Tourists hoping to visit Mount Vesuvius in Italy have been turned away as firefighters battle blazes on the volcano's slopes. The wildfires are part of a broader heatwave scorching southern Europe for the second time this summer, breaking temperature records and forcing thousands to flee their homes.
The heatwave, intensified by fossil fuel pollution, has struck during the holiday season, leaving tourist-dependent economies in the Mediterranean and Balkans vulnerable. Firefighters are tackling blazes from Portugal to Turkey, with deaths reported in France, Spain, Albania, Montenegro and Greece.
In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned of extreme forest fire risks after a deadly wildfire hit a Madrid suburb. In Portugal, the mayor of Vila Real said, “We are being cooked alive. This cannot continue.” Campers in south-west France faced temperatures above 40°C on Monday.
EU fire scientists reported that wildfires burned over 400,000 hectares in Europe in the first seven months of 2025, 87% more than the 20-year average. They warned of “extreme to very extreme” fire conditions persisting in southern Europe and parts of the Nordics.
The economic impact is driving tourists to seek “coolcations” further north, though a recent heatwave in Nordic countries sent temperatures north of the Arctic Circle to 32-33°C. Experts warn that rising travel costs due to climate breakdown may deter holidaymakers.
