Is Auschwitz open in January? Is it busy?

Auschwitz, known as the Auschwitz -Birkenau State Museum, is one of most visited places in Poland. Many people planning a trip to Auschwitz wonder if Auschwitz is open in January. Is it possible to visit Auschwitz museum in January? When is Auschwitz open in January and when is it closed? Is it worth visiting Auschwitz in January?

Is the Auschwitz Museum in Oświęcim open in January?

The short answer to this question is yes, but there are some days when tours are closed. The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum is open all year round, with the exception of only a few specific days. The museum is closed on January 1st (on New Year’s Day, which is a public holiday in Poland). Therefore, if your visit coincides with New Year’s Day, you will need to plan for a different day.

When it comes to visiting Auschwitz, January is quite a special month because it is the anniversary date of the liberation of the German camp by the forces of the Red Army in January.

On January 27th, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz here are special commemorative events, which affect access to the museum. Usually the museum is closed for two days i.e. January 26 and 27 each year. Due to the anniversary celebrations, heads of state or government representatives from many countries of the world come to Oswiecim and for security reasons the museum is closed to visitors for the duration of the visits and celebrations.

Admission to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is free for unguided tour, you must reserve entry passes in advance. To get tickets always use official website https://visit.auschwitz.org/?lang=en. Both individual visitors and groups need to book these passes online. Guided tours require the engagement of an Auschwitz Memorial guide, for which there is a fee of 110 PLN.

January in Poland can be quite cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Dress appropriately with warm clothing, including hats, gloves, and sturdy footwear as much of the visit involves walking outdoors and staying outside for long hours.

For these reasons, it is definitely better to order free entrance passes so that you don’t have to spend as much as 3.5 hours in the cold on a guided tour just to see the most important sites at your own pace and shorten the museum tour.

Auschwitz in January

Is Auschwitz open in January? Yes, the museum is open almost the entire month except for New Year’s Day on January 1 and events related to annual celebrations when the museum is closed to the public. Visitors should prepare for the cold, book their visits well in advance.

For the most current information, it’s advisable to check the official Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial website, the only place to get 100% legit entrance passes and free entrance passes or follow updates from their official social media channels.

Due to the bad weather conditions in Poland in January, visiting the museum is easier because the queues are smaller and there are no crowds. January might see fewer crowds compared to peak tourist seasons, potentially offering a more contemplative experience. Read detailed guide on easiest and cheapest ways to get to Auschwitz from Krakow city center.

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