Where to Go: the 15 Best History Tours with Lunch Worldwide

1.Douro Valley: Historical Sites, Wine Experience, Lunch & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,133 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $107Our pick

Leave Porto at 7:30 a.m. for Amarante, São Leonardo da Galafura, Régua, and Pinhão. You’ll travel by small-group minibus, eat a traditional Portuguese lunch, cruise the Douro on a Rabelo boat, and visit a vineyard for three wine tastings. Guides such as Cuber, Rita, Jeremy, Simmy, and Christian have led this route.

“Such a great experience. I was expecting at least 3 wineries but we just went to one. Even though that was the case, it was exceptional. Great wines, amazing sight seen and incredible tour guide.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Tromsø: Reindeer Camp and Sami Cultural Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,326 reviews · 4 hours · from $141

Travel about 35 to 40 minutes from Tromsø to a Sami reindeer camp, where you feed a herd of up to 300 by hand. Warm up with hot chocolate, cookies, and reindeer or vegetable stew, then hear Sami stories and a traditional joik song from guides such as Johannes, Inga, or Daniel.

“The soup was delicious, very good vibes, every one was friendly!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Historical Melaka Day Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,297 reviews · from $42Best value

Spend about 10 hours traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka, with stops at St. Peter’s Church, A’Famosa, Dutch Square, St. Paul’s Hill, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Jonker Street, and the Melaka River. Guides may include Johnson, Ning, Douglas, Sasi, or Siva. Lunch is included, but attraction tickets and drinks are extra.

“Our tour to Malacca was absolutely wonderful. The organization was flawless, and the itinerary was both interesting and enriching, offering a perfect blend of history, culture, and sightseeing. Every aspect of the program was thoughtfully planned, making the experience smooth and enjoyable. What truly set this tour apart, however, was our guide, Ning. Her deep knowledge and enthusiasm for her country were truly inspiring. She brought the stories of Malacca to life through her detailed explanations and engaging anecdotes, creating a memorable and educational experience. Ning’s warm and approachable nature made it easy to connect with her, and her insights gave us a deeper appreciation of Mala...”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,143 reviews · 6 hours · from $109

Spend six hours aboard a family-run catamaran from Strahan, visiting Hells Gates, Sarah Island, the Gordon River rainforest, and a Huon pine sawmill. Your day includes live commentary, a guided island walk, Heritage Landing, and a Tasmanian lunch served to your seat. Seating options include upper-deck places with morning tea and a drink.

“Friendly and helpfulstaff. Bonus was Rob was our skipper. Perfect weather and we loved the whole experience. Thoroughly recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Creole Queen History Cruise with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,112 reviews · 2h 30m · from $47

Spend 150 minutes aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, cruising from the Riverwalk to Chalmette Battlefield and back. Local narrators such as Charles and Dr. Lauren explain New Orleans, the Mississippi, the Battle of New Orleans, and Hurricane Katrina. Add the buffet for shrimp pasta, jambalaya, po-boys, red beans and rice, and other local dishes.

“It was very informative and comforting to learn about the importance of this place”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Abu Dhabi Trip with Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 805 reviews · from $127

Travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in a clean, air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed guide. Visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque, enjoy lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant, take in city views from Etihad Towers, and explore Qasr Al Watan. Expect 9 to 10 hours, a group of up to 17 people, and mosque clothing for women.

“We enjoyed very much this complete and beautiful tour, our guide Ahmed was very friendly and helpful and taught us a lot of history and contemporary aspects of the Emirates”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Istanbul Historical Tour with Guide, Lunch and Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 561 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $248

Spend about eight hours exploring Istanbul’s historic center with an English-speaking guide and a maximum of 15 people. Visit the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar, with admission, lunch, hotel pickup, and return transfer included. Expect a full day on foot, mosque dress rules, and possible waiting at Hagia Sophia.

“It’s a long day, but it is the best way to see all of the main historical sites within the old city. Our guide was excellent.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Full Day Historic Guided Tour to Jamestown and Yorktown with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 456 reviews · 9 to 10 hours (approx.)

Spend about nine to ten hours tracing Virginia history from the English arrival at Jamestown in 1607 to the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781. Guide Matt leads the day with stories, humor, and clear context. You get included admission, free time at both museums, a colonial-style lunch, and air-conditioned transport from Williamsburg.

“Matt was a wonderful guide. He kept us entertained and laughing. He was a wealth of knowledge and history. We had a fantastic day and plenty of time to enjoy on our own.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Douro Valley History & Wine Tour with Cruise & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 433 reviews · 10 hours · from $104

Spend 10 hours with a live guide exploring Amarante and the Douro Valley, stopping at São Leonardo da Galafura, eating a three-course local lunch, tasting three Ports, and cruising from Pinhão on a Rabelo boat. Guides such as Josiah, Orlando, Marianna, and Sergio have led this route, which runs in groups of up to 27.

“I had an AMAZING day !!! Ines was very interesting and we were a friendly group. The Douro Valley is breath taking ! Get ready for a long and busy day though; I would switch the wine tasting and the lunch, personally... I was also not a fan of the other guide we had at the winery; we could barely hear him. Everything else was perfect :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Istanbul Heritage Tour – Incl. Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 416 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $216

Spend about seven hours touring Istanbul’s old city with hotel or cruise-port pickup, a guide, included entrance fees, and lunch. Visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Irene, and Gülhane Park. The group can reach 25 people, and guide quality may shape the day.

“Points of interest and lunch were great! High pressure sales at the leather shop was not good and sales personnel got mad when we tried to leave and yelled at us as we walked away.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Historic Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 271 reviews · 1h 30m · from $46

Join a 90-minute lunch cruise from Murray Street Pier and see Hobart from the Derwent River. Your captain provides live English commentary as you pass Battery Point, Sandy Bay, Bellerive, Kangaroo Bluff, the Tasman Bridge, Government House, and the Royal Botanic Garden. Choose steak, fish, chicken schnitzel, or a vegetarian patty for lunch.

“The historical tour was well worth doing. The meal was good too. Would highly recommend the tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Historical Alexandria Shared Day Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 260 reviews · 11 hours · from $77

Travel from Cairo or Giza to Alexandria in a small group of up to 13. With an Egyptologist guide such as Soha, Ayman, Sara, or Heba, you’ll see the catacombs, Serapeum, Roman theater, Library of Alexandria exterior, and Qaitbay Citadel, with a seafood lunch by the Mediterranean.

“Salma allow me to tell you entire experience was wonderful. Our tourist guide was excellent perfect information. It was easy to understand all the story, absolutely she’s a very knowledgeable person, She was very nice with us, very friendly, she took us to a super good restaurant, good food and also a great view… Your driver was really good, Also very professional all your team. congratulations without any doubt I will recommend you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Chichen Itza Guided Historical Tour with Lunch Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 112 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $149

Travel from Cancun to Chichen Itza with a certified bilingual guide, spend about two hours at El Castillo and the archaeological zone, swim at Tsukan cenote, eat lunch, and stroll through Valladolid. Hotel pickup, entry fees, a lifejacket, and one drink are included. Confirm whether your departure is conducted fully in English.

“Our driver, Pepe, was excellent and timely. Our bilingual guide, Poncho, was informative and gave great tips and insights to getting around and making the most of the time given.”

Check availability →Read our full review