Untersberg is a massif of the Berchtesgaden Alps, stretching into Salzburg, Austria. The mountain straddles the border between Berchtesgaden, Germany, and Salzburg, Austria. After checking in at Bloberger Hof, we drove to the cable car station on the Salzburg side of Mount Untersberg. The cable car station is also accessible by bus number 25 from the Central Train Station or right after your visit to Hellbrunn and/or the zoo.

The cable car operates daily from 9 am to 4 pm, every 30 minutes. For updated ticket prices, you can check this site: Untersbergbahn Tickets and Prices.

Fortunately, the Salzburg Card covers the ticket cost, so we didn't have to pay. For more information about the benefits of the Salzburg Card, visit Salzburg Card Benefits.

The views from the top of Untersberg are exceptionally breathtaking. The German side of Untersberg was used in the closing scenes of the 1965 movie The Sound of Music.

Hellbrunn Palace or Schloss Hellbrunn in German is of palatial size built by the then Prince-Archibishop of Salzburg in 1613~1619. This early Baroque villa was meant for a day residence by the Archibishop and latter returned to Salzburg in the evening Apparently, there is no bedroom in this palace.

Not only we learned history inside the castle, we got to unwind and took a deep refreshing breath at its spacious green landscaped. For those Sound of Music movie fans, the famous Gazebo or the Pavillon where the Sixteen going on Seventeen was sang and danced, was moved in Hellbrunn from Leopoldskron for many years now. It is locked though for some reasons.

We are very lucky this place is now open to public. In the earlier years, it was reserved only for the Archibishop-Prince and his guests.

Entrance to the palace is covered by the Salzburg Card

Long Pergola Vine Tunnel at Mirabell Garden, Salzburg, Austria
The vine tunnel was featured in the movie, The Sound of Music. Maria and the Vontrapp kids were running through the tunnel while singing DoReMi

The Sound of Music Pavillon or the Gazeebo.
In the movie The Sound of Music, the eldest VouTrapp daughter, Liesl, sang 16 going on 17 in this timeless Gazeebo.

At present, the Pavillon is located at Hellbrunn Palace Gardens. During the filming, it was built at Leopold Palace.

Mirabell Garden is one of Europe's finest. Its colorful, geometrically designed garden attracts tourists from all over the world. The garden features numerous statues inspired by Greek gods and goddesses, adding to its charm. This beautiful garden was also featured in the famous classic movie, The Sound of Music.

The garden is adorned with beautiful sculptures, each telling a story from ancient myths we first heard about in our primary and secondary school days. For example, behind where my family were sitting is the sculpture of Paris kidnapping Helen, sculpted by Ottavio Mosto in 1690. This sculpture represents the element of water. Helen, the most beautiful woman of the late Bronze Age, was married to the King of Sparta. Paris, a prince of Troy, fell in love with Helen during a diplomatic visit to Sparta. Despite her marital status, he kidnapped her, leading to the legendary war between Sparta and Troy. In another version of the myth, Helen and Paris eloped together.

Behind my two girls is another magnificent sculpture by Ottavio Mosto, representing the element of fire. It depicts Aeneas fleeing Troy with his father, showcasing the dramatic and heroic themes that fill Mirabell Garden.

Mirabell Garden's combination of natural beauty and mythological artistry makes it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Salzburg.

The terrace steps at Mirabell Garden were used as a hopping musical scale by Maria and the Von Trapp children. They sang "Do-Re-Mi" in various locations throughout Salzburg, culminating in a memorable scene on these terrace steps. The Pegasus Statue Fountain in Mirabell Garden is another iconic spot where the Von Trapp children danced around while singing "Do-Re-Mi."

Another enchanting feature of Mirabell Garden is the Dwarf Gnome Park (Zwerglgarten). In The Sound of Music, the Von Trapp children patted the head of one of the statues here. The park boasts a dozen gnome statues, modeled after real-life dwarves and crafted from white Untersberg marble in the 18th century.

Another notable site in Salzburg is the Residenzbrunnen, or Horse Fountain. This is the largest baroque fountain outside Italy, standing at 45 feet tall. The Residenzbrunnen was also featured in The Sound of Music. In the film, Maria splashed water onto one of the horse statues, creating a memorable scene.

The Mozartsteg, a pedestrian bridge across the Salzach River in the city center of Salzburg, also gained popularity after being featured in The Sound of Music. In the movie, Maria and the Von Trapp children skipped across the bridge on their way to a picnic, making it an iconic spot for fans of the film.

Additionally, the movie showcases Maria entering through the arches of the Domplatz before heading to the Residenzbrunnen. These arches frame the Domplatz beautifully, adding to the historic and architectural charm of Salzburg.

We had stayed at Hotel Bloberger Hof. The hotel is a charming hotel situated in the picturesque Salzburg countryside, offering guests a serene escape with stunning views of the Alps. Located just a short drive from Salzburg’s city center, this family-run establishment provides a perfect blend of comfort, traditional Austrian hospitality, and natural beauty.

Salzburg Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a jewel in Austria's crown. Nestled between the Salzach River and the imposing cliffs of the Mönchsberg and Kapuzinerberg mountains, this historic area boasts a rich tapestry of Baroque architecture, cultural landmarks, and centuries-old traditions. It's no wonder that the Old Town served as a picturesque backdrop for several scenes in the timeless movie, The Sound of Music.

Salzburg Old Town, or Altstadt, is renowned for its well-preserved architecture dating back to the Middle Ages and Baroque period. The narrow, winding streets and ornate buildings transport visitors back in time, offering a glimpse into the city's storied past. The Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, recognized for its exceptional value and historical significance.

St. Peter's Friedhof, or St. Peter's Church Cemetery, is another significant location featured in The Sound of Music. In the movie, the Von Trapp family hid from the Nazis inside this cemetery, adding a layer of historical and cinematic intrigue to the site.

The Horse Bath (Pferdeschwemme), located near the Mönchsberg Hill, is one of the public fountains in Salzburg. In The Sound of Music, Maria and the Von Trapp children were filmed walking by this fountain. Historically, this fountain served as a medieval horse bath, essentially functioning as a car wash for horses during the Middle Ages

We managed to visit all these in two days. We were at the Untersberg on our first day in Salzburg. It was near the German border, we drove to Berchtesgaden, a charming town in Germany known for its scenic beauty. While the town itself is quaint, the highlight was visiting the former Nazi headquarters, which has since been converted into a restaurant. The transformation of this historic site offers a unique perspective on the region’s past.

On our third day, we took a day trip to Munich by train. The journey was smooth and took approximately 2 hours. Munich, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and renowned landmarks, offered a delightful contrast to our Salzburg experience.

The following day, we boarded a regional train for a scenic journey to Switzerland. The travel time was around 7 hours, during which we enjoyed the picturesque views of the European countryside.