‘Harry Potter’s Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour‘ offers fans an immersive experience to explore the enchanting connections between the city and J.K. Rowling’s beloved series. Through the VoiceMap app, visitors can navigate key locations that inspired the wizarding world, from Edinburgh Castle to Greyfriars Kirkyard. With offline access and flexible scheduling, this tour allows fans to discover the inspirations behind the novels at their own pace. Whether you’re a die-hard Potterhead or simply curious, this experience promises to reveal the magic hidden within Edinburgh’s streets.
Good To Know
- The self-guided audio tour allows Harry Potter fans to explore Edinburgh’s key locations connected to the series, including Edinburgh Castle and Greyfriars Kirkyard.
- The tour includes a visit to The Elephant House café, where J.K. Rowling wrote several Harry Potter novels.
- The tour is accessible through the VoiceMap app, providing offline access and unlimited usage for a flexible exploring experience.
- The tour features detailed instructions, offline maps, and geodata, though some users have reported navigation challenges.
- The tour offers a convenient and immersive way for Harry Potter fans to discover the magical connections between Edinburgh and the wizarding world.
Tour Overview
This self-guided audio tour allows independent travelers to explore Edinburgh’s captivating connection to the Harry Potter series at their own pace.
The tour highlights key locations, including the iconic Edinburgh Castle and the atmospheric Greyfriars Kirkyard, which inspired the scenes and characters in J.K. Rowling’s beloved books.
Visitors can download the VoiceMap app to access the tour, which provides offline access and unlimited usage.
The tour culminates at The Elephant House, the café where Rowling wrote several of the Harry Potter novels.
With its flexible format and informative content, this tour offers a unique way for Harry Potter fans to enjoy the magical world of Edinburgh.
Loving the local insights? Here are more guided experiences we recommend in Edinburgh
Booking and Access
The tour starts from £7.08 and comes with a badge of excellence, allowing visitors to explore Edinburgh’s Harry Potter landmarks at their own convenience.
Booking the tour provides free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience. Upon booking, travelers will receive confirmation, though the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible. It’s suitable for most visitors, with infants required to sit on laps.
The tour can be accessed anytime, from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM, until August 11, 2025, providing flexibility for independent travelers.
While some reviews mention challenges with navigation and audio clarity, the tour generally receives positive feedback for its informative content and self-guided nature.
Features and Requirements
To access the Harry Potter audio tour, users must download the VoiceMap app on their smartphone and use headphones. The app provides lifetime access to the tour’s audio, maps, and geodata in English, though it doesn’t cover entrance fees to any attractions.
Plus, travelers are responsible for their own transportation and meals during the self-guided experience.
The tour features:
-
Detailed instructions provided after app download
-
Offline access to the tour content
-
Unlimited use of the audio guide
-
Ability to explore at your own pace
While the tour provides a flexible and independent exploration of Edinburgh’s Harry Potter sites, users should be prepared to navigate the city on their own and address any technical issues that may arise.
User Experience and Feedback
Based on the generally positive reviews, users have appreciated the flexibility and informative content of the Harry Potter audio tour.
However, some noted challenges with navigation and audio clarity in noisy environments.
The tour has been rated 4.5/5 stars by 37 reviewers, indicating that most travelers found it to be a valuable experience.
While users enjoyed exploring Edinburgh at their own pace and learning about the city’s connections to the Harry Potter series, a few reported technical issues and the need for updated content.
Additional Information
Available daily from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM until August 11, 2025, the Harry Potter audio tour allows visitors to enjoy the magical world of J.K. Rowling’s beloved series within the historic streets of Edinburgh.
Though some reviews mention the need for better directions and map usability, the tour generally provides a convenient and engaging way for independent travelers to discover the city’s connections to the iconic franchise.
With the Elephant House currently closed due to a fire, the original writing table where Rowling penned several Harry Potter books remains preserved, awaiting the reopening of this significant literary landmark.
The tour offers the following:
-
Lifetime access to the self-guided audio tour via the VoiceMap app.
-
Includes maps, geodata, and informative content about Edinburgh’s Harry Potter sites.
-
Allows visitors to explore at their own pace, with no set start or end times.
-
Provides a unique opportunity to follow in the footsteps of one of the world’s most beloved authors.
Here are more great tours and experiences we've reviewed in Edinburgh
Exploring Edinburgh’s Magical Connections
Why, Edinburgh’s enchanting streets and historic sites have long been intertwined with the magical world of Harry Potter, offering visitors a spellbinding journey through the city that inspired J.K. Rowling’s beloved series.
From the majestic Edinburgh Castle, which evokes the grandeur of Hogwarts, to the eerie Greyfriars Kirkyard, where the author found inspiration for character names, the city’s magical connections are woven throughout the self-guided audio tour.
Explore the The Elephant House cafe, where Rowling penned the early Harry Potter manuscripts, and discover hidden alleyways that resemble the wizarding world’s Diagon Alley.
Self-Guided Audio Tour Highlights
The self-guided audio tour takes visitors on a magical journey through Edinburgh, highlighting the city’s captivating connections to the world of Harry Potter. The tour’s key highlights include:
-
Exploring Edinburgh Castle, which inspired the majestic Hogwarts Castle in the films.
-
Visiting Greyfriars Kirkyard, where the tour delves into the origins of Harry Potter’s name and the inspiration behind the Dementors.
-
Discovering The Elephant House, the café where J.K. Rowling famously wrote the early Harry Potter novels.
-
Strolling through the charming Old Town, which served as a backdrop for various wizarding locations in the books and movies.
With lifetime access to the tour through the VoiceMap app, travelers can enjoy Edinburgh’s magical legacy at their own pace.
Discover Rowling’s Writing Spots
J.K. Rowling’s iconic writing spots in Edinburgh serve as must-visit destinations for Harry Potter fans, offering a glimpse into the origins of the beloved wizarding world.
The Elephant House, a cozy café, is where Rowling penned the early Harry Potter novels. Its picturesque views of Edinburgh Castle provided inspiration for Hogwarts.
Nearby Greyfriars Kirkyard, with its historic gravestones, is said to have influenced character names like McGonagall.
The tour also highlights Edinburgh Castle, a stunning fortress that likely inspired the magical school.
Though the Elephant House is currently closed due to a fire, the original table where Rowling wrote is preserved, allowing visitors to enjoy the birthplace of the Harry Potter series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is This Tour Suitable for Children Under 5 Years Old?
According to the information provided, the tour is suitable for most travelers, but infants must sit on laps. While the content may interest older children, the tour may not be engaging for children under 5 years old.
Can I Purchase the Tour at the Location or Only Online?
The tour can only be purchased online through the VoiceMap app. It’s not available for purchase at the tour locations. The app provides lifetime access and allows users to explore the sights at their own pace.
How Long Does the Tour Typically Take to Complete?
The self-guided audio tour typically takes 2-3 hours to complete, providing flexibility for travelers to explore at their own pace and spend more time at points of interest. The duration can vary based on individual walking speed and time spent at each location.
Is the Tour Content Available in Other Languages Besides English?
The tour content is currently only available in English. The product description does not mention any other language options being provided. The self-guided audio tour is designed for English-speaking travelers exploring Edinburgh’s connection to the Harry Potter series.
Can I Pause and Resume the Tour at Any Point During the Experience?
Yes, users can pause and resume the tour at any point during the experience. The tour is accessible via the VoiceMap app, allowing flexibility to explore at one’s own pace and pick up where they left off.
Sum Up
The ‘Harry Potter’s Edinburgh: A Self-Guided Audio Tour‘ offers a unique and immersive experience for fans.
With its flexible scheduling, offline access, and focus on key locations that inspired the wizarding world, this tour allows visitors to discover the magical connections between the city and J.K. Rowling’s beloved series at their own pace.
It’s a must-do for any Harry Potter enthusiast exploring the enchanting streets of Edinburgh.
More Guided Tours in Edinburgh
- Rosslyn Chapel & The Scottish Borders Private Guided Tour
- Edinburgh Outlander Self-Guided Private Tour
- Edinburgh Royal Mile (New Self Guided Tour)
- Self-Guided Edinburgh Scavenger Hunt: A Fairy Tale Capital
- Edinburgh Self-Guided Murder Mystery Tour by the Royal Mile
- Edinburgh Self-Guided Audio Tour – Its History and Secrets
More Tours in Edinburgh
- Private The Royal Edinburgh Tour
- Walk on the Pages of Edinburgh – Guided Literary Tour
- Elegant Professional Private Photoshoot Tour in Edinburgh
- Private Day Tour of Outlander Filming Locations in Scotland
- Walk on the Pages of Edinburgh – Guided Literary Tour
- Full Day Private Scotch Whisky Tour With Luxury MPV
More Tour Reviews in Edinburgh
- Luxury Private Mercedes Transfer to Edinburgh
- Private Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness Tour From Edinburgh
- Edinburgh: History & Culture – Private Walking Tour
- Glasgow to Edinburgh Luxury Car Transfer
- Private Highland Whisky, Stirling Castle and Linlithgow Palace Tour – Edinburgh
- Rob Roy,Mary Queen Of Scots,Castles,Highlands,Lochs,Trossachs,Whisky!
Not for you? Here's more things to do in Edinburgh we have recnetly reviewed
- 4 Best Dining Experiences In Edinburgh
- 20 Best 2 Day Tours In Edinburgh
- 4 Best Dinner Tours In Edinburgh
- 20 Best 3 Day Tours In Edinburgh
- 14 Best 4 Day Tours In Edinburgh
- 8 Best Full-Day Tours In Edinburgh
- 14 Best Photography Experiences In Edinburgh
- 8 Best Cruises And Boat Tours In Edinburgh
- 8 Best Lunch Experiences In Edinburgh
- 15 Best Food Tours In Edinburgh
- Scone Palace, Nature, Pitlochry, Whisky Experience From Edinburgh
- Boogie Shoes Silent Disco Walking Tours Edinburgh Fringe