The Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House are two popular attractions in Amsterdam, located within a 3 km radius.
The Van Gogh Museum is known for its stunning artwork, while Anne Frank House tells the story of a young girl who hid from the Nazis during World War II.
Both places are interesting, and choosing between them can be quite a task if you are planning to visit Amsterdam.
In this article, we will compare both and clear up all your doubts about the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum. Which one is better for your next trip to Amsterdam?
Let’s start with a brief introduction!
Anne Frank House or Van Gogh Museum: Our Recommendation
Our top recommendation is the Van Gogh Museum when choosing between it and the Anne Frank House.
It is a must-visit for art enthusiasts and everyone who wants to explore something unique.
It has some of the most iconic masterpieces by Vincent van Gogh, who lived in his imagination.
You can learn about the artist’s life, journey, and inspiration behind his unique style there.
The Anne Frank House also offers inspiration and historical experience by telling the story of hope during the most difficult time.
Overall, if you seek artistic experience, go to Van Gogh; if you seek historic and inspirational experience, go to the Anne Frank House.
Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House: A Quick Introduction
The Van Gogh Museum is a Dutch art museum known for extensive artworks by the renowned painter Vincent Van Gogh and his contemporaries.
The museum holds the record for having the largest collection of Van Gogh’s artworks. Besides the permanent artworks, it also hosts temporary exhibitions.
Anne Frank House is a museum dedicated to the wartime novelist Anne Frank, who hid there with her family during World War II.
At the museum, you’ll find a secret annex where they lived in hiding and real objects and photos from their time.
Both museums are historic and attract millions of annual visitors worldwide!
Anne Frank House Vs. Van Gogh Museum: Comparison
Here is a comparison table of both museums for an overview.
| Feature | Van Gogh Museum | Anne Frank House |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Fees | Van Gogh tic kets cost €24 for adults | Anne Frank House Museum tickets cost €16 for adults aged 18 and older. |
| Know For | It showcases the life and work of a famous Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh. | It tells the true story of Anne Frank, a young girl who bravely hid from the Nazis in World War II. |
| Address | Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands | Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Location | Amsterdam’s city center is near Museumplein (Museum Square). | Central Amsterdam, along a scenic canal. |
| Crowds | Very crowded, with over 3 million annual visitors. | Moderately crowded, with around 1.3 million annual visitors. |
| Size | Large museum with two buildings, multiple floors and exhibition spaces. | Small house with several hidden annex rooms. |
| How to Reach | Tram lines 2, 5, and 12. Metro stop: Vijzelgracht | Tram lines 13, 17, and 24. Metro stop: Westermarkt |
| Opening Hours | Daily: 9 am to 6 pm Friday: 9 am to 9 pm | Generally, 9 am to 5 pm, with exceptions on special days. |
| Time Needed | 2-3 hours or more for a comprehensive visit. | 1-2 hours for a self-guided tour. |
| Best Time to Visit | Weekdays, especially during shoulder seasons (spring & fall). | Early mornings or late afternoons to avoid peak crowds. |
| Book Tickets | Book Tickets |
Anne Frank House or Van Gogh Museum: Whose tickets are cheaper?
Tickets for the Van Gogh Museum can only be purchased online and cost €24 for adults aged 18+. Children under 17 have free entry.
This ticket includes direct skip-the-line entry and access to the museum’s permanent collection, which includes popular paintings such as Potato Eaters and Sunflowers.
It also includes entry to the temporary exhibits that might be on display.
Similarly, tickets to the Anne Frank House must be purchased online in advance due to limited capacity.
The entry tickets cost €16 for adults aged 18+ years) with a discounted rate of €7 for children aged 10 to 17 years and free admission for children under 10 years.
The tickets grant direct entry to the Museum/house for a self-guided tour to explore the interior, secret annex and other areas where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II.
While the Van Gogh Museum tickets are slightly higher, they offer a larger space with multiple floors and a wider variety of exhibits.
The Anne Frank House is smaller and provides a historical experience.
So, if you want a budget trip, prefer Anne Frank; however, if you want to see art while saving money on family visits, prefer the Van Gogh Museum.
How do I save money?
Here are a few ways to save money on your Amsterdam trip:
Pre-booking online: Both museums recommend booking tickets online in advance to avoid long queues and potential sell-outs, especially during peak season.
Larger Groups: The Van Gogh Museum offers free admission to some groups, such as students and families, so try visiting it with family or larger groups. The Anne Frank House also offers a discounted rate for children and teenagers.
Anne Frank House or Van Gogh Museum: Whose Exhibits are Better?
At the Van Gogh Museum, you can expect to see stunning and unique artwork all around. Here are some highlights you shouldn’t miss:
Collection: Discover the vast collection of Van Gogh and his contemporary artworks, which include 200 paintings, 400 drawings, and 700 letters by the artist.
Van Gogh’s Masterpieces: See iconic paintings by Vincent van Gogh, including “The Potato Eaters,” “Sunflowers,” “The Bedroom,” and many more.
You can see the list of top 10 must-see paintings here! Learn More>
Temporary Exhibits: The museum also features temporary exhibits showcasing other artists or movements that Van Gogh influenced or influenced.
Interactive Displays: It offers interactive displays and multimedia experiences that allow visitors to learn more about Van Gogh’s life, techniques, and inspiration.
Similarly, at the Anne Frank House Museum, you can expect to see these things:
The Secret Annex: Explore the hidden rooms where Anne Frank and her family lived in hiding during World War II. You can see the cramped living quarters, hidden bookcase doors, and steep stairs leading to the upper floors.
Everyday Objects: Discover all the real objects used by the Frank family, like furniture, utensils, and games.
Anne’s Writing: Read Anne Frank’s original diary entries, which include her mixed thoughts of fear and hope during a difficult time. They can be really inspiring for everyone.
Multimedia Exhibits: See short films and interactive displays that provide additional context about the Holocaust and the Frank family’s story.
Anne Frank House or Van Gogh Museum: Which one is less crowded?
The Anne Frank House generally experiences fewer crowds compared to the Van Gogh Museum.
This is due to the house’s limited capacity and the requirement to purchase tickets online in advance.
This controlled entry allows visitors to explore the secret annex and other areas. However, due to the limited space, it might be tough to explore during peak hours.
In contrast, the Van Gogh Museum, being a world-famous museum, attracts larger crowds, especially during peak tourist seasons.
While the museum itself is spacious, allowing the dispersed flow of visitors, certain galleries featuring Van Gogh’s most famous paintings can get quite crowded, particularly during peak hours.
If you prefer a less crowded experience, consider visiting the Anne Frank House.
However, we highly recommend pre-booking your tickets online in advance, regardless of which museum you choose.
You can also visit the Van Gogh Museum during its best time, the early morning hours, from 9 am to 11 am.
History of Van Gogh and Anne Frank Museum
Vincent Van Gogh wasn’t very popular until his death at the age of 37.
After his death, his brother Theo and Theo’s wife collected his artworks and organized various exhibits to showcase them.
Later, they donated the collection to Amsterdam, which led to the establishment of the Van Gogh Foundation, which founded the museum in 1973.
The Van Gogh Museum was established by Vincent van Gogh’s nephew, who was named after the artist Vincent Van Gogh.
The museum then collected Van Gogh’s other paintings and housed them in Amsterdam and various museums across other countries.
Learn in detail about Van Gogh Museum history here→
The Anne Frank House was a canal house that became a place of hiding for Anne Frank, her family, and four other people during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.
They lived in a secret annex behind the main house for over two years until their discovery and arrest in 1944.
Following the war, the house became a museum in 1960, dedicated to preserving the story of Anne Frank and the realities of life under Nazi persecution.
Today, the museum serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of tolerance.
Opening Hours of Van Gogh and Anne Frank Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is open year-round from 9 am to 6 pm, with a slight difference in opening hours on certain days of the year. Here’s an overview.
| Day | Timings |
|---|---|
| Saturday to Thursday | 9 am to 6 pm |
| Friday | 9 am to 9 pm |
| Last Entry | 1 hour 30 minutes before closing time. |
You can learn more about Van Gogh Musem’s Opening Hours and public holidays here!
Anne Frank House Museum is open from 9 am to 10 pm annually. It is closed early on certain public holidays, such as Christmas Day.
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Daily | 9 am to 10 pm |
| Certain Public Holidays | 9 am to 5 pm |
Kindly check the museum’s opening hours on the official website before planning a visit.
Location & Accessibility of the Museums
Van Gogh Museum Address: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Anne Frank House Museum Address: Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Van Gogh Museum is conveniently located near the famous Museumplein (Museum Square) in Amsterdam’s center.
It is easily accessible by various tram lines, 2, 5, and 12, which stop right near the museum. The Vijzelgracht metro station is located close to the museum and within walking distance.
If you’re exploring central Amsterdam on foot, the museum is an easy stroll from many popular areas.
The Anne Frank House is also situated in central Amsterdam, along the canal at Prinsengracht 263-267.
It is also easily accessible by tram lines 13, 17, and 24, conveniently close to the house. The Westermarkt metro station is your quickest option by subway.
The Anne Frank House is easily accessible on foot if you’re exploring central Amsterdam. You can even reach it by taking the Amsterdam Canal Cruise.
Both the museums are in central locations, just 2.7 km away from each other on a driving route and 2.3 km on a walking route.
You can even walk from one attraction to another if you want to enjoy a scenic walk and explore the city on foot.
Overall, the Anne Frank House might be a better choice if you want to enjoy a scenic walk along a canal.
If you plan to explore the Museumplein Center, the Van Gogh Museum’s location might be more convenient.
Want to know the best ways to reach the Van Gogh Museum? Check out our article on how to reach Van Gogh in Amsterdam and get some handy tips on traveling there.
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