NEMO Science Museum

Excellent science museum, we are adults but still had a lot of fun. I'd advise going early or off-peak because it was busy and a lot of the interactive science activities were being used and you had to wait. Buy tickets in advance or at the door. The rooftop is a must, impressive views and you can go up there from a footpath on the south side without a ticket.

Visited in May 2025, and the museum was quite busy. The view from the top was decent, though not particularly impressive. Overall, I enjoyed the visit, but I’d say it’s primarily geared toward families with children rather than adults looking for a traditional museum experience. It’s fun and interactive, but not a place for in-depth exhibitions.

Designed by Renzo Piano and opened in 1997, the museum is the largest science center in the Netherlands, housed in a striking green, ship-shaped building with five levels. Each floor has a unique theme, gradually shifting focus from pure science to human-centered exploration as visitors move upward. The museum features hands-on, interactive exhibits, live science demonstrations, and experiments for all ages. The rooftop offers panoramic views of Amsterdam, making it both an educational and scenic experience for families.

This is a great place, especially for families with kids. The museum is packed with interactive exhibits that spark curiosity and make science fun and engaging. Our children absolutely loved exploring, experimenting, and learning through play, it’s clearly designed with young minds in mind, and it does that brilliantly. The surrounding area also adds to the experience. Situated by the water, the scenery is lovely, and it’s a great spot to relax or take photos. The building itself is iconic, shaped like a giant ship, and it offers great views over the city, or at least it usually does. One downside during our visit was that the rooftop was closed for renovations. It’s a real shame, as I was looking forward to stepping outside and enjoying the panoramic views. Given that it’s one of the highlights of the building, I believe there should be a discount on the ticket price when that area is not accessible. It feels a bit unfair to pay full price when part of the experience is unavailable. That said, the museum as a whole is still a great place to visit. While it may or may not be the best science museum in the world for you, it delivers a lot of value through hands-on activities and a kid-friendly atmosphere. For that, I’m giving it 5 stars and a full recommendation, especially if you have children with you.

Enjoyed visiting this museum and was captivated by its well-curated and modern exhibits. There was a strong incorporation of local industries, presented through easy-to-understand and interactive activities. The setup felt cozy and was easy to navigate. The science lab, where visitors could don lab coats and conduct experiments, was a particularly engaging feature. I visited on a public holiday, and the crowd control was well managed. Be sure to drop by the gift shop for some interesting toys or kits to bring home.

Next to the Maritime Museum in the center of Amsterdam. A must go place for families with children. There are many things about science. A place that takes at least 4-5 hours of your time. There are also many workshops such as science experiment, chemistry experiment telegraph experiment. All free. Restaurant and cafe are available. A place you will forget time.

Wonderful place to learn about science for all ages. My son has visited this museum three times in the last two years and he still so excited to visit it again. The science is showd in an interesting way and very interactive. Every corner you can find something familair but new to you. The explanation on the floor worths to read so that you understand more about the application. Dont skip any floor as at every floor you will learn new things. The restaurant is on the top floor from which you can walk out to the balcony. From the balcony, you will see the entire area. Amazing scene especially in a sunny day. They offer a variety of food, so you can always find something for you. I had Thais veggie curry and my husband had Mexican dish, while my son had pizza. At every floor they have cafeteria for you to seat and have some break. Highly recommended!

We didn’t plan on going here but ended up spending less time in the Maritime Museum (next door) than we expected. I am so happy we came, this museum is amazing. Every single display is hands on and a learning experience (assuming your kids will sit and listen to what you read/try to teach them, which mine aren’t but c’est la vie). The stand out was the reaction station, which happens every 2 hours I believe. Bubbles, machines, energy, light, human body - head to toe this museum was top notch! Highly recommend. My kids are boy, 8 and girl, 9-almost 10.

This was the best science museum I've ever experienced! Several years have passed since we visited, but after going to several other science museums this remains by far the best! There were so many exhibits to explore, including an outdoor patio with sundials, a bar and a breathtaking view of Amsterdam! This is a great place to go on holiday with the entire family. There was even a floor devoted to health and sexuality for preteens, which was informative and took the awkwardness out of learning.

As far as science centers go, I enjoyed this one a lot because it was almost all hands on for the kids. It wasn't just some cheesy activities, it was actual learning and education from how car electronics work to the human body to space. It is somewhere to take the kids to experiment and see things related to science.

Wow wow wow. The kids absolutely loved this place. We could have stayed all day! It's the perfect rainy day option for Amsterdam but it's also a can't miss for kids. There are too many highlights to even mention. My kids are 9 and 11 and don't speak Dutch and it was so great. I was nervous it would be aimed at younger kids but it was actually completely perfect for their ages. And room for growth too. You can make it as educational as you want by reading all the signage vs just learning through play.

I thought we'd pop by for a couple hours, but we ended up spending almost the whole day with our 5yo. She loved the experiments in the lab area and doing all the interactive exhibits throughout the museum. Everything is in English and Dutch, even the show we saw, so it was very easy to navigate for tourists. Definitely world class family entertainment if not the largest children's museum ever.

Perfect for kids, especially as a break from general art museums and when kids need more stimulation and buttons to push. Good for range of ages but probably best for the 5-12 range. The rooftop is free to public with great views of the city and fun water features, especially on a hot day. Points for plenty of bathrooms, lockers, water stations and places for parents to sit while the kids explored.

Another museum as part of my City Pass was Nemo Science Museum. I came here on a weekday morning. Just as a note, apparently there is some construction going on near the museum so I took a long way to get there (I talked to some friendly local who saw me wandering around lost and he mentioned that the bridge that goes directly to the museum is under construction). No worries, I was able to slowly make my over. The museum is HUGE and gorgeous (like all of the other museums in Europe). The reason why I am giving this museum a 3 stars is that as an adult, I don't think I enjoyed it as much as kid would. First, there were kids everywhere. I thought it would be less busy because it was a weekday afternoon, but it looks like lots of kids come here with their school. Alot of the exhibits were taken over by kids, so I did not even get to try them (they did look pretty cool). There was also a science lab that you can participate in (I spent a few minute doing the experiment). All in all, I spent about 45 minutes here. I am not sure as an adult I would come back here. But, if you have any kids, I think this is a super cool museum for them to experience.

Nemo Science Museum offers current, useful and everyday knowledge about science and technology with a highly interactive interface. Everything on the floors hits you like a science arcade and you want to jump from place to place but don't. Because of the interactive nature of the experience you have to choose your stops, interact with the station and read the placards explaining the science behind the station to get the most out of the experience. Explanations are in Dutch or English. Granted that the science is geared to kids and teens but adults can also be highly entertained by the exhibits.. There are about 12 different areas of exploration. You are going to need at least two hours to really explore the museum when you figure the interaction time and waiting for a station. I liked "Teen Facts" raging hormones, Dance Machine and Electro roulette. Others seemed to like Sensational Science "Lightening in a plasma globe" while I liked "The Search for Life "Journey of the Atom". There was minimal renovation going on when I visited but I'm not sure how the renovation is going forward and how much of the museum is closed off presently. A Nemo ticket is 15 Euros for anyone 4 years or older. An I Amsterdam City Card permits free entry. Caretakers of the disabled are free as are holders of museum cards. There is no family ticket price. You can take a car, bike, walk or public transportation. It's a 15 minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station. Car parking is available in the Oosterdok Car Park. You get a 30% discount and it's just 400 meters away. When you get to the car park they will give you a ticket. Show the ticket at the museum and they will stamp it so you get the discount. There is a cafe for snacks and drinks and the ticket is good all day so you could eat else where and come back. The roof has nice views of the city and the ship anchored in the Maritime Museum next door. There are lockers for coats and bags.

Went here on an insanely busy day, which makes it less enjoyable. Many of the items are interesting and exciting to kids and the view from the rooftop is fantastic. Better go on weekdays.

This was an excellent way to spend a day with my family. The total cost for admission was $78.84. All three kids (ages 18, 14, & 2) had a wonderful time. Each floor is geared toward a higher level of comprehension. Everyone loved the first floor (the ground floor is considered floor zero in the Netherlands). They had some very cool stuff for our youngest group member. I even enjoyed quite a few of those exhibits. The next floor was a little harder for the 2 yr old to do alone, but the older kids were super into it. The 3rd and 4th floor were the older kiddos favorites. We also had lunch at the rooftop restaurant. It's was around €50 ($58.51) for the entire group. We could have gone a little cheaper if we'd skipped the drinks and condiments. The rooftop play area was also really neat. It was too cold for me to put my feet in, but the 2yr old got completely in and enjoyed every second of it.

NEMO Science Center is geared towards kids, like most science centers tend to be. But it was still fun for us (two adults) to check out all of the exhibits. You can probably finish the entire museums in 2-3 museums and this is at a leisurely pace. An adult ticket costs 15 euros (or free with some of the museum passes). You can buy tickets online to skip the line, which is what we did. But when we got there, it wasn't even an issue as there wasn't even a line. The museum itself didn't feel too crowded. I don't remember seeing any class trips there, just a few groups of kids here and there. Tip - one thing that wasn't for kids was the sex showcase. This had displays of little figurines demonstrating various sex positions, as well as a somewhat interactive exhibit about the male/female erogenous zones. But don't worry, there's a person guarding the entrance to make sure young kids don't just wander it. I'm not too sure what this was doing in a children's museum though. It seemed very out of place. When in Amsterdam, I guess?

This is my favorite museum in Amsterdam and I am especially biased because I love nerdy science stuff and also because they have a dance arcade machine. First of all, it is not a DDR machine, it is a Pump It Up machine; the arrows point diagonally instead of the usual horizontal/vertical. I have been here a few times and never with children... which sounds a bit creepy but it is a lot of fun to play around the various exhibits and re-experience all the science experiments you did as a child. You might not learn anything new but at least you get to feel like a kid again and remember all the things you forgot. The trick is to go with a group of adults and to arrive very early at 10am or very late at 4pm to avoid the children. Some of the highlights for me were: - the shadow wall (your shadow sticks to the wall) - puberty video exhibit about how girls and boys experience it differently - driving simulation (only further proof I am a terrible driver) - bubbles - water filtration process I love these hands-on science museums and have been to a few in the US: New York (Liberty Science Center) and San Francisco (Exploratorium) and NEMO is one of the best.

I stopped here (about 10 years ago) to tour a replica ship docked at the museum. It was interesting! The fee was reasonable and we stayed as long as we liked.

Warning! If you are expecting a science museum - full of cool old stuff and walls of text where you will learn stuff. This isn't the place. You will learn stuff, but you have to remember that this place is set up for kids, you will have to learn the way they do. By playing! Yes, as far as I can tell this is one giant play pen - cleverly disguised so fully gown adults can run around like 5 years old! It is great.

I like musea... yes :) This one is a science museum... perfect for kids as they can try experiments... read about how things work.. very instructive and fun... and yes.. even if you are not a kid any more... let the Nemo wake it up and take you back to childhood!! It is hosted in an AMAZING building designed from Renzo Piano... just worth to stop by for the building. Many floors ... which represent different science areas... and... YESS.. on top a great terrace which is open to the public with out having to pay admission to the museum. PERFECT spot.. central.. on the water.

The Nemo Science museum is one of the most strangest but also most interesting buildings in the Centre of Amsterdam "looks like a big ship" designed by Renzo Piano in 1997. It's a big science museum and super funny for children. So if you have children and you are visiting Amsterdam than you must go to this one!

Extremely fun museum with something for everyone. It's mostly aimed at slightly older kids and young teenagers in my opinion, but if interested in natural sciences it's fine for adults too. Younger kids will also enjoy themselves thanks to the many interactive displays. We spend a good 4-5 hours inside, and saw everything once or twice or trice. One downside (common in such museums) is that there are always a few non-functioning displays; in our case the very cool-looking robot arms. The restaurant in top is super cool; best on sunny and warmer days.

Had a free day over the weekend in Amsterdam, so the Science Museum was a good find to hide out from the rainy and cold weather. It just so happened I went over a free weekend so as expected there were tons of people. Be prepared though for lots of children! I didn't realize how children centric this museum was as they have a lot of activity based exhibits. As a kid, I would have totally enjoyed this! As an adult, it was quite overwhelming with all the kids running around. I could see that the parents were very patient. They have a great café on the top where you can relax and have a bit more quiet time. One of the unexpected finds with this place was the view from the top. The 'entrance' is quite odd as you have to walk up a giant series of steps to the top and then you work your way down.

Not your conventional museum that you'd ever see in the States. It was interesting enough to walk around and see what they have. Although we ended up in an elevator and found ourselves on a floor that reminded us of Ikea. And sure enough, it was a furniture store. Oddest stuff ever! There's a cafe that overlooks this location that was more relaxing.

Nemo is one of the best places to enjoy a day out with the kids. I am giving this museum a four star because it's ideal for children. I went to this cafe with my Dutchman and we attempted to relaxed on the roof top. It's an ideal place for parents with young children. I came here last summer and the kids were running wild. It was one of those moments where I was like maybe I can wait a little longer to have children. The roof top offers a nice view of the harbor but I think that I will leave this place for the kidoes....They have a great children's play area and a great view of the city of Amsterdam.

I've always loved all the science centres in the different cities I've lived in. This one is definitely one of the better ones. Not only is NEMO architecturally cooler than all the other previous science centres I've been to, but it also has really unique exhibits like teenage emotion/puberty. That one is always a hoot even for those of us who are long past puberty :) It's definitely not as big as others, but at least its one of the few museums in the city where you know you can get hands on with what you're seeing. You're also guaranteed to learn something while you're here. And if you visit during a nice sunny day, make your way to the roof and get a pretty sweet view looking back onto Amsterdam.

This museum may look like it is for children, but it's also fun for older people as well. I went with a friend of mine who was visiting from the states and we had so much fun exploring the exhibits. There's plenty of exhibits dedicated to green energy, mechanics, and biology, as well as a "teen zone" that was about sex. I found it refreshingly open as an American and got a kick out of it myself. Be sure to give yourself ample time to peruse. We went 2 hours before closing and still didn't get to see everything we wanted to before they booted us out.

Went to Nemo with my brother, sister-in-law and niece (10) and nephew (9). Went on a day it was free, so it was very full. Even though there were a lot of people enjoying the museum, it did not hinder us watching or experiencing any of the exhibits or moving around. The kids really enjoyed the exhibits, but found being put into the bubble one of the best parts! Lots of interactive exhibits and it really does make learning fun! Incredible building designed in the shape of a ship. Nice to enjoy the rooftop of the building as well. Especially on a nice day, everyone can play in the water feature! We had a few snacks from the museum snack bar. Nothing spectacular, but hit the spot. I'll head back, without my brother and his family, to see it again I'm sure.

Before you get excited that this is a science museum, keep in mind that this is a *children's* science museum. It's so-so for adults, but it's probably great for children cuz of all the hands on displays of different science principles. That being said, my husband had his bachelor party here, so they do accommodate adults as well. My favorite part by far is the Dance Dance Revolution game on the third floor. I think it's the only DDR game in Amsterdam!

The science center NEMO is a good place for families with kids under 12 years. We went there with a group of four adults. At the front desk we asked if it also is a place for grown up people. The told us it is. But it really is not. The games and things you can do there are really created for children. It is like a big playground with a lot of things to learn. We expected more experiments and surprising facts/things. But as and adult you do not see anything you don't know yet. For 15€ that's a bit to less. But I imagine for families with kids it is a good choice. The building itself is very impressive and you might want to enjoy a cup of coffee or a snack on top of the building. This is also possible without paying for the entrance because you can enter it separately.

Another one of my kids' favorite places to go. We spend hours in here with all of the informative, interactive stations on each floor. The food at the cafe is very nice too.

Look mom- I found Nemo! The NeMo (New Metropolis) science center was probably one of my favorite childhood museums, for the reason that it feels more like a playground than it does a museum. This place is anything but stuffy, and an utter hoot for young people whom prefer having fun while learning something new. The center is all about science and physics, and does a great job explaining how things work in such a way that your child will actually understand. The many interactive 'tests' and projects will help a child learn the basics of whichever it is that that particular section of the museum focuses on. Things I remember vividly are an elaborate machine filled with lightweight balls which has something to do with both (air) pressure and mechanics. Another fun area is stepping inside an actual bubble, and the cognitive behavior and memory areas are very, very intresting even for the older visitors. I am sure the center has changed a lot since I've last visit, but I bet the core has remained the same. This will always be the perfect place to bring your inquisitive child, and spend some fun quality time together exploring many fields within science. There is roof access to the lookout deck as well, overlooking the IJ water, Central Station and the traffic tunnel going under this museum and the IJ water.

A nice place to go to when one wants to take a break from the partying and see some of the other sites Amsterdam has to offer.

If you have a child or children between the ages of 2 and 12, go here, now. This is five floors of hands on science slanted hands on fun. You can easily spend three hours here without even realizing three hours have passed. There are lockers for coats and bags making the experience comfortable and easy. This is hands down the best way to burn a child's energy while stimulating their minds. We went on a rainy Saturday and it wasn't overwhelmingly crowded. This is probably my favorite interactive Science museum in the world, at least the EU and US.

We have now been to science, technical and natural history museums in: London, Munich, New York, Paris, DC and maybe more, It's hard to compare them as each has it's own focus and highlights. But for pure kids "hands on" fun, this one takes the cake. The experiments and displays work and are clearly well maintained and are educational (brush up on your Physics 101 parents). The floors work with ages... 1st floor for elementary/kinder level, the highest is for the teen set. Between here and the nearby maritime museum you could spend an entire day.

Super awesome as my kids would say! 5 floors of experiments, puzzles and science galore! You will not be bored! This is a place where you can spend all day at! My sons did not want to leave. It is 15 euros per person, but if you get the I amsterdam card, it is free! It is about a 10-12 minute walk from Centraal station so you can walk along the canal. This is a must see especially with kids!

I didn't go to Nemo for a long time since I assumed it's for kids. We ended up randomly walking in one day and then again during Museumsnight. It's actually quite fun, also for adults! I like interactive museums! We went around acting like fools and trying out all the fun games.. I think it's a nice way to spend a couple hours and you might learn something along the way! You have to wait for some stations to open sometimes, which can be a bit annoying since you want to just start playing with everything, get bored, and run to the next thing. I have to say though... the coffee on the first floor in the cafe wasn't good at all.

Interactive. Kept our 14 month baby very busy! My husband and I are both in the science/medical field and we both enjoyed the exhibits. They weren't too childish and we thought the topics and explanations were quite advanced and could appeal to all ages/levels. I wish we lived nearby. We would come all the time! All the exhibits were interactive and a lot of fun.

Super nice to go with kids! We explored it as much as we could and the 4h were gone before we knew it. Our kids are 7years old (twins), but I think everyone is able to enjoy the experience starting at 4/5 years old.

very cute and fun museum. lots of activities for kids and family to do together. friendly and helpful staff. free admission with city passes!