A stay in Auschwitz can be planned around a wide range of themes: visiting the camps, the history of Oświęcim, city life along the Soła, and natural attractions in the surrounding area. A standard guided tour of the Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau sites and buildings takes about three and a half hours. Allow enough time for your visit and check the museum’s latest information beforehand, as visitor information may change.
The remains of the camps are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This designation applies to the preserved evidence. When choosing your stay, it is worth treating the visit as a separate item on your itinerary and setting aside time for other, distinct aspects of the city as well.
City History, Museums, and Architecture
The Muzeum Zamek in Oświęcim presents the city’s history in several ways: a permanent exhibition is complemented by themed temporary exhibitions and events. This gives the museum visit a broader scope than a single exhibition and makes both changing themes and the permanently displayed city history relevant.
The Jewish Museum opens the Chewra Lomdei Misznajot Synagogue to visitors. It also offers educational programs about the Jewish community of Oświęcim. The synagogue and educational work therefore have different focuses: one concerns a specific place, while the other addresses the history and community to which the programs relate.
Other historical themes can be found in architecture and collections. Oświęcim Castle has a Gothic tower dating from around the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. In Grojec, the Skansen Pszczelarski open-air beekeeping museum has more than 70 exhibits, including beekeeping equipment dating from the beginning of the 20th century onward. The two examples represent different ways of exploring the past: architectural history at the castle and the development of beekeeping through objects.
River, City, and Nature
Bulwary Park is a recreational area along the Soła, right next to Oświęcim’s market square and castle. Here, the river landscape and central city landmarks are close together. The Szlak Murali offers a different view of the city: the route leads to a unique collection of monumental murals on buildings in various parts of the city. Individual murals may change, so this route offers a different city experience from exploring the historical collections.
One nature attraction is the Żaki forest nature reserve. It covers 17.52 hectares and is located near Stawy Monowskie in the Dwory Drugie district. When planning your visit, it is helpful to distinguish this specific protected area from the city’s recreational spots and named routes: each offers a different focus, from the river and park to murals and the forest area.
The distances also set the excursion options apart. The 54-kilometer Szlak Zabytków Ziemi Oświęcimskiej runs through the Oświęcim commune. The Grojec Tarniówka–Grojec Bugaj cycling route is considerably shorter, at 4.9 kilometers. At Dwory II, the 15.5-kilometer lock and navigable canal on the Vistula are a tourist attraction. This means there is a long route through the commune, a considerably shorter cycling route, and the lock with its navigable canal, offering different excursion options.
Planning Your Journey and Stay
Oświęcim is an important railway junction with access to InterCity and EuroCity services. If you plan to arrive by train, check the timetables for your specific travel dates. For the rest of your plans, it can help to first allow time for the guided tour and then decide which city or nature attractions you would like to add.
Discover more destinations: Skidzin, Kęty, Brzeszcze, Jawiszowice, Bielany, Grojec, Zator, Nowa Wieś, Łęki.
For the broader travel overview: Lesser Poland.
