The UK Foreign Office has issued a weather warning for Italy as temperatures across many European holiday destinations rise.

The FCDO said: “Extreme temperatures are currently affecting many areas of Italy.

“For more information hottest areas and how to take care in the heat visit the website of the Italian Ministry of Health (in Italian only) and NHS.”

Italy issued hot weather red alerts for 16 cities, including Rome, Bologna and Florence, at the weekend.

There are warnings a heat dome could lift temperatures well above 45°C in parts of the country this week.

Temperatures in Rome on Tuesday are expected to be around 42°C-43°C and in Sicily and Sardinia they could reach as high as 48C.

The Greek Government has said animals – such as horses and donkeys offering rides to tourists – will not be allowed to work while temperatures are between 35°C and 39°C in the shade between midday and 5pm, and if temperatures exceed that they will not be allowed to work at all, Metro reports.

Greece’s most popular attraction, the Acropolis, was closed during the hottest part of the for a third consective day in a row on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Met Office said the UK won’t see any hot summer weather until mid-August, Sky News reports.  

Heavy rain is expected on Tuesday across central and northern parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland with temperatures not rising above the low 20Cs.