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Voykit pocket guide · San Marino
Città di San Marino
Città di San Marino is a half-day ridge walk from Rimini: arrive early by transfer or bus, do the square and the towers before the coaches, and sleep on the mountain only for the quiet evening.
San Marino has no airport and no railway: the way in is a bus or car from Rimini, 25 km away, and most flights land at Rimini only in summer. The old town sits on the ridge of Monte Titano, steep, cobbled and full of coach groups from late morning. The trips that go wrong are the ones that arrive at noon in July, climb the towers in sandals, or plan a late landing at Rimini with no bus left. Four small walking areas cover a visit; Rimini is the usual bed.
- Country
- San Marino
- Best months
- Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Sep · Oct · Dec
- Time zone
- Europe/San_Marino
- Stay
- 1 days: Bus from Rimini, square and towers, back to Rimini in the evening
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Cards and contactless work in shops, cafés and restaurants; carry a few euros for small cafés, the cable car and tower ticket desks that ask for cash. San Marino uses the euro.
- Daily spend
- Budget €35–60 excl. bed · Mid €60–110 excl. bed · High €110+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Install an eSIM before you fly. San Marino is outside the EU: check that your plan covers it.
- Emergency
- Emergency (all services) 112 · Ambulance 118 (check) · Fire 115 (check)
- Plugs
- 230 V; two-pin round sockets (types F and L, also C).
- Tipping
- Not expected; round up or leave 5–10% for good table service.
- Water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Toilets
- Cafés and the tourist office; public toilets are few.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Espresso, counter | EUR 1.50–3 |
| Piadina | EUR 5–9 |
| Gelato, two scoops | EUR 3–5 |
| Glass of local wine | EUR 4–7 |
| Rimini to San Marino bus, one way | EUR 4–8 |
| Cable car single | EUR 2–4 |
| Tower ticket | EUR 4–8 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- Rimini Federico Fellini Airport (RMI)
- RMI to San Marino: no airport or rail in San Marino, so one pre-booked transfer or taxi to the door, about 35–50 minutes at €50–80 — the risk is a late landing with no bus left and a guesthouse door that locks at midnight.
By rail and road
| Station | Serves | To the centre |
|---|---|---|
| Rimini railway station (bus stop) (Stazione di Rimini) | Bus line to San Marino (check the operator and line number) | Bus about 45 min |
| Bus station in Borgo Maggiore | Local and regional buses | Cable car about 5 min |
| Rimini airport (RMI) | Seasonal and low-cost flights | Transfer or taxi 35–50 min |
Typical fares
- Rimini to San Marino by bus
- EUR 4–8, about 45 minutes
- Rimini airport to the old town by transfer
- EUR 50–80, 35–50 minutes
Show 8 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Eat, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk on the ridge, take the cable car between Borgo Maggiore and the old town, and use a car or taxi for the lower town and the airport. There is no need for a pass.
| How | Fare | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | The old town and the ridge path |
| Cable car | EUR 2–4 single | Between Borgo Maggiore and the old town |
| Local bus | EUR 1–3 | The lower towns |
| Taxi | EUR 8–15 across the republic | Bags, the last mile at night |
| Rimini bus | EUR 4–8 | To and from the coast |
Fares are estimates; check before you ride.
- Passes
- No pass: walk and take the cable car once; the bus from Rimini is a single ticket.
- Late at night
- The last bus back to Rimini leaves in the evening: check the timetable before you go.
See and do
01Guaita TowerPrima Torre (Guaita)
The oldest tower, with ramparts and the coast view.
Hours: best At opening · Price: EUR 4–8 · Time: 45 min · 43.9353, 12.4506
02Cesta TowerSeconda Torre (Cesta)
The highest point and the arms museum.
Hours: best Morning, clear weather · Price: EUR 4–8 · Time: 35 min · 43.9324, 12.4518
03Palazzo Pubblico
The neo-Gothic town hall and the guarded square.
Hours: best Before 10:30 · Price: Free from outside · Time: 30 minHours: best Before 10:30 AM · Price: Free from outside · Time: 30 min · 43.9363, 12.4464
04Basilica di San MarinoBasilica di San Marino (Basilica del Santo)
A quiet, free church with the relics of the founder.
Hours: best Morning · Price: Free · Time: 20 min · 43.9361, 12.4467
05Museo di Stato
Indoors and cool: archaeology and the republic's story.
Hours: best Midday or rain · Price: EUR 4–8 · Time: 45 min · 43.9365, 12.4466
06Santuario della ConsolazioneSantuario della Consolazione
A calm sanctuary above the market square.
Hours: best Morning · Price: Free · Time: 20 min · 43.9405, 12.4474
07Torta Tre MontiPasticceria e gelateria
The local cake, named for the three towers.
Hours: best Afternoon · Price: EUR 3–8 · Time: 20 min · 43.9364, 12.4463
08Lunch in Borgo MaggioreTrattoria a Borgo Maggiore
Home cooking at lower prices than the square.
Hours: best 12:30 · Price: EUR 18–35 · Time: 1 hHours: best 12:30 PM · Price: EUR 18–35 · Time: 1 h · 43.9394, 12.4466
09Wine on the ridgeEnoteca in Contrada Omagnano
Sangiovese and a cheese board after the coaches leave.
Hours: best 17:30 · Price: EUR 15–35 · Time: 1 hHours: best 5:30 PM · Price: EUR 15–35 · Time: 1 h · 43.9377, 12.4459
10Rimini
The Roman arch and the old centre; the usual bed.
Hours: best Evening · Price: Bus EUR 4–8 · Time: Half day
Hours and prices are desk estimates (checked 2026-09); anything marked (check) is not confirmed. Coordinates open in any map app.
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rimini (coast, Roman arch, old centre) | Bus about 45 min each way | Half or full day |
| Borgo Maggiore market | Cable car or a short drive from the old town | Half day |
| San Leo and Montefeltro (Italy) | Car about 45 min each way | Full day |
Eat
| Where | What · area | Price | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piadina counter on the old-town lanes (confirm locally) | Piadina with ham and cheese · Old town | EUR 5–9 | Budget |
| Pasticceria and gelateria near the square (confirm locally) | Torta Tre Monti and espresso · Near the square | EUR 4–8 | Budget |
| Supermarket picnic | Bread, cheese, fruit, water · Borgo Maggiore | EUR 5–10 | Budget |
| Trattoria near Piazza Grande, Borgo Maggiore (confirm locally) | Tagliatelle, nidi di rondine and grilled meat · Borgo Maggiore | EUR 18–35 | Mid-range |
| Enoteca on Contrada Omagnano (confirm locally) | Wine and a cheese board · Old town | EUR 15–35 | Mid-range |
| Righi La Taverna | A long lunch or dinner on the square · Piazza della Libertà | EUR 40–70 | Splurge |
Per person, one dish or one meal, 2026 estimate. The old town is short on options after 21:00: check the day before.
Sleep
| Band | Price a night | Where | What |
|---|---|---|---|
| budget | EUR 60–100 | Borgo Maggiore, lower town | Small hotels and guesthouses |
| mid | EUR 100–180 | Old town | 3-4 star hotels |
| splurge | EUR 200–350+ | Old town | Boutique and 5-star |
Per room per night in EUR, 2026 estimate. Most travellers sleep in Rimini; a night on the mountain is a choice.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Good morning | Buongiornobwon-JOR-no |
| Thank you | GrazieGRAH-tsyeh |
| How much is it? | Quanto costa?KWAN-to KOS-ta |
| The bill, please | Il conto, per favoreeel KON-to per fa-VO-reh |
| To this address, please | A questo indirizzo, per favoreah KWES-to in-dee-REET-tso per fa-VO-reh |
| Delicious | Buonissimobwo-NEES-see-mo |
| Excuse me | Mi scusimee SKOO-zee |
| Goodbye | Arrivederciar-ree-veh-DER-chee |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Churches: Shoulders and knees covered; no flash and no photography during services.
- Greetings: Say "buongiorno" and "grazie" in shops and cafés.
- Guards and ceremonies: Do not photograph the guards without asking, and stay behind the rope at ceremonies.
- Tower walls: Do not climb on the walls or the cannons.
- Tipping: Not expected; round up or leave 5–10% for good table service.
- Lunch: Kitchens close between about 14:30 and 19:00 in many places: eat by 14:00.
Red lines
- Basilica and churches: cover shoulders and knees, no flash during services.
- Do not climb on the tower walls or the cannons.
Scams and watch-outs
- Taxis or drivers at Rimini station quote a high fixed fare to San Marino: use the bus, or agree the price with a licensed taxi before you get in.
- Shops selling duty-free goods, watches and knives near the square have no fixed prices: compare before buying.
- Restaurant menus without prices in the square: ask the price of each dish before you order.
- Souvenir stamp stalls other than the official tourist office: the official passport stamp is only at the tourist office.
One and two days
1 day
A day trip from Rimini. Skip: Borgo Maggiore: give it a second morning.
- 09:009:00 AMBus from Rimini and the Palazzo Pubblico
- 09:459:45 AMGuaita Tower at opening
- 11:1511:15 AMCesta Tower
- 12:4512:45 PMPiadina or a trattoria lunch
- 14:302:30 PMBasilica and the Museo di Stato
- 16:304:30 PMTorta Tre Monti and the last walk on the walls
- 17:305:30 PMBus back to Rimini (check the last one)
2 days
One night on the ridge
Day 1
- 10:0010:00 AMThe square, the Basilica and the museum
- 13:001:00 PMLunch on the square
- 17:305:30 PMGuaita at the quiet hour
- 19:307:30 PMWine and dinner
Day 2
- 09:009:00 AMCesta Tower
- 11:0011:00 AMCable car to Borgo Maggiore and the sanctuary
- 12:3012:30 PMLunch in Borgo Maggiore
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- San Marino Tourism (official): www.visitsanmarino.com/
- UK travel advice — San Marino: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/san-marino
- Wikivoyage — San Marino: en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Marino
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Città di San Marino
A questo indirizzo, per favore
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Take me to
- Prima Torre (Guaita)Guaita Tower
- Seconda Torre (Cesta)Cesta Tower
- Basilica di San Marino (Basilica del Santo)Basilica di San Marino
- Santuario della ConsolazioneSantuario della Beata Vergine della Consolazione
- Pasticceria e gelateriaPasticceria and gelateria near the square (confirm locally)
- Trattoria a Borgo MaggioreTrattoria near Piazza Grande, Borgo Maggiore (confirm locally)
- Emergency (all services)112
- Ambulance118 (check)
- Fire115 (check)
Your embassy is in Rome; write its 24-hour number below.
Give a driver the hotel name or the square; the old town has few street numbers.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/san-marino-city). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.