Rome has introduced a new €2 (about $2.16) entrance fee for tourists who want to access the front area of the iconic Trevi Fountain.
The charge went into effect February 2 as city officials look to manage overcrowding at one of Italy’s most visited landmarks.
The fee applies daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is required only for those who want to approach the fountain’s basin. Visitors can still view the fountain from a distance without paying.
Who Pays and How to Buy Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online in advance, at city civic museums, tourist information points, authorized retailers, or directly at the fountain entrance. Rome residents are exempt from the fee, along with children under 5 and people with disabilities and their caregivers.
According to Rome’s tourism officials, the admission charge will help fund ongoing maintenance and preservation of the 18th-century monument.
Alessandro Onorato, Rome’s Assessor of Tourism, defended the modest fee in comments to The Associated Press.
“I think tourists were shocked by the fact that the city of Rome is only asking for 2 euros for a site of this level,” he said. “I believe that if the Trevi Fountain were in New York, they would have charged at least $100.”
A New Money Grab?
The Trevi Fountain fee is part of a larger revenue initiative in Rome. The city has also introduced a €5 (about $5.40) tourist ticket for certain museums.
Together, these new charges are expected to generate an additional €6.5 million ($7 million) annually.
The fountain remains one of Rome’s most popular attractions, drawing visitors who participate in the tradition of tossing coins into the water.
Legend says throwing one coin ensures your return to Rome, while a second or third coin brings luck in love. The practice generates approximately $10,500 weekly, which the city donates to charity.
Cruise passengers visiting Civitavecchia with shore excursions to Rome should factor in the new entrance fee when planning their fountain visit.
