Rome Proposes Entrance Fee for Trevi Fountain to Control Tourism

(AP) — For many tourists, tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain is a must-do ritual to ensure a return to Rome. However, this beloved tradition has led to massive crowds at the Baroque landmark daily, with visitors taking photos and hoping for a future trip back to the Eternal City.

To better manage the influx of tourists to one of Rome’s most popular attractions, city officials are now considering charging a 2-euro ($2.25) fee to access the Trevi Fountain area, which has historically been free to the public.

Alessandro Onorato, Rome’s top tourism official, introduced the proposal following Venice's trial of a 5-euro fee for day-trippers this past summer. While the proposal still requires approval from the City Council, it already has the backing of Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri.

“Two euros is roughly the same amount people throw into the fountain when making a wish,” Onorato explained in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday.

Around the world, cities are struggling to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the challenges it poses for residents and infrastructure, particularly in popular destinations where overcrowding can degrade the experience for both visitors and locals.

In Rome's case, Onorato stressed the need to protect the city’s delicate cultural heritage. “We must avoid, especially in a fragile art city like Rome, the risk of too many tourists negatively impacting the visitor experience and damaging the city,” he said. "We want to ensure tourists don’t face chaos and that locals can continue to live comfortably in the city center."

The proposed system would introduce an entrance fee managed through a reservation system with a QR code. If approved, the fee could be implemented as early as spring 2025, just in time for the Jubilee Holy Year. However, pedestrians in the piazza surrounding the fountain would not be required to pay. The fee would only apply to those descending the nine stone steps to the fountain's edge, while Roman residents would be exempt.

The proposed entrance fee aims not only to manage crowds but also to discourage behaviors like eating on the steps, feeding pigeons, or attempting to recreate the famous scene from Fellini's "La Dolce Vita," where Anita Ekberg wades into the fountain—an act now punishable by a fine. "If we have a system where we know the names and addresses of visitors, such actions would become less frequent, or perhaps disappear entirely," Onorato added.

If enacted, this new measure could change how tourists experience the iconic Trevi Fountain, potentially making it a more orderly and respectful visit for everyone.