Current time in Rome

Rome has been keeping time since 263 BC, when the first sundial was brought from Sicily. The Romans invented the concept of dividing the day into hours.

Rome's warm golden light — the 'luce di Roma' — has drawn painters for centuries. The city's pale travertine stone re-radiates golden hour light like a Renaissance painting.

Roman coffee bars open at 6 AM — before sunrise in winter — because Romans traditionally start the day with an espresso standing at the bar.

Roman dinner happens at 8 or 9 PM, conveniently timed after the summer golden hour ends. Italians have been eating al fresco during golden hour for 2,000 years.

The Colosseum at golden hour is one of the most photographed moments on Earth — the ancient stones glow amber and the shadows create dramatic contrasts that make 2,000 year old ruins look alive.

Italy uses CET — but geographically, Rome is closer to Cairo's longitude than to London's. The Italian sun rises and sets earlier than the clocks suggest.