Is the air quality good in Athens?
As of February 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM Pacific Time (PT), Athens, Greece, is being affected by poor air quality due to local emissions and dust. The air quality is in the "unhealthy" range, with PM2.5 concentrations serving as the primary pollutant.
These conditions may trigger serious respiratory problems, exacerbate heart conditions, and reduce lung function—particularly for children, older adults, and individuals with preexisting health concerns.
During this short-term surge, protect yourself by minimizing outdoor exposure, keeping windows closed, wearing a mask outside, and running air purifiers indoors.
Air quality conditions can shift quickly during the day. For a complete, real-time view of current pollution levels, see Athens air quality map.
While the air quality conditions at the moment are poor, it is crucial to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Athens was 11 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 55, which falls into the moderate category and was 2.2 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Athens, Greece, ranked as the 10th most polluted major city on February 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM (PT). Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Athens?
Air quality is projected to improve gradually through the morning hours and into Friday, with AQI potentially dropping into the moderate range later in the day, when dust blows away from Greece.
Hourly air quality forecast for the Athens, Greece on February 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM (PT). Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of the Athens, Greece, on February 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM (PT). Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Athens?
Air quality in Athens has deteriorated due to Saharan dust, seasonal residential heating, and stagnant weather patterns (1). Studies indicate that vehicle emissions and the prevalent use of wood-burning stoves are major contributors to elevated PM2.5 levels, while weak winds and temperature inversions prevent pollutants from dispersing (2).
Researchers also highlight that particulate matter in Athens exhibits high oxidative toxicity, posing heightened health risks during winter pollution events (3).
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How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
