Austria: The Sound of Music, Mozart, and a Day Full of Stories

If Austria isn’t already on your bucket list, it’s time to add it! During a trip to Munich, I carved out a day to visit Salzburg, a city brimming with history, charm, and—of course—The Sound of Music nostalgia. The quick hour-and-a-half train ride made it a perfect day trip.

While I had initially hoped to join one of the popular Sound of Music tours, they were all fully booked. Determined not to let that stop me, I found a list of filming locations and set out to create my own tour. Armed with a spirit of adventure (and a bit of spontaneity), I headed off to explore Salzburg.

A view from the window of the train. You can see the barrier of the tracks, a road, and then across from the road are two churches, trees, and various buildings.

A Ticket Mishap and the “Dumb American” Strategy

Upon arriving, I purchased what I thought was a day pass for the city’s transportation system. A few bus stops later, I realized I had accidentally bought a train ticket instead. Not wanting to buy another pass, I decided to wing it. My strategy? Play the dumb American and avoid any confrontations by sneaking on and off buses through the back, where the tickets are self-scanned. I reasoned that at least my money went to Austria’s transportation service, even if it wasn’t the right branch!

My DIY Sound of Music Tour

Leopoldskron Castle
My first stop was Leopoldskron Castle, famously used as the Von Trapp family’s home in the movie. Now a private hotel, it has a sign out front stating “for hotel guests only.” The gate was open, though, so I decided to chance it. The castle and its lake were breathtaking, and I snapped as many photos as I could without lingering too long. Unfortunately, my “blend in” tactic didn’t work as well as I’d hoped—hotel staff quickly spotted me and politely asked me to leave. (Pro tip: they really should consider offering visiting hours for Sound of Music fans!)

Fortress Hohensalzburg
Across from the castle, Fortress Hohensalzburg loomed in the distance, its silhouette a constant presence in the movie. I didn’t hike up to the fortress itself, but the views from the walkway leading up were stunning, framed by the surrounding hills.

Schloss Hellbrunn and the Gardens
Next, I made my way to Schloss Hellbrunn, where the iconic gazebo from “I Am 16 Going on 17” is located. The gardens were enchanting, and I couldn’t resist grabbing lunch at a quaint café on the grounds. Sitting amidst the lush scenery, I felt like I’d stepped into a fairytale.

Kimberly standing on a concrete ground. She is wearing tennis shoes, blue jeans, and a grey shirt. Her right arm is pointing up and her left pointing down. Behind her is a white gazebo wrapped in glass and white panes. It has a grey top.

Nonnberg Abbey
The walk to Nonnberg Abbey, where Maria was a novice, offered some of the best views of Salzburg and the surrounding hills. The abbey itself was serene and beautiful, but my favorite part was soaking in the panoramic scenery along the way.

Mirabellgarten and the Pegasus Fountain
My final Sound of Music stop was Mirabellgarten, home to the Pegasus Fountain where Maria and the Von Trapp children danced in the film. The garden’s beauty was captivating, and I lingered here, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

Exploring Salzburg and Mozart’s Legacy

After my self-guided tour, I took time to explore Salzburg itself. Known as Mozart’s birthplace, the city pays homage to the composer with a statue, his childhood home, and even themed chocolates. Outside his home, a piano is set up for refugees to perform—and they didn’t disappoint. The crowd was mesmerized by their skillful renditions of classical pieces.

In the middle of a square on the left a man sits playing a grand piano. Behind him is a statue of Mozart. The square is surrounded by buildings.

Speaking of Mozart, I couldn’t resist trying the famous Mozartkugeln chocolates, which are sold in almost every shop. I bought a small bag of three, thinking it would be plenty. Big mistake! They turned out to be some of the best chocolates I’ve ever tasted, and I regretted not buying more.

At the local market, I indulged in a giant pretzel called a Schoko-Nuss Brezen—chocolate and hazelnut goodness sprinkled with sea salt. Despite not being a huge fan of sweets, I couldn’t get enough of Austria’s chocolate creations.

Kimberly in a grey shirt smiling at the camera. She is holding a giant chocolate pretzel. Behind her is the pretzel booth.

A Close Call with Border Control

The journey back to Munich was almost as eventful as the day itself. About halfway through the train ride, border police entered my carriage and started checking passports. That’s when I realized my passport was safely tucked away in my large backpack back in Munich. I only had my U.S. ID and a photo of my passport on my phone.

After a tense conversation with the officers, they let me off with a warning, though they reminded me to always carry my passport when crossing borders. As they walked away, the couple next to me gave me judgmental looks. No need for the side-eye, Karen—it happens!

A view from the train leaving Austria. There is greenery and trees and beyond that is the skyline of Salzburg. In the distance you can see mountains. Above everything is a blue sunny sky with streaks of white clouds.

Wrapping Up an Unforgettable Day

When I finally arrived back in Munich, I called my family to recount the day’s events: getting kicked out of a hotel, riding buses with the wrong ticket, and being questioned by border control. Despite the hiccups, it was a magical day filled with iconic landmarks, delicious treats, and plenty of stories to share.

Next stop: Reutte, Austria. I can’t wait to see what the beauty of western Austria has in store!

Today’s Helpful Tips

Planning your own Sound of Music tour? Here’s the itinerary I followed, complete with the addresses for each location to make your adventure seamless!

Leopoldskron Castle – Technically it is a private hotel and unless you are a hotel guest you cannot visit. There is also a tall fence around the property. However, if you want to sneak in like I did you can find the castle at Leopoldskronstraße 56/58, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Fortress Hohensalzburg – Mönchsberg 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Schloss Hellbrunn and the Gardens – The famous gazebo from “I am 16 going on 17” scene is located in the beautiful gardens! If you are hungry stop by the cute cafe on property! The gardens are located on the Hellbrunn Palace grounds. I did not go into the palace but enjoyed the free gardens! Located at: Fürstenweg 37, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Nonnberg Abbey – Free to enter and stunning views from outside the Abbey! Visit the Abbey at Nonnberggasse 2, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Mirabellgarten and the Pegasus Fountain – Another free and breathtaking garden! Located at Mirabellplatz 4, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

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