Which fountains in Rome should you absolutely see?
The short answer, from someone who has guided visitors for years: focus on seven monumental fountains and let the nasoni do the rest. An efficient itinerary starts at the Trevi Fountain, continues toward Piazza Navona and the Barcaccia in Piazza di Spagna, stops at the Turtle Fountain in the Jewish Ghetto, climbs up to the Fontanone del Gianicolo for sunset, and closes in the Coppedè district with the Fountain of the Frogs. In between, drink for free at the nasoni: these stops alone are enough to understand why the fountains of Rome are considered an open-air museum.
- How many fountains are there in Rome
- Which fountain to start the itinerary from
- What to see at Piazza Navona and surroundings
- Lesser-known fountains you should not miss
- How to use the nasoni, the public drinking fountains
- Practical tips for visiting the fountains
- Sources
How many fountains are there in Rome?
You may be wondering how many fountains exist in the Italian capital, or how many water monuments Rome actually has, or perhaps how many decorative water features you might come across while walking. The figure varies depending on the classification used: estimates speak of over 2,000 fountains in the strict sense, rising to around 5,000 when including the small drinking fountains. Of these, roughly 550 are artistic and 45 monumental, technically defined as mostre because they were placed at the terminal point of ancient aqueducts.
Which fountain to start the itinerary from
Start at the Trevi Fountain: it is the largest and most famous, 20 metres wide and 26 metres tall, built between 1731 and 1762 at the behest of Pope Clement XII. Go early in the morning, before 8 a.m., to photograph it without crowds. Just a short walk away, the Barcaccia in Piazza di Spagna, a work by Pietro Bernini commissioned in 1626, commemorates the Tiber flood of 1598.
The fountains alone are enough to justify a trip to Rome, wrote the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in the nineteenth century.
What to see at Piazza Navona and surroundings
In Piazza Navona you can admire three fountains at once. The centrepiece is the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, with its obelisk rising from the centre, flanked by the Fountain of the Moor and the Fountain of Neptune. Moving toward the Jewish Ghetto, you reach the Turtle Fountain in Piazza Mattei, a late Renaissance gem from 1581 designed by Giacomo della Porta: the turtles on the rim are attributed to Bernini.
Lesser-known fountains you should not miss
The real upgrade comes for those who step off the beaten track. Climb up to the Fontanone del Gianicolo, the terminal display of the Acqua Paola aqueduct built between 1610 and 1614: the view is priceless, and it became iconic thanks to The Great Beauty. In the Coppedè district, in the Trieste neighbourhood, the Fountain of the Frogs from 1924 is an architectural one-of-a-kind. Finally, tucked to the right of Trevi, the tiny Fontanella degli Innamorati: legend has it that couples who drink from it together are promised eternal love.
How to use the nasoni, the public drinking fountains
The nasoni are cast-iron drinking fountains introduced in 1874 at the initiative of mayor Luigi Pianciani: today there are over 2,500 across the city, all dispensing free drinking water. The Roman trick: block the main jet with one finger and the water sprouts from a small hole on top, letting you drink comfortably without bending down. An innovative tip for your itinerary: use the Waidy Wow app to find the nearest nasone and help reduce water waste.
Practical tips for visiting the fountains
Plan by time of day: visit monumental fountains at dawn and dusk, and use the nasoni during the hottest hours. Bring a reusable water bottle and comfortable shoes, because the best itinerary is done on foot. Remember that tossing coins is only permitted at Trevi, where the proceeds fund charitable works. Want a tailor-made route through Rome's fountains? Get in touch for a dedicated guided tour and explore corners the tourist maps never show.
Sources
- I nasoni, le fontane di Roma & Roma Capitale, Turismo Roma — turismoroma.it
- Le fontane monumentali & Acea, gestore del servizio idrico di Roma — acea.it
- Fontane di Roma, tra storia e leggenda & Grimaldi Lines — grimaldi-lines.com
- Ma quante fontane ci stanno a Roma? & Roma.Com — roma.com
