Visiting the Wolf’s Lair – what is worth knowing?
If you are going to Adolf Hitler’s Former War Headquarters in Gierłoż near Ketrzyn, you should learn some basic information that will help you make the most of this time. Two zones of visiting the Wolf’s Lair is currently divided into 2 key areas, once “safety zones” that tourists visit today.
Historically, there were 3 zones, but today it is worth going to the so-called “1st Zone” – where Hitler and his entourage lived (entrance is paid), and to “2nd Zone”, where there is no organized sightseeing and you can go on your own on foot (you can also use one great local attractions and visit the plase by some armourded vehicles – check out more at www.sztabowoz.pl).
Wolfsschanze sightseeing
The biggest and most important structures are located in a fenced area, in front of the entrance to which the payment must be made at the ticket office (the entrance gate). It is also recommended to hire one of many local tourst guides (available right behind the gate), that will help you better understand the place, gaining some unique and interesting knowledge about history, architecture and decisions made in Wolf’s Lair.
Visiting the Wolf’s Lair – what is worth knowing?
If you are planning to visit Adolf Hitler’s Former War Headquarters in Gierłoż near Kętrzyn, it’s worth getting familiar with some essential information that will help you make the most of your visit.
NOTE: Pets are welcome! You can visit the Wolf’s Lair with your dog, just remember to keep them on a leash and wear a muzzle. Please also clean up after your pet.
Two zones of the Wolf’s Lair
The Wolf’s Lair is currently divided into two main zones – previously security zones – now open to visitors. Historically, there were three zones, but today it’s worth visiting the so-called “1st Zone”, where Adolf Hitler, Hermann Goering, Albert Speer, Heinrich Himmler and others lived (paid entry), as well as the “2nd Zone”, which is unguided and accessible on foot. You can also explore it in an armored vehicle – learn more at www.sztabowoz.pl.
Opening hours
From April 1st to October 31st, the Wolf’s Lair is open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Wolf’s Lair sightseeing ticket prices
High season (April 1 – October 31):
- Standard admission ticket – PLN 25
- Discounted admission ticket* – PLN 20
- Children under 6 – free admission
- Large Family Card* – PLN 20
- Persons with disabilities* – PLN 20
- Carer of a person with a disability* – PLN 20
- Supervisors of school groups (over 15 people) – free admission
- Guided tour ticket – PLN 20
Low season (November 1 – March 31):
- Standard admission ticket – PLN 20
- Discounted admission ticket* – PLN 15
- Children under 6 – free admission
- Large Family Card* – PLN 15
- Persons with disabilities* – PLN 15
- Carer of a person with a disability* – PLN 15
- Supervisors of school groups (over 15 people) – free admission
- Guided tour ticket – PLN 20
Wolfsschanze Parking prices:
- Coach – PLN 35
- Camper, bus – PLN 20
- Passenger car – PLN 15
- Motorcycle – PLN 10
- Bicycle – free of charge
- 100% electric vehicle – free of charge
- Vehicles for transporting disabled persons – free of charge
- Parking space with EV charging station (up to 2 hours) – PLN 80
* Discounted tickets are available, upon presentation of a valid document, to school students (up to 18 years old), university students (up to 26 years old), holders of the Large Family Card, persons with disabilities and their carers.
Payment for tickets and parking can be made by cash or card at the ticket office located at the entrance gate (drive-through, no need to leave your vehicle).
There is no time limit for visiting – your ticket allows you to stay in the area from opening until closing.
Audio guides
Audio guides are available for rent. For approximately 2 hours, a narrator will guide you through the entire route of Adolf Hitler’s Former War Headquarters, sharing historical facts and context. This is a perfect way to explore for all ages.
Available languages:
- Polish 🇵🇱
- English 🇬🇧
- German 🇩🇪
- Ukrainian 🇺🇦
- Lithuanian 🇱🇹
Audio guide rental price:
PLN 10 per device / PLN 8 per device* (for children, students, persons with disabilities, and their carers)
Things you should keep in mind while visiting the Hitler’s HQ:
- This is mainly forest. It is usually wet and full of mosquitos – be prepared.
- Bunkers and ruins are dangerous – please be aware of limited entrance, holes in the ground and sharp edges.
- Take some flashlight with you – some places are dark and still worth looking inside.
- Prepare for a: 1 hour speed visit, 1,5h regular visit and 2-3 hours of intense and detailed, complex visit.
- Please take your trash with you – don’t litter, don’t do graffiti and any kind of stupidity that unfortunately happens.
- Buy a map or a book – it is very helpful to have a map of the place.
- Consider a tour guide – those are very experienced and multilingual.
- Think about history and human fate, when some bad decisions are made…
Food and drinks
There is a restaurant and a small bar on the spot. You will find there, accordingly, polish, local cuisine and some snacks to go as well.
Wolf’s Lair Plan:
1. Office and living spaces of Hitler’s bodyguard (German: Führer Begleit Battalion, FBB)
2. Building of the body guard and Reich security service (German: Reichssicherheitsdienst, RSD)
3. Emergency power generator
4. Bunker
5. Buildings of the head of the press: Dr. Otto Dietrich
6. Speer‘s barrack, map shop, place of the failed assassination attempt on Hitler of July 20, 1944
7. Reich security service
8. Guest shelter
9. Hitler’s side guard
10. Building of stenographic services
11. Security Service, Rattenhuber Security Service Commander, Head of Abt.I / RSD Högl, Post Office
12. Communication node, teletype and telephone exchanges
13. Garages
14. Driver quarters
15. Cinema
16. Boiler room
17. Representatives at the headquarters: Bodenschatz, Hewel, Voss, Wolff, Fegelein, Dr Morell
18. Food storage
19. House of Martin Bormann, Hitler’s personal secretary
20. Bormann’s anti-aircraft shelter
21. Personal adjutant of Hitler and the Wehrmacht Supreme Command, personnel office of the Wehrmacht Supreme Command
22. Casino II
23. Gen. Alfred Jodl, Chief of Staff (WFA / WFSt) of the Wehrmacht Supreme Command
24. Fire pool
25. Offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs representation
26. Dr. Fritz Todt, and after his death – Albert Speer
27. Hitler’s bodyguard hotel
28. General-purpose anti-aircraft shelter with anti-aircraft guns and machine guns on the roof
29. Casino I
30. New tea room
31. Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel – Head of the Wehrmacht General Command
32. Old tearoom
33. House of Hermann Göring, Marshal of the Reich
34. Göring anti-aircraft shelter with anti-aircraft gun positions, machine guns and headlights
35. Representation of the Luftwaffe supreme command
36. Representation of the main navy command
37. Hitler’s bunker, with anti-aircraft gun positions
38. Kętrzyn – Węgorzewo railway line
NOTE: The numbering used in this plan (as used in Wolfsschanze and in guidebooks) does not match the original numbering used by the Germans.
