This is one of the first questions I hear from families: should you visit the Memorial Site during the holiday season and should you take children there? The answer isn’t straightforward — it depends on the child’s age, emotional maturity and the purpose of the trip. The Museum does not recommend visits for children under 14, but many families still choose to go with teenagers after careful preparation. During holidays you should also remember the days the Museum is closed and possible changes in opening hours, so planning ahead is absolutely essential.
If you decide to come on major religious holidays or long weekends, consider whether it might be better to pick a quieter day outside the peak dates. Alternatively — plan part of the day around gentler activities in the town of Oświęcim so that the Museum visit is only one element of the day.
Remember that this is a place of remembrance — it is not an "entertainment attraction." Even if you choose a shorter or more age-adjusted route, the emotions and content can be difficult, so leave time afterwards to rest and talk.
In short: it’s worth going if the child is ready and you prepare them well; during the holidays plan even more carefully and have alternative ideas for the day.
Entry passes to the Museum are personal and places are limited — book in advance through the official reservation system. Dates near holidays fill up quickly, so if you’re visiting at Christmas, Easter or a long weekend, make reservations as early as possible.
Check days when the Museum is closed. The Museum is closed on certain days (for example 1 January, 25 December and some other holiday dates) and opening hours change with the season — winter hours may be shorter, summer hours longer. Also allow time for travel and arrive at the ticket desk about 30 minutes before your scheduled entry, as recommended by the Museum.
If you plan to visit independently (without an educator), check whether individual entry is available that day — some time slots are reserved for self-guided visits with free passes.
Practical tip: print or keep a digital copy of your booking confirmation, bring identity documents and remember that reservations for school groups and special education programs are sometimes handled separately.
There is no single age that fits all children, but here are helpful cues: think about how your child reacts to difficult stories on TV or in books; whether they can focus on serious topics for longer periods; whether they ask about wars, people and injustice. If you have doubts about your child’s sensitivity — start with preparatory materials and a conversation at home.
When traveling with a younger child, consider visiting parts of Oświęcim outside the camp first — the synagogue, the Jewish Museum, the castle, and the riverfront boulevards by the Soła. This lets you touch the city’s history in a gentler way and save the Museum visit for a time when the child (or the parents) feel better prepared.
If you come with teenagers, it’s worth choosing the route together and agreeing that you can stop the visit at any time. Arrange a short debrief afterwards — time for questions, emotions and quiet.
Practical rule: watch your child from the moment you arrive — if you see signs of tiredness or distress, don’t force yourself to “finish the route” at all costs.
Subject-matter and emotional preparation are the best gifts you can give a child before such a visit. Tell them briefly and honestly what the place is — without dramatizing, but with truth proportional to their age. For example: "This is a place where many people suffered, and we are going to remember and try to understand."
Use educational materials available before the visit — the Museum and Education Centre prepare publications and short texts to help parents explain the camp to children. For younger kids look for stories written specifically to avoid graphic detail while giving historical context.
After the visit give space for silence and questions. Don’t force an immediate conversation — sometimes children need a moment to process what they saw. Offer a walk, a cup of tea or a quiet place to talk. Answer briefly and honestly — if you don’t know an answer, say so and promise to find out together.
For parents: prepare short, straightforward answers for the hardest questions and remember you don’t have to cover every detail at once — the dialogue can continue for weeks.
If you’re looking for gentler but meaningful experiences in Oświęcim, there are several lovely options that help understand the city’s context and history without intense indoor exhibitions:
- The Synagogue and Jewish Museum — the restored synagogue and an exhibition devoted to the history of the Jewish community in Oświęcim. This place tells the story of everyday life before the war and complements the Memorial site.
- Oświęcim Castle (Castle Museum) — the city’s long history gives a different perspective. Interactive elements and the castle tower’s city views are often more accessible for children.
- The Soła riverfront boulevards, the market square and a stroll through the old town — these offer a breather and a normal human rhythm: playgrounds, cafés and local food.
- A themed walk with an app or a short guide about Jewish traces in the town — a calm and educational alternative to intense indoor touring.
These suggestions work well on a holiday when the Museum may be closed or when you want to spend less time on an emotionally heavy visit.
Important: all these places give chances to ask questions and talk with children in a more everyday rhythm, which helps process difficult content.
A sample plan that combines a Museum visit with gentler activities in town:
1) Morning: depart from Krakow — plan travel so you arrive in Oświęcim before midday. Check train and bus timetables and possible holiday delays.
2) Late morning: stroll the market square and visit the Castle or the Jewish Museum — a good way to introduce the child to the place’s context.
3) After lunch: visit the Memorial Site (if you have reserved entry passes). Choose a shorter route or a guided visit suited to age, if available.
4) After the visit: a peaceful walk by the Soła, coffee and time to talk — let emotions settle and summarize what you saw.
If the Museum is closed (holiday) — substitute: Castle + Jewish Museum + park time. Always have a backup plan, since holiday schedules can be unpredictable.
This schedule gives families flexibility and protects against emotional overload.
You can reach Oświęcim from Krakow by train, bus or car. Travel time depends on the connection — fast direct trains shorten the trip, while regional services are cheaper. By car the journey usually takes about 1.5 hours, but during holidays you may encounter altered schedules or heavier traffic.
The Oświęcim train station is not right next to the Memorial’s main entrance — count on a walk or a short taxi/bus ride from the station. When planning arrival time add an extra 20–30 minutes for transfer from the station to the entrance.
During holidays check train and bus timetables in advance because schedules can differ from regular weekdays. If driving, remember parking near the main entrance is limited.
Practical tip: check connections and buy transport tickets or reservations in advance where possible — it makes the day’s logistics smoother.
- Documents: personal entry passes and identity documents for visitors. Entry may be impossible without them.
- Clothing: dress in layers and wear comfortable clothes — the site is extensive and holiday weather can be changeable. In winter bring warm outerwear, in summer bring water and a hat.
- Strollers: strollers are not allowed in exhibition buildings — consider a baby carrier for infants. There are places on site to store larger luggage.
- Food and breaks: plan breaks and simple snacks outside exhibition buildings — children (and adults) can lose energy quickly in emotionally intense moments.
- Phone and camera: photography inside exhibitions can be restricted — check on site where photos are allowed and respect rules and other visitors.
- Children and safety: agree a simple plan in case you get separated (for example: meet at the café in the market square) and have contact numbers written in several places.
Maintain respect for the site and other visitors — silence and reflection are often the best way to show how important this visit is.
- Don’t try to make the visit "attractive" at the expense of truth — this place requires solemnity and respect. Even if it’s only one stop on a tourist day, treat it seriously.
- Give the child a choice: if you see the experience is too hard, stop the visit. A short, conscious visit is better than forcing it, which can discourage further conversations.
- If you prefer an educational setting — check the Museum’s educational materials and programs tailored to school groups and families. Even a short introduction before entering helps set the right mindset.
- After the visit offer relaxing activities — a walk, coffee, a historical comic for younger children or a quiet conversation. Remember that processing emotions takes time.
In the end — a trip to Oświęcim is an act of memory and learning. As a parent or guardian you influence how this experience shapes a child’s perception. Preparation, tact and respect are the best tools you can bring with you.
