sound of music tour diy

DIY Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg, Austria

Let me tell you about the Sound of Music Tour we put together when visiting Salzburg, Austria.

Sound of Music (1965) is one of my all-time favorite movies! With a family with seven children that portray the seven musical notes , it’s full of wonderful and cheerful songs! Even as I write this, I’m getting excited, and I could spin around in my living room, singing out loud. The hills are alive with the sound of music !

It was chosen as the movie that should be broadcast after a nuclear attack  to raise the morale of the survivors, so you can imagine how happy and uplifting it is!

BOOK Salzburg: The Sound of Music Exploration Game , it’s only €7.99 ! It’s a city exploration game based on The Sound of Music movie . Follow clues and solve puzzles to discover the places depicted in the movie and unlock stories about the movie and Salzburg at your own pace.

DIY Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

Sound of Music tour – filming locations

The movie was made after Maria Von Trapp’s memoirs, and it’s a true story, although romanticized for the big screen.

So filming in Salzburg is not a coincidence. This is where the actual events occurred.

Accommodation and hotels in Salzburg . We chose to stay a bit further from the city, at  Haus Amalia , located in the heart of the mountains. For a hotel in Salzburg, here are some central hotels with amazing reviews:

• Medium budget :  Apartments an der Salzach ,  Altstadt Hotel Hofwirt Salzburg ,  APT. STONE-LODGE
• Boutique/Lux :  Arthotel Blaue Gans

A lot of the scenes, especially the interior ones, were filmed in Hollywood studios. But the exterior scenes are authentic, and they were filmed in Austria .

You can take an organized Sound of Music Tour . It takes 4 hours, costs about €60 ($65) per person, and offers backstage information and the movie soundtrack on the bus.

Or you can try a bike tour , it’s €40 ($44).

We thought the price was a bit steep, so we decided to go by ourselves in our car to discover each spot. We, too, had the Sound of Music soundtrack in the car, and we got to see everything at our own pace .

Sound of Music Organized Bus Tour

DIY Sound of Music tour – Filming locations in Salzburg

Mirabell palace and gardens.

The Mirabell Palace and Gardens hosted the scenes for the Do-re-mi song!!! Maria and the children run through the ivy tunnel, climb on the fountains, and in the epic ending, they stand on the famous steps that become musical notes !! Yesss, I stood on those steps as well; you can’t imagine how thrilled I was! Even if the day was cloudy, it didn’t matter! Everywhere around, there were people that sang and recreated scenes from the movie. It was an absolute joy!

Do a dear, a female dear!

The musical steps!!

The horse fountain (Pferdeschwemme)

This is the spot where Maria takes the children on their adventures in town after they leave the Von Trapp home. Maria had previously made play clothes for them out of drapes.

Pferdeschwemme – The Horse Fountain

Mozart Bridge (Mozartsteg)

In the same sequence, Maria and the children cross over this beautiful bridge, while singing My Favorite Things .

Residenzplatz

It’s a beautiful square in Salzburg, which Maria passes through during I Have Confidence .

Residenzplatz seen from the balcony of DomQuartier

Nonnberg convent

This is the convent where Maria was a nun . The interiors and courtyard were filmed in Hollywood, but the gate that Maria passes through while singing I Have Confidence is here, at the Nonnberg convent.

Also, at this gate, the children come asking for Maria after she decides to leave the Von Trapp family.

The gate is here on google maps . You have to climb a few steps to reach it, as it’s on a hill below the fortress that dominates Salzburg’s skyline. But once you are there, believe me, you will enjoy seeing Salzburg from above and all those elegant rooftops.

St Peter’s Cemetery (Petersfriedhof)

St Peter’s Cemetery, one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world, was an inspiration for the scene at the end when the Von Trapp family is hiding from the Nazis, and Rolfe finds them. Actually, the scene was filmed in Hollywood, where they reconstructed St Peter’s Cemetery.

Rock Riding School (Felsenreitschule)

It’s a fabulous auditorium where the festival at the end of the movie is held. Here Captain Von Trapp sings an emotional Edelweiss , and all the family sings So Long, Farewell . I really wanted to visit it, but when we arrived in the evening, there were a lot of well-dressed people outside. A show was scheduled inside, so we were unable to enter.

To plan a visit, it’s important to follow the visiting schedule . Daily guided tours are offered for a fee of €7 ($7.60). However, the receptionist informed us that there may be additional tours available each day, so it’s best to check directly with the facility.

Wikimedia Commons photo

DIY Sound of Music tour – Around Salzburg

I am sixteen, going on seventeen gazebo.

Our DIY Sound of Music Tour, of course, includes the most romantic gazebo in the world , where Liesl and Rolfe sing I am Sixteen Going on Seventeen ! Does anyone else feel those intense teenage love feelings when they witness this scene, or am I alone in this? Of course, I took the opportunity to spin around like a princess!

The gazebo is not the one in the movie. Well, actually, on the outside, it is . But the inside scenes were filmed in a studio, in a much larger pavilion. Oh, and you can’t enter it because there were a lot of incidents with tourists trying to jump around on the benches, like Liesl in the movie, and they decided to keep it closed for safety reasons.

How to get there : The Pavilion is at Hellbrunn Palace (the filming crew donated it to the city and has been placed here). You can visit it for free since it’s at the entrance. But I recommend you also visit Hellbrunn. We had so much fun in the gardens 😉. And it’s included in the Salzburgcard.

I must’ve done something good!

Leopoldskron Castle

The castle is now a fabulous 5-star hotel; you can only visit it if you’re a guest. But you can see it from across the lake, from a nice and quiet park. We left the car at the park’s entrance and took a short walk so that we could see the castle better.

The outside scenes of the Von Trapp residence were filmed here. Maybe you remember when Maria and the children were in a boat and fell into the water. You can see the Pegas statues very clearly from across the lake.

Mondsee Cathedral

The Mondsee Cathedral is where the Captain and Maria got married. The moment when she enters the church with a huge white train, and she climbs the steps to the Captain is unforgettable!

Mondsee is about 30km away from Salzburg.

St Gilgen is a small town on the Wolgangsee Lake, and it appears in the movie right at the beginning, filmed from the helicopter.

It’s about 30km away from Salzburg and you can see the famous view at this viewing point .

St Gilgen, austria

Afterthoughts on our DIY Sound of Music Tour

I loved it! I think doing the Sound of Music tour on your own is fairly easy. Most filming locations are right in Salzburg , with a walkable distance between them. But some are further, and you need a car or a bus to get there. The bus network in Salzburg is pretty good, so don’t avoid using it.

For more information on each location, we found a useful resource here . We had the printed pages with us and read along on the spot.

We spent a day and a half in Salzburg and saw everything we had planned: the city’s main attractions and the Sound of Music tour. I marked on the map below all of the Sound of Music filming locations (in orange) and other attractions you want to see when you go to Salzburg (in blue).

Happy Travels! And singing!

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Staying at haus amalia – accommodation close to salzburg », din aceeași categorie.

Staying at Haus Amalia – Accommodation close to Salzburg

Thank you so much for such a useful guide! I used it excessively whilst touring glorious Salzburg over the last few days! Thanks!

Aww, I’m so happy to hear that! I hope you had a great time! 🙂

This looks wonderful. Thank you for sharing your experience. My husband and I will be going to Salzburg this weekend. Sunday is the day we are going to tour all the areas from the movie. I am so excited. It is by far my favorite movie next to Mary Poppins. Coming across your step by step stops will for sure help us out a great deal. Didn’t really want to spend money on a tour. I know you get a lot of extra info you may not already know. But the price is a bit much.

Heeey, Stacie, thank you so much! It’s one of my favourite movies too (also Mary Poppins of course!)! We also didn’t want to spend money on a tour, although as you say, I’m sure they give out lots of trivia. But they are kind of pricey. I hope my research helps you and you have a wonderful time! 🙂

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A Self-Guided “The Sound of Music” Tour of Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg is a beautiful and historical town in Austria close to Munich and right next to the German border. The city rose to fame after the 1965 American musical, The Sound of Music, was filmed around the city. Tourists from around the world enjoy visiting the filming locations from the movie and yes, I am one of them. Here is a self-guided tour of The Sound of Music spots in Salzburg. Because some of the spots are outside of Salzburg’s town centre, the tour may take you two days. Enjoy!

Mirabell Palace Gardens

Start your tour in the New Town of Salzburg at the Mirabell Palace Gardens. 

The Sound of Music Connection: Maria (Julie Andrews) and the Von Trapp children sing “Do Re Mi” throughout the garden. Definitely one of the most famous musical scenes in the movie!

If you enter the Gardens from the south, you will see two Greek statues. Maria and the children mimic their fencing pose.

Continue into the garden and you will see the Pegasus Fountain where Maria and the children dance around the edge.

Next, you will reach a set of stairs that Maria and the children use as a musical scale. From here you’ll have a great view of Mirabell Gardens with Hohensalzburg Fortress in the background.

Make sure to go up the other set of stairs by the Pegasus Fountain, which leads to the Gnome Garden. Maria and the children take turns tapping the head of the gnome wearing glasses.

As you leave Mirabell Gardens, walk through the vine tunnel that Maria and the children skip through.

Mozart Footbridge

Next on the tour, take the pedestrian-only Mozart Footbridge (Mozartsteg) across the river to the Old Town.

The Sound of Music Connection : Maria and the children cross Mozartsteg during the song “My Favorite Things.”

Residenzplatz

Walk through the beautiful Residenzplatz.

The Sound of Music Connection : During the song “I Have Confidence in Me,” Maria splashes in the Horse Fountain.

Kapitelplatz

Walk through Kapitelplatz. From here you’ll have an amazing view of Hohensalzburg Fortress.

The Sound of Music Connection : Maria walks through this square during the song “I Have Confidence in Me.”

Nonnberg Abbey

Make your way to the historic Nonnberg Abbey.

The Sound of Music Connection : Several scenes in the movie were shot around the Abbey, although filming inside was not permitted. The real life Maria Von Trapp lived as a nun at the convent and also married Captain Georg Von Trapp here!

St. Peter’s Cemetery

Head to St. Peter’s Cemetery (Petersfriedhof), one of my favourite spots in Salzburg and one of the most beautiful and unique cemeteries I’ve ever seen.  

T he Sound of Music Connection : St Peter’s Cemetery was used as the inspiration to build a set in Hollywood where the Von Trapp family would hide from the Nazis, although the real family never hid in a cemetery. Franz Wasner, the real life Max Detweiler (the Von Trapp’s advisor and choir conductor), is buried here.

Rock Riding School

Next, walk past Salzburg’s Rock Riding School (Felsenreitschule). The only way to see inside the Festival Hall Theatre is by tour or to see a show.

The Sound of Music Connection : The Von Trapp children rehearse for the Salzburg Music Festival in the Rock Riding School’s Festival Hall Theatre. On the night of the festival, Captain Von Trapp sings “Edelweiss” and the whole family sings “So Long, Farewell” here before they make their escape. Although their performance did not play out like this, the real life Von Trapp family performed here in 1935 and won the Salzburg Music Festival in 1936.

A short walk will bring you to the beautiful Horse Pond (Pferdeschwemme ) where parade horses were washed and groomed in the past. 

The Sound of Music Connection : Maria and the children dance past the Horse Bath during the song “My Favorite Things.”

M ö nchsberg Lift Terrace

Continue along the road and you’ll reach the Mönchsberg Lift (Mönchsberg Aufzug), which is located inside the Modern Art Museum of Salzburg (Museum der Moderne). This is the last filming location in the Salzburg town centre. I suggest ending your first day of the self-guided tour here. Take the lift up to the top floor and you will find a terrace (formerly known as Winkler Terrace) with one of the best views of Salzburg. This view is amazing at sunset!

The Sound of Music Connection : The beautiful city view from the terrace can be seen while Maria and the children sing “Do Re Mi.”

Schloss Leopoldskron

The rest of the filming locations on this tour are outside of the Salzburg town centre so it may take another day to see them, depending on how much time you’ve spent at the previous spots. If you are interested in visiting these sites, you can rent a bike, drive, taxi, or take public transportation.

Schloss Leopoldskron is now a hotel and you can only enter the former palace if you are staying as a guest. However, you can see the back of the palace and its beautiful terrace from across the pond along Konig-Ludwig-Strasse.

The Sound of Music Connection : Several scenes in The Sound of Music were filmed on the terrace. Schloss Leopoldskron was also the original home of The Sound of Music gazebo until it was moved to Schloss Hellbrunn (which you will see later).

Schloss Frohnberg

Continue south to Schloss Frohnberg, which is now part of the Mozarteum Music Academy. Tours of the palace are not available but you can see the front of the palace from the road.

The Sound of Music Connection : Schloss Frohnberg was used as the front of the Von Trapp family home in The Sound of Music .

Schloss Hellbrunn

A bit further south is Schloss Hellbrunn. One of Salzburg’s Prince Archbishop’s built the palace as a place for fun. The palace has no bedrooms, several trick fountains, and vast woodland grounds. I highly recommend paying the entry fee for Schloss Hellbrunn, which includes a tour of the palace and the trick fountains – it’s so much fun! However, you can walk around the palace grounds and see The Sound of Music Gazebo for free.

The Sound of Music Connection : Located on the palace grounds is the famous Gazebo where Liesl and Rolf sing “16 Going on 17,” and Maria and the Captain later sing “Something Good.”

Villa Trapp

On your way back to the Salzburg town centre, cross the Salzach river and stop at Hotel Villa Trapp. In 2008, Villa Trapp was turned into a hotel, which you can tour or stay in.

The True Story of the Von Trapps: In 1926, Maria Kutschera was sent to this family home by the Nonnberg Abbey to tutor Captain Georg Von Trapp’s sick daughter. One year later, Maria and Georg were married when she was 22 and he was 47, and she became stepmom to his 7 children. Maria and Georg had another 2 children of their own (of 3) while living here. To earn some cash during tough times in 1935, the family began to perform as a choir. In 1938, the Nazi’s arrived in Salzburg and the Von Trapp’s made their escape by train to Italy just one day before Hitler closed the Austrian borders. The Villa Trapp was seized and used as a private home for SS Chief Heinrich Himmler during the war before being returned to the Von Trapps, who sold it to a Catholic mission. The Von Trapp family performed in over 2000 shows in 30 countries before settling on an American farm that they turned into a hotel. Georg died in 1947 and Maria lived until 1987 – she even had a small cameo in The Sound of Music ! 

The Sound of Music Connection : This is where the real Von Trapp family lived from 1926-1938.

BONUS: Meadow in Werfen, Austria

Although this filming location is not in Salzburg, I highly recommend visiting this meadow in Werfen, Austria if you can. The meadow is about a 40-minute drive from Salzburg. When you reach Werfen, drive up Schartenbergstrasse and you will see a meadow with a section that is surrounded by a wood fence. This meadow has the most amazing view of the Austrian Alps and Hohenwerfen Castle down below. You will really feel like you are in The Sound of Music at this spot!

The Sound of Music Connection : In a famous scene, Maria and the Von Trapp children have a picnic in this beautiful meadow and then start singing “Do, Re, Mi.” 

I hope you enjoyed this self-guided tour of The Sound of Music filming spots in Salzburg!

To read my blog post, “How to Spend 2 Days in Salzburg,” click here .

To read my blog post,  “What and Where to Eat in Salzburg, Austria,”  click here.

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Have camera will travel, salzburg and the sound of music – diy tour.

In celebration of heading to Salzburg, we queued up the Sound of Music movie.

The city didn’t seem to be quite as big a fan of the movie as we were- there were very few labels so we had to rely heavily on an online guide to the shooting locations in the area.

Plus, we re-watched the movie a few times ourselves – you know, for research.

The Sound of Music, while a big draw for us, is definitely not all there is to see in the city. We were lucky enough to be visiting during the very first night of the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt ( more on that here ), and had an excellent time exploring the city with glühwein in hand.

Mirabell Palace and Gardens

One of the most iconic sites in the city, Mirabell Palace is a historic palace and a UNESCO World Heritage location. Classical concerts (usually Mozart inspired) are still performed in the stunning Marble Hall of the palace. It’s definitely worth checking out the schedule!

The gorgeous baroque gardens are the site of the iconic “Do-Re-Mi” song from the Sound of Music- and the stunning landscaping is kept up to snuff even today. I was so certain that those neat garden beds would have been changed over the years!

You may also recognize this Pegasus statue and the vine tunnel from the film.

Salzburger Marionettentheater

The nearby Salzburger Marionettentheater performs a marionette version of the Sound of Music about twice a month. We were lucky enough to be visiting during a performance and, though we didn’t attend, it was a fun surprise to hear the music from the performance wafting through the Mirabell Gardens as we walked around.

Mozart fans will be pleased to learn that there are also performances of The Magic Flute on the schedule!

Mozart’s Birthplace

Just across the river, a bright yellow building on Getreidegasse may catch your eye- this is Mozart’s birthplace! The famous musician and composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a huge draw for visitors all over the world.

The third floor apartment and surrounding floors have been converted into a museum dedicated to the early life of the composer, displaying some of Mozart’s childhood instruments, letters, and portraits in an environment as closely aligned to the original apartment as possible.

Just a few hundred feet down the street, the open square Mozartplatz is dedicated to the composer, with a large statue of the man erected in the center.

Getreidegasse

The entire street of Getreidegasse is worth a wander- there’s plenty of shops and cafes lining the way. We made a pit stop at Cafe Mozart for some crisp apple strudels. This cafe also serves the iconic Salzburger Nockerl- a soufflé-like dessert that’s definitely worth a try. I’ve never seen them offered outside of Austria!

Residenzplatz

A large town square set in front of the Salzburg Cathedral, Residenzplatz is the main gathering place in Old Town Salzburg. This is where the main Christkindlmarkt in the city is located in the winter months! Maria passes through this square during her song “I Have Confidence” – she splashes her way through the fountain, though it was closed for the winter during our visit.

This square also has a great view of Fortress Hohensalzburg- something that neither myself nor my traveling companion had remembered seeing during our rewatch of the movie. Did they intentionally crop it out, we wondered? Upon our next re-watch, the Fortress was clearly visible several times throughout the movie- and yet neither of us had ever noticed it before!

Salzburg Cathedral

The most important building in Salzburg, the domed roof and double towers make the church a centerpiece of Old Town. There is a €5 charge to enter the church, but the beautiful baroque interiors are well worth the fee.

Petersfriedhof Salzburg

Petersfriedhof- or St. Peter’s Cemetery- is a particularly beautiful cemetery, and the oldest in Salzburg.

The Von Trapps flee through here in the film, though I believe the catacombs were recreated on a soundstage in Hollywood.

Fortress Hohensalzburg

We had the opportunity to take a funicular up to the Fortress, but walking would bring us to an overview that was shown in the movie. Although Julie Andrews walks out of her convent to this view, we had to huff and puff our way up a narrow road to get to the same place- and there was no convent in sight. That’s movie magic for you!

Although Fortress Hohensalzburg is only featured in the background of the movie, it’s definitely worth a visit. I wrote about the fortress turned museum in more detail here, but suffice to say, it’s got the best view in town, plus an interesting perspective on medieval life in Salzburg.

If you’re in town around December, definitely pop up for the Fortress’ tart flambees, if nothing else.

Hellbrunn Palace

Although a visit to Hellbrun Palace requires a bus ride out of the city, it’s a quick ride and well worth the trip.

We were a few days too early to experience the Christmas market here , but it was nice to see the decorations scattered throughout the property.

We spent some time walking around the park and then hiked up a short hill for a truly spectacular view of the surrounding land and the mountain in the distance. I really liked some of the water features built into the manmade pond as well- though some of the fish were alarmingly large.

While the property was gorgeous and the decorations were festive, we were actually here for one reason- to see the pavilion where Sixteen Going On Seventeen was filmed. Apparently it’s a pavilion, not a gazebo!

The glass structure had been restored and moved to the park for visitors to enjoy. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to enter the pavilion, so we danced around it a bit and read the nearby informational plaque before heading back to the city.

13 thoughts on “ Salzburg and the Sound of Music – DIY Tour ”

Going to Salzburg for a Sound of Music tour is HIGH on my list. This was fun to lead and fueling my desire!

It was so fun to be watching the movie while we were there, too! I think we watched it AT LEAST three times, and it still holds up!

Many years ago there was a Sing-Along-Sound-of-Music at a theater in the Twin Cities. Probably the most fun I’ve had in my life.

It’s so nice when you get to participate in media! That sounds like an amazing time!

I want to visit the Christmas markets one day!

The Christmas markets were so fun! Definitely got a little overwhelmed by the crowds at the bigger market but there were so many options to attend in Salzburg that it worked out great!

Have you seen my Salzburg Christmas Market post? That’ll really get you excited- I had no idea how many markets they had!

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I visited Salzburg years ago, and although I’ve seen the Sound of Music, I didn’t really think of it when I visited. I did visit the Mozart birthplace and tried Salzburg Nockerl, which tasted light and eggy.

It’s funny that we were able to have such different perspectives on the same city! I wasn’t able to try the Nockerl- it looked a little to creamy for me to risk (I can’t eat dairy), so I’m interested to hear that it had an egg flavor!

As a big fan of the Sound of Music I simply adore this and feel compelled to do my own DYI tour here one day! Thanks for the inspo

It was so fun to watch the movie while staying in the city- great inspiration for exploring the area!

Salzburg is such an amazing city 🙂

It’s really lovely!

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Lyssy in the City

"NYC Based Food and Travel Blog"

Salzburg, Austria – DIY Sound of Music Tour

Hi friends, welcome back to my Germany and Austria series 🙂 While planning our trip, I saw we’d be close to Salzburg so I immediately added it to my itinerary to live out my Sound of Music dreams! I didn’t gracefully spin on top of an idyllic mountaintop, but we did have fun recreating the “De-Re-Mi” scene. There are SoM tours you can join, but with our time constraints, I found this awesome guide of the top spots online and we did our best to see as many spots as we could. I’d recommend doing it this way to avoid crowds and for the flexibility, unless your heart’s desire is on a place not walkable like the church they got married in. Most of the sites are right within the Salzburg city center, so these pictures were taken over two days.

On our final full day of vacation (insert sad face), we got up earlyish, got ready, and made it to the Mirabell Gardens by 8 am. We were delighted to have it almost all to ourselves! I could reenact the “Do-Re-Mi” scene from the Sound of Music without feeling silly, even though everyone else does it. We had a blast skipping through the garden pretending to be the Von Trapps.

Jon and I then walked to get some coffee and continued on our tour. We enjoyed our authentic Starbucks sitting in the Residence Square overlooking the Residence Fountain. This setting is the backdrop when Maria sings “I Have Confidence” and splashes some water in the fountain.

St. Peters Cemetery was the next stop and it was beautiful! This is my least favorite scene in the movie, but it was filmed on a Hollywood set and this spot was the inspiration.

The Festival House where the family performed and made their daring escape.

The Horse Pond is another backdrop to Maria singing “I Have Confidence”.

We then walked about half an hour to Leopoldskron Palace, the Von Trapps’ beautiful home in the movie. This is technically private property and only for hotel guests, but there was a wedding being set up and the gate was opened so we innocently walked through. What a beautiful spot to get married! We got a few pictures and then were on our way back to our hotel to check out. I wanted to see the famous Gazebo, but it was two miles away and we were under a time crunch to make our train. Always good to have a reason to come back 🙂

Jon and I stopped by a bustling market on our way back and grabbed two pretzels and a delicious pastry. The pastry was flaky but crunchy on the outside, and the cream inside was so light and airy but not too sugary. It’s not very filling, but it was incredible.

Some final pictures of Salzburg.

We had a very short time in Salzburg, but we definitely made the most of it! Salzburg is a relatively small city so I think two-three days would be the perfect amount of time to see it all. From Salzburg we took the train to Vienna where we would be flying out the following morning. I hope you enjoyed our twenty-four hours in Salzburg! The conclusion of this Germany and Austria series is coming up next 🙂

Posts in my Germany and Austria series:

• Munich – New Town Hall & St. Peters
• Munich – The Residenz & German Food
• Bavaria – Lake Starnberg & Eibsee
• Bavaria – Neuschwanstein Castle 
• Bavaria – Hohenschwangau Castle & Alpsee
• Bavaria – Zugspitze & Eibsee
• Bavaria – Walchensee, Geroldsee, & Partnach Gorge
• Bavaria – Königsee
• Bavaria – Obersee & St. Bartholomew
• Bavaria – Maria Gern, Hintersee, & Ramsau
• Bavaria – Eagles Nest
• Salzburg – Hohensalzburg Fortress

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37 thoughts on “ Salzburg, Austria – DIY Sound of Music Tour ”

Beautiful pictures..I had no idea that so much of the Sound of Music movie location is part of Salzburg and available for everyone to see. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! It’s so great to be able to see most the sites from the movie, it’s such a beautiful city! Glad you enjoyed 🙂

You really captured the essence of SoM and Salzburg Lyssy. Glad it all worked out for you, but I am disappointed not to see a spinning on the mountain top view. Loved the heel click. Did you try Kaffeee mit Schlag when you were in Austria? It was decadent. Thanks for sharing. Allan

Thank you! Next time I go I’ll have to get that video. We didn’t try that coffee but we would’ve loved it! We only had the ice cream coffee in Germany and that was decadent too.

Beautiful photos with the added advantage of not too many other people in them.

Thank you! It is nice not having to patiently wait for people to clear my photo ops 🙂

I know exactly what you mean!

Amazing photographs, Lyssy. Leopoldskron Palace is a beautiful place for a wedding. I think pastries are a good way to say goodbye to Austria. What a wonderful holiday you had, and all in all 2022 has been a great travel year for you.

Thank you! Pastries are always a good idea 🙂 We really made up for the last two years and are so lucky to have been able to take these two amazing trips.

Another great collection of memories!!!

Thank you!!

That sounds like a wonderful last day! I can not imagine getting married with a backdrop view like that; it looks like they had perfect weather for it too.

It would have been a stunning day and place to get married! Would be a destination wedding I wouldn’t mind going to 🙂

What a beautiful city! It’s hard to see the magnificence of it in the movie, but your photos captured it SO well. Love the action shot! Can’t wait to see what’s next on your agenda!

It is such a beautiful city! I need to watch the movie again now that I’ve seen it for myself. So glad you enjoyed this!

How enchanting to follow the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg and the weather looked amazing too!

It was the perfect day for our tour! We had so much fun 🙂

The Sound of Music is one of my favourite movies. How neat to visit some of the locations featured in the film. That pastry looks amaaaazing.

It was so cool being able to see where the movie was filmed, it’s one of my families favorites! The pasty was amazing for sure!!

Among your many talents, I did not realize you were a dancer too. Loved these pictures. This was my mom and dad’s favorite movie and stage play. Your post made my heart warm today.

Haha definitely not a dancer! So glad you enjoyed this post! We had the best time seeing all the sights, it was a dream!

I’ve never seen the Sound of Music, but all your photos are beautiful and I absolutely LOVE Salzburg, such an amazing city 🙂

You need to watch it!! Salzburg is such an incredible city 🙂

What an amazing day! And the Leopoldskron Palace looks incredible!! I remember seeing some of these Sound of Music spots when I was there, but the weather was so cold we sort of rushed through them, which is a pity! When I was living in Austria I was also surprised to hear that many of the Austrians I met had never heard of or seen the Sound of Music! I couldn’t believe as it is really an iconic movie to me ahah! Thanks for sharing!

We got lucky with a beautiful day, I imagine it’s not as fun when it’s cold! It seems like everyone should see The Sound of Music! I still get excited seeing nYC spots in movies haha.

Such a great blog! Lyssy I don’t think I’ve ever made it to the end, or even the middle, for that matter, of the Sound of Music film, and I can’t say I know what it’s about. I just remember all the singing on the mountains, but your pictures and blogs inspire me to watch it again as an adult.

Thank you!! You’ll have to watch it again, it’s always a good idea!!

• Pingback: Vienna, Austria - The Finale - Lyssy in the City

Beautiful photos, and I feel transported to “The Sound Of Music” looking at them. This is so magical and awesome!!!

Your photos are a testament to the beauty of Salzburg. I like the one that caught you in mid air. Pretty good hang time, I must say. How do you visit these awesome places in great weather and manage to avoid having throngs of tourists in your photos? The Von Trapp house is stunning. Many years ago I saw the Trapp lodge in Stowe, VT. I hope you and Jon have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

I’ve never seen the film of The Sound of Music, but I once saw it on stage (in German) at the Salzburg State Theater. The audience loved it, which was surprising to me since I knew the people of Salzburg used to have a totally negative attitude about it, for the first half-century after its Broadway opening. https://operasandcycling.com/a-musical-comes-home/

This post brought me so much joy. I love the Sound Of Music film and would have so much fun visiting some of these spots! Your photos are truly beautiful and have my wanderlust sparked 💗

Oh my gosh, I love it! The picture of you jumping is so great. I’m realizing now that I don’t recognize most of these scenes, which clearly means it’s been way too long since I’ve seen Sound of Music.

The “Do-Re-Mi” moments are unforgettable, especially at the round fountain and in the park among the stand of formal trees. Pretty cool you can get married lakeside at the “Von Trapp” residence. SoM always seems to be on TV during the Christmas holidays and I may have to watch it again this year. I can’t remember those “I Have Confidence” scenes!

It was special to run around those gardens! I always see the SoM on around the holidays and Easter too. It’s a crowd fav in my family. Although my family doesn’t have the same voice as the Von Trapps. I watched a lot of YouTube videos about the movie and filming locations before we went to refresh my memory 😊

Salzburg is architecturally beautiful and nicely laid out, I regret that I only stopped by on a trip to Austria.

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‎ Austria ‎ >  Salzburg > Sound of Music Movie Tour & Film Locations

Top 10 Salzburg Tips | Suggested Itineraries For Salzburg

• Top 10 Things To Do
• Old Town Walking Tour
• Sound of Music Movie Tour
• Mozart Walking Tour
• Best Viewpoints In Salzburg
• More Sights
• Best Day Trips
• Helpful Visitor Tips
• Best Places To Stay
• Suggested Itineraries

Sound of Music Movie Tour In Salzburg:

Tour  Style :  Do-It-Yourself Walking Tour ( Self Guided ) Time Needed :  Tour stops 1-11 half day; 1-15 full day; all sights 2 days. Important Hours : Festival Hall Tours are at 2pm ( also 9:30am & 3:30pm  in July & August ); Villa Von Trapp room tours are at Noon ( museum 10am-6pm ); Drawf Garden closed in Winter. Fun Scale :  10 out of 10

No trip to Salzburg would be complete without visiting the filming locations from the hit movie The Sound of Music.  Adapted from the story of the real-life Von Trapp family and the hit 1959 musical play by Rodger and Hammerstein, the 1965 movie became an instant blockbuster.  Touring the filming locations in Salzburg from this iconic movie will remind you that hills are still very much “alive with The Sound of Music”.  We hope you enjoy our free Sound of Music movie tour in Salzburg!

Related Guide & Video : How To Get To The Sound of Music Meadow .

How To Divide Your Time:

In 1 day you can quickly breeze through The Sound of Music movie locations in Old Town Salzburg ( stops 1-11 ) and even tour the four just South of town ( stops 12-15 ) if you start early.  With 2 full days in Salzburg, you will have time to also visit most The Sound of Music movie tour sights further outside of town or mix in the Mozart attractions and High Salzburg Fortress from our  Old Town Salzburg Walking Tour .  Having 3 full days is ideal, but to help you better divide your time, check out our  suggested itineraries for Salzburg .

Getting Between Movie Locations:

Most of the Sound of Music movie tour locations in Salzburg are close to Old Town so they can be seen on your own by foot without paying to join a guided tour.  While you can easily walk between most of the Sound of Music film sights in Salzburg, we like to rent bicycles from Avelo in Mozartplatz ( $15 a day; April-September 9:30am-5 pm; July & August 9am-7pm; [email protected] ), especially for movie tour locations 12-15 located just outside of Old Town to the South.

Turning the walking tour into a self-guided Sound of Music bike tour will make your day more magical.  There are half-day or even overnight rentals if needed and you usually only need to make a reservation if you are in a group, need a tandem, or an e-bike.  Helmets and bike locks are included.  For Sound of Music movie locations further away from Salzburg, we have included the bus/train routes on our map, and current schedules can be found online  here .

The Sound of Music Movie Tour:

1. mirabell palace & gardens :.

About Mirabell Palace :  The entire end of the song  ‘Do Re Mi’  in the Sound of Music movie was filmed at the Mirabell Palace Gardens.  Because the grounds are open early every day, they are the perfect place to start our free Sound of Music movie tour in Salzburg.  The Mirabell Palace was completed in 1606 ( rebuilt 1693 ) as the home for Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau’s mistress and the gorgeous gardens were built out later from 1715-30.  In addition to its Sound of Music fame, the Mirabell Palace is also where Mozart would play private concerts as a child.

As you enter the Mirabell Palace Gardens from the South, you will recognize the two impressive pairs of  Greek fencing statutes  from The Sound of Music movie as the Von Trapp children had mimicked their playful poses.  The stone figures, which were inspired by the ancient Borghese Gladiator Statue from Ephesus ( displayed in the Louvre ), each leap forward with a fist triumphantly in the air.  You likely won’t be the only ones following our free Sound of Music movie tour so don’t be shy to copy the poses as you pass by the statues.

While wandering further into the Mirabell Gardens, you’ll also remember the central spouting fountain from the ‘ Do Re Mi ‘ scenes of the Sound of Music movie.  From here make sure to turn around and check out the fantastic views the Mirabell Palace Gardens provide of  High Salzburg Fortress ( Hohensalzburg )  towering over Salzburg.  You will get many unique vantage points of the High Fortress throughout this Sound of Music walking tour.

Cost :  Free.   Garden Hours :   Main Gardens are open Daily all year from Dawn to Dusk; however, the Hedge Maze and Dwarf Garden are CLOSED each Winter.   Palace Interior Hours :  Daily 8am-6pm.   Palace Marble Hall Hours :  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8am-4pm; Tuesday & Friday 1-4pm.   Photos :  ( Entrance  |  Garden View  |  Front of Palace  |  Palace Interior – Staircase Angels ).

Sound Of Music Movie Connection : Scenes from the end of the song “Do, Re, Mi” have the children dancing past the spouting fountain, through the garden, and mimicking the triumphant gladiator statues.

2. Pegasus Fountain & Musical Steps :

About The Pegasus Fountain & Musical Steps : On the Northwest corner of the Mirabell Palace grounds you’ll find another flowered garden section known as the Small Parterre, which is home to the iconic  Pegasus Statue Fountain .  The Von Trapp children skip around the circular lip of the Pegasus Fountain ( added in 1913 ) in The Sound of Music movie while singing  ‘Do Re Mi’ .

Beyond the Horse Fountain, you’ll also recognize the North Terrace steps leading up to a rose garden which Maria and the kids used as a hopping musical scale .  As Maria belts out the final notes of ‘ Do Re Mi ‘ from the top of the musical steps, she stands with her right hand high in the air like the triumphant statues from the Mirabell Palace entrance.  Before hopping up the steps yourself, make sure to check out the goat-bearded unicorn statues at the bottom.  The steps from The Sound of Music are also a great place to see the mighty High Fortress towering over Salzburg.  Reaching the top, you’ll have one of the best views on this free Sound of Music walking tour.

Cost :  Free.   Garden Hours :   Daily all year from Dawn to Dusk.

Sound Of Music Movie Connection : During “Do, Re, Mi” the children dance around the Pegasus Fountain before hopping up the steps like musical notes in the dramatic finale of the song.

3. Hedge Maze & Gnome Park :

About The Hedge Maze & Gnome Park : Make sure to follow the other set of steps near the Horse Fountain ( opposite the Palace & guarded by lion statues ) across a small footbridge to the  Dwarf Gnome Park ( Zwergerlgarten ) .  Some of the sculptures were said to be modeled after real-life dwarfs in 1715, but overall the works were meant to be caricatures making fun of Salzburg’s common people who weren’t even allowed in the park ( became public in 1854) .  A total of 28 dwarf statues were carved out of local Unterberg Marble ( chalky limestone ) placed in the small eastern section of the main garden to make the upper class feel like the big people and to be the be the ugly artwork needed to balance out the ground’s large beautiful central statues in triumphant poses.

In 1815, the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig I had the dwarf statutes removed from the palace grounds and auctioned off as he was superstitious that they would be bad luck for his pregnant wife.  Their son Otto, who was born in Mirabell Palace the same year, would later go on to become the King of Greece.  Luckily many of the statutes were bought back starting in 1919 ( resorted in 1921 & 2017 ) and a new area was made for them on top of a bastion from Salzburg’s Medieval wall where 15 of the original 28 statues now sit.  All of the figures are fun, but the dwarf wearing eyeglasses is the one that all of the Von Trapp kids patted on the head during ‘ Do Re Mi’  in The Sound of Music movie.  We love inspecting each of the baroque statues, but don’t forget to check out the pair dwarfs on the wooden bridge leading to the garden playing Pallone which was a Renaissance version of baseball where you use your arm as the bat.

As you leave the dwarf garden to exit the Mirabell Palace grounds, make sure to visit the long pergola  vine tunnel and hedge maze  which are also featured in The Sound of Music movie.  You’ll have a great time pretending that you are Maria and the children as you hop through the ivy-laced tunnel.  Personally, we have had a blast taking funny photos in the hedge maze, and it is one of our favorite stops on the Sound of Music movie walking tour in Salzburg.

Cost :  Free.   Garden Hours :  Daily 6am-Dusk; Dwarf and Hedge areas are typically closed in the Winter months.

Sound Of Music Movie Connection : Scenes from the song “Do, Re, Mi” including skipping down the vine tunnel and the children patting the dwarf with glasses on the head.

4. Salzburg Marionette Theater :

About The Salzburg Puppet Theater : People who love The Sound of Music will know this fantastic marionette theater ( operation since 1913 ) as the inspiration for one of the best scenes movie.  In the film, Maria and the children perform ‘ Lonely Goatherd ‘  with carved puppets on a ministage inside the Von Trapp Family’s golden ballroom.  This is one of our favorite scenes from The Sound of Music and it’s maybe the one song from the soundtrack that is the most difficult to get out of your head after hearing it.

The local Salzburg Puppet Theater was asked to perform in the scene, but because the troop was out on tour during the filming they were unable to do so.  The cast then relied on the assistance of famous American puppeteer Bil Baird  and his wife Cora Eisenberg to make the magic happen during the shoot in Hollywood.  The scene in the movie takes place in a studio recreation of the real-life golden Venetian ballroom which can be found inside Salzburg’s Leopold Palace.

There are no set tour hours for visiting the Salzburg Puppet Theater, but you can get a taste of the action in person with their great line up of live shows most days which focus on the operas of Mozart.  The marionette theater also now does a full-length puppet version of The Sound of Music Broadway play a few times a week since 2007 which is an extra treat.  Their Sound of Music show requires ten expert puppeteers working in harmony and they have 3 complete sets of marionettes dolls for each of the Von Trapp children to account for wardrobe changes.

Address :  Schwarzstraße 24.   Show Hours :  Various shows throughout the week with 4pm afternoon shows and an evening dinner show starting at 7:30pm ( dinner at 6:30pm ).   Website & Schedule :    Here .

Sound Of Music Film Connection : Maria and the children perform “Lonely Goatherd” with marionette puppets.  The local troop which inspired the scene also performs a full-length puppet version of The Sound of Music Broadway play.

5. Winkler Terrace :

About Winkler Terrace :  The breath-taking Winkler Terrace sits high up on Monk’s Hill ( Mönchsberg ) overlooking Old Town Salzburg from a steep cliff.  It was the perfect place for Maria and the children to bring the  ‘Do Re Mi’  song into Salzburg from the meadow as they begin to mix the order of the musical notes up for practice.  Earlier in the movie, the terrace is also where Maria appears while leaving the convent for the Von Trapps the first time.

At the time of the filming, this stunning terrace was home to the historic Cafe Winkler which offers the best panoramic views of Salzburg  on this free Sound of Music movie tour.  The M32 Café ( website , horrible service ) and the Modern Art Museum ( website ) now occupy Winkler Terrace, but great views of the city along the same stone walkway filming location have been preserved.  You will see the city center and the Salzach River below you as well as the High Fortress and the red Nonnberg Abbey spire straight across Old Town Salzburg.

It’s not just the views that make Winkler Terrace amazing as it is also surrounded by a timeless section of the fortified Medieval Militia Wall ( Burgerwehr )  which was built in 1487 to protect the city.  As you work your way along the ramparts of the wall, the small Stadt Alm Cafe ( website ) is one of our favorite places to get coffee in town.  The Stadt Alm Cafe still has great views, while being both less crowded and less expensive than the M32 Cafe which is known for horrible service.  Personally, we have experience M32’s bad service a number of times and highly recommend the rustic Stadt Alm over it.

The cliff top is also home to  Schloss Mönchstein  ( website ) & Johannes Schlössl which are beautiful castles turned hotels.  If you have extra time, at least make sure to check out Schloss Mönchstein.  First documented in 1350, the castle was nicknamed the Professor’s Castle when it was run by monks.  Nearby you’ll see other defensive structures like the old Mülleggertor city gate built in 1280.

Getting Up To Winkler Terrace :  The most accessible way up is the  Mönchsberg Elevator  which sits behind the Salzburg Museum and takes you directly to Winkler Terrace.  Look for the pink row house along the cliff with a large MdM above the entrance.  Alternatively, can take a taxi to up the backside of the cliff to the cafe or the stairs at Toscaninihof ( behind the Festival Hall ) to the top of Mönchsberg and reach the terrace with a 20-minute walk.   Elevator Cost & Hours : Adults 2.30€ one way or 3.60€ round trip; kids half off.  Is covered by the Salzburg Card.   Terrace Hours :  Daily 24 Hours; elevator stops between 7-9pm depending on the season.   Photos :  ( View From Terrace  |  View From Cafe at Night  |  Schloss Mönchstein  |  Johannesschlössl ).

Sound Of Music Film Connection : Wonderful city views are had during “Do Re Mi” from the terrace as Maria has the children mix up the order of the musical notes.  The terrace is also is where Maria appears while leaving the convent on her way to the Von Trapps for the first time.

6. Horse Bath ( Pferdeschwemme ):

About The Horse Bath : Sitting below the cliffside of Mönchsberg Hill is the largest of Salzburg’s two surviving  Medieval horse baths  which were basically car washes for horses in the Middle Ages.  In the Sound of Music movie, this long fountain is where Maria and the Von Trapp kids stop to splash in the water during the instrumental ending to  ‘My Favorite Things’ .   Additional scenes for the movie were shot at the fountain but were later cut from the film.

The Prince-Archbishop had the mural backdrop and statue of a horse being tamed added to the sprawling fountain in 1693 ( in use since 1599 ) to match the theme of his neighboring Royal Stables ( Hofmarstall ).  We love how the cliff backdrop and bright murals add drama to any photos you take here.  We will pass by the other Medieval horse bath later on this free Sound of Music walking tour in Chapter Square ( Kapitelschwemme ) which framed by two lovely willow trees below the High Salzburg Fortress.  Both horse bath fountains in Salzburg are fed by ancient underground canals in use since Roman times and revamped in both the 700s and 1200s.

Sound Of Music Movie Connection : Maria and the children dance past the Horse Bath in the song “My Favorite Things”.  A few other shots filmed here were cut from the movie.

7. Rock Riding School & Toscaninihof :

About The Rock Riding School :  Stretching for more than a city block tucked against the steep cliff of Monk’s Hill ( Mönchsberg ), the massive Rock Riding School was home to some of the most powerful film scenes in this Sound of Music movie tour.  It is here the in the movie Von Trapp children rehearse for the Folk Festival inside the Festival Hall Theater ( Festspielhaus ) with Max as the tensions with the Nazis being to arise.  Later this open-air theater is also where Captain performs  “Edelweiss”  with help from the audience before being joined on stage by his family for  “So Long, Farewell”  before fleeing Salzburg.  This was one of only two interiors scenes from The Sound of Music movie ( along with the wedding ) that were shot on location instead of in a Hollywood studio.

During the filming of the scenes, hundreds of local extras took part in the audience and were taught the words to Edelweiss on set so they could join in.  The use of the song Edelweiss is a uniquely powerful way to say goodbye as the song was the last words written by famed play-write Oscar Hammerstein.  Hammerstein was battling cancer while adapting Maria’s memoir into the hit 1959 Broadway play, which superseded the iconic film by six years.  It was essentially his own goodbye song sung through Captain.  While not a real folk song, the  Edelweiss flowers are important in Austrian culture  because it only grows high up on the mountains.  When a young lady would receive an Edelweiss she knew that the boy who gave it to her had just risked his life to pick it ( now illegal as they are protected ).

While the Von Trapp’s Folk Festival performance didn’t happen this way in real life, it is still one of the best scenes of the movie.  In reality, the family had performed here in 1935 and  won the Salzburg Music Festival in 1936 after officially forming their choir, but that was almost two years before the Nazis annexed Austria in early-1938.  After refusing to sing for Hitler’s birthday in April of 1938, the family escaped to Italy two months later, prior to the annual Salzburg Folk Festival depicted in the movie.

The real history of the Festival Hall Complex is also very interesting.  The cliffside was used as a quarry to build many of Salzburg’s churches before the Prince-Archbishop began to fill the void from the excavations with new Royal Horse Stable and Summer Riding School in 1693.  The well-named Rock Riding School ( Felsenreitschule ) was complete with an impressive 3-level, 96 box viewing gallery carved out of the rock wall.  The courtyard became important to Salzburg for horse training and riding competitions similar to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.  We find it fitting that the arched stone portals in the wall look like a gladiator arena since Salzburg was originally a Roman town of Luvaum ( 15BC-488AD ).   Since then, the former Rock Riding School Complex has been converted into 3 separate theaters and is fun to tour even when no shows are going on.

During the 5th annual Salzburg Festival in 1925, the Royal Horse Stable was the first of three spaces turned into performance theaters in the complex.  Known as the Small Festival Hall ( Kleines Festspielhaus )  huge frescoes were painted in the theater foyer covering almost every square inch of the lobby the following year.  In 1939, the occupying Nazis had all of the beautiful frescos in the lobby removed saying they were terrible art, but luckily they were re-added in their original positions during renovations in 1956.  Further improvements took place in 2006 in preparation for the celebration of 250 years since Mozart was born in Salzburg, and space was renamed the  House for Mozart ( Haus für Mozart ) .  Today this sleek looking theater seats over 1,500, is used mainly for productions of Mozart’s operas, and still has an awesome mural filled entrance hall.

The second performance space came in 1926 when the Summer Riding School was also converted into a theater using the carved rock wall as a natural backdrop .  Called the Festival Hall ( Festspielhaus ), this open-air theater gained a partial roof ( now fully retractable ) in the 1930s and was the space featured in The Sound of Music movie.  The theater has over 1,400 seats, a sprawling 130-foot-wide stage, a 3-story arcade rock wall backdrop, and a retractable roof.  The final theater, called  Great Festival Hall ( Grosses Festspielhaus )  is inside the former Winter Riding School and didn’t open until 1960 as it required additional excavating.  This huge space is the largest in the complex with over 2,100 seats, a massive 300-foot-wide stage, and shows a lot of productions by Richard Wagner.

The only way to see the inside of the complex where the Sound of Music was filmed in Salzburg, is to either join the official theater tour or see a live show.  Even if you aren’t going inside, make sure to swing by  Toscaninihof Square  on the Eastern end of the building which is also featured in The Sound of Music movie.  In the square, a seemingly cold-blooded Rolf gives Liesl a telegram for her dad from Berlin after the children finish rehearsing for the Folk Festival.  At Toscaninihof you will also find steps leading up to the top of Mönchsberg cliff if you are looking to explore.

Address :  Hofstallgasse 1.   Guided Tour Cost :  7€.   Guided Tour Hours : September-June 2pm; July & August 9:30am, 2pm, & 3:30pm., please see their website  here .   Photo :  ( Exterior from the West ).

Sound Of Music Film Connection : Captain performs “Edelweiss” at the Rock Riding School and is joined on stage by his family for “So Long, Farewell” before escaping.  The theater is one of only two interior scenes actually shot on location in Salzburg.  Toscaninihof Square is where newly aggressive Rolf gives Liesl a telegram for her dad Berlin after the children finish rehearsing.

8. Saint Peter’s Cemetery :

About Saint Peter’s Cemetery :  Near the end of the Sound of Music movie, the Von Trapps  hide from flashlight wielding Nazis  behind tombs in the cemetery of the Nonnburg Convent.  The real Nonnburg cemetery is extremely small and modest, so as the producers turned to the cemetery at Saint Peter’s Church for inspiration to build the set in Hollywood .  Ringing the edges of the flower-filled Saint Peter’s Cemetery are large crypts for local wealthy families closed with elegant wrought iron gates which were expertly reproduced for the movie.  While the real-life Von Trapps never hid in a cemetery, the scene in the movie adds great drama and a confrontation with Rolf which is different than the original Broadway play produced in 1959.

The peaceful grounds of Saint Peter’s Cemetery may just be the most serene location in all of Salzburg and it’s easy to see how it inspired the Sound of Music film scenes.  This unique cemetery goes back prior to 700 AD with cliff-side catacombs that go back even  further to 215 AD .  We love the small Saint Margaret’s Chapel in the middle of the cemetery from 1491 and the oldest headstone we have found is from 1288.  Among the graves are Mozart’s sister Maria Anna as well as Franz Wasner who was the  real-life Max Detweiler  depicted in The Sound of Music movie.  Franz Wasner served as the Von Trapp’s advisor and choir conductor.

The most unusual thing about Saint Peter’s Cemetery to American visitors is that you do not buy the plots, but instead rent them .  Relatives of the dead must pay rent for the plot every 10 years and must serve as the caretakers.  If your family doesn’t pay your rent, they toss your body out.  This method also helps ensure that almost every rod iron headstone you pass by will have an abundance of fresh flowers.

If you making good time on this free Sound of Music film locations tour, make sure to check out inside of Saint Peter’s Church which has stunning murals lining its nave.  Next door to the church is one of our favorite places to eat called Stiftskeller Restaurant ( website ) which has nightly Mozart concerts ( more info ) and is considered to be  Europe’s oldest restaurant .  Emperor Charlemagne himself even ate here back in 803 AD.

Hours :  April-September 6:30am-7pm; October-March 6:30am-6pm.   Cost :  Cemetery is Free; Catacombs 1€ Adults, 0.60€ Children.

Sound Of Music Movie Tour Connection : Saint Peter’s was the inspiration for the cemetery the Von Trapps used to hide from the Nazis at the end of the movie, although the scene was filmed in Hollywood.  The cemetery is home to the grave of Franz Wasner who was the real-life Max Detweiler.

9. Residenz Square & Fountain :

About Residenz Square & Fountain :  Sitting on the site of a former ancient Roman Forum , Residenzplatz Square still shows off Salzburg’s early Italian ambitions.  The massive Horse Fountain in the middle of the square was one of the main filming locations where Maria family gleefully splashes while performing  ‘I Have Confidence in Me’  in The Sound of Music.  Later in the movie, Nazi soldiers march through the large square while their flag hangs above the entrance to the Old Residenz Palace.  The dreary scene of the soldiers entering town symbolizes German annexing Austria in March of 1938 in what was called the Anschluss.

The focal point of the busy Residenz Square is the centrally located 45-foot-tall  Horse Fountain ( Residenzbrunnen ) .  Four horses leap out of the base while the Greek God Trion spouts water from a seashell at the top of the fountain.  Completed in 1661, the upper section is a replica Bernini’s famous Triton Fountain in Rome and it is the largest Baroque fountain located outside of Italy .  People watching near the Horse Fountain is incredible as the Residenz Square is the center of everything Salzburg.

On the Westside of the square is  Old Residenz Palace ( Alte Residenz )  which had a Nazi flag draped over it in The Sound of Music movie.  Because of the disdain for the Nazi symbols in Salzburg, it took a lot of work to film this scene which also included soldiers marching through Residenz Square symbolizing the day Germany annexed Austria ( the Anschluss ).   The palace was built as a mansion for Salzburg’s Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau in 1596.  Today the Old Residenz Palace has elegant staterooms, which are lavishly decorated, plus a prestigious art gallery that has Rembrandts and Rubens.

In 1602 the Archbishop built the  New Residenz ( Neugebäude )  on the Eastside of the square to serve as his guest house.  Today the New Residenz is home to the Glockenspiel Bell Tower, Heimatwerk Shop, and the  Salzburg Panorama 1929  painted by Johann Michael Sattler.  The Panorama 1929 boasts a series of stunning 360-degree panoramic paintings of many European cities made during the early 1800s.

As part of the construction to create the new open square and surrounding buildings, the Prince-Archbishop had to level many Medieval homes and a cemetery that sat here built above an ancient Roman Forum.  The Forum was from Salzburg’s early days as the settlement of Luvaum ( 15BC-488AD, pronounced U-Va-Voom ) and was partially excavated in 2008 which revealed artifacts and walls from the time of Emperor Septimius Severus ( 193-211 ).

Sound Of Music Film Tour Connection : During the song “I Have Confidence in Me”, Maria splashes in the horse fountain.  The Old Residenz also has a giant Nazi flag on its facade in the movie as soldiers march into the square marking the German annexation of Austria ( the Anschluss ).

10. Mozart Footbridge :

About Mozart Footbridge : This art deco pedestrian footbridge named after Salzburg’s most famous resident, Mozart, opened in 1903.  In the Sound of Music, the Mozart Footbridge ( Mozartsteg ) is the where Maria and the kids cross the river while pointing at the sights during the instrumental end to the song  ‘My Favorite Things’ .   The children then also cheerfully skip along the grassy riverbank during the scene.  The Mozart Bridge is a must visit for any Sound of Music movie tour in Salzburg.

Even though Salzburg dates back to 15BC as a Roman settlement of Juvavum, the Mozart Footbridge was only the third to span the river directly into the heart of Old Town.  An old Roman Bridge ( römische brücke ) was the only one over the Salzach River from 15BC-1599AD before it was replaced by the State Bridge ( staatbrücke ) and a second one wasn’t opened until 1859AD when the first Caroline Bridge ( Karolinenbrücke ) was completed.  All of the bridges had to be repaired or rebuilt following WW2.

If you do feel adventurous, the historic  Steingasse  &  Kapuzinerberg Monastery , which are featured in our  Old Town Salzburg Walking Tour , are only a short walk across the river.  Until the Mozart Footbridge was bought by the city in 1921, it actually required a toll to cross between Old Town and Stone Lane ( Steingasse ).

Sound Of Music Movie Tour Connection : Maria and the kids across the river while pointing during the instrumental end of “My Favorite Things” then skip along the grassy riverbank.

11. Nonnberg Abbey Convent :

About The Nonnberg Convent :  Sitting above the East side of Salzburg, the historic Nonnberg Abbey ( Stift Nonnberg ) was where the real-life Maria lived and the convent was depicted in many powerful scenes in the Sound of Music movie.  Founded between 712-715 by Saint Erentrudis, the niece of Saint Rupert ( Bishop of Worms ), Nonnberg is the  oldest convent located North of the Alps  which made it an excellent filming location.

Prior to being a convent, the perched location had been home to an ancient fortification dating back to when the town was the Roman settlement of Luvaum ( 15BC-488AD, u-va-voom ).  The small fortification is why Bishop Virgil later renamed the town Salzburg ( Salt Fortress ) in the late 700s.  The Nonnberg Convent has been rebuilt a couple of times since its founding with the current Gothic buildings dating back to 1464-1506.  The red onion dome  on the abbey’s belltower is one of the most iconic architectural features in Salzburg.

There were 4 great scenes filmed on the grounds of the Nonnberg Convent in the Sound of Music movie  near the abbey gates .  These iconic gate scenes include Maria leaving the abbey while wondering “What will this day be like?”, the nuns talking about Maria, the children coming to visit, and the Nazis on the hunt for the Von Trapps during the escape as the nuns disable their car.  Fans of The Sound of Music movie will also remember the nuns singing the song  ‘Maria’  in the courtyard at Nonnberg Abbey.  Permission to film inside the convent courtyard  was not allowed , so they had filmed the scenes at much larger re-created sets in both Hollywood and at a small studio in Salzburg.

Nonnberg Abbey happens to be the same convent that  the real-life Maria  ( Maria Augusta Kutschera ) moved to from Vienna at age 19 where she lived in as a postulant ( nun apprentice ) for 2 years starting in 1924.  Maria ( orphaned at age 6 ) also taught at the Benedictine Convent which led her to become an in-home tutor for one of the widowed Captain Von Trapp’s sick children.  She gave up her path toward becoming a nun and  married Georg Von Trapp here in the chapel of the Nonnberg Abbey on November 26th, 1927.  The filming of Maria and Captain’s wedding scene for the movie, however, was at Collegiate Church in Mondsee Austria which is listed later on this Sound of Music movie locations tour.  It is interesting to note that the real wedding actually took place 11 years before the Nazis came to Salzburg ( 1927 vs 1938 ) and that Maria was 25 years younger ( 22 vs 47 ) than Georg at the time.

Many visitors skip the trek up to the abbey, but we think it is worth the effort and a highlight of our Sound of Music walking tour.  Every morning at 6:45am you can hear the resident nuns sing Gregorian chants in Latin which is a real treat.  Down to 14 nuns in 2017, there were 50 nuns living here during the filming of the Sound of Music.  The interior of the Gothic abbey where they sing is beautiful with a painted wooden altar from 1515 and a carved Pieta statue from 1415.  If you want to cheat a little on your hike up, you can actually walk downhill to the Nonnberg Convent after visiting the Salzburg High Fortress.

Singing Nuns :  Every morning at 6:45am you can hear the nuns sing in the convent church.  Other Music :  Most days March-November at 4:30pm the abbey also hosts 30 minutes of live music ( mainly classical or chorus ) by local artists.  Church Service :  In addition to the major Catholic holidays, weekly church service is open to the public every Sunday at 9:30pm.   Place of Worship :  Remember to be respectful while visiting and don’t be a loud tourist.   Church & Cemetery Hours :  Daily 6:45am-Dusk (6pm in Summer ); the Convent living quarters are not open to the public.   Abbey Website :   Here .

Sound Of Music Film Tour Connection : There are 4 scenes shot at the Abbey gates, and the nuns sing “Maria” inside, although the interior scenes were shot in a studio.  The real-life Maria lived here for 2 years, she taught in the convent, and was married here in 1927, which was actually 11 years before the Nazis arrived in Salzburg.  The real nuns sing here every morning at 6:45am.

Sights Just South Of Salzburg:

12. hotel schloss leopoldskron :.

About Palace Leopold :  Beautifully reflecting over a small lake, Palace Leopold ( Schloss Leopoldskron ) served as the primary filming location in Salzburg for all of the lake terrace scenes at the Von Trapp family home in The Sound of Music movie.  The most iconic outdoor scenes filmed on the property include drinking pink lemonade on the terrace, Captain hearing his kids sing for the first time, the children and Maria falling off the boat into the lake, and numerous shots of the lakeside horse statues framing up Untersberg Mountain.

The Leopold Palace was also the original home to the Sound of Music Gazebo from the movie which was later moved to nearby to the more tourist-friendly Hellbrunn Palace Gardens after fans started climbing the palace gates to see it.  We will see the pavilion in person later on this Sound of Music movie tour in Salzburg.  You can see the gazebo on the ground of Palace Leopold being used as a background prop in many of the lakeside scenes of the movie.  A second, much larger gazebo was built at Fox Studios’ Hollywood set for all of the scenes shot inside it including dancing throughout the song “16 Going on 17”.

The Baroque Leopold Palace was built in 1736 by Salzburg’s Archbishop Leopold Firmian, was later owned by King Ludwig I, and offered the perfect backdrop to represent the Von Trapp’s stately manor.  In 1918, theater director and palace owner, Max Reinhardt renovated the famous gold Venetian ballroom in the mansion to entertain his friends.  Max went on to co-found the Salzburg Music Festival in 1920 ( official in 1925 ) which the real Von Trapp Choir won the competition in 1936 and were depicted performing at in 1938 in the movie.

It is said Max Reinhardt was the inspiration for the renaming the Von Trapp Choir’s real-life manager Franz Wasner in the screen adaptation of the family’s story.  It’s not a surprising name change as Max’s son, Wolfgang Reinhardt, bought the film rights to Maria’s 1948 memoir in 1956 and produced two popular movies about the family in German prior to the Broadway musical production ( 1959 ) and hit American film ( 1965 ) based off of the play.  Remember that like Max, all of the children’s names in The Sound of Music Movie were also changed for the film.

While the facade of Leopold Palace never appears in the movie, the inside of the elegant Venetian ballroom and grand foyer were re-created on a studio set in California for many iconic scenes in the movie.  These re-created spaces are featured when Maria is introduced to children, where the children sing at the party, and when they perform ‘Lonely Goatherd‘ with carved puppets.   The outdoor scenes showing the gates, front door, and facade of the Von Trapp home in the movie were shot at Frohnburg Mansion which is the next stop on our Sound of Music walking tour.  The  real-life Von Trapp Villa  is also listed below and is located only 1 mile away although it doesn’t appear in the film.

Today the Schloss Leopoldskron is privately owned and operates as a boutique hotel.  Staying here as a hotel guest is the only way to visit the lake terrace up close and you’ll also be able to peek inside the Venetian ballroom.  When you stay here you will notice how there aren’t trees right next to the lakeside horse statues like in the film, as a replica path and alternate set of statues were actually built 300 feet away during filming to create the perfect look.  If you don’t have a reservation at the hotel you will be limited to the free viewpoint across the Westside of the lake looking back at the Palace beautifully reflecting in the water.

If you are able to book ahead, you should really consider staying overnight here just to say you did it.  You may very well get a stay in a room where the previous owners Archbishop Leopold or King Ludwig I once slept.  Since the mansion is just South of town, it is the first filming location on our free Sound of Music movie tour in Salzburg where you should consider turning your self-guided walking tour into a do-it-yourself bike tour.

Getting To Palace Leopold :  Unless you are staying overnight at the Palace you can’t visit the lakeside terrace, but you can see it from a popular viewpoint across the water.  You can walk here in about 25 minutes from either Nonnberg Abbey or from the heart of Old Town by taking the steps over Mönchsberg Hille from Toscaninihof Square.  You can also take Bus 25 to the Seniorenheim Nonntal Bus Stop and walk a quarter mile to the West of the Palace near Han-Donnenberg Park.  Biking here is also a great option which we prefer and a taxi ride is a good backup.

Staying Overnight :  You can book a room through the Palace’s booking  website  for around 150-200€ a night in the Meierhof guesthouse or 400-600€ a night for a suite in the main building.   Tours :  Outside of a few special events, you have to be a guest of the hotel to get a tour or access to the terrace, however, you can stroll along most of the small lake and take photos of the exterior from a distance.   Hotel Website :   Here .

Sound Of Music Movie Tour Connection : All of the lake terrace scenes at the Von Trapp home were filmed here.  These include Maria falling off the boat into the lake with the children, Captain hearing the children sing, drinking pink lemonade, and the lakeside horse statues framing up Untersberg Mountain.  Leopold Palace was the original home of the Gazebo during filming.  The main foyer and staircase along with the golden ballroom from this mansion were re-created and filmed in a Hollywood studio.

13. Frohnburg Palace :

About Frohnburg Palace :  The Frohnburg Palace ( built in 1660 as Grafenau Palace ) by Prince-Archbishop Max Gandolf was used as the backdrop for the Von Trapp family home in every scene that does not involve the lake.  The most iconic feature you’ll recognize is the  Von Trapp Mansion Gates  where Maria arrives to meet the family while singing  ‘I have Confidence’ .  Frohnburg Palace is also where the kids tried to quietly push the family car past the Nazis and where the Captain pulls down the Nazi flag from the gate after the couple’s honeymoon.  They went to such extremes during the filming that even inside one scene, one angle may look onto the lake at Leopold Palace then the next angle of the same scene would be at Frohnburg Palace.  Front and Back

Although the couple’s real wedding took place in 1927 ( 11 year before the Nazis arrived ), Captain really did refuse to fly a Nazi flag at their home.  The family even refused to sign at Hitler’s birthday party on April 20th, 1938 and fled Salzburg just two months after.

The grounds of the mansion have been part of the Mozarteum Music Academy since 1950, but the gates and wall from the movie are both accessible right next to the road.  If you are visiting Salzburg in July or August, you can stay here in the dorms here as the school is not in session for as cheap as 38 euros a night with a 3-night minimum.

Getting Here :  Take the Bus 25 route to the Kleingmain Hacksteinerweg Bus Stop and walk one long block East to Hellenbrunner Allee.  Walking it is 35 minutes from both Palace Leopold and Old Town Salzburg or 20 minutes to the Sound of Music Pavillion at Hellbrunn Palace.   Nearby :  Schloss Herrnau is located just a short walk to the east and is one of our favorite private homes to photograph.   Palace Website :   Here .   Summer Hotel Website :   Here .

Sound Of Music Film Locations Tour Connection : Used to depict the gates of the Von Trapp estate where Maria arrives to meet the children singing the song “I have Confidence”, the kids try to quietly push the family car through the gates, and where Captain tears down a Nazi flag after their honeymoon.  A total of 5 scenes were shot here.

14. The Sound of Music Pavilion :

About The Sound of Music Pavilion :  One of the most famous and romantic scenes of The Sound of Music was filmed in this timeless gazebo when Liesl sings  ’16 going on 17′ .  Liesl badly twisted her ankle filming these scenes but was luckily able to tough it out.  Later in the movie, Maria and Captain fall further in love while singing ‘ Something Good ‘ in the gazebo.  It is still one of the most romantic stops today on our Sound of Music movie tour.

During the filming of the movie, the Sound of Music Gazebo was constructed on the edge of Leopold Palace more as a background prop for the lake scenes .  There was a second, much larger version of the gazebo built at the film studio in Hollywood which offered oversized space needed to shoot the scenes inside the pavilion.  After filming wrapped up the local gazebo was given to the city of Salzburg as a gift and initially remained on the grounds of the Leopold Palace.  After rapid fans started climbing the walls of the private estate to get to the gazebo, it was restored and moved to the more tourist-friendly grounds of Hellbrunn Palace.

The pavilion today is outside the walls the near the Eastern entrance to the Hellbrunn Palace and you  don’t even need to pay  the Hellbrunn entry fee to see it.  The public is not allowed inside the Gazebo, but you can still walk up to and dance around it.  Near the Gazebo is a large park filled with tons of flowers that locals like to visit to get out of Salzburg for a few hours.

If you are making pretty good time on this Sound of Music walking tour you should consider visiting the  Trick Fountains  at Hellbrunn Palace.  The fountains are only available as part of a guided tour but is a very memorable time.  The tours last about an hour and take you through grottoes, ponds, and walkways all filled with trick fountains that are out to get you.  If you have kids with you, the Hellbrunn Fountains will be the most fun thing they do in Salzburg.  Your ticket for the Trick Fountains tour also lets you tour the inside of the Hellbrunn Palace itself which is pretty fancy and has some amazing ceilings.

Meaning Mouth of The Spring , Hellbrunn Palace and gardens were built by Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus from 1612-19 as a daytime retreat on the site of an old hunting lodge from the 1400s.  It’s said that during the construction the Palace was home to the first opera performance North of the Alps in 1616.  Like the trick fountains, the Hellbrunn Palace was really made for fun and was built with  ZERO bedrooms .  The vast wooded grounds of the estate were settled as early as 500BC and have had a large villa since Roman times.

Getting To Hellbrunn Palace :  Bus 25 from Old Town Salzburg stops right here ( Fürstenweg ) and it’s a 15-minute ride from Salzburg.  Alternatively a 50-minute walk with limited sidewalks from both Old Town and Palace Leopold or 20 minutes from Frohnburg Palace.  Bike rental is also a great option to see it all.   Gazebo Hours :  Daily Dawn-Dusk all year.   Palace Hours :  April, October, & November 9am-4:30pm; May, June, September 9am-5:30pm; July & August 9am-6pm.   Trick Fountain Hours :  The Trick Fountains have tours from 9am-9pm in the peak season but are closed for Winter from November-March.   Cost :  You can see the Gazebo for Free near the Eastern entrance to the Palace.  Tours of the grounds included both the Palace interior and Trick Fountains of 10.50€ for Adults, 5€ for kids.   Palace Website :   Here .

Sound Of Music Movie Tour Connection : Where Liesl and Rolf sing “16 going on 17” while dancing around.  Maria and Captain also later sing “Something Good” in the Gazebo.  Most interior scenes had to be filmed in a studio as the inside of the real Gazebo was too small.

15. The Von Trapp Villa :

About The Von Trapp Villa :  While not used as a filming location in the Sound of Music movie, this beautiful yellow 22-room mansion ( built in 1863 ) was where the  real Von Trapp family lived  in from 1923 to 1938.  The widowed George Von Trapp was able to acquire the mansion for himself and his 7 children after being granted baron status for his valor in as a Captain in the Imperial Navy in WW1.

In 1926, Maria Kutschera was sent to the Von Trapp family home by the Nonnberg Convent to tutor Captain’s ill daughter Maria ( children’s names in the movie were all different ).  One year later the couple married which was actually 11 years before the Nazis arrived in Austria in early-1938.  Georg Was 47 at the time they married and Maria was only 22.  Maria and Captain had another 2 children of their own ( of 3 ) while living in the Von Trapp Villa.

In 1936 the Von Trapps lost a lot of money in a bank crash, had to start renting out rooms in the lower level of their home, and started to perform professionally as the  Chamber Choir Trapp  to make money.  Sent by the local Archbishop, priest Franz Wasner came to live with the Von Trapps during this time and ended up becoming the family’s choir director depicted in the Sound of Music film as the character Max Reinhardt.

By early-1938 the Nazis arrived into the newly annexed Salzburg and the family began to plan their departure.  In June of 1938, the Von Trapps used the Salzburg Aigen Station in front of their mansion to escape by train to Italy ( not Switzerland and no hiking ), just 1 day before Hitler closed the Austrian borders.  Untersberg Mountain which they were depicting hiking over for freedom in the movie actually led right to Hitler’s backup command center in Berchtesgaden and Switzerland is a 250 mile ( 400 km ) hike away over some of the Alps most rugged mountains.

At the time the family fled Salzburg, Maria was pregnant with the couples 3rd child ( Captain’s 10th ), who was later born a few months after the family reached America by boat from London.  The family’s estate was the seized as the private home for SS Chief Heinrich Himmler during the war before being returned to the Von Trapps who sold it to a local Catholic mission.

From 1936-1956 the Von Trapp family performed in over 2000 shows in 30 countries before settling on an American farm estate they turned into a hotel.  Georg Von Trapp died of lung cancer in Vermont in 1947, but Maria lived until 1987 and even had a brief cameo in the Sound of Music movie.

In 2008, the Von Trapp Villa was  renovated into a hotel  which you can tour or stay in today.  While you’ll probably want to use a bike or taxi to visit the Villa, it is worth a stop to work some real-life history into our Sound of Music movie tour in Salzburg.  Opened in the lower floor of the mansion is the educational Sound of Music Museum which has behind the scenes info dedicated to the filming of the movie.  They have audio guides available and the visiting hours are open every day.

Getting To The Von Trapp Villa :  The Villa is located directly next to the Salzburg Aigen train station creating easy access just a 10-minute ride from Salzburg Station on the way to Werfen.  By Bike, it will take about 10-15 minutes from Old Town Salzburg ( 30 on foot ) and about 15 minutes by bike from either Leopold Place or Mirabell Palace.  Taxi from Old Town only takes 5 minutes.   Arrive By Train :  From Salzburg Central Station the S3 line leaves around every 30 minutes and after 4 stops gets directly to Villa Von Trapp at the Salzburg Aigen Station which the real family had used to escape.

Sound of Music Museum Hours :   Open daily from 10am-6pm.  Museum Cost :  Adults 8€; Kids 6-12 are 4€; under 6 are free.   Villa Tours : Tours of the bedrooms are available daily at Noon with a reservation only for 15€.   Hotel Website :   Here .

Sound Of Music Film Locations Tour Connection : Was the real-life Von Trapp family mansion and across the road is the train stop they used to escape to Italy just one day before the borders were closed.

Locations Further Away From Salzburg:

16. werfen picnic meadow ( werfen, austria ):.

About The Werfen Picnic Meadow :  Perched just above the village of Werfen is the Gschwandtanger Meadow where Maria and children have their  picnic scene  during the start of the song “Do Re Mi”.  While you needed permission in the past to visit the farm meadow, the city of Werfen created an  official Sound of Music Trail  in 2015 to open it up to visitors.  A short 1.4km hike brings you above the village where you can re-create the picnic scene for yourself.

Make sure to take in the views of the valley and  Hohenwerfen Castle  below which dates back to 1077.  The Fortress is the sister of Old Town Salzburg’s Hohensalzburg Castle and is highly visible in the Sound of Music picnic meadow scene.  If you are looking to make your visit to Werfen a full day affair, make sure to tour the castle and also visit the World’s Largest Ice Cave sitting high above the city.  You’ll have to start early to do both.

Getting To Werfen :  Trains run every 30 minutes between Salzburg and Werfen and the journey lasts just 45 minutes. A hiking path leads from the train station to the castle and another up the hill to the meadow.  The ÖBB offers practical combo-tickets ‘With the train to Hohenwerfen Fortress’.  More information is available  here .  Visiting In Winter : Bother the Sound of Music Meadow trail and the Werfen Ice Caves will be closed during the Winter months due to snow, but the Fortress is open all year.

Sound Of Music Film Locations Tour Connection : The famous picnic scene where Maria and the kids first start the song “Do, Re, Mi”.

17. Sound Of Music Meadow ( Marktschellenberg, Germany ):

About The Sound of Music Meadow :  Made famous in the opening scene of The Sound of Music movie with a twirling Julie Andrews, this timeless meadow is where we learned that the  ‘Hills are alive with the Sound of  Music’ .  Officially called Mehlweg, the Julie Andrews meadow is only 12.5 miles south of Salzburg in Marktschellenberg, Germany.  Although previously connected to a guesthouse, the property has been a  private farm  since 2010 and is no longer regularly accessible to visitors.  You can, however, visit the Picnic Meadow in Werfen which is also on this do-it-yourself Sound of Music tour.

During the filming of the opening scene here, Julie Andrews had to be transported up the hillside each day in an ox cart to reach the meadow.  Even though it was in the Summertime ( early June of 1964 ), it took them 5 days to finally get enough sunshine in the meadow for the perfect shot.  When the conditions were finally right, the strong force of the wind from the helicopter knocked Julie down 4 out of 9 tries before they finally got the famous shot of her twirling.  Because of how loud the tiny helicopter was, they had to do a voice over for part of Julie Andrews singing ‘ The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Music’ .

A month after shooting the twirling portion with the helicopter, they returned to Mehlweg Meadow to finish the rest of the opening scene of the movie before leaving Salzburg.  The birch trees Julie Andrews walks by were actually fake ( notice how you can’t see the tops or bottoms? ) and other dressings like the stream were added artificially for the filming of the movie, but even stripped down the meadow is amazing.

Getting To The Sound Of Music Meadow :  Although the Sound of Music Meadow is near the top of the Marktschellenbergiking trail and accessible by car/taxi it is now part of a private farm and not open to the public.  You can thank visitors who repeated walked through the owner’s family garden and irritated their sheep for the lack of access.  Respect their privacy and visit the Picnic Meadow in Werfen or the nearby hills in Berchtesgaden for the full Sound of Music Meadow experience.

Sound Of Music Film Locations Tour Connection : Julie Andrews twirls around in circles during the opening scenes of the Sound of Music while singing “The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Music”.

18. Roßfeld Mountain ( Berchtesgaden, Germany ):

About Roßfeld Mountain :  The Alpine toll road that loops around Roßfeld Mountain East of  Berchtesgaden  Germany was used to depict the family’s climb to safety over nearby Untersberg Mountain at the end of The Sound of Music movie.  With a total of 12 takes they only used two clips with one from the South and one from the North with the Purtschellerhaus Alpine hut visible in the background.  While we love this iconic closing scene from The Sound of Music movie with the family singing  ‘Climb Every Mountain’,  it wasn’t very accurate.

For starters, the real-life Von Trapp family  escaped by train  and not by climbing over nearby Untersberg Mountain in real life.  The family lived right next to a train station and were quite lucky as the day after their train left for Italy in June of 1938, Hitler shut down the borders of Austria.  Even if the family had tried to hike over Untersberg, it would have been 175 miles across the rugged Alps to Switzerland for safety.  It also would have been hard to start the hike here as Hitler’s backup command center in Berchtesgaden was nearby.  The command center of Obersalzburg was home to the famous Eagles Nest and the Berghof mansion where Hitler spent more time than anywhere else during the war.

All of that being said about the film’s inaccuracies, this stretch of the Rossfeldstraße is still amazing to visit for drivers and the mountain is popular with skiers in the Winter.  If you wish to visit the summit of the real Untersberg Mountain you can bus there easily from Salzburg and Berchtesgaden followed by a quick cable car ride.  More adventurous visitors can also hike 2 hours from the summit to the Untersberg Mountain Ice Caves ( Eishöehle ) which is only ice cave in Germany.  Keep in mind that there are other ice caves in Werfen and Hallstatt Austria that are way easier to get to.

Getting To Roßfeld :  The Alpine loop toll road around Roßfeld is best accessed by rental car or motorcycle.   Getting From Here To Untersberg :  Take bus 840, 25, or 28 to the village of Saint Leopold then ride on the Untersbergbahn Alpine Lift Route to the top of the mountain if desired.  The Ice Cave is a 2-4 hour hike out of the way from the Alpine Lift.

Sound Of Music Movie Tour Connection : Roßfeld was used to depict the family’s escape over nearby Untersberg Mountain during the closing scenes with “Climb Every Mountain”.  In real life they took a train to Italy and climbing this mountain would have put them right at Hitler’s backup command center in Berchtesgaden.

19. Collegiate Wedding Church ( Mondsee, Austria ):

About The Wedding Church :  Located 16 miles East of Salzburg, the Collegiate Church ( Kollegienkirche ) of Saint Micheal in Mondsee ( Moon Lake ) was the film location for  Maria and Captain’s wedding  in The Sound of Music movie.  Often called the Wedding Church or Mondsee Cathedral, this bright yellow church was the perfect fallback setting for the wedding after filming was not allowed inside Nonnberg Abbey .

It is surprising to know that the timeless wedding scene was actually the first thing the crew filmed when they arrived in April of 1964 for their just over 3 months of shooting around Salzburg.  The filming of the wedding processional inside of the Collegiate Church was one of only two major indoor scenes ( along with the singing contest ) of the movie that was shot on location instead of in a studio.  The wedding was all filmed in one day ( April 23rd ) with the help of 600 local extras, and the crew attended other weddings here the week beforehand for scouting.  In the busy season, the Mondsee Church from the Sound of Music movies hosts up to 8 weddings a day .

The 170-foot tall twin towers and lavish pink interior are both awesome, but the Collegiate Church has a history also.  The first Mondsee Abbey was established in 748AD ( rebuilt in 1500 ) making it one of the oldest in Austria and like Salzburg, the village itself goes back to Roman times.  In addition to the bright pink interior seen in the Sound of Music’s wedding processional, the Church is renown for its 7 side altars and the main Baroque altar which the statue of Saint Micheal from 1626.

In 2005,  Pope John Paul II  upgraded the spacious Collegiate Church Saint Michael from a Cathedral to a Basilica.  Mondsee is a pretty small village but the quaint square in the center of town near the Church is very rewarding and offers easy access to take a nice lakefront stroll.  As you head toward the lake, you’ll see the trees the children are hanging out of as Captain drives by with the Baroness and Max.

Getting To Mondsee From Salzburg :  Quickest way to get here is bus 140 which leaves every 40 minutes and only takes 50 minutes for the journey.  If you have a car it is only 20-22 minutes away.  Consider checking out the nearby cities of Saint Gilgen or Hallstatt if you are going this direction.   Visiting Hours :  Most days 9am-7am, optional donation suggested.   Church Website :   Here .

Sound Of Music Film Locations Tour Connection : The Collegiate Church served as the film location of Maria and Captain’s wedding processional.  It was one of only two major interior scenes of the movie shot on location instead of a movie set.

20. Mondsee Lake ( Mondsee, Austria ):

About Mondsee Lake :  Mondsee is one of the many amazing lakes you can easily visit near Salzburg.  Other favorite lakes of ours include Kings Lake in Berchtesgaden, Wolfgang See near Saint Gilgen, and Hallstatt See.  Kings Lake, Obersee, & Fuschlsee are all seen  in aerial shots  in the opening scenes of the Sound of Music.  As you head toward Mondsee Lake from the church you’ll see another spot from the movie, the trees the children are hanging out of as Captain drives by with the Baroness and Max.

Further along the Eastern edge of Mondsee, you’ll find one of best Sound of Music film locations where the Maria and  the kids ride bikes  during “Do, Re, Mi”.  As the children bike around Lake Mondsee, you can see the Zwölferhorn Mountain visible across the water.  When you picture a Sound of Music bike tour, the path around Mondsee is by far the most iconic route to pedal.

Getting To The Mondsee Lake Bike Scene Location :  From Mondsee, you can either bike to the other side of the lake in 6 miles or take Bus 596 from the bus station to the Innerschwand/Mondsee Niedersee Stop in about 20 minutes, but the bus only leaves every 2 hours.

Sound Of Music Film Locations Tour Connection : Where the kids hang from the row of trees as Captian’s car drives by and where they ride bikes with Maria along the water during the song “Do, Re, Mi”.

Local Sound of Music Tour Guides:

1. Bob’s Tours : Bob’s Tours offer both a half day and full day Sound of Music Tours in intimately sized groups with 8 person vans.   The 4 Hour Tour covers all the main Sound of Music sights right in Salzburg including Hellbrunn Palace but also goes to the Leopold Palace, the Salzkammergut Lake District, village of St. Gilgen, and the Church of Mondsee.  The 8 Hour Tour takes the experience a step further by taking visitors to the unforgettable lakeside town of Hallstatt.  Hours : 4 Hour Tour leaves at 9am & 2pm; 8 Hour Tour leaves at 9am only.  Cost:   4 Hour Tour is €45 for adults and €35 for children; 8 Hour Tour is €90 for adults and €70 for children.

2. Panorama Tours : Panorama Tours is more of the traditional larger tour bus style tours with a commercial feel.  This tour covers pretty much the same sights as Bob’s Tours 4 Hour Tour, and although it’s not as personal, it is a great sure fire tour.  Hours: Leaves at 9:30am & 2pm.  Cost: Adults are €40 and children are €40.  Has a hotel package deals that include a room, breakfast and 4 Hour Tour which ranges in price from €135 to €200 per person.

3. Maria’s Bike Tours : We love Maria’s Bike Tours!  Their 3.5-hour-long tours do the best job of letting you experience the Sound of Music instead of just seeing it through a window of a van or bus.  People of all ages like this tour because although it is a bike tour, it doesn’t require you to be super in shape.  The biggest advantage is that it has an afternoon tour in peak season while most of the SOM tours only depart at 9am.  Did we mention, they provide the bikes and helmets?  Meeting Point:  Mirabell Palace Entrance.  Hours: Leaves daily at 930am and runs from May 1st-Sept 31st; 430pm tour starts in June; reservations required June & August.  Cost: Adults €24, Ages 10-15 €15, Children 10 and under €10; bike is included for free and you can rent it for the duration of the day for €8.  Alternative :  You can rent a bike without a guide from Mozartplatz and follow our full Sound of Music movie tour on your own.

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Disclaimer: Information on this page and in our walking tours were deemed accurate when published, however, details such as opening hours, rates, transportation, visa requirements, and safety can change without notice. Please check with any destinations directly before traveling.

13 Must-See Sound of Music Tours in Salzburg

Charlotte Moser

July 23, 2023

Salzburg, Austria, holds a special place in the hearts of fans of The Sound of Music. This picturesque city is where the iconic movie was filmed, and it attracts thousands of tourists each year who want to experience the magic firsthand. While most Austrians may not be familiar with the film, visitors can’t help but hum along to the beloved songs and explore the enchanting locations featured in the movie. 

“The hills are alive with the sound of music!” – Maria

From the grand Mirabell Gardens to the charming Nonnberg Abbey, 13 must-see Sound of Music tour locations in Salzburg transports you into the world of Maria and the von Trapp family. Let’s embark on a delightful journey through these iconic spots and relive the joy of this timeless classic.

Here are 13 must-see tour locations that will transport you into the world of Maria and the von Trapp family.

1. Leopoldskron Castle

Visit the majestic Leopoldskron Castle, which served as the von Trapp family home in the movie. Stroll along the shores of Leopoldskron Lake, where the children had a mischievous boating adventure. 

Take in the serene beauty of the surroundings and imagine the von Trapp family’s life within the walls of this historic castle. With its stunning architecture and picturesque lake, Leopoldskron Castle offers a glimpse into the captivating world of The Sound of Music.

2. Mirabell Palace & Gardens

Step into the enchanting world of The Sound of Music at Mirabell Palace & Gardens. This picturesque location is where Maria and the children joyfully danced around the statue of Pegasus, singing their famous “Do-Re-Mi” song. 

“Do-Re-Mi, a female deer. Ray, a drop of golden sun.” – Maria

Explore the beautifully manicured gardens, stroll along the pathways, and relive the iconic scenes that captured the hearts of millions. With its vibrant atmosphere and musical history, Mirabell Palace & Gardens is a must-visit destination for any Sound of Music fan.

3. Horse Bath

Transport yourself to the scene where Maria and the children dance past the Horse Bath while singing “My Favorite Things.” This picturesque location adds a touch of charm to the movie and offers a delightful backdrop for capturing memorable photos. 

Experience the magic of the movie firsthand as you immerse yourself in the surroundings and create your special moments.

4. Winkler Terrace

 Ascend Monk’s Hill and discover the breathtaking Winkler Terrace overlooking the Old Town of Salzburg. This is where Maria and the children brought their infectious energy, mixing up the musical notes of “Do Re Mi” as they introduced the song to Salzburg. 

Stand in awe of the panoramic view, feel the gentle breeze, and let the melodies of the movie resonate in your heart. Winkler Terrace is a serene spot that encapsulates the joy and harmony that The Sound of Music evokes.

5. Hedge Maze & Gnome Park

Enter the whimsical world of the “Do-Re-Mi” song at the Hedge Maze & Gnome Park. Follow in the footsteps of Maria and the children as they skip through the vine tunnel and playfully interact with the charming gnome with glasses. 

This delightful location is perfect for families, allowing children to unleash their imaginations and immerse themselves in the magic of The Sound of Music.

6. Rock Riding School

Step inside the historic Rock Riding School, which played a pivotal role in some of the most memorable scenes from The Sound of Music. Let your imagination run wild as you envision these walls’ lively performances and heartwarming moments. 

The Rock Riding School is where history and film intertwine, creating an atmosphere that will transport you back in time.

7. Hellbrunn Castle and the Glass Pavilion

“I have confidence in sunshine. I have confidence in rain. I have confidence that spring will come again!” – Maria

Embark on a journey to Hellbrunn Castle, an architectural gem from the 17th century. Explore its captivating gardens and discover the mesmerizing glass pavilion that has fascinated visitors for over 30 years. 

Marvel at the beauty of the surroundings and imagine the von Trapp family roaming these grounds as you walk in their footsteps. Hellbrunn Castle and the Glass Pavilion are a testament to the timeless allure of The Sound of Music.

8. Mondsee Wedding Church

Experience the magic of Maria and the Baron’s wedding by visiting the picturesque Mondsee Wedding Church. Step into the same church where their fictional union took place and feel the romance and joy that filled the air. 

Admire exquisite architecture, explore the charming town of Mondsee, and let the spirit of love and celebration resonate within you.

9. Nonnberg Abbey

Delve into the rich history of Nonnberg Abbey, one of Europe’s oldest convents. This sacred place served as Maria’s home as a novice and was the backdrop for the enchanting wedding scene in the film. 

Explore the abbey’s tranquil surroundings, admire its architectural beauty, and feel a sense of serenity as you discover the connection between The Sound of Music and this sacred location.

10. St Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang

Embark on a scenic journey to St Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang, featured at the beginning of The Sound of Music. Bask in the landscape’s natural beauty as you gaze upon the stunning lake and surrounding mountains.

Take a moment to soak in the tranquility and reflect on the movie’s opening scenes that captured this beautiful region’s essence.

11. Werfen Picnic Meadow

Venture to the idyllic Werfen Picnic Meadow, perched above the village of Werfen. This picturesque location is where Maria and the children shared a delightful picnic and began singing the iconic “Do Re, Mi” song. 

Take in the breathtaking views, feel the fresh air on your skin, and let the melodies of the movie fill the atmosphere. The Werfen Picnic Meadow offers a serene and memorable experience for The Sound of Music fans.

12. Frohnburg Palace

Journey to Frohnburg Palace, the magnificent backdrop for the von Trapp family home. Marvel at the elegance and grandeur of this palace, which was featured in five pivotal scenes of the film. 

Let your imagination transport you to the world of the von Trapps as you walk through the halls and gardens, reliving the special moments that have captured the hearts of generations.

13. Peter’s Cemetery and Catacombs

Discover the tranquil beauty of St. Peter’s Cemetery and Catacombs, a historic site featured in The Sound of Music. This serene cemetery, with its rows of picturesque tombstones and peaceful atmosphere, is where Maria and the children hid from the Nazis in the film. 

Wander through the winding pathways, surrounded by lush greenery and ancient tombstones, and feel a sense of tranquility as you connect with the scenes from the movie. 

Explore the catacombs beneath the cemetery, where you can delve into Salzburg’s intriguing history. St. Peter’s Cemetery and Catacombs offer a unique and contemplative experience for The Sound of Music fans and history enthusiasts.

Exploring the Locations of The Sound of Music

Transportation options.

• Bus Tours: Convenient transportation to all filming locations.
• Walking Tours: Explore on foot and enjoy the surrounding areas.
• Bicycle Tours: Fun and affordable way to visit the sites.

Cost and Booking Information

• Tour Prices: Starting at around 45€ for Sound of Music tours.
• Tour Providers: Viator, GetYourGuide, Musement, and more.
• Package Inclusions: Transportation, tour guide, combined tickets, lunch, museum visits, and other attractions.
• Discounts and Seasonal Offers: Check for special deals and reduced prices.

When planning your Sound of Music tour, you can choose between different modes of transportation. Bus tours provide a hassle-free experience while walking tours allow for more flexibility and exploration. Alternatively, bicycle tours offer a unique and enjoyable way to discover the sites.

Tour prices typically start around 45€ and vary depending on the provider and package inclusions. Popular tour companies like Viator, GetYourGuide, and Musement offer similar experiences, including transportation, knowledgeable guides, and various add-ons such as combined tickets, lunch, and museum visits. 

Keep an eye out for discounts and seasonal offers that may be available at certain times of the year.

To book your tour, you can use TourScanner’s search feature to compare prices and options from different providers, ensuring you find the best tour that suits your preferences and budget.

“Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow, ’til you find your dream.” – Mother Abbess

In conclusion, exploring the locations of The Sound of Music in Salzburg offers a delightful journey into the world of Maria and the von Trapp family. With 13 must-see tour locations, ranging from majestic castles and picturesque gardens to charming churches and historical sites, visitors can relive the magic of this timeless classic. 

Whether you embark on a bus tour for convenience, take a walking tour to immerse yourself in the surroundings, or enjoy a bicycle tour for a fun and affordable experience, there are transportation options to suit every preference. 

With tour prices starting at around 45€ and various providers offering inclusive packages and special offers, booking your Sound of Music tour has never been easier. So, get ready to sing along and create unforgettable memories as you explore the enchanting locations that captured the hearts of millions.

How long is the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg?

The Sound of Music tour in Salzburg typically lasts around 4 hours. It is available daily at 9:15 AM and 2:00 PM, but pre-booking is recommended, especially during Christmas and New Year, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience without any delays.

Can you do a Sound of Music tour yourself?

Yes, you can do a self-guided Sound of Music tour in Salzburg. This walking tour is approximately 4 kilometers long and can be completed in 2-3 hours. Feel free to take your time, enjoy the journey, and make pit stops at charming cafes.

Is it worth doing the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg?

Yes, it’s worth doing the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg. It offers a breathtaking experience, even if you need to become more familiar with the movie. The Original Sound of Music Tour is a fantastic way to explore Austria’s beautiful region and appreciate the film’s charm.

Can you go inside The Sound of Music House?

You can stay inside The Sound of Music House, known as Meierhof. Experience a comfortable overnight stay in its rooms and enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet in either the Marble Hall or the palace’s ballroom. Additionally, you can visit various filming locations during the 4-hour Original Sound of Music Tour.

Charlotte Moser has a passion for traveling and exploring different cultures, cuisines, and lifestyles. She loves to share her experiences and trips with his readers, who are looking for some inspiration and guidance on how to make the most of their time in Austria.

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🎵 The 5 Best Sound of Music Tours in Salzburg [2024 Reviews]

Located right on the border of Germany, the Austrian city of Salzburg is known for its stunning architecture, breathtaking views of the Eastern Alps, and for being the birthplace of Mozart.

However, did you know that it’s also where the legendary film “The Sound of Music” was also filmed? Before taking the first SoM tour here, I funny enough hadn’t even seen the film and still had an amazing time visiting these absolutely gorgeous places.

After that, I immediately saw the movie so I could appreciate it even further, and have come up with a carefully selected list of the 5 top Sound of Music Tours available today! Let’s jump right in!

Best Sound of Music Tours from Salzburg

Quick answer: the 5 best rated sound of music tours for 2024.

• The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg
• Original Sound of Music Private Tour Salzburg
• Sound of Music / Hallstatt Tour
• The Hills Are Alive
• Sound of Music Tour by Minivan

Best Salzburg Sound of Music Tour Reviews

1. the original sound of music tour in salzburg.

• Duration:  4 hours
• Departure:  Hubert-Sattler-Gasse 1, 5020 Salzburg
• Departure Time: 9:15 AM, 2:15 PM
• Includes:  Air-conditioned vehicle, tour

This SoM experience is one that I found to be one of the most affordable, “best bang for your buck” tours.

The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg  comes in 2 options: both a large bus tour and a small group/minibus tour which is more exclusive (and more expensive). I did the big bus tour as I do find it a fantastically affordable option, so I’ll be speaking to my experience on that.

Another great aspect of this tour is that there are so many different start times to choose from, that you’re bound to find one that works perfectly around your itinerary.

I was a bit hesitant, wondering how it would be to be on a tour with so many people, but it almost made it more fun! I’ll get into the details in a moment, but I want to mention that there are no hotel pickups involved so you’ll have to make your way to the central meeting point first.

From Mirabellplatz in the center of the city, you’ll board the bus and head through the gorgeous scenery with the film’s soundtrack playing to really set the tone.

Me and the rest of our big group sang along happily to ‘Edelweiss’, ‘Do-Re-Mi’, and ‘My Favorite Things’ which instantly bonded us and made the whole experience feel surreal!

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The Mirabell Palace and Gardens is where ‘Do-Re-Mi’ was filmed, and we got the chance to take plenty of photos in front of the Pegasus Fountain and steps!

After this, we made our way through the stunning views of the Alps and made another stop at Lake Leopoldskron which is like a mirror, reflecting the incredible castle by the same name (where the boating scene was taken).

We got to take more photos at the gardens of Hellbrunn castle, the glass gazebo for the kissing scene, and even Nonnberg Abbey.

Throughout the entire tour, our guides did a fantastic job telling us about the different landmarks and relating them back to the movie, complete with insider info!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, 2. original sound of music private tour salzburg.

• Duration:  4 hours
• Departure: Hubert-Sattler-Gasse 1, 5020 Salzburg
• Departure Time: 9:45 AM
• Includes:  Driver/guide, Transport by private air-conditioned Mercedes E 220 or VW luxury minibus, 1-hour Edelweiss apple strudel cooking class and tastings (if option selected)

For me, a well-rated tour should always come with interesting commentary and a structured schedule to ensure seamless transitions between sights.

The Original Sound of Music Private Tour Salzburg offers all that and so much more, with some flexibility to check out a couple of extra attractions if you’d like. I didn’t know what to expect, but our guide truly brought the scene to life with plenty of passion, knowledge, and personality!

I love that this is a private tour with a small group setting, which made it feel more like we had a good friend taking us around to all the different sights!

We rode around in an air-conditioned Mercedes E220 which was very comfortable with big windows so I could soak in the beautiful landscapes as we cruised along.

Our guide was a very safe driver, and offered some interesting historical accounts as well as stories relating back to the movie that I’d never heard of before.

Our first stop was the Schloss Hellbrunn which was constructed in the 17th century and is known famously for being the site of the garden gazebo where Liesl and Rolf sang ‘Sixteen Going on Seventeen’.

After that, we took another gorgeous drive through Salzkammergut where I got some amazing videos of the towering Alps and glass-like lakes which you see in the first scenes of The Sound of Music, passing the little village of St. Gilgen.

Even though a relatively good amount of time during our tour was spent driving, it was still kind of tiring and I welcomed a 50-minute break at Basilika St. Michael.

Here, we had free time to explore at our leisure and we chose to take a little stroll around the picture-perfect Mondsee. I highly recommend grabbing a cup of coffee and their famous apple strudel!

3. Sound of Music / Hallstatt Tour

• Duration:  8 hours
• Departure:  Rudolfskai 38, 5020 Salzburg
• Departure Time: 9:00 AM

This is one of the most magical small-group tours I’ve been in, with the opportunity to explore more of Hallstatt than what the other tours offer.

The Sound of Music / Hallstatt Tour  is a significantly longer tour than the previous couple, so if you’re looking for a full-day experience, this is a fantastic choice. Starting off early in the morning, it’s also a great way to get acquainted with the area if it’s your first time here.

I’m not sure if this is always the case, but I noticed that my tour and many others’ consisted of no more than 5 people, which was simply amazing.

We had a very personalized tour with our guide, who ended up feeling more like a friend who was incredibly knowledgeable about the subject rather than just a guide.

Our day started out with being picked up from our hotel by a comfortable vehicle, doing a short city tour of Salzburger Altstadt which is full of breathtaking architecture.

After taking plenty of photos and videos of the city, we then set out for Leopoldskroner Weiher, where we got to see the rear of the “von Trapp” house and the ponds the kids fell into in the film.

Throughout the sightseeing, our guide related it back to the different movie scenes along with plenty of behind-the-scenes info that I wouldn’t have been able to find anywhere else.

We then stopped over at the intimidating Schloss Hellbrun, where we also got to take some photos in front of the “16-going-on-17” gazebo.

Lake Wolfgang was something from a postcard, and we got to take plenty of photos there before exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hallstatt on our own.

However, our guide was great at offering plenty of recommendations and I’d love to go back and spend a couple of days there. After that, we passed by St. Gilgen Mozartplatz and Basilika St. Michael to reenact the wedding scene from the film!

4. The Hills Are Alive

• Duration:  8 hours
• Departure:  Hotel pickup and drop-off included
• Departure Time: Between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM
• Includes:  Private tour, professional guide

This is my other favorite all-day tour of its kind, which I also found to be one of the best for seeing some of the best views of the Austrian Alps.

The Hills Are Alive Tour is indeed aptly named, taking you through nearly every iconic scene of The Sound of Music.

If that sounds like fun to you, make sure to lace up a pair of comfortable walking shoes and put on a jacket because it’s a day full of venturing through one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

This tour also includes a convenient hotel pickup right from the lobby, so there’s no need to worry about finding a meetup point or booking additional transportation.

I do recommend dressing comfortable, though, as you’ll definitely do a bit of walking around in nature. The transportation was very comfortable, with padded seating, plenty of legroom, and big windows to view the Austrian landscape.

The first stop of the day was at Mirabell Gardens, which I immediately recognized as the place where the “Do-Re-Mi” scenes took place!

We got plenty of time to stroll throughout the lush area, complete with the Pegasus Fountain and Dwarf Garden, which was really cool to see as I love Roman and Greek art.

We then took the elevator up to an incredible viewpoint, which is known for being one of the most impressive in all of Salzburg (we even saw a 1,000-year-old fortress!).

We then headed back down to the historical center, where we saw the Horse Bath, Festival DIstrict, St. Peter’s Church, and much more.

Leopoldskron Palace and Hellbrunn Palace were equally as impressive, before exploring the majestic Bavarian Alps, which you’ll recognize from the film’s opening scenes.

We then made our way to the top of the infamous Sound of Music trail followed by a delicious lunch consisting of traditional local fare before heading to the Lake District.   

5.  Sound of MusicTour by Minivan

Last but certainly not least, is the 4-hour Sound of Music Tour by Minivan . This is the second-best option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly tour, though it is actually affordable while still being a small-group tour!

With a maximum of just 8 participants, you can rest assured that you’ll receive a personalized experience rather than just a cookie-cutter activity that you can find anywhere.

You can choose whether to meet in the center of the city or take advantage of their free hotel pickup service in-between the hours of 8:30 and 9:00 am.

The vehicle is quite comfortable, and with the big windows and amazing views of the Alps surrounding us, there was never a moment of boredom.

The first stop is Leopoldskroner Weiher, as is the case with most of the tours, where you’ll see the back of the von Trapp house and the pond.  After that, we saw the Hellbrunn Castle, which, in itself is quite impressive.

Here, we saw the 16-going-on-17 gazebo and had the chance to take some photos before checking out the glass-like Lake Wolfgang.

We followed it up with a trip to Basilika St. Michael, where we had a blast reenacting the wedding scene from the movie!

I felt like our guide did a fantastic job explaining everything to us both in the van and outside at each location, answering any questions we had.

The PA system inside the van was a great addition, ensuring all of us could clearly hear what the guide was saying as we passed different sights in real time.

Overall, it was a great time, with a top-notch guide, great organization and recommendations, and at this price, is really hard to beat.

Tour Guides

The Original Sound of Music Private Tour Salzburg is our Editors Choice for the Best Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg,

Robert Baker

Related articles, the 5 best stonehenge tours from london [2024 reviews], the 5 best florence wine tours [2024 reviews], the 7 best vatican tours ⛪ [2024 reviews], the 5 best seine river dinner cruises [2024 reviews].

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Sound of Music tour

Step into the world of The Sound of Music with this guided driving tour that lets you visit filming locations from the classic movie, including the gardens where Maria and the children performed Do Re Mi, and the church where Maria and the Captain were married.

You’ll also see the Nonnberg Convent, the Benedictine monastery built high into the Festungsberg hillside where Maria was a postulant before moving in with the Trapp family. Head to Hellbrunn Palace and walk the crushed-stone paths to the glass gazebo where Liesl and Rolfe sang their duet and Maria and the Captain shared their first kiss.

You will also get to see Schloss Leopoldskron, the stately rococo palace that was used for the Trapp family’s lakeside garden and terrace. Then your driver will bring you to the lake district, where the opening song of the movie was filmed among the green pastures, trickling streams, sheer cliffs and sparkling blue-green lakes.

Your private driver will pick you up at the hotel before heading off on your half-day tour through Salzburg and the surrounding areas to see some of the most familiar places from The Sound of Music.

The Mirabell Palace and its gardens can be seen as Maria and the Trapp children run, dance and sing to Do Re Mi in the film. The gardens themselves boast manicured lawns with low-lying flowers planted in swirling designs throughout. You’ll also see the Pegasus fountain that appears in the movie. The winged-horse statue sits high above the water, which reflects the green from the surrounding shrubbery.

Hellbrunn Palace is home to the glass gazebo where Liesl and Rolfe sing Sixteen Going on Seventeen , and where Maria and the Captain share their first kiss. It sits within an expansive garden, where you can stroll along the crushed-stone paths to admire the statues and greenery.

The real-life Maria, as well as the movie version, were both young postulants at Nonnberg Convent, the abbey used in the film. Take in the big copper dome of the Benedictine monastery, which sits elevated above the square, built into the Festungsberg hill. It was founded by Saint Rupert, one of the patron saints of Salzberg, and is a protected monument.

You’ll head to Schloss Leopoldskron, which was used for all the scenes of the Trapp family’s lakeside garden and terrace. The rococo palace was commissioned in 1736 as a personal home for a noble, and has now found a second life as a hotel. Here, you’ll get an up-close look at the water Maria and the children went tumbling into out of a row boat.

Your driver will also bring you to the lake district, where the grassy hills, snow-flanked mountain peaks and glassy lakes are immediately familiar from the opening song. In the lake district is Mondsee Abbey — the former Gothic monastery that hosted the wedding of Maria and the Captain. Head inside to see its white-and-pink arches contrasting with harsh dark wood and glimmering gold accents.

After your tour, your driver will bring you back to your hotel.

Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Austria specialists

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• Make an inquiry

Photos of Sound of Music tour

Other experiences in Salzburg

These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.

Mozart dinner & concert

Immerse yourself in the music and food of the Baroque era with this intimate dinner and concert at one of the oldest restaurants in Europe. Enjoy a performance of Mozart’s works by costumed performers between courses of a traditional Austrian meal.

Mozart walking tour

See Mozart’s hometown of Salzburg and the places that were important to him on this walking tour. Visit the Salzburg Cathedral, see Saint Peter’s Abbey and explore Mozart’s Birthplace and Residence, where he lived during his childhood and adolescent years.

Experience it for yourself

You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.

Sound of Music grand tour

7 days from $5,995pp

Signature Austria: Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Innsbruck

14 days from $11,655pp

Classical music tour of Germany & Austria

10 days from $7,105pp

• Private Tours

Original Sound of Music Tour® - Tour 1A

• Also available as Private tour
• Also included in Other products

Do you have special requirements? Make a request

daily at 9.15 am and 2.00 pm

Panorama Tours Bus Terminal , Mirabellplatz / Hubert-Sattler-Gasse 1, 5020 Salzburg Arrival information

Join us on a wonderful ride through Salzburg on the Original Sound of Music Tour®

Tour the picturesque World Heritage City of  Salzburg  as well as the beautiful  landscapes where the opening scenes of the movie   The Sound of Music  were filmed with our live guide!

The Sound of Music Tour Salzburg includes original shooting locations from "The Sound of Music" movie:

• Mirabell Garden and Pegasus Fountain , where Maria and the children danced in the movie
• Nonnberg Convent , where Maria was a novice
• Schloss Leopoldskron ,  the house, where the Trapp Family lived in the movie which is now a luxury hotel
• Hellbrunn Palace (singing scenes in the movie)
• Gazebo (now placed in Hellbrunn), where the Baron von Trapp kissed Maria for the first time
• Church Mondsee , where Maria and the Baron get married

The Sound of Music in Salzburg

The enormous success of  The Sound of Music  Broadway Musical by  Rodgers & Hammerstein  premiering in 1959 made film director Robert Wise and 250 crew members turn  Salzburg  and its surroundings into the  Sound of Music filming location  in 1964. And it was  Salzburg Panorama Tours  who took the  Sound of Music  film crew to the  various locations  where the  famous movie  was filmed.

Shortly after its release, the film became a tremendous success, receiving five Academy Awards, becoming the highest grossing movie ever and reaching cult status over the years. Both musical and film are based on the "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers" written by  Maria von Trapp  in 1949.

In the tracks of the Trapp family in Salzburg

In Salzburg, visitors can follow in the authentic footsteps of the Trapp family and experience the iconic filming locations of 'The Sound of Music' at the same time. The tour begins at the former home of the Trapp family in the Aigen district, which is now used privately and can only be visited from the outside. Another historically significant place is the Nonnberg Monastery, where Maria lived as a novice before taking care of the Trapp children. Hohensalzburg Fortress and Mirabell Gardens , famous for the movie scenes in which the children sing 'Do-Re-Mi', are also part of the route. In addition, the tour leads through the palace park of Leopoldskron Palace, which served as the back of von Trapp's home in the film, and to Hellbrunn Palace, where the famous pavilion scene was filmed. Our 'Original Sound of Music Tour' allows visitors to explore both the real life locations of the Trapps and the picturesque filming locations of the movie. This carefully curated tour combines cultural heritage and cinematic history by offering insights into the lives of the Trapp family as well as the making of the world-famous film. 

Get to know Salzburg

Follow the traces of the  Trapp family  and take a tour through Salzburg and its surroundings. See the  original film settings  and just imagine being  Julie Andrews , the main character in the film, playing  Maria von Trapp . Learn about the historical and architectural landmarks of Salzburg as well as the Lake District while enjoying the highlights of the movie. Relax and listen to the  Original Sound of Music  soundtrack and of course feel free to sing-along  Edelweiss  and many more... Our live guide will tell you everything you need to know about The Sound of Music, the Trapp Familiy, the film locations and about the shooting.

Please note:

• Please make your own way to meeting point, 15 min. prior departure
• free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to tour departure
• We are not able to offer a pick-up service from the hotel
• Infants up to 4 years are not entitled to their own seat
• Pets are not allowed in the tour

FAQs Original Sound of Music Tour®

Where does sound of music take place.

The true story, that The Sound of Music is based, on took place in the Austrian city of Salzburg. Large parts of the movie were filmed in and around Salzburg, some scenes even in the original locations. Featured in the  Original Sound of Music Tour® are among many others Leopoldskron Palace and the gazebo at Hellbrunn Palace . 

When did the true story of Sound of Music take place?

Maria was asked to teach Georg von Trapp's children in 1926 and their wedding took place in 1927. In 1938, the Trapp family moved to the US to escape the Nazi regime in Germany and Austria. Their move was however far less dramatic than it is portrayed in the film. The 1965 film is an adaptation of the 1959 stage musical and based on Maria von Trapps 1949 memoir "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers".

Where is the Sound of Music house?

There are three locations associated closely with the Trapp family in Salzburg. The original Trapp family home Villa Trapp is located in Aigen to the southeast of Salzburg and not seen in the movie. Two other estates were used to portray the Trapps' home in the movie: Leopoldskron Palace and Frohnburg Palace .

Where is the Sound of Music gazebo?

The gazebo featured in the "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" scene was located in the gardens of Leopoldskron Palace during filming. It was later moved to the gardens at Hellbrunn Palace to make it accessible to interested visitor. The Original Sound of Music Tour® stops at the gazebo to give you the opportunity for unforgettable moments and souvenir photos.

Which church was used in Sound of Music?

While many other scenes were filmed in the city of Salzburg, the romantic wedding scene in the movie The Sound of Music was shot at the church in Mondsee. A stop at this church is part of the Original Sound of Music Tour® by Salzburg Panorama Tours  and gives you the opportunity to explore this beautiful filming location.

When is the Original Sound of Music Tour® operated?

This tour is operated daily with two start times at 9.15 am and 2.00 pm.

Stefan Herzl

Hello, my name is Stefan Herzl and I’m really looking forward to show you my beautiful hometown Salzburg. I am a native Salzburg offering since 1976 various sightseeing tours in Salzburg & surroundings.

This tour is included in other products - get more for your money!

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Sound of Music Special

Sound of Music at Schloss Leopoldskron

The Hills are Alive in Salzburg

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Get the best deal for your stay in Salzburg with this Sound of Music package! Discover the city of Salzburg and its surroudings on the Sound of Music Tour and find out more about the movie, its filming locations and the Trapp family's true story.

Mozart Dinner Concert

Attend this performens and be taken back to Mozart’s time! Enjoy an evening likely to have taken place in 1790 - in the baroquehall - lit by candles, having a dinner based on historical recipes, listening to a concert with musicians in authentic costumes and the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 

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Sound of Music Tour with Schloss Leopoldskron & Trail - Private Full-Day Tour

Enjoy a perfect full-day Sound of Music experience including Leopoldskron Palace & Hiking Trail

“Some of the riffs are really heavy and tasty”: Mastodon are hard at work making “two different projects”

Expect double trouble from the Atlanta sludge/prog pioneers – and expect it to be heavy as hell

Mastodon are currently preparing to release two new musical projects.

Drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor reveals in a new interview with Loudwire that the Atlanta-based sludge metal act have been writing since November 2023 and amassed plenty of heavy ideas.

While he doesn’t specify the nature of the twin projects, Dailor rules out them being a double album like Mastodon’s latest record, 2021’s Hushed And Grim .

“I can’t really divulge too much. It’s a hush-hush operation, very top secret,” the drummer says.

“I don’t wanna spoil it. There’s lots of music, that’s all I can say. There’s tons of music.”

Dailor continues: “We’ve been writing pretty much this whole time that we’ve been off since we got home from South America [in November 2023].

And after we got home from South America with Gojira , we opened Christmas presents and then, since like February or so, we’ve just been working hard making two different projects – not a double album, but two different projects. So that’s the nugget I can share with you.”

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Expanding on what the music will sound like, Dailor says, “Whatever those projects are, nobody knows. But there’s riffs involved.

“Some of the riffs are, like, really heavy and tasty and I really like ’em.

“I’m the metalhead in the band, so when we get some real heavy stuff, I’m like, ‘Oh, yeah, I like that. It’s cool.’”

Mastodon are currently touring North America on a co-headline run with Lamb Of God .

Both bands are celebrating the 20th anniversaries of their 2004 albums, Leviathan and Ashes Of The Wake , by performing them in full.

Support comes from Slayer guitarist Kerry King’s solo band and UK metalcore group Malevolence.

See the list of remaining tour dates below.

Lamb Of God and Mastodon Ashes Of Leviathan North American tour 2024

Jul 23: Jacksonville, FL - Daily’s Place Jul 24: Orlando, FL - Orlando Amphitheater Jul 25: Alpharetta, GA - Ameris Bank Amphitheatre Jul 27: Raleigh, NC - Red Hat Amphitheater Jul 28: Richmond, VA - Virginia Credit Union LIVE! Jul 30: Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE Jul 31: London, ON - Budweiser Gardens Aug 1: Montreal, QC - Bell Centre Aug 3: Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena Aug 4: Manchester, NH - SNHU Arena Aug 6: Bangor, ME - Maine Savings Amphitheatre Aug 8: Reading, PA - Santander Arena** Aug 9: Cleveland, OH - Jacobs Pavilion** Aug 10: Sterling Heights, MI - Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre @ Freedom Hill** Aug 13: Moorhead, MN - Bluestem Center For The Arts Amphitheater Aug 15: Calgary, AB - Scotiabank Saddledome Aug 16: Penticton, BC - South Okanagan Events Centre Aug 17: Kent, WA - accesso ShoWare Center Aug 18: Portland, OR - Theater of the Clouds Aug 21: Los Angeles, CA - The Kia Forum Aug 23: Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Financial Theatre Aug 24: Rio Rancho, NM - Rio Rancho Events Center Aug 25: El Paso, TX - El Paso County Coliseum Aug 27: Magna, UT - The Great Saltair Aug 29: Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre Aug 31: Omaha, NE - The Astro Amphitheater

Louder’s resident Gojira obsessive was still at uni when he joined the team in 2017. Since then, Matt’s become a regular in Prog and Metal Hammer, at his happiest when interviewing the most forward-thinking artists heavy music can muster. He’s got bylines in The Guardian, The Telegraph, NME, Guitar and many others, too. When he’s not writing, you’ll probably find him skydiving, scuba diving or coasteering.

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Hundreds of Swifties create 'Willow' orbs with balloons, flashlights in new Eras Tour trend

Hundreds of fans in "Swiftkirchen," Germany , lit up the Veltins-Arena with their own "Willow" orbs.

As Taylor Swift sang the "Evermore" track on Friday night, Swifties blew up balloons and used their phone flashlights to create their own dancing props. In videos posted to X, formerly Twitter, there are yellow and orange balloons on every level of the arena from the floor to the nosebleed sections.

When Swift finished the song and exited the stage to change into her "1989" era outfit, fans were seen hitting the balloons into the air. One livestreamer noted that some of the balloons passed over the stage barricade, near the catwalk.

Taylor Nation, Swift's in-house marketing team, shared a video on X with a note, "It's one of the best fan projects to come out of the #TSTheErasTour!"

The number of orbs has grown each of the three concert nights in Gelsenkirchen. On Wednesday, Swift called out the gesture during her acoustic set.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

"There have been people bringing balloons to the Eras Tour to make their own orbs for 'Willow,'" she said . "I was cracking up the whole time. You guys are so thoughtful."

Swift has 33 shows left. The fan project may grow as she heads to 15 more shows in Europe and 18 in North America.

Don't miss any Taylor Swift news; sign up for the  free, weekly newsletter This Swift Beat.  

Follow Taylor Swift reporter Bryan West on  Instagram ,  TikTok  and  X as @BryanWestTV .

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AC/DC review, Wembley: If this is what it is to be rocked, it sure feels like being drained

Few gigs may be louder, but the songs themselves are virtually inaudible – luckily the band compensate with their rolodex of major hits, article bookmarked.

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Just like the neon wristbands that transform modern Coldplay shows into Jackson Pollock fever dreams , lighting up in the proximity of a chiming indie guitar riff, the devil-horn headpieces that pepper Wembley Stadium tonight seem programmed to start flashing as we approach the turn-off for the highway to hell.

They add to an already electric sense of anticipation. AC/DC ’s 2024 tour reaches London after almost 10 years away, a time during which fans wondered if the band would ever be back in any shade of black. Their Rock or Bust tour of 2015-16 ended up busting; flat-capped singer Brian Johnson , the only rock legend with the stage presence of a plumber, was forced off the road by hearing issues and replaced in the final leg by Axl Rose. During the hiatus that followed, the band appeared to disintegrate around the death in 2017 of guitarist Malcolm Young and the retirement of bassist Cliff Williams. That these 200-million-selling stalwarts of classic rock – or what remains of them – are back to finally tour 2020’s Power Up album , fit, healthy and ready to rock... well, we salute them.

The lights drop, the devil horns flash, and a cartoon roadster races across the big screens en route to the gig. But at the precise moment you might expect it to fly out of the back of the stage spewing flames from its exhaust, Johnson and his ageing schoolboy sidekick Angus Young – now resembling a man held back in year 4 for 60 years straight – simply stroll onto a stage ranked with Marshall stacks and kick into “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” from 1979’s Highway to Hell .

For a band renowned for their large-scale stage gimmicks, from gigantic wrecking balls to full-size train carriages bursting from the backdrop, it’s a low-key entrance. Several iconic AC/DC props survive: the chiming church bell that descends from the rafters for “Hells Bells” and the Napoleonic array of cannons discharging on “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” have been mainstays of the set since the early Eighties. But for the most part, the AC/DC of 2024 want the music to do the talking.

Tricky one. Because AC/DC’s music doesn’t talk so much as bawl relentlessly in your ear about rock, booze and Satan, along with plenty of thinly veiled sexual innuendo. They are not a band you turn to for sonic breadth, variety and subtlety. Tonight has just two settings: loud, sludgy classic rock, and loud, speedy classic rock. Johnson really doesn’t need to glance down at his crotch to hammer home the double entendre of “Stiff Upper Lip”, but he does. Minor seventh chords? Fuggedaboudit.

All of this is aggravated by the fact that both Johnson’s voice and Young’s quicksilver guitar work are buried in a mix muddier than last month’s Download Festival. Few gigs may be louder, but the songs themselves are virtually inaudible. The likes of “Shot in the Dark” and “Sin City” are lost beneath the swampy noise. “Have a Drink on Me” sounds like Johnson trying to order a round mid-bar fight. Mind you, AC/DC’s woker fans might appreciate the lyrical thrust of “Whole Lotta Rosie” being reduced to an indistinct whimper – their hellbound horndog blues rocker tribute to the bedroom talents of one particularly body-positive Melbourne groupie arrives more muffled than ever.

Thankfully, AC/DC compensate for their lack of clarity and pizzazz by dotting major hits evenly along the way. “Why don’t we pick up where we left off,” Johnson suggests as Young deploys the extinction-level power chords of “Back in Black” two songs in. A few tracks later, “Thunderstruck” hits, Young spilling out its operatic Arabian riffs while shrouded in virtual electricity on the screens, as if Thor had part-exchanged his hammer for a Gibson.

Towards the end of the main set, they unleash a pack of the big dogs: a dynamic “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”; the behemoth glam of “High Voltage”; an explosive “TNT”; and monster choruses like “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Highway to Hell”. Sadly, though, their ferocious momentum dies yawning during a 20-minute Young guitar solo on “Let There Be Rock”: virtuosic, yes, but he milks it like Cravendale. If this is what it is to be rocked, it sure feels like being drained.

Just as there’ll always be a demand for concrete, bran flakes and election cycle xenophobia, AC/DC’s unfiltered and unrefined brand of crude Seventies proto-metal will always draw massive audiences seeking the hard rock source. They are, after all, the National Rock Grid from which all other heavy guitar bands syphon off their sound. You hope tonight was all just a sound-desk issue and that, beneath the bombast, the raw power of AC/DC isn’t fizzling out.

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• July 22, 2024

8th Annual Allman Family Revival Reveals 2024 Tour Dates

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h annual celebration honoring Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, and The Allman Brothers’ enduring music and legacy. The tour begins on November 30 in Saint Charles, IL, and concludes December 21 with a return to the historic Fillmore in San Francisco.

In addition to returning to familiar cities, the tour will visit several new locations, including Minneapolis, Seattle, and Kansas City.

“We are so excited to continue onto the eighth year of this wonderful celebration of our father’s music. It’s a high honor to play this music with our talented friends. With the number 8 also being the symbol for infinity, we want the fans to know we’re doing our part to help this music live forever in a live format. We hope to continue to take them back in time.” 

– Devon Allman

“With this being the first Revival since my father’s passing, it means even more to me to play this great music with family and friends. We can’t wait to see everyone out on the road!” 

– Duane Betts

Each show will feature two massive sets, the first set will feature music from the 1970’s Duane Allman era, while the second set will feature music from the 1990’s comeback era. These performances will be led by  The Allman Betts Band ,  Luther Dickinson  (North Mississippi Allstars),  Cody Dickinson  (North Mississippi Allstars),  Jimmy Hall  (Jeff Beck, Wet Willie),  Lindsay Lou ,  Lamar Williams Jr. ,  Alex Orbison  (son of Roy Orbison),  Jackie Greene ,  Larry McCray  and  Anders Osborne .  Sierra Hull ,  Grace Bowers ,  G. Love,  and  Jake Shimabukuro  will join the lineup in select cities. Additional lineup announcements and surprises will follow in the coming weeks. The Brotherhood of Light, a mainstay live component, providing otherworldly visuals for the Allman Brothers Band for over 20 years, will return to light up the stage for the Allman Betts Family Revival.

Tickets and all up-to-date information are available at  AllmanBettsFamilyRevival.com .

THE ALLMAN BETTS FAMILY REVIVAL 2024 TOUR

Nov 30 @ The Arcada Theater | St. Charles, IL 

Devon Allman, Duane Betts, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, Anders Osborne, Larry McCray, Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison

Dec 1 @ State Theatre | Minneapolis, MN

Dec 3 @ The Palace Theatre | Greensburg, PA

Dec 4 @ Kleinhans Music Hall | Buffalo, NY

Devon Allman, Duane Betts, Sierra Hull, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, Anders Osborne, Larry McCray, Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison

Dec 5 @ Orpheum Theater | Boston, MA 

Devon Allman, Duane Betts, Sierra Hull, G. Love, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, Anders Osborne, Larry McCray, Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison

Dec 6 @ Capitol Theater | Port Chester, NY

Dec 7 @ The Beacon Theater | New York, NY

Devon Allman, Duane Betts, G.Love, Sierra Hull, Grace Bowers, , Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, Anders Osborne, Larry McCray, Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison 

Dec 8 @ The Paramount | Huntington, NY

Devon Allman, Duane Betts, G. Love, Sierra Hull, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, Anders Osborne, Larry McCray, Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison

Dec 9 @ Capital One Hall | Tysons, VA

Dec 11 @ Van Wezel PAC | Sarasota, FL

Dec 12 @ Gaillard Center | Charleston, SC

Dec 13 @ Norton Center for the Arts | Danville, KY

Dec 14 @ The Factory | St. Louis, MO 

Devon Allman, Duane Betts, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, Anders Osborne, Grace Bowers, Larry McCray, Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison

Dec 15 @ Uptown Theater | Kansas City, MO

Dec 16 @ Ryman Auditorium | Nashville, TN

Devon Allman, Duane Betts, Sierra Hull, Jake Shimabukuro, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Grace Bowers, Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray, Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison

Dec 17 @ Moore Theatre | Seattle, WA 

Devon Allman, Duane Betts, Jake Shimabukuro, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Grace Bowers, Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray, Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison

Dec 18 @ Paramount Theatre | Denver, CO

Devon Allman, Duane Betts, Jake Shimabukuro, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray, Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison

Dec 20 @ Grand Sierra Resort/Grand Theatre | Reno, NV

Devon Allman, Duane Betts, Jake Shimabukuro, Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray, Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison

Dec 21 @ Fillmore | San Francisco, CA

Devon Allman, Duane Betts, Jake Shimabukuro, Cody Dickinson, Grace Bowers, Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray, Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Lamar Williams, Jr., Alex Orbison

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