Bratislava Cooling Spot Network - Ochlaď sa!

Heat in Bratislava: We Can Get Through It Together

Extreme heat is becoming part of everyday life in Bratislava. What was once unusual is now happening more often, changing the way our city works during the summer and the way we experience it. While everyone feels the effects of extreme heat, it does not affect everyone equally. For older people, young children, people with underlying health conditions, and those who live alone or cannot keep their homes cool, a hot day can be more than just uncomfortable – it can be dangerous.

Preparing for extreme heat is a shared responsibility. The city has an important role to play, but so do all of us. That is why Bratislava is introducing practical measures, including the pilot Ochlaď sa! ("Cool Down!") network of cooling spots developed by the Bratislava Climate Office. We are also providing practical advice on how to stay safe during hot weather and how to support people around you who may need extra help.

But practical measures alone are not enough. We also need a city where people look out for one another. Sometimes a simple phone call, offering to pick up some shopping, a glass of water, or asking, "Are you alright?" can make all the difference. During a heatwave, even a small act of kindness can have a big impact.

Need to Cool Down? Discover more than 30 cooling spots across the city

Ochlaď sa! cooling spots are places where you can take a break from the heat and cool down during hot weather. In summer 2026, Bratislava is launching a pilot network of cooling spots in partnership with the city's boroughs, municipal organisations and private partners.

While individual locations may vary, every cooling spot offers an air-conditioned space, seating, drinking water and toilet facilities. Some also provide additional amenities, such as Wi-Fi, books, board games or a children's corner.

Just need to refill your water bottle? Drinking fountains are available at several locations across Bratislava, where you can refill your own bottle free of charge. They are marked separately on the map below.

How to Stay Safe During Hot Weather: 7 Essential Tips

1. Stay hydrated Drink water regularly throughout the day, ideally before you feel thirsty. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults drink at least 2–3 litres of fluids a day, preferably water, and avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine. Children should also drink regularly throughout the day, even if they do not feel thirsty. Offer them water more often than usual during hot weather. Whenever you go out, take a water bottle with you and remind those close to you – especially older people, who are at greater risk of dehydration – to drink regularly. If your doctor has advised you to limit your fluid intake, follow their advice.

2. Avoid the hottest part of the day Plan shopping, walks and other errands for the morning or evening whenever possible. Direct sunlight can make the heat feel much more intense than it does in the shade, causing your body to overheat more quickly. During the hottest hours of the day, stay in the shade or spend time in cooler indoor spaces whenever you can.

3. Limit physical activity During hot weather, reduce strenuous activities such as exercise, gardening, carrying heavy shopping or other physically demanding tasks. If you cannot avoid them, take frequent breaks, drink water regularly and, wherever possible, work or exercise in the shade or in a cooler environment.

4. Protect yourself from the sun Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, along with a hat and sunglasses. If you are spending longer periods outdoors, apply sunscreen with an appropriate sun protection factor (SPF).

5. Keep your body cool Take a cool shower or bath, use a damp towel or cool your skin with water. If you begin to feel unwell, dizzy, unusually weak, extremely thirsty or develop a headache, move to a cool place as soon as possible.

6. Keep the heat out during the day and let the cool air in at night During the day, keep windows closed and use blinds, curtains or shutters to block out the sun. After sunset, open your windows to let cooler night air circulate through your home. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends trying to keep indoor temperatures below 32°C during the day and 24°C at night, particularly in homes with young children, people over the age of 60 or people with chronic health conditions.

7. Never leave anyone in a parked car Not even for a short time. Never leave children or animals unattended in a parked vehicle. The temperature inside a car can rise to dangerous levels within minutes.

Check on Someone Today Who May Be Struggling with the Heat

Call or visit your grandparents, parents, an older neighbour, or someone you know who lives alone. Ask whether they have enough drinking water, whether they are managing to keep their home cool, and whether they need help with shopping or other everyday tasks that would otherwise require them to go outside during the hottest part of the day. If you know someone who finds hot weather particularly difficult, check in on them more often than usual – ideally every day.

Look out for people you see during the day too, whether on public transport, at a bus stop, in the street or in a shop. People experiencing homelessness are also particularly vulnerable during periods of extreme heat. If someone appears to be struggling, ask whether they are alright and whether they need any help.

The Municipal Police and the city's outreach team have been instructed to pay extra attention to people in public spaces during periods of hot weather. Where needed, the outreach team is also ready to provide people experiencing homelessness with bottled water, electrolytes and sun hats. But everyone can help. Looking out for one another could save a life.

If someone collapses because of the heat, move them into the shade and help them lie down or rest in a semi-reclined position. If they are conscious and able to drink, give them small sips of water. If their condition worsens, call 155 or 112 immediately.

Recognising Heat-Related Illness

Heatstroke occurs when the body's temperature rises rapidly. It is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. If you or someone nearby develops any of the following symptoms, call 112 immediately or seek emergency medical care:

• Hot, dry skin
• Confusion, hallucinations or disorientation
• Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• A rapid, strong pulse
• Weakness
• Dizziness

Heat exhaustion requires prompt cooling, removing excess clothing and drinking plenty of water. Common symptoms include:

• Heavy sweating
• Cool, damp skin
• Muscle cramps
• Feeling faint or fainting
• Headache
• Tiredness or lack of energy
• Loss of appetite or nausea

Would you like to get involved?

We want to expand the Ochlaď sa! network of cooling spots over time in partnership with more organisations and businesses. If you have a suitable air-conditioned space that could be opened to the public during periods of hot weather and meets the City's operating requirements, or if you would like to support the network in a practical way – for example by donating reusable water bottles in larger quantities or providing other useful support during heatwaves – we would love to hear from you.

The network of cooling locations operates as a pilot program and a decentralized service. While the City of Bratislava coordinates the network, it is not responsible for the operation of individual cooling locations.