The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam

Anne Frank is one of the world’s most famous writers, and before her death in 1945, she left a legacy in literature and history that continues to move people around the world.

Read on to learn more about her story, how she became a symbol against cruelty after her death, and what you can expect to find at the museum that bears her name: the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam—one of the most popular sights to see in Amsterdam today.

 

Who was Anne Frank?

 

Anneliese Marie Frank, better known as “Anne Frank,” was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, in 1929. After the rise of Nazism, she moved with her family to the Netherlands, joining over 25,000 Jewish people who fled persecution under the regime.

When Germany invaded the Netherlands in 1940, restrictions were imposed on Jews: their belongings were confiscated, they couldn’t use public transport, practice professions freely, or attend non-segregated schools.

 

Current appearance of the entrance to the house where the Frank family hid

 

Despite these restrictions, Anne’s father, Otto Frank, managed to run a business distributing a pectin-based mixture used for making jam. Concerned about the gradual arrest and deportation of friends to concentration camps, he decided to hide with his family in a concealed house behind his office.

Thus, in July 1942, Anne, her sister Margot, her mother Edith, and her father moved into what Anne called the “Secret Annex,” a narrow, two-story space where they remained hidden. They were joined by family friends Auguste and Hermann van Pels, their son Peter, and dentist Fritz Pfeffer, making it a total of eight people in hiding for over two years.

Anne Frank’s Diary: A Painful Legacy

Statue of Anne Frank in Amsterdam

 

Anne received the diary that would become famous on her 13th birthday, just a month before going into hiding. Her entries detail the harsh daily life in the annex: arguments over scarce food, cramped quarters, and rising tensions over the constant fear of being discovered.

But she also wrote about typical issues of her age: jealousy toward her sister, conflicts with her mother, and an increasing sense of self-awareness. Anne revised and edited her diary, intending to publish it as a novel titled “The Secret Annex.”

The last entry was on August 1, 1944. Three days later, the Gestapo discovered their hiding place, and everyone was arrested. Anne, her mother, and her sister perished in concentration camps.

Only Otto Frank survived the war. When he reviewed the papers and documents left in the secret annex, he decided to publish his daughter’s diary. The Diary of Anne Frank was first published as a literary work in 1947, five years after Anne received it as a birthday gift.

The Anne Frank House: A Must-Visit Museum in Amsterdam

The Anne Frank House, located by the Prinsengracht canal

 

The Frank family’s hiding place is located along Amsterdam’s canal belt. Today, it’s open to the public and is one of the most popular museums in the Dutch capital. Located in the Jordaan district, it was preserved thanks to public protests advocating for its conservation and restoration. The museum opened its doors in 1960 and now welcomes nearly one million visitors each year.

Inside, you’ll see the 45-square-meter attic, which is now empty, offering just a glimpse of what life was like for so many people in such a small space. The museum also has a collection of the family’s belongings and the original diary on display behind glass.

You can walk to the Anne Frank House from Amsterdam Central Station. Alternatively, take tram lines 13 or 17 and get off at the “Westermarkt” stop. Address: Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam.

 

Hours

Open daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM

December 25 and 31: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Closed on October 5

Prices

Adults: €14

Youth (10-17 years): €7

Children (0-9 years): €1

Learn more about Anne Frank by joining a Spanish-speaking walking tour through Amsterdam, where you’ll also discover other aspects of the city and enjoy a canal cruise.

If you prefer exploring Amsterdam by bike, you can reach many fascinating parts of the city with a Spanish-speaking guide. Check out the details for the bike tour in Amsterdam.

There’s much more to explore beyond the Dutch capital. Take a look at the best day trips from Amsterdam, such as visits to Volendam, Edam, Marken, and Zaanse Schans, or, if you’re traveling in spring, the stunning Keukenhof Gardens—Europe’s most beautiful and expansive tulip fields.