Planning a day trip from Florence to San Marino? You’re in for a seriously underrated adventure. This tiny mountaintop country might be one of the world’s oldest republics, but it’s also one of the most charming (and photogenic) spots I visited during my time in Florence. Picture dramatic stone towers, sweeping hillside views, cobblestone alleys, and (bonus!) hardly any crowds.
In this post, I’m breaking down everything you need to know for a seamless trip from Florence to San Marino – including how to get there, what to do, where to eat, and all the must-see spots in just one day. If you’re looking for something unique and off the usual Italy itinerary, this is 100% it.
San Marino feels straight out of a fairytale. You’ve got medieval castles perched high on a ridgeline, winding streets that look like movie sets, and panoramic views that go on forever. Throw in a few cozy cafes, local shops, and a relaxed, low-key vibe, and I was sold.
Honestly, before planning my Florence itinerary, I hadn’t even heard of San Marino (kinda embarrassing, but hey, here we are). But once I saw how close it was, I couldn’t resist. I was SO close to hitting 50 countries and knew I had to squeeze this one in. And I’m so glad I did – how often do you get to casually pop into another country for the day?
Turns out, San Marino is actually one of the least-visited countries in the entire world. It’s also the third smallest in Europe (after Vatican City and Monaco), completely surrounded by Italy but 100% its own thing. You won’t need a passport to get in, but you’ll definitely want your camera. Think mountaintop hikes, ancient fortresses, and some seriously jaw-dropping views. San Marino totally caught me off guard in the best way.
A Little About San Marino
If you’re anything like me, you probably hadn’t even heard of San Marino before planning your Florence itinerary. I had no idea this teeny tiny mountaintop country even existed – let alone that it’s one of the oldest republics in the world. We’re talking way back in the year 301.
So, if you’re interested in learning a bit about San Marino, here’s the quick version: San Marino is its own country – not a town, not a province, not a quirky part of Italy. It’s completely surrounded by Italy but has stayed totally independent for over 1,700 years. It was started by a stonemason named Marinus who fled religious persecution and set up a little mountaintop community on Monte Titano. And somehow, despite popes, Napoleon, wars, and even Mussolini, San Marino held onto its independence and managed to never get swallowed up by Italy. Wild, right?
Today, it still has its own government, postage stamps, and even border control (though it’s super chill and you won’t even need to show your passport if you’re coming from Italy). It uses the euro and feels very European… just in a “wait, I’m in a different country right now?” kind of way.
It’s super tiny – the third smallest country in Europe tiny – but full of quirky history, sweeping views, and that charming old-world vibe. Definitely not just another hilltop town (although I loved the ones we visited on our Puglia road trip!).
Is a Florence to San Marino Day Trip Worth It?
I think so! Despite kinda being a hassle to get to (there’s no direct train or bus and zero organized tours at this time), I’m so glad I made the effort to get to San Marino. On public transportation from Florence (practically the only way to get there), it takes almost 4 hours… so… decide ahead of time if you’re willing to make the trek. I’ll be going into detail about how to get there shortly.
Logistics for Taking a Florence to San Marino Day Trip
Where is San Marino
San Marino is a tiny independent country (the fifth smallest country on Earth – just under 24 square miles in size) completely landlocked by Italy, tucked away in the northeastern part of the Italian peninsula. It sits on the slopes of Mount Titano, about 3 hours southeast of Florence by car and roughly 30 – 45 minutes from the Adriatic coast. The closest big Italian city is Rimini, a lively coastal spot just 30 – 45 minutes away.
How to Get From Florence to San Marino
So here’s the thing – San Marino doesn’t have its own train station or airport, so you can’t just hop on a direct train or flight into the country. Nope, this tiny hilltop republic makes you work for it a little (but hey, that’s half the fun, right?).
Driving: You’ve got a few options, but driving is definitely one of them. If you’re renting a car, it’s about 250 km (or 155 miles) from Florence to San Marino – roughly a 3-hour drive, depending on traffic. Totally doable as a day trip if you’re up for some highway time!
Public Transportation: First things first, just know it’s gonna take a few hours (unless you’re taking a ridiculously expensive taxi). Therefore, plan to leave early! For reference, I left Florence on a 6:55am train (yes, 6:55 in the morning) and didn’t make it to San Marino until 10:30am. So practically 4 hours when you consider I had to first get myself to the train station in Florence.
Do note there’s no direct transport from Florence to San Marino, so everyone will need to get to Rimini first (where there’s a bus straight to San Marino). If you’re staying in Florence and doing a day trip to San Marino like I was, you’ll need to transfer through Bologna to reach Rimini (train from Florence to Bologna, then train from Bologna to Rimini). It sounds pretty tricky but I promise you once you read the steps outlined before, it’s honestly pretty easy.
You can buy train and bus tickets on the day of, but I didn’t wanna have to deal with that before such a long journey, so I decided to buy them in advance. Whatever I can do to make my traveling easier I typically do, including buying transport tickets beforehand if possible (and sometimes it’s cheaper by doing this!).
Here’s exactly how you’ll get from Florence to San Marino (and exactly what I did):
- Step 1: Train from Florence to Bologna. Take a fast train from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Bologna Centrale (about 35 minutes). I took the 6:55am Frecciarossa train and arrived at Bologna at 7:28am.
- Step 2: Train from Bologna to Rimini. From Bologna Centrale, hop on another train to Rimini – it takes around 1.5 hours. I took the 8am InterCity and got to Rimini at 9:11am.
- Step 3: Bonelli Bus from Rimini to San Marino. Time to get over the border! Catch the Bonelli bus from Rimini to San Marino (roughly 50 minutes). The bus stop in Rimini is right in front of the Napoleon Hotel, just a 3-minute walk from the train station. You’ll find plenty of other travelers waiting here, and the bus is really comfy! I took a 9:45am bus from Rimini to San Marino and arrived in San Marino at 10:33am. Told ya it’s a long trek!
I strongly recommend buying your bus ticket online beforehand (that’s what I did) or at the ticket office across the street from the train station in Rimini. Buying tickets on the bus isn’t the best idea – my bus was pretty full (actually pretty packed!), and I saw people get turned away and forced to wait for the next one. When I visited, the bus fare was 6 euros each way. Check out the latest schedule on the official bus website.
You’ll return back to Florence the same way you came! First with a bus from San Marino to Rimini, a train from Rimini to Bologna Centrale), and finally, another train from Bologna to Florence SMN. And yup, it takes just as long, haha. But you’ll quickly realize that although it seems like a complicated journey, it’s actually pretty simple once you start!
Psst: CARRY A PORTABLE PHONE BATTERY. I cannot stress this enough. Travel alone will take over 7 hours (3.5 hours each way), so you don’t wanna get stuck without any battery! Especially if your train and bus tickets are on your phone (I recommend printing them out juuuuust in case)!
How to Get Around San Marino
San Marino is tiny – like, walk-everywhere tiny. Once you get off the bus from Rimini, you’ll be dropped off right at the base of the historic center (also called San Marino City), and from there, it’s all on foot. Just be prepared to walk a lot; I think I walked over 20k steps that day despite sitting on the train/bus for over 7 hours!
And yes, I wore a dress, but I made sure to wear comfy sneakers for that very reason.
The old town is perched on a hilltop and full of cobblestone streets, narrow alleys, and epic views – not exactly car-friendly, but perfect for wandering. Everything you’ll want to see (like the Three Towers, the main squares, and all the cute little shops and cafes) is within walking distance. Just wear comfy shoes – there’s plenty of hills and stairs to climb (but I promise the views are worth it).
If you’re staying overnight and your hotel is farther from the center, there’s a local cable car that connects the lower town of Borgo Maggiore with the old town. It runs frequently and takes just a couple of minutes – plus, you get sweeping views on the way up!
Basically: no rental car, no Uber, no taxis needed. Your feet (and maybe the cable car) will get you everywhere you want to go.
When to Take a Day Trip to San Marino
San Marino is beautiful year-round, but if you’re aiming for clear skies, fewer crowds, and sweeping views (aka the dream combo), here’s what to keep in mind.
For reference, I took a day trip from Florence to San Marino in late June, and had practically perfect weather!
While it was hot, it was totally doable – just bring water and take breaks in the shade when you need to. July and August are peak tourist season, so expect more crowds and tour groups, especially midday. If you can, go on a weekday to avoid the weekend rush (and snap your pics without random tourists in the background, ha).
Spring (April – June) and early fall (September – October) are really the sweet spots: fewer people, still warm and sunny, and the views from the towers are crystal clear on a good day. Winter can be chilly and foggy, and some restaurants or attractions might have limited hours – plus, you’ll miss out on those iconic views if it’s super overcast.
Other Tips and FAQS about a Day Trip to San Marino
Fun Facts About San Marino
- It’s really small. Like, blink-and-you-miss-it small. San Marino is the 5th smallest country in the world, and you can drive across it in under an hour.
- They have their own army. Yep – this teeny country has a teeny army. It’s mostly ceremonial now, but they’ve got guards in fancy uniforms and everything.
- You can get your passport stamped. Even though there’s no official border crossing, San Marino will happily stamp your passport for a few euros at the tourism office. It’s the cutest little souvenir. Stop by the visitor center/tourist office at the bottom of Monte Titano.
- San Marino stayed neutral in both World Wars. Talk about minding your own business, haha. They even offered Hitler asylum (yikes), but then took in thousands of refugees from surrounding areas. So… mixed history there.
- It’s tax-free heaven. Because it’s not part of the EU, people come here to shop tax-free. Expect perfume, watches, and leather bags galore.
- They vote for two presidents. Every six months. Yes, six. They’re called Captains Regent, and it’s clearly been working for them.
- It’s named after a real guy. Saint Marinus, a stonemason who became a saint and founded the country. Hence, San Marino!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long to Spend in San Marino: While you can easily spend all day in San Marino, especially if you wanna take advantage of all the quirky little museums, I spent around 5-6 hours wandering around and that was sufficient for me!
Crowds in San Marino: A day trip from Florence to San Marino isn’t exactly on everyone’s Italy itinerary, so thankfully I found the crowds to be super manageable. Even during the high season in summer. A visit in the shoulder season (March to May and September to November) will be even less busy!
Is English spoken? The official language in San Marino is Italian – everything from menus to street signs is in it. But thanks to the steady stream of tourists, English is fairly common, especially in restaurants, shops, and among younger locals. You won’t have trouble getting around if you don’t speak Italian, but it never hurts to learn a few basics (like ciao and grazie)!
Fun fact: Although Sammarinese speak Italian, they’re exceptionally proud of their culture. So don’t call them Italians! San Marino also has its own traditional dialect – the Sammarinese variety of Romagnol. It’s mostly spoken by the older generation, and sadly, it’s now endangered. Linguists estimate it could go extinct after 2040 if preservation efforts don’t step in. So while you’ll likely never hear it on your visit, it’s a unique part of the country’s cultural identity.
Is a day trip to San Marino expensive? Honestly, not really! Even though you’re technically crossing into a whole new country (which sounds fancy), it’s actually super doable on a budget. The roundtrip bus from Rimini only cost me €12, and entry to the towers and museums is just a few euros each. Wandering the medieval streets, checking out the views, and snapping pics? Totally free. Plus, there’s plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can grab a meal without breaking the bank.
That said, the roundtrip train ticket from Florence was a bit pricier than I expected – around €75 total. But considering it got me halfway across Italy and into a new country in just a few hours? Still 100% worth it in my book. I think I spent about €120 for the whole day (transport there and back, food, etc), and for a spontaneous border hop into one of the smallest countries in the world? Not bad at all.
Things to do in San Marino in One Day
Hike Between the Three Towers
This is the main thing to do on any Florence to San Marino day trip. And my favorite part of my visit! The trails are short but super scenic, and you’re never far from sweeping mountain views or stone pathways that look like something out of a fairy tale. Definitely do the first two towers and hike between them – skip the third unless you’re feeling very ambitious and the weather is cool.
Psst – there’s free access to towers and museums for teachers, so bring your school staff ID!!! It was such a pleasant surprise when I was at the ticket counter about to purchase my entrance fee and didn’t have to. I love when places recognize the work teachers do! And in this case, an entire country! Thank you San Marino!
Here’s a bit about each one:
Rocca della Guaita (Prima Torre/First Tower)
This is the biggest and most iconic of San Marino’s three towers – and honestly, the main reason I took a day trip to San Marino! It’s the oldest stone fortress in the country (built way back in the 11th century!) and looks like something out of a medieval movie. Super photogenic, especially from the outside. Prima Torre (the First Tower) is even on the national flag AND the coat of arms of San Marino. Plus, it’s been a World Heritage Site since 2008!
From the top, you can see the other two towers, the surrounding countryside, and even the Adriatic Sea far off in the distance. PLUS the coastal (Italian) city of Rimini. If you can, go as high as you can within the tower – there’s some steep stairs and even a ladder at the end, but if you’re able, definitely go for it. It looked a bit nerve wracking at first but I made it up (and then back down).
Pretty amazing if you ask me! So many panoramic views! I loved exploring the small St. Barbara’s Chapel, the watchtower, and the bell tower.
I explored the inside too (it’s a small museum now). Bring your camera for this one; it’s the one that pops up in all the postcards for a reason. So much history and architecture over here.
Once you’re done exploring Guaita (the first tower), continue on the path towards Cesta, the second tower.
Cesta Tower (Second Tower)
You can actually hike over to this one from the first tower – it’s not far and the walk is really scenic, with views all along the way and so many butterflies flying around (which I loved). The second tower is also a museum (Museum of Ancient Arms) and honestly worth the stop if you’re already on your way. Inside you’ll see everything from ancient weapons, uniforms, suits of armor, experimental weapons, and even prototypes.
Most people say the first tower has the best views, but I have to disagree. I give that prize to Cesta, the second tower, simply because you actually get views of Guaita (which is impossible from Guaita itself, haha). Plus, it’s the highest at 755 meters above sea level!
Montale Tower (Third Tower)
Yeah… I’ll be real with you – skip this one. The Third Tower is the least impressive of all three. The hike there and back was super hot and tiring (through the forest on uneven cobblestone), and the tower itself isn’t even open to the public (and it’s the smallest of the three). No museum, no epic views like the others. Unless you’re dying for the extra exercise, it’s not worth the (long-ish) detour in the heat in my opinion.
Quirky Museums + Other Fun Finds in San Marino
While the Three Towers are definitely the star of the show, there’s more to explore in San Marino’s hilltop old town – especially if you’re into offbeat museums, scenic plazas, and casual wandering.
You’ll find a handful of quirky, bite-sized museums scattered throughout the historic center. If you’ve got extra time (or just want to escape the sun for a bit), check out the Museum of Curiosities, filled with odd inventions and fun facts from around the world. It’s weird in a good way, and perfect if you’re visiting with kids or just enjoy random, obscure trivia.
San Marino also has a surprisingly dark side when it comes to museums – think the Museum of Torture, the Vampire Museum, and the Wax Museum. These aren’t for everyone, but they definitely add some edge to what might otherwise feel like a super quaint day. Personally, I opted out of the museums, but they’re popular with visitors who enjoy that kind of morbid history. And it’s a great way to get outta the scorching sun.
A bit more traditional is the State Museum, home to local archaeological finds and cultural artifacts. It’s small, but a nice way to get a feel for San Marino’s incredibly long history – this is the world’s oldest republic, after all.
Piazza della Liberta + Palazzo Pubblico
Don’t miss Piazza della Liberta, one of the prettiest corners of the old town. This is where you’ll find the Palazzo Pubblico, aka San Marino’s government building. Stick around for the changing of the guard, which takes place every 30 minutes during the summer months – it’s surprisingly formal for such a tiny country, and definitely worth seeing if you’re already in the area. I somehow missed this on my day trip to San Marino (I was probably too busy oohing and aahing at all the views from the towers!).
Local tip: There’s free public wi-fi throughout this area, which is super helpful if you need to check transit times, download offline maps, or pull up a digital ticket (like I did).
Views, Views, and More Views
Honestly, one of the best things to do in San Marino is just wander. The entire old town is perched on a mountain ridge, so you’ll find sweeping views around every corner – on a clear day, you can see all the way to the Adriatic Sea!
It reminded me a little of Sintra in Portugal, but with far fewer crowds and a more mellow vibe. No colorful palaces here, but the pale stone buildings, medieval atmosphere, and quiet charm really grew on me. I’d take this over the chaos of more popular spots any day.
Shopping and Cafes
San Marino is duty-free, so if you’re into shopping, you might find some good deals – especially on leather goods, watches, perfume, and alcohol. That said, the old town shops are mostly geared toward tourists, and while it’s fun to browse, don’t expect super unique or artisanal products. Still, it’s worth poking around the side streets where prices tend to be lower and crowds thinner.
There’s also no shortage of cafes and casual wine bars, many with outdoor seating and dreamy views. It’s the perfect place to stop for a cappuccino, a quick piadina (local flatbread sandwich), or an Aperol spritz. I had a delicious bowl of pasta overlooking the countryside before heading back to Florence (for even more pasta, haha).
So there ya have it, exactly how to do a day trip to San Marino from Florence! Overall, all good things to say about the tiny Republic of San Marino. Although, I think one visit is most likely enough, haha (meaning I won’t be making the long trek next time I’m in Italy).
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