The Ultimate Harry Potter Edinburgh Bucket List

As if Edinburgh wasn’t magical enough already, this timeless city with its cobbled pavements and charming alleyways is immersed in another kind of magic – the kind that sparks imagination and awakens the inner child in all of us.

Of course, we’re talking about Harry Potter.

From hidden graveyard secrets to streets that inspired Diagon Alley, This is the city where J.K. Rowling conjured her world of witches and wizards, where fiction and reality blur just enough to make you believe in magic. Whether you’ve memorised every spell or simply fancy a touch of wonder, this Harry Potter Edinburgh bucket list is your ultimate map to the city’s most enchanting corners.

1. The Jacobite Train – The Real Hogwarts Express

Before we dive into Edinburgh’s cobbled magic, let’s begin with something just outside its reach. If you’ve ever dreamed of steaming across the Highlands with your trunk in tow and a chocolate frog in hand, the Jacobite Steam Train is as close as it gets. 

Crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct—yes, the very same from the Harry Potter films—this journey is a living postcard for anyone enchanted by the wizarding world. It’s a few hours from Edinburgh, but for true Harry Potter fans, it’s a rite of passage. Just keep your eyes peeled for flying cars.

2. Greyfriars Kirkyard – Where Names Come to Life

Tucked behind an old iron gate lies Greyfriars Kirkyard, a place where Edinburgh’s misty past meets magical inspiration. It’s said that JK Rowling wandered these very paths while writing the early Harry Potter books, and it’s here she may have discovered names like Thomas Riddell—a haunting echo of the Dark Lord himself. From Moodie to McGonagall, the stones whisper hints of characters who would go on to cast spells across the page. Whether you believe in fate, folklore or a flick of the quill, this graveyard holds more than just echoes of the past.

3. Victoria Street – Edinburgh’s Diagon Alley

Curved like a wand in motion and brimming with colour, Victoria Street feels straight out of Flourish and Blotts. Said to have inspired Rowling when dreaming up Diagon Alley, this enchanting street is all twisting staircases, bright shopfronts and curious little corners. Wander into Museum Context, a treasure trove that wouldn’t look out of place in the wizarding world, and you’ll start to wonder if you’ve accidentally stepped through a secret archway. It’s one of the highlights on any Harry Potter walking tour and a must-visit for any self-respecting seeker of magic.

4. The Elephant House – Where Magic Was Brewed

Though its doors are currently closed, the red façade of The Elephant House remains a beacon for fans of the boy who lived. Overlooking Greyfriars, this humble café was once one of Rowling’s early writing spots—a place where she’d sip coffee, watch the world go by, and quietly change literary history. While you can’t step inside (for now), standing outside still carries a hum of magic. After all, some of the most spellbinding stories begin in places just like this.

5. Spoon Café – A Quiet Beginning

Not far from The Elephant House, tucked above Nicolson Street, you’ll find Spoon Café, another early haunt of Rowling’s. Back when it was Nicolson’s, this unassuming spot gave her warmth, space, and just enough peace to let Hogwarts take shape. It’s the kind of place that feels like a secret—quiet, cosy, and brimming with possibility. A perfect stop for Potter fans following the trail of the first words ever written.

6. Craft Your Own Wand – Join Edinburgh’s School of Magic

Ready to feel like you’ve stepped straight into a Potions class? Just behind St Giles’ Cathedral, you can enter a candlelit “School of Magic” and spend 90 minutes crafting your very own wand under the guidance of a Wand Master. 

You’ll select your wood and magical core, carve protective runes, fine‐tune the shape, paint it—and even cast your first spell. Afterwards, you’ll sip magical teas and nibble biscuits while admiring your handiwork—wand in hand and heart full of wonder. It’s the perfect addition to your Harry Potter days out, whether you’re a seasoned wizard or discovering your powers for the first time.

7. George Heriot’s School – Hogwarts in Real Life

Peer through the gates of George Heriot’s School and it’s easy to see why many believe it helped inspire Hogwarts. With its grand stone towers, arched windows and unmistakably old-world feel, it looks like it stepped straight out of the Harry Potter books. The school has four houses—Lauriston, Greyfriars, Raeburn and Castle—which has led some to wonder if these might have sparked the idea for the four Hogwarts houses. Though you can’t go inside, the view from Greyfriars Kirkyard gives you a magical glimpse of what could easily be a real-life school of witchcraft and wizardry.

8. The Balmoral Hotel – The Last Full Stop

High above the bustling streets, in Room 552 of The Balmoral Hotel, Rowling wrote the final words of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. She even signed a marble bust to mark the moment: “JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (552) on 11th Jan 2007.” The hotel itself is luxurious, yes—but for fans, it’s sacred ground. Proof that magic, once conjured, leaves a trace.

9. Alnwick Castle – Walk Through Hogwarts Grounds

Step into Hogwarts itself with a day trip from Edinburgh to Alnwick Castle, one of the most iconic filming locations from the Harry Potter films. Featured in The Philosopher’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets, this magnificent castle was where Harry had his first flying lesson and where the Weasley car crash-landed into the school grounds. With its grand courtyards and sweeping lawns, it’s easy to see why Alnwick was chosen to bring the wizarding world to life. Perfect for Harry Potter fans of all ages, this magical day out lets you walk (or fly) in the footsteps of your favourite characters.

10. Edinburgh City Chambers – A Print Worth Holding

Just off the Royal Mile, quietly tucked away in one of Edinburgh’s grand public squares, you’ll find JK Rowling’s handprints set in stone. Awarded the prestigious Edinburgh Award, her presence here is subtle but meaningful—a muggle-friendly reminder of just how much this city shaped the Harry Potter books. A quiet moment for fans, and a literal touchpoint between fiction and reality.

11. Royal Mile – A Spellbound Stroll

If there’s any place in Edinburgh where the air feels thick with story, it’s the Royal Mile. Ancient, atmospheric and filled with twisting closes and curious shadows, it’s the sort of street where anything feels possible. Stroll its length and you’ll pass sites woven into Harry Potter tours, from hidden corners of Rowling’s past to views that echo the magical world. You half expect a wizard to turn the corner muttering about Muggle interference.

12. Harry Potter Walking Tour – See the Magic in Motion

To truly uncover Edinburgh’s magical layers, a Harry Potter walking tour is an absolute must. Led by guides who know their Marauder’s Map from their Muggle history, these tours take you through the nooks, landmarks and backstories that helped shape the Harry Potter films, books and legacy. It’s one thing to read about these places—but to stand in them, wand in hand (real or imaginary), is another entirely.

So if you’re ready to step into the pages of the most iconic wizarding world, this Harry Potter Edinburgh bucket list is a must. Grab your wand and prepare for unforgettable Harry Potter days out, as you explore the magical corners, hidden inspirations and real-life stories behind the Harry Potter books and films. Edinburgh isn’t just a backdrop – it’s where the magic truly began.