All archaeological landmarks like the Acropolis in Athens are closed
A heatwave that has been going on since early July reached a new peak in many parts of Greece on Thursday. Since local temperatures are expected to exceed 43 degrees, all archaeological sites between noon and 5:00 p.m. local time will be closed, the Culture Ministry announced. Affected sites include the landmarks of Athens, the Acropolis, and the ancient site of Olympia.
The Civil Protection warned of extreme fire danger in most regions of Central and Southern Greece. The smallest fire could be turned into a major fire due to the drought and the strong winds currently blowing around the Aegean Sea, a spokesperson for the Fire Department said on Greek television.
The situation is somewhat better on Crete and the Aegean Islands. The sea breeze provides some cooling with temperatures around 35 degrees, according to the Meteorological Office.
Because of the ongoing heatwave, many tourists had to adjust their plans to visit the Acropolis. The Symbol of Athens was unfortunately inaccessible during peak heat hours due to the closure of all archaeological sites. All visitors were advised to heed the warnings and avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
