Swarovski Kristallwelten — Attraction in Wattens

Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski Crystal Worlds) in Wattens, Austria, is a mesmerizing fusion of art, innovation, and natural beauty. Conceived by multimedia artist André Heller in 1995 to commemorate Swarovski’s centennial, this attraction offers a multifaceted experience that captivates visitors of all ages.  

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✨ A World of Wonders

Upon arrival, you’re greeted by the iconic “Giant”—a grass-covered head with crystal eyes and a cascading waterfall from its mouth. This striking structure serves as the gateway to the Chambers of Wonder, a series of 18 immersive rooms showcasing crystal-inspired art by renowned artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Salvador Dalí, and Andy Warhol. Highlights include Kusama’s Chandelier of Grief, an infinity mirror room featuring a suspended crystal chandelier, and the Crystal Dome, composed of 595 mirrors creating a kaleidoscopic effect .  

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🌿 Enchanting Gardens

The expansive 7.5-hectare garden surrounding the Giant is a testament to creativity and design. Notable installations include the Crystal Cloud, a shimmering structure adorned with approximately 800,000 hand-mounted Swarovski crystals floating above a reflective Mirror Pool . Families will appreciate the multi-level Playtower, designed by Snøhetta, offering various play experiences, and the whimsical Carousel, featuring 15 million Swarovski crystals .  

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🛍️ Shopping & Dining

The on-site Swarovski Store is a haven for crystal enthusiasts, offering an extensive collection of jewelry, accessories, and exclusive pieces unavailable elsewhere . After exploring, visitors can dine at Daniels Kristallwelten, a restaurant known for its gourmet cuisine and panoramic views of the garden and Tyrolean Alps. The menu features traditional Austrian dishes alongside innovative creations, catering to various dietary preferences. 

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🎟️ Visitor Information • Opening Hours: Daily from 9:00 to 19:00 (last entry at 18:00). • Admission: Adults €24 online (€26 on-site); children aged 6–17 €8; free for children under 6 . • Accessibility: The attraction is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. • Transportation: Regular shuttle buses operate from Innsbruck, approximately 20 minutes away .   

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🌟 Final Thoughts

Swarovski Kristallwelten offers a unique blend of art, nature, and innovation, making it a must-visit destination in the Tyrolean region. Whether you’re an art aficionado, a family seeking adventure, or someone enchanted by the allure of crystals, this attraction promises an...

MAGICAL PLACE!!! Saw pictures online and knew I wanted to visit, that finally came a reality in Aug 2024 on my recent holiday to Austria.

This attraction is a hidden gem. The shuttle bus collects you from outside Innsbruck train station then takes about 20 mins to get to Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski World).

Upon arrival, it doesn't seem much to look at as you are dropped off in the car park and there's lots of industrial looking office buildings. From the ticket office, you can see the famous Face/Water feature.

We didn't have to queue long for our tickets and the price is reasonable.

All other attractions within the park are free to go on and visit, included in the price of your ticket - the ferris wheel, carousel, hand of fatimah maze etc...

Once you find the face/water feature and you enter, the journey begins and takes you steadily through many exhibitions whereby you can spend as long as you want admiring the creations on display. It was busy when we went so you have to have patience in parts where it is popular.

The exhibits are amazing, there is so much to see and take photographs of, from the snow room to the famous celebrities costumes, jewellery and so forth... I was mesmerized by everything.

The outside carousel is for both adults and children. I had a lot of fun. The maze is amazing the way it was created in the hand of Fatimah.

I would recommend going in the morning/early afternoon as you will spend hours here.

Gift shop is very expensive as expected so mainly photo opportunity but still nice to look at the crystals on display. For example - Green ring was 149 euros and that was one of the cheaper items.

There is a small bar style cafe where you can grab light refreshments - sandwiches/cakes/hot drinks and cold drinks as well as vending machines.

If you love all things sparkly and interactive then this is the place for you! I absolutely loved it and had...

It's worth visiting if you have the "Innsbruck Card" or have a plan to buy Swarovski products from their store (some of the products have great discounts).

It's great they have free parking on premise. And kudos for providing toilet facilities before entering the museum.

Based on the above conditions, I'd give this place 4 starts. But due to the incident below, I have decided to give 2 starts instead.

We had Innsbruck Card purchased the previous day (around 10.30 am). So, we rushed to the location with a plan to enter the museum before 24 hours was over.

We managed to reach there before it expired. But at the ticket gate, they asked us to get another ticket (which is free) for my 5 years old daughter.

So, we rushed back to the entrance again and obtained the free pass by showing our Innsbruck cars (which were still valid by that time) to the lady there.

Then it was almost 10.30 am when we reached the ticket gate again and after the queue, the Innsbruck Card was rejected.

We came back and explained the situation to the lady at the entrance, and then she understood the situation and asked us to get a free ticket from the ticketing counter.

The person in the ticketing counter refused to issue a ticket saying we were late. But when I explained the situation, he called (may be) his supervisor. Believe me, his supervisor also refused to issue a ticket for us even though we explained what happened.

So, we had to buy tickets again to visit the museum.

Therefore, I'm ditching two stars for NOT having a heart for their customers. I hope they'll understand someday that money isn't everything.

(This happened on 5th...