JK Rowling’s Edinburgh: Self-Guided GPS Walking Audio Tour

2–4 hours Free cancellation Private tour

JK Rowling’s Edinburgh: Self-Guided GPS Walking Audio Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Explore the magical streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town on a Harry Potter-themed walking tour! See the cafes where J.K. Rowling wrote, explore the castles and churches that inspired Hogwarts School, and wander the kirkyard that houses Tom Riddle’s headstone. This tour begins at Victoria Street, a colorful shopping area that inspired Diagon Alley, and leads you through the National Museum of Scotland, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and more, ending at Edinburgh Castle.

After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Historical Tours Walking Tours Nature Walks Short term availability Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 2–4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Operated by: Guide With Action

Ages: Adults (5–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
Included: Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
Included: Just bring your phone and headphones; the app guides your walk.
Included: Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
Included: Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
Included: Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
Included: Private walking tour experience for your family or group.
Included: Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
Included: Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.

Not included

Not included: No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.

Itinerary

Victoria Street

20 min

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.

Note: The tour is over 1.3 miles long, with more than 37 audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours per tour to complete.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

Your password can be used on the same number of devices as the travelers you have booked. Please enter the same password on each device.
National Library of Scotland

10 min

The library features a permanent display exhibit simply called “Treasures.” It changes all the time, but always displays some of the Library’s most impressive items, with enough rare books to keep any bibliophile entranced—even Hermione Granger.
Stop 3

10 min

The original Elephant House. This is the distinctive orange-red shopfront with gold lettering. Let’s pause in front of this cafe. 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.
Stop 4

5 min

We’re now walking onto George IV bridge, an elevated street that was completed in 1836 to connect Old Town to the growing south side of Edinburgh. Though you might be expecting a river or lake under the bridge, in fact it crossed over a much older part of the city called Cowgate.
Stop 5

10 min

Unfortunately, John died of tuberculosis in 1858 and was buried here in Greyfriars Kirkyard. Bobby then took up guard duty on John’s grave and refused to leave, even in the worst weather.
Greyfriars Kirk

5 min

There’s also some speculation that this quiet spot in the heart of the city might have been the inspiration for the Godric’s Hollow graveyard, where Harry visits his parents’ graves in Book 7. Either way, you may imagine that scene differently from now on after exploring Greyfriars Kirkyard.
Stop 7

10 min

Walk straight underneath that arch up ahead, then immediately turn right after we pass through the arch. You will see a number of low stone walls that look a bit like arms reaching out from the headstones.
George Heriot's School

10 min

Through this gate lies George Heriot’s School, one of the main inspirations for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. No, the movies were not filmed here, but it certainly does look like something out of the wizarding world.
National Museum of Scotland

10 min

We’re back outside the Kirkyard, let’s turn our attention to that huge stone building across the street, with tan-colored stones and a big round tower on one end. That’s the National Museum of Scotland.
McEwan Hall

10 min

As you walk down Lothian Street, you can see several buildings of the University on your right. Though perhaps not as ancient as Hogwarts, The University of Edinburgh has been around for quite a while - since 1581, in fact. Just ahead, on our right, you’ll see a huge round building - this is McEwan Hall. Let’s keep following the sidewalk to the next street corner, where we’ll have a better view of the hall.
Stop 11

10 min

Now, the walking route here can get a little confusing, since several streets run together. Keep walking straight down Lothian Street. Potterrow is to our right, but we’re not going that way for now. After we pass the alleyway on our left, the road forks a little. Cars go up and to the right, while pedestrians stay slightly left and head downhill.
Stop 12

10 min

On the corner to our right, you’ll see a dark green shop front with the name Black Medicine Coffee Company. Right next door is the building that used to house Nicholson’s Cafe. That was one of the cafes where Rowling wrote much of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Stop 13

Passing by

As you walk towards Edinburgh Castle at the end of High Street, you’ll feel that you’re walking gradually uphill. This is because of Edinburgh's unique topography. Around 350 million years ago, volcanoes laid down tough, igneous rock where you’re walking now.
Royal Mile

10 min

The Royal Mile, keep an eye out for local music and street performances.

For three weeks each August, these streets are magically transformed by an annual festival called Fringe Fest. Performers come to Edinburgh from all over the world to delight audiences with experimental comedy, dance, circus, music, puppetry, and more.
Edinburgh City Chambers

10 min

In 2008, Rowling was honored with the Edinburgh Award and her handprints were memorialized in concrete outside the Edinburgh City Chambers. To see the handprints, walk underneath those stone arches.
The Real Mary King's Close

Passing by

You’ll also find the entrance to the Real Mary King’s Close. If you want to explore the maze of medieval streets that still exist underneath the 18th century expansion, this is the entrance.
St Giles' Cathedral

5 min

Let’s pause here for a moment. 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.
Heart of Midlothian

5 min

The Heart of Midlothian Mosaic - can be easy to miss in the busy streets of the Royal Mile. As we pass the corner of St. Giles Cathedral, look down at the bricks on the sidewalk.
Deacon Brodie's Tavern

5 min

Brodie was an upstanding member of Edinburgh middle-class society. He was a cabinet-maker and member of the Town Council. He was an officer, or Deacon, of the Incorporation of Wrights and Masons, a bit like a craftsman’s guild.
Writers' Museum

5 min

The narrow staircase at the bottom lefthand corner of that building. Directly to the left of that staircase, we’ll see a narrow little alleyway, with a sign over it that reads Lady’s Stair Close. We’re going to walk through that alleyway. Don’t worry, it opens up quickly into a courtyard, so we won’t need a Marauder’s Map to navigate through here.
Stop 21

5 min

The church is made of dark sandstone in a neo-Gothic style that makes it look older than it is. In fact, Tolbooth Kirk has never been officially consecrated as a church by the Church of Scotland. The building was finished in 1845, which is practically brand-new by Scottish standards. Originally, it was built by the Church of Scotland to serve as a meeting place for the General Assembly. It served this purpose until 1929, when they moved to the new Assembly Hall a short distance away.
The Scotch Whisky Experience

Passing by

The Scotch Whiskey Experience is just ahead on our left. Look for a tall brown shopfront with triangular trim above the windows. Pause in front of the building once we’ve reached it.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Start at the Covenanters’ Memorial, 94 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JU, United Kingdom, with the circular stone plinth on your right along the cobblestones. Suggested start; we’re not affiliated and nearby staff won’t have tour info. Audio starts automatically—check your email or text for setup.

End point

Start at the Covenanters’ Memorial, 94 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JU, United Kingdom, with the circular stone plinth on your right along the cobblestones. Suggested start; we’re not affiliated and nearby staff won’t have tour info. Audio starts automatically—check your email or text for setup.

Using your ticket

IGNORE THE QR CODE ABOVE

The QR code CANNOT be presented for a ticket onsite.

The QR simply contains your tour access instructions. Please follow these instructions BEFORE you’re onsite because they require WiFi/signal.

1. Download my Action Tour Guide app:

actiontourguide.com/app

2. Sign in/ register with your email (this is will automatically generate a one-time verification sent to your email. That code is NOT your tour password).

3. Go to “My Tours” and select “Enter Password”. Find your password in the instructions email sent by “Action Tour Guide” to you by email and text.

4. Download your tour NOW. Do not wait until you are onsite.

BEFORE YOU START

This is a self-guided audio tour. No guide will meet you.

Entrance tickets, attraction tickets, parking, and transportation are not included.

Your tour has lifetime access with no expiry. Use it on any date—no need to change your booking date.

For walking tours, we recommend headphones.

See how it works: actiontourguide.com/tutorial

NEED HELP?

Setup: actiontourguide.com/redeem

FAQs: actiontourguide.com/faq

Call: 1-508-506-1844

Email: [email protected]

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
Private tour: Follow the route on your phone without an in-person guide or crowded group.
At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
Multi-device access: Use the same password on one device for each traveler included in your booking.
More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
Savings tips: Walking tours: couples can share a tour by using separate earbuds. We recommend using headphones or earbuds for clearer audio and to avoid disturbing nearby guests.