Your sunny San Marino days: Explore best restaurants & landmarks

Monte Titano. Photo by Philip Myrtorp on Unsplash

San Marino’s most significant landmark is the 739-meter-high Monte Titano – the tallest point in the city offering spectacular panoramic views from its distinct three fortresses and their towers. The first castle is Rocca Guaita, constructed in the 11th century. Today, it houses a museum of ancient weapons, and its spire features sweeping vistas stretching from the coast of Rimini to the Adriatic Sea. On a clear day, you can also look across to the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia.

Cesta, second palace, has the Sammarinese Museum of Archaic Arms, while the third – Montale – is a lookout post you can walk around. Being a popular tourist spot, the area is lined with kiosks that sell souvenirs, drinks, snacks, and games, which makes the mountaintop feel like a market stroll. The three towers are encrusted on the San Marino flag and are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After roaming the castles of Monte Titano, we recommend heading towards the nearby La Terraza restaurant for an intimate dining experience. It is the flagship establishment of the Grand Hotel San Marino Group that serves a unique Sammarinese cuisine. The ambiance is romantic and upscale, coupled with the royal backdrop of the mountains and medieval fortress through the large glass windows. In summer, they also present an outdoor terrace seating to enjoy the warm weather.

The kitchen prepares two seasonal tasting menus and an à la carte offering made using the finest local ingredients. Some of the succulent and flavorful dishes you can sample here are potato gnocchi in almond pesto, taglioni ribbons with cured Serrano ham, deer tataki in olive oil dressing, pappardelle with lobster tail in yellow cherry tomatoes sauce, and sliced sirloin steak in rosemary sauce. In desserts, do try their signature black forest cake with cherry compôte, crunchy biscuit with pistachio ice cream, and tiramisù.

Tasting menu – €32
Three towers menu – €22

Palazzo Pubblico and Piazza della Liberta Photo by Patrick on Unsplash

Palazzo Pubblico is a neo-Gothic government building that was constructed in the late 1800s from stone extracted from Monte Titano. The design of the structure was developed by architect Francesco Azzurri, who added a box tower for battle rearmament. Its façade is elevated with the San Marino coat of arms and also houses the Council Hall on the top floor. Visitors can take a guided tour and explore the insides of the premises.

Piazza della Liberta – the central square of the city is located right next to the Pubblico and is the perfect spot to relax, unwind, and admire the Statue of Liberty. In the olden times, this space used to be the epicenter of politics, but nowadays, it is just a pretty little atmospheric area. If you happen to arrive in San Marino between June and September, do not miss out on the colorful changing of the guard ceremony that takes place several times a day. Enjoy the spectacle of their double-breasted uniforms in dark green color, red trousers, and hats with red pompoms and white braids.

Located in the heart of San Marino, La Spingarda is a lovely culinary destination that has been serving the community since 1960. Though the establishment is rather simple, it offers an unmatched Romagna-style food adventure. The kitchen team presents a vast menu consisting of seafood, meat, and pizzas, which are prepared delicately using age-old recipes.

Our top-recommendations are decadent creations like ham and mushroom calzone, Tuscan bread toasted in lard topped with mortadella, baked beef lasagne, tempura prawns in saffron fennel, cuttlefish ink spaghetti cooked with mussels in clam sauce, and grilled turbot with glazed caramelized carrots. Satisfy your sweet cravings with dessert items, such as pear cooked in mulled wine with mascarpone cream, carrot cake with hazelnut shavings, or opt for refreshing lemon sorbet.

Average bill – €36

Museum of Curiosity. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/museodellecuriosita/

Our next stop is certainly the quirkiest attraction you can visit in the country. Museo delle Curiosità, or the Museum of Curiosity, is a 600 square meter space of peculiar inventions, strange rare objects, and unusual characters who have achieved wacky world records. It is a place that is sure to intrigue kids and adults alike, as well as provide them with stories worth sharing with peers.

The building houses a collection of hundreds of items, including a 19th-century flea trap, a special cup for mustached people, 60-centimeter high clogs that were invented for the Venetian high tide, a statue of a man with the longest fingernails in the world, a 1700s German mousetrap, and a 17th-century hand pumped shower. The exhibits are well-labeled, and each one tells a unique story. One of the highlights of the museum is a nose watch – it works by creating fragrant smoke of different scents for each hour. In summer and spring, they also offer free transport from the public parking to the building in a 1913 Ford Motor Coach.

For an amazing fusion dining experience in San Marino, head over to the Kaguya restaurant set near the Museum of Curiosity alluring every foodie with its flavorful Asian delights. The interiors are minimalistic and sleek in the atmosphere, adorned with wooden elements, dark-colored furniture, and twinkling bright chandelier lighting.

The menu revolves around fresh produce from the Adriatic Sea converted into Japanese and Chinese delicacies. Start your meal with their authentic appetizers like salmon carpaccio with sesame, sliced sea bream ceviche, tuna roll with wasabi, or pan-fried prawn gyoza with soy dip. Next, move on to the fantastic main course: Cantonese chicken curry with steamed rice, sautéed prawns with udon in chili oil, buckwheat spaghetti with vegetables and egg, or spicy beef red curry with egg fried rice. End your dinner with their tempting desserts fused with trendy ideas like sticky honey-glazed noodles with cream gelato and coconut rice pudding.

Average bill – €29

St. Francis Convent. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/sanmarinopertutti/

Completed in 1400, St. Francis Convent is a laced Gothic cathedral standing atop a mountain with a beautiful cloister. Since 1996, it has been converted into an art museum that exhibits collections of sacred objects and paintings acquired over the years. Some of the displays include artifacts from several former Franciscan churches, murals on canvas and wood, and vintage furnishings. The crown jewel among the relics is a thurible with an incense boat made of chiseled and embossed silver. It was crafted by a renowned goldsmith by the name of Antonio Fabbri, who was the official engraver of the convent from 1476 to 1522.

The art gallery section features 16th-century representations, which also contain unmatched legacy by genius masters like Girolamo Marchesi, Raphael, Gerolamo Induno, and Guercino. The main entrance to the city, a large wooden gate known as the Porta di San Francesco, is built into the walls of the chapel.

To indulge yourself in fine French cuisine, come over to Aperouge – a lavish café-style bistro – for modern brasserie food. The chic decor is inspired by a Parisian atmosphere coupled with Milan’s cosmopolitan flair. The premises resemble a large greenhouse, consisting of artistic furniture, lots of potted plants, and creative handcrafts. Aperouge presents a vast original menu made from quality hand-picked ingredients.

Patrons of the establishment can relish scrumptious items – smoked salmon sandwich with pistachio crumble, spaghetti carbonara, hot prosciutto sandwich with cheese, stuffed mushroom ravioli in pesto sauce, grilled octopus with chard leaf salad, and seafood linguine. Elevate your culinary experience by pairing it with their amazing beverage selection of exclusive cocktails, excellent wine labels, delicious mocktails, beers, and fruity lemonades. Our tip: sip a glass of Port wine and bask in the sun on their outdoor patio while enjoying a tender dessert.

Average bill – €26

Riviera Romagnola Beaches. Photo by Giorgia Gilardi on Unsplash

The best part about San Marino is its proximity to the Riviera Romagnola area. Situated only 22 km from the center, it is a famous tourist destination along the shore of the Adriatic Sea that consists of about 95 km of sandy coastal region. The place is an ideal spot for summer holidays, as the towns nearby are full of Italian-style resorts.

Travelers can relax on free beaches like Riccione, Cesenatico, Gabicce Mare, Gatteo a Mare, and Cattolica, or rent lounge chairs and parasols at Rivabella and Viserbella. The beating heart of Riviera Romagnola is the town of Rimini which lies between the hills of the Apennine and the sea. The territory is bursting with adventurous sights for sports enthusiasts who can’t wait to join water activities like jet skiing and snorkeling. Dance the night away in vibrant clubs, meet new people, and enjoy every moment at the gorgeous paradise!

End your perfect beach day with an early evening dinner at Fuego BBQ in Riccione. Opened in 2018, this minimalistic steakhouse has quickly become a local-favorite thanks to its top-quality meats and beech wood-fired grill. The moment you step foot inside the place the fragrance of smoked grub entices your senses. For starters, order a refreshing apéritif. Now that your palate is ready, savor bountiful antipasti, such as fried calamari with garlic aioli, sautéed prawns in chili oil emulsion, charred sausages with roasted potatoes, and crispy fried sardines with black olives.

The entrées at Fuego are literally mouthwatering: succulent jus-dripping foods like tomahawk steak with arugula salad, grilled sea bream with French fries, broiled lamb chops in chimichurri sauce, glazed pork ribs with grilled mushrooms, roasted chicken thighs with a tomato pesto relish, and sirloin steak with caramelized carrots in peppercorn sauce. If you have any room left (which is highly doubtful) go for a portion of classic panna cotta, tiramisu, or cannelloni with mascarpone cream.

Average bill – €41

San Marino has plenty of landmarks and activities to keep an itinerary full for a few weeks. No matter what your hobbies are: to trek, cycle, relax on the beach, explore the wonders of historic attractions, or gorge on delicacies, San Marino is a treasure chest full of wonders.