What to pack for Anne Frank Huis?
Most visitors to the Anne Frank House are turned away before they even reach the entrance — not because they arrived late, but because they never booked.
In short, what catches you out here
- Tickets sell out weeks in advance online; visitors who arrive without a booking are turned away at the door regardless of queue length.
- The staircases inside the Secret Annexe are extremely steep — almost ladder-like — and the passageways are very narrow, creating bottlenecks and physical strain even for fit visitors.
- The museum is kept at a controlled temperature that feels cool, especially in winter, but the long outdoor queue before entry can leave visitors very cold and wind-exposed on the canal-side.
Why this list?
Timed-entry tickets sell out weeks in advance and walk-ins are simply not admitted. That logistical shock is only the first surprise. Once inside, the building confronts you physically as much as emotionally: the staircases into the Secret Annexe are steep enough to require both hands on the rail, the passageways are narrow, and the queues move slowly through controlled spaces. In January and February, the wait on the exposed canal bank at 1–3°C with wind off the Prinsengracht adds a layer of discomfort that catches visitors off guard. Photography is banned throughout — something many people discover only at the entrance. And because there is no on-site luggage storage, arriving with a large bag means a last-minute scramble. This list focuses on what experienced visitors wish they had thought of before stepping out onto Prinsengracht.
✔To do before you leave
Your countdown: every action at the right time, from furthest ahead to departure day.
- Tickets routinely sell out several weeks ahead; without a pre-booked slot you will be turned away at the door, as walk-in entry is not available.
- Mobile signal is unreliable inside the building and in the dense canal-side area; a ticket that won't load at the entrance causes immediate problems.
- No on-site storage exists; arriving straight from the train with a suitcase means being denied entry or scrambling for a paid locker service nearby at the last moment.
- Photography is not permitted anywhere inside; visitors who only learn this at the entrance must put away cameras under pressure, which disrupts entry and can cause tension with staff.
- The emotional intensity of the visit is routinely underestimated; many visitors leave needing time to decompress, and the chaotic tourist crowd outside makes this harder without a plan.
✔The essentials
Without these, the trip is compromised. Don't forget them.
- The Secret Annexe staircases are steep enough to require both hands on the rail; shoes without grip or with heels create a genuine safety risk on the narrow steps.
- Bags larger than a compact daypack are not admitted and there is no cloakroom or luggage storage on site; arriving with a large suitcase means finding an alternative at the last minute.
✔Nice-to-haves
Not vital, but noticeably more comfortable with them.
- Photography is banned inside; visitors who want to record a particular date, quote or room detail have no alternative without pen and paper.
- The crowds outside and inside create a jarring contrast with the gravity of the site; ear protection helps visitors transition mentally and block ambient noise during the audio guide.
- The museum's audio guide runs via an app that taxes your battery; a flat phone at the entrance means your digital ticket may not display.
✔Weather & season
Adjust to the time of year and forecast for your trip.
- The canal-side pavement becomes icy or wet in winter; visitors stand still for extended periods and then climb very steep internal staircases — slippery soles are a genuine hazard.
- Temperatures can sit at or below 1°C during the outdoor queue; disposable hand warmers are easy to pocket and make the wait significantly more comfortable.
- Standing still in a queue on the wind-exposed Prinsengracht pavement in January temperatures around 1–6°C drains warmth quickly; a base layer makes the wait bearable.
- The outdoor queue on the exposed canal bank can last 10–20 minutes in near-freezing temperatures; the building interior is also cool and kept deliberately understated in atmosphere.
- With 11 precipitation days over the period and the queue entirely outdoors, a small umbrella prevents a cold, wet wait before entry.
✔ My own items
Create an account to save your lists and find them on all your devices.
- Every checklist you generate, kept and available anytime
- On your phone as well as your computer
- Your ticks picked up right where you left them
✔ Good to know
- Keep your bag compact — only bags smaller than an A4 sheet of paper can be brought inside. There are no lockers or on-site storage for large backpacks or suitcases, so leave them at your hotel or store them at Amsterdam Centraal Station before your visit. source
- Book your timed-entry ticket in advance on the official website — tickets sell out quickly and walk-up entry is not available. Your slot gives you a 15-minute entry window, so plan to arrive a few minutes early to avoid missing it. source
- Bring a bank or credit card for any purchases on site (café, shop) — card payment is the only method accepted inside the museum. source
- Download the official Anne Frank House app and bring your own headphones before you arrive — the audio guide is how the museum tells its story, and rooms contain almost no independent text panels. source
- Note that the entrance is at Westermarkt 20, not at the canal-front address Prinsengracht 263-267 — heading to the wrong door is a common mistake. From February 2025, the tram line to Westermarkt is suspended; the nearest stop is Dam Square, a 10-minute walk away. source
- Wear comfortable, flat shoes — the building has many narrow staircases and uneven surfaces typical of a historic Amsterdam canal house. source
- Large backpack or suitcase — Consider dropping any large bag at your hotel or at luggage storage near Centraal Station before heading over — items larger than an A4 sheet of paper are likely to be turned away at the entrance, and there is no on-site storage.
- Camera or phone used for photos/video — Photography, video, and filming are not permitted anywhere inside the museum, including in the Secret Annex, so your camera will stay in your pocket throughout the visit.
- Selfie stick — Given that photography inside is not permitted and the spaces are very narrow, a selfie stick would be of no use and may cause difficulties at the entrance.
- Outside food and drinks — Consider having a meal beforehand — outside food and beverages are not permitted inside the museum, and any refreshments need to be consumed in the designated café area.
Anne Frank Huis official website
✔ Frequently asked questions
How do I get to the Anne Frank House and is there parking nearby?
The museum is located on Prinsengracht in the Jordaan district of Amsterdam, well served by trams and buses from Centraal Station. Car parking in the immediate area is very limited and expensive; most visitors arrive by tram (lines 13 and 17 stop close by) or on foot from the city centre. Cycling is a practical option — secure your bike away from the entrance as the pavement is often crowded.
Do I need to book tickets in advance for the Anne Frank House?
Yes, advance booking is effectively essential. Timed-entry tickets are sold exclusively online and regularly sell out several weeks ahead, particularly in winter school-holiday periods and weekends. Walk-in entry is not available. Check the official website as soon as your travel dates are confirmed, and book the earliest slot that works — earlier time slots tend to be less crowded.
What should I wear and what shoes are best for the Anne Frank House?
The steepness of the staircases inside the Secret Annexe makes footwear choice more important than at a typical museum. Shoes with a firm grip sole and ankle support are strongly recommended; heels or smooth-soled shoes can be unsafe on the near-vertical steps. In winter, also dress for a wait of 10–20 minutes on the cold, potentially icy canal-side pavement before entry — warm layers and waterproof boots are practical choices in January and February.
Can I take photos inside the Anne Frank House?
Photography is not permitted anywhere inside the museum, including in the Secret Annexe. This rule applies to both phones and cameras. If you want to record specific details — a date, a quote, a room layout — bring a small notebook and pen, as that is the only alternative available to you during the visit.