Alohomora: Unmissable Harry Potter Experiences Around the World

Ever dreamt of stepping into the magical universe of Harry Potter? With plenty of Harry Potter experiences to choose from, now’s your chance to turn your fantasy into reality in the wizarding world of J.K. Rowling. From immersive theme parks to authentic filming locations, you can now explore Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, Hagrid’s Hut, and beyond.

Indulge in themed cafes serving wizarding world-inspired cuisine or uncover the secrets behind the beloved film series at immersive exhibitions. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply looking for a unique adventure, there are Harry Potter experiences perfect for you. Join us as we unveil the best Harry Potter experiences featuring magical destinations and activities for Potterheads worldwide.

The Biggest Plot Holes and Inconsistences in the Harry Potter Series

Lifestyle

From Books to Screen: Harry Potter and Other Literary Favourites Adapted into Movies and TV Shows

Lifestyle

Top Harry Potter experiences in the world

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort

All three Universal Studios locations – Orlando in Florida, Universal City in California, and Osaka in Japan – are home to immersive Harry Potter-themed experiences. The most popular of the three, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, is home to huge spaces dedicated to making people feel like they have walked into Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, or even Hogwarts. Several thrilling rides, butterbeer vendors, and replicas of Florean Fortescue’s ice cream parlour, Gringotts’s Bank, Olivander’s Wand Shop, and Honeyduke make it an absolute must-visit for Potterheads.

Opening hours: 8 am to 9 pm

Tickets: Starting at USD 80 (HKD 624)

Warner Bros. Studio Tour, London

Always wanted to check out the real-life locations and sets of the Harry Potter movies? The Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London turned several sets into touring locations for Harry Potter fans. Check out the Great Hall, Platform 9¾, The Forbidden Forest, the Sorting Hat, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Diagon Alley, and Professor Sprout’s Greenhouse. Visitors can also look at original costumes from the movie, spot their favourite props, and even understand the special effects that went into making the movies.

Opening hours: 8:30 am to 10 pm

Tickets: Starting at USD 60 (HKD 468)

The Cursed Child Play, London

The Cursed Child play, based on a short story by J.K. Rowling, is one of the most popular immersive Harry Potter experiences. The story takes place 19 years after the events of the final Harry Potter film and showcases wizarding duels, flaming wands, and plenty of theatrics. Currently running in London, Hamburg, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Tokyo, and New York, the play is a great way to reconnect with the franchise.

Opening hours: 2 pm to 7 pm

Tickets: Starting at USD 64 (HKD 499)

LeakyCon

Located in Chicago, LeakyCon is a popular event that welcomes Potterheads to partake in three days of performances, discussion panels, immersive programmes, Celebrity appearances, and interactive sessions. Special autographs and photo sessions are made available for visitors. It is a great platform for like-minded people to meet and bond over their favourite literature, movies, canons, and more.

Opening hours: August 15 to 17, 2025 (timings yet to be announced)

Tickets: Prices yet to be announced

Wizards London Bus Tour

With the Wizards London Bus Tour by Brit Movie Tours, visitors can enjoy a three-hour coach ride that traverses some real-life London sites featured in the movies. Cover several London attractions on the tour, from the real Kings Cross Station and the exterior used for Gringotts to muggle landmarks like Big Ben and London Bridge.

Opening hours: 2 pm to 6 pm

Tickets: USD 27 (HKD 210.50)

Shop the best Travel experiences here

Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station, London

The King’s Cross Station celebrates the ‘Back To Hogwarts’ day on September 1 every year. On this day, visitors can catch the Hogwarts Express from the iconic fictional platform, with Hogsmeade appearing on the departure boards and the theme song playing over the PA system. But that’s not all. Expect plenty of other Harry Potter-inspired activities, performances, and pop-ups all around the station on this day.

Opening hours: NA

Tickets: NA

The Magic, Budapest

From self-stirring cauldrons and colourful potion bottles to magical artefacts and floating candles, The Magic Budapest cafe is the ultimate place for fans to indulge in delicious Harry Potter-inspired dishes. Enjoy speciality beverages, entertaining performances, and interactive exhibits for a well-rounded visit.

Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm

Tickets: NA

Phoenix Book Café – Klagenfurt, Austria

For a taste of magic, head to the Phoenix Book Cafe in Austria where wizarding memorabilia fills the shelves and delicious food fills your heart with Harry Potter nostalgia. Enjoy a mug of butterbeer, shop for merch, and don’t forget to sample a slice of Harry’s Birthday Cake.

Opening hours: 8 am to 6 pm

Tickets: NA

Harry Potter tour experiences

The Tour For Muggles by The Department of Tourism and Muggle Relations – An award-winning immersive experience that lasts two hours and takes people to some of the most iconic sites depicted in the movies and books. Discovering the magical locations from the Harry Potter books and movies was never this easy.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition – One of the most immersive Harry Potter experiences in the world is open to the public in six cities, including Madrid, Munich, New York, Boston, Macao, and Sao Paulo. Expect recreations of iconic scenes with authentic movie props and costumes to set the tone for the tour. With more than 20 galleries and interactive activities, it is a treat for all Harry Potter fans.

The Potter Trail – Another Harry Potter walking tour in Edinburgh that offers free and paid tours of locations that helped inspire and create Harry Potter‘s iconic characters, storylines, and movie scenes.

The Hogwarts Express – The West Coast Railways hosts The Hogwarts Express experience aboard their Jacobite steam train. The train journey covers parts of the West Highland line in Scotland. An equal parts thrilling and scenic journey that lets you follow in the footsteps of Harry, Hermione, and Ron! What else could a Harry Potter fan ask for?

Retail experiences: Stores with Harry Potter merchandise

Harry Potter merchandise sells like hotcakes, and several shops promise you everything from wands and robes to house scarves and more. Some of the most popular stores include:

Harry Potter New York – A gigantic multi-storied official Harry Potter flagship store, Harry Potter New York offers visitors a wide range of themed items.

Harry Potter London – Located in King’s Cross Hotel, this is the original official merchandise store for all things Harry Potter.

House of MinaLima – House of MinaLima shops and galleries are located all over the world, including New York, Seoul, Osaka, and London. MinaLima designed the graphics for all the Harry Potter movies, including the Fantastic Beasts series.

Quizzic Alley – Located in Canberra and Sydney, Quizzic Alley is a licensed provider of Harry Potter merchandise.

Mahou Dokoro – Located across several cities in Japan, Mahou Dokoro offers guests the chance to reimagine Harry Potter and other characters in anime style.

The Wands and Wizard Exploratorium by The Cauldron Co. – Another immersive experience in London for Harry Potter fans that offers not just amazing merch, but also fun activities like a magic wand experience, a potion-making class, afternoon tea, and more.

The Store of Requirement Shop & Cafe – Located in Melbourne, Australia, The Store of Requirement Shop & Cafe offers visitors a wide range of accessories, homeware, apparel, stationary, toys, collectables, and books. Those interested can also book themed rooms for private events. Their Butterscotch Brew is supposed to be a must-have for Potter fans.

Potter-themed stays

Probably every Potterhead wants to stay in Harry and Ron’s dorm room, the cupboard under the staircase, or even the Ground Keeper’s Cottage. Several accommodation options across the world cater to the whims and fancies of Potterheads, offering movie- and book-accurate dwellings. Some popular ones include:

• Ground Keeper’s Cottage in Liverton, the UK
• The Wizard’s Suite at Hotel Windsor in Melbourne, Australia
• The Wizarding Home, Orlando, Florida, the US
• The Enchanted Chamber at Cocoa Suites in York, the UK
• J.K. Rowling Suite at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland
• The Dorm Room in Liverton, North Shire, UK

(Feature image credit: Julia Pobedynska/Shutterstock)

This story first appeared Travel+leisure Asia.

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing.