About Charleston
Charleston is the most populous city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The city lies just south of the geographical midpoint of South Carolina's coastline on Charleston Harbor, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean formed by the confluence of the Ashley, Cooper, and Wando rivers. Charleston had a population of 150,227 at the 2020 census, while the Charleston metropolitan area, comprising Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, has an estimated 870,000 residents. It ranks as the third-most-populous metropolitan area in the state and the 71st-most-populous in the U.S. It is the county seat of Charleston County.
Places to visit in Charleston
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Charleston Historic District
HistoricCobblestone streets, gas lamps and pastel colonial homes fill the old city, best explored on foot or by carriage tour, ending at the Battery and White Point Garden.
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Fort Sumter
Historic · 4 mi from centreReached by ferry across the harbor, this island fort where the first shots of the Civil War were fired has a small museum, ranger talks and broad views back toward Charleston.
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Rainbow Row
LandmarkA string of colorful Georgian row houses along East Bay Street near the waterfront, one of the most photographed spots in the city and an easy stop on any walking tour.
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Charleston City Market
MarketA historic open-air market stretching several blocks, where vendors sell crafts, food and souvenirs, including sweetgrass baskets woven by local Gullah artisans using traditional techniques.
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Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Historic · 11 mi from centreRomantic informal gardens along the Ashley River, especially colorful with azaleas and camellias, plus a house tour and a program on the lives of the enslaved people who worked there.
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Middleton Place
Historic · 14 mi from centreA plantation featuring formal landscaped gardens with terraces and reflecting ponds, plus a house museum, working stableyards and exhibits on the enslaved community who lived there.
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Patriots Point
Museum · 1 mi from centreA naval and maritime museum in Mount Pleasant centered on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, with aircraft on its flight deck, a destroyer and a Vietnam experience exhibit.
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Folly Beach
Beach · 10 mi from centreA relaxed beach town south of the city with surfing, a long fishing pier, casual seafood spots and views from the north end toward the Morris Island Lighthouse.
Things to do in Charleston by type
5 tours, tickets and experiences across 2 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Gastronomy & nightlife 3 experiences Charleston Historic City Market & Sweet Treats Tour -
City tours 2 experiences Historic Charleston: Charming Downtown - City Game
- 1-3 hours 2
- 3-6 hours 2
- Private 1
Top experiences in Charleston
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays.
Travel Curious: Charleston Highlights - Private Walking Tour
From $305 per adult
Secret Food Tours Charleston - Upper King St. Brunch
From $93 per adult
Secret Food Tours Charleston: French Quarter with 6+ Tastings
From $99 per adult
Charleston Historic City Market & Sweet Treats Tour
From $65 per adult
Historic Charleston: Charming Downtown - City Game
From $12 per adult
Where to stay in Charleston
Popular hotels in Charleston, out of 215 properties you can book.
Francis Marion
From $300 per night
Courtyard Charleston Waterfront
From $151 per night
Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton
From $358 per night
SpringHill Suites Charleston DowntownRiverview
From $127 per night
Residence Inn Charleston North Ashley Phosphate
From $102 per night
Residence Inn Charleston DowntownRiverview
From $134 per night
Vendue Inn
From $254 per night
Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport - Conv Ctr By IHG
From $110 per night
TownePlace Suites Charleston Airport/Convention C
From $105 per night
HarbourView Inn
From $366 per night
Hampton Inn Charleston-Historic District
From $258 per night
The Charleston Place
From $452 per night
Best time to visit Charleston
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Charleston is April and October, when average daytime highs are around 74–75°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Charleston weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 72° 46° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 73° 55° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 70° 56° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 71° 57° 1%
- Sun 25 Oct 72° 58° 1%
- Mon 26 Oct 73° 60° 1%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Charleston
These are the airports closest to central Charleston. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- CHS Charleston International Airport10 mi (16 km) from the city centre
Getting around Charleston
Outside of downtown, which is best explored on foot, Charleston is a city that is best traveled by car. Several rental car services are available at the Charleston International Airport. Some area hotels also provide transportation to and from the airport.
By public transportation
The public transportation system in Charleston consists primarily of a fleet of buses run by the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) and privately run taxi services. The bus system is not widely used by the upper-class residents of the city, and would be rated as fair by the standards of most larger urban areas. Bus Route 11 serves the Charleston International Airport and the downtown area.
By tour bus or carriage
Gray Line of Charleston offers a choice of guided mini-bus tours of the historic, charming city of Charleston, designed to give you a fun and informative look into the city’s well-preserved past.
By foot
Luckily for visitors to Charleston's peninsula, the historic district is accessible on foot. If staying in one of the many hotels on the peninsula, a visitor could easily explore most of the city's major historical sites without the benefit of a car, either by foot or with the help of the DASH trolley lines. Unfortunately, the plantations—a significant part of Charleston's history—are not located within walking distance of the peninsula.
Charleston travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Charleston?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Charleston is April and October, when average daytime highs are around 74–75°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
What is the weather like in Charleston?
July is usually the warmest month in Charleston, with average highs of 88°F (31°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 40°F (4°C). The wettest month is typically August, with about 238 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Charleston?
Charleston International Airport (CHS) is the closest airport, about 10 miles (16 km) from the centre of Charleston.
What time zone is Charleston in?
Charleston uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Charleston?
Outside of downtown, which is best explored on foot, Charleston is a city that is best traveled by car. Several rental car services are available at the Charleston International Airport. Some area hotels also provide transportation to and from the airport.
What are the best places to visit in Charleston?
Top sights in Charleston include Charleston Historic District, Fort Sumter, Rainbow Row and Charleston City Market. Cobblestone streets, gas lamps and pastel colonial homes fill the old city, best explored on foot or by carriage tour, ending at the Battery and White Point Garden.
What are the top things to do in Charleston?
Popular experiences you can book in Charleston include Travel Curious: Charleston Highlights - Private Walking Tour, Secret Food Tours Charleston - Upper King St. Brunch and Secret Food Tours Charleston: French Quarter with 6+ Tastings. Destina Holidays offers 5 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Charleston?
The most popular types of experiences in Charleston are gastronomy & nightlife (3) and city tours (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Charleston?
Popular areas for hotels in Charleston include Historical, Riverview Area and North Charleston. Well-reviewed options include Francis Marion and Courtyard Charleston Waterfront.
How many hotels can I book in Charleston?
Destina Holidays currently lists 215 properties in and around Charleston, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
