Amethyst World Maissau – Gemstone experience in Lower Austria
The Amethyst World Maissau is a destination around the largest amethyst deposits in EuropeVisitors can expect a combination of exhibition, demonstration tunnel, and prospecting field. Some offers seem ambitious in terms of price – especially without discounts. The visit is especially worthwhile for families with children who want to search for stones themselves, or for anyone interested in minerals and geology.
Short info:
- Where is the Amethyst World? Horner Str. 2033, 3712 Maissau, Lower Austria
- How much does the entrance fee cost? Combined ticket for the show tunnel and the gemstone house: €31.50 (mining costs extra). Here you can find all prices.
- What is included with the NÖ Card? Either Amethyst Show Tunnel or Gemstone House – not both. Mining is also separate.
- How much does mining cost? Adults 17 €, children 11.50 € (accompanying person free)
- How long does mining take? Approx. 1 hour, extension possible
- What can you take with you? A handful of amethysts per participant
- When is it open? Daily from 10am to 5pm (July & Aug until 6pm), closed from December 23, 2024 to January 31, 2025. Here you will find Opening hours and guided tours.
- Is there a restaurant? Yes, bistro in the entrance area
- Parking available? Yes, free
Gemstone House with special exhibition
We have met within the framework of NÖ-Card We decided to visit the Gemstone House. The regular price would have been around €20 per person – a price we would consider too high without a discount. A collection of minerals and gemstones from all over the world is on display, including some rare pieces.
The so-called "Universe Room" is particularly well-designed, where fluorescent minerals are illuminated under UV light. The special exhibition "Wonderful Colors & Luminosity – The Splendor of Minerals" explores the natural phenomenon of fluorescence and is a highlight of the show. The presentation features a modern design, a digital audio guide, and a child-friendly detective story. Visitors can even touch a real meteorite.
Nevertheless, the entire exhibition feels rather compact. Anyone interested in minerals will find interesting objects here—but don't expect a particularly large collection.
Amethyst Show Tunnel – guided tour at a depth of 12 m
The second main attraction is the Amethyst Exhibition Tunnel, which can only be visited as part of a guided tour (duration: approximately 50 minutes). The tour begins in the Amethyst Pavilion and leads through the history of the gemstone – from ancient times to the present day.
At its center is the world's largest exposed amethyst vein: a purple band over 40 meters long, running through the rock at a depth of about 12 meters. This type of "banded amethyst" is extremely rare and found in only a few places worldwide. The room temperature in the tunnel is a constant 16–18 °C (61–64 °F), so a jacket is recommended.
Amethyst mining – our highlight for families
The real highlight for us was the outdoor prospecting—especially with children. For €17 (adults) or €11.50 (children), you get a prospecting pass for about an hour, including rental equipment (shovel, hammer, bucket).
Our tip: If you're coming with children, it's worth buying a mining pass just for the little ones and simply accompanying them. This way, you save on the entrance fee and can still dig along.
The "one hour" isn't strictly controlled in practice, nor is the "handful" of stones you're allowed to take home. We found many beautiful amethysts in a short time – it's really fun. And if someone doesn't get anything, thanks to the "mining guarantee," they still get a rough stone from the treasure chest.
The entire mining area is outdoors, so it can get muddy after rain. We recommend bringing spare clothing or rubber boots for children, depending on the weather.
Other offers: Gold panning, marble run & park
In addition to panning, Amethyst World also offers a gold panning facility. Here, you can search for fossils, pyrite, or colorful gemstones using prepared treasure buckets. These activities also cost extra, but are worth the extra effort—especially for children. You can take the treasures you find home with you.
The park also features a water play area (open only in summer) and Austria's first chakra ball track. Under the motto "Get your energy rolling," you pass through seven stations in the park – at the end, you'll discover which stone supposedly matches your daily energy.
The park itself is spacious, but appears somewhat simply designed in places. There are shady trees and plenty of seating, but the play value for older children is limited.
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