Step into the powerful story of a young girl whose diary became one of history's most poignant testimonies to the human spirit during one of its darkest chapters.
Plan Your VisitThe Anne Frank House (Dutch: Anne Frank Huis) is a biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. Located in central Amsterdam, the building preserves the secret annex where Anne Frank hid from Nazi persecution with her family and four others during World War II.
For more than two years, Anne Frank and the others lived in the secret annex of the building at Prinsengracht 263 where Anne's father, Otto Frank, had previously worked. Eventually, they were betrayed and captured by the Nazis in August 1944. Anne died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in February or March 1945, just weeks before the camp was liberated.
Today, the Anne Frank House stands as a powerful memorial and educational center. It preserves the hiding place and has a permanent exhibition on the life and times of Anne Frank, whose diary, published posthumously by her father, has become one of the world's most widely read books, offering an intimate view into the human experience during the Holocaust.
Everything you need to know to plan your visit to the Anne Frank House
Note: Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time. Hours may vary during holidays.
Important: All visitors must purchase tickets online in advance. Tickets become available two months in advance and sell out quickly.
The museum is located in the center of Amsterdam, within walking distance of many other attractions.
Due to the historic nature of the building and the preservation of the Secret Annex in its original state, the Anne Frank House is unfortunately not accessible to wheelchair users. The narrow staircases and small rooms cannot be modified without compromising the authenticity of the site.
For visitors with limited mobility, a detailed virtual tour is available at the museum entrance and online.
Key events in Anne's life and the history of the Secret Annex
Annelies Marie Frank is born in Frankfurt, Germany, to Otto and Edith Frank.
The Frank family moves to Amsterdam, Netherlands, to escape growing antisemitism in Nazi Germany.
Germany invades the Netherlands. Anti-Jewish regulations gradually increase.
Anne receives a diary as a birthday present, which she names "Kitty."
The Frank family goes into hiding in the Secret Annex above Otto Frank's business at Prinsengracht 263.
After 25 months in hiding, the Secret Annex residents are discovered, arrested, and sent to concentration camps.
Anne dies of typhus in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, just weeks before liberation.
Otto Frank, the sole survivor from the Secret Annex, publishes Anne's diary as "Het Achterhuis" (The Secret Annex).
The Anne Frank House officially opens as a museum to the public.
Explore the different areas of the museum and their significance
Walk through the original rooms where Anne Frank and seven others hid for over two years. See the bookcase that concealed the entrance to their hiding place and experience the cramped living conditions they endured.
The rooms have been preserved in their authentic state, with several original items still in place, including pictures Anne pasted on her bedroom wall.
View the original diary of Anne Frank and her other writings, which provide intimate insights into her thoughts, fears, and dreams during their time in hiding.
This exhibit showcases how a teenage girl's personal diary became one of the most significant documents of the 20th century, translated into more than 70 languages.
Learn about the rise of Nazism, the persecution of Jews in the Netherlands, and the broader historical context of World War II through photographs, documents, and multimedia presentations.
This section helps visitors understand the circumstances that forced the Frank family and millions of others into hiding or exile.
A space dedicated to contemporary issues related to antisemitism, racism, and discrimination. This area connects Anne's story to ongoing human rights challenges and encourages visitors to reflect on their own role in creating a more just society.
Interactive displays showcase testimonies from people around the world who have faced persecution.
Can't visit in person? Explore the Anne Frank House through our immersive virtual tour, which allows you to navigate through the Secret Annex and learn about its history through interactive elements.
Take the Virtual TourWhat others are saying about their visit to the Anne Frank House
Visiting the Anne Frank House was a deeply moving experience. Standing in the actual rooms where Anne and her family hid for two years brought her diary to life in a way I hadn't expected. The museum does an excellent job of preserving the space while providing historical context.
I've read Anne's diary multiple times, but walking through the Secret Annex gave me a completely new understanding of her story. The cramped spaces, the need for constant silence during the day, the blacked-out windows—it makes you realize how difficult those two years must have been.
A sobering reminder of the consequences of hate and intolerance. The Anne Frank House is more than a museum—it's a place that challenges you to reflect on how we treat one another. I appreciated that the exhibition connected Anne's story to contemporary issues of discrimination.
How to find the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
The Anne Frank House relies on visitors and donors to maintain this important historical site and to continue its educational programs around the world. Your support helps ensure that Anne's story and its lessons continue to reach future generations.
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