One Of The World's Largest Water Parks Is A European Gem With Tropical Vibes

Water parks have come a long way since the first large-scale attractions started appearing in the 1950s. Back then, a couple of basic slides and a pool were enough to draw in the crowds on a hot sunny day. Today, the top water parks to visit in the U.S. and around the world need record-breaking attractions or giant themed zones to rank among the best of the best. One that sets a high standard is Tropical Islands Water Park in Germany. At 710,000 square feet, the enormous resort sits within a former airship hangar and can also claim to have Germany's tallest water slide and contain the world's biggest artificial indoor rainforest.

This man-made tropical paradise, just an hour's drive south from Berlin, has everything from a sandy indoor beach, where you can relax as the sun shines through the transparent dome, to the tropical rainforest, where you're quite likely to cross paths with flamingos, turtles, or parrots. Waterfalls and a range of slides can be found around the Malaysian-inspired complex, and there's a range of themed accommodation and restaurants that leave you feeling like you're a long way from home.

And that's just the inside. Head outdoors and you'll find the world of Amazonia, with enough water features to keep you and the kids happy for, at the very least, a whole day. You can reach Tropical Islands Water Park via the A13 autobahn or catch the train from Berlin to Brand Tropical Islands Station, where a shuttle bus will take you to the park entrance. Both options will have you there in under an hour.

To give you an idea of the scale of the resort, the site was originally an airfield used as a pilot training school by the Luftwaffe, Nazi Germany's air force during World War II. During the Cold War, it was the biggest airport in the German Democratic Republic, or communist East Germany, under Soviet rule until reunification in 1990. The hangar, or Aerium as it was known, which now houses Tropical Islands, was built later, costing an eye-watering $90 million. Today, instead of hosting the gigantic zeppelins for which it was constructed, it has waterfalls and lagoons.

As well as a variety of water slides and the miniature "South Sea," which, at a size of four Olympic swimming pools, is pretty impressive, the rainforest is undoubtedly the standout feature. Containing a staggering 50,000 plants which thrive thanks to a steady temperature of around 79°F, it also features a butterfly house containing around 150 butterflies, who sometimes stop to say hello as you wander around the indoor jungle. And thanks to the dome's grand height of around 350 feet, you can even jump in a hot air balloon and admire the view from above.

Meanwhile, outside in Amazonia, put your surfing skills to the test on the surf simulator, enjoy the rapids on the white-water river, or take a more laid-back ride along the lazy river. Day passes start at around $40 for adults and $35 for kids, and the park has a capacity for around 8,200 visitors.

The water-themed attractions are only half of what's on offer at the Tropical Islands resort. To have enough time for the shopping, dining, spa, and saunas, you'll need to stay a while longer. As you figure out the best time of year to visit Germany, you can count on the park being open year round, whatever the weather. It also has the peculiarity of being open 24 hours a day, meaning if you fancy a swim at 3 a.m., you can take a swim at 3 a.m. 

For accommodation, you have a choice of simple beach tents, Hawaiian-style lodges, and themed luxury rooms in the middle of the rainforest or next to the sounds of the cascading waterfalls, all within the dome. Outside, there are larger holiday homes, safari-style tents, and teepees for larger groups and families, as well as space for campervans if you're traveling through Germany on a road trip.

A luxury spa with a fully equipped fitness center awaits where you can treat yourself to a massage or beauty treatment after a fun day on the slides. The seven themed rooms in Europe's biggest tropical sauna beckon too, with a design inspired by the UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat in Cambodia. And, just when you think there can't possibly be room for anything else, there are the restaurants, bars, and cafés. Take a walk through the themed indoor village and discover traditional Thai dishes at ARoi Dee, enjoy vegan dining at Palm Beach, or sip cocktails under a palm tree as you watch the sun set over the sea — or at least imagine you are.