Anne Frank House Exterior Visit: Tips, Walking Tours & Jewish Quarter Amsterdam

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Introduction to the Anne Frank House

Visiting the Anne Frank House is one of the most powerful experiences in Amsterdam. The museum preserves the secret annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II and where she wrote her famous diary. In this guide, you’ll learn about the history of the house, what to expect during the tour, and tips for planning your visit.

Still organizing your trip? Start with our complete Amsterdam travel guide, where we cover attractions, neighborhoods, transportation, and money-saving tips in one place.

Explore the powerful story of Anne Frank on a 2-hour guided walking tour through historic Amsterdam, available in the language of your choice.

👉 Check availability for the Anne Frank walking tour

Quick Facts: Anne Frank House

Location: Prinsengracht 263, Amsterdam
Museum: Anne Frank House
Famous for: The hiding place of Anne Frank during World War II
Visit duration: 60–90 minutes
Tickets: Online reservation required in advance
Annual visitors: More than 1 million per year
Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon
Nearby area: Jordaan district and Amsterdam canal belt

Who Was Anne Frank

Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who became one of the most famous voices of the Holocaust through the diary she wrote while hiding during World War II. She was born in 1929 in Frankfurt, Germany, but moved with her family to Amsterdam in 1934 as the Nazis gained power in Germany.

If you’re planning your museum day, consider checking out our guide to Boutique Stays in Amsterdam for charming accommodations that put you close to Museumplein and the city’s top attractions.

In 1942, when Anne was 13 years old, her family went into hiding in a concealed space behind her father’s office building along the Prinsengracht canal. The hidden rooms later became known as the Secret Annex, where Anne, her parents, her sister Margot, and four others lived in hiding for more than two years.

During this time, Anne wrote regularly in her diary about life in hiding, her thoughts, fears, and dreams for the future. Her writing offers a deeply personal glimpse into the experiences of Jewish families during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

After visiting the Anne Frank House, many travelers continue their cultural journey with a visit to the famous Van Gogh Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh.

In August 1944, the group in the Secret Annex was discovered and arrested by the Nazi authorities. Anne and her sister Margot were later deported to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where they both died in early 1945.

Anne’s father, Otto Frank, was the only member of the group who survived the war. After returning to Amsterdam, he discovered Anne’s diary had been preserved and later arranged for its publication. The diary, known worldwide as The Diary of a Young Girl, has since been translated into dozens of languages and remains one of the most powerful personal accounts of the Holocaust.

Art lovers visiting Amsterdam often include the renowned Stedelijk Museum on their itinerary for its outstanding modern art and design exhibitions.

Today, the building where Anne and the others hid is preserved as the Anne Frank House museum, one of the most visited historical sites in Amsterdam.

Guided tours are available in multiple languages, so you can experience the history in the language you’re most comfortable with.

👉 Check availability for the 2-hour Anne Frank walking tour

The Secret Annex in Amsterdam

The hiding place where Anne Frank and her family lived during World War II was located in a concealed part of an office building along the Prinsengracht canal in Amsterdam. This hidden area became known as the Secret Annex.

In July 1942, the Frank family went into hiding to avoid deportation by the Nazi authorities. The concealed rooms were located behind the office of Anne’s father, Otto Frank. The entrance to the annex was hidden behind a movable bookcase, which helped keep the space secret from warehouse workers and visitors.

A visit to Our Lord in the Attic lets travelers explore a hidden 17th-century Catholic church tucked inside a canal house in Amsterdam.

The annex consisted of several small rooms spread over two floors. Anne shared a room with Fritz Pfeffer, while her parents and sister Margot stayed in another room. The van Pels family—friends and business associates of Otto Frank—also lived in the hiding place, bringing the total number of people in hiding to eight.

Life in the annex was extremely difficult. During the day, the group had to remain very quiet so the workers in the warehouse below would not hear them. They relied on trusted helpers who secretly brought them food, books, and news from the outside world.

Anne spent much of her time writing in her diary, describing daily life in the annex, the tensions of living in such a confined space, and her hopes for the future. Her writing would later become one of the most widely read personal accounts of the Holocaust.

Today, the Secret Annex is preserved as part of the Anne Frank House museum, allowing visitors to walk through the same rooms where the group lived in hiding for more than two years. The spaces remain largely unfurnished, just as Otto Frank requested after the war, creating a powerful and moving experience for visitors.

For a closer connection to Amsterdam’s modern art scene, the Amsterdam Erwin Olaf Legacy Tour is a must-visit experience.

What You See Inside the Museum

A visit to the Anne Frank House takes you through several parts of the historic building where Anne Frank and seven others lived in hiding during World War II. The museum combines preserved rooms with exhibitions that explain the story of the Frank family and the broader history of the Holocaust.

If you’re exploring Amsterdam’s art scene, don’t miss the Moco Museum, which features modern and contemporary works that complement the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum collections.

The visit begins in the front house, which contains exhibits about Anne’s early life, her family’s move from Germany to Amsterdam, and the growing persecution of Jewish people during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Photographs, documents, and video displays help provide historical context before entering the hiding place.

One of the most memorable moments of the visit is seeing the original movable bookcase that concealed the entrance to the Secret Annex. This hidden doorway allowed the group to remain undiscovered for more than two years.

Inside the annex, visitors walk through the small rooms where the group lived between 1942 and 1944. Although the rooms are largely empty, several original details remain. In Anne’s bedroom, you can still see the pictures of movie stars and royal families that she pasted on the wall to make the room feel more personal.

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The museum also displays original pages from Anne’s diary, which she received for her thirteenth birthday and wrote in while living in hiding. Her diary, later published as The Diary of a Young Girl, has become one of the most widely read personal accounts of the Holocaust.

Many visitors find the final exhibition rooms particularly powerful, as they reflect on the impact of Anne’s story and the importance of remembering the events of World War II. The experience offers both a historical perspective and a deeply personal connection to one of the most well-known stories of the Holocaust.

Visiting the Anne Frank House

Visiting the Anne Frank House is one of the most meaningful experiences in Amsterdam. The museum preserves the building where Anne Frank and seven others hid from Nazi persecution during World War II. Today, it serves as both a historical site and a place of reflection visited by more than a million people each year.

Art lovers visiting Amsterdam can enjoy a fully guided experience with the Private Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, exploring masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age to modern art.

The museum is located along the historic Prinsengracht canal in the Jordaan district. Visitors first walk through the front building, which contains exhibitions about Anne’s life, the Frank family, and the persecution of Jewish people during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

From there, the tour continues to the most powerful part of the museum: the hidden rooms of the Secret Annex. The entrance remains concealed behind the famous movable bookcase that once protected the hiding place from discovery.

Inside the annex, visitors move through the small rooms where the families lived in hiding for more than two years. Although the rooms are mostly unfurnished, historical photographs, diary excerpts, and preserved details—such as pictures Anne pasted on her bedroom wall—help bring the story to life.

A visit to the Anne Frank House is often described as emotional and deeply moving. Walking through the narrow rooms of the Secret Annex offers a powerful reminder of the personal stories behind one of the darkest periods of the twentieth century.

For a one-of-a-kind digital art experience, don’t miss Fabrique des Lumières, where masterpieces come to life through stunning projections and music.

Most guided Anne Frank tours in Amsterdam do not include entry to the Anne Frank House. Because tickets are limited and sold mainly through the official museum website, visitors usually book museum entry separately and combine it with a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter.

Guided tours are available in multiple languages, so you can experience the history in the language you’re most comfortable with.

👉 Check availability for the 2-hour Anne Frank walking tour

Other WWII & History Experiences Nearby

While the Anne Frank House is a must-visit, there are several other historical sites in Amsterdam that give deeper insight into the city’s WWII history:

1. Amsterdam Resistance Museum

Learn about the Dutch resistance during the Nazi occupation, including how locals helped hide Jewish families and fought against oppression. The museum features exhibits on secret operations, personal stories, and the impact of the war on everyday life in Amsterdam.

👉 Check availability and latest prices for the Resistance Museum

2. Jewish Historical Museum & Holocaust Memorial

Located in the city’s old Jewish Quarter, this museum tells the story of Jewish life in Amsterdam before, during, and after WWII. The nearby Holocaust Memorial provides a somber reflection space.

👉 Check availability and latest prices for the Jewish Historical Museum

3. Walking Tours Focused on WWII History

Several local guides offer walking tours that explore:

• Hidden sites of the Jewish Quarter

• Locations where resistance members lived and operated

• Stories of everyday life under Nazi occupation

Combining your Anne Frank House visit with one of these experiences can provide a full day of history and reflection, giving a more complete understanding of Amsterdam during WWII.

👉 Check availability and latest prices for a private world war II walking tour

4. Amsterdam National Holocaust Museum

For visitors who want a deeper understanding of the Holocaust in the Netherlands, the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam is an important place to visit. Located in the historic Jewish Quarter, the museum tells the story of the persecution and deportation of Dutch Jews during World War II through personal testimonies, photographs, and historical artifacts.

The museum is situated near several other significant sites, including the Hollandsche Schouwburg memorial and the Jewish Historical Museum. Together, these locations provide deeper context about Jewish life in Amsterdam before, during, and after the Nazi occupation.

Visiting the Holocaust Museum alongside the Anne Frank House helps travelers gain a broader understanding of the events that shaped Anne Frank’s life and the wider history of the Holocaust in the Netherlands.

👉 Check availability and latest prices for Holocaust Museum

Anne Frank Day Trips & Extended Tours

If you’re inspired by the story of Anne Frank and want to dive deeper into her life and the history of World War II in the Netherlands, there are several meaningful experiences beyond just the museum:

1. 2‑Day Private Anne Frank Tour Through Holland

For travelers who want a more immersive and reflective journey, a private 2‑day tour that follows Anne Frank’s footsteps can be a powerful way to learn her story and the broader WWII context. This multi‑day experience typically begins in Amsterdam, exploring key locations connected to Anne’s life and the history of the Jewish community. On the second day, many tours include travel to sites like Westerbork Transit Camp, where many Dutch Jews were held before being deported to camps in Eastern Europe — a deeply moving part of the story that extends beyond Amsterdam.

👉 Read our 2-day tour following Anne Frank's footsteps guide

2. Follow Anne Frank’s Journey Through Europe

For travelers who want a deeper historical experience, this private memorial tour follows the path of Anne Frank from Amsterdam through key locations connected to the Holocaust. The multi-day journey traces the tragic route taken by many Jewish families during World War II, visiting important sites such as Kamp Westerbork, Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, and Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Along the way, a private guide explains the history of the Nazi occupation and the events that shaped Anne Frank’s life and legacy.

👉 Explore the full memorial tour

3. Small Group WWII Concentration Camp Tour from Amsterdam

For travelers wanting to understand the wider historical context of World War II beyond Amsterdam’s city center, a small group Holocaust excursion to the WWII concentration camp at Vught offers a deeply moving experience. On this respectful full‑day tour, you’ll travel from Amsterdam to the former camp site, explore original structures such as the barracks, crematorium, and watchtowers, and reflect at memorials that honour the more than 31,000 people who were imprisoned there. Guided commentary and an included audio tour help bring the history to life, making this a powerful complement to a visit to the Anne Frank House and other WWII sites.

👉 Explore the full small group WWII concentration camp tour guide

4. Band of Brothers Bastogne Day Trip from Amsterdam

For history enthusiasts who want to explore World War II beyond Dutch borders, the Band of Brothers Bastogne Day Trip from Amsterdam offers an unforgettable journey into one of the most pivotal battles of the war. This full‑day excursion follows the footsteps of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division as they held the key crossroads town of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, one of the bloodiest and most dramatic campaigns of WWII. Along the way, you’ll visit important memorials, battlefields, and museums that bring the story of courage and sacrifice to life, making this trip a powerful complement to visits to the Anne Frank House and other WWII sites in Amsterdam.

👉 Read the full Band of Brothers Bastogne day trip guide

How to Get Tickets for the Anne Frank House

Tickets for the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam must be purchased online in advance. Because the museum limits the number of visitors inside the historic building, entry is organized through timed tickets, and walk-in purchases are not available.

Tickets are usually released several weeks ahead of the visit date and can sell out quickly, especially during weekends, holidays, and the busy summer travel season. If visiting the Anne Frank House is high on your itinerary, it’s best to book your tickets as early as possible.

Each ticket gives access to the museum and the Secret Annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. Visitors enter at their selected time slot and typically spend about 60–90 minutes exploring the exhibitions and historic rooms.

If tickets are already sold out for your travel dates, consider joining a guided Anne Frank walking tour in Amsterdam. While these tours usually do not include museum entry, they provide valuable historical context and explore important locations connected to Anne Frank’s story and the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

Planning ahead ensures you can experience one of Amsterdam’s most important historical sites without disappointment.

👉 Book Your Anne Frank House Tickets Here!

Anne Frank House Exterior Visit

Not everyone can get tickets to enter the Anne Frank House, but you can still experience this historic site from the outside. A walk along Prinsengracht lets you see the canal-side façade, the famous bookcase entrance, and the surrounding Jewish Quarter where Anne Frank and her family lived.

Many guided walking tours focus on the exterior visit, providing context about Anne Frank’s life, the Secret Annex, and the broader history of the Nazi occupation in Amsterdam. Even without museum entry, this walk gives visitors a meaningful connection to the story and excellent photo opportunities of one of Amsterdam’s most iconic locations.

Tip: Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and the best light for photography.

Is the Anne Frank House Worth Visiting?

Visiting the Anne Frank House is widely considered one of the most moving and meaningful experiences in Amsterdam. Here’s why it’s worth including on your itinerary:

1. Emotional & Historical Impact

Walking through the Secret Annex allows you to connect personally with Anne Frank’s story and the experiences of those in hiding. Seeing the original rooms, the movable bookcase, and Anne’s preserved diary excerpts creates a deep sense of history that goes far beyond what books or films can convey.

2. Educational Experience

The museum provides important context about the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, the Holocaust, and the lives of Jewish families during World War II. Exhibits are thoughtfully curated to educate visitors of all ages without being overwhelming.

3. Planning Considerations

• Tickets: Must be booked online in advance; they sell out quickly.

• Crowds: Visiting early in the morning or late afternoon offers a quieter experience.

• Time: Plan 60–90 minutes to tour the museum fully.

4. Additional Value

For travelers interested in deeper historical context, combining your visit with a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter or a 2-day Anne Frank private tour can make the experience even richer.

✅ Bottom line: Even if you only have a short time in Amsterdam, the Anne Frank House is a must-visit for history lovers, families, and anyone wanting to understand this powerful personal story within the broader context of World War II.

Summary:

Explore the life of Anne Frank on a small-group guided walking tour through Amsterdam’s historic Jewish Quarter. Led by an expert guide, you’ll uncover the city’s rich history during World War II while learning about Anne’s experiences and legacy.

The tour begins at the Portuguese Synagogue, a beautifully preserved 17th-century Sephardic synagogue still in use today. From there, your guide will take you through the original Jewish neighborhood, sharing stories about the community’s history, Anne Frank’s family relocation from Germany, and their life in hiding during the Nazi occupation.

Along the route, you’ll learn about Anne’s love of writing, her daily life in 1930s and 1940s Amsterdam, and how her diary became a globally recognized testament to resilience and hope. You’ll also discover hidden sites connected to the Dutch Resistance, gaining insight into the courageous efforts of locals who fought oppression.

Highlights include passing the Jewish Historical Museum, visiting the Auschwitz Monument, and seeing the exterior of the Anne Frank House. This walking tour offers a moving and educational perspective on Amsterdam’s WWII history, making Anne Frank’s story come alive in the city she called home.

Included:

• 2-hour guided walking tour exploring the history of Anne Frank and World War II in Amsterdam

• Small group experience for a more personal and interactive tour

• Licensed professional guide with deep knowledge of Amsterdam’s WWII history

• Tours available in the language of your choosing

Not included:

• Entry to the Anne Frank House – this walking tour visits the exterior only and does not include museum admission

• Transportation to the meeting point – participants are responsible for making their own way to the tour starting location in Amsterdam

Address (link to Google Maps): Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1, 1011 PL, AMSTERDAM

Duration (Estimated): 2 hours

Price (Estimated!): From $ 38,00 per person. Discounts for various groups.

Rating & Reviews: 4,6/5,0 over 30+ reviews

Availability/Actual prices/Reviews: Check here!

Blog created December 2024

Blog updated March 2026

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✨ Quick Amsterdam Travel Tip: Anne Frank House ✨

Where: Prinsengracht 263, Amsterdam
Why Visit: Step inside the Secret Annex where Anne Frank wrote her diary and learn her story.
Visit Duration: 60–90 minutes
Tickets: Online only – book in advance!
Best Time: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds
Nearby: Jordaan district & canal belt – perfect for exploring after your visit

Tip: Combine your visit with a walking tour of WWII history in Amsterdam for a deeper experience.

FAQ: Visiting the Anne Frank House

Do you need to book tickets for the Anne Frank House in advance?

Yes. Tickets for the Anne Frank House must be purchased online in advance. The museum does not sell tickets at the door, and entry is only possible with a reserved time slot.

How long does it take to visit the Anne Frank House?

Most visitors spend about 60 to 90 minutes exploring the museum, including the Secret Annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II.

Are guided tours available inside the Anne Frank House?

No guided tours are allowed inside the museum itself. Visitors move through the exhibitions at their own pace using information panels and audio explanations.

Can you visit the Anne Frank House without tickets?

No. Because of limited capacity inside the historic building, all visitors must have a pre-booked ticket with a specific entry time.

Are there Anne Frank walking tours in Amsterdam?

Yes. Several guided walking tours in Amsterdam explore the Jewish Quarter and important World War II locations connected to Anne Frank’s life. These tours usually include the exterior of the Anne Frank House but do not include museum entry.