Overview
Established in 1933 as the Nazis' first concentration camp, Dachau imprisoned about 200,000 political prisoners, Jews, Slavs, and minorities until the US Army liberated it in 1945; more than 40,000 perished here. Opened as a memorial in 1965, it has become central to European Holocaust education, with reconstructed barracks, watchtowers, gas chamber, and crematorium. The main museum displays survivor testimonies, photographs, and personal items that confront visitors with the full weight of the tragedy. Free entry (audio guide about EUR 4.50). From Munich, about 25 minutes on S2 S-Bahn plus 10 minutes on bus 726.
Opening Hours
09:00-17:00 (open daily; closed Dec 24)
Travel Tips
Approach with respect — this is a memorial site. An audio guide deepens the historical context, and a visit takes 3-4 hours.
Hotels near Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial
Hotels and guesthouses in Munich, Dachau, Bavaria
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