Europe is in the throes of a scorching heatwave, with temperature records expected to tumble in the coming days. Across the continent, cities are rolling out inventive measures to help residents escape the searing heat — from free cinema tickets in Paris to a network of “cool‑down” spots in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam’s pilot scheme will concentrate 12 cool‑down spots in the district of Nieuw‑West, which city modelling identified as facing the greatest heat risk. The spaces — in libraries, city farms, theatres, churches, community centres and even supermarkets — offer seating, drinking water and toilets, and many are open to pets. Officials weighed up how much shade is available, how many vulnerable residents such as young children and older people live there, and how quickly homes heat up.
“Europe rolls out cool-down spots and free cinema tickets while a sleep expert warns against cold showers before bed.”
Schools across Europe are also adapting. Many are moving to “tropical” timetables, with shorter school days, fewer lessons, more breaks, extra drinks and increased ventilation. Each school decides its own measures as there is no legal maximum classroom temperature — the guiding principle is that pupils and teachers must be able to work in safe and healthy conditions. In Nantes, a school has coated its windows with chalk — a chalky product called Blanc de Meudon, or Meudon Whiting — to shade pupils from the heat. The powder is mixed with water and painted on windows, diminishing the power of the sun’s rays and, according to those who use it, actually working to bring down the inside temperature. According to French newspapers, there has been a run on the product in DIY shops.
In Paris, the town hall of the 10th arrondissement is offering free cinema tickets to help people get out of the heat. The plan, organised with three independent air‑conditioned cinemas, is available to anyone under 25 or over 65, and only for afternoon sessions. Cinemas, libraries and museums have been identified as places where people should be encouraged to go to escape the punishing temperatures. Some towns, such as Lyon, have temporarily suspended charging in municipal museums.
In Spain, the north‑eastern region of Aragón is seeing some of the highest temperatures of the heatwave. In the cities of Zaragoza and Huesca, local authorities have reduced the price of entry for public swimming pools. The northern city of Logroño, which is expecting temperatures of up to 38C, has also taken similar measures.
Back in the UK, which is also in the grip of the heatwave, people are trying all sorts of tricks to cool down at night — from sleeping with frozen bottles of water to putting on damp socks and having a cold shower. But according to dreams sleep expert Sammy Margo, one widely touted solution — a cold shower before bed — should be avoided at all costs. “Not cold — lukewarm,” she said. “While it might seem obvious to take a cold shower to cool down before bed, it’s surprisingly not the most effective option.” Margo explained that a lukewarm shower helps lower core body temperature gradually when you step out, triggering the body’s natural cooling process and promoting relaxation, which may make it easier to fall asleep comfortably. A cold shower, she added, may make you feel more alert, prompting your body to “wake up” rather than wind down.
The advice comes as the NHS notes that adults typically need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, children need nine to 13 hours, and toddlers and babies need 12 to 17 hours. The health service cautions that you probably do not get enough sleep if you’re constantly tired during the day. Chronic poor sleep, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, may increase the likelihood of developing dementia, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and even cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries and prostate, and can affect the ability to function while performing daily tasks like working or driving.