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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 10 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Jennifer Ceaser

Just after Amsterdam resident Anne Frank’s 13th birthday in 1942, she and her family went into hiding to escape Jewish persecution under the Nazis. They lived hidden away in a cramped annexe for two years, until they were betrayed and transported to concentration camps. Only Anne’s father Otto survived.

During their period of hiding in Amsterdam, Anne Frank kept a remarkable diary, given to her as a 13th birthday present by her father. After the war, Otto Frank managed to retrieve his daughter’s diary and find a willing publisher. The book became an international sensation.

The house – with cramped annexe – is now Amsterdam’s most popular museum, with Anne’s original red-checked diary on display, alongside the notebooks in which she wrote short stories and quotations. A new exhibition, ‘A Room Full of Dreams’ displays the pictures and postcards she stuck on her bedroom walls.

The museum also offers a special 30-minute programme for those who want an introduction to the story of Anne Frank.

It’s a poignant, moving experience, and an Amsterdam must-see.

Price from: £12
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 8+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The Anne Frank House is set on the Prinsengracht Canal; the nearest tram/bus stop is Westermarkt, though the house is within walking distance of most points in the centre. Visits to the house are self-guided. Exhibits are well labelled.

Note that there is nowhere to store bags, and you won’t be allowed in with anything bigger than a smallish backpack.

When to do it

The best time to visit is in the evening, when entry queues are shorter and the house is less crowded. Avoid peak times if possible – mid-morning to mid-afternoon and weekends – when it’ll be extremely crowded inside and the queue snakes around the streets outside.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour through Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter

Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour through Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter

Amsterdam

Walk through Amsterdam with a professional guide that shows you Amsterdam during the World War II, through the eyes of Anne Frank. This 2 ho...

€28 | Rating 4.72 / 5 [2898 ratings]

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Anne Frank’s Last Walk and visit the Anne Frank House in Virtual Reality

Anne Frank’s Last Walk and visit the Anne Frank House in Virtual Reality

Amsterdam

Every year millions of people travel to Amsterdam to see where Anne Frank hid from the Nazis. In this tour, we walk the last 600m Anne took ...

€39 | Rating 4.83 / 5 [73 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Anne Frank Walking Tour Amsterdam Including Jewish Cultural Quarter

Anne Frank Walking Tour Amsterdam Including Jewish Cultural Quarter

Amsterdam

Visit the Jewish Cultural Quarter with the Jewish Historical Museum, the Children’s Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue and the National Holoca...

€45 | Rating 4.92 / 5 [355 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Anne Frank & the Jewish History of Amsterdam, private tour (3-4 hours)

Anne Frank & the Jewish History of Amsterdam, private tour (3-4 hours)

Amsterdam

Learn more about Anne Frank & the Jewish History of Amsterdam in this Private Tour Travel back in time to the 16th century when Amsterdam b...

€90 | Rating 4.96 / 5 [81 ratings]

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Canal House

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands[0.2 miles]

An intimate hotel in historic canal-facing buildings, with stylishly updated interiors. One of the trendiest places to stay in Amsterdam.

Official star rating:

Pulitzer Amsterdam

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands[0.2 miles]

Contemporary luxury, location and historical charm all meet in this five-star canal-front property, steps from the Nine Streets and the character-filled Jordaan district.

Official star rating:

Hoxton Amsterdam

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands[0.4 miles]

A cool, retro design complements the historical character of this wonderful, affordable canal-side bolthole.

Official star rating:

W Amsterdam

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands[0.5 miles]

Swanky design hotel in the picturesque heart of the city, offering an array of bars and restaurants, plus the city’s largest rooftop pool.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Amsterdam

North Holland, Netherlands

Picturesque Golden Age canals, premier league art, cosy cafés, and liberal urban living combine to make Amsterdam one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

The Nine Streets

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands[0.3 miles]

Stroll the city’s most stylish streets, packed with independent boutiques and vintage fashion stores, the latest Dutch and Flemish brands, and locally-made soaps and luxe toiletries.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Hermitage Amsterdam

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands[1.7 miles]

A 17th-century old people’s that is now the overseas outpost for St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. Lavish, must-see exhibitions of exquisite treasures selected from the Hermitage’s vast collections.

Best for ages: 18+ | £22

The Rijksmuseum

Amsterdam , North Holland, Netherlands[1.7 miles]

The Netherlands’ premier art museum is packed with Dutch Golden Age masterpieces, showcasing the finest works of Rembrandt, Hals and Vermeer. Over 8,000 exhibits are displayed in 80 rooms trace 800 years of Dutch art and culture. The must-see masterpiece is Rembrandt’s massive Night Watch.

Best for ages: 18+ | £16

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Best for ages: 6+ | Free

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Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Huis Marseille Museum for Photography

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands[0.8 miles]

Set in two beautiful canal houses along the Keizersgracht, this museum showcases contemporary (mainly European) photographers in its permanent collection and hosts several photo exhibits annually.

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