Tours/Krakow/Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Historical Experience
Viator · group up to 30 pax

Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Historical Experience

4.8(517)Krakow1 hour
VIATOR2.9(17)TRIPADVISOR4.9(500)

Description

Discover one of Europe’s most important memorial sites during a well-organised Auschwitz-Birkenau tour with historical commentary from our guide. The experience introduces the history of the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, its role in the Holocaust, and its lasting significance as a place of remembrance. During the tour, our guide explains the wider historical context of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, including the camp’s origins, deportations, forced labour, selections, daily life of prisoners, and liberation. Entrance to the grounds of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum is included, giving visitors the opportunity to walk through authentic memorial areas and reflect on one of the most important chapters of modern history. This tour combines historical insight, practical assistance, and a respectful visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Tour Options

Guided Tour Meeting Point
  • Group: Max 30 people it may change due to Auschwitz Museum schedule. Duration: 8 hours Please note: Due to the high tourist traffic, there may be a queue at the entrance. We kindly ask for your patience. Start Time: The start time of the tour may change, depending on the availability of museum entry hours

Itinerary

Pass by

Start your tour with easy transportation from Krakow. During the trip, a friendly English-speaking leader will be there to help. When you get to Oswiecim, take a quick break for coffee or to check out some outdoor exhibits. Then, meet your local guide. They're officially approved by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and will show you around.

Admission included150 min

Guided tours of Auschwitz I Museum provide visitors with a profound and educational experience, as knowledgeable guides lead them through the haunting remnants of the camp. Explore the barracks, watchtowers, and infamous "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate while learning about the systematic oppression and unimaginable suffering endured by prisoners. Witness the chilling exhibits, including personal belongings, photographs, and documents, which serve as powerful reminders of the human cost of hatred and intolerance. Pay your respects at the memorials and monuments dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, and take a moment for quiet reflection at this hallowed ground. A visit to Auschwitz I Museum is not only a historical journey but also a solemn reminder of the importance of remembrance and the ongoing commitment to ensuring that the atrocities of the past are never forgotten.

90 min

After the 1st camp short break up to 15 minutes is planned. You will be taken by us to visit the second part of the tour - Birkenau (Auschwitz II), only 3 minutes away, which is the largest camp built and operated for the specific purpose of making Europe ''Judenrein'' (free of Jews). The same guide continues a poignant lecture about the camp in the village Brzezinka (Birkenau) which was constructed in 1941 on the order of Heinrich Himmler (SS commander) and could hold some 90 000 prisoners. You will be told about terrible stories of unimaginable living conditions as well as cruel selection and pseudo-scientific medical experiments made by prominent Nazi doctors including Josef Mengele. A history about soldiers of the 60th Army of the First Ukrainian Front opened the gates of Auschwitz on January 27, 1945, which meant the final liberation, ends your tour with a feeling, both this genocide should never have happened and it can not happen again.

Pass by

At the end of the tour, there's no hurry from our side. You'll have at least a 20-minute break where you can visit a bookstore, grab some groceries, or simply relax. Then, after another 1 hour and 15 minutes on the road, we'll drop you off at your chosen address in Krakow.

60 min

The Judenrampe, also known as the old unloading ramp, is one of the most significant historical locations connected with the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp complex. Situated between Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, this was the place where many transports of deported people arrived before being taken further into the camp system.

Highlights

Professional assistance in case of any issue
Round-trip transportation from and to Krakow by air-conditioned vehicle (van or mini-bus)
Entry fees
High quality, friendly and helpful English-speaking tour leaders
Licensed, English speaking local guide

What's included

Included
Professional assistance in case of any issue
Round-trip transportation from and to Krakow by air-conditioned vehicle (van or mini-bus)
Entry fees
High quality, friendly and helpful English-speaking tour leaders
Licensed, English speaking local guide
Not included
Food and drinks

Traveller Ratings

4.8
517 reviews
5
469
4
25
3
10
2
3
1
10

Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please make sure to bring with you ID or passport if Auschwitz-Birkenau National Museum Guided Tour is selected
  • We encourage you to bring umbrellas or raincoats in case of bad weather.
  • Breaks during the tour are no longer than 20 minutes
  • Departure time may be changed due to Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum's policy. If Auschwitz-Birkenau National Museum Guided Tour option is chosen
  • Due to the high tourist traffic, there may be a queues at the entrance. We kindly ask for your patience.
  • Not recommended for people with serious health or mobility restrictions

Reviews(517)

3
335fridah
March 22, 2026
Don't book, they canceled without notifying

We booked this tour two months in advance as we heard that it can be difficult to get tickets last minute. The day before the tour we received confirmation SMS and tickets sent to us. In the morning of the excursion we stood and waited for the car to pick us up. When it was 15 minutes ago, we call the company. They then tell us that they canceled the tour but forgot to notify us. Do not book this trip, book directly on the museum website instead and take a taxi to the museum.

I
I1990NZkatiea
March 3, 2026
Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour

An eye opening experience and humbling tour arranged by Discover Cracow. Stress free organisation and management by our host Filip. Overall, would recommend.

O
O9482QUphilipc
March 3, 2026
Auschwitz tour 100%

Pilip was excellent.kind and a great host.5 star

G
Global07502930329
March 3, 2026
Auschwitz

Brilliant tour and experience. Filip was extremely helpful and made the day stress free!

2
240dairem
March 3, 2026
Auschwitz tour

Amazing experience with philip as our tour guide he was very funny and polite and explained everything very well.

V
Vab1875
February 28, 2026
Auschwitz

John kept us very well informed of pick up time and place to be he is all so informative of places of interest on the way. Our guide for Auschwitz-Birkenau tour was very good too

P
P718JRpaulad
February 28, 2026
First time visit - would recommend.

Overall experience was great. It's an emotional heart wrenching tour but very informative & educational. We booked with discover cracow & had John as our leader, he did a great job in keeping us informed & educating us on landmarks on our travels to the site. Would definitely recommend booking.

K
kal_ip106
February 18, 2026
A good tour to learn about history

Our guide Filip was helpful and friendly, organized the journey well. The tour guide explained the history really well and we learnt a great lesson from the heartbreaking past there. I would suggest the tour offers a slightly longer break e.g 30mins in between for lunch and rest as the tour has quite a lot of walking:)

J
JessyC396
February 18, 2026
Great tour in Auschwitz

Nice experience with well knowledge tour guide, which explain so well. But whole trip is quite rush, dun have enough time for lunch.

O
O3884KHnikkim
February 18, 2026
Well organised friendly and made welcome

Tour guide philp was friendly welcoming and funny amazing experience although a later start then planned would go again with this guide

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