The Harry Potter series is one of the most beloved book series of all time. Because they are my all time favorite books, I make it a point to visit places associated with them when possible. Edinburgh, Scotland is THE place to go to explore the world behind the boy who lived. I’ve spent over 3 months in Scotland’s capital city, and there are lots of Harry Potter sites to be explored!
Why are there so many Harry Potter sites in Edinburgh?
J.K. Rowling wrote a large portion of Harry Potter in Edinburgh. After divorcing her husband in 1993, she moved to the city with her daughter so that she could be closer to her sister and brother-in-law. She had already begun writing the first book, but it is in Edinburgh that her series really took its shape.
If you’ve ever been to Edinburgh, it’s easy to see why someone would feel inspired to write a magical tale there. Tall Gothic buildings loom over curving narrow streets. Grave markers are etched with eerie pictures such as dancing skeletons. Ghostly tales of the Black Plague and witch hunts are abundant due to the city’s dark history. However, despite the Gothic backdrop and moody skies, the people there are incredibly kind and funny.
Edinburgh is very much home for me and is the place where Harry evolved over seven books and many, many hours of writing in its cafes.
– J.K. Rowling after receiving The Edinburgh Award in 2008
Sites in Edinburgh where Rowling Wrote Harry Potter
The Elephant House – 21 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EN, United Kingdom
The Elephant House is famous for being “The Birthplace of Harry Potter”. Rowling liked to write in cozy bustling cafes, and The Elephant House is just that. She liked to sit at a back table that overlooked Edinburgh Castle.
Today, you can find news clippings, pictures, and quotes from the author adorning the cafe’s walls. The cafe’s coveted tables overlooking the castle are hard to nab, because so many people flock to eat where the admired author got her start. I ate breakfast there one morning right when they opened and was able to easily get a table. However, because the cafe is busy round the clock, you may experience a short wait time when you visit.
The Balmoral Hotel – 1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ, United Kingdom
The Balmoral Hotel is known for serving the most expensive luxurious tea in Edinburgh and for being the location where Rowling completed the Harry Potter series. In 2006, Rowling was looking for some peace and quiet where she could finish writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
The author secretly moved into The Balmoral Hotel, staying in room 552 for 6 months. Upon completing the final installment, she walked over to a marble bust of Hermes and signed the back of it. For a hefty sum, you can stay in this room. For less, you can have tea. For free, you can just stand outside and take a picture like I did.
Sites in Edinburgh where Rowling Drew Inspiration for Harry Potter
Victoria Street
This curved street winds from the Grassmarket area up to George IV Bridge. Its colorful eccentric shops served as the inspiration behind Diagon Alley. While you might not be able to get all your school supplies for Hogwarts on Victoria Street, you will find some really neat stores (including HP ones!) and some good food. My favorite shop is John Kay’s which has a fascinating array of books and prints. Howie’s restaurant is also located on this street, which made my list of the best places to eat in Edinburgh.
Greyfriar’s Kirkyard
Greyfriar’s Kirkyard is one of my favorite places in Edinburgh. It’s just a beautiful cemetery. Rowling must have thought so too, because she frequently strolled through the kirkyard and jotted down names for her story. Potterheads will be delighted to see Tom Riddle’s grave (pictured below). Other familiar names throughout the cemetery include McGonagall, Potter, Moodie, and Black.
George Heriot’s School
While you’re in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard, you may notice a gate barring you from the grounds of a large school. The school is George Heriot’s School and it was built in 1628 (originally serving as a hospital). I don’t think it’s a coincidence that at both George Heriot’s and Hogwarts, students are sorted into color-coded houses that have an ongoing competition throughout the year. If you take a peek at the school through the gate, please remember that it is an active school. It is frowned upon to take pictures of the students.
The Harry Potter series is absolutely excellent on Audible. It made our list of 9 Captivating Audiobooks For Your Next Road Trip because of the fantastic narration by Jim Dale.
Edinburgh Castle
Rowling has never stated that Edinburgh Castle inspired Hogwarts. However, when writing at The Elephant House and wandering around town, she would have seen it quite often. Both Hogwarts and Edinburgh Castle are perched on a mount of craggy rock that would make it hard for muggles to break in. For the best views of the castle, go to the very bottom of the grass market area. If it’s warm, pack a picnic to have in the grass. Then you can pretend you’re in between classes at Hogwarts having a snack with your wizard mates.
Harry Potter Fan Sites
Museum Context – 42-44 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1PB, United Kingdom
Museum Context has 2 officially licensed Harry Potter stores in Edinburgh, and this is the smaller location. It’s located on Cockburn Street, which has some of my favorite shops in the city. Potterheads can find all sorts of magical items to buy here, including the Scots version of Harry Potter!
Museum Context – 40 Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2JW, United Kingdom
Located on Victoria Street, this is the best Harry Potter store in Edinburgh (and the sister shop of the one listed above). Is there a better place for a Harry Potter shop than on the very street that inspired Diagon Alley?! Museum Context is situated over multiple levels, with each level offering a fun experience for Potterheads to enjoy. I especially liked the Chamber of Secrets Mirror!
The Great Wizard – 1 Victoria Street Edinburgh, United Kingdom EH1 1HE
Formerly known as The Boy Wizard, The Great Wizard is the most recently opened Harry Potter shop in Edinburgh. It’s located almost directly across from Museum Context. They have some items that Museum Context doesn’t carry, so be sure to check them out! They’ve also just opened a location in the airport!
J.K. Rowling’s Handprints – Outside the City Chambers, midway up the Royal Mile
In 2008, J.K. Rowling was awarded The Edinburgh Award for her contributions to Scotland’s capital city. Winners of this award traditionally have their handprints placed in square tiles outside of the City Chambers. From my experience, despite being just off the Royal Mile, the handprints usually aren’t crowded. I think it’s because they are semi-hidden behind the columns of the City Chambers lot. You’ll see other notable figures’ handprints here too, including those of detective fiction writer Ian Rankin.
If you know of more Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh, tell me in the comments below! Also, I would LOVE to hear what House you’re in! #RavenclawPride
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OMG THIS IS SUCH. A. DREAM!!i’ve always wondered about the cafe that Rowling would write in back in those early days, I’m happy that you covered that here too! 😍
What a fun Harry Potter tour!
So cool! I love Harry Potter, and Edinburgh is high on my list, so this will make a great resource. Thanks for putting it together 🙂
I love HP and Edinburgh but I’ve not seen some of these, I’ll def be doing so on my next trip!
It’s actually not that known that while J.K. Rowling did write some chapters at the Elephant House, she wrote a lot of the first book at Nicolson Cafe which was owned by her brother-in-law. Today, it’s called Spoon and you can go there for lunch or tea without any crowds (plus, it’s not overpriced)!
I love living in Edinburgh – doing a Harry Potter tour was one of the first things I did when moving here 5 months ago 🙂
Wow, I had heard of Nelson’s but didn’t realize it was owned by her brother-in-law. I’ll have to visit next time. The Elephant House is always swamped so this sounds like a good alternative. Also, it’s my dream to live in Edinburgh. Super jealous that you get to call it home! I’m hoping I can convince my husband to move there one day!
Love this! I need to go back to Edinburgh to visit some more of the Harry Potter sites. I’ve been to a bunch of them, but not to all. It’s such an incredible feeling to be discovering places that inspired JK to write and create!
I agree. Edinburgh is such a magical city! The Harry Potter series is my favorite series of all time, and I was just awestruck visiting the places that inspired it.
Oh this is such an epic blog! I’m a huge fan (even have a Harry Potter tattoo!) so I loved this. Definitely need to plan a trip!
This is such a great guide! I’ve been to Edinburgh and ate at Elephant House too, but I would love to have high tea at the hotel where she finished the 7th book! What are your hotel recommendations for Edinburgh??
Thanks Linnea! The next time I’m in Edinburgh, I’m going to splurge on the tea at the Balmoral. From the pictures I’ve seen, it’s gorgeous on the inside. Whenever I’m in Edinburgh, I try to stay at places with a fascinating history. Here’s a roundup of all the places I’ve stayed: https://thestickeredsuitcase.com/the-best-places-to-stay-in-edinburgh-scotland/
Love this list! I really want to go to The Elephant House and walk Victoria Street. The Museum Context looks likes A LOT of fun
Wow I didn’t realise there were so many Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh!
We are hoping to visit Scotland in the summer so I will definitely be visiting these spots. Love this thank you for your tips
Hope you have a great trip! It’s my favorite place I’ve visited.