The heatwaves and droughts across the continent have created ideal conditions for wildfires to spread. <\/p>\n
Hundreds of thousands of people have evacuated their homes in France<\/a> and Spain<\/a>, and firefighters battling the blazes have lost their lives. Houses, forests and communities have been destroyed. <\/p>\n For holidaymakers planning trips to the continent, the developments have been worrying. Hotels on the Greek island of Crete were evacuated earlier this week, while wildfires continue to burn in popular areas such as Gironde in France. <\/p>\n Ahead of a trip to Europe, here is everything you need to know about the risk from wildfire and heatwaves. <\/p>\n Which tourist destinations are affected by wildfires?<\/p>\n Greece<\/p>\n Thousands have been evacuated from homes and hotels on the Greek island of Crete this week, but some have since been able to return.<\/p>\n Residents and tourists were evacuated from towns such as Kyra Vrysi, Agia Galini and other nearby villages as high winds pushed the fire out of control near popular tourist spots.<\/p>\n The wildfires in Rethymno, Crete were under control on Friday, 31 July, but the blaze has not yet been contained, with many hotspots still active.<\/p>\n Villages on the island of Paros have also been evacuated. The Greek Civil Protection Agency <\/a>currently has a \u201cvery high fire risk\u201d for the regions of Attica, the Peloponnese, Central Greece, North Aegean Region, South Aegean Region (Regional Units of Cyclades), Crete, Western Greece, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.<\/p>\n All heatwave and strong weather warnings currently being experienced across Greece are expected to end by 2 August.<\/p>\n The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) updates its \u201cSafety and Security<\/a>\u201d page regularly with up-to-date information.<\/p>\n France<\/p>\n Tourists have been urged not to visit the Gironde region as wildfires ravaged 42,000 hectares in what has been described as an \u201cXXL blaze\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI urge tourists not to come to this region, at least until the situation is under control,\u201d Sophie Brocas, the prefect of the Gironde department, said.<\/p>\n \u201cI encourage tourists who are already here to consider another destination,\u201d she added, after around 4,000 tourists were told to leave the area in addition to the approximate 220,000 people who were forced to evacuate their homes around France in recent days.<\/p>\n Beach resorts and popular holiday areas, which have large residential populations too, such as Lacanau, Cap Ferret, Le Porge and Saumos have been affected, with homes consumed by fires and woodland devastated.<\/p>\n Read more: How river cruise lines are dealing with low water levels<\/a><\/p>\n French authorities have evacuated campsites, tourist accommodation and some residential areas in the region.<\/p>\n Bordeaux airport is still operational for arrivals, and its previously-evacuated hotel zone is now gradually reopening, in addition to public transport to the airport.<\/p>\n Authorities are warning of a severe heatwave stretching from Franche-Comt\u00e9 to Corsica, reaching temperatures of between 35 and 38C, with peaks of up to 39C in the Lyon area and the interior of Var. Thunderstorm warnings are also in place for Friday, 31 July.<\/p>\n Droughts across the country<\/a> have also led to water restrictions and hosepipe bans. <\/p>\n For more information, see the FCDO travel advice <\/a>page for France<\/a>. <\/p>\n Spain<\/p>\n Evacuated locals have begun returning to the Spanish cities of Madrid and \u00c1vila. Madrid\u2019s regional president Isabel D\u00edaz Ayuso described the recent blaze as \u201cthe worst fire in the history of the region\u201d. Authorities declared a national emergency because of the blaze, but it was downgraded by Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez on Thursday.<\/p>\n Madrid, Spain\u2019s central capital and home to 6.8 million people, attracts more than 10 million tourists every year.<\/p>\n Evacuations have also taken place in Zamora and Le\u00f3n areas, as well as along the Portuguese border.<\/p>\n A heatwave began in Spain on 29 July is expected to endure until 1 August, with temperatures forecast to exceed 41C, meaning fire danger will remain high.<\/p>\n For more information, see the FCDO travel advice page for Spain<\/a>.<\/p>\n Portugal<\/p>\n Portuguese wildfires have affected homes near the municipality of Valpa\u00e7os, although this is not a mass-tourism destination. <\/p>\n As a result, the A25 motorway was closed and 800 people have been evacuated.<\/p>\n High temperature warnings are currently in place for parts of Madeira and the district of Faro in the south.<\/p>\n Italy<\/p>\n Very extreme fire danger conditions are predicted to extend into northern Italy at the beginning of August, the EU has said.<\/p>\n Wildfires spread in Sicily, Calabria and Puglia last week.<\/p>\n \u201cLevel 3\u201d high temperature red alerts have been issued for 1 August for 19 cities, including popular city break destinations Venice, Rome, Turin, Naples, Milan and Florence.<\/p>\n UK<\/p>\n![\"Tourists](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2287603179...jpeg\")
Tourists and local residents from the resort village of Agia Galini carry suitcases as they are evacuated following a wildfire in Rethymno area, in the southwest of the Greek island of Crete on July 30, 2026 (AFP\/Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Firefighters](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-07-31T085208Z_38743520_RC29OMAL3VUI_RTRMADP_3_EUROPE-WEATHER-FIREFIGHTERS.JPG\")
Firefighters carry out controlled burning operations in Le Porge, Gironde department (Reuters)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/download.-1..jpeg\")
A firefighter carries a hose while battling a wildfire in San Martin de Valdeiglesias, west of Madrid, Spain (AP)<\/p>\n
![\"Smoke](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01KYSTP2WZNHN0A7ESPCFQ972A.jpg\")
Smoke rises from a wildfire at Dunwich Heath (PA)<\/p>\n