Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau w Oświęcimiu
Memorial site and museum on the grounds of the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camps Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau (Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum) was established in 1947 by an act of the Polish parliament, on the grounds of the former German Nazi camps Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The camp was set up by the Germans during the occupation. It became the largest concentration and extermination camp, and its victims were overwhelmingly Jews from all over Europe.
The museum looks after the authentic remains of the camp: barracks, the ruins of gas chambers and crematoria, and numerous objects belonging to prisoners. In Auschwitz I, the former prison blocks house the main exhibition and national exhibitions prepared by various countries. In Birkenau visitors see the vast camp site, the railway ramp and the sites of extermination.
Some buildings are currently closed to visitors because of conservation work. The museum also carries out educational, research and conservation activities, and offers guided tours in many languages.
Key themes
- Auschwitz I: main exhibition and national exhibitions in the former prison blocks
- Auschwitz II-Birkenau: railway ramp, barracks and ruins of crematoria
- Guided tours in about 20 languages
- Free bus between Auschwitz I and Birkenau
Permanent exhibition
- Wystawa główna i wystawy narodowe w Auschwitz I – The former prison blocks house the main exhibition on the history of the camp and exhibitions prepared by various countries; some of them are currently closed.
- Founded
- 1947
- Director
- Piotr Cywiński
- Visitors per year
- approx. 1,430,000
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Groups must order a guide; guided tours are charged. |
|---|
Admission to the museum grounds is free, but an entry card must be reserved at visit.auschwitz.org. The guide service and the entry card for guided tours are charged (current prices on the museum’s website). A luggage locker costs PLN 5.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: not available
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Visitor Service Centre has ramps, and the Old Theatre has lifts and a stair lift. The authentic surfaces in Auschwitz I and II are uneven, and some places (e.g. the Death Gate tower and the upper floors of the blocks) are not accessible. Wheelchairs and walkers can be borrowed free of charge (booking: reservation.office@auschwitz.org). The free bus between the sites has a platform for wheelchairs. Sign language interpreters are not available. Accessibility coordinator: alicja.wojcik@auschwitz.org, tel. 33 844 80 62.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 14+
- Stroller-friendly: not available
The museum recommends visiting for people aged 14 and over. Pushchairs may not be taken into the blocks and other buildings on the visiting route.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
przystanek przy parkingu Muzeum
Buses and minibuses from Kraków and Katowice stop at the museum; Lajkonik buses from Kraków go directly to the museum car park. The railway station in Oświęcim is about 1.5 km from the museum.
By car
Free parking
Free museum car park on ul. Więźniów Oświęcimia 55 (Auschwitz I); near the station there is a multi-storey Park & Ride car park. A paid municipal car park operates at Birkenau.
- Accessible parking
Navigation address: ul. Więźniów Oświęcimia 55, Oświęcim (entrance from ul. Legionów, DW 933). The distance between Auschwitz I and Birkenau is about 3.5 km; a free museum bus runs between them. Kraków-Balice and Katowice-Pyrzowice airports are about 50 km away.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Coat check
- Lockers
At Auschwitz I there is a luggage storage with lockers (PLN 5). The maximum luggage size on the museum grounds is 35 × 25 × 15 cm.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 3.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming are allowed in the buildings without flash and tripod; prohibited in Block 4 (room 5) and in the cellar of Block 11. |
| Good to know | At least one hour is recommended for each of the two sites (about 2 hours in total without a guide). A standard guided tour lasts about 3.5 hours; study tours (6 and 8 hours, two-day tours) and online tours are also available. Guides work in about 20 languages. Bookings for guides and entry cards: visit.auschwitz.org or tel. 33 844 81 00 / 80 99 (Mon–Fri 7:00–15:00). Pushchairs may not be taken into the buildings. |
