More than 500 climate shelters will protect Barcelona this summer

The idea is simple, but increasingly necessary: that everyone has a cool, safe, and accessible place nearby during days of intense heat. In a dense city, with many poorly insulated homes and streets that retain heat for hours, these spaces can make a real difference.

The network combines public facilities and participating private spaces. Libraries, civic centres, markets, museums, sports centres, pharmacies, shops, and other air-conditioned venues will serve as cooling points during the hottest months of summer.

There will also be outdoor shelters. Parks, gardens, and shaded areas are being added to the map to offer alternatives for those who prefer open spaces or need a break while travelling. Not all shelters are the same, but they all serve a basic function: reducing exposure to heat.

The City Council especially wants to strengthen support in the most vulnerable neighbourhoods. These are areas that may have fewer green spaces, homes with poorer insulation, more elderly residents, or families with fewer resources to cover the energy costs of keeping their homes cool.

Climate shelters are not just for extreme emergencies. They are also places to spend a few hours reading, wait between errands, accompany elderly people, rest with children, or break up a long public transport journey on a particularly hot afternoon.

The challenge will be making sure people know where the shelters are and when they are open. The real usefulness of the network will depend on clear maps, schedules, and access, especially during heatwaves, when improvising can be more difficult.

The expansion of these shelters paints a clear picture of the summer ahead: Barcelona no longer just needs beaches, terraces, or fans. It also needs an everyday network of cool places where people can continue to enjoy the city when the heat becomes too much.