Yes — it is possible to visit Auschwitz and Zakopane in a single weekend, but it requires a thoughtful plan. Both places are popular and deliver very different emotional and logistical experiences: Auschwitz is a memorial that needs time, silence and respect, while Zakopane is mountain relaxation, outdoor activity and culinary pleasures. I strongly recommend spreading the trip over at least two days so the whole visit doesn’t feel like a checklist.
If you have only one free day, choose a priority — a guided visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum usually takes about 3–4 hours, and travel from Krakow to Oświęcim takes roughly 1–1.5 hours one way by car or bus. Getting to Zakopane takes about 2–2.5 hours. Combining both in a single day is physically possible but very tiring and leaves little time for reflection or rest.
Below you’ll find concrete sample plans and practical tips about tickets, transport, food and common mistakes — all so your weekend is safe, comfortable and meaningful.
First, book tickets for the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum — in high season time slots book up many days in advance. No ticket can ruin the plan for a given day.
Consider your priorities: do you want to focus on the memorial or on the mountains? If you want both, decide which part of the day you will spend at each attraction. It is often sensible to plan the visit to Oświęcim in the morning or before noon and travel to Zakopane in the evening, or the other way around — an early morning trip to the mountains and an afternoon visit to the museum.
Also reserve accommodation and transport in advance — buses and minibuses on the Krakow–Zakopane and Krakow–Oświęcim routes can be full on weekends and in season. If you plan to travel by train, check timetables and transfer times carefully, because connections can lengthen the total travel time.
Car: the greatest flexibility and space for luggage. The Krakow–Zakopane drive takes about 2–2.5 hours depending on traffic, and Krakow–Oświęcim usually 1–1.5 hours. Remember that parking in Zakopane and near popular sites is often paid and crowded.
Bus/Minibus: a comfortable and popular option, especially if you prefer not to drive. Companies operate direct routes between the cities, and many organized trips combine transfers with sightseeing. For organized departures check the meeting point and expected arrival time at the museum so you don’t miss your reserved slot.
Train: good connections between major towns, but often requires transfers and walking to meeting points or bus stops. If you choose the train, allow time for transfer from the station to your meeting point.
A typical visit includes both Auschwitz I (the original camp) and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. A guide leads the group through memorial sites, museum exhibitions and camp infrastructure while explaining historical context. The full visit usually lasts about 3–4 hours — this includes transfer time between the two parts.
Maintain silence and respect. This is not a tourist attraction in the usual sense. Photography is restricted in many places — please follow signs and staff instructions.
Prepare emotionally — the visit can be moving and mentally draining. Plan some rest after returning, especially if you plan active mountain activities the same weekend.
Tickets: reserve in advance through the official booking system. Availability can be limited during peak season.
Baggage: many tours and rules limit size of backpacks and bags allowed on site — small bags are usually permitted, larger ones may need to be left in your car or in a cloakroom if available.
Children: the museum often discourages participation of children under 14 because of the difficult subject matter. Check current guidelines before buying tickets.
Day 1: Depart Krakow early for Oświęcim, visit the museum (3–4 hours), then travel to Krakow or continue to Zakopane in the evening. If you go to Zakopane directly from Oświęcim, prepare for a long travel day and book accommodation in Zakopane.
Day 2: Mountains — stroll along Krupówki and take an easy outing such as the Gubałówka funicular or a short hike in the Kościeliska Valley. Return to Krakow in the evening or stay longer in the Tatras.
This schedule gives time for reflection after the museum visit and recovery in the pleasant mountain atmosphere.
If you have only one day and cannot split the plan into two days, choose one place as a priority. If you pick Auschwitz, aim to arrive at the start time of your tour and have tickets reserved. After the visit avoid strenuous mountain activities on the same day.
If the mountains are your priority, plan Zakopane with one short outing and save the museum for another trip — a visit to a site as important as Auschwitz benefits from sufficient time and reflection.
Remember that trying to "do everything" in one day usually results in superficial experiences and fatigue.
In Krakow choose well-known, trusted places: historic restaurants around the Main Market Square such as Wierzynek offer both culinary experience and atmosphere, and in Kazimierz you’ll find many cafés and smaller restaurants serving local and international cuisine.
In Zakopane try traditional mountain inns (karczmy) for regional dishes: kwaśnica, oscypek and potato pancakes are local specialties — pick well-rated places with a tradition and, in season, consider reserving a table for the evening.
In Oświęcim and the surrounding area there are simple eateries serving home-style lunches — useful if you plan a break after the museum visit. In every location, prefer venues with good reviews and reliable service.
Auschwitz and Birkenau are extensive — there are several kilometers between the main parts, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time for walking. Many tours include transfers, but walking is possible and gives a different perspective.
Weather in Zakopane can change quickly — even in summer evenings can be cool. Pack a light jacket and layers.
Keep in mind that memorial sites are regularly updated in terms of exhibitions and visitor services; organizers and museums sometimes introduce new visiting rules, so check the latest information shortly before you travel.
Not securing tickets for Auschwitz — buy tickets in advance or reserve a timeslot and check cancellation rules.
Underestimating travel times — seasonal traffic and weekend crowds can lengthen journeys, especially to Zakopane. Plan buffers between schedule items.
Ignoring the emotional weight of visiting a memorial site — don’t treat it as just another attraction. Allow time for reflection and rest after leaving the museum.
Can I buy an Auschwitz ticket on site? Sometimes there are tickets available at the ticket office, but slots may be sold out — the risk is real, especially in peak season.
Can I take photos in the museum? Photography is allowed in most areas except exhibits and spaces where it’s explicitly forbidden. Always follow signage and staff instructions.
Is it wise to combine an Auschwitz tour with other attractions? Yes, but only if you allow enough time and recovery; people planning a museum visit should avoid intense activities right afterward.
Current opening hours of the Museum and rules about baggage and participation — check the museum’s official information shortly before travel.
Timetables for buses and trains and seasonal connections to Zakopane.
Weather forecast and any mountain restrictions if you plan hikes.
Combining Zakopane and Auschwitz in a weekend is possible, but it requires respect, common sense and a realistic plan. The best result comes from separating the two types of visits in time — one place for reflection, the other for rest and energy.
If you want the trip arranged smoothly and without stress, consider arranging it with local guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact information is available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com site. Local help will save time and ensure the program matches your expectations.
If you found this guide useful — share it with friends or on social media so others can better plan their weekend.
