Perched atop Monte Titano, San Marino is the world’s oldest republic (301 CE) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stone lanes wind between ramparts and towers, opening onto dramatic views across the Romagna plain and the Adriatic on clear days. Its medieval heart feels intimate and surprisingly serene once day-trippers fade.

San Marino’s government is led by two Captains Regent elected every six months, a quirk of longevity and balance that mirrors the country’s enduring independence. You’ll walk castle walls, visit the Three Towers—Guaita, Cesta, and Montale—and linger in sunlit squares where crossbowmen still perform on festival days.

Expect a cuisine that nods to neighboring Emilia-Romagna: piadina stuffed with squacquerone and rucola, handmade passatelli, and the layered hazelnut “Torta Tre Monti.” The country uses the euro, is exceptionally safe, and is best enjoyed on foot; spring and fall offer mild weather and clear views.

City of San Marino (Città di San Marino)

San Marino’s hilltop capital is all crenelations and cobbles, anchored by the Three Towers and the elegant Piazza della Libertà. The air is crisp, the vistas endless, and the walls glow gold at sunset. It’s the perfect base for your first few days.

• Top sights: Guaita and Cesta towers, Basilica di San Marino, Palazzo Pubblico (Government Palace), State Museum, Cava dei Balestrieri (crossbow quarry), Passo delle Streghe ridge walk.
• Where to stay: Search stays near Piazza della Libertà or Porta San Francesco for easy, scenic access. VRBO San Marino | Hotels.com San Marino
• Getting there: Fly into Bologna (BLQ), Florence (FLR), Ancona (AOI), or seasonal Rimini (RMI). For Europe flights and trains, compare on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains); long-haul options via Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights). Train to Rimini (~1–1.5h from Bologna), then bus to San Marino (~50 minutes, approx €6–7 one-way) bookable on Omio (buses).

Day 1 — Arrival on the Rock

Morning: Travel toward Rimini by train if coming from a major Italian hub; continue by bus up to the City of San Marino. Enjoy the mountain road’s hairpins as the citadel appears above.

Afternoon: Check in and take a gentle orientation stroll: Porta San Francesco, Via Basilicius, and Piazza della Libertà. Pop into Caffè Titano for an espresso and a slice of Torta Tre Monti to shake off travel.

Evening: Watch the late light gild the Palazzo Pubblico and the ridge toward Guaita. Dinner at Ristorante La Terrazza (panoramic views and handmade passatelli) or Osteria Righi (seasonal tasting menus and an osteria downstairs). Nightcap at Cantina di Bacco, a cozy wine bar pouring local Sangiovese and Biancale.

Day 2 — Towers, Palaces, and the UNESCO Core

Morning: Join a guided immersion that bundles the landmarks and saves time at entrances:
San Marino Small Group Guided Tour with Pass 7 attractions

Climb Guaita for vertiginous views, see the basilica’s neoclassical calm, and walk the ramparts to Cesta (with its arms museum) along the Passo delle Streghe.

Afternoon: Lunch at La Capanna, perched on the ridge path—order tagliatelle al ragù and a crisp local white. Continue to Montale (Tower III) for a quieter, forested feel and fewer crowds. Browse the State Museum for coins, icons, and relics that trace the republic’s story.

Evening: Sunset from the Cava dei Balestrieri quarry; if you’re lucky, you might catch crossbow practice (usually on select weekends). Dinner at Antica Trattoria La Fratta—grilled meats, porcini when in season, and hearty Sangiovese. Gelato back in the square while the city empties and stars take over.

Day 3 — Panoramic Walks and Aperitivo Culture

Morning: Fuel up with cappuccino and a warm cornetto at Caffè Titano, then hike the Sentiero della Rupe, a cliffside path looping under the walls and through woods. Photo stops abound; bring a lightweight layer as breezes can nip even in summer.

Afternoon: Explore Palazzo Pubblico’s ceremonial halls (check for the hourly Changing of the Guard in summer months), then browse artisan shops on Via Eugippo for ceramics, stamps, or the republic’s commemorative coins. Quick lunch: a hot piadina stuffed with squacquerone and prosciutto from a street-side chiosco.

Evening: Toast the day with a guided stroll ending in a wine bar:
Private Guided Tour with Aperitif in Winebar in San Marino

Afterwards, dine at Il Terrazzino—book a terrace table for tortelloni with sage butter and a lights-on-the-plain panorama.

Day 4 — Countryside Cooking & Wine

Morning: Head to the hills for a hands-on culinary workshop set on an historic farmstead:
Cook Like a Local in San Marino Countryside

Roll piadina dough, hand-shape passatelli, and learn why local olive oil and Sangiovese taste different on these slopes.

Afternoon: Linger over the lunch you’ve prepared, paired with estate wines. Return to the city for an easy saunter along Via Piana and a peek into artisan workshops.

Evening: Keep it relaxed: split small plates at Cantina di Bacco (bruschette, local cheeses) or try Nido del Falco for a quiet dinner with city lights below.

Borgo Maggiore

Spread beneath the citadel, Borgo Maggiore is linked to the old town by a 2-minute cable car—a pleasure in itself. Its weekly market recalls the town’s medieval role as a trading hub, while trattorie serve honest, satisfying classics.

• Why stay: Easy access to the cable car, local life, and a calmer pace. Great base to explore the valley, e-bike routes, and the modern districts of the republic.
• Where to stay: Look near the cable car station or Piazza Grande. VRBO Borgo Maggiore | Hotels.com Borgo Maggiore
• Getting around: The funivia (cable car) runs roughly every 15 minutes (more in peak times); expect about €5 round-trip. Local buses connect Borgo Maggiore with Serravalle, Dogana, and other castelli.

Day 5 — Down by Cable Car, Market Flavors, and Outlet Afternoon

Morning: Transfer to Borgo Maggiore by cable car (about 2 minutes; plan for a mid-morning departure). If it’s Thursday, browse the historic market on Piazza Grande—seasonal cheeses, olives, and leather goods are the highlights.

Afternoon: Bus to Serravalle (approx 20 minutes, ~€2–3) for a spree at the San Marino Outlet Experience—Italian athleisure, shoes, and homegrown labels at solid discounts. Refuel with an espresso and a warm piadina at one of the outlet’s Romagna-style counters.

Evening: Back in Borgo, settle into Hostaria da Lino—an institution near the cable car—for rabbit cacciatore, strozzapreti al ragù, and a glass of Brugneto. Stroll quiet lanes before turning in.

Day 6 — Stories of a Republic and Scenic Pedals

Morning: Immerse in San Marino’s past via a modern multimedia experience (a great complement to yesterday’s sites):
Entrance Ticket - Titanus Museum: Multimedia Experience

Then stop at a local bakery for a slice of ciambella or a filled bombolone and a macchiato.

Afternoon: Rent e-bikes in Borgo Maggiore and cruise gentle country roads toward the Marano valley. Pause at viewpoints for photos of the ridge line and the clustered towers of Monte Titano. Late lunch/picnic with market finds and fruit.

Evening: Take the cable car up one last time for a farewell blue-hour view from the ramparts. Celebrate at Osteria Righi or keep it rustic with a thin-crust pizza and local beer in Borgo.

Day 7 — Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: Leisure breakfast at a café on Piazza Grande—order cappuccino and a warm sfogliatina. If time allows, pop up by cable car for final souvenirs on Via Eugippo and a last look from Piazza della Libertà.

Afternoon: Depart via bus to Rimini (about 50 minutes) and onward train connections on Omio (trains) or flights via Omio (flights). For intercontinental routes, compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com.

Evening: In case of a late flight, tuck into an early farewell meal—piadina with grilled sausage and onions or passatelli in brodo—before rolling your suitcase to the bus stop.

Dining and Cafe Shortlist (to mix and match through the week)

• Caffè Titano (City): Classic cappuccino-and-cornetto mornings, aperitivi in the square.
• Osteria Righi (City): Local produce-led menus; book ahead for terrace seats.
• La Terrazza (City): Sweeping views; order passatelli, grilled meats, and seasonal vegetables.
• Il Terrazzino (City): Casual, scenic; tortelloni, tagliata, and tiramisù to finish.
• Antica Trattoria La Fratta (City): Rustic San Marino staples—excellent grilled mains.
• Cantina di Bacco (City): Wine bar with local pours and small plates—great pre-dinner stop.
• Hostaria da Lino (Borgo Maggiore): Traditions on a plate—strozzapreti, rabbit, and hearty ragùs.

Good to know: Many museums are closed or have shorter hours on certain weekdays; check opening times the evening prior. Summer brings frequent guard ceremonies in Piazza della Libertà; autumn offers crisp air and fewer crowds. The cable car can get busy at sunset—arrive 10–15 minutes early.

San Marino rewards unhurried exploration: a fortress at dawn, a ridge walk at noon, a quiet piazza at night. Across seven days you’ll see the republic’s medieval bones and its rural soul—a compact country with outsized views, appetite, and history.