Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum

Located in Oświęcim, Poland, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum comprises the former Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II–Birkenau camps. Established in 1947, it serves as a research center and a place of remembrance for the over 1.1 million victims who perished there. The museum offers exhibitions, educational programs, and guided tours to provide visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the Holocaust and its historical context.

Planning your visit

Auschwitz-Birkenau is a memorial site rather than a museum visit in the ordinary sense, and it is managed accordingly. Established in 1947 on the grounds of the former Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau camps, it preserves the barracks, the gate, the collected belongings of victims and the ruins of the gas chambers, commemorating the more than 1.1 million people murdered there. Visitor numbers are strictly controlled, and during peak hours entry is only permitted as part of a guided educational tour with a site-licensed guide.

That restriction is why booking ahead genuinely matters here — slots are limited and released in advance. Most bookable options depart from Kraków, roughly 90 minutes away, and include transport, entry and a licensed guide covering both camps, which are three kilometres apart with a shuttle between them. Private transfers are available for visitors who prefer their own schedule, and standalone guided tours can be joined at Oświęcim by those arriving independently. Current availability is shown below.