Foreign Office issues new travel advice for Brits heading to Spain, Greece and Turkey
The heatwave in Europe has led to the UK's Foreign Office issuing new travel advice for Brits heading to Spain, Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus as the mercury climbs above 40C
The Foreign Office has dished out travel advice for Brits jetting off to Spain, Turkey, Greece and Cyprus as a scorching heatwave blazes across the European Union.
Northern Europe is currently sweltering under an early summer sizzler, with weather boffins predicting the mercury will continue to rise in the coming weeks. Back home, we've been feeling the burn too, with temperatures peaking at a balmy 34C on Saturday.
France's national weather service, Meteo France, has echoed these warnings, alerting that the blistering heat puts "everyone at risk, even healthy people". Portugal recently clocked its highest temperature this year at a whopping 40.5C degrees, while parts of Spain have seen the thermometer soar past 42C.
Down south, things are heating up even more, with Chios in Greece currently battling a raging wildfire. Locals have been forced to flee after the parched island ignited over the weekend, reports the Mirror.
On its website, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) has flagged up extreme heat in four countries, including Greece, where nighttime temperatures are stubbornly hovering above 30C in large swathes of the country.
The FCDO has also issued heat-related alerts for Turkey, Cyprus and Spain.
Greece: "Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods.
"Take extra care when planning a hike or walk, especially during higher temperatures than you are used to. Trails often lack shade and the quality of route markings can vary.
"Do not light fires as it is both dangerous and illegal due to the high risk of wildfires."
Turkey: "Extreme temperatures can affect many areas of Turkey over the summer months. Wildfires happen frequently in Turkey during summer."
Cyprus: "The Department of Meteorology of Cyprus issues warnings for severe weather, especially during summer. Weather can sometimes cause travel disruption."
Spain: "Temperatures in some parts of Spain can change very quickly. Take extra care when planning a hike or walk. Check local weather reports for warnings of extreme heat or cold temperatures."
Bas Amelung, an environmental systems analysis professor at Wageningen University, predicts that popular holiday hotspots like Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey could become unbearably sweltering in future summers.
"Countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey that currently attract the traditional 'sun and sand' summer tourists are likely to become too hot for comfort in the summer," he warns.
"People take decisions based on their perceptions," Amelung further elaborates.
"So if a large majority of holidaymakers thinks some European destinations will soon be 'too hot', they may well start adapting, either by going somewhere else in summer or by going to the same place in another season."
The Greek government declared a state of emergency in Chios following the eruption of wildfires on Sunday, resulting in several villages being cleared out.
As of Tuesday, the fires are still tearing through the area, with hundreds of firefighters and aircraft battling the multiple infernos.
The wildfires have wreaked havoc, causing power outages, water shortages, and property damage. Indeed, as of 24 June 2025, the Greek island of Chios remains ablaze.
Hundreds of firefighters, supported by aircraft, are into their third day of fighting numerous wildfires across different parts of the island.