Accessibility

The blind or the severely visually impaired can attend concerts in the Kölner Philharmonie without any inconvenience either alone or accompanied by another person.

Since the Philharmonie is in the immediate proximity of Cologne's main station it is easily accessible via public transport. There is one main entrance, behind which is the vestibule. Ticket attendants are then waiting at the second door which opens out into the spacious foyer. Once in the foyer we recommend that patrons turn left where an information desk is situated and further along the cloakroom. The staff at the information desk will gladly guide visually impaired visitors not accompanied by a fully-sighted person to their seats.

The easiest way from the foyer into the concert hall itself is via a broad staircase which - walking in a straight line from the main entrance through the foyer - leads directly through to the back of the foyer and then up into the main aisle encircling the hall. Located on the right-hand side of the foyer are further cloakrooms and a staircase leading up to the hall. Coats and other garments can be handed in at the cloakrooms free of charge in return for a square token bearing a number. After the concert you can retrieve your garments upon presentation of the token.

The architecture of the concert hall resembles that of an ancient amphitheatre: The circular podium is positioned almost in the centre of the hall. In front of the podium the rows of seats incline steeply upwards in a semicircle. Another semicircle is formed by the choir gallery (block Z) and the two tiers of balconies behind the podium. To the left of the podium is the large, permanently installed concert organ.

The seating areas are divided into blocks which are labelled alphabetically. The blocks A, B, E, D and the choir gallery Z are closest to the podium. Facing the podium but positioned somewhat further away are blocks C and F in the centre, surrounded by a semicircular section comprising the blocks G, H, L, Q, N and M. To the left and the right on the upper tiers are the blocks I, K, R, P, O and S. The balconies are blocks X and Y.

The acoustics are excellent throughout the hall. We particularly recommend blocks C, F, L or Q, as these are easily accessible from the straight broad stairway leading up from the foyer. In easy access of these blocks, two areas have been set aside for patrons wishing to take refreshments in the interval. These can be reached from the seating area by taking the stairs leading to the circular aisle and turning right into the Rheingartenfoyer or left into the main foyer.

Guide-dogs are also welcome in the Philharmonie. However, the choice of seats is limited.  When purchasing tickets, please contact karten@koelnmusik.de to book a suitable seat with enough space for your four-legged friend. Our foyer team will be happy to help you on the day of the concert. Please proceed to the information desk on the left-hand side of the foyer after admission.

For wheelchair users, there are 12 viewing places in block R and 12 in block S. The accompanying persons sit right next to the wheelchair user. These places can be reached via a lift near the cloakrooms for blocks C, F, X, and Y on the left-hand side of the foyer.

In block Z behind the stage there are two additional spots for wheelchair users with one accompanying person each. These places can be reached by taking the lift located near cloakrooms Q, P, and N on the right-hand side of the foyer. Block Z is accessed via a ramp. Our staff will provide assistance. The views and acoustics are unrestrictedly good in all seats. We recommend that people with a slight walking impairment sit in balconies X and Y, as they can be reached by climbing only nine steps.

There are unisex toilets for disabled persons with emergency alarms in the foyer at the level of the main entrance next to the mirrored bar as well as on the balcony on the level of blocks R and S (can be reached by lift). The lavatories can be locked from the inside and no key is required to enter. In the women’s and men’s lavatories on the lower floor of the foyer there are additionally special toilets with higher seats and handles.

Seats for wheelchair users and their companions are available for KölnMusik events in blocks R & S and - if available - in block Z.

The accompanying person receives free admission but requires a ticket. 

Tickets for wheelchair users are available by telephone on 0221 / 280 280 or at the Kölner Philharmonie concert box office:

Kölner Philharmonie Concert Box Office
Kurt-Hackenberg-Platz/corner of Bechergasse
50667 Cologne
(opposite the Kölner Philharmonie and accessible from there without steps)

Assistance dogs are also welcome in the Philharmonie. However, the choice of seats is limited.  When purchasing tickets, please contact karten@koelnmusik.de to book a suitable seat with enough space for your four-legged friend. Our foyer team will be happy to help you on the day of the concert. Please proceed to the information desk on the left-hand side of the foyer after admission.