2 Tourists Stabbed Near Athens' Acropolis in Rare Street Attack

Two Greek-American tourists were injured in a stabbing attack near the Acropolis in Athens on Tuesday morning in what authorities described as a rare act of street violence in Greece.

According to police, a man armed with a knife attacked the victims on a pedestrian street near an entrance to the Acropolis archaeological site and the Acropolis Museum. The woman suffered minor injuries to her leg, while the man sustained more serious wounds to his arm.

The suspect was detained at the scene, and both victims were transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance. 

Police said the attacker appeared to be suffering from psychological problems, although his identity and motive have not yet been disclosed.

Authorities confirmed that the incident did not disrupt operations at either the Acropolis or the Acropolis Museum, with both tourist attractions remaining open to visitors throughout the day.

Local media reported that the suspect had allegedly been threatening pedestrians at random with a knife before the attack, prompting a passer-by to alert police.

Violent attacks of this nature are uncommon in Greece. Earlier this year, authorities arrested an 89-year-old man who allegedly opened fire with a shotgun at a social security office and a courthouse in central Athens, injuring at least four people in an attack reportedly linked to grievances over social security issues.

The Acropolis, home to the nearly 2,500-year-old Parthenon and several other ancient monuments, is Greece's most visited archaeological site. Around 4.6 million people visited the landmark in 2025.