sound of music mountain tour

13 Must-See Sound of Music Tour Salzburg

July 23, 2023

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

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

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

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

 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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

How long is the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg?

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.

Can you do a Sound of Music tour yourself?

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.

Is it worth doing the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg?

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.

Can you go inside The Sound of Music House?

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 is a passionate author on All Things Austria, a website that provides useful and practical guides on travelling to Austria. He loves to explore the country’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty, and share his insights with his readers.

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The Original Sound of Music Tour

Adults 60.00€ | Children 30.00€

Are you a fan of The Sound of Music ? Then you can't miss this tour!

Relive with us the making-of the ‚Sound of Music‘ movie in and around Salzburg. This tour, which has been Salzburg’s most popular tour since 1967, is a combination of both historical Salzburg and the breathtaking Lakes and Mountains region . Our guide will show you many of the film locations from the ‘Sound of Music’ and share not only background stories of the movie but also the history and culture of the region. Find out with us whether the hills of Salzburg truly are alive with the ‘Sound of Music’ as you listen to the original movie Soundtrack along the way.

The whole tour is held in English !

Please meet us at Mirabellplatz / Corner Hubert-Sattler-Gasse 1, 5020 Salzburg (Panorama Tours Bus Terminal) some minutes before the tour starts and show your ticket.

• Mirabell Gardens: Shown in many scenes including where Maria and the children sang ‘Do-Re-Mi’.  
• The Gazebo: Where Rolf and Liesl sang ‘Sixteen Going on Seventeen’ and Maria and the Baron sang ‘Something Good’.  
• Palace of Leopoldskron: This historical palace and its ground provided many filming locations including the lake where the boating scene took place.  
• Nonnberg Abbey: This historical abbey was used both in the movie and the true story. In real life Maria and the Baron where married here in 1927.
• St. Gilgen/Lake Wolfgang: This picturesque area was featured in the opening sequence of the movie. The village of St. Gilgen is situated directly across from the famous Schafberg mountain.  
• Church of Mondsee: The Sound of Music Wedding Church. This historical church of Mondsee was the location of the movie wedding between Maria and the Baron.
• 09:15 AM & 14:00 PM

Mirabellplatz / Ecke Hubert-Sattler-Gasse 1 , 5020   Vienna

🎵 The 5 Best Sound of Music Tours in Salzburg [2024 Reviews]

Located right on the border of Germany, the Austrian city of Salzburg is known for its stunning architecture, breathtaking views of the Eastern Alps, and for being the birthplace of Mozart.

However, did you know that it’s also where the legendary film “The Sound of Music” was also filmed? Before taking the first SoM tour here, I funny enough hadn’t even seen the film and still had an amazing time visiting these absolutely gorgeous places.

After that, I immediately saw the movie so I could appreciate it even further, and have come up with a carefully selected list of the 5 top Sound of Music Tours available today! Let’s jump right in!

Best Sound of Music Tours from Salzburg

Quick answer: the 5 best rated sound of music tours for 2024.

• The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg
• Original Sound of Music Private Tour Salzburg
• Sound of Music / Hallstatt Tour
• The Hills Are Alive
• Sound of Music Tour by Minivan

Best Salzburg Sound of Music Tour Reviews

1. the original sound of music tour in salzburg.

• Duration:  4 hours
• Departure:  Hubert-Sattler-Gasse 1, 5020 Salzburg
• Departure Time: 9:15 AM, 2:15 PM
• Includes:  Air-conditioned vehicle, tour

This SoM experience is one that I found to be one of the most affordable, “best bang for your buck” tours.

The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg  comes in 2 options: both a large bus tour and a small group/minibus tour which is more exclusive (and more expensive). I did the big bus tour as I do find it a fantastically affordable option, so I’ll be speaking to my experience on that.

Another great aspect of this tour is that there are so many different start times to choose from, that you’re bound to find one that works perfectly around your itinerary.

I was a bit hesitant, wondering how it would be to be on a tour with so many people, but it almost made it more fun! I’ll get into the details in a moment, but I want to mention that there are no hotel pickups involved so you’ll have to make your way to the central meeting point first.

From Mirabellplatz in the center of the city, you’ll board the bus and head through the gorgeous scenery with the film’s soundtrack playing to really set the tone.

Me and the rest of our big group sang along happily to ‘Edelweiss’, ‘Do-Re-Mi’, and ‘My Favorite Things’ which instantly bonded us and made the whole experience feel surreal!

Expand To See More See Less

The Mirabell Palace and Gardens is where ‘Do-Re-Mi’ was filmed, and we got the chance to take plenty of photos in front of the Pegasus Fountain and steps!

After this, we made our way through the stunning views of the Alps and made another stop at Lake Leopoldskron which is like a mirror, reflecting the incredible castle by the same name (where the boating scene was taken).

We got to take more photos at the gardens of Hellbrunn castle, the glass gazebo for the kissing scene, and even Nonnberg Abbey.

Throughout the entire tour, our guides did a fantastic job telling us about the different landmarks and relating them back to the movie, complete with insider info!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, 2. original sound of music private tour salzburg.

• Duration:  4 hours
• Departure: Hubert-Sattler-Gasse 1, 5020 Salzburg
• Departure Time: 9:45 AM
• Includes:  Driver/guide, Transport by private air-conditioned Mercedes E 220 or VW luxury minibus, 1-hour Edelweiss apple strudel cooking class and tastings (if option selected)

For me, a well-rated tour should always come with interesting commentary and a structured schedule to ensure seamless transitions between sights.

The Original Sound of Music Private Tour Salzburg offers all that and so much more, with some flexibility to check out a couple of extra attractions if you’d like. I didn’t know what to expect, but our guide truly brought the scene to life with plenty of passion, knowledge, and personality!

I love that this is a private tour with a small group setting, which made it feel more like we had a good friend taking us around to all the different sights!

We rode around in an air-conditioned Mercedes E220 which was very comfortable with big windows so I could soak in the beautiful landscapes as we cruised along.

Our guide was a very safe driver, and offered some interesting historical accounts as well as stories relating back to the movie that I’d never heard of before.

Our first stop was the Schloss Hellbrunn which was constructed in the 17th century and is known famously for being the site of the garden gazebo where Liesl and Rolf sang ‘Sixteen Going on Seventeen’.

After that, we took another gorgeous drive through Salzkammergut where I got some amazing videos of the towering Alps and glass-like lakes which you see in the first scenes of The Sound of Music, passing the little village of St. Gilgen.

Even though a relatively good amount of time during our tour was spent driving, it was still kind of tiring and I welcomed a 50-minute break at Basilika St. Michael.

Here, we had free time to explore at our leisure and we chose to take a little stroll around the picture-perfect Mondsee. I highly recommend grabbing a cup of coffee and their famous apple strudel!

3. Sound of Music / Hallstatt Tour

• Duration:  8 hours
• Departure:  Rudolfskai 38, 5020 Salzburg
• Departure Time: 9:00 AM

This is one of the most magical small-group tours I’ve been in, with the opportunity to explore more of Hallstatt than what the other tours offer.

The Sound of Music / Hallstatt Tour  is a significantly longer tour than the previous couple, so if you’re looking for a full-day experience, this is a fantastic choice. Starting off early in the morning, it’s also a great way to get acquainted with the area if it’s your first time here.

I’m not sure if this is always the case, but I noticed that my tour and many others’ consisted of no more than 5 people, which was simply amazing.

We had a very personalized tour with our guide, who ended up feeling more like a friend who was incredibly knowledgeable about the subject rather than just a guide.

Our day started out with being picked up from our hotel by a comfortable vehicle, doing a short city tour of Salzburger Altstadt which is full of breathtaking architecture.

After taking plenty of photos and videos of the city, we then set out for Leopoldskroner Weiher, where we got to see the rear of the “von Trapp” house and the ponds the kids fell into in the film.

Throughout the sightseeing, our guide related it back to the different movie scenes along with plenty of behind-the-scenes info that I wouldn’t have been able to find anywhere else.

We then stopped over at the intimidating Schloss Hellbrun, where we also got to take some photos in front of the “16-going-on-17” gazebo.

Lake Wolfgang was something from a postcard, and we got to take plenty of photos there before exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hallstatt on our own.

However, our guide was great at offering plenty of recommendations and I’d love to go back and spend a couple of days there. After that, we passed by St. Gilgen Mozartplatz and Basilika St. Michael to reenact the wedding scene from the film!

4. The Hills Are Alive

• Duration:  8 hours
• Departure:  Hotel pickup and drop-off included
• Departure Time: Between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM
• Includes:  Private tour, professional guide

This is my other favorite all-day tour of its kind, which I also found to be one of the best for seeing some of the best views of the Austrian Alps.

The Hills Are Alive Tour is indeed aptly named, taking you through nearly every iconic scene of The Sound of Music.

If that sounds like fun to you, make sure to lace up a pair of comfortable walking shoes and put on a jacket because it’s a day full of venturing through one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

This tour also includes a convenient hotel pickup right from the lobby, so there’s no need to worry about finding a meetup point or booking additional transportation.

I do recommend dressing comfortable, though, as you’ll definitely do a bit of walking around in nature. The transportation was very comfortable, with padded seating, plenty of legroom, and big windows to view the Austrian landscape.

The first stop of the day was at Mirabell Gardens, which I immediately recognized as the place where the “Do-Re-Mi” scenes took place!

We got plenty of time to stroll throughout the lush area, complete with the Pegasus Fountain and Dwarf Garden, which was really cool to see as I love Roman and Greek art.

We then took the elevator up to an incredible viewpoint, which is known for being one of the most impressive in all of Salzburg (we even saw a 1,000-year-old fortress!).

We then headed back down to the historical center, where we saw the Horse Bath, Festival DIstrict, St. Peter’s Church, and much more.

Leopoldskron Palace and Hellbrunn Palace were equally as impressive, before exploring the majestic Bavarian Alps, which you’ll recognize from the film’s opening scenes.

We then made our way to the top of the infamous Sound of Music trail followed by a delicious lunch consisting of traditional local fare before heading to the Lake District.   

5.  Sound of MusicTour by Minivan

Last but certainly not least, is the 4-hour Sound of Music Tour by Minivan . This is the second-best option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly tour, though it is actually affordable while still being a small-group tour!

With a maximum of just 8 participants, you can rest assured that you’ll receive a personalized experience rather than just a cookie-cutter activity that you can find anywhere.

You can choose whether to meet in the center of the city or take advantage of their free hotel pickup service in-between the hours of 8:30 and 9:00 am.

The vehicle is quite comfortable, and with the big windows and amazing views of the Alps surrounding us, there was never a moment of boredom.

The first stop is Leopoldskroner Weiher, as is the case with most of the tours, where you’ll see the back of the von Trapp house and the pond.  After that, we saw the Hellbrunn Castle, which, in itself is quite impressive.

Here, we saw the 16-going-on-17 gazebo and had the chance to take some photos before checking out the glass-like Lake Wolfgang.

We followed it up with a trip to Basilika St. Michael, where we had a blast reenacting the wedding scene from the movie!

I felt like our guide did a fantastic job explaining everything to us both in the van and outside at each location, answering any questions we had.

The PA system inside the van was a great addition, ensuring all of us could clearly hear what the guide was saying as we passed different sights in real time.

Overall, it was a great time, with a top-notch guide, great organization and recommendations, and at this price, is really hard to beat.

Tour Guides

The Original Sound of Music Private Tour Salzburg is our Editors Choice for the Best Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg,

Robert Baker

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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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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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HALLSTATT + SALZKAMMERGUT and WORLD FAMOUS MOVIE LOCATIONS

The “Sound of Music“ Film Location At Mirabel Gardens

Hallstatt Churches

Hallstatt Fall and Winter Combination

Hallstatt Funicular

Hallstatt Wood Houses

Hallstatt Mirror Lake

Top of Hallstatt

The Gazebo At Hellbrunn Park

Schloss Leopoldskron Area

Leopoldskron

Mondsee Kirche

Mondsee Altar

A Church in Salzkammergut

Mondsee Town

Mondsee Minor Basilica

Salzburg Horse Pond

St.Gilgen in Fall

St.Wolfgang and Wolfgansee

St.Gilgen Church

Description

Three highlights in one sightseeing tour:The important locations from the movie “The Sound of Music”, the picturesque Lakes and Mountains district Salzkammergut and the extraordinary village Hallstatt and Lake Hallstättersee. The UNESCO Cultural Heritage Committee wrote: “… nature of extraordinary beauty added to scientific import …” Some guests say it is the most extraordinary lake village in the world.

Important Info

Your are all welcome to sing songs during the tour!

Inclusions:

• Free Salzburg city/hotel pick-up
• Drop off near Mirabell garden
• Knowledgeable chauffeur guides
• Tour flexibility upon request

Exclusions:

• Food and drinks
•  Entrance fees, cable cars, boats etc. (where applicable) not included in the tour price
• Tips for guide ( up to you)

Tour schedule & availability

Important Info a) Additional hours if possible upon request. Extra hours Euro 95,00/h b) Some of the tours cross the border Austria/Germany. Please take the passport with you, it could be checked. c) Please inform us in case you want to take a baby with you (necessary for the proper child seat).

FILM LOCATIONS FROM THE MOVIE “ The Sound of Music”

On this sightseeing tour you will see the most important film locations from the movie “ The Sound of Music” in Salzburg city and Mondsee (wedding church). Many of them are also very important sights like  Leopodskron Palace  and  Nonnberg Abbey  from where Maria was sent to the Trapp Family.

THE WORLD FAMOUS  Salzkammergut  LAKES AND MOUNTAINS

Then we will head for the lakes and mountains district Salzkammergut . Soft hills and high mountains, steep rugged rocks, mountain lakes and picturesque villages; a breathtaking view from high above over Lake Wolfgangsee and St. Gilgen (also famous for the Mozart family) – it is indeed not surprising that this wonderful part of Austria became world famous.

HALLSTATT – 7000 years of salt mining and UNESCO Heritage Site

Finally we will reach the extraordinary village Hallstatt at lake Hallstätter See. It is simply amazing how the houses were built between the mountains and the lake. And thus is the history of this outstanding sightseeing place. 7000 years of salt mining and findings of eminent historic import even gave a scientific epoch its name: The Hallstatt period with the Hallstatt Culture. Together with the Dachstein region it was declared an UNESCO Heritage site.

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• Category: Salzburg City Tours

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THE LAKE DISTRICT + HALLSTATT ( St.Gilgen, St.Wolfgang at Salzkammergut)

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Sound of Music and Lakes & Mountains from Passau/Linz – Private Full-Day Tour

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English, German on request: Italian, French, Spanish

Visit “The Sound of Music” filming locations in the Mozart city Salzburg and discover the beautiful Salzkammergut on this tour from Passau or Linz

Discover the gorgeous Baroque city of Salzburg , declared a World Heritage Site by the UNSECO in 1997. The city looks back on centuries of rich history. It is where the true story of the Trapp family took place and where “The Sound of Music” was filmed. Visit the famous locations and sights featured in the movie and enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Salzkammergut area.

The Sound of Music

Salzburg – let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start – not only home of one of the most famous classical composers in the world, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but also the filming location for the world-famous movie “The Sound of Music” .

Follow the traces of the Trapp Family on your private tour through Salzburg. See, for example, the Rococo Palace Leopoldskron from the viewpoint across the lake mirroring the palace or Nonnberg Abbey , where Maria was a novice. Visit the “Sixteen Going On Seventeen” Gazebo in the gardens around Hellbrunn Palace .

Lakes & Mountains - Salzkammergut

Continuing to the area known as “Salzkammergut” , be captivated by the breathtaking scenery of steep mountain sides and beautiful lakes. Look forward to visiting Mondsee where the romantic wedding scene in The Sound of Music was filmed. Enjoy a short break at the lake before heading back to your cruise ship.

FAQs Sound of Music and Lakes & Mountains from Passau/Linz

Which sound of music filming locations are there in salzburg.

Many scenes of the Sound of Music were filmed in Salzburg, including locations such as the Mirabell Gardens , Nonnberg Abbey or Leopoldskron Palace . Find out more about Salzburg and the Sound of Music here .

When is the Sound of Music and Lakes & Mountains Tour from Passau or Linz available?

The tour is available daily, all year around. In addition, we tailor this tour to your needs regarding pick-up place and time.

How many people can go on the tour?

This tour has a flat rate price that allows for up to 8 people.

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 tour either in a Volkswagen or Mercedes 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 .

Pick-up & drop-off in the designated harbor and at the pier. Please provide the following necessary information during the booking process: harbor (Passau or Linz), cruise line, preferred start time of your private tour, and if possible, ship name and pier number. In case of any amendments please contact +43 662 88 32 11 0 (during opening hours) or [email protected] .

For detailed pick-up arrangements , please contact Salzburg Panorama Tours +43 662 88 32 11 0 (during opening hours) or send an email to [email protected] at least 24 h prior arrival !

Entrance fees, food & baverages are not included and must be paid onsite.

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.

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Original Sound of Music Tour® - Tour 1A

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Sound of Music - Private Half-Day Tour

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Sound of Music & Hallstatt - Private Full-Day Tour

Combine two highlights: a private Sound of Music Tour and a visit of the picturesque city Hallstatt

Hallstatt from Passau/Linz – Private Full-Day Tour

Be captivated by the breathtaking beauty of Hallstatt on this private tour to Hallstatt from Passau or Linz.

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Sound of Music – The film locations

Based on the true story of Maria von Trapp, Robert Wise's 1965 film adaptation of "The Sound of Music" was a worldwide success. The idyllic city of Salzburg was chosen as the location for the film as early as 1963. Shooting for the movie began in the spring of 1964 and whilst it was originally scheduled to last for only six weeks, heavy rain meant that it ran into eleven weeks. Until now SalzburgerLand attracts guests from all over the world who come to visit the original filming locations.

Leopoldskron and Hellbrunn

Villa Leopoldskron was the setting for the family home. It was here that the interior villa scenes were shot, and its neighboring lake was the location for the scene in which the children fall out of the boat. There was a small mishap whilst filming this scene. Kym Karath, the actress who played Gretl, couldn’t swim and jumped into the water from the wrong side of the boat. She had to be rescued by the assistant director’s son. Castle Frohnburg on the Hellbrunner Allee was chosen for the exterior shots of the villa.

The famous gazebo, which today can be found in the gardens of Hellbrunn Castle, was used for both Maria and Georg’s romantic love scene and the duet “Sixteen Going On Seventeen”.

© Tourismus Salzburg GmbH – Sound of Music Gazebo in Hellbrunn

Locations in Salzburg Old Town

The Benedictine monastery , where Maria started out as a novice, is where the nuns sang “Maria”. The song “I Have Confidence” was filmed in the Residenzplatz.  The Felsenreitschule forms the location for the singing competition in which the family choir participate, and is also where the escape plans were made. It is here that Christopher Plummer, alias Baron von Trapp, sang “Edelweiß”.

The Sound of Music Locations in Salzburger Land

The wedding scene, which incidentally was one of the first scenes to be shot for the film, was filmed in the parish church of Mondsee .

The town of Werfen provided the backdrop for the song “Do-Re-Mi” and Hohenwerfen Fortress can be seen in the background. The Untersberg mountain can be seen twice throughout the film. It was here that the opening scenes and closing scene, in which the Trapp family escape Nazi-occupied Austria, were filmed. Water Palace Anif can also be seen in the opening scenes.

©TVB Werfen – Sound of Music Trail

The City of Music

The world premiere of “The Sound of Music” was on 2nd March 1965 at the Rivoli Theater in New York. The film was sold out for weeks, and during this time the city of Salzburg became famous all over the world.

Further locations

• St. Peter’s Cemetery
• Studios in Salzburg Parsch.
• Café Winkler, known today as the M32 restaurant on the Mönchsberg
• St. Margarethen Chapel
• Fuschl, St. Gilgen and St. Wolfgang
• Hotel Bristol on the Makartplatz was the hotel where Christopher Plummer stayed. He spent many a night there playing the piano at the hotel bar.
• Salzburg was a dream come true for the child actors. Their governess showed them the sights of the city and they had great fun at the Hellbrunn Trick Fountains.
• The song “Do-Re-Mi” was filmed in the Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg. Julie Andrews found that she wasn’t able to play the guitar and sing at the same time. After a vehement dispute with the director, Andrews discovered a proven home remedy. After a stiff glass of brandy, she found that shooting the scene was no problem!
• Whilst filming, the children grew – some faster than the others. Towards the end of filming, Charmian Carr, who played Liesl, had to stand on an apple crate.
• Debbie Turner, alias Marta, lost her milk teeth during filming and dentists had to provide her with false teeth to fill in the gaps.

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 landmarks in the life of the von Trapp family and the story told by the movie. The fascinating life of former novice Maria von Trapp and her singing family became a world-wide success when the film was released in 1965, with Julie Andrews starring as Maria. The songs from " The Sound of Music " are famous around the globe.

Original shooting locations from the Sound of Music movie include:

Mirabell Gardens and the Pegasus Fountain (the dance scene with Maria and the children)

Schloss Leopoldskron (in the film, the house where the family lived)

Hellbrunn palace (singing scenes)

Nonnberg Convent (where the young Maria was a novice)

St. Gilgen / Wolfgangsee (opening scene of the movie)

Mondsee Basilica (wedding scene)

"The Sound of Music" tour can be booked online through...

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The Sound of Music

Tours, packages & concerts.

The Original Sound of Music Tour ®

Join our wonderful Original Sound of Music Tour ®. Start at Mirabell Gardens and visit the original film locations like Leopoldskron Palace, Nonnberg abbey and Hellbrunn Palace.

Follow the traces of the  Trapp family  and take a tour to Salzburg and its surroundings. Visit all of the  original film  settings and feel, how  Julie Andrews , the main character in the film, felt by playing  Maria von Trapp .

Relax and listen to the Original Sound of Music soundtrack.  You will not just see lots of highlights of the movie "The Sound of Music", but also get to know historical and architectural landmarks in the city as well as in the Lake District area.

Recommended by Rick Steves!

Book this tour online  on the Panorama Tours website!

Sound of Music - Private Half-Day Tour

Join us on our wonderful private Sound of Music Tour with breathtaking views!

Follow the traces of the  Trapp family  and take a tour through Salzburg and its surroundings. Visit the original film locations of the famous movie "The Sound of Music" filmed in 1964.

Right after release, the film became a tremendous success, awarded with 5 Oscars becoming the highest grossing movie ever and reaching cult status over the years.

Duration: 4 hours

Book this private tour  on the Panorama Tours website.

Sound of Music at Schloss Leopoldskron

The  Rococo-Palace Leopoldskron  will be your host for 2 overnights and this building is famous as it was  one of the movie locations of "The Sound of Music" . You stay overnight in one of the comfortable rooms of Meierhof and enjoy breakfast buffet whether at the Marble Hall or the ballroom of the palace.

Included services: 

• 2 x overnights/buffet breakfast at Schloss Leopoldskron / House Meierhof
• Welcome drink
• Free bike rental, free WiFi, free usage of public pool Leopoldskron (in summer), 1 bottle water per person/day
• Original Sound of Music Tour ® with free hotel pick-up
• Sweet souvenir

Book this package online  on the Panorama Tours Website!

Sound of Music Special

Spend two nights in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Salzburg - a city full of history & culture.

Combine your city trip with the Original Sound of Music Tour ® and explore the orginal film locations.

Included services:

• 2 overnights in a centrally located 4-star hotel 
• Original Sound of Music Tour ® with hotel pick-up
• "Sound of Music" colouring book for children
• Information and leaflets of Salzburg await you upon your arrival at the hotel

Book this package online  on the Panorama Tours website!

Sound of Music & Hallstatt - Private Full-Day Tour

Combine our most popular tours with this private full day tour exploring the picturesque World Heritage City of Salzburg as well as the breathtaking landscape of the Lakes and Mountain area.

Visit the picturesque village of Hallstatt - a destination of most unique historical and cultural significance, be sure not to miss this hidden gem. 

  Book this combination online  on our Panorama Tours website.

Super Saver - Salt Mine Tour & Original Sound of Music Tour ®

Save money and enjoy one day in Salzburg and its surroundings, like the Lake District and Berchtesgaden.

Spend half a day and follow the footsteps of the Trapp Family, while you visit the orignal film locations from "The Sound of Music" during our Original Sound of Music Tour ®.

The other half day you visit the Salt Mine in Berchtesgaden.

Book this combination online  on our Panorama Tours Website.

The Sound of Music at Salzburg Marionette Theatre

Enjoy a wonderful evening at the Salzburg Marionette Theatre and spend some time with the marionette puppets playing the story of the famous movie "The Sound of Music".

Book the ticket online  on our Panorama Tours website.

Sound of Music Tour & Trail - Private Full-Day Tour

• Private tour to the Sound of Music film locations in Salzburg, Salzkammergut and Werfen
• Start your day with breakfast inside Schloss Leopoldskron
• Sing 'Sixteen Going on Seventeen' at the real Gazebo, in the garden of  Hellbrunn Palace
• In Werfen hike on the new  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 

Book this private tour online  on the Panorama Tours Website!

Sound of Music Tour with Schnitzel & Noodles

Make your Original Sound of Music Tour ® even more special and treat yourself to a  3 course Sound of Music menu  after the tour at the  renowned traditional restaurant "s’Herzl" . 

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.

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The Sound of Music Filming Locations in Austria: FULL List + Map!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclaimer here .

The hills are alive with  The Sound of Music  filming locations, all 20+ of them! And if you’re planning a trip to Salzburg in Austria or are just enjoying a rewatch of the classic movie musical, you’re probably in love with the setting and want to know where The Sound of Music  was filmed.

The Sound of Music  (1965) is a Hollywoodised tale of a true story. Flighty Maria (Julie Andrews) is a nun-in-training who leaves monastic life to become the governess to the seven unruly children of a widowed Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). She teaches the children and their stern father about love and music, but the Nazis’ control of Austria thwarts their new-found bliss.

The 20th Century Fox Studios in Hollywood was the main setting for The Sound of Music interior scenes. But you’ll be pleased to know that the majority of The Sound of Music locations take place in Salzburg, Austria where the movie is set.

I visited Austria in September 2022. This guide includes every single location of  The Sound of Music . I’ve even created a  The Sound of Music  locations map so you can find them for yourself. There are lots of tours of  The Sound of Music  locations   too.

So, where does  The Sound of Music  take place? Don your lederhosen and let’s find out!

Where Was The Sound of Music Filmed?

The Sound of Music Filming Locations in Austria and Germany

1. salzkammergut lakes region.

The opening The Sound of Music  locations are establishing shots of the Austrian countryside. We’re treated to incredible, sweeping panoramic shots of lakes in the Salzkammergut  lakes region.

It’s possible that some of the first locations are some of the larger lakes like Attersee or Traunsee .

2. St Gilgen

One of the first definite  The Sound of Music  film locations is  St Gilgen , a small town   next to  Wolfgangsee . You can clearly see the Pfarrkirche Heiliger Ägidius church in this small but beautiful lakeside town.

3. Kloster Höglwörth

The next birds-eye-view location of The Sound of Music is Kloster Höglwörth  on the banks of Höglwörther See . This 12th-century former monastery has a distinctive tower with a double-domed roof so it’s easy to spot. 

Although it’s close to  Salzburg , this monastery is technically in Germany !

4. Schloss Anif

Did you notice the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it The Sound of Music location in the middle of the small lake? That’s  Schloss Anif  and the lake is Schlossallee . This is a remote castle just south of Salzburg .

5. Marktschellenberg

With the establishing shots over, the hills are officially alive with the sound of music! 

The Sound of Music  hills location is just outside the village of  Marktschellenberg  in  Germany behind the street address Mehlweg 5 . I’ve pinned the exact location on the Google Map at the start of this post.

Although The Sound of Music  film location in question looks very remote, there are some houses just out of shot and this land is private property. The beech trees and babbling brook were also added by the production team. Sorry to crush your dreams of ever twirling like Maria in this spot!

Read next: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Filming Locations

6. Stift Nonnberg

After a montage of churches, we see the abbey in Salzburg where Maria lives which is Stift Nonnberg . This is where the real Maria lived too!

Although the exterior location of  The Sound of Music  is the abbey, the interiors were all shot back at the 20th Century Fox Studios . The replica of the courtyard at  Stift Nonnberg  is  so  faithful that most people can’t believe it wasn’t shot there.

You can visit this monastery on a walking tour of The Sound of Music  filming locations .

7. Humboldt Terrace

Mother Abbess sends Maria away to be a governess to decide if monastic life is definitely for her. Maria leaves the convent then walks down a path along the hillside and balances her guitar on the ledge singing  I Have Confidence.

The Sound of Music filming location is  Humbolt Terrace which is a scenic walking trail along the Mönchsberg cliffs. You can see the 11th-century Fortress Hohensalzburg  looming on a hill and Salzburg Cathedral  clearly in the background.

Later in the film when Maria and the children are singing Do-Re-Mi , they walk along this same path but closer to Museum der Moderne . I think it also appears a fourth time when the children are attempting to coax Maria back from the convent.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to climb to see these The Sound of Music  locations in Salzburg! You can use the Mönchsberg Elevator .

8. Residenzplatz

If you were still wondering, “Where is The Sound of Music  set?” then this next location will leave you in no doubt! As Maria continues singing, she walks in front of Salzburg Cathedral in Domplatz and under the arches towards Residenplatz . 

She even splashes water in the Residenzbrunnen water fountain.

9. Kapitelschwemme

Maria catches her bus to the Von Trapp house from Kapitelschwemme . This is one of The Sound of Music  Salzburg locations that doesn’t make logistical sense because the bus is supposedly parked right next to the cathedral!

However, it’s accurate because can clearly see Fortress Hohensalzburg  in the background. You’ll learn all the behind-the-scenes movie magic of  The Sound of Music on the original locations tour which you can book here .

10. Hellbrunner Allee

Director Robert Wise shot the next The Sound of Music  in Salzburg location on Hellbrunner Allee . This is where Maria gets off the bus.

It’s now a popular cycling path but the trees lining the path she walks along and the yellow wall are still there (and still yellow).

Read next: The Third Man Filming Locations in Vienna

11. Schloss Frohnburg

She pauses outside of the gates of the Von Trapp estate to stare at the daunting Von Trapp mansion. These are the gates to Schloss Frohnburg , at  Hellbrunner Allee 53 . Today, the 17th-century castle is a music school. 

It will appear a few times throughout the film as the front entrance to the house. For example, during the ball scene when cars are arriving and when the Nazis hang their flag.

It is worth pointing out that the interiors of the house from The Sound of Music  were all studio sets. But Schloss Frohnburg  isn’t the only The Sound of Music  setting that stands in for the von Trapp estate…

12. Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron

So, mainly where did The Sound of Music take place? The prime location for the house in The Sound of Music  is  Schloss Leopoldskron . It’s now a hotel, but if you’re not a guest you can still view the estate through the fence from König Ludwig Strasse .

You can see the beautiful Leopoldskroner Weiher lake from this viewpoint too, where Maria and the children’s canoe will capsize later.

Many scenes were filmed on the terrace here. For example, when Baroness Schraeder arrives and has a cigarette with Uncle Max. The gazebo/pavilion featured in Liesl and Rolf’s song was  on the grounds, but too many people were trespassing so the council moved it elsewhere.

But want to know where  The Sound of Music  house was in real life?  Villa Trapp  is next to the train station in the Salzburg suburb of Aigen . It was a guesthouse but now it appears to be a care home.

13. The Sound of Music Gazebo/Pavilion

Although this is the original pavilion, it isn’t in its original The Sound of Music  Salzburg location. You’ll find the glass gazebo that Liesal and Rolf dance in at Schloss Hellbrunn . 

While watching the film, you might notice that the gazebo looks larger on the inside than it does on the outside. 20th Century Fox built a replica which is where they filmed the dance scenes.

The Sound of Music  pavilion will also appear later in the movie when Captain von Trapp and Maria finally admit their feelings for one another.

Book The Sound of Music Walking Tour of Salzburg here!

14. Mozartsteg

During the storm, Maria is able to get the children to warm up to her. She sews play clothes for them out of her curtains and they explore the city together. 

You can see them crossing the  Mozartsteg bridge together in the direction of the new town carrying wicker picnic baskets.

15. Domplatz and Salzburg Cathedral

You might have even visited some of these Salzburg  The Sound of Music  locations in the past without being aware! Because next, the gang walks through Domplatz which is right in front of Salzburg Cathedral . 

16. Herbert von Karajan Platz

Continuing the tour of  The Sound of Music  locations in Salzburg city centre, the von Trapp kids and Maria walk through Herbert von Karajan Platz . You can see the beautiful horse murals in the background and they are still there today.

17. Kajetanerplatz

Maria takes the kids to buy fruit and vegetables where she attempts to juggle two tomatoes. The next The Sound of Music  shooting location is in Kajetanerplatz . Salzburg still hosts a ‘Biomarkt’ here from 8:00 until 13:00 on Fridays.

Read next: Before Sunrise Filming Locations in Vienna

Unfortunately, I’m not sure of The Sound of Music Austria locations where Maria and the kids run on the path along the river or where they take the train in the foggy mountains.

I do, however, know that the gang eats their picnic, plays catch, and starts singing Do-Re-Mi  in the Austrian town of  Werfen  which is south of Salzburg .

Why? Because there is an official trail called ‘ The Sound of Music Trail Werfen ‘ that you can follow! I’ve pinned it on the Google Map at the start of this post.

19. St Erhard Church

Maria and the von Trapps take a carriage ride passed the St Erhard Church . They continue down the street in the direction of 14 Nonntaler Hauptstraße .

20. Mirabellgarten

Still singing  Do-Re-Me , Maria and the kids leap around Mirabellgarten . Mirabell Palace’s formal gardens are one of the most iconic  The Sound of Music  shooting locations because they’re a popular tourist attraction in their own right!

Here are all of the places in Mirabellgarten  featured in The Sound of Music :

• Pegasus Fountain  – Maria and the kids dance around the fountain when they first arrive
• Mirabellgarten Vine Tunnel  – This tunnel is still there today
• Dual Male Statues Draped in Cloth  – These statues are by the Salzburg Marionette Theatre
• Vier-Elemente-Brunnen Fountain  – Maria and the kids dance around this fountain next
• Zwergerlgarten – This garden has funny sculptures and they dance in front of the one with round glasses carrying a hat in his left hand

Before they leave Mirabellgarten, they hop on the steps just north of the  Pegasus Fountain  on  Bernhard Paumgartner Weg . I’ve pinned all of these exact locations on the Google Map at the start of this post and the gardens are free to enter.

Visit Mirabellgarten on a small group tour of  The Sound of Music  locations!

21. Basilika St Michael

A  lot  happens inside the von Trapp home after Maria and the kids dance in Salzburg’s historic centre! So, there aren’t any new  The Sound of Music  filming locations until Maria and Captain von Trapp get married.

It’s suggested that they get married at the Abbey, but they actually get married in the much more grand Basilika St. Michael in Mondsee , east of  Salzburg . 

22. Felsenreitschule Theatre

After the Nazis roll in, the children rehearse for the Salzburg Music Festival in Felsenreitschule Theatre . It’s a former 17th-century riding school-turned theatre built into the side of Salzburg cliff’s rockface. 

And it actually is a live music venue in the Salzburg Music Festival! The theatre also makes for a dramatic location when the von Trapps sneak out after performing and before they accept the first prize.

23. St. Peter Friedhof

The von Trapps need somewhere to hide out before they can cross the border into Switzerland. Seeking refuge with the nuns, the family hides in Nonnberg Graveyard.

This isn’t one of the real  The Sound of Music  filming locations, but the studio set of the cemetery was inspired by St. Peter Friedhof in Salzburg . Mozart’s sister Nannerl and the real-life Max Detweiler are buried here.

24. Mount Untersberg

The von Trapps finally escape and hike over the border from Austria into neutral Switzerland where they are safe from the Nazis. Yay! They hike in the Berchtesgaden region with  Mount Untersberg  in the background.

It’s quite funny because not only is the real location in Germany (i.e. not where you want to go when escaping the Nazis!) but it’s also super close to Eagle’s Nest .

Most people agree that the best place to see this view is from the  Rossfeld Panorama Strasse .

Check out The Sound of Music Tours in Salzburg!

Where does  The Sound of Music  take place? Mostly in the Austrian city of  Salzburg , but there are lots of amazing filming locations that are far out of the city centre.

And I think you’ll agree that there are an overwhelming number of filming locations to visit, too!

I’d recommend booking a tour of The Sound of Music filming locations when you’re in Salzburg so you can maximise your time. You’ll also get behind-the-scenes insights from a knowledgeable, local guide and meet fellow movie fans on your tour.

Get Your Guide, in my opinion, is the best place to book tours. They have super detailed descriptions, authentic reviews, and a blanket flexible cancellation policy. Check out the original The Sound of Music  Tour Austria as it is, by far, the best tour in Salzburg. It lasts for four hours and you’ll have an absolutely fabulous time.

The Sound of Music Filming Locations: That’s a Wrap!

Those are all of  The Sound of Music  filming locations. If you’re a fan of musicals and beautiful Austrian cities then you will love visiting these shooting locations for yourself.

Are you currently planning a trip to Austria or do you love watching the film? Let me know in the comments below!

Before Sunrise Filming Locations in Vienna, Austria

The Third Man Filming Locations and Museum in Vienna, Austria

Hey! I wrote this. And I'm the human (and hair) behind Almost Ginger. I live for visiting filming locations, attending top film festivals and binge-watching travel inspiring films. I'm here to inspire you to do the same! Get in touch by leaving a comment or contacting me directly: [email protected] .

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In Salzburg, Austria, the hills are alive with the sound of tourists

Salzburg, Austria, is the site of the actual story behind “The Sound of Music.”

Portions of “The Sound of Music” were filmed in Salzburg’s Mirabell Palace Garden, including the “Do-Re-Mi” scene.

Leopoldskron Palace stood in for the family’s mansion in “The Sound of Music.”

The gardens at Mirabell Palace make a striking backdrop.

The Hellbrunn Castle gazebo is where the “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” scene in “The Sound of Music” took place.

The view from the roof of Salzburg’s Hohensalzburg Castle.

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So how exactly do you solve a problem like Maria? Are the hills really alive? And what is edelweiss anyway?

For answers to these and other imponderables, I started at the very beginning. A very good place to start. Salzburg, site of the actual story behind “The Sound of Music,” first a Broadway musical and later a 1965 Oscar-winning film, really does look like a movie set. No surprise that much of the film was shot on location.

If you love the movie as I do, it’s hard not to walk around the city, see a spot you recognize and break out in song. If you hate the movie, you probably also hate raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.

For “Sound of Music” newbies, here’s a 67-word synopsis. In 1938 a young nun, Maria (played by Julie Andrews), leaves the convent to work as governess to the seven Von Trapp children whose father, Georg (Christopher Plummer), is a widowed Navy captain (never mind that Austria is landlocked). Under Maria’s tutelage the family discovers song and becomes an acclaimed singing troupe. As the Nazis move to take over Austria, the Von Trapps make a daring escape.

Most Austrians I met were not very familiar with the movie, but Salzburgers are no fools, and “Sound of Music” tourism is boffo business here. The city’s visitors bureau estimates that about 300,000 guests (twice the local population) visit “Sound of Music” locations annually. A full 70% of Americans say it was a main reason they came.

Not one but two tour companies compete to show you “Sound of Music” sites. To help you choose, I sampled them both.

Both tours visit key locations in the film: the gazebo where eldest daughter Liesl and her boyfriend, Rolf, sang and danced “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” in a rainstorm; Leopoldskron Palace , which stood in for the rear of the Von Trapp mansion on the lake; assorted churches; the Mirabell Palace Garden (scene of much of “Do-Re-Mi”) and more.

Both pepper the tour with factoids and insider secrets about the story (no real Rolf? Say it ain’t so!), personages, actors and production. Both play tracks from the movie and encourage guests to sing along, and the guides are so gosh-darned earnest that it’s hard not to love them.

The Original Sound of Music Tour (a name it calls itself) has been in business since 1967 and claims never to have missed a day. After all this time, it has it down to a system: twice-daily four-hour excursions ferry tourists by the busload to sites in the city, then through mountains to more filming locations in hamlets 15 miles away.

Our dirndl-dressed guide dished movie trivia and showed clips on a screen at the front of the bus. In some locations, visitors were able to de-bus and walk around, including in the village of Mondsee, where the interior of St. Michael’s Basilica , through movie magic, stood in for Nonnberg Abbey, Maria’s convent home in Salzburg, site of her majestic wedding to Georg.

A nearly hour-long stop allowed visitors to peruse the church, shop for souvenirs (“Sound of Music” tea towels seem to be a thing), and break for the all-important crisp apple strudel.

Then there was the moment when our jovial driver did donuts around a traffic circle until the entire bus yodeled to “The Lonely Goatherd” playing over the bus PA system. If that’s not fun, I don’t know what is.

Fraulein Maria’s Bicycle Tours is a relative newcomer, having opened shop in 1999. Fraulein Maria’s tours top out at 15 riders on sturdy bikes with gears, baskets and flip-folders of song lyrics on the handlebars.

What the tour lacks in breadth of territory, it makes up for in depth of coverage of Salzburg’s storybook city center. Traveling by bike allows you to climb every mountain, search high and low and follow every rainbow (OK, not really on the rainbows) to the real-life nooks and crannies that buses can’t reach.

Big picture: Besides the “Sound of Music” education, the bike tour was an excellent orientation to the city. Small picture: The intimate group size lets you bond with your tour mates in ways a bus tour can’t.

After we boarded bikes named for characters and actors in the movie (I got Uncle Max — not sure what they were trying to tell me), our guide, an enthusiastic American expat, started us with a round of self-introductions, including where we were from (Denmark, San Francisco, Mississippi, etc.) and how many times we’d each seen the film.

During three hours and eight miles, which included plenty of breaks for photo ops, we biked past some of Salzburg’s 49 churches and stopped at the actual Nonnberg Abbey , which I immediately recognized from movie scenes, including when the Nazis searched for the Von Trapps during their escape.

The route took us through Residenz Square, where we saw cream-colored ponies and the horse-festooned fountain where Maria flicks water while singing “I Have Confidence”; the cemetery in the spooky getaway scene; the tree-lined alley where the kids frolicked in their new play clothes made from old drapes; and Frohnburg Palace , the facade of the Von Trapp home in the film. I felt Maria’s goosebumps as I stood outside the imposing wrought-iron gate.

After the tours, I wandered the narrow lanes, gracious squares and pretty restaurants and beer halls of this historic and walkable city, and it became clear that it was indeed the ideal location for the movie. The sound of actual music was everywhere.

Salzburg is, after all, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, in 1756. The house where he was born is a major attraction, and his likeness is seen all over town on signage, posters, bonbons known as mozartkugeln and even rubber duckies.

I had many musical choices during my three-night stay, but my favorite was a chamber concert at dusk inside the eight-plus-acre Hohensalzburg Castle , which dominates the skyline from a hilltop adjacent to the city center. The Salzburg Marionette Theatre also staged a production of “The Magic Flute” during my visit.

Street musicians seem everywhere. You’ll probably hear them at one of Salzburg’s many sidewalk cafes such as Café Tomaselli, the city’s oldest, established in 1700. St. Peter’s calls itself Europe’s first restaurant (established 803) and has a program of Mozart dinner concerts in its Baroque hall, where I broke bread with guests from all over the world.

There was nothing particularly musical about the beer garden at Sternbrau , but this brewery, founded in 1542, has a prettily lighted courtyard and hearty, traditional Austrian foods to go with the beers.

When it came time to leave Salzburg, it was with a heart full of song, a belly full of schnitzel with noodles and beer with the foam afloat, and legs a little sorer from the bike tour. I bade a fond so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen and adieu and can’t wait to return. And I’ll sing once more.

THE BEST WAY TO SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

From LAX, Austrian and Lufthansa offer connecting service (change of planes) to Salzburg. Restricted round-trip service from $1,266, including taxes and fees.

To call the numbers below from the United States, dial 011 (the international calling code), 43 (the country code for Austria), and the local number.

Original Sound of Music Tour, 662-88-32-110. Tours 9:15 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Adults about $52.

Fraulein Maria’s Bicycle Tours , 650-34-26-297. Tours 9:30 a.m. daily, April-October, and 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily, June-August. Adults about $35, children and students ages 13-17 about $22, 12 and younger about $14.

Hohensalzburg Castle . Tickets from about $14. Open daily; hours vary seasonally

WHERE TO STAY

Altstadthotel Weisse Taube , 9 Kaigasse, Salzburg; 662-842404. Intimate, recently renovated, 31-room hotel just off Mozart Square. Doubles from about $240 a night in summer.

Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron , 56-58 Leopoldskronstrasse, Salzburg; 662-839830 . Double rooms from $192. Though it’s a bit out of the city center, “Sound of Music” fans may thrill to an overnight in this palace, a movie location.

Blaue Gans , 41-43 Getreidegasse, Salzburg; 662-8424910 . Although it’s Salzburg’s oldest inn (600 years), the design of this “art hotel” is contemporary, even edgy. From $298 per person.

WHERE TO EAT

Café Tomaselli , 9 Alter Markt, 662-84-44-880. Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 8 a.m. Sundays.

St. Peter’s , ¼ St. Peter Bezirk, 662-84-12-680. The Mozart dinner concert , a three-course dinner and show, starts at about $73.

Sternbrau, 23 Griesgasse, 662-84-21-40. Main dishes about $14-$27. Open 9 a.m.-midnight daily.

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CURRENT PERFORMANCE

Upcoming performances, 2017-18 season.

“Sparkling, fresh and lively.”

“Go see The Sound of Music, as it will be unlike any other you have encountered.”

“Even if you've seen The Sound of Music before, it's worth going again to see it this way.”

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE!

A brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC is currently on tour across North America! The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award® winning Best Score, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song.

 THE SOUND OF MUSIC features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC enjoyed extraordinary success as the first live television production of a musical in over 50 years when “ The Sound of Music Live!” aired on NBC in December, 2013 and was seen by over 44 million people. 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history.

“A SURE-FIRE HIT!”

The Sound Of Music

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JD McPherson Returns to Solo Career, Amid Ongoing Plant/Krauss Tour Stint, With the Refreshed Glam-Rock Sound of ‘Sunshine Getaway' (Track Premiere)

It's difficult to believe that JD McPherson, one of the great classic-minded rock ‘n' roll singer-songwriters of the modern age, hasn't had a new album of non-seasonal material out in seven years. That absence of fresh recordings hasn't caused anyone to issue any missing-person alerts for him in the past few years, though. He's been quite visible, serving as both the band leader and opening act for three successive Robert Plant/Alison Krauss tours. At last, McPherson is concentrating on his solo career in a bigger way again this summer and fall, starting with "Sunshine Getaway," a brand new track Variety is premiering today.

"Sunshine Getaway" heralds the coming of McPherson's fourth album, "Nite Owls." (Fifth, if we count the original holiday collection "Socks," since it is one of the greatest Christmas records ever made, but enough of math.) "Nite Owls" will be out on New West Records Sept. 27; pre-order info, including the requisite vinyl exclusives, can be found here .

That album release date is timed to follow the end of the current Plant/Krauss tour on Sept. 1 and exactly coincide with the first date of a fall tour he's doing, kicking off with a Sept. 27 date at Nashville's Brooklyn Bowl and continuing through Nov. 23. (See the full list of tour dates below.)

McPherson talked about the new single and previewed the new album for us from a Plant/Krauss tour date, where he sounds like he's still having the time of his life, even as he looks forward to getting back to his day job as a self-made man at last.

"Sunshine Getaway" is a very summery sounding title, but it sounds like the inspiration was more wintery and aspirational, maybe more in a "California Dreamin'" sort of way?

So yeah. I wrote that song with my friend Jack (Torrey) and Page (Burkum) from the Cactus Blossoms, who are. not known as being the jolliest people. They're from the bleak Midwest, from Minneapolis. They were staying in Nashville when I was still living there, staying at Jenny Lewis' house while she was gone on tour, and I went by to see them and we were just talking about Minneapolis in the wintertime. They told me like a really bleak story [about being locked out of the house in the freezing cold], and we started laughing, and so we just wrote that song right there. And, yeah, we've all sort of been there. I think anybody who lives in the middle of the country or up north knows that feeling of the bitter cold, and it lasts a long time.

The sound of it is very crunchy, very glam-rock. You are known for influences from even earlier in the classic rock ‘n' roll era, but this brings in some that are maybe less associated with you.

Well, any playlist of mine, you're gonna see Little Richard right next to T. Rex. You know, I discovered fuzz guitar on my second record and I never looked back. That's one of the ones we've been playing live and really love playing it live. John Perrin from NRBQ's been playing drums for us, and he's got such a pocket and that song really grooves live, so we can't wait to do the tour.

How's it been being out again with Plant and Krauss?

This is the third year out and it's by far the best one yet. We've got the set down to where it's very dense and moves by quickly and it's got quite a bit of uptempo material, so the set list sort of got worked on over the last three years, and everybody is just having the best time. Everybody's had a lot of things that they've been working on (apart from one another), and so this has been a really nice welcome break to jump into this tour. It's the time of my life. I really, really look forward to it, and this has been the best one so far. Doing my opening set, it feels the best too, I think just because there's something that's about to happen, and then just time with the Plant/Krauss band is such a gift.

How would you describe the sounds coming together on the new album?

I remember kind of the germ of the first song came when I had gotten a free Spotify account and I was just trying to see what all was on there, and I was kind of surprised about how much things that I like were on there. And I listened to a recommended daily playlist one day, and they were playing things like Astrid Gilberto and some early Beach Boys music and the Fireballs and Ventures. And it just sort of hit me like, all of this is music near the water. I want to make a water record! That was like the first idea.

And I think "The Rock and Roll Girls" was the first song that was finally finished. I've had part of that song written for a long time, because it's about my daughter as a toddler kicking the back of my car seat. And, so anyway, that was kind of the beginning of the idea. And I started thinking about just surf music in general, and how there's a common thread between surf music like the Ventures, Ennio Morricone soundtracks and Depeche Mode. There's this common thread of this single-string reverbing guitar that runs through all those things. And once I had that in my head, songs just started coming out really fast. That's when "Just Like Summer" came, and those kind of twangy tunes. So this record ended up being … My elevator pitch to people was: This record is if the mid-‘60s to late ‘60s Ventures was the session band for the first New Order record. It's sort of like my love of obscure surf music plus my dark wave days in high school. It's kinda my goth-surf record.

Clearly people have seen you out on those tours and know that you've not been just sitting around. But, as far as making a new record, seven years is a while. So did the time pass quickly or did it feel like a long time?

If somehow I could say that it simultaneously was a horribly long time and also went by really quickly, both might be accurate. My sense of time since the lockdown has just completely been totally scattered and disrupted. You know, I had trouble with finding my place in time before, but now it's even worse. So everything seems like some kind of crazy temporal displacement happened. But truthfully, this record could have come out a lot sooner, because the germ of it began well before the pandemic happened. Even some recordings were made before then. But then so many things happened in my life between that time and now. So it's happening now and, honestly, this is the way it was supposed to go.

The first attempt was, for lack of a better term, a tough lesson for me, because it was with my old band, and we did some sessions at East West Studios in L.A. and stayed in a nice house and everything. And it was sort of my attempt at having a baby to keep a marriage together, and it didn't work. So, once kind of the old gang started to splinter off during the pandemic, I was sort of done for a minute. I didn't even really want to think about those songs or do anything with them. You know, in tandem with all that the pandemic offered, I was planning on just doing something else with my life at that point. One thing I flirted with was being someone who recommends what trees to plant in people's yard. Seemed like a nice job, helping people get the right tree to grow, how to make it grow better. So that was a weird time for me.

When I started to kind of finally want to do something again, I had some old friends that I'd made music with before and some new friends that I'd never made music with, and we got together and did the "War, Covers" EP. It wasn't my songs, but it was songs I loved and it was recorded in the way that I loved to record them, with a very optimistic and positive group of people. And so that was me really, really, really gingerly approaching making music again. And once that happened, we made a second attempt at making this record, and it didn't work out just for creative reasons. We had a producer this time, and though I really loved the producer and I love his body of work, for some reason the music wasn't jelling. And I think it's probably because we're the people I surround myself with, we have almost like this secret language twins teach each other. We speak in really obscure music references. And so, unless you're a freak like us, we tend to lose people.

Then it was sort of like it was the last chance. So I went and recorded with Alex Hall, who has had something to do with almost every record I've ever done, whether playing drums or mixing or engineering or something. And we just went back to his place and recorded pretty much live, and now, here we are - now we have a record.

Everyone who loves you knows you pull from a lot of different places, but you've suggested you think this might surprise people a bit. Do you think some people will sort of cock their ear for a minute going, oh, this is a little off the path?

Oh, definitely. It is. But I mean, there's a line from the third record to this record. Like, the song "On the Lips" is like an ancestor of these songs, so there is a thread. And I think "I Can't Go Anywhere With You" could have belonged on my second record. "Sunshine Getaway" could be on the third record. It's kind of the more Fleetwood-sy, Beach Boys-y tunes, like "Travel Through the Night Alone" and the last song, "That's What a Love Song Does to You," that are, to me, new territory. So yeah, if someone is that rare unicorn of a person who knows every one of my records, it makes sense. But for the people who still only have ever heard the first record, they're gonna be very confused.

But I'm at a point where I truly, truly am not worried about anything like that anymore. I'm at the point in my life now I have surrounded myself with people who are just kind of full of optimism and living in the present. And I am making what I want to make, and with people who want to make it with me, and in a very happy place as far as making work goes. You know, very few bands have made the same record over and over again, successfully. AC/DC is the clear winner in that regard. AC/DC has never changed their thing. Even the Ramones started adding guitar solos after a point! But AC/DC is the one band that that stuck to their guns and never made anything bad. So, that's really impossible to do. And for me, I just think what I'm listening to changes so much. What I'm reading about changes the way I think about things. You never know what story's gonna pop up in your life that wants to be expressed in a certain way that can't be expressed with, you know, a saxophone section.

And you just kind of have to follow that thread and see where it takes you. I mean, this record really wouldn't have existed if I hadn't gotten a free Spotify account and the algorithm recommended those few songs. So blame Spotify, I guess.

"Nite Owls" track listing:

1. Sunshine Getaway

2. I Can't Go Anywhere with You (Feat. Bloodshot Bill)

3. Just Like Summer

4. Nite Owls

5. Shining Like Gold

6. The Rock and Roll Girls

7. Baby Blues 

8. The Phantom Lover of New Rochelle

9. Don't Travel Through the Night Alone

10. That's What a Love Song Does to You

JD McPherson On Tour:  

Supporting Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: 

August 8 – Missoula, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater 

August 9  – Missoula, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater

August 11 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Folk Music Festival 

August 13 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre 

August 14 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre 

August 16 – Seattle, WA – Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery 

August 17 – Seattle, WA – Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery

August 19 – Eugene, OR – The Cuthbert Amphitheater 

August 21 – Murphys, CA – Ironstone Amphitheater 

August 22 – Stanford, CA – Frost Amphitheater 

August 24 – Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles Amphitheatre 

August 25 – Highland, CA – Yaamava' Theater 

August 26 – Flagstaff, AZ – Pepsi Amphitheatre 

August 28 – Santa Fe, NM – The Santa Fe Opera 

August 29 – Santa Fe, NM – The Santa Fe Opera

August 31 – Colorado Springs, CO – Ford Amphitheater 

September 1 – Vail, CO – Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater 

Nite Owls Headline Tour:

September 27 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl

September 28 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West

September 29 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle

October 1 – Washington, DC – The Atlantis

October 2 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall

October 4 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

October 6 – Boston, MA – The Sinclair

October 8 – Toronto, ON – The Concert Hall

October 9 – Detroit, MI – Magic Bag

October 11 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue

October 12 – Chicago, IL – Metro

November 7 – Little Rock, AR – Whitewater Tavern

November 8 – Dallas, TX – The Kessler

November 9 – Austin, TX – Scoot Inn

November 12 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom

November 14 – Pioneertown, CA  – Pappy & Harriet's

November 15 – Los Angeles, CA –  El Rey Theatre

November 16 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall

November 18 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom

November 19 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile

November 21 – Salt Lake City, UT – Commonwealth Room

November 22 – Fort Collins, CO –  Aggie Theatre

November 23 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre

More from Variety

• 'Becoming Led Zeppelin' Doc Acquired for Theatrical Release by Sony Classics, With Footage Added Since Festival Premiere
• Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Renew a Collaboration That Should Last for 'Evermore': Concert Review

'The Sound of Music' arrives at Trapp Family Lodge as family learns to embrace the musical

Editor's note: The performances scheduled for Thursday, June 20 and Saturday, June 22 have been moved indoors to the Flynn in Burlington due to wet weather.

This week’s first-ever concert performances of “The Sound of Music” at Trapp Family Lodge – the Stowe business run by members of the family featured in the musical − sold out three shows quickly. A fourth was added, and that sold out, too.

The woman who imagined the concert years ago was not surprised.

“I have said since the outset this is going to sell so quick, so fast, and people are going to love it. It has such wonderful local connections,” said Erin Evarts, executive director of Lyric Theatre, which is performing the concerts June 20-22 with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra.

“Vermonters love this story and love an outdoor concert,” Evarts said. “We’re pretty excited having the family kind of bless the project and be willing to host us at their home.”

That blessing took decades. The von Trapp family appreciated the art of the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, said Sam von Trapp, the grandson of Maria and Baron Georg von Trapp, who now runs the lodge. He said the von Trapps, though, haven’t always embraced the blurred lines between the musical and the real-life story of the singing family’s escape during the Nazi annexation of Austria.

“It’s really special because it took decades for our family to sort of really warm up to the musical,” according to von Trapp, director and executive vice president of the business that includes an inn, restaurants and a brewery/beerhall. “As you can imagine our family had a more complex relationship with ‘The Sound of Music’ than many other people did. It’s easier with each generation to form their own relationship with it.”

The family long felt it would be “too commercial” to perform “The Sound of Music” on its property, according to von Trapp.

“Now we realize,” he said, “it’s recognizing our amazing legacy of our family story.”

‘Story of the Trapp Family Singers’

Evarts wanted to present “The Sound of Music” at Trapp Family Lodge now for several reasons. It’s the end of Lyric’s 50th season, the start of the VSO’s 90th season, the 75th anniversary of the Maria von Trapp book “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers” that inspired the musical, and the 65th anniversary of the premiere of the Broadway show that includes famous songs such as “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things” and “Edelweiss.”

“It’s been kind of a passion project for me for a long, long time,” she said.

Evarts was at Leunig’s Bistro a couple of years ago, listening to music during the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival with Elise Brunelle, executive director of the VSO. Evarts mentioned her desire to present “The Sound of Music” at Trapp Family Lodge, and they decided to pursue a joint concert not unlike the New Year’s Eve “Burlington Does Broadway” performances that the organizations have presented at the Flynn.

The Flynn is among the partners in the production, as the Burlington performing-arts center managed ticket sales and will be the rain site in case the Trapp Family Lodge concert meadow can’t be used. (The meadow’s capacity is 1,850 while the Flynn can seat 1,411 patrons; Evarts said some patrons bought “shine only” tickets knowing they will not be valid and will be refunded in case of bad weather.)

The performances will be concerts and not a staging of the musical – a first from the company licensing “The Sound of Music,” according to Evarts. She said rules for that variation mean the performances will have no props or costumes and “a fairly bare stage” of singers and 41 orchestra members.

Andrew Crust, music director for the VSO, grew up listening to “The Sound of Music.” “I had it deep in my brain, like many of us do,” the conductor said. “It’s just incredibly good music.”

The VSO isn’t abandoning Beethoven and Mozart, Crust said, but is embracing more celebratory outdoor events such as this one.

“These kinds of projects are really what (the VSO) should be doing,” Crust said. “We have to meet people where they are.”

Depictions of Baron von Trapp

Sam von Trapp said he finally became a fan of the musical in his early 50s, in large part by watching through the eyes of his sons as they enjoyed it.

“That soundtrack is so powerful and music, especially music of that quality, just really unites human beings,” he said. “That to me is the good thing about ‘The Sound of Music’ is the message of the musical and its soundtrack, which is generally so positive.”

The feelings of his father, Johannes von Trapp – the lone survivor among Maria and Georg von Trapp’s children − and other family members were not always so positive. That has a lot to do with portrayals of Maria’s husband, the grandfather of Sam von Trapp.

“Georg, far from being the detached, cold-blooded patriarch of the family who disapproved of music, as portrayed in the first half of 'The Sound of Music,' was actually a gentle, warmhearted parent who enjoyed musical activities with his family,” reads the article “ Movie vs. Reality: The Real Story of the Von Trapp Family ” on the National Archives website. “While this change in his character might have made for a better story in emphasizing Maria's healing effect on the von Trapps, it distressed his family greatly.”

“That was really, I think, the discrepancy that bothered my family the most,” according to Sam von Trapp, who runs the lodge with his sister, Kristina von Trapp Frame, and her husband, Walter Frame. “It has such a positive message and that is what really brought me along.”

Crust of the VSO said that message makes “The Sound of Music” timely. He said the musical not only has “tunes that refuse to leave your head for weeks at a time,” it carries themes of gender roles, fascism, how to raise children, how to express emotion and how to deal with loss.

“To me ‘The Sound of Music’ has been something that has always brought joy,” Evarts of Lyric Theatre said. “To do that for 7,500 people, that’s special.”

Sam von Trapp also sees how special this week’s concerts can be.

“To have them play the soundtrack to our family story that I’ve now grown to not only accept but appreciate, for me it’s a little bit of coming full circle,” he said. “It’s like coming back together with an estranged friend you really care about.”

WHAT : “The Sound of Music” in concert by Lyric Theatre and the Vermont Symphony Orchestra

WHEN : 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22, 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22

WHERE : Trapp Family Lodge concert meadow, Stowe (rain site: the Flynn, Burlington)

INFORMATION : Sold out. www.flynnvt.org , www.vso.org or www.lyrictheatrevt.org

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at [email protected] .

Post Malone announces F-1 Trillion concert tour: How to get tickets

Post Malone is heading on the road .

The "I Had Some Help" rapper , 28, has announced the F-1 Trillion Tour, which kicks off in September and will consist of 21 shows across the United States.

The tour is set to begin with a Sept. 8 performance in Salt Lake City before Post Malone heads to Indiana, New York, Maine and more states. The tour will wrap in Nashville , Tennessee , on Oct. 19.

This comes after Post Malone revealed he will drop "F-1 Trillion," his debut country album, on Aug. 16. On Friday, he dropped his latest single, "Pour Me A Drink," featuring Blake Shelton .

In May, Post Malone debuted "I Had Some Help," the lead single off "F-1 Trillion" featuring Morgan Wallen , and the track hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He's also coming off a collaboration with Taylor Swift on " Fortnight " from her album " The Tortured Poets Department ."

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Post Malone teases country collaboration with Morgan Wallen: 'Let's go with the real mix'

"I love ya'll so very much and I'm so excited to get out and play new music for you," Post Malone said in a statement Tuesday.

The Grammy nominee previously wrapped his If Y'all Weren't Here, I'd Be Crying Tour last year.

Post Malone is singing at Super Bowl 58: Get to know five of his best songs

He's the latest artist to announce a concert tour set to kick off in the coming months after Sabrina Carpenter unveiled the dates for her Short n' Sweet Tour , which is also tied to an August album release.

Post Malone F-1 Trillion Tour presales: How to get tickets

Tickets for the F-1 Trillion Tour will be available via a presale for Citi cardmembers that starts on June 26 at 10 a.m. local time and will continue until June 30 at 11:59 p.m.

Additional presales will continue throughout the week, according to the tour announcement, and the general onsale begins on July 1 at 10 a.m. local time. Tickets will be available via Live Nation .

Post Malone F-1 Trillion Tour dates

Post Malone will perform at the following locations on his F-1 Trillion Tour:

• Sept. 8 l Salt Lake City l Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
• Sept. 12 l Noblesville, Indiana l Ruoff Music Center
• Sept. 14 l Syracuse, New York l Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
• Sept. 16 l Bangor, Maine l Maine Savings Amphitheatre
• Sept. 18 l Boston l Fenway Park
• Sept. 20 l Hershey, Pennsylvania l Hersheypark Stadium
• Sept. 21 l Hartford, Connecticut l The XFINITY Theatre
• Sept. 23 l Saratoga Springs, New York l Broadview Stage at SPAC
• Sept. 25 l Scranton, Pennsylvania l The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
• Sept. 28 l New York l Global Citizen Festival
• Sept. 29 l Wantagh, New York l Northwell at Jones Beach Theatre
• Oct. 1 l Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio l Blossom Music Center
• Oct. 4 l Virginia Beach, Virginia l Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
• Oct. 5 l Raleigh, North Carolina l Coastal Credit Union Music Park
• Oct. 7 l Charlotte, North Carolina l PNC Music Pavilion
• Oct. 9 l Charleston, South Carolina l Credit One Stadium
• Oct. 11 l Atlanta l Lakewood Amphitheatre
• Oct. 13 l Rogers, Arkansas l Walmart AMP
• Oct. 15 l Pelham, Alabama l Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
• Oct. 17 l Orange Beach, Alabama l The Wharf Amphitheater
• Oct. 19 l Nashville, Tennessee l Nissan Stadium

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Post Malone Announces F-1 Trillion Tour Dates: 'So Excited to Get Out and Play New Music for You'

In support of his forthcoming debut country album, the "Pour Me a Drink" singer has announced dates for his F-1 Trillion Tour, set to kick off in September

Timothy Norris/Getty

• Post Malone has announced dates for his forthcoming F-1 Trillion tour, which begins this September
• The 21-show outing is in support of the rapper/singer's debut country album, F-1 Trillion , out Aug. 16
• So far, he's released album singles "I Had Some Help" and "Pour Me a Drink," featuring Morgan Wallen and Blake Shelton, respectively

Post Malone is pulling out all the stops for his country pivot.

On Tuesday, June 25, the rapper/singer, 28, revealed dates for his upcoming F-1 Trillion Tour, a 21-show outing hitting stadiums, festivals and theaters in support of his freshly announced debut country album of the same name. 

“I love y’all so very much, and I’m so excited to get out and play new music for you,” Malone told fans in his tour announcement. 

He kicks off the new tour in Salt Lake City on Sept. 8 before making stops in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama and more. The “Circles” singer concludes his road run with a final show in Nashville on Oct. 19. 

Pre-sale tickets go live on Wednesday, June 26, at 10 a.m. local time, while general sale tickets will be available on Monday, July 1, on livenation.com .

Courtesy of Live Nation

Just last week, Malone released his latest track, “ Pour Me a Drink ,” featuring country legend Blake Shelton , as the mark of his new countrified era. The single — which the collaborators first performed at CMA Fest on June 6 — arrived just a few days after the “Rockstar” artist unveiled the name of his sixth studio album with a giant purple billboard in Nashville.

“Sup motherf---as…F-1 Trillion August 16th,” Malone announced on Instagram , also confirming the LP’s release date. He followed up the next day by revealing the album’s artwork, which pictures an old F-150 pickup truck sinking vertically into a lake.

Courtesy of Post Malone

Malone officially began his country music foray in November when he teamed up with Morgan Wallen and HARDY for a performance at the 2023 CMA Awards . He continued with a feature on Beyoncé ’s Cowboy Carter album in March for their “Levii’s Jeans” collaboration before he surprise performed a slew of country covers at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium the following month.

He then made his ACM Awards debut in May by performing his first F-1 Trillion earworm single and chart-topping hit, " I Had Some Help ," featuring Wallen, and a surprise a cappella version of The Allman Brothers Band's "Ramblin' Man" with host and country icon Reba McEntire .

Malone first toyed with the idea of recording a country album in 2022 during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show , where the 10-time Grammy-nominated star affirmed that he didn’t want to be confined to any one genre.

"To be honest, there's nothing stopping me from taking a camera or setting up in my studio in Utah and just recording a country album [to put] on YouTube," he shared. "I'm allowed to do that. I'm a human being."

"I split my time between a lot of different things because I am happily obligated to do concerts and show love to my fans, and then I'm happily obligated to write music and make beats by myself, and I'm happily obligated to, you know, take care of my family,” he added. “So, it's a lot of time, and it's about finding that space to allot that time. If I get another year to myself, maybe I'll make a f---ing country album."

See the complete list of dates for Malone’s F-1 Trillion Tour below.

Sept. 8 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre  

Sept. 12 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center  

Sept. 14 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview  

Sept. 16 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheatre  

Sept. 18 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park  

Sept. 20 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium  

Sept. 21 – Hartford, CT – The XFINITY Theatre  

Sept. 23 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC  

Sept. 25 – Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain  

Sept. 28* – New York, NY – Global Citizen Festival

Sept. 29 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theatre  

Oct. 1 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center  

Oct. 4 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach   

Oct. 5 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park  

Oct. 7 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion  

Oct. 9 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium  

Oct. 11 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre  

Oct. 13 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP  

Oct. 15 – Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre  

Oct. 17 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater  

Oct. 19 – Nashville, TN – Nissan Stadium

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