Tips for Staying Safe and Cool in Greece This Summer from Athens’s Chief Heat Officer

It’s the height of tourist season in Athens, and the heat is unyielding. From the scorching streets of Monastiraki to the busy beaches of Vouliagmeni, where the refreshing waters offer brief respite, the heat dominates every conversation. Locals tend to stay indoors during the day or relax beside fans at cafés, sipping freddo cappuccinos while tourists brave the sweltering pavements, determined to make the most of their sunny vacation.

This year, however, the sun seems particularly fierce, radiating heat from every surface. On Sunday, July 23, weather stations throughout the country reported temperatures soaring above 42 degrees Celsius, or 107 degrees Fahrenheit. With the heatwave expected to persist, it’s not just uncomfortable; prolonged outdoor exposure during midday is strongly discouraged.

Elissavet Bargianni, the chief heat officer for the City of Athens, emphasizes this point to visitors. “We all need to recognize that heat isn’t just physically taxing; it can be extremely hazardous,” she stated in an email to Dinogo. “We often don’t realize when we’ve hit our limits.”

Extreme temperatures aren’t the only climate-related challenge facing Greece this year. Destructive wildfires are currently sweeping through Rhodes and other regions, leading to the evacuation of thousands of tourists and locals. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis informed the Greek parliament this week that the country is “at war” with the fires.

In light of the intense heat and wildfires, travelers with planned trips to Greece might be questioning whether to proceed with their plans or reconsider. Additionally, they may want to know how to stay safe and cool if they do visit Greece now or during future heatwaves. Here’s the expert guidance.

Is it safe to visit Greece at this moment?

Regarding the wildfires, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Greece advises citizens traveling in the area to exercise “extreme caution in affected regions” and to “adhere to all announcements and instructions from the Greek government.” The embassy's website offers several helpful resources from local authorities, including daily fire prediction maps and emergency contact numbers for those currently in Greece.

However, it’s ultimately up to travelers to stay informed through their travel and accommodation providers, as well as the wealth of online resources available. “Visitors must be mindful of conditions at their destination and should consult experts at their travel agency, hosts, hotels, and local residents for guidance,” says Bargianni. While avoiding wildfires may be manageable with careful planning, escaping the heat presents a different challenge.

Dr. Jim Evans, senior medical consultant at travel insurance provider Allianz Partners, emphasizes the importance of basic health precautions while traveling. “Stay hydrated, avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine as they can worsen dehydration, and drink plenty of fluids even if you’re not thirsty,” he advises, highlighting that young children and elderly travelers are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses due to their bodies’ inability to adapt to extreme temperature fluctuations.

Tips for Staying Cool in Greece

Many travelers visiting Greece this summer will arrive in Athens, spending a few days in the capital before exploring other regions. The city’s #CoolAthens website offers practical advice in both Greek and English to help residents and visitors navigate the heat.

“It all comes down to a few straightforward principles, like scheduling outdoor activities for the early morning and finding cool spaces such as museums or restaurants during the hottest part of the day,” Bargianni explains. The website also includes a “survival guide” with advice on assisting someone experiencing heatstroke. (Symptoms of heatstroke can include confusion and loss of consciousness, which can be life-threatening if untreated; helpful measures include moving the person to shade, loosening their clothing, applying a damp towel to their head and neck, and offering water to sip slowly if they remain conscious.) Additionally, it explains the various categories of heat waves so that both citizens and visitors can understand the escalating risks. For example, a Category 0 heat wave indicates high temperatures and health risks for vulnerable populations, while a Category 3, the most severe, signifies extreme temperatures that pose major health risks and necessitate maximum precautions.

Bargianni’s training as a landscape architect enables her to view the situation from a wider lens. “Landscape architecture allows me to consider elements like plants, trees, sidewalk materials, and street surfaces, along with how people perceive and interact within a space,” she explains. “These factors are crucial at this moment.” She highlights the Extrema Global app as a vital tool for both residents and visitors.

“Extrema Global is a mobile app we created in collaboration with local partners in Athens to indicate heat risks and assist both locals and visitors in locating cooler routes, parks with shade, and cooling centers,” Bargianni shares. The app features a mapping function that identifies the “shortest” and “coolest” paths across the city, making it easier to travel from alpha to omega without enduring relentless sun exposure. The city’s trees are marked in green, allowing users to select routes that offer shade from Athens’s mulberry, orange, and sycamore trees.

Despite the availability of cooler mapped routes, it’s still advisable to avoid walking around the city during the hottest parts of the day. Athens’s most famous archaeological site, the Acropolis, is closed from 12 noon to 5 p.m. (typically open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the summer) to safeguard visitors and staff from the severe heat. “The city’s rhythm shifts during heat waves,” Bargianni notes.

Top Spots to Beat the Heat in Athens and Greece

If you find yourself in Athens at the moment, there are numerous places to keep cool. Since hiking to the Acropolis in the scorching midday sun isn’t advisable, consider visiting the remarkable Acropolis Museum instead, or explore the National Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art, or the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture. Although much of the city’s life unfolds outdoors, wait until evening for a meal at a streetside restaurant, and opt for air-conditioned dining options for lunch. You might also enjoy a refreshing swim at the beaches along the Athens Riviera, or forgo the city entirely and venture to the Cyclades islands, where gentle sea breezes alleviate the heat, or to mountainous areas like Metsovo and Arachova for a different experience of Greece.

Best Times to Visit

Greece is celebrated as a summer paradise, where visitors bask on picturesque beaches and enjoy lively nights in welcoming tavernas. However, for those who haven’t secured their trip yet, there are compelling reasons to consider visiting Greece outside the peak months of July and August. Summers here start early and extend long, making a visit in June or September potentially more pleasant and less crowded than the height of summer. Athens is an excellent destination year-round, even in winter when temperatures are mild (averaging around 55 degrees Fahrenheit), offering more opportunities to explore ancient sites in tranquility.

“Raising awareness among visitors is crucial, so they can plan their trips with the heat in mind,” Bargianni emphasizes. “We are also enhancing our preparations for year-round tourism in Athens to assist people in selecting the best time for their visit.”