Domus Aurea: Inside Emperor Nero’s golden house beneath Rome

Inside Domus Aurea, the Golden House of Emperor Nero

The luxurious ancient palace of Emperor Nero, the Domus Aurea, is a hidden gem — a lavish golden house tucked beneath the bustling streets of modern Rome. The Domus Aurea is one of the most intriguing sites in the city. This vast underground palace is now an unforgettable archaeological experience, thanks to its ancient frescoes, grand halls, and Roman innovations brought back to life. Off the beaten tourist paths, Nero’s Golden House offers a unique escape from the crowded sites and is a must-see location to explore the emperor’s underground legacy and walk through the halls of a once-powerful empire.

Built after the Great Fire of Rome in 64 A.D., the Domus Aurea was Nero’s imperial residence, extending from the Palatine Hill to the Oppian Hill, covering about a square mile. The palace, described in the past as a golden residence, was an impressive complex that included banquet halls, marble rooms, sprawling gardens, its famous octagonal hall, pavilions, woods, vineyards, and an artificial lake located in the valley where the Colosseum still stands today.

Buried for centuries beneath the modern city, the Domus Aurea — an underground architectural wonder — offers a rare glimpse into imperial extravagance and magnificence, stunning frescoes, and cutting-edge Roman engineering. Whether for history lovers or curious travelers, the Domus Aurea is one of Rome’s most unique and unforgettable attractions. Visiting it is an incredible chance to walk through the golden palace of one of the most powerful and famous emperors in ancient Roman history.

Useful information for visiting the Domus Aurea

Opening hours:
The Domus Aurea is part of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum. It is located at Via della Domus Aurea 1 and is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, except for the first Sunday of the month. Opening hours are from 9:15 AM to 5:15 PM, with entrances scheduled every 15 minutes.

Tickets and costs:
It is mandatory to reserve tickets to access the Domus Aurea site. The standard ticket costs €18. Reduced tickets for EU citizens aged between 18 and their 25th birthday cost €2. Tickets including the educational tour and the virtual reality experience cost €26.

Accessibility:
The Domus Aurea is partially accessible to wheelchair users. The visit is not recommended for people with severe motor disabilities.

How to get to the Domus Aurea:

By metro:
The Domus Aurea is well connected by subway line B, with the Colosseo stop just a 5-minute walk from the main entrance.

By bus:
Bus lines 51, 85, and 87 have stops close to the Domus Aurea main entrance.

By tram:
Tram line number 3 has a stop close to the Domus Aurea site.

By car:
Rome’s city center is closed to private cars, but a taxi service can be used to reach the Domus Aurea site.

FAQs about visiting the Domus Aurea

How is it possible to visit the Domus Aurea?
The Domus Aurea can only be visited with a guided tour reservation on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Groups can visit with a maximum of 25 people. It is not possible to purchase group tickets, only individual ones.

How long does a visit to the Domus Aurea take?
A standard visit to the Domus Aurea takes approximately 2 hours to explore all the halls and spaces and to better understand the historical and archaeological significance of Emperor Nero’s golden residence.

Is there a dress code to visit the Domus Aurea?
There is no official dress code, but it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket, even during the summer, since the site is underground.

The best tours to visit the Domus Aurea

There are two options to visit the Domus Aurea, the majestic Golden House of Emperor Nero:

Entry ticket with guided tour:
This is the basic and best-selling option to visit the Domus Aurea. The entry ticket with a pre-booked guided tour grants access to the archaeological site with a professional guide who explains all the spaces of Nero’s imperial residence.

Entry ticket with guided tour and virtual reality experience:
This option includes and guarantees not only entrance to the Domus Aurea and a guided tour, but also the use of virtual reality devices to see how Emperor Nero’s golden house stood up two thousand years ago.