If you’re a millennial like myself, at some point over the course of your life you fell in love with Harry Potter. It’s a thing. A must. Hey, I don’t make the rules!

Edinburgh is the birthplace of Harry Potter which has made it a popular tourist destination for all sorts of wizards, witches and muggles alike.

A Harry Potter tour can be booked fairly inexpensively through several groups. But I’m not really one for walking tours when I can find the information myself. Besides, I found that walking through the city on my own little scavenger hunt was much more entertaining!

Punch the following locations in order into Google maps, grab your broomstick, and off you go!

“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.”

-Albus Dumbledore

Harry Potter Walking Tour

HOTEL BALMORAL (1 Princess St)

J.K. Rowling may have begun scripting the Sorcerer’s Stone from inside coffee shops and cafe’s, but she finished writing the series’ final novel, The Deathly Hallows, within this luxury hotel. Suite 552, previously occupied by Rowling, is now named after her.

EDINBURGH CITY CHAMBERS (253 High St)

Along the city hall there are golden squares laid into the sidewalk to the front entrance of Edinburgh’s City Chambers. Around each straight side of the square, there are golden handprints of noteworthy individuals. See if you can find J.K. Rowling’s hands!

Hint: Because so many people have been eager to place their hands over the great author’s, the gold within her handprints is well-worn.

VICTORIA STREET/DIAGON ALLEY

Victoria Street is the real-life Diagon Alley,  a festive place of magical shops, treats, and treasures. There are a few noteworthy spots worth exploring: 

While Rowling spent time in many different cafes, The Elephant House is said to have been her favorite. Unfortunately, this current cafe location is not where Rowling authored. The original location was damaged by a fire a few years ago and no longer open. But fear not! Rowling’s desk was rescued before it was damaged. It is currently preserved within the current cafe. We found this spot to be perfect to enjoy some small plates and (nonalcoholic) Butterbeer!

If you’re moving quickly, Butterbeer can be ordered for takeaway on the street level.

Museum Context hosts offical Harry Potter Merchandise. Come here for optical illusion WANTED posters, potions, wands from all your favorite characters and your own Nimbus 2000.

HA HA HAS joke shop has the Weisly twins written all over it. Think you can pull one over on your friends back home?

GREYFRIARS KIRKYARD (26A Candlemaker Row)

J.K. Rowling used the names of real people as inspiration for her books! Wander through the cemetery and locate the stones containing the significant names of:

• Potter
• Moodie
• Sirius Black
• Tom Riddle
• McGonagle
• Scrygmore

Hint: I know what you must be thinking: searching a graveyard for all these stones is going to be like searching for a needle in a haystack! Before you get discouraged: we found that due to the popularity of tourists paying their respects to Rowling’s inspirations, these noteworthy graves had guardrails in front of them.

GEORGE HERIOT’S SCHOOL (Lauriston Place)

The school has four houses, an inspiration for Hogwarts own. If you don’t want to walk around to the front gate, the grounds can be viewed through the far east gate in the Kirkyard. But that’s it. The school grounds are not open to the public as it is an active academic institution. No photos please! Be respectful of the privacy of the children currently attending.

“It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”

– Albus Dumbledore

THE JACOBITE STEAM TRAIN (Fort William)

All aboard the Hogwarts Express! Located about four hours outside of the city is the iconic Jacobite Steam Train, the real-life Hogwarts Express. You are able to book a ride out of Ft. William or enjoy the iconic view of the train passing over the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct.

We incorporated this stop into our road trip from the Highlands to Edinburgh, but I’d recommend seeking information about taking a train from Edinburgh to Glasgow, and then from Glasgow to Ft. William if this stop is a must and you’re just planning on venturing around Edinburgh.