Greece’s iconic tourist attraction, the Acropolis in Athens, was forced to close its doors during the peak heat hours on Friday due to an intense heatwave sweeping across the country. The UNESCO-listed archaeological site suspended access from midday until 5 pm as a protective measure for both workers and visitors, according to Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.
Mendoni, speaking to public broadcaster ERT, indicated that similar measures were likely to be implemented on Saturday as well. She noted that while temperatures in Athens reached a scorching 40 degrees Celsius on Friday, the heat felt even more intense at the summit of the Acropolis.
Despite the closure of the Acropolis, other popular tourist sites in the vicinity, including the Ancient Agora, remained open to the public. The Acropolis, which has witnessed a significant surge in visitor numbers in recent months, typically operates from 8am to 8pm daily.
The sudden closure left some tourists disappointed and unprepared. Many expressed their frustration at the lack of sufficient information provided on the official website. Among them was Sonya Ivkovic, a Serbian human resources director, who despite her disappointment, planned to return for the reopening at 5pm.
Emelie Den, a doctor from Australia, shared similar sentiments, stating, “We weren’t expecting it, we just came and thought it would be open. Kind of caught us off guard but makes sense, it is really, really hot today… we’ve been drinking lots.”
This summer heatwave is not only affecting Greece but several Mediterranean countries, with temperatures soaring past 40C in parts of northern and western Greece on Friday. As the heatwave continues, tourists and locals alike are urged to take necessary precautions to stay safe and hydrated.
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