Winds dumped sand from North Africa on the Greek capital, turning Athens orange.
A dust cloud blew across the Mediterranean Sea and engulfed the Acropolis and other Athens landmarks, turning the sky in southern Greece orange on Tuesday.
Strong winds carried dust from the Sahara desert, lending a Martian-like filter to the capital's atmosphere during the last hours of the day.
Clear skies and cooler temperatures were expected Wednesday as winds shift and dust moves.
On Tuesday, daily high temperatures in parts of southern Crete exceeded 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), more than 20 degrees Celsius (36 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than those recorded across northern Greece.
Strong winds in recent days have also sparked unseasonal wildfires in the south.
Fire officials reported Tuesday that a total of 25 wildfires had broken out across the country in the past 24 hours.
Three people have been arrested on suspicion of accidentally starting a bush fire on the Aegean resort island of Paros, officials said. No serious damage or injuries were reported, and the fire was quickly extinguished.
Greece is hit by devastating and sometimes deadly forest fires every summer. Last year, the country experienced the European Union's worst wildfires in more than 20 years.
Continuing drought conditions and warm spring temperatures are raising concerns that the coming months will be particularly difficult for firefighters.