The municipal area stretches from the southern shore of the Inn River into the Wattental side valley, leading to the Wattentaler Lizum head within the Tux Alps range.

Archaeological settlement traces date back to the La Tène era; the name Wattens was first mentioned as Vuattanes in a 930 deed, when the area was part of the German stem duchy of Bavaria.

The local economy was further promoted, when in 1895 Daniel Swarovski (1862–1956), a glass cutter from Jiřetín pod Bukovou in Bohemia, settled here to start the production of crystal jewelry.

At trial of the People's Court led by President Roland Freisler, he was sentenced to death and was executed at Plötzensee Prison.

Climate type is dominated by the winter season, a long, bitterly cold period with short, clear days, relatively little precipitation mostly in the form of snow, and low humidity.