San Marino
The oldest republic in the world, and mostly a very steep hill
Population
0.03m people
Currency
Euro
Main Language
Italian
best time to visit
May – June and September-October
Climate
Mediterranean, warm summers, mild winters, cooler at altitude
Visa
Not in the EU or Schengen but has open borders with Italy; the Schengen 90 in 180 rule applies in practice
Country overview
San Marino claims to be the oldest surviving sovereign state and the oldest republic in the world, founded in 301 by a stonemason hiding from Roman persecution. It is entirely surrounded by Italy, sits on top of Monte Titano, and has kept its independence through the Papal States, Napoleon and Italian unification largely by being too small and too awkward to bother with.
The whole point is the setting. Three towers along a limestone ridge, connected by a cliff-edge path, with views that on a clear day reach the Adriatic. The historic centre is UNESCO listed and genuinely dramatic, though the streets leading up to it are lined with shops selling crossbows, replica weapons and duty-free perfume in a way that undercuts the atmosphere.
Most people come as a day trip from Rimini, forty minutes away on the coast, and that works well. Staying overnight is the better version. The coach parties leave by six and the old town empties out, which is when the walls and the towers stop being a tourist attraction and start feeling like the fortress they were built to be.
Annual events and festivals
- Feast of Saint Agatha (5 Feb) — the second patron saint, marking the recovery of independence in 1740.
- Investiture of the Captains Regent (1 Apr and 1 Oct) — two heads of state sworn in every six months, in full ceremonial procession.
- Medieval Days (Jul) — the old town given over to crossbow tournaments, flag throwing and costume.
- Anniversary of the Arengo (25 Mar) — commemorates the 1906 restoration of popular rule.
- San Marino Music Festival (Aug) — concerts in the historic centre.
- Foundation Day (3 Sep) — the national day, honouring Saint Marinus, with a procession and crossbow contest.
- Balestra crossbow tournaments (summer) — a genuine national sport with its own federation.
- San Marino Grand Prix legacy events (varies) — motorsport heritage events tied to the nearby Imola circuit.
- Christmas of Wonders (Dec-Jan) — the whole hilltop lit up, with markets in the squares.
- Saint Marinus pilgrimage (Sep) — a religious procession to the basilica.