Book Domus Aurea Tickets & Tours in Rome

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RomeDomus Aurea Tours

Visiting the Domus Aurea, the Golden House

Domus Aurea is the former home of Emperor Nero built on the Oppian Hill after the great fire in 64 AD destroyed a major part of the city. Also known as Nero’s Golden House, Domus Aurea now stands as testimony to the glorious and historic past of Rome. Read on to know more about why you should take the Domus Aurea tours, what you can see there, how to reach the attraction, the facilities available, and more.

Why Visit the Domus Aurea in Rome?

Visit the Domus Aurea in Rome
  • Fascinating History: Domus Aurea boasts of a fascinating history and is believed to be the biggest house to have ever been built in Rome at the time. It was built in a remarkably short time and was personally overseen by Emperor Nero himself
  • Beautiful Artworks: The palace is home to some beautiful works of art including frescoes, mosaics, and paintings depicting women and floral and mythological scenes.
  • Get A Glimpse Of Nero’s Extravagant Lifestyle: The Domus Aurea tours offer a glimpse into the luxurious and extravagant lifestyle of Emperor Nero, who built the palace for pure pleasure instead of a place he could reside in.
  • Beautiful Scenery: The palace boasts of stunning views of the surrounding lake, vineyards, and fields that have remained relatively untouched since Emperor Nero's day. It also houses the beautiful gardens of Colle Oppio Pavilion.
  • Virtual Reality Experience: Get a glimpse of Domus Aurea’s glorious days through special lighting effects and illuminated reconstructive panels specially designed to give visitors a virtual 3D reality experience.

Your Domus Aurea Ticket Explained

Guided Tour of Domus Aurea with Virtual Reality Experience

Guided Tour of Domus Aurea with Virtual Reality Experience

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

  • The best and only way to access this beautiful archaeological site in Rome is by opting for a guided tour.
  • These tickets allow you to explore Emperor Nero’s former palace and hear fascinating stories and interesting trivia about the history of Domus Aurea from an expert guide.
  • You also get to enjoy a virtual reality experience that offers a glimpse into the site’s glorious past.

Cancellation Policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Explore the Domus Aurea in Rome

Octagonal Room

Octagonal Room

One of the most beautifully preserved rooms in the Domus Aurea is the Octagonal Room. This eight-sided room opens into five small chambers with remains of frescoes in some of them, and also has an opening for light to come in. The room was believed to have been covered in mosaics and used as a dining room to host parties.

Domus Aurea Convivium Room

Domus Aurea Convivium Room (Dining Room)

Another interesting and carefully preserved room inside the palace is the Domus Aurea Convivium Room, which continues to maintain its original wall paint and mosaic floor. Historians believe that the room was painted black to hide the stains that the smoke from the open fire would create on the walls.

Frescoes on the Walls and Ceiling of the Domus Aurea

Frescoes on the Walls and Ceiling of the Domus Aurea

The Domus Aurea is home to some beautiful frescoes and mosaics, most of which are damaged and continue to pose a challenge to archaeologists wanting to preserve them. You will be able to spot them with the help of good lighting and an expert guide. Some of the notable ones include the Pompeian-style frescoes, depictions of Anubis, and the Hector and Andromache frescoes.

Ulysses and Polyphemus Mosaics

Ulysses and Polyphemus Mosaics

One of the most prominent mosaics is one that depicts Ulysses and Polyphemus located on the vault of the Nymphaeum inside Domus Aurea. Located high on the ceiling, this octagonal artwork with gold leaf traces is important because it is one of the first and finest examples of figurative mosaics. It depicts Ulysses offering some wine to Polyphemus.

Colle Oppio Pavilion

Colle Oppio Pavilion

The south of the Domus Aurea is home to the magnificent gardens of the Colle Oppio Pavilion. Soak in the breathtaking views of the surrounding lake, vineyards, ornamental fountains, and fields that have remained almost untouched since Emperor Nero's day. The gardens span over 125 acres and extend into parklands and lakes.

Plan Your Visit to Domus Aurea in Rome

Opening Hours
Getting There
Entrances
Facilities
Accessibility
Dining
Stay
Tips
Nearby
Opening Hours

Domus Aurea is open from Friday to Sunday from 9 AM to 6:15 PM.

Closed: It remains closed from Monday to Thursday.


Best Time to Visit

Entry to the Domus Aurea is limited therefore you will not experience too many crowds either in the high season or low season. You are advised to book your tickets in advance to secure your spot at the Domus Aurea when you visit.

Getting There

Address: Via della Domus Aurea, 00184 Roma RM, Italy

Getting There

You can reach Domus Aurea via bus, metro, or taxi.

  • By Bus: Board buses 51, 75, 85, or 87 and get off at the Colosseo bus stop. The meeting point is just a 5-minute walk from there.
  • By Metro: Board metros MEB or MEB1 and get off at the Colosseo station. The meeting point is just a 5-minute walk from there.
  • By Taxi: You can also hail a cab which will drop you to the park entrance. The main door is hardly a 2-minute walk from there.
Entrances to Domus Aurea

There are two entrances to the Domus Aurea - Via della Domus Aurea and Via di Serapide.

The Via della Domus Aurea is located just a few steps away from the Colosseum while Via di Serapide is located near the Colle Oppio Pavilion.

Facilities
  • Domus Aurea can only be accessed through guided tours.
  • There are no cloakrooms or storage facilities available at the site.
  • The Domus Aurea tours include an expert guide, which is why no audio guides are available.
  • There is a ticket desk at the entrance from the Oppian Hill Park in case you need any information.
  • Drop in at the bookstore located at the entrance before or after your tour.
  • There are toilet facilities available at the Domus Aurea.
Accessibility
  • The tour is wheelchair accessible.
  • The use of the Oculus Rift device for prolonged periods is not recommended for children under 13 years of age as well as people affected by epilepsy or serious eye diseases.
  • The attraction in itself is partially accessible to wheelchair users since excavation work is still in progress. Those with reduced mobility may not be able to access all sections of the palace.
Dining

Here are a few restaurants near Domus Aurea for you to dine at:

  • Royal Art Cafe Roma: This upscale Italian restaurant offers spectacular views of the Colosseum along with delicious food, drinks, beer, and wine located just 210m away.
  • Pasqualino Al Colosseo: Enjoy a traditional Roman meal at this restaurant 400m from the Domus Aurea while soaking in the magnificent views of the Colosseum and the neighborhood. 
  • Ristoro Della Salute: Gorge on a wide selection of pizzas, pastas, salads, meat and fish items, and other traditional dishes while sipping on some heady cocktails at this nearby restaurant 230m away.
  • Hostaria Al Gladiatore: Located in Piazza del Colosseo about 290m from the Domus Aurea, this restaurant is known for its Mediterranean and Roman cuisine especially carbonara, gricia, amatriciana, and cacio e pepe.
Stay
  • Budget

Imperial Rooms (120m), B&B Domus Aurea (200m)

  • Mid-Range

Hotel Lancelot (290m), Hotel Capo d’Africa - Colosseo (220m)

  • Luxury

Palazzo Manfredi (50m), Hotel Celio Roma (180m

Tips
  • Book your tickets online and well in advance because the attraction can only be accessed via a guided tour and admission to the site is limited.
  • Don’t forget to wear a face mask.
  • Make sure you wear comfortable footwear since you will have to do a lot of walking inside Domus Aurea.
  • The tour is wheelchair accessible.
  • Make sure you’re wearing a jacket or something warm because temperatures inside the palace can be as low as 10 degree Celsius.
  • Domus Aurea is shut on weekdays as restoration work is still in progress.
  • Avoid carrying luggage or any big suitcases or backpacks since there is no storage facility available at Domus Aurea.
  • Photography is permitted inside the attraction. However, taking pictures or recording videos of the multimedia production or virtual reality experience is strictly prohibited.
Colosseum
  • Colosseum: Located in the center of the city just across the street from the Domus Aurea, the Colosseum is the largest standing amphitheater in the world that once hosted gladiator games. Visit the Colosseum and learn about its bloody past and fascinating history.
  • Roman Forum: Originally a marketplace, the Roman Forum was the place where public meetings, gladiatorial combats, and law courts took place. It was lined with open-air markets and surrounded by ruins of important government buildings of the time.
  • San Pietro In Vincoli: Built during the 5th century, San Pietro In Vincoli is a Roman Catholic titular church and minor basilica that houses Michelangelo’s statue of Moses and the relic of Saint Peter's chains when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem.
  • Borghese Gallery: Located in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana, the Borghese Gallery houses the greatest collection of Bernini statues and several paintings and artworks by artists like Bellini, Raphael, Titian, Rubens, and Caravaggio.
  • Palatine Hill: The most famous of the seven hills in Rome, Palatine Hill is considered the birthplace of the Roman Empire because it was home to several aristocrats and emperors of the time. It is now largely an open-air museum housing excavations from the hill and other ancient sites of Italy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Domus Aurea Tickets

Q. Are Domus Aurea tickets available online?

A. Yes. Domus Aurea tickets are available online. Book in advance to secure your spot on your Domus Aurea visit.

Q. What do Domus Aurea tickets include?

A. The Domus Aurea tour tickets include access to the palace, an expert guide fluent in English and Italian, and a virtual reality experience depicting the glorious past of the ancient Roman attraction.

Q. Are discounts available on Domus Aurea tickets?

A. No. Currently, there are no discounts available on Domus Aurea tickets.

Q. What is the cancellation policy for Domus Aurea tickets?

A. The Domus Aurea tour tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.

Q. What is the Domus Aurea in Rome?

A. Domus Aurea is a palace built by Emperor Nero Claudius in 64 AD.

Q. What parts of the museum can I access with the Domus Aurea tickets?

A. The Domus Aurea tour tickets include access to the Octagonal Room, the beautiful gardens of Colle Oppio Pavilion, Domus Aurea Convivium Room, and the stunning frescoes and mosaics drawn on the walls and ceilings of the palace.

Q. Can I get skip-the-line tickets for the Domus Aurea?

A. There are no skip-the-line tickets available for Domus Aurea tours since entry to the attraction is limited to 20-25 visitors at a time.

Q. How long does it take to complete a Domus Aurea tour?

A. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to complete a Domus Aurea tour.

Q. What are Domus Aurea's opening hours?

A. Domus Aurea is open from Friday to Sunday from 9 AM to 6:15 PM.

Q. Where is the Domus Aurea located?

A. The Domus Aurea is located in Parco del Colle Oppio (also known as the Oppian Hill Park) in Rome, Italy.