Rome Introduces €2 Fee to Visit Trevi Fountain to Protect Monument and Manage Tourism

Starting in early February 2026, tourists will have to pay for the opportunity to approach the legendary Trevi Fountain. The authorities of the Italian capital have introduced a symbolic fee of 2 euros to regulate the flow of visitors and preserve this unique architectural monument.

New access rules for the landmark

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri announced the introduction of an entrance fee as part of a large-scale reform of the city’s tariff system. The new measure will affect six popular sites, including the Napoleon Museum. At the same time, residents of Rome will receive free access to many attractions that were previously paid. A 2-euro ticket grants the right to stay near the fountain for half an hour. Admiring the Baroque masterpiece for free will only be possible from a distance. Children under five, people with disabilities, and their companions are exempt from the fee.

Combating mass tourism

Approximately 30,000 people visit the Trevi Fountain every day. In 2025, the number of visitors exceeded 5.3 million in the first half of the year alone. Such an influx of tourists poses a serious threat to the preservation of the eighteenth-century monument. City authorities expect to receive about 6.5 million euros annually from the entrance fee. These funds will be directed toward maintaining the fountain, cleaning the area, and organizing a comfortable visitor experience. Mayor Gualtieri emphasized that two euros is a reasonable price for regulating tourist flows.

Visitor control system

After the restoration in 2024, a queue system was introduced, limiting the number of people at the fountain at any one time to 400. This measure is now being supplemented by mandatory booking and payment for entry. Tourism Councillor Alessandro Onorato noted that tourists often behave disrespectfully—eating near the monument, leaving litter, and turning the visit into a chase for selfies.

History and traditions

The Trevi Fountain is considered an outstanding example of late Baroque architecture. Its construction began in 1732 based on a design by architect Nicola Salvi and lasted about thirty years. After the author’s death, the work was completed by Giuseppe Pannini, who introduced changes to the original concept. A popular tradition is associated with the landmark—throwing a coin into the water while standing with one’s back to the fountain. It is believed to guarantee a return to the Eternal City. About three thousand euros end up in the fountain every day; the money is collected and donated to charity. In 2016, the total amount reached 1.4 million euros. The fountain gained fame through cinema—iconic scenes from Federico Fellini’s film “La Dolce Vita” and “Roman Holiday” starring Audrey Hepburn made it a recognizable symbol of Rome worldwide.

Public reaction

The decision to introduce a fee has sparked mixed reactions. The Italian consumer rights organization Codacons criticized the commercialization of cultural heritage, stating that tourists should be able to freely enjoy the beauty of the city. However, the organization agreed on the need to regulate visitor flows to protect monuments. For the first time in the entire history of the fountain, opened in 1762, access to it will become paid. Authorities are confident that this measure will help preserve the unique monument for future generations and make visits more meaningful and comfortable.