The Anne Frank House is a museum at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam's historic Canal District, close to the Westerkerk. It occupies three adjacent buildings, including the 17th-century canal house and the rear building known as the Achterhuis, or Secret Annex.
Why it is worth the trip
You move from the modern exhibition spaces into the actual rooms where Anne Frank, her family and four others hid during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Only about 450 square feet were inhabited, and standing in that confined space makes the story feel immediate and personal. Exhibits trace Anne's life and times, and a dedicated space places her story within wider histories of persecution and discrimination. You will also see unusual objects, such as the Academy Award won by Shelley Winters for her role in the 1959 film.
The best time to go
Going early in the day is the surest way to avoid the biggest crowds and take the rooms in at a calmer pace. The house is a museum, so it works in any season, and the canal-side walk beforehand is especially pleasant in mild weather.
How long to allow
Allow enough time to move through both the historic rooms and the exhibition spaces without rushing, and leave a little quiet time afterward to absorb what you have seen.
Getting there
The house stands on the Prinsengracht in the Canal District, beside the Westerkerk, and the area is easy to reach and pleasant to walk through.
What to book ahead
Plan and secure your visit ahead of time through the museum's official channels, since a place like this draws many visitors. If you cannot go in person, the museum offers an online virtual reality tour that includes parts of the annex closed to physical visitors.
Nearby
The Westerkerk is right next door, and a canal cruise is a natural way to see more of the Canal District. The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum are also nearby cultural landmarks.