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Letsa Travel · San Marino

San Marino: the oldest republic, still independent since 301

A mountaintop republic of 61 km² inside Italy, with three medieval towers, a cable car and a government that changes every six months.

The story

A republic older than most countries, on one mountain

San Marino covers 61.19 km² and had about 34,042 residents in 2025. It is completely surrounded by Italy, and its borders have not changed since 1463.

Tradition dates its founding to 3 September 301, when Saint Marinus is said to have founded a community on Monte Titano. Its Statutes date from 8 October 1600, and it is usually described as the oldest surviving republic.

The country is led by two Captains Regent, who serve for six months at a time. They take office on 1 April and 1 October.

The three towers of Guaita, Cesta and Montale stand on the ridge of Monte Titano, 749 m above sea level. They are part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of 2008. According to the record, Napoleon offered to extend the territory in 1797, and the regents declined.

61.19 km²area, completely inside Italy
301traditional founding year
749 mheight of Monte Titano

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Practical guide

Plan your San Marino trip

Check before you go: San Marino has no airport or railway, so plan your trip through Rimini on the Italian coast. Opening hours of the towers and museums change by season, so check the official tourism site before you go.

Getting there

  • There is no airport and no railway. The nearest airports are Rimini, Forlì, Ancona and Bologna.
  • Coaches run from Rimini and take about 50 minutes.
  • There are no border formalities with Italy.

What to see

  • The three towers of Guaita, Cesta and Montale on Monte Titano.
  • The old town on the mountain, which is largely pedestrian.
  • Souvenir passport stamps are available at the tourist office.

The cable car

  • The Funivia connects Borgo Maggiore with the historic center in about two minutes.
  • It carries about 500,000 passengers a year.
  • It saves a steep climb up the mountain.

How the state works

  • Two Captains Regent head the state for six months, from 1 April and 1 October.
  • The Statutes date from 1600.
  • San Marino uses the euro and can issue its own euro coins, including gold scudi.

Language and money

  • Italian is the language in use, and the currency is the euro.
  • Tourism accounts for more than 22 percent of GDP.
  • Stamps and coins are popular souvenirs.

How long to stay

  • A day is enough for the towers and the old town.
  • Visitors stayed an average of about two nights in 2014, according to the figure on record.
  • Many people combine it with a stay in Rimini.

Details come from Wikipedia and the official San Marino tourism site, which may not show the latest opening hours or prices. We checked on November 1, 2026. Entry rules, fees and prices change, so confirm them with official sources before you reserve.

Want the full picture? Read our complete San Marino travel guide: getting there, the three towers, the cable car, money and a one-day plan.
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Sources checked November 1, 2026: Wikipedia: San Marino · Wikipedia: Three Towers of San Marino · San Marino tourism

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