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Offered languages
- English
Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio walking tour of Harry Potter’s Edinburgh and trace the real places that inspired J.K. Rowling. Walk past Edinburgh Castle, George Heriot's School, Greyfriars Kirkyard, St Giles' Cathedral, The Elephant House, and Victoria Street, uncovering the stories behind the wizarding world.
Along the way, hear fascinating stories about Edinburgh, Rowling, and hidden inspirations, which play automatically as you walk.
Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t.
Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location
Travel at your own pace
Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed
Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use
No time limits or expiry, and free updates
Like having a personal guide by your side on every step
Purchase one tour per person, or listen together by sharing headphones or a speaker.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Start at the Covenanter's Memorial, located at 94 Grassmarket, or join anywhere along the tour route. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour" and follow the instructions to download over Wi-Fi/cell service. Then, preview the start location/s and tour route in the GuideAlong app.
Itinerary
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1Edinburgh Castle
No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a journey through this ancient fortification. This castle has stood for centuries, and a walk through its sturdy walls is a walk through Scottish history.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
George Heriot’s School was one of the main inspirations for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The movies weren't filmed here, but it certainly does look like something out of the wizarding world.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Step into the hauntingly beautiful Greyfriars Kirkyard, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic graveyards. With its cobbled pathways and weathered tombstones, this historic site is the final resting place for many notable figures and a key inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Look out for the grave of Thomas Riddell, which is believed to have influenced the name of Voldemort. A must-see for any Potter fan, Greyfriars offers a fascinating glimpse into Edinburgh’s past and its connections to the wizarding world.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4St Giles' Cathedral
This has been an active church, serving local congregants, for over 900 years. If you step inside the cathedral, you can see the sweeping arched ceilings and stained glass that will certainly make you feel like you’ve wandered into the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
The Elephant House is commonly called the “birthplace of Harry Potter” since this is where Rowling would often come to sit and write while her daughter napped in the pram.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Victoria Street
Some call this street the Diagon Alley of Edinburgh, and it’s easy to see why. The candy-colored shops, restaurants, and flats crowd around the winding street, making it one of the best shopping destinations in all of Old Town.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
- Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
- Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
- Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
- Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
Additional info
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
- Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
- Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
- Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
- Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
- Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
- Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
- Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
- Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
- Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
- Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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