Summary
- The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a real-life iconic location from the films, attracting fans worldwide.
- The Great Lake offers stunning backdrops in movies and games, particularly in The Prisoner of Azkaban.
- Hogsmeade in Winter is a beautiful and charming all-wizarding village, especially during the snow-covered season.
Whether it’s the Harry Potter books, films, or games like Hogwarts Legacy, the Wizarding World is full of beautiful locations. From the rugged blissfulness of the Scottish Highlands to a mixture of classical and medieval architecture brought to life by magic, these backdrops have been captivating audiences for over two decades.
The most beautiful locations in Harry Potter are often some of the most iconic and were used in many important scenes. There are a few more niche locations, which fans perhaps wish they could have seen more of.
7
Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes
A Beacon Of Joy Amidst Brewing Darkness
At the start of The Half-Blood Prince, things look dark and grim, both metaphorically and literally. Many high-street shops in Diagon Alley have been abandoned due to Death Eater attacks and pressure. There is one beacon of hope amidst the misery, however, as Fred and George Weasley, have finally fulfilled their dream and opened a wizarding joke shop.
This store is a flurry of color, sound, and happiness, with so much going on in every corner. The designs for each product and the advertisements are also beautiful and help immerse viewers in the world.
6
The Glenfinnan Viaduct
A Beautiful Relic In Real-Life As Well As The Films
In many of the Harry Potter films, the Hogwarts Express passes over a stone bridge that has since become iconic. This real-life Harry Potter location is known as the Glenfinnan Viaduct and attracts fans from around the globe every year.
In the Chamber of Secrets film, this viaduct is the location where Ron and Harry catch up with the school train in Arthur Weasley’s Ford Anglia, and almost crash and fall out
5
The Great Lake
A Jaw Dropping Backdrop
Exterior shots of Hogwarts are some of the best in the movies and games such as Hogwarts Legacy, and many of the best are centered around the Great Lake. This is particularly true from The Prisoner of Azkaban and onwards, as the Scottish Highlands were finally shown in their full glory surrounding the lake.
One of the most magical moments in the entire series was when Harry flew across the Great Lake on the back of Buckbeak, a moment that fans can recreate by using the Hippogriff mount in Hogwarts Legacy, with the exact same music sometimes kicking in.
4
Gringotts Wizarding Bank
Stunning Gold Columns & A Shiny Marble Floor
The wonky, but loveable exterior of Gringotts Wizarding Bank fits in perfectly with the aesthetic of Harry Potter, but inside awaits an interior more beautiful still. The hall of the bank is held up by magnificent columns, almost gold in color, speaking to the vast riches secured below.
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Flanked by two neat rows of fancy desks topped with lights, and with a huge white chandelier above, Gringotts is certainly one of the more glamorous locations in Harry Potter. However, beneath the luxurious marble floor, the intimidating vaults are much darker, often built into caves.
3
The Quidditch World Cup Stadium
Impressive Architecture To Match The Magical Event
To the disappointment of book fans especially, the Quidditch World Cup final of 1994 was not properly shown in the Goblet of Fire movie. Thankfully, however, they did get to see the stadium in all its splendor. This colossal stadium looks like it could host the entirety of the global wizarding population, and boasts unique vertical stands, which are presumably only safe thanks to magic.
A huge white canopy covers part of the stadium, adding to its beauty, while gold shines throughout. The huge spotlights, balloons, and confetti all add to the scene, overlooking a perfect verdant green pitch. This stadium can also be seen in the game Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, which features a number of national teams, although unfortunately not Ireland and Bulgaria, the finalists.
2
The Great Hall
An Enchanted Ceiling, Floating Candles & Seasonal Decor
The Great Hall is easily one of the most iconic Harry Potter locations and was the backdrop of many key scenes. It also happens to be one of the most beautiful with large glass windows, four large tables adorned with food and decorations, and most importantly, the enchanted ceiling with hundreds of floating candles.
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In the mornings, owls can also add to the beauty and magic of the Great Hall, and it can also be transformed for Halloween and Christmas. In fact, it also played host to the Yule Ball in the Goblet of Fire, taking on an entirely new but equally beautiful look with ice as the main theme.
1
Hogsmeade In Winter
An Idyllic Wizarding Village Full Of Charm
Hogsmeade is the only all-wizarding village in Britain, and as such boasts a unique charm. From the cobbled streets to the old stone buildings full of magical shops of every variety, it’s no wonder that Hogwarts students look forward to the weekends they can visit. While the idyllic magical escape is beautiful at any time of year, it arguably looks best in winter with snow covering the overly steep roofs.
This is enhanced by Christmas decorations and carol singers, as was seen in the Prisoner of Azkaban film, with the Christmas scenes in Harry Potter instilling such a warm magical feeling. In addition to the exterior of Hogsmeade, every shop or inn emanates warmth and promises magic inside.
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