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Rome: Opinions on Domus Aurea, Colosseum Attic vs. Underground

Posted by (California) on

I am researching plans for a trip to Rome next May, it will be my second trip to the city.

I am wanting a mix of re-visiting and seeing many sites I did not previously visit. I did see the Colosseum and Forum on my previous trip. I am looking at the options and toying with trying to get tickets of the Underground or the Attic (full experience tickets) but unfortunately, does not look like the Colosseum includes both special tours. Any opinions on either Underground or Attic?

Also, I am considering also including a (separate) visit to Domus Aurea since I will likely be in Rome over the weekend. Any thoughts of that experience? Worth it?

Posted by
2814 posts

We did Domus Aurea a few years ago and thought it was excellent. The tour was great and then you get to do a virtual reality thing at the end and it's just like you're walking around the site thousands of years ago.

Posted by
456 posts

I did the Colosseum underground and it was interesting enough, once. I don’t remember the attic being a thing in 2017 so can’t speak to that.

The Domus Aurea I’d do again in a heartbeat. You are close to the original frescos on an active archaeological site, and the virtual reality part sounded a bit silly to me but it’s very well done. You can “see” what it originally looked like and what the views would have been. It’s a unique experience.

Posted by
408 posts

On our second trip to Rome, we thoroughly enjoyed the Domus Aurea. We also enjoyed the underground visit at the Colosseum (we had been there before on our first trip but had not toured the underground). Definitely do both!

Posted by
265 posts

Be sure to get your Tix to the Domus Aurea well in advance as it is not offered every day. It was amazing and not crowded since they limit visitors

Posted by
31 posts

Thank you all for your input. I will definitely figure Domus Aurea into the itinerary. Glad it is so well-received by those of you who have done it.

I will plan on either special itinerary for Colosseum closer to the two-month mark of my itinerary but leaning towards to trying for the Underground if I can.

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