Summary
A visit to Anne Frank House is usually at the top of people’s list when traveling to Amsterdam. The Anne Frank House Museum in central Amsterdam is a haunting yet beautiful house that is home to the diary that Anne wrote during her long days in hiding. For an authentic, subdued experience that is historical and eye-opening this tribute to the family and people who hid from the Nazis during the Second World War is not to be missed.
About Anne Frank House
Since its initial opening in 1960, the Anne Frank House has been attracting over a million visitors each year. While the Anne Frank House Museum is often busy, the house itself offers a moving experience that is certainly worth the visit. Our visit to Anne Frank House on our first trip to Amsterdam left a lasting impression.
To provide updated tips on entering and what to expect during your visit, we sought the expertise of KT Browne.
The annex, still visible today, was hidden from nearby houses during the war, making it the perfect hiding place. Otto Frank used the house to run his workshop, and only the ground and first floors were dedicated to his business, while the rest served as office space and storage.
When conditions became dangerous, the Frank family relocated to the second and third floors to hide. Business continued as usual below, with access to their hiding place gained through a concealed bookcase. This clever setup ensured that few took notice of what transpired behind the bookcase in the secret annex of Prinsengracht 263.
Tips for Visiting Anne Frank House
Located at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam on the picturesque Prinsengracht Canal, the inhabited rooms of Anne Frank House encompass just 500 square feet. This includes the main house and the hidden annex, where Anne Frank wrote her beloved diary during World War II.
Exhibition spaces throughout the museum display various pages from her notebook, artifacts, bookcases, and former living spaces.
Tickets to the Anne Frank House are only sold online and allocated for specific time slots—therefore, showing up on time is essential! Although crowds are typical outside the museum, they tend to disperse once inside, thanks to the managed time slots and the calm atmosphere. Purchase your tickets in advance here.
If you cannot attend at your scheduled time and tickets are fully booked, they do not offer rescheduling or refunds, so ensure you can make the planned visit. Previously, 20% of tickets were available for same-day purchase, but that option has been discontinued.
Inside, there are no guided tours provided, but there is a free audio tour available. Utilizing this audio guide greatly enhances the visit, and we highly recommend it.
Please note that photography is prohibited inside the museum to preserve the integrity of the artifacts. It’s advisable to leave your camera at home. Additionally, due to many narrow stairwells, the house is not recommended for individuals with mobility issues.
Introductory Program
Prior to visiting Anne Frank House, we recommend reading the Diary of Anne Frank. This will enrich your understanding of the experience. You can find various formats available online.
If you have not read the diary, you can also purchase a brief introductory program to complete before your visit. This program covers the history of Anne Frank and the persecution of Jews during World War II, which will better prepare you for the visit.
Approach your visit to the Anne Frank House with an open heart and mind; it represents a critical segment of history that offers us valuable insights.
What to Expect in Anne Frank House
Visitors have the opportunity to explore the museum’s numerous rooms, gaining a real sense of Anne Frank’s experience. Through poignant quotes, photos, film projections, and various original items—including her cherished diary—Anne Frank’s story is portrayed in an authentic and respectful manner. This is an experience that should not be overlooked.
The steep stairwells and original artifacts create a powerful atmosphere, and a walk through Anne Frank House transports you back in time.
You can wander throughout Anne Frank House freely, so take in as much as you can. Additionally, be sure to observe the hinged bookcase and the entrance to the secret annex behind it—it’s remarkable.
The main exhibition area is a thought-provoking tribute to the persecution that Anne and thousands of Jews faced during the war. The majority of the Anne Frank House museum remains beautifully preserved, contributing to the authenticity of the experience, which can be both enlightening and haunting.
About Anne Frank
Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl who, along with her family and four others, hid from the Nazis in the “secret annex” of this 17th-century canal house during World War II. Anne remained hidden in the annex for over two years until Nazi authorities raided the space, arresting her and her fellow inhabitants and deporting them to concentration camps, ultimately leading to her death from Typhus Fever at the age of 15.
Only Anne’s father, Otto, survived the concentration camps. Recent investigations revealed that Arnold van den Bergh, a Jewish figure in Amsterdam, betrayed Anne Frank’s family to protect himself. After 70 years of speculation, investigators have pieced together the details surrounding this tragic history. Read more about it here.
In 1947, Anne posthumously became globally recognized due to the diary she wrote during her time in hiding. Her diary, along with hundreds of loose pages, detailed her experiences with poetic flair.
The Diary of Anne Frank offers a candid account of daily events, as well as her fears, hopes, and dreams, captivating millions worldwide. It is lauded not only for its profound insights into the human condition but also for its exquisite prose.
When visiting Amsterdam, consider prioritizing the Anne Frank House Museum on your list of must-see locations. The photographs and exhibits throughout the museum provide a deeper understanding of an extraordinary individual and invoke reflection on the resilience of the human spirit.
For those planning a trip to Amsterdam, the Anne Frank House Museum is an essential experience. Immerse yourself in the poignant environment and explore the legacy of an extraordinary young woman.
