The iconic landmark is struggling amid the chaos of mounting crowds and the resulting wear and tear. Now, the city of Rome wants to take action.

Starting in February, nonresidents of Rome will be required to pay a fee for an up-close viewing and coin tossing at the Trevi fountain in an effort to manage crowds and congestion.

Toss that coin and make a wish – will no longer be free. In an effort to protect one of the city’s most beloved monuments and to ease the relentless crush of visitors, Rome is introducing a paid ticket system aimed at managing crowds and preserving the site’s integrity. Starting February 1, 2026, nonresidents of Rome will be required to pay 2 Euro (approximately US$2.35) to descend the steps leading directly to the fountain.

It’s no secret that visiting the Trevi Fountain in recent years has become difficult as everyone is fighting to get that great picture or selfie. The congestion has also made the area a hot spot for pickpockets. City officials say the new fee is intended to create a calmer, more dignified experience, restoring a sense of wonder to a site increasingly overwhelmed by its own popularity. However, the view of the fountain will not be obstructed in any way.

Paid access will be in effect daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. There will be 10 stations within the piazza where you can purchase your ticket, which will also be for sale online at fontanaditreve.roma.it, at tourist info points, ticket offices within the museum system, and authorized sales outlets. All tickets will be open ended, meaning you won’t have to worry about a reservation for a timed entrance. Access will remain free at night.

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Known as the Regina Viarum, or the Queen of Roads, the Via Appia is one of ancient Rome’s oldest and most important roads, stretching from the capital to the port city of Brindisi.

Constructed in 312 BC, the Via Appia was a marvel of Roman engineering, facilitating military movements and trade, and playing a crucial role in the expansion of the Roman Empire. Until then, the only roads outside ancient Rome were Etruscan and went towards Etruria, which was a region of central Italy. Walking along this ancient road, you are literally following in the footsteps of history, with every stone telling a story of a bygone era.

Today, the first 10 miles (17 km) of the cobblestone path remains and is preserved within the Appia Antica archaeological park in the south of Rome. Popular with history buffs, walkers and cyclists, the perfectly intact road is flanked by what remains of ancient Roman aqueducts and villas. Beneath the path is a sprawling network of catacombs where Christian converts were buried.

The Via Appia’s addition to the UNESCO World Heritage List underscores its significance as a cultural and historical treasure. This recognition honors its past and ensures its preservation for future generations to explore and appreciate.

UNESCO said the road illustrated “the advanced technical skill of Roman engineers in the construction of roads, civil-engineering projects, infrastructure and sweeping land-reclamation works, as well as a vast series of monumental structures including, for example, triumphal arches, baths, amphitheaters and basilicas, aqueducts, canals, bridges, and public fountains”.

Via Appia is the 60^th cultural heritage site in Italy to be added to the list, which includes the historic centers of Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa and Naples, as well as the five villages of the Cinque Terre and the cave city of Matera in Basilicata.

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The historic 5* Hotel boasts an impressive legacy dating back to the 16th Century. Originally built as a guest residence for a Roman noble family in the mid-16th century, Hotel d’Inghilterra has been welcoming travelers to the Eternal City for over 150 years. The completely renovated hotel combines contemporary details and bright colors with a timeless elegance characteristic of the aristocratic palace that houses it, just a short walk from the Spanish Steps. Over its long history, it has hosted legendary visitors, including Mark Twain, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck and Henry James.

Located in the heart of Rome’s fashion district, between Via Condotti and Via Frattina, Hotel D’Inghilterra is the perfect place to experience the magic of Italian style.  Stepping into the renovated hotel, guests will notice a redesigned reception area besides a new second reception located alongside a concierge desk, dedicated for VIP guests. Honoring the property’s history, the black floor with white inserts, covering almost the entire ground floor has remained untouched. Additionally, some antique pieces continue to enhance the library.

The ceiling cornices on the first and third floors have been restored to ensure they were exactly as they were “once upon a time.” Wallpapers on the first and third floors are all custom-made for Starhotels in three different colors. All textiles for the rooms are also designed custom-made. On the second floor, a restoration of the original design includes English wallpapers. Rooms and suites on the upper floors, restored during the previous renovation phase in 2023, include the Penthouse Suite with its 753-square-foot (70 qm) terrace overlooking the city and the Balcony Suites on the fifth floor.

The Cafè Romano Restaurant & Lounge Bar, an enduring favorite of artists, writers and movie stars, will be expanded with an additional indoor room for local guests. The restaurant will be connected to the lobby. A new outdoor seating area has been added in Via Borgognona, a pedestrian street dotted with boutiques, the perfect spot for a coffee break, a light lunch or an al fresco dinner. The Bar retains its original counter and wall paneling. A highlight of the renovation will be the new Terrazza Romana on the sixth floor. The rooftop bar will be open to locals as well.

When Hotel d’Inghilterra reopens in September, it will also offer a spa, providing guests with a range of treatments.

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A night to go back in time, and feel like you’re in ancient Rome, surrounded by a special setting: it’s possible with Roma On Fire, the new evening live show that will be staged inside the Roma World theme park.

One can take a trip back in time 2,000 years by traveling only 25 kilometers / 15 miles. This is the distance that separates the center of the capital city – or rather the Colosseum – from the Roma World theme park.

Since June 1st and throughout the summer, the Roma World theme park, dedicated to ancient Rome, will feature a show that will transport guests back in time, into the atmospheres of films such as “Gladiator” and other historical films.

Immersed in the majestic setting of the film set of Ben Hur, a multi-awarded blockbuster with 11 Oscars, a faithful reproduction of the Circus Maximus, spectators will be able to witness a challenge full of passion and action that celebrates the Empire, through the exploits of its protagonists.

This is the plot of the show: General Massimo, the protagonist of the show, having just returned to Rome from the victorious campaigns in the provinces, discovers that his beloved has been captured and enslaved. He begs the Emperor for grace, who is willing to grant it in the face of the harshest trials. Massimo will fight, risking his life, against dangerous gladiators, just for love.

The Roma On Fire evening is an experience that begins with a visit to the Legionaries’ village, surrounded by nature, inside the Roma World park, and continues with the typical dinner in Taberna, and its Gladiator’s Menu, the show live and, for those who want to experience it to the full, the possibility of spending the night in a tent in the Castrum, or the legionaries’ camp.

Roma On Fire is included in the Roma World theme park, the second park created and opened by Cinecittà World. Roma World is the experience park where guests experience a day like Ancient Romans, including gladiator shows, falconry shows, nature trails, alone or with the botanical tour, shopping in the Ancient Market, games for children and contact with farm animals.

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Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese has announced an “Italian Luxury Takeover Wedding” in collaboration with wedding planner Roberta Torresan. This three-night Roman wedding buyout allows guests to reserve the entire property for their festivities, offering a total of 78 rooms and suites within the former 19th century Roman palace.

The luxury experience begins on arrival for the couple with pre-wedding massages. The package also includes a rehearsal dinner for up to 45 guests at Settimo, the rooftop fine-dining restaurant. The next day, the ceremony will be held in a Baroque church where the bride enters by organist. An over-the-top reception follows at one of Rome’s most exclusive villas. The evening’s dinner includes multiple courses of the couples’ choosing, followed by an extensive Italian dessert buffet.

Entertainment includes musical performances throughout the event, including a dinner show and a cake-cutting ceremony complete with a dancer. The festivities conclude with a lively band and DJ set where a custom-built dance floor will invite guests to celebrate into the night. Dedicated transportation services provide seamless movement between the church, villa and Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese. The entire event is captured by professional photographers and videographers, using both traditional and drone technology to provide comprehensive coverage from aerial views to intimate moments.

The event will be orchestrated under the guidance of Roberta Torresan and her team. This encompasses the selection and customization of venues, negotiating contracts, and fine-tuning every detail to suit the couple’s preferences. In collaboration with chefs, Torresan’s team designs a personalized menu, including pre-wedding tastings that allow the couple to finalize their culinary choices. The team coordinates with florists and decorators to finalize floral arrangements and thematic decorations. Additionally, they manage all external vendors, including musicians for the evening’s entertainment, photographers, videographers and transportation services.

Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese’s top suites are included in the property buyout, offering accommodations with expansive terraces and an outdoor jacuzzi. Wedding guests can enjoy views of some of Rome’s famed landmarks from the comfort of their private hot tub. The location offers easy access to many of Rome’s main attractions including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Villa Medici.

The “Italian Luxury Takeover Wedding” starts at €399,000 (approximately $430,000) for the services listed above.

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On Sunday April 21st, the Roma Appia Run, one of the most fascinating races in Capitoline running, awaits you at the starting line at 9 am from Viale delle Terme di Caracalla to finish at the Stadio Nando Martellini.

Now in its 25th edition, the Roma Appia Run will celebrate its silver anniversary with the Italian Capital, on the very day of Rome’s birthday.

The Roma Appia Run owes its popularity not only to one of the world’s most enthralling tracks, winding its way through the most fascinating wonders of Rome. But also to the fact that it is the only race in the world to be run on five different surfaces, a unique record that no one else in the world can boast: asphalt, cobblestones, lava paving, the unpaved track of the Parco della Caffarella and, finally, the circuit of the Baths of Caracalla stadium.

The Roma Appia Run proposes a total of four races, each aimed at a specific target group:

• the Competitive 13 km (approx. 8 miles), for athletes ready to tackle the difficult race with the aim of achieving a great time and improving on their previous year’s performance – reserved for FIDAL members, CONI-recognized Sports Promotion Bodies and RUN CARD holders, provided they are in compliance with the regulations on health protection in sporting activities;
• the non-competitive 13 km, for ambitious enthusiasts who are not so concerned with chronometric results and are therefore more inclined to a day of open-air sport – open to all;
• the 5 km (approx. 3 miles), on a shorter route for those who just want an unforgettable walk through the heart of Rome’s history – open to all;
• the Fulmine dell’Appia (Lightning of the Appian Way), scheduled for Saturday 20 April and dedicated to children.

Chilometro 42

This year, the event reserves for its members the exceptional opportunity – by free invitation – to participate in the viewing of Chilometro 42, a play that recounts the milestones in the life of Kathrine Switzer, the first woman in history to ever run a marathon. The pièce is accompanied by live music by Munendo, the artist whose musical production combines electronic and classical instruments, 60s and ultra-contemporary sounds. The story of this extraordinary personage initiates a reflection on central themes such as inclusion, recognition and equal rights, and the race becomes a pretext to search for one’s own identity through cracks, crises and ruptures.

Appointment Tuesday 26 March, 9 p.m., at Teatro Cometa Off, via Luca della Robbia 47, Rome. Reservations are compulsory.

Fulmine dell’Appia

One of the moments that children look forward to all year round is the Fulmine dell’Appia, the race that invites them to prove who is the fastest. In past editions, around 1,000 young athletes have competed in the feat, confirming that the organizing committee’s intuition to devise such a small event has proved successful.

On Saturday, 20 April, the eve of the Roma Appia Run, the batteries of the Fulmine dell’Appia will start, with trials over distances from 30 to 100 meters open to all children and young people from 2 to 17 years of age.

The Roma Appia Run is organized by ACSI with the collaboration of ACSI Italia Atletica, ASD Roma Appia Run and ACSI Campidoglio, with the patronage of the Ministero dello Sport, the Regione Lazio, Roma Capitale, CONI, “Sport e Salute”, and the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica, Parco Archeologico dell’Appia Antica, and is held under the aegis of Fidal.

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