Jana Meerman
Salzburg, Austria

Sound of Music Filming Locations in Salzburg, Austria

jana meerman do re mi werfen sound of music filming location salzburg austria-5

The Sound of Music is one of the greatest, most beloved musicals of all time. Based on the true story of the free-spirited nun Maria (played by the wonderful Julie Andrews) as she is sent to work as a governess for the nine children of Captain Von Trapp in his Salzburg mansion, the film is full of music, family, a proud anti-Nazi stance and deep love.

The film was shot mostly in and around Salzburg, the little mountain town in Austria in which I now live. Alongside being the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg's second most famous international tourist attraction is arguably the Sound of Music as you can visit many of the beautiful filming locations around the city and compare them how they are today to when the film came out in 1965. Recreating scenes from the film is also very popular!

→ Follow along my Austrian adventures on Instagram @JanaInAustria!

Here are some of the most iconic filming locations from the Sound of Music that you can visit on your trip to Salzburg to inspire you and make you want to sing "the hills are alive!" I hope to continue to visit many more from the film throughout my time here and will continue to update this blog post accordingly.

How to Visit the Filming Locations from the Sound of Music

Most of the filming locations from the Sound of Music are based in and around the city of Salzburg in Austria.

→ Check out my complete guides to visiting Salzburg in spring, summer, autumn and winter!

By guided tour: The most popular way to see the filming locations of the Sound of Music is to join a guided tour. The large tour buses painted with scenes from the film are a common sight throughout our little city!

→ Book a guided tour to visit the most famous filming locations of the Sound of Music in Salzburg!

By yourself: If you're here for longer or just want to visit the filming locations on your own time, you can also go to all of these spots yourself. None of them require a tour guide for special access. I have visited these places with public transport, by bike and with a car.

Filming Locations from the Sound of Music

Opening Scene

Wolfgangsee

The opening scene of the Sound of Music is filmed from an airplane over some of the most beautiful landscapes around Salzburg. One of these scenes captures the lovely little town of St Gilgen on the shores of the Wolfgangsee.

→ This is the exact location of the opening scene on Google Maps.

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Scenery from the opening scene

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St Gilgen over Wolfgangsee in 2025

Von Trapp Villa & Lake

Schloss Leopoldskron

The view across the shimmering Leopoldskroner Weiher provides the perfect perspective of the filming location of the back of the Von Trapp Villa. The lakefront setting of the Schloss Leopoldskron also provided the filming location where the Von Trapp children fell out of their boat!

→ This is the exact location of the Von Trapp Villa and Lake on Google Maps.

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The children and Maria on the steps of the Von Trapp Villa looking out over the lake

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Singing in the boat on the lake before it capsizes

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Schloss Leopoldskron in 2022

"I am 16, Going on 17" Pavilion

Schloss Hellbrun

This little pavilion is most famous for being the filming location where Liesl sang her "I am 16, Going on 17" song. They actually only used this pavilion for the outdoor shots as they need a more open and larger one to get the right angles for the indoor shots, but it's still fun to twirl around. Sadly, you can't go inside for safety reasons.

→ This is the exact location of the Pavilion on Google Maps.

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Liesl and Rolf singing "I am 16, going on 17"

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The Pavilion at Schloss Hellbrunn in 2024

"Do Re Mi" Picnic Spot

Werfen

The opening chords of "Do Re Mi" were filmed while Maria and the children enjoyed a picnic in this gorgeous grassy field in Werfen with a perfect view overlooking the Burg Hohenwerfen. Nowadays, a wooden fence even pinpoints the exact spot they sat!

→ Check out the reel I made recreating the "Do Re Mi" picnic scene!

→ This is the exact location of the "Do Re Mi" picnic spot on Google Maps.

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The picnic scene with the opening chords of "Do Re Mi"

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The field above Werfen in 2025

"Do Re Mi" Gardens

Mirabell Gardens

The stunning Mirabell Palace and its gardens are themselves worth a wander to enjoy the peaceful surrounds. It was here that many key angles were filmed as Maria and the children sing "Do Re Mi," twirling through these grounds.

→ This is the exact location of the "Do Re Mi" Gardens on Google Maps.

jana meerman sound of music do re mi mirabell gardens

Singing "Do Re Mi"

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Mirabell Gardens in 2024

Hiding from the Nazis

Katakomben St. Peter

This famous baroque noble cemetery inspired the scene in the Sound of Music where the Von Trapp family hide in the cemetery from the Nazis, although the actual scene was shot on a larger Hollywood set. The Katakomben date back to the 12th century and show early signs of Christianity.

→ This is the exact location of Hiding from the Nazis on Google Maps.

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Rolf looking for the Von Trapps on the Hollywood set based off of the Katakomben St Peter

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The Katakomben in 2024

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Jana Meerman

Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.

Find me on: Instagram | Facebook

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