Explore the streets of this iconic principality

If you are driving in the country through a motor vehicle from a car rental company for only less than three months, you don’t need to get San Marino driving license as per Geneva convention on road traffic. You only need an International Driving Permit (IDP).

However, if you plan on driving in the country for more than that and aim to become a permanent resident in the country, you will need to get San Marino driving licence aside from your international driving license.

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A micronation surrounded by Italy, San Marino is one of the oldest republics in the world. You will see remarkable mountains on one side and the deep blue sea on the other side. The country is not part of Italy but an independent country that survived the Italian Renaissance days. Given its exciting history, you will discover grand castles in the peaks of Monte Titano and historic guard towers in the Public Palace’s town walls.

There are no airplanes or trains coming to San Marino. That’s why when driving; you should always bring your passport, local driver’s license, vehicle registration, and international driver’s license for San Marino. Download a digital copy of it for a more convenient trip. If you encounter any problems while driving, you can show your International Driving Permit for San Marino. Your address and other personal details are found in your local driver’s license and IDP, making them valid documents.

San Marino Città

San Marino Città, the country’s capital city, is the best place to chat with locals and understand the country’s culture and history. During summer, about three million tourists visit the city to dine where the locals eat, take photos of the picturesque scenery, and go to museums to learn about the past.

As a foreign driver, when visiting this beautiful city, you must always bring your passport, local driver’s license, and International Driving Permit to San Marino. Forms are available online if you haven’t applied for an IDP yet.

Where To Go?

You should visit Liberty Square and Palazzo Publico, where you’ll see the significant Statue of Liberty. Then drive to the Basilica di San Marino, which was built in the 19th century and is currently the country’s main religious place. When driving, make sure you have your local driver’s license and International Driving Permit in San Marino. Requirements should be complete when securing an IDP to ensure you get your IDP as quickly as possible.

If you get hungry, the city offers many restaurants that have beautiful views and great food. It’s important that you book your table in advance so you can enjoy both the food and the view without inconvenience. Speaking of inconvenience, to avoid it, you should obtain an International Driving Permit. San Marino updated their driving rule in March of 2019 that all foreign drivers should have the 1968 IDP to drive in the country. You also have to bring a driving licence valid in San Marino.

When is the best time to go?

Most tourists visit San Marino Città from May until September because of limited rainfall. The weather during these months is warm and pleasant, making your entire trip enjoyable.

Driving Directions:

• From Federico Fellini International Airport (RMI), head southeast on Via Flaminia/SS16 toward Via Cavalieri di Vittorio Veneto.
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto SS16.
• Then take the 1st exit onto Viale Veneto.
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Viale Veneto.
• Then continue straight to stay on Viale Veneto.
• Turn left onto Via Coriano SP31.
• Move right onto Via Tavernelle.
• Continue onto Via il Colle.
• Turn left onto SP41.
• Make a slight right onto Via Parco del Marano.
• Continue onto Str. del Marano.
• Turn right onto Str. Fosso.
• Take a Strada Ca’Rinaldo.
• Turn right onto Str. Quinta Gualdaria.
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Str. Quinta Gualdaria.
• Then take the 2nd exit, and continue onto Str. Sottomontana.
• Turn right onto Via del Serrone, and turn right again onto Via del Voltone.
• At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Viale Pietro Franciosi.
• Then take the 2nd exit onto Via Giacomo Matteotti.
• Continue onto Viale Antonio Onofri, then onto Via Gino Zani.
• Keep driving onto Via Donna Felicissima until you arrive in the City of San Marino. It takes thirty-nine minutes or 28.6 km to reach the country’s capital city.

What is the historical significance of the place?

Most tourist spots that have been present since the 13th century are found in this city. Driving around the city will take you back to the Medieval era, and show you how Sammarinese used to live.

Museo di Stato

Museo di Stato was established in Palazzo Valloni in 1865 until it was moved to Palazzo Pergami-Belluzzi in 2001. You will find historical artifacts like paintings, medals, coins, and other commemorated items inside the museum.

When you arrive at the museum, make sure you purchase a Multimuseo card so you can see everything it has to offer, including castles and other museums.

What Can You Do There?

You can explore the entire museum and see interesting paintings, archaeological finds, and other crafts produced in the country. If you check out the violin display, you will spot Niccolo Paganini’s violin. You will also see donated private collections of famous intellectuals and political figures from all over the world.

When is the best time to go?

Their business hours depending on the months of the year. If you visit from June to mid-September, they’re open Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM. If you go there from mid-September to May, they operate from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday.

What is the historical significance of the place?

The National Museum was formed in the second half of the 19th century and had items on display from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages. Seeing these fascinating objects will definitely take you back in time.

Driving Directions:

• From Federico Fellini International Airport (RMI), head northwest on Via Flaminia/SS16 toward Viale Locarno.
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on SS16.
• At Rotonda Vigil del Fuoco, take the 2nd exit onto Via Circonvallazione Nuova/Via Flaminia/SS16.
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Via Circonvallazione Nuova/SS16.
• Turn left onto Strada Statale 72 Consolare Rimini San Marino/SS72.
• Slight right onto Via Santa Aquilina
• Turn right onto Strada Statale 72 Consolare Rimini San Marino/SS72.
• Continue straight onto Strada Statale 72 Consolare Rimini San Marino/Via Tre Settembre/SS72.
• Slight left to stay on Via Tre Settembre.
• Make a slight right onto Via Ponte Mellini.
• At the roundabout, continue straight onto Via IV Giugno.
• Slight right onto Via Ranco.
• Continue onto Str. Nona Gualdaria.
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Via Ca’ dei Lunghi, then take the 1st exit and stay on Via Ca’ dei Lunghi.
• Slight right onto Via Ventotto Luglio.
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Via Ventotto Luglio.
• Then take the 1st exit onto Via Oddone Scarito.
• Via Oddone Scarito turns right and becomes Via Pana.
• Turn left to stay on Via Pana.
• Continue onto Piazzale Lo Stradone, then onto Viale Federico D’urbino.
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Viale Pietro Franciosi.
• Take the 2nd exit onto Via Giacomo Matteotti.
• Continue onto Viale Antonio Onofri, and onto Via Gino Zani.
• Keep driving onto Via Donna Felicissima, then slight left onto Contrada del Collegio.
• Continue onto Piazzetta del Titano until you reach Museo di Stato. It takes thirty-seven minutes or 25.4 km to reach the National Museum.

Monte Titano

San Marino’s highest peak, Monte Titano, is home to three iconic towers. These towers are the representation of the country’s freedom and independence. You can see the entire City of San Marino and enjoy the Italian countryside’s best views from the peak of this grand mountain.

Where To Go?

The most famous attractions of the country are the three towers, Guita, Cesta and Montale. Guita Tower is the first and oldest tower built in the 11th-century. You have to pass Passo delle Streghe to get to Cesta Tower, the second tower which was constructed in the 13th-century. The third tower is Montale Tower and was built in the 14th-century.

When is the best time to go?

The towers are open daily during summer from 8 AM to 8 PM. You can explore Montale for free, but you have to pay an entrance fee to get inside Guita and Cesta.

What is the historical significance of the place?

Aside from the fact that these three towers were built during the early part of the High Middle Ages to the medieval period, Monte Titano is where Saint Marinus, the country’s founder, fled to escape religious persecution.

Driving Directions:

• From Federico Fellini International Airport (RMI), head southeast on Via Flaminia/SS16 toward Via Cavalieri di Vittorio Veneto.
• Take the 2nd exit onto SS16 at the roundabout.
• At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Viale Veneto.
• Then, take the 2nd exit and stay on Viale Veneto.
• At the roundabout, continue straight to stay on Viale Veneto.
• Make a left turn onto Via Coriano/SP31.
• Turn right turn onto Via Tavernelle.
• Continue onto Via il Colle.
• Turn left onto SP41.
• Slight right onto Via Parco del Marano.
• Continue onto Str. del Marano
• Turn right onto Str. Fosso.
• Rotate to the right onto Strada Ca’Rinaldo.
• Then, turn right onto Str. Quinta Gualdaria.
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Str. Quinta Gualdaria.
• Continue onto Str. Sottomontana.
• Turn right onto Via del Serrone, then turn right onto Via del Voltone.
• At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Viale Pietro Franciosi.
• Take the 2nd exit onto Via Giacomo Matteotti, and continue onto Viale Antonio Onofri.
• Turn right onto Via Francesco Maccioni.
• Continue onto Via Macciono Francesco.
• When you turn right, Via Maccioni Francesco becomes Piazzale Cava degli Umbri.
• Arrive at Monte Titano. It only takes thirty-seven minutes or 28.8 km to reach the mountain.

If you follow San Marino’s road traffic rules and driving etiquette, your visit to each top tourist destination will be smooth and hassle-free. Their road signs might be in Italian, but some have translations, and the pictures are self-explanatory. You also need to have your travel documents with you all the time, mainly your local driver’s license and International Driver's Permit for San Marino. Forms for application are available online at your convenience.

Always carry essential documents

Make it a habit to bring all essential documents needed for your travel every time you hit the road. One of the most important documents you will need is an international driver’s license for San Marino. Government offices in San Marino might refer you to your country of origin’s licensing authorities or third-party organizations if you need to apply for an IDP. H

Follow speed limits

Always drive below the speed limit in certain areas. Follow the speed limit of 50 km/h when you’re in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside built-up areas, 110 km/h on dual carriageways, and 130 km/h on motorways. If you violate the enforced speed limit, police officers will ask to see your travel documents, including your international driver’s license for San Marino. The website of the Republic of San Marino will tell you that overspeeding is against the law, and you will be heavily fined.

Drunk driving is against the law

Driving under the influence of alcohol is prohibited in San Marino because it is causes accidents and deaths. You don’t want to lose your brain’s sharpness and have double visions while driving in a foreign country. That’s why bringing your travel documents all the time is important, especially your International Driver's Permit. San Marino’s district has strictly enforced a costly fine and imprisonment for drivers caught without a license and drunk-driving.