13 Best Charleston Ghost Tours For a Scary-Good Time

Are you looking for a spooky good time in Charleston, SC? Explore the most haunted places in Charleston on these top ghost tours! Here are some of the best Charleston ghost tours you can take any time of year.

The best way to see Charleston’s many haunted spots is to take a ghost tour. There are all kinds of Charleston ghost tours to choose from: carriage tours, family-friendly tours, walking tours, cemetery tours, and even a haunted jail tour!

From old dungeons to haunted restaurants to historic graveyards, Charleston is full of lingering spirits and urban legends. So if you’re brave enough, take a ghost tour of Charleston and find out for yourself the city’s darkest secrets.

Here are 13 of the best ghost tours in Charleston, South Carolina to scare you silly.

Top Charleston Ghost Tours

Are you brave enough to walk Charleston’s haunted streets at night? Check out these ghost tours to explore one of the most haunted cities in the South!

1. Ghosts of Charleston Night-Time Walking Tour with Unitarian Church Graveyard

Tour length: 1.5 hours | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

Charleston’s rich past makes it a perfect setting for a ghost tour, and this Ghosts of Charleston Night-Time Walking Tour is a must-experience. This is one of the best walking ghost tours in Charleston, offering a unique glimpse into the city’s eerie history with special after-hours access to the renowned Unitarian Church Graveyard.

As you wander through Charleston’s historic district under the cover of darkness, your local guide will share intriguing stories of restless souls and unexplained phenomena at the locations you pass. The highlight of the tour is a visit to the haunted Unitarian Church Graveyard after hours, where you just might encounter a spirit yourself. This tour is one of the top evening activities in Charleston!

Great experience!! Brian was an amazing guide and story teller, we highly recommend this tour! Heard crackling in the graveyard when Brian was telling stories. I’m sure it was an animal, but sure added to the creepiness…

– Susan J. (see more reviews)

This 1.5 hour walking tour is led by a licensed guide and includes exclusive entry into the Unitarian Church Graveyard at night. You can choose between a one-hour tour focused solely on the graveyard or extend your experience with the 90-minute tour that covers both the graveyard and the historic district.

Looking for a family-friendly ghost tour? This company also offers a family and child-friendly version of this tour!

2. Haunted Evening Horse & Carriage Tour of Charleston

Tour length: 40 minutes | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

For a ghost tour with a twist, this Haunted Evening Horse & Carriage Tour of Charleston is a fantastic choice, blending the charm of a horse-drawn carriage ride with eerie tales from the city’s haunted history.

As you leisurely wind through Charleston’s narrow side streets and cobblestone alleys, your local guide will share chilling stories about the Mills House, the Circular Congregational Graveyard, and the Provost Dungeon. The best part about this Charleston carriage ghost tour? You can simply sit back and enjoy the ride — no walking required!

Our fourth tour and always learn something new! Wayne our horse guide and our human guide were a lot of fun – I highly recommend!

– Dana D. (see more reviews)

This 40 minute carriage tour is a convenient and enjoyable way to experience Charleston’s spookiest legends, covering more ground than a walking tour. A certified guide leads the tour, ensuring you get the most out of this hauntingly fun experience.

3. Charleston Old City Jail Haunted Tour

Tour length: 45 minutes | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

Tour the city’s most haunted building on this Charleston Old City Jail Haunted Tour. This night-time tour gives you exclusive, after dark access to the Old City Jail where thousands of criminals, pirates, and shifty characters were imprisoned and executed.

You’ll visit prisoner cells, walk the darkened hallways, and see where criminals died. You’ll also learn about life in 19th century Charleston and some of the jail’s most notorious residents, like murderers Lavinia and John Fisher.

Highly recommend this tour!! We took the 10:30 p.m. tour with Randy as our guide and he was unbelievably amazing in how he shared each story while showing us through the first floor of the old city jail. I’m a frequent visitor of Charleston and this has definitely been one of the highlights.

– Kim E. (see more reviews)

This 45 minute walking tour of the jail with a professional guide gives you a behind-the-scenes look at Charleston’s most haunted location. Paranormal activity is high here, so brace yourself for a possible ghost encounter!

4. Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

Tour length: 2.5 hours | Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

For those 21 and older, this Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour offers a unique way to explore the city’s haunted past while enjoying a drink at historic local bars.

This haunted pub crawl takes you through some of Charleston’s most storied locations, including the Powder Magazine, Charleston City Market, and Washington Square, where you’ll hear spine-tingling tales of ghosts and eerie encounters. Grab a drink and sip as your guide shares the city’s dark secrets.

Kelly was a fun and knowledgeable tour guide. Fascinating stories that combined history and the supernatural. Great experience! Highly recommend.

– Craig C. (see more reviews)

This 2.5 hour walking tour features a costumed guide, a commemorative cooler or cup, and an intimate small-group setting for a more personalized experience.

5. Narrated Haunted Ghost Cruise of Charleston Harbor

Tour length: 1.5 hours | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

Climb aboard and sail the harbor while listening to tales of pirate attacks, naval battles, and more onboard this Narrated Haunted Ghost Cruise of Charleston Harbor.

One of Charleston’s most unique ghost tours, this haunted harbor cruise reaches spooky sites that you can’t get to on foot. You’ll sail the harbor on a 45-foot catamaran for a scary good time.

We had a great time!! Lee was fantastic!! They had snacks and drinks for purchase on the boat. Our kids will be telling the ghost stories she told on the boat for months to their friends back home!

– Marissa W. (see more reviews)

This 1.5 hour cruise is a fun alternative to a traditional ghost tour and reaches haunted locations you won’t get on any regular tour.

6. Charleston Paranormal Investigation: YOU are the Ghost Hunter

Tour length: 2.5 hours | Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a paranormal investigator, then this Charleston Paranormal Investigation is for you! This unique tour allows you to act as a ghost hunter.

You’ll use a thermal imaging camera and other ghost hunting equipment to investigate and record hauntings around Charleston. Learn how to use each device properly, and after the tour, you’ll receive access to all the data recorded during your investigation.

Best ghost tour in Charleston hand down and will most definitely come back and do it again. Not your average haunted tour. You get to be the ghost hunter with all the equipment and keep all data and recordings you find. We definitely were in contact with ghosts through out this tour. 10/10 would recommend and we will be back. Nick was great and very very knowledgeable.

– Josh G. (see more reviews)

This 2 to 2.5 hour walking tour and paranormal investigation is a family-friendly Charleston ghost tour that’s great for all ages. You’ll get to use real paranormal investigation equipment and receive all the data recorded during the investigation.

7. Charleston Ghost & Dungeon Night-Time Walking Tour with Entry to Provost Dungeon

Tour length: 1.5 hours | Rating: 4 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

Explore the dark corners of the city, and then get exclusive nighttime access to the Provost Dungeon on this Charleston Ghost & Dungeon Night-Time Walking Tour.

You’ll start your tour exploring the haunted places in the historic district’s dark alleys and graveyards, listening to tales of ghosts, voodoo, and superstition. At the end, you’ll visit the Provost Dungeon, a pre-Revolutionary dungeon with a chilling history.

Mo was a very good guide. She was engaging with all participants and has a way of conveying stories that make them that much more interesting! We enjoyed it

– Kerry C. (see more reviews)

This 1.5 hour walking tour includes a tour of the historic district plus exclusive entry to Provost Dungeon after hours for an experience you won’t find anywhere else.

8. Real Hauntings of Charleston Small Group Ghost Tour

Tour length: 1.5 hours | Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

If you want a haunted Charleston ghost tour without the crowd, then you’ll love this Real Hauntings of Charleston Small Group Ghost Tour that’s limited to about 10 people per tour.

On this tour, you’ll pass by haunted graveyards, churches, alleyways, hotels, restaurants, and bars, hearing real stories of murders, pirates, soldiers, executions, duels, and more.

I recently went on a ghost tour with Brandon, and it was an unforgettable experience! His storytelling skills were exceptional, bringing the tales to life with vivid detail and engaging anecdotes. The tour was both informative and entertaining, blending history with spooky fun seamlessly. I highly recommend Brandon for anyone looking to experience a captivating and memorable ghost tour.

– Alex B. (see more reviews)

This 1.5 hour walking tour covers about 1 mile of Charleston’s haunted streets. This intimate ghost tour is a great way to learn about Charleston’s ghosts.

9. Charleston Pirates and Ghosts Tour

Tour length: 2 hours | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

Charleston has a long history with pirates, and on this Charleston Pirates and Ghosts Tour, you get the best of the city’s haunted history and swashbuckling history.

On this tour, you’ll walk with your local guide past top Charleston landmarks like the Pineapple Fountain, Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, Rainbow Row, and Circular Congregational Church and listen to chilling tales of pirates and the paranormal.

Jeff was an excellent tour guide! Loved hearing the back story of my favorite author, the pirates, and the revolutionary war stories. Highly recommend!

– Walter K. (see more reviews)

This 2 hour walking tour is led by a local guide and is a great way to beat the heat of the day with an afternoon or evening tour.

10. Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour

Tour length: 1.5 hours | Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

Join the host of the popular Pleasing Terrors Podcast, Mike Brown, for this Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour of Charleston’s ghosts, history, and folklore.

Mike is an amazing storyteller who has unparalleled knowledge of the most fascinating and terrifying stories lurking in Charleston’s dark corners. You’ll visit locations like Poogan’s Porch, the Charleston Library Society, Philadelphia Alley, and St. Michael’s Church.

Mike was AWESOME! Very knowledgeable and passionate about giving the best ghost tour in Charleston! Speaks in a way to keep everyone engaged and knowledgeable to keep us wanting to hear more. Would definitely recommend!

– Ashley R. (see more reviews)

This 1.5 hour walking tour is led by storyteller Mike Brown of the Pleasing Terrors Podcast and includes a complimentary bottled water during the hot summer months.

11. Ghost & Graveyard Night-Time Guided Walking Tour

Tour length: 1.5 hours | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

If haunted cemeteries are your thing (I absolutely love them!), then you’ll want to take this Ghost & Graveyard Night-Time Guided Walking Tour that explores the Circular Congregational Church graveyard.

Not only will you see the city’s most eerie sites, but you’ll also get to wander through Charleston’s oldest cemetery, the Circular Congregational Church graveyard, after hours. You’ll hear stories of graveyard hauntings, voodoo, and botched burials where people were buried alive.

A must-do experience for anyone who’s interested in ghosts and the paranormal but still a fun thing to do for those who just want to learn a little bit more about the history of Charleston. There’s a bit of walking, requiring comfortable attire — especially with the summer heat and humidity — but it is well worth the immersion into local haunted spots and cemeteries.

– William N. (see more reviews)

This 1.5 hour walking tour and cemetery ghost tour provides you with after-hours access to Charleston’s oldest cemetery and some of the city’s most haunted sites.

12. Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl

Tour length: 2 hours | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

This Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl is a true crime-focused pub crawl that combines history, storytelling, and drinks in an intimate small group of only about 6 people per tour. While it’s not exactly a ghost tour, I still like to include this tour because it’s stories you won’t hear on other tours, plus you still get the creep factor.

You’ll hit up 4 different bars and pubs where you can grab a drink and listen to tales of Charleston’s most infamous criminals and their unsavory crimes. You’ll hear true crime stories from Charleston’s beginnings all the way up to recent years.

We had such a fun time on this tour with Abby!! Abby was super gracious even though a few members of our party were a little late. She told us some really interesting stories about historical true crime in Charleston, from the 1600s through the 1980s. We also went to some cool bars and learned some Charleston history along the way. Def recommend this tour with her!

– Natalia P. (see more reviews)

This 2 hour pub crawl walking tour visits 4 locals bars and pubs with an enthusiastic guide who loves sharing about Charleston’s unique true crime stories.

13. Charleston’s Self-Guided Haunted Ghost Tour – Solo Smart Phone Guided Tour

Tour length: 1 hours | Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Check rates & availability

If you’re on a budget, then I recommend this Self-Guided Haunted Ghost Tour that is an audio tour run from an app on your smart phone.

This self-guided tour takes you to some of Charleston’s most haunted places, including the the Dock Street Theater, Pirates Courtyard, Circular Church Graveyard, and more. You can start the tour wherever you’d like and take the tour at your own pace. You can even re-listen to the ghost stories when you get home as you’ll have continued access to the app.

Great very affordable group activity! Would highly recommend! Take a small speaker if you have a group, makes listening together so much more fun!

– Lisa M. (see more reviews)

This 50 minute to 1 hour self-guided audio walking tour is an easy-to-use app on your smart phone and includes turn-by-turn instructions. The tour is a great way to see Charleston’s most haunted sites on a budget and at your own pace.

Ghost Tours in Charleston, SC FAQ

More Charleston Tips

Check out the posts below to continue planning your Charleston vacation:

• 14 Romantic Things to Do in Charleston for Couples
• 50+ Fun Things to Do in Charleston at Night
• 10 Amazing Hotels in Charleston, SC
• 10 Best Tours in Charleston, SC
• 16 Best Restaurants in Charleston, SC
• 11 Best Bars in Charleston, SC
• Your Perfect Charleston Bachelorette Party Itinerary
• 9 Free Things to Do in Charleston, SC
• 37 Best Things to Do in Charleston, SC
• 7 Days in Charleston: Perfect 1 Week Charleston Itinerary
• 14 Tips for Your First Trip to Charleston, SC
• 14 Best Summer Vacation Spots in the South
• The Best Winter Vacations in the South

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Ready to visit Charleston, South Carolina? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
• Find accommodation: You can find top hotels in Charleston using Booking.com or vacation rentals near Charleston using VRBO.
• Get packing: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need with my packing list resources.

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Cheers!

Paige

Have you been on any of these amazing Charleston ghost tours? Let me know in the comments!