Approximately a 20-minute drive from Salzburg, lies the picturesque town of Mondsee, Austria. It’s colourful architecture, cozy cafés and variety of shops make it a perfect place to visit for the afternoon. It’s also home to the historic Basilika St. Michael, which was featured in the 1965 musical, The Sound of Music.
The drive from Salzburg to Mondsee is a stunning route that takes you up through the Austrian hills. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see some of the countryside outside of the city.
The town is located on a lake, also called Mondsee, which is named after its crescent moon shape. There are a number of things you can do around the lake, including swimming, fishing and boating. From the lakeside, you can see the imposing Drachenwand mountain, also known as the Dragon Wall mountain. Mondsee is also home to prehistoric pile dwellings, which have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The most popular attraction in Mondsee is the Basikila St. Michael, also referred to as Mondsee Abbey. The medieval cathedral is most famous for being the wedding location of Maria and Captain von Trapp in the movie The Sound of Music. While the real Maria and Captain von Trapp were actually married at Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg, Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer filmed the memorable scene in Mondsee.
Today, tourists can visit the Basilika St. Michael and it is a popular stop on many of Salzburg’s The Sound of Music tours. The inside of the abbey is instantly recognizable from the movie, and visitors can walk down the aisle just as Maria did. The organ used in the movie can also be seen and is still in use today.
In addition to visiting the abbey, I would highly recommend taking a walk around the town. There are a number of nice cafés to have lunch in, as well as shops to browse. The outdoor scenery is worth the visit alone and Mondsee is a great place to spend time outside in the fresh air.
Key Information for Visiting Mondsee, Austria
1. How far is Mondsee from Salzburg?
The town of Mondsee is located approximately a 20-minute drive from the centre of Salzburg.
2. How do you get to Mondsee?
If you’re visiting Mondsee on your own, the easiest way to get there is to drive. You can also visit the town on some of The Sound of Music tours that runs from Salzburg’s city centre. If you are looking to go on a tour, I highly recommend The Original Sound of Music Tour.
3. Where is the church from The Sound of Music?
The church that appears in the wedding scene of Maria and Georg von Trapp is located in Mondsee, Austria. It is open to the public and is approximately a 20-minute drive from Salzburg.
4. Can you go inside Mondsee Abbey?
Yes! The abbey is open to the public and is a popular stop on many of The Sound of Music tours. It was really interesting to visit as a part of a tour as the guides point out some interesting information on the filming of the movie.
5. How long is needed to visit Mondsee?
Mondsee is a great place to visit for either the day or afternoon. You only need about 20 minutes to visit the abbey, but you can also spend time browsing the shops, eating in the cafés or exploring the outdoor activities the town has to offer.
6. Are there other The Sound of Music sites to see nearby?
There are many locations from the movie to explore in and around the Salzburg area. For a further list, check out 10 “Sound of Music” Locations to See in Salzburg, Austria.
This article’s information was last updated in August 2022.