Do This, Not That: 3 Off-the-Beaten-Path Places to Visit for that Classic Amsterdam Itinerary

Instead of the Anne Frank House…

Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who kept a diary of her time hiding in Amsterdam during the Nazi rule. Her story starts at the Anne Frank House, which is located near the popular Jordaan neighborhood in the city. 

Now a museum, the Anne Frank House tells the story of how her family came to the Netherlands and the tragic demise of the seven of the eight people living in her house. 

Tickets for the Anne Frank House are only available online and sell out MONTHS in advance, so it can be difficult to snag an opportunity to see the hidden Annex in person. 

Visit the National Holocaust Museum

Of a Jewish population numbering 140,000 living in the Netherlands in 1940, only 38,000 managed to survive the war. 

The National Holocaust Museum highlights the timeline and stories of the Jewish people in photos between 1940-1945. You can learn about the isolation, intimidation, and ultimately the persecution of the population, and see for yourself how they were set apart by a Jewish Identity Card and how they were not allowed at swimming pools, theatres, or other public sites. 

The National Holocaust Museum is a worthy choice because the displays are all based on personal accounts. Although the story of Anne Frank may be the most famous one, 102,000 Dutch Jews were killed in World War II. 

In the words of Mr. Impatient: “I liked the Holocaust Museum better because there were more pictures and fewer people.”

There are other historical sites in the Jewish Quarter that are worth checking out as well: 

National Holocaust Memorial: Previously a theatre, this moving memorial used to be a holding site for the Jewish people before they were transported to a concentration camp. It is located directly across from the National Holocaust Museum and could easily be combined in one trip. 

Jewish Historical Museum: This museum is unique as it is the only one in Amsterdam to focus on Jewish history, religion and culture. However, there is also one section devoted to the oppression of the Jewish people in World War II. There is even a Children’s Museum that is definitely worth checking out, as even your little ones will be entertained.

Portuguese Synagogue: Left untouched by the Germans, the Synagogue is essentially the same as it was since its construction in 1675. At the heart of the Jewish Quarter and with architecture that displayed the wealth of the community, it is one of the top sights to see in Amsterdam. They even offer an audio guide!

HOW TO GET THERE:

Take the 14 Tram from Centraal Station and get off at the Artis Stop. The Holocaust Museum and Memorial are on opposite sides of the street directly in front of the Artis Stop.