A Day in Salzburg: Mozart, Maria, and Me

If you had asked me this morning where I’d end up today, I probably wouldn’t have said “wandering through the birthplace of Mozart while trying not to break into Do-Re-Mi in public.” And yet, here we are. Salzburg, Austria—a city so charming it feels like it was handcrafted by an overachieving gingerbread house architect.

Mozart’s Birthplace—Where Genius Began (and My Musical Career Did Not)

You can’t go five steps in Salzburg without seeing Mozart’s face on something—chocolates, magnets, rubber ducks. The guy is everywhere, and honestly, good for him. Born in a bright yellow house on Getreidegasse, young Wolfgang Amadeus was already composing music before most of us could tie our shoes. Meanwhile, my greatest musical achievement is successfully clapping along to We Will Rock You.…. and even then, I’m usually off rhythm.!

The museum inside his childhood home is a must-visit. You can see his violin, family portraits, and even learn about his early tours across Europe. Basically, baby Mozart was a rockstar before rockstars were a thing. Imagine being dragged across the continent by your stage dad before you even hit puberty? Brutal.

But Wait… The Hills Are Alive!

Of course, Salzburg isn’t just about Mozart. This is also the land of The Sound of Music! While Austrians themselves don’t fully understand why the rest of the world is obsessed with Julie Andrews twirling through their countryside, they’ve embraced it anyway.

The Nunery where Maria lived

Fun fact: The real Maria von Trapp actually lived here! The actual von Trapp family home isn’t quite as glamorous as the movie version, but hey, Hollywood never lets facts get in the way of a good story.

I strolled through Mirabell Gardens, where the von Trapp kids famously hopped around singing Do-Re-Mi. Did I resist the urge to reenact it? Absolutely not. I hummed my way past the Pegasus Fountain, dramatically pointed at statues, and may or may not have skipped a little.

Salzburg: The City That Feels Like a Postcard

Beyond Mozart and Maria, Salzburg is just… ridiculously pretty. The baroque buildings, cobblestone streets, and the massive Hohensalzburg Fortress watching over it all like a medieval babysitter make this place feel like it belongs in a fairy tale.

So, if you ever find yourself in Austria, do yourself a favour: visit Salzburg. Walk where Mozart walked, sing where Maria sang, and eat as much strudel as humanly possible. Trust me, it’s the right thing to do.