10 best ghost and vampire tours in Salem, MA
Salem is famous for the 1692 witch trials, and after dark its lamplit streets, old cemeteries and historic buildings fill up with ghost stories. We went through Viator's Salem ghost tour listings and ranked ten of the top-rated options by traveler rating, using review count to break ties. Everything below comes from Viator's listing, including prices, durations and traveler reviews.
1. History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour
4.9 from 16,427 reviews · from $36 · 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes
Follow a historian guide through Salem while hearing 400 years of history and admiring architecture that dates to the early colonial period. The tour digs into the truth behind the 1692 witch trial hysteria. For a spookier experience, you can choose the nighttime version, which is led by lantern light.
What travelers say: An October 2026 first-timer called the guide knowledgeable, entertaining and professional, noting she kept a large group moving through Sunday crowds and that the two hours flew by.
2. Salem Voodoo, Vampires, and Ghosts Guided Walking Tour
4.9 from 2,088 reviews · from $28 · 1 hour 30 minutes
Expert historians and paranormal investigators help separate fact from fiction as they retell the 1692 witch trials and lead you through Salem's most notorious sites. Skip the gimmicks and hear tales of voodoo, witchcraft, vampires and ghost sightings. This is the most vampire-focused tour on Viator's Salem ghost tour list.
What travelers say: An October 2026 reviewer described it as entertaining and engaging from start to finish, with no dull moments, and said they would happily do it again.
3. Bewitched Walking Tour of Salem
4.9 from 2,039 reviews · from $35 · 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours
An award-winning guided walk through downtown with stops at more than 12 historically significant locations tied to the infamous Witch Trials. Local guides mix history, legend and pop culture. Viator notes that travelers mention an 'informative experience'.
What travelers say: A reviewer who visited in October said the guide was knowledgeable and respectful about the witch trials, the walking was easy, and a person using a crutch was able to manage the route.
4. Salem Witch Trials, Ghosts and History Walking Tour
4.9 from 84 reviews · from $28 · 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes
Told by a lifelong local, this walk covers the 1692 witch trials, Hocus Pocus stops, ghost stories and Salem's lesser-known history, including the McIntire District with its Revolutionary War, maritime and pirate tales. The listing says it was named one of the Top 10 Salem Walking Tours of 2026 by TripAdvisor. It is outdoors only, guided in English, and meets at East India Fountain, 158 Essex St.
What travelers say: An October 2026 reviewer praised their guide as funny and energetic, and liked learning from someone local rather than a big corporation.
5. Wicked Awesome Tours: Witch Trial History and Salem Haunts!
4.8 from 1,606 reviews · from $29 · 1 hour
A themed walking tour covering the accusers and the accused, with stops at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, Burying Point and other landmarks. It also visits the city's most notorious haunted spots and filming locations for Hocus Pocus. Viator notes that travelers mention 'great guides'. At one hour, it is the shortest guided tour in this list.
What travelers say: An October 2026 reviewer called it a highlight of their visit, and informative, entertaining and true to the spirit of Salem.
6. Mysteries and Murders of Salem Guided Night-Time Walking Tour
4.8 from 1,593 reviews · from $36 · 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours
A good pick if you want a break from hearing only about the witch trials: your guide shares tales of grisly murders and sinister ghost sightings on the way to Salem's spookiest sights. Viator lists it as suitable for teens and adults, but not for under-13s.
What travelers say: An October 2026 reviewer said the guide was descriptive and enthusiastic about every story, making the night memorable.
7. The Official "Hocus Pocus" Movie Locations Tour of Salem
4.7 from 876 reviews · from $50 · 2 hours 30 minutes
Not a ghost tour in the strict sense, but it sits in Viator's Salem ghost tour category. You walk through real filming locations from the 1993 film Hocus Pocus, including Pioneer Village and the Dennison House, with local insight into the witch trials, maritime history and trivia.
What travelers say: An October 2026 reviewer enjoyed the movie facts, trivia and Halloween candy, and warned that it is a brisk walk, so bring comfortable shoes.
8. Salem's Best Ghost Tour
4.6 from 4,634 reviews · from $24 · 1 hour 20 minutes
Walk lamplit streets after dark with a guide rooted in the town's history and paranormal lore, hearing legends and true tales of witchcraft, murder and mayhem. You visit sites tied to the Salem Witch Trials and hear about spirits said to linger in historic homes and graveyards. It is the lowest-priced guided tour in this list.
What travelers say: An anonymous October 2026 reviewer called it one of the highlights of their Salem visit.
9. Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl
4.6 from 651 reviews · from $36 · 1 hour 30 minutes
Pair ghost stories with Salem's nightlife by visiting cozy taverns and trendy cocktail bars, hearing accounts of local witchcraft and on-site hauntings, with stops at eerie landmarks in between.
What travelers say: An October 2026 reviewer said their guide was fun and attentive, and that finishing at an Irish bar was a great way to end the night.
10. Salem Paranormal Ghost Tours
4.4 from 67 reviews · from $30 · 1 hour 30 minutes
Led by real paranormal investigators from Wicked Ghost Hunters, this rain-or-shine walk visits haunted and historic locations including the Hawthorne Hotel and Charter Street Cemetery. Guides share firsthand investigation experiences, including reported EMF activity and EVPs, and guests can use paranormal investigation equipment. You meet at the Wicked Ghost Hunters kiosk inside Witch City Mall.
What travelers say: An October 2026 reviewer praised the guide as kind and knowledgeable about the spirit world and the town's encounters.
Ratings, review counts and "from" prices are as shown on Viator's Salem ghost tour listing on October 23, 2026, and may change. Prices are per person unless Viator states otherwise. Check Viator for current availability and cancellation terms. This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
