Aurelio is among the first 15 quartieri of the city, originally delimited in 1911 and officially established in 1921.

To the north, the quarter borders with quartiere Trionfale (Q. XIV), from which it is separated by Via del Pineto Torlonia, Via di Valle Aurelia, Via Angelo Emo, Via Anastasio II, Via Aurelia, Via di Porta Pertusa and Viale Vaticano up to the Vatican wall.

Southward, the quarter borders with quartiere Gianicolense (Q. XII), whose border is delineated by the stretch of Via di San Pancrazio between Piazzale Aurelio and Via Aurelia Antica and by the latter, up to Via di Torre Rossa.

Westward, Aurelio also borders with quartiere Primavalle (Q. XXVII), whose boundary is outlined by Largo di Boccea, Via Domenico Tardini and Via della Pineta Sacchetti, up to Via del Pineto Torlonia.

Being the quarter very close to the Vatican City, streets and squares are mainly named after popes and prominent cardinals.