Although the palace probably takes its name from a house, probably, built by the Emperor Tiberius, who is known to have lived on the Palatine, though no sources mention his having built a residence there. Over the centuries the domus was extensively expanded and modified, so much so that nearly all of the originial structure is now lost. The current above ground structures belong to the Farnese Gardens and the substructures belong to the expansions carried out by Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.

The Domus Tiberiana extended toward the Roman Forum, overlooking landmarks such as the Temple of Saturn and the Basilica Julia. Its strategic location offered commanding views of the city, symbolizing imperial authority. Archaeological evidence suggests that the complex incorporated earlier structures, including parts of elite Republican-era houses, into its architecture and in its final iteration it extended directly on the Via Nova.

Although little of the original Tiberian architecture survives, historical accounts and later expansions during the Julio-Claudian and Flavian dynasties highlight its opulence and functionality. The palace served as both a private residence and an administrative center. During the Flavian period (69–96 CE), Domitian integrated the Domus Tiberiana into the larger network of imperial palaces on the Palatine, connecting it with the Domus Augustana and other structures. Later, under the Severan emperors (193–235 CE), further renovations added to its grandeur.

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The remains of the Domus Tiberiana are situated on the northwest corner of the Palatine Hill, overlooking the Velabrum and the Roman Forum, with the Capitoline Hill visible beyond. The site spans an area of approximately 150 by 120 metres (492 by 394 feet) and is now largely occupied by the platform of the Farnese Gardens, which were established in 1550 by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. The extant remains primarily consist of monumental arcaded support structures on the northern slope of the hill, attributed to the construction efforts under Domitian, Trajan, and Hadrian. At the Forum level, remnants of a vestibule complex, initiated by Domitian and completed under Hadrian, are situated behind the Temple of Castor and Pollux. This complex featured an access ramp ascending the hill to the Domus Tiberiana at the summit.

The central structure of the Domus Tiberiana revolved around an expansive peristyle enclosed by arcades on all four sides. To the south of this peristyle, a double block of rooms separated by a broad corridor was constructed, while a further block of rooms was located to the north. On the eastern side of the complex lies a 130-metre (427-foot) long cryptoporticus from Nero’s reign, featuring mosaic floors and remnants of frescoes, though these are poorly preserved. This cryptoporticus later connected to the Flavian Palace upon its construction. In the southeastern section of the palace, near the Domus Livia, remnants of an elliptical basin, likely a fish pond (inspect), have been identified.

The southwest façade of the Domus Tiberiana is distinguished by a portico leading to a series of rooms. These rooms, based on the graffiti discovered within, are thought to have served as quarters for the Praetorian Guard, suggesting their functional significance within the complex.