Heres why Italys other country within a country, San Marino, is worth the detour.
Its currently home to about 35,000 residents.
Many rooms have astounding views even from the bathrooms.
Piazza della Libertà in San Marino.Credit:Maremagnum/Getty Images
Apartments here are a good value for families.
Best Things to Do
MoreISO/Getty Images
Take in the views.
Hitch a ride on the cable car.
Medieval alleyway in San Marino.Sean Pavone/Getty Images
Forget searching for a legal parking space or unwittingly entering a dreaded ZTL (limited traffic zone).
Instead, park below town and take the two-minute cable car ride to the historic center.
Soak up those aforementioned views, and exit right into the charming warren of narrow medieval streets.
Castle of the Cesta in San Marino.MoreISO/Getty Images
Climb to the Castle of the Cesta.
Your thigh muscles may not thank you, but wandering this jumble of 11th-century structures is worth the climb.
Swing to San Marino Adventures.
Stores in San Marino.Dipakkumar Talati/Getty Images
The edges of this cake are coated in chocolate fondant.
Witness thepiada, the stuffed flatbread thats somewhat thinner than its cousin, thepiadina.
Non-fish dishes are available as well.
People walking the streets of San marino.Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images
So for lighter crowds and amenable weather, spring or fall are the best times to visit.
Theres also regularbus service from Rimini; tickets are 6 one-way for the 50-minute ride to the center.
San Marino is divided into nine castles (castelli), or districts.
Cityscape of San Marino.Sean Pavone/Getty Images
Alleyways in San Marino.Alexandr Zdelnick/500px/Getty Images
City streets of San Marino.zoom-zoom/Getty Images
