As today (July 8) may be the hottest day in Romania this year, people are desperately looking for cooler places where they can escape the heat stress. The streets of Bucharest are not the place to be these days, as the heated tarmac makes the atmosphere unbreathable.

Here’s a list of places where you may find refuge from the scorching heat in Bucharest these days:

At the office: If you work for a multinational that has its offices in a modern office building then you probably have air conditioning, an effective ventilation system, some green plants around you, and a cafeteria to chill down during breaks. You will probably love going to work these days and consider yourself lucky (even if you normally wouldn’t). In case you are not one of the lucky ones, then it’s probably time to visit some good friend who is (or maybe think about changing your job).

At the mall: If you are not working, or just have plenty of time on your hands, then the mall is a good place to be. Most malls in Bucharest have good air conditioning. Plus you will find there plenty of shops to keep you busy, restaurants where you can eat, coffee shops where you can get tasty frappes (or tea). You will also find entertainment: cinema, bowling, game arcades, and even gyms and pools in some larger malls. A day will go by without you even noticing it. Here’s a list of malls in Bucharest.

At the pool: There are plenty of pools in Bucharest where you can dip into the water to cool yourself down. Even if it’s not recommended that you stay in the sun during the afternoon (not without a lot of sun lotion anyway), you can always sit at the pool bar with a nice cold cocktail and have a swim from time to time. Some pools may be open during the night as well. Here is a list of pools and waterparks in Bucharest that we’ve compiled for you.

In the park: The parks may also give you some comfort these days. Large green areas, that also have a lot of trees and preferably lakes, may make the heat a bit more bearable. A subtle breeze from time to time could surely help. Here’s a list of Bucharest’s largest parks.

At the museum: If you haven’t visited Bucharest’s museums, now may be a good time to do it. Some of them may even have air conditioning.

At the church: Even if you are not religious, churches may help you find peace these days. Old churches usually have very thick walls and their inside temperature is often a few degrees lower than outside. Not a place to stay very long, but might help you take a pause if you have to walk through town.

In the heat tents: The Bucharest municipality has set up 20 tents in some of the city’s busiest areas. These tents are supposed to have air conditioning and water, as well as medical personnel to help those who get sick because of the heat. In some places, the authorities have also set up open air showers.

At home: If you have air conditioning at home and are willing to pay a higher electricity bill, then you will be OK. You can sleep through the day, read, and watch a movie. You will probably enjoy watching the news about heat in Bucharest. If you don’t have air conditioning, then it’s probably hell to live in Bucharest right now.

In the car: The air conditioning will probably be on at all times, even if you pay more for gas. Traffic in Bucharest is a nightmare, but driving beats walking these days.

Outside Bucharest: If nothing keeps you in Bucharest during this period and you have a car, then you should leave and don’t look back. Go to the seaside, to the mountains, or to one of the nice places around the capital. Here’s a fresh list we’ve made for you.

editor@romania-insider.com