How hot will YOUR holiday be? Use our interactive chart to find the maximum and average summer temperatures in 103 destinations in 39 European countries

British holidaymakers are heading for another scorching summer after temperatures broke global records in 2023.

Last year was the warmest year on record, with temperatures in southern Europe rising to 48 degrees Celsius and lasting for two weeks or more.

As the first heat waves swept across Europe this month, scientists and meteorologists predict that 2024 will be even hotter, bringing even more of last year’s extreme weather.

Already this summer, tourists have flocked to drinking fountains in Rome, wildfires have spread across Greece and tourists have died from heat exhaustion. Temperatures have soared to well over 40C in destinations including Greece, Italy, Turkey, Cyprus and the Canary Islands.

According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, the latter part of the summer is likely to be “warmer than average everywhere.”

So, how warm will your summer vacation be? Here’s our ultimate guide to this year’s holiday ‘hotspots’ – and use our interactive chart below to find maximum and average summer temperatures in 103 destinations in 39 European countries.

ZOOM IN ON YOUR HOLIDAY DESTINATION IN OUR TOOL BELOW

GREECE

The Greek government this week warned tourists “not to take unnecessary risks” as a deadly heatwave continued.

Temperatures have reached 44C this month, claiming the lives of at least six tourists. On Monday, a 67-year-old German was found dead in Crete after going 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 on Symi earlier this month.

Greek authorities have been forced to close schools in Athens and limit visiting hours at several ancient sites, including the Acropolis

The country has suffered successive heat waves earlier than usual this year, causing forest fires and the evacuation of six villages.

Meanwhile, Greek authorities have been forced to close schools in Athens and limit visiting hours at several ancient sites, including the Acropolis.

Last year, temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius during the summer months in areas such as Athens, Thessaloniki and Zakynthos.

ITALY

Level 3 heat warnings – the highest level – have already been issued for several cities in Italy, as the country experiences its first major heatwave of the summer. This is thanks to an African anticyclone that has raised temperatures to 40 degrees Celsius, 10 degrees above the seasonal average.

Rome, Naples and Florence expect temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius this weekend, while inland Sardinia and Sicily the mercury could rise to 44 degrees Celsius.

Rome, Naples and Florence will see temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius this weekend

B&Bs in Sicily have already had to turn away guests after running out of water, while in Florence a music festival planned for July in a central square has been moved to higher ground outside the city.

In Venice, meanwhile, the municipality is planting more trees in parks and encouraging visitors to visit the city’s beaches to cool off.

CYPRUS

Cyprus has also been hit by a heatwave in recent days, with two people dying from heatstroke.

Cyprus faces lack of rain as 2024 will be the 10th driest year in 123 years

The country issued its first alert of the season as some areas reached 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit), setting a record for the hottest June day on record. Heavy and medium-duty outdoor work has been halted by the labor department due to the heat, while school days have been shortened due to a lack of cooling systems.

Cyprus also suffers from a lack of rain. 2024 is expected to be the tenth driest year in 123 years.

TURKEY

Temperatures in cities across Turkey reached 40 degrees Celsius last week, 12 degrees higher than the seasonal average.

Turkey has been hit by forest fires and emergency services are trying to control them with the help of planes and helicopters

In Istanbul, warnings were issued to the elderly, the sick and pregnant women, while children were advised not to stay in the sun for long periods.

Last week, seven areas in Turkey were hit by forest fires. Emergency services tried to control the fires using planes and helicopters.

SPAIN

Around 18 million Brits are expected to visit Spain and its tourist islands this year – and they could face sweltering conditions. Temperatures have already exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in the Canary Islands this year, forcing schools on islands such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria to close.

Areas of Spain have already seen scorching temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius this year

The Spanish government has prepared for this year’s heat waves. In Madrid and Barcelona, ​​the cities’ public transport systems have been upgraded to include air conditioning. Meanwhile, Seville has introduced ‘climate shelters’; public areas that are air-conditioned and open during heat waves.

PORTUGAL

Portugal’s holiday destinations can be a safer option when it comes to weather

Portugal is often the second choice to its popular neighbor Spain, but Portugal’s holiday destinations can be 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 warm, these temperatures are more bearable than previous summer highs of 41C in Benidorm and Malaga and 44C in Seville.

FRANCE

More and more families are choosing cooler regions such as Brittany for their holidays to escape the extreme heat that has gripped parts of the South of France

More and more families are choosing cooler areas such as Brittany for their holidays to escape the extreme heat that has gripped parts of southern France over the past two years, as our weather map shows. Temperatures rose to 40C or more in Bordeaux, Biarritz and Corsica, but also in more northern cities such as Lyon and Paris. For those looking for a Mediterranean getaway without the stifling heat, Nice is a surprising option, according to data from Weather Underground. The coastal city, famous for its colorful old town and Promenade des Anglais overlooking pebbly beaches, has remained below 35C for the past two summers and temperatures averaged around 30C in August.

EGYPT

History buffs exploring the ancient pyramids of Giza will be exposed to temperatures of up to 42 degrees Celsius

Fans of Egypt’s most popular destination, Sharm El Sheikh, should beware of extremely hot weather this summer, after temperatures soared to 40 degrees Celsius in every month from June to September last year. History buffs hoping to explore the ancient pyramids of Giza are no exception, with the area seeing highs of 42 degrees Celsius in 2022 and 2023.

MOROCCO

Last year, the popular destination Morocco experienced highs of 47 degrees Celsius in August

The bustling souks and ancient sights of Marrakech attract hundreds of thousands of British tourists each year. But it may be advisable to exercise patience and visit during the winter sun season to avoid the dangerously high summer temperatures, which regularly reach 45 degrees Celsius or more. Last August it was 47 degrees Celsius when a desert sandstorm swept through the city, turning the sky an eerie orange. Morocco’s second most popular destination, Fez, saw highs of 46 degrees Celsius last July.

COOLER DESTINATIONS

Do you love the sandy shores of the Mediterranean but would like to stay cool this summer? Then consider Europe’s northern coastlines, where you’ll find many scenic beaches that are often overlooked, which also results in fewer crowds.

The German island of Sylt is known by locals for its long, fine sandy beaches, dunes and clear blue water. Temperatures are more comfortable, with highs ranging from 29ºC to 31ºC in the last two years.

Likewise, Zeeland has lesser-known and less sultry beaches with maximum temperatures of 24 to 33 degrees Celsius in the past two summers.

The German island of Sylt is known by locals for its extensive fine sandy beaches, dunes and clear blue waters

Gdansk, one of Poland’s oldest and most beautiful cities, has pleasant summer temperatures of 34C. But visit before September, when temperatures drop to 12C.

In Eastern Europe, the coastline of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia offers beautiful beaches and temperatures that range between 20 and 30 degrees in summer.

Palanga is the largest and most popular summer resort in Lithuania, with sand dunes and sandy beaches stretching 18 kilometers long and up to 300 meters wide.

Estonia’s Haapsalu is another cooler coastal town, with highs of 32C last summer. Thanks to the shallow bays, the sea water warms up quickly at the beginning of summer and remains warm for the rest of the season. Jurmala, on the Gulf of Riga in Latvia, is characterized by its wooden, art nouveau seaside villas and long, wide sandy beaches.