Built on a steep, rocky hill, the UNESCO-listed site is particularly exposed to heat, offering lines of tourists waiting to enter and exit the attraction little protection from the beating sun.

The Acropolis Hill, home to the Parthenon temple that is visited by millions of tourists every year, will be closed from noon to 5 p.m. (0900 GMT-1400 GMT) on Friday, authorities said.

The Athens Acropolis, the capital city's most-visited tourist attraction, limited hours of operation on Wednesday and Thursday, closing the site from noon through 5:00 p.m. local time.

The Acropolis, one of Greece’s most famous landmarks, will close to tourists during the hottest part of the day Wednesday, as a heat wave scorches the country’s capital.