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A sweltering heat wave has been sweeping through Europe in recent days, with extreme temperatures causing treacherous conditions, including everything from airport runway and railroad track damage to wildfires in mountains and surrounding cities.
Record temperatures “have been broken in many places" in Europe, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Joe Curtis. “The new records set in the United Kingdom were particularly notable,” Curtis says, referring to Eastern England's peak of 104.5 degrees Fahrenheit on July 19. “All-time temperature records were not only exceeded, but completely shattered by several degrees in a country where reliable weather records date back more than 150 years."
Thankfully, earlier this week in the U.K., Ireland, and northern France temperatures began to dip. But areas in Portugal, Spain, Italy, and southeastern France are still dealing with ongoing heat and soaring temperatures, according to Curtis.
For travelers, the scorching weather has caused train delays and cancellations as well as stifling conditions in airport terminals on a continent where air conditioning isn't as plentiful—or as strong—as many Americans are accustomed to. "It is usually not U.S.-movie theater style AC where you need a sweater and blanket, but it's cooler inside than outside,” President and Founder of Inside Europe Travel Experiences Sandra Weinacht, who is currently in France, says.
With nearly two months of summer travel time still on the books, here’s what you need to know about how the heat wave is affecting some of the hardest-hit countries in Europe.
United Kingdom
The U.K. is “currently seeing some relief,” Curtis says, noting southern and eastern regions will still be in the 75 to 85 degree Fahrenheit range “which is above average, but no records are expected to be broken, and it will not be nearly as hot as earlier this week.”
While those may seem like average summer temperatures for most of the U.S., the U.K.’s capital is usually “pleasantly mild” according to Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners, which runs Visit London. (A climate scientist says the average highs are between 68 and 77.)
Citron points visitors to London’s Cool Spaces map, highlighting both indoor and outdoor areas that offer some respite, as well as the 4,000 free water refill locations to keep folks hydrated. Though air conditioning was installed to the first tube trains in 2010, the system still isn’t fully equipped. Travelers will find cooling systems on a 192 trains on The Circle, Hammersmith & City, District, and Metropolitan lines, in addition to the new Elizabeth Line, which opened in May 2022.
Even if they're not near a beach, tourists can find places in the city to take a dip and cool off, Citron says. “Visitors can head to London Royal Docks in East London or Hampstead Heath Ponds in North London for a spot of wild swimming, or swim a length at one of London’s lidos. The London Aquatics Centre at Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, home of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic games, also makes for an impressive place to take a dip on a hot day.”
Italy
Italy's daily temperatures will remain high into the weekend, with Curtis forecasting northern and central areas in the 100 to 105 degree Fahrenheit region, and real-feels ranging to up to a sweltering 110 degrees. Earlier this year, the country launched Operation Thermostat, an initiative that restricts temperature settings to be no lower than 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit). So even air-conditioned spaces will be warmer that Americans may be used to.
“It’s very important that travelers prepare their schedules in advance, considering the hottest times of the day and planning their activities around that,” says Marta Barberini, senior marketing account manager for GetYourGuide in Rome.
Most museums, restaurants, and hotels do have air-conditioning—though it’s wise to double check with a hotel before booking, advises Barberini. For popular outdoor attractions like the Colosseum, she suggests going for very early morning or early evening admission times, and then scheduling indoor tours for the middle of the day, like at the Galleria Borghese or at underground attractions where the temperatures are naturally cooler like the Vatican Grottoes at St. Peter’s Basilica, Catacombs of St. Callixtus, or Domus Aurea.
Rome’s plethora of historic churches also offer a natural respite from the heat, like the Church of Jesus or the San Clemente Basilica, which has an underground space that’s 68 degrees, while shoppers can duck into the indoor Galleria Alberto Sordi.
France
France is a bit split right now, with northern areas seeing relief, but the southeastern region still suffering from elevated temperatures, expected to continue at least into early next week, Curtis says. Weekend temperatures are expected to be between 90 and 100 degrees, he adds.
“The heat is having an impact on trains, as they struggle to operate as normal when the temperature surpasses 95 degrees," says Exodus Travels’ Katy Rocket, who just returned from a walking trip in Burgundy. "It is also challenging as many places are not air conditioned, which can make it tricky to find a break from the heat if you are traveling on your own.”
While she suggests lightweight clothes and full-brimmed hats to stay cool, above all else, she says to “listen to your body” and know when to modify your plans “as heat stroke will have a much more detrimental effect on the enjoyment of your trip.” Her colleague, Emma Chambers, Exodus’ Europe product manager, says they’ve heard reports of climbers planning to summit Mont Blanc being advised to postpone their trips since the heatwave may cause a bigger risk of rock falls and drought conditions.
CNT Travel Specialist Jack Shaw of Epic Europe says that he had clients in Paris, where trains were disrupted because of the heat affecting the tracks.
Spain
Some of the most shocking images of the heat wave have come out of Spain, where passengers on a train that paused in the northwestern province of Zamora were surrounded by wildfires on both sides. And there's no relief is in sight as Curtis says the daily highs are expected to remain about 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit with real feels up to an astounding 120 degrees into the weekend.
For the most part, the fires are at a fair distance from major cities, says CNT travel specialist Pablo Calvo of Tours for You Spain. “Those are not affecting [tourism], so travelers arriving in Spain have no risk of getting involved in a tough situation.”
July is always the hottest month, according to Calvo, especially in Andalusia (which includes Seville, Córdoba, Granada, and the White Villages) and central Spain (which includes Madrid and Toledo), while coastal regions like Basque Country or Catalonia will have milder summer temperatures. “In August, afternoon temperatures will decrease to the point that a sweater could be needed in the evening in many places,” he says, adding there’s a popular expression, “There is not a heat wave in Spain, but summer, as usual.”
Portugal
Like Spain, Portugal isn’t set to see any relief in the coming days, Curtis says, predicting the same blistering forecast as Spain.
According to officials at Visit Portugal, tourist activity in the country is proceeding as usual. “Airports and road and railway systems [are continuing] their daily operations normally,” a Visit Portugal spokesperson says.
The Portuguese Directorate-General for Health is advising those in the country to avoid direct sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., especially with outdoor activities. Travelers should also be aware that the government could adopt preventative measures, like restrictions on movement and limit access to some specific events and areas, such as forests, parks, and natural reserves, to protect both citizens and visitors.
“Summer is a good time to take it slow anyway,” the spokesperson adds. “But when it’s hotter than usual, it’s a great reminder to do a little less, rest a bit more, and take your time to enjoy your travels.”
