The Trevi Fountain, Rome Italy

The tradition is that if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you are guaranteed to return to Rome. So far it's worked for me each time I've thrown a coin in, I keep coming back. The Trevi Fountain was built in the 18th century. It was designed by architect Nicola Salvi. I would list the Trevi Fountain as the #1 destination not to miss when visiting Rome! There is always a crowd there, even late at night, because it is a must-see for so many people! Once when we were in Rome, they were filming a movie at the fountain. I have yet to figure out what movie it was (it was being filmed in February of 2020).

The name of the fountain comes from the Latin word trivium, which means the intersection of three streets. When you throw your coin into the fountain, you are supposed to throw it with your right hand over your left shoulder. Approximately 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day. It was used in several movies, including "Three Coins in a Fountain," "Roman Holiday," and "La Dolce Vita," in which Ekberg actually wades into the fountain at night. Princess Ann in "Roman Holiday" gets a haircut at a barbershop, which is now a fashion shop, next to the fountain. It's possible that the Trevi Fountain is the most famous fountain in the world. When planning your Roman itinerary, list Fontana di Trevi first!

And, if you're looking for love or marriage, the legend goes further to say that if you throw two coins into the fountain, you will find love. And if you throw three coins into the fountain, you will be married. I was already in love and married before I ever went to Italy, so I can't tell you if this tradition really works, but I have had great luck with throwing one coin into the fountain each time I have visited!

I heard a rumor that you could go "under the Trevi Fountain." There are videos on Youtube about it. The truth is, you can go under the Trevi District and see where the waters that originated from the Virgin Aqueduct escape from the Trevi Fountain, but the underground tour is not actually under the fountain itself. Still, it is worth the 4 euro for a visit to this underground aqueduct.

When we visited the Trevi Fountain in 2025, a Jubilee year, it was so crowded with people that they had attendants monitoring the crowds and limiting the number of people who could get near the fountain. In fact, when we first arrived in Rome and went to visit the fountain, we waited in line and took our photos, threw our coins in the fountain, and then soon were asked to leave because a football match or some other sporting event was about to begin and they needed the Trevi Fountain cleared of visitors. I am not sure what that was all about, but all of the tourists left the fountain as we were told!