I’ve done the Edinburgh Harry Potter Tour: So, is it Worth it?
If you’re visiting Edinburgh, Scotland, you have to take a Harry Potter tour!
Speaking from experience- as a full-blown Potterhead (I’m basically a red-headed Weasley😂), there’s nothing like it! Over many trips to Scotland, I’ve done self-guided Harry Potter walking tours in Scotland and I’ve taken some of the best guided tours, too!
Magical sites that inspired J.K. Rowling are littered all around Edinburgh. Diagon Alley, Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort’s) Grave, and even the “original” Hogwarts School! Seeing them, at least for me, felt almost like a dream.
This article describes the best Edinburgh Harry Potter tour so you know what to expect. I also talk about a few other options, from shorter walking tours in Edinburgh to a multi-day trip to the Highlands from Edinburgh which covers all of the Harry Potter bases to see in Scotland!
The Potter Trail
(My absolute favorite of the tours I’ve taken- 10/10 recommend!)
The Potter Trail: The Best Edinburgh Harry Potter Tour I’ve Taken!
⭐RATING 5 Out of 5 Stars | ⚡ Duration: 1.5 Hours | Book Now!
The Potter Trail is hands-down the most well-known, mainstream Harry Potter tour in Scotland. And I can confirm, after my tour with them in November, that it is just as amazing as everyone says!
Visitors flock to Edinburgh to take Potter Trail tours. Why? They’re exciting, informative, and the perfect length (not too long, not too short). Your guided walking tour takes about an hour and a half, and starts in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard, where you’ll see McGonagall and Lord Voldemort’s graves. You’ll also find many other graves that just might have inspired some of your favorite Potter characters!
Near the same location, you’ll stroll past George Heriot’s School, a local school that served as the inspiration for the original Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then, you’ll tour through Edinburgh city, seeing sights like the National Museum of Scotland, and the Edinburgh City Chambers.
The tour also took us past the old The Elephant House, a cafe that touted itself as the “Birthplace” of Harry Potter (but isn’t really! You’ll learn about that on the tour).
Finally, the tour for us ended at Victoria Street, which, of course, is the original Diagon Alley. Many of the stores I walked right past the first time, not even noticing that they were very similar to some familiar Harry Potter shops!
With some final spellcasting, this was where our tour ended.
Our tour guide, Sam, was incredible! I took 40 travelers with me on my last tour, and he spellbound each and every single one of us with his witty banter and HP knowledge! There was plenty of spell-casting, laughter, trivia, and even a house sorting!
The Potter Trail offers two options for tours: a free Harry Potter walking tour, and a private, paid tour.
We took the private paid tour, and that is definitely the option I recommend. It is customizable, and it also prevents anyone from the public from ruining what’s bound to be a magical experience.
Plus, you’ll get personalized interaction with the tour guide, which you definitely wouldn’t get normally!
⭐ One thing to note: It’s positively RUDE to show up to The Potter Trail without a wand (or something wand-like!).
So is the Edinburgh Harry Potter Tour Worth it?
Yes! The Potter Trail is definitely worth your time. This was one of my all-time favorite experiences in Edinburgh, so don’t miss out!
If you’d prefer a tour that is geared towards kids, focuses more on JK Rowling, or is literary-based instead, check out these other popular tours below.
Map of Scotland Harry Potter Tour Locations
9 Other Excellent Harry Potter Tours
Check out these great options if you’d like something a little different.
Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh
⭐RATING 5 Out of 5 Stars | ⚡ Duration: 2 Hours | Check Rates & Availability
Get your wand ready, because this Harry Potter walking tour is one of the most awesome experiences to have in Edinburgh.
Join your acclaimed tour guide for a 2-hour, family-friendly experience around the city. This is a great tour to take if you’re visiting Edinburgh with kids!
You’ll take in the local Harry Potter filming sites, but you’ll also check popular tourist attractions in Scotland like Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street off your list, too!
Had a great time on this tour. Clare kept it interesting and even had us competing to answer Harry Potter trivia. I definitely learned new stuff about Harry Potter but also about the area. Highly recommend.
Nicole L. (Read More reviews)
Explore Greyfriar’s Kirkyard, walk past the original Diagon Alley, and learn where much of J.K. Rowling’s inspiration came from, including what building originally inspired Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
As if that wasn’t enough fun, participate in Harry Potter trivia and hear local stories that any Potterhead will devour.
JK Rowling’s Harry Potter Walking Tour in Edinburgh
⭐RATING 5 Out of 5 Stars | ⚡ Duration: 2 Hours | Book Now!
This highly-rated Harry Potter walking tour of Edinburgh is easily accessible from any Edinburgh accommodation and will leave you spellbound as you walk through the narrow closes and alleyways chasing the heart and soul of Harry Potter here in Scotland.
Start on The Royal Mile and dive into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Edinburgh. Believe it or not, Lord Voldemort himself is buried within the walls of a cemetery in the city. Explore the resting place of “He Who Must Not Be Named” if you dare!
This tour was an amazing experience. The tour guide, Australian David, was highly entertaining and informative. I also really liked all the trivia questions he gave us. It was so cool to see and walk around beautiful Edinburgh and I definitely recommend this tour for anyone who has an interest in the Harry Potter series.
-Myra (read more reviews)
Other popular places on the tour include a stop at the original Hogwarts, where you’ll even see some familiar faces, and a glimpse of the way Quidditch even started!
Pop into a cafe or two where J.K. Rowling wrote her famous stories, enjoy regaling stories, and take photos to last a lifetime!
JK Rowling’s Edinburgh and the Writing of Harry Potter
⭐RATING 5 Out of 5 Stars | ⚡ Duration: 4 Hours | Check Rates & Availability!
Sam (Note: NOT the same Sam that I rave over above) is known for giving fantastic Edinburgh Harry Potter tours. I mean, literally, the reviews just constantly RAVE about him (see below, too!).
If you’re one of those “you have to read the book before you watch the movie” people (because OF COURSE you do), then this just might be the best tour for you! This literary-based tour covers the famous Harry Potter Edinburgh sites, but it also takes real wizards to more obscure locations affiliated with J.K. Rowling herself.
Wow, this tour far exceeded our expectations. Sam was simply AMAZING. The four hours flew by, and we were moving quickly. Any serious Potter/Rowling fan would devour this tour. Sam is a fount of knowledge, not only on all things Rowling and Potter, but Edinburgh in general. I HIGHLY recommend this tour. We had a fantastic time.
-victor C. (see more reviews)
Explore Edinburgh from the lens of J.K. Rowling’s rags to riches story.
Learn about her humble beginnings sketching out the Wizarding World on the back of a napkin in an Edinburgh cafe. Trace her footsteps around the city as you hear more about her personal journey, and visit places like The Writer’s Museum, Edinburgh City Chambers, and The Balmoral- where Rowling wrote the final words of the Harry Potter books.
Best Private Tour For Harry Potter Fans: The Genius of Harry Potter
⭐RATING 5 Out of 5 Stars | ⚡ Duration: 5.5 Hours | Book Now!
If you’re looking for the Hallmark of Edinburgh Harry Potter tours… I highly recommend this one!
A VIP In-depth Harry Potter private tour!
That’s right, 5 and a half hours nerding out over Harry Potter…just you and (up to) four of your closest friends!
This extravaganza run by The Potter Tour goes in-depth like no other tour to give Harry Potter fans special insights and stories, you know….stuff like “where the secret section is in Madam Pince’s library.” Seriously, you get this treatment nowhere else.
The coolest part of this tour is that it includes access to various historical sites around the city, like the Museum of Scotland, The Headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland, and Old Parliament Hall. Plus, you’ll visit Edinburgh Castle and other haunts like Victoria Street!
So, check off some sightseeing and must-see places in Edinburgh while you tour around like the Weasley VIP you really are!
Harry Potter’s Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
⭐RATING 4.5 Out of 5 Stars | ⚡ Duration: 1 Hour | Book Now!
Look…sometimes, guided tours just aren’t your thing.
TOTALLY get it. Once in a while, you just need some time and freedom. Plus, you might already know how to get around Edinburgh on your own!
So, get your Harry Potter fix in, and get a flexible and budget-friendly tour while doing it! This self-guided Harry Potter audio tour is the perfect combination of info and independence.
We had a great experience! Everything worked perfectly easy to use easy to follow! We would recommend it to everyone! Thank you.
-John W. (read more reviews)
Download the provided app (which works offline if you don’t have an international cell phone plan!), and begin whenever you’re ready. The full audio tour lasts about an hour, but you can take breaks to sightsee or grab a bite anytime you’d like!
See sights like Greyfriars Kirkyard, Diagon Alley, and Edinburgh Castle, while you hear the history of the city and the stories behind J.K. Rowling’s best wizard!
Scottish Highlands and Hogwarts Express Tour from Edinburgh
⭐RATING 5 Out of 5 Stars | ⚡ Duration: 13.5 Hours | Book Now!
One of the most lusted-after Harry Potter locations in Scotland is the magnificent Jacobite Steam Train, or the Hogwarts Express.
Visitors can actually ride this train and take the famed path over the Glenfinnan Viaduct for stunning views of the countryside- a Harry Potter fan’s dream!
If you want to see the Hogwarts Express but don’t have a rental car, this tour out of Edinburgh is the perfect way to get out into the Scottish Highlands and see the Glennfinnan Viaduct…in just one day!
This was amazing! Literally the best money I’ve ever spent! Such an informative tour guide who obviously enjoys his job… gave us lots of historical facts about a country! The unexpected stop literally made my life and seeing the Harry Potter filming locations was amazing!
-Eloise G. (Read more reviews)
Start your morning in the area of Pitlochry, a charming Scottish countryside town that I absolutely loved visiting, where you can grab breakfast before continuing on for stunning views of the viaduct.
You’ll visit Mallaig, where you’ll climb aboard the Jacobite steam train for your journey north to Fort William. After you’ve had your fill of pretending you’re off to Hogwarts, see some of the backdrops used for scenes from the Harry Potter movies in Glencoe, a town in the Highlands.
This tour is a must-do for the Potterhead in your life– how many people can say they’ve actually ridden the Hogwarts Express?!
Harry Potter Day Trip From Edinburgh: Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & The Kingdom of Northumbria
⭐RATING 4.5 Out of 5 Stars | ⚡ Duration: 9.5 Hours | Book Now!
From Edinburgh, you can take some truly incredible tours that head outside the city for the day (or a few days) in order to see some of the popular Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland.
You can’t be a Harry Potter fan and not want to see THE film Hogwarts, am I right?
This day tour from Edinburgh makes it possible to head over the border of Scotland into England and enjoy a day exploring places like the Lindisfarne Priory and Castle as well as Flodden Battlefield on your way to Alnwick.
Alnwick Castle is where many Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry scenes were filmed. In fact, one of the most popular scenes that you’ll recognize this castle from is in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, when Malfoy steals Neville’s Remembrall during the first flying lesson!
Get this…you can even reserve a time (for free with entry) to get your own broomstick training!
3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Tour Including “Hogwarts Express” Ride
⭐RATING 5 Out of 5 Stars | ⚡ Duration: 3 Days | Book Now!
Getting outside of the city and into the countryside to see other Harry Potter fan locations can be tough- especially if you’re not renting a car during your time in Scotland.
Thankfully, this top-rated, multi-day tour hits the motherload of places throughout Scotland and takes care of all of the transportation for you! Your tour price also includes hotel stays and breakfasts as well as entry to attractions.
Overall, it is an amazing way to see the Highlands, especially Inverness and other popular towns, and, of course, get that coveted ride on the Hogwarts Express.
I had an absolutely amazing time traveling with the tour, everyone was so friendly and kind, including our awesome driver, Rich! He was so funny and full of great stories to tell. We traveled from Edinburgh to Isle of Skye with stops in-between. The Hogwarts express ride was a personal highlight, being a huge Harry Potter geek.. I mean fan! Thank you for an incredible adventure! I’d recommend it to anyone wanting to experience the Highlands of Scotland including Harry Potter fans!
-Sarah c. (See more reviews)
See famous sites like the Isle of Skye, where you’ll visit Old Man of Storr, Eilean Donan Castle, Inverness, and Loch Ness. You’re getting the Scottish highlights tour in just 3 days!
On your way back to Edinburgh, you just might hear “Anything from the trolley, dears?” as you pass over the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the Jacobite Steam Train, the real Hogwarts Express.
GAH! Can you imagine anything cooler?!?
Although not technically a “walking tour” of Edinburgh, this in-depth tour of Greyfriars Kirkyard is a must for any die-hard Harry Potter fan.
Greyfriars has so many graves associated with characters from the books and movies!
Small-Group Tour in Greyfriars Kirkyard
⭐RATING 5 Out of 5 Stars | ⚡ Duration: 90 Minutes | Book Now!
Greyfriars Kirkyard is one of the top locations in Edinburgh associated with Harry Potter, and it is also one of the most haunted spots in the city.
In this creepy, old-world, walled graveyard, you’ll find tombs and gravestones paying homage to many characters that just might ring a bell.
This small-group tour of Greyfriars lets you get up close and personal with the histories of some of Edinburgh’s dead.
Learn the famous story of Greyfriars Bobby, a tale you must hear during your time in the city, and find the final resting places of Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort), McGonagall, and some other household Potter names.
Informative, fun, and such a great introduction to some of the important, and not so well known, characters from Edinburgh. The Harry Potter extras were much appreciated by both myself and my 12 YO daughter. Robin is a delight. Take this tour, you will not regret it!
–read more reviews
FAQ: Edinburgh Harry Potter Tour
There are so many options for Edinburgh Harry Potter Tours both in terms of places to see and the types of tours. From free walking tours to guided tours and even self-guided ones…the opportunities are endless.
How long is the Harry Potter tour in Edinburgh?
Most guided Harry Potter walking tours in Edinburgh last about 2 hours. These tours take you through various sites that inspired the books, including the aforementioned Victoria Street and Greyfriars Kirkyard. Some tours might be a bit shorter or longer, depending on the route and guide.
Can you visit Hogwarts Castle in Scotland?
You can visit the original place that inspired Hogwarts, George Hariot’s School, in Edinburgh. The Hogwarts from the Harry Potter films, Alnwick Castle, is also visitable, but it is in England!
Is Diagon Alley in Scotland?
The “original” Diagon Alley, also known as the famous Victoria Street, is located in Edinburgh, Scotland. However, the film version of Diagon Alley was actually a set piece and is only visitable at Warner Brother’s Studio outside of London.
Can you take the Harry Potter train from Edinburgh?
Yes! The Hogwarts Express is the Jacobite Stream Train. And taking a ride on it is just one of the many things that make Scotland worth visiting! However, you can only ride the steam train between April and October. Make sure to take a ride that goes over the famous Glennfinnan Viaduct!
Was any of Harry Potter filmed in Edinburgh?
Nope, none of the Harry Potter movies were filmed in Edinburgh. However, the city played a significant role in the creation of the series. J.K. Rowling penned much of the saga here, drawing inspiration from its enchanting streets and landmarks.
Wrap Up: Edinburgh, Scotland Harry Potter Tours
No matter which of the above tours you take, you’re sure to have an amazing time pretending to be a Potter (or a Weasley like me!) on your way around Edinburgh and beyond.
Seeing Edinburgh Harry Potter tour locations like Greyfriars and The Elephant House were among the highlights of my trips to Scotland, and I recommend you visit as many of these places as you can if you’re traveling abroad!
In Edinburgh For A While? Check Out These Other Helpful Posts For Scotland:
✔️ Grab my 2 Days in Edinburgh Itinerary so you can plan out the BEST days in the city!
✔️ Need a Hotel? Here are ALL of the best places to Stay in Edinburgh.
✔️ AND All of the best Spa Hotels in Edinburgh!
✔️ Read About Exciting things to do in Edinburgh with Kids!
✔️Is Scotland Even WORTH Visiting? Here’s what you need to know.
✔️ Wondering How To Get Around Edinburgh? (Hint: You can use Uber!)
✔️ If You’re Traveling to Inverness, Make sure to Try the BEST Afternoon Tea Spots
✔️And… here’s how you’ll want to get from Inverness to Loch Ness (a can’t miss!)
