Acropolis in Athens temporarily closed due to extreme temperatures

Greek authorities have taken a public protection decision: in the context of a severe heat wave affecting the entire country, the Acropolis in Athens will close during the hottest hours of the day. The decision comes amid an increased risk of fires and temperatures forecast to reach 42°C.

• Historical monument, on a visitation break

The Greek Ministry of Culture announced that the archaeological site of the Acropolis in Athens will be closed to the public between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM (local time) due to the heat wave. The measure is preventive and aims to protect visitors, staff and the integrity of the site. The Parthenon and other masterpieces of Ancient Greece will thus be inaccessible during the hottest hours.

• Heat puts pressure on authorities

The Greek Meteorological Service (EMY) warns that this heatwave will last the whole week with similar temperatures. The Civil Protection has also issued a severe fire warning for the Attica region, central Greece and the Peloponnese Peninsula, especially due to dry vegetation and local winds that may worsen the situation.

• Historic site, between visitor records and climate challenges

The Acropolis of Athens, a symbol of Greek civilization and UNESCO heritage site, is the most visited tourist attraction in the country. In 2023, more than 4.5 million tourists arrived on the sacred hill - a record that prompted authorities to introduce timed appointments to avoid overcrowding. The temporary closure measure was also applied in the summers of 2023 and 2024, during periods of extreme heat. In July 2023, a two-week heatwave imposed unprecedented restrictions on tourism.

• Climate change and tourism: an increasingly difficult balance to maintain

Greece, a Mediterranean country accustomed to torrid summers, is increasingly facing longer, more intense and more dangerous heat waves. The situation at the Acropolis is illustrative of the tension between mass tourism and adaptation to the climate crisis. In this context, cultural and tourism authorities in Greece are looking for solutions to protect heritage and public health, without slowing down economic development dependent on tourism.

Greece's action is part of a regional trend - heat waves are affecting more and more countries in South-Eastern Europe. June 2025 has already been declared the warmest June recorded in 12 countries globally, according to the European Copernicus program.

In this tense equation between climate, heritage and economy, the Acropolis remains a symbol and a barometer of how civilizations of yesterday and today adapt to changing times.