What to do in Oświęcim?

Oświęcim's main draw is the emotionally powerful Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Museum, but the town also offers a chance to explore its Jewish heritage at the Auschwitz Jewish Center, walk the charming Old Town Market Square, visit the Oświęcim Castle, or enjoy nature along the Soła River path for a more peaceful experience after the intense memorial visit.

Is there anything to do around Auschwitz?

One of the most common things to do in Oswiecim is visit Jewish Museum and Synagogue. Tick this leading attraction off your agenda, then discover more of this area's history and culture.

What to do in Oswiecim besides Auschwitz?

Top Attractions in Oswiecim

• Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau. 4.7. (14,932) Historic Sites. ...
• Oszpicin Muzeum Żydowskie. 4.5. (401) History Museums. ...
• Main Market Square. 4.3. (214) ...
• Zamek Museum. 4.5. (20) ...
• Auschwitz-birkenau. 4.4. (9) ...
• Planty Park. 4.6. (35) ...
• Life Festival Oswiecim. 5.0. (4) ...
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 4.4. (8)

What do you do at Auschwitz?

Inside the Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp, you can see the remains of barracks, gas chambers, and crematoria, as well as exhibitions of artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the stories of the people who were imprisoned there.

Can I wear jeans to Auschwitz?

Avoid tank tops, shorts, miniskirts or ripped clothing as it seems too casual or revealing for such a place. T-shirts, long pants or jeans will allow you to focus on the site rather than stand out. When I visited Auschwitz Birkenau I saw someone wearing a neon tank top and shorts.

Visiting Auschwitz - all you need to know

What not to do when visiting Auschwitz?

Behave or speak publicly in a manner: a) violating the good name of KL Auschwitz victims; b) negating Nazi crimes; c) defaming the Memorial Site; d) encouraging hatred of any kind. 17. Carry out manifestations of offensive, provocative or political nature.

Are trainers ok for Auschwitz?

The ground, especially at Auschwitz-Birkenau, is very uneven. We strongly advise against wearing any form of heeled shoe or light trainers such as converse. Waterproofs / umbrella.

Why can't you take pictures at Auschwitz?

Material may be used only in undertakings and projects that do not violate the good name of the Victims of Auschwitz. Photography and filming on the Museum grounds for commercial purposes, at spaces closed to visitors or with a drone, require prior approval by the Museum.

What does an upside down b mean?

A sign of courage and the will to live

A cynical lie: the inscription above the main gate of Auschwitz I concentration camp: “ARBEIT MACHT FREI” (work makes you free). When the SS ordered them to make this sign, the prisoners placed their hidden message in the word “ARBEIT”: they turned the letter “B” upside down.

Who was the girl who escaped Auschwitz?

Mala Zimetbaum, the first woman and the first Jewish woman to escape from Auschwitz-Birkenau, was born on January 26, 1918, in Brzesko, Poland, the fifth and youngest daughter of Pinhas and Chaya Zimetbaum.

Do and don'ts in Poland?

While some people are open to discussion, it's best to avoid controversial opinions or jokes unless you're invited into the conversation. Don't drink alcohol in public places. Unlike some countries, public drinking is not allowed in most parks, streets, or squares in Poland.

Can you walk from Oświęcim to Auschwitz?

Yes, you can walk to Auschwitz from the train station. The walk from Oswiecim train station to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is about 2 km and takes approximately 30 minutes. It is a well-marked path with clear signs for most of the way. It also has a dedicated pedestrian path for most of the way.

What is the prettiest town in Poland?

• Ranking of the most beautiful cities in Poland. Number 1: Krakow. Number 2: Wroclaw. Number 3: Gdansk. Number 4: Warsaw. Number 5: Torun. Number 6: Poznan. Number 7: Lublin. Number 8: Sandomierz. Number 9: Kazimierz Dolny. Number 10: Zamosc. Number 11: Szczecin. Number 12: Olsztyn. Number 13: Sopot. Number 14: Gdynia. ...
• Summary.

What is the best month to visit Auschwitz?

What is the Best Time to Visit Auschwitz and How to Skip the Queues? Fewer Crowds: The site is quieter from November to March. Visit at 8 a.m. or late in the day for fewer crowds, as mornings and early afternoons are typically crowded with large groups.

Is there food at Auschwitz?

There are no cafes or restaurants on the grounds of the Auschwitz Memorial site and you are not able to take in or eat any food or drink on the grounds either. However, there is a cafe in the car park and vending machines for you to grab a bite to eat either at the start or end of your visit.

Is Auschwitz closed in April 2025?

Visitors planning a trip to Auschwitz should be aware of museum closures and increased crowds in April: April 24, 2025 – The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum will be closed due to the March of the Living. April 20, 2025 – The museum will also be closed for Easter Sunday.

Was Schindler's List actually filmed in Auschwitz?

To avoid filming inside the actual death camp, the film crew constructed a replica of a portion of the camp just outside the entrance of Birkenau. There were some antisemitic incidents. A woman who encountered Fiennes in his Nazi uniform told him: "The Germans were charming people.

How many Auschwitz survivors are still alive in 2025?

Updated for 2025, the study reveals approximately 220,800 Holocaust survivors are still living across more than 90 countries.

What did the letter Z mean in Auschwitz?

The tattoo was the prisoner's camp entry number, sometimes with a special symbol added: some Jews had a triangle, and Romani had the letter "Z" (from German Zigeuner for "Gypsy").

Why are pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night illegal?

The tower's copyright has expired, so daytime images can be used for any purpose. At night, it's a different story. The tower's light installation (1985) is still protected under copyright. So, if you take and share a nighttime picture of the Eiffel Tower, you could be subject to copyright violations.

Can you use your phone in Auschwitz?

Use mobile phones for telephone conversations in the exhibition buildings included in the tour and the silence zone in the courtyard of Block 11. j. Record and take photographs in buildings using flash and tripods. Recording and taking photographs is completely forbidden in Block 4 Room 5 and underground Block 11.

Do I need to bring my passport to Auschwitz?

Yes, you will be asked to present your ID document before entering museum.

How many Holocaust survivors are still alive?

In addition to former inmates of concentration camps, ghettos, and prisons, this definition includes, among others, people who were refugees or were in hiding. The Registry of Holocaust Survivors currently contains the names of over 195,000 survivors and family members and we are adding more every day.

How much does it cost to visit Auschwitz?

Visiting the memorial

Visits to the memorial site (Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau) are free of charge. Due to the large volume of visitors, visitors are now only permitted to visit the memorial site without a guide at certain times.

How far is Krakow to Auschwitz?

Auschwitz-Birkenau is just under 70km from the centre of Kraków and will take just over an hour via the A4.