Rome's Trevi Fountain Implements €2 Entry Fee to Tackle Overtourism
Travel expert Simon Calder has described the new booking system for Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain as a 'real faff' as the city introduces charges to manage the overwhelming crowds of tourists. The €2 (£1.75) entrance fee comes into effect on February 2, marking a significant shift in how one of the world's most famous landmarks is accessed.
New Measures to Control Visitor Numbers
Rome has joined a growing list of global cities taking decisive action against overtourism, which has plagued numerous popular destinations in recent years. Authorities are implementing these changes to address enormous crowds and unacceptable visitor conduct that have strained local infrastructure and resources.
The Baroque masterpiece, which attracts approximately 30,000 visitors daily, will now require tourists to purchase tickets for access to the fountain basin between 9am and 10pm each day. While coins thrown into the fountain will continue their traditional donation to charity, the new entrance fees will be directed to the city council.
Financial Implications and Expanded Charging
Officials anticipate generating €6.5 million annually from the Trevi Fountain alone, with funds earmarked for maintenance and improved visitor management systems. The fountain isn't the only attraction affected by these changes, as fees have been introduced at five additional sites including the Napoleonic Museum, creating a broader strategy to manage tourism across Rome's key landmarks.
Simon Calder revealed the practical challenges of the new system during his BBC Breakfast appearance, stating it took him 15 minutes to secure a ticket. He explained: 'It's a real faff, but they say it is necessary at the Trevi Fountain, and five other locations around Rome, in order to keep tourism manageable.'
Balancing Access and Management
The travel expert elaborated on the rationale behind the controversial measure: 'The idea is that tourism is so intense in some key locations, that you have got to do something to control it.' He noted that while the fee might create initial inconvenience, it's unlikely to deter visitors significantly and should improve the overall experience by reducing overcrowding.
Calder highlighted previous incidents that prompted these measures, including cases of people climbing into the fountain, which now requires police presence to remove offenders and impose substantial fines. The new system aims to bring greater decorum to the popular site, especially during peak summer months when visitor numbers become particularly challenging to manage.
Exemptions and Public Reaction
Not all visitors will need to pay the new charge. Rome residents, children aged five and under, and disabled visitors can still enter without charge, while viewing the Trevi Fountain from surrounding areas remains completely free for everyone. This tiered approach attempts to balance accessibility with crowd management.
The implementation has divided local opinion, with Calder observing: 'I think Romans are in two separate camps here. There's the people that say it is a public space, you can't possibly start regulating entry, it is anti-democratic and anti-freedom. Then there's others that say, frankly, when you're into the summer in Rome things become a bit unmanageable and anything we can do to try to bring some decorum has to be a good thing.'
As Rome joins other European cities in implementing tourist management fees, the success of this approach at the Trevi Fountain will likely influence similar measures at other overcrowded attractions worldwide. The coming months will reveal whether the €2 charge achieves its dual goals of generating maintenance funds while creating a more sustainable visitor experience at one of Italy's most beloved landmarks.
