Auschwitz - Birkenau: Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Information About Visiting Auschwitz Camp

To visit the site, which became a symbol of the Holocaust and the Nazi crimes committed against Poles, Roma, and others, you need to see both parts of the former camp – Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Plan at least 1.5 hours for Auschwitz I and at least double that time for Birkenau.

The premises and most facilities of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau are open to visitors. Some buildings are excluded from tours (including so-called reserve blocks, administrative offices, and museum departments). Please read the visitor regulations before your visit.

In Auschwitz I, the Nazis established the first camp for men and women. Here, the first experiments with killing using Zyklon B took place, the first mass transports of Jews were murdered, the first criminal experiments on prisoners were conducted, most executions by shooting occurred, and the central camp prison in Block 11 was located for prisoners from all parts of the camp. The main camp headquarters and most SS offices were also located here. From there, the camp administration directed the expansion of the complex.

In Birkenau, the Nazis built most of the mass extermination facilities, where approximately one million Jews were murdered. Birkenau was also the largest concentration camp (nearly 300 primitive, mostly wooden barracks), where more than 100,000 people were imprisoned in 1944. Prisoners included Jews, Poles, Roma, and others. On almost 200 hectares, the ruins of gas chambers, sites full of human ashes, primitive prison houses, and kilometers of fences and roads have been preserved.

Tickets & Prices 2026

Attention – new rule: To facilitate visits and ensure visitor safety, a maximum number of people per hour is set for entry into the former Auschwitz I camp. Therefore, each visitor receives an individual entry card and a pass allowing access to the museum. The card is issued to both individual visitors and those accompanied by a supervisor.

• Tours are available in Polish, English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.
• It is possible to visit the camp without a guide for free, but between 8:00 and 17:00 only paid guided entry is allowed.
• Individual visits in July and August are also available in Czech (10:15 and 14:15) and Slovak (9:45 and 13:45); it is recommended to book three months in advance.
• The first paid tours start at 8:15, and the last tour begins at 15:15.
• The ticket office is open from 7:00 to 15:00. If you cannot buy tickets online, it is recommended to arrive before opening and purchase tickets directly at the information center.
• Visits to the museum are not recommended for children under 14 years old.

Online Tour Reservation – Guide

You can reserve online on this website

1. First, choose whether you are booking individually or as a group. Individual tickets can be purchased for up to 6 people. Click “Next”.
2. At the top of the calendar, navigate the dates using the arrows (e.g., July 2026).
3. Select your visit date (e.g., 18 July) and confirm you are not a robot.
4. The table shows available slots, the number of people, and the language of the guide.
5. “Zwiedzanie ogólne 3,5 godz. (General tour 3.5 h)” indicates a paid guided tour lasting 3.5 hours. Select this if you want a guide. For a free self-guided visit, choose “Zwiedzanie indywidualne bez edukatora – bezpłatne” at the bottom.
6. Then enter the number of visitors and confirm you are not a robot.
7. Next, select your country and enter the names of the visitors. Make sure names are correct, as they are checked against ID documents upon entry.

Are tickets sold out? There are always some tickets available at the ticket office at the entrance. It is recommended to arrive right after opening.

Guided Tours of the Concentration Camp

Guided tours of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp are also available in English and allow visitors to better understand the history of this tragic site. The tours provide a deep insight into the daily life of prisoners, the Nazi machinery, and the structure and functioning of the camp itself.

When are English speaking guides available at the camp

How Do the Tours Take Place?

During a guided tour, you will be accompanied by a certified guide with expert knowledge of the camp’s history and World War II. In the course of the 3–4 hour tour, you will visit the main parts of the complex:

• Auschwitz I – the original camp with historical exhibitions, including the gate with the inscription “Arbeit macht frei,” prison blocks, the execution wall, and former barracks now serving as museum exhibitions on the life of prisoners and Nazi crimes.
• Auschwitz II – Birkenau – the extermination section of the camp with the ruins of gas chambers, crematoria, and wooden barracks. This part symbolizes mass extermination and is the site where the Nazis murdered hundreds of thousands of people.

What Will You Hear During the Tour?

The guide will provide detailed historical context about the establishment of the camp, daily life of prisoners, the systematic murder of Jews, Roma, and other groups considered “enemies” by the Nazi regime. You will also learn about survivors, their suffering, and how Auschwitz-Birkenau left deep scars not only on individuals but on the world as a whole.

How to Book a Tour in Slovak?

Tours in the Slovak language can be booked through the official website of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial. It is recommended to make a reservation well in advance. Group tours and individual visits can be adapted according to preferences, with all information presented respectfully considering the sensitivity of the topic.

Opening Hours of the Memorial

• The end of the opening hours represents the last possible entry to the museum. You may stay inside for up to 90 minutes after the last entry (e.g., until 8:30 PM in July).
• The concentration camp is open year-round, seven days a week, including Polish national holidays. It is closed on January 1, December 25, Easter Sunday, and during official state visits and ceremonies.

Duration of the Visit

The length of your visit depends on the individual interest of visitors, but the minimum time needed to get acquainted with the exhibitions in both parts of the museum is approximately 3.5 hours. For guided tours, you can choose a standard tour (approx. 3.5 h), a study tour (approx. 6 h), or a two-day tour.

Contact

State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau
ul. Więźniów Oswięcimia 20
32-600 Oświęcim
Poland

Phone: +48 33 844 8000
(Mon – Fri, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM)