Europe's Historic Heat Wave Shuts Down Sights and Cities—What Travelers Should Know

Travel + Leisure

5 days ago

The new normal for European summer is heat. Europe is experiencing an extreme heat wave, and if you're traveling currently in Europe, make sure to stay informed and stay cool.
A marine heat wave from the Mediterranean is combining with a heat dome over central Europe to create an extreme heat wave affecting many popular tourist destinations in southern Europe, as well as throughout the continent. Travel advisories have been released by authorities in the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Austria, and other countries as the heat wave enters its third day.
Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent as extreme heat waves become part of the summer landscape, due to climate change.
In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was closed on July 1 and July 2, because the city is under a red heat wave warning, which is the highest designation. Many towns and cities in France have seen the thermostat pass 100 degrees on June 30, and wildfires have led to evacuation orders. In Portugal, the city of Mora cracked 115.9 degrees the same day.
Temperatures soared to 114.8 degrees on Sunday in El Granado, Spain, which set a new national record for heat in June, according to Spain's national meteorological service AEMET. June 2025 was the hottest June in Spain on record. A tourist died in Majorca due to the heat.
Sweden put out an advisory about Spain that states, 'Lasting for at least four days, a severe heat wave is expected to hit large parts of the country. In some places, temperatures will exceed 40 degrees… Periods of high temperatures can be stressful on health.'
Travelers, particularly vulnerable groups like older adults, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing health conditions, should exercise caution during extreme heat. Staying hydrated and out of the direct sun, especially in the hot midday, is imperative. If air conditioning is unavailable, cooling skin with a damp towel can help.
Signs of heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, cold or clammy skin, a fast or weak pulse, and fainting, while heat stroke can include an excessively high body temperature, hot skin, confusion, and fainting. If you are experiencing signs of heat stroke, it is important to get medical help.
'Extreme heat is no longer a rare event — it has become the new normal,' tweeted António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. 'The planet is getting hotter & more dangerous — no country is immune. We need more ambitious #ClimateAction now.'