Discover the wonders and magic of science at NEMO Museum

Quick Information

ADDRESS

Oosterdok 2, 1011 VX Amsterdam, Netherlands

RECOMMENDED DURATION

4 hours

Timings

10:00–17:30

VISITORS PER YEAR

700000

TICKETS

From $25.08

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

1-2 hours (Peak), 30-60 mins (Off Peak)

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - SKIP THE LINE

0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Plan your visit

Did you know?

The museum building, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, resembles a giant green ship docked in Amsterdam's harbor, symbolizing the city's maritime history and spirit of exploration.

NEMO Science Museum expands its influence with an off-site venue, 'The Studio' at Marineterrein, crafting innovative, accessible exhibitions and programs tackling socially relevant themes beyond its main premises.

The museum's moniker, NEMO, cleverly stands for a 'new and entertaining museum of science and technology', encapsulating its commitment to innovative and captivating exploration of scientific realms.

How to Buy NEMO Science Museum Tickets?

NEMO Science Museum Fast-Track Tickets

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Combo: NEMO Science Museum Tickets + Amsterdam Canal Cruise

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I Amsterdam City Card: Access 70+ Attractions & Unlimited Public Transport

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Combo (Save 5%): NEMO Science Museum + Rijksmuseum Entry Tickets

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Overview of the NEMO Science Museum

Shaped like a massive green ship on Amsterdam’s waterfront, NEMO Science Museum is the country’s largest science center. Its five floors are filled with interactive exhibits, experiments, and workshops that explain everyday phenomena. Visitors can explore subjects like electricity, mechanics, and space in a lively environment designed to spark curiosity and creativity.

Quick facts about the NEMO Science Museum

NEMO Science Museum's green copper exterior with canal view in Amsterdam.

Official name: NEMO Science Museum
Location: Oosterdok 2, 1011 VX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Date of opening: The museum was founded in 1923 and moved into its current building in 1997.
Timings: It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5:30pm, usually closed on Mondays except during school holidays.
Architect: Renzo Piano
Architectural style: It features a modern, ship-like design clad in pre-oxidized copper.
Number of visitors per year: 700,000 guests
Collection size: The museum holds about 20,000 objects, including 17,000 technological heritage artifacts.

Plan your visit to NEMO Science Museum

Children observing whale bones exhibit at NEMO Science Museum, Amsterdam.

Opening hours: 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
Mondays: Open during school holidays, public holidays, and April to September.
Special dates: Open September 1, October 13, 20, 27, December 22 and 29.
Science Weekend: Free admission October 4-5, 2025.
Closed: April 27, 2026 (King’s Day).
Last entry: One hour before closing.
Visit time: Allow 2 to 3 hours for five floors and rooftop.

Address: Oosterdok 2, 1011 VX Amsterdam

Find on Maps

NEMO Science Museum rises above Amsterdam’s Oosterdok, near Central Station, surrounded by waterfront views, modern architecture, cultural hotspots, and easy connections to nearby attractions.

Closest stop: Museumhaven Amsterdam (19m)

Overview of the collection at the museum

Visitors engaging with interactive exhibit at NEMO Science Museum.

Technology in and around the home

From quirky tie warmers to early coffee makers, this collection shows how gadgets invaded homes and made life easier. It’s a time capsule of comfort, convenience, and entertainment, proving innovation shaped everything from chores to leisure.

Visitors exploring rooftop exhibit at NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam.

Energy generation and storage

Think giant power plants, solar panels, and even rooftop experiments with wind. This collection traces humanity’s big mission, finding ways to produce and store energy smarter, cleaner, and greener. It’s all about how we keep the lights on.

Installation technology

Gas, electricity, and water don’t just appear, they need intricate systems behind the scenes. This collection showcases tools, meters, and transformers that made installations safe and reliable, reminding us the invisible backbone of modern life is pure engineering genius.

Visitors engaging with interactive exhibits at NEMO Science Museum, Amsterdam.

Lighting

From lighthouses blazing arcs to the glow of early home lamps, this collection tracks how humanity fought the dark. It’s about safety, productivity, and atmosphere, showing how every leap in lighting technology completely changed daily life.

Must-see highlights at the NEMO Science Museum

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Witkar electric car

Imagine zipping around Amsterdam in the 1970s in a tiny three-wheeled car you could borrow and drop off anywhere. The Witkar wasn’t just quirky transport, it pioneered car-sharing and showed how clean, futuristic mobility might look.

Bellows stick hoover (c.1910)

Picture vacuuming before electricity! This 1910 contraption used bellows you pumped by hand to suck up dust. It looks simple now, but it made chores faster and cleaner, showing how inventive people got about tidying their homes.

Hanging arc lamp

This huge hanging lamp once guided ships from the Brandaris lighthouse with a dazzling electric arc brighter than any flame. It was a lifesaver for sailors, proving how science and engineering literally lit the way to safety.

Transformer (1935)

This chunky transformer from 1935 let scientists safely test crazy high voltages in labs and classrooms. It’s like the ultimate science gadget, helping engineers experiment with electricity and sparking big breakthroughs in how we power our world.

Gas calibration device

Ever wonder how people trusted their gas meters back in the day? This clever gadget checked if readings were right, making sure homes and factories paid fairly while staying safe. This invention was an unsung hero of everyday energy use.

Philips Amplifier

Before crystal-clear speakers, Philips amplifiers turned tiny radios into booming sound machines. These Dutch icons gave households richer music and sharper broadcasts, shaping modern listening habits and proving science could transform something as simple as enjoying a song.

History of the NEMO Science Museum

Founding vision: In 1923, artist Herman Heijenbrock created the Museum of Labor, spotlighting industry, technology, and progress through his personal collection.
Name change: By 1954, the museum became the Netherlands Institute for Industry and Technology, broadening its focus to innovation and industrial development.
Iconic building: In 1997, NEMO moved into Renzo Piano’s striking copper-green structure above the IJtunnel, debuting as the futuristic NewMetropolis.
New identity: By 2000, it transformed into Science Center NEMO, introducing interactive learning experiences designed to spark curiosity across generations.
Today’s NEMO: Now known as NEMO Science Museum, it welcomes hundreds of thousands annually as the Netherlands’ largest science center.

Construction of the NEMO Science Museum

Architect

Renzo Piano, born in Genoa in 1937, is the celebrated Italian architect behind NEMO Science Museum’s iconic green building. Famous for Paris’s Centre Pompidou, Piano founded the Renzo Piano Building Workshop in 1981 and won the Pritzker Prize in 1998, renowned for designs blending technology, sustainability, and striking creativity.

Architecture

The NEMO Science Museum’s architecture, completed in 1997 by Renzo Piano, resembles a vast ship rising from Amsterdam’s harbor. Its copper-green façade echoes the sea, while the rooftop square offers panoramic views. Beneath the striking exterior lies a minimalist interior designed to highlight interactive exhibits, blending bold engineering with cultural accessibility.

Frequently Asked Questions about NEMO Science Museum

Why is NEMO shaped like a ship?

Its ship-like shape reflects the IJtunnel curve beneath, while symbolizing Amsterdam’s maritime history and the museum’s futuristic, exploratory spirit.

Can you visit the rooftop without a museum ticket?

Yes, the rooftop square is free to access, offering panoramic city views, seating areas, and interactive energy-themed installations.

What language are the exhibits presented in?

Exhibits feature Dutch and English text, ensuring accessibility for international visitors, with some interactive stations also incorporating visuals and universal symbols.

Are there age recommendations for visiting NEMO?

NEMO is designed for all ages, though children aged 6-14 typically engage most with its interactive, hands-on science exhibits.

What makes NEMO unique compared to other science museums?

NEMO combines five interactive floors, historical artifacts, live experiments, and Amsterdam’s only rooftop square, blending education, heritage, and city views.

Is the rooftop accessible year-round?

The rooftop is generally open spring to autumn, closing during winter months or adverse weather for safety and maintenance.

Can you access NEMO by boat?

Yes, NEMO’s waterfront location allows visitors arriving by canal boat to dock nearby, offering an alternative travel option.