A bid to bring swimmers back to Rome’s River Tiber has moved centre stage, stirring fresh optimism—and questions about what it would take to make it happen.
Current status of the River Tiber in Rome
Public bathing in the Tiber remains prohibited, a ban dating to the 1960s with fines for violators. The only tolerated exception is the traditional New Year’s Day plunge. No official bathing zones have been designated, and the river is not currently classified as a bathing water under regional monitoring, which limits access to riverside walks, boating and other non-bathing uses.
Rome’s plan to make the River Tiber swimmable
Mayor Roberto Gualtieri has set a five-year target to open selected stretches for bathing, overseen by a multi-agency taskforce spanning city, regional and national authorities. The plan borrows from Paris’s model on the Seine, where a €1.4 billion clean-up allowed the river to reopen for public swimming in summer 2025 after a century-long ban.
A possible route to improving water quality—drawing on approaches used in other European cities—could include addressing combined sewer overflows, upgrading wastewater treatment, intercepting stormwater, and enhancing riverbank access and maintenance.
Environmental challenges for a swimmable Tiber
Water quality remains the primary barrier. ISPRA reported in 2024 that the Tiber carried more floating waste—mostly plastic—into the sea than any other Italian river, alongside concerning concentrations of ammonia and faecal bacteria. In response, the Plasticento project on the Tiber, Aniene and Tronto is testing measures to curb plastic dispersion through 2026.
Beyond pollutants, heavy rain can drive overflows and urban runoff into the river, while strong currents, debris and boat traffic complicate safe access. Reaching bathing‑water status will demand sustained compliance with bacterial standards across multiple monitoring seasons, tighter control of emergency overflows, and on‑the‑ground safeguards such as clearly marked zones, lifeguard cover and controlled entry/exit points.
Exploring Rome’s everyday side and quieter coasts
To see Rome beyond the crowds, spend time in neighbourhood markets, family‑run trattorie, artisan workshops and low‑key community events, then wander the quieter stretches of the Tiber. Seek out authentic, everyday experiences in Rome to see the local side. Once you’ve had your city fix, trade the urban pace for the Lazio coast and aim for quieter beach towns near Rome, where the sands are calmer and the atmosphere remains low‑key.
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