Rome's iconic Trevi fountain has introduced a €2 (£1.70) access fee for tourists, sparking mixed reactions from visitors. The charge, which applies between 11.30am and 10pm on weekdays and 9am to 10pm at weekends, is designed to manage crowds and raise funds for the monument's upkeep. More than 10 million people visited the fountain in 2025 alone.
The fee only applies to those who walk down the steps to the basin, where they can stay as long as they wish, toss coins, and take selfies. Eating, drinking, and smoking are prohibited in the basin area. Rome residents, people with disabilities, and children under six are exempt.
The measure is expected to generate €6.5m annually, which will be used for the fountain and other city monuments. Alessandro Onorato, Rome's tourism chief, called it 'a healthy revolution', noting that previously the site was overcrowded and sometimes saw visitors jumping into the water.
While many visitors accepted the fee, some criticised it. 'This isn't a good thing at all,' said Irma Pavitashvili, a tourist from Georgia. 'This fountain should be for everyone.' US visitor Alma Peterson added: 'It's not right to charge people – this is history, it should be free.'
Onorato dismissed the complaints, saying: 'If the Trevi fountain had been in New York, they would have asked for €100, not €2.' The fee follows similar charges at other Italian attractions, including the Pantheon (€5 since 2023) and Venice's day-tripper fee during peak season.
