Kitty & YogeshThe Anne Frank House is a biographical museum dedicated to the life of Jewish teenage diarist Anne Frank. Located right in the heart of Amsterdam at Prinsengracht 263, it attracts over a million visitors each year.
Contents
Things to See at the Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is a canal house that was built in the 17th century. In the 19th century, the structure was used as a warehouse. On December 1, 1940, Otto Frank, Anne’s father, used the warehouse for his business.
In 1942, when Amsterdam was occupied by the Germans during WWII, Mr. Frank moved his family into hiding at the top of the annex (a.k.a. the Secret Annex) at the back of the warehouse, which was only about 450 square feet. This is where the Franks lived for two years.
When Anne and her family were captured by the Germans in 1944, their hiding place was emptied out. However, Mr. Frank’s employees, Miep Gies and Bep Voskuijl, who also helped to hide them, returned to the ‘Secret Annex’ and retrieved some of the Frank’s personal effects. This included young Anne Frank’s diary, books, and papers, which are on display at the Anne Frank House.
In addition to young Anne Frank’s journals, you’ll also see the hinged bookcase that was used as the ‘secret door’ to the annex. This structure prevented previous German raids on the house from discovering the Frank family.
You’ll also see Anne Frank’s collection of pictures and postcards, as well as a video exhibition where various people talk about Anne Frank and her impact on their lives.
If you want to go beyond the Anne Frank House and learn more about this time in war history and about the Jewish neighborhood in Amsterdam, then we recommend the Anne Frank Walking or Anne Frank Bike Tour, where a professional guide will be with you every step of the way. (While booking, you can opt for an English, Spanish, French, German or Italian guide.)
Anne Frank House Travel Tips
Opening Hours
The Anne Frank House is open all year round from 9 AM to 10 PM. On Christmas Day (Dec 25) and New Year’s Eve (Dec 31), the museum is accessible from 9 AM to 5 PM. During Yom Kippur, Jewish Day of Atonement, (Oct 4/5) Anne Frank House is closed.
Anne Frank House Tickets
There are no tickets available on-site at the Anne Frank House so you must book your tickets online here or at their website. As of this writing, ticket prices are €14 for adults, €7.00 for 10-17 year-olds, and €1 for 0-9 year-olds.
Since the Anne Frank House receives many visitors, ticket demand is very high and as such, limited. Every first Tuesday of the month, tickets for the following month are released so we recommend that book your tickets early.
How to Get There
By Foot
It takes just about 20 minutes to walk from the Amsterdam Central Station to Prinsengracht 263. Please note that the entrance to the museum is around the corner at Westermarkt 20.
By Public Transport
From the Amsterdam Central Station, you can take Tram 13 or 17, which departs every few minutes and get off at the Westermarkt stop. From there, it’s just a 2-minute walk to the museum.
Hotels Near Anne Frank House
- Budget: Princess Hotel Leidse Square (1.5 KM from Anne Frank House)
- Mid-Range: Hotel Verdi (2.1 KM from Anne Frank House)
- Lux: Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam (0.8 KM from Anne Frank House)
FAQs on Anne Frank House
Is the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam the real house?
Yes. It’s the real house where Anne Frank lived in hiding for two years to escape Nazi persecution during WWII. Please note that since Anne Frank and her family were in hiding, they did not live in the whole house but in its hidden rooms.
Is Anne Frank House worth it?
In our opinion, it is well worth the visit. The house may symbolize a dark time in history but you’ll also learn about the resilience of a teenage girl, find out how others risked their lives to help hide the Frank family, and appreciate a father’s love shown by fulfilling his daughter’s wish to be a published writer.
Is the Anne Frank House included in the I amsterdam City Card?
Unfortunately, the Anne Frank House is not included in the I amsterdam city card’s list of attractions.
How much time do I need at Anne Frank House?
Visits usually last for an hour.
When is the best time to visit the Anne Frank House?
Visit the museum in the evening as that’s a less hectic and crowded time. Also, since the place is small, big backpacks or luggage of any size are not allowed.
Is the Anne Frank House wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately, no. However, wheelchair users can access the renovated and modern part of the museum, the café, and the museum shop.
