The car, San Marino

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The vehicle license plate (see photo #1) for San Marino features the country's coat-of-arms. The three towers, on each of Monte Titano’s three peaks, each topped by a feather, plus the Latin declaration Libertas form the country’s coat-of-arms.

don't miss the bus to san marino because taxi is very expensive.taxi carries you to san marino from rimini 50 euros and never discount.we tried so much but there was no effect.whereas he said 60 euros but he dicount for 10 euros.and we went to san marino and we travelled there for an hour because we had to catch our rimini firenze train.and I had broken my photo machine and we took photo 3-4 number with cell phone unfortunately.

It's best to park in the cable car car park at Borgo Maggiore as a) its easier and b) its cheaper than parking in the centre itself. Prices are € 1,00/1hr €2,00/2hrs €2,50/3hrs €3,50/4-6hrs €6,00/7-24hrs.

When the fortress was built the architect did not think to the cars. So we must park our car at the bottom of the wall.

We visited San Marino off the high season but we had difficulties to find a place near the entrance.

There are other parkings but further.

Cars, car parks and cable-cars


I think that the best way to go to San Marino is by car, although I have seen several buses, so I assume it's possible to use public transportation to go there. One thing it's not too clear, according to road signs, is that you can drive up the the capital: along the road you'll find plenty of signs pointing to the cable car and leading you to believe there's no road to the top. There is, and it's a large one too: once you reach the capital there are several car-parks (all numbered) where you can park. So don't be fooled in believing you need the cable-car.

Photo: detail of a wall in San Marino

Getting to the Most Serene Republic of San Marino is not exactly easy and can be irritating. The best way is to fly into Bologna, Italy, rent a car and drive into the country from the toll highway, taking the exit at Rimini Sud. This is about a one hour trip. Alternatively, if you can catch one of the two daily flights from Rome into the Rimini airport, you can cut the driving time into the Republic by about half. Once you arrive in the capital, you will have to park in one of the city parking lots just outside the city walls and walk to your hotel. Lot #6 is open 24 hours, and if you leave early enough in the morning you can avoid being charged the rather hefty parking fee altogether. Otherwise, your hotel will provide you with a ticket at the end of your stay that you can present to the parking attendant for a significant discount. Of course, the other option during the tourist season is to stay in Rimini, Italy, and take one of the myriad tourist buses into the capital. However, this essentially limits your mobility to the capital, and requires that you leave at the end of the day. Taxis from Rimini into the Republic and back are possible, but not cheap.
Once in the Republic, foot power is about the only option for exploring the city. Fortunately, although the city streets twist and turn, with much uphill and downhill walking, the area to be explored is relatively small so you will not tire yourself. To see the other towns in the Republic you will need a car, and parking can be a problem. The one exception is the town of Borgo Maggiore, which can be reached by a cable car just beyond the parliament building in the capital, and then explored on foot.

I went in San Marino by car, I think it's the bast way to go there. The Republic isn't reachable by train, you can choose to reach it by bus going first in Rimini.
If you choose to use your car when you arrive you'll see a policeman that show you the way for the nearest free parking, when you'leave your car you must wait (a bit) for a free local bus that catch you in the old city.