Greece heatwave 2024: is it safe to travel and should you cancel your holiday

Greece is one of the sunniest countries in Europe, and the bright weather paired with lovely beaches and striking scenery have made it a well-established summer getaway spot for years. 

However, Greece’s warm temperatures make it highly prone to heatwaves and wildfires, which are only becoming more common because of the climate emergency. After extreme temperatures scorched the country in a Europe-wide heatwave last summer, it looks like Greece is just at the beginning of a long and searingly hot summer. 

Wildfires have spread around Paphos in Cyprus, and the Acropolis, Greece’s most popular tourist attraction, was forced to close during the hottest parts of the day last week, but areas across the country have felt the heat. Here is everything you need to know about the Greece heatwave if you have a trip booked. 

Which areas have been affected by the heatwave in Greece? 

Areas across Greece have been affected by the heatwave – it’s thought to be caused by winds bringing in hot air and dust from north Africa. Temperatures in the capital of Athens reached 43C last week, the islands of Rhodes and Samos have both experienced at least 40C, and in Chania, on Crete’s northwestern coast, it soared to 44.5C. 

In Greece, temperatures above 38C which last at least three days constitute a heatwave. 

So, is it safe to travel to Greece right now? 

Travelling to Greece hasn’t been advised against, but if you have a trip booked, you’ll need to take precautions to stay safe. In some areas, people have been told to remain indoors between 11am and 3pm, and last week it was reported that schools were suspended and attractions, including the Acropolis, were closed due to wildfire fears. 

Greece’s extreme temperatures have so far led to the deaths of five tourists, the first of which was British author and TV presenter Michael Mosely on the island of Symi, and three more are currently missing. Some of these were out hiking during the hottest parts of the day. 

What islands were affected by the wildfires? 

Back in April, there was a wildfire on the island of Crete which injured three people. More recently, Paphos, a city in southwest Cyprus, has experienced wildfires. Five villages in the area were evacuated, and many homes and farms have been destroyed by the fire. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported as a result of wildfires.

What is the UK Foreign Office saying? 

The Foreign Office hasn’t advised against travelling to Greece, but on the safety and security section of the website, it reads: ‘There are active wildfires across Greece, including in populated areas on the mainland and a number of islands. Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly. Follow ‘112 Greece’ on X (formerly known as Twitter) for official updates.

You should:

• take care when visiting or driving through woodland areas
• make sure cigarette ends are properly extinguished
• not light barbecues

Causing a forest fire is treated as a criminal offence in Greece even if unintentional. If you see a forest fire, call the emergency services on 112. Forest fires can also cause travel disruption in wider areas.’

There’s more advice in this section about what to do if you find yourself in an area affected by wildfires – you can read that here. 

What are your rights if you’ve booked a trip to Greece? 

You won’t be entitled to a refund on your trip, as the Foreign Office hasn’t advised against travel to Greece. However, if you are concerned, it’s worth contacting your travel provider to see what can be done – you may be able to move the dates you travel. 

What’s the hottest Greece has ever been?

Greece actually holds the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe. On July 10 1977, Elefsina (which is in the Athens metropolitan area) reached a scorching 48C. The longest heatwave ever recorded in Greece was in July 2023, lasting for 16 days. 

ICYMI: Is it safe to travel to Rhodes right now? The latest advice after the earthquake in Greece. 

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