British holidaymakers are heading for another scorching summer after temperatures smashed global records in 2023.
Last year was the hottest year on record, with temperatures in southern Europe reaching 48C and lasting up to two weeks or more.
As the first heatwaves engulfed Europe this month, scientists and meteorologists are predicting 2024 is set to be even warmer, bringing more of the extreme weather suffered last year.
Already this summer, tourists have been seen flocking to drinking fountains in Rome, wildfires have spread across Greece and tourists have died from heat exhaustion. The mercury has soared well above 40C in destinations including Greece, Italy, Turkey, Cyprus and The Canary Islands.
The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said the latter part of the summer was likely to be ‘warmer than average everywhere’.
So, how hot will your summer holiday get? Here’s our ultimate guide to this year’s holiday ‘hot’ spots – and use our interactive graphic below to search the maximum and average summer temperatures in 103 destinations across 39 European countries.
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GREECE
The Greek government issued an alert this week for tourists ‘not to take unnecessary risks’ as the deadly heatwave wave continued.
Temperatures reached 44C this month, claiming the lives of at least six tourists, On Monday, a 67-year-old German was found dead on Crete after setting out for a walk alone. Most of the fatalities in recent weeks have been hikers who have gone missing in the extreme heat, including the Daily Mail’s Dr Michael Mosley who disappeared in Symi earlier this month.
Greek authorities have been forced to close schools in Athens and restrict visiting hours to several ancient sites, including the Acropolis
The country has experienced back-to-back heatwaves earlier than usual this year, causing wildfires and the evacuation of six villages.
Meanwhile, Greek authorities have been forced to close schools in Athens and restrict visiting hours to several ancient sites, including the Acropolis.
Last year, temperatures reached 40C in areas such as Athens, Thessaloniki and Zakynthos during the summer months.
ITALY
Level 3 heat alerts – the highest level – have already been issued for several cities across Italy as the country experiences its first big heatwave of the summer. This is due to an African anticyclone which has boosted temperatures up as far as 40c, 10c above seasonal averages.
Rome, Naples and Florence are set to see temperatures of around 40c this weekend, while inland parts of Sardinia and Sicily could see the mercury soar to 44c.
Rome, Naples and Florence are set to see temperatures of around 40C this weekend
B&Bs in Sicily have already had to turn away guests as they run out of water, while in Florence, a music festival planned for July in a central piazza has been shifted to higher ground outside the city.
In Venice, meanwhile, the council is planting more trees in parks and encouraging visitors to visit the city’s beaches to cool off.
CYPRUS
A heatwave has also hit Cyprus in recent days, causing the deaths of two people from heatstroke.
Cyprus has been suffering from a lack of rain, as 2024 is set to be the 10th driest in 123 years
The country issued its first red alert of the season as some areas reached 45C, setting a record for the hottest June day ever. Heavy and moderate outdoor work has been halted by the department of labour because of the heat, while school days were cut short due to a lack of cooling systems.
Cyprus has also been suffering from a lack of rain, as 2024 is set to be the 10th driest in 123 years.
TURKEY
Temperatures reached 40C in cities across Turkey last week, 12c higher than the season average.
Turkey has been hit by forest fires, with emergency services battling to keep them under control using planes and helicopters
In Istanbul, warnings were issued to the elderly, sick and pregnant women, while children were advised against prolonged exposure to the sun.
Last week, seven areas across Turkey were hit by forest fires, with emergency services battling to keep them under control using planes and helicopters.
SPAIN
Around 18 million Britons are expected to visit Spain and its tourist islands this year – and could face blistering conditions. The Canaries have already seen temperatures above 40C this year, forcing schools on islands such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria to close.
Areas of Spain have already seen blistering temperatures of over 40C this year
The Spanish government has been preparing for this year’s heatwaves. In Madrid and Barcelona, the cities’ public transport systems have been upgraded with air conditioning. Meanwhile, Seville has introduced ‘climate shelters’; public spaces which are equipped with air conditioning and are open during heatwaves.
PORTUGAL
Portugal’s holiday hotspots could pose a safer option when it comes to the weather
Often second-choice to its popular neighbour Spain, Portugal’s holiday hotspots could pose a safer option when it comes to the weather. In recent years, temperatures in Faro and Porto have not exceeded 38C, while Lisbon saw highs of 37C. Although still hot, these temperatures are more tolerable than previous summer highs of 41C in Benidorm and Malaga and 44C in Seville.
FRANCE
More families are choosing cooler areas such as Brittany for holidays to escape the extreme heat which has gripped parts of southern France
More families are choosing cooler areas such as Brittany for holidays to escape the extreme heat which has gripped parts of southern France over the past two years, as our weather map shows. Temperatures soared to 40C or more in Bordeaux, Biarritz and Corsica as well as more northerly cities such as Lyon and Paris. For those seeking a Mediterranean getaway without the sweltering heat, Nice is a surprising option, according to data from Weather Underground. The coastal city, famous for its colourful old town and Promenade des Anglais overlooking pebble beaches, remained below 35C over the past two summers and temperatures average around 30C in peak August.
EGYPT
History buffs hoping to explore the ancient pyramids of Giza will be exposed to temperatures as high as 42C
Fans of Egypt’s most popular destination Sharm El Sheikh should be cautious of extremely hot weather this summer, after temperatures soared to 40C each month from June to September last year. History buffs hoping to explore the ancient pyramids of Giza are not exempt, as the area saw highs of 42C in 2022 and 2023.
MOROCCO
Last year, the popular destination of Morocco saw highs of 47C in August
The bustling souks and ancient landmarks of Marrakesh tempt hundreds of thousands of British tourists each year. But it might be advisable to exercise patience and visit during the winter-sun season to avoid the dangerously high summer temperatures, which regularly reach 45C or more. Last year, August saw highs of 47C when a desert sandstorm swept the city turning the skies an eerie orange. Morocco’s second most popular destination, Fez, saw highs of 46C last July.
COOLER DESTINATIONS
Like the sandy shores of the Mediterranean but keen to stay cool this summer? Consider Europe’s northern coastlines where you’ll find plenty of scenic beaches that are often overlooked, resulting in fewer crowds too.
The German island of Sylt is known by locals for its long stretches of fine sandy beaches, dunes, and clear blue waters. Temperatures are more comfortable, with highs of 29C to 31C in the past two years.
Similarly in Denmark, Zealand boasts lesser-known and less sweltering beaches with highs of 24C to 33C over the past two summers.
The German island of Sylt is known by locals for its long stretches of fine sandy beaches, dunes, and clear blue waters
Gdansk, one of Poland’s oldest and most beautiful cities, has pleasant summer highs of 34C. But visit before September when temperatures plummet as low as 12C.
In Eastern Europe, the coastline of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia offers beautiful beaches and temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s throughout summer.
Palanga is the largest and most popular summer resort in Lithuania, featuring sand dunes and sandy beaches that stretch 11 miles (18km) in length and up to 1,000 ft (300m) wide.
Estonia’s Haapsalu is another cooler coastal retreat, with highs of 32C last summer. Thanks to the shallow coves, the seawater warms up quickly at the beginning of the summer and stays warm for the rest of the season. Jurmala, on the Gulf of Riga in Latvia, is characterised by its wooden, art nouveau seaside villas and long wide stretches of sandy beach.
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