For any true Potterhead, walking through the cobbled streets of Edinburgh, Scotland feels like stepping straight into the pages of the Harry Potter series. My trip to this magical city was a mission accomplished — a self-guided Harry Potter trail to visit the very spots that inspired J.K. Rowling as she wrote one of the most beloved book series of all time.
If you're planning your own DIY Harry Potter tour in Edinburgh, here are the must-visit sights that shaped the wizarding world — straight from Rowling's imagination and into real-life locations.
The Elephant House Café – Where Magic Was Born
Known as the “birthplace of Harry Potter,” The Elephant House is one of the most iconic stops on the trail. J.K. Rowling frequently wrote here during the early days of the series, sitting by the back window with a direct view of Edinburgh Castle – widely believed to be her inspiration for Hogwarts.
Inside the café, the walls are adorned with Rowling memorabilia, photos, and write-ups about her humble beginnings. The bathroom, surprisingly, is also a must-see — it’s covered in graffiti and tributes from Potter fans around the world, leaving behind messages of love and thanks to the author.
I even had the honour of chatting with the café owner, Mr. David Taylor, a warm and down-to-earth man who shared stories of Rowling’s early writing days. Fun fact: he's married to a Filipina and has a special fondness for Filipino visitors!
Greyfriars Kirkyard – The Graveyard of Names
Just behind The Elephant House is the historic Greyfriars Kirkyard, a quiet graveyard that hides some spine-tingling connections to the Harry Potter universe. Here, you’ll find gravestones that bear familiar names – most notably Thomas Riddell, believed to have inspired the name of the dark wizard, Tom Riddle (a.k.a. Lord Voldemort).
While we didn’t have time to locate every gravestone, we managed to find Professor McGonagall’s namesake — a thrilling discovery for any fan of the series. The kirkyard is eerie, mysterious, and dripping with the kind of gothic atmosphere that feels right out of the wizarding world.
Victoria Street – The Real Diagon Alley
As you stroll down Victoria Street, you’ll feel an uncanny sense of déjà vu. This curved, colorful street lined with quirky shops and cobblestone charm is widely believed to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley.
One particular shop caught our eye — a whimsical store bursting with magical oddities, which fans say inspired Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, the joke shop run by the Weasley twins. It's a visual treat and a photo opportunity you won’t want to miss.
George Heriot’s School – The Real Hogwarts?
Right in the heart of Edinburgh stands George Heriot’s School, a stunning 17th-century building with turreted roofs, grand stone facades, and an unmistakable Hogwarts vibe. Rowling drew heavy inspiration from this school when imagining Hogwarts — not only in terms of architecture but also in the house system.
George Heriot’s has four houses: Castle, Lauriston, Raeburn, and Greyfriars — which many believe were the prototypes for Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. Though access to the school grounds is limited, viewing it from nearby is more than enough to appreciate the striking resemblance.
The Balmoral Hotel – The Final Chapter
No Harry Potter pilgrimage is complete without a visit to the Balmoral Hotel, a luxurious landmark in Edinburgh where Rowling famously finished writing the final book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in 2007.
She stayed in Room 552, which is now named the J.K. Rowling Suite, complete with a marble bust of Hermes signed by the author herself. Though staying in the suite comes at a premium, just visiting the hotel and seeing the commemorative plaque is a meaningful experience for any fan.
A Potterhead’s Dream Come True
For me, this self-guided DIY Harry Potter tour in Edinburgh was more than just sightseeing — it was a journey back into the world that rekindled my love for reading. Each stop brought a new wave of nostalgia and wonder, reminding me of the genius behind the books and how deeply connected Rowling was to this magical city.
If you’re planning a trip to Edinburgh and are even slightly a fan of the boy who lived, I can’t recommend this experience enough. It’s a truly magical adventure that brings the fantasy world to life — one real-world location at a time.
