How to Plan Your Krakow: Auschwitz Guided Tour with Optional Lunch and Pickup

Krakow is one of the most beautiful cities in Poland, offering a fascinating history and a vibrant culture. While there’s much to see and do in the city, one of the most popular attractions nearby is the Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau. Here’s our guide to planning a Krakow: Auschwitz guided tour with optional lunch and pickup.

Experience

The tour is a 4-hour experience that includes pickup from selected hotels in Krakow, transport to the Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau, and a guided tour of the former concentration camp complex.

Itinerary

The tour begins with a pickup from your hotel in Krakow, and transport to the Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau. Once there, the tour consists of a 1.5-hour guided tour of Auschwitz I, followed by a break, and then a 1.5-hour guided tour of Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

After the tours, you’ll be transported back to Krakow, with a drop-off at the same place as the pickup.

Highlights

Here are some of the top highlights of the tour:

– Learn about the history of the largest concentration camp complex from World War II
– See personal belongings and objects of everyday use belonging to the prisoners
– Visit the ruins of the gas chambers, original barracks, and the railway prisoner unloading platform

Full Description

The Krakow: Auschwitz guided tour with optional lunch and pickup is a comprehensive experience that takes you to one of the most important historical sites in Europe. The tour is designed to give you a deeper understanding of the Holocaust and the Nazi concentration camps.

The tour begins with pickup from selected hotels in Krakow, and transport to the Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau. Once you arrive, you’ll join a group of other tourists for the guided tour.

The first part of the tour is focused on Auschwitz I, where you’ll see the main camp, the Wall of Death, and the Gestapo headquarters. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the history of the camp, and to see some of the personal belongings and objects of everyday use belonging to the prisoners.

After a break, you’ll move on to Auschwitz II-Birkenau, which was the largest extermination camp of the Holocaust. Here, you’ll see the ruins of the gas chambers, the original barracks, and the railway prisoner unloading platform. The guided tour is designed to give you a deeper understanding of the horrors that took place at the camp.

After the tours, you will be transported back to Krakow. If you choose the option with lunch, you will enjoy a traditional Polish meal in a nearby restaurant before returning to Krakow.

Includes

– Return air-conditioned transportation from Krakow
– Hotel pickup from selected hotels in Krakow
– Guided tour of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau
– Local guide or booklet in chosen language

Book Your Tour Here

To book your Krakow: Auschwitz guided tour with optional lunch and pickup, click on this link – book the tour here. We recommend booking in advance, as the tour is very popular and sells out quickly.

Conclusion

The Krakow: Auschwitz guided tour with optional lunch and pickup is an essential experience for anyone interested in the history of Europe. It’s a comprehensive tour that gives you a deeper understanding of the Holocaust and the Nazi concentration camps. By following our guide, you’ll be able to plan your tour with ease, ensuring that you get the most out of this unforgettable experience.

Insider’s Guide to Krakow, Poland

Krakow is a city in the southern part of Poland known for its rich cultural heritage, beautiful architecture, and historical landmarks. If you’re planning a visit to Krakow and are looking to explore the city and its surroundings, you’ll find plenty of things to see and do.

Local Attractions

Krakow is home to many historical landmarks that make the city an attractive destination. One popular attraction is the Royal Wawel Castle, which has been the center of political power in Poland for centuries. Another must-visit site is the Main Market Square, the largest medieval town square in Europe, which features stunning architecture, street performers, and street food vendors.

For a more somber but important historical visit, Auschwitz-Birkenau is a concentration camp memorial located about an hour and a half’s drive from Krakow. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a sobering reminder of the human horrors inflicted during the Holocaust. The guided tours provided help in explaining the history and context of what happened during World War II.

Dining Spots

Polish cuisine is hearty and comforting, with dishes such as pierogi, gołąbki, and kielbasa, but it also includes many vegetarian and vegan options. One of the best restaurants in the city is Wierzynek, established in 1364, which offers traditional Polish dishes and interior design. If you’re looking for something more casual, head to Plac Nowy in the Kazimierz district, an open-air marketplace that offers a variety of street food options such as zapiekanka (Polish pizza).

Cultural Experiences

Krakow has a lively cultural scene, with many theaters and music venues. One of the most famous is the Krakow Philharmonic, located in a beautifully restored concert hall that dates back to the 1930s. The Philharmonic hosts regular concerts throughout the year, so check the schedule in advance to catch a show.

Another experience is to visit the Salt Mine in Wieliczka, a UNESCO World Heritage site, located about half an hour’s drive from Krakow. This salt mine reaches around 327 metres underground and is home to an underground lake, chapels and artworks carved out of the salt rock by the miners.

Local History

Krakow has a lot of history dating back to the medieval and Renaissance periods. To get a better understanding of the city’s past, you can visit the Old Town and Wawel Castle, which was formerly home to Polish monarchs. The sprawling Kazimierz district includes several historic synagogues and cemeteries and you can walk around under the Jewish heritage trail.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Suggestions

If you’re looking to escape the crowds and explore some of Krakow’s less touristy areas, you can visit the Podgórze district. This area has beautiful parks, and a modern but abandoned sanatorium, Szwedzka 22, which welcomes exploring visitors. Another option is to go to the villages of Zalipie and Sucha Beskidzka to see the beautiful painted houses and churches.

In conclusion, Krakow has something for everyone, whether you want to explore its history and culture, enjoy traditional Polish cuisine or take in natural beauty. Happy exploring!