Rome May Introduce Trevi Fountain Entrance Fee Soon

The Trevi Fountain, one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, may soon have an entrance fee for tourists as part of a proposal to manage the overwhelming crowds that flock to the site daily. After a long and busy summer season in Italy, city officials are considering charging a Trevi Fountain entrance fee to approach the 18th-century fountain, throw coins into the water, and make their wishes—a tradition long associated with a hopeful return to the Eternal City.

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What we know about the Trevi Fountain entrance fee

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Alessandro Onorato, Rome's city councillor for tourism and major events, has voiced support for the plan. He hopes to have a reservation system in place by the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year, an event expected to attract even more tourists. “I would be in favour of studying a new access system, limited and timed, with a reservation system: free for Romans and with a symbolic fee of one euro for tourists,” Onorato said, suggesting the fee would help better control the flow of visitors to the site.

Under the proposal, tourists would be required to book their visit in advance through an online system, which would issue a QR code for entry. This system would allow authorities to cap the number of visitors per time slot, preventing overcrowding and preserving the beauty and serenity of the fountain area.

The idea of charging a fee to visit the Trevi Fountain is part of a broader effort to manage the increasing pressures of mass tourism in Rome. Italy has been one of Europe's most popular travel destinations in 2024, with international arrivals up by 17.8% in the first half of the year, according to the European Travel Commission. This rise in tourism has been felt especially in cities like Rome, where popular sites like the Trevi Fountain are often packed with visitors.

If the proposal is approved, tourists will pay the fee, but locals will continue to enjoy free access to the fountain, which remains a beloved part of Rome’s cultural landscape.

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As the city prepares for the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year, officials are eager to balance the needs of tourists and residents while preserving Rome's historic sites for future generations. More details on the reservation system and fee implementation are expected to be announced in the coming months.

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