3. From Katowice: Auschwitz-Birkenau Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
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.