From cool‑down spots to chalk on windows – how Europe is coping with the heat

Europe is locked in another scorching heatwave this week, pushing temperatures to record highs. To beat the blaze, cities across the continent are deploying creative cooling measures.

Amsterdam’s “cool‑down” spots

The Dutch capital has rolled out 12 cool‑down hubs – from libraries and city farms to supermarkets – offering shade, drinking water, toilets and pet‑friendly spaces. Most pilot stations sit in the highly vulnerable Nieuw‑West district. Schools have moved to “tropical” schedules, shortening lessons and raising ventilation.

Paris: free cinema tickets and chalky windows

In Paris, the town hall gives free tickets to cinemas for those under 25 or over 65, encouraging the public to leave the heat. And in Nantes, a school coats its windows with a chalk‑based powder that lets light in but blocks heat.

Madrid, Zaragoza and Huesca: sprinklers and fountains

Spanish cities have turned on fountains and sprinklers until the night and lowered admission fees for public pools. Intermittent summer showers are a key tool for the otherwise dry areas.

Berlin, Leuven and Munich: internal cooling

In Germany, Deutsche Post urges postal workers to wear long sleeves or short shorts, while older commuters use public water fountains for relief. Belgium’s air‑conditioned trains are being pulled in; fire‑risk measures prevent bonfires on public squares.

Italy’s heat‑warning network and workers’ support

All of Italy is under a red heat warning. The government offers furlough payments for vulnerable workers and lifts subsidies for air‑conditioning. In the south, tourists are guided away from heated streets, while beach‑goers are encouraged to drink water rather than wine.

Across the continent, hot‑weather measures range from shade to sprinklers, free cinema, cooling offices and regulated work hours – all aim to ensure safety and comfort during unprecedented temperatures.