Greece shuts down tourist hotspots, warns travelers as severe heatwave sweeps country

Greece is grappling with the repercussions of an unprecedented early heatwave that has claimed the lives of several tourists and left many missing amid record-breaking temperatures. The heatwave, defined by temperatures exceeding 38°C for at least three days, has prompted urgent warnings to travelers.

The heatwave has hit Greece earlier than ever before, with tourist hotspots in Athens and beyond forced to close. The Acropolis, Greece's most visited tourist attraction, shut its doors on Wednesday and Thursday as temperatures soared, causing visitors to faint while waiting in line. Greek authorities issued a level three heat alert, urging people to work from home and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Chania, a city on the northwest coast of Crete, recorded the highest temperature, reaching 44.5°C on Thursday. The area also experienced a 3.7 magnitude earthquake on Friday morning. Central Athens saw temperatures climb to 42°C, prompting health warnings and school closures.

The heatwave led to the closure of several other archaeological sites across Crete, the Dodecanese, the Cyclades, and the Peloponnese. In addition to the scorching temperatures, Greece faces a heightened risk of fires due to strong winds. Vassilis Kikilias, Greece's Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, stated that civil protection was on "high alert," with the fire risk deemed "very high" in ten regions, including Attica, which surrounds Athens.

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This early heatwave has disrupted tourism significantly. The Acropolis was closed during the hottest hours, from noon to 5:00 pm, for two consecutive days, preventing tourists from visiting the Parthenon and other ancient sites. Last year, the Acropolis also closed during a two-week heatwave in July, which was followed by devastating fires that consumed nearly 175,000 hectares of forest and farmland.

Despite these challenges, nearly four million visitors flocked to the Acropolis in 2023, driven in part by cruise ship arrivals at the nearby port of Piraeus. However, with temperatures expected to ease from Friday onwards, Greece remains on high alert, preparing for the potential continuation of extreme weather conditions throughout the summer.