Public toilets and drinking fountains (nasoni) in Rome

Rome has far fewer public toilets than fountains: you can drink free water almost everywhere, but you need to know where to go when you are looking for a toilet between the Colosseum and the Vatican. This guide explains how to drink from the "nasoni", the small cast-iron fountains, where to find toilets (sites, stations, bars, shopping centres) and how to plan for summer and for travelling with children. The information was checked in October 2026.

Drinking water: the nasoni

A nasone, one of Rome's drinking fountains

The nasoni ("big noses") are the green cast-iron fountains you see on Rome's street corners, with a curved tap that runs continuously. The water is drinkable, the same as Romans' tap water: you can fill your bottle without worry. According to figures from the operator Acea quoted in the local press, about 2,500 nasoni work across the city, including a good hundred to two hundred in the historic centre.

How to drink. Put a finger over the end of the tap: a small hole on top then sends a jet upwards, handy for drinking without touching the metal. Fill your bottle from the spout.

Good to know. - A fountain marked "acqua non potabile" is not for drinking. - The big monumental fountains, such as Trevi, are not for drinking or bathing: entering or sitting in them is forbidden, and fines are real. - Acea also runs about seventy "Case dell'Acqua" (kiosks with chilled still or sparkling water) in the neighbourhoods, mostly residential: they are not on tourist routes. - Acea's free apps Acquea and Waidy WOW show water points on a map, in Italian, English and Spanish.

Toilets: where to find them

Public toilets are rare in central Rome. Here are the options, from the most practical to the most uncertain.

In the sites you visit: the Colosseum, the Forum and Palatine, the Vatican Museums and most museums have toilets inside, free for visitors. Use them before you leave: coming back in is often impossible without a new ticket.
In stations: Termini station has pay toilets (bring change). Metro stations generally have none.
In a bar or café: the easiest for everyone. Have a coffee at the counter and ask "il bagno, per favore". In very busy places you may be told the toilets are for customers only; order something, that is the rule.
In food halls and shopping centres: the Mercato Centrale at Termini and the big chains have facilities open to customers.
In parks: the Villa Borghese has toilets in several places, mainly near the museums and main paths; their condition varies.
In churches: do not count on it. Basilicas generally have no toilets for visitors.

Summary table: where to go depending on where you are

Where you are	Solution	Cost
Colosseum, Forum, Palatine	Site toilets, before or during the visit	Free with the ticket
Vatican	Vatican Museums, or a bar near St Peter's Square	Free (museum) or a drink
Pantheon, Trevi, Spanish Steps	Nearest bar	A drink
Termini station	Station toilets	Paid
Villa Borghese	Park facilities	Varies
Everywhere	Nasoni for water	Free

Tips for summer and for children

Carry a water bottle: Roman summers often exceed 30 °C and queues are long. Refill it at every nasone; it is the most useful habit of the day.
With young children: take a toilet break before entering a site, in a bar or at the museum, rather than in the street. Our guide to Rome with children gives other pointers.
To cool down: nasoni are also good for wetting a scarf or a cap.
With a pushchair or wheelchair: accessible toilets are mainly in museums and large stations; check before the visit.

Going further

To save money without giving up your visits, read free things to do in Rome and the budget for a trip to Rome. For counter coffee, change and tipping, see paying in Rome. For medical emergencies and pharmacies, see health in Rome. For everything about the nasoni and tap water, see our guide to drinking water in Rome.