Photo by Stefan Maritz
If summer in the Netherlands has you turning into a giant ball of sweat, you’re definitely not alone. I’ve battled several years of Dutch heatwaves, and have come out on the other side much wiser (and yes: less sweaty).
I’ve tried and tested some of the internet’s best hacks, which I’m now sharing with you. Let’s dive in!
1. Cool yourself, not just your room
If you’ve spotted a few people walking around Leiden in breezy linen clothes, they’re a stellar example of this in practice.
Light-coloured clothes made from breathable fabric (like cotton or linen) are great choices for Dutch summer heatwaves. While I prefer thrifting, clothing stores like H&M, ONLY, or Pull&Bear are handy for budget-friendly options.
(Leiden-dwellers, you’ll find these shops down the main shopping street, the Haarlemmerstraat.)
2. Skip hot meals and embrace pasta salads or wraps
I don’t know about you, but if there’s anything I HATE doing during hot weather, it’s sweating over a stove. I need quick, easy meals that I can throw together and then pop into the fridge.
So, I always make sure to have certain ingredients in my pantry come summertime in the Netherlands, because they’re such great staples for heatwave-friendly food. These include tomato, cucumber, smoked/grilled chicken, smoked salmon, tinned tuna, olives, rocket (rucula), spinach, Greek yoghurt, coriander, and dill.
And if you’re not sure which recipes to follow, my go-to resources are Albert Heijn’s online recipes (unfortunately, only in Dutch) and the BBC Good Food website.
💡 Lia’s tip: If you absolutely don’t have the energy to cook, then pop into one of Leiden’s many restaurants for a light dinner.
3. Skip the booze, and chug water instead
As tempting as sipping an ice-cold Aperol Spritz might be, alcohol is your worst enemy during scorching Dutch heatwaves.
Due to booze acting like a diuretic, Healthline reports that alcoholic drinks can make you dehydrated if you aren’t consciously topping up your water intake. And, as someone who’s tried to weather a European heatwave with Apple Bandit cider, the headache and general nausea are definitely not worth it.
If you haven’t got a water bottle to track your liquid intake, HEMA sells a whole bunch for under €10.
4. Close your windows during the hottest time of day
Wait, we’re CLOSING windows during a heatwave? Yes, yes, we are.
While it might sound counterproductive, opening a window during the heat of the day just lets all the hot air into your house. According to the Red Cross, you’re better off ventilating your home when it’s cooler outside, such as at night or during the early hours of the morning.
Based on research by the RIVM (Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport), the sun is strongest from 12 pm to 3 pm, so avoid having your windows open during this period.
5. Take advantage of heatwave hideouts in the city
When my flat gets too hot, I seek refuge under the trees and the shade of Leiden’s Hortus Botanicus. Depending on where in the Netherlands you live, a public park or botanical garden could serve the same purpose.
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However, when the temperature climbs into the thirties, you really need some air conditioning. My partner and I love heading to indoor attractions, because it feels like killing two birds with one stone: we cool off AND have a blast doing so.
6. Freeze your sheets (and nightwear!) before you hop into bed
This is the weirdest option on the list and, trust me, I was a sceptic before I tried it.
The key is to use ziplock bags or vacuum bags (vacuümzakken), unless you’re dead keen on having soggy bedspreads. I also popped my folded mattress protector and pillowcases in one of these bags, and then bunged the whole bag in the freezer for a bit.
7. Block out the sun like you’re in a disaster film
Last but certainly not least, it’s time to pretend that we’re vampires (and avoid the absolute oddity that bright sunlight can be in the Netherlands).
Dutch houses are designed to hold onto heat during the winter months, which spectacularly works against us during summer.
As soon as the sun starts hitting your windows, drop the blinds, draw the curtains, or roll down the shutters if you’re lucky enough to have them.
What are your favourite tips for beating summer heatwaves? With summers in Europe getting hotter and hotter, I always welcome advice for combating the blaze.
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