Lake Wolfgang – St. Gilgen

Beautiful town between mountains and Lake Wolfgangsee

Wolfgangsee is a beautiful lake located in the Lake District of the Austrian Alps, surrounded by picturesque villages and stunning scenery. It’s famous for being the filming location for some scenes of the movie The Sound of Music, which has become a cultural icon worldwide. Along with St. Wolfgang and Strobl, St. Gilgen is one of the three municipalities on Lake Wolfgangsee. St. Gilgen is also very popular during the Christmas season thanks to its scenic beauty and diversity.

Guests enjoying a private Sound of Music experience at Schloss Leopoldskron, the iconic filming location in Salzburg.
Guests enjoying a private Sound of Music experience at Schloss Leopoldskron, the iconic filming location in Salzburg.

Sound of Music tells the story of the von Trapp family and their musical adventures, and many of the iconic scenes were shot in and around the Wolfgangsee region. Visitors can take the Singing Sound of Maria Tour of the filming locations, such as the charming village of St. Gilgen, where the opening scene was shot, or the stunning Schloss Fuschl, which served as the von Trapp family’s home.

Aside from its connection to the movie, Wolfgangsee is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as swimming, boating, hiking, and cycling. The lake’s crystal-clear waters offer a refreshing escape during the hot summer months, while the surrounding mountains provide breathtaking views and challenging trails for hikers and bikers. The town is surrounded by the Schafberg and the Zwölferhorn. St. Gilgen is also known as Mozart Village. The grandfather of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in St. Gilgen. Mozart’s sister, Nannerl, has lived here. St. Gilgen also impresses with its scenic beauty and diversity in the cold season. During the Christmas season, the Christmas market “Wolfgangsee Advent” takes place in St. Gilgen.

Overall, Wolfgangsee is a must-visit destination for those who want to experience the beauty of the Austrian Alps and immerse themselves in the magic of “The Sound of Music.”

You can visit St. Wolfgang as part of our Singing Sound of Maria Tour and our Singing Xmas Tour. On this full-day tour, your personal chauffeur and our entertainer Dana Hammett will pick you up directly from your hotel in the morning. After a personal welcome, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the idyllic winter landscape around Lake Wolfgangsee from a viewing platform located above St. Gilgen. You’ll board an historic steamer to take us across the lake to the village of St. Wolfgang. The magic of the beautifully decorated villages on the shores of this famous lake will enchant you even from the water.

 

Guests enjoying a private Sound of Music experience at Schloss Leopoldskron, the iconic filming location in Salzburg.
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Photo Credits: Gemeinde St. Gilgen

Private Experience

Experience Lake Wolfgang – St. Gilgen with weTours

4.5 h •
Minivan
• Hotel Pick-up •

7 guests

Private Sound of Maria Tours

City & Lakeside Escape

A Signature Live Music Experience

A private journey through Salzburg and the Lake District, curated with live music, elegance, and quiet luxury.

Reserve your experience
from € 1,690 (group rate)

This experience includes visits to the following iconic attractions:

Sound-of-Music-Pavillion-Gazebo-Tour-weTours-Feature

The Gazebo – Sixteen Going on Seventeen

Sound of Music St. Gilgen Wolfgangsee

Lake Wolfgang – Opening & Aerial Scenes

Mirabellgarden-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Sight-Location-Salzburg-Featured Image

Mirabell Gardens – Do-Re-Mi Scenes

Nonnberg-Abbey-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Featured-Image

Nonnberg Abbey – Maria’s Convent

Sound of Music Frohnburg Salzburg

Trapp Villa – Frohnburg Palace

Leopoldskron Palace, the iconic Sound of Music filming location in Salzburg.

Trapp Villa – Leopoldskron Palace

Mondsee-Basilika-weTours-Singing-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Featured-Image

Mondsee – Wedding Church

8 h •
Minivan
• Hotel Pick-up •

7 guests

Private Sound of Maria Tours

The Ultimate Maria Experience

The Ultimate Live Music Experience

A full-day private journey through Salzburg’s most iconic filming locations — from the historic Old Town to lakes, castles, and alpine meadows.

Reserve your experience
from € 2,490 (group rate)

This experience includes visits to the following iconic attractions:

Sound-of-Music-Pavillion-Gazebo-Tour-weTours-Feature

The Gazebo – Sixteen Going on Seventeen

Marco Feingold Footbridge Salzburg

Marko-Feingold-Footbridge

weTours-Mirabell-Castle-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Featured-Image

Mirabell Palace

Moenchsberg-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Featured-Image

Moenchsberg (Viewpoint)

Residence Fountain

Residenzplatz-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Walking-Tour-Featured-Image

Residenzplatz Square

Sound of Music St. Gilgen Wolfgangsee

Lake Wolfgang – Opening & Aerial Scenes

Mirabellgarden-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Sight-Location-Salzburg-Featured Image

Mirabell Gardens – Do-Re-Mi Scenes

Sound of Music Meadow Werfen

Nonnberg-Abbey-weTours-Sound-of-Music-Featured-Image

Nonnberg Abbey – Maria’s Convent

Sound of Music Frohnburg Salzburg

Trapp Villa – Frohnburg Palace

Leopoldskron Palace, the iconic Sound of Music filming location in Salzburg.

Trapp Villa – Leopoldskron Palace

Mondsee-Basilika-weTours-Singing-Sound-of-Music-Tour-Featured-Image

Mondsee – Wedding Church

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

St. Gilgen is a charming village located on the banks of Lake Wolfgangsee in the Lake District near the city of Salzburg, Austria. It is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and historical connections to the Mozart family and “The Sound of Music” movie.
In addition to “The Sound of Music” filming locations, St. Gilgen offers a variety of other attractions, such as the Zwölferhorn cable car, the Schafberg cog railway, the Pilgrimage Church of St. Wolfgang, and the Wolfgangsee Advent Christmas market.