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Greece has been experiencing an unseasonable heatwave for several days, with up to 44°C recorded in Athens. Several archaeological sites, including the Acropolis, had to close their doors during the hottest hours.
Summer has not yet arrived, but Greece is experiencing one of its first intense heat waves. The thermometer reached more than 40°C in the streets of Athens on Thursday June 13, with a peak of 43.9°C in the Peloponnese. Around tourist sites, visitors protect themselves as best they can. “It’s terribly hot”, comments one of them. For two days, the main tourist sites, such as the Acropolis, had to close their doors from noon to 5 p.m., to avoid sunstroke and discomfort.
The government also recommended that residents prefer teleworking, and schools closed their doors. On Thursday, the capital’s beaches were taken over by young people, who came to seek a bit of fresh air. “Schools are closed because of the heat, so we came here to swim”, explains a child. If temperatures should start to drop this Friday, the authorities consider the fire risk still very high in six regions.