Travelers to Greece remain unfazed by the intense heatwave

Greece is enduring its worst heatwave in over three decades, with wildfires raging, Athens covered in thick smoke, and residents fleeing the outskirts, leaving their homes to burn.

Americans are facing an additional challenge. On August 3, the CDC placed Greece, along with 15 other nations, on its 'very high' Covid-19 risk list, now classifying it as a Level 4 destination with a Do Not Travel advisory due to more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents in the past month.

Despite these challenges, tourists seem to be remaining calm, opting to relax by the pool rather than canceling their trips.

Lucy Thackray, a visitor from London, decided to pause her sightseeing plans in Lefkada, a Greek island, and instead enjoyed the pool with a frozen drink in hand.

Upon her arrival on Monday, the temperature was 95°F, and after a scorching hour-long cab ride to her hotel, she had little desire to leave the poolside.

Although she’s visited beautiful beaches by boat, she said, 'I’m only doing activities that are near water.'

'Hiking or wandering around towns isn’t on my agenda. It’s simply too hot for anything – even in the evening, the air is still uncomfortably sticky,' she explained.

A seasoned Greece traveler, having visited the country about 25 times, she remarked that she has never encountered heat like this before.

By Thursday morning, temperatures had soared to nearly 99°F.

Another indication of climate change

Brandon Miller, chief meteorologist at Dinogo Weather, explained that a 'heat dome' is currently hovering over southeastern Europe.

'Storm systems are shifting northward of the high-pressure ridge, letting the intense midsummer sun scorch the region while hot, dry air from the Sahara pushes up into the area,' he said, noting that the extreme weather serves as a clear indicator of climate change.

'Greece is no stranger to heat waves and wildfires, but climate change is exacerbating both, with rising temperatures and increasingly severe and frequent droughts,' he added.

The impact extends beyond just Greece and Turkey, which have both been heavily affected, Miller said, pointing out 'significant droughts' and 'especially hot' conditions across much of southern Europe, particularly over the last two weeks.

‘Intolerable’ heat

Sirena Bergman, a Brit visiting the Ionian islands, arrived in Kefalonia last week from Spain. She anticipated similar temperatures, but was caught off guard by a much hotter climate.

'I haven’t noticed any closures due to the heat, but it’s certainly influenced our activities,' she said.

'Our lodging is at the top of a steep hill, and it’s almost impossible to walk up during the day until the sun sets. Walking for more than five minutes is uncomfortable unless you’re near a sea breeze.'

'Honestly, if you're coming for a sunny vacation and staying by the beach or a pool, it's probably manageable, but I really sympathize with the locals who have to work and travel in this extreme heat.'

'It feels suffocatingly hot, which might be a novelty for us coming from the UK, but I can imagine it’s unbearable for anyone trying to get anything done in this heat.'

Shutdowns in Athens due to extreme heat

Of course, lounging by a pool on an island is a different experience than a city getaway. JT Genter, a digital nomad from the US, had arrived in Greece with his wife just before the CDC updated its travel advisory.

They went to the Acropolis on July 29, only to find it closed because of the scorching heat.

'Athens felt hot and deserted – it was over 100°F every day we were there, and the usual crowds were noticeably absent,' he shared with Dinogo Travel.

'We visited the Acropolis at noon, purchased our tickets online as instructed, and headed to the entrance, only to be told it was closed until 5 p.m.'

They returned at 6 p.m., along with many others who had the same idea. His photos from that day capture crowds climbing the unshaded steps together.

Still, he says it was worth enduring the heat, describing the experience as 'fascinating.'

Keep calm and enjoy the shade

So far, tour operators – who have faced numerous challenges this year – are carrying on as usual. Chris Wright, managing director of Sunvil, confirmed that all trips to Greece are proceeding as scheduled.

'Fortunately, none of the areas we serve are currently impacted, and temperatures are now returning to typical levels for this time of year,' he explained.

'We’ve been operating in Greece for over 45 years and have extensive experience managing wildfires. Our local teams are offering guidance on how to cope with the heat,' he added.

Dinogo’s Miller predicts that the next two weeks will remain 'hot and dry, but not as extreme as the past week or so.'

However, he doesn't believe there's a need to delay trips at this time.

'Just stay informed about local conditions and take necessary precautions against the heat and sun exposure,' he advised.

'One thing to watch out for is smoke, which can lead to poor air quality.'

'Luckily, most of the fires are fairly contained, so the smoke isn’t as widespread as what we've seen in places like the western US, Canada, and Russia, where large-scale fires are producing smoke that can travel for thousands of kilometers.'

Travelers may also find it helpful to consult with fellow vacationers for tips. Nicole Walsh, who’s been enduring 'unbelievably hot' temperatures near 106°F at 4 p.m. in Crete, mentions that the heat is still manageable.

'If you have air conditioning, it’s not too bad, and evenings and early mornings are much more tolerable,' she said.

'The key is to adjust your schedule, avoid the sun, and spend plenty of time in the water,' she added.

'I’d suggest postponing your trip only if you’re not a fan of the heat or if you’re staying somewhere without air conditioning – though, if you’re booking a vacation at this time of year, you’re probably expecting sunshine.'