This Iconic Fountain Now Charges a Fee To Visit

In 2025, Rome had a record year for tourism, welcoming over 50 million visitors. It’s easy to see why the Eternal City shows no signs of slowing down. Visitors remain as eager as ever to explore its centuries-old attractions steeped in history, and the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Roman Forum top many tourists’ bucket lists. But to help manage the crowds and combat overtourism, city officials announced a new fee to visit one of Rome’s most iconic attractions, the Trevi Fountain. Here are all the details.

History of the Trevi Fountain

The Trevi is one of the world’s most famous fountains. Built in 1762, the baroque masterpiece was designed by Nicolo Salvi; after the architect’s death in 1751, Giuseppe Pannini oversaw the project’s completion. Standing 85 feet tall and 160 feet wide, the fountain — made out of Carrara marble — features a commanding statue of the god Oceanus riding a chariot pulled by seahorses and flanked by tritons. Even more remarkable is the fountain’s source: Its water is still supplied by the ancient Acqua Vergine aqueduct, a 12-mile-long structure built during the Roman Empire more than 2,000 years ago.

Why the Trevi Fountain Is So Popular

It’s not just the stunning architecture and impressive history that make the Trevi a Rome must-see. The fountain exploded in popularity after the 1954 film Three Coins in a Fountain, in which two of the lead characters throw coins into the waters of the Trevi. According to legend, doing so ensures the visitor will one day return to the Eternal City. The tradition has evolved somewhat over time — today visitors make any wish they’d like — but it’s more lucrative than ever. Local officials estimate that, each year, over a million euros’ worth of coins are tossed into the fountain, with the proceeds donated to a Catholic charity.

Major Renovations

In 2024, in preparation for the Vatican‘s 2025 jubilee year, the Trevi Fountain was closed to receive a much-needed cleaning. According to the website Artnet, it was the fountain’s major renovation in over a decade, and the restoration was necessary to remove calcium buildup. The project took three months and cost an estimated $340,000. During the renovation work, those looking to partake in the famous coin-tossing tradition were able to do so in a small makeshift replacement pool that was installed in front of the fountain to prevent workers from being hit with coins during the repair work.

Details of the Trevi Fountain’s New Entry Fee

Now that the fountain has reopened, city officials have implemented a new ticketing system to get up close and personal with the landmark as of February 1, 2026.

Entrance tickets cost 2 euros (about $2.40) and can be booked online in advance at the fountain’s official website. Visitors can also book tickets at the city’s Civic Museums, tourist information centers, and select authorized retailers by cash or card, or pay in person at the fountain entrance (by card only). Rome residents are exempt from paying the fee, as are children under six years old and persons with people with disabilities (along with one accompanying person).

You’ll still be able to view the fountain from afar for free, but a ticket is required to enter the inner perimeter of the monument during opening hours. (It’s free to visit after hours.) The city says that the fee is necessary to manage overcrowding and to pay for the fountain’s upkeep; it is estimated to raise about 6.5 million euros ($7.6 million) per year. Admission will be capped to 400 visitors at a time.

Rome is far from the only city facing growing concerns about “overtourism.” Venice, its Italian neighbor to the north, recently introduced a daily tourist tax in an attempt to curb excess tourism, while Amsterdam — another booming European destination — announced a plan to curtail new hotel construction in the city. Rome has also introduced entrance fees at other popular landmarks, such as a 5-euro fee to visit the Pantheon.