Do you want to visit Auschwitz and are looking for information to plan your visit? You are in the right place!
In this article we will look together at the best time to visit the camp and the time of day that might best suit your needs.
clearly, Auschwitz-Birkenau is a place of tremendous historical importance, a symbol of the memory of the sad Nazi genocide against the Jewish population and the extermination of so many others.
Not surprisingly, already in the immediate postwar period people began to think about, and use the camp as a museum to keep the memory alive.
So, as we said, are you wondering what is the best time to visit Auschwitz? Continue reading to find out!
ALT! Before we go any further, let me provide you with a valuable tip: to really absorb the teachings of this place to the fullest, it is really advisable to provide yourself with priority access, so that you can avoid the long lines at the entrance to the museum-camp, and the accompaniment of an experienced guide so that you can intensely experience the camp in all its parts, starting right from the famous inscription “Arbeit Macht Frei.”
Ticket to Auschwitz-Birkenau (skip the line)
Purchase online. Choose the time of your choice. Visit the prisoner barracks, infamous gas chambers and crematoria on your own.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
Table of Contents
The best time to visit Auschwitz
Visiting the camp in different seasons can mean taking in different nuances of the same experience. Each period obviously has its advantages and disadvantages, so personal taste can influence the choice of when to visit Auschwitz.
So let’s go over the pros and cons of each season.
Visiting Auschwitz in the summer (June-August)
Definitely summer is one of the most popular months to visit the camp. You can in fact count on longer and brighter days, and consequently Auschwitz also observes longer opening hours.
Not to mention that the temperatures are higher and more pleasant than in winter. However, not all that glitters is gold: you will have to take into account the risk of crowding, especially if you visit the site on the weekend.
To avoid this, I recommend that you show up very early, at the opening of the camp, so you’ll be able to avoid crowds and high temperatures; in any case, I suggest you bring water with you and protect yourself with sunscreen, because in August the maximum temperature could reach over 26°C.
Visiting Auschwitz in winter (November-March)
From November to March the temperature is much colder and snowfall is frequent, especially in December and January.
However, the winter period offers some advantages: the atmosphere is definitely more atmospheric than in summer, not to mention that you will find fewer people inside the museum-camp.
However, you will have to take into account that the winter hours are much reduced compared to the summer ones.
In addition, temperatures also reach below freezing frequently, so you will need to dress appropriately to withstand the cold and with shoes suitable for the snow or wet ground of the camp.
Visit the camp in spring and fall (April-May, September-October)
The spring and fall periods might be the right fit: temperatures are neither too cold nor too hot, and you will almost certainly avoid snowfall. Also, rain is not very frequent during this period.
Camp attendance does not reach the peaks of July and August. If you have the opportunity to arrange your visit during these off-season periods, you will certainly be able to find the right balance between weather and visiting conditions.
Priority ticket to Auschwitz-Birkenau
Purchase online. Choose the time of your choice. Visit the prisoner barracks, infamous gas chambers and crematoria on your own.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
Days of the week when the camp is less crowded
Days of the week
Notwithstanding the previous indications (higher attendance in summer and lower attendance in winter), some days are definitely more advisable than others.
Being able to visit Auschwitz without large crowds means a more intimate and certainly deeper experience.
This is why we recommend, regardless of the season, to opt for a weekday, possibly Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which, being in the middle of the week, are the least popular.
The busiest days are holidays, especially weekends.
The best time to visit the Auschwitz camp
ID 345337997 | Auschwitz © Wirestock | Dreamstime.com
Morning visit
The best time of day to enter the camp is early in the morning, possibly entering in the very first hour or even showing up a few minutes before opening.
After a short time, in fact, queues begin to form and then the museum-camp begins to fill up.
Opting for early morning access also gives you plenty of time to take your time visiting both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II – Birkenau, regardless of the period you choose to visit.
If you are planning to make arrangements to arrive at Auschwitz in the summer, know that you will also have the advantage of avoiding the warmer temperatures of the midday to 3 p.m. time slot.
Afternoon visit
An afternoon visit could also be advantageous, considering that many visitors will have already left Auschwitz.
Above all, it could be an ideal choice for those arriving from further away.
But beware It depends on the time of year you are considering making arrangements: in winter, in fact, the hours are reduced(in December you will only be able to stay inside the camp until 3:30 p.m.), so you risk not having enough time for a full visit.
In the summer months, on the other hand, you will be able to avoid too high temperatures that characterize the lunch hours, however, always check the closing times of the camp.
When to go to Auschwitz-Birkenau: Frequently asked questions
Only one day is sufficient to visit Auschwitz. For a complete visit it is advisable to devote about three and a half hours, divided between the two camps. However, there are also visits divided over two days with the accompaniment of a guide, but generally at a somewhat higher price.
It is convenient to adapt clothing to the chosen season. Winter assumes warm clothing, with shoes suitable for snow. During summer, on the other hand, you can wear lighter clothing, although comfortable, waterproof shoes are always advisable, considering the possibility of rain. Finally, it is a good idea to avoid clothing that may be inappropriate for the place you are visiting, such as clothes that are too garish or too short.
A one-way trip from Krakow to Auschwitz costs approximately 210 zloty, or 50 euros.
It is not possible to visit Auschwitz without a reservation: it is mandatory. It can be done free of charge; however, we do not recommend that you visit the camp on your own, because only with an experienced guide can you really grasp the deep sense of the place.In any case, even if you wish to visit the museum-camp on your own, I suggest that you reserve priority admission so that you can skip the queues that form as early as the first hour of opening.
Conclusions
We have come to the concluding part of our article: we have seen together the advantages and disadvantages of visiting Auschwitz depending on the season.
You have learned that it is convenient to try to access the museum-camp early in the morning, but that nevertheless the afternoon could also be a winning choice.
If you still have any doubts, please leave a comment below, and we would like to advise you to also read the other articles on our website so that you can find all the information you need to make the best arrangements.
Remember, then, that the success of the visit also depends on choosing the period best suited to your needs, and don’t forget to take into account the other useful information I mentioned.
In conclusion, I would like to remind you of the importance of reserving a guided tour: only in this way will you be able to have a truly complete and in-depth experience. It is our duty to continue to pass on what Auschwitz wants to tell: a precious testimony to be passed on generation after generation!
Ticket to Auschwitz-Birkenau (skip the line) with guided tour and transportation from Krakow
Purchase online. Choose the time of your choice. Visit the prisoner barracks, infamous gas chambers and crematoria on your own.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
