11 Stops on This Self-Guided Edinburgh Harry Potter Tour

Welcome to the city where Harry Potter was created! JK Rowling has stated that she wrote the majority of this famous series in Edinburgh, Scotland. Being a fan of the story since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to see all of the sites related to the creation of a childhood favorite. Many places in and around Edinburgh have been rumored to be the inspiration behind locations in the books, but Rowling has only confirmed a few. Here is a self-guided, walkable tour of the locations that inspired this amazing story!

Edinburgh Harry Potter Tour:

Victoria Street – Edinburgh Harry Potter Tour

This colorful, cobblestoned street is said to be the real life Diagon Alley! In the books, muggles cannot enter this shopping street, but in Edinburgh, you are free to wander and snap as many pictures as you please. You won’t want to miss this one!

Museum Context – Shops on the Edinburgh Harry Potter Tour

Come one, come all to the wizarding world shop located right on Victoria Street. Pick up everything on your school list right in one spot! This gift shop has all the magical things you could wish for: wands, scarves, ink and quill, prints, and of course, books! There are two locations: the one on Victoria St or the one on the Royal Mile.

Greyfriars’s Kirkyard

Now this is where your detective skills will come in handy. Throughout the famed graveyard, you will find some familiar names on a few gravestones. The most popular being Tom Riddle himself! If you look close enough, you may be able to spot McGonagall, Potter, and Moody too!

Heriot’s School

Welcome to Hogwarts! This private school is said to be the basis for the famous school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Rowling has stated that Hogwarts is most likely hidden somewhere in Scotland protected by magical spells to ward of oblivious muggles and dangerous creatures.

Elephant House

This café is supposedly where Rowling did a lot of her writing. Coined the “birthplace of Harry Potter.” She explained that she wrote the books in cafes all around Edinburgh when she would take her child out for walks. As soon as the baby was asleep in her stroller, Rowling would pop into a café and get to writing. Unfortunately while we were visiting, the cafe caught fire and was closed down. I hope they rebuild!

The Black Medicine Coffee Company

Another café nearby is also said to be a popular haunt of Rowling’s. Originally called Spoon’s, the cafe has gone through many name changes. If you keep an eye out, you’ll find a plaque of authenticity outside of the building!

The Cauldron – Cocktails on Edinburgh Harry Potter Tour

This is one of two cocktail experiences with full on Harry Potter aesthetic. Here you brew your own alcoholic beverages in potions class. Don’t worry! Snape isn’t here to critique your work, so all Gryffindors are safe. They also do Wizard Afternoon Tea. You can find a bunch of Harry Potter themed tea experiences when searching for tours as well.

Magic Potions Tavern

Another potion making experience located in Old Town. Make sure to book in advance for these experiences as they are quite popular. Also, Magic Potions Tavern has two escape rooms attached to their cocktail building!

Galaxy

Need a butterbeer? Another gift shop for all kinds of fantasy worlds holds a corner just for Harry Potter. This shop was the only place I could find some butterbeer, so don’t be too surprised by the price.

Jacobite’s Steam Train

Although this destination is not walkable, you can find plenty of day trips that take you to this famous scene in the movie (here’s the tour we took!)! The viaduct where the Hogwarts Express almost crashes into Harry and Ron’s flying car in The Chamber of Secrets is actually in Glenfinnan! Some of the tours will drop you off at the viaduct for your pictures while others actually let you board it!

The Black Lake

Right across the road from the Glenfinnan Viaduct is the movie location for the Black Lake. This is the lake where Harry rides Buckbeak for the first time and the location for the second task in the Triwizard Tournament!