Trevi Fountain in Rome to Charge Visitors for Close-Up Access Starting 2026, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on December 23, 2025

The Eternal City of Rome is about to apply a new tourist tax that will affect those traveling to one of its most famous tourist sites: Trevi Fountain. From February 1st, 2026, any tourist wanting to take a closer look at the famous fountain during daytime hours will have to pay an extra €2. Such an initiative was made by Rome in its plan to handle tourist congestion effectively and sustain its famous Trevi Fountain. This initiative has triggered heated debate and sparked concern among all those who have an interest in exploring its effect on tourist traffic in Rome.

New Access Rules: What Tourists Can Expect

The new €2 fee will apply to non-residents of Rome and will be enforced from 9 AM to 9 PM daily. However, visitors will still be able to view the Trevi Fountain from the main piazza above without charge. Additionally, access to the fountain will remain free after dark, providing an opportunity for both residents and tourists to visit without any fees during the nighttime hours.

The fee will apply only during the day when the crowds at the fountain are at their peak. At this time, the Trevi Fountain draws a large number of visitors, many of whom wait in long lines to get close to the basin where the tradition of tossing a coin is famously practiced. By limiting access and charging a small fee, the city hopes to better regulate the flow of visitors, ensuring that the area does not become overcrowded, which has been an increasing concern for city officials.

Managing Overcrowding and the Impact on Tourism

Rome’s Trevi Fountain has long been one of the city’s most visited tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors from all over the world. This constant influx of tourists, especially during peak seasons, has led to significant overcrowding, creating a challenging environment both for the local residents and the tourists themselves. According to recent statistics, around 9 million people visited the fountain this year, with daily numbers reaching as high as 70,000 visitors during the busiest times.

The new fee is expected to generate approximately €6.5 million annually, which will be used to support the maintenance and preservation of the fountain. This money will go toward improving the monument’s infrastructure and addressing the costs of upkeep, which have been increasing due to the heavy foot traffic it experiences daily.

This move to charge tourists for closer access to the fountain follows in the footsteps of other popular Italian destinations, such as the Pantheon in Rome and Venice, which have also implemented similar measures to address the challenges of overtourism. These steps are part of a broader effort across Europe to regulate tourist flows in popular heritage sites and landmarks, helping to preserve their cultural integrity while providing a more enjoyable and sustainable experience for visitors.

Rome’s Residents: Exempt from the Fee

In a bid to strike a balance between managing tourism and honoring the city’s residents, the new policy exempts Roman residents from the €2 fee. This is in line with Mayor Roberto Gualtieri’s belief that access to cultural landmarks is a fundamental right for citizens. Gualtieri emphasized that while tourists would be charged, the fee was designed to ensure that the fountain remains accessible to locals and to preserve the quality of the experience for all visitors.

Additionally, the decision to introduce this fee is based on feedback gathered during a year-long trial period, which included the introduction of queues and designated entry and exit routes to regulate access. These trials helped city officials assess the feasibility of implementing such a fee and gauge its impact on visitor behavior.

The Economic and Cultural Impact on Rome

The introduction of the Trevi Fountain access fee represents a broader trend toward monetizing public cultural assets to sustain their maintenance and management. For Rome, which is heavily reliant on tourism as a key part of its economy, the revenue generated by the fee could provide a significant boost to the city’s budget. With the fountain attracting millions of visitors each year, the €6.5 million in expected annual revenue could help fund not just maintenance efforts, but also broader preservation projects throughout the city.

Tourism in Rome is not just about the influx of visitors; it is about preserving the city’s rich cultural and historical legacy. With sites like the Trevi Fountain drawing such large crowds, ensuring their protection and upkeep becomes crucial to Rome’s continued success as a global tourist destination. The fee will help ensure that the monument remains in good condition for future generations to enjoy while giving tourists a more organized and structured experience.

Visitor Experience: A More Organized Visit

For tourists, the new system is expected to lead to a more organized and less stressful visit. With the introduction of pre-paid online tickets, visitors will have the option to secure their spot in advance, reducing the time spent waiting in long queues. This could improve the overall experience of seeing the fountain up close, with less congestion around the monument itself.

However, the introduction of this fee may also raise concerns among some travelers, particularly those on a budget. Although the €2 charge is relatively modest, it adds up for those who wish to visit several attractions during their stay in Rome. Additionally, some may question whether it is fair to charge tourists to access a public monument that has been free to visit for centuries.

Rome’s Strategy to Combat Overtourism

Rome is not alone in its efforts to tackle overtourism. Venice introduced a “day-tripper” tax for visitors to help curb the effects of mass tourism, while Florence and other Italian cities have also implemented similar strategies. The primary goal is not only to manage crowds but also to ensure that local communities are not overwhelmed by the constant influx of visitors.

By taking these steps, Rome hopes to provide a more balanced and sustainable tourism experience. Visitors will still be able to enjoy the Trevi Fountain from a distance, while those who wish to get closer will pay a small fee. This approach aims to ensure that Rome’s historical and cultural treasures remain accessible to all, while maintaining their integrity and preserving them for the future.

A New Era for Rome’s Iconic Landmark

Starting on February 1, 2026, tourists who make their way to the Trevi Fountain will find a new construction erected through which the visitors’ stream is regulated for the preservation of the monument. At €2, the fee is relatively negligible in many ways, part of a bigger drive by the city to preserve its iconic monuments while enhancing the visitor experience. The revenue produced, supposedly going into much-needed maintenance and reducing overcrowding, could make this entrance fee a model for other cities facing the challenges of overtourism. For now, both tourists and locals alike can see the Trevi Fountain with more order, making it more sustainable and guaranteeing that the tradition of tossing coins into its waters will survive for many more future generations.