If you’re raising a muggle who wishes they were a wizard, then Edinburgh is the perfect place to visit with your family. (Honestly, Edinburgh is one of our favorite capital cities to visit for any reason.) While London may boast King’s Cross Station and the Warner Bros Studio Tour, Edinburgh’s old town has a magical feel and you can see the influence for the books all around.

We spent 16 days roadtripping (and flying and ferrying) all over Scotland in 2018. It was our last big trip before we became parents.

We returned to Edinburgh in the summer of 2025 with our 6-year-old daughter. You can read all about how to spend 48 hours in the city here.

If I had my way, I would visit Scotland every year. It’s one of my favorite places. However, kids might need a wee bit of extra motivation to wander the streets of Edinburgh, and knowing that they are exploring the world of wizards might help.

We’ll start our journey in Edinburgh, then move to Northumberland (Northern England). These sites can be visited on a long weekend.

If you are visiting Scotland for a longer journey, then you can add on the highlands, and visit Glenfinnan and see the Jacobite Steam Train. If you are heading to the highlands, I would recommend spending at least a week in Scotland so you are not rushed!

Victoria Street, Edinburgh
Is this beautiful, colorful street the inspiration for Diagon Alley? Perhaps. Even if it’s not, Victoria Street is an iconic stop on your trip to Edinburgh. I love the contrast between the bright shops and the grey and brown bricks.
It’s a great place to shop, too. We like The Old Town Bookshop on 16 Victoria Street and were able to purchase some children’s books to help our daughter remember her time in Scotland.
Cost: Free to wander!

Holding onto her stuffed Heilan Coo on Victoria Street

2. Wizard’s Tea at the Department of Magic, Edinburgh

Wizarding Afternoon Tea at the Department of Magic is as close to a potions class with Professor Snape that you will get while in Scotland. While the servers are not performers, they are in character and bring you treats that are steaming with magic and you can order potion drinks that change colors.

We had a full tea here for lunch and could not finish the meal between the three of us. If you just want a shorter visit, you can also just reserve for cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks.

Location: Magic Potions Tavern 9-11 Blair Street, Edinburgh (just off the Royal Mile)

Cost: £25 per person for magical tea (less for cocktails only; more for additional, specialty drinks)

How to book: Book directly through the Department of Magic website

How to spend 48 hours in Edinburgh with kids

3. Greyfriar’s Kirk (Graveyard), Edinburgh

Greyfriar’s Kirkyard is a 16th century Edinburgh cemetery that is said to be the place where JK Rowling found the names for characters of her Harry Potter novels. Is this where the name of Tom Riddle originated? Why Harry Potter? See all the famous last names in the graveyard yourself by taking a walk through the area. It’s not far from Victoria Street and the popular Grassmarket area. If you join a walking tour, they will likely cover this area.

Location: Greyfriars Place, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ, United Kingdom

Cost: Free

4. Harry Potter Walking Tour (Edinburgh)

The best way to see Edinburgh and to learn more about how this city impacted Rowling’s imagination and the films is to participate in a walking tour. Edinburgh is a bit hilly, but it’s still easy to get around.

Location: Most tours meet near Greyfriar’s Bobby (the famous statue!)

Cost: Technically free, but tips are expected for your guide!

How to book: Check out The Potter Trail Website

Tip: Remember to bring cash or have a digital pay method set-up (one that is accepted in the UK).

5. Edinburgh Castle

While Edinburgh Castle is NOT featured in the films, it still seems to have served as inspiration for Hogwarts. Hogwarts rises high above Loch Shiel, and Edinburgh Castle sits high above the city, perched on ancient volcanic rock.

Although you can admire the castle from several viewpoints, we recommend booking a walking tour to learn more about its history and truly appreciate how massive the whole compound really is. You can book a tour directly

Location: Old Town, Edinburgh

Cost:

How to book: Book directly through the castle’s website; you can book an entry ticket or a timed walking tour.

6. Broomstick lessons at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

Alnwick Castle was featured in both The Sorcerer’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets.

It’s also a stunning castle in a beautiful town in Northern England. It’s about a 1 hr and 45 minute drive from Edinburgh to Alnwick. If you are not keen on driving on the left side of the road or would like to relax, you can book a tour. We visited as part of a day trip through Heart of Scotland Tours. We met our driver and tour guide in Edinburgh City Center and had a lovely 12-hour day which included a few hours at Alnwick.

At Alnwick, once you pay the entrance fee, tickets for the broom lessons are included. You just need to grab a timed ticket. Our instructors were funny and strict- just like real Hogwarts professors. They’re also encourage you to take lots of photos; it’s impossible to NOT take a good picture at Alnwick.

For adults, you can also learn about other films that feature the castle (like Robinhood Prince of Thieves). We participated in other events like archery, a

Location: Alnwick NE66 1NQ, United Kingdom

Cost:

Adult £21.55- £23.95 (book online for a small discount)
Child (5-16 years) £11.35- £12.65
Child (0-4 years) Free

How to book:

Book through Alnwick Castle directly
Book a day trip with Heart of Scotland Tours

7. See the Harry Potter Bridge & Hogwarts Express (Glenfinnan Viaduct & Loch Shiel)

If you make it to the Scottish highlands (and you should) then you should visit Glenfinnan which is famous for a few reasons. This is where the the Jacobite Rebellion began in 1745, and there is a monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie. The visitor’s center explains this time in history and is worth visiting. (There is a car park at the visitor’s center and another closer to the bridge.)

The parking lot is not far from the Harry Potter Bridge, which is actually called the Glenfinnan Viaduct. This is a core shot in many of the Harry Potter movies, especially when Ron and Harry steal a car in The Chamber of Secrets and when the dementors attack in Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban.

We recommend getting off the main road and exploring some paths if you want to take a photo without any other people (see below!) During our July visit, we got our feet a little damp, but it was worth it. There are multiple trails that allow you to explore the area, so plan to spend a couple hours here.

You can also ride on the Hogwarts Express by booking the Jacobite Steam. This leaves from Fort Williams, which is one of the larger towns in the area.

One you take a look a the bridge and perhaps catch the train driving past, you can also look at Loch Shiel which serves as the backdrop for Hogwarts. This is where Harry fights off dementors in The Prisoner of Azkaban, and where he completes in The Goblet of Fire. It’s also just a stunningly beautiful spot.

We visited Fort Williams and Glenfinnan as part of our road trip around Scotland. You can take public transportation (trains and buses) through a large portion of Scotland, but I would rent a car once you leave Fort Williams.