Steeped in dark history and spooky legends, Charleston is known for being one of the most haunted cities in America — attracting thousands of paranormal enthusiasts from around the world.

When you participate in a ghost tour in Charleston, you’ll get to see some of the city’s eeriest locations and learn about its dark past with a professional tour guide.

Home to cemeteries, a century-old jail and a house once occupied by a notorious female pirate, Charleston in South Carolina makes for the ideal ghost-hunting destination.

Here's all you need to know about ghost tours, one of the most fascinating options for sightseeing tours in Charleston.

What are the best ghost tours in Charleston?

‘Pleasing Terrors’ walking ghost tour in Charleston

‘Pleasing Terrors’ is a popular podcast hosted by a Charleston local, Mike Brown. Join Mike as he leads you through the streets of Charleston once the sun has set. He combines his artful storytelling skills with his in-depth local knowledge to provide an unforgettable ghost tour.

Some of the places you’ll visit on this walking tour include Poogan’s Porch, Charleston Library Society, Philadelphia Alley and St. Michael’s Church. See some of the city’s most famous landmarks and hear about their backstories from a talented and celebrated storyteller.

Boos and booze ghost tour in Charleston

Meet your pirate guide at Henry’s on the Market before making your way through Charleston's haunted streets at night time. In addition to visiting iconic creepy attractions, you’ll also get to sip on delicious cocktails along the way.

The Powder Magazine, Charleston City Market and Washington Square are just some of the places you’ll visit on this story-riddled ghost tour of Charleston.

Supernatural ghost tour in Charleston

Geordie Buxton is a well-respected paranormal author residing in Charleston. Join him as he leads this supernatural tour, providing you with in-depth insight into each location on the tour’s itinerary.

You’ll hear fascinating stories of angelic reverends and orphan poltergeists as you visit some of the city’s top locations including the Old Citadel and the College of Charleston among many others. It seems as though almost every building in the city has a ghostly story to tell!

Horse and carriage ghost tour in Charleston

Most ghost tours in Charleston require you to walk around the city, but this carriage tour takes you to various locations. Sit back, relax and enjoy spooky stories told by your professional guide.

Make your way down twisting alleyways and cobblestone streets as you visit places like Circular Congregational Church, St. Michael’s Church and Charleston City Market. This is a fun and exciting way to learn about the city’s ghostly history.

Which places are visited?

There are dozens of different ghost tours available in Charleston, each with a different itinerary. That being said, there are a few popular locations that many tours tend to visit because of their fascinating history.

The Powder Magazine

The Powder Magazine is said to be one of the most haunted buildings in Charleston. It is rumored that the public building is haunted by ghosts of soldiers as well as the infamous Anne Bonny.

St Michael’s Church

Charleston is often referred to as the ‘Holy City’ because of its many churches and steeples. One of the city’s oldest and most famous churches is St Michaels, which is said to be haunted by numerous ghosts.

Charleston City Market

Charleston City Market is a market complex that was built in the 1790s and is currently home to hundreds of incredible traders. There are many local ghost stories that center around this local attraction.

The Old Charleston Jail

The Old Charleston Jail once housed the first female serial killer in South Carolina, as well as many notorious pirates. The jail was built in 1802 and in addition to rumors of being haunted, it also holds significant architectural importance.

How much does it cost?

Typically, ghost tours in Charleston cost between US$25 and US$40 per person. The ‘Pleasing Terrors’ tour, the boos and booze tour and the supernatural tour all fall within this price range.

There are a few tours, such as the horse and carriage tour, that cost US$50 per person, and a handful of longer private tours that cost as much as US$70 per person.

The great thing about ghost tours in Charleston is that there is a tour to suit every preference and budget.

What is included?

When it comes to ghost tours in Charleston, the only inclusions are usually just the tour and the tour guide. Certain tours offer bottled water and souvenirs, but in most cases, you’ll be responsible for any of your personal expenses— so be sure to bring along some extra cash.

Where does it start?

Ghost tours in Charleston begin at easily-identifiable locations in the city, such as the Old South Carriage Company, Washington Square and others.

Aim to reach the meeting point at least 5 minutes before the start of the tour as you would not want to keep your tour guide waiting. Arriving late could also result in the tour starting without you.

How long does it last?

Ghost tours in Charleston are typically quite short and last between 40 minutes and 1.5 hours. That being said, there are a few longer tours, lasting up to 3 hours.

No matter how much time you have to dedicate to a ghost tour in Charleston, there is a tour available that is perfect for you.

When is the best time for a ghost tour in Charleston?

While there are a few ghost tours that take place in the daytime, nighttime tours are undoubtedly more popular. Most people opt for tours that take place at night so that they can enjoy a spooky atmosphere as they learn about the city’s dark histories.

Nighttime is when the ghost stories and legends of Charleston really come to life, so book a tour after dark if you want to get the full experience.

Participate in a ghost tour in Charleston at the beginning of your stay in the city so you can get an idea of the city’s layout, as well as learn about attractions in the area that you may want to visit again during your stay.

Travel tips

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a warm jacket along with you.
Book your ghost tour in Charleston in advance so that you can guarantee your spot.
Feel free to tip your tour guide should you feel they exceeded your expectations.
Any ghost tours that offer alcoholic beverages will have a minimum age requirement of 21 for tour participants.

Ghost Tours in Charleston