NEMO museum in Amsterdam: timed entry tickets and walking route from the station

The NEMO museum in Amsterdam looks like a big green ship by the water.

The building stands on Oosterdok, a 15-minute walk from Central Station (according to the directions map on the museum's website, 09/2026). Inside, everything is hands-on: five floors of experiments, shows, and labs await you.

There is a catch, though. Tickets are sold for a specific entry time, and the museum is generally closed on Mondays (as of 09/2026, museum ticket page). Don't show up without a time slot: on weekends there is a line at the ticket office.

Below we show what to see on each floor, how to buy a ticket, how to walk from the station, and what to do here with kids.

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What the NEMO museum looks like

💡 In short:

• NEMO is located at Oosterdok 2, by the water near Amsterdam Central Station.
• Tickets are sold with an entry time, so it's better to buy a slot in advance.
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website.

The copper-green building is shaped like a ship moored to the shore. Two small bridges with railings lead to the entrance, and the building is visible from afar from the water. It is the most recognizable structure in the Oosterdok area.

Inside, you immediately enter a bright lobby. The ticket office, a cafe, and a souvenir shop are located here. The shop sells miniature models of the museum's attractions, including a replica of the giant domino and DNA models.

What to see on the five floors

The NEMO exhibits are interconnected, and each floor has its own theme. It's most convenient to go from bottom to top, from simple experiments to the rooftop views.

© Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA · CC BYPhoto: Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

First floor: DNA and chain reactions

The first floor is dedicated to chain reactions and DNA. Here you'll find giant dominoes, a large bell, and a flying car. Once a day there is a 30-minute show with a long chain reaction; it's best to check the time at the entrance.

Second floor: the ball factory

The second floor is occupied by the ball factory. Plastic balls travel along a conveyor belt, and visitors sort them by size, color, or weight, after which they head off to be packed into small boxes. Nearby are the NEMO cafe and a demonstration hall with science shows and films. Exhibitions about the water cycle, electricity, metals, and buildings also take place here. Some of them change, so check the museum's schedule in advance.

Third floor: science lab

The third floor is given over to a large science lab. Here you can conduct your own experiments, including testing for vitamin C in different substances and viewing DNA. This is the most hands-on floor if you have school-age children.

Fourth floor: brain and senses

The fourth floor is dedicated to the human brain. Here your memory, brain function, and senses are tested. The lighting here is dimmed, which makes the rooms feel mysterious.

Fifth floor: cafe and observation deck

At the top there is another cafe, a children's playroom, and an observation deck. The roof offers a wide view of the city and the harbor. Save the fifth floor for last so you can relax after the noisy halls.

Water experiments and energy

These halls explore where the energy for machines and devices comes from. Oil and gas pollute the environment when burned. Water energy is considered one of the cleanest.

© Txllxt TxllxT · CC BY-SAPhoto: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

At the museum, anyone can run experiments with water, build a dam, or launch a turbine. The youngest visitors have a separate section with costumes, a TV, a house-building area, and experiments with light and sound. Here kids keep themselves busy while you rest nearby.

Exhibits and interactive shows

The NEMO exhibits are dedicated to science, engineering, technology, and human creativity.

The "Phenomena" attraction deserves special mention. Here you get hands-on with light, sound, static electricity, and the theory of relativity. The presentation is designed for visitors without a science background, so it works for both teenagers and adults.

Tickets and opening hours

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday; it is usually closed on Mondays. Exceptions occur during school holidays, for example in October and December 2026 (according to the museum calendar, 09/2026). Check the exact hours for your day when purchasing a slot.

A ticket is always tied to an entry time. This spreads out the flow of visitors, and on weekdays after 2:00 PM there are usually fewer people. Single entry is required for both adults and children; the exact price for your date is shown on the official website when selecting a slot.

For multiple visits, a card is a better deal:

All prices are listed by the museum on its website (as of 09/2026, rates on the NEMO website). At the ticket office, the Museumkaart is issued as a temporary card that works immediately; the permanent one is mailed to you later.

How to get there from Central Station

From Amsterdam Central Station to the museum is a 15-minute walk. Exit through the main entrance on the city center side and turn left (based on the route from the station, 09/2026).

© Diego Delso · CC BY-SAPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

If you don't want to walk, take a bus to the Kadijksplein stop. From there it's about a five-minute walk to the entrance. You don't need a taxi or the metro, the distance is short.

It's best not to drive into the center: NEMO has no parking of its own. The nearest garages, Oosterdok 400 meters away and Markenhoven 600 meters away, charge their own fees. P+R lots on the edge of the city are cheaper and connected to the center by public transport.

NEMO Museum on the map

The map shows how close the museum is to the station and the Maritime Museum. Both are within walking distance, so it's easy to combine them in one day. If you're planning another museum outing, check out the editorial piece on the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a NEMO museum ticket cost?

Check the exact price for your date when selecting a time slot on the tickets and slots page (as of 09/2026). For multiple visits, it's cheaper to get a Museumkaart for €75 or an I amsterdam City Card, which also covers city transport in addition to admission (as of 09/2026, Museumkaart price on museum.nl).

What time does the museum open and when is it closed?

NEMO is open Tuesday through Sunday. On Mondays the museum is generally closed to visitors and opens only on select school holiday dates (as of 09/2026, schedule on the museum website).

How do I get to the NEMO museum from Central Station?

It's a 15-minute walk: exit the station on the city center side and turn left (based on the directions, 09/2026). You can also take a bus to the Kadijksplein stop and walk five minutes.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance?

Yes, tickets are tied to an entry time, so it's more reassuring to pick a slot in advance. On weekdays after 2:00 PM there are usually fewer visitors, and you move through the exhibits faster (based on the museum's recommendations, 09/2026). On weekends and during school holidays, go for a morning time slot.

Is the NEMO museum suitable for children?

Yes. Inside there's a science lab, a ball factory, a playroom, and a section for younger kids with light and sound experiments. Children can touch almost all the exhibits, and parents can relax in the cafes on the upper floors. Teenagers tend to enjoy the demonstrations and shows in the halls more.

In short: what to book

NEMO is worth doing on the same day as the Maritime Museum and the station: everything is close together. Buy your time slot in advance, ideally for a weekday morning. If you're in Amsterdam for two or three days, the I amsterdam City Card pays for itself, and for a full year ahead the Museumkaart is a better deal.

If you're traveling with kids: do the museum in the morning and save the rooftop for after lunch. If you're here for just one day: an entry slot and a short walk along Oosterdok will be enough. If you're planning to visit many museums: compare the cards based on the number of visits.

Tiqets tickets to NEMO with time slots