers: Small castles on Mount Titano with views over Italy and the Adriatic.
- Piazza della Libertà: The square of the Palazzo Pubblico, beautiful when lit at night.
- Basilica di San Marino: The 19th-century main church, dedicated to the founder Saint Marinus.
- The walls and old streets: Cobbled lanes and walkways along the city walls, with almost no cars.
- Cable car to Borgo Maggiore: A 1.5 km cable car down to the town below, with plenty of parking.
Places to visit
- City
- Mountain
Cities
- City of San Marino: The walled capital on Mount Titano, with the towers, museums and the Piazza della Libertà.
- Borgo Maggiore: The town below the capital, with a historic centre and the cable car station.
Beyond the cities
- Mount Titano (mountain): The mountain of the capital and its towers, with hiking trails in a nature park.
Things to do
See
- The towers City of San Marino: Guaita and Cesta are open to visitors; Cesta holds the Museum of Archaic Arms. A path follows the walls between them.
- State Museum City of San Marino: Art, architecture and archaeology; the ticket also covers the Palazzo Pubblico (€8 in 2023).
- Palazzo Pubblico City of San Marino: The town hall on Piazza della Libertà, with frescoed council chambers.
Do
- Hiking on Mount Titano Mount Titano: Trails in the Monte Titano nature park start beside the Cesta tower.
- Passport stamp: The tourist office stamps your passport for €5.
Drink
- Local wine and beer: Sammarinese wine such as Brugneto, rare outside Italy, and local craft beers.
Shop
- Coins and stamps: San Marino's euro coins and postage stamps are sought by collectors.
Itineraries
San Marino in 2 days (2 days)
- City of San Marino (1 night): The towers, the walls and the Piazza della Libertà at night.
- Borgo Maggiore (1 night): By cable car; the hostel is here, and walks on Mount Titano.
Holidays and events
- 1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
- 6 January 2026 · Epiphany
- 5 February 2026 · Feast of Saint Agatha
- 25 March 2026 · Anniversary of the Arengo
- 5 April 2026 · Easter Sunday
- 6 April 2026 · Easter Monday
- 1 May 2026 · Labour Day
- 4 June 2026 · Corpus Christi
- 28 July 2026 · Liberation from Fascism
- 15 August 2026 · Ferragosto (Assumption)
- 3 September 2026 · The Feast of San Marino and the Republic
- 1 November 2026 · All Saints' Day
- 2 November 2026 · Commemoration of all those who died at war
- 8 December 2026 · Immaculate Conception
- 24 December 2026 · Christmas Eve
- 25 December 2026 · Christmas Day
- 26 December 2026 · St. Stephen's Day
- 31 December 2026 · New Year's Eve
Getting around
| Main airports | RMI |
|---|
The walled city is small enough to walk, but steep, with cobbled switchbacks and a few lifts. A cable car links it with Borgo Maggiore (€3 one way, €5 return in 2024), and a steep shaded path, the Costa dell'Arnella, connects them on foot. Outside the capital pavements are rare. Roads are steep and narrow; parking in the capital is limited, so park in Borgo Maggiore. You must carry a warning triangle, and UK drivers need a 1968 International Driving Permit with their licence.
Flying to San Marino? PartnerCompare fares and find the cheapest datesSearch flightsWhere to stay
- Hotels: A few in and around the capital.
- Hostel: One, in Borgo Maggiore, a short bus ride from the city.
Rimini, on the coast, has many more hotels and is probably cheaper.
Eat and drink
Dishes to try
- Italian cooking: Pasta, pizza, piadina and gelato, as in neighbouring Italy; some restaurants have tables with wide views.
Drinks
- Brugneto di San Marino: The best-known local red wine.
- Local beer: From Titanbräu and other small breweries.
- Limoncello: Lemon liqueur, found everywhere.
Entry requirements and visas
| Passport validity | Issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area |
|---|
| Passport | Entry | Max stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU / EEA | Visa free | No border controls with Italy; carry an ID card or passport. | |
| United Kingdom | Visa free | 90 days | 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area. |
| Canada | Visa free | 90 days | 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area. |
| United States | Visa free | 90 days | 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area. |
| Australia | Visa free | 90 days | 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area. |
Other nationalities: check the official source below.
San Marino can only be reached through Italy and follows the Schengen rules: visitors from the UK, the US, Canada and Australia can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, counting the days in Schengen countries, and need a valid Schengen entry stamp. There are no border controls. Longer stays need a permit from the Gendarmerie: the UK says from 30 days, while Canada says from 10 days, with registration within 24 hours for stays of more than three days (hotels pass on your details). Rules depend on your passport and can change: check the official link before you book.
Money and payments
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
|---|
San Marino uses the euro (EUR). Its own euro coins are minted in small numbers; souvenir shops sell sets, but some lack the €1 and €2 coins. Some goods are cheaper than in Italy because Italian VAT does not apply.
Health
| Recommended vaccines | Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A: consider it |
|---|---|
| Tap water | Safe |
The EHIC and GHIC are not accepted in San Marino, so take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance. Medical services are good, but serious cases are often transferred to Rimini, and most staff do not speak English. For an ambulance call 118. Tap water is drinkable.
This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.
Safety
- Canada: Take normal security precautions (2026-10-20)
- United Kingdom: No advice against travel (2026-10-20)
San Marino is very safe and street crime is rare; just keep an eye on your belongings in crowds. The streets of the capital are steep: take care on them. Drug laws are zero-tolerance.
Customs and etiquette
Italian is the language, but San Marino is not part of Italy: do not confuse the Sammarinese with Italians. People are friendly and take their country's politics seriously. When photographing the guards, a smile is fine but gestures and funny faces are not.
Language
| Official languages | Italian |
|---|
| Hello | Salve SAHL-veh |
|---|---|
| Please | Per favore PEHR fah-VOH-reh |
| Thank you | Grazie GRAHT-tsyeh |
| Excuse me | Mi scusi mee SKOO-zee |
| Goodbye | Arrivederci ahr-ree-veh-DEHR-chee |
| Do you speak English? | Parla inglese? PAHR-lah een-GLEH-zeh |
What to pack
- Travel and medical insurance: The EHIC and GHIC are not accepted.
- Passport with a Schengen entry stamp: Needed even though there are no border checks.
- Comfortable shoes: The capital's streets are steep and cobbled.
- Cash for the bus ticket: The tobacconist at Rimini station takes cash only.
Quick reference
Country facts
| Capital | San Marino |
|---|---|
| Population | 34,109 (2025) |
| Area | 61 km² |
| Time zone | Europe/San_Marino (UTC+1) |
| Calling code | +378 |
| Driving side | right |
Staying connected
| Wi-Fi | Free in parts of the capital. |
|---|
Emergency numbers
| Police | 112 or 113 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 118 |
| Fire | 115 |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport for San Marino?
There are no border controls with Italy, but you follow Schengen rules and need a valid passport (or EU ID card); a souvenir stamp costs €5 at the tourist office.
How do I get to San Marino?
By bus from Rimini railway station, about once an hour; there is no airport or railway in San Marino.
Is my EHIC or GHIC valid?
No, take out travel and medical insurance.
Can I drink the tap water?
Yes, tap water is drinkable.
Is San Marino part of Italy?
No, it is an independent republic, though Italian is spoken and it uses the euro.
More Travel Stories from Europe
PortugalSources This guide was last checked on · 15 sources
- Wikivoyage: San Marino · Overview, Places to visit, Things to do, Itineraries, Getting around, Where to stay, Eat and drink, Money and payments, Health, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Language, What to pack, Staying connected, Frequently asked questions
- UK FCDO: San Marino entry requirements · Overview, Getting around, Entry requirements and visas, What to pack, Frequently asked questions
- Wikidata: San Marino · Places to visit, Money and payments, Country facts
- Nager.Date: public holidays in San Marino, 2026 · Holidays and events
- Government of Canada: San Marino travel advice (updated 26 May 2026) · Entry requirements and visas, Health, Safety
- ISO 4217 (SIX), published 2026-09-17 · Money and payments
- UK FCDO: San Marino health · Health, What to pack, Frequently asked questions
- US CDC: Travelers' health, San Marino · Health
- UK FCDO: San Marino travel advice · Safety
- UK FCDO: San Marino safety and security · Safety
- Wikivoyage: Italian phrasebook · Language
- World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL · Country facts
- World Bank, AG.LND.TOTL.K2 · Country facts
- IANA Time Zone Database, zone.tab · Country facts
- UK FCDO: San Marino getting help · Emergency numbers
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