Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps

The Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps are Rome’s two best-known Baroque set pieces. They are about a ten-minute walk apart, both are open-air, and both are best seen early in the morning or late in the evening. A key change for visitors: since February 2026, Rome charges a small fee to go down to the basin of the Trevi Fountain, although the square around it is still free to stand in. Details are below.

Do you have to pay to see the Trevi Fountain?

You can see it for free from the surrounding square. According to Turismo Roma, the city’s tourist information site, since 2 February 2026 a EUR 2 ticket is required to enter the area closest to the basin. Rome residents, small children and people with disabilities (with a companion) are exempt, and reports differ on the age cut-off and on the exact hours when the fee applies, so check the official fountain site, fontanaditrevi.roma.it, before you go. Tickets can be bought online, at tourist information points and, by card, at the entrance. The scheme is described as running to the end of 2027.

Check current details: these rules are new and may change.

History of the Trevi Fountain

The fountain marks the end of an ancient aqueduct, the Aqua Virgo, which Marcus Agrippa had built in 19 BC and which supplied the baths and fountains of central Rome. The name Trevi is often linked to the “tre vie”, the three streets that meet here. Pope Clement XII held a design competition in 1730, and Nicola Salvi’s design was built over the following decades; it was completed in 1762 after Salvi’s death. The central figure is Oceanus in a shell-shaped chariot pulled by sea horses, set against the facade of Palazzo Poli. It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city.

It appears in film, notably in La Dolce Vita (1960) and Three Coins in the Fountain (1954), which helped build its fame.

Why do people throw coins in the Trevi Fountain?

The tradition says that if you toss a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand while facing away from the fountain, you will return to Rome. Local charity Caritas collects the coins, which are used for projects such as food assistance. Do not wade in or remove coins: that is illegal, and Rome enforces rules on fountains and monuments.

What is the best time to visit the Trevi Fountain?

Very early in the morning, before the square fills, or late in the evening, when the lighting is dramatic. The middle of the day and weekends are the most crowded. Is it crowded at night? Yes, it often is, though the lights make it worthwhile and the crowd is usually less intense late at night. Watch for pickpockets in the crush.

The Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) connect Piazza di Spagna with the church of Trinità dei Monti above. They were built in 1723-25 to a design by Francesco de Sanctis, with French funding, and have 135 steps. At their foot is the Barcaccia fountain, a sinking boat fountain attributed to Pietro Bernini and his son Gian Lorenzo. The English poets Keats and Shelley are associated with the area, and the Keats-Shelley House beside the steps is a small museum. In spring azaleas decorate the steps.

Can you sit on the Spanish Steps?

Rome introduced a ban on sitting on the steps in 2019, with fines reported at EUR 250 and rising to EUR 400 for damage or dirt. Police have been reported patrolling and asking people to keep moving. Enforcement varies, so treat the steps as a place to climb and enjoy the view, and rest elsewhere. Eating on the steps is also discouraged.

Connecting both on one walk

1. Start at the Spanish Steps in the early morning, climb to the terrace for the view over the city.
2. Walk along Via dei Condotti, the high-end shopping street, or take the quieter back streets.
3. Arrive at the Trevi Fountain, about ten minutes’ walk.
4. Continue to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, another ten minutes or so.

In the evening, reverse the route and finish with dinner. If you prefer a guided version, see best night tours in Rome, the Rome by night walking tour, and our Rome at night guide.

Getting there

Metro Line A to Barberini is the closest stop for the Trevi (about five minutes’ walk), and Spagna is at the Steps. Buses serve the area, and there is no stop directly at the fountain. See getting around Rome.

Nearby

Villa Borghese and the Pincio terrace are just up the hill from the Steps; see the Borghese Gallery and Villa Borghese. For a wider plan, see things to do in Rome.