A former industrial center in Germany's Ruhr region, known for its 117-meter Gasometer exhibition space and CentrO, one of Europe's largest shopping malls.
In Oberhausen, you can walk through a converted 118-meter gas tank to see massive art installations, watch independent films at the world's oldest short film festival, or spend a day at CentrO, one of Europe's largest shopping centers. This city in Germany's Ruhr region has given its former industrial buildings new life - you'll find art galleries in old factories, concert venues in machine halls, and family entertainment complexes in former industrial zones.
Getting to Oberhausen
You can reach Oberhausen through four airports. Düsseldorf International Airport lies 14 miles southwest and connects to the city center via direct trains. From Dortmund Airport (33 miles east), Cologne Bonn Airport (44 miles southeast), or Weeze Airport (32 miles west-northwest), regular train services take you to Oberhausen's central station.
The Gasometer Experience
Inside this 118-meter-high former gas tank from the 1920s, you'll discover changing large-scale art installations throughout the year. Past exhibitions have included floating Earth globes, light installations, and massive sculptures. Take the elevator to the rooftop platform for views across the Ruhr region's landscape of converted industrial sites, modern buildings, and city parks. The glass-enclosed platform circles the entire structure, giving you a 360-degree panorama.
Entertainment at CentrO
CentrO's 100,000 square meters include more than 250 shops and multiple family activities. At the Oberhausen Marina next door, you can explore Germany's largest seawater aquarium at Sea Life Centre, with tanks holding sharks, rays, and hundreds of marine species. Children can build and play at the Lego Discovery Centre, splash in the mining-themed Aquapark's water slides, jump at Tiger Jump's multiple trampoline zones, or climb through different levels at the Tree-2-Tree course.
Cultural Scene
Since 1954, the International Short Film Festival has brought innovative filmmakers to Oberhausen, screening over 500 films each May. The Rudolf Weber-Arena holds up to 12,500 people for events ranging from MMA fights to European darts championships. Wrestling fans come to the Turbinenhalle each March for the 16 Carat Gold Tournament. Throughout the year, Theater Oberhausen puts on both modern and classical plays.
Industrial Roots
The St. Antony ironworks started operating in 1758, marking the beginning of the Ruhr region's industrial era. Today, you can explore this history at the LVR Industrial Museum, where working machines and interactive displays show how iron and steel production shaped the area. The museum forms part of the 400-kilometer European Route of Industrial Heritage, connecting 54 industrial monuments that tell the story of the region's transformation from mining center to cultural district.
