Portsmouth Ghost Tours
SEAFARING SPIRITS • SHIPWRECKS & LOSS • ONE OF NEW ENGLAND'S OLDEST PORTS
Thanks for a great 2026 season! We'll reopen our tours on March 1st, 2027, and you can book your 2027 tour now.
Portsmouth sits where the Piscataqua River meets the Atlantic, one of the oldest seaports in the country and a city shaped by the sea at every turn. Settled in the 1600s, it grew into one of early America's busiest ports, and four centuries of shipwreck, war, and hard luck have left their mark on every cobblestone. Ghost City Tours walks the haunted waterfront after dark, when the harbor quiets and the older city rises, because the sea rarely gives up its stories easily.
Our local guides tell the true, researched history behind haunted Portsmouth — the sailors who never made it home, the families lost to fever and fire, the centuries-old taverns and waterfront homes where the past refuses to stay quiet. A port this old, and this scarred, holds onto its dead, and our guides know exactly where in the historic district to find them.
Ghost City Tours has been telling the true ghost stories of America's most haunted cities since 2012, trading cheap scares for real history and documented, eyewitness accounts. Book your Portsmouth ghost tour today and discover why this old New England seaport is considered one of the region's most fascinating haunted destinations.
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Trusted for Over a Decade
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Portsmouth Tour Experiences
Browse Every Portsmouth Ghost Tour
Explore every experience we run in Portsmouth and find the one that fits your trip.
Ghosts of Market Square Tour
A 90-minute family-friendly walk through Portsmouth after dark, as the crowds thin out around Market Square and the old brick buildings take on a personality of their own, with colonial legends, maritime history, and a few unexplained mysteries along the way.
- ✓Market Square and colonial Portsmouth after dark
- ✓Merchants, sailors, and a 400-year-old seaport
- ✓Local folklore and unexplained happenings
- ✓A family-friendly walk built for all ages
The Mourning Bell Tour
A 90-minute adults-only walk through the darkest chapters of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, beyond the charming storefronts to public executions, deadly epidemics, devastating fires, and the legends of the dead who never answered their final call.
- ✓Colonial justice, executions, and mourning
- ✓Epidemics, fires, and forgotten lives
- ✓Historical documents, told apart from folklore
- ✓An adults-only night walk (16+)
Ready for a Haunted Adventure in Portsmouth?
Join thousands of satisfied guests who have discovered the dark secrets and ghostly tales that make Portsmouth one of America's most haunted cities.
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The only ghost tour company that offers one.
Flexible rescheduling
Plans change? Reschedule anytime.
Booking ahead recommended
Evening tours frequently sell out during peak season.
Compare our Tours Side-by-Side
| Attribute | Ghosts of Market Square Tour | The Mourning Bell Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Adult ticket | $29.99 | $34.99 |
| Meeting point | — | — |
| Duration | 90 min | 90 min |
| Walking distance | 1 mi | 1 mi |
| Pace | Leisurely | Leisurely |
| Age requirement | All ages | 16+ |
| Family-friendly | Ideal | Not suitable |
| Paranormal intensity | ||
| Scare factor | ||
| In the rain | Operates rain or shine | Operates rain or shine |
| Best for | Family vacationPre-dinnerWeekend getaway | Date nightWeekend getawayparanormal-enthusiasts |
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Why Take a Ghost Tour in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth is one of the most haunted towns in New England
Few cities have lived as closely with the sea, or with its losses, as Portsmouth. Four centuries of shipwrecks, war, and hardship have left their mark on these streets, and the spirits of that past are never far away.
One of America's oldest seaports, with a working waterfront, centuries-old taverns, and historic homes, Portsmouth's history runs dark, and our guides know exactly where to find it.
One of America's Oldest Seaports
Settled in the 1600s, Portsmouth has had four centuries to gather tragedy, loss, and the spirits that come with a life lived on the sea.
Shaped by Shipwreck and Loss
Countless ships and sailors never made it home to Portsmouth's harbor, and the sea has a way of holding onto what it takes.
A Historic Waterfront
Portsmouth's working waterfront and old warehouses have witnessed centuries of hardship, and much of that history still lingers after dark.
Centuries-Old Taverns
The city's historic taverns have served sailors and merchants for generations, and some of their oldest patrons are said to have never left.
Epidemics and Hardship
Fever, fire, and hard winters took a heavy toll on this port town, and the dead of those years are part of its haunted reputation.
A Preserved Colonial Port
Portsmouth's historic district preserves the streets and homes of early America, an atmospheric backdrop where the past feels very close.
Ready to Discover Portsmouth's Haunted Secrets?
Join thousands who have experienced the paranormal side of Portsmouth. Whether you're a skeptic or a true believer, our tours will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Real places · Documented history
Portsmouth's Most Haunted Locations
Explore the paranormal hotspots
From the working waterfront to centuries-old taverns and historic homes, Portsmouth is full of places where the past still lingers. Each one carries its own story and its own restless spirits.
We've documented 5 real haunted places in Portsmouth — each one an actual site with a researched history, not a legend we invented.
View all haunted locations in PortsmouthEvery one of these places is real — and has a history we've documented.
Read the full story behind each haunted location, then see the tours that walk you through them.
Real history, real hauntings, and guides who know the city inside out
Why Choose Ghost City Tours in Portsmouth?
Ghost City Tours has been telling the true ghost stories of America's most haunted cities since 2012. In Portsmouth, that means careful research, local knowledge, and guides who care more about getting the history right than about cheap scares.
Expert Local Storytellers
Our Portsmouth guides know the city's history and its hauntings firsthand, and they tell the stories the way they should be told.
Small Groups, Better Tours
We keep our groups small so you can hear every word, ask your questions, and actually feel the atmosphere of the old streets.
History You Can Trust
Every story we tell is grounded in real history and documented accounts, not made-up legends invented to fill the time.
Good for All Ages
Our tours rely on storytelling rather than gimmicks, which makes them a good fit for families, couples, and history lovers alike.
We Stand by Our Tours
We are so confident you'll enjoy your ghost tour that we back it with a money-back guarantee.
The Perfect Setting
There is no better backdrop for a ghost tour than Portsmouth's historic waterfront and colonial streets after dark.
Trusted by Millions of Ghost Tour Enthusiasts since 2012
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about our Portsmouth ghost tours? Here is what you need to know before you join us on the streets of one of New England's oldest seaports.
Is Portsmouth really haunted?
Portsmouth is considered one of the most haunted towns in New England. As one of the oldest seaports in the country, it has weathered centuries of shipwrecks, epidemics, war, and hardship, and the historic district is full of buildings with documented ghost stories. Sites tied to its maritime past, old taverns, and historic homes all carry their share of hauntings.
Are the ghost tours family-friendly?
Ghosts of Market Square is our family-friendly tour for all ages. The Mourning Bell is adults-only (16+), with darker history and mature themes.
How long are the tours?
Most of our Portsmouth ghost tours run about 90 minutes and cover an easy walk through the historic waterfront district, with plenty of stops along the way.
Are these walking tours?
They are. Our Portsmouth tours move at a relaxed pace and stop often, so you can take in each location while your guide tells its story. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes are the main thing. Portsmouth sits right on the water, so the evening air can turn cool and breezy even in summer. We recommend bringing a light layer just in case.
Do the tours run in bad weather?
Our tours run rain or shine, so it is worth bringing an umbrella if rain is in the forecast. In the rare case of dangerous weather, we will reach out about rescheduling.
Do we go inside any of the buildings?
Our tours take place outdoors as we walk the streets of the historic district. We stop in front of Portsmouth's most haunted locations and share their stories, though we don't go inside private homes or businesses.
Where do the tours meet?
Our Portsmouth tours meet at a central location in the historic district. The exact meeting spot is included in your booking confirmation, so you'll know exactly where to find your guide.
Still Have Questions?
Our Guest Services team is here to help 7 days a week from 7 AM to 11:30 PM.
Ready to Explore Portsmouth's Dark Side?
Don't miss out on the #1 rated ghost tour experience in Portsmouth. Book your adventure today!
Why Book With Ghost City Tours?
Multiple Tour Options
Choose from family-friendly, adults-only, or pub crawl experiences.
Top-Rated Experience
4.9 stars from thousands of satisfied ghost tour guests.
Tours 7 Days a Week
Rain or shine, we run tours every single night of the year.
Money-Back Guarantee
Love your tour or get a full refund - that's our promise!
Tours Sell Out Daily
Portsmouth is a popular destination. Book now to guarantee your spot!
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Our Guest Services team is available 7 days a week to help you book the perfect tour.
CALL 855-999-04917am - 11:30pm Daily