These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things In Salzburg

Salzburg is known for its natural beauty, pastel coloured homes, Mozart and of course, The Sound of Music.

Growing up, one of my family traditions was watching The Sound of Music during the Christmas season. It’s a tradition that I carried with me as an adult. And since I’m traveling through central Europe and hitting Vienna, I may as well make a brief stop in Salzburg and see some of the movie’s shooting locations too.

I did not join a tour as that would’ve eaten up 4 to 8 hours and I would only be in Salzburg for less than 2 days. Plus as much as I’m a fan of the movie, I wanted to see other things too.

Like the Hohensalburg Fortress, which overlooks the city.

On the way up to the fortress, I stopped off to see the Catacombs at St. Peter’s Cemetery. These caves and caverns inside Mount Mönchsberg are 507 metres above sea level and named after the Benedictine monks of St. Peter’s Abbey.

Arriving at the foot of the 900 year old Hohensalburg Fortress, you can either hoof it to the top or ride the funicular. When you get to the top, the views are stunning, either overlooking the city and Salzach river or of the mountains and forest.

I don’t normally pay to go see a castle or fortress, but the Hohensalzburg Fortress is Salzburg’s crown jewel in things to see and do. And I was glad I went.

After enjoying the view, I took the funicular back down but instead of heading to the direction of the old town, I walked the opposite direction to see the Nonberg Abbey. This monastery is the oldest female convent in Germany and is where Julie Andrew’s Maria went to become a nun. Oh, you can visit the grounds, but the abbey itself is closed to visitors.

Pro tip – if you want to see the Nonberg Abbey, don’t be like me and take the funicular down from Hohensalzburg Fortress because, unbeknownst to me, you’ll just end up walking halfway back up to the fortress. Instead, I found out that there’s a path behind the fortress that leads right down to the abbey.

There’s lots of places in Salzburg that will give you The Sound of Music vibes. But no where is that more evident than at the Mirabell Gardens and the medieval horse bath.

The elegantly manicured Mirabell Gardens is where Maria and the children dance around, while singing ‘Do-re-mi’. You’ll also recognize the terrace steps, Pegasus fountain and long pergola vine tunnel in which the cast dances around. There was even a pair of Austrian girl buskers singing The hills are alive with the sound of music at the entrance way.

Just don’t forget to turn around at the Mirabell Gardens for an amazing view of Hohensalzburg Fortress.

Walking further down, you’ll come across the horse bath where Maria and the children dance past while singing My Favourite Things.

Since I was only in Salzburg for a short time, I did not have enough time to day trip outside of Salzburg and see the other shooting locations. Movie aside, I would’ve still like to have seen Palace Leopold (von Trapp family home exterior) and the Werfen Picnic Meadow (where Maria teaches the children to sing do-re-mi), Mehlweg Meadow (where Maria spins around at the beginning of the movie) and Mondsee Lake – because it just looks so beautiful.

If you don’t quite dig on The Sound of Music, you can pay tribute to Mozart. There’s Mozart related sites, like his actual birthplace and statue dedicated to the composer in a square named after him. Course you can also walk around the old market place, explore Kapitelplatz (Chapter Square) or cross any of the bridges over the Salzach river.

I think Salzburg is enchanting. And although may not be at everyone’s places to visit list, I recommend this little city. I will definitely will visit again, and for longer, next time I’m in the area.