If you’re like me, and you’re still waiting for your Hogwarts acceptance letter, take a look at these epic locations and experiences on our Harry Potter travel bucket list. They’ll make any muggle feel the magic of the wizarding world.
Whether you’re the biggest Potterhead or just enjoy traveling, this list is filled with beautiful locations that are just plain fun to visit.
Naturally, you’ll find quite a few of the locations are in England, but we’ve taken the bucket list global. So, hop on your broomsticks and explore these fascinating places!
Tick these 12 locations off your Harry Potter travel bucket list!
#1 Go shopping at Leadenhall Market
Feel like you’re shopping for Hogwarts supplies in Diagon Alley! Leadenhall Market was built in 1881 and was the inspiration for the bustling shops on Diagon Alley.
Not only is it one of the coolest Harry Potter travel bucket list destination for fans to visit, but it’s also a gorgeous Victorian market that’s architecture and opulent roof are worth the visit in their own right.
#2 Take a Quidditch lesson at Alnwick Castle
You might recognize this location from Madame Hooch’s broomstick flying lesson. Or, the courtyards and baileys where Harry and Ron crash-landed the Weasley’s flying car.
Alnwick Castle is home to some very memorable moments in the 1st and 2nd movies. They’ve fully embraced the Potter fandom and offer sessions for broomstick training, and it comes free with your entry ticket!
#3 All aboard The Jacobite aka The Hogwarts Express
No Harry Potter travel bucket list would be complete without The Jacobite steam train, aka The Hogwarts Express. The train runs from Fort William in Scotland to Mallaig on the West Coast.
The train trip offers stunning views of Scotland’s rolling countryside, and you cross over the very same bridge that the beloved characters cross on their way to Hogwarts.
On the minus side, the trolley cart only has muggle snacks. There are no chocolate frogs or Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans.
You can book tickets for the morning service or the afternoon service for any day of the week!
#4 Take a picture at Platform 9 ¾ during your Harry Potter travel bucket list tour
How do you get to Hogwarts? Through the brick wall between platforms 9 and 10, of course! Fortunately for us, the station owners of King’s Cross Station have set up a luggage trolley that looks as if it’s going through the wall… or is it magic? It’s a great spot for a Harry Potter themed photo!
You’ll also find the Harry Potter Shop here, so if you’re needing a Hogwarts school jumper, a full set of robes or even a couple of Horcruxes, stop by the shop that’s styled to resemble Ollivander’s wand emporium.
There’s even a Gryffindor-colored scarf you could wear to take a picture!
And if you’re needing a little caffeine boost along the way, take a coffee break at one of these top coffee spots in London.
#5 Explore the sets at London’s Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Discover the magic of filmmaking as you follow in Harry Potter’s footsteps and explore the wonders of the wizarding world.
On the tour, you’ll explore the sound stages and back lots with the original sets, animatronic creations, and special effects that were used in the actual movies. Step into the Great Hall, the Forbidden Forest, and Diagon Alley.
There’s also a massive collection of authentic props and original costumes. If you’re a huge Harry Potter geek, this tour is worth every pound! End your tour with a delicious Butterbeer – which is also worth every calorie!
#6 Walk across Millennium Bridge
The darkness of He Who Must Not Be Named starts seeping into the muggle world at Millennium Bridge. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the bridge is destroyed by Death Eaters. Fortunately, it turns out that this was actually just brilliant special effects, and you can in fact still explore the area.
While crossing the bridge, you’ll see stunning views of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the River Thames.
If you’ve explored all of London and are looking for a quick getaway, there are some awesome weekend trips from London that are easy to reach.
#7 Become a kid again at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Universal Studios’ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is one of the funniest Harry Potter experiences! Here you can go on pulse-pounding rides, explore Hogwarts castle, and visit the shops of Hogsmeade.
No matter your age, you’ll feel like a kid again, full of wonder!
#8 Sip on some coffee at The Elephant House
Also known as the ‘Birthplace of Harry Potter’, The Elephant House is the coffee shop where it all began. J.K. Rowling wrote part of the first and second books here while looking out at Edinburgh’s gothic architecture.
The coffee shop has a unique and quirky feel to it with its elephant-based decor. If you go to the bathroom, you’ll see that fans of the series have left heartfelt messages that cover the walls completely.
#9 Browse the books at Livraria Lello
This is a unique addition to the Harry Potter travel bucket list. Livraria Lello is a bookshop in Porto that’s truly so magical, it looks like Harry Potter set designers made it from scratch.
It opened in 1906, and many say it was a direct inspiration for J.K. Rowling and her Harry Potter books as she lived in Porto during the early 90s and was a frequent customer.
#10 Attend the College of Wizardry
College of Wizardry is the largest immersive magic school in the world! Here, you can attend magic lessons with real-life professors while staying overnight in a real castle.
Some real actors make the experience very immersive. Although the ticket price is a bit pricey, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
#11 Watch the Cursed Child in London’s West End
Let’s end the list with a show! Although Harry Potter and The Cursed Child is technically set some years after the end of the last book, it still makes the list as it’s written by J.K. Rowling and set in the iconic wizarding world.
Hit up London’s West End for this two-part play all about Albus, Harry’s son, and his adventures with his best friend Scorpius, Malfoy’s son.
The production is also currently showing in New York, Melbourne, San Francisco, Hamburg, Toronto, and Tokyo!
Ready to go visit these 11 Harry Potter travel bucket list destinations?
Or perhaps you’ve visited some already? Let us know in the comments!
If this list has inspired you to visit all the places you’ve seen in movies, take a look at these famous film locations.
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