Salzburg Sound of Music Tour with kids
During our road trip through Austria, we got to fulfill our Salzburg bucket list, visiting the movie locations of the Sound of Music.
Salzburg is a well known destination for Sound of Music fans, the life of the Von Trapp family is intertwined with that of Salzburg itself. Growing up we’ve watched the Sound of Music a dozen times.
*READ NEXT: Read our Bucket list trip to Salzburg here
This movie is based on a successful Rogers and Hammerstein Broadway musical, that has probably been a favorite of anyone who has ever watched the film.
We are huge fans of the movie and this was definitely one trip we will never forget! On the blog, I will share our Salzburg Sound of Music Tour with kids, to help you plan your visit to Salzburg exploring all the movie locations.
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Salzburg Sound of Music Tour with kids
Best way to visit the Sound of Music movie locations
During our visit to Salzburg, we decided to visit the Sound of Music movie locations on a bus tour. We chose the Original sound of music tour by Panorama tours.
Tickets can either be purchased online, or from your hotel concierge. Most hotels in Salzburg sell tickets, and the Panorama bus tour can actually pick you up from your hotel which was pretty cool!
You can also do your own DIY Salzburg Sound of Music Tour as well. Most of the movie locations are within the city, except for a few that are a drive away.
Whichever way you choose, you will definitely have fun doing the Salzburg Sound of Music tour with kids.
What to expect on the Sound of Music Bus tour
The Sound of Music bus tour picks up right across the Mirabell gardens and lasts for about four hours, with a stop for lunch at Mondsee.
When doing the Salzburg Sound of Music Tour with kids, make sure to pack some snacks and entertainment for the kids.
We chose to pack an iPad and some kids activity kits for those times when they get impatient.
Luckily our tour guide was fun and animated, which made the bus tour actually fun for kids as well.
The Bus tour also includes some fun trivia questions, sing alongs, and Sound of Music movie scenes to help figure out which locations we were heading to.
There are a few Sound of Music movie locations that are not part of the bus tour, which includes the Nonnberg Abbey, the Hohensalzburg castle, the cemetery, Mozart bridge and the Old Town.
We did our own walking tour of these places, which are all a short distance away.
Leopoldskron Palace
Our first stop on the tour is the Leopoldskron Palace where the lake scenes were shot. Leopoldskron is located close to Salzburg’s historical district.
Many outdoor movie scenes were filmed here, but the interior of the Palace was never used. We did a short stop to this location before heading out to the next.
Hellbrunn Palace
The next stop on the Sound of Music bus tour is a visit to the Hellbrunn Palace to see the gazebo used for the “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” scene.
The gazebo was originally located near the Leopoldskron Palace, but was moved to the Hellbrunn Palace Gardens, because it attracted too many tourists in the area.
One thing we learned from the tour about the Sixteen Going on Seventeen scene, was that it was actually filmed in a studio in Hollywood. This Gazebo is merely a prop for the movie.
The Salzkammergut Lake Region
Some of the iconic scenes in the Sound of Music movie are the picturesque lakes in the opening scenes of the movie.
During our bus tour we took a few stops to take in the Lake views which was so breathtaking! The turquoise color water against the backdrop of the Austrian Alps are just so amazing.
St. Michael’s chapel at Mondsee
Our bus tour makes it’s way to the town of Mondsee, and our first stop is the St. Michaels Chapel where the famous wedding scene was filmed.
The 15th century Basilica is absolutely beautiful, and is one of the main tourist attractions in the town of Mondsee. Make sure to take a seat in one of the pews and admire the gorgeous interior.
The Sound of Music bus tour takes a lunch break here, so take advantage of exploring this colorful town and enjoy some delicious food, we loved the apple strudel!
Before you head out, make sure to swing by Lake Mondsee and admire the beautiful Alpine views. There is also a park there for the kids to let loose before heading back on the bus tour.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens
The last stop on the Sound of Music bus tour is the Mirabell Palace and Gardens.
Take a stroll through the picturesque, UNESCO world heritage site and enjoy exploring the iconic sites in the movie.
Built in the 16th century, Mirabell garden is part of Salzburg’s historic city center, and one of the cities most popular tourist attraction.
You will instantly recognize the many scenes in the movie here, like the Pegasus fountain and the arched hedges that the Von Trapp family ran through, as well as the steps used as a musical scale.
Another one of the iconic scenes at Mirabell gardens is where Maria and the children dance and sing the “Do-Re-Mi” song.
It was so much fun finding these movie locations at the Gardens, and totally geek out that we were actually there!
How to do your own Sound of Music Tour
If you’re short on time, or visiting Salzburg on a day trip, You can easily do a self-guided walking tour of the Sound of Music movie locations.
Most of the movie sites are located within the city, like the Mirabell Gardens, Mozart’s footbridge, and the Hohensalzburg Castle, just naming a few.
Here is a list of some of the movie locations you can easily see on a walking tour:
The Mozart Footbridge
Another famous Sound of Music movie spot is located on the Mozart Bridge.
The Mozart bridge was made famous as the scene where Maria and the kids skip across singing the ‘Do-Re-Mi” song. It was so much fun reenacting the scene with our little one.
Hohensalzburg Castle and historic city center
Hohensalzburg Castle sits atop a small hill overlooking the city.
Built around the 11th century, it is one of the largest and most well preserved medieval castle in Europe.
Today it is one of Salzburg’s main attraction, and you can take a self-guided tour and learn more about its history.
The castle and the historic city center is seen during Maria’s iconic song “I have confidence”.
The Nonnberg Abbey
We visit the Nonnberg abbey, where Maria started out as a novice, and in the opening scene where the nuns are seen going to mass.
Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, Nonnberg Abbey is the oldest existing nunnery, built around 714 AD. Today, it is still a running convent.
You can visit the chapel and sit in the pews of the church. You also get the most amazing views of the city from here.
Nonnberg Abbey is just a short walk from the city center. There are some steps that lead up to the Abbey and is so worth the visit.
St. Peter’s Monastery and cemetery
Founded in the 7th century, St. Peters Monestary is the oldest cemetery in Salzburg, and one of its most visited attraction.
The catacombs carved into the rocks of the Festungberg are the highlights of this place.
St. Peters cemetery is the famous backdrop in the movie when the Trapp family flee from the National Socialists and hide in the dark recesses of the cemetery.
We had one of the most incredible experience on the Sound of Music tour. Being a huge fan of the movie and getting to visit the film locations was a dream come true.
Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities we’ve visited. So if you’re a fan of the movie, or simply just need ideas of places to see, then plan a trip to Salzburg and fulfill your Sound of Music bucket list!
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