The 15 Walking Tours in Charleston That Earn Their Price

1.Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,216 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30Our pick

Start at Charleston City Hall and walk through the Four Corners of Law, French Quarter, Rainbow Row, and South of Broad. Guides such as Al, Duggar, Dennis, and Evans bring local history, architecture, and difficult stories to life. Bring water, wear good shoes, and expect a group of up to 20.

“Pleasant walk with very knowledgable guide. Really enjoyed it. Never really knew all of the history. Home run.”

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2.Ghosts of Charleston Night-Time Walking Tour with Unitarian Church Graveyard

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,835 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Walk Charleston’s historic center after dark with guides such as Simon, Jerry, Liz, or Jake, then enter the 1772 Unitarian Church Graveyard after hours. Expect local history, supernatural tales, harbor views, and uneven paths. Choose the full 90-minute tour or a shorter graveyard-only visit.

“The tour guide was extremely informative and knowledgable about events that took place around the city. Our guide had the ability of telling the stories in an exiting way that captivated our group.”

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3.Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,335 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $34

Walk Charleston’s South of Broad and French Quarter districts with a licensed local guide. You’ll see four to six alleys, Rainbow Row, Philadelphia Alley, St. Philip’s Church, and the Old Exchange, with guides such as Dennis, Duggar, Evans, and Al sharing local stories.

“Evans was an amazing historian and horticulturist! Our 2 hour tour was so informative and a great way to learn the history of Charleston… as well as see historic downtown! Worth every dollar!”

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4.Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,206 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Walk Charleston’s French Quarter and South of Broad with guides such as Bill Harris or Vanna. Over two hours, you’ll see Rainbow Row, the Old Slave Mart, historic churches, and the Old Exchange while hearing candid stories about the city’s past.

“A fantastic fully engaged guide offering a grand historical perspective based on the groups understanding and goals. We fully felt like we left with a full understanding of the history, culture, and modern preservation of the city.”

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5.Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,569 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Follow a costumed pirate guide through Charleston for about 2.5 hours, stopping near the Powder Magazine, City Market, church graveyards, and Four Corners of Law. You will hear local ghost tales, visit historic bars, and buy your own drinks. Guides such as Vanna, Jo, Blakely, and Brandon bring different styles.

“We had so much fun,,,,, Jo was so Amazing she knew all the best stories and it was very entertaining. We also met some great people in our group. I’m glad we went , had some drinks and leaned some history. 🏴‍☠️”

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6.Charleston’s Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,345 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $29Best value

Walk Charleston at night with Mike Brown, host of the Pleasing Terrors Podcast. Over 90 minutes, hear eerie accounts tied to Poogan’s Porch, the Charleston Library Society, Philadelphia Alley, and a historic downtown church, with photos and local lore along the way.

“Mike Brown was very knowledgeable about the history of Charleston and it was the perfect mix of spooky and interesting!”

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7.Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,284 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $40

Walk Charleston with Citadel professor Eric Lager, Ph.D., in a group capped at 12. Over about three hours, you’ll connect churches, theaters, civic buildings, the French Quarter, and Civil War sites while asking questions along the way.

“This tour was very enjoyable and educational! Dr. Lager is incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. He also has a great sense of humor. Don’t miss out on the best walking tour of this charming historical town.”

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8.Charleston Ghost & Graveyard Night-Time Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,100 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40

Walk Charleston’s Historic District after dark with a licensed Bulldog Tours guide. Hear stories of ghosts, voodoo, dueling, and premature burial, then enter the Circular Congregational Church graveyard after hours. Guides such as Sarah, Drew, Jim, and Darian bring different styles to this small-group tour.

“This experience with all the tours through the city was fun and exciting to walk through and the ocean was beautiful to swim and relax at . Plus the hotel was very nice.”

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9.Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 881 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $110

Spend about 2.5 hours walking from Anson Street through the City Market and French Quarter, stopping for generous tastes of Charleston staples. Guides such as Diane, Fran, Jade, Faith, and Jack pair food with local stories. Expect a small group of up to 12, plenty of food, and roughly a mile on foot.

“We took this tour with Diane Rice who was a unbelievable guide, full of great information and fun facts about the origin of the food we were eating as well as the streets of Charleston. We had a great smattering of various foods hitting 4 locations where we had hand pies, a spice tasting, Shrimp and Grits, Hush Puppies, She-Crab Soup, Pimento Cheese, Pork Sliders, and Collard Greens!”

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10.Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 705 reviews · 2 hours · from $30

Spend two hours walking Charleston’s old walled city with an English-speaking guide, often a longtime local such as Al, Bruce, Eric, or Alfie. See churches, colonial homes, Rainbow Row, the Old Exchange, Waterfront Park, and the Dock Street Theatre while hearing vivid stories about war, piracy, disasters, and daily life.

“The tour was amazing! A lot of interesting stories and facts. Thank you!”

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11.Historic Charleston Walking Tour: Rainbow Row, Churches, and More

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 691 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $40

Walk Charleston’s old district with guides such as Gordon, Diane, Eric, or David, seeing Rainbow Row, the Waterfront Battery, churches, graveyards, mansions, gardens, and Fort Sumter from afar. The tour includes Powder Magazine admission, runs morning or afternoon, and caps groups at 20.

“Historical accounts of Charleston were very interesting. Tour guide was very thorough. She also took into account the heat and try to stop in the shade while she talked. Great tour of Historical Charleston.”

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12.Charleston Haunted Jail Night-Time Walking Tour with Admission to Old City Jail

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 570 reviews · from $40

Enter Charleston’s Old City Jail for a 45-minute night tour led by guides such as Sarah or Jerry. You’ll hear tales of pirates, notorious prisoners, and the alleged ghosts of hotel owners Lavinia and John Fisher while exploring cells, corridors, and death sites.

“It was a great tour, not as scary as some people at told us! History is pretty gross, so this experience was a nice cleaned up historical experience!”

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13.Charleston Ghost & Dungeon Night-Time Walking Tour with Entry to Provost Dungeon

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 479 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40

Walk Charleston’s cobbled streets with Bulldog Tours and enter the pre-Revolutionary Provost Dungeon for about 20 minutes. Guides such as Mo, Jack, Zoe, and Kevin bring local legends, voodoo tales, and Lowcountry superstition to life. Expect a leisurely but substantial walk, a small group, and history mixed with spooky storytelling.

“Had a great time with our guide Zoe walked around the city and saw places we may not have seen and learned things about the people and the city”

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14.Charleston Ghosts of Liberty Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 473 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Walk Charleston’s historic streets with guides such as Michael, Dawson, Scott, and Veronica, hearing ghost stories alongside lesser-known history. The 90-minute English tour visits the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, uses photos to support some tales, and suits families, couples, and curious first-time visitors.

“Great stories told by a great tour guide, informative , interesting , exciting and memorable tour. Great activity when visiting Charleston.”

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15.Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 412 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $39

Walk Charleston with author, historian, educator, and licensed guide Damon Fordham. Over two hours, hear overlooked Black stories tied to City Market, Jehu Jones Hotel, Catfish Row, Mother Emanuel, Waterfront Park, and the Old Slave Mart Museum.

“Mr. Fordha is knowledgable, engaging, and a true historian. He is a storyteller and musician. You will get both on this tour - inspiration and music. This is a not to miss tour of your Charleston stay to appreciate and understand this city and state's history.”

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