Anne Frank House
Located in West Amsterdam in the Jordaan neighborhood, this is the hideaway of Anne Frank, her parents, older sister, and four others during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. In 1942, a young Anne and her family moved into this “secret annex” behind her father’s business and spent a little more than two years in hiding before they were arrested by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps in Poland and Germany in 1944. This house offers a fascinating and depressing look at the hardships and struggles that the family went through during this time of despair. It was here that Anne wrote about their time spent in hiding and how frustrated she was about having to remain indoors and keep quiet during the day time. During the tour, you first explore the part of the house that was used as a working business before passing through the original bookcase. A narrow and steep staircase leads up to the “Secret Annex” which was hidden behind the movable bookcase and as you walk through each room you can immediately imagine what it would have been like to live in such close quarters with 7 other people all the while in fear of being discovered. In addition to the historic rooms in the Secret Annex, there are other exhibitions that cover the Frank family, stories of others who hid and the Holocaust. Most importantly, Anne’s red and green checkered diary is always on display, along with her other writings, in the Diary room.
Tickets: Adults €9; Children (10-17) €4.50; Purchase your tickets online prior to visiting to avoid the longer entry lines or to visit the museum in the morning.
Opening hours: New Entry System: From 9-15:30h the museum is only open to visitors with a pre-purchased online ticket for a specific timeslot. From 3:30 PM you can buy a ticket at the museum entrance. Nov 1- Mar 31 Daily from 9-19h (Saturdays until 21h); Apr 1- Oct 31 Daily from 9-22h
Rijksmuseum
Having recently undergone an extensive renovation to restore the building to its original 1885 beauty, the Rijksmuseum (Rijks rhymes with bikes) houses an extensive display of contemporary and historical works of the nations great art. The museum showcases a large collection of 17th and 18th century Dutch works of art, by Dutch masters including Rembrandt, Bermeer, Hals, and Steen. The architecture of the building itself is spectacular Make sure to check out the famously large ‘I AMSTERDAM’ letters out back. We rested our tired feet and enjoyed the entertainment provided by watching tourists clumsily crawl and climb in, around and on top of the letters.
Tickets: Adults €15; Under 18 years: Free
Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:00-17:00
MOCO Museum
Located in the unique Villa Alsberg in Amsterdam’s museum square, the Modern Contemporary (MOCO) Museum strives to bring the world of modern and contemporary art to the public eye. With a rotating gallery, be sure to check which artists will be on display during your visit. We were lucky to be in Amsterdam during the Banksy & Warhol exhibition.
Tickets: Adults €12,50; purchasable online or at the museum
Opening Hours: Open Daily from 10-18h
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum, located right next to the Rijksmuseum, is home to the largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh paintings in the world. The museum has a collection that includes 200 paintings by the master Van Gogh, along with other drawings and letters. Even those not into art can enjoy and appreciate the works created by this troubled artist.
Tickets: Adults €15; Under 18 years: Free
Opening Hours: Mar 1- Sept 1 daily 9am-6pm, Friday until 10pm; Sept 2-Dec 26 daily 9am-5pm, Friday until 10pm; Dec 27- Dec 31 daily 9am-6pm, Friday until 10pm.
Heineken Experience
A visit to the Heineken Experience, while cheesy and fun is, well, an experience. Unlike some of the other brewery tours we’ve been on, the Heineken is more of a tour without a tour guide, interactive journey through the brewing process of Heineken. Complete with horses, a dance party and of course beer tastings, for any beer lover it’s a must see.
Tickets: €18 Adult; €16 Adult online purchase; €12.50 Children (12-17)
Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs 11-19:30 Last entry 17:30; Fri-Sun 10:30-21:00 Last entry 19:00; July & August Mon-Sun 10:30-21:00 Last entry 19:00; Open 365 days a year!
House of Bols: Cocktail & Experience
If you aren’t so much the beer drinker and tend to prefer the finer things, the House of Bols is the place for you. “A visit to The House of Bols, Cocktail & Genever Experience on the Museumplein square in Amsterdam, is a unique adventure and an unforgettable interactive experience of the glamorous world of cocktails, liqueurs, bartending and the Dutch spirit Genever. At the House of Bols you will find all about Lucas Bols – the world’s oldest distilled spirit brand, which has been making liqueurs in Amsterdam since 1575!”
Tickets: €14.50 per person and includes a cocktail. Make sure to check out their website for opening times and special offers! Just remember that you must be 18 years or older to visit the House of Bols.
