Review: Original Sound of Music Tour Salzburg, Austria
- Points and Places
- Nov 8, 2024
- 3 min read
We initially planned to spend our whole trip in Austria exploring Vienna, but due to a change in circumstances, we ended up modifying our itinerary. Taylor Swift was performing in Vienna during our visit, which we only realized when we noticed that hotel prices were unusually high. Faced with limited, expensive options, we decided to shorten our stay in Vienna and add a few days in Salzburg. The shift turned out to be a nice alternative since Salzburg’s smaller-town feel suited our idea of a more relaxed vacation.
One of the highlights of our stay in Salzburg was the Sound of Music Tour, a must-do for my wife, who’s a big fan of the movie (and my mother was too, so I’ve seen it more times than I can count!). Since many famous scenes from the movie were filmed in and around Salzburg, we knew this tour would be a unique and unforgettable experience.
There are two main Sound of Music tours in Salzburg, and we chose the Panorama Tour, which conveniently departed just around the corner from our hotel, the Sheraton Grand Salzburg. At the time, tickets cost €60 per person, so with five of us, the tour came to €300—a bit pricey, but worth it for a memorable, four-hour experience.
The tour started and ended at Mirabell Gardens, which is just behind the Sheraton and only a two-minute walk from the hotel. We boarded a comfortable coach bus; in fact, two buses were scheduled for the tour that day. Since we were among the first to board the second bus, we managed to grab the last row to ourselves, giving us plenty of space to relax.
Our guide was full of energy and did a fantastic job explaining each location and its significance, adding fascinating facts about the filming process. She helped us understand what was shot on location versus in the studio, providing plenty of fun insights that even non-fans could appreciate.
Our first stop was Schloss Leopoldskron, the mansion that served as the von Trapp family home in the film. Today, it’s a luxurious hotel, but you can still feel the movie’s magic as you look out at its grand façade and picturesque lake views.
Next, we visited the iconic gazebo where Liesl shares her first kiss while singing "Sixteen Going on Seventeen." The gazebo has been moved around Salzburg over the years and now sits in the beautiful Hellbrunn Palace Park. The gazebo's interior is closed to the public for safety reasons, but you can take photos from the outside. Apparently, too many fans tried to reenact the gazebo scenes, resulting in a few too many injuries! There are restrooms near the gazebo, which was a convenient stop for our group.
From Hellbrunn Palace, the tour took us to a scenic lookout point over Lake Wolfgang. Although unrelated to the movie, it’s a breathtaking spot to pause and enjoy the view. Drinks were available for purchase here from our bus driver so we took a moment to relax and snap a few photos.
Our next major stop was the charming town of Mondsee, home to the wedding chapel where Maria and the Baron were married. The tour allows extra time here, giving you a chance to explore the chapel, do some souvenir shopping, or grab a snack. Our guide recommended the apple strudel at Café Braun, and it did not disappoint—delicious and freshly made!
After enjoying the strudel and a leisurely walk around Mondsee, we returned to the bus for the drive back to Salzburg. The return journey was mostly along the highway, so there wasn’t much to see, but we were all happily reflecting on the memorable stops we’d made.
The tour concluded back at Mirabell Gardens, where Maria and the von Trapp children famously dance around the Pegasus Fountain. The gardens are lovely, but they were quite busy by midday when our tour ended. Fortunately, since we were staying next door, we returned the following morning to enjoy the gardens in a quieter, more peaceful setting.
Conclusion
The Original Sound of Music Tour by Panorama Tours exceeded our expectations. My wife, a longtime fan, was thrilled with every stop, and even our two teenagers, who hadn’t seen the movie, found the tour entertaining. Although the tour is a bit expensive, I’d definitely recommend it as a must-do in Salzburg, along with the castle tour and a visit to the city’s beer gardens. It’s a unique way to see the sights, connect with cinematic history, and enjoy the beautiful Austrian countryside.