Salzburg: Sound of Music Private Tour & Strudel Cooking

Summary

Trace Maria’s footsteps in Salzburg with apple strudel and lakes

You’ll follow Maria’s path through Salzburg with a local guide, wander Mirabell Gardens and Mondsee Cathedral from The Sound of Music tour, soak up lake views near St. Gilgen, and if you choose, learn to make apple strudel in a cozy Alpine hut. Expect laughter, music memories—and maybe flour on your shirt.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I never expected to feel so giddy standing in Mirabell Gardens. But there I was, humming “Do-Re-Mi” under my breath while our guide, Franz, pointed out the exact steps where Julie Andrews danced. The air smelled faintly of cut grass and rain — it had drizzled earlier, so everything looked extra green. Franz had this way of mixing film trivia with little local stories; he told us how his aunt once saw the crew filming at Nonnberg Abbey. I guess I always thought movie tours would feel cheesy, but somehow this felt… oddly real.

We hopped into a minivan (comfy seats, thankfully — my feet were already tired) and rolled past Hellbrunn Palace to see the famous gazebo. Someone tried singing “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and totally cracked up — even Franz joined in. The drive out to Salzkammergut was longer than I expected, but honestly, it flew by because the scenery kept changing: lakes that looked like glass, mountains half-hidden by low clouds. At one point we stopped at St. Gilgen for photos — I’m not sure my phone did that view justice. There’s something about the air there that made me want to just breathe slower for a minute.

Mondsee was next — you know, the church from the wedding scene? We had some free time so I wandered around and ended up in a tiny café where they served apple strudel still warm from the oven. If you do the cooking class option (I did), you’ll end up elbow-deep in dough inside a wooden hut that smells like cinnamon and butter. Our instructor kept teasing me about my rolling technique (“too thick!”) but grinned when I finally got it right. The taste was worth every sticky finger.

I think what surprised me most was how much Salzburg itself became part of the story — not just as a backdrop for The Sound of Music tour, but as this living place full of small moments: nuns walking briskly near Nonnberg Abbey, kids chasing pigeons outside Mirabell Palace. It’s funny how certain places stick with you after you leave; sometimes it’s just the smell of apples baking or a song stuck in your head on the drive back to town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sound of Music tour and lake region visit

• Meet opposite Mirabell Palace
• Walk into Mirabell Gardens
• See the Original Gazebo at Hellbrunn Palace
• Pass Nonnberg Abbey
• Drive through Lakes and Mountain Region
• Photo stop at St. Gilgen viewpoint
• Free time at Mondsee and visit wedding chapel
• Enjoy coffee and apple strudel break

Top questions

How long is the Sound of Music private tour from Salzburg?

The tour lasts about 4 hours plus an optional 1-hour apple strudel cooking class.

Is hotel pickup included for this Salzburg Sound of Music tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels only; check when booking.

Which filming locations are visited on this Sound of Music tour?

You’ll visit Mirabell Gardens, Hellbrunn Palace gazebo, Nonnberg Abbey (outside), Mondsee Cathedral, and St. Gilgen for photo stops.

Is there an apple strudel cooking class included?

The apple strudel cooking class is included if you select that option during booking.

Are children allowed on this private Sound of Music tour?

Yes; infants and small children can join with prams or strollers. For the cooking class option kids must be 5 years or older.

Does this day trip include free time at any stops?

You get about 50 minutes free time at Mondsee to explore or enjoy coffee and apple strudel.

What’s included

Your day includes private transport by luxury minivan with driver-guide, hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels in Salzburg if needed, all stops mentioned along The Sound of Music route including Mirabell Gardens and Mondsee Cathedral—and if you book it—an hour-long Edelweiss apple strudel cooking class with tastings in an Alpine hut before heading back into town.