For most Britons, San Marino is probably best known for having — based on FIFA’s official rankings — the world’s worst men’s international football team. While football might not be the forte of this microstate, when it comes to history, it is at the top of the table as the world’s oldest, dating back to 301 AD.
San Marino is also one of the world’s smallest countries, with a land area of around 24 square miles, smaller than Manchester (45 square miles). In fact, only two countries in Europe—Monaco and the Vatican — are smaller. San Marino is located on the north-eastern side of the Apennine Mountains and is surrounded by Italy.
The tiny country is landlocked, however, its high perch means there are views of the stunning Adriatic Sea.
While San Marino might not be a perfect destination for beach lovers, the famous Italian seaside resort of Rimini is only about half an hour away by car and offers more than 40 kilometres (around 25 miles) of sea and sand.
The Monte Titano dominates the mountainous San Marino landscape, with three medieval towers marking its three highest peaks — Montale, Guita, and Cesta, the mountain’s highest point.
A cable car runs on the 2,425-foot mountain, and on its western slopes is the nation’s capital, the City of San Marino.
Since 2008, the old centre of the walled city and Monte Titano have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites, underlining San Marino’s rich historic significance.
San Marino borders the Italian regions of Marche and Emilia-Romagna, the latter of which is home to the prestigious Imola Grand Prix. This makes the country a potential option for F1 fans visiting.
The track is less than 90 minutes away by road from San Marino, while the historic city of Bologna is about two hours away.
San Marino was officially founded in September 301 AD, and while countries such as Greece, China, or Italy have history dating back even further, these nations as they are today are fairly modern due to factors like the shift to becoming a republic.
San Marino was named after Saint Marinus, a Christian from modern-day Croatia, who escaped religious persecution from the Roman Empire before settling on Monte Titano. There, he built a church, which led to a community that later became San Marino, per Condé Nast Traveller.
The outlet added that the microstate has maintained its sovereignty due to its isolation, tricky mountainous landscape, and savvy political approach.
Following 2,000 years of relative stability, it has been dubbed the Most Serene Republic of San Marino and has drawn comparisons with Switzerland due to its size, landscape, and regular political neutrality — San Marino was neutral during both world wars.
San Marino has a small population of less than 50,000, and its official language is Italian.
However, around 83% of locals speak Sammarinese, a variety of the Romagnol language traditionally spoken in Emilia-Romagna, according to Condé Nast Traveller.
The language is more typically spoken among older generations and is classified as endangered; however, knowledge of some common Italian phrases should help you get by while in the country.
Links to Italy are apparent throughout San Marino, particularly in the cuisine, which is influenced by the surrounding Italian regions.
San Marino is not part of the EU; however, its currency is the euro.