The rule in short
Since July 2019, an urban police regulation has replaced the rules of 1946. It forbids bathing in historic fountains, entering them, throwing objects or liquids in, putting an animal in the water, climbing them or lying on them. It also forbids sitting, lying or climbing on monuments and ancient remains. Offenders risk a fine and, for serious breaches, a 48-hour ban from the area (an "urban Daspo").
The fountains named by the city include the Trevi Fountain, the Fountain of the Lions in Piazza del Popolo, the Barcaccia in Piazza di Spagna and the Fontanone on the Janiculum.
The fines published by the city
According to the table of penalties published by Rome Capitale in July 2019:
- Bathing in a historic fountain or misusing it: €160 to €450, depending on severity.
- Defacing or damaging a monument: from €400.
- Offences in parks and gardens: €100 to €400.
The municipal police watch the Trevi Fountain around the clock. In September 2023, two tourists who entered the basin were fined €450 and given an urban Daspo.
Trevi Fountain: coin, edge and paid access
Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain is the only tradition expressly kept: it is allowed. Sitting on the edge of the basin, eating, drinking, smoking or climbing is forbidden, with fines of €40 to €240 according to the city, and entering the water or drawing water from it is punished from €450.
Since 2 February 2026, access to the area next to the basin is paid for non-residents (€2, from 9am to 10pm). The square itself stays free; detailed hours and prices are in the fountain's page.
Spanish Steps: do not sit
The regulation treats the Trinità dei Monti steps as a monument that cannot be occupied or used as a bench: sitting or lying on the steps, and picnicking there, is forbidden, and officers call offenders to order. Take your photos while walking and rest elsewhere. Details are in the page on Piazza di Spagna. The Barcaccia, at the foot of the steps, is protected like the other fountains.
Other street rules
The same regulation also bans unlicensed street selling of food and drink, "centurions" posing for money in the historic areas and organised pub crawls. For alcohol in the street, see our guide to alcohol in the street in Rome. For the traps around monuments, see the scams to avoid in Rome.
Summary table
| Situation | Rule | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Bathing in a historic fountain | Forbidden | €160 to €450 |
| Entering the Trevi basin or drawing water from it | Forbidden | from €450 |
| Sitting on the Trevi edge, eating or drinking there | Forbidden | €40 to €240 |
| Tossing a coin at Trevi | Allowed | – |
| Sitting on the Trinità dei Monti steps | Forbidden | according to the city's scale |
| Damaging a monument | Forbidden | from €400 |
Information checked in October 2026 on the pages of Rome Capitale (comune.roma.it) and the Rome tourist board (turismoroma.it).
Going further
The guide to etiquette and rules in Rome gathers all the practical topics in one place.
