Anne Frank House
Amsterdam · Netherlands · Founded 1960
Good for: History Enthusiasts · First-timers
1960
Opened as Museum
1 million+
Annual Visitors
1–1.5 hours
Recommended Visit
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. Book timed-entry tickets ahead in peak season. World Museum Guide covers the highlights, getting there, and how long to allow (1–1.5 hours).
Verified 2026-06-30 against official sources.
About Anne Frank House
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.
1–1.5 hours highlights route
A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Anne Frank House without museum fatigue. · 1–1.5 hours
- 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.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define Anne Frank House — and why they matter.
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 & 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
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 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and 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?
€16 standard admission Advance timed-entry booking is strongly recommended. 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.
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