Is the Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg Worth It?

We didn’t plan our trip to Salzburg, Austria, around The Sound of Music, but I knew I’d make time for a tour of the movie’s filming locations as soon as the trip was booked.

I used to watch that movie weekly growing up, you see, and this was back when you had to insert a second VHS into your VCR once they got to “The Lonely Goatherd.”

Do you all know what I’m talking about out there? I’m an elder millennial. 

Anyway, Julie Andrews is a treasure, Christopher Plummer was a hunk, and the kids were climbing trees wearing curtains, goddamit.

It’s a perfect movie, and seeing how some of the magic came together on the Original Sound of Music Tour makes for the perfect day. 

If that’s enough for you, go book the thing already. You won’t regret it. If you want to read through my detailed Sound of Music tour review, stay put! Both are excellent choices.

Is The Sound of Music tour worth it?

You likely already know where I’m going with this. Even if you’re just a cursory fan of the movie, booking a tour to see where some of the most beloved scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed is a joyful experience. 

I just happen to be a BIG fan, so I’ll be a little more effusive in my praise than usual.

Book it here:

The Sound of Music in Salzburg

The Sound of Music was filmed in Salzburg and the surrounding countryside in the mid-1960s.

The story of Maria, the singing governess who brings music and life back into the von Trapp family, was inspired by real people, but Hollywood gave it that extra razzle-dazzle.

The movie might not be quite as beloved in Austria as it is abroad, but that hasn’t stopped millions of fans from flocking here for decades.

The Original Sound of Music Tour from Panorama Tours is the most famous option, and it’s been running almost as long as the film has been out.

Reviews suggest that the original remains the best Sound of Music tour in Salzburg. While I can only vouch for this one, I have to agree that it’s a great time, especially if reliving the movie has been on your bucket list.

What to Expect on a Sound of Music Tour

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…

Sound of Music tours where we do lots of singing…

These are a few of my favorite things! 

You get to see all of the expected spots in Salzburg, like the fountain at Mirabell Palace, where Maria and the kids dance around as they embrace the basics of singing. 

You also go further out of town into the heart of Mondsee, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Mondsee that served as the setting for the big wedding at the end. I loved this, as the tour becomes about more than the movie at this point. 

Even if you aren’t a diehard fan, you still get to appreciate the scenery as you drive through landscapes of green hills and shimmering lakes. (I assume you’re not some monster who thinks that sounds awful.)

Note: For the best views on the way out of town, sit on the right side of the bus during your bus tour!

There’s also singing. 

While there could have been more crowd participation during the sing-along portion — how were you sleeping, random man sitting near us?? — our guide made up for it. He led with love for the movie and true fandom.

Seriously, you can’t fake that level of enthusiasm. Here’s a look at what we experienced:

Sound of Music Filming Locations You’ll See

This tour does a lot in four hours. Here are the main stops you’ll make along the way:

• Mirabell Garden: This is where Maria and the children skip the Pegasus Fountain singing “Do-Re-Mi.” It remains a very pretty spot, although the fountain was blocked off during our visit. They knew I was coming.
• Schloss Leopoldskron: You’ll get to see the outside of the von Trapp villa from across the lake. The Baroque palace is now a luxury hotel that you can book for future trips, just in case that excites you. 
• Hellbrunn Palace: The gazebo at Schloss Hellbrunn is where Liesl sings “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.” This isn’t always where it sat, but it was moved here for future flirtatious moments after filming. Hellbrunn itself is a stunner, too.
• Nonnberg Abbey: This is a quick pass-by on the tour. Stift Nonnberg is the convent where the real Maria von Trapp once lived. You can visit later on your own time for a closer look, or plan an early morning for the nuns’ Gregorian chants. 
• Mondsee: This lakeside village was my favorite part. You’ll see the church where Maria and the Baron exchange vows and have some time to wander the cobbled streets on your own. There was a holiday market happening during our visit.

READ MORE: If you’re in Salzburg for the Christmas holiday, steal my guide to help you plan!

There are a few bonus stops on the way to Mondsee, too, to take advantage of the scenery out this way. Looking around at those Alps will make you feel like the hills aren’t just alive, they’re super photogenic.

I never said I was cool.

Fun fact: The Pegasus Fountain at the Mirabell gardens wasn’t actually filled with water for filming. It was drained so the kids wouldn’t slip while dancing.

How long is The Sound of Music tour?

The Original Sound of Music Tour lasts about four hours. There’s a morning and an afternoon option, both departing from central Salzburg.

Note: If you’re short on time, it’s easy to fit this into a half-day, then spend the rest exploring Salzburg’s old town, Mozart’s Birthplace, or  Fortress Hohensalzburg.

READ MORE: I don’t include it in my one-day itinerary for Salzburg, but you can certainly tweak it!

Can you do a Sound of Music tour on your own?

We’re fairly adventurous travelers, and love to DIY our trips. You can certainly rent a car and follow a map from spot to spot.

I’d argue that the tour is highly rated for a reason.

For starters, it’s just nice to be driven around the surrounding countryside, with its winding roads, tricky parking, and timing issues. Second, some of the more iconic spots are on private property anyway, so you’re really not gaining much by going it alone.

Perhaps most importantly, the guided tour adds context, stories, and little tidbits you’ll miss out on otherwise. We got all kinds of anecdotes about filming, followed by the sing-along, of course.

The Pros and Cons of The Sound of Music Tour

I had to search deep within myself to find some negatives, so here we go:

Cons:

• You won’t go inside the von Trapp family home. Schloss Leopoldskron is private property. I may need to plan a return trip to book an overnight, just to say I did.
• It can feel a little touristy, especially once you learn Austrians have mixed feelings about the movie, but I’d argue that’s part of the fun.
• If you’re not into musicals or you’ve never seen the movie, it may not hit the same. Maybe you’ll leave wanting to watch it, though. You really should.

Pros:

• You get gorgeous scenery even beyond the movie connection and a mini Salzburg sightseeing experience along the way.
• I want to believe the guides are all fans of the movie, as they’re really good at balancing history and humor and leading the group in song. 
• The nostalgia factor is through the roof. If you’re at all into The Sound of Music, this tour is a no-brainer.

Tips Before You Book

The tours are pretty straightforward, and you’ll get plenty of information ahead of your visit on where to meet, how to get there, and what to bring.

Here are a few bonus tips to help you plan:

• Book in advance, especially in summer or around Christmas, since it’s one of the city’s most popular tours. 
• Book the tour time that makes sense. I’ve seen blogs recommend morning for better light, but an afternoon tour means you have the entire morning for sightseeing. 
• Watch (or rewatch!) the movie before you go. You’ll catch more details, and it’ll build some anticipation for the tour.
• Bring a snack and drink. There’s a short break in Mondsee where you can grab coffee or strudel, but if you’re the hangry sort, you’ll want a nosh.
• Bring cash. You should be tipping your tour guides. They don’t enrich themselves by showing you around, and it’s a nice gesture that shows you enjoyed yourself.
• Don’t be shy about singing. No one’s judging. In fact, I was judging people who weren’t singing. Everyone’s in the same dorky boat. 

More Salzburg Tours

The Original Sound of Music tour may be the most popular, but it’s not the only game in town. While Salzburg is super easy to explore on your own, there are quite a few tours that look fun, if perhaps not as fun as the Sound of Music tour.

Here are a few more highly rated options:

Where to Stay in Salzburg

We stayed at the Parkhotel Brunauer for our trip to Salzburg, but we didn’t love it. We liked the price, as it was Christmastime and prices were higher, and liked its proximity to the train. 

Next time, I’d just pay more to stay closer to the historic center, especially if I was just here for a tour and some light sightseeing. The rooms were hot and dated, and desperately needed repair.

Check out the map below for more options in Salzburg:

How do Austrians feel about The Sound of Music?

Many Austrians grew up hearing about the film but didn’t watch it obsessively as international audiences did. (I’m that obsessive audience.) Some Austrians don’t love that the real von Trapp family’s story was made a little too Hollywood-perfect. 

For example, Austrians say Captain von Trapp wasn’t as brooding as the movie made him seem. And while the film has them dramatically hiking over the Alps to escape the Nazis, the real family left Austria safely by train and boat. The family was quite musical, though. 

That all said, the movie is a huge part of Salzburg’s tourism revenue. Many Austrians appreciate the economic boost, even if they find the movie lacking. 

Fun fact: Our guide mentioned that most Austrians haven’t actually seen the whole movie, even if they work in the tour industry.

For many locals, The Sound of Music isn’t a part of their personal cultural identity, but a source of pride in the idea that Salzburg wouldn’t be as famous worldwide without it.

Austrians may be indifferent, but The Sound of Music still slaps.

There’s something so timeless about The Sound of Music. For me, it’s definitely personal. It reminds me of my childhood, a simpler time when my biggest worries were keeping my Discman from skipping and living a secret life on the “new” internet.

Being in Salzburg, seeing those hills in real life, gives you this weird feeling that you’ve stepped right into the movie. It’s nostalgia and joy, something we desperately need these days. 

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