Salzburg & Hallstatt: Day Trip, Sound of Music Sites, Lake Views

4.58

(151 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the quiet—just the soft hum of the bus as we slipped out of Salzburg, winding through the Salzkammergut. Our guide, Anna, pointed out little towns like St. Gilgen and Bad Ischl. I tried to pronounce “Fuschl” under my breath (not even close). The lake shimmered in that way only early morning water does. By the time we reached Hallstatt, I’d already filled half my phone with photos and hadn’t even stepped off yet.

Hallstatt smells like wood smoke and pastries if you catch it at the right hour. We wandered for a while—somehow both lost and not lost at all—past old timber houses stacked up against the mountain. There’s this moment when you look up from the lake edge and realize just how steep everything is here. I didn’t take the funicular to the Skywalk because I got caught up sharing a coffee with two locals who laughed at my German (honestly deserved). If you want those views though, Anna said it’s about an hour round trip from town—just plan your time.

The ride back took us on a different route—Gosau, Russbach—more green than I expected in June. Back in Salzburg, our Sound of Music tour started fast: Leopoldskron Lake first (I tried not to hum “Do-Re-Mi,” failed), then Hellbrunn Palace where they keep that famous gazebo. Our group tried recreating “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” but mostly just ended up giggling under the trees while our guide told stories about filming days and local extras who still live nearby.

By Mondsee I was hungry again, so yeah—I caved for apple strudel before checking out St. Michael’s church (the wedding chapel from the movie). It’s smaller than it looks on screen but somehow warmer inside. On the drive back to Salzburg, someone played “Edelweiss” quietly on their phone and nobody really talked for a bit. That’s what stuck with me most—the hush after a long day out there.