Barcelona to offer more than 500 climate shelters this summer

The summer heat waves are tough in Barcelona. 

To counter the extreme temperatures, one initiative undertaken by local councils in Catalonia are to open 'climate shelters', public spaces where air conditioning, shade, and water are offered, allowing people to get out of their home without having to necessarily suffer the worst of the punishing heat. 

The Barcelona City Council has presented its summer 2026 climate shelter plan, and will offer more than 500 such spaces for citizens to avail of. 

The first deputy mayor, Laia Bonet, has said that the growth in number of shelters is largely explained by the "complementary strategy," promoted last year, which was that of micro-shelters.

These are private establishments and facilities such as museums, shops, and establishments, among others, that have incorporated this service.

Thus, on weekdays in July “99% of the population” will have a climate shelter less than 10 minutes from their home.

The climate shelters will operate from June 15 to September 15. These are areas “where you can sit, there are fans, have a glass of water or a break,” as explained by the first deputy mayor.

The councilor recalled that in 2020, there were 70 climate shelters, while this year, there are more than 500.

Five libraries will open in August too, something which usually doesn't happen. Those are the Francesca Bonnemaison library in Born, Sant Pau in Raval, the José Barbero library in Trinitat Vella, the Rafa Juncadella library in Les Roquetes, and the Biblioteca Zona Nord in Torre Baró.