The Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world, a wall of carved travertine and rushing water that fills almost the whole of a small square. Throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain is a ritual for millions of visitors each year, and seeing it in person is far more impressive than the photos suggest.
Why visit the Trevi Fountain
The fountain marks the end of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct built in ancient Rome that still brings water into the city centre. The present design, by Nicola Salvi, was built in the 18th century against the back of Palazzo Poli. At its centre stands Oceanus on a shell-shaped chariot pulled by sea horses and tritons, one horse calm and one wild, representing the changing moods of the sea.
The fountain gained a new kind of fame from cinema, above all the scene in Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita where Anita Ekberg wades into the basin. Do not try it yourself: entering the water or sitting on the edge is forbidden and fines are enforced.
Getting to the Trevi Fountain by metro
There is no metro station on the square itself, but two Line A stations are within walking distance:
- Barberini on Line A is the usual choice. From Piazza Barberini, walk downhill along Via del Tritone and follow the signs for the Fontana di Trevi. The walk takes about ten minutes.
- Spagna on Line A, at the Spanish Steps, is about 15 minutes away on foot through the shopping streets.
The fountain is hidden in a tangle of narrow lanes, and part of the fun is turning a corner and suddenly hearing the water. Buses along Via del Tritone and Via del Corso also stop within a few minutes' walk.
Entry, access rules and the coin toss
For most of its history the Trevi Fountain was free and open to everyone at all hours. In recent years the city has introduced measures to manage the crowds, including controlled entry to the steps right beside the basin and a small charge for that area, while the wider view from the square has remained free. Rules like these are still being adjusted, so check the City of Rome's official tourism information before your visit rather than relying on older guides.
Whatever the access arrangements, the tradition is the same: stand with your back to the fountain and toss a coin over your shoulder with your right hand. One coin means you will return to Rome. The coins are collected regularly and donated to charity, which adds up to a large sum each year.
A few rules to keep in mind:
- Do not sit on the rim, climb on the sculptures or put your feet in the water.
- Eating on the steps around the fountain is not allowed.
- Keep an eye on your phone and wallet, as crowded squares attract pickpockets.
Best time to visit the Trevi Fountain
The fountain is busy from mid morning until well after dark, and in high season it can be hard even to reach the front. The quietest time by far is early morning, ideally around sunrise, when you may share the square with only a handful of photographers and street cleaners. Late at night is calmer than the evening, but rarely empty.
The fountain is lit after dark, and the white stone glows against the water, so an evening visit is worth it even if you also come at dawn. A visit rarely needs more than 20 to 30 minutes unless you stop for gelato nearby.
What to look for
The central figure of Oceanus
Look at the two sea horses: one rearing and restless, the other calm, symbolising the sea in storm and at rest.
The side statues
Statues of Abundance and Health stand in niches on either side, with reliefs above telling the story of the aqueduct's origins.
The "ace of cups"
On the right of the fountain is a large stone vase. A popular story says it was added to block the view of a barber who criticised the work, though that tale is more legend than record.
Nearby on the same metro stop
From Barberini and the fountain, you can easily walk to:
- Palazzo Barberini: a national gallery of old masters in a Baroque palace by the station.
- The Quirinal Palace: the Italian president's residence on the hill above the fountain.
- The Spanish Steps: about 15 minutes away on foot.
- The Pantheon: roughly ten minutes west through the old streets.
Discover more around this station with the Trevi Fountain on Around the Metro, or browse the full Rome metro map.