Fury in Italy as major city landmark snubbed by tourists | World | News
One of Italy’s and the world’s most famous landmarks has now introduced a regulated access fee as authorities attempt to better manage overcrowding and help fund the upkeep of the much-loved monument. As of February 2, visitors must pay €2 (£1.7) to get close to the famous Trevi Fountain, and take part in the centuries-old tradition of tossing a coin into the water. Anyone who has visited the fountain in recent years will be familiar with the near-constant crowds of people, unless they arrived in the very early hours of the morning.
Now, officials hope the new system will thin the crowds during peak hours and restore a sense of order to one of Rome’s most overwhelmed sites. Under the scheme, visitors must purchase a ticket to access the fountain area between 9am and 10pm each day, including the first Sunday of the month. Access remains free for Rome residents, children under five, and people with disabilities and their carers.
Visitors can still admire the fountain from the piazza above without paying, but only ticket holders are allowed near the basin itself.
On the first day of enforcement, however, reactions appear to have been mixed. While some tourists queued and paid without complaint, understanding the reasons behind the new fee, others reportedly did not wish to pay.
A group of visitors who did not want to buy tickets were seen tossing coins over the barriers toward the fountain, several missing the water entirely, CNN reported.
A Rome city official later confirmed that patrols might be introduced to prevent injuries from stray coins landing on paying tourists below.
Irma Pavitashvili, a tourist from Georgia, also told The Guardian: “This isn’t a good thing at all. This fountain should be for everyone.”
Another tourist from the US told the outlet: “It’s not right to charge people – this is history, it should be free.”
On the other hand, several tourists on Monday said they believe the new fee is important for preserving the monument. Portuguese tourist, Teresa Romero said: “I think it’s normal and €2 is nothing – the price of a coffee. The most important thing is to preserve history.”
City data shows more than 10 million people approached the fountain in 2025 alone, with peak days drawing crowds of up to 70,000. Officials estimate the new charge could raise up to €20 million (£17,2 million) a year.
Rome’s tourism councillor, Alessandro Onorato, defended the fee, calling it a necessary step to protect one of the capital city’s most fragile landmarks. He said that until a year ago, visiting the fountain was an “absurd experience” and he expects the measure to bring in a “healthy revolution.”
He said on Monday: “I think tourists were shocked by the fact that the city of Rome is only asking for €2 for a site of this level.
“I believe that if the Trevi Fountain were in New York, they would have charged at least $100.”
