Charleston

15 Best Charleston History Tours

The history tours: three centuries of architecture, rebellion and Lowcountry life, including the Black Charleston routes that complete the record. The city’s beauty and its history require each other.

1.Charlestons Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

Explore Charleston’s historic streets on a 1-hour horse-drawn carriage tour led by knowledgeable guides and stunning draft horses, perfect for history lovers and first-timers.

Most Popular★ 5.0

“This tour is definitely something worth doing. What an amazing tour! You get so much history and see so many beautiful sights. Our tour guide Wendy was amazing and Arthur was so well behaved. They both, as well as the driver, made the tour so…”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

2.Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

Discover Charleston’s historic charm on this guided walking tour. Visit landmarks like Rainbow Row, White Point Garden, and learn from expert guides.

★ 5.0

“We had a wonderful experience on our Viator tour with Evans Byrd as our guide. The tour was very informative and featured a moderate amount of walking, which made it enjoyable without being overwhelming. Evans was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Charleston and brought…”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

3.Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

Discover Charleston's charm on a 1-hour horse-drawn carriage tour featuring historic landmarks, stunning architecture, and lively stories from expert guides.

★ 5.0

“They were friendly and accommodating for everyone. Our guide was full of knowledge of all the local history. Very up beat and you could tell he loved his job.”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

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

Discover Charleston’s hidden alleys, historic sites, and iconic landmarks with an engaging small-group walking tour—perfect for history lovers and curious travelers.

★ 5.0

“Our tour guide was a wealth of knowledge. As a lifelong Charlestonian, he gave a great overview of the city’s history from its founding as a colony all the way up to present day.”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

6.Charleston: Daytime or Sunset Historic Harbor Cruise

Discover Charleston’s history and scenic harbor views on a 1.5-hour daytime or sunset cruise aboard a vintage-style boat, with insightful narration and wildlife sightings.

★ 4.5

“We took the 4 pm boat ride and it was excellent for the group of eight people we were with and it was a nice beginning to our evening and pre-dinner plans. The Captain gave us an overview of the harbour, and the historic sites…”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

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

Discover Charleston’s history on this 3-hour walking tour led by a Ph.D. historian. See iconic sites, learn fascinating stories, and enjoy an intimate experience for just $40.

★ 5.0

“Eric was probably the most knowledgeable guide we have ever had. Along with that he was entertaining also, while explaining the history of Charleston”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

9.Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class

Discover Charleston’s history and flavors on this half-day tour with a local chef—walk, learn, cook, and dine in an authentic Lowcountry experience.

★ 5.0

“Forest made the best of a rainy start to our walking tour! We really loved the stories and enthusiasm with which he shares the rich cultural history of Charleston. The highlight to our day was the foodie extravaganza he prepared for us! Can’t say enough…”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

10.Charleston: Historic City Highlights Guided Bus Tour

Discover Charleston’s top sights on a 1.5-hour guided bus tour, featuring historic landmarks, stories, and scenic views—all at an affordable price.

★ 4.6

“We enjoyed this tour. We were able to see quite a bit and learned a lot! Our timing was off because of time zones changes so we showed up 2 hours later than our actual time but the tour company made it a non issue…”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

11.Charleston: Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour

Explore Charleston’s historic walls and charming streets on a 2-hour guided walking tour led by passionate local guides. Discover stories, architecture, and surprises.

★ 4.7

“Al was a wonderful tour guide. You could see he is very enthusiastic about the history of Charleston. He was very knowledgeable as well as entertaining.”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

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

Discover Charleston's charm on a 2-hour guided walking tour covering Rainbow Row, historic churches, waterfront, and antebellum mansions for just $40.50.

★ 5.0

“Our tour guide, Diane, was amazing! She was a wealth of information and very amusing She shared many wonderful stories that really brought historic Charleston to life. We can highly recommend this tour!”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

13.Charleston Horse & Carriage Historic Sightseeing Tour

Discover Charleston's historic charm on a 1-hour horse-drawn carriage tour. Enjoy expert guides, stunning sights, and authentic stories of the Holy City.

★ 4.5

“They were very flexible and fixed my accident of booking a tour on that day at 850pm. I went to their office and they were happy to help and fix the issue. The supervisor in the lobby was very nice and gave us some good…”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

15.Charleston History Tour /

Discover Charleston’s charm with this 2-hour walking tour featuring historic sites, architecture, and hidden gems, led by passionate guides for an authentic experience.

★ 5.0

“Excellent tour! Our guide, Joyce, was very knowledgeable and interesting- she covered history and development of the city, military related facts, architectural points, and cultural highlights. She was enthusiastic and pleasant; and it was like strolling through the streets of Charleston with a friend showing…”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

More Charleston History Tours

4.8Charleston: History and Architecture Guided Walking Tour1.5 hours$29 5.0Sip History in The Sun Cabana Covered Cocktail Class2 hours (approx.)$97.00 5.0Charleston History and Hops Tour: Bar and History Walk2 hours (approx.)$31.50 4.5Small-Group Tour: Charleston Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour2 hours (approx.)$28.50 5.0Charleston Dark History & Ghost Tour with Adam1 hour 20 minutes (approx.)$25.00 4.5Small Group Haunted History Walking Tour of Charleston1 hour 10 minutes (approx.)$32.00 5.0Charleston History, Homes, and Architecture Guided Walking Tour2 hours (approx.)$28.00 4.5Charleston: Historic City Tour and Harbor Cruise4 hours$71 5.0SMALL group Historic Walking Tours with certified guides2 hours (approx.)$35.00 4.4Charleston: Historic City Tour & Magnolia Plantation Combo6 hours$110 5.0Historic Women of Charleston Guided Walking Tour2 hours (approx.)$40.00 4.5Charleston: Historic City and Southern Mansion Combo Tour2 hours$45 5.0Charleston’s Best History Walking Tour – 10 AM2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)$45.00 5.0Private Photo Session in Historic Charleston1 to 2 hours (approx.)$125.00 5.0Charleston walking tour with a Citadel history professor3 hours$40 5.0Private Historic Horse & Carriage Tour of Charleston50 minutes (approx.)$300.00 4.6Charleston: Boone Hall & Historic City Tour Combo4.5 hours$87 5.0Charleston History Tour – Small Groups Only – History & Alleyways2 hours (approx.)$28.00 5.0Private Sailing, Dolphin and History Tour on Mystique2 hours (approx.)$575.00 4.7Charleston: Historic Downtown Food Tour2.5 hours$111 5.0Charleston: A Walk Through Charleston History2 hours (approx.)$16.70 5.0Charleston: Walking History and Bar Tour2 hours$31 5.0Small Group Historic Charleston walking Tour1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)$47.00 4.8Charleston: Guided History Walking Tour2.5 hours$45