Massachusetts, United States

Salem

Salem tells the story of the 1692 witch trials and its seafaring past along walkable streets of old houses.

Salem: Satanic Salem Walking Tour
Featured walk: Satanic Salem Walking Tour · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Salem is best known for the witch trials of 1692. It was also one of America's great trading ports.

The town is small and walkable, and October brings huge Halloween crowds.

What makes Salem distinctive

  • The 1692 witch trials
  • Maritime history
  • Halloween events
  • The House of the Seven Gables

Walking tours in Salem

Hand-picked guided walks in Salem, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

Advertising disclosure: tour links go to Viator. If you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect the price you pay or which tours we choose.

Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 28 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: History walks in Salem · Night and ghost tours in Salem

Compare with other cities: Food tours · History walks · Night and ghost tours

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide sells many of the same walks and some that Viator doesn't. Their list for Salem is chosen and ranked by GetYourGuide, not by us.

Search Salem on GetYourGuide

The button loads content from GetYourGuide, which may set cookies. Links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you book.

Main sights

Ticket links are affiliate links: if you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Downtown

    Essex Street.

  • Derby Street

    The waterfront.

  • McIntire District

    Historic houses.

Free self-guided walk

Witch trials and the waterfront

A free self-guided walk in Salem, from the Witch House along Essex Street to the Witch Trials Memorial and the waterfront.

1.8 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Essex Street

    The pedestrian mall.

  2. Derby Wharf

    Out to the lighthouse.

  3. Chestnut Street

    Historic homes.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Flat.

  • October

    Very crowded.

  • Distances

    The town is small.

When to visit

  • October

    Halloween month.

  • Summer

    Warm.

  • Winter

    Quiet.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By rail

    Trains reach Boston in about 30 minutes.

  • By ferry

    Seasonal ferries from Boston.

Local transport

  • On foot

    Salem is walkable.

Questions travellers ask about Salem

Were witches burned in Salem?

No; those executed in 1692 were hanged, and one man was pressed to death.

Is Salem a day trip from Boston?

Yes.

When is it busiest?

October.

New York City: SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Walking Tour in New York
New York

New York City

A grid that makes getting lost almost impossible

Discover the city
San Francisco: Chinatown Walking Tour: Food, History & Flavor
California

San Francisco

Steep streets, sudden views and fog rolling through the Gate

Discover the city
Washington, DC: National Mall Small-Group Tour + Washington Monument Ticket
District of Columbia

Washington, DC

Monuments, free museums and a two-mile lawn to walk between them

Discover the city
New Orleans: French Quarter Historical Sights and Stories Walking Tour
Louisiana

New Orleans

Iron balconies, jazz and the most distinctive food in America

Discover the city
Boston: Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour
Massachusetts

Boston

Revolutionary history on a red-brick trail

Discover the city
Los Angeles: The History and Architecture of Downtown Los Angeles
California

Los Angeles

Hollywood hikes and a revived downtown

Discover the city
Charleston: Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel
South Carolina

Charleston

Pastel houses and live oaks

Discover the city
Savannah: Bonaventure Cemetery Scenic History Art Symbols and Film Tour
Georgia

Savannah

Squares, oaks and Spanish moss

Discover the city
Philadelphia: 2.5 Hour Philadelphia History Tour with Washington War Tent Show
Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

Where the United States began

Discover the city
Chicago: Original Chicago Architecture Interiors Tour: Dazzling Interiors
Illinois

Chicago

Architecture on the lakefront

Discover the city
Seattle: Pike Place Market Tasting Tour
Washington

Seattle

Markets, mountains and the Space Needle

Discover the city
Miami: The Official Art Deco Walking Tour by The Miami Design Preservation League
Florida

Miami

Art Deco, beaches and Little Havana

Discover the city
Nashville: Nashville Unveiled: History, Music and Insider Hacks Walking Tour
Tennessee

Nashville

Music City

Discover the city
St Augustine: St. Augustine Free Walking Tour
Florida

St Augustine

America's oldest city

Discover the city
San Diego: San Diego Balboa Park Highlights Small Group Tour with Coffee
California

San Diego

Beaches, bays and Balboa Park

Discover the city
Austin: Haunted Austin Walking History Tour
Texas

Austin

Live music and Tex-Mex

Discover the city
Denver: Best of Denver Walking Tour
Colorado

Denver

The Mile High City

Discover the city
Portland: Intro to Portland Small Group Walking Tour
Oregon

Portland

Bridges, books and food carts

Discover the city
Williamsburg: Exclusive Private Colonial Williamsburg Walking Tour by a Local
Virginia

Williamsburg

Colonial America brought back to life

Discover the city
New York City: SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Walking Tour in New York
Country overview

United States

Four cities that break the rule that America is for driving

Explore destinations

Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.