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.

The Palazzo Pubblico (Public Palace, Town Hall) and the Statua della Libertà (Statue of Liberty) by Stefano Galletti (1876) at twilight

Piazza della Libertà in San Marino.Credit:Maremagnum/Getty Images

Apartments here are a good value for families.

Best Things to Do

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Take in the views.

Hitch a ride on the cable car.

City of San Marino, Republic of San Marino narrow medieval alleyways.

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.

San Marino Castle, also known as Guaita or Rocca or First Tower.

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.

Famous tourist place of San Marino Casa Di Risparmio

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.

A view of Guaita Castle, one of the symbols of the city, in San Marino, Republic of San Marino

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.

The Republic of San Marino at dusk.

Cityscape of San Marino.Sean Pavone/Getty Images

Alleyways

Alleyways in San Marino.Alexandr Zdelnick/500px/Getty Images

View of San Marino with street and bell tower, The Respublic of San Marino. Landscape, cityscape

City streets of San Marino.zoom-zoom/Getty Images