Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour worth booking?
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour is a 2-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $9 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 15 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (15)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $9 per person
Forget about crowds, schedules or lines! With our company's self-guided experiences your smartphone is your new private guide. Welcome to Edinburgh, the birthplace of Harry Potter! JK Rowling wrote all seven Harry Pott
What you get
- Jule will guide you through an audio guide (no computer-generated voice!)
- Audio guide, videos, pictures, recommendations and all the info you need
- You will get an email with instructions to activate your tour
- Unlimited access to this Self-Guided Tour on the app
- Map, directions, GPS route and stops of each tour
About this experience
Forget about crowds, schedules or lines! With our company's self-guided experiences your smartphone is your new private guide. Welcome to Edinburgh, the birthplace of Harry Potter! JK Rowling wrote all seven Harry Potter novels in this city and Jule will help you discover that was involved in this incredible story. Walking the streets of this magical place, Rowling undoubtedly took some inspiration from the city which she then used in the Harry Potter novels. On our tour, we’ll be exploring places that may have served as inspirations for places and characters in Harry Potter. In this incredible experience, you'll have the time to stroll around Edinburgh's Harry Potter Trail at your own pace, you'll have the opportunity to take astonishing pictures and enter any attraction you fancy along the way. Please note: when booking, you will get an email with instructions on how to download our app and unlock the tour.
What's included
Included
- Jule will guide you through an audio guide (no computer-generated voice!)
- Audio guide, videos, pictures, recommendations and all the info you need
- You will get an email with instructions to activate your tour
- Unlimited access to this Self-Guided Tour on the app
- Map, directions, GPS route and stops of each tour
Not included
- Live Guide
- Any entrance fee for the attractions mentioned during the tour
What you'll see and do
Welcome to the “birthplace of Harry Potter” – You can hardly fail to notice the prominent slogan above the entrance of the Elephant House Café. This is where JK Rowling spent a great deal of time writing the first Harry Potter book in, and even parts of the second and the third.
Pass by without stopping
Greyfriars
This is the graveyard that can be seen from the back of the Elephant House Café, and it is believed to have inspired the graveyard of Little Hangleton in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Step in with Jule to discover all it's haunted attractions and why is this place so related to the novels J.K. Rowling wrote.
20 minutes here
The graves of Thomas Riddell, Esq. and Thomas Riddell, Esq., his son, are probably the most well-visited graves in all of Edinburgh. This is ironic, as we know very little about the actual Riddell family that lies buried here. Discover the story behind this character and more!
5 minutes here
Discover all headstones from famous (and not so famous) characters of the Harry Potter Sagas that are scattered around all over this amazing graveyard.
10 minutes here
On the wall to the left of the gates, you can see a black tombstone with the portrait of a man on it. This is William Topaz McGonagall – otherwise known as the worst poet in English-speaking history. Learn why this character is related to a famous Harry Potter Character
Pass by without stopping
George Heriot's School
Learn the history behind one of the buildings that were the inspiration of Hogwarts, the school of wizards, in Harry Potter history.
Pass by without stopping
Edinburgh Castle
Hogwarts is also described as a castle-like school, situated on top of a hill, with a giant lake to one side. Guess what, Edinburgh Castle is just like that! Learn the history behind the castle and its relation with Harry Potter's Hogwarts, another stepping stone of the story and a must-visit of Edinburgh's attractions.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Diagon Alley in the books is described as a cobblestone street, lined with coloured shopfronts on either side. While strolling about Victoria Street, Jule will tell you all the secrets and similarities between both magical places.
Pass by without stopping
Museum CONTEXT
Museum Context is the first Harry Potter Shop that was opened in Edinburgh. This shop is a must-see for Harry Potter fans, with a great photo opportunity on the third floor as an added bonus!
5 minutes here
Enjoy the amazing view of this spot while imagining the whole story of Harry Potter taking place right in front of you.
5 minutes here
This is part of the University of Edinburgh and is where you will find the School of Theology and Divinity. Inside, they have an old library that resembles the one of Hogwarts, and they even have a great hall where students have their meals.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
The building with the clock tower across the valley is the Balmoral Hotel, the most expensive hotel in Edinburgh. This is also the place where JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This is obviously a big change from her humble beginnings of writing in cafes across the city and really emphasises how much Harry Potter changed her life.
Pass by without stopping
Edinburgh City Chambers
On the ground you can see some golden handprints – these are the handprints of people who have won the Edinburgh Award. This is a prize that is given out yearly since 2007 to one person who has made Edinburgh famous around the world or has impacted the city positively in another way. In 2008, the Award went to JK Rowling, as Edinburgh is now known as the birthplace of Harry Potter thanks to her.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
All our tours are self-guided. You will be led by the GPS in the app. Remember to check the "Before You Go" Section of your ticket and give Pandemic Tours App access to your location!
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour finishes at City Chambers, near Edinburgh's Old Town Centre.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Exploro Limited
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This is a Self-Guided Audio Tour download the Exploro App
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 6+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Exploro Limited, who run 8 experiences we rank across 6 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 51.7.
See everything Exploro Limited runsWhy this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour cost?
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Prices start at $9 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Edinburgh usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Edinburgh is not rushed.
Is Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 6. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 2-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Edinburgh can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Edinburgh and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Edinburgh within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Edinburgh?
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On Outty we rank every Edinburgh experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands, Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William, Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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