Shaped by its location by the Rhine and Ruhr with the world’s biggest inland port, Ruhrort is a place that is being increasingly discovered by tourists. As such, there has also been a landing pier for river cruise ships since 2016.

A tour in the excursion boat around the many different port basins is an absolute must on any visit to Duisburg! Huge quantities of goods are stored and handled here, mostly in containers. No fewer than 20,000 ships head to the port in Duisburg every year. It has seaport status, because river-going vessels regularly pass through it on the way to ports in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It also serves as a connecting hub for seaports such as Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

Skippers and seamen from all over the world used to frequent the port district, which was often compared with St. Pauli in Hamburg. However, the skippers ultimately had to forego their shore leave due to ever shorter unloading times and rationalisation measures. The popularity of the district nonetheless quickly ensured alternatives. In recent years, Duisburg-Ruhrort has become a residential quarter and a place where people on the creative scene like to meet. There are concerts and readings in the local pubs. Vacant shops were revived as galleries and ateliers.

As the skippers’ shore leave waned and the paint on the walls of the once rich district was at risk of starting to flake off, film-makers discovered the flair of the port and the exotic backdrop of Ruhrort. The best-loved actor was undoubtedly Götz George in the role of Inspector Schimanski in the crime series Tatort. He was first seen in Ruhrort in 1981 and has been honoured throughout the city as a ‘Duisburg lad’ ever since. Klaus Löwitsch followed as port detective and Maren Kroymann as inland ship operator Vera Wesskamp.

The four-day port festival with funfair and stage programme attracts thousands of visitors to the port district every summer. The undisputed highlight on each occasion is the spectacular firework display known as ‘Ruhrort in Flames’.

The Museum der Deutschen Binnenschifffahrt housed in a former art nouveau swimming pool is definitely worth a visit. Its exhibits also include the historical museum ships located on the Hafenmund. The Radio Museum on Bergiusstraße is dedicated to radio and recording technology.

The Mühlenweide is surrounded by water on three sides. It affords a wonderful view of the Rhine and the rail port. Regular events are held here, including the port flea market.

The Rheinorange is located at the point where the Ruhr flows into the Rhine. It marks both the start and the end of the popular Ruhrtalradweg cycle path.