The Acropolis, Athens’ landmark monument, is closed this July 8, due to a heat wave afflicting Greece.
The Greek capital is expected to reach a high of 100°F (38°C), along with an increased risk of wildfires. The Acropolis, which welcomed 4.5 million visitors in 2024, will remain closed between 1–5 pm local time, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Culture.
It is not the first time such a measure has been taken, as similar closures occurred in June 2025 and in July 2024. This is simply the latest attempt to mitigate the effects of extreme heat, which is challenging the country as 41 fires have erupted across Greece. But Greece is not the only country affected by heat waves. Indeed, according to the World Meteorological Organization, climate change is driving these rising temperatures in various parts of the world, with serious consequences. Wildfires destroy homes and take lives, extreme heat threatens the food supply, and the elderly are especially at risk. And in Europe and Central Asia, half of all children face frequent heat waves—twice the global average of one in four children.
To find out more about the biggest heat waves ever, read up on the hottest days in history in this gallery.