The Tourist Behavior That's Causing A Massive Stir At Italy's Trevi Fountain

In the middle of the Trevi Fountain in Rome stands Oceanus, one of the most revered sculptures in the world. Muscular and bearded, Oceanus poses commandingly between stone pillars, one arm extended and the other crooked. Two horses pull his chariot along; Pietro Bracci carved these figures so meticulously in the 1760s that they truly appear to gallop through the water. In pictures, this Baroque masterpiece looks like a big theatrical scene, set on a stone stage, with additional symbolic figures — Abundance and Health — flanking Oceanus and numerous other icons scattered throughout. If you only have a one-day trip in Rome, the Trevi Fountain is a must-see.

But an actual visit to the Trevi Fountain is a lot different than it appears in stock photos. By some estimates, about 1,200 people visit the fountain every hour; this leaves little room to stand, much less snap a decent photo or (heaven forbid) quietly study the artistry. During the busiest times, the Piazza di Trevi is mobbed with tourists, and the site has faced a good deal of misbehavior. Some visitors want to splash around in the fountain itself, which is strictly prohibited. In 2023, a tourist climbed onto the artwork to fill up a water bottle in the fountain. Elbow room for photographs can get so competitive that eight visitors started a full-on skirmish in 2018. Pettiest of all, a man in 2024 was fined for stealing coins from the fountain, which is technically a crime. All these shenanigans have led the city of Rome to consider extreme measures, including timed visits.

The Trevi Fountain has always been an interactive experience, dating all the way back to 19 B.C., when this spot marked the endpoint of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct and Roman citizens could drink directly from it. "Trevi" is short for "tre vie," indicating the intersection of three streets. In short, this was a very busy location, even 2,000 years ago, and it was perfectly reasonable for passersby to stop and sip or fill a vessel.

The popular act of tossing a coin into the fountain may also date back to ancient times. Today, throwing one coin into the watery depths is said to foretell that you'll return to Rome. A second coin promises you'll find love in Rome, and a third indicates that you'll actually get married there. Here again, the public has long been encouraged to engage with the Trevi Fountain — and the daily influx of over $3,000 in coins is actually collected for charity.

Finally, there's "La Dolce Vita," the classic Federico Fellini film from 1960, in which two protagonists tromp into the fountain, stand beneath its falling waters, and share a romantic moment. This is one of the most iconic scenes in European cinema, and it speaks to the city's freewheeling reputation; if Rome is a place of passionate lovers and chaotic traffic patterns, why shouldn't a couple jump in the water? This moment is wonderful to watch in vintage black and white, but in the 21st century, that kind of impulsivity could get you arrested. 

Despite the Trevi's interactive history, there are no excuses for breaking the rules, and the Roman government has had to make some tough decisions. Adding to the conflict is a significant restoration project, as workers spent part of 2024 repairing the two-and-a-half-century-old artwork. Everyone hopes to see the Trevi Fountain returned to its original grandeur in honor of the 2025 Jubilee celebrations, but many tourists get impatient around the ugly scaffolding, especially if this is the one time they ever expect to get a selfie with old Oceanus.

To start, Rome is starting a queueing system, so guests must reserve a spot and enter the piazza in stages. This is designed to prevent overcrowding and has already gained a lot of traction at other major tourist sites around the world. The city is also considering an entrance fee, just like museums and major monuments. Authorities believe than thinner crowds and more room to take pictures will help ease tensions and reduce all the monkey business. Future Trevi patrons will face more structured policies, but if all goes well, visits to the fountain will be more refreshing, as well. If you want to avoid large tourist crowds in Rome, consider a trip in the spring or autumn.