Amsterdam: Anne Frank Walking Tour & Jewish History Stories

Summary

Anne Frank’s footsteps in Amsterdam, stories of courage and memory

You’ll walk Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter with a local guide who shares moving stories at WWII memorials and hidden sites. See where resistance fighters lived, pause at stumbling stones, and end outside the Anne Frank House reflecting on her story. Expect quiet moments, honest conversation, and a sense of history that lingers after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“If you listen closely, you can still hear the city holding its breath,” our guide Miriam said as we paused in Dam Square. She was right — there was this odd hush under the tram wires, even with bikes rattling past. I hadn’t expected to feel so much just standing by the war memorial. The stone felt cold under my hand, and Miriam pointed out how people leave little pebbles here sometimes. I saw an old man do it quietly, like he was telling someone he remembered.

We wandered through narrow streets that didn’t look much different from any other in Amsterdam, but Miriam kept stopping us — “Here, sixteen people hid inside Der Silveren Spiegel during the occupation.” I tried to picture it: laughter hushed, fear thick in the air. It smelled faintly of coffee and rain on bricks. She told us about Willem Arondeus, a resistance fighter who lived nearby; there’s a stumbling stone for him on the sidewalk. I almost missed it — these tiny brass markers are easy to overlook unless someone points them out.

The Anne Frank House came last. We didn’t go inside (that’s not part of this tour), but just standing outside the secret annex made my chest feel tight. There were school kids nearby eating stroopwafels and for a second I wondered what Anne would have thought seeing them so free. It’s strange — you read her diary, but being here makes everything heavier somehow. I still think about that view down the canal at dusk.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Anne Frank and WWII sites

• Visit Dam Square memorial
• See De Bijenkorf bar hiding place
• View Willem Arondeus resistance street
• End at Anne Frank House

Top questions

Is this Anne Frank walking tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on this walking tour are wheelchair accessible.

Does the tour include entry to the Anne Frank House?

No, this walking tour ends outside the Anne Frank House but does not include entry inside.

How long is the walk from Dam Square to Anne Frank House?

The route covers central Amsterdam by foot; exact distance varies but is suitable for most fitness levels.

Are strollers or prams allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

Will we visit sites related to Jewish resistance in Amsterdam?

Yes, your guide will point out locations connected to Holocaust history and resistance fighters like Willem Arondeus.

Is public transportation nearby if I need it before or after?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to the meeting point and along the route.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walking tour through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter with a licensed local guide; wheelchair access throughout; suitable for families with strollers; service animals welcome; no entry tickets needed as all stops are outdoors or public spaces.