The area was previously called Mercatale ("marketplace") and remains today the most important market town in San Marino.

Borgo Maggiore borders the Sammarinese castelli Serravalle, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, San Marino City, and Acquaviva and the Italian municipality Verucchio.

[2][3] Borgo Maggiore is the terminus of the San Marino Highway, a dual carriageway which runs to Dogana through Domagnano and Serravalle.

[5] Running every fifteen minutes, the two-minute ride is renowned for its paronamic views over San Marino, the Province of Rimini, and the Adriatic Sea.

[12][17][18] Between 1961 and 1969, Compagnia Italiana Elicotteri operated helicopter flights between Borgo Maggiore and Rimini's port; the service was extended to San Leo in 1964.