“It’s a hell‑ooo from the hills!” — and those very hills in Salzburg remain much the same since Julie Andrews twirled her way into movie history. Released in 1965 and marking its 60th anniversary in 2025, The Sound of Music has kept millions humming its tunes—and brought waves of fans to the heart of Austria. With gala events, exhibitions, themed tours, and new bike‑and‑walking trails, Salzburg is embracing this milestone with charm and nostalgia.

This makes a trip to “The Sound of Music” filming locations an even more special experience, a chance to connect with the film’s legacy on a deeper level.

The Sound of Music Filming Locations in Salzburg

The city of Salzburg, Austria, with its baroque architecture and alpine backdrop, served as the primary Sound of Music setting, and today, it continues to welcome fans from all over the globe who wish to walk in the footsteps of Maria and the von Trapp family.

Mirabell Gardens and Palace

Our journey begins in the heart of Salzburg at the stunning Mirabell Gardens. These immaculate baroque gardens, with their vibrant flowerbeds, mythological statues, and grand fountains, are a feast for the eyes. But for fans of “The Sound of Music,” they hold a special significance. It is here that Maria and the von Trapp children danced and sang their way through the infectious “Do-Re-Mi” number, creating one of the most joyful and memorable sequences in cinematic history.

As you wander through the gardens, you’ll recognize several key spots. The Pegasus Fountain, with its winged horse statue, is where Maria and the children famously hopped around the edge. You can almost hear them singing as you stand there. Then there are the “Do-Re-Mi steps,” a set of stone steps on the north side of the gardens, which the children used as a musical scale. Recreating this scene is a must-do for any fan, and you’ll likely see fellow travelers doing the very same thing. The hedge tunnel and the gnome garden, also featured in the sequence, add to the feeling of being in the movie.

The gardens are free to enter and are a perfect starting point for your Sound of Music adventure.

Nonnberg Abbey

Perched on a hill overlooking Salzburg, Nonnberg Abbey is not just a beautiful and historic site, but a cornerstone of “The Sound of Music” story, both in the film and in real life. This is the abbey where the real Maria was a novice, and it’s the oldest continuously existing convent in the German-speaking world. In the film, it features in several key scenes. We see the nuns singing “Maria” in the courtyard, and the children coming to the abbey’s gates to ask Maria to return. The dramatic escape scene at the end of the film, with the von Trapps hiding behind the abbey’s walls, was also filmed here.

While the abbey’s interior is not open to the public, you can visit the church for services and get a sense of the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere that Maria would have known. The exterior of the abbey, with its imposing walls and iconic gate, is instantly recognizable. A walk up to Nonnberg Abbey not only offers a glimpse into “The Sound of Music” filming locations then and now but also rewards you with stunning panoramic views of Salzburg.

The von Trapp Family Homes: Leopoldskron and Frohnburg Palaces

One of the most frequently asked questions by fans is, “Does the von Trapp house still exist in Austria?” The answer is a little more complex than a simple yes or no. The beautiful villa seen in the movie was actually a combination of two different locations, and neither of them was the real von Trapp family home.

The stunning lakeside scenes, where the children famously fall out of the boat into the water, were filmed at Leopoldskron Palace. This magnificent rococo palace, with its picturesque lake and sprawling grounds, provided the romantic backdrop for the von Trapp family’s on-screen residence. While the interior of the palace was not used for filming, its Venetian room was the inspiration for the ballroom scene in the movie. Today, Leopoldskron Palace is a hotel and conference center. While you can’t just wander the grounds freely, you can stay there for a truly immersive experience or take an official tour to see the locations up close.

The front facade of the von Trapp villa, the one we see when Maria first arrives, is actually Frohnburg Palace. This 17th-century castle, located on the outskirts of Salzburg, is now home to the Mozarteum Music Academy. While you can’t go inside, you can admire the exterior and recreate Maria’s iconic “I Have Confidence” arrival.

The Gazebo at Hellbrunn Palace

“I am sixteen, going on seventeen…” This famous song and the romantic scene that accompanies it were filmed in a charming glass gazebo. In the movie, the gazebo was located on the grounds of Leopoldskron Palace. However, due to the overwhelming number of tourists who visited after the film’s release, it was moved to the park of Hellbrunn Palace, a short drive from the city center.

Today, you can visit the gazebo at Hellbrunn Palace and peek inside. While you can’t go in and dance around like Liesl and Rolf, it’s still a magical spot for a photo and a moment of nostalgia. Hellbrunn Palace itself is a beautiful attraction with its trick fountains and sprawling park, so it’s well worth a visit in its own right.

The Wedding Church: Mondsee Cathedral

The lavish and heartwarming wedding of Maria and Captain von Trapp was filmed in a truly stunning location: Mondsee Cathedral. This beautiful yellow and white church, officially known as the Basilica of St. Michael, is located in the charming town of Mondsee, about a 30-minute drive from Salzburg. The town itself is nestled on the shores of Lake Mondsee, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

The interior of the church is as grand in real life as it is in the film, with its ornate altars and beautiful ceiling frescoes. Walking down the aisle of Mondsee Cathedral, you can’t help but feel the romance and joy of that iconic scene. A trip to Mondsee is a wonderful day trip from Salzburg and a highlight for any Sound of Music fan.

The Hills Are Alive: The Opening Scenes

The iconic opening sequence of “The Sound of Music,” with Julie Andrews as Maria twirling in a meadow and singing the title song, is one of the most famous in movie history. These breathtaking shots were actually filmed in various locations in the Salzkammergut region, a stunning area of lakes and mountains near Salzburg.

The meadow where Maria sings “The Hills Are Alive” is located near the town of Marktschellenberg in Germany, just across the border from Salzburg. While the exact spot is on private property and not easily accessible, you can get a sense of the landscape by driving through the area. Another key location from the opening sequence is the road along the shores of Lake Fuschl, where the aerial shots of the von Trapp family’s journey were filmed. The Untersberg mountain, which looms over Salzburg, is also featured prominently in the opening and closing scenes of the film, symbolizing both the beauty of the region and the family’s escape to freedom.

Mozartsteg Bridge and Salzach River

In another portion of the Do-Re-Mi montage, Maria and the kids cross the Mozartsteg Bridge, twirling and skipping by the Salzach River. Located just a short walk from Mirabell, the bridge still offers the same view of Salzburg’s Old Town with the Hohensalzburg Fortress in the background.

There’s a casual, everyday beauty to this scene’s setting that makes it a favorite for visitors retracing Maria’s footsteps.

St. Peter’s Cemetery

Used as the dramatic hiding place for the von Trapps near the end of the film, St. Peter’s Cemetery is one of the oldest in Salzburg. While the actual scenes were filmed on a Hollywood replica of this site, it still feels eerily familiar.

The ironwork and flowered tombs remain a unique part of Salzburg’s heritage, and fans often visit to quietly reflect.

How to Get to and Get Around Salzburg

Getting to Salzburg is straightforward, especially if you’re coming from Germany. The Munich to Salzburg train is one of the most popular routes—it’s direct, scenic, and takes under 2 hours. Trains run regularly throughout the day, making it an easy day trip or stop on a longer Austria itinerary.

Salzburg Airport (SZG) also connects with major European cities. From the airport, it’s just a 20-minute ride to the city center by bus or taxi.

Once in the city, Salzburg is incredibly walkable, especially around the Old Town where many Sound of Music filming locations are concentrated. For spots just outside the center, local buses are reliable and efficient.

Getting Around Salzburg

• On Foot:

The historic center is compact and walkable. Many filming sites—Mirabell Gardens, Residenzplatz, Mozartsteg—are all within easy walking distance.

• By Bike

Salzburg is bike-friendly, and renting one is a great way to explore Sound of Music filming locations Salzburg style. Several bike tours also follow themed film routes.

• By Public Transport

Buses run frequently and connect the city center with key locations like Hellbrunn Palace and Leopoldskron. Bus tickets are affordable and easy to buy at stops or via app.

• With a Guided Tour

If you want to see multiple locations outside the city, a Sound of Music tour in Salzburg is a practical choice. Most include transport, guides, and a curated filming locations map.

• By Rental Car (for Outskirts)

For flexibility to explore remote scenes like the Gschwandtanger meadow or Mondsee Basilica, renting a car gives you the freedom to go off the typical tour path.

Celebrating 60 Years of The Sound of Music

The year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of The Sound of Music, and Salzburg is planning special events to commemorate it. Expect to see:

• Anniversary-themed exhibitions
• Outdoor screenings in iconic filming locations
• Limited-time musical performances
• Appearances by cast members or von Trapp family descendants

Keep an eye on the Salzburg official tourism page for updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Were any scenes from The Sound of Music filmed in Switzerland?

Despite the von Trapp family’s on-screen escape over the Alps to Switzerland, there were no scenes filmed in Switzerland. The final mountain shots were filmed on the Untersberg mountain, located on the border between Austria and Germany near Salzburg. It’s a fun piece of movie trivia that in real life, the von Trapp family didn’t hike over the mountains but took a train to Italy.

Was The Sound of Music filmed in Vienna?

Vienna is mentioned in the storyline—it’s the city Captain von Trapp is summoned to. However, there are no filming locations in Vienna. The film’s production was based entirely in the city of Salzburg and the surrounding Salzkammergut lake district.

Where were the mountain scenes filmed?

The stunning mountain scenes, including the opening sequence where Maria sings “The Hills Are Alive,” were filmed in the Salzkammergut region, a beautiful area of lakes and mountains near Salzburg. The Untersberg mountain, which is visible from Salzburg, is also featured prominently in the film.

Does the von Trapp house still exist in Austria?

The house seen in the film was a combination of two different locations: Leopoldskron Palace (for the lakeside scenes) and Frohburg Palace (for the exterior). The real von Trapp family lived in a villa in the Aigen district of Salzburg, which is now a hotel.

Can you visit the house where The Sound of Music was filmed?

You can visit the locations that were used to create the on-screen von Trapp villa. Leopoldskron Palace is now a hotel, so you can stay there or take a tour. Frohnburg Palace is a music academy, so you can view it from the outside. You can also visit the real von Trapp family home, which is now the Villa Trapp hotel.