If you plan to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, the most important thing to know is: entry is possible only with a named admission card. Due to high demand these cards are limited, so it is best to reserve them in advance online. Since the beginning of May 2025, free admission cards for independent visitors have been available only through the online reservation system — so plan your date ahead.
A typical visit takes about 3.5 hours and includes two separate parts: Auschwitz I (the more frequently guided route) and Auschwitz II–Birkenau, which lies a few kilometers further on. Guided tours follow a timetable; in high season there are more guided slots, while in quieter months the schedule may be less frequent. If you are not joining a guided tour, check the times when self-guided visits are allowed (at some hours only guided entries are permitted).
Practical tips: - Arrive at least 30 minutes before your entry time (this is often recommended by staff). - Large luggage is not allowed inside the Museum; leave big suitcases in your vehicle or at a luggage storage point. - Security checks are in force (similar to airport screening). - Photography is allowed in most outdoor areas, but in some buildings photos are prohibited — follow staff and guide instructions. - Do not eat or drink alcohol inside museum buildings.
Accessibility and visitors with special needs: the Museum offers support for blind and partially sighted visitors (for example Braille descriptions and adapted materials). If you need special assistance or have questions about accessibility, contact the Visitor Services Department before your visit.
Dogs at the Memorial: the general rule is that animals are not permitted. The exception is assistance dogs — for visitors who are blind or require assistance, entry with an assistance dog is possible upon presenting appropriate training documentation and up-to-date vaccination records; the dog must be on a lead. If you travel with a pet, plan a safe place for it outside the museum grounds (hotel, pet care, or in the car following applicable rules).
The Prince Czartoryski Museum is one of the most valuable branches of the National Museum in Kraków. Before you go, check current opening hours and ticketing rules — the museum sells tickets for a specific day and time, and Tuesdays are sometimes free entry days for permanent exhibitions. The most convenient option is to buy tickets online via the National Museum ticketing pages.
What to expect during your visit: - The museum displays a rich collection of paintings and applied arts; one of the most famous works is Leonardo da Vinci’s "Lady with an Ermine". - Last admission to exhibitions usually takes place around 40 minutes before closing. - Tickets are often available combined with other branches of the National Museum — check current offers if you plan to visit several sites in one day.
Practical advice: - Tickets are often time-specific, so when planning combined visits (for example Wawel + Czartoryski) allow time to walk between sites. - The museum has a cloakroom but large backpacks may be restricted — leave bigger bags at your accommodation if possible. - Reduced prices are frequently available for families, youth and students; people aged 7 to 26 may be eligible for special discounts — check the ticketing rules when you purchase.
This is one of the most common questions: people want to take their dog for a walk around Wawel and the nearby areas. A good general rule when planning your visit is: - You can usually walk with your dog in the outdoor areas of Wawel Hill (the embankments, some courtyards), provided the dog is on a lead and the owner cleans up after it. - Domestic pets are generally not allowed inside museum interiors, exhibitions or Wawel Cathedral. The exception is assistance dogs or other animals entitled to access under disability regulations.
Why assume the pet will not be admitted inside: - Interiors hold valuable artifacts and sacred spaces where special conservation rules apply and where respect for worshippers is required. - Many museums and religious sites explicitly accept only assistance dogs inside.
Practical plan if you travel with a dog: - Arrange short care for your dog while you visit interiors (hotel, pet sitter, day-care), or split your visit: first walk the exteriors and embankments with your dog, then leave it in care while you tour indoor spaces. - Always carry poop bags, water and a lead; polite, responsible behavior makes future visits with pets easier in public spaces. - If you have an assistance dog, bring the required documents and vaccination records.
Sample plan starting from Kraków: - Morning: depart for Oświęcim (Auschwitz) — because of the visit length and logistics it’s best to reserve most of the morning and part of the afternoon for this trip. - If you return to Kraków the same day: enjoy a light walk around the Main Market Square and have dinner in the evening. - Alternative: make Auschwitz a separate day, and on another day focus on Wawel and the Prince Czartoryski Museum (they are close to each other — a short walk from the Market Square).
Some logistical notes: - Transport: trains and buses run between Kraków and Oświęcim; if you take an organized trip, check whether transport is included. - Time allocation: plan 3–4 hours for Auschwitz; budget another 2–4 hours for Wawel, the hill museums and the Cathedral. - Reservations: book Auschwitz tickets and time-specific tickets for other exhibitions (for example the Czartoryski Museum) in advance, especially during the tourist season. - Dress: you will visit a site of remembrance and religious spaces — dress modestly. Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking on uneven surfaces.
If you want to save time: consider combined National Museum tickets (if you plan to visit multiple branches) and buy timed online entry for Auschwitz — this avoids uncertainty and long waits.
Can I buy Auschwitz tickets on site? - In practice the number of entries is limited and free cards for independent visitors have recently been available mainly via the online reservation system; it is better to plan and get them online.
How long does a standard Auschwitz visit take? - Approximately 3.5 hours (the route covers both camps: Auschwitz I and Birkenau).
Does the Czartoryski Museum have a fixed schedule and timed ticketing? - Yes, the National Museum sells tickets for specific days and times; Tuesdays are sometimes free for the permanent exhibitions — check before you arrive.
Can I bring a dog to Wawel? - Assistance dogs are generally allowed where the law provides for them; pet dogs are usually not permitted inside museum interiors or the Cathedral. Outdoor parts of Wawel Hill generally allow dogs on leads, but always confirm before your visit.
What should I bring to Auschwitz? - ID (tickets are often named), comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, a charged phone, and an attitude of respect and quiet — this is a place of memory and reflection.
After a day of sightseeing it’s nice to relax over a meal. Around Wawel and the Main Market you’ll find many places ranging from traditional Polish cuisine to cafés and small bistros. A few practical ideas: - For traditional Polish dishes near Wawel, look around the Zaułek area and Grodzka Street — there are several restaurants serving classics (expect longer waits in high season). - Well-known options on and near the Old Town include Wierzynek (historic restaurant), Pod Aniołami and Pod Wawelem Kompania Kuflowa for hearty regional dishes. - For coffee and desserts try Café Camelot or small cafés on the Old Town streets — perfect for recharging after the morning trip. - If you travel with a dog and want to sit outdoors, choose places with garden seating — many will allow dogs outside (always ask the staff first).
Culinary note: local specialties worth trying in Kraków include obwarzanek, żurek, pierogi and Kraków-style cheesecake (sernik krakowski). If you want specific recommendations tailored to your tastes (vegetarian, traditional, quick lunch), I can suggest a few well-tested addresses.
- Have you reserved Auschwitz cards/tickets online and do you have them printed or available in an app? - Check opening hours of the Prince Czartoryski Museum and whether you need a time-specific ticket. - If you travel with a dog: bring vaccination records, poop bags, a lead and a care plan for the time you visit interiors. - Arrive 30–40 minutes before your Auschwitz entry time (staff often recommend early arrival). - Charged phone, comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for memorial and sacred sites. - ID documents — these may be needed to confirm reservations. - If you plan to combine several attractions in one day — check walking times between sites and luggage storage options.
If you’d like, I can prepare a personalized one- or two-day itinerary (hours, transfers, meal breaks) — tell me your travel dates and preferences and I’ll draft a step-by-step plan.
Good luck with your planning! I hope these tips make organizing your visit easier and let you focus on the experience — I’m happy to help refine the details.
