In a decisive step to tackle the relentless problem of overtourism, the city of Rome has announced a new access fee for one of its most iconic landmarks. Starting February 1, 2026, visitors wishing to get up close to the famed Trevi Fountain will need to pay €2 (approximately INR 211) during peak hours.
Why Rome is Introducing the Trevi Fountain Fee
The new charge is a direct response to the overwhelming number of tourists that flood the small piazza daily. The late-Baroque fountain, completed in 1762, attracts a staggering 30,000 visitors on an average day, with numbers soaring to 70,000 on weekends. This creates severe congestion in one of Rome's most confined historic spaces, compromising both safety and the quality of the visitor experience.
Rome's Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, defended the measure, stating it is essential for managing chaotic tourist flows. He emphasized that the €2 fee is not aimed at generating revenue but is purely a crowd management tool. The money collected, which could amount to €6.5 million annually according to city estimates, will be reinvested into the monument's maintenance, preservation, and repairs of surrounding infrastructure.
How the New System Will Work
The fee will be applicable only during peak daytime hours when crowding is at its worst. Importantly, tourists can still view the magnificent fountain of Oceanus, the god of all water, from the surrounding Piazza di Trevi free of charge. The payment will be required specifically for access to the stone steps and the front basin area—the spot where millions toss coins hoping to ensure their return to the Eternal City.
The policy includes key exemptions:
- Residents of Rome
- Persons with disabilities
- Children under the age of 5
This decision follows a year-long trial during maintenance work completed in December 2024, where authorities tested staggered entry and exit routes. The data from this pilot was crucial in designing the new paid access system.
A Growing Trend Across Italy's Heritage Sites
The Trevi Fountain charge is not an isolated move but part of a broader Italian strategy to better manage and sustain its cultural treasures amidst mass tourism.
Other Italian cities have implemented similar measures:
- Venice charges day-trippers an entry fee during peak seasons.
- Verona recently began charging for access to the balcony linked to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
- In 2023, Rome's Pantheon introduced a €5 entry fee, which successfully modulated visitor traffic and raised significant funds for upkeep.
Mayor Gualtieri indicated that this model could extend to other lesser-known but free sites in Rome from February 2026, marking a shift towards a new urbanism where access to historic centers is conditioned by sustainability concerns.
For Indian travellers planning a Roman holiday, this change means budgeting a small additional fee for the quintessential Trevi Fountain coin-toss experience during the day. However, it also promises a safer, less chaotic, and more enjoyable visit to one of the world's most beloved monuments.
