Best Harry Potter Tours in Edinburgh! (2023)

Edinburgh was the home of J.K. Rowling when she wrote the majority of the Harry Potter books, making it one of the best locations to explore more into the world of Harry Potter.

The secret of Scotland being an amazing vacation spot is getting out! The country literally has so many amazing things to do. Of the main cities, Edinburgh is the top destination and best launching point to other “must sees” like the Scottish Highlands.

One of the many reasons that this city needs to be on your bucket list is because it is special place for Harry Potter fans!

Edinburgh was the home of J.K. Rowling when she drew inspiration and wrote most of the Harry Potter series. When walking around the city it really does feel like Harry Potter.

You can find and see spots that are directly out of the books/movies. In fact, you can visit the exact shop where J.K. Rowling wrote the series!

To help fans hit all the top spots there are a number of tours available, or you can read on to get find out what you can explore on your own.

Best Edinburgh Harry Potter Tours

Tour Details:

• Tour Length: 2 hours
• Free Cancellation: Yes!
• What’s Included: Walking tour, Guide
• Where to Book: Getyourguide.com

What’s Included:

• Tour Length: 13 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
• Free Cancellation: Yes!
• What’s Included: Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Jacobite Steam Train one-way ticket (Mallaig to Fort William)
• Where to Book: Viator.com

The Elephant House is a super popular tea and coffee house in Edinburgh. That is probably why J.K. Rowling wrote part of the Harry Potter books here. While this wasn’t the exact cafe where the idea of Harry Potter came to fruition, it was definitely a site where the series was developed.

Address: 21 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EN

Diagon Alley Edinburgh

Is Diagon Alley really in Edinburgh? Technically no. It is a made-up place, but, Victoria Street in Edinburgh looks very Diagon Alley-esque. It is easy to see why everyone sites it as the inspiration for the movies. What do you think?

While you’re on Victoria Street, make sure to make a stop at the Harry Potter themed shops! My favorite are The Great Wizard (formerly The Boy Wizard) and Museum Context. These shops are a lot of fun to explore and something that is harder to find in other cities.

The Witchery Pub (Tolbooth Kirk in the background)

Greyfriars Kirkyard (Harry Potter Graveyard Edinburgh)

Looking for a Harry Potter graveyard in Edinburgh?

As fans know parts of the Harry Potter books are spooky. Greyfriars Kirkyard (in Scotland they use the word Kirkyard to mean churchyard or graveyard. This graveyard is fairly close to some of the cafes that J.K.Rowling hung out in.

There are a number of characters that pay homage to headstones here. One of the most famous is for Thomas Riddell. Obviously this is something the hard core fans will want to see.

FYI – If you are interested in Ghost Tours there are a number of them that will take you to the Greyfriars Kirkyard graveyard after dark.

Check them out here.

General Information: Greyfriars Kirkyard Harry Potter Edinburgh

• Address: 26A Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ
• Hours: Monday through Friday – 10:30 am to 4:30 pm | Saturday 12 pm to 4 pm | Sunday – Closed
• Website: https://greyfriarskirk.com/

Nicolsons Cafe

Nicolson’s Cafe is often cited as the Best Harry Potter Cafe in Edinburgh! J.K. Rowling talks about how she wrote an entire chapter here without having to edit a word later on.

She said that she liked Nicolson’s because there were a lot of tables so she didn’t feel guilty sitting and writing for long periods of time. It helped her feel comfortable because her brother-in-law was one of the owners.

She said she used to joke with them and say, “well you know when it gets published I’ll try and get you loads of publicity.” At the time no-one could have ever dreamed that would prove to be so true!

Read more about Nicolson’s Cafe here.

The Balmoral Hotel

Balmoral Hotel – This 5-star hotel is where J.K. Rowling wrapped up the writing of the entire series. You can tell that she was moving up in the world by then because she was staying at a hotel as nice as this!

Specifically, she finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in room 552 on January 11, 2007. That series was such a big part of my life that it’s crazy to think of the place it was all completed.

Would you want to stay there? I’m sure the hotel gets swamped with requests to stay in the same room. Check it out here.

Address: 1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ

Other famous Harry Potter sites in Edinburgh:

• National Museum of Scotland – This is another location that is often said to have inspired various parts of the series. Supposedly Rowling drew inspiration from The Lewis Chessmen, The Queen Mary Harp.
• Address: Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF

Stay in Harry Potter Edinburgh Accommodation

West Bow – Magical Harry Potter-Inspired Flat near Edinburgh Castle – Are you a super nerd? If so you may want to stay in this Harry Potter inspired apartment near Edinburgh Castle!

It is basically located in the city center; the location couldn’t get any better than this! You are right in the heart of the city.

Find your own accommodation in Edinburgh to easily access the Edinburgh Harry Potter sites by searching below!