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13 Must-See Sound of Music Tour Salzburg

By Raphael last updated 5 months ago

Salzburg, Austria, holds a special place in the hearts of fans of The Sound of...

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

Leopoldskron Castle - A Majestic Historic Castle on the Lake

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

Mirabell Palace & Gardens - Beautiful Palace and 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

Horse Bath - A Horse Enjoying a Refreshing Water 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

Winkler Terrace - A Serene Outdoor Space with Panoramic Views

 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

Hedge Maze - A Fun Green Puzzle Garden

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

Rock Riding School - A Special Place for Horse Lovers

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

Hellbrunn Castle and Glass Pavilion - Charming Castle and Beautiful 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

Mondsee Wedding Church - A Romantic Church by the Lake

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

Nonnberg Abbey - A Peaceful Place of Beauty and History

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

St. Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang - Beautiful Town by a Peaceful Lake

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

Werfen Picnic Meadow - A Relaxing Spot for Outdoor Dining and Nature

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

Frohnburg Palace - A Majestic Historic Residence

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

Peter's Cemetery and Catacombs - Historic Resting Place

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Raphael

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Sound of Music Movie Tour In Salzburg - Film Locations Walking Tour Map

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 :.

Salzburg Sound of Music tour Movie Film locations Tour Map - Do Ri Me Statues Mirabell Garden

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 :

Salzburg Sound of Music Tour Movie Film locations Tour Map - Horse Fountain Do Ri Me

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 :

Salzburg Sound of Music Tour Movie Film locations Tour Map - Hedge Maze Tunnel Scene

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 :

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Tour Film locations Tour Map - Marionette Puppet Theater Scene Lonely Goatherd

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 :

free Sound of Music Movie In Salzburg Film Movie Locations Do It Yourself Guide - Winkler Terrace Do Re Mi Scene M32 Cafe

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 ):

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Tour Film locations Tour Map - Horse Bath Fountain

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 :

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Tour Film locations Tour Map - Rock Riding School Theater So Long Farewell

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 :

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Film locations Tour Map - Saint Peters Church 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 :

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Film locations Tour Map - Residenz Square Horse 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 :

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Tour Film locations Tour Map - Mozartsteg 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 :

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Tour Film locations Tour Map - Nonnberg Abbey Convent Maria

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 :.

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Tour Film locations Tour Map - Palace Leopold Von Trapp Mansion

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 :

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Tour Guide Film locations Tour Map - 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 :

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Film locations Tour Map - Gazebo Pavilion 16 going on 17 Song

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 :

Salzburg Sound of Music Tour Movie Film locations Tour Map - Von Trapp Villa Mansion Real Family Home Maria's Room

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 ):.

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Film locations Tour Map - Werfen Meadow Picnic Scene Do Re Mi Song

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 ):

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Tour Film locations Tour Map - Julie Andrews Meadow Opening Scene Hills Are Alive With Music Song

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 ):

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Tour Film locations Tour Map - Climb Every Mountain Closing Scene Rossfeld

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 ):

Salzburg Sound of Music Movie Tour Film locations Tour Map - Mondsee Collegiate Church Wedding Processional

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.

As We Saw It

The Best Things to Do in Salzburg in Winter

collage of salzburg in winter text says salzburg in winter

When it’s winter in Salzburg, the alpine city takes on a fairytale quality. Aside from its charming streets and cozy cafes, this picturesque town comes complete with a beautiful, iconic castle perched on top of a mountain in the middle of the city.

If you plan to be in Austria during the colder months, spend a few days in Salzburg. December is particularly delightful thanks to its Christmas markets. We spent four days in Salzburg just so we could see them all. Why so many days? We had fewer daylight hours for sightseeing, and we didn’t want to miss any of what the city had to offer.

So here is our guide to what to do in Salzburg in winter, based on our own winter trip. We hope it will help you see the best of this beautiful city yourself.

salzburg in winter Austria, Destinations, Experiences, Itineraries

Where to stay in Salzburg

The city center in Salzburg is pretty compact and easy to explore on foot. Staying in the city center, or within walking distance of it, is advisable. 

The most popular area to stay in Salzburg would be the Old Town, or Altstadt. The Old Town spills over onto the North and South sides of the river, but the Northern side is probably the most popular. You can find a wide range of accommodation options here, and you will be within a convenient distance of most major attractions. 

If you are looking for more budget friendly accommodations, there are many wonderful places to stay on the outskirts of the city. Just make sure that these are located close to a bus line that travels into the Old Town.

Getting to Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg is a well connected city that caters to tourists coming from all directions. You have a number of options for getting there. 

You can choose to fly straight into Salzburg’s W.A Mozart Airport (code: SZG), which is only 4km from the city center. From there, the city center can be reached via taxi, bus, or train from the airport.

Arriving by train is a popular option if you are coming from another European city. The trains arrive in the Hauptbahnhof, which is the main station here. Trains in Austria are particularly efficient.

Otherwise, you can choose to drive in by car, or ride in by bus. Austria’s motorways are easy to navigate.

Getting around Salzburg

As Salzburg is such a small city, the best way to around has got to be by walking. Not only is this quick and easy, it allows you to experience all of the stunning details of the Old Town. Cycling is also a great option – although this is not recommended during a snowy winter.

Public transport here is also incredibly efficient. The tram (known here as Obus) and bus systems are easy to use and pretty extensive across the city. They operate under the same ticket system. A 24 hour ticket costs €5 (this is a great option for busy tourists), or €2 for a single trip. For slightly longer distances, bus taxis are available. These run along 12 fixed routes and cost €3 per trip.

There are also plenty of taxis that drive around the Old Town. These are easy to catch and very reliable. 

Things to Do in Salzburg in Winter

Salzburg is loaded with historic landmarks and fun attractions. Here are some of the most famous points of interest in town that are worth seeing in the wintertime.

ⓘ BUDGET TIP: Salzburg Cards give you free admission to tourist attractions and museums throughout the city. You also get free use of public transport! The Salzburg Card will also give you some big discounts to a number of cultural attractions, concerts, skip-the-line access, and more. 

salzburg in winter Austria, Destinations, Experiences, Itineraries

Enjoy the Christmas markets

If you’re after the ultimate white Christmas experience, then hit up a Christmas market or two. There’s no doubt that they are the best things to do in Salzburg in December.

Christmas in Salzburg is a major attraction, something that is best felt through the famous Christmas markets held here. Expect gorgeous layouts, delicious food, low prices, and stunning ornament stands. These fun markets sell all kinds of local wintertime goods and treats to really get you into the festive spirit.

Some of the most notable Christmas markets here can be found at the Salzburger Dom Cathedral, Schloss Mirabell, Alter Markt, and the Hohensalzburg Castle. These markets have historic roots and are some of the best places to experience proud local traditions.

ⓘ FUN FACT: The major Christmas market in Salzburg is more than 500 years old, making it one of the oldest in Europe.

Take a cable car to Hohensalzburg Fortress

salzburg in winter Austria, Destinations, Experiences, Itineraries

Thanks to the fun little Festungsbahn cable railway , reaching the popular Salzburg Fortress is easy. It only travels 200m, so it takes only about a minute to reach the top. 

The cable car runs from the heart of the historic district, and it runs straight up to the iconic fortress. The cable car has been in operation since 1892, making it quite a famous ride in Salzburg. This cable car operates throughout the winter, and it was a fun way to reach the top of the Fortress. 

ⓘ TIP:  You’ll get some jaw-dropping views of Saltzburg on your way up, so keep your camera ready.

Hohenzaltz Fortress sits above the old historical district of Salzburg on the Festungsberg. This fortress is actually the largest fully preserved castle in central Europe.

The Hohenzaltz Fortress was built way back in 1077. However, the building that you see today was finished in the year 1500. The Fortress was built to protect the archbishops and the principality from any possible attacks. Today, this fortress is home to a number of excellent museums. 

The fortress is open throughout the year and is a brilliant place to visit during winter. Not only is it an interesting landmark, but the views from here over the historical district in Salzburg are breathtaking.

In addition to enjoying the Christmas market up here, you can spend a good couple of hours exploring the museums. These museums include:

  • the main Fortress Museum – dedicated to the history that occurred around this building,
  • the Marionette Museum, 
  • the Altes Zeughaus, which documents the development of cannons, armaments and firearms
  • and the Museum of the Rainer Regiment.

Beyond these remarkably interesting museums, you can also explore some amazing rooms in the fortress that still contain all of their original furnishings. 

Attend a performance of Mozart’s music

The city of Salzburg takes great pride in being the birthplace and home of one of the most influential and celebrated classical music composers in history – namely Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Attending a winter performance in Salzburg is a great way to experience the city and Mozart’s music at the same time. Mirabell Palace in particular holds regular performances in its Baroque Marble Hall.

Alternatively, Hohensalzburg Fortress offers dinner concerts that include a traditional Austrian meal as part of the event!

Tour Mozart’s birthplace and residence

Mozart was born in an apartment on Getreidegasse in 1756 and spent the next 20 years of his life there. Today, his birthplace is one of the most popular museums in Austria. The museum teaches you all about the life and works of Mozart. It also gives you some great insights into some of Salzburg’s history.

If you are interested in learning about the various stages of Mozart’s life and viewing some great artifacts in his home city, then we highly recommend this museum. You’ll be able to see what an 18th-century apartment looked like, and view some of his letters and first violin.

There are two different Mozart homes in Salzburg. The second one is the Mozart Residence on Makartplatz, where his family moved in 1773. It is much more impressive than the house where he was born, with eight rooms and a concert hall where the young Mozart performed, along with his equally gifted sister.

Wander through the Altstadt

People walking along a pedestrian street in Salzburg

The old district of Salzburg, known as the Alstadt, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beauty. The area is home to numerous churches, museums, shops, cafes, and restaurants, and you can book a guided walking tour to ensure you don’t miss any of the highlights.

After visiting Mozart’s Birthplace, walk down the city’s most famous street – Getreidegasse. This is the main street in the old part of Salzburg.

The street is lined with all kinds of shops, cafes, and restaurants – and plenty of Mozart paraphernalia at every turn. But, it is the historical beauty and charm of the old buildings lining Getreidegasse that make this street special. Walking down this beautiful pedestrian street really transports you back in time to old-world Salzburg. 

Shopping in the Alstadt is especially enchanting in December, when Christmas swags, baubles, and lights adorn the windows and sidewalks. Cuckoo clocks, traditional attire, bottles of warming schnapps, and delectable handcrafted chocolates are just some of the locally crafted products that may be found for sale.

Sample schnapps at sporer

While walking down Getreidegasse, consider sampling Salzburg’s favorite drink: schnapps. Sporer Liqueur and Punch Manufacturer is located in the narrowest house in Getreidegasse. This cute little shop dates back to 1903 and is one of the best places in Salzburg to sample schnapps.

If Salzburg’s winter weather turns bitingly cold, then schnapps is one of the most popular ways to warm up. The company manufactures 18 different liqueurs and offers dozens more. This is a great opportunity to try new schnapps varieties and learn about this proud spirit. 

ⓘ SOUVENIR IDEA: If you are looking for something to take back home with you, a bottle of schnapps from Sporer is a great idea.

Join a Sound of Music tour

Many American movie lovers know Salzburg as the city where The Sound of Music was filmed, and the film crew chose some of the most beautiful parts of the city as film locations. But the half-day Sound of Music tour takes you outside of the city, as well.

The tour begins with a drive through the section of Austrian Alps known as Salzkammergut. This region of lakes and Alpine ranges is so scenic that it a UNESCO world heritage site. If you remember the movie’s stunning opening scenes or if you’ve seen photos of Hallstatt, you already know that this is an extraordinarily beautiful part of the world.

Our ultimate destination is Mondsee Church, where they filmed the marriage scene in the movie. (In real life, the Captain and Maria married in the church of Nonnberg Abbey.)

On the way, we learned more about Salzburg, the movie’s filming locations, and the famous Von Trapp family. And of course, the soundtrack that they play along the way is good company, too!

The next stop is Hellbrunn Park, home of the gazebo that has become a prevalent part of the Sound of Music. 

Afterward, you move on to Nonnberg nunnery, where real-life Maria was a novitiate. While filming wasn’t permitted inside the Abbey, several scenes of The Sound of Music were filmed just outside. It’s the oldest of its kind in Europe. 

The tour then takes you to The Mirabell Palace and Gardens. You will take a short walk through these stunning gardens, admiring the Pegasus fountain that became so popular after the film. 

Other famous Sound of Music attractions that you will then get to see include the Horse Pond, Residenzplatz fountain, the Rock Riding School, and Saint Peter’s Monastery – the oldest cemetery in Austria. I’ll tell you about them in a moment.

Learn about the Von Trapp family at Sound of Music World

Rodgers and Hammerstein might have put Salzburg on the map for many movie lovers, but the film is only loosely based on the family’s real-life story.

Sound of Music World unites movie fiction with the true historical account of the Von Trapp family during World War II. It is a fun place to visit even if you detest musicals. Different displays and exhibitions give good insights into Austria’s role in the war and how it affected ordinary citizens.

Other things to see in Salzburg

Statue in a square in Salzburg.

Residenzplatz

Residenzplatz, the big square in the middle of the old district, it is named after the Residenz building of the prince-archbishops of Salzburg. 

Some of the most notable and beautiful buildings in the city surround the well-liked square. Salzburg Cathedral encloses one end, with the Alte Residenz enclosing the other. On the eastern end of the square is the Neue Residenz, and the Mozartplatz leading to the Salzburg Museum is adjacent to this square. 

The stately architecture around here, including the grand central fountain, is wonderful to see during winter. It is also interesting to see the prince-archbishop residences after learning about them at the Hohenzaltz museums. 

Residenzplatz is a brilliant place to be to just absorb the charms of the city – especially if you are visiting Salzburg at Christmas. 

Mozartplatz

Mozartplatz is a smaller square in the historic district of Salzburg that is focused around the Mozart statue. This statue is in the center and was commissioned by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau. 

This is a stunning square to visit, with all of the charming old buildings, shops, and cafes around it. The main reason that Mozartplatz is such a popular attraction in Salzburg is due to its central monument. 

After learning about Mozart during your stay in Salzburg, it is important to visit the city’s main tribute to him. This is a must-see attraction while exploring the old part of Salzburg in winter. 

Pferdeschwemme (horse pond)

From Mozartplatz, you can reach one of the two last pferdeschwemme , or horse wells, left in Salzburg. This horse pond has been so beautifully decorated by the order of the Prince-Archbishop Firmian in 1732.

The center of the well houses a statue called Der Rossebandiger, while there are some artistic frescos painted around it. Although the horse pond does not really serve any purpose these days, it is still fun and entertaining to see this decorated pferdeschwemme in person. 

Felsenreitschule (Rock Riding School)

The name of this theater literally translates to “Rock Riding School”. This is a stunning Baroque theater that dates all the way back to 1693.

The unique Felsenreitschule theater is found in a former quarry, and it consists of 96 arches on three tiers that have been carved out of the rock. The site was once used as a riding school for mounted soldiers, as well as a staged battle arena – this is where the name comes from. 

The Felsenreitschule theater hosts many excellent performances, so try to catch a show here if you can. If not, it is still very worthwhile just being at this historic theatre and admiring its unique architectural design.

The theater is used during the Salzburg Festival, where it hosts a large number of thrilling shows. 

Mozart University (Universitat Morzarteum)

This revered university was established in honor of Salzburg’s most famous musician – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is one of three affiliated “Mozarteum” institutions. Mozart University focuses on music and the arts.

The building dates back to 1841, so there is a fair deal of interesting history here. This place is full of some of the world’s most promising musicians.

Holy Trinity Church (Dreifaltigkeitskirche)

Salzburg Austria illuminated at twilight.

Of all the beautiful old buildings in Salzburg, the Holy Trinity Church is a definite highlight.

This church was built between 1694 – 1702, making it a historical gem in the city. While the impressive facade will be sure to take your breath away, the interior of the church is just as wonderful. 

We loved quietly wandering around the inside of the church, taking in all of the fine artistic details and the building’s rich history. 

Landestheater (Makatplatz)

The Salzburg Landestheater is one of the top landmarks to see in the city. Whether you are just passing by, admiring the building from the outside, or are lucky enough to watch a performance, stopping here is one of the best attractions in Salzburg. 

The theater dates back to 1893 and has hosted all kinds of amazing performances. Most importantly, this is where Mozart held regular performances of his repertoire.

Besides the important history that this theater holds, it is also a beautiful building to admire. Seeing it in wintertime just adds to the fairytale charms of this city, as snow adorns the old-style architecture. 

Marionette Theater (Marionettentheater)

The Salzburg Marionette Theatre opened up in 1913, making it one of the oldest marionette theaters in the world that is still operating. 

The theater is actually a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site due to its long-standing marionette tradition. If you have the chance to see one of these brilliant stringed puppet shows, then we highly advise grabbing the opportunity. If not, the Marionette Theater is still an interesting stop while exploring the city. 

St. Blasius Church

St. Blasius Church can be found at the end of Getreidegasse. Popping into this old church is a great way to end your busy day of sightseeing.

The St. Blasius Church has a captivating history, dating back to the 12th century. The church is an interesting architectural example as it blends a number of different styles. This is a beautiful building to visit, and a site that adds more to the wintery appeal of Salzburg.

The Riedenburg district

River running thru the center of Salzburg Austria

Riedenburg District is historically the oldest part of the city, and Rainberg Hill sits at the heart of the neighborhood. The hill was first settled back in 4500 B.C., making it the oldest settlement in the area.

The hill was then developed into a fortified town by the Celtic tribes before it was conquered by the Romans, who shifted the city to the Altstadt. We enjoy ancient sites like this, but the Rainberg is now a nature reserve and not even accessible (at least not officially, that is). So, no hill for us.

The Riedenburg District is now an expensive and exclusive residential area, and it’s worth a trip to see Schloss Leopoldskron. The castle is built alongside the district’s well-known little lake, Leopoldskroner Weiher.

This historic castle was ordered as a residence by Prince-Archbishop Leopold Anton Firmian. It’s full of beautiful rooms, important artworks, and, of course, amazing architecture, so it’s worth a visit. Besides, it makes a great shelter from a winter’s day in Salzburg.

Mirabell Palace and gardens

Man planting flowers in Mirabell Gardens

The Mirabell Palace is one of the most popular historic buildings in Salzburg. This listed cultural heritage monument is a complete marvel to take in, dating back to 1606. The palace is a beautiful site to explore, and it will give you a look into the lavish world of the old Prince Archbishops of Salzburg.

No visit to the Mirabell palace would be complete without exploring the stunning gardens as well. The palace is surrounded by extremely well looked after lawns, flowerbeds, trees, fountains, and statues. It is an excellent place to wander around in between sightseeing, but as you’d expect it’s not too impressive this time of year.

Check out a Mozart and Vivaldi performance at Mirabell Palace for a truly unique experience in Salzburg.

Schloss Hellbrunn

Schloss Hellbrunn, or Hellbrunn Palace, is another beautiful Salzburg building that shows off this city’s grand heritage. Built in 1619, this building is a fantastic historic and architectural sight to behold.

St. Peter’s Abbey

This Benedictine monastery was founded in the 7th century and is a brilliant historical building in Salzburg. The church is not only famous for its great architecture and impressive catacombs, but it is also a top destination for fans of The Sound of Music. 

Salzburg winter weather

Although it’s a beautiful city to visit year-round, winter in Salzburg has a romantic, snowy appeal. The city really turns into a fairytale setting around December, with snow capped buildings and a festive chill in the air.

If you can handle the cold weather in Salzburg in December, and enjoy walking through snowy streets, then winter here is particularly special. For those worried about the icy temperatures – there’s always plenty of mulled wine around to keep you warm!

Just remember that daylight hours here are significantly shorter during winter. Salzburg in January is also perfect for a winter experience. 

Final thoughts on Salzburg in winter

Visiting Salzburg over winter is an absolute treat. This city boasts Austrian charms and pretty streets, combined with fantastic historical sites and points of interest. There are loads of things to do here, four days is ideal to really explore this city. However, seeing the city in one day is still possible.

Visiting Salzburg in winter is a great idea. This city really shows off at this time of year with its Alp surroundings. Any Salzburg Christmas will certainly be an event to remember as well.

We hope that our experience of four days spent in Salzburg will help you make the most out of your winter trip!

ⓘ Need some more wintertime destination inspiration? If you’re an American, we’ve covered the best New England winter getaways , things to do in NYC in winter , warm winter vacations in the USA , and the top day trips from Orlando and Miami . For winter in Europe, read about the best European Christmas markets , Christmas in Crete , and places to visit in Europe in December , We also have cold-weather guides to Vienna , Munich , Salzburg , Hallstatt , Zagreb , and Ljubliana , as well as a winter packing list . We’re here to help you enjoy traveling in the winter!

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Written by Linda

Linda is multilingual and has been to over 50 countries. Her insatiable love of travel, cuisine, and foreign languages inspired her to create As We Saw It, where she documents her trips, shares practical itineraries, and offers insider tips. She’s passionate about helping fellow travelers save time, money, and hassle, and loves to discover new places to explore.

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The Sound of Music Tour, Berchtesgaden and Salzburg

This delightful and exclusive package tour combines the history, architectural sights and cultural highlights of Salzburg with some of the main locations used in the film. On route to Salzburg, your guide will also explain Berchtesgaden's role played in the Sound of Music and point out some of the sights.

The Sound of Bavaria, Drehort Mehlweg Marktschellenberg

Once in Austria the guide will touch upon Salzburg's fascinating history and culture before making a stop at Hellbrunn Palace where the "gazebo" used in the movie is located today. View the two palaces of Frohenburg and Leopoldskron used by 20th Century Fox as the von Trapp home. In Salzburg your guide will walk you past the town's architectural highlights, many of which were featured in the movie. Following your pleasant stroll through town, you'll enjoy an hour free time in Salzburg before returning to Berchtesgaden.

During the return trip you will hear the true story of the von Trapp family and how it was made into the film classic still so popular today. Songs from the movie will be played during the driving tour, setting the tone for a memorable morning. The Salzburg / Sound of Music tour is offered daily except Sunday, starting at 8:30 a.m. from the Berchtesgaden Visitors Center. Reservations required!

Participants of the tour can choose between these possible sights :

  • Mehlweg Meadow (Berchtesgaden)
  • Königssee and Obersee Lakes (Berchtesgaden)
  • Rossfeld Mountain (Berchtesgaden)
  • Höglwörth Abbey (Berchtesgadener Land)
  • The Gazebo at Hellbrunn (near Salzburg)
  • Leopoldskron Palace
  • The Abbey (in Salzburg)
  • Capuchin Monastery
  • Salzach Foot Bridge
  • Anif Water Castle
  • Von Trapp Villa

The Salzburg Walking Tour (about 1,5 hrs): Mirabell Gardens (second half of “Do, Re, Mi”) Salzburg Cathedral (location of 2 scenes in the film) Residence Square (location of 2 scenes in the film) Chapter Square (Maria boards a bus) St Peter’s Cemetery (model for escape scene) View of Salzburg from Mönchsberg (Do, Re, Mi) Austrian Lake District Fuschl Castle (aerial view in opening scenes) Lake Wolfgang (aerial view in opening scenes) Mondsee Church (wedding scene)

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  • This is Salzburg

The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music in Salzburg | © Tourismus Salzburg

Fans agree: Salzburg is THE “Sound of Music” city! Not only did the real Trapp family once live here, this movie classic was also filmed in and around the city. Roam in the footsteps of Maria von Trapp and Julie Andrews!

The movie-worthy story of the von Trapps

What sounds like a modern fairy tale is actually a true story: that of Maria Kutschera. She moved in with the Trapps as the children’s governess and shortly afterwards married the widower father of the family. In the 1930s they founded a family choir, which, after their emigration to the United States in 1939, became an international success.

In 1965, the touching story of this singing family made it to the movies. Directed by Robert Wise, with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in the starring roles, the movie brought the Trapp story to audiences around the globe. The fact that the film diverges from reality from time to time in no way affects its popularity. As the recipient of five Oscars, “The Sound of Music” is one of the most successful productions in cinematic history!

The wedding of Maria Augusta Kutschera and Baron Georg von Trapp | © Trapp Family Lodge Stowe/Vermont USA

The Trapp Family

The Sound of Music DVD | © Tourismus Salzburg / G. Breitegger

The Sound of Music - The Film

Discover the original shooting locations.

Only a few Salzburgers have ever seen “My Songs – My Dreams” – which is the English translation of the German title – yet on the international stage, “The Sound of Music” enjoys a cult following! For the more than 300,000 visitors every year who make the pilgrimage to Salzburg because of the film, Mozart is just an added bonus. Rather, it is the movie shooting locations as well as the landmarks in the actual life of the Trapp family that take top billing. From Mirabell Gardens to the Felsenreitschule and Schloss Leopoldskron: Salzburg is practically teeming with “Sound of Music” locations.

Mirabell Gardens with Fortress | © Tourismus Salzburg

Mirabell Palace and Gardens

view of the stage - Felsenreitschule | © Andreas Kolarik

Summer Riding School

Leopoldskron Palace and the Fortress Hohensalzburg | © Tourismus Salzburg

Leopoldskron Palace

Residenzbrunnen on Residence Square | © Tourismus Salzburg GmbH

The Sound of Music - Shooting Locations

Experience “the sound of music” in salzburg.

A “Sound of Music” museum is being planned for Salzburg. But until it opens its doors, there are countless other opportunities to immerse yourself in the movie. The “Sound of Salzburg Dinner Show” promises an entertaining evening: After a dinner accompanied by live music, guests are treated to a selection of the movie’s most famous hits. Do you love the scene where Maria and the children put on a puppet show with dancing marionettes?  If so, be sure to visit a “Sound of Music” performance at the Marionette Theater in Salzburg!

sound of music tour winter

The Sound of Music Tour

Fräulein Maria's Bicycle Tour - Hellbrunn alley | © Fräulein Maria's Bicycle Tour

Fräulein Maria's Bicycle Tour

Salzburger Marionettentheater | © Salzburger Marionettentheater

The Sound of Music - Marionette Theatre

Musical - The Sound of Music | © Salzburger Landestheater

Musical - The Sound of Music

Other "sound of music" experiences, this might also interest you:.

Fortress Concerts at Hohensalzburg Fortress | © Salzburg Highlights

Best of Mozart Concerts & Best of Mozart Dinner Concerts

Fortress Hohensalzburg: Culinary and musical delights high above the city's rooftops

Violinist at the Marmorsaal of Mirabell Castle with audience | © Salzburger Konzertgesellschaft

Mozart in the Marble Hall of Mirabell Palace

Enjoy finest chamber music and orchestra concerts with compositions of Mozart and his contemporaries.

Salzburg Card  - the most important card for your visit in Salzburg | © Tourismus Salzburg GmbH

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Here you will find your ideal accommodations, sightseeing tours of Salzburg, special events and tickets, along with all the benefits of the Salzburg Card.

Book guided city tours and excursions in and around Salzburg online:

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Sound of Music

The Sound of Music

The original tour.

Let us start with the beginning of this really extraordinary story. In 1963 Twentieth Century Fox sent scouts to  Salzburg  to plan filming the the Von Trapp Family story on location. The filming in  Salzburg  started in 1964. As flights and housing for over 250 crew members, technicians, camera men, stage hands as well as the actors were extremely expensive, the time-frame was limited to six weeks, but due to bad weather conditions, the  filming  took around 11 weeks after all. During this time nobody dreamt that THIS  special movie  would one day become one of the  most famous and successful films  ever. After the premiere in 1965, the first fans from the US started coming to  Salzburg , to visit the  locations where the movie had been shot . As the  Panorama Tours  drivers had been involved in escorting the actors as well as the staff to the  various places , they not only know the exact locations, but also lots of stories behind the making of this movie. At this time our sightseeing tour  ORIGINAL SOUND OF MUSIC TOUR  was born so we could share all this with you! With us you can get all the inside information! Our company,  Salzburg Panorama Tours , is also really proud of the special friendship with the Trapp Family in Vermont and also with  Rodgers & Hammerstein . Our  tour  is the officially presented tour on the official DVD and Blu-ray as well as on many other productions like "On Location" with Charmian Carr which was filmed in 2004, on occasion of the 40th anniversary of the  movie .

The bus during the shooting takes the crew to the locations

Want to see more?

Experience sound of music.

Book your tour now

Check out our tours for fans of "The Sound of Music" in Salzburg: Original Sound of Music Tour, Sound of Music Tour with Schnitzel & Noodles, Sound of Music Private Tours, Sound of Music Special Package, Sound of Music at Schloss Leopoldskron Package and many more.

Sound of Music

sound of music tour winter

  • 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
  • 8 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Dinner (D)
  • 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
  • 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
  • Salzburg: The Klaushofer family and their resident bees are your hosts on their charming Salzburg farm where you will enjoy an exclusive Be My Guest family dinner, complete with delicious home-made cheese strudel.
  • Vienna: Enjoy a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in Austria, to view the Royal Collection before the general public has access.
  • Munich: During your orientation of the city with your Travel Director, see Feldherrnhalle in the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus, St. Peter's Church and the famous Marienplatz.
  • Munich: Admire the magical countryside at the Neuschwanstein Castle.
  • Innsbruck: Nestled amidst majestic mountains, Innsbruck is a beautiful city offering a unique combination of nature, history, and culture. Stroll the streets of the picturesque Old Town and learn about its history with your Travel Director.

What's this trip about?

Travel themes.

  • Education / Learning
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Historic sightseeing

Trip includes

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

Travel Map

Willkommen in München – which you will have an opportunity to explore before embarking on your lyrical sojourn through the Sound of Music. Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a memorable Welcome Reception to kick-start your leisurely meander through Germany and Austria.

Holiday Inn Westpark

Welcome Reception

Journey to Neuschwanstein Castle, built as a retreat for shy King Ludwig II to retire from public life. Continue through Bavaria, arriving in Garmisch. Tonight you'll dine in your hotel.

Mercure Hotel Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Breakfast, Dinner

We say a fond farewell to newfound friends and the beauty of Vienna at the end of an unforgettable experience.

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Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:.

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Trafalgar .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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At Trafalgar, we passionately believe in the power of travel to broaden the mind and build bridges between people. By sharing with you the hidden places not mentioned in guidebooks, the local people you wouldn’t otherwise meet, and the traditions you may not have experienced by yourself, we ensure that you get the ‘insider’ view, an authentic and enhanced experience you simply could not have had on your own.

It is this dedication to taking our guests beyond the obvious sights that has helped us grow over the past 65 years into one of the most trusted and successful international guided vacation/holiday companies in the world. From Europe to the United States, South America to South Africa, and with the recent addition of Asia, we pride ourselves on uncovering the hidden gems, cultural highlights and not-to-be-missed attractions of the places you visit. We’ll help you delve deep into the heart of each city and capture the true essence of each new destination.

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Behind-the-Scenes Secrets from The Sound of Music

On a trip to Salzburg, one writer discovers what really went on during the film's most famous scenes.

Headshot of Kelly Hushin

Your guide will suit you up with a pretty sweet cruiser that even your grandmother could ride, and provide ponchos if a light sprinkle rolls through. Your favorite songs can—and will—be sung with the group as you cycle from one film scene to the next as part of a surprisingly authentic, not-at-all cheesy tourist attraction.

For the ultimate in voyeuristic and nostalgic travel, here we give you all the must-see sites to visit and behind-the-scenes scoops you'll learn as you journey through the film in order of the soundtrack, naturally.

"My heart wants to sing every song it hears"

Track 1: The Sound of Music

We all know the scene: snowcapped mountains, picturesque rolling green hills, flower-dotted meadows, and a whirling Julie Andrews, about to launch into the song that will take on the world. Arguably one of the most famous openers in movie history, The Sound of Music is sung by Andrews at the top of the Untersberg , a 6,473-foot peak only nine miles from the city center.

And there's the rub.

Anyone who remembers the scene that follows knows the impossibility of such a scenario. Maria, caught up in nature and song, loses track of time before hearing the abbey bells and rushing down the hill. Turns out geography wouldn't quite work for in her favor.

Salzburg

Behind the Scenes : The actual location for this distinctive opening scene was a mountain in Bavaria. Getting a spat of sunshine long enough to capture the shot was extremely difficult for director Robert Wise and company, as there were consistent clouds during filming. For four consecutive days, Andrews and crew schlepped up to the top of the hill to capture the scene and failed.

Not to mention, poor Andrews kept getting blown over by the helicopter's blade winds, despite attempts to dig her heels into the ground for leverage. Needless to say, she got quite frustrated with the whole ordeal. On the fifth day, the crew finally had some luck with about 20 solid minutes of sun. If you watch closely, you'll see that toward the end of the opening song, the sky isn't nearly as bright and blue as when it started.

"How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?"

Track 4: Maria

Maria Confidence Sound of Music

Flustered and embarrassed about her tardiness, Maria arrives at the Nonnberg Abbey , greeted by a group of nuns who've just finished singing about their conflicting feelings for the would-be nun. "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" they croon from the central courtyard of the abbey.

Nonnberg Abbey Sound of Music

Behind the Scenes : In the film, we see the interior of an abbey that's actually a Hollywood studio, but the exterior shots are authentic. After a one-on-one with the Mother Abbess, Maria is sent off to pursue a new life's quest, which is when we see Nonnberg's exterior door, plaque, and some of its surroundings.

Nonnberg Abbey

This site is arguably the most quaint and picturesque that you'll see on the real-life tour—and one you won't have the privilege of getting to on the bus version. The abbey sits atop a hill accessed by thin, windy, cobblestone streets, inaccessible by coach. (It's the part of the bike ride where you'll start to work off some strudel, but the reward at the top is worth the effort.)

"Besides which you see, I have confidence in me!"

Track 5: I Have Confidence

A quick refresher for those who haven't watched the movie 27 times: Andrews' character, Maria, the young and adorable nun-in-training, is sent away by the Mother Abbess on a "mission" to help raise the widowed Captain Georg von Trapp's seven children as their new governess (a.k.a. nanny). The Mother Abbess secretly knows that Maria will enjoy this job more than life at the abbey, and sure enough, Maria falls in love with the children, and, in short order, the Captain (a dashing young Christopher Plummer) too.

Residenzplatz Salzburg

As Maria leaves the abbey and embarks on her journey, singing "Confidence," we see some of Salzburg's most famous sites in Altstadt (Old Town), such as Cathedral Square and the Residenzplatz horse fountain where she flips a splash of water for good measure. She then arrives at the Von Trapp's clicking her heels as she exits the bus and runs down Hellbrunner Allee , ready to meet her new challenge.

Behind the Scenes : The yellow home used to film the exterior of the von Trapp house is actually the Mozarteum Salzburg , a music and dramatic arts university founded in 1841, named after the city's most respected and renowned artist, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Mozarteum Salzburg

The wrought iron gate is as tall as it appears in the film, sitting around eye level with Andrews. During one take of the scene where she tentatively opens the door before running inside, Andrews accidentally tripped.

The directors loved this flub so much, they decided to keep it in the final cut and work the clumsy, approachable side more into Maria's character. Just one of the many reasons audiences can't help but love her.

Julie Andrews Sound of Music gate

The back of the house, where you'll see scenes with the Captain and the lovely, but ultimately short-lived Baroness Schraeder, is from another location, Leopoldskron , which now functions as a five-star hotel. In the film you can catch glimpses of this white, stately, lakeside estate right after the Captain returns from a trip to Vienna to find his children forever changed (in the best possible way) by their new governess.

Leopoldskron

Some of the sites Maria passes in her confident singing jaunt reappear later in the movie under a more somber tone. The cathedral and its beautiful square appear are seen when the Germans have overtaken the city and strung swastika flags in Old Town. The filming for this scene was controversial, as local government officials did not want Wise to hang the flags in public for obvious reasons. However, when Wise mentioned he would instead use original newsreel tapes from Hitler's visit to the city, officials agreed it would be better to recreate the scene so as not to showcase Nazi sympathizers who appear in actual archival footage. It was a no-win situation.

Although Wise agreed to film the scenes just after sunrise to mitigate crowds, some confused residents still saw the flags and became unsettled. The site of swastikas only 20 years after the war was a fresh wound for many.

"Fellows I meet may tell me I'm sweet"

Track 6: Sixteen Going on Seventeen

Liesel and Rolf dance Sound of Music

Soon after Maria's hopeful hop through town and arrival at the von Trapp residence, we find out that the Captain's oldest daughter, Liesl, played by the late Charmian Carr, has a secret love interest. On Maria's first night as a dinner guest, the sixteen-year-old Liesl escapes from the dinner table to meet the telegram delivery boy, Rolf. They share a song, "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," dance, and saccharine-sweet kiss (though we'll later learn that Rolf isn't such an upstanding young Austrian after all) inside the garden's gazebo.

Sound of Music gazebo

Behind the Scenes : The gazebo you'll see on Maria's Bicycle Tour is the actual gazebo used for this scene, gifted to the city of Salzburg after the filming of the movie. But the inside of this gazebo is not where the Liesl and Rolf dance—or the subsequent love scene between Maria and the Captain—took place. It turned out the interior was too small for the actors to perform their dance, so producers recreated the interior at their Hollywood studio.

All that jumping from bench to bench was as dangerous as it looked and Carr injured her ankle during filming. Being the trooper she was, Carr kept dancing on the injury until directors were happy with the scene. Earlier versions of the film show a bandage peeking out of her shoe, though in re-mastered versions it's not visible.

"Let's start at the very beginning…"

Track 9: Do Re Mi

Sound of Music Do Re Mi scene

Depending on your guide's preference, you'll either start or end your tour at Mirabell Palace and its lush gardens. The gardens are featured in the movie when Maria first takes the children out in their "play clothes," which she has dutifully sewn from recycled curtains.

While teaching Liesl, Gretl, and the rest of the crew how to sing via the beloved, "Do-Re-Mi," Maria ushers the children through some of the most famous sites in Salzburg, ending the song with an iconic hand-on-head pose at the top of Mirabell's steps.

Sound of Music Mirabell Palace and Gardens

Behind the Scenes : Over the years, the city's population has endured a love/hate relationship with the movie. While it undoubtedly brought worldwide attention and fame to Salzburg, some felt the movie lacked the sophistication of its real musical heroes—particularly Mozart. But in 2011, a new tradition helped the city warm up to the Sound of Music 's tourism pull (and surely residents have come to understand the boon to tourism the film has become.) That new tradition, an annual performance of the musical in Austrian-German with English subtitles, was born at the Landestheatre Salzburg , a stone's throw from Mirabell Palace and gardens.

Mirabell Palace and Gardens

As one of Salzburg's central attractions, Mirabell Palace and its gardens help contribute to the 300,000 tourists a year who visit the city. As a last stop on your tour, it will require extreme willpower to refrain from running through the garden's arbor tunnel as Maria and her clan do during the joyful number.

"So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye"

Track 15: So Long, Farewell

After a three and a half hour bike tour and a sprint through the gardens, you'll be ready to treat yourself to the impossibly decadent sachertorte at the one and only Hotel Sacher , a short walk from the palace.

Hotel Sacher sachertorte

Behind the Scenes: Christopher Plummer did just that perhaps one too many times during filming. Toward the end of the shoot he had to be refit for wardrobe: Austrian pastries and schnapps, much of which was consumed at the Hotel Bristol , had gotten the better of him. The extra pounds didn't stop Plummer from some harmless flirting with a much younger Carr, who handled it graciously. When asked what she learned from him, she reportedly said, "how to drink."

It's little wonder that six weeks of filming in the magical city of Salzburg inspired a lifelong friendship among members of the cast, particularly Andrews and Plummer. Maria's Bicycle Tour makes it easy to see why…and hard to resist a sing along.

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Sound of Music Tours Salzburg – Which one is the Best?

sound of music tour winter

Do you want to relive your favourite scenes from the classic musical on a Sound of Music tour in Salzburg ?

Find out more about the locations where the Sound of Music was filmed, how much tours cost, what to see nearby and more.

If you are looking for Sound of Music tours departing from Vienna or Munich, scroll until the bottom to read about them.

Are you ready to book your Sound of Music tour right now?

Don’t feel like reading ahead? Book your Sound of Music tour:

  • from Salzburg
  • from Vienna
  • from Munich

What are the most popular Sound of Music film locations in Salzburg?

The Sound of Music Tour’s itinerary is perfectly designed to make sure you see all the locations appearing in the film. Tour the picturesque city of Salzburg (Austria) and discover the beautiful sites where the opening scenes of the movie The Sound of Music were filmed

Here is a brief list of the locations to ensure you don’t miss out on any of them.

1 – Mirabell Palace & Gardens

Mirabelle Palace - Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

Where Maria and the children were seen dancing around the statue of Pegasus, the winged horse and throughout the gardens singing “Do-Re-Mi”.

2 – Leopoldskron Castle

Leopoldskron Castle - Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

The castle used to be Trapp’s family home, where the children were boating on the Leopoldskron Lake and fell into the water.

3- Hedge Maze & Gnome Park

Dwarf Gnome Park - Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

This location is from the scenes from the “Do, Re, Mi” song including skipping down the vine tunnel and the children patting the dwarf with glasses on the head.

4 – Winkler Terrace

Winkler Terrace - Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

The breathtaking Winkler Terrace sits high up on Monk’s Hill overlooking the Old Town of Salzburg. This is where Maria and the children 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.

5 – Horse Bath

Horse Bath - Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

The scenery ss shown when Maria and the children dance past the Horse Bath in the song “My Favorite Things”.

6 – Hellbrunn Castle and the Glass Pavilion

Glass Pavilion - Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

Fascinating castle built in the early 17 th century and beautiful gardens with the glass pavilion which attracts many still after 30 years.

7 – Rock Riding School

Rock Riding School - Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

The Rock Riding School was home to some of the most important film scenes in the Sound of Music movie.

8 – Nonnberg Abbey

Nonnberg Abbey - Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

One of the oldest convents in Europe, where Maria was a novice and also where Maria and the Baron got married in the film.

9 – St Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang

Lake Wolfgang - Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

The scenery is shown at the beginning of the film at Lake Fuschl on the way to St Gilgen.

10 – Mondsee Wedding Church

Mondsee Wedding Church - Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

The location used for Maria and the Baron’s wedding in the film.

11 – Frohnburg Palace

Frohnburg Palace

This Palace was used as the backdrop for the Von Trapp family home. A total of 5 scenes were shot here.

12 – Werfen Picnic Meadow

Werfen Picnic Meadow - Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

Perched just above the village of Werfen, this is where the famous picnic scene took place where Maria and the kids first start the song “Do, Re, Mi”.

How should I explore the locations of the Sound of Music?

You may explore the original shooting locations on the Sound of Music by bus, on foot or by bicycle.

The Sound of Music tours mainly offer bus transportation to all the different film locations so you don’t need to worry about getting lost whilst finding the exact locations.

If you are feeling active and have plenty of time to spare, you can walk to all the different film locations as they are relatively in walk distance to each other. This way you can wander around more and maybe find some beautiful spots in the surroundings to chill.

Riding a bicycle is always fun so why not explore the sites in this way? The Sound of Music bicycle tours are cheaper than bus tours. You can check the bicycle tours on Viator, Getyourguide and other many providers!

How much does a Sound of Music Tour from Salzburg cost? How to book a tour?

You will find The Sound of Music Tour for 45€ at the cheapest price, offered by different companies such as Viator, Getyourguide or Musement. All these tours are normally similar and offer the same things, such as transport to all the different setting locations of the films, a tour guide who will accompany you at all times, etc. Many providers also offer combined tickets to visit other attractions, a lunch, a visit to the museum and more.

If you are interested in knowing more about this, we suggest to use TourScanner’s search so you can check all the different combined tickets and prices which vary in price depending on what you want to see or do. Some providers may offer some discounts at certain times of the year.

  • Compare Sound of Music Tours from Salzburg

Are there any Sound of Music tours departing from Vienna?

Yes, some Sound of Music private tours are leaving from Vienna as well, which include all the main sights, plus the visit of Salzburg. Taking a day tour departing from and returning to Vienna may be very convenient if you are staying in Vienna and you have not planned (or you don’t have the time) to visit and stay overnight in Salzburg. The price is higher since Vienna and Salzburg are quite far away and the tours are private for you. However, the cost of the private tours is fixed for a group (about 400 €), so if you are a family or a larger group (up to 8 people), it is still affordable. You can click here to compare the Sound of Music tours departing from Vienna . 

Are there any Sound of Music tours from Munich?

Yes, of course. Salzburg is located only 140 km away from Munich, near the German-Austrian border. Therefore, you can reach Salzburg on a tour departing from Munich.

Most of the day trips leaving from Munich will include a guided visit to the city of Salzburg plus a complete tour of the most important locations in which The Sound of Music was filmed.

  • Compare Sound of Music Tours from Munich

Don’t hesitate to comment below if you have any questions.

What to do next? Check out our list of fun and unusual things to do in Salzburg .

Happy travels!

  • Private Tours
  • Quick and easy Transfers
  • Tips & Information Explore Salzburg
  • Hotels in Salzburg Hotels
  • Sound of Music
  • Culture & History
  • Facts & Figures
  • Salzburg Festival
  • Museums and exhibitions
  • Points of interest

Sound of Music Trail - singing kids © TVB Werfen

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.

A perfect private full-day tour – start out with a grand breakfast buffet at the beautiful Leopoldskron Palace OR a guided tour through the most exclusive premises ( seasonal) , visit The Sound of Music filming locations , hike the famous trail amidst breathtaking alpine scenery and learn more about the real life of the  Von Trapp family .

After breakfast or guided tour at Schloss Leopoldskron - one of the filming locations - see the "16 going on 17"-Gazebo located at the Gardens of Hellbrunn Palace . The tour continues to the picturesque alpine village Werfen , where we follow Maria’s footstep on the Sound of Music Hiking Trail – the famous opening scene with breathtaking views.

On the way back, we are happy to arrange a lunch special (optional) at restaurant Obauer – one of the most exclusive restaurants in Europe awarded by the French Guide Gault Millau with 4 toque and 19 points. Please consider timewise a minimum of two hours. Lunch break can also be at any other time and location during the tour. Optionally it is also possible to visit the spectacular Fortress Hohenwerfen , which was not only part of Sound of Music but also a filming location for the movie Where Eagles Dare  with Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood in 1968.

The last leg of the tour takes you via scenic mountain roads to Mondsee for a visit of the wedding cathedral where the romantic wedding in the movie was filmed - a perfect place to end a perfect day.

  • Private Tour to The Sound of Music film locations in Salzburg, Salzkammergut and Werfen
  • Start your day with breakfast at Schloss Leopoldskron or enjoy an exclusive tour through its breathtaking premises
  • Sing 'Sixteen Going on Seventeen' at the real Gazebo , in the garden of Hellbrunn Palace
  • In Werfen, hike on the Sound of Music Trail and have a break at the same meadow, where Maria sang “do re mi” with the children
  • Lunch at Obauer one of the top three restaurants in Austria (optional)
  • Visit the remarkable Fortress Hohenwerfen (also known from the movie), dating back over 900 years (optional)
  • Visit the beautiful Lake District , Salzkammergut, and the Sound of Music Wedding Cathedral in Mondsee
  • Between 8.30 and 8.45 am pick-up at your city hotel or 8.45 am meeting at the Panorama Tours Bus Terminal at Mirabell square / corner Hubert-Sattler-Gasse 1
  • 9.00 am breakfast at Schloss Leopoldskron or 11.00 am exclusive tour
  • Visit the Gazebo at Hellbrunn
  • The tour continues to Werfen (Sound of Music Trail)
  • Either lunch at restaurant Obauer (optional) or some free time to explore the town of Werfen
  • Visit the Fortress Hohenwerfen (optional)
  • Via scenic mountain roads to the Lakes and Mountain Area – Mondsee

Sound of Music Trail - singing kids © TVB Werfen

Important information:

English, German on request: Italian, French, Spanish

Please notice:

You want an  individual departure time  or have  questions concerning the program  or  bigger groups ? Then get in contact with  Sarah Marie Herzl  via e-mail  [email protected]  or telephone  +43 662 / 88 32 11-23 .

We operate our tours either in a minivan (up to 8 passengers) or Mercedes limousine (up to 3 passengers) and are happy to arrange  your private tour  according to  personal interests and individual needs .

We kindly ask to address your special interest to the driver/guide already at pick-up.

Entrance fees, food & baverage (except breakfast OR guided tour at Schloss Leopoldskron) are not included in the tour price.

Wilmington Star-News

Wilmington connections bring folk duo back to unique venue for 'winter homecoming' tour

N orth Carolina folk/bluegrass/Americana duo The Chatham Rabbits — singer and banjo player Sarah McCombie and her husband, singer/guitarist Austin McCombie — have been a regular presence in Wilmington since they formed in the late 2010s.

They've played stages big (Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, as an opening act for Chatham County Line) and small (downtown's Bourgie Nights, which they've sold out multiple times, most recently in 2022). During the pandemic, they even played neighborhoods around town on the back of a trailer as part of their Stay at Home tour.

Now the duo, which is based near the Greensboro Triad, is heading back to the Port City for a two-night stand at St. Thomas Preservation hall downtown Feb. 16 and 17 , part of their "winter homecoming" tour.

The band's strong connection to Wilmington comes via Austin McCombie, who was born and raised here, but they've built up a strong following through regular tours, and also thanks to being the focus of a docuseries, "On the Road with the Chatham Rabbits," which aired in 2022 on North Carolina PBS stations.

Initially the couple drew notice for its tight harmonies and songs that sound like they could've been written a century ago. "If You See Me Riding By," their third full-length album, dropped in 2022 and expanded their sound a bit, though the focus stayed on Sarah's rootsy vocals and clawhammer-style banjo, her gorgeous harmonies with Austin, and songs with stories ripped from the turn of the (20th) century.

During a recent phone interview with Austin McCombie, we talked about the band's songs, their evolving sound and their connection to Wilmington. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

StarNews: So, you guys are heading out on your first big tour of the year.

Austin McCombie: Yeah, our first tour of the year. Last year Sarah and I focused our energy for the first time on so many new markets. In fact, our fans were asking us regularly, "Hey, what are you gonna play around here again?" And we were just kind of spreading our wings last year. And so this is our first North Carolina tour in a while. We kind of make it a once-a-year type of thing.

I love that you're playing St. Thomas Preservation Hall, which is mostly used for weddings now and not concerts. How did that come about?

In general, Wilmington is lacking a dedicated medium-sized venue. There's a huge opportunity there for somebody, but we had to get creative. Also, just the general excitement of St. Thomas to do something like this, St. Thomas was stoked. We're doing some really neat stuff for the show, like people have the option to purchase an open bar ticket, like it's a wedding, and St. Thomas has the resources to handle that. It's such a beautiful space. I've attended many weddings there. We do things our own way, and I think it's really cool that we're partnering with a space that also does things their own way. Out of the box for them and it's out of the box for us.

I know you've been recording, have you been playing any of your new songs out yet?

We've really just been playing like two or three of the songs, but this show will be debuting a lot of new material. Most of the new record we will probably play in the show. So it'll be a great opportunity for people to hear what we've been working on.

Do you have songs that people request way more than others?

I would say "Abigail," Sarah's horse song. "You Never Told Me I Was Pretty," that's another one that people really love. I would say a generalization is people like some of our more emotional songs. I would say this record coming out is definitely a shift for us. I feel like it's going to translate into a more authentic, just deeper (experience), and I'm excited to see how that impacts our fan base.

You guys have already made a transition from being a stripped-down old-time duo into a new sound with the full band. Was it a difficult transition?

I would say it was pretty natural. We were the two of us. When we started to bring in more musicians it was more of an enhancement around that. Our last big tour that we did, we had upright bass and mandolin. Then we just added drums and electric guitars, electric bass and pedal steel and dobro. So it's a much more, I don't know, it's a band that feels like us right now.

One thing that really stands out about your band to me is that you and Sarah just harmonize so beautifully. Was that a natural thing or did you guys really have to work on it?

Luckily, I would say it did turn out fairly naturally. And it's interesting because Sarah, she's the lead singer, I've heard her sing on other records and other people's projects and it's it's obviously always really good. But it has made us realize how unique our two voices are together and how well they do harmonize.

You've always been known as an independent band, will that continue?

Labels have changed and their roles have changed so much recently that it's kind of hard to know exactly what we should do. I think we're open to all possibilities, including continuing to self release. We've always said that we want to be a hot air balloon and not a rocket ship. We were on Ramseur Records for a while with Sierra Ferrell, and she's a classic example of a rocket ship. I mean, she's been doing it a handful years, she's exploding and that's amazing. Our model has always been, if we can just grow by like 15% a year, then we're gonna establish a very sustainable, very comfortable career.

Anything you want to say to Wilmington before we see you?

I was born and raised in Wilmington, and just have such a beautiful relationship with Wilmington, and I always look forward to coming down. I think it's kind of a common misconception that Wilmington is not really a music town. I would say that our fans have proven otherwise.

Want to go?

  • Who: The Chatham Rabbits, "Winter Homecoming Tour"
  • When: 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, Feb. 16 (with Carlos Rising) and Feb. 17 (with the Smoky Dunes)
  • Where: St. Thomas Preservation Hall, 208 Dock St., Wilmington
  • Info: Tickets are $25-$35 .

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington connections bring folk duo back to unique venue for 'winter homecoming' tour

Sarah and Austin McCombie of North Carolina-based roots music band The Chatham Rabbits. Austin hails from Wilmington.

Review: Chris Stapleton’s sold-out San Diego concert with Elle King and Turnpike Troubadours was a sound study in contrasts

Chris Stapleton at the 57th Annual CMA Awards on Nov, 8, 2023, in Nashville.

His performance kicked off Stapleton’s 2024 All-American Road Show tour with a winning combination of musical fire and finesse. The opening acts did not fare as well in the stadium setting, but he made the sprawling ballpark feel intimate.

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“It’s my show and I can do whatever the hell I want!” a smiling Chris Stapleton said midway through his Saturday night concert at Petco Park. The capacity audience in the sprawling stadium — the 20-year-old home of the San Diego Padres — cheered in response.

On paper, this might read like a standard moment from almost any live-music event, whether in a stadium or arena, theater or bar. But there was almost nothing standard about what Stapleton did following the sound-marred opening sets by Elle King and the rootsy Oklahoma country band Turnpike Troubadours.

The concert, which kicked off Stapleton’s 2024 All-American Road Show tour, was happily free of pomp and circumstance. But his two-hour set was a celebratory musical event that at times almost qualified as subversive, at least by the usual stadium concert standards.

Stapleton’s “I can do whatever the hell I want!” declaration came prior to his soul-baring ballad “Whiskey and You,” the 12th of the 26 songs he performed. It was also his third consecutive solo acoustic number, following “What Are You Listening To?” and “Mountains of My Mind,” the tender, whisper-soft closing number from his superb 2023 album, “Higher.”

With his band temporarily offstage — “Don’t worry, I’ll hire them back” he quipped — Stapleton accomplished a daunting feat. He transformed his stadium concert at the enormous ballpark into a campfire singalong for the sold-out crowd of more than 40,000.

It was, of course, minus the campfire — and, thankfully, also minus Saturday’s rains, which subsided over Petco Park barely half an hour before King’s 48-minute opening set kicked off at 6:31 p.m. But Stapleton’s ability to make a giant concrete edifice seem like an intimate hootenanny with just an acoustic guitar and his deeply expressive voice was a rare accomplishment.

So, too, was the no-nonsense manner in which he and his ace band — featuring longtime Willie Nelson harmonica great Mickey Raphael — delivered their impeccably paced performance. Stapleton’s blues-rocking country songs are expertly constructed to achieve maximum emotional impact without a single extraneous lyric or gesture.

Or, as Stapleton put it a 2018 San Diego Union-Tribune interview: “I don’t like to waste words in songs is the best way I can put it. If you can say something with three words that puts the point across — and leaves room for the listener to put themselves into the song — there’s no need to use 10 words.”

Chris Stapleton talks songwriting, leaving college and his best and worst day jobs

Before he won enough Grammy, Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association awards to almost fill the wing of a museum, Chris Stapleton went to Nashville as an 18-year-old eager to conquer the world.

Aug. 4, 2018

That same sense of purpose and concision applied to the fuss-free performance Stapleton delivered Saturday. His unwavering, music-first focus was clear from the surging opening salvo of “White Horse,” “Parachute” and “Second One To Know” to the two tender reveries that closed the show, the intensely melancholic “Where Rainbows Never Die” and the quietly defiant “Outlaw State of Mind.”

Stapleton’s vocals were tender one moment, gritty and blues-drenched the next, rising from a deep growl to a falsetto swoop without a hint of affectation.

His singing is expertly calibrated to achieve maximum impact, without a hint of the overwrought delivery that can make too many stadium concerts exercises in empty histrionics. While his vocal influences are easy to discern — from Otis Redding, Bob Seger and the Marshal Tucker Band’s Toy Caldwell to Marvin Gaye, John Fogerty and (if my ears don’t deceive me) Terry Reid — when Stapleton sings, he sounds wonderfully distinctive and completely natural.

“We’re going to play as much music as we can in the time we have. So, I’m not going to do much talking,” he said, shortly after taking the stage.

But Stapleton didn’t hesitate to stop his band four minutes into the rollicking “Might As Well Get Stoned” when he spotted an audience member near the front of the stage in apparent need of immediate medical attention.

“Somebody needs some help down there,” Stapleton said. “We want to make sure everybody’s taken care of. Make room for him, make a path everybody. Let him out. The sooner you do, the sooner we can get back to the show.”

Once the person was attended to, “Might As Well Stoned” resumed with note-perfect precision — at the exact point in which pedal-steel guitar master Paul Franklin was completing a brief but exemplary solo.

Throughout, Stapleton and his band consistently played to serve the songs at hand, not to show off. He, Raphael, Franklin and second guitarist Mike Eli LoPinto could easily hold an audience’s attention with extended instrumental forays, but their solos were unfailing crisp and to the point.

The stadium setting proved daunting to opening acts King and Turnpike Troubadours, whose music seemed ill-suited to such a large location. But Stapleton seemed right at home, even if he himself marveled at the size of Petco Park.

“Amazing!” he said after romping through the Guy Clark-penned 12-bar blues, “Worry Be Gone.”

“I do that (song) every night, but not in a baseball stadium in San Diego!”

Stapleton’s set list Saturday included such gems as “Nobody to Blame,” “Broken Halos,” “Think I’m in Love With You” and his 2015 breakthrough hit, “Traveler,” the title song from his album of the same name.

With that album, Stapleton unexpectedly created a tectonic shift in contemporary country music, before going on to win 10 Grammys and enough other awards to fill a room. He did so by offering wonderfully soulful new songs that sounded like weathered classics, not the slick, instantly forgettable assembly-line knockoffs the Nashville music machine too often spews out like an aural form of cotton candy.

Stapleton’s San Diego concert was a winning testament to the craft and durability of his work — and his work ethic — and he clearly savored and appreciated the moment for all it was worth.

Alas, the audio quality for the opening sets by King and Turnpike Troubadours was somehow both muddled and not nearly loud enough, in contrast with the much higher volume but perfectly balanced sound mix Stapleton and his band received.

Elle King

Elle King, a multi-Grammy nominee and first-time mom, talks music, sobriety and confronting COVID-19

Music has been her salvation. But going on tour with her infant child in the midst of a pandemic, after both contracted COVID-19 in December, poses major challenges

Feb. 13, 2022

Coming on the heels of King’s drunken, profanity-fueled performance at a Dolly Parton tribute in Nashville in January — after which King canceled her January and February concerts — she conspicuously took sips from a plastic water bottle during her by-the-numbers Petco Park performance. She was not helped by the atrocious audio quality for her set, which suggested King was not able to conduct a pre-concert sound-check.

But the large illuminated letters “F” and “K” that bedecked the stage behind her suggested King may not be ready to make nice just yet.

Or did they? What clearly appeared to be an “F” from the vantage point of this reviewer — who was seated in the 12th row of Section 118 overlooking left field at Petco Park— was later identified by several other concertgoers (including one seated on the upper deck) as an “E,” the initial for Elle King’s first name.

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Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp set to headline Outlaw Music Festival Tour

A blockbuster lineup featuring Willie Nelson & Family , Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp is set to take the stage at the 2024 Outlaw Music Festival Tour, which kicks off later this year in Georgia.

The annual Outlaw tour, spearheaded by Nelson, has become a top draw on the summer circuit since its 2016 debut as a standalone event in Pennsylvania.

This year’s run, kicking off June 21 in Alpharetta, Georgia, will feature Nelson and Dylan on all dates, with Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Michigan-bred Billy Strings slotted in on some other tour stops.

'Happy Birthday Willie': Keith Richards drops in on Willie Nelson's 90th birthday concert

"This year's Outlaw Music Festival Tour promises to be the biggest and best yet with this lineup of legendary artists," Nelson said in a statement. "I am thrilled to get back on the road again with my family and friends playing the music we love for the fans we love."

The Outlaw Music Festival Tour arrives after Nelson celebrates his 91st birthday in April.

How to get Outlaw Music Festival tickets

Outlaw festival tickets and VIP packages will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through Ticketmaster. A presale for Citi cardholders will run from 10 a.m. today through 10 p.m. Thursday.

Interested in going? Here's where you can buy tickets:

  • Vivid Seats
  • Ticketmaster

Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

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Ellise Shafer

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 17: Editorial use only and no commercial use at any time.  No use on publication covers is permitted after August 9, 2023. Taylor Swift performs onstage for the opening night of "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at State Farm Stadium on March 17, 2023 in Swift City, ERAzona (Glendale, Arizona). The city of Glendale, Arizona was ceremonially renamed to Swift City for March 17-18 in honor of The Eras Tour. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)

Ever since the first night of Taylor Swift ‘s Eras Tour — when the pop star announced she’d be performing two surprise acoustic songs at every show — fans have been waiting with bated breath to find out which gems from her discography will be unearthed next.

Swift kicked off the tour in Glendale, Ariz. in March with “Mirrorball” from “Folklore” and “Tim McGraw” from her 2006 self-titled debut album. Now, Swift has taken the Eras Tour worldwide, starting in Japan on Feb. 7 and continuing to Australia, Singapore and Europe in the coming months.

Below, find all the surprise songs Swift has performed on the Eras Tour, updating live.

  • March 17 in Glendale, Ariz. — “Mirrorball” and “Tim McGraw”
  • March 18 in Glendale, Ariz. — “State of Grace” and “This Is Me Trying”
  • March 24 in Las Vegas, Nev. — “Our Song” and “Snow on the Beach”
  • March 25 in Las Vegas, Nev. — “Cowboy Like Me” with Marcus Mumford and “White Horse”
  • March 31 in Arlington, Texas — “Sad Beautiful Tragic” and “Ours”
  • April 1 in Arlington, Texas — “Death by a Thousand Cuts” and “Clean”
  • April 2 in Arlington, Texas — “Jump Then Fall” and “The Lucky One”
  • April 13 in Tampa, Fla. — “Speak Now” and “Treacherous”
  • April 14 in Tampa, Fla. — “The Great War” with Aaron Dessner and “You’re on Your Own, Kid”
  • April 15 in Tampa, Fla. — “Mad Woman” with Aaron Dessner and “Mean”
  • April 21 in Houston, Texas — “Wonderland” and “You’re Not Sorry”
  • April 22 in Houston, Texas — “A Place in This World” and “Today Was a Fairytale”
  • April 23 in Houston, Texas — “Begin Again” and “Cold as You”
  • April 28 in Atlanta, Ga. — “The Other Side of the Door” and “Coney Island”
  • April 29 in Atlanta, Ga. — “High Infidelity” and “Gorgeous”
  • April 30 in Atlanta, Ga. — “I Bet You Think About Me” and “How You Get the Girl”
  • May 5 in Nashville, Tenn. — “Sparks Fly” and “Teardrops on My Guitar”
  • May 6 in Nashville, Tenn. — “Out of the Woods” and “Fifteen”
  • May 7 in Nashville, Tenn. — “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” with Aaron Dessner and “Mine”
  • May 12 in Philadelphia, Penn. — “Gold Rush” and “Come Back…Be Here”
  • May 13 in Philadelphia, Penn. — “Forever & Always” and “This Love”
  • May 14 in Philadelphia, Penn. — “Hey Stephen” and “The Best Day”
  • May 19 in Foxborough, Mass. — “Should’ve Said No” and “Better Man”
  • May 20 in Foxborough, Mass. — “Question…?” and “Invisible”
  • May 21 in Foxborough, Mass. — “I Think He Knows” and “Red”
  • May 26 in East Rutherford, N.J. — “Getaway Car” with Jack Antonoff and “Maroon”
  • May 27 in East Rutherford, N.J. — “Holy Ground” and “False God”
  • May 28 in East Rutherford, N.J. — “Welcome to New York” and “Clean”
  • June 2 in Chicago, Ill. — “I Wish You Would” and “The Lakes”
  • June 3 in Chicago, Ill. — “You All Over Me” with Maren Morris and “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever”
  • June 4 in Chicago, Ill. — “Hits Different” and “The Moment I Knew”
  • June 9 in Detroit, Mich. — “Haunted” and “I Almost Do”
  • June 10 in Detroit, Mich. — “All You Had to Do Was Stay” and “Breathe”
  • June 16 in Pittsburgh, Penn. — “Mr. Perfectly Fine” and “The Last Time”
  • June 17 in Pittsburgh, Penn. — “Seven” with Aaron Dessner and “The Story of Us”
  • June 23 in Minneapolis, Minn. — “Paper Rings” and “If This Was a Movie”
  • June 24 in Minneapolis, Minn. — “Dear John” and “Daylight”
  • June 30 in Cincinnati, Ohio — “I’m Only Me When I’m With You” and “Evermore”
  • July 1 in Cincinnati, Ohio — “Ivy” with Aaron Dessner, “I Miss You, I’m Sorry” with Gracie Abrams and “Call It What You Want”
  • July 7 in Kansas City, Miss. — “Never Grow Up” and “When Emma Falls in Love”
  • July 8 in Kansas City, Miss. — “Last Kiss” and “Dorothea”
  • July 14 in Denver, Colo. — “Picture to Burn” and “Timeless”
  • July 15 in Denver, Colo. — “Starlight” and “Back to December”
  • July 22 in Seattle, Wash. — “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” and “Everything Has Changed”
  • July 23 in Seattle, Wash. — “Message in a Bottle” and “Tied Together With a Smile”
  • July 28 in Santa Clara, Calif. — “Right Where You Left Me” and “Castles Crumbling”
  • July 29 in Santa Clara, Calif. — “Stay Stay Stay” and “All of the Girls You Loved Before”
  • Aug. 3 in Los Angeles, Calif. — “I Can See You” and “Maroon”
  • Aug. 4 in Los Angeles, Calif. — “Our Song” and “You Are in Love”
  • Aug. 5 in Los Angeles, Calif. — “Death by a Thousand Cuts” and “You’re on Your Own, Kid”
  • Aug. 7 in Los Angeles, Calif. — “Dress” and “Exile”
  • Aug. 8 in Los Angeles, Calif. — “I Know Places” and “King of My Heart”
  • Aug. 9 in Los Angeles, Calif. — “New Romantics” and “New Year’s Day”
  • Aug. 24 in Mexico City, Mexico — “I Forgot That You Existed” and “Sweet Nothing”
  • Aug. 25 in Mexico City, Mexico — “Tell Me Why” and “Snow on the Beach”
  • Aug. 26 in Mexico City, Mexico — “Cornelia Street” and “You’re on Your Own, Kid”
  • Aug. 27 in Mexico City, Mexico — “Afterglow” and “Maroon”
  • Nov. 9 in Buenos Aires, Argentina — “The Very First Night” and “Labyrinth”
  • Nov. 11 in Buenos Aires, Argentina — “Is It Over Now?”/ “Out of the Woods” and “End Game”
  • Nov. 12 in Buenos Aires, Argentina — “Better Than Revenge” and “Slut!”
  • Nov. 17 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — “Stay Beautiful” and “Suburban Legends”
  • Nov. 19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — “Dancing With Our Hands Tied” and “Bigger Than the Whole Sky”
  • Nov. 20 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — “Me!” and “So It Goes”
  • Nov. 24 in São Paulo, Brazil — “Now That We Don’t Talk” and “Innocent”
  • Nov. 25 in São Paulo, Brazil — “Safe and Sound” and “Untouchable”
  • Nov. 25 in São Paulo, Brazil — “Say Don’t Go” and “It’s Time to Go”
  • Feb. 7 in Tokyo, Japan — “Dear Reader” and “Holy Ground”
  • Feb. 8 in Tokyo, Japan — “Eyes Open” and “Electric Touch”
  • Feb. 9 in Tokyo, Japan — “Superman” and “The Outside”
  • Feb. 10 in Tokyo, Japan — “Come In With the Rain” and “You’re on Your Own Kid”
  • Feb. 16 in Melbourne, Australia — “Red” and “You’re Losing Me”
  • Feb. 17 in Melbourne, Australia — “Getaway Car”/”August”/”The Other Side of the Door” and “This Is Me Trying”
  • Feb. 18 in Melbourne, Australia — “Come Back Be Here”/”Daylight” and “Teardrops on My Guitar”
  • Feb. 23 in Sydney, Australia — “How You Get the Girl” and “White Horse”/”Coney Island” with Sabrina Carpenter
  • Feb. 24 in Sydney, Australia — “Should’ve Said No” and “New Year’s Day”/”Peace”
  • Feb. 25 in Sydney, Australia — “Is It Over Now”/”I Wish You Would” and “Haunted”/”Exile”
  • Feb. 26 in Sydney, Australia — “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve”/”Ivy” and “Forever & Always”/”Maroon”
  • March 2 in Singapore — “Long Story Short”/”The Story of Us” and “Clean”/”Evermore”
  • March 3 in Singapore — “Mine”/”Starlight” and “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever”/”Dress”
  • March 4 in Singapore — “Foolish One”/”Tell Me Why” and “This Love”/”Call It What You Want”
  • March 7 in Singapore — “Death by a Thousand Cuts”/”Babe” and “Fifteen”/”You’re on Your Own, Kid”
  • March 8 in Singapore — “Sparks Fly”/”Gold Rush” and “False God”/”Slut!”

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Sound of Music Guided Tour

9 Day Austria and Germany Tour of Munich, Salzburg and Vienna

9 days, 2 countries and 8 cities

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8 Breakfasts, 1 Welcome Reception, 3 Dinners

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The perfect travel experience for lovers of the outdoors and history, this trip inspired by The Sound of Music brings the beauty of the Alps and familiar views from the silver screen to life. You’ll hear all the stories of Bavaria and beyond spending quality time with locals.

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9 days itinerary trip from Munich to Vienna visiting 2 countries and 8 cities

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Sightseeing highlights.

VIP Admission to the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna

Explore Salzburg and Vienna with a Local Specialist

Discover Munich, Oberammergau and Innsbruck

Visit Neuschwanstein Castle and the Church from the film 'The Sound of Music' in Mondsee

View Wilten Basilica and the Golden Roof in Innsbruck and Mozart's Birthplace in Salzburg

See Melk Abbey and the Wachau Valley

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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

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  1. Tour review: The Original Sound Of Music tour by Panorama Tours

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  2. The Original Sound of Music Tour® Salzburg

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  3. Original Sound of Music Tour from Salzburg

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  4. A Review of the Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

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  5. We've Got The Lowdown On The Sound Of Music Tour In Salzburg

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  6. Taking the Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

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COMMENTS

  1. The Original Sound of Music Tour® Salzburg

    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. Author Stefan Herzl. Book now from € 60.00. Sum. incl. Tax.

  2. Sound of Music in December

    Sound of music Private tour is AMAZING. Please note this review is for the Panorama private tour- We did the private half day Sound of Music tour with our guide Lisa and had an absolutely wonderful experience. We were picked up right from our hotel and taken on our tour in a well maintained Mercedes sedan.

  3. The Sound of Music Tour : Salzburg Guided Tours : salzburg.info

    The Sound of Music Tour. Explore original shooting locations on the Sound of Music Tour in all kinds of different ways: by bus, on foot or by bicycle. Whatever you choose, it's bound to be a one-of-a-kind experience. The life of the von Trapp family is intertwined with that of Salzburg itself. Every year, some 300,000 people visit important ...

  4. Sound of Music Locations in Salzburg: A Self-Guided Tour (With Map)

    The Original Sound of Music Tour: This tour lasts about 4 hours and takes you to Mirabell Gardens, Leopoldskron Palace, Hellbrunn Castle, Nonnberg Abbey, St. Gilgen, and the Mondsee Wedding Chapel. From Vienna - Sound of Movies Musical Tour to Salzburg: This is a whirlwind one-day tour to Salzburg from Vienna.

  5. The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg 2024

    Salzburg, Austrian Alps. Salzburg Super Saver: Original Sound of Music and Salt Mines Day Trip. 304. from $143.52. Salzburg, Austrian Alps. Lonely Goatherd Bike Tour: Cycle Salzburg's Surroundings with the Sound of Music. 14. from $33.12. Operators have paid Viator more to have their experiences featured here.

  6. 13 Must-See Sound of Music Tour Salzburg

    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.

  7. Sound of Music Movie Tour in Salzburg

    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".

  8. 2024 The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

    2- or 3-Night Schloss Leopoldskron Stay in Salzburg Including 'The Sound of Music' Tour. 4. Historical Tours. from. AU$676.05. per adult (price varies by group size) Private Tour The hills are alive: a tour to locations of the Sound of music film. 1. Day Trips.

  9. Sound of Music & Salt Mines Tour

    See the film locations of the famous cult movie Sound of Music. Full description. Start with the salt mines and take a breathtaking ride from the city of Salzburg into the Bavarian Alps along the Kings Lake-Ache passing the Obersalzberg, where the second headquarters of the Third Reich used to be. Afterwards, the tour continues to its highlight ...

  10. Sound of Music Tour during Winter

    Panorama Tours: Sound of Music Tour during Winter - See 5,179 traveler reviews, 2,233 candid photos, and great deals for Salzburg, Austria, at Tripadvisor.

  11. The Best Things to Do in Salzburg in Winter

    Many American movie lovers know Salzburg as the city where The Sound of Music was filmed, and the film crew chose some of the most beautiful parts of the city as film locations. But the half-day Sound of Music tour takes you outside of the city, as well. The tour begins with a drive through the section of Austrian Alps known as Salzkammergut.

  12. Salzburg, Sound of Music Tour

    The Sound of Music Tour, Berchtesgaden and Salzburg. This delightful and exclusive package tour combines the history, architectural sights and cultural highlights of Salzburg with some of the main locations used in the film. On route to Salzburg, your guide will also explain Berchtesgaden's role played in the Sound of Music and point out some ...

  13. The Sound of Music : This is Salzburg : salzburg.info

    Directed by Robert Wise, with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in the starring roles, the movie brought the Trapp story to audiences around the globe. The fact that the film diverges from reality from time to time in no way affects its popularity. As the recipient of five Oscars, "The Sound of Music" is one of the most successful ...

  14. The original Sound of Music Tour by Panorama Tours

    The Sound of Music The Original Tour. Let us start with the beginning of this really extraordinary story. In 1963 Twentieth Century Fox sent scouts to Salzburg to plan filming the the Von Trapp Family story on location. The filming in Salzburg started in 1964. As flights and housing for over 250 crew members, technicians, camera men, stage hands as well as the actors were extremely expensive ...

  15. Sound of Music Package for Sound of Music fans ☀

    I am a native Salzburg offering since 1976 various sightseeing tours in Salzburg & surroundings. Author Stefan Herzl. Request now. +43 662 8832110. Drop us a line. [email protected]. ♬ Salzburg package incl. 2 overnights in Salzburg, Original Sound of Music Tour®, coffee & cake etc. - Book your package via Panorama Tours ♬.

  16. Sound of Music 2024

    Itinerary. View day-by-day trip itinerary. The perfect travel experience for lovers of the outdoors and history, this trip inspired by The Sound of Music brings the beauty of the Alps and familiar views from the silver screen to life. You'll hear all the stories of Bavaria and beyond spending quality time with locals.

  17. Sound of Music by Trafalgar

    4.6/5 Excellent. 100+ reviews. 94%. Download brochure. By Trafalgar. preferred. USTOA. Group Tour. The perfect travel experience for lovers of the outdoors and history, this trip inspired by The Sound of Music brings the beauty of the Alps and familiar views from the silver screen to life.

  18. Salzburg Sound of Music Tour

    Arguably one of the most famous openers in movie history, The Sound of Music is sung by Andrews at the top of the Untersberg, a 6,473-foot peak only nine miles from the city center. And there's ...

  19. Living in a Palace in Salzburg, Austria

    We lived in a palace for the night here in the beautiful city of Salzburg in Austria. Honestly, could not wipe the smile off our face! and of course there is...

  20. Original Sound of Music Tour with Schnitzel + Noodles

    Discover on the Original Sound of Music Tour the famous filming locations in Salzburg where the mountains are still filled with music. Follow the footsteps of Maria while touring the breathtaking landscape of the Salzkammergut, during a 4-hour live guided tour, and learn more about the background stories of the film making.

  21. Sound of Music Tours Salzburg

    4 - Winkler Terrace. credit to Kat and Dan in a Van. The breathtaking Winkler Terrace sits high up on Monk's Hill overlooking the Old Town of Salzburg. This is where Maria and the children 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.

  22. Sound of Music Tour with Breakfast & Trail

    A perfect private full-day tour - start out with a grand breakfast buffet at the beautiful Leopoldskron Palace OR a guided tour through the most exclusive premises (seasonal), visit The Sound of Music filming locations, hike the famous trail amidst breathtaking alpine scenery and learn more about the real life of the Von Trapp family.. After breakfast or guided tour at Schloss Leopoldskron ...

  23. Sivert Høyem

    Nothing comes from boxes with pre-programmed sounds, and random noises, creaking wood, and the sound of possible ghosts come along. Just look forward to seeking refuge from the winter cold and warming yourself with one of our most distinctive voices delivering world-class melancholy. Age limit 18 years: This event has an 18-year age limit.

  24. Wilmington connections bring folk duo back to unique venue for 'winter

    Initially the couple drew notice for its tight harmonies and songs that sound like they could've been written a century ago. "If You See Me Riding By," their third full-length album, dropped in ...

  25. Chris Stapleton's tour-opening concert with Elle King and Turnpike

    His performance kicked off Stapleton's 2024 All-American Road Show tour with a winning combination of musical fire and finesse. The opening acts did not fare as well in the stadium setting, but he ...

  26. Willie Nelson headlines Outlaw Music Festival Tour: Ticket info, more

    A blockbuster lineup featuring Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp is set to take the stage at the 2024 Outlaw Music Festival Tour, which kicks off later this year in Georgia ...

  27. All of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Surprise Songs So Far

    Once Swift starts the Europe stretch of the Eras Tour on May 9 in Paris, there's no doubt the new songs will find their way onto the setlist. Below, find all the surprise songs Swift has ...

  28. Sound of Music 2024

    Itinerary. View day-by-day trip itinerary. The perfect travel experience for lovers of the outdoors and history, this trip inspired by The Sound of Music brings the beauty of the Alps and familiar views from the silver screen to life. You'll hear all the stories of Bavaria and beyond spending quality time with locals.