Millions of visitors a year flock to see the city's Trevi Fountain- which is known for being featured in films such as Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn - but they are going to be charged 2 Euros each to get close to the famous water feature.

The fees come into force on February 1 and are part of a plan by Rome officials to ease tourist congestion in the area and raise funds to pay for the restoration and maintenance of the city's cultural treasures.

It's estimated fees from visits to the fountain could bring in as much as 6.5 million Euros per year. While tourists will have to pay to get close to the fountain, they will still be able to view it for free from the piazza above the site.

The payment system will be in place from 9am until 9pm. Residents of the city will not have to pay for access, but tourists will be able to access the site for free outside of the designated hours.

The Trevi Fountain fees follows a similar scheme which has been set up to charge entry to the city's Pantheon while visitors to the northern city of Venice are now having to pay an access fee.

Day-trippers to Venice have to hand over 5 Euros if they book in advance for their trip to the lagoon city while the access fee rises to 10 Euros if the day trip is booked at the last minute.

The scheme excludes residents, commuter workers and tourists staying within the municipality of Venice.

As well as rolling out fees to sites such as the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, some of Rome's museums are also charging a six Euro additional fee for tourists while some sites will be made free for residents who are registered to live in the City.

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri told a news conference: "We believe that culture is a fundamental right of citizenship.

"We think it’s correct and positive that the citizens of Rome can enjoy our museums free of charge."