Charleston
1 hostel · dorms from $42
One of the most beautiful cities in the USA.
Points of interest
- Rainbow Row
- The Battery
- Fort Sumter
- International African American Museum
State guide
Things to do in South Carolina
Charleston's pastel houses, cobbled streets and Lowcountry food, Gullah Geechee culture, the beaches of Myrtle Beach and the sea islands, Greenville's waterfall park and the old-growth forest of Congaree.
1
Hostels across its 3 main cities
8.7
Average, from 857 reviews
1670
Charleston founded
Lowcountry charm and Atlantic beaches
South Carolina runs from the Blue Ridge foothills down to the Lowcountry, a coastal landscape of marshes, tidal creeks and barrier islands. It is a state of beaches, golf, Southern food and deep history.
Charleston is the highlight, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved cities in the USA, with pastel houses on Rainbow Row, church steeples, gas-lit lanes and a nationally famous food scene. It is also a place to learn about difficult history: much of the city's wealth was built on slavery, told at the International African American Museum and at historic plantations. Fort Sumter, in the harbour, is where the American Civil War began. The Gullah Geechee people of the sea islands keep a distinct language and culture.
Along the coast, Myrtle Beach is a big, lively resort, while Folly Beach and the sea islands are quieter. Inland, Greenville has a waterfall in its downtown park, and Congaree National Park protects one of the tallest old-growth hardwood forests in the USA. Give South Carolina four or five days. Spring and autumn are best.
Where to base yourself
Charleston for the Lowcountry, Myrtle Beach for the beach, and Greenville for the north-west.
Myrtle Beach
A big, lively beach resort.
Points of interest
- Boardwalk
- Beach
- Amusement parks
Greenville
A small city with a waterfall downtown.
Points of interest
- Falls Park on the Reedy
- Liberty Bridge
- Main Street
Regions of South Carolina
The Lowcountry and Charleston on the coast, Myrtle Beach in the north-east, Columbia in the middle and mountains in the north-west.
Charleston and the Lowcountry
History, food, sea islandsCharleston, Folly Beach and the islands.
Grand Strand
Beaches, resortsMyrtle Beach and the north coast.
Hilton Head and Beaufort
Islands, golfThe southern sea islands.
Midlands
Columbia, CongareeThe capital and the old-growth forest.
Upstate
Greenville, waterfallsGreenville and the Blue Ridge foothills.
Things to do
Things to do in South Carolina
In Charleston, walk the historic district, from Rainbow Row to the Battery and the old City Market. Take the ferry to Fort Sumter, and visit the International African American Museum on the site of a former slave-trading wharf. Visit a plantation that tells the story of the enslaved people who lived there, such as McLeod Plantation, and walk the Angel Oak, a huge live oak on Johns Island.
Spend a day at Folly Beach or Sullivan's Island, and learn about Gullah Geechee culture on the sea islands. Further up the coast, Myrtle Beach has a long beach, a boardwalk and amusement parks.
Inland, walk the boardwalk trail through Congaree National Park, and in Greenville, see the waterfalls of Falls Park on the Reedy and the curved Liberty Bridge. In the north-west, hike to waterfalls in the Blue Ridge foothills.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Charleston's historic district, the Battery, Waterfront Park and its pineapple fountain are free. The Angel Oak is free to visit.
Congaree National Park has no entry fee, and Falls Park in Greenville is free. Most beaches are free, though parking costs money.
The Fort Sumter ferry and the plantations charge entry.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Charleston is one of the best food cities in the USA. Try shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, Lowcountry boil, a mix of shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes, and Gullah dishes such as red rice and okra soup. Hoppin' John, rice and black-eyed peas, is a Lowcountry classic.
South Carolina barbecue often comes with a yellow mustard sauce. Boiled peanuts are sold at roadside stands, and sweet tea is everywhere.
Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Nightlife
Going out
Charleston has rooftop bars, cocktail bars and breweries, especially on King Street and Upper King. Myrtle Beach has big clubs, bars and live shows.
Greenville's Main Street is lively at weekends.
Bars close at 2am in Charleston.
Getting around
Getting around
Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Greenville and Columbia have airports. Amtrak runs along the coast through Charleston, and from Greenville to Atlanta and Charlotte.
Charleston's historic district is best on foot or by bike, with a free downtown shuttle, DASH.
A car is needed for the beaches, plantations and the rest of the state.
Costs
What South Carolina costs
Charleston is one of the more expensive cities in the South, especially at weekends and in spring. Myrtle Beach and inland areas are good value.
Sales tax is 6 per cent statewide, plus local taxes, reaching around 9 per cent in Charleston. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Plantations and the Fort Sumter ferry charge entry.
Safety
Safety and scams
South Carolina is generally safe for visitors. Charleston's historic district is busy and fine; take normal care at night.
Hurricane season runs from June to November; follow local warnings and evacuation routes on the coast. Rip currents are a danger on Atlantic beaches.
Summers are hot and humid, with biting insects in the marshes, and alligators live in freshwater ponds. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Arts festivals, food and spring gardens.
Staff pick
17 October
Charleston Pride Parade
Charleston
Charleston Pride Week fills the city with energy, celebration, and community as it honors and uplifts the LGBTQ+ community through a lively series of…
Staff pick
13–14 November
YALLFest
Charleston
YALLFest brings together young adult and middle grade readers and writers in Charleston for one of the largest kidlit festivals in the country. Co-founded…
Staff pick
14 November
Journey
Greenville
Journey is an iconic American rock band formed in 1973, known for their powerful ballads and energetic rock anthems. The band achieved massive success…
Staff pick
17 October
Cece Winans
Greenville
Cece Winans is a Grammy Award-winning gospel singer and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan. She is a leader in the contemporary gospel music genre, and…
Staff pick
21–25 October
Myrtle Beach RV Expo
Myrtle Beach
Thousands of RV shoppers from across the Carolinas and Georgia gather here each fall to see what's new in the towable RV world. You…
Staff pick
24 October
Charleston Beer Fest
Charleston
Charleston Beer Fest brings together craft beer lovers at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, South Carolina, for a lively celebration featuring an impressive lineup…
Staff pick
24–25 October
Grand Strand Kite Festival
Myrtle Beach
Prepare for a weekend of exhilarating fun at the 9th Annual Grand Strand Kite Festival. Expect a family-friendly atmosphere filled with vibrant kites, beachside…
Staff pick
7–15 November
Mythical and Medieval Fest
Myrtle Beach
The Mythical and Medieval Fest is a Renaissance-themed charity event supporting Caleb's Dragonfly Dreams, a non-profit providing positive activities for children in group homes…
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in South Carolina, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
March to May and October to November are the best times, warm and pleasant, with azaleas in spring. Summers are hot and humid, and hurricane season runs from June to November.
Jan
Mild
Feb
Cool
Mar
Spring, azaleas
Apr
Gardens in bloom
May
Spoleto Festival
Jun
Hot, hurricane season
Jul
Beach season
Aug
Hot, humid
Sep
Hurricane risk
Oct
Pleasant
Nov
Pleasant
Dec
Mild
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Charleston, rounded.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Charleston prices.
Treat these as a guide. Spring weekends cost more.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
South Carolina questions
The ones we get asked most.
How many days do you need in Charleston?
Two or three days, plus a beach day.
Is Charleston expensive?
It is one of the pricier cities in the South, especially at weekends.
How do I get to Fort Sumter?
By ferry from Liberty Square in Charleston or from Patriots Point.
Is Congaree National Park free?
Yes, there is no entry fee.
Do I need a car in South Carolina?
Not in central Charleston. For beaches and plantations, yes.
When is the best time to visit South Carolina?
Spring and autumn.
Who are the Gullah Geechee?
Descendants of enslaved West Africans on the sea islands, with their own language and culture.
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