The Hellenic Red Cross is distributing bottles of cold water, hats and handheld fans to tourists at the entrance to the Acropolis as temperatures in the Greek capital approach 40 degrees Celsius.
The heatwave gripping Greece has not deterred thousands of visitors from touring Athens’ best-known landmark. Many, however, arrive unprepared for the extreme conditions.
Konstantinos Gavrilidis, communications director of the Hellenic Red Cross, said tourists from northern countries or regions unaccustomed to such temperatures face particular risks.
“Many of them are not properly prepared, either in terms of clothing or footwear, for these extremely high temperatures,” Gavrilidis said.
Some tourists arrived equipped with umbrellas, hats, portable fans, water bottles and lightweight clothing. They said they had expected the heat but had not considered cancelling their visit.
Others came unprepared despite forecasts showing temperatures could reach 40 degrees Celsius.
“Excuse me, do you have a hat? The sun is killing me,” a young tourist from the United States told Red Cross volunteers before entering the Acropolis.
Gavrilidis said the Red Cross, working with Greece’s Culture Ministry, maintains a presence at the site during periods of extreme heat.
“The aim is to provide guidance on coping with heatwaves, heatstroke and high temperatures, as well as protective measures such as hats, fans, sunscreen and, of course, cold water,” he said.
Between 2,500 and 3,000 bottles of cold water were being distributed to visitors, Gavrilidis said. Red Cross teams have also intervened in several cases to assist tourists experiencing heat-related health problems.
Acropolis staff said extreme temperatures, whether high or low, generally have little effect on visitor numbers.
That is particularly true for cruise passengers who spend only a few hours in Athens. With limited time available, they often have little flexibility to postpone their visit to the Acropolis.