NeighbourhoodJordaan / Canal Belt
Landmarks & History
Anne Frank House
Step inside the Secret Annex where Anne Frank wrote her world-famous diary while hiding from Nazi persecution during World War II.
Best forHistory and Reflection
Plan for1 to 1.5 hours
Worth knowingTickets sell out weeks in advance
A Place of Remembrance
The Legacy of Anne Frank
The Anne Frank House is a museum dedicated to the Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. Located on the Prinsengracht canal, the building contains the 'Achterhuis' or Secret Annex, where Anne, her family, and four other people lived in hiding for over two years during the German occupation of the Netherlands.
Today, the museum serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of antisemitism and discrimination. Visitors move through the darkened rooms of the annex, which remain empty at the request of Otto Frank, Anne's father and the only survivor of the group, to symbolize the void left by those who never returned.
The experience is designed to be a quiet, reflective journey. It combines the preserved historic rooms with modern exhibitions that provide context on the Holocaust and the global impact of Anne's diary, which has been translated into dozens of languages.
1942–1944
Life in the Secret Annex
In July 1942, the Frank family went into hiding in the rear extension of Otto Frank's business premises. For 761 days, they lived in total silence during the day to avoid detection by the warehouse workers below. It was during this time that Anne recorded her thoughts, fears, and hopes in her red-checked diary.
The hiding place was eventually discovered in August 1944, leading to the arrest and deportation of all eight occupants to concentration camps. After the war, the building was saved from demolition and opened as a museum in 1960 to preserve the history of the site and promote the ideals expressed in Anne's writings.
The museum has since expanded to include the neighboring buildings, providing space for educational facilities and a modern entrance to accommodate the millions of visitors who come to pay their respects each year.
What to See
Museum Highlights
The Entrance
The Movable Bookcase
See the original hinged bookcase that concealed the entrance to the Secret Annex, a stark physical reminder of the precarious nature of life in hiding.
The Collection
The Original Diary
Located in the Diary Room at the end of the tour, the original red-checked diary is on display alongside Anne's other notebooks and loose sheets of paper.
Personal Touches
Anne's Room
View the walls of Anne's small bedroom, still decorated with the pictures of movie stars and postcards she pasted there to brighten her surroundings.
Visitor Experience
The Atmosphere Inside
Atmosphere
Quiet Reflection
The museum maintains a somber and respectful environment. Visitors are asked to remain quiet as they move through the narrow corridors and steep stairs.
Pacing
Timed Entry
Entry is managed via 15-minute time slots. This ensures the small, historic rooms do not become overcrowded, allowing for a more personal experience.
Guidance
Audio Tours
Free audio guides are provided in multiple languages, offering a narrated history that accompanies you through each room of the house and annex.
Visuals
The Museum Exterior
While photography is strictly prohibited inside the museum to protect the original items and the atmosphere, the exterior of the building on the Prinsengracht is one of the most photographed sites in Amsterdam. The contrast between the 17th-century canal house and the modern glass-and-steel museum wing reflects the site's dual role as a historic monument and a contemporary educational center.
Planning
Essential Visitor Info
Securing tickets is the most critical part of planning your visit. Tickets are only available through the official website and typically sell out weeks in advance. They are released on a rolling basis, usually six weeks ahead of time.
Official websiteAccessibility
Limited Mobility
The historic part of the house has very steep, narrow stairs. While the modern wing is accessible, the Secret Annex itself is not accessible to wheelchair users.
Facilities
Cafe and Shop
The museum includes a small cafe overlooking the canal and a bookshop where you can purchase various editions of the diary and related historical texts.
Bookable experiences
Experiences around Anne Frank Monument.
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Getting There
Location and Transport
The Anne Frank House is located at Prinsengracht 263-267, with the visitor entrance around the corner at Westermarkt 20. It is a 20-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station. Note that from February 2025 to February 2028, tram service to the Westermarkt stop is disrupted; visitors should take trams to Dam Square and walk approximately 10 minutes to reach the museum.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy tickets at the door?⌄
No, tickets are only sold online via the official website. It is not possible to purchase tickets at the museum entrance.
Is photography allowed inside?⌄
Photography is not permitted inside the museum to preserve the original artifacts and maintain a respectful atmosphere for all visitors.
How far in advance should I book?⌄
Tickets are released every Tuesday at 10:00 am CET for visits six weeks later. It is highly recommended to book as soon as they become available.
How long does a visit take?⌄
Most visitors spend between 60 and 90 minutes touring the museum, including the historic house and the modern exhibitions.