San Marino: a place that surprises

Take a look at the map

Anyone who's never been to San Marino often needs to check the map first. This tiny republic lies in the middle of Italy, surrounded by green hills and a short distance from the Adriatic coast. You stay inland here, away from the hustle of well-known seaside resorts, but with everything that makes Italy so appealing within easy reach.

The oldest republic in the world

San Marino is the oldest republic in the world: a small independent country on and around Monte Titano, wedged between Emilia-Romagna and the Adriatic coast. The medieval city walls and the three towers on the rock are the image everyone knows, and the view from up there stretches all the way to the sea.

A place guests rarely know what to expect from

Many guests say beforehand that they weren't quite sure what to expect from a holiday in San Marino. That's exactly what makes it such a pleasant discovery. The landscape is hilly and green, the pace is slow, and even in peak season it feels relaxed here.

On a hillside in a nature park

Camping Centro Vacanze San Marino sits on a hill in a nature park, looking out towards the Rimini Riviera. The old town is eight kilometres away, around a twelve-minute drive, and the beach a fifteen-minute drive. Our lodges are spaced well apart on their own part of the campsite, so you get plenty of privacy.

Cooler than the coast

Because of its position in the hills, San Marino is usually a touch cooler than the seaside. Warm during the day in summer, but without the stifling heat you sometimes get on the coast. It cools down in the evening, keeping it comfortable to sit outside and easy to sleep well.

Canvas that ventilates naturally

That helps inside the lodge too. The tents have no air conditioning, but the canvas ventilates naturally and there's a fan provided. Up in the hills, that's exactly enough, and it's one of the reasons people who sleep badly on the coast find it so pleasant here.

Sleeping in the Safari Lodge

Guests describe the Safari Lodge for two to four people as spacious, comfortable and practically laid out. Twenty square metres, from seventy-nine euros a night. The layout feels logical, the beds are comfortable, and the covered terrace is most often named as guests' favourite spot.

Or the Desert Lodge, with a private bathroom

Anyone wanting more space can choose the Desert Lodge for five or six people: twenty-five to thirty square metres, with a private bathroom, a spacious terrace and an outdoor kitchen. You camp outdoors under canvas, but with all the comforts of a cottage. Check-in is from 3pm, check-out before 10am.

Swimming pool, restaurant and entertainment

The swimming pool has a toddlers' section, a water slide and a small island with hydromassage, and is open from the end of May to the start of September. At the Garden Restaurant you eat Romagna dishes on a terrace overlooking the pool. In peak season there's more than fifty hours of entertainment a week, and there's free WiFi across the whole site.

The beach near Riccione and Rimini

The beach is around a fifteen-minute drive away. So you can spend a day at the sea and head back to the peace of the hills in the evening, without staying amid the bustle of a seaside resort. Rimini itself is twenty-two kilometres away, and Rimini airport fourteen.

Who this place suits

In the low season, spring and autumn, this is a lovely spot for those after peace and quiet and for couples: quiet, green and with a view. In summer, once the swimming pool is open and the entertainment is in full swing, the campsite is just as well suited to families. Small pets are welcome, do check the conditions first.