Science Museum NEMO
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NEMO Science Museum, formerly NewMetropolis, rises above Oosterdok in a copper-green building and turns science into hands-on discovery across five floors plus a free rooftop. Since opening in 1997, it has become one of Amsterdam's most practical family stops.
For most first visits, start with a timed entry ticket, then add a canal-cruise combo only if you want a broader city half-day, so your timing stays flexible and queue stress stays low.
For most first visits, start with a timed entry ticket, then add a canal-cruise combo only if you want a broader city half-day, so your timing stays flexible and queue stress stays low.
Select a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:
NEMO entry tickets
Best for a focused museum visit: timed entry to NEMO Science Museum with flexibility to stay as long as you like once inside.NEMO Science Museum Fast-Track Tickets
4.6(2015)
headout.com
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Combo: NEMO Science Museum Tickets + Amsterdam Canal Cruise
4.8(471)
headout.com
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NEMO Science Museum: Entry Ticket
4.5(938)
tiqets.com
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Amsterdam: NEMO Science Museum Ticket
4.4(3218)
getyourguide.com
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See all NEMO entry tickets
Canal cruise + NEMO combos
Great if you want one smooth half-day plan: pair NEMO Science Museum with a classic Amsterdam canal cruise in one booking flow.Combo: NEMO Science Museum Tickets + Amsterdam Canal Cruise
4.8(471)
headout.com
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Amsterdam: 1-Hour Canal Cruise & NEMO Science Museum
4.1(183)
getyourguide.com
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NEMO Science Museum & Amsterdam Canal Cruise Combi Ticket
4.5(37)
tiqets.com
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NEMO Science Museum and 1-hour Amsterdam canal cruise
4.5(15)
musement.com
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6 tips for visiting the Science Museum NEMO
1
Book your start time early
If your priority is a smooth entry, reserve your slot before the day of your visit. NEMO Science Museum runs timed starts, and popular windows fill faster on weekends and school breaks. Booking early keeps your day predictable, so you can focus on the fun instead of queue uncertainty.
2
Use the quieter afternoon window
If you want less crowd pressure, target weekdays after 2 pm outside school holidays. Morning slots can feel busier with family arrivals, especially near interactive stations. This timing shift usually lowers waiting friction, so your visit feels calmer from floor one.
3
Travel light at entry
Bring only day essentials if you are arriving from Amsterdam Central Station. Lockers at NEMO Science Museum are small and use a 50-cent coin (or NEMO coin), and suitcases are not accepted. Traveling light prevents avoidable delays, so your first hour stays easy.
4
Use the free rooftop reset
When the energy level drops, step up to the free Rooftop Square for fresh air and city views. It opens daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm, with extended Thursday and Friday hours until 9 pm in summer, and you can access it even without a museum ticket. This quick reset works especially well mid-visit, so you return to the exhibits with better focus.
5
Pick one nearby add-on
If you want a fuller day, pair NEMO Science Museum with one nearby stop: A'DAM Lookout for skyline views, Amsterdam Museum for city history, or De Wallen for an old-center evening walk. One add-on is usually enough after a hands-on museum block. That way you keep the day rich without rushing.
6
Families: pace by floor clusters
If you are visiting with children, avoid trying to "do everything" in one sweep. Pick two core floors, then add the rooftop break before deciding on a third zone. This simple structure reduces decision fatigue, and yes, it saves your feet as much as your schedule.
How to plan your NEMO Science Museum visit
A smooth visit at NEMO Science Museum depends on two choices: your entry window and whether you keep the day focused or add one combo element. Decide those early, and everything else gets easier.
Choose the right ticket format first
Start with a standard timed entry if your main goal is the full five-floor museum experience. Choose the cruise combo only if you specifically want a broader half-day route through Amsterdam. This clear order keeps planning simple and avoids overloading your schedule. Book now.
Use timing to lower crowd stress
In practice, weekdays after 2 pm are often calmer outside school holidays. If you are visiting with children, this window can reduce waiting at interactive exhibits and make breaks easier to manage. A small timing change often has the biggest payoff for comfort.
Build one compact Oosterdok pairing
After NEMO Science Museum, add one nearby experience only: A'DAM Lookout for skyline views, or Amsterdam Museum for city-history context. If your day starts later, De Wallen works as an easy evening extension. One add-on keeps your pace realistic, and the day still feels full. Book now.
Arrive prepared for a smoother start
From Amsterdam Central Station, use the 15-minute walk or bus 22 to Kadijksplein, then arrive with only day essentials. Small lockers help, but suitcases are not accepted, so pre-storage matters. This prep removes avoidable friction in your first hour.
Why NEMO became an Amsterdam science icon
The museum you visit today is the result of a long public-education arc, from early industrial-era collecting to an open, hands-on science center above Oosterdok. Knowing this timeline makes the building and its visitor flow feel more coherent.
The 1923 foundation and 1954 shift
In 1923, painter Herman Heijenbrock founded the earlier institution that later fed into today's museum identity. In 1954, the organization shifted into the NINT era, broadening its technical-education role. This long institutional memory still shapes why the museum is so visitor-focused and hands-on.
The 1997 NewMetropolis opening at Oosterdok
The decisive modern step came in 1997, when NewMetropolis opened in the current green building above the IJ tunnel at Oosterdok. That move created the recognizable city landmark visitors still use today. It also explains why routes from Amsterdam Central Station are such a key part of the visit.
What feels different once you are inside
Five exhibit floors plus the free Rooftop Square create a visit rhythm that alternates action and reset. Families usually benefit from short interactive bursts and more breaks, while adult-only visits often run better with deeper floor focus. Matching pace to travel style is what turns this stop from busy to memorable.
How to connect NEMO with wider museum plans
If your trip is museum-heavy, follow NEMO Science Museum with Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum, but only if you book those windows early. If your priority is variety, keep one skyline or old-center add-on instead. This decision keeps your day coherent, and your energy level realistic. Book now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NEMO Science Museum only for children?
No. NEMO Science Museum is designed for all ages, with hands-on exhibits that work for families, couples, solo travelers, and repeat city visitors. Some activities are specifically for ages six and up.
Read more.When is the best time to avoid crowds?
Weekdays after 2 pm outside school holidays are generally calmer. If your plan is flexible, this is usually the easiest way to lower waiting around the busiest interactive zones.
Read more.How long should I plan for the visit?
Most visitors are comfortable with 2 to 4 hours, depending on pace and breaks. Your ticket has a start time, but once inside you can stay until closing, so you can adapt your route on the day.
Read more.Do I need to reserve a timed slot?
Yes, timed starts are part of the normal entry flow at NEMO Science Museum. Reserving early gives you better choice and a smoother arrival, especially on weekends and school-break dates.
Read more.Can children visit without an adult?
Children under 13 need to be accompanied by an adult. If you are planning a family day, this rule is straightforward to manage when you book one shared start slot.
Read more.How do lockers and luggage rules work?
Lockers are small and use a 50-cent coin (or NEMO coin). Suitcases cannot be stored, so airport-size luggage should be left elsewhere before entry. Traveling light makes the whole route easier.
Read more.Is the rooftop included in the visit?
Yes. Rooftop Square is free and open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm, with extended Thursday and Friday hours until 9 pm in summer, including for people without a museum ticket. It is a useful pause point if you want views and fresh air between exhibit blocks.
Read more.What should I pair with NEMO nearby?
For one additional stop, choose A'DAM Lookout for skyline contrast, Amsterdam Museum for city-history context, or continue museum-heavy with Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum. One pairing is usually enough for a balanced day around Amsterdam center.
Read more.General information
opening hours
NEMO Science Museum is generally open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5:30 pm. For the 2026 season, it also opens on Mondays during school holidays, on public holidays, and from 30 March to 28 September. Timed starts spread arrivals, and weekdays after 2 pm are often calmer.
tickets
Standard admission costs EUR 21.50 for visitors aged 4 and over; ages 0-3 enter free. CJP, student, University Card, and European Youth Card tickets cost EUR 14. Valid Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP Card, Amsterdam Stadspas, I amsterdam City Card, NEMO Jaarpas, and ICOM card holders use a free timed ticket, as do eligible companions for visitors with a disability. All visitors book a start time, and advance online booking helps secure the chosen day and window.
address
NEMO Science Museum
Oosterdok 2
1011 VX Amsterdam
Netherlands
Oosterdok 2
1011 VX Amsterdam
Netherlands
website
Official site: https://www.e-nemo.nl/
how to get there
From Amsterdam Central Station, you can walk in about 15 minutes. By public transport, bus 22 to Kadijksplein is a common option, then roughly a 5-minute walk. If you arrive by car, use nearby garages or a city-edge P+R and continue by transit.
accessibility
NEMO Science Museum can be navigated floor-by-floor by lift, and wheelchair support can be arranged at the service desk. Service and guide dogs are welcome. The venue also supports priority access options for hidden disabilities, and nearby accessible parking is available.
lockers
Small lockers are available for day items. You operate them with a 50-cent coin or a NEMO coin. Using lockers early helps you move faster between interactive stations.
luggage
Suitcases cannot be stored at NEMO Science Museum. If you are arriving with airport-size luggage, store it elsewhere before your slot. This avoids unnecessary entry friction.
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