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San Marino City
The hilltop capital of one of the world’s oldest republics, crowned by three medieval towers
The hilltop capital of one of the world’s oldest republics, crowned by three medieval towers
The oldest of the Three Towers, dating from the 11th century, sits on the cliff edge with views to the sea on clear days.
Photo: Terragio67, CC BY-SA 4.0
The second tower, on the highest point of Monte Titano, houses a museum of historic weapons. A cliff-top path links it with Guaita; the third tower, Montale, can be seen from outside.
Photo: Terragio67, CC BY-SA 4.0
The neo-Gothic town hall overlooks Piazza della Libertà, where the guard is changed in summer.
Photo: Terragio67, CC BY-SA 4.0
The neoclassical basilica holds relics of Saint Marinus, the republic’s founder.
Photo: Eleassar, CC BY-SA 4.0
A two-minute cable car links the old town with Borgo Maggiore below, with wide views over the countryside.
Photo: NikonZ7II, CC BY-SA 4.0
Restaurants serve Romagna-style food: piadina flatbreads, fresh pasta, and the layered Torta Tre Monti wafer cake, named after the three towers. Local wines are also worth trying.
Many shops sell tax-free goods, and San Marino stamps and coins are collectibles.
Regular buses run from Rimini, which has a railway station and airport, taking under an hour. San Marino uses the euro and has no border checks with Italy.
The old centre is mostly pedestrian and steep; park in the car parks below and walk or take the lift and cable car.
San Marino uses the euro (EUR).
A day trip covers the old town.
Take the cable car up, visit the Palazzo Pubblico and the Basilica.
Walk the cliff path to Guaita and Cesta, then stay for the sunset views.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
San Marino has no border controls of its own for most visitors; you arrive through the Schengen area, so its rules apply.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Easy from Rimini.
Streets are steep.
Visit early or late in summer.
Collectible San Marino stamps.
Quick answers for planning time in San Marino City.
By regular bus, taking under an hour.
There are no border checks with Italy, but carry ID.
Guaita, Cesta and Montale, medieval fortifications on Monte Titano.
Yes, the historic centre and Mount Titano were inscribed in 2008.
The euro.
Planning a wider trip? Our San Marino travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.