Greek authorities have announced that the Athens Acropolis, the country's most popular tourist attraction, will be closed during the hottest part of July 17. The announcement comes as a heatwave grips many parts of Greece, with temperatures forecast to reach over 43 degrees Celsius.
Specifically, the Acropolis will be closed from 12 noon to 5 pm (local time), starting from July 14, 2023. This regulation is applied to ensure the health and safety of visitors and staff working at the relic site, especially in the context of the extremely hot weather currently happening in Greece.
Greek authorities have announced restrictions on visiting the Athens Acropolis due to the heat.
The partial closure of the Acropolis may cause some inconvenience to visitors, but it is a necessary measure to protect everyone's health. Visitors should note to adjust their Acropolis visit time accordingly to avoid affecting their schedule.
This is the second time in less than a month that Greece has had to limit visiting hours due to hot weather. In the previous restrictions in June, Greece had to close the Acropolis at the hottest time for two consecutive days. According to statistics, the number of tourists visiting the Acropolis in 2023 reached a record high, with nearly 4 million people.
Neighboring countries in this region are all being greatly affected by rising temperatures.
After enduring its warmest winter and its earliest heatwave, Greece is facing severe water shortages in the heat of the Mediterranean summer. Several tourists have died and gone missing in the unusual heatwave that has gripped the Mediterranean country, highlighting the dangers of exposure to temperatures reaching or exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
In recent days, authorities have deployed a number of response measures, such as opening heatwave shelters and handing out free water, to help visitors affected by the heat. According to a study on the impact of extreme summer heat carried out by experts this week, about 61,000 people may have died in the extreme heatwaves in Europe.
