Domus Aurea Tour with WEST WING & Virtual Reality Experience

From EUR 71

4.17

24 reviews

Check availability

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours

Mobile ticket

Join us to uncover traits of Nero's personality, tastes, and his sharp intellect. Because he was far from mad, the bizarre figures in his frescoes reflect his eccentricity while showcasing no less his artistic sensitivity.

Get ready to be amazed as you explore with our engaging guide the EAST and recently reopened WEST WINGS of the Domus Aurea, discovering vaulted halls and stunning hallways, with spectacular frescoes properly restored, originally bathed in delicate beams of light, thanks to the genial combination of porticoes, fountains, and gardens. Up to the impressive OCTAGONAL ROOM, perhaps with a rotating ceiling. Incredible technique, but not for Imperial Rome, where we will take you on a journey among people, goods, cultures from its vast empire.

The PEAK of our visit is a 3D VIRTUAL REALITY RECONSTRUCTION of the halls and an outside lavish portico of the Palace, not yet completed when Nero committed suicide.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Intimate small-group experience.

A licensed English-speaker guide expert in history or archaeology

Domus Aurea skip-the-line tickets with direct access to the site.

Any foods and drinks.

What To Expect

Domus Aurea

Just 4 years after the great fire, a catastrophe unlike any other, destroying two-thirds of the city, causing thousands of deaths. Nero also takes advantage of the destroyed areas to expand his palace on the Palatine Hill, building the Domus Aurea. However, the discontent among the Romans continues to rise, the emperor's popularity collapses, and he is driven to take his own life in June 68 AD. The next emperor, Vespasian, decides to build the Colosseum in place of Nero’s lake. By creating a venue for the already popular gladiator games, he wins the favor of the Romans while simultaneously distancing himself from the policies of the now infamous Nero. Fifty years later, the emperor Trajan buries the Nero’s Golden House, building an immense bath complex above it. The Domus Aurea then falls into oblivion. It’s rediscovered by Renaissance artists in the 1500s. From there begins the rediscovery of Ancient Rome’s forgotten cultural heritage, which you’ll experience on our tour.

2 hours•Admission Included

Options

Domus Aurea English Tour

Reviews

4.17

24 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great experience specially the VR
Brigida I,
May 12, 2025
- Viator
5.00
The place is huge so wear comfy walking shoes. It was so incredible how it was built and the beauty.
Great Tour - VR Amazing, Even if Short
Lisa B,
Apr 25, 2025
- Viator
4.00
Overall, it was a really good experience and very unique. We loved the VR part of the tour the best. It was amazing to see Nero's palace come alive and see how the site looked throughout time with the short video. The site itself was beautiful and full of history. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars: while the tour guide at the start for the history part was lovely, I felt one had to know a lot of the history before the tour to really appreciate it. I studied art history in college; my partner did not. I came to the tour knowing a lot about Rome, Nero, and the Great Fire, but my partner said he left the history part still feeling confused about the timeline and Nero. The other reason it didn't get 5 stars was because, while amazing, the VR section was too short, and my googles wouldn't totally focus, so part of the experience felt "blurry." I would do the tour again, but I would recommend people unfamiliar with Nero read up on him and the Great Fire first to have a deeper appreciation of the site.
Pre-tour
Jane P,
Mar 18, 2025
- Viator
4.00
This is a pre-tour before you go into the Domus. There is another guide inside who does the official tour. A way to get in if the main site is sold out.
Amazing place
Jan W,
Mar 6, 2025
- Viator
4.00
Very cool location, it feels like you’re stepping back in time. The VR experience helps you get an understanding of what it actually looked like before it was buried. There were two guides for this, one outside that did a quick history of the location and one inside that that actually walked us through the palace. The guide inside was a bit dry and not very personable unfortunately. Otherwise a great tour.
Domus Aurea tour
Sanny W,
Dec 4, 2024
- Viator
5.00
Excellent tour and highly recommend it! Our tour guides were knowledgeable and it was so fascinating to see the site. They did a nice exhibit with the virtual reality portion as well.