Salzburg Sound of Music and City Highlights Audio Guided Tour

4–5 hours Free cancellation Private tour

Salzburg Sound of Music and City Highlights Audio Guided Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Take my audio tour of Salzburg, Austria, to see everything the city has to offer, from the Von Trapps to Mozart and beyond. From the "Do Re Mi Steps" of Mirabell Gardens to the iconic exterior of Nonnberg Abbey, fans of The Sound of Music are sure to recognize tons of landmarks on this 2-mile walking tour.

Visitors looking for Non-Trapp-related attractions (get it?) won't be disappointed either. The Haus de Natur is a sprawling natural history center, and Fortress Hohensalzburg looms overhead. Grab a bite in the Altermarkt or the Grünmarkt and pay your respects to Mozart as you loop back to the start.

After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

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At a glance

Duration: 4–5 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Operated by: Guide With Action

Ages: Adults (5–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
Included: Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
Included: Just bring your phone and headphones; the app guides your walk.
Included: Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
Included: Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
Included: Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
Included: Private walking tour experience for your family or group.
Included: Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
Included: Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.

Not included

Not included: No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.

Itinerary

Stop 1

10 min

Located near Salzburg Airport, Hangar-7 is a striking glass-and-steel building displaying historic Flying Bulls aircraft, Formula 1 racing cars, motorcycles and contemporary art. The exhibits can change because some vehicles remain operational, making this an optional modern contrast to Salzburg’s historic and cinematic landmarks.
Residenzbrunnen

10 min

The enormous marble fountain is the visual centre of Residenzplatz. Its energetic composition of horses, marine figures and an Atlas-like figure creates one of Salzburg’s grandest public scenes, while its movie connection makes it instantly familiar to Sound of Music fans.
Stop 3

15 min

Set within the walls of the St. Peter’s complex, this historic restaurant combines monastic surroundings with contemporary Austrian dining. It can serve as a memorable meal stop, particularly for visitors who want to experience Salzburg’s culinary and musical traditions together.
Makartplatz

10 min

This refined city square connects Mirabell Gardens with the Salzach River. Important buildings around it include Mozart’s Residence, the Salzburg State Theatre, Trinity Church and Hotel Bristol, making it a useful transition point between Salzburg’s musical and cinematic stories.
Stop 5

10 min

This narrow Old Town passage leads through a historic shopping district near Getreidegasse and the former civic hospital. The lane provides an atmospheric transition between the Mönchsberg area, Salzburg’s traditional market streets and the Festival District.
Felsenreitschule

5 min Admission not included

Carved directly into the Mönchsberg rock, this extraordinary performance venue is lined with tiered arcades. It became the setting for the von Trapp family’s dramatic festival performance near the end of the film and remains an active Salzburg Festival venue.
Stop 7

5 min

This long staircase climbs from the Festival District toward Mönchsberg. Its approximately 220 steps and elevated platforms provide unusual views over the Felsenreitschule, St. Peter’s district and nearby rooftops, although visitors should be prepared for a steady ascent.
Stop 8

5 min

This historic lane leads from the cathedral district toward the lower station of the fortress funicular. As visitors approach, Fortress Hohensalzburg rises dramatically above the street, creating one of the most impressive perspectives in the Old Town.
Stop 9

5 min Admission not included

The fortress funicular provides the quickest and easiest route to Fortress Hohensalzburg. Operating since the 19th century, it is Austria’s oldest funicular still in service and reaches the upper station in roughly 80 seconds.
Fortress Hohensalzburg

5 min Admission not included

This vast medieval fortress has watched over Salzburg for centuries and remains the city’s dominant landmark. Its courtyards, defensive structures, museums and viewing terraces reveal Salzburg’s political history while providing panoramic views of the Old Town, Salzach River and Alps.
Stift Nonnberg

5 min Admission not included

This historic Benedictine convent is where both the real Maria and the film’s story begin. Exterior scenes were filmed around the abbey, including Maria’s return and the nuns’ discussions about her future, while its hilltop position creates a peaceful atmosphere above the Old Town.
Stop 12

5 min

Kaigasse is a narrow historic street running beneath the fortress and Nonnberg Abbey. Its colourful façades, small courtyards and quieter atmosphere provide an attractive route back toward Mozartplatz and the central Old Town.
Mozartplatz

5 min

The centrepiece of this spacious square is the monument to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Surrounded by historic buildings and located beside Residenzplatz, the square provides a natural place to introduce Mozart’s connection to Salzburg and the city’s international musical identity.
Stop 14

5 min

This riverside street connects Makartplatz with several important cultural buildings. As visitors walk along it, they pass close to the Salzach, the Mozarteum and the Salzburg Marionette Theatre before approaching the bridges into the Old Town.
Staatsbrucke

5 min

One of Salzburg’s principal river crossings, Staatsbrücke links the Mirabell side with the historic Old Town. The bridge offers open views toward the riverfront buildings, church towers and Fortress Hohensalzburg and marks the transition into Salzburg’s pedestrian centre.
Schloss Frohnburg

5 min

The yellow façade and imposing gates of Frohnburg Palace represented the front entrance of the von Trapp family home. This is where Maria arrives to meet the family, although the lakeside rear of the movie house was filmed at a different palace. The itinerary should focus on the public exterior and gates.
Stop 17

5 min

This main road leads south from central Salzburg toward the residential districts and the palace locations outside the Old Town. It functions primarily as a route transition between Nonnberg, Frohnburg and the southern Sound of Music sites.
Stop 18

5 min

This quieter residential street helps connect the route with the Leopoldskron area. Visitors should follow the navigation carefully, as the palace’s most recognizable public view is generally reached from the path beside Leopoldskroner Weiher.
Grunmarkt

5 min

Located around Universitätsplatz, Grünmarkt has been part of Salzburg’s daily life for more than 150 years. Its stalls sell fruit, vegetables, bread, cheese, flowers and regional products, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the city beyond its monuments and movie locations.
Stop 20

5 min Admission not included

Built as a pleasure palace for Salzburg’s prince-archbishops, Hellbrunn is known for its landscaped grounds and playful trick fountains. For Sound of Music visitors, it is also the present home of the famous glass pavilion associated with the movie.
Stop 21

5 min

This is the practical arrival point for visiting Hellbrunn Palace, its gardens and the pavilion. From the parking area, visitors can continue on foot toward the palace entrance and follow signs for the park and Sound of Music gazebo.
Marko Feingold Steg

5 min

This pedestrian bridge is known for its collection of love locks and panoramic views along the Salzach. It provides an attractive approach to the Old Town, with the fortress, church towers and colourful riverside façades visible from the crossing.
Haus Der Natur

5 min Admission not included

Salzburg’s large natural-history and science museum contains more than 7,000 square metres of exhibits. Visitors can explore an aquarium, dinosaurs, space displays, the human body, technology demonstrations and interactive science exhibits, making this an excellent optional stop for families.
Stop 24

5 min Admission not included

The lift carries visitors from the Old Town to the top of Mönchsberg in about 30 seconds. At the upper station, visitors reach panoramic terraces, walking paths and the Museum der Moderne, with wide views across Salzburg and the surrounding mountains.
Stop 25

5 min

This small fountain stop introduces the enclosed courtyards of the St. Peter’s district. It provides a quiet place to pause and observe the monastic architecture before continuing toward the church, cemetery, bakery and Festival District.
Stop 26

5 min

Located within the historic St. Peter’s surroundings, this decorative fountain adds to the secluded character of the abbey courtyards. The stop helps visitors appreciate the peaceful world hidden behind Salzburg’s busier cathedral squares.
Stop 27

5 min

The abbey church belongs to one of the oldest continuously existing monasteries in the German-speaking world. Its interior combines centuries of architectural styles, while the surrounding monastery, cemetery and courtyards form one of Salzburg’s most atmospheric historic ensembles.
Stop 28

5 min

This small commemorative drinking fountain is an easily overlooked piece of Salzburg’s streetscape. Dating from the early 19th century, it offers visitors a practical refreshment point while highlighting the historic public fountains found throughout the Old Town.
Alter Markt

5 min

Salzburg’s Old Marketplace was established as a commercial centre during the Middle Ages. Today it is an intimate square enclosed by historic townhouses, traditional shops and cafés, offering a quieter atmosphere than the neighbouring shopping streets.
Mozart's Birthplace

5 min Admission not included

The bright yellow house at Getreidegasse 9 is where Wolfgang Amadé Mozart was born in 1756. Its museum explores his childhood, family, early musical development and personal life through original instruments, documents, portraits and household objects.
Stop 31

5 min

These formal gardens are among the most recognizable filming locations from The Sound of Music. Visitors can follow the paths used by Maria and the children during “Do-Re-Mi” while enjoying fountains, statues, flower beds and a carefully framed view of Salzburg Cathedral and Fortress Hohensalzburg.
Pegasus Fountain

5 min

The copper-winged horse at the centre of this fountain is one of the garden’s most memorable features. Maria and the children dance around the fountain during “Do-Re-Mi,” linking the elegant Baroque garden directly to one of the movie’s happiest scenes.
Stop 33

5 min

Begin outside this elegant Baroque palace, one of Salzburg’s best-known landmarks. The Marble Hall inside is celebrated as a concert and wedding venue, while the palace entrance provides an easy meeting point for exploring the gardens and nearby Sound of Music locations.
Stop 34

5 min

Four dramatic groups of statues surround the central garden fountain, representing earth, water, air and fire. The sculptures add movement and theatricality to the garden and appear as Maria and the children make their way through Mirabell during “Do-Re-Mi.”
PFERDESCHWEMME - HORSE WELL

5 min

This elaborate horse pond was originally used to wash the ceremonial horses of Salzburg’s prince-archbishops. The horse-tamer statue and painted backdrop appear during Maria and the children’s carriage journey through Salzburg in the movie.
Grosses Festspielhaus

5 min Admission not included

The Large Festival Hall is one of the principal venues of the Salzburg Festival. Its broad façade and immense auditorium represent Salzburg’s status as an international performance centre; entry to the interior generally requires a guided tour or event ticket.
Stop 37

5 min

The glass gazebo is associated with “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Something Good.” Now located in the grounds of Hellbrunn, it has become one of Salzburg’s most popular movie-related photo stops and an essential location for fans of the film.
Schloss Leopoldskron

5 min

The lakeside terrace and rear façade of this Rococo palace represented the back of the von Trapp family home. Several memorable garden and boating scenes were filmed beside the water. Because the palace operates as a hotel and event venue, most itineraries use the public viewpoint across the lake.
Stop 39

5 min

This elevated pedestrian route connects the fortress area with Nonnberg Abbey. The path provides quieter views over the southern Old Town and allows visitors to approach the abbey in a way that feels separated from the busier streets below.
Mozartsteg

5 min

This graceful pedestrian bridge crosses the Salzach near Mozartplatz. It offers open views toward the Old Town, fortress and riverfront while providing a quieter crossing than Salzburg’s larger road bridges.
Salzburg Marionette Theater

5 min Admission not included

Salzburg’s historic puppet theatre has entertained audiences for more than a century with detailed marionette productions of operas, fairy tales and musicals. Its repertoire includes a marionette version of The Sound of Music, making it an especially relevant optional evening activity.
Stop 42

5 min

This wooded ridge rises immediately above Salzburg’s historic centre. Its elevated paths provide peaceful walks, old fortifications and changing viewpoints over the Old Town, Fortress Hohensalzburg and the Alps, offering a quieter contrast to the busy streets below.
Stop 43

5 min

Salzburg’s historic centre is celebrated for its Baroque squares, medieval lanes, churches, courtyards and fortress views. Walking through the Altstadt connects the city’s Mozart heritage, Salzburg Festival traditions and Sound of Music filming locations within a compact area.
Stop 44

5 min

Hidden beside the abbey and cemetery, this traditional bakery has written records extending back to the 12th century. Its bread is still produced in a historic setting, making the bakery an appealing short stop for a snack and a glimpse of Salzburg’s working traditions.
Stop 45

5 min

This historic hotel overlooks Makartplatz and represents Salzburg’s tradition of elegant European hospitality. It is also a convenient concluding landmark for the walking portion of the tour because it stands close to Mirabell Gardens, Mozart’s Residence and the river.
Stop 46

5 min

This broad square lies between Salzburg Cathedral and the fortress hill. It offers one of the clearest ground-level views of Fortress Hohensalzburg and is animated by market stalls, oversized chess pieces, the Kapitel fountain and contemporary public art.
Sphaera

5 min

Created by German artist Stephan Balkenhol, Sphaera depicts a male figure standing on an enormous golden sphere. The modern sculpture creates a striking contrast with the Baroque architecture and medieval fortress surrounding Kapitelplatz.
Stop 48

5 min

Cathedral Square is enclosed by the cathedral, the former archiepiscopal Residence and part of St. Peter’s complex. It is also the traditional setting for the Salzburg Festival’s production of Jedermann, giving the square an important place in the city’s theatrical history.
Salzburg Cathedral

5 min Admission not included

This monumental early-Baroque cathedral dominates Salzburg’s historic religious centre. Visitors can admire its twin towers, vast dome, ornate interior and baptismal font associated with Mozart, while the surrounding squares reveal the former power of Salzburg’s prince-archbishops.
Residenzplatz

5 min

This monumental Baroque square formed part of the political and ceremonial centre of Salzburg’s prince-archbishops. It is enclosed by the Old Residence, New Residence, Salzburg Cathedral and historic townhouses and appears during the family’s carriage ride in The Sound of Music.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Begin at Mirabellplatz, 5020 Salzburg, Austria, in front of Mirabell Palace. Look for the arched doorway with large pillars. After booking, search your emails and texts for “audio tour.” Set up the tour now using Wi-Fi/data. Your tour is valid forever—do not wait until you arrive.

End point

Begin at Mirabellplatz, 5020 Salzburg, Austria, in front of Mirabell Palace. Look for the arched doorway with large pillars. After booking, search your emails and texts for “audio tour.” Set up the tour now using Wi-Fi/data. Your tour is valid forever—do not wait until you arrive.

Using your ticket

IGNORE THE QR CODE ABOVE

The QR code CANNOT be presented for a ticket onsite.

The QR simply contains your tour access instructions. Please follow these instructions BEFORE you’re onsite because they require WiFi/signal.

1. Download my Action Tour Guide app:

actiontourguide.com/app

2. Sign in/ register with your email (this is will automatically generate a one-time verification sent to your email. That code is NOT your tour password).

3. Go to “My Tours” and select “Enter Password”. Find your password in the instructions email sent by “Action Tour Guide” to you by email and text.

4. Download your tour NOW. Do not wait until you are onsite.

BEFORE YOU START

This is a self-guided audio tour. No guide will meet you.

Entrance tickets, attraction tickets, parking, and transportation are not included.

Your tour has lifetime access with no expiry. Use it on any date—no need to change your booking date.

For walking tours, we recommend headphones.

See how it works: actiontourguide.com/tutorial

NEED HELP?

Setup: actiontourguide.com/redeem

FAQs: actiontourguide.com/faq

Call: 1-508-506-1844

Email: [email protected]

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
Private tour: Follow the route on your phone without an in-person guide or crowded group.
At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
Multi-device access: Use the same password on one device for each traveler included in your booking.
More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
Savings tips: Walking tours: couples can share a tour by using separate earbuds. We recommend using headphones or earbuds for clearer audio and to avoid disturbing nearby guests.