In a nutshell
- The NEMO Amsterdam is a science museum and one of the best attractions for kids in Amsterdam
- We visited with our own kids — read our honest firsthand review plus all the essential tips on tickets, timing, and what to expect
- Planning a full family trip? Check out our guide to Amsterdam with Kids for all our top recommendations.
5 Exciting Facts About NEMO Amsterdam
- NEMO Amsterdam welcomes 650,000 visitors every year.
- That makes it not only one of the most popular museums in Amsterdam, but also one of the 5 most visited museums in the entire Netherlands.
- The museum building sits on the foundation of the IJ Tunnel — the tunnel entrance runs directly beneath it.
- The museum opened in 1997 under the name NewMetropolis; in 2000, it was shortened to NEMO.
- NEMO has been recognized as the most child-friendly museum in the Netherlands.
Prices and Tickets
Admission Prices
Admission to the NEMO Science Museum costs €17.50 per person for ages 4 and up.
Children aged 3 and under get in free — no other discounts are available.
If you have an I Amsterdam Card, admission to the museum is also free.
Access to the museum’s rooftop is completely free.
Buy Tickets for NEMO Amsterdam Online
You can buy tickets directly at the museum, but during busy periods — weekends, school holidays — we’d strongly recommend booking online in advance.
Online tickets cost the same as at the door. No need to print anything out — just show your ticket on your smartphone.
When you book, you’ll need to pick a time slot. Honestly, though, we don’t think it’s a big deal if you don’t show up at the exact time listed.
Tickets are available on the museum’s official website and through major ticketing platforms. The price is the same everywhere — the main difference is usually which time slots are still available.
Buy tickets on the NEMO website
Our Honest Review: What to Expect at NEMO Amsterdam
We visited the NEMO Science Museum with two kids (ages 5 and 2) on a rainy Saturday. Weekends are already busy, and bad weather packs the place out even more.
We arrived just before 10 AM, and at that point it was still pleasantly uncrowded. So if you’re coming on a weekend, get there as early as you possibly can.
Spread across four floors, there’s an incredible amount to discover and experiment with. NEMO is completely interactive — there’s nothing here that kids can’t touch, press, or play with.
All explanations are in Dutch and English.
Our Age Recommendation for NEMO
Our 5-year-old was absolutely thrilled and sprinted from one station to the next — a certain amount of sensory overload was unavoidable.
There wasn’t quite as much for our 2-year-old, but we didn’t expect otherwise. She still had a great time pressing buttons and taking everything in.
We’d recommend the NEMO Museum for ages 4 and up. To really get the most out of it, kids should be a bit older. By the teenage years, it’ll probably start to feel a little young.
Our Highlight: the Chain Reaction
Every hour on the hour, a small experiment kicks off on the first floor, triggering a chain reaction that sets off a whole series of events along a pre-built course.
We watched it three times.
Our Verdict: a Fantastic Day Out for Kids
Science museums have popped up in many major cities, and we’ve visited quite a few with our kids — those visits are often absolute highlights for them. Check out our article on Lisbon with kids for another great example.
Our visit to the NEMO Science Museum was a ton of fun for the kids, and we can wholeheartedly recommend it.
The one downside: it was simply too crowded. We’d strongly suggest avoiding weekends — and rainy days if you can help it. That’ll make the whole experience so much more enjoyable.
Getting to NEMO Amsterdam
NEMO is about 15 minutes on foot from Amsterdam Centraal station.
Alternatively, hop on bus line 22 from the station and get off at Kadijksplein — it’s almost right in front of the museum, just two stops away.
You’ll find everything you need to know about buses and trains in our article on public transportation in Amsterdam.
Tips for the Area
Right next to NEMO is the Amsterdam Maritime Museum. It’s not quite as hands-on for kids as NEMO, but ours were seriously fascinated by the faithful replica of a large 1749 sailing ship.
Very close by, you’ll also find Café Bakers & Roasters. We had breakfast there beforehand and were absolutely blown away — easily the best breakfast we had in Amsterdam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NEMO Amsterdam worth visiting for adults without kids?
Honestly? No — not really. The museum is designed for children, and all the experiments and exhibits are geared toward younger visitors.
Without kids in tow, we definitely wouldn’t have had nearly as much fun. So we’d skip it if you’re traveling as adults.
There are so many other things to see in Amsterdam that are far more exciting for grown-ups.
Is there a restaurant at NEMO Amsterdam?
Yes! Right at the top on the 5th floor, there’s a large restaurant with a pretty solid selection. You’ll find kid-friendly dishes like pasta and pizza alongside things like Tikka Masala and salads.
The quality is fine for a museum restaurant, and the prices are reasonable too.
Can you bring a stroller or buggy inside NEMO?
Yes, strollers and baby carriages are allowed inside.
At the entrance, there’s also a designated area to park strollers — though it’s not supervised, so keep that in mind.
Can you check in bags and backpacks at NEMO?
Yes — in the entrance area, there are lockers where you can store your luggage. You’ll need a 50-cent coin as a deposit. No coin? There’s a machine where you can buy a chip using your credit card.
Do children under 4 need a ticket for NEMO?
Children under 4 get in free, but they still need a free ticket. You can pick one up at the box office or simply add it to your order in the online shop.
How much time do you need at the NEMO Science Museum?
We spent about four hours at NEMO, including roughly an hour for lunch.
For us, that was plenty — it could even have been a little shorter. Since we happened to be there on a rainy day in Amsterdam, though, we weren’t exactly rushing to head back out.
With older kids who want to dig into everything, you could easily fill a full day here.
