September might just be right around the corner, but summer weather is far from over. The tourist season is expanding further into the fall months thanks to the relentless Mediterranean sun, and whether you choose to pay a short visit to Athens or the islands, or you’re finalizing plans to call Greece your forever home through the Golden Visa scheme, the following tips on keeping cool like a local will definitely come in handy.
- Hand fans
In the sweltering Athenian heat, your best ally might be the humble, yet chic hand fan. Locals have been perfecting the art of the casual flick for ages, and every Greek owns an ornate hand-me-down from a grandmother or older aunt. It’s part cooling device, part fashion accessory, and entirely necessary when the mercury starts climbing.
- Wear breathable clothes
Embrace natural fibers like linen and cotton. Opt for loose, flowing silhouettes in white or pale hues that keep your body temperature down and allow the skin to breathe. Style-wise, Athens is more laid-back than Rome , but not as fashion-forward as Berlin or Copenhagen, so going for simple pieces like linen shirts, cotton dresses and flat sandals or boat shoes means you’ll blend right in -the cobblestone streets of the islands‘ calderas can be rather unforgiving and Athens itself boasts seven hills and many, many stairs, so ditch anything that feels impractical.
- Visit the beach
The Athenian Riviera isn’t just a buzzword term used by glossy travel magazine editors. When the city feels like a furnace, join the exodus to the coast: skipping the tourist traps and finding a secluded cove might prove to be a little more difficult nowadays, thanks to the capital’s ever-growing popularity, but there are still unsung heroes such as the Cycladic-like KAPE beach in Sounio, a gem known to locals who gladly make the 100-step descend to reach it. The salt water and sea breeze will rejuvenate you faster than any air-conditioned mall ever could.
- Go green
In a concrete jungle, green spaces are oases of sanity. Pedion Areos and the National Garden are more than just postcard-worthy spots. They’re your refuge when the heat turns oppressive. Find a shady bench, bring a good book, and let the leafy canopy work its magic.
- Sleep outside
Camping enthusiasts who still haven’t taken the plunge, rejoice: Greece is perfect for sleeping al fresco. When the night air feels like a warm bath, take to the balcony. A well-placed awning or tent transforms your outdoor space into a breezy bedroom. The comforting ambience of the cicadas and a side of stargazing thrown in for good measure will send you into the most effortless summer slumber.
- Open up, but keep it down
Creating a breeze is an art form in Mediterranean apartments – it’s all about the flow. Open doors and windows on opposite sides of your place, and voila – you’ve engineered your personal wind tunnel. It’s low-tech air conditioning, and it works wonders. But the war against sunlight is won or lost at those very same windows. Keep those shades down during peak hours and create your cool, dim, personal sanctuary – a perfect environment for encouraging more intimate conversations that foster community bonds.
- Light covers
When it comes to bedding, cotton is king. High-thread-count sheets might sound fancy in theory, but in reality, they tend to trap heat like a sauna. Cotton sheets wick away sweat and feel crisp and fresh on the skin.
- It’s Frappé o’ clock
Finally, embrace the frappé. This isn’t just iced coffee – it’s a way of life. Frappé made a recent comeback under a different name in the name of Instagram aesthetics, with people filming laborious processes and beautifully lit glasses of caffeinated concoctions. The truth of the matter is, Greek frappé is surprisingly easy to make and/or locate – no need for glamming up a simple recipe that works: either prepare it at home with a little instant coffee, water and an electric frother that will do all the hard work for you, or find a shady café, order one, and watch the world go by. It’s the perfect antidote to the heat, and the ritual of stirring the ice cubes with the straw produces the de facto sounds of a quintessential Greek summer experience. Just don’t expect to sleep for the next 12 hours.
