Anne Frank House
Amsterdam · Netherlands · Founded 1960
Quick answer
Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Netherlands — otto Frank, the only member of the Frank family to survive the Holocaust, opened the house as a museum in 1960. Open daily, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (varies by season). Admission: €16 standard admission. Allow 1–1.5 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Anne Frank House at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (varies by season) |
|---|---|
| Admission | €16 standard admission |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 1–1.5 hours |
| Best time to visit | Book the earliest morning slot on a weekday outside school holidays. |
| Getting there | Tram: Lines 13 and 17 to Westermarkt — the museum entrance is on the square beside the Westerkerk church |
| Address | Westermarkt 20, 1016 DK Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Official website | annefrank.org |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Anne Frank House known for?
The Anne Frank House on Amsterdam's Prinsengracht canal preserves the hiding place where Anne Frank, her family, and four others lived in secret from July 1942 until their arrest in August 1944. Otto Frank, the only family member to survive the Holocaust, opened the house as a museum in 1960 to honour his daughter's wish that her diary be published and to educate visitors about persecution and discrimination.
The Secret Annex — reached through a hinged bookcase in Otto Frank's business premises — remains the emotional heart of the visit. Rooms are deliberately unfurnished, following Otto's wish that they stand empty while the personal belongings of those in hiding are displayed in glass cases alongside Anne's original diary pages and revisions.
A modern wing added in 1999 and expanded in 2018 provides historical context on the rise of Nazism, the deportation of Dutch Jews, and the post-war publication of Anne's diary. Interactive displays connect the Frank family's story to contemporary issues of racism, antisemitism, and human rights.
The museum receives over a million visitors annually, making advance booking essential. The narrow staircases and intimate scale of the Secret Annex create an intensely personal encounter with one of the twentieth century's most widely read testimonies.
Best for: History Enthusiasts · First-timers
How long do you need at Anne Frank House?
Allow 1–1.5 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Anne Frank House without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Anne Frank's Original Diary
📍 Exhibition Wing, Diary Room
The checked cloth-covered autograph book Anne received for her thirteenth birthday — the volume in which she recorded her thoughts, fears, and hopes during two years in hiding.
- 2
The Secret Annex Bookcase Door
📍 Ground floor, behind the bookcase
The hinged bookcase that concealed the entrance to the Secret Annex — one of the most powerful architectural objects in any Holocaust memorial.
- 3
Anne's Bedroom Wall
📍 Secret Annex, Anne's room
The walls where Anne pasted magazine photographs of film stars, royalty, and art — a poignant record of a teenager's inner life in confinement.
- 4
Otto Frank's Office
📍 Ground and first floors
The front rooms of Otto Frank's pectin and spice business, where employees Miep Gies, Bep Voskuijl, and others continued working while secretly supplying the hiders — risking their lives to sustain the concealment.
What are the must-see works at Anne Frank House?
4 highlights that define the collection: Anne Frank's Original Diary, The Secret Annex Bookcase Door, Anne's Bedroom Wall and more.
Anne Frank's Original Diary
Anne Frank · 1942–1944
📍 Exhibition Wing, Diary Room
The checked cloth-covered autograph book Anne received for her thirteenth birthday — the volume in which she recorded her thoughts, fears, and hopes during two years in hiding. Multiple revised versions and loose sheets accompany the original.
The Secret Annex Bookcase Door
Original 1942 construction
📍 Ground floor, behind the bookcase
The hinged bookcase that concealed the entrance to the Secret Annex — one of the most powerful architectural objects in any Holocaust memorial. Visitors pass through the same narrow opening the eight hiders used daily.
Anne's Bedroom Wall
Anne Frank · 1942–1944
📍 Secret Annex, Anne's room
The walls where Anne pasted magazine photographs of film stars, royalty, and art — a poignant record of a teenager's inner life in confinement. The images were preserved and are displayed in the exhibition.
Otto Frank's Office
Period reconstruction
📍 Ground and first floors
The front rooms of Otto Frank's pectin and spice business, where employees Miep Gies, Bep Voskuijl, and others continued working while secretly supplying the hiders — risking their lives to sustain the concealment.
Collections and highlights
- • The Secret Annex — eight hiding places across four floors
- • Anne Frank's original diary and manuscript revisions
- • Photographs and film of the Frank family and helpers
- • Documents on the deportation of Dutch Jews
- • Contemporary human-rights reflection gallery
- • Temporary exhibitions on discrimination and tolerance
- • Otto Frank's business premises on Prinsengracht
- • Film testimonies of survivors and helpers
Tips for visiting Anne Frank House
- 1.
Best time to visit
Book the earliest morning slot on a weekday outside school holidays. Evening slots in summer are atmospheric but still crowded.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
One of Europe's most visited house museums — queues are eliminated by timed tickets but rooms remain crowded. The Secret Annex allows one-way passage only.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Tickets are sold exclusively online at annefrank.org, often weeks in advance. No tickets at the door. A small number of same-day tickets release at 9 AM online.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Cafés and restaurants line Westermarkt and the Jordaan; the Pancake Bakery near Westerkerk is a popular stop.
- 5.
Accessibility
The Secret Annex has steep, narrow staircases and is not wheelchair accessible. The modern exhibition wing is fully accessible.
How do you get to Anne Frank House?
- tram Lines 13 and 17 to Westermarkt — the museum entrance is on the square beside the Westerkerk church
- metro Line 52 to Amsterdam Zuid, then tram 5 to Westermarkt; or Lines 53/54 to Centraal and walk 20 minutes
- walk 15 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal station through the Jordaan district along the canals
Address: Westermarkt 20, 1016 DK Amsterdam, Netherlands
Anne Frank House: frequently asked questions
Can I buy tickets at the door?
No — admission is exclusively by online time-slot ticket, often weeks in advance.
Is the visit suitable for children?
Children ten and over generally have the most meaningful experience.
How long should I spend at Anne Frank House?
Plan 1–1.5 hours for the highlights of Anne Frank House. Our 4-stop route — Anne Frank's Original Diary, The Secret Annex Bookcase Door, Anne's Bedroom Wall and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Anne Frank House best known for?
Otto Frank, the only member of the Frank family to survive the Holocaust, opened the house as a museum in 1960. The original Secret Annex remains preserved behind the famous bookcase entrance. Key highlights include The Secret Annex — eight hiding places across four floors, Anne Frank's original diary and manuscript revisions, Photographs and film of the Frank family and helpers.
How do I get tickets for Anne Frank House?
Admission: €16 standard admission. Book a timed-entry ticket on the official website before you go — popular slots sell out in peak season. Official site: https://www.annefrank.org/en/
Why are the Secret Annex rooms unfurnished?
Otto Frank requested that the rooms remain empty after the furniture was removed by the Nazi authorities following the arrest. The bare rooms convey the absence of those deported and allow visitors to focus on the scale and intimacy of the hiding place.
Can I take photographs inside?
Photography is not permitted anywhere in the museum, including the Secret Annex and exhibition spaces. This policy protects the original documents and maintains a respectful atmosphere.
How far in advance should I book tickets?
During peak season (April–September) and school holidays, tickets often sell out two to four weeks ahead. Book as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. A limited number of tickets release on the day of visit at 9 AM Amsterdam time.
Is Anne Frank House open on Mondays?
Yes — Anne Frank House is open every day of the week, including Mondays and Sundays: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (varies by season). Check the official website for holiday hours.
What are Anne Frank House's opening hours?
Anne Frank House is open daily, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (varies by season). Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Anne Frank House free to visit?
No — standard admission is €16 standard admission.
