Beautiful ‘Disney-looking’ country that’s one of the smallest in the WORLD is three hours from the UK
COMPLETELY surrounded by Italy, one European country that’s home to the oldest republic in the world makes for a dreamy escape.
With only two million people visiting last year – less than the population of Greater Manchester – San Marino is a great European option if you don’t want the crowds.
Officially a UNESCO World Heritage microstate, San Marino – which is the fifth smallest country in the world – feels like “walking around in a Disney movie” according to one visitor on Instagram.
The Disney-like feel is most likely due to San Marino‘s three towering medieval castles at the top of Monte Titano.
Guaita Tower – which is the First Tower – was built in the 11th century and is the largest of the three.
Visitors can head to the tower and explore the battlements, as well as old prison cells and the Chapel of Santa Barbara.
Read more on travel inspo
Cesta Tower – the Second Tower – is slightly newer, dating back to the 13th century and sits on the highest of Monte Titano’s peaks at around 755 metres above sea level.
The tower is home to the Museum of Ancient Weapons.
And finally, there is the Montale Tower – the Third Tower – which is the smallest and youngest of the three, built in the 14th century.
This tower is not open to the public though.
There’s also Piazza della Libertà, which is the heart of the Old Town.
Here, visitors can explore a number of shops and small museums, as well as stop at the historic parliament building.
And while you don’t get your passport stamped when visiting San Marino, you can head to the tourist centre inside Porta San Francesco, and get a physical stamp in your passport as a souvenir for €5 (£4.33).
To catch an amazing view of San Marino, head up the Cableway which goes from Borgo Maggiore to the city centre and then to the monument of Bartolomeo Borghesi.
The cities of Florence, Rimini and Bologna are all close by as well, making San Marino the ideal day trip if you’re staying in one of them.
Though if you did want to stay in San Marino, there are a few options including the four-star Grand Hotel San Marino costing from £69 per night in June.
The easiest way to get to the microstate is by hopping on a shuttle bus from Rimini, which costs about €7 (£6.06) and takes around an hour.
When it comes to spending money in San Marino, it is typically cheaper than Italy with the average coffee costing €1.57 (£1.36) and the average beer costing €5 (£4.33).
In comparison, in Florence a beer will set you back at least a euro more and a coffee costs from €2.05 (£1.77).
Flights to Rimini in June cost from £37 return and take between two and two-and-a-half hours from the UK.
Alternatively, if you want to go to Bologna, return flights in June cost from £28 and again, take between two and two-and-a-half hours from the UK.
From Bologna, it then takes about an hour and 20 minutes on the bus to reach San Marino.