Can’t Take the Heat? Chill Out in a Climate Shelter

Cities around the world are again grappling with record-breaking temperatures. It's not only getting hotter, it's  getting hotter earlier, and staying hotter for longer. In larger cities like Barcelona, the rising temperatures are even more acutely felt. Heat generated by energy use (think air conditioners, trains, buses, cars, etc.) combined with heat-absorbing materials in buildings, roads and sidewalks create a "heat island" effect, increasing temperatures in the city by as much as 5.6°C more than the surrounding natural areas.

To combat rising temperatures, many cities have already begun to plant more trees and other vegetation, build shade structures, add water features, paint rooftops white to reflect heat and develop green walls and rooftops on existing buildings. In Barcelona a number of similar projects have begun. Plans to increase the amount of shade in public spaces include pergolas in the city—many with solar paneling on top—which provide shade and a place for people to rest and relax. In 2017 the City Council developed its Master Plan for Barcelona's Trees, which seeks to increase the tree canopy coverage to regulate temperatures, improve air quality and reduce noise pollution.

Refugis Climàtics

Following a record-breaking heatwave in 2019, the City Council established a network of refugis climàtics (climate shelters) to provide its citizens a respite from the heat. Created from a combination of municipal buildings and public spaces in the existing infrastructure, 70 spaces were designated as climate shelters. The year 2020 saw the number increase to 163, and in 2022 the network expanded to over 200 locations. With this expansion, over 95% of the population has a climate shelter within an 10-minute walk from home.

Climate shelters can be indoor areas such as civic centers, schools, museums and libraries or outdoor areas such as parks and gardens with a high presence of urban greenery and water fountains. Each climate shelter provides the space to relax and cool off while also continuing to operate as usual.

You can check for a climate shelter near you on our interactive map above. Keep in mind that each location will have its own operating hours, and many be closed on Sunday, so check the opening times before heading out.

The climate shelter plan is active from June 15 to September 15. To make sure you stay hydrated, the city Council has made the mobile app Fonts BCN to help you locate any of the 1,714 drinking fountains in the city.

Published July 30, 2022, updated June 9, 2023.