Along with the Colosseum, Vatican and Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain in Rome is one of the city’s must-see attractions.
That said, my recent visit to the central destination reaffirmed that it is one of the most chaotic landmarks in the country.
I’m not the first visitor to complain of the huge crowds that surround the 18th-century attraction, but the sheer number of people there on a Monday in late October astounded me.
At a staggering 85 feet tall, the breathtaking Trevi Fountain was completed in 1762 and is one of Europe’s most visited attractions.
It is claimed that around 1,200 people visit the fountain every hour – even outside of the peak holiday season.
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The fountain has a prime spot in the Trevi district of Rome’s centre, tucked away between small lanes that branch off the landmark in every direction.
Despite its close proximity to the quaint Italian passages that intertwine to meet the water feature, it is almost entirely invisible until reaching the opening where it sits.
That said, it’s about as close as some people may get during the day when a mass of tourists flock to toss coins into the fountain for good luck.
On my own recent trip to the landmark at around 1pm, it was quickly clear that it would be tricky to stick together while battling our way to get close to the structure.
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Many people have warned against visiting during the day and instead trying to get there early in the morning or later in the evening, however, the sight of the trickling water in the afternoon sun is hard to beat.
But while its towering angle and beautiful details are eye-catching from the back of the crowds, it’s almost impossible to admire the full Trevi Fountain without being nudged in every direction by fellow tourists.
The hectic experience makes it tricky to get anywhere near the front without pushing past others, and when you do, it’s an endless cycle of people taking selfies in front of the ancient structure before another replaces them.
Getting a good spot is the least of many tourists’ worries while admiring the feature though, as the threat of pickpockets and opportunist thieves echoes throughout the city.
As one of Europe’s top pickpocketing hotspots, the heavy crowds make it easy for criminals to reach into the bags of those who aren’t paying close attention to their belongings.
There are local police on hand to oversee the mass of visitors that gather in front of the fountain, though they are more focused on keeping people out of the water than thieves.
Other rules tourists should know about the Italian hotspot is that it’s forbidden to sit and eat on the wall of the structure. In the short 10 minute visit I took there myself, I witnessed multiple people get moved on by police while sitting with their ice creams.
While it’s definitely worth a visit while in Rome, there are plenty of other less chaotic attractions around the city that people can visit during the busiest hours of the day.
The Colosseum and Spanish Steps were among those that I found were less busy thanks to the structured entrance to the ancient theatre and larger capacity of the steps.
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