The Sound of Music is one of the most popular movie musicals of all time; so much so that you don’t need to have watched it to immediately recognize "Do-Re-Mi", "The Sound of Music", and "My Favorite Things" by ear.
The iconic musical created just as famous a backdrop for thespians and film buffs to visit. The Sound of Music filming locations are primarily concentrated around the Austrian city of Salzburg and are easy to find if you know where to look.
So, let’s start at the very beginning. It’s a very good place to start…
Image Credit: Getty Images, DaLiu. Image Location: Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Salzburg, Austria
What to Know-Re-Mi about The Sound of Music filming locations
What is The Sound of Music about?
The Sound of Music is a 1965 movie musical starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Originally a stage musical with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, the film, set in 1930s Austria, sees Andrews’ character sent to become a governess for Plummer’s seven children. In large part thanks to its iconic score and dazzling filming locations, The Sound of Music won five Oscars, tying the number of Tony Awards the stage play won.
Was The Sound of Music filmed on location?
Yes, much of The Sound of Music was filmed on location in Salzburg, Austria. Salzburg is located a few miles east of the German border; getting from Munich (München Hbf) to Salzburg Hbf by train takes less than 2 hours with tickets starting at only $10.
Can you visit where they filmed The Sound of Music?
Yes, you can visit many of The Sound of Music filming locations in and around Salzburg. The city welcomes fans of the von Trapp family and most of the filming locations are accessible to the general public.
Where is the hill from The Sound of Music?
If you’re talking about the hills that are alive with the sound of music, those would be the Austrian Alps. The “hill” seen when Julie Andrews is dancing in the meadow is the Mehlweg mountain, while scenes of the von Trapp family escaping have the Untersberg in the distance.
Where was the ballroom scene in The Sound of Music filmed?
The ballroom scene in The Sound of Music features a romantic moment between Maria and Captain von Trapp. The room was based on the Venetian Salon in the palace, Schloss Leopoldskron. Now a hotel, Schloss Leopoldskron is located in the south end of Salzburg.
Want to visit these locations in real-life? The hills are alive with The Sound of Music filming locations in Austria.
Image Credit: Getty Images, diegograndi. Image Location: St. Peter's Cemetery and Margaret Chapel, St. Peter's Abbey, Salzburg, Austria
The Sound of Music filming locations
Was The Sound of Music filmed on location? Mostly.
Despite filming much of The Sound of Music on location, some sets were built in Hollywood but based off real locations in Salzburg, like St. Peter’s Cemetery, where the von Trapps hide.
There are also a few on-location filming locations for The Sound of Music that are just outside of Salzburg proper. The village of Werfen sits below a meadow where Maria and the von Trapps had a picnic. Similarly, the wedding scene was filmed at St. Michael’s Church in Mondsee, a few miles east of Salzburg.
Image Credit: © Salzburger Festspiele/Luigi Caputo. Image Location: Felsenreitschule, Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg Sound of Music filming locations
Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Do-Re-Mi yourself a favor and try to stay on key while singing The Sound of Music’s popular song at the Schloss Mirabell and Mirabellgarten. Maria and the von Trapps sing "Do-Re-Mi" as they dance around the Pegasus Fountain.
Karajan Square & the Horse Pond
Herbert von Karajan Square and the equestrian art of the Horse Pond are located around the corner from Mozart’s birthplace. The von Trapps and Maria passed by on a carriage ride; you’ll no doubt scope it out if visiting the Spielzeug Museum or Siegmund Gate.
Felsenreitschule (Summer Riding School)
If there’s one Sound of Music filming location you can’t miss, it’s the Felsenreitschule, one of the most important concert venues in Salzburg. Built into the Mönchsberg mountain, the Felsenreitschule hosts the stage where Maria and the von Trapps performed in the music competition before fleeing to Switzerland.
Salzburg Archabbey (St. Peter’s Abbey)
St. Peter’s Abbey is a 7th-century monastery where both Mozart and Haydn composed masses. The Abbey’s catacombs and cemetery were settings in The Sound of Music, though they were recreated on a soundstage in Hollywood.
Image Credit: Getty Images, imageBROKER/Bildverlag Bahnmueller. Image Location: Residentzplatz, Salzburg, Austria
Residenzplatz & Residence Fountain
A gorgeous 16th-century square across from Mozartplatz, the Residenzplatz is surrounded by 17th-century Baroque architecture. In The Sound of Music, the von Trapp children and Maria take a carriage ride by the Residenzplatz, while singing, of course.
So Long, Farewell, Auf—wait a second…
Before we bid adieu, adieu, to yieu and yieu and yieu, we must insist that you download the Trainline app before you seek out these The Sound of Music filming locations. Instantly purchase e-tickets to Salzburg at the lowest price available, which saves a pretty penny whether you’re traveling alone or with a von Trapp-sized family. Thinking about a day trip from Salzburg? Allow us to suggest Austria's capital, and one of Europe's most spectacular cities, Vienna. Get there by train in as little as 2hr 30mins.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Hiro1775. Image Location: Werfen, Austria