Auschwitz Memorial: What to Expect on Site
Entry, Facilities, Opening Hours & Nearby Sites
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial comprises two sites 3.5 km apart—Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau—linked by a free shuttle bus. It is open daily except 1 January, 25 December, and Easter Sunday, with airport-style security at the entrance. Plan at least 3–4 hours to visit both sites; facilities include restrooms and a restaurant, and nearby you can see related memorials or explore Oświęcim town.
What to Expect at the Auschwitz Visitor Center?
I took this photo at the entrance to Auschwitz. It's the first thing you'll see when you arrive. Open the Auschwitz map with the button in the bottom right.
The main Auschwitz parking lot has restrooms and luggage locker in the building behind the map on the left.
On the right side, there are snack vending machines, tourist info, and an ATM.
Further back, you’ll find a taxi stand, the Lajkonik and shuttle bus stop, a restaurant, and a hostel.
Entrance hours depend on the month and whether you visit with or without a guide. The Memorial is closed on January 1, December 25, Easter Sunday, and occasionally for events.
Too Early or Too Late?
Rest by the Nearby River
Discover Related Places
Find Accommodation
White circles on the map mark the locations shown in the photo below:
How to Enter Auschwitz Memorial Site?
Leave Large Luggage
Finish Your Meal
Use the Restroom
Reception – Ground Floor
After security, wait for your guide or group in the hallway. Toilets are on the left, and an info desk is in the middle.
The info desk offers assistance, lost ticket printing, and stickers. Nearby doors lead to a bookshop, café, and tourist info.
The tourist info office offers free Wi-Fi, computers, and city guidebooks. More on Oświęcim at Tourist Info & City of Peace
Scan your ticket one last time at the hallway’s end, then go downstairs. No ID needed, but keep your ticket for Birkenau.
What to See Near Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial in One Day?
Stay longer to discover the area or relax in nature.
Places Related to Auschwitz
The IG-Farbenwerkre factory pictured here was built by Auschwitz III Monovitz prisoners. Discover significant sites around Auschwitz that provide deeper insight into its history.
Worth Visiting in Oświęcim
Oświęcim, with over 800 years of history, offers more than Auschwitz. Explore its rich heritage, beautiful surroundings, and vibrant culture.
5 Important Memorial Sites Near Auschwitz Worth Visiting
Key Sites Related to the History of Auschwitz
Foundation of Memory Sites Near Auschwitz-Birkenau
The foundation protects artifacts and remains of former Auschwitz sub-camps through conservation efforts and exhibitions.
Art Exhibition by an Auschwitz Survivor
"Clichés of Memory – Labyrinths" is a permanent art exhibition by Marian Kołodziej. He studied graphics and painting, but it wasn't until 40 years later that he chose to share his camp memories, transforming them into haunting visual narratives.
Remembrance Museum of Land of Oświęcim Residents
The museum honors the local inhabitants who risked their lives to aid Auschwitz prisoners during World War II. Through multimedia exhibits, visitors can experience the emotions and stories of these courageous individuals.
Jewish Museum & Synagogue in Oświęcim
Visit the Oshpitzin Museum to explore the rich history of the local Jewish community and step inside the only surviving synagogue nearby.
Roma Historical Institute in Oświęcim
Explore the Roma history and culture through exhibitions and educational programs that highlight their rich heritage and experiences.
Is Oświęcim Town Worth Visiting After Auschwitz?
The market square, synagogue and castle are all in one place. Stroll through the charming old town, admire its historic architecture, and experience the warm hospitality of a community dedicated to peace and remembrance.
Castle Museum
Visit the medieval Oświęcim Castle to learn about the city's rich past through captivating exhibits in its historic chambers and mysterious underground.
Town Hall Museum
Step back to the vibrant era of interwar Oświęcim at the Town Hall Museum. Experience the charm of the 1930s by getting behind the wheel of a vintage Praga Baby automobile.
What Facilities & Services Are Available at Auschwitz?
What Facilities & Services Are Available at Auschwitz?
Leisure
A visit to Auschwitz is demanding, but the nearby nature offers a place to recover. Find more on the official Małopolska Region tourism portal.
Accommodation
Rest well before your visit to remain focused. Accommodation options near the Museum include hotels, Airbnb stays, and integration centers.
Restaurants
The closest restaurants can be busy or expensive. Go right from the main car park gate for alternatives. Locations of my favorite fast food places:
Stores
A regular grocery store is 200 m from Auschwitz parking lot on Obozowa St., with more stores further down. See the location.
Integration
The integration centers below are just 1.5 km from the Auschwitz Memorial, offering a range of services, including accommodation.
International Youth Meeting Centre
The IYMC is a place of international and intergenerational meetings, a forum for the exchange of ideas and dialogue across cultural, social, and religious borders.
Centre for Dialogue and Prayer
The center is a place of reconciliation between people of different cultures. Educational activities include meetings with former prisoners, conferences, and seminars.
Nature Near Auschwitz Memorial
Located between two rivers, Oświęcim is surrounded by lakes and forests. Some are so close you can get there on foot.
Soła River, 800 m
Leaving the main Auschwitz parking lot, turn left and walk 8 min.
Wisła River, 3 km
To the west of Birkenau there are many quiet spots along the river.
Lakes Near the Memorial
In the villages to the south, you can relax by the numerous lakes.
Rajsko, 2 km
Harmęże, 3 km
