Rome's Trevi Fountain Now Charges a Two-Euro Entry Fee to Curb Crowds

Rome has begun charging visitors to approach the iconic Trevi Fountain, a landmark where tossing a coin is a global ritual. Starting February 2, 2026, a two-euro ticket is required for access between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (with an 11:30 a.m. start on Mondays and Fridays). The city aims to manage overwhelming tourist numbers that reached over 10 million visitors in 2025, with peak days seeing 70,000 people. Early mornings and late nights remain free.

Roman officials estimate the fee will generate between 6.5 and 20 million euros annually for maintenance and staff salaries. The primary goal, however, is preservation. "The main objective is to limit the excessive flow of tourists," a city spokesperson emphasized. The tradition of coin-throwing continues, with the roughly 1.5 million euros fished from the basin each year still donated to the Catholic charity Caritas di Roma.

The new system had a rocky first day. A CNN correspondent observed some tourists, unwilling to pay, attempting long-distance coin tosses over the heads of paying visitors, prompting officials to announce plans for patrols to prevent such hazards.

Rome's move aligns with broader Italian efforts to combat overtourism. Venice levies a day-tripper fee during peak periods, and visitor numbers to Pompeii are capped. The 18th-century Baroque fountain, immortalized in films like Fellini's "La Dolce Vita," remains a potent symbol. The legend persists: one coin ensures a return to Rome, two promises a love meeting, three a marriage, and four, newfound wealth. Now, that first wish comes with a small, modern price.