Greece shut the Acropolis for several hours in the afternoon on Tuesday (July 8) as the Mediterranean country baked in its second major heatwave of the season, with temperatures set to soar as high as 41 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Last week, large parts of Western Europe sweltered in a severe heatwave that left 8 dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region.

In Athens, temperatures forced authorities to close the Acropolis, its most visited ancient site, on a rocky hill offering barely any shade, at midday from 1000 GMT until 1400 GMT.

With hot air and humidity worsening conditions, authorities ordered some businesses in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, and other areas on the mainland and southern Peloponnese peninsula, to limit outdoor work for employees in the afternoon.

Builders, food delivery riders, couriers and shipyards workers are among those having to pause work from midday until 5 p.m. to avoid heat stress, the labour ministry said.

The heatwave conditions will continue until Wednesday, the Greek meteorological service said, and authorities in the wider Athens and other areas will be on alert for wildfires as gale-force winds were expected.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

ATHENS, GREECE (JULY 8, 2025)(REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF PARTHENON TEMPLE AND THE ACROPOLIS EMPTY OF PEOPLE AFTER IT WAS CLOSED FOR FOUR HOURS FOR HEATWAVE