The sunhat is everywhere in Athens as crowds grow larger at ancient sites

Outside the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, a sea of hats bob up and down the hillside as crowds grow larger at the ancient site. Straw boaters, Panama hats, baseball caps, and bucket hats are all on display in the relentless midday heat. The Acropolis saw a record 4.6 million visitors in 2025, prompting more tourists to seek relief from the scorching temperatures and limited shade.

Even a carriage horse at the monument's base has joined the trend, sporting a brown bucket hat with holes cut for its ears. Greek health campaigners welcome the growing awareness of ultraviolet exposure risks and heat stroke dangers among visitors. Red Cross volunteers at the Acropolis distribute kits containing sunscreen, water, information leaflets, and red caps.

Hat sales have risen on nearby Syntagma Square, with prices ranging from 6 to 20 euros ($24). In Athens, hatmaker Lisa Sarigiannidou creates elaborate straw hats starting at 50 euros, reflecting the changing attitudes toward sun protection among tourists.