Cerium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via a versatile co-precipitation route. The effect of surfactant addition on the structural and optical properties of nanoceria was systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of nanoceria with a cubic fluorite crystal structure, with an average crystallite size of approximately 10 nm. A marginal variation in the optical band gap was observed. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic Ce–O stretching vibrations, confirming the formation of cerium oxide nanoparticles. The PL emission spectra exhibited violet and blue emission bands.