Rome to Introduce Entrance Fees for Foreign Tourists at Trevi Fountain and Five Iconic Sites from February 2026 While Free Access for Residents

Published on December 20, 2025

Rome, one of the most historic cities in the world, will soon start charging entrance fees for visiting the Trevi Fountain, as well as five other historic sites, as it seeks to control the problem of overtourism. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri announced on Friday that all visiting foreigners will be required to pay the fees as of February 1, 2026. Locals will, however, get to enjoy all the sites for free as the city looks for a more sustainable approach to handling tourism.

Trevi Fountain Access: €2 for a Closer View

One of Rome’s most famous attractions, the Trevi Fountain, will remain visible from a distance without charge, but tourists will now need to purchase a €2 ($2.35) ticket to get a closer look and experience the fountain up close. The iconic 18th-century Baroque fountain typically draws large crowds, with many visitors tossing coins into its waters while making a wish. With an average of 30,000 visitors per day in 2025, the site had already implemented restrictions, limiting the number of people allowed in the area to 400 at a time.

The decision to introduce entrance fees comes as Rome continues to tackle the pressures of overtourism, which has been a growing concern for the city and its popular landmarks.

Expanding Entry Fees to Other Cultural Sites

In addition to the Trevi Fountain, five other cultural landmarks in Rome will also introduce entrance fees. These sites include:

• Villa of Maxentius: A 4th-century imperial structure.
• Napoleonic Museum.
• Baracco Museum.
• Carlo Bilotti Museum.
• Pietro Canonica Museum.

These museums and historical sites, which attract both local and international visitors, will benefit from the new fees, which are expected to generate revenue that can be reinvested in preserving these cultural treasures.

Italy’s Growing Efforts to Address Overtourism

Italy, one of the world’s most visited countries, has increasingly introduced measures to curb overtourism and balance the needs of locals with the demands of global tourism. The Trevi Fountain’s new fee is part of a broader trend across Italy, where popular destinations are taking steps to protect their heritage and reduce overcrowding.

In 2023, the Pantheon, another iconic Roman landmark, introduced an entrance fee for the first time, acknowledging the challenge of maintaining its cultural integrity amidst millions of annual visitors. Similarly, in Venice, the city began charging an access fee for day visitors during peak seasons in 2024, raising the price to €5 in 2025 to manage foot traffic on the canals and historic sites.

Balancing Tourism and Preservation

The introduction of fees for the Trevi Fountain and other sites highlights Rome’s commitment to balancing tourism with preservation. While the new measures may seem inconvenient to some, they are part of a broader strategy to ensure that Rome’s rich cultural heritage is preserved for future generations and that the tourism industry remains sustainable.

The city’s move to charge for access to its most popular landmarks could be a model for other major tourist destinations facing similar challenges with overtourism. As cities across the world seek to manage the impacts of mass tourism, Rome’s approach reflects a growing global conversation about how to preserve cultural sites while still allowing visitors to experience them.

Future Tourism Impact: Shaping Sustainable Travel in Rome

The introduction of entrance fees in Rome is expected to have a significant future impact on tourism behavior in the city. While it may reduce foot traffic at crowded sites like the Trevi Fountain, it will also encourage visitors to explore lesser-known attractions, thereby helping to disperse tourism across the city. This could lead to a more sustainable flow of visitors and help revitalize areas of Rome that are often overlooked by tourists.

Moreover, the revenue generated from these fees will be used to maintain and restore these important sites, ensuring they remain accessible for generations to come. As the city continues to invest in sustainable tourism practices, it is likely to see a shift in how visitors interact with its heritage, moving toward more responsible and mindful travel.

The introduction of fees could also encourage tourists to plan their visits more thoughtfully, with a focus on experiencing Rome in a more authentic and meaningful way. Visitors may seek out not only the iconic landmarks but also the hidden gems of the city, thereby contributing to the local economy and cultural preservation beyond the most popular attractions.

Rome Leads the Way in Managing Overtourism

The decision taken by Rome to charge entrance fees at the Trevi Fountain and various cultural attractions in the city is a major milestone in the way that tourism in the city is being sustainably managed. At a time when overtourism remains a major challenge for the tourism of major cities around the world, the initiatives taken in Rome can be considered an important lesson for cities that have ambitions to manage tourism sustainably.

As the tourism management in Rome continues to develop, the measures are expected to ensure that the future of the city remains sustainable for its residents and tourists. Additionally, the measures will ensure that the cultural and historic identity of Rome, which makes it the most visited city around the world, remains intact.