10 Tips for Visiting the Anne Frank House

by Tanja

Did you know that the Anne Frank House is the 2nd most visited museum in Amsterdam? That’s right, there are an estimated 1.5 million visitors every year who go to explore the house where Anne and her family hid from the Nazi’s.

If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, then you need to have this fascinating house in your itinerary. However, due to the museum’s popularity and size, there are a few things you should know before you go visit it.

Ten Top Tips for Visiting the Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam provides a key historical landmark that connects visitors with the past. It undoubtedly provides a memorable experience and one where you can learn a lot more about what it was like for Jewish families in the Second World War. Make sure you follow these tips to get the most out of your Anne Frank House visit.

1. Read Anne Frank’s Diary

Before you visit the museum, make sure you read the diary of Anne Frank. In this book, the young girl writes what she and her family are going through while they are hiding from the Nazi’s. Read this post also: 10 Things you didn’t know about Anne Frank.

The most impressive part of the Anne Frank House Museum is the secret annex where Anne Frank and her family were hiding. You will have the chance to walk through the actual rooms. These rooms are small and empty, without any furniture. Anne Frank’s diary can provide you with perspective and some background understanding of what you’ll see during your visit.

2. Book an entrance + introductory program

If you have not read the diary and you don’t know much about the Second World War, you can also book an extra introductory program. The program is in English and costs €5 extra. You can book the extra program when you book the entrance ticket.

3. Book Tickets Early and Online

In previous years, the museum was overwhelmed with visitors. The waiting lines for the museum were very big. That is why they introduced a new online booking system. Now, 80% of the tickets are for sale online from two months in advance.

This means you need to buy your tickets for the Anne Frank House online as early as possible. You can only buy tickets for a specific day and time (you have 45 minutes to enter).

4. Go in the evening

From 1 April to 1 November, the museum is also open in the evening. It’s open until 22.00 hours (10 pm). This is usually a quieter time. For the rest of the year, the Anne Frank House closes at 19.00 (7 pm), except on Saturday when it is also open until 10 pm.

The museum is closed only one day in the year: on the Jewish festive day of Yom Kippur, on 28 September.

5. Book Tickets Online on the Day itself (risky!)

On busy days, (holiday season and weekends) tickets might already be completely sold out. If there are no more tickets for the day you want to go, you can still try to get a ticket on the day itself. 20% of tickets go on sale at 9 o’clock in the morning. Be ready at 9, because tickets sell out fast!

6. Buy your tickets personally

Tickets to the Anne Frank House Museum are only valid for the persons they are issued to and on the date and time that you chose. Hotels or ticket agencies cannot buy tickets for you. Never buy tickets from someone who cannot go. The ticket can not be exchanged or refunded.

7. Amsterdam passes and discount cards are not valid

None of the Amsterdam passes or the Dutch Museumjaarkaart are valid for the Anne Frank House. Everyone needs to buy tickets. Children also need to have a ticket.

8. Travel Light

‘Due to the size of the house, visitors should make sure they travel lightly. Don’t take big backpacks as you won’t be allowed in and there’s only a small cloakroom in the museum to store luggage such as bags smaller than A4 sheets of paper, coats, and buggies’, says Michelle Davis, a spokesperson from the THEGOODESTATE. ‘So, make sure you don’t book a trip to the museum on your arrival or departure day, unless you have somewhere else to put your luggage, like at the hotel you are staying in, or at a luggage storage point.’

9. Be aware of the stairs

Canalside houses in Amsterdam often have very steep stairs. The Anne Frank House is no exception. There are many steep stairs in the house, so if you have difficulty walking then you might struggle to climb the stairs.

Unfortunately, the old part of the museum and the Secret Annex aren’t accessible for wheelchair users. However, wheelchair users can access the modern part of the museum, the café, and the museum shop.

10. Don’t Take Any Photos

The museum doesn’t allow visitors to take photos while in the museum. This is because it slows down visitors as they explore the house. It could also harm the house.

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