Abstract Functionalized gold nanorods (AuNRs) are innovative tools useful in theranostics, combining diagnostics and therapy and allowing optimal and personal treatment of patients. Moreover, AuNRs are studied for use in photothermal therapy and imaging thanks to the peculiar phenomenon of Localised Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR), which allows them to be identified through spectroscopic techniques in the energy range in which biological tissues are not active. Their functionalization can involve a variety of molecules, including specific drugs or peptides, allowing a controlled transport and release of desired drugs. In this framework, AuNRs were synthesised and characterised through spectroscopic (UV–Vis-NIR, XPS) and microscopic techniques (TEM, FE-SEM). Furthermore, their cytotoxic activity was evaluated on Vero E6 cell line by MTT assay. The data obtained confirm the AuNRs are promising carriers for antiviral drugs, opening new possibilities of application for biomedical field.