We’re now fully into that time of the year that I like to call the ‘meh-season’. Exam season is over (yay!), but we are straight back into lectures and the workload has started to sluggishly pile up again. Our classic British weather, with its cold, grey skies, is not exactly helping to lift the mood either. However, the sprinkling of sunny, blue skies amidst the cloudy days is starting to tease a bit of Spring weather and is making me yearn for Summer!
If, like me, you’re already starting to dream up summer holidays or travel plans, a perfect spot to visit is Salzburg. This gorgeous Austrian city was one of my favourite interrailing destinations last summer – partly because I am a massive Sound of Music fan, but also because of the stunning architecture and surrounding landscape, alongside Salzburg’s incredible history and culture. Keep reading to discover the best activities and the sights you must see in this charming Austrian city.
History of Salzburg
If you are a classical music lover (or you’ve just read the title of this article), you might already know Salzburg as the birthplace of the symphonic king: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. However, did you know that you can explore inside the house where he was born and grew up? Mozart’s birthplace is now one of the most visited museums in the world, where you can glimpse into the legendary composer’s childhood and musical career. You can also visit the Mozart Residence to learn more about the history of the Mozart family.
Another historic gem within Salzburg is the Hohensalzburg Fortress. The remarkable castle, built atop the Festungsberg (Fortress Mountain), is also home to a museum where you can discover the depth of Salzburg’s history. However, if you don’t want to pay for the museum experience, I recommend still climbing up Festungsberg, as there are multiple viewpoints where you can witness glorious views of the city’s picturesque architecture and surrounding snow-topped mountains. My partner and I climbed up in the evening, as it was slightly easier in the cooler dusk air, plus we got to see a brilliant sunset!
Sound of Music Locations
I’ll be completely honest – the overriding reason I wanted to go to Salzburg was due to it being the main filming location for one of my all-time favourite films, the Sound of Music. The area was also where the real-life von Trapp family lived! When I was planning our trip, I had a look at the official Sound of Music tours offered, but they were a bit too expensive for my student budget. After looking up the film-set locations, we opted instead for a DIY tour.
The first place we explored was the Mirabell Gardens, where they filmed ‘Do-Re-Mi’. To truly experience the sumptuous, vibrant scenery, a friend advised us to get there early morning (around 8 am) before it became overcrowded with other tourists. This was the best choice we could have made, as when we arrived on a beautifully sunny morning there were two, maybe three, other people we spotted in the vast gardens. It felt magical! Fortunately, it also meant that I could force my boyfriend to be my personal- photographer as I shamelessly recreated poses from the ‘Do-Re-Mi’ scene in every filming spot I could find. ☺
Another couple of places that were used partly for filming, but were mainly the inspirations behind the Hollywood sets, were Nonnberg Abbey (Stift Nonnberg) and St. Peter’s Cemetery. The former location holds significant historical relevance, being the oldest existing nunnery in the German-speaking region, which the real-life Maria attended before becoming a governess for the von Trapp family. Climbing up to the monastery guarantees idyllic views of Salzburg, as it sits on the eastern foothills of Festungsberg. Walking around St. Peter’s Cemetery is also a beautiful experience. In the cemetery gardens, you may recognise architectural features that the moviemakers replicated for the scene in which the nuns help the von Trapp family hide from the Nazis.
You can also stroll around Schloss Leopoldskron. The palace (now a hotel) and its surrounding park were used to film the outdoor scenes of the von Trapp’s house. If you need a breath of fresh air, the expansive lake is the ideal setting for a walk, as you enjoy the scenic Alpine landscape.
Schloss Hellbrunn and the Trick Fountains
Visiting Hellbrunn Palace (Schloss Hellbrunn) has to be the most surprising and fun experience of our Salzburg trip. We took a short bus journey from the centre of the city to Hellbrunn, as I was in search of the famous Sound of Music gazebo. The pavilion, which you may recognise as the set centrepiece in the songs ‘Sixteen Going on Seventeen’ and ‘Something Good’, can be found in the palace gardens. As for Hellbrunn itself, we learnt that the beautiful palace, gardens, and fountains were intricately designed by architect Markus Sittikus in the early 17th century. We decided to buy tickets for the ‘Trick Fountains’ tour. Upon taking part in the tour, we unexpectedly discovered that Sittikus was also a bit of a jokester and, without giving any spoilers, we emerged with huge grins and pretty soggy outfits…
Food!
Finally – and arguably the most important part – where to eat! For breakfast, the perfect place is Café Tomaselli. Founded in 1700, this café is the oldest coffee house in Salzburg and was recommended to us by a local. We sat on the lovely terrace, overlooking the quiet bustle of the Alter Markt (old market) square. As it is Austrian tradition, I tried the interesting combination of coffee and whipped cream. To eat, I had some buttery scrambled eggs, whilst my partner tried the peculiar-looking Weisswurst: white sausage served with sweet mustard and a fresh bread roll. Both the coffee and the food were (surprisingly) delicious!
Another delightful experience of Austrian cuisine was at Stiegl-Keller. The restaurant offers stunning rooftop views of the city, which we enjoyed whilst tucking into schnitzel (breaded and fried veal) and kaiserschmarrn (fluffy, shredded pancake served with plum compote).
Overall, Salzburg proved to be a fantastic travel destination, with its brilliant history, beautiful scenery, and exciting, invaluable activities. For anyone longing for a little city break or planning an interrailing adventure – this wonderfully authentic Austrian city is a must-visit!