Tourism in San Marino
The tourism sector contributes a large part of San Marino's GDP, with approximately 2 million tourists visiting per year.
The rate of tourists has increased in recent years, as visitors are drawn to the landscape, cuisine and architectural sights of the mountainous microstate.
[3] In comparison with other European microstates (Andorra, Malta, Monaco and Vatican City), as of 2018 San Marino attracts the fewest tourists.
[5] The commercial tourism sector in the Republic of San Marino originates primarily from the early nineteenth century onwards.
[6] During the late nineteenth century, the microstate embarked on a process of modernisation through the restructuring of the City of San Marino’s historic centre.
The rates of tourists gradually increased in the successive years, facilitated by improvements to transportation and infrastructure in San Marino during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
[9] The present building stands where the old town hall, named Domus Magna Comunis, built at the close of the fourteenth century, once stood.
[9] The modern Palazzo Pubblico encompasses the parliament of San Marino, including the Great and General Council, as well as the government and parliamentary committees.
Many of the original Medieval elements of the historic centre on Mount Titano have been preserved and the site is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
[11] The historical centre of San Marino dates back to the thirteenth century and includes many Medieval architectural features such as fortification towers, bastions, gates and walls.
[11] Monte Titano covers fifty five hectares and features three Medieval towers built on its three peaks; Guaita, De La Fratta (alternatively, Cesta) and Montale.
The Christmas cake of honey, nuts and dried fruit, known as bustrengo in San Marino, draws visitors to the region for festive celebrations.
[14] This traditional Sammarinese cake is made from thin layers of wafer held together by a hazelnut paste and covered in dark chocolate fondant.
[14] In terms of savoury dishes, the Sammarinesi are known for their traditional northeastern Apennine fare of roast rabbit with fennel, piadina (a chickpea flour flatbread) and ‘nidi di rondine’ (a handmade pasta with a name meaning ‘swallow’s nests’).
[20] Shopping in the state of San Marino is facilitated by the fact that the nation maintains a currency union with Italy, meaning that they use the euro like the vast majority of their European neighbours.
[23] The establishment of the bureau as a directory for services available in the region has occurred to further promote tourism to San Marino by encouraging the conduct of business in the microstate.
[26] The procession is succeeded by the famous “Palio delle Balestre Gradi” (“crossbow competition”) and a concert by the San Marino military band with a firework display.
Every July, San Marino entices people within its ancient walls to experience the microstate's centuries-old stories in its medieval village.
[28] This festivity begins with mass at the Basilica of Saint Marinus, followed by a procession around Piazza della Liberta accompanied by the military band.
[28] Additionally, the San Marino and Rimini Coast Motorcycle Grand Prix is an annual event that occurs each September, the first having taken place in 1980.
