About NEMO Science Museum
NEMO is the largest science museum in the Netherlands and one of Amsterdam’s most family-friendly attractions. Designed by acclaimed architect Renzo Piano, the striking green copper building juts out over the IJ waterway like the prow of a ship. Inside, five floors of interactive exhibits make science tangible and genuinely fun for visitors of all ages.
Highlights
- Chain Reaction — a spectacular live Rube Goldberg machine demonstration
- Science Laboratory — put on a lab coat and conduct real experiments
- WOW World of Work — explore how everyday technology actually works
- Phenomena — light, sound, and energy exhibits you can touch and control
- Rooftop terrace — free access with ticket, panoramic views over Amsterdam’s harbour
What to Expect
NEMO is spread across five themed floors, each dedicated to a different area of science: technology, energy, humanity, phenomena, and younger children. The exhibits are genuinely interactive — you’re encouraged to push buttons, conduct experiments, and build things. Plan for at least 2–3 hours; families with children could easily fill a whole day.
Tips for Visiting
- Book online — popular with school groups on weekdays, busier at weekends
- The rooftop is open in summer and offers some of the best free views in the city
- Just a 10-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station
- The museum café has reasonable prices and harbour views
- Under-4s enter free; under-18s free with accompanying adult on Sundays