15 History Walking Tours in Charleston to Book First

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 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.”

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2.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. See Rainbow Row, Philadelphia Alley, St. Philip’s Church, and four to six lesser-known lanes. Guides such as Dennis, Duggar, Evans, Al, and Mark bring local stories and personal insight. Buildings are viewed from outside.

“Duggar was a terrific guide. We really enjoyed his perspective and engaging story telling. We learned a lot, and saw a beautiful part of the city.”

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

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

Walk Charleston for about three hours with Dr. Eric Lager, a Ph.D. historian and Citadel professor. In a group capped at 12, you’ll connect colonial politics, architecture, religion, slavery, and the Civil War while seeing the French Quarter, St. Michael’s Church, the Old Exchange, and Fort Sumter from the Battery.

“Amazing tour (even in the rain) - Dr. Eric was incredibly knowledgeable, relatable, funny, and made the history of the city of Charleston come alive with an in-depth tour of the historic area (walled city). The small group size (12 or less) makes for an intimate tour, and he had the time while walking to speak with each person individually to discuss where they came from and his relation to that part of the country. Highly recommended for those looking to take a tour that is beyond the kitschy touristy fare offered around the town.”

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4.Charleston: Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour

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

Spend two hours walking Charleston’s old walled city with a professional English-speaking guide. You’ll see churches, colonial homes, Rainbow Row, the Old Exchange, and Waterfront Park while hearing stories from guides such as Al, Bruce, and Eric, including Charleston’s fires, epidemics, piracy, and earthquake.

“Bruce was a fantastic guide with vast knowledge and insights about Charleston.”

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

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

Walk Charleston’s historic district with a local guide such as Gordon, Diane, or Eric. Expect Rainbow Row, antebellum homes, churches, graveyards, hidden courtyards, Waterfront Battery views, Fort Sumter from afar, and included entry to the Powder Magazine Museum.

“Eric knew so much about the history of Charleston. He was very personable, funny and interesting. He answered any and all questions we had. When we go back we will definitely take this tour again with Eric.”

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6.Charleston: History and Architecture Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 349 reviews · 1h 30m · from $29

Walk about one mile through Charleston’s French Quarter and South of Broad with guides such as Jeff, Emerson, Jackson, or Paige. See three secret alleys, Rainbow Row, City Market, and historic churches, with interior visits subject to availability.

“Jeff made out tour very interesting as well as informative. We really enjoyed the way he presented the information in an entertaining way.”

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7.Charleston History and Hops Tour: Bar and History Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 316 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $31

Spend about two hours walking Charleston with guides such as Captain Bryan or Adam, tracing drinking customs from Huguenot Charleston to Prohibition-era Broad Street. Two bar stops offer time to buy drinks, while one small snack is included. Expect a small group, factual storytelling, and about 21-plus access.

“Have questions. Captain Brian was great and he has so much knowledge about Charleston he can answer any questions.”

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8.Small-Group Tour: Charleston Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Walk Charleston’s old peninsula with guides such as Al, Bruce, Eric, or Linda, visiting churches, Rainbow Row, the Battery, and the Old Slave Mart Museum. Expect local stories, architecture, Civil War history, and a small group of up to 15 people, with no interior admissions included.

“The guide did not show up. Call and SMS to the tour operator went unanswered. Five people missed their tour.”

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9.Charleston History, Homes, and Architecture Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 267 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $28

Spend two hours walking Charleston’s French Quarter and South of Broad with guides such as Dennis, Al, Evans, or Duggar. Expect churches, Rainbow Row, the Battery, architecture, local stories, and a Powder Magazine Museum ticket. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

“Dennis was fantastic - very knowledgeable, quite considerate in his layout of the walking and the planned stops for bathroom and resting, and threw in just enough humor combined with some serious topics that I found him to be magnificent as a guide and respectful when needed. Really wonderful guide!”

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10.Semi-private SMALL group Historic Walking Tours w/certified guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 224 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $35

Spend about two hours walking Charleston with a certified guide such as Steve Bailey, Kay, Kate, or Russ. Expect a small English-language group, old homes and churches, the Four Corners of Law, the Charleston Battery, and plenty of time for questions. The route ends near Dock Street Theatre.

“Steve’s tour of Old Charleston was the highlight of our stay. He’s a “binyah,” and his lifelong knowledge of the area came out through his detailed stories as we visited many fascinating sites around the city. He also seems to know everyone, and lots of people we ran into clearly know him, too. Highly recommended!”

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11.Historic Women of Charleston Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 176 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $40

Join Jonathan Green at Bitty & Beau’s Coffee for a two-hour walk through Charleston’s historic core. Hear the stories of women who shaped the city, from St. Philip’s Church to Rainbow Row, while learning about architecture, slavery, and Charleston’s complicated past.

“Jonathan Green is the best tour guide I've experienced in the 22 years I've been coming to Charleston. I have been on dozens of historic Charleston tours and Jonathan is the most knowledgeable and accurate. None of the myths and fables told by other tour guides. He presents stories and facts in an entertaining way about the historic women who left their mark on Charleston. You won't regret taking this tour. You will recommend it to friends. Go. Learn. Walk Charleston with the best, Jonathan Green.”

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12.Charleston walking tour with a Citadel history professor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · 3 hours · from $40

Join Eric Lager, a Citadel history professor with nearly 20 years in teaching and public history, for a three-hour Charleston walk limited to 12 people. Expect colonial stories, architecture, graveyards, old alleys, churches, Washington Park, and the Four Corners of Law.

“Our guide Eric was very knowledgeable and friendly . He knew the local history well and delivered it in an interesting manner. We would highly recommend the tour by Eric.”

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13.Charleston: Walking History and Bar Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 2 hours · from $31

Spend two hours walking Charleston’s French Quarter with Captain Bryan or another licensed guide, stopping at two historic bars for local drinks and a small snack. Hear stories of piracy, Prohibition, hidden alleys, the original theater, and Charleston’s long drinking culture in a group limited to 10.

“Captain Bryan is a local, knowledgeable, and engaging tour guide. We would highly recommend any tour with him!”

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14.Charleston History and Architecture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · from $27

Spend about two hours walking Charleston’s historic center with guides such as Emerson or Paige. See the Pineapple Fountain, Rainbow Row, the Unitarian Church, Twenty-one Magazine, the Old Exchange, and Philadelphia Alley while learning how architecture, culture, and local stories shaped the city.

“Paige was an amazing tour guide. Enthusiastic, knowledgeable and fun. Totally worth the time and money to appreciate this unique and beautiful city!!”

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15.Small Group Historic Charleston walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $47

Walk Charleston’s historic core with longtime resident Mike Frederick in a small group of up to 10. See White Point Garden, the Battery, Rainbow Row, Tradd Street, Catfish Row, and grand homes while shaping the talk around Charleston’s Civil War past or slavery.

“Mike was such an interesting tour guide!!! He knew all of the history and details about the historic district. The walking tour was well paced. Mike really personalized our experience and answered all of our questions. He even gave us wonderful recommendations for restaurants. Highly recommend his tour!”

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