Oberhausen is a city on the river Emscher in the Ruhr Area, Germany, located between Duisburg and Essen. The city hosts the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen. It houses the Centr0, the largest shopping centre in Germany. It has a population of 220,000 living in an area of 77 sq km.
How to Get There:
Nearest commercial airports to Oberhausen are Düsseldorf International Airport (28 km), Dortmund Airport (50 km) and Weeze Airport (60 km), with maximum traffic coming ex- Düsseldorf. From Dusseldorf Airport's station the trip takes a quarter of an hour. Oberhausen is well connected to the German motorway network, with four autobahns and one regional highway. Long-distance trains stop at Oberhausen Hauptbahnhof (some even to Amsterdam and Basel) as well as regional and local services. The Rhein-Herne Canal runs through the city, and the Ruhr, to the south-west, is linked by canal. Oberhausen has an extensive coverage of bus and tram services.
What to See:
Oberhausen is famous for its Gasometer, the world’s largest, but decommissioned some 20 years ago. Since then, it has developed into the landmark of the city of Oberhausen and, beyond that, it has become an entire region's identification sign that cannot be overlooked. Built in the late 1920's, Europe's largest disc-type gas holder is an impressive reminder of the heavy industry that characterised the Ruhr for more than a century. Today the Gasometer provides the unique frame for cultural experiences of various kinds, exhibitions, theatre and music. The Kaisergarten is situated in the middle of Oberhausen in picturesque surroundings. The park has an area of about 28 hectares. Sea Life Oberhausen opened in direct proximity to the Centr0 in the summer of 2004. Germany's biggest Sea Life aquarium with its 20,000 creatures, two million litres of water and 3,300 sqm of exhibit space takes you on a fascinating journey into the depths of the indigenous underwater world.
Where to Eat:
Oberhausen has over 120 restaurants. The better known ones are the Pagoda - Kaiserbuffet, Alstadener Treff, Bismarck Eck, Bleuel, Duppeleck and the Feldmannstubchen.
Hotels:
A quick check of hotels reveals a surprising 50 odd in Oberhausen. Hotel Residenz Oberhausen, Tryp Centro Oberhausen, Best Western Parkhotel Oberhausen, Mercure Hotel Oberhausen Centro are high-end. NH Hotel Oberhausen, Hotel im Europahaus, B&B Hotel Oberhausen-Centro and the Hotel Haus Hagemann are mid-range. Bus down from its historic centre to the 'Neue Mitte'. You see a vista of the century and a half-year-old history of Metal as well as the transmogrification taking place in Oberhausen, not to forget the historic sights of the town, which contrasts should affect you. However, the chances are your stay in Oberhausen will be short as attractions of Dusseldorf, Cologne and other bigger cities in the region are a short train ride away.
