Guided Tours

Domus Aurea Guided Tour with VR Experience

Colosseum view from Domus Aurea park area in Rome, Italy.

Visitors with helmets exploring Domus Aurea's ancient ruins in Rome.

Domus Aurea interior with ancient Roman brickwork and large oculus in Rome, Italy.

Visitors using VR headsets at Domus Aurea, Rome, for Nero's Golden House tour.

Duration

1 hr 15 mins - 1 hr 30 mins

Open today

8:30am - 7:15pm

Guided tour

4.7/5(38)

Jana N

Couple

Verified booking

May 2026

It was absolutely wonderful. It was very interesting, well presented, and the virtual tour really helped me picture what the structure looked like nearly 2,000 years ago. A beautiful experience that I highly recommend. The guide was great, too. Thank you.

Lambert F

Solo

Verified booking

Apr 2026

The guide spoke clearly and we could easily understand what she was saying. Lots of explication about what the "room" was use for, and how they were discovered

Massimo M

Group

Verified booking

Mar 2026

The guide explained the different historical periods and the clues that make such an accurate description possible very clearly. And seeing what the Domus Aurea looked like virtually was amazing.

Ivan P

Couple

Verified booking

Mar 2026

The headset was definitely exciting, but the false ceilings—and pretty much everything else—were absolutely stunning. Plus, the guide’s professionalism really helped us make the most of the experience.

Osvaldo C

Couple

Verified booking

Feb 2026

The Domus Aurea is a fantastic place to learn about ancient Rome, just like Pompeii. The guide was excellent at conveying the emotions that the place evokes, with the passion and great expertise of an archaeologist.

Mónica G

Couple

Verified booking

Feb 2026

Wonderful guide (Roberta) and everything was beautiful and interesting. I would increase the content and duration of the virtual reality experience and, above all, improve the location of the meeting point (it turned out to be quite chaotic).

Step inside the Domus Aurea and witness the grandeur of Emperor Nero’s Golden House brought to life with immersive VR technology.

A knowledgeable guide unpacks the palace’s history, its incredible architecture, and the ongoing efforts to restore its former glory.

Time-travel 2,000 years as you slip on a VR headset and see Domus Aurea as Nero did—gilded halls, frescoed ceilings, and lavish banquet rooms brought back to life through advanced virtual reality.

This underground palace isn’t just another Roman ruin—it’s a rarely seen masterpiece of imperial extravagance, hidden beneath the city streets.

Entrance ticket to Domus Aurea

VR headset experience

Guided tour through 12 key sites in English or Spanish (as per option selected)

Food and beverages

Transfers

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

38 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Spain, Austria, United States and over 18 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Jana N
Couple
Verified booking
May 2026
It was absolutely wonderful. It was very interesting, well presented, and the virtual tour really helped me picture what the structure looked like nearly 2,000 years ago. A beautiful experience that I highly recommend. The guide was great, too. Thank you.
Lambert F
Solo
Verified booking
Apr 2026
The guide spoke clearly and we could easily understand what she was saying. Lots of explication about what the "room" was use for, and how they were discovered
Aldo D
Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
Excellent in every way. Great tour guide and a spectacular site. The process of meeting up and entering at two different locations was a bit complicated.
Vladimir P
Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
I liked everithing. The excavations are incredible and the guide very very good
Tom G
Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
Guide, wall paintings, VCR experience

A lost palace, brought to life

Step beneath Rome’s streets and enter Domus Aurea, Emperor Nero’s extravagant Golden House. This guided tour blends archaeology and virtual reality to reconstruct the palace’s original grandeur, offering a rare glimpse into ancient Roman luxury.

Getting started

Arrive at the entrance near Colle Oppio Park, where you’ll meet your expert guide. After a quick check-in, collect your VR headset and begin your journey into the ruins. Security checks are in place, so arrive early to ensure a smooth entry.

What to expect

Domus Aurea

Once an architectural marvel, Nero’s palace spanned over 300 acres, covered in gold leaf, and adorned with precious stones. Today, its ruins hint at its former magnificence.

Immersive VR Experience – See the palace as it was 2,000 years ago, from towering frescoed halls to opulent gardens.

Hidden Underground Chambers – Walk through dimly lit passageways that once led to lavish banquet halls.

Expert Narration – Your guide brings the site to life with tales of Nero’s extravagant reign and the palace’s dramatic history.

Ongoing Restoration – Learn about the efforts to preserve this lost treasure and the discoveries still being made.

What to bring

Valid ID for ticket validation

Comfortable walking shoes (uneven terrain)

Light jacket (underground areas can be cool)

What's not allowed

Large bags, backpacks, or suitcases

Flash photography and tripods

Food and drinks inside the site

Touching or leaning on archaeological structures

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible due to uneven floors and stairs

VR headset experience may not be suitable for guests with motion sensitivity

Limited seating areas along the tour route

Additional info

Tour duration: approx. 75 minutes

Children under 6 may not use VR headsets

Arrive at least 15 minutes early for security checks

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.