Beat the Heat: Essential Tips for Staying Cool in Southern Europe’s Intense Heatwave with Cold Baths and Climate Shelters

Authorities across Southern Europe are urging residents to stay indoors and protect vulnerable populations due to a severe heatwave. This summer’s first major heatwave is pushing temperatures to dangerous levels in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France. Experts believe that climate change is making such weather events more common.

Temperatures as high as 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) are predicted in parts of southern Spain and Portugal. France is experiencing similar conditions, with intense heat expected to linger for several days. In Italy, 21 cities, including Milan, Naples, Venice, Florence, and Rome, are on high alert.

British tourist Anna Becker faced the heat when her mother nearly fainted while visiting the Colosseum in Rome, which can be overwhelming during extreme temperatures. According to Mario Guarino, vice president of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine, hospitals are seeing a rise in heatstroke cases, particularly among elderly individuals, cancer patients, and the homeless. He noted a 10% increase in cases, with many presenting symptoms like dehydration and exhaustion.

To combat the heat, hospitals in Naples have established fast tracks for heat-related treatments, while Venice provides free tours of air-conditioned museums for seniors. Cities like Bologna have set up climate shelters offering air conditioning and water, and Florence is urging medical professionals to check on the isolated and vulnerable.

Experts like Emanuela Piervitali from the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research warn that heatwaves are becoming both more frequent and intense. She noted, “We will likely experience even higher temperatures in the future.” This is especially concerning for urban areas, where tightly packed buildings worsen the “urban heat island” effect.

Portugal is also experiencing extreme heat, with two-thirds of the country under high alert for heat and fire risks. Sicily is battling multiple wildfires, while France’s biodiversity suffers. Allain Bougrain-Dubourg, from the League for the Protection of Birds, reports that many birds are struggling to survive in the sweltering conditions at their nests.

Invasive species are thriving in these hotter climates. The Italian ISPRA has launched a campaign urging locals to report sightings of potentially dangerous species like the lionfish and dusky spinefoot, which are increasingly appearing off Italy’s shores as the Mediterranean warms.

This ongoing heatwave presents a harsh reminder of how climate change is reshaping environmental patterns and affecting daily life across Southern Europe.

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