As I approached the Anne Frank House along Amsterdam’s tranquil Prinsengracht canal, I felt the weight of history in the air. The house’s unassuming brick façade belies the profound story it holds inside.
A gentle hush falls over most visitors on the doorstep where here, in this 17th-century canal house beside the Westerkerk church, eight people once lived in silence to escape persecution.
The Westerkerk’s bells, which Anne Frank described as comforting during the long nights in hiding, still chime nearby, a reminder of the world that continued outside their secret refuge.
Stepping toward the museum’s entrance, I took a deep breath, aware that this visit would be unlike any other, a journey into one of history’s most intimate and heartbreaking stories.
Anne Frank and the Secret Annex
Anne Frank was a Jewish teenager from Germany who fled with her family to Amsterdam to escape Nazi persecution. When the Nazis occupied the Netherlands during World War II, the Frank family, Anne, her father Otto, mother Edith, and older sister Margot, went into hiding on July 6, 1942, in a secret annex of rooms above Otto’s business premises.
They were joined by four other people (the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer) in the cramped space concealed behind a movable bookcase. For over two years (a total of 761 days) they lived in this hidden apartment, dependent on a few trusted employees for food and news, and always fearful of discovery.
During the hiding period, Anne, who was 13 when she entered the annex, kept a diary, a red plaid notebook she’d received for her birthday just weeks before going into hiding.
In it, she confided her hopes, fears, and reflections on the surreal life in the sealed-off rooms. She even revised her diary with the dream of publishing a book called The Secret Annex after the war.
Sadly, the group was betrayed and discovered by the Gestapo on August 4, 1944; they were arrested and deported. Anne and her sister Margot died of typhus in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in early 1945, just weeks before the camp’s liberation.
Of the eight people in hiding, only Otto Frank survived the war. After liberation, Otto was given Anne’s saved diaries and papers, the helpers Miep Gies and Bep Voskuijl had bravely retrieved these after the arrest, and he later fulfilled Anne’s wish by publishing her diary in 1947.
The world came to know Anne Frank through her own words, a voice of a vibrant young girl that resonates as a universal symbol of the human cost of hatred.
Otto Frank and others were determined that Anne’s legacy live on. The hiding place on Prinsengracht 263 was saved from demolition and preserved. The building, now the Anne Frank House museum, opened to the public in 1960, kept as a memorial and “writer’s house” honoring Anne’s memory.
Today visitors from around the globe walk through the very rooms where Anne wrote her diary, gaining a visceral understanding of the history that took place here.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Your visit is a self-guided walk through the rooms of the main house and the Secret Annex, and it’s an emotionally intense experience. You’ll begin in the front offices and storerooms of Otto Frank’s former business, then ascend narrow stairs toward the rear of the building.
The highlight (and heart-stopping moment) is passing behind the original movable bookcase – the hinged bookshelf that once masked the annex entrance. Ducking through this doorway, you step back in time into the cramped Secret Annex.
The rooms are small and eerily empty of furniture (after the arrest, the Nazis confiscated all the furnishings, and Otto Frank later insisted the rooms remain unfurnished to symbolize the void left behind).
People naturally speak in whispers or not at all; visitors shuffle through the rooms in silence, struck by the smallness of the space and the realization that eight people lived in these tight quarters for two years.
You will see the actual walls that Anne saw – still adorned with the magazine cut-outs of movie stars and art that she pasted in her room to brighten the space.
In another room, you’ll notice a map of Normandy on the wall with pinholes; Otto Frank used it to track Allied advances. Subtle marks on a wall quietly measure the heights of Anne and Margot over those two years, penciled evidence of life going on, even in hiding.
All of these personal details are carefully preserved, bringing the diary’s words to life before your eyes.
As you move through the Secret Annex, you can’t help but feel the emotional gravity. It’s common for visitors to feel chills seeing the small attic space where Anne would sneak a peek at the outside world or hearing quotations from her diary throughout the exhibit.
The atmosphere is one of respect and reflection – many report feeling a lump in their throat as they imagine the fear and hope that once filled these rooms. After exiting the annex, the route leads to the modern exhibition space, where original objects and documents are displayed.
Here you’ll find Anne’s actual diaries and writings presented in glass cases – including her checkered first diary, opened to an entry written in September 1942, and other notebooks (some parts of her writings, like most of 1943, have been lost). Seeing her neat handwriting and red diary brings home the reality that Anne was a real girl, not just a figure from a book.
There are also historical photographs, personal items, and video testimonies that provide context about the eight individuals in hiding and their helpers. One surprising artifact on display is an Academy Award statuette, actress Shelley Winters, who portrayed one of the annex residents in a 1959 film, donated her Oscar to the museum in honor of Anne.
Toward the end of the visit, there is a quiet space where visitors can watch a short film and reflect. In the final exhibition room, a video montage plays, showing people from around the world (famous and ordinary) sharing how Anne’s story inspired them and emphasizing the importance of tolerance and human rights.
Many visitors linger here, moved by the realization that Anne’s brief life has touched millions. Expect the visit to be deeply moving – as one travel writer noted, this museum “will inspire concentrated reflection and will leave you changed from the person you were when you entered”.
It’s not your typical tourist attraction; it’s an experience of walking in the footsteps of a courageous young girl and her family, one that many people describe as the most memorable part of their trip to Amsterdam.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Tickets & Booking
Plan ahead, because tickets to the Anne Frank House are only sold online via the official website and they do not sell tickets at the door. Demand is extremely high and every visitor must have a pre-booked, timed-entry ticket.
All tickets for a given date are released exactly six weeks in advance, on Tuesdays at 10 am Amsterdam time (CEST). These slots (especially at popular times) often sell out within hours. Mark your calendar to book the moment they become available.
If you miss out, don’t lose hope – a small batch of last-minute tickets is typically released on the day of visit at 9 am local time. Be online right at 9:00 if you’re trying for day-of tickets (they’re snapped up by 9:01!). Only buy through the official site – third-party sellers or “tour packages” claiming to include Anne Frank House are scams or resellers.
The standard adult admission as of 2025 is around €16 (with reduced fees for youth/children). If interested, you can also book an introductory program offered by the museum in addition to the basic visit, which provides background context before you tour the house.
Opening Hours
The Anne Frank House is generally open seven days a week. Normal hours are long – typically 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM most days to accommodate the steady flow of visitors.
However, do note a few exceptions: on certain holidays or Remembrance days the museum closes early (e.g. April 27, May 4, December 25 and 31 it closes at 5:00 PM). On New Year’s Day (Jan 1) it usually opens late, around noon.
The museum is closed entirely on Yom Kippur (the Jewish holy day, which falls in the autumn) out of respect. It’s always wise to double-check the official website for the latest hours and any special closures just before your visit.
When to Visit (Peak Times)
Amsterdam’s peak tourist season is spring and summer (roughly March through October), and the Anne Frank House is one of the city’s most popular sites – it sees over a million visitors per year.
Tickets are timed to limit crowding, but expect the museum to feel busiest in the middle of the day during high season. If you can, opt for a weekday visit rather than a weekend – crowds tend to be a bit lighter on weekdays. Among weekend days, Sunday is often slightly less crowded than Saturday.
Another tip: avoid the first timeslot of the day if you dislike crowds – even with timed entry, a line can form right at opening as everyone with the first slot queues up together.
Instead, consider booking a later evening ticket; many travelers report the museum is calmer and more contemplative in the evening hours, and you won’t feel rushed.
Alternatively, a visit in the last couple of hours before closing can be relatively quieter as the daytime tour groups have finished. Whenever you go, be punctual for your assigned entry time – if you miss your 15-minute entry window, you will not be allowed in and refunds aren’t given. It’s wise to arrive in the vicinity at least 15-20 minutes early.
Use that time to soak up the atmosphere by the Westerkerk or grab a coffee nearby, but keep an eye on the clock so you don’t miss your slot!
Plan ahead if you have mobility issues
The Anne Frank House’s historic structure poses challenges. The old canal-house and Secret Annex have multiple steep, narrow staircases (almost ladder-like in parts) and are not wheelchair accessible.
Unfortunately, visitors who cannot climb stairs will not be able to physically enter the annex where Anne hid. The museum has limited accessibility: there is a special side entrance and an elevator for wheelchair users that grants access to the modern exhibition area and museum café.
From there, visitors with mobility impairments can view the 25-minute Virtual Reality (VR) tour of the Secret Annex, a narrated 3D experience that provides a detailed look at the hiding place without having to climb inside.
The VR tour is a thoughtful alternative offered on-site (and the Anne Frank House also has a VR home app for those who have equipment). Be aware that even in the modern part of the museum some exhibits, like the original diary display, involve a few steps down, sadly, as of 2025, Anne’s actual diary is displayed in a niche reachable only by a small stairway, meaning visitors in wheelchairs cannot get a close look.
The museum has stated it is working to improve this, but currently accessibility remains partial. No seating is available inside the annex itself, and the tour route is one-way through tight spaces, so wear comfortable shoes and prepare to be on your feet. If you have difficulty walking or claustrophobia, note that the annex rooms are confined and the pace is slow.
Important: strollers/prams are not permitted inside the museum (the spaces are too narrow), you may leave them at the entry hall, but it’s best to bring a baby carrier if visiting with an infant. Wheelchairs are allowed in the new sections, but not in the annex itself.
Photography & Etiquette
No photography is allowed inside any part of the Anne Frank House, including the annex and exhibit areas. This policy is strictly enforced to protect the fragile historical artifacts and out of respect for the solemn atmosphere.
You won’t see anyone taking selfies in Anne’s room, and that’s a good thing. Keep your camera and phone in your pocket; even non-flash photography is prohibited as it can be a distraction and a nuisance to other visitors.
The idea is to immerse yourself in the experience, not view it through a lens. (The museum provides official photos on its website if you need images later.) As you go through, you’ll notice most people speak softly, if at all. Maintain a respectful quiet – this isn’t a place for chit-chat or commentary until you’re outside.
Also, do not touch any objects or walls; everything is preserved carefully behind barriers or glass for a reason. Lastly, no food or drinks are allowed inside the museum. You can’t picnic in the annex – finish any snacks beforehand or leave them in your bag.
Consuming food is only permitted in the café at the end of the route. In summary: treat the Anne Frank House as a place of remembrance – behave as you would in a church or memorial. Most visitors are deeply moved, and it’s common to see a few tears; be mindful of the emotional journey others are experiencing too.
Facilities & Practical Matters
There is a free cloakroom/coat check near the entrance where you can stow small bags, coats, and umbrellas. However, large bags, suitcases, or backpacks are not allowed inside (anything larger than about an A4 sheet of paper is too big).
Due to space constraints, there are no onsite lockers for oversized luggage, so travel light or leave big items at your hotel. There is no public parking right at the museum; the Anne Frank House is in a canal district with very limited car access.
It’s best reached on foot, by bicycle, or by public transport (several tram and bus lines stop at Westermarkt around the corner). Restroom facilities are available in the museum – likely at the end or near the café – but note that there are no restrooms until you’ve gone through most of the tour.
Plan accordingly, especially if visiting with kids. Speaking of which, the museum is generally appropriate for older children (the content is heavy, but important); very young kids might not grasp it and the tight quarters can test their patience.
If you bring children, prepare them with some background about who Anne Frank was, and be ready to answer questions. Visiting Anne Frank House isn’t like a typical interactive museum, it’s a solemn, thought-provoking place. Many families do visit, and the experience can be profound for teens who have perhaps read the diary in school.
How Long to Spend
The visit is self-paced with informative plaques and some audiovisual elements. Most people spend about 1 hour inside on average. If you like to read every panel and fully absorb the exhibits, budget around 1.5 hours for the tour.
Because entry is timed, you won’t be rushed out, but keep in mind the annex is small, you’ll be moving through in a single file with other visitors. An hour is usually sufficient to see everything and have a moment in the final reflection space.
There’s also a bookstore and museum shop at the end of the visit (adjacent to the café), where you can browse editions of The Diary of Anne Frank in many languages and other related books and souvenirs.
This might add a bit of time if you’re a book lover. Overall, it’s wise not to schedule something immediately after – give yourself time to process what you’ve seen. Many people find they need a quiet moment to sit and reflect after exiting.
Nearby Attractions and Places to Eat
Visiting the Anne Frank House can be an intense experience, so you might welcome a chance to decompress afterward.
Fortunately, the museum’s location in the Western Canal Belt (on the edge of the Jordaan neighborhood) offers plenty of options for further exploration and relaxation:
- Westerkerk: Right next door to the Anne Frank House stands the beautiful Westerkerk (West Church), a 17th-century Protestant church with a magnificent bell tower. This church is historically significant on its own. Rembrandt is buried here, and it played a role in Anne’s story.
- Anne Frank Statue: Just a short walk (about one block) from the museum, in a corner of the Westermarkt square, you’ll find a small statue of Anne Frank. This life-sized bronze sculpture depicts Anne standing with her schoolbag, and it’s a quietly poignant tribute.
- Homomonument: While at Westermarkt, you’ll also notice the Homomonument, a large triangle-shaped memorial set into the ground on the canal bank (right by the Westerkerk). This monument commemorates LGBTQ individuals who have faced persecution, including those persecuted by the Nazis.
- Jordaan Neighborhood: The Anne Frank House sits on the edge of the Jordaan, one of Amsterdam’s most charming neighborhoods. After your visit, it’s well worth taking a stroll through the Jordaan’s narrow streets and canals. The atmosphere is quaint and laid-back, with art galleries, boutiques, and “brown café” pubs lining the cobbled streets.
- Places to Eat: Feeling hungry or in need of a break? There are plenty of options around. A top pick literally next door to the museum is PANCAKES Amsterdam Westermarkt, a popular pancake house located between the Anne Frank House and the Westerkerk. They serve both traditional Dutch pannenkoeken (try one with apples and cinnamon or bacon and cheese) and fluffy American-style pancakes, as well as the famous little poffertjes (mini pancakes) prepared fresh on the spot.
Finally, consider that visiting the Anne Frank House is often a very personal and emotional journey. It’s okay to take some time afterward to sit quietly, perhaps on a bench along the canal, and reflect on what you’ve seen. You might think about Anne’s words, like her famous hope that “in spite of everything…people are truly good at heart.”
Many travelers report that the Anne Frank House experience stays with them long after they’ve left Amsterdam.