A severe heat wave sweeping Italy and much of Europe has highlighted contrasting responses between locals and visitors to soaring temperatures. In Rome, early mornings offered some respite with temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius, but midday heats pushed readings above 35 degrees Celsius, challenging those unfamiliar with coping strategies common to Italians.
At a popular Roman café, patrons gathered before dawn, comfortably dressed in loose cotton or linen, sipping coffee outdoors without complaint of the heat. By midmorning, however, the outdoor seating had largely emptied as the sun intensified. Locals strategically avoided the midday sun, while many tourists faced discomfort and exhaustion. Around 11 a.m., visitors to the Colosseum contended with vendors selling bottled water and inexpensive sun umbrellas, as well as long queues at municipal kiosks providing free water. Many tourists sought shade near the amphitheatre or in the shadow of the nearby Arch of Constantine.
Some tourists expressed frustration about the heat. Matt Terhark, an automotive worker from Ada, Ohio, remarked that excessive heat limited their enjoyment of Rome and that they tried to schedule sightseeing in the cooler parts of the day. Meanwhile, Aline Frauel from Strasbourg, France, took a somewhat less negative view, noting that temperatures in France had been even more extreme.
Indeed, France has endured some of the worst conditions on the continent. On Tuesday, the southwestern town of Pissos recorded a record-high temperature of 44.3 degrees Celsius, the highest since national records began nearly 80 years ago. The extreme heat has resulted in at least 40 drownings as people sought relief in lakes and rivers, along with heat-related deaths, including two children trapped in a hot car. Paris hit a record 40.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, about 18 degrees above the usual June average. Britain also anticipates record-breaking June temperatures, with forecasts of highs between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius.
Experts note that the adaptation practices commonly followed by Italians, and other residents along the Mediterranean, offer lessons for coping with the heat. Italians rise early, conduct activities before temperatures become oppressive, seek shade, remain hydrated, limit alcohol consumption, and delay dining until later in the evening when it is cooler. Summer dining typically begins around 9 p.m., and children play outdoors only after dark to avoid daytime heat.
Architectural features also mitigate heat exposure. Italian homes often include ceiling fans and roll-down shutters, which serve to block the afternoon sun. Thick walls and smaller windows help maintain cooler indoor temperatures, in contrast to glass-heavy structures common in North American cities.
Nonetheless, climate change is driving temperatures upward across Europe at twice the global average rate, resulting in longer, hotter summers. Air conditioning usage is rising in Italy, with more than half of households now equipped with at least one AC unit, nearly doubling in the past decade. However, Italian residents tend to use air conditioning sparingly due to the high cost of electricity, which is two to three times greater than in Canada or the United States.
Despite widespread discomfort, some tourists embrace the heat. Visitors from the Midlands in England, waiting in line at the Vatican Museums, expressed enjoyment of conditions that reminded them of recent cold spells at home.
As Europe faces increasingly intense heat waves, the experiences in Italy underscore the importance of adapting lifestyles and infrastructures to emerging climate realities.