NEMO Science Museum
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Location
Essentials
- Discover how fascinating science and technology are
- Come watch and listen to the spectacular chain reaction
- Put on a lab coat and become a scientist in the laboratory yourself
Practical info
For more information and opening times, go to nemosciencemuseum.nl
Accessibility
Getting there
Public Transport
The nearest stops Central Station (train, metro, tram and bus) and IJtunnel (bus 1, 4, 14, 305, 306, 314 & 316).
Parking
You can park at a reduced daily rate with Qpark via this link.
About
Science has never been this fun
Step into the most hands-on science museum in the country, where education and entertainment go hand in hand. Across five floors, you’ll find hands-on exhibitions about energy, physics, chemistry, technology, and the human body. You can generate electricity, explore chain reactions, learn how the brain works, and understand the science behind everyday life. It’s especially popular with families!
Inside the blue boat-like building, close to Amsterdam Central Station, NEMO offers five floors of exhibitions. And on top? Here, you can chill out at the NEMO rooftop terrace. Take in the views of Amsterdam, before you head back into the city.
Exhibitions & experiments
NEMO offers many permanent exhibitions and switches up with temporary quests and events as well. Touch, play, and interact with hundreds of games designed to demonstrate how engineering, physics, chemistry and biology work! There is even a chemistry laboratory where children can perform experiments under supervision. Be on time to witness the demonstration of chain reactions using a gigantic Rube Goldberg Machine.
Book your NEMO Science museum tickets
If you’re looking for something interactive, surprising, and genuinely fun, a visit to the NEMO Science Museum is a great addition to your time in Amsterdam. Add Nemo to your Explore Pass trip and book your tickets with discount.
Reviews
114 reviews
One of the best options if you have kids (or one big kid yourself)
Easy to get to - within walking distance of Amsterdam Central Station. You can see it from the station. We had timed entry tickets and the kids just loved it. Hours of hands on scientific fun. Each floor has a number of scientific themes (elements, astronomy, mechanics) with the appropriate exhibit and stands. Each floor had an area for drinks and food (the main cafeteria is on the 3 or 4 floor) - and while a bit pricey, was very good quality. Just avoid the lunchtime mayhem. We explored all of NEMO until closing time. Definitely a day well spent with kids. Highly recommend.
Really cool and interactive
This was such an interesting museum, with lots of interactive exhibits. There are also live demonstrations of scientific principles, which are ideal for little ones. The signs and explanations are in both Dutch and English. Tickets can be bought on the day of your visit or purchased in advance on their website. Overall, a really cool place.
Fun activity!
The activity was really fun and interesting! You can buy tickets on the spot! Their lab is something different The lady working there was really kind Overall:Good value for money,interesting and fun. I recommend to try the lab for sure!
Great place for science lovers! 🔬
The NEMO Science Museum was a really fun experience. Everyone can learn something new here. It was especially enjoyable to see the giant soap bubbles and the chain reaction. The whole building is a work of art in itself, the design of Renzo Piano is amazing! Beautiful view of the city from the rooftop. The only difficulty was a little crowd, but with the opportunity to learn something so interesting, it can be forgotten.
Great for kids!
Super fun experience, especially for kids. Our 6y/o easily spent 3 hours here interacting with all the different displays. They also do live shows and experiments which were great fun. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful throughout. There are lockers available to keep your things so you can explore freely and there is also a rooftop with a bar / restaurant that gives you great views of the city.
Fantastic place to visit!
Absolutely fantastic! There is so much for children to do, explore, and get hands-on with. We visited with our 10- and 7-year-olds and spent four hours there — not a single moment of boredom the entire time. The exhibits are interactive, fun, and educational, making it a brilliant experience for the whole family. There are also a couple of nice cafés and a restaurant on site, all very reasonably priced, which makes it easy to take a break without leaving the museum. And don’t forget to visit the rooftop terrace — it offers wonderful views across Amsterdam and is the perfect spot to round off your visit. If you’re visiting Amsterdam with children, this is an absolute must-do. Highly recommended!
Museum visit
Visited whilst on a long weekend break , definitely worth a visit lots of hands on things for kids to do with , very informative
Great for kids
Great museum for kids. Tons of interactive exhibits for kids to explore (does get pretty crowded during the week) with lots of families running around. Most exhibits also in English so wasn’t a problem for us. On the roof deck beautiful view of the city and great place to grab lunch (cafe has a few basic kid friendly options like pizza, sandwiches, small salad bar, hot dog, fried rice and drinks). Short walk from central station along the water as well as close to the maritime museum
Amazing! Get your tickets early in the day.
Amazing place! We only had 2.5 hours and it wasn’t enough! So many different things to do yourself or to watch. Cafe on every floor! Genius!
Great day out
Fantastic museum - we only had 3 hours and it wasn’t anywhere near enough (we only completed 2 of the 4 floors). Loads of interactive exhibits, and a great demo called “Chain Reaction”, which runs once an hour and is basically a giant Rube Goldberg machine to launch a toy rocket. Our children are 10 and 8 and they wanted to try absolutely everything, and had a wonderful time. They loved the water section, the big tennis ball contraption (where you turn various wheels to get tennis balls through various tubes and obstacles), and the programmable robots. It’s an easy walk from Centraal station (about 10/15 minutes) and there are a few places nearby to get food. Once you’re in, there are lockers to store large bags (free, but operated by a 50c coin); you can go in and out as much as you want all day (just show your tickets to get back in). The staff couldn’t have been more helpful. If you have children who are even slightly interested in science you could quite easily spend most of the day here.
Interesting and excellent for everyone!!
I was worried that it'd be too babyish for one adult and one sixteen year old but it wasn't at all. Everything was really good and interactive, everything available in both Dutch and English. There were a lot of things to do so you could easily spend hours there. We also came back the following day just to have lunch on the roof restaurant and see the impressive view of the city. I would recommend the museum to everyone!!
GET THE RIGHT BUILDING!
This has only 1 flaw. It is very tricky to get to. Once you find the place it's like no other museum i've ever visited. 5 floors (mercifully with lift access) and a cloakroom for jackets and large bags. We worked fomr the top down (sensible this way). 5th floor is your cafe with limited options and a rooftop which allows you to see more of Amsterdam. The 4 floors below are littered with highly interactve exhibits exploring the human body (including sex so not suitable for very young visitors but that is for parents to decide), physics, engineering and space. From VR to computer games, excercise bikes, a lab, interactive games and a massive spectacle that encompassesd all 4 flights of stairs in what can only be described as a domino run cross with mousetrap made for a truly exciting visit. Yes the cafe is pricey and limited in choice. Yes it's noisy and can be crowded at times but with so much going on this is ideal for families with children as there are tons of exhibits with interactions on all of them. Throw in a gift shop that again whilst pricey has a lot of unique stuff in it and you have a genuine hidden gem of a day trip.
Nemo
After a delicious treat from a nearby coffee shop, the museum felt even more engaging! It’s filled with hands-on exhibits that make learning about science incredibly fun. The exhibits cover a range of topics, from physics to biology, and are designed to make complex ideas accessible to all ages. The museum is spacious, with plenty of room to explore, and the rooftop offers a great view of the city. It's a fun and educational experience, perfect for families or anyone curious about science.
Love the museum, very interactive and educative
The museum is very fun, educative and at a great location. The museum is very interactive, which makes it very kid friendly. It's also quite educational. I would recommend it, but it is more focused on the younger kids i'd say. It's definitly still fun for the older kids but there's not as much to learn I'd say.
Very good museum
I had always put off this museum on prior visits to Amsterdam because I thought it was for children, but I was wrong about that! The top floor is definitely geared toward adults and has so many interactive exhibits that we stayed much longer than we expected. We worked our way down through the rest of the museum, watched a short show on a Rube Goldberg type of machine, and enjoyed all of it. The museum has free lockers on the lower level, a nice gift shop, and restrooms on every floor. Would recommend!
do not be put off if you have no kids to take !!!!
Really good museum covering lots of areas of science/life/Universe/Us. loads of interaction and demonstrations, so not a boring museum, ideal for children/teenagers as it will keep their interest. I went as a solo older adult and still found it really interesting and fun, so do not be put off if you have no kids to take !!!!
Excellent exploration for kids
This was a great place to spend a day with our kids. The museum is highly interactive and there are also scheduled demonstrations, with interesting content for both adults and kids. We spent approximately 4 hours therr. I was pleasantly surprised that the food at the cafe included salads and vegetables but they were struggling to keep up with demand.
Day trip
It was raining so we decided to visit the museum as it was nearby to where we were. It's absolutely huge and has so much going on and so many things covered....I learned a few new things!Everything is translated from Dutch to English,they have workshops and activities for the children. The building is very clean with a nice food place at the top where you can look at the view of the river. Definitely a great rainy day activity.
Very nice and big
Nice and big museum, not far from the city centre. Interesting for kids especially infant is full of kids but we enjoyed the place for a few hours. There's another exposition in the building just accross the water as well. It's worth a visit!!
Endless entertainment for 4 year old!
Our four year old could have spent all day here! There are so many interactive science experiments! We also loved the experiment demonstration that was live every few hours. The view from the top floor was awesome. Nice cafe with good food and reasonable prices. Our son wanted to visit again and again.
Adventure for all ages
NEMO Science Museum was an engaging, interactive attraction for all ages, featuring hands-on exhibits in various scientific fields. It’s educational and we really enjoyed our time there.
Awesome museum
Great exhibits and a very cool setup. Very exciting for kids and adults. So much good information displayed in a fun way. Really enjoyed and would recommend to any visiting.
An engaging and educational experience for all ages, with interactive exhibits that make science fun to explore!
Location: About a 10-12 minute walk from Centraal Station, making it easily accessible on foot. Experience: Paid lockers are available inside for storing small backpacks, allowing you to explore hands-free. Plan to spend 3-4 hours to fully enjoy the exhibits. Exhibits by Level: Level 1: Designed for young children, with interactive displays that are fun and engaging. Shows: There are two engaging shows at 3 PM and 5 PM, showcasing a large chain reaction effect, which is interactive and exciting for all ages. Level 2: Features a lab section where visitors can think, experiment, and solve puzzles like a scientist. A highlight not to be missed! Level 3: More suitable for an older audience, focusing on more in-depth science concepts and exhibits. Interactive Learning: Ideal for families and those who enjoy interactive exhibits, making it a perfect way to help children learn basic science concepts through hands-on activities. Facilities: We did not come across any cafes within the museum, but several eateries are located just across the bridge at the entrance or near Centraal Station.
Informative and Fun
A lovely museum, and very informative one. The museum is very interactive and engaging, with lots of hands-on exhibits and experiments to explore for Kids. My kid had a good time. The chain reaction demonstration was really cool. The rooftop, which is especially delightful in the summer. The panoramic views of Amsterdam coupled with interactive water displays. Luck
Excellent for families
Never disappoints! Great for kids, big, small and in between :) The staff are always very helpful and the layout of the museum is done in a way that there is a clear "little kid" and "bigger kid/teen" area. Very much enjoy NEMO every time we go.
Brilliant time, hours of fun!
NEMO is full of activities that are interesting for young children! There are regular shows demonstrating chain reactions, which our son enjoyed. There also is a fabulous roof terrace with a cafeteria serving reasonably priced food and a waterfall fountain to splash in. Tickets are good for the day, so you can leave and come back as we did because our son still naps.
Keeps the kids (3+) busy for at least 4 hours!
A fantastic hands on interactive science discovery centre / museum. Great for kids as of 3 or 4 years old. Plan at least 4 or 5 hours. Work your way from ground floor to roof terrace with a fantastic panoramic view over Amsterdam. The building itself, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano is a real eye catcher.
A place for children
Came with kids, they had a lot of fun. My phone didn't have internet when we arrived. Thank you very much to the guy at the information desk, he shared his private internet with us so I could download the kids' tickets in my email. We felt a little warmth in Amsterdam. Thank you.
Good for young kids. Very busy. They closed early afternoon for new visitors
This is a very hands on museum. It is aimed at kids younger than teens. The fifth floor was for young kids and outside but due to the rain no one was using it which meant the rest was more busy. 4th floor about the body and was the most interesting for us. Third floor was ok. The second floor was closed. First floor was a playground and heaving with kids. What was good was we could go to the Live loooonger exhibition (off site ) for free using these tickets
Fantastic museum for children in Amsterdam
My children loved the visit and all the activities the museum has to offer, it was problematic for me to get them out of the museum, they could have stayed the whole day. And it was very interesting for me as an adut too. Rooftop is super cool, restaurant prices not too expensive, food is great Big plus = the lockers that cost each 50cents for whole day, there are small lockers for backpacks but also big ones where we put our suitcases as it was our departure day from Amsterdam
Absolutely worth a visit!
My kids had an absolute ball and were upset when we had to leave (because it was closing!). Lots of activities for kids of all ages. Make sure to check out the in-house built obstacle course! Activities written in both Dutch and English. Easy to get to from the train and navigate through the multiple floors.
Overall, it’s a good museum with interesting exhibits but lacks attractions for adult audiences.
We have visited last Month as we were on holiday in Amsterdam. We are both in our 30’s and like other reviewers, it was very child and family oriented. It should be for everyone, when we were there there was a large number of kids running around and screaming which was quite overwhelming.. We enjoyed reading and even trying the experiments but not much to do for adults and science should be for all. On a happier note- the bar on the top level was very cool and offered nice views over the city
Nice
It’s so cool and there are so many interactive activities and games, I guess you have the most fun if you’re a kid or with family or with groups. Still learned some things so!
Amazing for children
Amazing experience for children aged 7 and 10. Every exhibit is interactive. Not too busy on a Friday in May. Very educational and fun also.
Very interactive
The place was hugely interactive. It was fun to get to have a go at the different activities and learn at the same time! I would say that it gets really busy especially near the interactive sections so come early and go to what you want to see first. We did get to see a show which was nice although I would say some people didn’t know how to be polite and were actively encouraging their children to start playing on the activity you are already on until you have to give up and move. The gift shop is alright but it’s expensive for what it is and doesn’t really have anything suitable for those above the age of 12
We had sun and it was hot but that was great because it was hot on the terrace. On the terrace is water and wind things. Childre
Very fun museums. I recommend that you skip first few floors and go to humania floor, beacouse it is gonna take you most of the time. Then cocertate to other floors. It depands how old your children are. The 2 floor is fin too. On every full hour there will be chain reaction on 1st floor
7 & 9 year old loved it!
Fantastic museum for kids- took 7 & 9 year old boys and they could have stayed all day (we were there 10-1). Lots of school trips there so quite crowded and a bit chaotic but didn’t really matter - well-organized and plenty to do.
Liked the museum
I liked this museum, there was lot and lot of children so there was not quiet but we did survived. Go in the morning. It was awesome to learn new things about humans.
Interesting, Intriguing, Innovative
Extremely Expansive, wise variety of interesting exhibits. Much better than the same old repetitive amusement parks. It has several floors and each floor has different sections. The Experiment Room on one of the Floors where you actually do a Project is just fantastic. Don't skip it. Then of course, the illusions pics that you take. The place takes a lot of time, engaging your interest, hence keep enough time. At the Top there is a nice Eatery with a beautiful outside area and most amazing views of the city. Dont Miss !
Fun Day in Nemo Science Museum
Nemo science museum is easily accessible by metro or boat. You will not miss it by its symbolic ship-shaped building and it is also opposite to maritime museum. My 5-year-old daughter loved the whole visit experience. The museum demonstrates science in different interactions, and live sessions which kids can easily engage with. The museum has all facilities such coffee shop, restaurant as well. The rooftop restaurant is definitely a good place to relax and have a bird view of the city.
Incredible experience!
My second time visiting Amsterdam and so a second visit to the NEMO science museum was a must. Lots of interactive stations and learning areas on all sorts of things science!! We don't have children but still really loved our experience. Staff friendly and helpful. Lockers available for coats.
Great science museum
Fantastic Science Museum. Loads for the kids but great for us adults too who like to experiment. Highlight was seeing the chain reaction. Didn't do the lab. As half term was very busy so didn't do as much as we hoped but will go back during term time.
Fun Science
Great fun, here for about four hours. Interactive and informative. Science presented in a fun way. All housed in a striking architectural building.
AMAZING
I went on a class trip there was about 30 of us all teenagers and we had the best time. This place isn’t limited to children or teenagers though because the adults there lived it too. If you are going make sure you bring a good camera because there are great photo opportunities. Try everything because It’s all worth it and make sure you take a lot of time out of your day for it as we were there for hours on end. Honestly one of the best places.
Day on land in the sea
Confession, i didnt actually visit the science center, i just went to the rooftop. Amazing, one of the best views of Amsterdam for free. The center seemed nice, perfect place for families, or people who enjoyed science, to spend the day
Fun interactive exhibits for all ages
Our kids loved this museum and so did we as adults. It’s not particularly Dutch in that you can find good science museums all over but it was a wonderful way to break up other Dutch/Amsterdam museums that we visited with the kids. We spent three hours here with our two kids. There are loads of interactive exhibits. The restaurant is convenient as you have to go back across a large street into the neighbourhood to get to restaurants. It’s not inexpensive but the food was good.
Good, but likely aimed at 13 and under
This science museum is quite massive and spreads across 5 floors, with lots of things to do. My daughter typically enjoys these science museums and spends hours, but seems this one is aimed more to the younger generations (likely 13 and under).
Very nice
We really like the visit here, all the workshops labs and installations are very well done and organised. Also the upper floor is very interesting and also the threated themes are very impoortant and inclusive. Absolutely it s is worth a visit!!
Great interactive museum
Great interactive museum. Lots for the kids to learn about. There is a lab area where children can carry out experiments. There is a fab demonstration of a chain reaction using everything from footballs to rockets and office chairs. A nice restaurant in the top floor with lovely views over Amsterdam. You can easily spend half a day here.
Make science fun
The museum is awsome. My favorite part was the show at 12 o clock because they use so many things in the experiment. I also loved the lab when you can experiment on your own. It is proper for all ages and really shows that science is amazing.
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