Tourists caught in extreme heat, wildfires in southern Europe

Locals and tourists across parts of Greece, Spain, Sardinia and Italy have sweltered through days above 45 degrees.

Greece is battling 82 forest fires and on the island of Rhodes about 19,000 locals and tourists have been evacuated to safety, according to a spokesperson for the Hellenic Fire Service.

"This is the largest undertaking of safe transport of residents and tourists that has ever been carried out in Greece," the spokesperson said.

More than 250 firefighters are on the ground in Rhodes along with 18 aircraft and helicopters as strong winds combined with a daytime temperature of 45 degrees.

Further evacuations have been carried out after a wildfire broke out on another island, Corfu.

In Italy, popular tourist cities Rome, Florence and Naples were all under the highest alert level for heatwave conditions from July 21 to 23 with people urged to avoid the sun and heat exposure between 11am and 6pm.

The heatwave is particularly affecting eastern Spain, Sardinia, southern Italy, Sicily and part of Greece with extreme temperatures expected to continue to July 25.

It's being caused by a "heat dome" over the southern half of Europe, according to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.

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"In the longer term, as the climate warms, Europe is seeing an increasing number of summer days with 'very strong heat stress', and in southern Europe, an increasing number of days with 'extreme heat stress'," Copernicus Climate Change Service director Carlo Buontempo said.

"A recent study in Nature Medicine indicated that more than 60,000 people in Europe lost their lives due to the extreme heatwaves last summer."

Smartraveller provided an update after reviewing travel advice for Greece on July 20.

"Extreme temperatures are affecting many areas of Greece, and there are several active wildfires, including on the island of Rhodes," the website said.

"Other areas of Greece are under warnings of extreme fire danger, including areas around Athens and the Peloponnese. Monitor local media for updates and follow the advice of local authorities."

The Greek Government has published advice for foreign visitors affected by the Rhodes fires.

The emergency phone number for fire and rescue, medical emergencies and police is 112 and Aussies needing consular assistance can call +61 2 6261 3305.

In Italy people are urged to check the heatwave risk levels each day in their area.

In heatwave conditions people are advised avoid strenuous outdoor activity, spend the hottest hours of the day in a public air-conditioned space and to protect from sunburn.