Rede de Refúgios Climáticos | Stay Cool

The Climate Refuge | Stay Cool Programme is run by Turismo de Portugal. It belongs to the Tourism Climate Action Agenda 2030 and aims to create a national network of places ready for extreme heat. A Climate Refuge is a space that offers comfort and protection when temperatures climb. It can be an air-conditioned indoor space or an outdoor one with shade and vegetation. Libraries, museums, shopping centres, religious buildings, parks and gardens, beaches, cultural venues and tourist accommodation can all qualify. Spaces in the network carry a shared symbol, so visitors know what to look for. The network is public, and its main tool is an online map. Anyone feeling the heat can check it for the nearest place to rest, cool down and drink water. The website is available in Portuguese and English, which suits both residents and visitors. The site also gives practical heat-safety advice. Before going out, people are told to check the weather forecast, carry water, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothing, and note nearby refuges. During the day, it suggests outdoor activity in the early morning or late afternoon, avoiding the sun between 11:00 and 17:00, and taking regular breaks somewhere cool. Warning signs are listed too: dizziness, excessive fatigue, headache, intense thirst and disorientation. Anyone with these symptoms should find a refuge and drink water at once, and seek medical help if they get worse. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, which is the reason for the programme. The network is open to new members. Turismo de Portugal has published guidelines for tourism operators and for municipalities, and a communication kit for partners is in development. The programme has also been publicised through social media and news coverage, with projects in places such as Lisbon, Trancoso and Praia de Mira mentioned.