Amsterdam: Anne Frank Walking Tour & WWII Jewish Quarter

Summary

Walk Amsterdam’s WWII streets with stories of Anne Frank and local life

You’ll walk Amsterdam’s streets with a local guide who brings Anne Frank’s story to life right where it happened. Pause at memorials in the Jewish Quarter, hear personal memories mixed with history, and end near the Anne Frank House — no entrance included, but you’ll carry those moments long after.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the way the light hit the cobblestones outside the Jewish Museum — kind of soft, even though it was just before noon. Our guide, Saskia, waved us over with this gentle “Goedemorgen” that somehow made me feel like we weren’t just tourists but guests in her city. She pointed at the museum’s facade and started talking about families who used to live right here, and honestly, I felt a bit awkward standing there listening to such heavy stories with trams rattling by behind us. But then she shared how her own grandmother remembered those days — that changed something for me.

We wandered past the Portuguese Synagogue (didn’t go inside, but you could peek through the old windows), and Saskia explained why so many people gathered here before things changed in 1940. There was this moment by the Dokwerker statue where she paused and let us just listen — not to her, but to the city. Bikes clicking past, someone laughing across the street, a faint smell of fresh bread from somewhere I couldn’t spot. It all felt weirdly ordinary for a place with so much history packed into every corner.

The Auschwitz Monument surprised me — it’s just these broken mirrors on the ground, catching bits of sky and our faces. I caught myself staring at my shoes reflected there and thinking about how easy it is to forget what happened when everything looks so normal now. We crossed Dam Square (dodging pigeons) and ended up at the Anne Frank statue near Jordaan. Saskia told us we wouldn’t be going inside the Anne Frank House itself (she warned us ahead of time), but standing outside while she read a few lines from Anne’s diary… well, I still think about that. Not sure if it was the words or just being there in that exact spot.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided walking tour of Anne Frank sites

• Meet guide outside Jewish Museum
• Talk outside Portuguese Synagogue
• See Dokwerker Statue
• Visit Auschwitz Monument
• View National Monument at Dam Square
• Visit Anne Frank statue
• End tour near Anne Frank House

Top questions

Does this Anne Frank walking tour include entry to the Anne Frank House?

No, entrance to the Anne Frank House is not included; you will visit from outside only.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts outside the Jewish Museum and ends next to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.

How long is this guided walking tour?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

Is this tour suitable for children or strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Will we enter any museums or synagogues during this tour?

No, entry tickets are not included; you will talk about sites like the Jewish Museum and Portuguese Synagogue from outside only.

Is lunch or food included on this day trip?

No meals are included on this walking tour.

Do I need comfortable shoes for this Amsterdam walking tour?

Yes, comfortable shoes are recommended as you will be walking for about two hours.

Is public transportation nearby for getting to or from this tour?

Yes, public transportation options are available near both start and end points.

What’s included

Your day includes a two-hour guided walking tour through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter to Jordaan with stories from a local guide in your chosen language; all visits are from outside only — no museum or synagogue entries are included — so you’ll want comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing before setting out together.