The first few steps off the airplane with the Austrian Alps in the distance made me feel warm and fuzzy, like I was sixteen going on seventeen. I had a feeling something good was going to happen in Salzburg, and it would become one of my favorite things! Sound of Music and Mozart’s Music played over and over in my head while walking the detailed streets and climbing every mountain. (Keep scrolling for where to see the movie’s filming locations!)
We had 1 day, 1 night there. I have confidence it was a good amount of time just to check the city out. You could definitely stay longer if you want to experience more history or take it slower. It is pretty quiet at night, as many people take a day trip to Salzburg, so shops and restaurants say so long, farewell to the night and close early.
Our trip started in Prague, then to Krakow, now to Salzburg, ending in Vienna. We arrived to Salzburg by plane and rode the bus (you can take bus no. 2 or 10, and walk wherever you’re going after that).
My favorite things in Salzburg itinerary:
Day 1: Mozart’s Birthplace; Sound of Music Tour; Old Town
I love the firsts of vacations, of new towns. Salzburg blew me away with the first impressions. I had low expectations because all I’ve read is that it is so small. It was beautiful and the history here was never-ending! The buildings were intricate and the fresh mountain air filled my lungs. The fall colors on the trees always help, too.
We stayed in Old Town, so the hotel held our luggage until we could check in.
After walking around, we went to Mozart’s Birthplace Museum. We actually went to Mozart’s Residence Museum first, but the worker told us the Birthplace was better, so we walked back across the river to Old Town and did the Birthplace. I am so glad we did!
I learned so much about Mozart, and walked in his footsteps, which made Salzburg that much more special.
You have to try a Salzburger Mozertkugel Chocolate while you’re in Salzburg! There are many copy cat chocolates trying to be the original.
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Sound of Music Tour!
This was a tour I didn’t know I absolutely needed in my life! Not only is Salzburg beautiful on its own, but The Sound of Music is so iconic and we followed the footsteps of the real von Trapp family. I watched it the day after we got back from the trip, and I felt so knowledgable about the movie and fan- girled while watching it. I think the movie gives amazing insights to how life really was at that time, from Maria’s life as a nun to hiding from the Nazis. It is truly iconic and loved by all, even the local Austrians.
The Sound of Music is mostly based on a true story of the von Trapps family in Salzburg. In real life, they hired Maria for just their one child, not all 7 like the movie portrays (they had 10 kids in real life). Towards the end of the movie, the family has to hide and run from Nazi regime in Austria. They actually escaped to America, while in the movie they went to Switzerland.
(We had just come from Krakow, Poland, which was very interesting to have just learned the history of the Holocaust there, and then relate it to how it affected Salzburg. I would recommend Krakow, Salzburg, and Vienna in one trip if you are interested in learning about the Holocaust!)
We saw many filming sites!
Mirabell Palace:
Do you recognize the fountain in the center? Or the archway?
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The house and iconic rowboat scene at Leopoldskron Palace:
This was my favorite part of the tour. Not only was it iconic and beautiful, but I remembered this scene from the movie.
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Sixteen going on seventeen gazebo:
The gazebo was originally next to the house pictured above. It has since been moved to The Gardens of Hellbrunn Castle, but you can only go inside for a special event, like your own wedding!
Do my dance moves match the original scene?:
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The Cathedral of Mondsee Wedding Scene:
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There are other filming locations you can visit that wasn’t included on the tour we took. You can absolutely find them yourself and Salzburg’s tourism website has them listed for you here: https://www.salzburg.info/en/salzburg/the-sound-of-music/shooting-locations
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Dinner and Drinks at Gasthaus Zwettler’s:
A great choice for hearty Austrian food!
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Day 2: Train to Vienna
Train from Salzburg to Vienna
Check out my Vienna blog for how we complete the Prague–Krakow-Salzburg-Vienna itinerary!
November 9-10, 2023
GRAB GELATO & GO 
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