Cool oases in Berlin: How to survive the 30 degree heat!

Cool oases in Berlin: How to survive the 30 degree heat!

The heat wave in Germany is causing problems for many people, but it also offers numerous opportunities to cool down. Temperatures in Berlin are rising to around 30 degrees Celsius this week, and the city has prepared well for this. The State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso) recommends visiting various places to escape the heat. A particularly interesting tip for anyone tired of the heat is the numerous churches. Places like the Rosary Basilica in Steglitz or the Lindenkirche in Wilmersdorf invite you to take a short break in the cool interior. These churches not only offer a shady retreat, but also a peaceful atmosphere.

Not only the churches, but also neighborhood meetings, such as the meeting place at Lützowstrasse 27 in Mitte, are ready to offer those in need a shady spot. If you are looking for even more refreshment, you will find numerous cool, windy and shady areas on the Technologie Stiftung Berlin's freshness map. Not only can you visit the over 240 free drinking fountains in the city, but you can also use the many green areas and swimming areas.

Refreshing alternatives

For families with children, there are great alternatives to outdoor pools and lakes: water playgrounds are very popular! Fantastic water play equipment awaits little water lovers in the Pankow Citizens' Park, while the Padsche in Marzahn (Zerbster Straße 64) and the Mariendorf Volkspark promise a topping-out party for cooling off with larger water play facilities. A light diet of fruit and vegetables and drinking plenty of fluids are also important recommendations to help you tolerate the heat better.

An important point that is often overlooked is the special shelters that are open between June 1st and August 31st. These places offer people in need a place to retreat, quiet places, drinks and sometimes even showers - a significant relief in these hot days.

Longer heat waves and their consequences

The World Meteorological Organization is already predicting a hot summer for the northern hemisphere, and Germany could also experience its third hot summer in a row in 2023. The average number of hot days is now around 20 days per year - compared to just three 70 years ago. The Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze reports that the temperature has increased by 0.3 degrees in just five years, which is considered alarming. Older people and children are particularly affected by heat stress, which is why voluntary neighborhood help is even more important.

Cologne is moving forward with a heat action plan that was launched in 2019 and is specifically aimed at the needs of older people. Recommendations for action are developed here to reduce the effects of the heat. The city attaches particular importance to neighborly assistance and gives tips on cooling apartments. Cities such as Düsseldorf, Mannheim and Erfurt are also in the process of taking action in the area of ​​heat action plans, because those who plan ahead can survive even in sweltering heat.

With ongoing studies and projects that focus on heat-friendly urban development, cities like Erfurt and Dresden show that it is possible to remain livable even in extreme summer heat. The principle of neighborly assistance has proven particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic, which underlines the relevance of this measure even in times of warmth.

The coming months could offer both challenges and opportunities - with a cool head and the right planning you can get through even the hottest days.