Salzburg, Austria is a beautiful city that offers a wide range of cultural, historical, and natural attractions for visitors to explore. Located in the heart of the Alps, Salzburg is known for its stunning mountain scenery, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene. We loved our time touring in Salzburg. And like Julie Andrews, we would like to share with you a “few of [our] favorite things”!
“The Sound of Music” Tour
“The Sound of Music” Tour in Salzburg, offers visitors the opportunity to experience the iconic locations from the beloved 1965 film, “The Sound of Music.” The tour includes stops at the gazebo from the “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” scene and the Mirabell Palace and Gardens.
The tour also includes a visit to the beautiful lake district of Mondsee, where the Von Trapp’s wedding scene was filmed. The tour guide provides interesting behind-the-scenes information and trivia about the making of the film.
There are some sites from the film that are not reachable on the bus tour, due to small streets and some stairwells that may be difficult for some tourists. We did some research on other film areas and put together a self-guided tour of spots that were not included in our booked tour.
If you would like a copy of our self-guided “The Sound of Music” tour, please send us an email. Whether by tour bus or self-guided visiting famous sites from “The Sound of Music” is a popular experience for fans of the movie and offers a unique look into the culture and history of Salzburg.
Salzburg Cathedral
The Salzburg Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Rupert and Saint Vergilius, is a stunning example of Baroque architecture located in the heart of Salzburg, Austria. Built in the 7th century, the cathedral has undergone several renovations and expansions over the centuries, the most significant of which took place in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The impressive façade features twin towers and ornate carvings, while the interior is adorned with intricate frescoes, sculptures, and the impressive high altar. The Salzburg Cathedral is also home to the Salzburg Cathedral Boys’ Choir, which has been performing at the cathedral for over 500 years.
The Cathedral is an exceptional attraction for visitors to Salzburg, and its location in the historic old town allows visitors to explore the city’s rich history and culture.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
The Hohensalzburg Fortress is a medieval castle located on a hilltop overlooking the city. It is one of the largest and best-preserved castles in Europe and is a significant tourist attraction. The fortress was built in the 11th century and has been expanded over the centuries. It served as the residence of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, as well as a military fortress and prison.
Visitors can explore the castle’s many rooms and courtyards, including the Golden Hall, which features frescoes and intricate stucco work. The fortress also offers great views of the city and the surrounding countryside. There is also the Marionette Museum, which is dedicated to the traditional Austrian art of marionette puppetry and has a large collection of marionettes from the 18th to 20th century.
The fortress is a well-liked attraction for history and architecture enthusiasts and offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and explore one of Europe’s most impressive fortresses.
Mirabell Gardens
The Mirabell Gardens are a beautiful and historic garden located in Salzburg. They were originally created in the 17th century by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau as a private garden for the palace. Today, the garden is open to the public and is a popular spot for visitors to the city.
The gardens are known for their geometric layout, with symmetrical paths and flowerbeds, and for their impressive collection of sculptures and fountains. The garden’s most famous feature is the Pegasus Fountain, which is located in the center of the garden.
The garden is also home to the Marble Hall, which was used as a ballroom and is now used for concerts and events. The Mirabell Gardens are a beautiful and peaceful place to visit and are a great spot for a leisurely stroll or a picnic. The gardens were also featured in the 1965 film “The Sound of Music,” where the song “Do-Re-Mi” was filmed, making them a worthwhile attraction for fans of the movie.
In addition to its beautiful gardens, the Mirabell Gardens also feature an Orangery, which is a historic greenhouse that was used to grow citrus fruits and other exotic plants. The Orangery was built in the 18th century and has been beautifully restored, with its original architecture and decor preserved. Inside, visitors may see a collection of exotic plants and fruits, including oranges, lemons, and pineapples that were grown in the orangery in the past.
The Getreidegasse
The Getreidegasse is a historic street located in the heart of Salzburg’s old town. It is one of the city’s most famous and picturesque streets, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and charming atmosphere.
The street is lined with colorful buildings, many of which feature traditional wrought-iron signs, and it is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Visitors can find traditional crafts, souvenirs, and clothing, as well as local delicacies such as Mozartkugeln (Mozart balls) and Salzburger Nockerl (Salzburg dumplings).
The street is also home to the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which is now a museum dedicated to the famous composer’s life and work. The Getreidegasse is a great place to explore on foot, and it is a must-see for visitors to Salzburg who want to experience the city’s rich history and culture.
Day Trip to Munich
A day trip to Munich from Salzburg is a great way to experience two of the most iconic cities in Germany and Austria. The journey by train takes approximately two hours one way, and once in Munich, visitors can explore the city’s many attractions such as the Marienplatz with its famous Glockenspiel, the famous Hofbräuhaus brewery, the Nymphenburg Palace, and the famous Englischer Garten.
Visitors can also take a stroll along the famous shopping street of Maximilianstraße, which is known for its luxury shops and designer boutiques. Additionally, visitors can also visit the famous Bauhaus Museum, the New National Museum, and the Deutsches Museum, which is one of the oldest and largest science and technology museums in the world.
The day trip in Munich can also include a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, which is located about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Munich. Dachau was the first concentration camp established by the Nazi regime and served as a model for all subsequent camps. Visiting the Memorial Site is a sobering and educational experience.
The tour of the camp includes the main exhibition, which provides an overview of the camp’s history and the experiences of prisoners, as well as the grounds of the camp, including the barracks, roll call square, and the crematorium. The site also features a permanent exhibition dedicated to the persecution of homosexuals, Sinti and Roma, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and people with disabilities. It is important to note that visiting Dachau Memorial Site can be emotionally taxing, and visitors should be prepared for the somber atmosphere of the site. It is recommended to have enough time for the visit and to properly research and understand the context of the camp before visiting.
Visit a Salt Mine
If you are looking for a popular time filler, taking a tour of a Salt Mine is a unique and fascinating attraction. We had a couple of recommendations to visit a salt mine, specifically the Hallein Salt Mine located in the Dürrnberg plateau near Hallein, Austria. The Hallein Mine was closed when we were in Salzburg, so we found the Salt Mine Berchtesgaden in the German Alps, near the border of Austria that we could tour. The Salt Mine Berchtesgaden has been in operation since the Middle Ages, and visitors can take an underground tour to explore the mine’s tunnels, caverns, and chambers. The tour includes the use of a jumpsuit to wear on the tour, a ride on a miner’s train, sliding down two wooden slides, and a boat ride on an underground salt lake.
The mine is also home to an underground salt lake, which is a unique natural feature and it is the only one of its kind in the world. Visitors can learn about the history and techniques of salt mining, as well as the ecological and geological features of the area. The mine is open all year round and it is a popular attraction for both tourists and locals. When we were there, the tour was only offered in German, but they had an audio tour in English for us to listen to while we walked with the group. We enjoyed the tour, however, it was a long bus ride to get there. So was the tour good enough to be worth our time? Hard to say, we did not have any sites that we missed in Salzburg because of it, and we have been told that any experience is one more experience than we would have had otherwise. The slides were fun and the information on the audio tour was pretty interesting – so it is mostly a time question that each will have to decide for themselves. That being said, we have heard good things about the Hallein Salt Mine, so next time we visit Salzburg we will try to tour that mine – hopefully, it will be open!
Is Salzburg Worth Visiting?
In our opinion – absolutely yes, we would love to go back and visit Salzburg again! Salzburg is a charming city that offers a variety of cultural, historical, and natural activities and sights to enjoy. From singing and re-creating scenes from “The Sound of Music” to touring the Salzburg Cathedral and Hohensalzburg Fortress, to walking the quaint streets of The Getreidegasse past Mozart’s Birthplace, and the possibility of a day trip to Munich. Salzburg has many wonderful sights and experiences for all its visitors.