Europe gets creative to beat the heat

From free museum tours to "climate oases" with cold drinks and air-con, European countries are searching for creative ways to beat the heatwave hitting the continent -- without forgetting our four-legged friends.

Here is a look at some of the programmes put in place as record temperatures swept multiple countries.

- Italy -

Venice is offering free guided tours of air-conditioned museums and public buildings to people over 75, a demographic especially vulnerable to extreme heat.

In Rome, city swimming pools are free of charge for those over 70.

And hospitals such as the Ospedale dei Colli in Naples have set up dedicated heatstroke pathways to speed access to vital treatments including cold water immersion.

- Netherlands -

Schools in Rotterdam and across West Brabant province adopted "tropical schedules" on Tuesday, with shorter school hours -- 8:00 am to noon -- and additional water breaks.

TOPSHOT - A polar bear cools off in the water at Pairi Daiza zoo in Brugelette on July 2, 2025, as a heatwave hits Europe. Withering conditions that have baked southern Europe for days crept northward, shutting some schools and daycare centres in France and the Netherlands, and sparking health warnings. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP)

- Germany -

Since the late 19th century, Germany has had "hitzefrei", or heat holidays.

When temperatures get too hot -- 25 or 27 degrees Celsius (77 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit), for example, depending on the region -- schools close for the afternoon, a popular policy with pupils.

- Spain -

Spain launched a protocol to protect women at risk of domestic violence, which tends to increase when temperatures are hot.

Authorities use computer algorithms to help identify those most vulnerable.

"Summer is a particularly dangerous period... We know July and August are particularly tragic months," Equality Minister Ana Redondo said last week.

More than 40 percent of femicides in 2023 and 2024 happened during the summer months, according to her ministry's figures.

High temperatures "exacerbate crisis dynamics in human relations and increase the likelihood of aggressive behaviour", said the interior ministry.

- Austria -

Austria is offering 23 "climate oases" with air conditioning, snacks and drinks for those in need, sponsored by Catholic charity Caritas, which is also providing dedicated medical buses with volunteer doctors.

A person practises wakeboarding at a water sports leisure centre in Basse-Ham, north-eastern France, on July 2, 2025, as a heatwave hits Europe. (Photo by Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN / AFP)

- France -

France partially or completely closed 1,350 of its 45,000 schools on Tuesday.

Some cities, such as Orleans, are also offering free access to museums.

Marseille made its public pools free of charge for the duration of the heatwave.

Paris meanwhile declared public parks and gardens would be open 24 hours a day, and extended hours for some pools until 10:00 pm.

- Czech Republic -

The Czech Republic's state veterinary administration tightened transport checks from Tuesday to protect animals being transported in the heat. —AFP

A man wearing a hat walks near the iconic Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) in Ronda, southern Spain, on July 2, 2025, as high temperatures grip the country during the first summer heatwave. A punishing heatwave loosened its gripped on western Europe today and rolled eastwards, with Germany expected to record some of its hottest temperatures of the year so far. Meanwhile, residents in Spain and Italy may have to wait until the weekend before they experience a drop in temperatures. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO / AFP)