The Traveling Taylors

1. The Elephant House Café (Currently Closed for Renovations)

• Known as the “birthplace of Harry Potter.”
• J.K. Rowling wrote parts of the early books here.
• Still worth walking by—and snapping a photo of the sign.

For solo travelers or couples exploring busy attractions, a smart face-tracking phone tripod like this one can automatically follow your movement and help capture great videos hands-free.

2. Spoon Café (Formerly Nicolson’s Café)

• Another writing spot for Rowling during the Philosopher’s Stone days.
• Located on Nicolson Street above a former Chinese restaurant.

3. Greyfriars Kirkyard

• Gravestones for Thomas Riddell, McGonagall, and others that may have inspired names.
• Eerie, atmospheric, and full of history.

4. George Heriot’s School

• Said to be the inspiration for Hogwarts with its four house towers.
• Still a working school, but the exterior is magical.

If you enjoy filming your travel experiences, a tiny wearable camera like this one is a great way to capture hands-free POV footage while walking through iconic locations.

5. Victoria Street

• Thought to be the real-life inspiration for Diagon Alley.
• Curved cobblestone street with quirky shops, including a few wizard-themed ones.

6. Museum Context

• A Harry Potter-themed shop on Victoria Street.
• Packed with licensed merchandise, wands, and magical decor.

7. Balmoral Hotel, Room 552

• Where Rowling finished writing The Deathly Hallows.
• She famously signed a marble bust in the room.
• You can stay here—if you’ve got the galleons.

8. Edinburgh City Chambers (Writers’ Courtyard)

• Features Rowling’s handprints on the Writers’ Walk.
• A great photo op and tribute to her influence.

9. Edinburgh Castle

• Not directly tied to the books but looms large over the city—and perhaps Hogwarts itself.
• A fitting end to your magical tour.

Many travelers also like carrying a lightweight backpack like this one so they can comfortably store essentials like chargers, water bottles, and jackets while exploring.

Ready to Walk the Wizarding World? 

Whether you’re here for a day or a week, this Edinburgh Harry Potter trail is an enchanting way to explore the city through a magical lens. Just bring comfy shoes, a camera, and maybe a wand for good luck!