Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest of Nazi Germany’s concentration camps. Located in German-occupied southern Poland, it took its name from the nearby town of Oświęcim, situated about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from Katowice. The complex consisted of three main camps: Auschwitz I — the administrative centre; Auschwitz II (Birkenau) — an extermination camp; and Auschwitz III (Monowitz) — a work camp. On this guided tour of Auschwitz II-Birkenau, discover the terrifying but touching site where at least 1.1 million people were killed, 90% of them Jews from almost every European country. See the gas chambers where the vast majority were slaughtered using Zyklon B, and learn more about the Holocaust with your English-speaking guide. Hear about the most important original objects at Birkenau, and visit the permanent exhibition and original buildings on the grounds of the main camp (Auschwitz). Pay your respects and take some moments for reflection in a place laden with historic horrors.  With this tour, both skip-the-line entrance tickets and hotel pickup and drop-off in Katowice are included. However, if you are staying in a hostel, Airbnb, or any form of private residence, you will have to make your way to the meeting point at the local partner's office in the city center to begin your tour.

Meet your driver and get picked up from your accommodation in Warsaw in the early morning. This private trip starts the day with a drive to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. When you arrive at the site, you will embark on a 3.5 hours guided group tour of Auschwitz and Birkenau with a guide speaking your chosen language. Start in the Auschwitz concentration camp and learn about how it was established by German Nazis on the outskirts of the town Oswiecim in 1940. After the war, the camp was turned into a museum displaying evidence of the genocide, which you will have the opportunity to browse. In the museum watch a film made after the liberation of the camp shown in various languages. After spending time in Auschwitz head over to the Birkenau section of the concentration camp. Discover how, in 1941, the German Nazis established a new camp called Auschwitz II Birkenau. In 1942-1945, approximately 1.5 million people lived and died here. Most of them (90%) were Jews, others were Poles, Gypsies, Russians, and prisoners from 28 countries of Europe. In 1979, Auschwitz–Birkenau Concentration Camp was listed as a UNESCO World Culture and National Heritage Site. Depart Auschwitz-Birkenau for a 1.5 hours journey to Krakow. You will have three hours of free time to see the Main Market Square in Krakow, the biggest Medieval old town square in Europe. In the Old Town you can also see Wawel Hill where the Cathedral and the Royal Castle are, the Town Hall Tower, St. Mary’s Basilica, Krakow Barbican and Sukiennice, famously known as the Cloth Hall, thousands of bars and delightful regional restaurants, many historic buildings, and horse-driven cabs. During the trip there will be time to eat lunch in a restaurant. You will get picked up after your time in Krakow and returned to Warsaw where you will be dropped off at your accommodation in the evening.

After being picked up from your hotel by an English-speaking driver, you will make your way to your express train that will transfer you directly to Krakow. From here you will explore such sites as the Royal Castle, the Royal Cathedral, the Market Square, Cloth Hall, St. Florian's Gate and Kazimierz. After exploring Krakow, you will engage in a slightly different experience, being transferred by minibus to Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Following your 1.5 hour trip, you will join a small group of approximately 20 people and enter the gate of the Museum with a live guide. After visiting the museum, you will be transported back to Krakow railway station where you will board your train back to Warsaw.