Auschwitz-Birkenau Travel Guide: A Journey Through History and Remembrance

Auschwitz-Birkenau, located near the town of Oświęcim in southern Poland, is the most notorious of all Nazi concentration and extermination camps. Today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most powerful memorials in the world.
 

More than just a travel destination, a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau is a sobering, educational, and emotional experience—one that provides a deeper understanding of the Holocaust, World War II, and the importance of remembering history to prevent its repetition.

📍 Where Is Auschwitz-Birkenau?

Country: Poland

Location: Oświęcim, Lesser Poland Voivodeship

Distance from Krakow: ~70 km (43 miles) west

Time Needed: Minimum 3–4 hours, full day recommended

Auschwitz is divided into two main parts:

Auschwitz I: The original camp, now the main museum

Auschwitz II – Birkenau: The vast extermination camp with barracks and ruins of gas chambers

🕰️ A Brief History of Auschwitz-Birkenau

Established: 1940 (Auschwitz I), 1941 (Birkenau)

Operated by: Nazi Germany

Victims: Over 1.1 million people killed, mostly Jews

Liberated: January 27, 1945, by Soviet forces

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Since 1979

Auschwitz was the largest of the Nazi concentration and extermination camps. Today, it serves as a memorial and museum, preserving the memory of those who suffered and died here.

🏛️ What You Will See at Auschwitz I (Main Camp)

🔹 Gatehouse – “Arbeit Macht Frei”

The infamous phrase “Work Sets You Free” greets visitors at the entrance. This gate has become one of the most haunting symbols of the Holocaust.

🔹 Brick Barracks

Originally built as Polish army barracks, these buildings now house exhibitions about the camp’s history, the victims, and Nazi ideology.

🔹 Prison Block 11

Known as the “Death Block,” this was used for severe punishments. Visitors can see the standing cells, starvation cells, and the execution wall.

🔹 Gas Chamber and Crematorium I

This structure, reconstructed after the war, gives insight into the industrial scale of murder carried out by the Nazis.

🔹 Permanent Exhibitions

Shoes, suitcases, and hair collected from victims

Photos and records of prisoners

Historical documents detailing the rise of Auschwitz

🚶 What to Expect at Birkenau (Auschwitz II)

This camp is located ~3 km from Auschwitz I and can be reached via a free shuttle.

🔹 Main Entrance and Watchtower

Known as the “Gate of Death,” this railway gate symbolizes the systematic arrival of prisoners via cattle cars.

🔹 Railway Tracks and Unloading Platform

Here, thousands were separated—most sent straight to the gas chambers.

🔹 Wooden Barracks

These were used to house prisoners in horrendous conditions. Some are preserved for visitors to walk through.

🔹 Gas Chambers and Crematoria Ruins

Blown up by the Nazis in an attempt to hide evidence, the ruins are a chilling reminder of the atrocities.

🔹 Memorial Monument

At the far end of Birkenau is the International Monument, built to honor the victims in multiple languages.

⏱️ Best Time to Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau

📅 Opening Hours (as of 2025)

🎟️ Last entry is 90 minutes before closing.

🎟️ Entry and Tour Information

Admission: Free (but booking is required)

Guided Tours: Highly recommended, available in multiple languages

Tour Duration: Around 3.5 hours

Booking Website: visit.auschwitz.org

Age Recommendation: Not recommended for children under 14

📝 Self-guided visits are possible during specific time slots, but guided tours provide essential context.

🧳 What to Bring

Passport or ID (required for entry)

Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll cover 3–4 km)

Water bottle and snacks (consumption only outside exhibit buildings)

Weather-appropriate clothing (the site is mostly outdoors)

📷 Photography is allowed in most areas, but always be respectful.

🚗 How to Get to Auschwitz-Birkenau

From Krakow:

By Tour Bus: Most convenient option, includes guide and transport

By Train: From Krakow Glowny to Oświęcim (1 hr 45 min) + 20-min walk or local bus

By Car: Around 1.5 hours via A4 motorway

By Public Bus: Departures from Krakow MDA station

From Katowice:

~1 hour by car or train

🚍 Free shuttle buses run between Auschwitz I and Birkenau every 10–15 minutes.

🍽️ Food and Facilities

Café and snack bar at the entrance

Lockers for backpacks and bags over 30x20x10 cm

Restrooms available near entrances

No food or drinks allowed inside the exhibition buildings

🛌 Where to Stay

In Oświęcim:

Hotel Olecki – Closest to the memorial (3-minute walk)

Hampton by Hilton Oświęcim – Modern, comfortable

7th Room Guesthouse – Budget-friendly and local

In Krakow:

PURO Kraków Kazimierz – Stylish and centrally located

Hotel Unicus Palace – Luxury near Old Town

Greg & Tom Hostel – Social and budget-friendly

📚 Learn Before You Go

Watching or reading about Auschwitz before your visit helps contextualize your experience. Some suggestions:

Documentaries:

“Auschwitz: The Nazis and the ‘Final Solution’” (BBC)

“Shoah” by Claude Lanzmann

Books:

“Night” by Elie Wiesel

“Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl

“Survival in Auschwitz” by Primo Levi

Films:

“Schindler’s List”

“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”

🔎 Visitor Etiquette and Things to Remember

Dress respectfully – no overly revealing or informal clothing

Keep noise to a minimum – reflect on the solemn nature of the site

Photography is allowed – but never pose smiling or take selfies at sensitive areas

Do not touch exhibits or stray from marked paths

Smoking and eating are prohibited inside the memorial area

🕯️ This is a place of mourning for millions—treat it with reverence and dignity.

👣 Why Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau?

While emotionally difficult, visiting Auschwitz is an essential historical experience. It offers:

A powerful reminder of what unchecked hatred can lead to

An educational encounter with real artifacts and first-hand testimonies

A chance to honor the memory of over a million victims

A call to action to fight racism, antisemitism, and discrimination today

🌍 Quick Facts Summary

Final Thoughts

Auschwitz-Birkenau is not a typical tourist destination. It is a solemn, sacred site that holds the memory of millions of innocent lives. Walking through its barracks and seeing the remnants of one of history’s darkest chapters is emotionally intense, but deeply meaningful.

By visiting, we pay tribute to the victims, educate ourselves about the horrors of the past, and reinforce our shared commitment: Never Again.