In an optical recording medium in which at least a heat diffusion layer, a first dielectric layer, an information recording layer and a second dielectric layer are formed in this order on a substrate and signals are recorded and/or reproduced by the light illuminated from the side of the second dielectric layer, it is desirable to optimize recording and/or reproducing characteristics. With this in view, an under layer 3 for optimizing surface properties of a heat diffusion layer 4 is formed between a disc substrate 2 and the heat diffusion layer 4.