13 Useful Tips For Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
After studying and teaching World War II and the Holocaust for years and visiting sites like Auschwitz, I knew I also had to visit the Anne Frank House. Anne’s story has captivated readers from all over the world, and her voice is one worth reading and listening to.
Over the last decade, I’ve visited the Anne Frank House many times. And, let me tell you, the place is CROWDED constantly! In fact, more than a million people visit it each year. The Anne Frank Huis is one of the most visited places in the city and is absolutely deserving of a spot on your Amsterdam itinerary.
This post covers some of my best tips and things I wish I had known prior to visiting the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam my first time.
In A Rush? Here are My Top 3 Tips For the Anne Frank House!
1. PLAN AHEAD! Book Tickets EARLY! (Read More Here)
2. Reread the Book BEFORE You Go (Read More Here)
3. Do NOT Buy Tickets ANYWHERE ELSE besides the Anne Frank House itself (Read More Here)
Planning a Trip Soon? Use My Favorite Resources Below!
Booking a Flight: Use Skyscanner to find the best prices!
Accommodations: I love Booking.com!
Travel Insurance: SafetyWing Is the best in the industry!
Things to Do: Use Viator for amazing experiences!
Car Rental: In Europe, I recommend DiscoverCars
Tips For Visiting the Anne Frank House
If you’re visiting the Anne Frank Museum, there are a few things you should know in order to help make your trip more meaningful and run more smoothly. Here’s what to know:
1. Reread Diary of a Young Girl
Look…it’s cliche. I get it. This tip is at the top of every list you’ll read.
But, please, understand that I’m telling you this as a person who has studied this book for years. I’ve taught it to adolescents, have taken students to the Anne Frank House, and have even completed book studies for it.
You NEED to read (or re-read) The Diary of a Young Girl just before your trip to the Anne Frank House.
Why, you ask?
The Secret Annex portion of the Anne Frank Museum has been intentionally left the way it was once the Frank family was arrested. Aside from removing the furniture, Otto Frank wanted the space mostly unaltered.
Your visit will be SO much more moving and worthwhile if you can call to memory the details in the book and see them in real life as you tour through the house.
I get it! You’re a reluctant reader, your kid doesn’t want to, you hate books, you read it in grade school…yeah, I hear ya. But you will regret not reading the book prior to seeing it in person.
As an example: In The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne writes about cutting out magazine photos and pasting them onto the walls of her room in the Secret Annex. She specifically talks about a photo with monkeys. The pictures are literally still there. It’s wild.
2. Plan Ahead: Book Tickets Online Early
If you only listen to one of my Anne Frank Huis tips, LISTEN TO THIS ONE: Tickets to the Anne Frank House are notoriously difficult to grab, so you’ll want to plan ahead in order to make sure you can get a ticket for entry!
Online tickets for the museum are released every Tuesday at 10:00 AM Amsterdam Time (4:00 AM Eastern) for bookings SIX WEEKS from then. The tickets online are released for that ENTIRE week of bookings.
For Example: On Tuesday, March 14th, tickets are released for the entire week of April 24th-30th.
3. Anne Frank House Tickets Sold Out! What Do I Do?
Don’t fret! (Yet).
If you didn’t grab Anne Frank House Tickets six weeks ahead of time, there is a way to get them the week before.
But, in order to successfully do this, you need to be ready to go the SECOND they are released.
The Anne Frank House Amsterdam releases some tickets for the upcoming week on the prior Tuesday between 10:00-11:00 AM (Amsterdam Time). If you want a shot at snagging these, post up near reliable wifi and get ready to click quickly…because these babies go ridiculously fast, too.
⭐ Tip: Anne Frank House Amsterdam Tickets: Your Last Ditch Effort ⭐
If you are desperate and have no other options, you can check on Facebook (there are many Amsterdam Travel Groups) to see if anyone has tickets they cannot use for the day you need them. Sometimes complications arise and people offer their unused tickets.
Worth a shot!
4. Anne Frank House Tip: 🚨 DO NOT Go Wait in Line For Tickets
I’ll never forget the first time I went to the Anne Frank House. People told us to get there more than an hour before it opened…and even that early there was still a line wrapped BLOCKS around.
At times, I saw the line at more than a 6-hour wait.
🚨 Since this got out of hand quickly, the Anne Frank Huis stopped selling in-person tickets.
So, long story short, DO NOT go wait in line for Anne Frank House Amsterdam tickets. You cannot, under any circumstances, get tickets this way.
5. ONLY Buy Tickets From the Anne Frank House Amsterdam Museum
Being an Amsterdam travel expert, I am in many Facebook groups that offer travel advice for the city. I cannot tell you how many times a day people ask how they can get a ticket to the Anne Frank House if all of the museum tickets are sold out.
Unfortunately, the answer is that you can’t.
If you didn’t get them two months early, and you didn’t get them at 10:00 AM on that day, I am sorry to say that you are out of luck.
The only verified seller of Anne Frank House tickets is the actual museum. I have seen countless people get scammed by scalpers or “ticket resellers.”
This is also one of the (ONLY) two scenarios where I’d even recommend not trusting secondary tour sites like Viator.
⭐🚨 HEY! When I say don’t trust scalpers, I mean it!
They will try to sell you tickets right outside the Anne Frank Museum, and they legitimately will not scan when you get to the museum doors. DON’T DO IT!
6. Arrive Earlier Than Your Window
This is one of the best tips for visiting the Anne Frank House Amsterdam because everyone thinks that since they have a timed ticket, they’ll be okay showing up at that time! WRONG!
When I went to the Anne Frank House this past October, I still had to wait in the entry line…even with my timed ticket in hand.
This is because the museum sells a certain amount of tickets per time slot and then slowly filters people in so that the tour areas aren’t overcrowded (more on this later).
Arrive earlier than your ticket window if you are on a tight Amsterdam itinerary.
Note: They will NOT let you in any earlier than your ticket (they’re incredibly strict about this), but you’ll be able to queue at the front of your time slot and be one of the first to enter once it’s time!
⭐ PSA: Watch Your Step ⭐
I’m so embarrassed to even be telling you this…the last time I visited with a group of students, I legitimately FELL ON MY FACE in front of EVERYONE waiting to enter the Anne Frank House (No, I’m serious, it was awful).
So, pro tip, pay close attention to the two stairs dipping down into the museum entrance…you know, or you’ll bust your face and knees like I did! Lol.
7. Be Prepared to Stow Your Larger Bags
The Anne Frank House is a tiny space. As such, they absolutely make you check any larger bags-even smaller bookbags.
Thankfully, their bag check area is extremely secure, and they do a great job of maintaining order with bag tickets and such.
In October, I was traveling with a breast pump and milk, so I had a huge backpack. The bag check at the Anne Frank House was the only place (over the course of 12 days) where I felt comfortable leaving my things stowed out of my sight.
So, really, it is a safe and secure option for bags and luggage.
8. Anne Frank House Accessibility Concerns: Small Spaces + Stairs
As far as accessibility goes, one tip you’ll want to be aware of before visiting the Anne Frank House is that there are some very small spaces and some of these are incredibly steep and tiny stairs.
The Secret Annex was meant to be just that, secret, and so the entryway and stairs to get inside are wildly narrow.
You’ll have to duck and climb up two sets of stairs in order to get into the part of the museum where Anne Frank lived with her family, the Van Pels family, and Fritz Pfeffer for more than two years.
9. Flow of Traffic and Lines
The flow of traffic is one-way inside the museum.
Expect to wait in line briefly as others move through the experience and read the posted placards.
Realistically, unless you’re at the Anne Frank House during summer or another high season, you’ll likely only need to wait for one of the films, at the bottom of the stairs to the first floor, and right before entering the Secret Annex behind the bookshelf.
Other than those areas, there’s not really a terrible lull in the movement of people through the museum.
10. Consider an Introductory Program
This tip for visiting the Anne Frank House is relatively unknown, somehow!
One of the coolest things we did when we took students to the Anne Frank House was book a separate introductory program. The program is done in English, which made it very accessible to our kids.
This gave our group the opportunity to learn briefly from museum staff and ask any questions that they had prior to visiting.
You can book one of these tours on the Museum website.
11. Photography is Prohibited
Due to the sensitive nature of the space, there is no photography permitted in the Anne Frank House.
Although it can be difficult not to take photos, as you’ll definitely want to remember the experience, just remember what happened here. Please treat the annex with the respect and reverence it deserves.
⭐ Tip: If you’re looking for a photo op to remember your trip by, there is a statue of Anne Frank near the museum in the Westerkerk Churchyard. Alternatively, there is a plaque that says “The Anne Frank Huis” on the front side of the rowhomes (adjacent to the canal).
12. Don’t Miss the Bookstore
You’ll find this piece of advice listed for many of the World War II and Holocaust sites I’ve visited around the world.
Why?
Because most of the larger historic sites have their own publications that are only available from their stores. This is absolutely true of the Anne Frank House.
The bookstore is full of unique translations and writings around The Diary of Anne Frank. Most are translated from Dutch to English.
Plus, there are other items like a pop-up model of the annex, which I absolutely brought back to show my students.
Take some time to peruse the bookstore-you’ll find many things you can’t get elsewhere.
13. Explore the Jordaan Area Around the Anne Frank House
The Jordaan area around the Anne Frank House has been severely overlooked, but over the past decade, it has blossomed into a fantastic and hip area packed with restaurants, cafes, and boutiques.
Don’t be afraid to just stroll around and see what you run into.
But, for sure don’t miss the shops and restaurants on Rozengracht. There are many, but I am in love with De Kinderboekwinkel. It is THE most adorable children’s bookstore. Gah!
Trying to coordinate your Amsterdam itinerary? This canal cruise picks you up just outside of the Anne Frank House!
Other Anne Frank Tours in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city in Europe with a significant connection and a number of memorials and sites related to World War II and the Holocaust.
Anne Frank lived the majority of her life in the Netherlands. If you’re interested in exploring her story further, the two tours below are great options!
✡ Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter of Amsterdam holds so much history. Take a walking tour around this historic part of Amsterdam and see locations like the Joods Historisch Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, and the Auschwitz Monument as you explore the neighborhood.
You’ll also see some of the Amsterdam Stolpersteine (stumbling stones), which are part of an international Holocaust memorial. In short, these small plaques in the street commemorate the lives of those murdered in the Holocaust by recording the date they were deported as well as where they went. There is one for each person deported from the spot the stone is located.
This tour is the perfect learning experience at any time, but it could be a fantastic precursor to your Anne Frank House tour, as the walking tour ends at the entrance to the museum. Just a thought!
✡ Anne Frank & the Jewish History of Amsterdam (Private tour WITH Anne Frank House Museum Tickets)
This is an extensive (3.5 hour) private tour that delves deeply into Anne Frank and the Jewish History of Amsterdam.
After meeting your guide, you’ll explore the Jewish Quarter of Amsterdam, visiting the Joods Historisch Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, the Memorial of Auschwitz, and many other sites along the way.
Most moving, I think, is the visit you’ll take inside the Hollandsche Schouwburg (The Dutch Theater). This is the haunting space that served as a deportation location for the Jews who were being transported out of Amsterdam by the Nazis.
🚨 IMPORTANT NOTE: This tour ends at the Anne Frank House Museum, AND if you book AT LEAST 7 weeks in advance, they WILL secure Anne Frank Tickets for you!
✡ Private Anne Frank Bike Tour
It’s no secret to anyone that the number one way Dutch people travel in Amsterdam and the Netherlands at large is by bike.
Travel like a local and explore sites connected with Anne Frank, World War II, and the Holocaust by a private bike tour.
You’ll be able to cover more ground this way, seeing the National Holocaust Names Monument as well as the Merdweplein, the neighborhood where Anne Frank and her family originally lived before moving into the Secret Annex.
Where to Stay When Visiting the Anne Frank House
Here are some of my top recommended hotels in Amsterdam. All of them are wonderful places to stay when visiting the Anne Frank House.
✡ Eden Hotel Amsterdam
I am obsessed with the location, elegance, service, and amenities at Eden Hotel Amsterdam. You can read my full review of this hotel for more details. It is by far the best place I have stayed in the city.
✡ InntelHotels Amsterdam Centre
Another awesome property that I have personally stayed at multiple times. This is about a 15 minute walk from the Anne Frank Huis and is very centrally located.
It is quite near to some fantastic restaurants and bars, is extremely modern and comfortable, and I have always had great service here from the staff as well.
✡ The Pavilions Amsterdam, The Toren
This stand out property is just a 3-minute from the Anne Frank Huis, putting you close to all of the action in the Jordaan area.
The Pavilions Amsterdam, The Toren is a top pick for those looking for boutique hotel vibes, especially if you need a unique bar to grab a nightcap. The staff is fantastic, and the beds are cozy!
Recommended Reading Before Your Visit
As a Holocaust educator, I’ve read many books pertaining to Anne Frank and the Holocaust. Here are a few I’d recommend personally as recommended reading before your visit:
The Diary of Anne Frank (Obviously)
I already mentioned this above, but definitely read Diary of a Young Girl prior to visiting the Anne Frank Huis. It will give background knowledge and perspective that really helps make the visit more meaningful.
After the Annex: Anne Frank, Auschwitz, and Beyond
I recently read After the Annex: Anne Frank, Auschwitz, and Beyond by Bas Von Benda-Beckmann and was floored by how interesting it was. In it, you follow the lives of each of the Secret Annex members, learning what paper trail exists once they left the attic.
In the museum, you are kind of left hanging with what exactly happened to everyone at the end. This book really satisfied my curiosity, and I definitely would recommend reading it prior to your visit.
Night
Night by Elie Wiesel is one of the foremost Holocaust memoirs ever published. Although it does not relate to Anne Frank in the least, it does give a larger persepctive overall of the Holocaust and what the Jews suffered at the hands of the Nazis.
Wiesel really brings to the forefront some of life’s biggest questions about fate, meaning, and humanity.
FAQ: Anne Frank House Museum Tips
Even after some of the above-mentioned tips, it’s likely that you still have some unanswered questions regarding what to expect when you visit!
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Anne Frank House:
How Much Time Do You Need at Anne Frank House?
Most visitors take between an hour and 1.5 hours to tour the Anne Frank House and visit the museum store. However, there are newer additional exhibits that follow the Secret Annex tour, so you may well need up to two hours.
What is the best time of day to visit Anne Frank House?
The best time to visit the Anne Frank House is early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid peak crowds. The museum opens at 9 AM, so arriving right at opening can help you experience it with fewer people. Evenings, especially after 6 PM, also tend to be quieter. Avoid midday (11 AM – 3 PM), as this is the busiest time.
What age is appropriate for the Anne Frank House?
The Anne Frank House is best for kids around 10 and up since the story is pretty heavy and emotional. Younger kids can go, but the exhibits talk about serious topics like the Holocaust, which might be tough to understand. It really depends on your child and if they’re ready for it.
Can You Bring a Backpack to Anne Frank House?
You can, but you’ll need to check all backpacks at the baggage check counter before continuing onto the museum tour.
What Do I Do if Anne Frank House Tickets are Sold Out?
our best bet, if you’ve tried everything above, and still can’t get tickets to the Anne Frank House, is to book this tour that combines a virtual reality tour of the Anne Frank House (SO cool!) with a walking tour that follows the last known steps the Frank family took after being arrested.
Wrap-Up: Visiting Anne Frank House
Visiting the Anne Frank House truly isn’t that complicated. But, sometimes it helps to have tips to steer you in the right direction.
After visiting many times over the past decade, I can confidently say that the above tips for visiting the Anne Frank House will help prepare you to have the best visit and tour experience that you possibly can.
You’ll learn a lot, and you’ll likely never quite be the same. Along with things like a canal cruise or a trip to the Bloemenmarkt, touring the Anne Frank House is absolutely a must-do in Amsterdam.
Once you’re finished learning about Anne Frank, consider visiting other World War II and Holocaust sites around the world to continue learning how we can make sure that Never Again happens.
↳ Read Other Helpful Holocaust Travel Content Below!
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✔ Full Guide to Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp
or Dachau Concentration Camp
✔ Here are the Best Auschwitz Tours to Take From Krakow!
✔ Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the Anne Frank House
✔ Make sure you have the best travel items for a trip abroad!
