Things to do in Edinburgh: Visit Harry Potter Locations

[rhonatheunicorn]

You may find real-life places around the city that may have inspired Harry Potter characters and locations. 🪄😍

Here are some of the most visited places that are recommended to stop by:

🪦Greyfriars Kirkyard - It has been said that some of the gravestones here have inspired the author to name some of her famous Harry Potter characters. The most famous is the grave of Thomas Riddell, which may have inspired the name for Lord Voldemort (birth name: Tom Marvolo Riddle). The graveyard is almost always open to visitors.

🏰George Herriot’s School is believed by many to have served as an inspiration for Hogwarts School.

☕️The Elephant Café - the most well-known of the cafes in which author J.K. Rowling wrote Potter novels and is probably one of the best-known Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh. (Note: The Elephant House Cafe was sadly struck by a huge fire in August 2021. It is unclear when the cafe will be able to reopen.)

🪄Victoria Street in the Grassmarket area - the real-life Diagon Alley, a cobblestone shopping street with stores selling wizardly supplies. It is believed by some that it is where J.K. Rowling got her inspiration for Diagon Alley. Also, you can visit Museum Context on 40 Victoria Street (a 3-storeyed narrow shop that sells official Harry Potter merchandise).

🪄🍹… and to enhance the wizard experience, you can go to The Department of Magic - it is a Magic Potion Tavern and Escape Room. You can choose and create your own magical drink, which is fun to create.

What’s your favourite Harry Potter location and why?