Trevi Fountain: history, tickets 2026 and how to get there

Trevi Fountain in Rome now operates under new rules. From February 2, 2026, entry to the inner perimeter costs €2 for city visitors (as of 09/2026, fountain's official website). It used to be free to enter, and many old guidebooks still promise free access.

From outside, the fountain is still visible for free, at any time of day. You only pay to walk up to the basin itself, to the best photo spots.

Below you'll find the full picture: thirty years of construction, a breakdown of the name, the fate of the coins, and a short walk from the metro. We'll also cover which rules are best not to break.

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History of the Trevi Fountain

💡 In short:

• Entry to the inner perimeter: €2 for visitors to Rome, open ticket, no time slot
• Hours: Monday from 11:30, Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00, last entry at 21:00
• From outside, the fountain is free and open around the clock
• Prices and hours: 09/2026, verified on the fountain's official website

© Stefano Lovato from Bologna, Italia · CC BYPhoto: Stefano Lovato from Bologna, Italia, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The history of the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) begins with a water supply, not with sculptures. Water was brought to Rome as early as the reign of Emperor Augustus, in the 1st century BC. The Aqua Virgo aqueduct ran to the Campus Martius and supplied the city with drinking water. The Romans maintained this system for centuries, and part of it still works today (according to the monument's official history).

After the fall of Rome, the aqueducts fell into disrepair, and Aqua Virgo was no exception. Collecting the city's water began again in the Renaissance.

The fountain got a new life under Pope Urban VIII. In 1640, Bernini prepared the first sketch of a palace fountain, but the pontiff died and the project stalled. Clement XII picked up the idea: by then Palazzo Poli already stood on the square.

The sculptural group was designed to be subordinated to the palace facade, turning the square into a kind of theatrical stage. The project was designed by Niccolò Salvi, and his work is still called the master's main achievement today (according to the Rome tourist office). Today you see exactly this Baroque facade, not a freestanding basin.

Construction: from project to launch

In 1732, Salvi began work, and construction stretched over thirty years. The master died ten years before the fountain was launched. His friend and pupil finished the job: Pietro Bracci placed the main figure on the shell chariot.

© Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA · CC BYPhoto: Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The sculpture depicts a sea god in a grotto. The shell is pulled by hippocamps, half-horses, half-fish. Tritons hold their reins, blowing into shells. The result is a whole scene of movement that you can still make out on the facade today (according to the historical essay).

Architecture and sculptures

The fountain occupies almost the entire facade of Palazzo Poli. The Baroque structure is supported by niches, columns, and an apse behind the main sculpture. To make it all fit, the architects rebuilt the palace portal and raised the pediment.

Four statues on the attic symbolize the seasons.

The basin stretches 49 meters, and the height of the entire composition is 26.3 meters (as of 09/2026, fountain's official website). The upper part is adorned with papal heraldry in Carrara marble. Two crossed jets of water flow at the edge, called "the lovers."

At night, the lighting comes on, and the water in the basin shimmers blue. Previously, visitors were not allowed near the parapet. Now, for €2, you enter the inner perimeter and examine the details up close.

The name and where to put the stress

© Miguel Hermoso Cuesta · CC BY-SAPhoto: Miguel Hermoso Cuesta, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The name has two versions, and neither has been proven definitively. According to the first, Trevi is a modified form of the Latin trivium, "three roads": the fountain stands where three streets meet. According to the second, the name came from a girl named Trivia, who showed the Romans a spring.

The composition: Oceanus and his entourage

At first glance you notice the figure in the shell, pointing forward with one hand. This is the god Oceanus, although he is often mistaken for Neptune. He has no trident; sea horses and tritons surround him. The palace facade and the sculpture complement each other.

© Bert Kaufmann from Roermond, Netherlands · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bert Kaufmann from Roermond, Netherlands, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Two female figures stand in the niches on either side. Above the goddess of abundance on the left is the consul Agrippa, approving the aqueduct project. Above the goddess of health on the right, a girl shows soldiers the spring. The water from that stream was brought to Rome, and the flow was named the "virgin waters" (Acqua Vergine). Hence the name of the aqueduct: Aqua Virgo, meaning "waters of the virgin."

Streams of water flow gracefully over the stone and fall with a soft murmur. During the day the square is crowded, and in the evening soft lighting turns it into a stage.

But the place also has a strict side. You cannot bathe in the basin: entering the water carries a fine starting at €450 (as of 09/2026, official fountain website).

Legends and coins

The belief is simple: turn your back to the fountain and toss in one coin, and you will return to Rome. Two coins promise a meeting with your other half, three foretell a quick wedding, and four hint at wealth.

Another legend concerns the water from the two small spouts on the right. Lovers drink from them and, according to the belief, then live in harmony.

The money in the basin does not go to waste. The city water utility ACEA collects it, and the proceeds are donated to the charity Caritas di Roma. The amount is about €1.4 million per year (as of 09/2026, Reuters).

Interesting facts about travertine and marble

If you look at the fountain up close, the difference between the stones is noticeable. The smooth facing is set off by porous travertine: the Latins quarried it in the mountains, and it was also found in grottoes, where it hung as stalactites. For the Romans, this Tiburtine stone had an almost mystical meaning and was associated with water.

Medieval craftsmen could not replicate the Roman technology. The new pipes required a binding mortar made with volcanic ash. Cement was only rediscovered in the 19th century.

Carrara marble for sculptures began to be quarried as early as the time of Julius Caesar. Trajan's Column is built from this stone, and Michelangelo carved with it. The Carrara quarries still operate today.

The Romans extracted volcanic ash right under the city, often by the hands of slaves. The abandoned mines and catacombs were later filled in, and buildings were erected on top. Today, walking tours lead through the cleared underground spaces.

Restoration and modern maintenance

In 1998, the basin was thoroughly cleaned and pumps with filters were installed to recirculate the water. The devices operate as self-cleaning systems (according to the Rome tourism office).

The next phase was supported by the fashion house Fendi. The restoration, costing almost €2.2 million, was completed in November 2015, and with it the fountain received new LED lighting (as of 11/2015, restoration chronicle).

In the winter of 2017, freezing temperatures burst several pipes, and the water supply had to be shut off. Since then, repairs have been carried out regularly. In 2026, a new access rule was added: starting February 2, entering the inner perimeter will cost you €2.

Tickets and opening hours

From February 2, 2026, access to the inner perimeter is by ticket. For visitors to Rome it costs 2 €, for local residents entry remains free (as of 09/2026, fountain's official website). Children under six, people with disabilities with an accompanying person, licensed guides, and Roma MIC card holders enter free.

The ticket is not time-specific: you buy it in advance and use the designated line. The ticket office is on Via della Stamperia, the exit is on the other side, on Via dei Crociferi.

Rules apply inside the basin area. Do not sit on the edge, do not eat or smoke near the water. Entering the water carries a fine starting at 450 €, and damaging the monument can lead to criminal liability (as of 09/2026, access rules).

• Who it's for: first-time visitors to Rome who want to see the monument up close, not just from the square.
• Not for: those looking for quiet and empty shots in the middle of the day.
• The catch: even in the evening there are many people at the basin, so you'll only get a calm photo early in the morning.

Good to know: there are no toilets or luggage storage on site, so bring a small bag. Dogs are allowed only in a carrier or on a leash with a muzzle.

Seeing the fountain with a guide is more convenient in the evening, when the lights come on. Book a Rome tour on GetYourGuide in advance, without dealing with the ticket office.

How to get to the fountain

The fountain stands on Piazza di Trevi, in the very center of Rome. On foot from the historic center you'll get there in ten minutes; from outlying neighborhoods it takes longer.

The most convenient metro option is line A, Barberini station: about a 5-minute walk from there (as of 09/2026, fountain's official website). From Cavour station on line B it's about a 15-minute walk. Buses 118, 190F, 30, 46, and 60 stop at Piazza Barberini and Piazza Venezia.

From Fiumicino Airport (FCO), first take the Leonardo Express to Termini station, then go down to the metro and ride to Barberini in the direction of Battistini. You can also book a transfer from Fiumicino Airport directly to your hotel.

The center is part of the restricted traffic zone, ZTL. Leave your car outside its boundary and continue on foot.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Do you need a ticket to see the Trevi Fountain?

No, the fountain is visible from outside for free at any time. The €2 ticket is only needed to enter the inner perimeter, closer to the basin. Entry is free for Rome residents, children under six, and Roma MIC card holders (as of 09/2026, entry conditions).

How much does entry cost in 2026?

For visitors to the city, the ticket costs €2 and is not tied to a time slot. You can buy it on site by card, at tourist information points, or online. Payment at the entrance itself is by card only; cash is accepted at other points of sale (as of 09/2026, Rome tourist office).

Can you swim in the fountain?

No. Entering the water is prohibited and punishable by a fine starting at €450. Only the traditional coin toss is allowed. Damaging the monument carries a stricter penalty, up to criminal liability under the Italian code (as of 09/2026, official fountain website).

How do you get to the fountain from Termini station?

Go down to the metro and take line A toward Battistini to Barberini station. From the exit, it's about a 5-minute walk to Piazza di Trevi. The whole trip takes just a few stops, so you won't need a taxi (as of 09/2026, official fountain website).

What happens to the coins in the basin?

They are collected by the city utility ACEA, and the money is donated to the charity Caritas di Roma. It amounts to about €1.4 million a year. Part of the sum goes to food and helping people in need in the city (as of 09/2026, investigation about the coins).

In short: what's worth booking

If you only need the fountain, a free view from the square and a €2 ticket inside will be enough (as of 09/2026, current rules). If you want context and stories, take an evening guided tour.

For a place to stay nearby, choose hotels in the center: you can walk to Piazza di Trevi. See hotels in Rome on Trip.com.

Plan your visit for early morning or late evening: during the day there are a lot of people around the basin. And don't forget a coin if you want to come back.