Salzburg is a picturesque Austrian city famous for being the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the filming location for the classic Hollywood movie, The Sound of Music! So many iconic scenes in the movie show Fräulein Maria and the Von Trapp children bicycling around the city and its scenic countryside. Well, that’s what this tour is all about!
Today, Salzburg is not only a UNESCO world heritage site, but is designated the most bicycle-friendly city in Austria, with over 170 kilometres of cycle paths, 900 signs and over 20 scenic biking routes throughout the city! Special bike lanes along the roads and underpasses for cyclists on both sides of the Salzach River ensure you will never have to cross a main road.
Salzburg is surrounded by picturesque leafy suburbs and epic vistas of craggy mountains and ancient monasteries, not seen on the usual walking tours. First you’ll visit beautiful Nonntal with its medieval Benedictine monastery situated atop the hill – Nonnberg. This monastery dates back to the Middle Ages and is the oldest continually occupied monastery in the German speaking world. Fans of the Sound of Music will recognize it as where Maria lives as a novice nun before becoming a governess for the Von Trapps.
Next you’ll head to the magnificent 400-year-old Hellbrunn Palace, built by the prince-archbisop Markus Sittikus to be an oasis of fun and pleasure. The extensive grounds are decorated with a plethora of statuary and trick fountains!
Cycling through the tranquil suburb of Gneis, you will head back towards the Old City. The Old City is famous for its majestic baroque architecture with domes and spires. You’ll stop off to see the stunning Leopoldskron Palace overlooking a large lake, another recognizable Sound of Music location. Your tour ends where it began, just outside the beautiful Mirabell Palace gardens – another splendid baroque palace and a world famous wedding venue.