A Day Above the Clouds: San Marino Travel Diary

A Day Above the Clouds: San Marino Travel Diary

We left Rimini — and arrived above the clouds.

Some cities are beautiful at sea level.
Others… are higher.
Both geographically and spiritually.

We stepped out of our hotel in Rimini and bought our San Marino bus tickets from a nearby kiosk.
Honestly, we didn’t expect much.
We thought, “We’ll spend 5–6 hours, walk a little, and head back.”
But as we climbed and twisted along the road, as the scenery grew more dramatic, that thought disappeared.

The winding roads slowly unfolded.
Looking out the window, we saw paragliders floating through the sky.
Then came the stone houses, the yellow walls.
Then the towers.
And finally… we were above the clouds.

This diary is about how just a few hours in San Marino can feel so intense, so moving, and so unforgettable.
We walked under the shadows of ancient towers, fell silent,
and looked down from the heights — both literally and metaphorically.

1. The Climb – The Ascent Begins on the Way

Going from Rimini to San Marino looks simple on a map.
45–50 kilometers, one bus, about an hour’s ride…
But that bus doesn’t take you forward on a flat road — it spirals upward.

It was morning.
We easily bought our tickets at a kiosk next to our hotel.
We weren’t expecting a big experience, but we packed some water and made sure our phones were charged — just in case.

At first, the bus ride was normal.
But 15–20 minutes in, the road began to twist and turn.
Right, then left, no downhill — just constant climbing.
It felt like the road had been written upward into the hills.

Note for those with sensitive stomachs:
This road is really winding. Combined with summer heat, it can be challenging. Taking a motion sickness pill is a smart idea.

As we climbed, the view changed.
The coastline disappeared, replaced by green hills, valleys, and tiny villages stretching toward the sky.
At one sharp bend, we saw paragliders gliding through the blue sky.
That was the moment we felt:
"We’re really going somewhere."

And after one final turn, it appeared:
Golden stone walls, ancient towers, and a different world built atop a hill.
It didn’t feel like arriving in a country —
it felt like stepping outside of time.

We got off at the entrance to San Marino, walked a bit,
and realized: This wasn’t just a physical climb.
It was the start of a mental ascent too.

2. Stone and Sky – Losing Time Among the Towers

The first feeling we had as we stepped into San Marino was:
This is a sky built of stone.

All the streets are rough and unpaved,
but the stones seem to carry history in their cracks.
As you walk between little shops, you catch sudden glimpses of valleys below.
Every corner looks like a photo.
Every window opens to another era.

The buildings shift from golden yellow to beige to gray.
But no matter the color, they all seem cut from the same material,
from the same age, with the same patience.
This isn’t a country shaped by history —
it feels like a world carved directly out of stone.

And then the towers…

San Marino’s most iconic symbols:

• Guaita
• Cesta
• Montale

We climbed Guaita Tower.
As we climbed the narrow stone stairs, our breath shortened — but the higher the view opened up, the wider our hearts felt.
At the very top, the wind wrapped around us.
It blew across our faces, but it felt like something deeper inside was also lifting.

Looking down:
Valleys, clouds, and the distant blue line of the sea.
Looking up:
Nothing but sky.

And in that moment, we truly thought:
"This feels like the top of the world."

Were the streets crowded?
No.
Even on a summer day, the stone streets weren’t overcrowded.
Touristy — but peaceful.
And every shop had its own character.
Magnets, wines, chocolates, handmade crafts...
Shopping didn’t feel like a chore here — it felt like small discoveries.

As the day went on, the shadows grew longer.
We didn’t want to leave, but we had to.
And like every beautiful thing, leaving was a little bittersweet.
But we made a promise to ourselves:
"One day, we’ll stay here. Not just for a few hours, but longer."

3. If You’re Like Me… – For Those Who Find Comfort in Silence

I’m someone who prefers night to day.
I feel calmer as the sun sets, and I crave walking once the crowds thin out.
I love sitting quietly somewhere, watching people, wandering without speaking to anyone.

San Marino was made for people like that.

If you’re like me —
someone who escapes from tour buses,
someone who wants to discover a city through its alleys,
someone who chooses silence —
you’ll feel at home here.

Climbing the hills can be tiring, but it feels good.
The streets aren’t crowded, but they aren’t empty either.
People aren’t rushing, and shopkeepers aren’t pushy.
Everything feels slightly distant, but very respectful.
And that’s... refreshing.

If you want to spend time with yourself, San Marino doesn’t pressure you.
No one tries to sell you anything.
No one pulls you anywhere.
You just walk.
Slowly.
At your own pace.

And when you leave, you don’t feel the need to fill the silence.
You don’t say, “I saw it.”
You say, “I paused here for a while.”

We only spent a few hours in San Marino, but the city gave us more than time.
They say everything looks clearer from above —
maybe that’s why it felt so good.

You don’t need a big plan to return here.
Just a small window of time, a short escape, is enough.
And if you ever find yourself in Rimini —
you should try this ascent.

— Wanderoria