A girl drinks water to tackle the heat wave as a thermometer above shows 41 degrees Celsius in central Athens, capital of Greece, on July 19, 2011. Greece is hit by a heat wave over the past few days. [Xinhua]

A heat wave hit Greece on Tuesday with temperatures rising to 41 degrees Celsius in many parts of the country, according to the statistics from the Greek National Meteorological Service.

Local people and foreign tourists swarm the beaches and seek ways to cool themselves in urban centers, as meteorologists forecast that the temperatures will gradually start dropping from Wednesday.

Experts have advised people, in particular vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly and patients with heart or respiratory problems, to avoid exposure to the sun and excessive exercise, and consume light meals and plenty of water or fruit juices.

Local authorities across Greece have opened air-conditioned areas to the public during the heat wave.