In pictures: Rare snow blankets Athens

People make their way at the Aeoropagus Hill in central Athens during a rare heavy snowfall in the city.

The snow, an unusual sight in the city of more than 3 million residents, also stopped most public transport services, while toppled trees caused blackouts in several mountainside suburbs.

The Parthenon temple atop the Athenian Acropolis hill is pictured during heavy snowfalls in Athens.

People enjoy the snow at filopapos hill in front the ancient Acropolis hill, with the ruins of the fifth century BC Parthenon temple, in Athens.

A pedestrian walks with an umbrella next to Hadrian's Gate. Sections of Greece's main highway were also closed and most ferry services to the islands were canceled, and flights from regional airports to Athens were disrupted.

Snow is common in Greece's mountains and in the north of the country, but much rarer in the capital, particularly heavy snow.

A man walks in Filopapos hill as snow falls in Athens

People walk past the snowy ancient Filopapos Monument, in Athens

A man rides a motorcycle in central Athens during a rare heavy snowfall

A woman rides a bicycle in Plaka area of central Athens during snowfall

A man skis on snowy Pnyx hill in front the ancient Acropolis hill

Snow covers the ancient Acropolis hill in Athens

Drivers pass with their vehicles outside the National Garden during a heavy snowfall in central Athens

The Parthenon temple atop the Athenian Acropolis hill is pictured during snowfall

A man makes his way through Monastiraki square in central Athens

A man walks past the Athens Academy during snowfall

A man walks through central Athens during heavy snowfall

A man walks at Filopapos hill as snow falls, with the ancient Acropolis hill and the Parthenon temple, in background

A man makes his way near the Roman Agora in central Athens

People walk on the snow covered beach of Edem in Paleo Faliro suburb, in Athens