Greece closed the Acropolis for several hours Tuesday as a second major heat wave gripped the country, with temperatures expected to reach 41 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Last week, large parts of Western Europe sweltered in a severe heat wave that left eight dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region.

In Athens, temperatures were expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius, forcing authorities to close the Acropolis, its most visited ancient site, on a rocky hill offering barely any shade, at midday from 10 a.m. GMT until 2 p.m. GMT.

Defying the heat, some tourists visited the monument before it shut.

"It's extremely hot. So yeah, we had to take extra measures. We have little fans for the children. I have the hat, the glasses. We've been drinking lots of water," said John Howell, 58, a Scottish tourist.

With hot air and humidity worsening conditions, authorities ordered some businesses in Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, and other areas on the mainland and southern Peloponnese peninsula, to limit outdoor work for employees in the afternoon.

Builders, food delivery riders, couriers and shipyard workers are among those having to pause work from midday until 5 p.m. to avoid heat stress, the Labour Ministry said.

The heat wave conditions will continue until Wednesday, the Greek meteorological service said and authorities in the wider Athens and other areas will be on alert for wildfires as gale-force winds were expected.

Worldwide, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial era for the first time.

Greece, which sits on Europe's southernmost edge, also had its warmest winter and summer last year on record, including a 16-day heat wave in July, the longest ever, according to scientists.