10 Essential Holocaust and WWII Books

Hello Cracow • February 17, 2026

The city of Krakow stands as a unique monument to European history, where medieval grandeur meets the stark, haunting reminders of the 20th century’s greatest tragedy. For international tourists, a visit to Krakow is often a pilgrimage of memory. To truly honour this history, one must go beyond the surface-level sightseeing and delve into the narratives that define the Jewish experience in Poland. From the experience of Hello Cracow, a meaningful journey begins with preparation — specifically through the literature that has shaped our global understanding of the Holocaust. This report serves as a definitive guide for the modern traveller, weaving together historical analysis, literary recommendations, and practical travel expertise to ensure a visit that is both educational and deeply respectful.

Essential Books

"The Pilecki Report" 
Witold Pilecki

Witold Pilecki was a Polish resistance leader who volunteered to be imprisoned in Auschwitz to organize an underground movement and gather intelligence. His report is a testament to superhuman courage and the complexity of the resistance within the camp. Understanding Pilecki’s story adds a layer of heroism to any visit to the memorial site.

"The Destruction of the European Jews" 

Raul Hilberg

Hilberg’s work is the definitive study of the bureaucratic process of the "Final Solution." He focuses not just on the victims, but on the administrative machinery that made the genocide possible.

"Smoke over Birkenau"
Seweryna Szmaglewska

Written immediately after the liberation and published in 1945, this is one of the most important eyewitness accounts of the camp. Szmaglewska, a Polish political prisoner, documented the daily operations of Birkenau with such precision that her book was used as evidence during the Nuremberg Trials.

"If This Is a Man" 

Primo Levi

An Italian Jewish chemist, Levi’s memoir is a philosophical and psychological analysis of dehumanization. He describes the "Gray Zone" of morality in the camps, offering a perspective that is essential for those who wish to understand the internal life of a prisoner.

"Shielding the Flame" 
Hanna Krall

Based on an interview with Marek Edelman, the last surviving leader of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, this book explores the ethics of survival and the burden of memory. While focused on Warsaw, its themes are universal to the Polish Jewish experience during the occupation.

"Auschwitz: 1270 to the Present" 

Robert Jan van Pelt & Deborah Dwork

This book is an architectural and social history of the town of Oswiecim and its transformation into the capital of the Holocaust. It explains the banality of evil — how ordinary architects and town planners designed a machinery of death. It is a vital read for those interested in the structural evolution of the camp system.

"Anatomy of the Auschwitz Death Camp" 
Edited by Yisrael Gutman & Michael Berenbaum

A comprehensive scholarly volume that covers every aspect of the camp’s operation, from the role of the SS to the medical experiments and the resistance movements. This is a foundational text for anyone seeking a high level of historical detail before embarking on a professional tour.

"Auschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away." 
Robert Jan van Pelt

This book accompanies a major international exhibition and connects the historical facts of the Holocaust to contemporary human rights issues. It is an excellent resource for those who want to understand the modern-day significance of the memorial sites.

"Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka: The Operation Reinhardt Death Camps" 
Yitzhak Arad

This book explores the dedicated extermination camps where millions were murdered. It provides the context for the liquidations of the Krakow Ghetto, as many of Krakow’s Jews were sent to the Belzec death camp. 

"Five Chimneys" 
Olga Lengyel

A harrowing account from a female perspective, Lengyel was a surgical assistant who worked in the camp’s infirmary. Her detailed descriptions of the gas chambers and the moral dilemmas faced by prisoners provide a necessary, if difficult, look at the reality of Birkenau.

What to know before visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau?

A standard visit includes both Auschwitz I (the original barracks and administrative centre) and Auschwitz II-Birkenau (the vast extermination site). The two sites are distinct in their atmosphere and historical function.

  • Auschwitz I: Features brick barracks, the infamous "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate, and exhibitions of personal belongings (shoes, suitcases, hair) that emphasize the scale of the tragedy.
  • Birkenau: A massive area covering 140-170 hectares. This is where the railway ramp, the ruins of the gas chambers, and the International Monument to the Victims of Fascism are located. 

From the experience of Hello Cracow, many visitors are unaware of the strict entry requirements. Tickets are personal and must be booked in advance, with full names matching those on your identification. 

  • Bring ID: You will not be allowed entry without a valid passport or ID card that matches the name on your booking. 
  • Security: There are strict bag size limits (roughly A4). It is best to leave large backpacks in the tour vehicle.
  • Conduct: This is a site of mourning. Visitors are expected to dress modestly and maintain a respectful silence in sensitive areas.

Walking Through History

A visit to Krakow is an opportunity to engage with history on a profound level. By reading the recommended literature and visiting both the famous and the lesser-known memorial sites, you are participating in an essential act of remembrance. Local experts from Hello Cracow emphasize that the goal of these visits is not just to learn about the past, but to reflect on the values of humanity and resilience in the face of adversity.


Whether you are exploring the vast ruins of Birkenau, the interactive exhibits of Schindler’s Factory, or the quiet streets of Kazimierz, having a professional guide makes all the difference. Our guides at Hello Cracow are trained to provide historical context while remaining sensitive to the emotional weight of these locations. Explore our wide range of expert-led tours, including Auschwitz-Birkenau, Schindler’s Factory, and the Jewish Quarter. We offer comfortable transport, skip-the-line tickets, and the highest standard of service for international travelers.

Contact us and book your tour today


LEARN THE HISTORY WITH US

How To Get To Krakow: Airports, Trains And Transfers Explained

By Hello Cracow • September 28, 2026
Arriving in Krakow is usually straightforward, but the first hour can shape the whole trip. A late flight, heavy suitcase or unfamiliar ticket machine can quickly make a simple transfer feel more complicated than it needs to be. The good news is that Krakow is well connected by air and rail, and its main airport sits close enough to the city centre that getting to your hotel is usually fairly simple.  For most visitors, the choice comes down to Krakow Airport, the main railway station at Krakow Glowny, or a private transfer booked in advance. Each option works slightly differently, depending on what time you arrive, where you are staying and how much luggage you have. Public transport is often enough, but there are situations when paying for a direct transfer can make the first part of your trip much easier.

Krakow In October: A Kaleidoscope Of Culture And Celebration

By Hello Cracow • September 23, 2026
October is a great month to visit Krakow if you want to see the city without the summer crowds. The weather is usually still good enough for long walks, while cooler evenings make it easier to combine time outdoors with museums, restaurants and cafés. Planty Park starts to turn gold, the Old Town is less crowded, and Kazimierz is a good place to spend an afternoon without rushing from one sight to another. There is also plenty happening around the city. October brings concerts, film screenings, literary events, food festivals and other seasonal events, so it is worth checking what is on during your visit. You can easily combine one of these with the main sights, a walk along the Vistula or an evening in one of Krakow's neighbourhoods. It is also a good time to plan a day outside the city. Wieliczka, Auschwitz-Birkenau and Zakopane are all popular options, while the Tatra Mountains can be particularly appealing in autumn. Just keep an eye on the weather, as conditions outside Krakow can be quite different.  If you are planning a trip for October, you do not need to fill every day in advance. Pick a few things you definitely want to see, check the events happening during your dates and leave some time for whatever you find along the way.

What To Pack For Krakow: The Seasonal Guide For Every Month

By Hello Cracow • September 15, 2026
Krakow is a city best explored on foot. A typical day can move from cobbled streets around the Old Town to the open riverside paths near Wawel, then on to Kazimierz or Podgorze, often with more walking than visitors expect. Even a simple plan can quickly turn into several hours outside, especially when you add a museum, a market, a café stop or one of the city’s many viewpoints. The right packing list starts with comfortable shoes, flexible layers and one piece of rain protection that fits in your day bag. Krakow weather changes quickly across the year, and sometimes within a single day. Spring can bring mild afternoons and sudden showers, while summer days can be warm enough for long walks but cooler once the sun goes down. Autumn tends to bring shorter days and more changeable conditions, while winter can mean cold temperatures, snow or wet streets. These differences matter when most of your day is spent moving between outdoor sights. The temperature ranges below are typical average lows and highs for Krakow-Balice, not a forecast for a particular trip. Conditions in the city centre can feel slightly different, especially on sunny days or when the wind picks up along the Vistula. Check the forecast again shortly before you travel, then pack for walking rather than for one perfect weather scenario. If you are planning trips outside Krakow, leave some room for further changes. Wieliczka is underground and noticeably cooler than the streets above, while a day in the Tatra Mountains can bring very different conditions from those in the city. A few simple choices can make it much easier to stay comfortable when your plans take you from one part of the region to another.

Voices Of The Past: 6 Essential Polish Authors To Read Before Visiting Auschwitz

By Hello Cracow • September 7, 2026
A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau asks for more than simply adding another day trip to your Krakow itinerary. The former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp is a memorial site and a place of mass murder, where the scale of what happened can be difficult to understand through buildings, photographs and numbers alone. Reading before you go cannot prepare you for the visit itself, and it should not try to. What it can do is give some of the history a human dimension. Names, individual stories, memories and difficult choices become easier to recognise when you arrive at the site. Instead of knowing only what happened, you begin to understand something about the people who experienced it. The six writers below approach this history from very different perspectives. Four of them experienced Auschwitz as prisoners, writing about the camp from their own memories and experiences. Zofia Nalkowska encountered its aftermath from a different position, collecting testimonies and evidence about what had happened there in the months following the war. Hanna Krall offers yet another perspective. She survived the Holocaust as a child but was never imprisoned at Auschwitz. Her writing instead brings readers closer to the Jewish world destroyed during the Holocaust and to the people who carried its memory into the years that followed. There is no single book that can explain Auschwitz. Taken together, however, these works can help you arrive with more context and a greater awareness of the human stories behind the place.

The Best Quiet Places in Krakow When the Old Town Gets Too Busy

By Hello Cracow • August 30, 2026
When the Main Market Square starts to feel a little too busy, you don't have to leave Krakow to find a different side of the city. Just beyond the usual sightseeing route, you'll find former quarries turned into green spaces, riverside paths, hilltop viewpoints, monastery gardens and neighbourhoods where life moves at a much slower pace. There is nothing wrong with spending your first day around Rynek Glowny, St Mary's Basilica, Wawel Castle and the Royal Route. They are famous for a reason, and for a first visit, they belong on the list. But after a few hours of following tour groups, waiting for a table and navigating busy streets, you may start looking for somewhere with a little more breathing room. That's when Krakow gets interesting. You don't need a complicated day trip or a long journey out of the city. Sometimes, a 15-minute tram ride or a short walk is enough to change the atmosphere completely. Suddenly there are more trees than souvenir shops, locals walking their dogs instead of organised groups, and paths where you can simply keep walking without having to stop every few metres. And these places aren't abandoned corners of the city. Krakow residents use them every day, particularly at weekends. You'll see people jogging, cycling, meeting friends, taking their children out or simply sitting somewhere with a coffee and enjoying the afternoon. So, if you're ready to put the guidebook down for a few hours, we've collected some of the best places to experience a quieter, greener and more local side of Krakow - all without straying too far from the city itself.

Everything You Need To Know About A Tatra Quad Tour From Krakow

By Hello Cracow • August 30, 2026
Leave Krakow’s cobblestone streets behind and head south towards a completely different Poland. Beyond the city, the landscape opens into forests, meadows and mountain villages, with the Tatra peaks rising in the distance. A quad tour through Podhale gives you a chance to experience this landscape from the tracks rather than from a coach window.  The ride is the obvious highlight, but it is the journey that makes the day special. You move through quiet countryside, forest trails and highland landscapes, stopping along the way to take in the views and experience a slower side of southern Poland. Add a bonfire, local food or a soak in the thermal baths, depending on the tour, and a few hours outside Krakow can quickly turn into one of the most memorable days of your trip.

Krakow in September: A Local Guide to Events and Autumn Culture

By Hello Cracow • August 17, 2026
September is when Krakow begins to soften into autumn. The warmest days still belong to the Vistula boulevards and café terraces, but Planty Park starts to change colour, and the city’s calendar becomes more local, varied and atmospheric. For first-time visitors, Krakow can seem centred entirely on the Main Market Square, Wawel Castle and Kazimierz. September is a good month to look beyond that first impression. A single weekend can bring music from Ireland and Scotland to a Renaissance manor house, local beekeepers to a historic Kazimierz square, and hundreds of dachshunds onto the Old Town’s most famous street. The city feels less like a checklist destination and more like a place where residents have their own rituals, neighbourhoods and reasons to gather. So, what is actually happening in Krakow this September? From the biggest cultural events to the smaller local traditions worth knowing about, here’s your guide to experiencing the city beyond the usual tourist highlights.

The Respectful Traveler’s Guide to Visiting Auschwitz: 7 Things Nobody Tells You

By Hello Cracow • August 11, 2026
Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau is not about seeing more, but about arriving prepared, moving through the site with care, and allowing enough time for the history to register. There is no perfect way to feel when you visit Auschwitz-Birkenau. Some people become quiet. Some feel overwhelmed by the scale of Birkenau. Others find that the most difficult moments are the smallest ones: a photograph, a suitcase, a pair of shoes, or a name. What matters is not performing a particular emotion. It is recognising that this is a memorial and the site of a former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, where more than a million people were murdered. A respectful visit begins before you reach the entrance: in how you book, what you bring, how you use your phone, and how much space you leave for the experience afterwards.

What Makes Krakow Different From Other European City Breaks?

By Hello Cracow • August 3, 2026
Prague has its grand squares, Vienna has its palaces, and Budapest has the Danube. Krakow has a different kind of appeal. It is a city where centuries of history are packed into a surprisingly walkable area, and where you can move from royal Krakow to Jewish Kazimierz, wartime Podgorze, and the Vistula riverbanks in the space of a single afternoon. That makes Krakow especially interesting for a short city break. You can see the famous sights, eat well, sit down for a coffee, and still come across places that tell you something about the city's past. The different parts of Krakow do not feel like separate attractions on a checklist. They connect naturally as you move through the city. And that is what we want to explore here. Beyond the obvious reasons to visit Krakow, what makes the city such a rewarding place to spend a few days? From its medieval centre and royal history to Kazimierz, Podgorze, local food, and everyday city life, these are the things that make Krakow more than just another beautiful European Old Town.

Krakow in August: A City Full of Things to Do

By Hello Cracow • July 27, 2026
If you are visiting Krakow in August, there is usually more to do than simply work your way through the city's main sights. The month brings a full programme of events, from long-running cultural festivals and folk celebrations to concerts, food events, and evenings of live music. The interesting part is the variety. One day might take you to a traditional festival, while the next could be about jazz, a classical concert, or a large live music event. Some of the biggest events are worth planning around, but others can easily become an unexpected part of your trip if you happen to come across them while exploring the city. This also means that August can look quite different depending on when you visit. The events are spread across the city and take place throughout the month, so the best things to do will depend partly on your exact dates. In this guide, we have gathered the main events taking place in Krakow in August, along with ideas for making the most of the city when you are not following a fixed programme. So, let’s take a look at the best events, festivals and concerts!
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