Swarovski Crystal Worlds | Extraordinary Attraction Near Innsbruck

The Swarovski Crystal Worlds (in German, Swarovski Kristallwelten) is one of the places you definitely shouldn’t miss when visiting the Tyrol region. This museum was established in 1995 by the artist André Heller for the 100th-anniversary celebrations of the prestigious Swarovski crystal company and quickly became a magnet for travelers from all over the world. It is an extraordinary display of art and sparkling crystals that will leave you speechless!

As soon as you arrive at the museum entrance, you can understand that this is an unconventional place. The entrance is designed in the shape of a giant head, covered in green grass, with sparkling crystal eyes, and a waterfall flowing from its mouth into a small pond. According to the story created by the artist André Heller, the Alpine Giant, whose head juts out of the hill, settled in the village of Wattens after a journey around the world in search of treasures and wonders, and he is the one who guards the Chambers of Wonder in the Crystal Worlds.

Inside the museum, there are 16 different Chambers of Wonder with diverse art displays related to crystals, created by famous artists, designers, and architects from all over the world. Each room is different and reflects the unique way each artist interpreted the world of crystals. As you move between the exhibition rooms, it’s hard not to be amazed by the original thought and creativity of the creators who gave the crystal a meaning far beyond just a sparkling stone.

Book your entrance tickets to the Crystal Worlds in advance

The Chambers of Wonder are:

The Blue Hall: This is the first room you enter after entering the complex. The walls of the room are painted a deep blue, hence its name. This exhibition room features impressive works like “The Persistence of Time” by Salvador Dalí and “Gems” by Andy Warhol. In addition, this room has a horse statue covered in crystals, the black pendant, and the crystal wall.
The Mechanical Theatre: A rather strange display, a kind of theatrical play and fashion show of mannequins and clothing created by Jim Whiting.
The Crystal Dome: This exhibition room has 595 mirrors that give the feeling of being inside a crystal. 8 of the mirrors are actually display cases for various art objects. This room is a popular venue for weddings.
The Silent Light: In the center of this exhibition room is a sparkling crystal tree that was initially designed for the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, but eventually found its place in the Swarovski Crystal Worlds. This room uses 150,000 sparkling crystals.
Into the Sun: A mesmerizing room, full of mirrors and crystals created by the South Korean artist Lee Bul. In this display, you can look into the simulated spaces and examine your place within the complex space.
Ready to Love: A colorful room entirely on the theme of love – a true palace of love. Created by the artist Manish Arora.
The Ice Passage: At first glance, this display seems like just an empty corridor, but as soon as you start walking along it, the place comes to life. The moment you put your foot on the floor, crystals appear, following your walking path. With every step, you hear sounds of breaking and cracking and feel as if the corridor floor is made of fragile ice.
Transparent Haze: This room was designed by the Israeli artist Arik Levy. The room is full of different and strange shapes made of glass, marble, metal, and also 3D-printed forms.
Studio: A “Chamber of Wonder” is an original name for an exhibition room in the display of the Chambers of Wonder. In the center of the room, there is a colorful installation with small models of important places from around the world: Big Ben, the Statue of Liberty, and more. The room is colorful and at first glance seems quite simple and childish, but if you look closely, you can discover what makes it worthy of the Swarovski Crystal Worlds.
La Primadonna Assoluta: In the center of the room stands a huge natural crystal, a beautiful contrast to everything around it which is man-made. The large crystal is not cold at all but rather radiates a warm energy. This room was dedicated to the famous opera singer Jessye Norman, who performed a moving song in the Crystal Dome of the Crystal Worlds.
Eden: Literally a paradise. The world of nature on crystals. This room is the forest of the Swarovski world. The deeper you go into the dark forest, the more special crystals are revealed – the largest ever produced by Swarovski.
FAMOS: An extraordinary display of crystal cutting. Models of four magnificent buildings from around the world are made of crystals. The buildings are the Taj Mahal, the famous pyramid in Giza, the Empire State Building, and Lenin’s Mausoleum.
55 Million Crystals: A wonderful combination of music, light, paintings, and computer software creates a most original show of shapes and colors. Each visitor will see something different and special, and at every moment this display is completely different from what it was just a moment before.
Crystal Identity: In this room, the crystal display focuses on the ancient Japanese legend that says that people who are destined to meet are connected by a thin red thread. The artist Chiharu Shiota expresses this belief in a special design of red threads and crystals.
The Sun: This room allows visitors to feel close to the sun. In the center of the room is a large sun sphere, made of 2,880 special crystals designed specifically for this display. There is a wonderful combination of crystals and lighting to create a spectacular sight, just like the sun.
Timeless: The history of the success story of Swarovski and its crystals is presented in the last room of this wonderful exhibition.

Apparently, 16 exhibition rooms are not enough, because that’s not all in the Swarovski Crystal Worlds!

Outside the main building, there is a wonderful garden with a variety of other attractions.

The Garden of the Swarovski Crystal Worlds

Throughout the spacious garden outside the main exhibition building, there are displays of modern art, but also some ancient history. You can take a leisurely walk through the garden and enjoy wonderful works of art such as the Mirror Pool and the Crystal Clouds (made of 800,000 crystals), the Fat Bus, “The Production Line,” “Untitled,” and more. There is also a spectacular observation deck with a view of the entire area, as well as a display of antiquities from an ancient Roman city found in the area of the Crystal Worlds.

Also in the gardens, there is a play area for children that includes a play tower with 4 levels where you can climb, swing, and even “float.” There is also a playground for children with a climbing area and water games.

Another experience not to be missed is the large maze designed in the shape of a giant hand.

This is what the gardens look like from a bird’s eye view:

To complete the wonderful visit to the Crystal Worlds, you can sit back and enjoy coffee and cake at the complex’s café, Daniels Kristallwelten, which is also beautifully designed.

Other Essential Information for Your Visit

Opening Hours:

Every day from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Last admission at 6:00 PM.
On December 24th, open until 2:00 PM. Last admission at 1:00 PM.
On December 31st, open until 4:00 PM. Last admission at 3:00 PM.
The Crystal Worlds restaurant is open until 10:00 PM every day.
The play tower and carousel are open every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Entrance Fee:

Adult – from €24
Child (6-17) – €8
Child (0-5) – Free
Audio guide – €2

Please note: The Crystal Worlds are accessible for people with disabilities and also for baby strollers.

Address:

Kristallweltenstraße 1, 6112 Wattens

How to get to the Crystal Worlds from Innsbruck?

If you are not traveling by car, you can take a bus from the city of Innsbruck directly to the Crystal Worlds. The bus runs 5 times a day from Innsbruck. A round-trip bus ticket for an adult costs €12, and a one-way ticket costs €8. Children (6-17) pay €6 for a round-trip ticket and €4 for a one-way ticket.

You can see the bus schedule here.

Map:

A visit to the Crystal Worlds combines perfectly with a trip to the capital of Tyrol – Innsbruck. Read comprehensive information for a trip to the charming city of Innsbruck.