San Marino History Tours: Explore the World's Oldest Republic

Discover San Marino, the fifth smallest and arguably the most curious independent country in the world, added to the UNESCO Heritage List in 2008. Meet your guide at a central location to explore the historical heart of San Marino, the oldest republic in Europe. The Unesco historical center of the republic is a living museum and visited by millions of tourists from across the world. Set off to walk along the narrow streets and cobbled alleys, passing through squares and around churches. Visit the Piazza della Libertà, the main square, with its Town Hall and Basilica of St. Marino, and head up to the medieval First Tower, rising from the top of the hill. You will need to climb lots of steps up to the tower, but you’ll be rewarded with an extraordinary panoramic view of the Apennines Mountains and the Adriatic Sea from the top. Despite its small size, San Marino also boasts thousands of stores and boutiques that make shopping here a real pleasure —especially as it’s tax-free.

If you're looking for a fun and curious way to visit San Marino, you've come to the right place! With this digital guide you will be able to visit all the most important monuments at your own pace. You'll get to know the stories and curiosities of San Marino! But also you will discover everything about local foods, Aperitivo in local restaurants, and much more! What are you waiting for?

Are you looking for a way to see San Marino without joining a tour group? Explore at your own pace with this affordable walking tour. • Find out about the city, its architecture, history and legends too, including one about a saint who befriended and rode a bear • Hear from producer Mike Corradi, an Anglo-Italian English teacher and the owner of A History of Italy podcast • Do it all in 45 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

San Marino is the world’s oldest and smallest republic, a remarkable city-state that’s maintained its independence for more than seventeen centuries. On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll hear fascinating stories about this ancient place, from its legendary founding by Saint Marino in 301 CE, to its role as a sanctuary for refugees and rebels throughout history. This hour-long tour begins at the historic Porta San Francesco, the city’s main gate. You’ll wind your way through cobbled streets, past Palazzo Pubblico in Liberty Square (also known as the Government Palace), magnificent churches like St. Quirinu, and residential quarters where locals still live within medieval walls. Along the way, you’ll hear remarkable stories about how this tiny republic survived wars, papal interference, and foreign occupation while never joining any alliance or union.

An autonomous guided experience that combines narration, itinerary and exclusive insights to discover San Marino in a conscious way. Not a simple walk, but a structured path that accompanies the visitor through history, symbols, institutions and key places of the UNESCO Old Town, with main and extra audio content already included.

Spend a great day in San Marino discovering the history of the oldest republic in Europe and enjoy a typica lunch to discover the local gastronomy. Discover with an expert guide the secrets of one of the oldest states in the world. Visit the famous historic center, full of characteristic markets and shops located in the medieval alleys. Continue along the streets that lead to the castle listening to the stories and anecdotes of this unique place. At the end of the tour, enjoy a fantastic lunch in a typical restaurant where you will be able to taste the local gastronomy. Selecting the option departing from Bologna, you will have a private driver at disposal who will pick you up at your hotel or at the train station and take you to San Marino to meet your guide. In the afternoon, you will have some free time for shopping and strolling before returning to Bologna with our driver, who will wait for you at the agreed meeting point.

Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of San Marino, the oldest Republic in the world, with an experience designed to make you discover every corner of it. Discover San Marino, the oldest Republic in the world, on a 1.5-hour guided tour. From the historic access point, Porta San Francesco, explore the Piazzetta del Titano, the picturesque Cava dei Balestrieri, the scenic Canton and the central Piazza della Libertà, to the First Tower (Guaita), symbol of the country and guardian of legendary stories. At the end of the tour, continue your adventure with the State Museum Pass, which gives you access to 7 cultural treasures: Torre Guaita, Torre Cesta with Museum of Ancient Weapons, Public Palace (when open), State Museum, Pinacoteca San Francesco, National Gallery and Museum of Stamp and Coin. A complete experience of history, art and breathtaking landscapes, perfect to discover San Marino in freedom even after the guided tour.

Enjoy the charm of San Marino and Bologna on a private chauffeur-driven day tour from Florence. Your English-speaking driver will pick you up directly from your hotel and take you on a comfortable journey through the scenic landscapes of central Italy. The first stop is the Republic of San Marino, where you will have free time to explore the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the iconic Three Towers, stroll through medieval streets, admire the Basilica of San Marino, or enjoy panoramic views over the Adriatic coast. Continue to the vibrant city of Bologna, famous for its food culture and historic architecture. Discover Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica of San Petronio, the Neptune Fountain, the Two Towers, and Bologna’s UNESCO-listed porticoes. Relax on the return drive to Florence with hotel drop-off.

Visiting the Titanus Museum means embarking on an emotional journey through the centuries, the places and personalities who have contributed to conquering and defending the independence and freedom of San Marino. Thanks to the use of multimedia tools, immersive projections, 3D maps and holograms, you will experience the emotion of the most important moments that have characterized the "little" Republic from its origins to today. A piece of advice. Visit the Titanus Museum before the walk through the historic center. Already knowing the monuments, palaces and places will make you better appreciate the beauty of the Ancient Land of Freedom.

Skip the crowds this is a private tour for your group only! Do you know what the oldest republic in the world is? Take a big step into one of Europe’s smallest countries. A glimpse of the wonders awaits you at the gate of Porta San Francesco. Wander the streets of the beautiful city and discover its old buildings. Hear the city legends and be impressed with the views from the towers. You will engage with the architecture of the Palazzo Pubblico, a historical square. The Cava de Balestrieri and Basilica of San Marino are a walking distance away and both evoke a medieval and holy presence. Step onto the peaks of San Marino, on the peaks are 2 of the 3 towers that guard the city. Our professional guide will put you in the shoes of the battles that took place here. Guaita and Falesia are as old as the republic with many more tales to tell.

Do you know what the oldest republic in the world is? Take a big step into one of Europe’s smallest countries. A glimpse of the wonders awaits you at the gate of Porta San Francesco. Wander the streets of the beautiful city and discover its old buildings. Hear the city legends and be impressed with the views from the towers. You will engage with the architecture of the Palazzo Pubblico, a historical square. The Cava de Balestrieri and Basilica of San Marino are a walking distance away and both evoke a medieval and holy presence. Step onto the peaks of San Marino, on the peaks are 2 of the 3 towers that guard the city. Our professional guide will put you in the shoes of the battles that took place here. Guaita and Falesia are as old as the republic with many more tales to tell.

Discovering the historic center of San Marino thanks to an expert Tourist Guide, who will take the participants to the most characteristic, panoramic and rich in history and traditions places. It starts from Porta San Francesco and then walks through the streets of the Old Town with the tour guide who will tell anecdotes about the history of San Marino, will illustrate the famous people who have passed through the Republic and the events that are part of the historical and cultural heritage of the Republic of San Marino. Admiring the main monuments and panoramic views, we arrive at the summit of the mountain where the Three Towers rise. Tour suitable for everyone, including families with children.

Let yourself be guided through the characteristic small streets of the historic center of San Marino, discover hidden glimpses, accompanied by our guide who will tell you curiosities and unique anecdotes, all surrounded by breathtaking views. The tourist itinerary passes through the most important places from a historical, cultural and architectural point of view of San Marino, the oldest Republic in the world which has remained independent up to the present day, so much so that it has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Discover the oldest Republic in the world and why it has remained independent to this day, so much so that it has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will be accompanied and cross the most important places from a historical, cultural and architectural point of view of San Marino. You will find yourself walking through the characteristic small streets of the Historic Center of San Marino, our authorized guide will help you discover hidden glimpses, will intrigue you with unique stories and anecdotes, all surrounded by breathtaking views.

Your visit to San Marino begins at Piazza della Liberta, where you can admire the Statua della Liberta before heading to the Palazzo Pubblico, the neo-Gothic Town Hall that houses the government and welcomes visitors during set hours. Next, explore the Guaita Tower, the 11th-century fortress once used as a prison, lookout, and refuge, and climb to its top for sweeping countryside views. Continue to the Basilica di San Marino, the city’s largest church built in neoclassical style over the remains of a fourth-century Romanesque structure, with its long nave and side aisles adorned with altars. From there, ride the Monte Titano cable car at Piazzale Campo della Fiera, 10, enjoying stunning views of the Adriatic coastline, rooftops, and farmland as you ascend to the historic center. Conclude your journey at the Museo di Stato, where collections of artwork and artifacts showcase the rich history and culture of San Marino.