Tropical Islands: Berlins Surreal Beach Paradise On A Former Airfield

Once the site of a Nazi-era airfield and now home to sandy beaches, hot air balloons and flamingos, Tropical Islands is a rainforest oasis in the middle of the German countryside, just down the Autobahn from Berlin. Photographer Robert Rieger provides a glimpse into the charmingly kitsch resort.

Summer in the City explores what summer means to us around the world.

When planning a winter break in Berlin, you’d probably be surprised to find yourself outside an aircraft hangar armed with a beach towel. One of Berlin’s more curious day-trip options, Tropical Islands has made a name for itself as an escape for Berliners and sunseekers from across the Polish border. The fully self-contained resort resides in the third-largest building in the world by volume – an old zeppelin hangar on the former Luftwaffe Brand-Briesen Airfield – and hosts 600 species of plants in its rainforest ecosystem, along with a mangrove swamp, flamingos, peacocks, turtles and butterflies. Guests can sweat it out in a sauna housed in a miniature Angkor Wat, marvel at the Balinese Temple Gate (the largest outside of Bali) or attempt to count the mammoth Buddha statues that adorn the resort.

With a consistent air temperature of 26C (78F), this is a full-blown holiday destination – visitors staying more than a day can sleep under the “stars” in a tent on the beach or book a guest room, while some take a more DIY approach and camp outside the complex. Berlin-based photographer Robert Rieger travelled to Tropical Islands to capture the kitsch and sheer surreality of the resort, which now draws visitors from around the world.

Tropical Islands offers aquatic fun for all ages

You can ride in a free-floating balloon at Tropical Islands

Enjoy the tropical rainforest with 600 species of plants

There are plenty of activities at Tropical Islands

Tropical Islands is a family-friendly destination

Relaxing in the Lagoon is also an option

Tropical Islands has Germany’s tallest water-slide tower

There are a number of water slides to choose from

Staying in a tent is one of the overnight options

The self-contained resort is housed in the third-largest building in the world by volume

Culture Trip’s Summer in the City explores what summer means to us around the world. Discover, among other delights, unlikely summer retreats, US state fairs, the great British seaside and how to re-create an Italian Job-style road trip.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

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