Swarovski World is really, really disappointing. I’d wanted to go there for years, but never quite made it. It’s located next to the Swarovski factory in a village called Wattens near Innsbruck, and the marketing makes it look like a huge art park. Like Jupiter Art World but sparkly. The reality is more Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience.
A few jewelled installations in a field out the back of the Swarovski factory, and some art installations in the grotto behind the face, which seemed designed for Instagram rather than anything else. They don’t even offer a factory tour. The tickets were €20, and I decided to not bother going in. I actually could see a fair amount of it just walking around the car park.
The advertising photos make this sparkly forest look huge, like you can get lost in it. There were a few fairground rides with crystals in the distance too.
€20 to go in the grotto.
A wannabe influencer physically barged me out of the way while I was taking this photo, so that she could take selfies in front of the sculptor. I think this is the kind of customer the place is actually aimed at. The factory outlet store seemed to be the main focus.
Wattens itself is a very scenic place however.
I went for a little wander before getting the bus back to Schwaz, and there was this Lutheran church for gnomes. Austria is mostly Catholic, so this was an unusual find.
Another one for my collection of Scenic Alpine Supermarkets. MPreis is only found in the west of Austria (and South Tyrol in Italy).
You know you’re in the Alps when all the supermarkets have giant snow shovels as impulse buys.
I liked the crystal theme on the window films. Maybe more atmospheric than the Swarovski World.
Leave a Reply