Amsterdam is a gorgeous city in Holland to which some five million visitors flock every year. Cut across with a multitude of canals, Amsterdam hosts many interesting attractions, a wide number of different cuisines and a host of different entertainment venues. Many North American tourists make Amsterdam their stop-over on long flights to places like Eastern Europe and Russia.

Because Amsterdam mixes old-world culture with modern day living so very well, it is a very popular tourist destination for young people. Of particular note of attractions to visit is the Anne Frank House. Located in the city center, this home is perhaps the most famous tourist destination in Amsterdam. It is the home of the young Anne Frank, a Dutch citizen who was hidden in an attic until she and her family were finally deported to the Nazi extermination camp, Auschwitz, where they perished. The family lived at the back part of the house in an area referred to as the Secret Annex.

Touring the Anne Frank House will take you about an hour. You will probably want to visit the small café near the exit in order to partake in some refreshments because you will likely find the visit to be mentally and emotionally exhausting. Plant to visit either right at opening time or near closing time as the crowds during the middle of the day make the wait times very long to get in.

The Anne Frank House offers a unique piece of historical vision to any vacation to Amsterdam. Anyone who has studied the Holocaust even remotely will be familiar with the story of Anne Frank and her family. It is truly a heartbreaking tale. If you visit this beautiful city, you will not want to miss out on visiting this historic home.

Please note that the building is very small with many cramped corridors. It is not wheelchair accessible and people who suffer from claustrophobia might want to give second thoughts to visiting. It also contains many steep and narrow staircases.

The Anne Frank House is open from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. (until 10:00 p.m. during the summer). Be forewarned that there are often large groups of students visiting the house during the school year. Summers are crowded with many tourists. In 2010 The Anne Frank House had its most busy year with over 1 million visitors.

It should be noted that the Anne Frank House also contains a museum with many artifacts to her memory. The museum regularly hosts different exhibits which change on a rotating basis.