Sun hats take over Athens as record crowds brave ancient sites in soaring heat

Outside the Acropolis, a sea of hats bobs up and down the hill toward the ancient site: straw boaters, Panama hats, baseball caps, and bucket hats, all worn to ward off the relentless summer heat.

Hat racks and outdoor stands are nearly impossible to miss in central Athens this summer. Local kiosks and stores are keeping them piled high as tourists seek relief from the intense midday sun.

The Acropolis welcomed approximately 4.6 million visitors in 2025, marking a record year for Greek tourism. Many visitors spend hours under mid-30s Celsius (mid-90s Fahrenheit) temperatures with minimal shade. Even a carriage horse at the foot of the ancient monument has joined the trend, sporting a brown bucket hat with holes cut for its ears.

“You need a hat. I’m already red as it is,” said Jack Yosif, an Australian tourist wearing a black baseball cap. “It’s a bit more of a common thing nowadays, and people are a bit more aware.”

Scorching temperatures did not deter a record 38 million visitors last year, the most recent period for which data is available. The combination of extreme heat and high demand for visits—meaning not everyone can access the sites in the cooler morning hours—is heightening the urgency of sun protection.

Greek health campaigners have welcomed the growing awareness of the dangers of ultraviolet exposure and heat stroke risk. Red Cross volunteers stationed at the Acropolis are distributing kits containing sunscreen, water, informational leaflets, and red caps.

On nearby Syntagma Square, kiosk owner Konstantinos Mallios reports that hat sales have risen in recent years. His stylish souvenir models cost up to 20 euros ($24), while the cheapest options start at 6 euros. Elsewhere, semi-disposable headgear made from compressed paper pulp is widely available.

For those seeking more ostentatious options, hatmaker Lisa Sarigiannidou crafts traditional straw boaters in her basement workshop. Using century-old presses and molds, she transforms straw braids into finished hats in minutes. Her creations start at around 50 euros, with elaborate designs exceeding 100 euros.

“People’s attitudes toward hats have changed,” said Sarigiannidou, who learned the trade from her hatmaker father. “In the past, when a young woman tried on a hat and looked in the mirror, she usually laughed. Now, they try them on seriously and wear them straight out the door.”

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