You Must Now Pay to Take Photos of Rome’s Trevi Fountain

As of February 2, you’ll need to throw money at the iconic Trevi Fountain in Rome both literally and figuratively. The city of Rome has introduced a ticketing system for non-residents, requiring a €2 entry fee during peak hours.

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Legend has it that throwing one coin into the fountain guarantees your return to Rome, two coins promise romance with an Italian, and three coins mean marriage. I guess the fourth coin covers the ticketing fee.

The hours aren’t all bad, though. Tickets are required from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. the rest of the week, after which barriers open and access is free. So night owls can still approach the fountain on the budget to throw some coins in and take some decent photos. As a photographer, I don’t think this is a bad idea, considering that I don’t want a bunch of other people in my photos anyway, and I don’t want someone to poke my eye out with a selfie stick.

Personally, I’m all up for this as Rome is severely overcrowded with tourists, especially the iconic places like Fontana di Trevi. According to the city Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, more than 10 million people lined up to see the fountain up close in 2025. Daily peaks reached up to around 70,000 visitors during the busiest periods.

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Despite the new measures, not everyone is playing along, as the CNN reports. A group of Spanish tourists stood outside the barriers and lobbed coins toward the fountain from above, with several missing the water entirely. Below, paying visitors reportedly ducked as coins rained down on them. A city official noted that patrols would eventually be introduced to prevent injuries. From flying coins. At a fountain. In the 21^st century.

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Rome’s councillor for major events Alessandro Onorato was unapologetic about the fee, claiming that “if the Trevi Fountain were in New York City, they would charge $100 to enter.” I mean, he’s not wrong.

The Trevi move is part of a broader Italian crackdown on overtourism, joining Venice’s peak-time entry fee for day-trippers and new access restrictions at Instagram-famous spots like Juliet’s balcony in Verona. Italy is clearly done being a free-to-use photo backdrop for a gazillion Instagram photos.

It’s important to note that children under five, people with disabilities, and Rome residents are exempt from the fee. And if you’re planning a trip and want to take some photos during peak hours, you can buy tickets online or via QR codes at the site.

[via PetaPixel]

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