Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)

Situated at the end of the restored Aqua Virgo aqueduct, the Trevi Fountain is a popular spot for first-time and returning visitors alike. It's an essential stop on just about every guided tour of Rome, whether on foot or by bike, which also typically visit the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona.

Although easy to squeeze into a busy day of sightseeing, you’ll still have to jockey for position close to the fountain in order to throw a coin over your left shoulder and (supposedly) guarantee a return to Rome.

• The palace behind the fountain was redesigned to include majestic columns and statues befitting the fountain below.

• Wear comfortable shoes to walk through central Rome's cobbled streets.

• Distracted tourists make easy targets for pickpockets, so keep your valuables close.

• The Trevi Fountain was the central monument in the movie Three Coins in the Fountain and played a memorable role in Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.

• Throwing a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain has a symbolic meaning, of returning to Rome someday.

The Trevi Fountain dominates the Piazza di Trevi in the historic center of Rome, not far from the Quirinal Palace. It's easiest to get there on foot or by bike, given the narrow streets surrounding the fountain. On the metro, take line A to the Barberini stop.

The Trevi is an outdoor public fountain, open year-round. Given its popularity, sometimes visitors have to wait their turn to admire it, get a good picture, or get close enough for a coin toss. Early morning and evening visits can be quieter and more atmospheric, especially during Rome's less touristed winter months. To avoid crowds and get stunning lighting for your photos, visit at sunrise.

Coins thrown into the Trevi Fountain add up quickly, amounting to a few thousand euros/dollars per day. The coins are collected by the city each night, and the money is given to a local charity called Caritas, which helps Rome's neediest citizens.

No, the Trevi Fountain is an outdoor landmark in the heart of Rome’s historic center, and passers-by can marvel at its baroque glory without joining a tour. The fountain is a highlight of many Rome walking tours—together with other nearby A-listers like the ancient Pantheon and elegant Piazza Navona.

You can get a good look at the fountain and snap photos in a few minutes. There are benches that rise in tiers from the fountain’s lower basin where you can sit and ponder its ornate design, though local police close access to this area when crowds peak.

Yes, the fountain is located outdoors and is accessible 24 hours a day. Unless there is cleaning or restoration work in progress, the water is never turned off—not even when the city maintenance crew comes each evening to remove the thousands of coins tossed into the fountain’s lower basin.

One of Rome’s most famous sights, the Trevi Fountain gets packed with visitors in midday, and it can be hard to enjoy. The best times to visit are the quieter early morning hours or late in the evening, when there are fewer people and the fountain is lit.

No, you can approach the fountain’s lower basin to snap a photo or toss a coin, but you are not allowed to put your hands in the water. The police officers patrolling the fountain will issue a fine if you reach into the water or, worse, jump in to swim.

Yes, the Trevi Fountain is one of the most photographed landmarks in Rome and is particularly attractive by night. For great selfies with the fountain, head to the bottom tier of benches and stand in front of the lower basin with the rushing water and towering statues behind you.