Archaeological sites, monuments, and museums in Athens begin operating extended summer opening times from today, April 12, while those in other parts of Greece will extend their hours from the end of next week, following the hiring of the necessary seasonal staff, the Culture Ministry announced on Thursday.
"The hiring procedures for summer seasonal staff for archaeological sites, monuments and museums in Athens have been concluded, following coordinated actions of the culture and sports ministry services. As a result, the extended opening hours for archaeological sites, monuments and museums can begin from Friday, April 12," the ministry said, noting that this was now the responsibility of antiquities ephorates and museums.
The announcement said that the hiring of seasonal staff for most other areas of Greece is expected to be concluded by the end of next week, a fortnight earlier than the original deadline, covering 85 percent of the needs for additional site and museum guards, while this is to increase to 90 percent by Easter.
It also pointed out that the contracts for seasonal staff will last eight months, rather than seven as in previous years, and that after consultation with the tourism ministry, the extended opening hours for sites and museums can continue until mid-December, in line with the longer tourism season achieved in recent years.
