The archaeological site of the Acropolis in Athens will stop receiving visitors on Wednesday during the hottest hours, a decision made for the second time in just over a month due to a new heatwave hitting Greece, according to the Greek Ministry of Culture. The ministry stated in a brief announcement, "Due to weather forecasts predicting a rise in temperatures, the Acropolis site should be closed from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time" (09:00 to 14:00 GMT).
The National Meteorological Service reported that temperatures will exceed 43 degrees Celsius in areas of mainland Greece, particularly in the central and southern parts of the country. In Attica, the region surrounding Athens, midday temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius, according to the same source.
The Acropolis in Athens, the most popular tourist site in Greece, was closed to the public during the hottest hours for two consecutive days in mid-June when an exceptionally early heatwave struck Greece. Greece, a Mediterranean country accustomed to heatwaves, recorded temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in several areas on Tuesday for the ninth consecutive day, according to the National Observatory of Athens site mete.gr.
This heatwave is expected to peak on Wednesday and Thursday, according to meteorological experts. The Civil Protection Authority warned on Wednesday of a "very high" risk of fires in several Greek areas, including Attica.
The Acropolis, which includes the Parthenon, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most visited archaeological landmarks in the world. It recorded a record number of visitors last year, with nearly 4 million visitors, an increase of more than 31% over one year. From January to the end of March, the number of visitors rose by more than 50% compared to the same period in 2023, according to the National Statistical Service "ELSTAT."
