A severe heat wave is sweeping through southern Europe, causing authorities in Greece to close the Acropolis in Athens from midday for about five hours on Wednesday. Tourists, eager to visit the historic site, arrived early in the morning to beat the rising temperatures. Red Cross representatives handed out cold water bottles to those waiting in long lines.
"We did it, got out quickly, and now we're heading to air-conditioned places to enjoy the rest of the day," said Toby Dunlop from Pennsylvania, who visited the historic center of ancient Athens. "It's really hot up there. If you're not prepared, you'll sweat."
The heat wave, expected to last until at least Sunday, is driven by hot air from Africa, with temperatures expected to peak at 43°C (109°F).
In Italy, Palermo was added to a list of 13 cities with severe heat warnings, including the capital, Rome. Elderly residents in Verona were advised to stay indoors, and sprinklers were activated to cool pedestrians. Two firefighters died while battling a blaze in the Basilicata region in the south.
In North Macedonia, dozens of fires broke out, and firefighting planes from Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Romania and Turkey arrived to assist.
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A tourist takes a picture in the Acropolis with smoke from fires behind her
(Photo: AP)
"This heat is from hell," said Carmen Diaz, a tourist from Madrid, trying to cool down near a fan during lunch in Rome. "These fans help a bit, but it's really hot." Patrizia Valerio, who came to Rome from Varese for a Coldplay concert, added, "It really feels like we're in an oven with a hairdryer pointed at us."
In Spain, temperatures soared, with several cities, including Granada and Toledo, expecting highs of 44°C (111°F).
In Albania, the heat prompted the government to adjust public employees' working hours, while Istanbul issued a heat warning, predicting temperatures 3-6°C above the seasonal average until July 28. In western Turkey, more than 12 firefighting planes were deployed to control a fire near Bergama.
Tips for staying cool in Athens and Rome
Vicky Sarcov, owner of a tourism company in Greece, shared tips with Ynet for enjoying Athens during such extreme heat. "It's hot," she admitted, "but it's nothing we Israelis aren't used to. The heat here is similar to Eilat, with almost no humidity. You can still enjoy Athens. Mornings are long, so you can explore the city before it gets too hot, visit air-conditioned museums, malls, outlets, and stay near water sources like lakes, water parks, and the beautiful beaches of the Athenian Riviera."
Arthur Gosain, who guides Israeli tourists in Rome, said the situation is similar in the Italian capital. "Take advantage of the early morning hours because the heat rises throughout the day. Last year, the heat was more bearable, but now it's reached levels that make touring difficult, so I've moved the tours to the evening. I recommend getting up early to tour the city; there are fewer tourists, less congestion, and you can enjoy what Rome has to offer."
Gosain also recommended downloading the Acea Waidy WOW app to find public fountains. "You can fill up bottles, the water flows continuously, and you can refresh your face."