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Tours/Edinburgh/Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour

Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour

4.3(15)Edinburgh2–3 hours
VIATOR4.0(10)TRIPADVISOR5.0(5)
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
+10 photos
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour
Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour

At a glance

Duration
2–3 hours
Price from
$12 / person
Location
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Rating
4.3 / 5 · 15 reviews
Languages
EN, EN
Group
Private
Cancellation
See policy below
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Exploro Limited
Meeting point
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!

Description

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.

Schedule & prices

Runs
Every day
Start times
25 times a day, 7:00 AM–7:00 PM
Next available
Fri, Oct 9
Adult (ages 6+)
$12

Out at sunset: the 4:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:58 PM in the coming weeks.

From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.

Tour Options

Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour

Itinerary

Pass by

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.

Greyfriars
20 min

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.

5 min

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!

10 min

Discover all headstones from famous (and not so famous) characters of the Harry Potter Sagas that are scattered around all over this amazing graveyard.

Pass by

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

George Heriot's School
Pass by

Learn the history behind one of the buildings that were the inspiration of Hogwarts, the school of wizards, in Harry Potter history.

Edinburgh Castle
Admission not included10 min

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.

Pass by

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.

Museum CONTEXT
5 min

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 min

Enjoy the amazing view of this spot while imagining the whole story of Harry Potter taking place right in front of you.

Admission not included5 min

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.

Pass by

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.

Edinburgh City Chambers
Pass by

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.

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

Traveller Ratings

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

4.3
15 reviews
5
9
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
0

How it compares in Edinburgh

  • Starting price $12 is 81% below the typical $64 for tours of similar length in Edinburgh

Excurgo comparison of 1,235 Viator tours, recalculated daily.

Important Information

  • 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

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

0+ days before0% refund

Frequently asked questions

How long does Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour take?

Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour lasts about 2–3 hours. The itinerary has 13 stops.

How much does Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour cost?

Prices start at $12 per person for this Edinburgh experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.

What days does Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour run?

According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 25 departures a day between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

Can I cancel Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour for free?

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is 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 is not part of this experience.

What languages is Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour offered in?

The experience is available in EN, EN.

Is this a private or a group tour?

It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Wheelchair accessible

Will my booking be confirmed immediately?

Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.

Is Edinburgh Harry Potter Self-Guided Private Tour worth it?

Travellers rate it 4.3 out of 5 across 15 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Exploro Limited.

Reviews(15)

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

J
Jil_L
August 7, 2026 · via Viator
Nice informative walk

Beautiful experience with a nice tour, well explained. Only in English but easy enough to understand. We had a very pleasant time. Even though we were late, it was no problem and we were able to enjoy the experience.

Operator response

Merci beaucoup pour ce superbe avis ! C'est toute la beauté de nos visites autoguidées : il n'y a pas de retard possible, vous explorez entièrement à votre propre rythme. Ravis que l'expérience vous ait plu ! Thank you for the lovely review! That’s the beauty of our self-guided tours, there’s no such thing as being late, and you can explore entirely at your own pace. So glad you enjoyed it!

S
Sarah_B
April 6, 2026 · via Viator
Virtual tour of friends

It was well laid out. I could have bought only one instead of one per person. We were able to start and stop as the group needed.

Operator response

So glad the layout worked well for you and your group, Sarah! And great tip you spotted there — one purchase can absolutely be shared across the whole group, so no need to buy one per person next time. The freedom to start and stop as everyone needs is exactly what we hope for. Thank you for the kind words, and we hope the Harry Potter magic followed you all around Edinburgh!

R
Rubi2906
January 2, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Very interesting visit experience

A very nice visit experience! We can go at our own pace and do it even in several steps if we wish. Ideal when you like to visit freely, the experience allows you to take a fairly extensive tour of the old town. Voice feedback and explanations on the app are very clear, interesting and well documented. A very good idea to have designed this self-guided tour!

Operator response

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring Edinburgh Old Town at your own pace — that freedom is exactly what our self-guided tours are designed for. We're also very happy that you found the commentary clear, engaging, and well-researched. It means a lot to us that you appreciated the flexibility of pausing, continuing, and discovering the city on your own terms. Thank you for choosing our tour and for taking the time to share your experience — we hope to guide you again on a future adventure!

M
Melissa_B
October 2, 2025 · via Viator
Loved going at my own pace!

Loved the fact that I could take this tour at my own pace, gave me time to get a coffee when I wanted and look in shops. Two small complaints-the order seems a little chaotic definitely some back and forth whereas it would have been easier to do what’s closer to each other. Second one, if there’s a way to include a map or something at the cemetery-I wasted way too much time trying to find all the stones and still never found all of them. Otherwise I enjoyed it.

Operator response

Hi Melissa, Thank you so much for your thoughtful review — we’re really glad you enjoyed the freedom of exploring at your own pace and taking breaks whenever you wanted. That flexibility is exactly what we want our self-guided tours to offer! We also really appreciate your feedback on the route order and the cemetery stop. You’re absolutely right that a smoother flow and clearer guidance in some tricky locations would make the experience even better. We’re currently working on refining our maps and directions, and comments like yours help us improve for future travelers. It’s wonderful to hear you still enjoyed the tour overall, and we hope you’ll give our updated version a try in the future. Thanks again for choosing us to explore Edinburgh! Best wishes,

A
Annie A
June 22, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Fantastic casual Harry Potter tour

It was awesome to be able to wander the streets of Edinburgh and get the bonus addition of all the Harry Potter related facts. We could take our time and detour when we wanted to and pick it back up after. Exactly what we wanted.

Operator response

Hi Annie! You just nailed exactly what this tour is all about — magic on your own terms! 🧙‍♀️✨ We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed strolling through Edinburgh’s magical streets with the flexibility to stop, detour, and soak it all in. That’s the beauty of doing it your way! Thank you for taking us along on your adventure — and we hope to be your trusty guide again on your next trip (wizard-themed or not 😄). With a swish and flick,

T
Tina_M
January 21, 2025 · via Viator
So-so

It was difficult to get into and slightly difficult to navigate. I believe the app and actual tour need adjusted

Operator response

Hi Tina, thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear you had a challenging experience with navigation on our Edinburgh Harry Potter tour. We're constantly working to enhance our app's usability and content. Your insights are invaluable, and we will consider them seriously to improve the experience. We hope to provide you with a smoother journey next time!

J
jakob_m
September 30, 2024 · via Viator
All encompassing your with a great guide!

Fantastic tour covering all of the city! Saw everything I wanted and more, but the best part was our tour guide, Adam! He is funny, enthusiastic, and he made the whole thing exciting! One of the best tours I’ve been on in the UK and Adam was a huge part of that!

Operator response

Dear Jakob, Thank you for your fantastic review! I’m delighted you had such a great time exploring Edinburgh and that Adam made your experience so memorable. Your kind words inspire us to continue delivering exciting and immersive tours. We hope to welcome you on another tour soon! Best wishes,

J
Janet_B
September 10, 2024 · via Viator
Don't do out of order

This tour takes you to all the wonderful Harry Potter inspired spots. It has a brief summary at each location followed by directions to the next. However, I would definitely recommend starting at point one as that is where the directions are written from. We tried to do a few out of order and it was very difficult finding certain spots due to the spotty GPS thru Edinburgh. Also the Elephant Shop was under construction and they had a temporary one on Victoria Street. We were not able to go in because it had 45min wait. The tour itself was informative and could be stop and started if you want to go into a shop or spot along the way.

Operator response

Hi Janet, thanks for sharing your experience. Following the tour in sequence definitely provides the best experience as it's designed to tell a story and navigate efficiently. We appreciate your feedback and are glad you enjoyed the magical spots!

D
Dennis_S
August 20, 2024 · via Viator
One step short of greatness

Looked like it would be fun but could not access the audio without WiFi. I probably missed a step and welcome advice so we can still use the tour

Operator response

Hi Dennis, we’re sorry to hear you had trouble accessing the audio. Our tours are designed to work offline, so you shouldn’t need WiFi. It sounds like there may have been a misunderstanding in the setup process. Please contact our support team, and we'd be happy to guide you through accessing your tour properly so you can enjoy it to the fullest!

E
Explore22358525051
June 9, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Interesting for older Harry Potter fans.

Interesting narration, easy to follow directions. App worked well. Especially liked the cemetery. Wish it included the other Hogwarts school building that served as inspiration but it might be too far away. 👍

Operator response

Thanks for your wonderful review! We're thrilled you enjoyed the Harry Potter tour in Edinburgh. We appreciate your suggestion about including additional locations, and we'll consider how we might incorporate more distant sites in future updates. Your enjoyment is our top priority!

$12/ person
4.3(15)
Duration2–3 hours
LanguagesEN, EN
ConfirmationInstant
Check availability on Viator →
Booked and paid on Viator.com
Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

No booking fees from Excurgo
Payment and confirmation are handled by Viator
Excurgo support

Excurgo earns a commission from Viator when you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

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