The tropics have been easy to find in Berlin every summer for quite some time now—at least when you look at the thermometer. But if you’re craving sun, palm trees, and tropical flair during the other seasons, these places offer the perfect illusion!
The Tropics in Brandenburg
Number one is the most obvious answer: Tropical Islands in Krausnick, Brandenburg, draws sun worshippers and tropical fans with several themed areas. Houses from Southeast Asia and Polynesia lend the tropical village its atmosphere, while a little further away, the South Seas beckon with a 200-meter sandy beach and a water temperature of 28°C (in the lagoon, it’s even 32°).
The Tropics in Dahlem
The historic Great Tropical House is the landmark of the Botanical Garden in Dahlem, and at 30 meters high, it provides a pretty good impression of a rainforest. The right half of the greenhouse houses tropical plants from Africa, Asia, and Australia, while the left half is dedicated to the Americas. One of the most remarkable plants growing here is not a tree, but a bamboo that stands 26 meters tall and measures a full 15 cm in diameter.
Potsdam Biosphere
Banana trees, vanilla bushes, and 140 animal species—ranging from white-tufted marmosets and wild guinea pigs to iguanas and chameleons—inhabit the biosphere. In the butterfly house, around 80 species of these colorful insects flutter through the air— this tropical world near Sanssouci Palace is especially worth a visit for families.
Balinese Garden in the Gardens of the World
Tropical Garden, Number Three: In addition to Chinese, Korean, and Japanese gardens, the Balinese Garden in Marzahn awaits plant lovers. The Garden of the Three Harmonies (Tri Hita Karana) is completely enclosed by the Tropical Hall and bears its distinctive name because, according to Balinese belief, gods, demons, and humans must live in harmony. You’ll find pure harmony in its rice terraces, hibiscus thickets, orchids, ferns, and palm trees.
The Vabali in Moabit instantly transports you to the tropics the moment you step inside its halls, where absolute peace and relaxation are the order of the day. Here, you can unwind from the worries of everyday life in every way imaginable and rejuvenate yourself in pools, saunas, massages, and hot tubs surrounded by tropical charm.
