Why is water free in Rome?

The nasoni, also known as fontanelle, were first introduced in the early 1870s when the new capital began providing free water for its citizens. At the peak of their popularity there were around 5,000 nasoni in Rome but this number has dwindled to roughly between 2,500 and 2,800.



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The short answer is yes. Drinking water from the tap in Italy is considered safe. Tap water in the major cities and towns around Italy is safe for consumption, and there are thousands of old-style water fountains dotted around cities, like Rome, where you can fill up water bottles.

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The nasoni, also known as fontanelle, were first introduced in the early 1870s when the new capital began providing free water for its citizens. At the peak of their popularity there were around 5,000 nasoni in Rome but this number has dwindled to roughly between 2,500 and 2,800.

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Instead of buying bottled mineral water, you can just fill it for free on the street. Interestingly, Italy is full of ancient water fountains. They can be incredibly beautiful, so bring your water bottle and camera! Some public areas have paid refill stations, that serve filtered tap water for 5 to 10 eurocents.

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Though the aqueduct was meant to deliver clean water then, it most certainly doesn't do that today. According to Rome Experience, the fountain produces some 80,000 cubic meters of water each day, but adds, “The water is recycled and just for show, so don't be tempted to drink it.”

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Despite what you may have read online, the short answer is YES, tipping is expected and the polite thing to do in many cases in Rome, although it is not as widespread as in the United States. This is my quick, no-nonsense guide to tipping in Rome. Should you tip for coffee in Rome?

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What it Costs to Eat in Rome. Average cost of coffee in Rome: A regular espresso should be about €1, while a cappuccino should be €1.30 or less. These prices assume that you are having your coffee at the bar. If you sit at a table, the cost is more likely to be €3-4 per drink.

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If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service. And it's not often that you'll find a tip jar at a register.

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Although tap water in Italy is considered safe to drink, restaurants will usually serve bottled water. Asking for tap water in Italy, whether you are in a bar or at a restaurant, is not something that the locals will normally do. Instead, most food establishments in Italy will serve bottled water by default.

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