Tracked water prices near tourist sites for one week. Results are absolutely criminal and will destroy your budget if you're not careful.

Street vendors near Colosseum/Vatican: €3.50-5.00 per 1.5L bottle. Coop supermarket Via Marsala near Termini station: €0.29 per bottle. Free nasone fountains citywide: €0.00. That's 1200% markup for identical water.

Bought 12-pack at Coop for €3.48 total vs paying €42+ from vendors over 8-day trip. Rome has 2500+ free fountains called "nasone" throughout the city. Water is perfectly safe and cold. Download Fontanelle app to locate nearest ones.

Math breakdown for 8-day stay drinking 3L daily: Street vendors €126, supermarket €8.70, free fountains €0. I saved €117.30 just on water by planning ahead.

Pro tip: Coop and Conad supermarkets have best prices. MD Discount even cheaper but locations aren't tourist-friendly. Bring empty bottle and refill at nasone fountains - locals do it constantly.