Rome's Trevi Fountain to Introduce €2 Entrance Fee for Tourists

Rome's city authorities announced a new tariff system for certain museums and monuments in the Italian capital, effective from 1 February 2026. As part of this initiative, tourists will be required to pay a €2 entrance fee to get close to the famous Trevi Fountain. This move aims to manage visitor flows and raise revenue for the upkeep and maintenance of the site.

According to the plan, the city expects to collect €6.5 million annually from the Trevi Fountain alone. This figure is expected to contribute significantly to the city's coffers, helping to offset the costs associated with managing the large number of tourists visiting the site. In 2023, the Trevi Fountain attracted around nine million visitors, making it one of Rome's key attractions.

The €2 fee is seen as a relatively small price to pay for the privilege of viewing the Baroque monument up close. Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri stated that "two euros isn't very much... and it will lead to less chaotic tourist flows." The introduction of the fee is part of a broader effort to regulate tourist traffic and ensure a more enjoyable experience for visitors.

Under the new tariff system, access to certain sites currently charging for entry will become free for Rome's residents. This includes the Sacred Area of Largo Argentina, a historic site that has been a hub of archaeological activity for centuries. In contrast, tourists and non-residents will have to pay to see the Trevi fountain and five other attractions, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon.

The Trevi levy is part of a larger effort to revamp Rome's tourism infrastructure and manage the impact of mass tourism on the city's historic sites. As the Italian capital continues to attract record numbers of visitors, the city authorities are seeking to strike a balance between economic benefits and the need to preserve the city's cultural heritage.

The introduction of the €2 fee has sparked debate among locals and tourists alike, with some arguing that it is a necessary measure to manage visitor flows, while others see it as an additional burden on tourists. As Rome continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by mass tourism, the Trevi levy is likely to be a key factor in shaping the city's tourism landscape in the years to come.

The city's decision to introduce a fee for the Trevi Fountain is part of a broader trend in cities around the world to charge for access to popular tourist attractions. This approach is seen as a way to manage visitor numbers, raise revenue, and ensure that the economic benefits of tourism are shared more equitably between local communities and the tourism industry.

As the tourism industry continues to evolve, cities like Rome will need to adapt to changing visitor patterns and preferences. The introduction of the €2 fee for the Trevi Fountain is a significant step in this direction, and one that is likely to have far-reaching implications for the city's tourism landscape in the years to come.