Among the countries in the wider Mediterranean basin, Greece has the most heatwave days, according to the results of a survey conducted by the British consumer association Which?.
The survey analyzed temperatures recorded in over 50 destinations in the region in the summer of 2024, and recorded how often the mercury rose above 36 degrees Celsius, based on data from CustomWeather, in an effort to highlight which destinations are becoming increasingly unbearably hot during the summer months.
Corfu is the hottest destination in Greece
Specifically, in July 2024, Corfu was the 7th hottest destination in the region, with a total of 21 days where the mercury exceeded 36 degrees Celsius. The hottest destinations were Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada (all month), followed by Nicosia (28 days of heat), Cairo (25), Bodrum (24,) and Izmir (24).
In the ranking of the hottest destinations in July, Athens follows in 8th place with 20 days of heat, while high temperatures prevail for half of the days of July in Crete and Halkidiki. In Santorini and Rhodes, no day in July with such high temperatures was detected.
Almost half of the days in July in Rome and Larnaca were warmer than 36 degrees Celsius, but on the Amalfi Coast and in Paphos, there was no day with such high temperatures.
The hottest Greek destination for August was Corfu (10th in the ranking), with 15 days of heat, with the most hot days recorded in Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada (all of August), Nicosia (24 days), Extremadura (23), Cairo (21), Madrid (20), Bodrum (17), Rome (17) and Izmir (15).
After Corfu, August sees the mercury rise above 36 degrees Celsius, with Athens experiencing 13 days of heatwaves, Crete and Halkidiki experiencing 7 days of high temperatures, and Santorini and Rhodes experiencing 1 day each.
Despite the generally high temperatures in large parts of Southern Europe, there are alternatives for those who prefer more normal temperatures. Which? even suggests Rhodes among the ideal destinations for those who cannot stand the heatwave, as well as the Costa Blanca in Spain, Brittany in France, the Amalfi Coast in Italy, Istria in Croatia, Madeira in Portugal, and Cappadocia in Turkey.
On the other hand, destinations to avoid are Nicosia, Alentejo in Portugal, and Egypt.
“Heatwaves are no longer considered abnormal.”
Which? points out that parts of Spain, Portugal, and other Mediterranean countries have become unbearable destinations during peak season due to the high temperatures they experience. However, it stresses that there is no need to avoid them, as climate change means that extreme temperatures are no longer considered abnormal.
This year, heatwaves have already hit Lisbon, Madrid, and Seville since early June, with temperatures reaching or exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
Tens of thousands of people have fled Izmir due to fires, while authorities in Paris have closed the top floor of the Eiffel Tower.
Last year, Spain experienced four consecutive waves of extreme heat, with temperatures in parts of the country exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
Which? also reports on the Greek authorities’ initiative to close the Acropolis archaeological site last year for safety reasons when temperatures reached 43 degrees Celsius, a move that continues this year.
