Opera without barriers

We always strive to ensure that your visit to the Semperopera Dresden is as pleasant as possible. Physical disability should not in any way prevent you from enjoying the beauty of our house, but please understand that in a few cases we are unable to remove access barriers due to the historic architecture.

Lageplan Semperoper, Semper Zwei und Tageskasse (Schinkelwache)

Lageplan Semperoper und Semper Zwei mit behindertengerechten Zugängen

Access to Semperoper, Semper Zwei and box office (Schinkelwache)

Two accesses for wheelchair users are located on both sides of the Semperoper.

In front of the Semper Zwei entrance there is a special call system which can be used to reach a member of our staff who can help with access to the building. There is an elevator in the venue.

The box office in the Schinkelwache has a handicapped-accessible entrance (ramp on the left side at the front of the building). Please note that electronic wheelchairs may not fit through the doors of the Schinkelwache. In this case, our staff will take care of your individual request.

Access with rollator

Access with a rollator is also possible for performances in the Semperoper as well as in Semper Zwei.

We recommend seats in the stalls as well as in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd tiers in the Semperoper, as these are accessible by elevator. The edge seats in the respective rows are advantageous, especially in the stalls, as well as the seats near the doors in the tiers, as these are easier to reach. The doors are clearly marked on the seating plans. 

When booking online, we recommend that you pay attention to the described accessibility of the seats. The Visitor Service will also be happy to help you with your choice of seats. When ordering tickets, please indicate if a rollator is to be used and easily accessible seats are therefore required.

In the Semperoper as well as in Semper Zwei, the rollator should preferably be left in the cloakroom, depending on your physical condition. In exceptional cases, the rollator can be left in the foyer in front of the respective door to the auditorium.

Lift, wheelchair spaces and handicapped accessible toilets in the Semperoper

The lift, located beside the cloakroom on the right-hand side (towards the Elbe), will bring you to the stalls and the first three circles.

A total of eleven spaces are reserved for wheelchair users in a range of price categories. Each space can be easily reached via the lift. Wheelchair spaces can be requested from the visitor service and booked subject to availability.

Due the historic nature of the Semperoper architecture, it has only been possible to install one toilet for wheelchair users. This is located on the ground floor behind the cloakroom, and can be reached through a doorway on the right-hand side. 

Lift, wheelchair spaces and handicapped accessible toilets in Semper Zwei

There is an elevator in the Semper Zwei venue. Up to two seats per performance are reserved for wheelchair users in the auditorium of Semper Zwei. Wheelchair spaces can be requested from the visitor service and booked subject to availability. The handicapped accessible toilet is located in the basement of the venue. 

Parking

Two accesses for wheelchair users are located on both sides of the Semperoper. Several disabled parking spaces can be found opposite the Italienisches Dörfchen restaurant (on the right side of the Semperoper, facing the Elbe river), from where you can easily enter the opera house from ground level. Cars are permitted to park briefly on the right of the opera house to drop off and collect visitors. Please note that in general the Theaterplatz is a no-parking zone. 

The Semper Zwei venue can be reached by car via the access from the Terrassenufer/Devrientstraße. Please ring the bell at the barrier to the separate parking lot of the Semper Opera House. There is a handicapped-accessible car park right next to the entrance to Semper Zwei. 

Tram

The tram stop at Theaterplatz, around 100 meters from the Semperoper, is designed for easy access by persons with limited mobility, but perhaps the stops Altmarkt and Postplatz, which are also close, might be more comfortable.

Tramline 8 (direction Hellerau) from the main station in Dresden or tramline 9 (direction Kaditz) from the train station North take you directly to the Theaterplatz.

Sound system for the hard of hearing

Dresden’s Semperoper is equipped with an audio system to help the hard of hearing. Audience members can individually receive a stereo signal generated from various microphones placed on the stage and in the auditorium. The resulting radio signal is transmitted through the entire auditorium. Visitors can use a pocket receiver with headphones or induction couplers (on-ear or neck loops) to receive this signal. These devices can be borrowed from the cloakroom for a fee of 3 euros.

Concessions

Disabled persons may purchase a reduced price ticket upon presentation of a valid pass. Carers indicated on the pass are also eligible for a concession. These reductions are only offered on tickets priced €12 and above, for price categories 1 to 5. Concessionary refunds cannot be given on previously purchased tickets.