The Domus Aurea in Rome is no ordinary museum—it’s an underground palace built by Emperor Nero himself!
Once a lavishly decorated space with gold, marble, and gemstones, this “Golden House” offers a rare glimpse into ancient Roman luxury and excess.
If you’re a history lover or just curious about the extravagant life of a Roman emperor, this is a must-visit.
This article shares everything you should know before buying tickets for Domus Aurea.
Top Tickets
# 2-hour guided group tour of Domus Aurea
# 90-minute Domus Aurea, Nero’s Golden House tourIt’s highly recommended to book your Domus Aurea tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.
Key takeaways
It’s best to book tickets online to secure your preferred time slot, avoid long lines, and save money
Choose between a 2-hour guided tour (€101 for adults) or a Virtual Reality Experience (€72)
Tours are offered in limited slots with a maximum of 23 people per group. It’s crucial to arrive on time because latecomers will not be admitted
The Domus Aurea offers a journey through Nero’s luxurious underground palace. Expect to see stunning frescoes, massive corridors, mosaic ceilings, and unique historical artifacts like the famous Ulysses and Polyphemus mosaic
The best time to visit is when the Domus opens at 9.45 am to avoid crowds. Remember, the attraction is not wheelchair-accessible and involves walking on uneven ground
What’s ahead
Related Reads
Things to know before booking tickets
You can book Domus Aurea tickets online or at the venue, but buying them at the attraction may involve long wait times, especially during peak hours. Online tickets help you skip the queue, are often cheaper, and let you choose your preferred time slot in advance, ensuring availability and avoiding last-minute sell-outs. After purchase, tickets are emailed to you—no printouts are needed. Show the e-ticket on your smartphone and exchange your voucher with the TOURISTATION staff next to the gate of Via di Domus Aurea. Look for staff in red jackets and orange umbrellas.
Domus Aurea tickets
Exploring Emperor Nero’s luxurious palace near the Colosseum is a fascinating experience!
You can pick from two ticket options—a 2-hour guided tour or a tour with a virtual reality experience.
2-hour guided group tour
Enjoy a unique opportunity to explore one of Rome’s most exclusive ancient sites with a 2-hour tour.
When you walk inside the excavated remnants of Nero’s Golden House (Domus Aurea), you’ll be taken back to the Roman Empire’s magnificent glory.
You’ll also learn about Nero’s interesting life and times.
If any traveler has mobility concerns, please get in touch with the activity provider during the booking process to get suitable accommodations.
A valid student ID must be shown on the tour day to earn the student discount.
Please note that students must pay the full admission fee if they do not have valid IDs.
Ticket Prices
Adult (18+ years): €101
Child (5 to 17 years): €90
Student (18 to 24 years): €90
Infant (up to 4 years): Free
Recommended
The Domus Aurea covered an astonishing 50 hectares (123 acres) with 300 rooms, private baths, lush gardens, and even an artificial lake. How many knew this artificial lake is where the Great Colosseum stands today? It was the largest house in Rome at the time, earning it the nickname “Versailles in the heart of Rome.”
Domus Aurea Tour with Virtual Reality Experience
This skip-the-line ticket helps you to discover the magnificence of Nero’s imperial house in the 1st century AD.
The experience includes a 3D virtual reality reconstruction, allowing you to see the palace as it appeared in its prime.
You’ll also separate fact from fiction as your guide debunks myths surrounding Nero and the infamous fire of 64 AD.
Ticket Price: €72
Buy This TicketBuy a Roma Pass and visit one or two of Rome’s top attractions with access to public transport. Choose either a 48-hour or a 72-hour pass and get direct entry into the city’s famous gems.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some questions tourists ask before purchasing their tickets for Domus Aurea in Rome.
Does the complex offer free tickets?
Children aged up to five years can enter the attraction free of cost.
Can I buy tickets at the venue?
Yes, tickets are available at the venue’s ticket office. However, the tour has a very high demand and limited slots, so getting them online in advance is better.
Do we need to print online tickets?
Visitors can present their tickets on mobile devices, but printed tickets are also accepted at the attraction. You can show your smartphone ticket at Via della Domus Aurea and Via Nicola Salvi. Show your voucher to the Touristation staff carrying an orange umbrella next to the gate. Exchange your smartphone ticket for an official ticket.
What is the complex’s arrival time?
The Museum has limited slots every day at 9.30 am, 10 am, 11.45 am, 2 pm, and 3.45 pm. Entry is allowed for no more than 23 people in one slot. Arrive well in advance of your preferred timeslot, keeping in mind the time for a thorough security check before entry.
What is the complex’s late arrival policy?
Entry to the attraction after you miss your slot will not be allowed under any circumstances.
Does Domus Aurea offer discounts for locals, students, or military personnel?
The attraction offers discounted tickets for children aged 6 to 11, while those under 5 can enter for free. However, there are no dedicated discounts for students or military personnel.
Does Roma Pass include access to the attraction?
The Roma Pass has not yet included the attraction in its go-to sightseeing list.
What is Domus Aurea’s refund policy?
Unfortunately, the complex has a strict non-refundable ticket policy. This policy applies to all ticket types, including adult, child, and discounted tickets.
How to reschedule the complex’s ticket?
The attraction does not allow you to change the date and time of your visit under any circumstances.
What is the rain policy?
The attraction is an all-weather experience, so all tickets are final.
Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?
The Domus Aurea tour is not suitable for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments.
Where is the entrance to the complex?
Entrance to the attraction is accessed via Colle Oppio Park.
What to wear for the complex?
The temperature in the domus is around 10 degrees. Appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended. Wear proper walking shoes because this tour includes steps, staircases, and uneven ground.
Is it necessary to use VR goggles for the Domus Aurea guided tour?
It may be essential in some areas, but not always.
How long will the trip to the complex last?
The tour lasts about 90 minutes to 2 hours (depending on the type of ticket you have booked).
Even though the palace was built after the Great Fire of 64 AD, Nero’s Golden House symbolized his power and luxury. The palace once featured the grand Colossus Neronis—a massive statue of Nero that stood proudly at the entrance.
Timings
Domus Aurea opens at 9.45 am and closes by 5 pm from Monday to Sunday.
If you booked a guided tour, check your tickets for timings, which may vary.
The guided tours usually take 90 minutes to 2 hours.
However, if you are a history or archaeology buff, you may prefer to spend hours exploring the palace and its surroundings.
After being hidden for centuries and nearly erased by Nero’s successors, the Domus Aurea was rediscovered in the 15th century. It reopened in 1999 after 20 years of restoration and still stands as Rome’s largest active archaeological site—where archaeologists are still unearthing the grandeur of Nero’s palace.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Domus Aurea of Rome is when it opens at 9.45 am.
Early mornings are usually less crowded, allowing ample time to explore the attraction peacefully.
Weekends and holidays are busy with tourists, so weekdays are best for a calm and uninterrupted trip.
The Octagonal Room is like the crown jewel of the Domus Aurea, designed by the dynamic duo Severus and Celer. Its pioneering use of concrete vaulting is an architectural marvel that shaped Roman design.
What not to miss at Domus Aurea
Here are some major highlights that you shouldn’t miss on your tour.
The mighty corridors
Walking into the Domus Aurea is like entering a maze of wide hallways.
Long and wide with high ceilings, the corridors are now built of exposed brick.
Although many of the original decorations are gone, many are still visible, leaving a lasting effect on visitors.
Their size is a resounding testimony to the size of this palace.
The frescoes on the walls and ceiling
The tour focuses on architectural features and highlights some of the stunning paintings and mosaics that still exist today.
Although most decorations are broken, enough illumination makes it easier to find them, making the experience rewarding and pleasant.
The Pompeian style, Andromache frescoes, the famous Hector in the final room, and Anubis are worth mentioning.
The mosaic and Ulysses and Polyphemus
The Domus Aurea has several water basins, one of which has a unique mosaic depicting Ulysses and Polyphemus.
The mosaic adorns the ceiling and is both beautiful and historically significant as one of the first examples of figurative mosaic work.
The convivium room
The dining room is one of Domus Aurea’s oldest surviving and most interesting rooms.
Unlike the others, this room still has its original mosaic floor and wall paint.
The XV-century ceiling holes
Several large holes can be observed in the ceiling of Domus Aurea’s rooms.
Built in the XIV century by thieves, they climbed down into the Domus to steal important materials and jewels!
The holes are intriguing, and the story behind their formation is one aspect that sets the Domus Aura apart.
The octagonal room
The trip concludes with the octagonal room, which is unique.
According to ancient historians, the Domus had a spinning dining room.
Today, it is being replicated with a light show.
How to reach
The Domus Aura is in Rome’s city center, more precisely on Oppian Hill.
Address: Via della Domus Aurea, 00184 Roma RM, Italy. Get Directions
You can either drive to the attraction or use public transport.
By Metro
If you take B1 or MEB (Blue Line), get down to Colosseo (the nearest metro station) or Cavour (850 meters from Domus Aurea).
By Bus
You can get down at the Colosseo (Buses: 51, 75, 85, 87, 117, nMB, 400 meters) or Cavour/Annibaldi (Buses: 75, 117, nMB, 650 meters) bus stops.
By Car
You can take your car or rent a cab to Domus Aurea in Rome.
To get a start, open Google Maps and start navigating!
Car Parking
There are several parking lots near Domus Aurea.
