Several countries in Europe have issued red weather alerts as a fresh bout of extreme heat pushes temperatures beyond 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit), bringing dangerous conditions across large swaths of the world’s fastest warming continent. The warning is for an exceptional spell of hot and humid weather, which carries the potential for adverse health effects population wide and means substantial changes in daily routines will be required.
Let’s dive into the extreme conditions across European countries, and travel tips to stay safe during your summer vacation.
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Climate crisis is here to stay
Europe is known to be warming faster than any other continent, at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Extreme heat is expected to occur at increasing frequency, intensity and duration.
Greenhouse gas emissions trap heat for longer and raise global temperatures, while climate change is also contributing to more intense rainfall and flooding in some regions. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas is the chief driver of the climate crisis.
The present heatwave, which moved up from the Iberian Peninsula towards Western Europe, will begin shifting by the end of the month, hitting central Europe and the Balkans, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said.
How severe is the heatwave?
The heatwave is among the most severe on record in Europe, with several countries expected to reach unprecedentedly high temperatures for the moth of June. This is causing increased summer heatwaves, greater pressure on Europe’s water supply, and more intense wildfires.
Europe’s energy grid is being put to the test as the continent swelters under its third heatwave of the year. Record-shattering temperatures are feeding demand for air conditioning and driving surges in demand for electricity.
France
France recorded its hottest-ever day on 23 June since measurements began in 1947 as temperatures climbed to 44.3°C in Pissos (Landes) and 42.1°C in Bordeaux. At least 18 people have died in France, including 2 children and 3 elderly people, amid the heatwave.
Paris recorded its highest temperature of the June month last week with a preliminary high of 101.1°F (38.4°C), and it could see even higher temperatures in the coming days. Paris’ Fête de la Musique festival went ahead over the weekend. Authorities banned alcohol consumption in public during the celebrations in areas under red alert to reduce the risk of dehydration.
Paris’s Louvre museum also canceled a free concert under its glass pyramid due to the heat. The Lourve Museum reduced its operating hours last week due to the heat wave in Paris (the famed art gallery will close two hours early at 4 p.m.). The Eiffel Tower announced that it will close early at 4 p.m. instead of the usual closing time of midnight.
UK
While a heat wave in June is perhaps to be expected, temperatures nudging toward 40° Celsius were unprecedented for the U.K. up until 2022.
The Met Office, the country’s national weather forecaster, issued a red extreme heat warning in end June, with temperatures expected to reach at least 102°F (39°C) in England and Wales. Overnight temperatures will also remain high, the forecaster said, with the temperature remaining above 68°F (20°C), especially in urban areas. UK’s Met Office is predicting that the country might break its all-time daily temperature record for the month of June.
Dozens of schools in England and Wales closed early last week due to the warm weather. Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th June.
Spain
Spain’s weather agency AEMET, warned that much of the country would endure a heatwave in end-June as a mass of hot, dry air from the Sahara pushes temperatures well above seasonal norms.
Spain also recorded near-historic June temperature levels, reaching 41°C in cities like Lleida and Ciudad Real. San Sebastian, a coastal city in northern Spain that traditionally has milder temperatures, was forecast to reach 104°F (40°C) this week. June end is expected to be the peak of the heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 104°F (40°C) in the Ebro Valley, inland Galicia, parts of the Cantabrian region.
Other European countries
Germany has also experienced severe thunderstorms, alongside temperatures that exceeded 86°F (30°C) in Berlin. 46 stations throughout Germany recorded temperatures of above (40°C) -until 27 June. Extreme heat caused the surface of the A2 motorway in Germany to buckle and rupture over several lanes last week.
Italian authorities placed 12 cities under its highest heat alert last week, including Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan, and Verona. In Rome, oppressive heat had travelers seeking out free water fountains, water misting stations at outdoor cafes, and crowding shaded sides of the street in an attempt to stay cool.
Belgium’s meteorological institute put out a heat warning last week. Temperatures are expected to exceed 95°F (35°C) in some areas.
Switzerland issued high-level heat warnings with temperatures forecast to reach 98.6°F (37°C) in parts of the country. It set a new June temperature record of 39°C in the northern city of Basel.
Austria set a new June temperature record of 40°C in the Vienna City.
The heatwave is now moving east towards the Balkans as well. Authorities in Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro warned of extreme heat.
How to stay safe during your summer vacation?
If you are travelling to Europe in July or August of 2026, be prepared for extreme heat. Here are some tips to make sure you have a safe summer vacation –
Adjust your sightseeing time
You should avoid going outside during the hottest times of the day, especially for physical exercise, and instead go out earlier or later in the day when it is cooler.
You might worry that a midafternoon break will cut out valuable sightseeing time. But trust me, there is no joy in roaming around the open Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill on a hot afternoon in Rome.
Dress comfortably
When outside, experts recommend that you use hats and umbrellas, as well as wear sunscreen. Breathable, lightweight fabrics are your hot-weather friends. You should opt for light and loose clothing, especially cotton or linen. See my Italy packing guide to get tips for your European summer vacation.
Hydrate
I can’t stress the importance of staying hydrated by drinking water regularly, instead of waiting till you feel thirsty. Bring a water bottle with you when going outside, and refill it as often as you can. It’s an extra thing to carry, but it’s extremely worth it. Avoid alcoholic drinks that can dehydrate you further.
Use a Fan, neck towel
Another heat wave saviour is a neck fan. It sits around your neck, that recirculates air up around your face. It looks bit uncool, say walking through ancient ruins in Athens, but the breeze is worth it. You can also use a wet towel to cool down, which you can place at the back of your neck.
Relaxed schedule
Be kind to yourself and stop for breaks often, especially when you’re starting to feel hot and bothered. Duck into a nearby house of worship or museum for a quick break, or stop in a shady park and sip your water. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance.
Take care of kids
Experts recommend regularly checking whether your child is thirsty, sweating, feeling hot, vomiting, has a dry and sticky mouth, or is experiencing headaches. You should also ensure that your child is dressed in loose clothing, which can prevent heat rashes, and that your child is drinking water regularly throughout the day.
Final thoughts on current heatwave in Europe
During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. You need to keep a flexible schedule. That goes for sightseeing as well. Don’t try to pack too much in a day. Also know that closures or delayed openings can happen suddenly depending on extreme weather (like it happened with Eurostar and the Eiffel Tower last week). Also pack light and get comprehensive insurance coverage.
A summer trip to Europe in 2026 is complicated not just due to the current heatwave, but also because of high flight fares, soaring accommodation prices, and longer airport queues (in some places) due to the new biometric system.
What are your summer holiday travel plans for 2026? Share with us in the comments below.
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