All archaeological sites and museums in Athens and another four major cities are to stay open well into the evening on a daily basis during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Culture Ministry said yesterday.

The extended opening hours will apply to all sites and museums in the capital and the four other cities where Olympic events are to be held — Thessaloniki, Patras, Volos and Iraklion — between Monday, August 9, and the end of September.

Under an agreement struck yesterday by Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis and the union of Culture Ministry employees, museums will be open until 8.30 p.m. in August and September, while archaeological sites will not close until 8.30 p.m. in August and 8 p.m. in September. The ministry said union representatives had agreed to observe the extended hours without receiving any bonus.

It added that, if necessary, opening hours might be further extended. Most sites and museums open at 8 or 8.30 a.m. Normal summer closing hours are between early afternoon and 7 p.m.