Planning to go to Europe this summer? Travel expert shares how to sleep with no air conditioning

A lot of accommodation in Europe won't have air conditioning — so here's how to plan your visit so you can sleep cool without it

Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment Prime Day Deals LIVE Prime Day TV Deals Walmart Deals Prime Day Laptop Deals Switch 2 Restock Best laptops Wordle Today Best Mattress Recommended reading Eating strawberries before bed — plus 5 other pro tips to fall asleep fast in summer Reddit swears by these hacks to sleep in the heat — but which ones actually work? This simple nighttime routine helps me fall asleep fast — even in a heatwave Don't sleep naked — 7 top tips for sleeping better in a heatwave No air conditioning? 7 products I'd buy for a cool night's sleep in the 4th of July mattress sales I tried the caveman method to help me sleep cool during a heatwave — here's how it went Don't overwork your AC — experts say 'pre-cooling' your home is the best way to keep your energy bills low Sleep Problems Planning to go to Europe this summer? Travel expert shares how to sleep with no air conditioning Frances Daniels 13 July 2025 How to plan a European vacation so the heatwaves and no air conditioning won't ruin your sleep When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Getty Images) Every summer, Americans flock to southern Europe to absorb its vibrant culture, and choosing a short-term rental over a hotel is often considered a better way to experience that. But what tourists may not be drawn to are the heatwaves hitting Europe right now, which aren't much fun when you're sleeping in an Airbnb without air conditioning. Yes, in many of these locations, especially in older buildings, air conditioning isn't common, meaning you could be in for an uncomfortable night's sleep. You may like Eating strawberries before bed — plus 5 other pro tips to fall asleep fast in summer Reddit swears by these hacks to sleep in the heat — but which ones actually work? This simple nighttime routine helps me fall asleep fast — even in a heatwave "You can have the perfect location and still lose sleep if you don’t check," Andrea Moradei, founder of the Italian wine travel agency Vinarium. "The key is knowing what to look for because some places stay naturally cool, even in a heatwave.” Below, Moradei breaks down the five steps to find homestays and guesthouses that will naturally keep you sleeping cool with no A/C, in five easy steps. Already booked your Airbnb? Try these tips on how to sleep cool in a building without air conditioning. Sealy Posturepedic Seafield 13" Firm Tight Top Mattress: queen was $1,999 now $849 at Macy's If you're after an incredibly supportive firm mattress in a queen size, that's just what we have for you here. In this limited-time deal from Macy's you can get 58% off a 13" Sealy Posturepedic mattress that maximizes support as well as delivering pressure point relief and plenty of comfort. This hybrid mattress would normally cost you $1,999 in a queen size, but if you get your skates on you can instead grab it for just $849. How to sleep cool on your European vacation So, you're planning a trip to southern Europe but want something cheaper, more spacious, or more culturally immersed than a hotel. You may be looking to stay at an Airbnb, guest house or another short-term rental, but before you book anything, there are some things to look out for... 1. Choose old stone, brick, or traditional homes (Image credit: Getty Images) Many rustic and historic buildings in southern Europe are built with materials that naturally stay cooler through the night, such as terracotta and stone. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. "These materials have thermal mass, meaning they absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night," Moradei explains. "Many of these homes were built before WWII — well before air conditioning —and were designed to be livable during hot summers." So, when looking for a vacation rentals on sites like Airbnb, use certain keywords to different areas: Italy: Casa colonica, masseria, trullo, rustico, borgo, casale, corte, residenza antica, villa d’epoca, piano terra, cantina Spain: Casa rural, finca, masía, cortijo, cueva, casa antigua, casa histórica Greece: Stone house, archontiko, katikia, traditional Cycladic home Southern France: Maison en pierre, mas, bastide, maison ancienne, maison de caractère, RDC (rez-de-chaussée) Portugal: Monte, quinta, casa térrea, casa típica, casa antiga, casa de pedra You can look for generic terms such as "stone house", "historic home", "restored farmhouse", and "traditional villa". Alternatively search for terms and reviews that specifically mention temperature regulation, such as "no need for A/C", "naturally cool", or “comfortable inside even during heat”. 2. Book a place in hilltop towns or elevated areas (Image credit: Getty Images) When looking for a place to stay, the higher the better if you want a good night's sleep. "Towns located at 300–500 meters above sea level often benefit from cooler nights, breezes, and lower humidity," says Moradei. "These historic locations were often chosen for strategic reasons, and now offer real climate comfort." To find hilltop accommodation, use keywords such as "hilltop village", "elevated position" or "panoramic views" and look for images that feature terraces with wide views or rooftops visible below the property. 3. Use shutters and shade to keep your room cool (Image credit: Getty Images) While shutters may look charmingly rustic and quaint, it's easy to forget that they actually serve as a cooling method, so look for properties that mention shutters in their description or show exterior shutters in their photos. Moradei also advises to check how much shade the building offers by searching for keywords such as "shaded garden" or "natural shade" and looking for shaded patios or trees and vines in pictures. "Listings with wooden or metal shutters, trees around windows, vines, pergolas, or deep-set windows will be significantly cooler during the day," he tells us. So, when you go sight-seeing during the day, you can close the shutters before you leave and make use of the natural shade to keep the home cool for when you return to settle in for the night. 4. Make sure you can open the windows at nights (Image credit: Getty Images) It's no secret that the way to sleep cooler in a building with no A/C is to keep your windows shut during the day and to open them a night when the outdoor temperature drops. However, not all hosts allow windows to be open at night, especially if their home is located in an area near water rife with mosquitos. A sk the host if it's safe to leave windows open at night and if there are any mosquito screens on the window. "In areas near water, mosquito screens are also essential if you plan to leave windows open at night," Moradei warns. Once you know you can sleep with the windows open, you can also check the cross-ventilation of the bedrooms. Windows or doors on opposite side of the room mean a natural breeze at night, so look for photos with windows on opposites walls or open floor plans. 5. Choose ground floors, basements, or north-facing rooms (Image credit: Getty Images) Before you book a place to stay, you may want to ask the host what bedroom the floor is on, if it's in the shade, and what direction it faces. "Rooms on lower floors, partially underground, or facing north tend to stay cooler naturally, especially in traditional homes, says Moradei. "These were often used as summer bedrooms before air conditioning existed." To find a lower-level bedroom, search for terms such as "ground floor" "cave house" or "garden flat" and check the pictures to see if the views are at garden level. Frances Daniels Social Links Navigation Senior Sleep Staff Writer Frances Daniels is a PPA-accredited journalist and Sleep Staff Writer at Tom's Guide with an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University. Her role includes covering mattress and sleep news and writing sleep product reviews and buyer's guides, including our Best Hybrid Mattress 2025 guide. She is hugely interested in the relationship between good sleep and overall health, interviewing a wide array of mattress and sleep experts to create well-informed articles about important topics such as nutrition, sleep disorders (from sleep apnea to night terrors), lucid dreaming, sleep hygiene, and mattress care. She is also our specialist on mattress toppers — producing mattress topper reviews and taking care of our Best Mattress Toppers 2025 guide — and takes the lead on all content related to fiberglass-free mattresses for a clean, non-toxic sleep. Outside of Tom's Guide, she has written for Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens, and Marie Claire. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Eating strawberries before bed — plus 5 other pro tips to fall asleep fast in summer Reddit swears by these hacks to sleep in the heat — but which ones actually work? 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