Harry Potter Origins Tour with Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Description
Set off on a magical tour of Edinburgh with our fun Potter-head guide and see the places that inspired JK Rowling to create her wizarding universe! Then, enter the incredible Edinburgh Castle with tickets included! Starting at Tron Kirk on The Royal Mile, we first head to historic Waverley Station. Then head to Edinburgh University Old College - a famous old campus which provided lots of inspiration for JK Rowling’s creations. We continue through the atmospheric Old Town, stopping at Greyfriars Kirkyard which inspired Tom Riddle's Grave and passing by the Elephant Café where JK Rowling sat for many hours dreaming up the world of Harry Potter! Get amazing views of Edinburgh Castle on our way to Victoria Street - said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley - and we finish near Edinburgh City Chambers where you’ll learn about JK Rowling’s impact on the city. After the tour, you'll be given your tickets to explore the beautiful Edinburgh Castle!
Tour Options
Itinerary
After meeting your guide and fellow Potter-heads near Tron Kirk Market, your tour starts with a stroll along Edinburgh’s world-famous Royal Mile!
We’ll stop at a great viewpoint to see the historical Waverley Train station, much used by JK Rowling and an inspiration for trains being an iconic part of a young wizard's journey.
Looking over Edinburgh New Town, your guide will point out some key features that played a major part in the creation of the magical Harry Potter world.
Next, we’ll pass by this famous old campus which provided lots of inspiration to JK Rowling’s creations…. This place might remind you of Hogwarts!
We continue through the atmospheric streets of the Old Town, where your guide will show you many of the city’s most famous historical landmarks.
In this spooky graveyard you will see many recognisable names from the Potter world - this is the site of Tom Riddell’s grave and a number of other names used for JK Rowling’s characters.
You’ll enjoy wonderful views of this beautiful old castle, which plays a huge part in Scottish history as well as inspiring JK Rowling's Potter Universe.
With its colourful independent shops, overhanging street signs and the cobbled street that twists and turns out of view, it's easy to see why this is said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley!
We end the tour at the City Chambers where we see the impact that JK Rowling has had on Edinburgh itself, and her huge contributions to the local community.
After the tour, you’ll be given your Edinburgh Castle tickets to explore its stunning architecture, the Crown Jewels, Stone of Destiny, and the National War Museum. Enjoy breathtaking city views from the castle's vantage points at your own pace.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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
Reviews(18)
Fie was a great guide, very informative and funny. The tour has many interesting and relevant stops pertaining to the Harry Potter novels and was a great time for my family! 10/10 recommend
FIA was amazing. Very interesting tour.
Fia was an awesome guide! Very knowledgeable and considerate to all walking paces. Loved all the Harry Potter stuff but there was a lot of Edinburgh history as well which was great. Get it with Fia she was lovely!
FIA amazing guide; you don’t have to be a potter head to enjoy the tour, 10/10 liked by the whole family!
Were very disappointed with this tour. Our tour guide was a young girl must not have much experience. Had a heavy Scottish accent and spoke fast, not loud enough and kept turning her face away which made it very hard to understand. She didn't have a sign or prop to follow her on extremely busy streets. Did not wait for the group. And worst of all did not tell us the entrance tickets to the castle were in an email that was sent that very morning while we were traveling. Our friends didn't get the email until it was too late to go in the castle, we got the email but spent over an hour trying to call Viator asking for the tickets, got them and ran inside the castle but were able to go in for just 15 minutes before going back to our cruise. It was a terrible experience, the tour guide seemed to have knowledge about the Harry Potter author connection but had no clue how to conduct a group tour.
Tour guide was knowledgeable and fun
Great tour with guide. Got to see other side of the castle which we had not previously done. Enjoyed more in depth of Harry Potter and Edinburgh
Hazel was a great informative guide. I enjoyed the walk and also touring Edinburgh Castle. I learned more about Edinburgh.
Hazel (aka "Witch Hazel") was fantastic! This was my first tour of the trip and I'm so glad I booked it. Hazel provided a great blend of Edinburgh history with the elements that inspired JK Rowling's Harry Potter novels. I chose the option with the Edinburgh castle tickets and, after the tour, Hazel made sure I knew the right direction to go and gave us some great recommendations for lunch spots in the city. I had a really great time and would definitely recommend this tour as a great introduction to the city for any Harry Potter fans.
This tour is for people that want a guide to nice stops in Edinburgh and to hear about J.K. Writing the books. Not for anyone looking for film sites, or to meet the characters, etc. Not a trip for kids, better for adults that are serious fans.
