How to keep your family safe in Europe’s heatwave this summer

From packing cool gadgets to booking air-conditioned refuges, these are the essential heatwave travel hacks – plus how to spot heatstroke

British holidaymakers have been warned to brace themselves for sweltering temperatures in Europe this summer, as popular destinations endure prolonged hot weather. 
A heatwave is currently engulfing parts of Spain and Portugal, with the Met Office predicting temperature highs of 39C in Madrid, Seville peaking at 43C and Lisbon at 37C, with day time temperatures five to 10 degrees above the seasonal average. Last summer also saw record-breaking temperatures in Greece, Italy and Croatia.
Heading to southwest Europe on holiday this week?Parts of Spain, Portugal and Morocco are in the midst of a heatwave through the early part of this week 🔆Temperatures peaking in the mid to high 40s in places but will ease back towards the end of the week 🌡️ pic.twitter.com/PYh9s19SSX
With the mercury rising in many popular summer holiday spots, below we highlight essential tips to keep cool on your next break and also outline the warning signs of heatstroke you should be aware of. If you’re concerned about the impact of the heatwave on your holiday, read more about weather related refunds and cancellations in our guide.
If you are staying at a villa or Airbnb make the most of the facilities. Freezing towels is also a good idea for an instant refresh on a beach day, and if there is space put your pillow in too for a more comfortable sleep. Sleeping with a hot water bottle filled with ice cold water is another hack for long, hot nights. For those willing to invest, an ice vest (with room for 20 ice packs) is a more extreme option. 
If exploring your destination by car or train, the night before your journey, pop water bottles and cooling packs in the freezer – it will make that three-hour train journey slightly more bearable, particularly if the air-conditioning in the carriage has broken.
While your natural inclination may be to throw open the windows during a heatwave, this will only serve to warm up your room. A better tactic would be to close the shutters or curtains of your hotel room or villa to keep the hot air and sun out. Some go as far as lining windows with tin foil if the curtains prove flimsy, so you may wish to pack a roll. 
Rethinking your holiday structure to avoid the most extreme temperatures could mean a more pleasant trip. Starting your day earlier and getting your sightseeing done in the morning before retiring to your accommodation to avoid the peak of the heat is a sensible option – there’s a reason siestas persist in sultry southern Spain. Whack up the air-conditioning and take a well-deserved nap (with your frozen pillow, of course) before emerging again when the sun goes down, refreshed and ready for action.
It may be tempting to opt for skimpy outfits in the heat, but loose cotton cover-ups will keep you cooler and stop any sun-burn. Always avoid wearing darker colours, which soak up the heat, and be sure to pack a hat. On travelling days you may be exposed to vastly different temperatures in a short space of time so packing layers is sensible – moving from blazing sun to the icy air-conditioned chill on the plane can prove quite uncomfortable. 
On long travel days it may also be worth investing in a few gadgets to help keep you cool. A personal fan is a classic choice – try the EasyAcc Handheld Portable USB Fan (£18.99), which lasts for 17 hours once charged. A more novel choice would be a wearable neck fan (£8.99).
Queuing in relentless heat for tickets to the likes of the Sagrada Familia is no way to spend your holiday, and it’s avoidable. Visits to most major attractions across Europe can now be booked in advance online, with specific slots meaning queues are usually minimal. In general, being more organised than usual is a good plan. Booking restaurants ahead of time will avoid sweaty walks around town when a recommended tapas bar is packed out. 
While the natural inclination may be to head for the coast when temperatures soar, a smarter move might be the city centre. Ditch the beach on a sweltering day and instead make a beeline for a museum or art gallery, as anywhere priceless paintings are stored is likely to have excellent air-conditioning. Churches and cathedrals also make for a good refuge, with their thick stone walls and minimal light exposure. 
If you are on a summer city break and have had your fill of museums, you might want to seek out a park or botanical garden. Most urban sprawls have a green lung of sorts, where you can find a shady spot to escape the sun. Others might have an accessible body of water, but do always be careful when swimming in an unfamiliar location. 
An easy detail to overlook when booking your holiday is whether your accommodation has air-conditioning, but this summer it could prove to ruin your trip. Indeed, that charming B&B in Provence might not even provide a fan. Hotels advertised on booking websites usually state whether they provide air-conditioning or a fan, but this can change according to room category so do call the property if in doubt. 
Everyone knows the importance of staying hydrated, but when on holiday and out of your normal routine it’s easy to forget to keep your water bottle and salt and sugar levels topped up. Take some electrolytes and research the locations of drinking water fountains ahead of time and always ask for plenty of water at restaurants and bars. Though it’s tempting to indulge in a few cocktails on holiday, remember that alcohol dehydrates so it’s best to moderate your intake, or at least glug plenty of water alongside. When it comes to eating, opting for cold soups, fruit and ice cream will also help keep your body cool and rehydrated.
If you are looking for a last-minute short-haul escape, consider eschewing the Med for northern Europe instead. Not only will flights and accommodation likely be less expensive, but temperatures much more pleasant. Besides, the likes of Sweden and Germany have plenty of appealing beaches. 
Find more expert advice on what to do if you get ill on holiday abroad in our guide.
This article was published in August 2022, and has been revised and updated.