Rome to Charge Entrance Fees for Trevi Fountain and Five Other Sites

Rome will introduce entrance fees for the Trevi Fountain and five other cultural sites starting February 1. Residents will have free access, while tourists must pay €2 to approach the fountain. The move aims to manage overtourism, following similar measures at other Italian landmarks like the Pantheon and Venice’s canals.

Rome is preparing to introduce entrance fees for the Trevi Fountain and five other cultural sites, beginning February 1, as announced by the city’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri. Under the new measures, residents of Rome will continue to have free access, while tourists will be required to pay €2 ($2.35) for closer access to the Trevi Fountain. The fountain will still be viewable from a distance without charge, allowing visitors to admire the landmark without paying, but the fee will apply to those wishing to get near it for photos or closer interaction.

The introduction of these fees is part of a broader effort by city officials to manage the effects of overtourism, which has been a growing concern in Rome. Previously, restrictions were already in place around the Trevi Fountain, limiting the number of people in the area to 400 at a time to prevent overcrowding and preserve the site. The 18th-century Baroque fountain is one of Rome’s most visited attractions, famous for its elaborate design and the tradition of tossing coins into its waters to make a wish. Mayor Gualtieri noted that the fountain drew an average of 30,000 visitors per day this year, totaling approximately nine million people between January 1 and December 8.

In addition to the Trevi Fountain, the new entrance fees will be applied to five other sites: the Villa of Maxentius, an imperial structure dating back to the 4th century; the Napoleonic Museum; the Baracco Museum; the Carlo Bilotti Museum; and the Pietro Canonica Museum. These measures are part of a wider trend in Italy to regulate access to highly visited cultural and historic sites to balance tourism with preservation and the quality of visitor experiences.

Italy is among the most visited countries in the world, and cities like Rome have been experimenting with various approaches to curb mass tourism. For example, Rome’s Pantheon, a historic church and former Roman temple, introduced entrance fees in 2023. Venice, renowned for its canals and historic center, began charging a fee for day visitors during peak periods in 2024, doubling the price to €5 this year to better manage tourist flows. These steps reflect ongoing efforts across Italy to protect cultural heritage while maintaining tourism as an important economic driver.