Trevi Fountain

History of the Trevi Fountain

The history of the Trevi Fountain goes back to antiquity. This is where the Aqua Virgo aqueduct once ended, carrying fresh water into the city from springs east of Rome since 19 BC. The aqueduct’s name comes from a legend in which a young woman is said to have shown Roman soldiers the way to the springs.

The fountain as it stands today wasn’t built until many centuries later. As early as the 17th century, Pope Urban VIII commissioned plans for a grand new fountain, though the project didn’t go ahead at the time. Construction only began in 1732, based on designs by architect Nicola Salvi. After Salvi’s death in 1751, Giuseppe Pannini took over as construction lead and completed the fountain in 1762.

Today, the Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s best-known landmarks. The coin-toss tradition has made it famous well beyond Italy. According to legend, anyone who throws a coin over their left shoulder into the fountain will one day return to Rome. Around €3,000 lands in the water every day. The Roman utility company Acea collects it and hands it over to Caritas Rome, which uses it to fund social projects across the city.

Opening hours

The square in front of the Trevi Fountain is open around the clock, and the fountain itself is always visible from there. Since February 2026, the area right at the basin has set access hours, outside of which it's closed off.

Last entry to the basin area is 9:00 PM daily. Every other Monday, opening shifts to 2:00 PM because of the coin collection.

How long are the wait times at the Trevi Fountain?

There's no wait to see the fountain from the piazza. Access to the basin area can involve lines, though, especially between 10 AM and 10 PM.

How much does it cost to visit the Trevi Fountain?

Since February 2, 2026, access to the area right at the basin of the Fontana di Trevi costs €2. The square in front remains free and open to everyone; the ticket only applies to the roped-off area directly at the basin.

Residents show a valid ID card, guides their license. The free-entry rule also applies on the first Sunday of the month, when city museums usually offer free admission – at the Trevi Fountain, the ticket is still required on those days.

Where can you get tickets for the Trevi Fountain?

Tickets for the Fontana di Trevi can be bought online, directly at city museums and tourist information points, and at affiliated sales points, by cash or card. At the entrance to the basin itself, only card payment is accepted.

If you already have a ticket, one of the free-entry passes, or a MIC Card, you go straight to the separate fast-track line. Without a ticket bought in advance, you'll need to queue at the ticket counter on Via della Stamperia.

Guided Tours Around and Under the Trevi Fountain

On a guided tour around the Trevi Fountain, you'll learn more about how the fountain came to be built and its role in the city's water supply. Many tours also take you into the underground excavations beneath the neighborhood, which are easy to miss otherwise.

One highlight is a visit to the Vicus Caprarius, also known as the "City of Water." Remains of ancient houses survive there, along with parts of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct, which still supplies the Trevi Fountain with water today. The excavations give a vivid sense of how ancient Rome's water supply actually worked.

A guided tour combines a visit to the Trevi Fountain with these underground excavations, adding background on the history, architecture, and water supply behind this famous landmark.

How do I get to the Trevi Fountain?

The Trevi Fountain sits in Rome's historic center and is easy to reach by public transport. By metro, take Line A to Barberini. From there, it's about a five-minute walk to the fountain. Several bus lines also serve the area, including 52, 53, 62, 63, 71, 80, 83, 85, 160, 492, and 628, all stopping at "Tritone / Fontana di Trevi," just a two-minute walk from the fountain.

Many visitors reach the Trevi Fountain on foot, since it's just a few minutes from sights like the Spanish Steps or the Pantheon. Taxis are also a straightforward option. Since the old town around the fountain has limited access for cars, you'll usually cover the last stretch on foot regardless.

Highlights – What to See

The Coin-Toss Tradition at the Trevi Fountain

For many visitors, the coin toss is part of any stop at the Trevi Fountain. According to legend, anyone who throws a coin over their left shoulder into the fountain will one day return to Rome. The tradition gained international fame mainly through the 1954 film Three Coins in the Fountain.

Where does the tradition come from?

Its roots likely go back to antiquity, when people threw coins into springs and bodies of water to thank the gods for clean water or to ask for a safe journey. The tradition as it's known today, though, developed over the centuries and became closely tied to the Trevi Fountain specifically.

How the ritual works

For the classic coin toss, stand with your back to the fountain and throw a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder into the water. According to tradition, one coin means you'll return to Rome. Two or three coins have different meanings, such as finding new love or a coming wedding, though there's no fixed rule for this.

What happens to the coins?

Several thousand euros land in the Trevi Fountain every day. The coins are collected regularly and used for social causes. For many years, Caritas Rome received most of the proceeds and used them to fund, among other things, food assistance for people in need. Today, the city of Rome decides how the donated funds are used, and they continue to go toward social projects.

Frequently Asked Questions