9 Must-Visit Places for the Ultimate Harry Potter Experience Worldwide
Embark on a magical journey to 9 must-visit Harry Potter locations! Ride the Hogwarts Express, explore Diagon Alley, and experience the Wizarding World firsthand.
1. Wander Over the Warner Bros. Studio Tour's Real Sets Location: Leavesden, England This is as near as you can come to entering the movies. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour lets you visit the original sets featured in the films, from the Great Hall to Dumbledore's office. See Hagrid's hut, meander through Diagon Alley, and peep inside the Gryffindor common room. Without perfecting a few wand motions and consuming Butterbeer, no trip would be complete. (Representative Image: Canva)
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2. Enter the Wizarding World Housed at Universal Studios Location: Orlando, Florida From the smallest details, Universal Orlando has painstakingly rebuilt Harry Potter's world. Wander about Hogsmeade, stop at Honeydukes, and eat at The Three Broomsticks. The thrill rides—Fly Through Hogwarts on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or dash across the Forbidden Forest on Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure—are equally as immersive as the books. An amazing experience right out of the movies is boarding the Hogwarts Express and seeing the countryside change through the window. (Image: canva)
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3. Learn Flying at Alnwick Castle Location: Northumberland, England This is your opportunity if you have ever fancied trying broomstick flying. Young witches and wizards had their first flying lessons at Alnwick Castle, which housed Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Visitors can engage in broomstick training today, tour the medieval castle grounds, and picture swooping over the Forbidden Forest. (Image: canva)
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4. See the Café Where Harry Potter Was Born Location: The Elephant House, Edinburgh, Scotland Sitting in this little Edinburgh café and staring out at the gothic skyline of the city, J.K. Rowling penned most of the first Harry Potter book. Inspired by Edinburgh's medieval streets, it makes sense that sites like Hogwarts and Diagon Alley seem so real. Get a cup of coffee, choose a quiet area, and let the magic start to sink in. (Image: Elephant House)
5. Ride the Real Hogwarts Express from Fort William to Mallaig Location: Scotland Traveling across the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct—the same railway bridge the Hogwarts Express passes in the movies—the Jacobite Steam Train carries people over the magnificent Scottish Highlands. The trip is just as enchanted as the destination, with rolling green vistas, misty mountains, and glistening lochs. (Image: Canva)
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6. Stroll Down the Real Diagon Alley Location: London, England Diagon Alley was inspired by the covered passageways and energetic stores of Leadenhall Market for the first Harry Potter movie. It's easy to imagine wizards looking for spellbooks and cauldrons while strolling across its cobblestone lanes. Filmed at a market optician's shop, the Leaky Cauldron is where Harry first visited the wizarding world. (Image: Canva)
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7. Eat in the Hall That Inspired Hogwarts Location: Christ Church College, Oxford, England Inspired by Christ Church College's great dining hall, the Great Hall of Hogwarts features exquisite staircases that show up in many scenes in the movies. With its centuries-old customs, soaring bookshelves, and amazing architecture, visiting the college feels like entering a real-life Hogwarts. (Image: Christ Church Oxford)
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8. Explore the Enchanting Behind-the-Scenes Work at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo Location: Tokyo, Japan This newly launched studio tour in Tokyo provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Harry Potter film production. With real sets, props, and interactive exhibits, guests can learn about special effects, tour detailed replicas of Hogwarts, and even witness how the enchantment of Quidditch was realized. (Image: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo)
9. See the Reptile House Where It All Started Location: London Zoo, England Early in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, young Harry discovers he can communicate with snakes housed within the London Zoo's Reptile House. You may still visit the identical enclosure where this famous scene was shot, even if you might not hear a python murmur back. (Image: London Zoo)
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From grand amusement parks to historic castles, these sites let visitors experience the magic of Harry Potter beyond the pages and screens. Every location—from boarding the Hogwarts Express to exploring Diagon Alley to stepping onto a real movie set—brings the Wizarding World to life in its own unique way. These nine amazing sites should be at the top of your travel bucket list if you have ever wanted to follow in Harry’s footsteps. Where will your magical journey begin? (Image: Canva)
Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytelling—both visual and textual—across travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences.
