Rainy weather in Germany: 10 indoor activities in Germany that guarantee fun

Are you eagerly awaiting sunshine and more pleasant temperatures so you can finally hop off the couch and onto your next adventure? Unfortunately, gray, wet, cold days are not uncommon in Germany . And not everyone has the opportunity to escape the bad weather on vacation.

But that doesn't mean you have to stay home and be miserable. Climbing, diving, or skiing are possible even in the worst of the bad weather in Germany – indoors! Or how about a trip to the stars? At these ten places, you'll experience truly special adventures, even in storms and rain.

The tropics are just a short drive or train ride away. 60 kilometers south of Berlin, you'll find a tropical holiday world with palm trees, sandy beaches, and guaranteed good weather: the Tropical Islands Resort . It features the world's largest indoor rainforest with exotic animals, pools with water slides, and an entire tropical village.

Europe’s largest tropical holiday world: Tropical Islands in Krausnick.

Source: imago images/tagesspiegel

At a pleasant 26 degrees Celsius, you can relax in the tropical world under real palm trees on the sandy beach, swim under a waterfall, or plunge into the cool water on the turbo slide at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour. The rainforest, with its tropical birds and colorful fish, invites you to take an exotic stroll. And if you really want to unwind, visit the gemstone steam bath or sweat in the 95-degree tree sauna.

Tropical Islands is a great place for a day trip. If you want to extend your trip to the tropics, you can also spend a few nights at the resort – romantically in an indoor tent in the rainforest or stylishly in a lodge.

Entrance fee: from 34.90 euros per person

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You don't have to travel far to explore the fascinating underwater world of this world. Germany's largest Sea Life aquarium is located in Oberhausen. You can also find large aquariums in several other cities, such as Hanover, Konstanz, and Speyer.

In Oberhausen, you'll find more than 50 tanks with over 5,000 animals – from local waters as well as exotic species from faraway seas. The huge aquarium isn't just exciting for kids; adults can also learn a lot about ocean life here.

At Sea Life Oberhausen you can get very close to the fish.

Source: imago images/Werner Otto

Sharks and turtles swim in a giant glass tunnel directly above your head. A 148-square-meter shallow pool provides ideal conditions for young blacktip reef sharks and provides a vivid insight into the breeding process. And if you'd rather not just look, you can stroke anemones in the touch tank or let a cleaner shrimp crawl over your hand.

Entrance fee: from 17.25 euros per person

Sitting on a blanket and gazing at the starry sky is something truly special. It's just a shame when thick clouds block the view and your teeth start chattering after five minutes outside.

If you want to gaze at the stars even during the colder months, then take a trip to the Zeiss Planetarium in Jena . The planetarium has been around since 1926, making it the oldest operating planetarium in the world.

In 2016, the Zeiss Planetarium Jena celebrated its 90th birthday – it has existed since 1926.

Source: IMAGO / photo2000

The technology inside, however, is anything but old-fashioned. Modern laser and dome projections bring the world of distant galaxies, stars, and planets closer to you. You can choose from various educational programs to learn more about the universe or attend entertainment shows like a journey into space with the Olchis. Music shows, concerts, and even a four-course dinner under the stars are also regularly offered in the large dome.

Entrance fee: from 15 euros per person

Are you longing for skiing or snowboarding? At the Bottrop Alpine Center, snow is guaranteed all year round. Regardless of the weather, you can ski or snowboard through the snow on the 640-meter-long slope in the Ruhr region. Afterwards, conveyor belts will take you back up to the 77-meter-high start of the ski slope.

Ski lessons are offered for those who aren't yet confident on skis or snowboards. Those who've had enough of the cold can try indoor skydiving at the alpine center and then enjoy a refreshing drink in the beer garden.

Note: Due to renovation work, the alpincenter Bottrop is closed until November 1, 2025.

A museum visit is certainly one of the classic activities for a rainy day, but not necessarily the most spectacular. If the thought of historical works of art doesn't excite you, how about a visit to the Spy Museum in Berlin ?

The ultimate spy mission: The laser labyrinth in the Spy Museum.

Source: German Spy Museum

Where the Berlin Wall once stood, there are now exciting insights into the realm of agents and secret services.

Here, hands-on play is not only allowed, but encouraged: You can decipher secret codes, search an office for bugs, crack a safe, and escape through a ventilation shaft like in a movie. A special highlight: the laser course with four different difficulty levels.

Entrance fee: from 9 euros per person

Visitors can simply dive into the indoor diving center monte mare in Rheinbach near Bonn. In the ten-meter-deep pool, both diving pros and absolute novices can experience a cool underwater adventure. Those diving for the first time can take a two-hour introductory diving course or prepare for diving in the ocean with a multi-day beginner's course.

If you already have diving experience, you can explore the underwater world on your own: A shipwreck, a labyrinth of caves, and artificial underwater volcanoes are all waiting to be discovered here. And if you just can't get enough of the water, you can even get married underwater at a civil ceremony.

Entrance fee : from 32.50 euros per person

If you're looking for a little physical challenge, then visit a climbing hall. The Munich South Climbing and Bouldering Center is considered the largest climbing and bouldering hall in the world. Whatever the weather, you can climb and boulder in two connected halls covering approximately 7,000 square meters.

Beginners can try out the climbing in a practice room before getting into the swing of things. Those with climbing experience can immediately tackle the more challenging routes. And for the little ones, there are highlights like a climbing room in the pirate ship and secret passageways to explore.

Regular admission : from 13.90 euros per person

Feeling claustrophobic indoors? Jumping on a trampoline is guaranteed to clear your head. Jump House in Bremen is one of Germany's largest trampoline parks, located right in the Waterfront shopping center. 15 different attractions offer plenty of opportunities for children of all ages to romp around.

Visitors can try out tricks in the FoamJump snippet pit.

Source: JUMP House / Tom Menz

Practice your reaction skills with the Reaction Jump, send your opponent into the soft foam bath with the Battle Stick, or climb, swing, and jump your way through the Ninja course. You can practice tricks on long trampolines and in a scrap pit, then, for a quick breather, strap on your climbing harness and fly through the hall on four ziplines.

Entrance fee : from 16.99 euros per person

Surfing is possible in Germany even in single-digit temperatures, rain, or storms. For example, you can find the perfect wave in the heart of Osnabrück's city center at the L&T department store. Regardless of the weather or tides, the Hasewelle (Hase Wave) roars there, reaching up to 1.4 meters high.

In the middle of the L & T sports center, visitors can surf on the Hasewelle in Osnabrück.

Source: imago/osnapix

Before you hit the water, you'll receive a briefing and be provided with a surfboard, wetsuit, and helmet. Individual indoor surfing lessons are offered for beginners, supervised by surf instructors. Advanced surfers can book a 45-minute slot and ride more challenging waves.

The difficulty level of the wave will be adjusted depending on your previous experience. This way, you can perfect your skills before your next vacation at the beach.

Entrance fee : from 39 euros per person

Note: Summer break from July 18th to August 26th.

Escape room, laser tag, mini golf, or a trampoline park – when you visit Alma Park, you don't have to choose just one activity; you get a complete bad-weather program all in one place. Located in the heart of the Ruhr region, with approximately 15,000 square meters, is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in Europe.

How about a round of bubble ball in Alma Park?

Source: Alma-Park.de

The bad weather blues will surely be quickly forgotten when you solve the puzzles in one of the live escape adventures or battle it out with friends at laser tag or paintball.

Those looking to get their body moving can bounce through the trampoline park or roll around the playing field in a giant bubble ball. Reaction speed and tactics can be trained with blacklight golf or pool on an oversized billiard table.

Entrance fee : depending on the activity from 6 euros per person

Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for all the top travel destinations at reisereporter .