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Some say “there’s no place like home,” and others say “there’s no place like Italy.”
I guess you could say the Travel Off Path team clicked our ruby slippers together and agreed to disagree.
Indeed, there is a little-known country that travelers often pass over when exploring Italy, despite offering strikingly similar appeal minus the crowds.
In fact, this small country is completely surrounded by Italy and has no airport, meaning the only way to get there is through Italy itself.
No, we’re not talking about Vatican City and its deep chambers of secrets – we’re talking about San Marino, an official member of the United Nations and a microstate on the UNESCO World Heritage List – and not about one of those quirky micronations like Slowjamastan, as cool a concept as that may be.
As one of Europe’s least visited countriesIt’s not that San Marino isn’t worth visiting; it’s the case that many travelers simply don’t know it exists as it is rarely promoted as a must-visit in the same way as Italy.
But just as you can add Florence or a string of vibrant villages to your Italian escapades, you can just as easily add San Marino – and we argue it’s more than worth it!
San Marino: welcome to the fifth smallest country in the world 🇸🇲
Located on a hill in northern Italy, just outside one of the country’s trendiest coastal towns, Rimini, little-known San Marino is the fifth smallest country in the world.
But this is what really makes San Marino special – and something that might shock you given the deep-rooted and practically tangible history of Italy and other timeless European wonders, like Athens.
San Marino is the oldest country in the world.
With virtually no changes over 17 centuries, it is the oldest constitutional republic in Europe.
Best of all, it still feels that way. Saying that nothing has changed, you won’t notice many new amenities until you tap the card to pay at a cozy terrace in this towering country that sits 750 meters above sea level at its highest point.
San Marino is very small: the entire population is less than 40,000.
Despite its height, it is a city made for exploring on foot. You won’t see many cars here, except the ones so small that fourteen clowns somehow jump out of them – so forget Uber.
Most notably, you can’t miss San Marino’s 3 striking towers, on top of Monte Titano, which is Italian for Mount Titan as San Marino does not have their own language.
- Guaita – the oldest and best known
- Cesta – the second tower, located on the highest peak
- Montale — the smallest, and generally not open to the public
San Marino couldn’t feel safer to explore
Remember: almost no one seems to know this place exists.
That means that, unlike the Eiffel Tower, the Acropolis or Italy’s endless array of world-famous landmarks, you’re much less likely to encounter scammers preying on tourists.
Unlike rugged Naples and the hustle and bustle of Rome, San Marino just doesn’t feel like that.
Despite its small stature, it still feels undiscovered by the masses. As such, not many travelers have been able to weigh in to let us know if this dot on the map passes the vibe check.
Currently, those who have done so say San Marino feels largely safe, with an impressive score of 90/100.
Don’t be fooled by San Marino’s difficult entry requirements
Sure, it’s fun to travel abroad, but wherever you go, don’t forget to check travel warnings and entry requirements.
For San Marino, it’s a bit of a ghost… you know what.
Getting here is no problem; going back home can cause problems.
You see, even though San Marino is a bona fide country, the passport stamps are considered a novelty.
If you come by bus from Rimini, you will not receive a stamp. But some travelers, eager to show off the rare feat of visiting such an off-the-radar destination, choose to visit the San Marino tourist office to obtain one for a small fee.
But here’s the catch: because it’s a souvenir and not an official border stamp, it could lead to passport problems later, making a Dan Marino autograph as useless as a San Marino novelty.
Is it more than just a hilltop?
A quick Google search for “San Marino” and you will find numerous hilltop castles.
What else is there?
Beyond the capital of San Marino, Dogana is often travelers’ first introduction to the country and a smart place to score cheaper souvenirs and budget-friendly eateries, especially along Via della Repubblica.
Since San Marino is surrounded by Emilia-Romagna, you know the food has to be out of this world.
Borgo Maggiore also deserves a place on your list, especially if you like to browse local stalls, as accommodation is offered here The largest open-air market in San Marino.
And if medieval magic still holds you, Serravalle keeps the atmosphere alive with a beautiful castle and picturesque squares that remain pleasantly crowd-free all year round.
