Nero's Domus Aurea: Explore Ancient Opulence

Explore Nero’s opulent palace with a guide, debunk myths, and experience a 3D virtual reconstruction of ancient Rome.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Domus Aurea - Merely four years after the devastating fire that destroyed two-thirds of the city and claimed thousands of lives, Nero seized the opportunity to expand his palace on the Palatine Hill by constructing the Domus Aurea. Despite this, dissatisfaction among the Romans grew, leading to a decline in the emperor’s popularity and ultimately…
What's Included
  • Intimate small-group experience
  • Licensed English-speaking guide expert in history or archaeology
  • Domus Aurea skip-the-line tickets with direct access to the site
What's Not Included
  • Snacks
Additional Information

Join us to explore the intriguing traits of Nero’s personality, preferences, and his keen intellect. Contrary to being mad, the unusual figures in his frescoes highlight his eccentricity while also demonstrating his artistic sensitivity.
Prepare to be amazed as you journey with our engaging guide through the EAST and newly reopened WEST WINGS of the…

Location
Domus Aurea
Viale Serapide
Your Viator voucher is not the entry ticket, which your guide has. Please wait for the guide with an "OPEN MIND TOURS" sign outside. Entrance to the Domus is at least 20-minute after the scheduled guide presentation.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.3
(33 Ratings)
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1 star
Leticia_c
Nov 29, 2025
Loved it - The Domas is a unique tour with great information and an interesting historical perspective. So amazing to see an palace that is over 2000 years old
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Paul_h
Nov 19, 2025
Nice small group tour. ... - Nice small group tour. Got to see all of the site. Nicely only a short distance from the coliseum crowds
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Thomas_g
Oct 27, 2025
Problem footpath - Directions to the meeting point would be good. Google Maps leads wrongly, namely through blocked off terrain.
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Thomas_m
Oct 24, 2025
Domus Aureus - Stunning tour. Wonderful place with an expert guide. The VR part was really good. On arrival the guard was obstructive and have confusing directions as if nobody had ever showed up there for a tour before. Need to advise customers they need to have passport ID with them. Guard refused to recognise any variant of ticket as valid, strange behaviour. Once inside staff were great and very helpful.
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Lorella_c
Aug 10, 2025
Enthusiastic and... - Enthusiastic and informative guide prior to official Domus Area visit. Handy alternative when the official tickets are difficult to obtain.
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Elizabeth_e
Jun 22, 2025
This tour wasn’t... - This tour wasn’t specifically for kids but our children loved it. I have been to Rome many times and have always wanted to go to Nero’s palace, and it is worth it. My children really enjoyed the experience.
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Cynthia_f
Jun 16, 2025
Fascinating trip into Ancient Rome - Tour was fascinating - a mini Pompei right inside Rome. Incredibly well preserved frescos and such an interesting story. Tour guide was knowledgeable. Although brief, the VR tour was worth it. Best part though, might have been the fact that, being underground, it was a cool 65 degrees F on a 90 degree F day in Rome.
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Brigida_i
May 12, 2025
Great experience specially the VR - The place is huge so wear comfy walking shoes. It was so incredible how it was built and the beauty.
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Rose_b
Nov 3, 2025
Overpriced and hard to understand - I have taken professionally guided tours of the colosseum and Vatican Museums in the recent past. The guide was Italian, fluent in English, was a scholar in history and made the tour very interesting. For this tour, the guide was very nice but struggled with English more than I expected. It was hard to follow. For the price, it should have been a more fluid and educational experience in my opinion.
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Kate_b
Jun 20, 2025
Only Buy Official Ticket - Important to know that the tour we paid for includes only a 20 minute lecture (done beautifully). Then, the guide/lecturer hands you off to the Domus Aurea's internal tour guides. No outside guides are allowed in and you can't just walk around on your own. You have to be part of the official tour. We paid for a "small tour" and the first 20 minutes outside was 4 of us (4 didn't show up), but the internal tour was more like 30 people with a very nice guide who spoke very broken English so it was hard to follow. I would recommend JUST buying the official ticket and NOT getting a tour from an outside vendor as they are not allowed in the facility. The internal ticket includes the tour and amazing virtual reality experience. For probably a LOT less money.
Review provided by Viator
From $81
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).