Ah, Rome. Home to some of the greatest historical sights in the world, and the most annoying tourists. Even if you’re only visiting, and are therefore absolutely part of the ‘slow walking crowds’ and ‘stopping every five steps to take a picture’ problem, you can’t help but get annoyed at all the other people doing the same. After all, it’s just different when you do it.
But that issue could soon be a thing of the past at one of the city’s most famous landmarks, as officials have just announced that from next year you’ll have to pay a fee to get a close-up look at the Trevi Fountain.
From February 1, 2026, visitors will have to pay €2 to get past a new barrier that’s being installed at the iconic fountain. Tens of thousands of people come to visit the site every day, so it is estimated that the fee could raise up to €6.5 million a year. All the money will go towards the upkeep of the monument and the wider city.
That is on top of the thousands of euros worth of coins people toss into the fountain for good luck, which is donated to local charities instead of being claimed by the council.
Although the move will be unpopular with some, Mayor Roberto Gualtieri is confident that it’s the right choice. He argues that ‘two euros isn't very much’, and added that it could actually improve the visitor experiences because ‘it will lead to less chaotic tourist flows’.
Locals will not have to pay to see the fountain. This is part of a wider push to make some sights, like the Napoleonic Museum, the ancient Circus Maximus stadium, and more, free for residents. Children under five and people with disabilities will also be exempt from the entry fees.
If you really don’t want to pay, you’ll still be able to look at the eighteenth-century masterpiece from afar, or you can come back at night when access won’t be restricted.
More tourist fees across Europe
Charging tourists entry fees for landmarks – or even entire cities – is becoming increasingly common across Europe as more and more destinations buckle under the weight of overtourism. For example, visitors will soon need to pay €17.50 just to set foot in the Dutch town of Zaanse Schans, and Venice has announced the return of its €5 daytripper levy. As with the Trevi fee, these extra costs raise money towards improving local infrastructure.
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