Visiting Salzburg’s Sound of Music Sites without a Tour
Are you a fan of 1960’s classic movie, The Sound of Music? If so, discovering many of the iconic sites without a guided tour can be an adventurous and rewarding experience. Recently, I shared these great tips with my son and his friends who found themselves in Salzburg for just a day while studying abroad. They didn’t have time for a tour but loved visiting some of the sites — I thought others might find it useful too.
FITZ BITS TIP: If you are a Sound of Music fan, I highly suggest Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tours. Not only will you learn a lot about the movie locations and Salzburg in general, but you’ll also cover more ground on two wheels and get to see the house, gazebo, and more outside the main city.
Here is a great hike to see the old city from above after visiting all of these filming sites: Mönchsberg Hike.
These are my honest opinions and recommendations — I do not receive any compensation or discounts during our travel. This story may include affiliate links for which I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please click the links to support my blog.
Do-Re-Mi Stairs and Mirabell Gardens
Not only is Mirabell Gardens a beautiful place to walk around, but it’s also where you’ll find several film locations from the iconic ‘Do-Re-Mi’ song in The Sound of Music. The famous stairs that Maria and the children hop up and down are found on the garden’s north side, while the Pegasus Fountain they dance around is located at the garden’s southern end. You’ll also find the vine tunnel, pointing Greek statues, and gnome statue from this song. Are you humming the tune yet
Heading south, you’ll reach the Mozart Bridge (Mozartsteg), a pedestrian bridge featured in the movie, and the nearby grassy riverbank that they skipped along.
Felsenreitschule Theater
While you can’t just walk inside, you can see the back entrance of the Felsenreitschule Theater, featured in the Sound of Music. “So long, farewell….”
St. Peter's Cemetery
This is a beautiful cemetery to wander around, and it’s also the setting where the Von Trapps hide from the Nazis among the tombs. While it may look a little different from the movie, that’s just Hollywood for you.
Residenzplatz
This square is where Maria flicks water from the fountain while singing “I Have Confidence in Me,” and it’s also the location where Nazi soldiers later march through with their flags hanging on the buildings.
Nonnberg Abbey
This is where the real-life Maria became a novice nun. Sound of Music fans will recognize this area for its courtyard where the nuns sing “Maria,” Maria leaving the abbey, the children’s visit to Maria, and the scene where the Germans’ car is “stalled.” While you can enter for free, the interior wasn’t featured in the movie.
“Reverend Mother, I have sinned.” The nuns exchange glances and then reveal the distributor and coil they removed from the Germans’ cars.
It’s a bit of a hike up from town, but the visit is worthwhile for experiencing this film site and enjoying the stunning views.
Additional sites further from the old town...
These are some of the sites located a bit further from the old town — and would typically be included on a bike tour. If you opt for a bus tour, you’ll journey into the countryside to see the rolling hills featured in the movie, the church where Maria and Georg von Trapp were married in the film, and other notable locations.
Visited in July 2021
