San Marino uses the euro, like several other European countries. One euro is divided into 100 cents. The official symbol for the euro is €, and its ISO code is EUR. There is no official symbol for the cent.

All banknotes and coins of this common currency are legal tender within all the countries, except that low-denomination coins (one and two cent) are phased out in some of them. The banknotes look the same across countries, while coins have a standard common design on one side and a national country-specific design on the other. The latter side is also used for different designs of commemorative coins. The design on the national side does not affect the use of the coin.

Like other states which have the euro as their currency, San Marino has its own patterns on the back of the euro coins. You can try to obtain these coins by going around buying things and collecting the coins that way, but a quicker solution is to buy the set in a souvenir shop. Pay attention, because some of these sets lack the €1 and €2 coins.

Souvenir and clothing shops are everywhere in the City of San Marino. A lot of the souvenir shops sell weapons, from swords to B-B guns.

Prices for items such as disposable cameras and batteries are cheaper in San Marino than they are in Italy. This is partly because in San Marino you don’t have to pay the 20% IVA (VAT) that you have to pay in Italy.

Once you’re inside the walled city, it’s small enough to simply walk around. There are only a few streets on which cars are able to drive (and only if they are small cars).

There is a 1.5 km (0.93 mi) cable railway (funivia) connecting the city of San Marino to Borgo Maggiore. €2.80 for a one-way ticket, €4.50 round-trip.

Outside of the capital, walking is not so easy. San Marino is the only country in the world with more vehicles than people, and it shows—sidewalks are inconsistent at best, especially when going between towns. However, there is a shaded stone path, Costa dell’Arnella, between the City of San Marino and Borgo Maggiore. It starts at the western end of Contrada Omerelli and ends a short distance from the Borgo Maggiore cable car station. Because the City of San Marino is so high up, the path is quite steep.

The bus from Rimini is somewhat useful for travel between towns, and San Marino also has its own bus system.

EAT:

Italian dishes, like pasta, pizza, gelato (Italian ice-cream), and whatever you eat in Italy. Restaurants are easy to find, and some offer tables with great views.

Supermarkets in San Marino are few and far-between, although the following can help in this area:

• Conad, Azzurro Shopping Center, V M Moretti 23, Serravalle. edit
• Sma Supermercati. Via del Passetto 113, Fiorentino edit
• Ristorante Terrazza Titano. Contrada del Collegio 31 edit
• La Fratta, Via Salita alla Rocca, 14 (Next to the parking lot n.6).

DRINK:

• The local beers, mostly by Titanbräu and Birrificio, are very tasty.
• Spirits are also very commonly found, especially limoncello, a lemon liquor.
• Try the locally produced wine.
• The coffee, like in its Italian neighbour, is superb.

Although San Marino has a few hotels, the seaside resort of Rimini has a lot more and is probably a cheaper option.

Budget:

• Hostel San Marino, Via 28 Luglio, 224, Borgo Maggiore (When entering Borgo Maggiore on the main highway, the hostel is a yellow building on your left. If arriving on the bus from Rimini, ask the driver to let you off at the Tavolucci stop.), +39 0549 922515, info@hostel-sanmarino.com. Located in Borgo Maggiore, very close to a grocery store, a restaurant, and a bus stop. A short €1.50 bus ride from the city. €20-25 for a bunk, €65-110 for a private room.

Mid-range:

• Grand Hotel San Marino, Viale Antonio Onofri, 31, +378 0549 992400, info@grandhotel.sm. The Grand Hotel San Marino rises on the peak of Monte Titano, close to the Rocche and the Old Town Center.
• Hotel Titano, Contrada del Collegio, 31, +378 0549 991007. Located right in the centre of the town. The rooms are small but comfortably furnished and it is connected to a very nice restaurant. The downside is that unless you are an early riser, the nearby church bells will ring every 15 minutes to remind you of the time starting from early in the morning.

TBC.