Charleston Ghost Tour: Small Group Haunted History Walk

Walk pirate streets, haunted dungeons, and ghostly alleys for a spooky ghost tour experience

A 90-minute guided ghost tour in Charleston limited to about 12 people explores haunted graveyards, churches, alleyways and historic sites with a city-licensed guide who shares real stories of pirates, executions, duels and active spirits from Charleston's 350-year history. The small group size keeps the experience intimate and lets everyone hear the guide clearly as you walk just over a mile through the historic district starting at the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Charleston ghost tour walk

• Start at Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
• Hear stories of pirate hauntings
• Pass by St. Michael's Churchyard
• See haunted spots with animal spirit
• Walk through haunted alleyway
• Pass by St. Philip's Churchyard
• Listen for doctor's ghost whistle

The experience

Charleston's reputation as one of America's most haunted cities rests on centuries of real tragedy. This tour starts at the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, where pirates from three centuries ago still haunt the space where their lives ended. From there you walk through the historic streets hearing about the people behind the hauntings, not invented folklore, but documented stories of murders, soldiers, duels and a young woman who wanders a particular alley searching for her soulmate. St. Michael's Church shows apparitions in its churchyard. St. Philip's churchyard holds several haunted tales of spirits still present. The route covers just over a mile and takes 90 minutes, moving at a pace that lets you absorb each stop.

The guide is a city-licensed professional who knows local history, architecture and the documented events that shaped Charleston. Stories include a doctor whose whistle you might hear on a quiet night (the sound of someone who met his fate on the wrong side of a duel), and spirits in restaurants and bars where they spent their final days. One church harbors more than one spirit, including a four-legged furry one that still shows up from time to time. The group stays at about 12 people maximum, which means you're not competing to hear over a crowd of 25 or more.

Tours run in the evening as darkness falls, which is when the stories take on their full weight. Bring comfortable walking shoes. The route is accessible and suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. Children from age 10 are welcome, and infants can ride in a pram or stroller. Public transportation options are nearby if you need them.

What’s included

• 90-minute guided tour with a city-licensed professional guide.
• small group limited to about 12 people.
• stories of real hauntings at the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, St. Michael's Church, St. Philip's Church, haunted alleyways, restaurants and bars.
• knowledge of local history, architecture and culture woven through the walk.

Information

Lasts 1h 30m, runs every day at 19:00, 21:00 and 17:00, from US$ 35 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except Friday and Saturday: 19:00 and 21:00Friday and Saturday: 17:00, 19:00 and 21:00

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (10 to 15 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Holy City Walks

Is this one for you?A guided tour means you follow a professional who knows the documented history and the locations, so you don't spend time researching or navigating yourself. The stories and the route are already planned. The small group size suits anyone who wants to hear clearly and move at a thoughtful pace, rather than being one of dozens trying to stay together on a crowded street.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 15 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between this ghost tour and the bigger ones in Charleston?

This tour keeps groups to about 12 people instead of 25 or more, so you hear the guide clearly and the experience stays intimate rather than feeling like a crowd moving through the streets.

Where does the tour start and what's the first place you visit?

The tour starts at the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, where you hear stories of pirates from three centuries ago whose lives ended there and whose presence is still felt in the space.

Are the stories on this tour based on real events or local legends?

The stories are real: documented accounts of actual people and events from Charleston's 350-year history, including murders, executions, duels and soldiers, not invented folklore.

How far do you walk and how long does the whole tour take?

The tour covers just over a mile and lasts 90 minutes, moving through the historic district at a pace that lets you absorb each haunted location and the stories attached to it.

What happens if I can't walk the full distance?

All areas and surfaces on the route are wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available nearby if you need an alternative way to reach stops or return to your starting point.