Best things to do at Tropical Islands
Brandenburg: Tropical Islands Resort Day Ticket
Inside a converted Soviet airship hangar: the reality of Tropical Islands
Tropical Islands is housed in the Aerium, a former airship construction hall in Brand, Brandenburg — 60 km south of Berlin. The structure is genuinely extraordinary: 360 metres long, 210 metres wide, and 107 metres high. You could fit the Statue of Liberty inside with room to spare. The resort opened in 2004 after the original airship company went bankrupt, and it has been operating as an indoor tropical resort ever since.
The honest pitch: this is a full-day aquatic and leisure resort that happens to be indoors, making it weather-proof. It is not a luxury spa retreat. At capacity, particularly on summer weekends and during school holidays, it is loud, crowded, and smells aggressively of sunscreen. On a quiet Tuesday in November, it is genuinely surreal — people sunbathing in bikinis while snow falls on Brandenburg outside.
What’s actually inside
The resort divides into several distinct zones. Understanding this layout before you arrive saves confusion.
The Rainforest: The centrepiece — a recreated tropical forest under the vast dome roof, with walking paths, exotic plants, flamingos, and a heated lagoon pool. The air is kept at 26°C year-round. This is the “Instagram” part of Tropical Islands that you see in photographs, and it is the most visually striking area. Allow 30–45 minutes just to walk through it properly.
The indoor beach: A proper sandy beach curves around the main lagoon pool — 200 metres of fine-grain sand with sunloungers, palm trees, and surf-style wave effects in the main pool. The sea simulacrum works better than you might expect. Sun-lounger reservations are available but not required.
Water slides: There are 27 water slides of varying intensity, from toddler-safe gentle slides to the Twister and Cyclone (standing/mat slides for adults). Queue times on busy days for the major slides can reach 20–30 minutes. If rides are your priority, arrive when the resort opens.
Tropical Village: A section of traditional wooden stilt houses over the water, with a dedicated pool area and restaurant. Has a quieter feel than the main beach zone.
Sauna World (Avalon): A separate, adults-only (16+) spa and sauna complex. Entry is included in the adult day ticket. Several themed saunas, steam rooms, an outdoor sun deck, and massage treatments available at extra cost. This is the best part of the resort for adults without children.
Outdoor lagoon: Seasonal (May to September), the outdoor area adds a large lake swimming area, an outdoor pool, and additional sunbathing lawns. Roughly doubles the effective capacity and significantly reduces crowding inside when it’s open.
Getting there from Berlin
By car: The A13 motorway south from Berlin ring road. Take the Freiwalde exit, follow signs to Tropical Islands. Journey from central Berlin takes 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. On-site parking costs €7 for a full day. This is the simplest option for families.
By train and shuttle: Regional Express RE2 from Berlin Ostbahnhof or Berlin Hauptbahnhof to the stop called “Tropical Islands”. Journey takes 65–75 minutes. A shuttle bus runs from the station to the resort — included in the day ticket but check the shuttle schedule in advance (runs roughly every 40 minutes). The entire journey including shuttle takes around 1 hour 30 minutes from central Berlin.
If you’re combining Tropical Islands with another Brandenburg day trip, see the Berlin day trips guide for itinerary ideas — Spreewald is 30 minutes further south and pairs well with a half-day at the resort.
Day ticket prices and what’s included
Pricing is dynamic and changes by season. As of 2026:
- Adult (14+): €35–55 depending on day and season (summer weekends at the top end)
- Child (4–13): €25–35
- Under 4: Free
- Sauna/spa add-on: Included in adult base ticket (adults only, 16+)
- Overnight bungalow packages: From €80–120 per person, includes accommodation
The day ticket includes: all pools, all water slides, the rainforest walk, the outdoor lagoon (seasonal), the beach area, Sauna World (adults), and the shuttle bus from the train station. It does NOT include food, locker rental (€4–6 deposit), or premium experiences (massage, VIP cabana).
Food inside the resort: honest assessment
This is the biggest complaint in visitor reviews, and it’s justified. The in-resort dining is expensive and quality is mediocre. The main restaurants serve acceptable but unremarkable international food at €12–18 per main course. The snack stands (currywurst, pizza, fries) run €6–10 per item.
What to do instead: eat a proper meal in Berlin before you arrive. Bring water bottles if the resort policy permits (check current rules). Use the outdoor grill area if visiting in summer — food quality at the outdoor barbecue stations tends to be better than the main restaurants. Budget €15–25 per adult for food on a full day visit.
The sauna complex (Avalon): underrated
Adults without children often overlook the sauna section, which is a mistake. The Avalon complex offers Finnish sauna, bio-sauna, steam bath, infusion rooms, and a quiet outdoor relaxation deck. The vibe is much calmer than the main beach area. Integrated into the adult ticket price. Swimwear required in some areas, nudity permitted in certain sauna rooms (standard German spa protocol — towel on the bench, no swimsuit in traditional saunas).
If you are travelling as a couple or adult group with no children, this is genuinely the best reason to visit on a weekday — the sauna section is nearly empty Monday through Thursday.
Overnights: sleeping inside the dome
Tropical Islands offers accommodation inside the resort — from basic camping tents on the beach (€25–40 per person) to standalone bungalows with beds and private bathrooms (€80–150 per person). Staying overnight means access to the resort after the day visitors leave, usually around 11pm. The quiet hours inside the dome, with the resort to yourself, are genuinely memorable.
Book overnight packages well in advance — summer weekends and school holiday weekends sell out months ahead. The booking website (tropical-islands.de) handles this directly; GYG handles day tickets only.
What to pack
- Swimwear and a second swimsuit — a dry set is useful if you want to spend time in the rainforest after the pools
- Water shoes — the ground surfaces between water areas can be slippery
- Sunscreen — the UV from tropical-temperature lighting still affects skin
- A good book or card game — the lounger areas benefit from something to do between swims
- Cash or card — lockers, food, and extras all need payment
- Flip-flops — essential for the changing room areas
For a broader family itinerary around Berlin, see the Berlin with kids 4-day itinerary, which includes Tropical Islands alongside the zoo, boat trips, and Legoland.
Who Tropical Islands is for — and who it isn’t
Worth it for: Families with children aged 4–14, anyone visiting Berlin in winter who wants a full beach day, couples who specifically want a spa/sauna day in an unusual setting, Berlin residents looking for a weekend escape without flying.
Not ideal for: People expecting a budget experience (this is not cheap when you add food and transport), travellers whose priority is Berlin city culture, anyone wanting real outdoor nature (the outdoor lagoon is pleasant but it’s still a resort), or day-trippers with limited time who’d rather see more of the city.
Compare alternative tours
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | Highlights | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin: LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and Madame Tussauds Ticket | — | — | — | — | Check availability |
| Berlin: Sightseeing Boat Tour on the Spree for Families | — | — | — | — | Check availability |
Frequently asked questions about Brandenburg
How do I get to Tropical Islands from Berlin?
Drive 60 km south on the A13 motorway (about 50 minutes). By public transport, take the RE2 train from Berlin Ostbahnhof to Tropical Islands station (about 1 hour 10 minutes), then a 20-minute shuttle bus to the resort. The shuttle is included in the day ticket. Parking costs €7 per car on-site.Is Tropical Islands worth the day ticket price?
For families with children or anyone who wants a full beach day regardless of weather, yes. The all-inclusive day ticket (€35–55 per adult depending on season) covers all pools, the rainforest, the outdoor lagoon and most water slides. Budget realistically for food on top — the in-resort restaurants are expensive.What is the difference between day and overnight tickets?
Day tickets grant entry and full use of facilities until closing. Overnight tickets include a bungalow or tent accommodation inside the dome and let you stay after regular closing hours. Overnight packages start around €80–120 per person. The atmosphere after regular visitors leave is genuinely special.Can you bring your own food to Tropical Islands?
No outside food or drink is permitted inside the resort. The in-dome market and multiple food stalls offer everything from burgers to Asian noodle bowls, but prices are resort-inflated — budget €12–20 per person for a meal. Pack snacks you can leave in the car and eat during a mid-day break if budgeting carefully.When is the best time to visit Tropical Islands?
Weekdays in autumn or winter (October–February) offer the shortest queues. Summer weekends and school holidays see the resort at near capacity — indoor pools and the children's area get crowded. The outdoor lagoon (open May–September) adds significant space and is worth timing your visit around.Are there age or height restrictions on the water slides?
Yes. The larger slides have minimum height requirements of 120 cm and some require adult accompaniment for children under 12. The children's pool area and smaller slides are open from age 3+ with no height minimum. Full details are on the Tropical Islands website before booking.
