S
Glad we did this!
Jack was enthusiastic about JK's story and he added great background to the places we visited. I would have liked to have more time on this tour.
Harry Potter Tour and Edinburgh Castle Visit
+9 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Price from
- $100 / person
- Location
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Rating
- 4.7 / 5 · 472 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 15
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Top Sights Tours Group LLC
- Meeting point
- We meet outside of the Tron Kirk (The Royal Mile Market). Opposite Bella Italia on the world-famous Royal Mile. The nearest train station is Waverly Station, a 10-minute walk away.
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! 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!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 16+)
- $100
- Child (ages 7–15)
- $47
- Infant (ages 0–6)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Royal Mile
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!
Edinburgh Waverley Station
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.
New Town
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.
University of Edinburgh
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!
Edinburgh Old Town
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.
Greyfriars
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.
Edinburgh Castle
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.
Victoria Street
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!
Edinburgh City Chambers
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.
Edinburgh Castle
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.
What's included
Included
See Edinburgh's top Harry Potter sights
2-hour walking tour with a small group
Tickets for Edinburgh Castle
Fun local guide!
Not included
Food & Drinks
Hotel pickup / drop-off
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
472 reviews
How it compares in Edinburgh
- Starting price $100 is 30% below the typical $142 for tours of similar length in Edinburgh
Excurgo comparison of 1,235 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
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
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harry Potter Tour and Edinburgh Castle Visit take?
Harry Potter Tour and Edinburgh Castle Visit lasts about 4 hours. The itinerary has 10 stops.
How much does Harry Potter Tour and Edinburgh Castle Visit cost?
Prices start at $100 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 Harry Potter Tour and Edinburgh Castle Visit run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM.
How much does Harry Potter Tour and Edinburgh Castle Visit cost for children?
Children aged 7–15 pay from $47, adults from $100. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Harry Potter Tour and Edinburgh Castle Visit for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is We meet outside of the Tron Kirk (The Royal Mile Market). Opposite Bella Italia on the world-famous Royal Mile. The nearest train station is Waverly Station, a 10-minute walk away. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Harry Potter Tour and Edinburgh Castle Visit offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Harry Potter Tour and Edinburgh Castle Visit worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 472 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Top Sights Tours Group LLC.
Reviews(472)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
0
Harry Potterheads Unite for Fun Facts!
I was 1h late to the group due to my own mishaps but was able to locate the group afterward. Jackson was super inviting and informative about what I had missed prior. I enjoyed the detailed information shared by Jackson as well as tips and tricks on how to navigate Old Town! I would def book again just due to the fact that I know I def missed out on cool knowledge the beginning!
T
Hilarious Highjinks
Jackson was the best tour guide, I loved that he showed up in Slytherin gear. He was very informative about the area & all things Harry Potter. I didn't feel rushed & he was very personable. He even handled it cool when we had an interloper try to butt in & warn everyone about day-thievery. I the roughly enjoyed myself for this tour!
2
Fantastic for all Hogwarts Houses!
Jackson was an amazing guide!!!! Very knowledgeable, hilarious, and witty. He made the tour very exciting and fun. The tour is all by foot so be ready for the up/down hills. Loved how we ended gaining access to the Edinburgh Castle. This tour gets you into the castle, but doesn’t cover the cost of the audio directly. The audio tour was a few pounds to purchase. Also by sure to be in the castle before 1 pm so you can witness the 1 o’clock canon going off.
R
Maxwells Birthplace
For those who know who James Clerk Maxwell was, I recommend, should you be going to Edinburg Scotland in the near future, spend an afternoon at the birthplace of Maxwell. It might be the highlight of your visit. You will be required to prearrange your visit with the James Clerk Maxwell Foundation. An online search will direct you to the foundations site. Below is an excerpt copied from their site. The house in which James Clerk Maxwell was born is normally open to visitors for pre-arranged tours as follows. • Most Tuesdays at 3pm, BUT to ensure that someone is there to greet you, pre booking is essential. • Some Saturdays. Scheduled dates for rest of 2026 are: 12 September; 24 October; 14 November; 12 December. Most Saturday tours will begin at 2:30 pm, BUT please confirm start time when booking. Pre-booking is essential for all tours.
L
Great Harry Potter tour
Jackson was a great tour guide. Very knowledgeable and fun! We learned things we didn't know. It was fun.
A
Fun!
Very interesting tour that covered a range of areas. Our guide Iona had a lot of pictures to go along with the tour and had a lot of knowledge on the subjects.
O
Good times!
Our guide was Paul! He was very knowledgeable in all things Harry Potter and Edinburgh! Had an awesome time!
B
Wonderful walking tour...
Wonderful walking tour with lots of great Harry Potter spots and info, plus Edinburgh insights. Our tour guide Paul was excellent. Highly recommend.
K
Harry Potter
It was a nice tour, our guide was very nice and friendly I don't think it worked very well with our cruise schedule. Since this was a tender port and the distance from the cruise port with the amount of time we had we were very rushed to see the Castle and almost had no time to even eat. If you are not on a cruise it's a great tour
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter Tour and Edinburgh Castle Visit | 4 hours | 4.7 (472) | $100 | |
 Original Harry Potter Locations: Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh | 2 hours | 4.9 (4,669) | $21 | View |
 Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket | 1h 30min | 4.8 (6,873) | $55 | View |
 Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour - Entry Tickets Included | 1h 30min | 4.9 (5,881) | $53 | View |
 Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile Walking Tour - Ticket Included | 2h 15min | 4.9 (2,766) | $71 | View |
 The Potter Trail Private Tour | 1h 30min | 5.0 (2,542) | $108 | View |
 Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour Tickets Included | 1h 30min | 4.9 (2,265) | $53 | View |
from$100
4.7(472) Free cancellation