The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Music

More than 60 years after its release, The Sound of Music remains one of the world’s best-loved movies. Starring Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plummer as Captain von Trapp, the film won five Oscars in 1966, and Salzburg remains synonymous with the film for visitors from around the world. If you’d like to follow in the footsteps of Maria von Trapp, you can take in some of the locations made famous by the movie during your holiday in Salzburg.

Mirabell Gardens

The glorious gardens of the city’s Mirabell Palace were first opened to the public in 1854. It was here that Maria and the children sang ‘Do-Re-Mi’, and jumped up and down the stone steps. Today you can take a stroll along the garden walkways and admire flower beds, manicured trees, sculptures and fountains. The gardens sit across the Salzach River from Salzburg’s historic Old Town, offering a wonderfully elegant setting in which to enjoy some time exploring the city.

Schloss Leopoldskron

The spectacular lakeside Schloss Leopoldskron is just a short walk from the centre of Salzburg. Built in 1736 by the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg, it sits beside a peaceful lake with the Untersberg mountain providing a dramatic backdrop.

Although the palace itself wasn’t used for interior filming, its distinctive lakeside terrace and gardens appeared as the exterior of the von Trapp family home in The Sound of Music. Head to the opposite side of the lake for fabulous views of this spectacular building.

The Sound of Music Pavilion

In the Park of Hellbrunn Palace is The Sound of Music pavilion. It was the setting for Liesl’s rendition of ‘I am 16 going on 17’, and at the time of filming the pavilion was situated in the gardens of Schloss Leopoldskron. It was moved to the more spacious Schloss Hellbrunn after the film was released, to accommodate the many tourists who wanted to photograph it. 

Hellbrunn Palace itself is another highlight of Salzburg, renowned for its grand architecture and playful trick fountains. On the Travelsphere tour, you’ll enjoy a guided visit to the palace and its grounds and learn more about its fascinating history.

Stift Nonnberg

Founded in the early 8th century, Nonnberg Abbey is the oldest continuously existing convent in the German-speaking world. Its distinctive red dome is a landmark of modern Salzburg and the church here is one of the most significant in the city.

It also has a real-life connection to the story behind The Sound of Music. Maria von Kutschera was a novice at the abbey before becoming governess to the von Trapp family, while the abbey’s exterior and gates featured in several scenes in the film.

Mondsee

The aerial views which open the movie were shot in Salzkammergut – renowned for its spectacular combination of clear alpine lakes, mountain peaks and picturesque villages. Its dramatic landscapes provided a memorable backdrop for several scenes in The Sound of Music and help give the film its distinctive sense of place.

In Mondsee, you’ll see the Baroque church which was used to film Maria’s beautiful wedding to Captain von Trapp. The basilica’s striking yellow-and-white exterior and ornate Baroque interior make it one of Mondsee’s most recognisable landmarks.

Visit Salzburg with Travelsphere

Discover Salzburg for yourself on Travelsphere’s Highlights of Austria tour. Explore the city’s historic Old Town and beautiful Mirabell Gardens before visiting magnificent Hellbrunn Palace and its famous trick fountains. With its elegant architecture, mountain backdrop and connections to The Sound of Music, Salzburg is a memorable highlight of any visit to Austria.

Every Travelsphere holiday offers exceptional value for money. Included in the price are return scheduled flights/rail travel and internal flights, where applicable, overseas transfers and transportation, carefully chosen hotels, many meals and excursions and the services of a Travelsphere Holiday Director or Local Guide.

Discover the top things to do and see in Vienna.