A heatwave gripping Spain has sent temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in many places, forcing tourists to flee popular destinations during the peak season.
In Madrid, capital of Spain, the temperature exceeded 35 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The Community of Madrid has issued an orange alert for high temperatures.
At the city’s iconic Plaza Mayor, sparse crowds sought cooling places under sunshades and around sprinklers, while shops swapped out typical souvenirs for folding fans, now the hottest item.
"Fans are our top seller now. Many tourists buy two or three or even more at once," said Sara, a shop assistant in Madrid.
"The long stretch of daytime heat is hitting us hard because it reduces our daytime guests drastically, pushing our work hours later," said Rafa, a waiter at a restaurant in Madrid.
"Between 16:00 to 18:00, there are fewer tourists because of the hot weather. People choose to find a place to sit down and have a drink. They won't come here because the heat is unbearable," said Diego, a tour bus driver in Madrid.
Official data confirmed over 380 heat-related deaths in June alone, and the number is increasing in July.
Meteorologists have warned such extremes may become routine due to climate change.
Heatwave scorches Spanish tourism as temperatures rocket
