If you are a Harry Potter nerd – like me – this is a post that you will like a lot! There are some places in the world for us, where we Muggles can feel the magic a LOT 🙂

I visited nearly all of the places listed here & the rest is absolutely on my  bucket list!

Hogwarts Express (Scotland)

Where is it located?

The Jacobite Steam Train has it´s home in Scotland – it operates between Fort William and Mallaig.

You can experience the “Hogwarts Express” on two different ways:

• You can watch the train heading over the Glenfinnan Viaduct…
  • I combined this trip with a drive to Mallaig as well – there are beautiful spots to enjoy on the way to Mallaig. Bonus to the train ride: You can just stop whenever you see something you like!
• …or you can take the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig and return!
  • Ticket price is 35 £ per adult and can be bought here.
  • Train ride takes 2 hours to Mallaig and you will have 2 more hours to walk around Mallaig

What´s the experience like?

Unbelievably cool! I decided to watch the train heading over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, because this part was always one of my favourite part to watch in the movies. It looks so beautiful and magic. And this is what it looks like in reality! You will actually be standing in this magical place! The landscape is gorgeous.  Furthermore the Jacobite Steam Train is always letting out some steam, when passing the Glenfinnan Viaduct – hence a great picture opportunity! 🙂

Jacobite Steam train over the Glenfinnan viaduct – or might it be the Hogwarts Express?

Hogwarts castle grounds

Where to find it?

You will have to visit Glencoe in Scotland. The film sets – for example Hagrid´s hut – are removed by now. But you are still able to dream your way through the landscape, because you will really feel like beeing in one of the movies.

What´s the experience like?

It´s beautiful and surreal at the same time. The landscape in Glencoe is very green and the climate pretty wet. Not only some Harry Potter scenes have been filmed in Glencoe, but many other movies – for example James bond etc. It´s very cool to recognize this beautiful landscapes, when you watch a movie afterwards!

Platform 9 3/4 (London)

Where is it located?

You can find this at Kings Cross Station in London! It is not where the actual platforms are, but there will be a wall (and most likely a queue, so you won´t miss it) saying 9 3/4.

What´s the experience like?

There are people working there, that will hand you the scarf of your house and then you can pose with a luggage trolley, that is just disappearing through the wall! You can run if you´re nervous 😉

On my way to the Hogwarts Express!

The Making Of Harry Potter (London)

Where to find it?

The film sets are located north-west of London in Watford. There is a shuttle bus available bringing you from Watford Junction to the studios. To get to Watford by public transportation take the London Midland train into the northern direction departing at London Euston. It is going to take you 20 minutes from London Euston to Watford Junction. You have to buy your tickets in advance here.

What´s the experience like?

Very unique! You actually get to see, where the movies have been filmed… You can hop on the Knight Bus, walk through the Great Hall and see Privet Drive, drink some butterbeer and so much more! It is so worth visiting – and only going there one time might not even be enough 😉

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (London)

Where to find it?

The theatre finds place at the Palace Theatre in London (close to the station Tottenham Court Road). You can get your tickets online here, but it is sold out until March of 2018 for now… They are releasing tickets all few months, so check their website or facebook page regullary if you would like to get tickets for the play. To get tickets you will have to queue up online on the website of one of their ticket companies and wait until it is your turn.

When I bought my tickets in August 2016 for December of 2017 I was number 30.000 in line and waited 8 hours to get my tickets 😉 I bought them while I was living in Los Angeles, so I was waiting in the night, sleeping and woken up by my alarm clock every hour or so to check if I am close to the front of the line yet… If you want to go there, you will have to do a lot of efford it seems…

What´s the experience like?

I can´t speak for myself here, but the reviews I read so far are outstanding! I am really excited to see the play in December 2018 – afterwards I will make sure to post about it 😉 You can read the theatre script, it was published as a book -I really enjoyed the story. Sure a script is nothing compared to a book. But to get a first glimpse into the storyline it is a beautiful thing to publish for all the fans, that are not able to see the theatre play (yet) 🙂

The wizarding world of Harry Potter – at Universal Studios of Orlando (USA)

Where is it located?

The wizarding world is located at Universal Studios in Orlando. Informations on the Wizarding world and its attractions can be found here.

What´s the experience like?

Very special! You can walk around Hogsmeade, see the Hogwarts Express and wander around Diagon Alley. There are a few cool rides to enjoy. For example you could ride trough the Hogwarts castle. In this ride you will be Harry Potter, were some 3-D glasses and experience a ride on the broomstick – so freaking cool!

The wizarding world of Harry Potter – at Universal Studios of Hollywood (USA)

Where is it located?

The wizarding world is located at Universal Studios in Orlando. Informations on the Wizarding world and its attractions can be found here.

What´s the experience like?

This attraction is similar to the wizarding world in Orlando. The one in Orlando was recently renovated and enlarged. As a result I would advice you to visit the wizarding world in Orlando, if you can choose. But if you are in Los Angeles and a big Harry Potter fan, you will really enjoy this! It is absolutely worth it 🙂