July 17, 2026, 4:05 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Between pine forests and heathlands stands Tropical Islands. Where airships were once supposed to be built, more than a million people now spend their short vacations under palm trees each year. TRAVELBOOK author Sarah Bachmann wanted to find out what a night in Germany’s largest tropical hall really feels like.
Year after year, more than a million visitors come to Tropical Islands to swim, relax, or even spend the night. But how much of a vacation vibe does it really offer, and is a visit worth it? I spent nearly 24 hours at Tropical Islands and slept one night in a safari tent.
From Berlin Directly to the Tropics
With the regional train, I travel from Berlin to Brand station in about an hour. The free shuttle bus from Tropical Islands is already waiting and takes me to the hall in a few minutes. Contrary to my expectations, the bus is not completely full. It only gets noticeably crowded at the last stops, where camping guests board. The atmosphere remains relaxed. Only the number of beach bags and inflatable toys increases rapidly. I’m glad to have already secured a seat.
I arrive around 11 a.m. I don’t have to wait long; the check-in process is smooth. I quickly swap my long pants for swimwear because it’s tropically warm and quite humid at 26 degrees Celsius inside the hall. It still takes a while to get used to the climate. For a Monday, it’s well-attended but not overcrowded. With the number of children, I briefly wonder if there’s a school holiday somewhere. In Berlin and Brandenburg, there isn’t.
Before heading into the water, I take a walk around the facility, storing my bag in a locker. Since I forgot my bathrobe, I rent one for 6 euros in the sauna area. However, you shouldn’t lose it, or you’ll forfeit the 60-euro deposit. Outside, I easily secure a lounge chair; the large lawn area is surprisingly empty today. What immediately stands out to me: Lifeguards are stationed around the pools, keeping an eye on everything. They have to, because there’s a lot going on in the outdoor pools.
However, the many animals on the premises make me a bit thoughtful. Live parrots, koi carp, and flamingos are as much a part of the scenery as palm trees and lagoons. The longer I walk through the facility, the more I think that they aren’t really necessary for the tropical feel. And I wonder if it’s really necessary to confine animals in this hall.
Between South Sea and Hot Air Balloon
In the late afternoon, it becomes a bit more pleasant in the hall. Once the sun wanes, it no longer feels like standing under a magnifying glass. On my way, I pass a couple silently being pulled through the hall in a hot air balloon. The experience costs between 30 and 40 euros. However, the balloon doesn’t float freely through the hall; it’s guided by an employee with a rope. This seems a bit odd to me. A few meters away, the arcade hall is much quieter. While many guests gather around the pools, this area seems almost deserted. Playing, of course, costs extra.
Before my visit, I read some recent Tripadvisor reviews. They mention dirty sanitary areas, litter, and long wait times. So I pay closer attention. Overall, the facility seems well-maintained to me. However, as the day progresses, you notice which areas are heavily used. The outdoor toilets, in particular, appear significantly more worn by the afternoon. Additionally, not everything is open. During my visit, the “Whitewater River” remains closed.
I’m starting to get hungry and choose one of the restaurants. I opt for Thai cuisine: stir-fried vegetables with noodles. I don’t have to wait long. The vegetables are crisp, well-seasoned, and the portion is filling.
There is no shortage of other restaurants, kiosks, and snack machines either. Ice cream, sweets, and soft drinks seem to be available at every corner. Since bringing your own food and drinks is officially not allowed, the stay can quickly become more expensive than planned. Just as you’ve passed one stand, the next one awaits.
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Overnight in a Safari Tent
In the evening, things get exciting for me again. After all, I want to know what it’s like to sleep in a tropical hall. My safari tent is located in the rainforest camp and is equipped with two mattresses, pillows, and thin blankets. I forgo air conditioning and light for cost reasons. But for one night, it’s more than enough for me.
As evening approaches, the atmosphere in the facility changes. The large crowds of visitors disappear, leaving only the overnight guests. At Tropical Islands, you can swim around the clock. While I prefer to take another walk through the hall, I can still see visitors swimming in the pools even at night.
It takes a while for me to fall asleep. Even at night, it’s still quite warm in the tropical hall. I encounter hardly any other guests in the rainforest camp. The sounds from the bathing area become quieter as the night progresses, but they don’t disappear entirely. Occasionally, a bird calls out somewhere. Still, I leave my tent slightly open and sleep better than expected.
Around 7 a.m., the facility slowly comes to life. Plants are watered, and employees drive through the hall with small carts. In the rainforest camp, however, it’s still so quiet at this hour that I briefly wonder if the other guests are even still there. Good for me, as the washrooms are wonderfully empty.
Soon after, I join the first guests on the way to breakfast. It’s still pleasantly quiet. An hour later, it’s a different story. Suddenly, it seems like half of Tropical Islands is hungry at the same time. The buffet offers pancakes, rolls, muesli, and fruit salad. Egg dishes are freshly prepared at a station. Yogurt, spreads, and drinks like coffee and tea are also available. No one has to leave hungry here.
After breakfast, I could theoretically spend another whole day at Tropical Islands. Honestly, though, I’m not quite sure how I would fill it. I take another look around the shops, take one last walk through the indoor rainforest, and finally head back to the shuttle bus.
Is a Visit Worth It?
After nearly 24 hours, I leave Tropical Islands more pleasantly surprised than expected. The night in the safari tent worked better than I thought, the noise level hardly bothered me, and for a moment, I actually forgot that I was in the middle of Brandenburg.
On the return trip, I chat with a mother and her son from Spandau. They report dirty floors, lime-stained sinks, and dishes left standing in their accommodation. Maybe I was just lucky with my tent. My impression is certainly much more positive. Still, I feel like I’ve seen all the important things after one night. As an adult without children, I wouldn’t need a second day.