NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam

NEMO Science Museum is a science and technology museum located in one of Amsterdam’s most renowned buildings. Book your tickets to NEMO here

NEMO is great for both kids and adults alike, with exhibitions academically designed in order to inspire and actively stimulate the mind.

NEMO is a striking green building sited on top of the IJ river car tunnel. The sloping copper-cladded structure creates a transition between the city centre and Amsterdam’s harbour – although to some observers it looks like a ship’s hull.

Opened in 1997, NEMO was designed by famous Italian architect Renzo Piano whose other work includes Pompidou Centre (Paris), Potzdammer Platz (Berlin) and the Shard (London).

nemo science museum amsterdam entrance — NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam – entrance

NEMO has a collection of around 19,500 artefacts which tell the broad story of humanity and energy. The core collection is particularly focussed on lighting, electrical engineering, energy generation/storage and early 20th century home technology.

nemo science museum amsterdam - entrance hall — NEMO Science Museum – ground floor entrance hall

Spread over 5 floors, there are a number of fascinating science-themed exhibitions with plenty of hands-on equipment.

The permanent exhibits at NEMO currently on show are named and themed as follows:

Fenomena (Level 1) – ‘experience how science works’ – exhibitions: Sensational Science, Science throughout the Ages.

nemo science museum fenomena exhibit — NEMO – Fenomena (Level 1)

Technium (Level 2) – ‘unravel everyday technology’ – exhibitions: World of Shapes, The Machine, Energize, Water Power, Constructions, Innovation Gallery. Note, Technium is being renovated and will reopen summer 2024.

Elementa (Level 3) – ‘learn about the building blocks of the cosmos’ – exhibitions: Life in the Universe, Laboratory.

nemo science museum elementa exhibit — NEMO – Elementa (Level 3)

nemo amsterdam elementa exhibit — NEMO – Elementa ‘Is This Life’ exhibit

Humania (Level 4) – ‘discover more about who you are’ – exhibitions: Humania – aimed at children aged 12 or over.

nemo amsterdam humania exhibit — NEMO – Humania (Level 4)

nemo Science museum humainia exhibit — NEMO – Humania ‘Handstand’ exhibit

Energetica (Level 5) – ‘play with energy’ – exhibitions: Energetica (exhibition with a renewable energy theme).

nemo amsterdam energetica — NEMO – Energetica (Level 5 roof terrace)

There are several entertaining shows, demonstrations and lab projects everyday. Exhibits are labelled in Dutch and English.

nemo science museum demonstration — NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam – demonstration

There is a long-term (temporary) activity workshop called The Makery which is running until summer 2024.

nemo amsterdam the makery — NEMO – The Makery (2023-24)

Facilities on the ground floor include a large locker area and the museum shop.

nemo science museum lockers — NEMO – lockers area (ground floor)

nemo science museum shop — NEMO – shop (ground floor)

In terms of food and drink there is a café on the 2nd floor and the museum restaurant located on the 5th floor at NEMO’s sloping roof terrace which offers panoramic views of Amsterdam.

nemo science museum rooftop restaurant — NEMO – rooftop restaurant (Level 5)

The terrace and restaurant is also accessible to non-museum visitors. You need to scan your ticket to re-enter the museum.

You can also consume your own food and drinks at designated areas.

NEMO is a fascinating museum housed in a spectacular building. With its interactive exhibits it makes for a fun visit and is great for children. It is popular with both local and international school groups so it is usually quite busy and ‘high energy’ so some patience may be required!

NEMO De Studio

Opened in 2021, NEMO De Studio (The Studio) is an off-site location which presents science and technology exhibitions for more adult audiences. It is located in the Marineterrein area of Amsterdam. The small building used to be a gym for Netherlands Marine Corps.

The current NEMO Studio exhibition is Living Looonger (running 19 Jan to 30 Nov 2024) which is about the future of ageing.

nemo studio - living looonger exhibtion — NEMO Studio – Living Looonger exhibition (2024)

NEMO Science Museum Essential Info

NEMO Opening Hours Open 1000-1730 (Tue-Sun); note, in 2024 it is also open 1000-1730 on Mondays between April and September plus on other Dutch school holidays. NEMO De Studio is open 1200-1730 Wed-Sun, closed Mon-Tue.
NEMO Tickets & Admission Entry to NEMO costs €17.50. Whilst children 0-3 get in for free, those 4 and over have to pay the full admission price. Museumkaart and I Amsterdam City Card holders get free entry. Pre-book your tickets to NEMO online here NEMO tickets are valid at NEMO De Studio. Entry to De Studio only costs €7.50 – this ticket is not valid at the main NEMO museum. Free entrance for Museumkaart and I Amsterdam City card holders. Alternatively, order the I Amsterdam City Card online here which includes free entrance to NEMO and NEMO De Studio.
How to Get to NEMO / NEMO Studio NEMO is reached walking east from Amsterdam Central Station towards Oosterdok (15 mins walk). The green building is quite easy to spot. By public transport take GVB bus 22 (direction Muiderpoort) or 48 (direction Houthavens) from the Central station IJ-side. Get out at stop Kadijksplein and walk 5-10 mins. NEMO De Studio is located in building 027A of the Marineterrein. Although just across the water from NEMO, it takes about 15 minutes to walk there. From NEMO walk via Prins Hendrikkade, passing ARCAM and the Maritime Museum and continue. There are 2 ways to enter (a gate door and further on a road entrance at Kattenburgerstraat 5) left into the terrain. Follow signs from there.
Address / Contact NEMO Science Museum, Oosterdok 2, 1011 VX Amsterdam T: +31(0)20 531 3233, nemosciencemuseum.nl

NEMO Opening Hours

Open 1000-1730 (Tue-Sun); note, in 2024 it is also open 1000-1730 on Mondays between April and September plus on other Dutch school holidays.

NEMO De Studio is open 1200-1730 Wed-Sun, closed Mon-Tue.

NEMO Tickets & Admission

Entry to NEMO costs €17.50. Whilst children 0-3 get in for free, those 4 and over have to pay the full admission price. Museumkaart and I Amsterdam City Card holders get free entry.

Pre-book your tickets to NEMO online here

NEMO tickets are valid at NEMO De Studio. Entry to De Studio only costs €7.50 – this ticket is not valid at the main NEMO museum. Free entrance for Museumkaart and I Amsterdam City card holders.

Alternatively, order the I Amsterdam City Card online here which includes free entrance to NEMO and NEMO De Studio.

How to Get to NEMO / NEMO Studio

NEMO is reached walking east from Amsterdam Central Station towards Oosterdok (15 mins walk). The green building is quite easy to spot.

By public transport take GVB bus 22 (direction Muiderpoort) or 48 (direction Houthavens) from the Central station IJ-side. Get out at stop Kadijksplein and walk 5-10 mins.

NEMO De Studio is located in building 027A of the Marineterrein. Although just across the water from NEMO, it takes about 15 minutes to walk there. From NEMO walk via Prins Hendrikkade, passing ARCAM and the Maritime Museum and continue. There are 2 ways to enter (a gate door and further on a road entrance at Kattenburgerstraat 5) left into the terrain. Follow signs from there.