Greece and Balkans Sizzle Under Heatwave, Tourists and Laborers Seek Relief.

A heatwave grips Greece and the Balkans, with temperatures expected to reach 43°C. Labourers and tourists are seeking respite, with workers ordered to pause outdoor work and the Acropolis closed for several hours. Wildfires are also reported in Albania. The heatwave is expected to continue until Sunday, with authorities urging businesses to provide water and cut physical labor during high-risk hours.

Greece and the Balkans are bracing for a severe heatwave that is expected to peak on Tuesday, with temperatures reaching as high as 43°C. The heatwave, which is part of a broader trend of increasingly severe heatwaves in the region, is causing significant disruptions to daily life and work.

Athens, the capital of Greece, is particularly affected, with temperatures expected to soar to 40°C or higher. The Acropolis, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, has been closed for several hours to protect visitors and workers from the extreme heat. The closure comes after authorities issued a category four fire warning for parts of the country, indicating a very high risk of wildfires [4].

The heatwave has also led to a mandatory five-hour work stoppage for manual, outdoor workers between 12:00-17:00 on Tuesday in areas expected to experience the worst heat. This is part of a broader effort by authorities to protect workers from heat stress and ensure their safety [2].

The heatwave is not just affecting Greece but also neighboring countries in the Balkans. In Bulgaria, authorities have urged businesses to give away water and cut physical labor during high-risk hours. In Montenegro, major roads were congested as many rushed to the beaches to find relief from the heat. Albania is also battling wildfires, with firefighters assisted by aircraft from Italy and Greece [2].

The heatwave is expected to continue until Sunday, with authorities urging businesses to provide water and cut physical labor during high-risk hours. The current heatwave is part of a broader trend of increasingly severe heatwaves in the region, driven by human-caused climate change [4].

The heatwave is expected to have significant economic implications, with disruptions to tourism and agriculture. The tourism industry in Greece, which is a major driver of the country's economy, is likely to be affected, with tourists seeking respite from the heat and potentially canceling their plans. The heatwave is also expected to affect agriculture, with farmers struggling to keep their crops and livestock cool.

The heatwave is a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change and the need for urgent action to mitigate its impacts. It is also a reminder of the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather events.

References:
[1] https://www.thenationalherald.com/hotter-than-hell-greece-girds-for-heatwave-111-degrees-seen/
[2] https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/tourists-labourers-seek-respite-greece-balkans-gripped-by-heatwave-2025-07-22/
[3] https://www.tovima.com/society/greece-to-sizzle-as-mercury-expected-to-reach-43c-tuesday/
[4] https://kosovapress.com/en/admin/akropoli-mbyllet-perkohesisht-per-shkak-te-te-nxehtit-ne-greqi/