Visitors travelling to Rome will soon have to pay a small entrance fee to get close access to one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the Trevi Fountain, as part of wider measures aimed at managing overtourism and easing pressure on historic sites. From February 1, 2026, tourists and non-residents will be charged €2 to view the Baroque monument up close, while Rome’s residents will be granted free access under a new tariff system announced by the city authorities.
The decision marks a significant shift in how the Italian capital manages footfall at some of its most popular attractions. While tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain will continue to be allowed and the money collected from the water will remain earmarked for charitable causes, the newly introduced entrance fee will go directly to the municipal administration. City officials estimate that the levy from the fountain alone could generate around €6.5 million annually, funds that will be used for maintenance, conservation and visitor management.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said the measure was intended to create a more orderly experience at the site, which is frequently overwhelmed by large crowds. Speaking to news agency Reuters, Gualtieri described the charge as modest, adding that a €2 fee was unlikely to deter visitors but could help reduce chaotic tourist flows around the monument. The Trevi Fountain currently attracts an average of 30,000 visitors each day, making it one of the most heavily visited spots in the city.
The fee for the Trevi Fountain forms part of a broader restructuring of entrance charges across select museums and monuments in Rome. Under the new system, several cultural sites that currently require paid tickets will become free for residents of the capital. One such site is the Sacred Area of Largo Argentina, an important archaeological complex that draws both locals and tourists. However, tourists and non-residents will be required to pay to access the Trevi Fountain and five other attractions, including the Napoleonic Museum.
Certain groups will be exempt from the new charges. Children under the age of five, as well as people with disabilities and one accompanying person, will not be required to pay the entrance fee. City officials have emphasised that the policy aims to strike a balance between preserving heritage, ensuring accessibility and managing the pressures of mass tourism.
Importantly, tourists who do not wish to pay will still be able to see the Trevi Fountain free of charge from a distance. The fee applies only to those seeking close access to the monument, which was designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi in the 18th century and is celebrated worldwide for its dramatic Baroque style.
In recent years, the city has already taken steps to regulate crowds at the site. Following restoration work completed last year, Mayor Gualtieri introduced a queuing system to prevent overcrowding, with access limited to 400 people at any given time. The upcoming entrance fee is expected to further support these efforts, as Rome grapples with the challenge of protecting its historic treasures while accommodating millions of visitors each year.
