Trevi Fountain

The Fontana di Trevi just may be the world's most famous wishing well—certainly one of the most lucrative, what with every tourist tossing "three coins in a fountain"

Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain)
Piazza di Trevi
Open daily 24 hours

Viator.com tours
• Ancient Rome Half-Day Walking Tour
• Classical Rome Morning Tour
• Best of Rome Afternoon Walking Tour
• Baroque Rome Small Group Day Tour
• Private Tour: Baroque Rome and Barberini Palace Art History Walking Tour
• Rome by Night Walking Tour
• Rome Photography Walking Tour: Learn How to Take Professional Photos
• Rome Hop-on Hop-off Double Decker Bus Tour

ReidsItaly.com Rome Map

» View ENLARGED MAP with all listings

TOURS FROM TRUSTED PARTNERS

The Trevi Fountain at night.The famous Trevi Fountain is a huge baroque confection of thrashing mer-horses, splashing water, and striding Tritons presided over by a muscular Neptune.

It was sculpted in 1762 by Nicolà Salvi to serve as an outlet for the Acqua Vergine aqueduct, built in 19 B.C. and still running (it also supplies the fountains in Piazza Navona and Piazza di Spagna, a.k.a. the Spanish Steps).

Trevi Fountain traditions

Tourists and teens throng the cramped little piazza's curving steps from early morning until well after midnight while immigrants selling plastic-wrapped roses thread through the crowds.

Legend—and a host of silly American movies (especially Three Coins in the Fountain)—hold that if you toss a coin into this fountain, you're guaranteed to return to Rome.

Some say you must lob the coin with the right hand backward over the left shoulder. Others insist you must use three coins.

Historians point out the original tradition was to drink the fountain's water, but unless you enjoy the taste of chlorine, I'd stick to pocket change.

Tips

Planning your day: If you're just here to snap a picture and throw in a few superstitious coins to make sure you get back to Rome one day, it'll take 5–15 minutes (depending on how much of a crowd you have to fight through). Some folks just like to sit on the steps and hang out for a while—it's too crowded and noisy to be relaxing, but it is interesting for people-watching.
No swimming allowed: Seriously, folks. Unless you're Anita Ekberg, do not strip to your skivvies and just wade in. There are cops constantly on patrol here, and you'll get horribly embarrassed—and probably steeply fined as well.
Gelato alert!: The Trevi Fountain is surrounded by a cocoon of gelato shops and stands; ignore them all and head around the corner to find one of the best gelaterie (ice cream parlors) in all of Rome: San Crispino.
Book a tour: If you prefer a private guided tour that includes a visit to the Trevi Fountain, book one via our partner site Viator.com.

     • Ancient Rome Half-Day Walking Tour
     • Classical Rome Morning Tour
     • Best of Rome Afternoon Walking Tour
     • Baroque Rome Small Group Day Tour
     • Private Tour: Baroque Rome and Barberini Palace Art History Walking Tour
     • Rome by Night Walking Tour
     • Rome Photography Walking Tour: Learn How to Take Professional Photos
     • Rome Hop-on Hop-off Double Decker Bus Tour

ShareThis

Search ReidsItaly.com

This material was last updated February 2011. All information was accurate at the time.

about | contact | faq

» THE REIDSITALY.COM DIFFERENCE «

Copyright © 2008–2011 by Reid Bramblett. All rights reserved.

Trevi Fountain

The Fontana di Trevi just may be the world's most famous wishing well—certainly one of the most lucrative, what with every tourist tossing "three coins in a fountain"

Trevi Fountain traditions

Tips

Related pages