Amazing Harry Potter Sites in Edinburgh: You Have to See These

Every Harry Potter fan dreams of getting their own owl-sent letter to attend Hogwarts, the famous Wizarding School. For millions of fans worldwide, the enchanting realm of Harry Potter isn’t just within the pages of a book or the frames of a film—it transcends into a life-altering experience. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to go there (unless you go to Universal Studios), but a close second is to visit sites associating with Harry Potter in Edinburgh Scotland!

This amazing city in Scotland is where Harry Potter’s author, J.K. Rowling, wrote the famous series. She drew inspiration from all around the city, and there are even locations that were in the movie itself. As a result, Harry Potter’s Edinburgh is a must-visit city for Potterheads, or Muggles curious about the allure of the franchise. Edinburgh offers fans a chance to immerse themselves in the wizarding world like never before. So come with me in this blog as we embark on a journey through the winding streets of Edinburgh, tracing the footsteps of the Boy Who Lived. From the cozy corners of quaint cafes to the graveyards that inspired your favorite characters, Edinburgh is your gateway to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Sidenote: J.K. Rowling Tweets

I personally do not support J.K. Rowling due to her anti-trans views following her tweets in June 2020. Her views are ironic considering her books portray friendship and inclusion. However, I (and many others) do not condone the views she expressed, it doesn’t take away from the love many fans have for the series and this article helps fans have cool experiences with a book and movie series that are special to them.

How is Edinburgh and Harry Potter Related

J.K. Rowling, the acclaimed author of the Harry Potter series, lived in Edinburgh for several years during the formative period of her writing career, which is also where she wrote and developed Harry Potter. Rowling moved to Edinburgh in 1993 and began writing the series, drawing inspiration from the city’s rich history, architecture, and atmosphere. She completed the manuscript for the first book in the series, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”, which would eventually captivate millions of readers worldwide.

Many iconic locations in Edinburgh, such as The Elephant House Café and Greyfriars Kirkyard, directly influenced elements of the wizarding world. Now, Harry Potter fans from around the world flock to Edinburgh to visit key locations associated with Rowling and the wizarding world. Just in 2022, Edinburgh saw 1.8 million visitors, becoming the second-most visited city in the U.K. No doubt, many of them fans of the franchise looking for the locations that inspired parts of the movie. So, what are these places and where can you find them?

Harry Potter Sites in Edinburgh

These are the must visit sites in Edinburgh for Potterheads:

• The Elephant House Café
• Greyfriars Kirkyard (+ the school that inspired Hogwarts?)
• Victoria Street
• The Balmoral Hotel
• Rowling Handprints at City Chambers

Here’s a map I made with all the sites pinned. Red are must-visits and blues are special mentions:

Visit the Elephant House Cafe: Where Rowling Wrote Her First Book

The Elephant House Cafe opened in 1995 and is located in Edinburgh’s Old Town. It is also the famous cafe where Rowling spent much of her time writing the first novel of the series. She used to sit next to a large window in the backroom overlooking Edinburgh Castle, and when the cafe was open, her chair and table were blocked off for tourists to see.

However, the original cafe burned down in a fire back in 2021, and the owner is working hard to reopen in summer 2024. You can still go and visit the original location, but there is no cafe to go inside and enjoy. However, when I was on my trip in Edinburgh, I saw that they are reopening a location on Victoria Street. I think it’s a bit disappointing that it’s not in the original location, but it makes sense since Victoria Street attracts thousands of Harry Potter fans.

Find the Names in Greyfriars Kirkyard

Greyfriars Kirkyard is a centuries-old cemetery built on a pre-Reformation Franciscan monastery which became a burial ground after the Scottish Reformation. Kirk means church and kirkyard means churchyard, which in this case refers to the graveyard. It is rumored to be one of the most haunted graveyards in the world! But that didn’t stop J.K. Rowling from frequenting its grounds. And from her walks through the graveyard came inspiration for characters like Voldemort (Tom Riddle), Professor McGonagall, Moody, and more.

The graveyard and church are free to the public and a great place to start off any tour in Edinburgh. You can opt for a Harry Potter tour that will take you to the famous gravestones or try and find them yourself! The graveyard is a medium-sized cemetery, segmented into two large yards. There aren’t signs that tell you where the Harry Potter tombstones are, however, there are geo-locations on Google Maps you can follow. Or, you can look at my guide to Greyfriars Kirkyard which has instructions on where to walk and what the tombstones look like so it’s easy to find!

Note: Some speculate that the academy just beyond the graveyard’s walls, called the George Heriot’s School, past the Flodden Walls is the inspiration for Hogwarts. The author’s children went to that academy, which is separated by houses (like Hogwarts), and where the students wear robes.

Walk Through Victoria Street (AKA Diagon Alley)

This famous curved, sloped shopping street is famous for being the inspiration for Diagon Alley, the main shopping street for wizards. However, even though both streets have similar architecture, the author herself disputed that claim. But even if it’s not the 100% exact inspiration for Diagon Alley, it’s charming enough to attract visitors from around the world who want to snag a pic at this gorgeous street. It’s shops have colorful facades and offer a variety of trinkets, treats, and experiences. Today, visitors can browse through an array of wizarding-themed merchandise, from handmade wands to wizard robes, have an afternoon tea, and browse the boutiques.

Tip: Definitely go in the morning before 11 AM to beat the crowds. I visited with a friend around 8 or 9 AM and there was no one on the street! But I passed by it the next day around 1 or 2 PM and it was packed.

Visit the J.K. Rowling Suite in the Balmoral Hotel

The Balmoral is a century-old 5 star Hotel in Edinburgh where the author famously wrote and finished the last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, of the Harry Potter Series. She signed an antique bust in the room in which she stayed, Room 552, which visitors can book to stay in (for a hefty price)! Now, I’m not willing to shell out a thousand dollars just to stay in this suite, but it’s definitely a cool aspect of this already famous hotel. You can probably visit and see the outside of the suite, which has an owl bust on the outside of the door.

See J.K. Rowling’s Handprints at City Chambers

Just off the famous Royal Mile you can find J.K. Rowling’s handprints in gold on a flagstone in front of Edinburgh City Chambers. After the famous author won The Edinburgh Award in 2008, her handprints became immortalized in bronze. I didn’t find out about these until after I had left, and it’s not very popularized so many tourists tend to miss this hidden gem.

Special Mentions

These sites are not as directly influential to the franchise, but still worth checking out if you have extra time and want to see some cool Harry Potter-esque attractions.

Potterrow Port

This small curved street and port has the famous “Potter” name in it. It’s not really linked to the Harry Potter movies or author, but it’s a quirky street that has the name Potter in it. There’s even a little nameplate on the passing itself that says “Potterrow” on it! It’s in Edinburgh Old Town and near the University of Edinburgh. I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it, but if you’re nearby it’s worth passing by.

Lewis Chessmen at the National Museum of Scotland

Carved from walrus ivory and whale teeth, these intricate chess pieces date back to the 12th century and originate in Scandinavia. The Lewis Chessmen bear a striking resemblance to the enchanted chess set featured in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” and also when Ron, Emma, and Harry play giant Wizard Chess in the film.

Edinburgh Castle

Perched atop Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle looms over the city skyline—a timeless symbol of Scotland’s rich history and heritage. While not explicitly featured in the Harry Potter series, Edinburgh Castle holds a special place in the hearts of fans as a close representation of Hogwarts. Both castles sit upon a huge rock and are large, imposing stone castles. You can pose in front and pretend like you’re at Hogwarts! But besides the Harry Potter lore, the views from the castle are stunning, and there are great exhibits inside that go into great detail about its prison, past wars, and history.

Tips for Seeing Harry Potter Sites in Edinburgh

There are millions of Harry Potter fans worldwide, and thousands who come to Edinburgh to see the same sites as you! Like any popular attraction, here are some tips for seeing these popular sites:

• Wear comfortable shoes: Like other European cities, the roads and sidewalk are made of cobblestone. Meaning, you should pack and wear shoes that are comfortable and have good grip soles. Edinburgh especially is notorious for having rain, so it’s important that your feet are protected and non-slip! Edinburgh is also compact and incredible walkable, so you definitely will need good shoes.
• Go during off-peak hours: Like any busy tourist attraction, late morning and afternoon tend to be the most crowded times to see attractions. Visit Victoria Street and Greyfriars Kirkyard in the morning before 11 AM to beat the crowds and admire the attractions all to yourself.
• Join a guided tour: If you want to leave the planning to someone else, you’re in luck. There are numerous Harry Potter tours in Edinburgh, and they’ll take you to all the sites I mentioned here and more! The two most popular tours are the Potter Trail and PotterTour. Both are award-winning tours and provide participants with great experiences! The first is free (donation-based) while the second is around $35 USD per adult.
• Check the weather: Edinburgh (and the U.K. in general) are notorious for having bad weather. It’s cold, wet, rainy, and gloomy all year round. Most of the Harry Potter sites are outdoors, meaning you should dress accordingly. You will also most likely be walking from site to site, so you’ll be outside for a long period of time. Make sure to wear layers and some sort of waterproof material as the outmost layer if it rains!

Other Harry Potter Sites in Scotland

Edinburgh is not the only Scottish city to have Harry Potter ties. The Glenfinnan Viaduct, located in the Scottish Highlands, is a railway bridge that appeared in the Harry Potter films as part of the route taken by the Hogwarts Express. Visitors can witness the same views seen in the movies as the train passes over the viaduct, and watch the train pass over the bridge with its iconic steam. The best way to get here is to take a tour, but note that some seasons the weather may make the train less visible. The train also only runs from March to October.

Another notable stop is Loch Shiel, a scenic lake surrounded by hills and forests. This location was used as the Hogwarts lake in the Harry Potter films. It’s the fourth longest lake in Scotland and located near the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Additionally, Eilean Donan Castle, situated near Loch Shiel, is one of the most iconic castles in Scotland that sits on a small island. However, it’s not the castle that is used in Harry Potter, but the island itself. For example, as the background of Harry and Professor Lupin’s walk in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Yer a Wizard in Edinburgh!

The Harry Potter franchise put Edinburgh on the map for millions of movie fans worldwide. Around a million people or more visit this city at a chance to see iconic sites that influenced or helped in the creation of this beloved wizarding world. Hopefully, this guide helps you plan out your own wizard-inspired Edinburgh itinerary easier and hassle-free! I hope you get to visit these places and make special memories in a unique city that is loved by locals, tourists, and Harry Potter fans, for different reasons! If you’re interested in more sites to see in Edinburgh, check out all these things to do in Edinburgh that you have to check out. Happy travels!