Why You Should Always Take Short Showers In Europe, Per Rick Steves

After exploring that historic village or following one of the top hikes from Alpine glaciers to the Italian coast, you may be looking forward to a long, hot shower to help decompress from a day of vacation. But you may not want to indulge in that luxury during your next European trip. The need for shorter shower times are one of several differences American tourists will notice in European bathrooms.

Many things are much smaller in Europe than in the United States. And, according to what travel mogul Rick Steves explained on his website, Rick Steves' Europe, that includes water heaters. Water closets in European countries are named as such for a very good reason. They are typically built for efficiency rather than comfort. That means the components heating your water are smaller and produce less hot water. This means you will have less time in the shower before the water starts running cold. You'll also notice the bathing spaces themselves, along with the hotel rooms, are also sometimes smaller than what we're used to in the states.

Environmental concerns are also influencing a shorter shower trend in Europe. In 2022, an energy crisis motivated European governments to persuade their citizens to take measures to decrease their energy consumption. Shorter showers to conserve water and natural gas were among those suggestions, and they seemed to have stuck.

History also plays a part in the need for shorter bathing times in Europe. Many of the buildings are old, and so are the pipes. That means they may not be made for handling gallons upon gallons of water. It's quite possible the shower may tell you when you're done, rather than the other way around. However, just because your shower may need to be shorter than what you're used to stateside doesn't mean you can't stay clean while in Europe. Bringing along a travel-sized shower gel that lathers quickly will expedite your cleansing ritual. Another option is to use the readily available shower heads that can be turned off as you lather, which saves water and energy before you're ready to rinse.

Most European countries see bathing as a necessity, rather than a luxury, and don't put too much emphasis on the experience. However, before you go to enjoy your shower, however brief, take a moment to study the hardware itself so as to not make a mistake. Symbols and letters offering direction may be written in the local language, meaning "C" could mean "calor," or hot, in Portuguese, rather than cold.