Sunhats Become Essential Accessory as Athens Tourism Hits Record

A sea of straw boaters, Panama hats, and baseball caps now bobs up the slopes of the Acropolis as tourists seek shelter from the relentless midday sun. Hat racks piled high with merchandise have become a common sight across central Athens this summer, with kiosks and shops reporting a surge in demand.

The trend comes as Greece welcomed a record 38 million visitors last year, with the Acropolis alone drawing around 4.6 million people in 2025. Many spend hours exploring the ancient site in temperatures reaching the mid-30s Celsius (mid-90s Fahrenheit), with little shade available. Even a carriage horse at the monument's base has been spotted wearing a custom 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 in a black baseball cap. "It's a bit more of a common thing nowadays, and people are a bit more aware."

Health campaigners have welcomed the growing awareness of ultraviolet exposure and heat stroke risks. Red Cross volunteers at the Acropolis distribute kits containing sunscreen, water, and red caps to visitors.

Konstantinos Mallios, a kiosk owner on Syntagma Square, says hat sales have climbed steadily in recent years. His range includes stylish and souvenir models priced up to 20 euros ($24), with the cheapest options at 6 euros. Budget-conscious tourists can also find semi-disposable hats made from compressed paper pulp.

For those seeking something more distinctive, hatmaker Lisa Sarigiannidou transforms straw braids into boaters using century-old presses and molds in her basement workshop. 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 craft from her father. "In the past, when a young woman tried on a hat and looked at herself in the mirror, she usually laughed. Now they try them on seriously... and they wear them straight out the door."