The first thing about San Marino you should know is a small republic situated on the slopes of Mount Titano, on the Adriatic side of central Italy between the Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions, and surrounded on all sides by the Republic of Italy. It is the smallest independent state in Europe after Vatican City and Monaco and, until the independence of Nauru (1968), the smallest republic in the world.

Mount Titano is the name of the hill where the main city of San Marino is located. On each one of the three slopes of Mount Titano, you can observe one tower, each one with a different size, style, and meaning behind them. The three towers of San Marino are part of the national flag and you can actually get inside two of them for a small fee.

The capital, San Marino city, is set high on the western side of Mount Titano, beneath the fortress crowning one of its summits, and is encircled by triple walls. Borgo Maggiore, farther down the slope, was for centuries San Marino’s commercial center, and Serravalle, beneath its castle of the Malatesta family, is agricultural and industrial. San Marino is overwhelmingly urban in character, and those three cities are home to nearly two-thirds of San Marino’s population. Most of San Marino’s landscape is agricultural in character, but industrial concerns have intruded on the centuries-old forms of agricultural life.

Another thing about San Marino you should know is that it is a paradise for sculpture lovers. A trip to San Marino cannot be complete without understanding its rich heritage. The art and cultural activities in San Marino will give you an insight into the city's history, traditions, and artwork. While visiting the cultural attractions in San Marino would prove to be informative, attending its artsy events will leave you entertained. With over 100 unique sculptures in a small area, San Marino has some very amazing works of art, the most famous of which is the Lady of Liberty located in front of the city hall.

It is made in the neoclassical style of white Carrara marble and is located between Parva Domus and the Palazzo Pubblico. It is a work of the sculptor Stefano Galletti and was donated by Countess Otilia Heyroth Wagener from Berlin to the Republic in 1876 because she had become Countess of Acquaviva. The statue symbolizes freedom. Freedom is represented as a warrior advancing fiercely with one hand extended forward and one with a flag. On the head of the statue is a crown with three towers representing the fortified city of San Marino, the symbolic meaning is the reinstatement of freedom. Discover the best top things to do in San Marino including Children of Beslan Statue, Girolamo Gozi Monument, Statua della Liberta, Statua Grande Nudo Femminile, Monumento a Giuseppe Garibaldi, Monumento a Bartolomeo Borghesi.

The special thing about San Marino you should know is its walls look like the Great Wall of China. If you saw this photo without any other information you would probably believe that it’s the Great Wall of China but no! It’s actually the first tower of San Marino and the city walls offer a passage from one tower to another. Within San Marino Old Town, you can’t miss the defense towers, nor resist the opportunity to climb them. Start at the former military fortress of the First Tower Guaita for a view down to the countryside below, before clambering the steps up to the Second Tower Cesta (a former garrison of crossbowmen) via the ‘Passo Delle Streghe’ (Passage of the Witches) for one of the most sought after views – it stands on the highest peak of Mount Titano, 756 meters above sea level.

You should visit during autumn so you can see how the foliage changes. Most visitors to the country come on a day trip from Rimini so if you stay a little bit longer you can easily avoid the crowds and have the entire place all for yourself!

The next thing about San Marino you should know is San Marino people don't like being called Italians. Even though they inhabit the same peninsula and have a shared ethnicity, the people of San Marino prefer to be called Sammarineses instead of Italians since they are proud of the fact that they belong to an independent republic. And they could argue that they are even more stylish than the Italians themselves.

The primary language spoken is Italian, Romagnol is also widely spoken. Almost in contrast to Italy, San Marino is a democratic, free, civilized country; A country with cheerful and friendly people. Along with moving towards development, the people of San Marino have always kept their ideals and traditional values. Traditional forms of cultivation, literature, architecture, and the arts are part of everyday life. In San Marino, the ancient and the modern, the traditional and the modern, all come together, creating an attractive and dynamic society that sets itself apart from the rest of the world. Come and experience the unique things in San Marino.

Among state museums and private museums, San Marino has 12 museums, and 5 of them are public. These museums are quite weird with the repertory going from ancient weapons eighteenth century, the wax figures through the curiosity, the instruments of torture, etc.

Inside the San Marino City, via Salita Della Cesta, you reach the Museum of Ancient Arms. Opened in 1956, is located in the second tower. It hosts thousands of weapons, including 2 thousand swords, crossbows, knives, and weapons. In addition, there are firearms and fancy experiments, such as the dagger-gun dating back to 1730, two-handed swords, and guns with double triggers and barrels.

Besides you can visit the youngest museum in San Marino town, which is Emigrant Museum – Permanent Study Centre on Emigration. Opened in 1997, is housed in the Monastery of St. Clare, in Contrada Ombrelli. Was created by the council of San Marino citizens abroad and aims to remember the stories of people who left San Marino. A permanent study – with photographs, documents, etc. – which seeks to investigate the migration of the inhabitants of San Marino.

Even though Italy surrounds San Marino, prices here are lower. Many tourists come here for shopping. In San Marino, there is something to see and buy. The country has a lot of branded boutiques and small souvenir shops, where you can buy anything. Also, there are unique things here. So be sure to visit the boutiques of Italian designers, which are unknown here. Leather things, bags, shoes, watches, sunglasses - everything can be bought in San Marino at attractive prices.

For shopping, go to Azzurro Shopping Center, which is located near the highway with Rimini. The Azzurro shopping center was ideal for those looking for shops and a supermarket in the same environment, spread over three floors with 60 shops, bars, restaurants, and entertainment points for children and adults. Inside a Conad supermarket and the product, categories range from footwear to clothing, from accessories and costume jewelry to electronics, from perfumery to beauty and hairdressing centers. Azzurro currently has about 15 active shops, bars, and restaurants and is open every day. Besides this shopping center in San Marino, there are a lot of boutiques and stores almost every step of the way. The main cities for shopping excursions are Serravalle and Dogana.

In San Marino, sights are not limited to architecture and nature. There is a vast choice of tasty and nourishing food. It is not for nothing that San Marinas are close neighbors of Italians. All kinds of lasagna, pasta, pizza, and meat delicacies can be tasted at San Marino's facilities. Poultry meat (partridge and chicken) is incredibly popular here, and San Marinas adore seafood ear, Italian Polenta, and all kinds of cheese. For those who want sweets, this is a paradise of baking and caramel desserts, such as Cacciatello.

The country is also known for its wines and liqueurs. The region also produces a number of wines such as Brugneto and Tessano (cask-aged red wines) and Biancale and Roncalli (still white wines). Wine in San Marino is regulated by the San Marino Wine Association, which is also a large-scale wine producer. In any case, you should sign up for the tasting.