Experience The Sound of Music: Must-See Spots in Salzburg
Contributor Hilary Nangle visits Salzburg and captures the beauty of iconic The Sound of Music movie locations on the occasion of the musical’s 60th anniversary.
Salzburg, Austria lures visitors with its musical heritage, palaces, churches, gardens, and fortress. I come for all of that viewed through the lens of The Sound of Music.
Since my first visit, while backpacking with a college friend around Europe, I’ve associated Salzburg with Fraulein Maria and The Sound of Music. On that long-ago trip, we ran and twirled across a mountaintop meadow singing, “The hills are alive with the sound of music.”
Although that occurred decades ago, I remember it as clearly as almost every scene in the iconic movie. I first watched it as a child with my grandmother in New York for Radio City Music Hall’s magical Christmas Show.
Even now, decades later, I still remember almost every word to every song, from “Do-Re-Mi” to “Climb Every Mountain” (which still makes me cry when I hear it). That’s a lot of baggage for a movie to carry for one person, but each time I return to Salzburg, the scenes and songs replay in my mind.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, debuted in 1965, and 2025 marks the movie’s 60th anniversary. If you’re a fan of the film, planning a trip to take in its memorable sights brings you to many of Salzburg’s must-see attractions. Special anniversary events add to the lure.
6 Magical Music Locations in Salzburg
Here are some of my favorite movie-related places to visit.
Nonnberg Abbey
This Benedictine convent dates from around 711. In the film, Maria, then a young novitiate, departs the convent singing “I Have Confidence” en route to her governess position with the von Trapp family.
Both the church and cemetery are open daily, but for a real treat, plan a 6:45 a.m. visit to Nonnberg Abbey Monday through Saturday or 7 a.m. on Sundays and holidays to hear the nuns’ choral Gregorian chant, or if you’re not an early riser, go to listen to vespers at 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday or 4:30 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. While in the church, don’t miss the mid-12th century wall paintings.
‘Do-Re-Mi’ Sights
Although Maria taught the children to sing “Do-Re-Mi” on a mountain meadow, a medley of images captures the children singing it at various locations in the city, including the Mozart Museum and Winkler Terrace atop Mönchsberg Mountain.
At Mirabell Palace and Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s easy to conjure images of Maria and the children dancing through the gardens, around the gnomes, through the hedge maze and vine tunnel, and running around the rim of the Pegasus fountain while singing “Do-Re-Mi,” before finishing on what’s nicknamed the Do-Re-Mi steps.
Schloss Leopoldskron
Seeing the lakefront swan gates at Schloss Leopoldskron reminds me of the rowboat scene, which still makes me chuckle. Maria and the children, dressed in their curtain play clothes, were raucously singing “Do-Re-Mi” when, upon seeing Capt. von Trapp and his finance Baroness Schraeder, they stood up excitedly, capsizing the boat.
In one of the movie’s more touching scenes, the Captain joins his play clothes-clad children singing “The Hills are Alive” by the swan gates. It’s also of note that the movie’s ballroom scene was based on Schloss Leopoldskron’s Venetian Salon.
Now an exclusive hotel, Schloss Leopoldskron offers in-depth Sound of Music tours highlighting the history and movie connections of the Baroque palace and property. The gazebo, featured in the romantic scene between Rolfe and Lisle, was originally located here, in the Schloss Park and Garden. If you want to view the swan gates up close rather than from across the lake, plan to dine, stay, or book a tour here.
Hellbrunn
At Hellbrunn, you’ll find the gazebo featured in two romantic scenes: Rolfe and Liesl circled the interior in the rain while singing “I am 16 going on 17” and Maria and Capt. von Trapp singing “Something Good” about their romance.
Originally in Schloss Leopoldskron’s Park and Garden, it’s now near Hellbrunn’s eastern entrance. Built in 1615 as a pleasure palace by Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittkus, Hellbrunn comprises the palace, gardens, and grottos noted for their trick fountains.
Those trick fountains attracted my backpacking friend and me on my first trip across The Pond. I’ve returned since over the holidays for Hellbrun’s fun Christmas markets and spectacular decorations, and most recently enjoyed hearing someone who sounded exactly like Rolfe singing “I am 17 going on 18” by the gazebo.
Sittkus also gets credit for the 400-year-old Hellbrunner Allee. Walk or pedal along it to view Schoss Frohnburg, which served as the front of the von Trapp family home. Maria lost her confidence momentarily while singing “I Have Confidence” when she came upon the front gates of the house. And Capt. von Trapp memorably ripped the Nazi flag from its position hanging aboard the front door.
Schloss Frohnburg on the Hellbrunner Allee was chosen for the exterior shots of the family villa. The building, dating from the late 17th century, is now part of the Mozarteum University.
The new Sound of Music Salzburg Museum will open at Hellbrunn in 2026. In the meantime, a special exhibition can be seen at Schloss Leopoldskron (call for details).
Basilica St. Michael, Mondsee
Stepping inside this church triggers memories of Maria and the Captain’s grand wedding. Founded by a Bavarian duke in 748 on the ruins of a Roman settlement, the Mondsee Monastery has changed hands and fortunes over centuries.
Rebuilt in the early 12th in the Romanesque style, the current late Gothic church dates from the late 15th century. The four-story, double-tower façade was added to celebrate the monastery’s 1000th anniversary. In 1791, the monastery was abolished, and the property eventually fell into private hands. Pope John Paul II elevated the Collegiate Church of Saint Michael to a basilica in 2005. While here, admire the artwork and the magnificent relic-filled main altar, richly decorated with gold.
Auf Wiedersehen, Good-bye
In Salzburg’s Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the von Trapp family performed in the city’s Felsenreitschule, a 17th-century summer riding school converted into the Salzburg Festival’s home. You’ll need to book a tour to see the interior.
I think of nearby St. Peter’s, comprising a Benedictine abbey, catacombs, and cemetery, as the heart and soul of Salzburg. Both Mozart and Haydn composed Masses in the 7th-century monastery. The city’s oldest cemetery inspired the heart-pounding scene where the family hides from the Nazis after their Salzburg Festival debut.
Finish with a treat from the Stiftsbaeckerei in St. Peter’s Abbey, the city’s oldest bakery. Although the monks likely have been baking bread since they arrived in 696, documents show they’ve been baking sourdough brown bread in the wood-fired oven since 1160. That’s when a 400-meter-long shaft was cut to allow Almkanal waters to flow into the bakery. Go early to watch the bakers at work.
For a grand finale, make reservations to dine at St. Peter Stiftskularium, which has been serving fine fare since 803.
Sound of Music 60th Anniversary Trails
The Sound of Music Trail, Werfen
From spring through early summer, pack a picnic and hike this 1.4-kilometer trail to the Gschwandt Anger plateau, where Maria taught the children “Do-Re-Mi.”
Download the free Smart Guide app audio tour, available spring 2025, narrated by Nicholas Hammond, who played Friedreich. Hammond dishes on insider tales and behind-the-scenes moments.
The Sound of Music Trail, Salzburg
Use a free SmartGuide audio app to visit nine filming locations.
2025 Sound of Music Activities and Events
Salzburg Marionette Theatre
Ten puppeteers using more than 100 marionettes bring the Sound of Music to life at this theater, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Salzburg State Theatre
Enjoy The Sound of Music in the Park in an open-air theater at Schloss Leopoldskron.
Salzburger Heimatwerk
View a special exhibition and the limited-edition The Sound of Music Anniversary Dirndl in this shop, known for its traditional clothing and souvenirs. The exhibition, presented in collaboration with the Salzburg Museum, explores tradition, costume, and apparel related to the movie. July-August.
Is the Sound of Music still alive in Salzburg today? Schloss Leopoldskron
This symposium, part of The Sound of Music Grand Anniversary Week, features experts discussing the film’s lasting appeal and cultural impact. American actor Nicholas Hammond, who played Friedrich in the film, will participate. SalzburgerLand Tourism, Salzburg Tourism, Schloss Leopoldskron and the Salzburg Museum host the Oct. 23, 2025, event.
Salzburg & the World, The Sound of Music Gala
The Salzburg State Theatre and the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, conducted by its new chief conductor, Roberto González-Monjas, will perform at this special evening in the Felsenreitschule. Special guests at the Oct. 23, 2025, event will include original cast members from the film and members of the Trapp Family.
The Sound of Music, Salzburg State Theatre
The musical will be in German with English subtitles on Nov. 15, 21, 23 and 25 and Dec. 12, 23, and 27.
Sound of Music-Themed Guided Tours
Numerous music-themed tours highlighting the movie are offered. This is just a sampling.
Panorama Tours offers the Original Sound of Music Tour Salzburg and packages including dinner experiences and/or accommodations. (Note: I took this tour and can recommend it).
Free Walking tours Salzburg – If you want to know some truths behind the movie, read The Sound of Music Quiz blog post. It’s a good reminder that Hollywood’s version of the story varies from the real one.
Fraulein Maria’s Bicycle Tour uses custom cruiser bikes to visit film locations.
Before or After Your Visit to Salzburg
A newly restored and remastered version of The Sound of Music in 4K UHD will be released in 2025. In the meantime, you can steam the classic 1965 version on Amazon Prime
Disclosure: The author’s visit was sponsored by Austria Tourism and Salzburg but any opinions expressed in this post are her own.
On YouTube: The Sound of Music Through Time and History
On YouTube: Christopher Plummer sings Edelweiss from The Sound of Music
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