Borgo Maggiore: market town and cable car base

Why go

Many visitors only see Borgo Maggiore through the window of the cable car, and that is a shame. Its main square, **Piazza Grande**, has arcades, cafés and a church, and it still hosts a weekly market, as it has done for centuries. It feels like a small working town rather than a showcase, and it is a good place to see everyday Sammarinese life. It also gives you an easier start to the day: park or arrive here, then ride the cable car up to the old town in a couple of minutes.

The cable car

The **funivia** links Borgo Maggiore to the City of San Marino, climbing the steep slope in about two minutes with sweeping views over the valley and the coast. It runs frequently through the day, with longer hours in summer. It is the easiest way up for anyone who does not fancy the climb, and the views from the cabins are worth the ride on their own. Check the current timetable on the official tourism site.

What to see

**Piazza Grande** is the centre of town, with its clock tower and the **Church of Suffragio**. The modern **Santuario della Beata Vergine della Consolazione**, designed by Giovanni Michelucci, is one of the most striking pieces of twentieth century architecture in the country, with its sweeping concrete and stone forms. Stamp and coin collectors should visit the **Philatelic and Numismatic Museum**, which shows the stamps and coins San Marino has issued since the nineteenth century, a big part of its identity and its income.

The Thursday market

On Thursday mornings, Piazza Grande and the surrounding streets fill with market stalls selling clothes, household goods, local cheese, cured meats and fresh produce. It is a lively, friendly scene and a good chance to buy picnic food before heading up the mountain.

Walks from Borgo Maggiore

Several footpaths start here. The **Sentiero della Rupe** climbs through woods and rock steps to the old town, a steep but rewarding walk that takes under an hour. Other paths lead around the base of Monte Titano and down towards the countryside. Wear proper shoes and take water. If you only want to walk one way, take the cable car up and walk down.

Food and drink

Borgo Maggiore has relaxed trattorias, piadina kiosks and cafés that cater mostly to locals, so prices and portions tend to be friendlier than on the clifftop. Look for **tagliatelle al ragù**, **cappelletti** in broth in winter, grilled meats and piadina with local cheese. See our places to visit list for names.

Where to stay

There are a few hotels and guesthouses in and around Borgo Maggiore, often with easier parking than the old town and quick access to the cable car. It is a good choice for drivers and families with lots of luggage.

Getting there

The Rimini bus passes through on its way to the old town, and local buses link Borgo Maggiore with other parts of the republic. Drivers will find car parks near the cable car station. From here, the City of San Marino is two minutes above you.

A morning plan

Arrive early, browse the square or the market, visit the stamp and coin museum, then ride the cable car up for lunch in the old town. In the late afternoon, walk back down the Sentiero della Rupe as the light softens over the valley, and finish with an aperitivo under the arcades of Piazza Grande. It is an easy, unhurried way to see both levels of the republic in one day.