The 15 Historic Underground Tours Worldwide Worth Going Under For

1.Oldtown, Medieval Underground & Dungeon History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 10,277 reviews · 1h 25m · from $31Our pick

Walk Prague’s Old Town with a live English or German guide, then descend up to two floors below street level into 12th-to-14th-century cellars, corridors, and rooms. Hear about floods, fires, plague, rebellions, and executions, and see an alchemy display, the Golem legend, and a medieval dungeon with torture instruments. Guides such as Patrik, Nicole, Julia, and Hastal are praised for humor and clear storytelling.

“We attended the tour on Monday 9th at 17:30pm, I'm afraid I can't remember the name of the young gentleman that was our tour guide ...but he was FANTASTIC! So knowledgeable,and absolutely hilarious with his dry wit...it really made the experience flow,and all the information knitted together perfectly from beginning to end. Highly recommended!”

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2.Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8,006 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $29

Walk four blocks through modern Pioneer Square and three underground passageways built in the 1890s. A local guide such as David, Patti, Imogen, or Sarah brings Seattle’s early days, Great Fire, Skid Row, Klondike Gold Rush, and Coast Salish history to life. Expect stairs, uneven surfaces, and time above ground between underground areas.

“The tour guide was amazing and hilarious! They had an after hours tour we didn’t know existed but he had a ton of insight! Very fun tour and recommended.”

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3.Prague Old Town, Medieval Underground and Dungeon Historical Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,227 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $32

Walk Prague’s Old Town with a live English-speaking guide, then descend into three medieval underground sites, including an alchemy laboratory and a dungeon with torture and execution displays. Guides such as Matyas, Alex, Patrik, and Tomas are praised for clear storytelling, though uneven floors, stairs, and occasional crowd noise require care.

“Wonderful way to see the old town and a piece of history we wouldn’t otherwise know. The guide Alex was knowledgeable and explained things well”

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4.Old Town and Underground Historical Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,802 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $27

Follow an English-speaking local historian from the Royal Mile into Edinburgh’s 400-year-old Underground Vaults, then through historic closes and Old Town sites. Hear stories about Burke and Hare, Jekyll and Hyde, Scrooge, Edinburgh’s early skyscrapers, and the city’s darker past. The tour costs $27 and lasts 1.5 hours.

“Saturn was an excellent guide, with such a quirky sense of humour he made the tour really entertaining and interesting, who knew Edinburgh had such a macabre history! thoroughly recommend for anyone looking for something a bit different to do in the city.”

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5.Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,574 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27Top rated

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with guides such as Holly, Chihon, Emily, and Alex, then enter an exclusive section of the South Bridge vaults. Expect Scottish history, city stories, Canongate Kirkyard, winding steps, and time for questions. The small group has a maximum of six people, and the tour runs in English.

“Chihon was an excellent guide. He was very engaging, knowledgeable and had us laughing throughout the tour. Our 10yo loved hearing about the history of Edinburgh just as much as we did. Highly recommend!”

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6.Emerald Cave Express Kayak Tour with Scenic & Historic Stops

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,522 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

Start at Willow Beach Marina and paddle a calm four-mile stretch of the Colorado River to Emerald Cave, a small rock opening with striking green water. Guides such as Ryan, Jeff, Calvin, and Maggie mix safety help with local history, wildlife notes, and humor. Choose a single or tandem kayak, with optional hotel pickup, lunch, and Hoover Dam touring.

“Very beginner friendly, took my a friend and I a bit to get going but once we got used to it, it was a really good time. Our guide, Jeff, was knowledgeable, very friendly and had a story for just about everything we saw. He even offered a pit stop so we could see the ram lazing around at a nearby park which was an awesome bonus. Would recommend again and again!”

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7.Ancient History and Colosseum Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 996 reviews · from $104

Meet your Tours of Rome guide near the Colosseum for a small-group visit with skip-the-line entry, the arena floor, and underground chambers where animals and gladiators once moved. Guides such as Laura and Christina bring the site to life, while Roman Forum and Palatine Hill access lets you continue at your own pace. Bring ID and wear sturdy shoes.

“The tour guide was excellent! Indeed was an expert and was able to provide us with great insight. Take this tour for sure.”

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8.Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 604 reviews · 1 hour · from $11Best value

Walk through Pilsen’s 13th-century cellars, passageways, wells, and historic water tower with an English or German guide. The one-hour tour ends with a voucher for 0.3l of Pilsner Urquell at a nearby restaurant. Expect cool temperatures, uneven underground spaces, and no access for wheelchairs or children under three.

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9.Batu Caves & Historic Buildings Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 539 reviews · 4 hours · from $34

This four-hour Kuala Lumpur tour links Batu Caves, Thean Hou Temple, the National Mosque, Petaling Street, and Little India. An English-speaking driver-guide such as Ayyanar, Nesh, Jennifer, or Yuvanesh collects you at your city hotel, explains Malaysia’s religious mix, and handles the city traffic. Expect air conditioning, hotel drop-off, and time for photos and shopping.

“We had a brilliant time being chauffeured around Kuala Lumpur by Nesh. He was engaging and informative and his driving was excellent in the congested streets. Nesh took us to all the places on the itinerary, telling us about them and other sights on the way. At each place, he explained where we should go, what to expect and where he would meet us afterwards. We would not have been able to see as much of Kuala Lumpur had we tried to get around ourselves and would not have been as well informed.”

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10.Guided Tour, Historic Center Sassi Rock Churches and Cave House

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 461 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $26

Walk Matera’s historic center and both Sassi districts with a local English-speaking guide. See the Sasso Barisano viewpoint, enter Santa Maria de Idris and visit a furnished cave house that shows how families lived until the 1950s. Expect steps, cobbles, photo stops and about two hours on foot.

“Matera was a magical place and our guide Patrizzia was very knowledgeable, she explain all the history and was very patient answering all questions. 100% recommended!”

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11.Malta: Prehistoric Temples, Limestone Heritage & Blue Grotto

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 412 reviews · 4 hours · from $41

See Malta’s ancient Ħaġar Qim temples, the Limestone Heritage Park in Siġġiewi, and the Blue Grotto on a four-hour guided trip. Guides such as Maria, Anna, Mary, and Phillip bring the sites to life. Transport, entrance fees, and hotel pickup are included, while the optional Blue Grotto boat costs about €10.

“Thoroughly enjoyed the half day excursion to the Limestone Quarry, Temple and the Blue Grotto. Our guide, Phillip was brilliant and very knowledgeable”

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12.Private Batu Caves Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 410 reviews · 3 hours · from $34

This private tour takes you from Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves, up 272 steps to Lord Murugan’s shrine, then on to the Ramayana Caves and a batik workshop. An English-speaking driver guide such as Nithia, Rajan, or Yati explains Hindu traditions and Malaysian culture. Hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, and Ramayana Caves admission are included.

“Our guide and driver was very professional, punctual, and shared many valuable tips and recommendations. Thank you, Rajan!”

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13.Whirling Dervishes Show in Historical Cave

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 169 reviews · 1.5 - 2 hours · from $24

Travel from Goreme to a historic cave near town for a one-hour Mevlevi sema ceremony. English-speaking guide Hami explains the ritual, its Sufi meaning, and the history of Rumi before the dancers begin. You will hear chanting and spiritual music, watch the careful whirling, and finish with a traditional dervish drink.

“It was such a beautiful ceremony. I loved the explanation.”

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14.Boston: Underground Railroad History Tour of Beacon Hill

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 141 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Spend about 2.5 hours walking Beacon Hill with a small group of up to 16 people. Guides such as Dana, Will, Meghan, Lin, and Drew connect Underground Railroad sites, abolitionist homes, Civil War history, and Black Bostonian life. Expect hills, cobblestones, frequent stops, and a visit inside the African Meeting House.

“The history of the Freedom Trail is amazing. Having a guide with true passion for the history made the history come alive. I wish we had more time to complete the whole walk - it was a bit tiring for my 12 and 8 year old, so if anything, I would recommend older kids (over 15) or do a longer tour with no kids.”

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15.Zeus Cave & Knossos History, Villages & Olive Oil

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 89 reviews · 1 day · from $129

Spend a full day with a local driver-guide such as Nikos or Marinos, visiting Knossos, Omalia Olive Press, Zeus Cave, the Lasithi Plateau, Krasi, and Mochos. Expect scenic drives, village stops, olive oil, raki, local snacks, and an optional taverna lunch in a comfortable minivan.

“Exceptional day with Marino. Incredible experience in Crete, extraordinary views, great learning. From the Olive Oil Factory, to the family cafe, to the tree, to the village, to the cave, to the lunch, to the palace, everything was unique. 200% recommended. Driver and guide at the same time experienced and knowledgeable. Thank you Marino also for the wonderful cookies your wife made.”

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