Best of · GUIDED

15 Guided History Tours Worldwide Worth the Day

156 tours  ·  from $3 a head

The 15 best guided history tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and how much of it is on foot. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Pompeii: Entry Ticket and Guided Tour with an Archaeologist - Starting at the Marina Gate
Ancient History Tours, Ancient History Tours in Italy, Ancient History Tours in Pompeii, Archaeological Site Tours, Guided, History Tours, Italy History Tours, Pompeii History Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

Pompeii: Entry Ticket and Guided Tour with an Archaeologist

1.Pompeii: Entry Ticket and Guided Tour with an Archaeologist

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 19,459 reviews · 2 hours · from $35Our pick

Spend two hours in Pompeii with an archaeologist and a group of up to 20 people. Visit the Forum, House of the Faun, Lupanar, House of Menander, baths, and Macellum. Guides such as Teresa, Anna, Alfredo, and Raffaella are praised for clear stories, humor, and practical advice for exploring farther.

“We had a great tour of Pompeii. Our guide Teresa was very knowledgeable, passionate about Pompeii and also very personable. We were able to skip the long lines and she had additional suggestions if we wanted to see more of Pompeii. Wear good comfortable shoes as the paths are quite uneven. and you may have to climb up a couple of steps.”

Check availability →Read our full review

History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour - Essex Street follows an older path through Salem
Guided, History Tours, History Walking Tours, History Walking Tours in the USA, Salem History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA History Tours

History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour

2.History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14,564 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $36Top rated

Walk Salem for about two hours with guides such as Lisa, Michael, Sean, and Ryan, visiting the Witch Trials Memorial, Ropes Mansion, Witch House, and McIntire District. Expect history, ghost lore, modern witches, and an outdoor route in all weather.

“My husband and I had such a great experience during our tour! Henry was very knowledgeable and entertaining while he guided us through parts of Salem and into the past to to late 1600s all the way to the early 1990s! It was amazing to learn about the witch trials and how Salem became the city it is today! I definitely recommend bundling up and enjoying this tour for anyone wanting to learn about the history of the Salem witch trials.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided History Tour with Tickets - Meeting at the Adam Smith statue
Edinburgh History Tours, Guided, History Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, UK History Tours

Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided History Tour with Tickets

3.Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided History Tour with Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 9,933 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $49

Meet your guide beside the Adam Smith statue on the Royal Mile, then walk eight minutes to Edinburgh Castle. Guides such as Koffe, Georgia, Ben, Steph, and Ali bring royal intrigue, battles, prison tales, and castle views to life during an 80-minute tour, followed by free time.

“It was an great experience! Our tour guide Ali was very kind! Very passionate as well, he knows a lot about Edinburgh and its history. Would really recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Berlin: Third Reich & Cold War Guided Walking Tour - The Reichstag and the 1933 fire
Berlin History Tours, Cold War & Communism Tours, Germany History Tours, Guided, History Tours, History Walking Tours, History Walking Tours in Berlin, History Walking Tours in Germany, Tour Reviews, Tours, WWII & D-Day Tours, WWII and D-Day Tours in Berlin, WWII and D-Day Tours in Germany

Berlin: Third Reich & Cold War Guided Walking Tour

4.Berlin: Third Reich & Cold War Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8,378 reviews · 2 hours · from $23

Walk about 2 kilometers from Brandenburg Gate to Checkpoint Charlie while your guide connects Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, Berlin’s division, and reunification. Expect a brisk two-hour route, strong storytelling, outdoor memorials, and guides such as Maggie, Mikey, Ciaran, or Ben, depending on the departure.

“Great tour, our guide Jim was excellent. Would recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour - Rainbow Row and the South of Broad neighborhood
Charleston History Tours, Guided, History Tours, History Walking Tours, History Walking Tours in Charleston, History Walking Tours in the USA, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA History Tours

Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

5.Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

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

Start at Charleston City Hall and walk with a licensed local guide through the French Quarter, past Dock Street Theatre, Rainbow Row, and the Battery. Guides such as Evans Byrd, Al, Dennis, and Duggar are known for clear storytelling, architecture, and practical city tips. Expect flat streets, no public restroom stops, and all-weather operation.

“I thoroughly enjoyed this walking tour with our tour guide , Evans. He was highly knowledgeable, insightful, and inspirational, as he shared his stories connected with each point of interest. I now have a much greater and deeper understanding of American history and Charleston’s place in it. I highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Ghent: 50-Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Trip - Boarding near the Castle of the Counts
Belgium History Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, History Tours, Medieval History Tours, Tour Reviews

Ghent: 50-Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Trip

6.Ghent: 50-Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,637 reviews · 1 day · from $12

See Ghent’s medieval center from the water on a 50-minute boat trip with live Dutch, English, or French commentary. Guides such as Kobe, Brent, Anna, Kristi, and Tom have been praised for humor and clear storytelling. Illustrated notes are available in five more languages.

“Lots of history in 49 minutes, great view, knowledgeable guide.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Rome: Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Guided Tour - Entering the Colosseum by the arena floor
Ancient Rome & Colosseum Tours, Guided, History Tours, Italy History Tours, Rome History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Rome: Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Guided Tour

7.Rome: Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5,598 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60

Enter the Colosseum by its arena floor, then walk through Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum with a professional guide such as Paola, Francesca, Hillary, or Laura. Expect headsets, uneven ground, strict ID checks, and no access to the underground or third level.

“We had a really great time! Our tour guide- Laura Antonucci was knowledgeable and funny! It’s a good amount of walking but well worth it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Guided Tour & VR History Intro - Finding the meeting point without losing your morning
Guided, History Tours, Italy History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour & VR History Intro

8.Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour & VR History Intro

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 4,880 reviews · 45 minutes - 2 hours · from $26

Begin with a VR tour of St. Mark’s Square, then enter St. Mark’s Basilica with a guide such as Francesco, Elena, or Valentina. See its golden mosaics and marble floors, and use the pass for Torcello Cathedral and Santa Maria della Salute. Allow extra time for ticket pickup and security.

“Hard to find the office where to pick up the tickets. As it was expected because after all it’s Venice. Make sure to arrive early so you have enough time to get lost in the maze. We had a great time tho. Grazie mille!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour - The Roman Forum, ancient Rome’s public center
Ancient Rome & Colosseum Tours, Guided, History Tours, Italy History Tours, Rome History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

9.Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,526 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Enter the Colosseum through the Gladiator’s entrance, walk onto the Arena floor, then explore Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Choose a live English guide or an audio guide. Guides such as Paola, Massimo, Tanya, and Andrei have earned praise for lively, clear storytelling.

“The time you book is only the time to meet the ticket broker. Our timed entry to the colosseum was two hours and 15 minutes later. This was not explained when we looked at booking nor was it explained after we booked. We only learned of the later entry time when we picked up the tickets. There was no flexibility at all regarding entry time. As a result we could not enter the colosseum as we had to be back at the bus to go back to our ship. We had given ourselves plenty of time to see everything including the Forum and Palatine Hill if we could have entered…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Herculaneum: Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Archaeologist - Meeting at the Herculaneum ticket office
Ancient History Tours, Ancient History Tours in Italy, Ancient History Tours in Naples, Archaeological Site Tours, Guided, History Tours, Italy History Tours, Naples History Tours, Skip the Line, Tour Reviews, Tours

Herculaneum: Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Archaeologist

10.Herculaneum: Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Archaeologist

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,439 reviews · 2 hours · from $53

Meet your Askos Tours guide at Herculaneum’s ticket office for a two-hour archaeologist-led walk. Guides such as Luciano, Diego, Teresa, and Angelo bring the buried port town to life with clear explanations, visual aids, and comparisons with Pompeii. Admission and headsets are included.

“Our guide was Luciano, and he was very enthusiastic about archeology and Herculaneum. One can only wish that everyone is as passionate as he is about their job. Overall a great guide!”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Historical Park Guided Day Trip - The ride from Bangkok and the morning at Bang Pa-In
1-Day Tours, Bangkok History Tours, Guided, History Tours, Thailand History Tours, Tour Reviews

From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Historical Park Guided Day Trip

11.From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Historical Park Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,020 reviews · 9 hours - 570 minutes · from $28

Travel from Bangkok to Ayutthaya with guides such as Jack, Bonnie, TumTum, or Aoi, depending on your date. Visit Bang Pa-In Palace, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, and Wat Mahathat, with temple history, local stories, air-conditioned transport, and a small-group option.

“Mark was a great tour guide he was friendly and engaging. He also made sure to arrive 30 minutes early to ensure that the tour started on time which we really respect. Overall it was a great experience and I would highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour - Savannah’s squares, houses, and city plan
Guided, History Tours, History Walking Tours, History Walking Tours in Savannah, History Walking Tours in the USA, Savannah History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA History Tours

Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour

12.Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,918 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Walk Savannah’s Historic District with a local guide for about two hours. You’ll see squares, Forsyth Park, River Street, Factors Walk, Colonial Park Cemetery, and historic homes while hearing stories about the city, its architecture, generals, and past. Headsets help you hear clearly in groups of up to 30.

“We have been in Savannah many times before and know the city pretty well. But we had friends from out of town visiting and decided to take a walking tour so they could get the essence of the city’s history. We had an excellent, knowledgeable guide who focused on the history of Savannah with energy and humor. He chose a great sampling of sites to visit. Also, the microphones and ear pieces worked really well. That’s not always the case. It was well worth the ticket price.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour - Choosing underground access or arena-only entry
Ancient History Tours, Ancient History Tours in Italy, Ancient History Tours in Rome, Ancient Rome & Colosseum Tours, Guided, History Tours, Italy History Tours, Rome History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour

13.Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,590 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $74

Join an English-speaking guide such as Carmelo, Soloman, or Mirta for a three-hour visit to the Colosseum arena and underground, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Choose underground access or an arena-only option, use provided headsets, and finish with views over ancient Rome.

“Definitely worth booking!! With this tour you get so much history of the Roman Forum, the Coliseum inclunding the underground with a walking tour through it! It is a absolute must while visiting Rome!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Prague: Communism History and Nuclear Bunker Guided Tour - The opening walk through Prague’s communist past
Cold War & Communism Tours, Czech Republic History Tours, Guided, History Tours, Prague History Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Prague: Communism History and Nuclear Bunker Guided Tour

14.Prague: Communism History and Nuclear Bunker Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,417 reviews · 2h 30m · from $44

Walk through Prague’s communist-era landmarks with guides such as Stan, Pavel, or Ladislav, then ride public transport to a 1950s nuclear bunker 50 feet underground. Expect personal stories, Cold War artifacts, photographs, a gasmask workshop, stairs, and about 150 minutes of walking and guided history.

“It was very interesting and fast paced our guide L was very informative and passionate”

Check availability →Read our full review

Taormina: Ancient Theater Skip-the-Line Ticket & Audio Guide - Getting through the entrance without losing time
Ancient History Tours, Ancient History Tours in Italy, Audio Tours, Guided, History Tours, Italy History Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Skip the Line, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Taormina: Ancient Theater Skip-the-Line Ticket & Audio Guide

15.Taormina: Ancient Theater Skip-the-Line Ticket & Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,412 reviews · 1 day · from $28

Visit Taormina’s ancient Greek-Roman theater at your own pace with a one-day skip-the-line ticket and audio app in English, French, Spanish, or German. See the stage, arena, and views toward Mount Etna and Giardini Naxos. No live guide is included.

“Great experience definitely the skip the line and your own audio guide was a great experience. Skip all the chaos and do the tour at your own pace.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Guided

★ 4.6Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour: Vietnam War History Half-DayFrom $16189 reviews
★ 5.0Small-Group World Heritage San Antonio Missions Guided Tour237 reviews
★ 5.0WONDERS of ISTANBUL: PRIVATE Full-Day Guided City TourFrom $78295 reviews
★ 5.0ISTANBUL Full-Day PRIVATE Guided Tour: For the Top Historic SitesFrom $79199 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Private Guided Cultural Tour of Istanbul279 reviews
★ 5.0Pompeii Private Tour with an Archaeologist GuideFrom $178184 reviews
★ 5.0Discover the secrets of the Medina of Fez: guided cultural tour (private)From $5768 reviews
★ 5.0Semi-private SMALL group Historic Walking Tours w/certified guideFrom $35224 reviews
★ 5.0Private guided American D-Day Tour from Bayeux255 reviews
★ 4.9Historic Amsterdam 2-Hour Private Tour with Local Guide53 reviews
★ 4.9Historic Downtown Savannah: Guided Segway TourFrom $55276 reviews
★ 5.0Fez: Guided Walking Tour of the Historic MedinaFrom $22359 reviews
★ 4.4Fes: A Guided Walking Tour Through the Historic MedinaFrom $1597 reviews
★ 5.0Olveston Historic Home Guided TourFrom $16205 reviews
★ 4.5All Blacks Experience: Interactive Guided Cultural TourFrom $42228 reviews

Keep browsing

Audio ToursSelf-Guided ToursSkip the LineTickets
Scroll to Top

Explore by period

Pick an era, or a kind of day.

The ancient world

Ancient HistoryColosseum & ForumArchaeological SitesWorld HeritageAncient Italy

The Middle Ages

Medieval HistoryOld Town WalksDark HistoryJewish HeritageColonial History

The twentieth century

WWII & D-DayCold WarVietnam WarBattlefieldsD-Day in France

How you see it

Walking ToursPrivate GuidesSmall GroupsBy Bike & Tuk-TukFood & History