I visited quite a few new countries this summer and the first one on the long list was…
Times visited: 1 (2 days in 2019)
Cities visited: San Marino
UNESCO sites visited: San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano
In the summer of 2019, I travelled around southern Europe with the main focus being tiny nations and exclaves. San Marino is the world’s fifth smallest and Europe’s third smallest country, so of course, this microstate was on my itinerary! And it ended up being one of my favourite stops on the journey.
Most visitors go to San Marino on a day trip from Italy which completely surrounds the country, but I wanted to be there for sunset. So I stayed for two nights in the cheapest hostel I could find, located about half an hour’s (downhill) walk from the capital.
I spent my first afternoon and evening exploring the tiny capital, located on the summit of Monte Titano, 749 meters above sea level and much higher than the rest of the country. Golden hour was quickly approaching, so I climbed to the three towers that remain from San Marino’s medieval fortress for some wonderful sunset views. Most of the day trippers had left by now, so I had all the beauty to myself!
The next day, I wanted to visit the small countryside village of Faetano, but I wasn’t able to find a bus… Shortly after deciding to stay in civilisation, the heavens opened and it started thundering and lightning. I started heading back to my hostel, but I took a detour to the quaint village of Borgo Maggiore, located just below the capital. At least I got to see a bit that day, although the weather only got worse so I spent most of the day inside. I was so glad I’d explored the capital the day before!
San Marino was just as beautiful as I had expected, if not even more. It’s a mystery to me how it can be the least visited country in Europe!
