In this handy guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting the Trevi Fountain. From how to make use of its world-famous ‘magic’ to more practical information like how to get there, we’re here to help you make your planning easier.

How to get to the Trevi Fountain by train

The Trevi Fountain is situated right in the heart of Rome. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, which means it’s pretty easy to access using public transport.

We always recommend that travellers use the train or metro when exploring the city. This tends to be more time and cost-efficient than taking a taxi. Not to mention that you’ll avoid getting stuck in Rome’s famous traffic.

Which station is nearest to the Trevi Fountain?

The largest and most connected railway station in Rome is Termini. Roma Termini station is one of the most-used railway stations in Europe and can be reached from most of the major Italian regions, as well as cities from neighbouring countries.

To get to the Trevi Fountain from Termini, hop on the metro line A towards Battistini and alight at Barberini. From here it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the Trevi Fountain. The whole journey should take around 12 minutes.

Walking to the Trevi Fountain

Rome is a beautiful city that’s packed full of landmarks and hidden treasures around every corner. One way to ensure you don’t miss anything is by walking. As a large city, there will be times when public transport is a must. Still, the Trevi Fountain is centrally located and within walking distance from many of the Eternal City’s other main tourist attractions.

The Trevi Fountain can be easily reached on foot from The Pantheon, Quirinal Palace, and Palazzo Colonna, among others.

Exploring the Trevi Fountain

Located in the heart of Rome, the Trevi Fountain is built against the beautiful Palazzo Poli. Its presence in the Piazza Trevi has been celebrated for over three centuries. The Trevi Fountain has long been a source of wonderment for both tourists and locals of the Eternal City.

The Trevi Fountain statues

Let’s start with the fountain’s magnificent aesthetics. Face the fountain head-on, and you’ll notice just how operatic the design really is. If you look closely, you’ll see that there’s even a row of seats curved around the front, as if to beckon visitors to stay a while and admire the statues in all their glory. The sculptures themselves are carved from Carrara marble and, like many other landmarks in Rome, tell a story.

The central figure on the fountain is the mighty Oceanus, God of Earth’s water, standing triumphantly upon his chariot. Pulling the chariot are two seahorses, one wild and the other peaceful, representing the two moods of the ocean.

Look to the left, and you’ll see the statue of the goddess Abundance, holding the horn of plenty and with a toppled vase at her feet. She symbolises wealth and good fortune.

Above Abundance is Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a Roman general and architect famous for renovating aqueducts and giving all Romans a better quality of life. He is commanding his generals to construct his vision for a better Rome.

Look to the arch on the right, and you’ll see the statue of Health, or in Greek, Hygieia (from which the modern word hygiene comes). She has a wreath of laurel upon her head and is holding a vase that a snake drinks from. Above Health, you’ll see a virgin maiden directing Roman soldiers to the freshwater below.

At the very top of the fountain, you’ll see four statues symbolising spring, summer, autumn, and winter. There’s also the coat of arms of Pope Clement XII.

The Trevi fountain coins

When you approach the Trevi Fountain, chances are you’ll notice lots of people throwing coins into the water. Why? Because the fountain is magic, of course! Legend has it that if you throw pennies into the water, certain things will happen. The myth started in 1954 when the movie ‘Three Coins in the Fountain’ was released. Here’s what happens:

  • Throw in one coin: you will return to Rome
  • Throw in two coins: you will fall in love with a good-looking Italian
  • Throw in three coins: you will marry the love of your life

While we can’t promise any of these things will happen if you throw coins into the Trevi Fountain, we can guarantee you’ll be blown away by its immense beauty.

Did you know? The money taken from the fountain each year is given to charity. Every year, around a million euros are collected.

 

Here are some tips for visiting the Trevi Fountain:

  • It’s best to get up early and visit the Trevi Fountain just after sunrise to avoid the crowds. This also leaves you the whole day to do some sightseeing around the rest of the city
  • If you have time, we recommend visiting the Trevi Fountain twice, once during the day and once at night. It’s always beautiful, but the Trevi Fountain at night is just spectacular
  • Last but not least, keep an eye on your bag. The Trevi Fountain is a top-rated tourist destination, but unfortunately, there could be pickpockets in operation, especially during more crowded times

Trevi Fountain History and Facts

The Trevi Fountain was designed by Nicola Salvi. However, he died during the construction of the fountain, and the rest of the design work was carried out by Giuseppe Pannini. The latter took it to its completion in 1762.

The site of the Trevi Fountain dates way back to 19 BC when it was the endpoint of the Acqua Virgo aqueduct, which provided clean drinking water to the people of ancient Rome. Fast forward to the present day, and the Trevi Fountain spills out over 80,000 litres of water every day. But be warned, the water these days is just for aesthetic purposes, so don’t be tempted to drink it.

It was once believed that the water that gushed out of the Trevi Fountain had magical properties. A legend said that if a maiden led her sweetheart to the fountain and gave him some of its water, it would ensure his safe return to Rome and his love for all eternity. This legend began the tradition of newlyweds drinking from a small fountain next to the Trevi, thus ensuring their other half was forever faithful.

Did you know? The Trevi Fountain is situated at the meeting point of three famous streets in Rome, Via dei Crocicchi, Via Poli, and Via Delle Muratte. It’s said that the three-headed goddess, Trivia, guards these ancient streets. The name Trevi actually derives from ‘Tre Vie’, which means ‘three ways’.

 

Want to know more about this magnificent landmark? Here are some more facts about the Trevi Fountain:

  • One of the fountain’s statues was put there due to a dispute. The story goes that when Salvi was working on the design, he was going to a barbershop situated close by. The barber kept interfering with the design process. So the Asso di Coppe statue was erected to block his view. The barbershop is no longer there, but this amusing tale still remains
  • The Trevi Fountain is made from the same material as the Colosseum. It’s mostly built from travertine stone, which is the same material used for the ancient arena located a few miles away
  • It’s a crime to steal coins from the fountain
  • The Trevi Fountain has been featured in a variety of films, including Roman Holiday, The Lizzie Mcguire Movie and, most famously, La Dolce Vita
  • In 1996, to honour the death of actor Marcello Mastroianni, the Trevi Fountain was turned off and draped in black. The actor has starred in the famous movie La Dolce Vita, in which the Trevi Fountain famously featured
  • The Trevi Fountain was drained and sealed off from the public from June 2014 to November 2015. It reopened after a €2 million restoration, which was sponsored by Rome-based fashion house, Fendi

Restaurants, Bars and Shops at the Trevi Fountain

If you fancy grabbing a bite to eat or kicking back with a drink during your visit to the Trevi Fountain, you’re in luck. There are loads of bars and eateries within walking distance, so you’re bound to find somewhere to suit your tastes and budget. Whether you’re dreaming of going all out with a fine-dining establishment or you just fancy a few beers with friends, you’ll find the perfect place in the Eternal City.

Hankering after a slice of pizza? L’Arte Della Pizza is a family-run eatery that boasts some of the best pizza in the city. Why do we love L’Arte Della Pizza? Well, not only are its slices second-to-none, but it’s also got some mouth-watering pasta dishes too. If you want authentic Italian food that’s cooked with the freshest ingredients and a little bit of love, go here.

For the deli counter of your dreams, we recommend heading over to La Prosciutteria. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the fountain, and it has some of the best cured meat and cheese in the area. Order a sharing platter and beers for a delicious way to socialise with friends in a chilled-out casual atmosphere.

Baccano is just a two-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain and serves a delicious selection of Mediterranean dishes. It’s a great place for if you’re feeling a bit fancy. Oh, and it has a superb oyster and wine offer – bottoms up!

If your idea of the perfect bar features a quaint roof terrace and views of the Rome rooftops, you’re in luck. Rooftop Lounge Trevi is a cute rooftop bar with a beautiful view of the city and an even better selection of wines, beers, and cocktails.

Opening Times and Prices

The Trevi Fountain is always open, so visitors are welcome to take a stroll by anytime, day or night. However, it tends to be more crowded from 12:00 to 19:00, so we recommend visiting outside of these hours, especially if you want to get close enough to drop some coins into the water. The fountain is cleaned on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 08:00 and 09:00.

Taking the train to Rome?

You can easily reach Rome by train from any major Italian city thanks to the frequent high-speed rail connections operated by Trenitalia and Italo. The most popular routes are from Venice to Rome (3h 15m), Milan to Rome (3h 10m), Florence to Rome (1h 18m) and Naples to Rome (1h 08m).

And if you're travelling onwards from Rome, why not continue by train? The capital has links to Venice, Florence, Milan, Verona and Genoa - to name but a few places you can reach by rail from Rome!

Need more information about travelling to Rome by train? Check out our dedicated page to trains to Rome.