Tours from Krakow to Birkenau Camp are getting more popular among day tours from Krakow. More than a million tourists from around a world visit Auschwitz every year. It owes its popularity to its incredible importance for the history of World War II. Birkenau Concentration Camp Tour is an interesting option for those, who would like to have more time to visit Birkenau camp (Auschwitz II). If you wonder where is Birkenau located and what to expect from this camp, read some more info. 

Group Birkenau Camp tour with guide books

Birkenau Concentration Camp Tour in a group (up to 20 persons) is dedicated to people who would like to visit Birkenau Camp (Auschwitz II) with no rush. It’s also a unique chance to visit Monowitz (Auschwitz III) and “Fountain of Tears”. We provide hotel pick up and drop off in Krakow. If your accommodation is located in further districts of Krakow, we can arrange transport for additional cost. Our friendly, English-speaking driver will introduce you to Birkenau Concentration Camp Tour programme and will assist you through the whole journey. On a way to the place where is Birkenau located, we provide a 45-minutes documentary film titled „The liberation of Auschwitz” screened in our minibus.

Upon arrival, you’ll get a guide book in your own language. Don’t forget to inform us in advance, if you wish to have a guide book in any other language than English. The book, that is included in a price, will serve you as a local guide. Additionally, all exhibitions in Birkenau concentration camp are well posted, so you don’t need to be afraid to get lost. Birkenau Camp Tour is a great opportunity to visit camps in Birkenau and Monowitz precisely. It is specially recommended to people who would like to have time for quiet contemplation in a place of former concentration camp, where mover 1,1 million people have died. Also, if you’re mobility-impaired, this option will be much more convenient for you. It lets you visit the place in your pace, with no rush. 

Where is Birkeanu located?

Many visitors wonder where is Birkenau located. Auschwitz Birkenau State Museum in Oswiecim is divided into 2 main parts: Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II – Birkenau camp. Altogether, there were more than 40 camps created by Nazis. Birkenau concentration camp is located in Brzezinka village, 3 km away from Auschwitz concentration camp.

Birkenau camp was a place, where the most terrifying Jews extermination took place. It is estimated, that more than 1,1 million people have died in Auschwitz Birkenau camp. Also, it’s the only concentration camp that exists on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. 

During Birkenau Concentration Camp Tour you’ll see remains of the original camp buildings, as well as numerous reconstructions. Gas chambers crematoriums, barracks – all of these objects will tell you a horrifying history of Birkenau Camp.  

Due to our Birkenau Camp Tour, we enable visitors to fully familiarize with Birkenau Camp. You’ll have a chance to see and learn about objects that are the most interesting for you. 

Auschwitz III Monowitz

On our way to Birkenau concentration camp, we stop at Auschwitz III Monowitz – a former Auschwitz sub camp. It was created next to synthetic rubber factory with German workers. However, soon it had become another concentration Auschwitz sub camp. Prisoners who were working in Monowitz had to deal with an extremely hard work and constant hunger. Those, who were seek or simply not able to work more, were immediately sent to gas chambers in Birkenau Camp. Around 10 000 inmates died because of draining work in Monowitz. There are still ruins of SS barracks in Monowitz today. The camp lays 3 km from the place where is Birkenau located.

Before entering Auschwitz III Monowitz, our driver will introduce you to the most important information about the place.

Visiting Birkenau concentration camp – useful information

Tour from Krakow to Birkenau camp is not a usual visit in another museum. It’s the memorial place, where more than a million people have died. Please, keep in mind that all visitors are required to behave appropriately while visiting Birkenau camp

There are also some restrictions regarding maximum size of your carry-on. It cannot exceed the following dimensions: 30 x 20 x 10 cm. If you need to take bigger bag, you can leave it in our car for the time of visiting.  

Taking pictures in Birkenau concentration camp is allowed if it’s only for private use.  

There is no limitation regarding the age of visitors to Birkenau camp. However, due to dreadful character of the place, it’s not recommended to visit the place with children under 14 years old.

Birkenau State Museum provides facilities for visitors with mobility problems – wheelchairs of size allowing to move around the grounds and buildings. If you need a wheelchair, our driver will help you to arrange it.

Food is generally not allowed, but you can buy a snack, sandwich or coffee before entering the main area of Birkenau camp State Museum.  

“Fountain of Tears”

“Fountain of Tears” is an artistic expression of Canadian artist Rick Wienecke. He moved to Israel, as he was fascinated by creation of the state and terrifying history of Jews. His exhibition in Birkenau is a touching representation of connection between Holocaust and Crucifixion of Jesus. He felt obliged to commemorate the suffering of Jewish nation. 

It’s an 18 meters long wall divided into 7 panels by six stone pillars. The panels represent different scenes from crucifixion of Jesus. In front of each panel, you’ll see bronze figures that embody Holocaust victims, their suffering and human tragedy.

Before entering “Fountain of Tears”, you’ll need to walk through the labyrinth  called “Hallway of questions”. It’s a darkened room with 8 unique reliefs – they represent  7 crucial questions and one answer. “Fountain of Tears” is for sure an interesting addition to the Birkenau Concentration Camp tour.

Brikenau Camp tours from Krakow

Krakow Direct offers tours from Krakow to Auschwitz in different combinations. Our regular Auschwitz Tour includes two parts of the camp (Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau) and it lasts for 6,5 – 7 hours. Birkenau Camp Tour includes visit in a place where is Birkenau located (where you’ll have more time than during the regular tour) and short visit in Monowitz. However, the whole trip is shorter, as it takes 5,5 – 6 hours.

Another interesting option for people who visit Krakow is Auschwitz Birkenau and Wieliczka Slat Mine in one day. After regular visit in Auschwitz our driver will take you to Wieliczka Salt Mine, where you’ll see a world-class landmark from the 13th century. The whole journey takes about 10 hours.

Auschwitz Birkenau and Schindler’s Factory tour is another combination of two important places for Jews during the World War II. As concentration camps in Oswięcim were places of Jews annihilation, Schindler’s Factory was a place of their salvage. Discover an amazing story of enamel factory of Oscar Schindler, which is now turned into museum. The whole journey takes about 8 hours.

The last but not least variant is Auschwitz Birkenau and John Paul II one day tour. It mixes a visit in Auschwitz with visit in the most important places connected with pope John Paul II – Wadowice, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and Lagiewniki. The whole journey takes around 9 – 10 hours.