Vatican City is the seat of the Pope and one of the places that Catholics would want to visit. Also sharing open borders with Italy is one of the world's oldest republics, San Marino. When you are in Italy, you have an opportunity to go to 3 countries; so you could place these two after visiting Rome, Milan, Venice, or Naples, or other Italian cities.

San Marino doesn't have its own visa rules but shares open borders with Italy. Vatican City is visa free but you need to enter Italy to come here. To visit you will need to get a Schengen Visa; more specifically from Italy. The two are de facto Schengen but not members Schengen Agreement., the European Union or European Economic Area Here's a guide on how to get there and what to do.

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San Marino Visa Entry

Permit to Stay: 10 days

Note: Schengen Visa is good for 90 days on a 180 day period. There is no passport control in San Marina and Italy, so your Schengen Visa count might not stop, and there are no passport stamps. You can, however, get a stamp at the state tourism office as a souvenir.

Vatican City Visa Entry

Permit to Stay: None stated (but you need to leave and come back again as there are no hotels in the Vatican)

Note: Schengen Visa is good for 90 days on a 180 day period. This will be included in the count as there's no border control and overnight accommodation.

Getting a Schengen Visa through the Italian Embassy in the Philippines

Validity: short stay for up to 90 days in every 180 days

Number of Entries: Single, Double, Multiple Entry

Processing Time: 15 days

Where to Apply: VIA Center Makati
Address: 3rd Flr Allegro Center, Chino Roces Ave, Makati, 2284 Metro Manila, Philippines

Where to Apply: VIA Center Cebu
Address: 1004, Keppel Bldg, Cardinal Rosales Avenue Cor Samar Loop, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu

Embassy: Embassy of Italy, Manila
Address: 6th Floor, Zeta II Building, No. 191 Salcedo Street Legaspi Village, Makati City, Metro Manila 1223
Telephone Number: 0063 (0)2 8892 4531-4
Email Address: visti.manila@esteri.it

Note that you can enter San Marino and the Vatican with a Schengen Visa from other countries besides Italy, too!

San Marino Overview

Capital: City of San Marino

Language: Italian

Currency: Euro

One of the smallest countries in Europe is San Marino, with a size of about 61 square kilometers. It was named after Saint Marinus, a stonemason that, according to legend, reconstructed Rimini's walls after Pirates destroyed it. It then became independent since AD 301 and is the oldest sovereign state and constitution in the world.

San Marino may be small, but it has one of the highest and most stable economies with no debt and low unemployment rates. The serene Republic of San Marino is a Tax-Free haven, just like Andorra. Many tourists from Italy shop here as I did. But there are also greeneries, hills, castles, and much more!

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Getting to San Marino

There are no airports or base; the nearest one is Rimini-Miramare Airport. You will need to ride a bus from Rimini to San Marino for about 30 minutes. From Bologna, it will take 1.5 hours by bus and 2.5 hours if you are from Florence.

Things to do in San Marino

1. See the View from the Top

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Go to Guaita, De La Fratta, or Montale to catch some scenic views of San Marino (the ones depicted in their National Flag)! Guaita was built in the 11th century that was a prison before and now a World Heritage Site. De La Fratta or Cesta is also a museum in honor of St. Marinus and has more than a thousand weapons. Montale is the smallest of the three but not open to the public.

2. Visit Weird Museums

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Most museums in a country would be about the Historical artifacts, artworks, or science-related but not San Marino. They have weird museums you should visit! You should visit Museo Della Tortura (Martel or Torture Museum) with over a hundred torture instruments. Try also Museo Creature Della Notte - Vampiri e Licantropi (Museum of Creatures like Vampires and Werewolves) or Museum of Curiosities.

3. Shop!

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San Marino is tax-free, making it cheaper than Italy! You can buy branded bags, clothes, perfumes, jewelry and many, more! They are mostly 20% off of their original price. Imagine saving 200 Euros for a 1000 Euro shopping spree!

San Marino FAQs

1. Is San Marino expensive?

San Marino is not expensive, especially compared to its neighbor: Italy. Even though they are highly developed, transportation, food, and accommodation are cheap. They're tax-free too!

2. Is San Marino safe?

This country is very safe for tourists. However, be always vigilant when you travel, pickpockets or thieves are lurking around. When you buy insurance, make sure this country is also included. I recommend AXA Schengen!

3. Where to stay in San Marino?

You can stay at the City of San Marino as it is the center, accessible, and near the tourist spots. I stayed at LA Grotta Hotel for more or less 60 Euros, which is within the fortress. You can check their rates here.

Vatican City Overview

Capital: Vatican City

Language: Italian

Currency: Euro

The smallest country in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site is Vatican City. It has been its state since 1929, with an area of 44 hectares and about a thousand people. It has a unique economy supported by admission fees of the museum, sale of postage stamps, and souvenirs.

Getting to Vatican City

There are no airports or base in Vatican City; you need to go to Rome first. From Rome, take bus 40, 62, 64 or 81. You can also do it via taxi or car or walk from Piazza Venezia.

Things to do in Vatican City

1. Visit St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica is the papal enclave made with Renaissance and Baroque Architecture. Try visiting in the early morning or late afternoon. It's free! In case you want a panoramic view from the top, you can climb the dome and pay about 10 euros.

2. See Sistine Chapel

Visit the Pope's official residence, the Apostolic Palace, and proceed to Sistine Chapel. Be in awe of the chapel's paintings in the Ceiling and the Altar. Michaelangelo painted the fresco; you would recognize one popular section here; Creation of Adam (it's the one where God and Man reaching out to each other with their pointed fingers.)

3. Check the Collections

Vatican Museums has many paintings, sculptures, and antique collections. Don't forget to go up or down in the museum's gorgeous staircase designed during the 1930s. Michelangelo is not only the famous artist (or Ninja Turtle) here, they also have artworks by Rafael! Your eyes will be feasting due to such amazing masterpieces found here.

Vatican City FAQs

1. Is Vatican City expensive?

Vatican City is free to enter, but if you choose to visit the Museums or Chapels, it could cost you not more than 25 EUROs. There are also no restaurants inside the Vatican; you need to be back in Rome to eat, but it's just a few steps away. You can eat in Rome then step back to Vatican City!

2. Is Vatican City safe?

The Vatican is very safe. But always be vigilant as there are many people in the Vatican and there are pickpockets and thieves.

3. Where to stay in the Vatican?

There are no hotels or accommodations in Vatican City. You need to check for hotels in Rome that are near there.

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San Marino and Vatican City are both lovely tiny microstates that you should visit. Ready yourself with a Schengen Visa to enter these gorgeous territories. If you ever need help in getting a visa, please don't hesitate to get our Visa Application Bundle, and we'll help you all the way!