History tours · TOURS

History Tours & Heritage Day Trips: Our Top 15

790 tours  ·  from $3 a head

Anything with a guide, a ticket or a minibus attached, in one list. The 15 here are the ones worth planning a day around, with what each costs and how far it goes.

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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Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour - Beginning at the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
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Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour

2.Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 12,691 reviews · 3 hours · from $160

Meet The Ultimate Italy team at Via dei Fori Imperiali, then tour the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum with access to its underground chambers, arena floor, ground floor, and second tier. Guides such as Carmelo, Teddy, Maya, and Enza bring the ancient site to life in English, French, or Spanish.

“our guide Chris was so so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I really enjoyed the tour, it is long though, not too long but you know, a lot of walking and information. I really enjoyed it.”

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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

3.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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London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs - Dickens, literary London, and a 17th-century pub
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London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs

4.London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10,422 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40

Walk from the City of London to Covent Garden with a local guide such as Tim, Chris, Freddie, or Mark. Visit four historic pubs, see St. Paul’s, Fleet Street, legal London, and literary landmarks, and buy your own beer, cider, or gin along the way. The group is limited to 14 people.

“What an incredible way to spend an afternoon in London! We loved visiting historical sites and our guide, Richie, was an absolute wealth of knowledge. The pubs we visited were gems! We loved that they were off the beaten path and were pleased with the variety of drink recommendations.”

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Prague: Oldtown, Medieval Underground & Dungeon History Tour - Descend into Romanesque and Gothic rooms
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Prague: Oldtown, Medieval Underground & Dungeon History Tour

5.Oldtown, Medieval Underground & Dungeon History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 10,277 reviews · 1h 25m · from $31

Walk Prague’s Old Town with an English- or German-speaking guide, then descend up to two floors below street level into Romanesque and Gothic cellars. You’ll hear about floods, fires, plague, rebellions, and executions, visit an alchemy laboratory linked to the Golem, and see medieval torture displays. Guides such as Patrik, Julia, Nicole, and Barbora are known for lively storytelling.

“It was great! Got to walk through parts of old historic Prague and our tour guide, Barbora, explained many things along the way.”

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Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour - Starting at the Old South stable on Anson Street
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Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

6.Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10,023 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $50

Set out from Old South Carriage Company on Anson Street for a narrated, one-hour ride through 30 blocks of Charleston. A certified guide such as Carol, Wendy, or Ro may lead the tour, while a Belgian or Percheron draft horse pulls the carriage. Routes vary by city-assigned zone, so each ride offers a different slice of the historic district.

“We thoroughly enjoyed this experience. We arrived early and met our horse, Aiken, who loved the attention he was getting! One of their employees explained their Belgium Draft horses come from the Amish when the Amish are done using them as work horses. Very interesting to talk to and learn about the horses. Happy to hear these horses are out on a farm when not pulling the carriage and they are limited to the number if times they do their routes. Very knowledgeable tour guides. Will do this again next time we’re in Charleston!”

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Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided History Tour with Tickets - Walking into a fortress built on Castle Rock
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Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided History Tour with Tickets

7.Edinburgh Castle Guided History Tour with Tickets

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

Start on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and walk with a local English-speaking guide to the castle. In 80 minutes, hear stories of royals, rebels, prisons, battles, and James VI’s birthplace while seeing St Margaret’s Chapel, Mons Meg, Crown Square, and the One O’clock Gun. Entry is included, with free time afterward for the castle museums.

“Georgia and her little lady we excellent guides very knowledgeable about the history around Edinburgh and the castle”

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Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour - Three passageways beneath four blocks
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Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

8.Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8,006 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $29

Walk four blocks through Pioneer Square and three historic underground passageways while guides such as David, Patti, and Imogen explain Seattle’s early days, the Great Fire, Coast Salish peoples, Skid Row, and the Klondike Gold Rush. Expect stairs, uneven surfaces, and time above ground between underground spaces.

“Great tour guide! Learned alot. Appreciate being directed to the Klondike free museum as well, which was great-- especially the "theater showing."”

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Leipzig: City History Canal Sightseeing Tour on a Motorboat - Starting at Stadthafen Leipzig
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Leipzig: City History Canal Sightseeing Tour on a Motorboat

9.Leipzig: City History Canal Sightseeing Tour on a Motorboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7,671 reviews · 1h 10m · from $18

Set out from Leipzig’s city harbor on a 70-minute German-language motorboat tour through Plagwitz and the Karl Heine Canals. You’ll pass the Baedeker villa, Palmengartenwehr, Buntgarnwerke textile mills, and Stelzenhaus. An English, French, and Dutch audio guide is available through WeGuide, but bring your own headphones.

“Very nice trip, the guide was fabulous. It was a cozy sailing trip, nice area but also a little bit the same all the way.”

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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

10.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

11.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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Rome: Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Guided Tour - Palatine Hill provides the wide views
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Rome: Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Guided Tour

12.Colosseum with Arena, Roman Forum and Palatine Guided Tour

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

Spend about 2.5 hours exploring the Colosseum arena floor, first and second levels, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. A professional guide such as Paola, Francesca, Hillary, or Laura Antonucci explains the ruins with visual aids and clear headsets. The underground and third level are not included.

“Our tour guide Paola was fantastic. She was so knowledgeable... we learned so much! In addition, she has a lovely personality. Definitely, request her!!”

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Venice: St. Mark's Basilica Guided Tour & VR History Intro - Starting at the History Gallery
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Venice: St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour & VR History Intro

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

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

Start with a VR journey through the changing face of St. Mark’s Square, then enter St. Mark’s Basilica with a guide such as Francesco, Elena, or Valentina. Expect golden mosaics, marble floors, five domes, and practical skip-the-line help. Your pass also includes Santa Maria della Salute and Torcello Cathedral, while some booking options replace the basilica visit with Doge’s Palace.

“A must, if you are in Venice. It is really beautiful.”

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Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour - Kiyomizu-dera and the first Kyoto views
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Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour

14.Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,316 reviews · 510 minutes - 9 hours · from $122

This 9-hour Kyoto coach tour links Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangen-do, Arashiyama, the Sagano Bamboo Forest, Tenryu-ji, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari. An English-speaking guide such as Den, At-Chan, Sakura, or Tommy leads the day, with audio guidance in six other languages. Lunch is optional, and comfortable shoes are essential.

“Ciela was magnificent. I was totally impressed with all the historical places!!!”

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Amsterdam Food and Cultural Tour with Tastings - Quiet history at the Begijnhof
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Amsterdam Food and Cultural Tour with Tastings

15.Amsterdam Food and Cultural Tour with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,315 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95

Spend 3.5 hours walking from central Amsterdam to the Jordaan while tasting Dutch cheese, herring, fries, bitterballen, apple pie, and more. Roman leads a group of up to 15 through the Bloemenmarkt, Begijnhof, Torensluis, and local food stops. Vegetarian options are available, but the tour is not vegan or gluten free.

“Roman, the French/Nederlander food tour guide left us so satisfied! His kind and personable demeanor was very delightful. We were promised a food tour of a milieu of Dutch treats, and boy did he deliver! He offered wonderful stories and shared his vast knowledge of local history and cultural delights. We’ve been on food tours before, but this one is hands down the best. We left satisfied with what was essentially an 7-course meal. Everything was delicious and the portions were just right! This tour is absolutely with the price of admission. Thank you, Roman! And, I forgot to mention…he added such a wonderful personal touch by speaking with each…”

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