Climate-controlled indoor water parks are the perfect solution to post-winter blues. Splash your way from slide to wave machine to hot tub all day long and when you’re tired head back to your relaxing hotel for some R&R.
We’ve selected some of Europe’s best indoor water parks, all with easy accommodation options and perfect for family getaways or simply a weekend of mucking about with your mates.
The UK’s largest indoor waterpark, Sandcastle Waterpark, features over 18 slides and attractions. Whether you’re looking for white water thrills or to simply relax in the spa whilst the kids enjoy the multitudes of pools, slides and rides.
The adventure themed attractions include The Hyperzone with 4 white knuckle rides for adults and older children. Here you’ll find Aztec Falls where riders can enjoy sliding down on tubes in pairs or solo, or The Masterblaster, the world’s longest indoor rollercoaster waterslide at a whopping 250 metres long!
In the Sea Breeze Spa you can choose from the steam room, sauna, aromatherapy room or simply zone out completely on one of the heated loungers. This is an adults-only section so it’s perfect if you’re looking for some quiet time away.
There are a multitude of hotels in the area to suit all budgets. Whether you are just looking for a room with the basics, or a more luxurious escape that takes in some of the coastal attractions that Blackpool has to offer.
Easily reachable from Berlin, this water park is legendary across Europe for being one-of-a-kind. In the summer there is an additional outdoor area, but there is still plenty of space all year round to enjoy the multitude of attractions.
The tropical dome is a swimming pool complex, housing Germany’s highest waterslide tower, a tropical sea, and a lagoon. The whole area is larger than 8 football pitches. So large, in fact, you can even take an indoor hot air balloon ride across the tropical sea.
There’s also a tropical rain forest home to around 50,000 plants with a one-kilometre trail winding its way through, so you can explore as if you are really in the jungle. There are turtles, dragonfish, flamingos, peacocks, and much more tropical wildlife for you to spot along the way.
Elsewhere you’ll find mini-golf, a tropical village with restaurants and cafes, a sauna and spa and of course there’s also an on-site hotel with a range of bedrooms, suites, canvas tents, tepees, and camp-site pitches, depending on what you prefer!
Victory Therme is a nautical-themed hotel and indoor waterpark, designed to give you the cruise-ship feeling but without the actual miles-from-land reality.
Surrounded by 30-metre tall palm trees, the turquoise lagoon is also a wave pool, and with the indoor summer temperatures the sound of water lapping at the shore will put you in mind of being at the beach. The pool has five different wave intensities, from ‘fun waves’ for kids and families to ‘big waves’ three-metres high for only the most daring. There’s also a gentle current to carry swimmers from the large indoor pool down a river to the outdoor pool which also has bubbly loungers for you to relax on.
You’ll also find a tropical spa area, where you can relax in the thermal pools, book yourself a private cabana or enjoy a drink at the swim up bar.
The rooms at Victory Therme are all named after the rooms of a grand cruise ship. So, you can stay in the Captain’s Cabin, Admiral’s Cabin, a Yacht Cabin or even a Panorama Outside Cabin. Each of the different rooms offer light and spacious interiors, with modern fittings and all the trappings of a luxury hotel.
Tucked away in Belgium is Aqualibi, an indoor waterpark boasting slides, tunnels and loops perfect for any thrill seeker. Whether you are enjoying floating in the lagoon, jumping around in the wave pool, frolicking in the rapids, or simply sliding down helter-skelter style tunnels on large inflatable doughnuts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The city of Wavre is not too far from Brussels, and is a quaint medieval town in the Doyle Valley. Alongside Aqualibi the town also hosts a large outdoor theme park with a variety of roller coasters, rides and attractions – just in case you fancy a change from getting wet!
Close to Aqualibi you can find a variety of hotels to suit every budget, whether you need just the basics, a family room, or would like to treat yourselves to a stately country retreat.
Not far from the city centre you’ll find Aquaworld, an incredible indoor water park complex that will keep the whole family happy for days.
Aquaworld lists among its attractions; an indoor adventure pool, two outdoor pools for the hot summer days, an indoor wave pool, several Jacuzzis at different temperatures so you can find the perfect one to suit you, a diving pool and a total of 11 waterslides whose combined length is over 1km long. There are water slides that include a 17-metre drop, slides that can have up to three people sliding down alongside each other, and a 180-metre mountain slide flanked by steep rocks for the most adventurous.
After a day of thrills, take some time out to relax in the oriental spa, where you can treat yourself to a massage or pampering treatment, or simply explore the steam baths, sauna world, relaxation pools and resting beds.
The Aquaworld hotel offers rooms that are comfortable and spacious, with elegant warm tones and a clean minimalist design. There are also a variety of suites on offer and of course adjoining rooms for families.