San Marino flag vs map

San Marino Shopping, Culinary, and Accommodation

Europe

Shopping

Overview

The old town with its narrow streets lined with small shops, boutiques and souvenir shops invites you to go on a leisurely shopping spree. Ceramics, wines, liqueurs, jewellery, leather goods and playing cards are popular souvenirs. The small state issues its own stamps, which are very popular with philatelists. Many day-trippers come from nearby Rimini especially to shop, because San Marino is a real shopper’s paradise. Since hardly any taxes are levied, many goods are much cheaper than in other European countries. The price advantage is particularly noticeable when buying branded clothing, shoes, homeopathic medicines, household and electronic devices, musical instruments, watches, Perfume and cosmetics noticeable. There are several modern shopping malls, the most well-known being the Azzurro (website: www.centroazzurro.sm), which also houses a supermarket, and the elegant Atlante (website: www.centroatlante.com). Atlante is also home to the famous Baldacci music and instrument shop (website: www.marinobaldacci.com), where professional and amateur musicians from all over Italy come to buy their instruments. A popular destination for bargain hunters are the two outlet stores, the San Marino Factory Outlet (Internet: www.smfactoryoutlet.com) in Rovereta and the Queen Outlet in Dogana, where you can find branded clothing at reasonable prices. A large selection of household and electrical appliances can be found, for example, in the Electronics Shopping Center (Internet: www.electronics.sm).

Opening hours

Mon-Sat 08.30-12.30 and 15.30-19.30. Some shops are also open on Sundays.

Nightlife

Introduction

You will look in vain for trendy nightclubs and hip discotheques in San Marino. But there is almost always something going on here in the summer months, when numerous folk festivals and festivals provide entertainment. Probably the best-known festival is the Ethnofestival, which takes place every year in July, a medieval folklore festival where you can admire flag bearers and wavers as well as archers in historical costumes, among other things. At the end of August, in honor of the founder of the state, Marinus, who died on September 3, 301, the Medieval Days take place, during which the famous crossbowmen of San Marino can be seen. In the run-up to Christmas, a fairytale Christmas market enchants its visitors. several theaters, In which some film screenings and revues take place, ensure a cultural entertainment program. There is also a bowling alley and a bingo hall in Serravalle. When there is no festival or theater performance on the events calendar, one usually enjoys the evening with a good meal in one of the many good restaurants or treats oneself to a glass of wine in one of the numerous bars and pubs. And for those looking for a livelier nightlife, take a trip to nearby Rimini, which has become known as the party town on the Riviera. Here, the balmy summer nights can be celebrated in a number of clubs, bars and discotheques, seven nights a week.

Culinary

Overview

The cuisine in San Marino differs little from Italian cuisine, but there are also some regional specialties. Both in the capital and in the smaller towns you will find a large selection of excellent restaurants. Table service is common, but there are a few self-service restaurants. Some restaurants in San Marino’s old town close at nightfall as day-trippers leave town.

Regional specialities

Tasty starters include tortellini, passatelle (broth), tagliatelle, lasagne, ravioli, cannelloni and fornaria (pizza dough with olive oil, coarse salt and rosemary, sometimes with prosciutto crudo). Recommended main courses are roast rabbit with fennel, spicy poultry, quail, veal escalope, faggioli con le cotiche (dark bean soup with bacon), pasta e cece (soup with noodles, chickpeas, garlic and rosemary), nidi di rondine (noodles baked with tomato sauce, ham, beef and cheese). Popular desserts include cacciatello (egg, milk and sugar dessert, quite similar to the popular French crème caramel) and crostata (orange marmalade-filled cake; also known as San Marino cake).

Tip

A service charge is usually included in the bill, but a small tip of around 10% is still common.

Regional drinks

Excellent wines are made in San Marino, the most popular being Muscat, Biancale, Albana and Sangiovese. Mistra is a local liqueur.

Minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages

In San Marino you can drink alcohol from the age of 16.

Culture

Religion

Roman Catholic.

Social Rules of Conduct

General: As in neighboring Italy, the Roman Catholic Church in San Marino still plays an important role and exerts a strong influence on the social structure. Family cohesion is significantly stronger than in most other European countries. Manners: The usual rules of politeness should be observed. They shake hands to greet each other. A small gift is appropriate for invitations to private homes. Appointments and appointments should not be made early in the morning or immediately after the lunch break. Cloakroom: Neat casual clothing is acceptable. Proper dress is expected when entering churches and in small, traditional communities, Shoulders and knees should be covered in this case. Written invitations generally state whether a suit or tuxedo or suit or evening dress is desired. Photographing: People should be asked before being photographed. In churches and museums, photography without a flash is often allowed, but you should ask beforehand. Designated photography bans should be observed. Smoking: As in Italy, smoking is prohibited in San Marino in all public buildings and means of transport, as well as in cinemas, restaurants, bars and pubs. However, hospitality establishments can have smoking areas that are closed off by walls and doors and equipped with air extraction facilities. In addition, there is an absolute smoking ban for drivers in San Marino as well as a smoking ban at service areas. Tip:

Climate

Best travel time

moderate. Little snowfall in winter and hardly any rain in summer.

Country data

Phone prefix

+378

Area (sq km)

61

Population

33,931 (Source: homosociety)

Population density (per square km)

541

Population statistics year

2020

Member of the EU

No

Main emergency number

112

San Marino flag vs map