Book this Stutthof Memorial tour
Private door-to-door tour with your own English-speaking driver · fixed price · no payment upfront · we reply within 30 minutes.
The Stutthof Memorial Museum (Muzeum Stutthof in Sztutowo) preserves the site of the former Nazi concentration camp KL Stutthof — established on 2 September 1939, the day after the German invasion of Poland began, and operating until 9 May 1945. It was the first concentration camp founded by Nazi Germany on territory outside the pre-war Reich, and the last to be liberated. Over six years around 110,000 prisoners from 28 nationalities were imprisoned here; at least 65,000 died, from starvation, disease, forced labour, executions and — from 1944 — gassing in a small purpose-built gas chamber. Today the site is a state museum, open to the public free of charge, with original buildings, a documentary film, a moving central monument and well-curated exhibitions.
Why visit Stutthof?
Compared to Auschwitz-Birkenau near Krakow, Stutthof is far less internationally known — and far less crowded. For visitors with a serious interest in 20th-century history, this is one of its strengths: you can walk the original grounds, sit in the small barrack museum, watch the documentary film and reflect, all without the procedural rush of a busy international site. The Museum's mission is research, education and remembrance, and the standard of curation is high.
For a thorough historical background see Wikipedia: Stutthof concentration camp, and for current visitor information the official Stutthof Memorial Museum website.
What to expect on a Stutthof visit
The original buildings
Several original buildings from the SS-administered camp survive and are open to visitors: the guardhouse, the commandant's villa, two original wooden prisoner barracks with reconstructed bunks, the gas chamber, the crematorium and the main monument erected in 1968 by sculptor Wiktor Tołkin.
The exhibitions
Three permanent exhibitions cover the camp's history, the daily life of prisoners (including the chilling display of personal items left by victims) and the role of Stutthof in the wider Nazi system of camps in Pomerania and East Prussia. Information is available in Polish, English and German.
The documentary film
A 25-minute documentary film, shown in a small cinema, provides essential background using archival footage and survivor testimony. Available in Polish, English, German and Russian. Highly recommended as the first stop of your visit.
The grounds
The camp site itself is large — around 120 hectares including the surrounding forest where mass graves and ash pits were located. Allow at least 60 minutes outdoors on top of the indoor exhibitions.
Opening hours and tickets
- Summer (1 May to 30 September): 09:00 to 18:00 daily
- Winter (1 October to 30 April): 09:00 to 15:00 daily
- Closed: 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 November, 25 December
- Entry: free of charge
- Documentary film: small fee (typically 10 to 20 PLN per person)
- Guided tour by museum educator: 80 to 200 PLN per group (book at least 5 working days in advance via stutthof.org)
- Minimum recommended age: 14 years
The site occasionally restricts visitor numbers on commemorative dates — most importantly 9 May (Liberation Day). Always confirm at stutthof.org/en before travelling, especially in winter and on Polish public holidays.
How to get to Stutthof from Gdansk
The Memorial is in the village of Sztutowo, about 55 km east of Gdansk via the S7 expressway and DK7 / DW501. By car it is 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
Option 1: Public bus from Gdansk Glowny
A PKS regional bus runs from Gdansk Glowny bus station to Sztutowo, several times a day. Journey time around 1 hour 30 to 1 hour 45 minutes, tickets 18 to 28 PLN one-way. The timetable is sparse and the return options can be inconvenient if your visit runs long. Buses do not stop at Gdansk Airport directly.
Option 2: Train to Nowy Dwor Gdanski + local bus
SKM or PKP train from Gdansk to Nowy Dwor Gdanski (around 50 minutes), then a local connecting bus or taxi to Sztutowo (15 to 20 minutes). Total 2 hours, around 25 PLN. Workable but requires careful timetable planning.
Option 3: Private transfer / guided tour with ShuttleHero (recommended)
For most international visitors, a private transfer or private guided tour is the practical choice. ShuttleHero offers two formats:
- Private transfer Gdansk Airport to Stutthof return — driver waits during your visit and returns you. From 600 PLN per vehicle (up to 4 to 8 passengers).
- Private guided day tour — driver plus English-speaking guide, including coordination with a museum educator. From 175 PLN per person, full car from 600 PLN.
See full pricing on our Stutthof private tour page.
Price comparison — Gdansk to Stutthof
| Option | Time (one-way) | Price for 1 | Price for 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PKS bus from Gdansk Glowny | 1h 30 to 1h 45 | 18 to 28 PLN | 72 to 112 PLN |
| Train + local bus via Nowy Dwor | 2h | 25 to 35 PLN | 100 to 140 PLN |
| ShuttleHero private transfer return | 1h | from 150 PLN (split by 4) | from 600 PLN total |
| ShuttleHero guided private tour | 1h | from 175 PLN | from 600 PLN |
Prices "from"; final quote depends on time of day, exact pickup, passenger count and whether a guided museum tour is added.
What is included in our private Stutthof tour
- Door-to-door pickup from your Gdansk hotel, apartment or the airport (meet & greet with a name board)
- Premium-class car or 8-seat van
- English-speaking driver familiar with the route
- Coordination with the Stutthof Museum (timing, guided tour if requested, documentary film slot)
- Driver waits at Sztutowo for the duration of your visit (typically 2.5 to 3.5 hours)
- Return to your Gdansk pickup point
- Optional add-on: short stop at the Vistula Lagoon viewpoint en route
- Optional combined day with Malbork Castle (different schedule, ask when booking)
Combining Stutthof with other sites?
Strictly speaking, Stutthof is emotionally heavy enough that we recommend against combining it with another tourist attraction the same day. That said, two practical combinations make sense if your itinerary is tight:
- Stutthof + brief Vistula Lagoon stop — a 30-minute restorative beach walk before returning to Gdansk
- Stutthof in the morning + Krynica Morska in the afternoon — only if you genuinely need to compress two regional sights into one day
Most visitors do not regret making Stutthof the only activity of their day. For other regional day-trip ideas see our 10 best day trips from Gdansk.
Practical tips for your visit
- Wear comfortable shoes. The site is large, with gravel paths and grass.
- Dress respectfully. No swimwear, no overly casual or inappropriately decorated clothing.
- No loud conversations. The site is a place of memory and many of the visitors will have personal or family connections.
- Phones on silent. Especially inside the gas chamber and crematorium where photography is forbidden.
- Bring water and a snack. There is a small museum cafe but visitors often want to leave the site after the main visit.
- Allow 3 hours minimum. Including the film and outdoor walks. Many international visitors spend 4 to 5 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stutthof Memorial free to visit?
Yes — entry to the Stutthof Museum and grounds is free of charge. Optional guided tours and the in-depth historical documentary film have a small fee (typically 10 to 20 PLN per person). Donations are welcome.
How far is Stutthof from Gdansk?
The Stutthof Memorial in Sztutowo village is about 55 km east of Gdansk by road. The drive takes around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
How long should you spend at Stutthof?
Allow a minimum of 2 hours for a meaningful self-guided visit. A guided tour with the documentary film takes around 3 hours. Many visitors stay longer — the site is large and emotionally heavy, so it is worth taking your time.
Can children visit Stutthof Memorial?
The Museum recommends a minimum age of 14 years for the full memorial visit, given the harrowing nature of the exhibits. Children under 14 are not refused entry but parents should consider carefully — some sections (gas chamber, crematorium, displays of personal items) can be deeply distressing.
When is Stutthof Memorial open?
Opening hours are typically 09:00 to 18:00 May to September and 09:00 to 15:00 October to April. The Museum is closed on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 November and 25 December. Always confirm at stutthof.org before travelling, especially off-season.
How do I get to Stutthof from Gdansk?
Public transport options are limited — a PKS bus runs to Sztutowo from Gdansk Glowny but the timetable is sparse and connections back can be awkward. Most international visitors take a private transfer or guided tour for the practical reason that the camp is in a small village without good local transport.
Is photography allowed at Stutthof?
Personal photography is permitted outdoors and in most museum buildings, but flash photography and tripods are restricted in some indoor sections. Photography is forbidden inside the gas chamber and crematorium out of respect. Always check signs on site.
Book your Stutthof private tour
A visit to Stutthof deserves to be calm, well-organised and free of logistical stress. ShuttleHero offers both pure transfers (driver waits, you visit the museum independently) and full private guided tours (with English-speaking guide and pre-booked museum slot) every day of the year except 25 December and 1 January.
- Private transfer Gdansk Airport or city to Stutthof (return) — from 600 PLN per vehicle
- Private guided day tour (driver + English-speaking guide) — from 175 PLN per person, full car from 600 PLN
- Combined Stutthof + Malbork Castle long day — on request
For more context on the region see our Gdansk Airport guide, our complete tours directory and the official Stutthof Memorial Museum website.