History tours · HISTORY WALKING TOURS

The 15 Best History Walking Tours in the World

316 tours  ·  from $3 a head

Old quarters are built for feet and hostile to everything else. These 15 walks cover the cities where the street plan is the exhibit, priced by length, with a note on the ones that involve real hills.

History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour - Essex Street follows an older Salem route
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History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour

1.History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour

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

Walk Salem with local guides such as Lisa, Michael, Sean, and Diane, hearing the facts behind the 1692 witch trials, ghost stories, architecture, and modern witchcraft. The route reaches the Witch Trials Memorial, Ropes Mansion, McIntire Historic District, Witch House, and more. Choose a daytime or lantern-lit departure, but expect to walk outdoors in all weather.

“Tour guide was great and very knowledgeable. She was very interactive and enthusiastic. Very happy I booked”

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Lisbon: History, Stories and Lifestyle Walking Tour - Bairro Alto and the city after the earthquake
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Lisbon: History, Stories and Lifestyle Walking Tour

2.History, Stories and Lifestyle Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 10,902 reviews · 3 hours · from $29

Spend three hours with a local guide such as Paulo, Ricardo, Beatrice, or Anna, walking from Bairro Alto through Baixa and Alfama. You’ll see churches, ruins, viewpoints, and the Santa Justa elevator, then ride an iconic tram and stop for coffee and cake. Expect hills, steps, history, humor, and a useful first look at Lisbon.

“Lisbon: History, Stories and Lifestyle Walking Tour What an amazing way to learn about the city of Lisbon. We had a knowledgeable guide, Paulo, who was entertaining yet full of information about the spots that we covered in this tour. The tram ride and his recommendation for an authentic experience of Pastel de nata was highly appreciated!”

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Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour - Starting at Boston Common and the State House
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Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour

3.Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,450 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Spend about 2.5 hours walking Boston’s full Freedom Trail with a historian guide. You’ll visit all 16 official landmarks, hear how events from 1760 to 1775 led to revolution, and finish near the North End. Guides such as Jon, Maura, Mark, and Alejandro are known for lively storytelling and thoughtful questions. Buildings are viewed from outside.

“Lots of walking but you learn so much and cut through the heart of historic Boston! Our guide Will was extremely knowledgeable and passionate on the subject!”

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Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour - Begin at the Four Corners of Law
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Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

4.Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

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

Meet your licensed local guide at Charleston City Hall for a two-hour walk through the Four Corners of Law, French Quarter, Rainbow Row, and South of Broad. Guides such as Al, Evans, Dennis, and Duggar are known for lively storytelling, architecture, and local tips. Expect flat streets, outdoor stops, and weather exposure.

“Very interesting tour of the historic district. Duggar, our guide, was very knowledgeable, interesting and fun. I would highly recommend this tour as an introduction to Charleston.”

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Barcelona: Tapas Walking Tour with Food, Wine, and History - What you drink, and how much
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Barcelona: Tapas Walking Tour with Food, Wine, and History

5.Tapas Walking Tour with Food, Wine, and History

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,261 reviews · 3 hours · from $78

Meet your English-speaking guide at Travel Bar near Las Ramblas, then walk through the Gothic Quarter for tapas, wine, vermouth, sangria, and Barcelona history. The route changes with the season. Guides such as Andrew, Santiago, Ewan, and Juan Carlos bring plenty of humor, while the food usually leaves you full.

“Santiago was a really good tour guide and fun to be with. I cannot remember when I laughed as much as on that tour! I definitely recommend this tour! It was an interesting and delicious experience.”

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Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour - Following the candle through historic Savannah
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Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour

6.Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,235 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Walk Savannah’s historic center for about 90 minutes with guides such as Dan, Kel, or Kendra, hearing factual history, ghost lore, murders, executions, and local legends by candlelight. This is a story-led tour, not a jump-scare show, and it ends at Colonial Park Cemetery.

“A very nice walking tour, with several points of interest. It was indeed about an hour and a half. Our guide was very fun and very happy to answer questions, especially about hauntings at the hotels each guest was staying at. Would do again!”

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Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour - Historic homes and stories from the war years
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Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour

7.Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour

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

Walk Savannah’s Historic District with a local guide such as Pierce, Champ, Mike, or Savannah. Over about two hours, you’ll visit historic squares, homes, Factors Walk, River Street, Forsyth Park, and other landmarks while learning how Savannah grew. Headsets help you hear clearly in groups of up to 30.

“Very informative and cleverly-delivered tour by Pierce. Reasonable walking distance. Highly recommend!”

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A History of Terror - Belfast City Centre Walking Tour - Donegall Place and the city behind the shop windows
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A History of Terror – Belfast City Centre Walking Tour

8.A History of Terror – Belfast City Centre Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,883 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Walk 1.5 miles through central Belfast with guides such as James, Mylie, Anne, and Róisín, learning how The Troubles began, affected daily life, and led toward peace. The route includes City Hall, the Cathedral Quarter, former attack sites, and the Beacon of Hope. Headsets help you follow the commentary in a group of up to 25.

“Fabulous tour with a great overview of the history and Troubles of Belfast. James was a brilliant guide with an in-depth knowledge and genuine passion for his job. Would 100% recommend.”

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New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour - Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 from outside the gates
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New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour

9.New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,879 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $35

Walk New Orleans’ Garden District with a local guide such as Caroline, Angie, or Sean. In about two hours, you’ll hear stories of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 from outside its gates, study antebellum homes and film locations, and get tips for food, music, and drinks. Groups are capped at 15.

“Not a ton of walking, but very informative. Learn and hear about a dozen homes and the different style of architecture. Also lots of other history about the Garden District.”

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Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen - The walk begins near the Panjim Post Office
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Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen

10.Fontainhas Heritage Walk by Make It Happen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,834 reviews · from $12

Walk Panaji’s Fontainhas with guides such as Hinaz, Alita, Shreeya, or Trancy, learning about Portuguese-era homes, Goan traditions, and local life. The roughly 2.5-hour outing includes heritage-building entry, bakery treats, a non-alcoholic drink, and live music from a Goan performer. It begins and ends near the Panjim Post Office.

“Hinaz is an amazing story teller. We learned so much unexpected stuff , a wonderful walking tour full of nice surprises. Really enhanced our day in Panaji”

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French Quarter Historical Sights and Stories Walking Tour - The French Quarter: reading the oldest neighborhood
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French Quarter Historical Sights and Stories Walking Tour

11.French Quarter Historical Sights and Stories Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,724 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $35

Walk the French Quarter with a professional English-speaking guide from Lucky Bean Tours. In about two hours, you’ll visit the French Market, St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, Royal Street, and the Mississippi River. Guides such as Scott, Tim, Libby, Renee, Lesley, and Yvonne are known for lively stories, local advice, and plenty of time for questions.

“Lovely guide, very amenable - pleasant walk in French quarter. Was flexible as was new years and had to reroute around parade”

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Cartagena: Historic Center and Getsemaní Shared Walking Tour - Starting at Plaza Cervantes and the Clock Tower
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Cartagena: Historic Center and Getsemaní Shared Walking Tour

12.Cartagena: Historic Center and Getsemaní Shared Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,716 reviews · 2h 30m · from $12

Walk from Plaza Cervantes through Cartagena’s Walled City and Getsemaní with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Expect stories of conquest, slavery, independence, San Pedro Claver, pirates, Gabriel García Márquez, salsa, and champeta. Guides such as Dani, Legacy, Robert, Álvaro David, and Ingrid also share food tips and local customs. The $12 price includes the guide’s tip.

“The guide, Legacy was his name, was great. Entertaining. Lots of good information. Was varied in what he covered - we even got to dance a bit. He seemd a bit nervous that he was talking a lot - there had been a negative review - but he should not be concerned. He does an amazing job giving great information. Great thing to do early in your stay in Cartegena”

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Stockholm: Ghost Walk and Historical Tour - Starting in Stockholm’s medieval lanes
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Stockholm: Ghost Walk and Historical Tour

13.Ghost Walk and Historical Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,685 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $33

Walk through Gamla Stan with a theatrical guide such as Chris, Cody, Callum, or Reece, hearing grim tales of murders, disease, executions, and ghosts. The 1.5-hour route uses narrow lanes, old courtyards, dark passages, and sometimes a church crypt. Wear sturdy shoes and expect stairs, cobbles, and plenty of humor.

“A wonderful experience, it was great to learn a bit of history about Gamlanstan and the old town, Chris was thoroughly entertaining and made the tour fun, I recommend doing this if you visit Stockholm.”

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Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges - Starting at the Markt, where Bruges made its money
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Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges

14.Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,541 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $3Best value

Walk Bruges’ major sights in about 2 hours 15 minutes with an English-speaking guide. Hear stories of medieval trade, beer, swans, emperors, and Bruges’ proud city politics. Guides such as Martin, Victoria, Sander, and Louis have been praised for humor, local insight, and clear storytelling. The tour ends at Burg Square.

“We had a fantastic and very informative walking tour of Bruges. Legends has been great in every city/town we visited and this one will be added to the list.”

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Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour - Meeting Adam Smith before entering the Old Town
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Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

15.Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,361 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

Meet your English-speaking Little Fish guide outside Caffe Nero by the Adam Smith Statue, then walk into Edinburgh’s Old Town for two hours of stories, folklore, landmarks, Scottish Enlightenment history, and Harry Potter connections. Guides such as Koffe, Max, Euan, Ben, and Graeme are known for theatrical storytelling and useful pub, food, and sightseeing tips.

“Fantastic Old Town Edinburgh Tour with Ben We absolutely loved our Old Town Edinburgh tour with Ben. From the start, he was engaging, knowledgeable, and full of energy, bringing the history of the Old Town to life with fascinating stories, humor, and local insight. The tour felt well paced and never overwhelming, even with lots of historical detail. We were a bit unsure how our 4-year-old would handle a walking history tour, but Ben did an amazing job keeping things interesting and accessible. We learned so much about Edinburgh’s history and it was a great way to explore the Old Town with a knowledgeable local guide. We would highly recommend…”

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