Diagon Alley Shopping Guide: If Harry Potter Were Real

A day in Diagon Alley
“Harry Potter” fans can shop in the fictional street

Confusingly similar: The small alley “The Shambles” in York, England, even offers parking spaces for brooms.

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Diagon Alley doesn’t actually exist, it only exists in the imagination of many “Harry Potter” fans who wish to visit the magical street. Fancy a fictional shopping spree? Here we go.

“Harry Potter” fans don’t have to think twice when they hear the term Diagon Alley. Young and old shop everything a magician’s heart desires in the fictitious shopping street. From magic wands to books, brooms and magical beings. Diagon Alley is the main shopping street in London for witches and wizards.

Those in the know know Diagon Alley is not open to the public. They can only be reached by magical means. Either via the Floo Network, by Apparating, or via a magically openable portal in the backyard of The Leaky Cauldron pub. There is a brick wall and only those who know the magic code can enter Diagon Alley through an ever-widening archway. How about spending a day following the footsteps of a magician and exploring Diagon Alley? This shopping guide provides an overview of possible destinations.

Confusingly similar to Diagon Alley

If you want to get a somewhat realistic impression of the fictional Diagon Alley, you should take a look at the alley “The Shambles” in York, England. The city is located in the north of the country and is characterized not only by a city wall that encircles almost the entire city and a well-known cathedral, but also by a small street that looks confusingly similar to Diagon Alley from “Harry Potter”. There are even parking spaces for brooms and shops for “Harry Potter” fans with various gadgets.

Harry Potter in Reality: The Alley "The Shambles" in York looks similar to Diagon Alley.

Harry Potter in reality: The alley “The Shambles” in York looks similar to Diagon Alley.

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Well-known shops of Diagon Alley

In Diagon Alley there are not only numerous magical creatures, but also many shops selling books, stationery, groceries, sporting goods and all imaginable wizarding supplies. Budding wizards and witches visit the winding alley for the first time and can stock up on school books and school supplies for their classes at Hogwarts. In addition, there are many other shops in Diagon Alley (shops only known from the books):

  • pharmacy
  • Eeylop’s Owl Department Store
  • Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour
  • Flourish & Blotts
  • joy and sorrow
  • gringotts
  • Madam Malkin’s suits for all occasions
  • Magic menagerie
  • Ollivanders
  • Potage’s boiler shop
  • Quality for Quidditch
  • Twill fit and tatting
  • Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes

Let’s go: Fictional shopping tour through Diagon Alley

Of course, the goods of the Zauberergasse do not exist in reality. But what there is really to buy are numerous gadgets for fans of the “Harry Potter” universe. You can find a selection here.

Quality for Quidditch

Quidditch is THE sport in the wizarding world. Hardly any other game is as fast-paced and magical as the broomstick game. It goes without saying that a stroll through Diagon Alley requires a detour to the “Quality for Quidditch” sporting goods store. You could buy one here, for example Miniature Quidditch game.

Flourish & Blotts

There is reading to be found at the Flourish & Blotts wizarding bookshop. You could take the work with you here “Quidditch Through the Ages” or alternatively the complete package with the school books “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, “Quidditch Through the Ages” and “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” in one set.

Eeylop’s Owl Department Store

Harry’s faithful companion is his owl Hedwig. The snowy owl not only delivers his mail, but is also his ally. Fans could find their own owl at the Eulenkaufhaus in Diagon Alley. Not a real one, of course, but one for it cuddly Hedwig made of plush.

Madam Malkins

Of course, the wizard and witch of the world does not always wear just a cloak or a hat. Fashion-conscious magicians can dress up for various occasions in the Madam Malkins shop. Items of clothing are certainly popular in the Ddesign of the different houses from Hogwarts.

Ollivanders

Wizards and witches cannot practice their craft without a wand. Of course, fans must pay a visit to the long-established Ollivanders wand shop and theirs wand to be selected.

Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes

Enchanted tricks and joke articles cannot be transported into reality. Consider buying some magical snacks like that though chocolate frog or the Bertie Botts beans.

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