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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 min - 1 hr 30 min

Open today

08:30am - 04:30pm

Guided tour

4.8/5

(12)

Emese Anna Kapcza

Emese

Jan 2026
Verified booking
5/5
We had a wonderful guide (I think her name was Laura) who was very knowledgeable and spoke good, slow English. She gave us a fascinating tour of Rome's incredibly exciting "underworld." The digital reconstruction is also well worth seeing and really opens up new visual worlds! A highly recommended tour!
Giovana Inclan

Giovana

Sep 2025
Verified booking
4/5
the guide's knowledge and charm was WONDERFULL and the experience is worth every cent. Meanwhile the service provided by Once Upon a Time Tours was just TERRIBLE
    • 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.

  • 4.8
    12 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.

    10
    1
    1
    0
    0
    Guests from Mexico, Switzerland, Austria and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Emese Anna Kapcza

    Emese

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    5/5
    We had a wonderful guide (I think her name was Laura) who was very knowledgeable and spoke good, slow English. She gave us a fascinating tour of Rome's incredibly exciting "underworld." The digital reconstruction is also well worth seeing and really opens up new visual worlds! A highly recommended tour!
    Lucia Regina Stecca

    Lucia

    Jan 2026
    Verified booking
    3/5
    The place is wonderful. But the tour takes a long time. It was very cold and I almost froze. The ticket was a small photocopy.
    Mabel Folone

    Mabel

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    I found it very interesting. And the virtual reality part was a hit.
    Giovana Inclan

    Giovana

    Sep 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    the guide's knowledge and charm was WONDERFULL and the experience is worth every cent. Meanwhile the service provided by Once Upon a Time Tours was just TERRIBLE
    DAVID CALVET Dominique

    David

    May 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Visit of an exceptional place with glasses, 3D. I recommend this experience and the discovery of this place.
  • 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.

  • Colosseum

    Monday08:30am - 04:30pmlast entry 03:30pm
    Tuesday08:30am - 04:30pmlast entry 03:30pm
    Wednesday08:30am - 04:30pmlast entry 03:30pm
    Thursday08:30am - 04:30pmlast entry 03:30pm
    Friday08:30am - 04:30pmlast entry 03:30pm
    Saturday08:30am - 04:30pmlast entry 03:30pm
    Sunday08:30am - 04:30pmlast entry 03:30pm
  • 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.

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