South Carolina · Georgia · the United States

Charleston and Savannah

Two historic towns on the South Coast: the colorful houses, gardens and Fort Sumter in Charleston, and the squares with oaks and Spanish moss in Savannah.

South (Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee)

In the photo: East Battery along Charleston’s waterfront

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Send your photos

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Charleston, South Carolina, was founded in 1670 by English settlers and became one of the richest ports in North America during the colonial period, exporting rice and indigo produced by enslaved labor. The historic core, on a peninsula between two rivers, preserves houses with side porches, cobbled streets and the colorful ensemble of Rainbow Row. In the harbor, Fort Sumter was the site of the first shots of the Civil War in 1861.

In the outskirts of Charleston, the former plantations Magnolia and Middleton Place maintain 18th- and 19th-century gardens and tell the story of the enslaved people who worked there. On Johns Island, the Angel Oak spreads its branches over a huge area.

Savannah, in Georgia, about 175 km to the south, was founded in 1733 with a street plan organized around public squares, which remains almost intact. The squares shaded by oaks draped in Spanish moss, Forsyth Park and the Bonaventure Cemetery give the city its image. Tybee Island, with its lighthouse, is about 30 km away on the Atlantic coast.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Charleston, Savannah.

Share: WhatsApp

Traveler, share your experiences through photos Up to 5 photos of each place you visited.

One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Charleston and Savannah is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Charleston and Savannah

✈ Charleston International Airport (CHS), in North Charleston · 19 km to Charleston

Charleston is served by CHS airport in North Charleston, and Savannah by SAV, northwest of the city. The two towns are connected by I-95 and US-17, or by train on the East Coast line. Entry requirements depend on nationality: confirm the rules before traveling.

Suggested arrival point: Charleston

Carolina do Sul · Charleston and Savannah Suggested arrival point

Charleston

City in South Carolina founded in 1670 on a peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper rivers. The historic center has colorful houses like those of Rainbow Row, the waterfront of The Battery, markets and churches. Ferries from the harbor go to Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began. Nearby are the gardens of the former Magnolia and Middleton Place plantations and the Angel Oak on Johns Island.

Geórgia · Charleston and Savannah

Savannah

The oldest city in Georgia, founded in 1733 on the banks of the Savannah River, with a historic center organized around squares shaded by live oaks and Spanish moss. It has Forsyth Park and its fountain, the River Street waterfront, Bonaventure Cemetery and, nearby, the oak avenue at Wormsloe and the Tybee Island lighthouse.

The local experience

Things to do in Charleston and Savannah

Charleston · South Carolina · Historic centre

Rainbow Row and The Battery

The colorful houses of East Bay Street and the waterfront of The Battery, with 19th-century mansions and White Point Garden at the tip of the peninsula.

Savannah · Georgia · Historic centre

Savannah Historic District

Savannah’s center, laid out in 1733 around public squares, with 22 of them preserved, 18th- and 19th-century houses and live oaks draped in Spanish moss.

Savannah · Georgia · Park

Forsyth Park

The largest park in Savannah’s historic center, with a white 1858 fountain, live oaks with Spanish moss and lawns.

Charleston · South Carolina · Fort

Fort Sumter

Fort on an island in Charleston Harbor where the Civil War began in April 1861; visited by ferry from the city center or from Mount Pleasant.

See 6 more places in Charleston and Savannah

Savannah · Georgia · Historic cemetery

Bonaventure Cemetery

19th-century cemetery on the banks of the Wilmington River, with live oaks, Spanish moss and funerary sculptures, known from the book and film about Savannah.

Charleston · South Carolina · Garden

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Former riverside plantation with gardens open to the public since the 19th century, azaleas, swamps and a trail about slavery on the site.

Charleston · South Carolina · Garden

Middleton Place

Former rice plantation with the country’s oldest landscaped gardens, mid‑18th century, butterfly‑shaped ponds and a museum about the lives of enslaved people.

Savannah · Georgia · Historic site

Wormsloe State Historic Site

State historic site with an avenue more than 2 km long lined by hundreds of live oaks and the ruins of a colonial tabby house.

Charleston · South Carolina · Historic tree

Angel Oak

Oak estimated to be several hundred years old on Johns Island, with limbs that extend and rest on the ground, in a municipal park.

Savannah · Georgia · Lighthouse

Tybee Island Light Station

Tybee Island’s historic lighthouse, with 178 steps to the top and views over the Atlantic and the mouth of the Savannah River.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From March to May, azaleas and wisteria usually bloom, and days are mild. October and November are also pleasant. Summer is hot and humid, with late-afternoon storms. From June to November, the coast is attentive to Atlantic hurricanes.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Five days: three in Charleston, with the gardens and Fort Sumter, and two in Savannah, with an afternoon in Tybee.

Which city to stay in

In Charleston, the historic center south of Calhoun Street leaves the attractions within walking distance; Mount Pleasant, on the other side of the river, is near the Patriots Point ferry. In Savannah, the Historic District between the river and Forsyth Park allows you to do everything on foot.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Charleston and Savannah

How do I get to Charleston and Savannah?

Via Charleston (CHS) and Savannah (SAV) airports or by car on I-95. The two cities are about 175 km from each other.

How many days should I book for Charleston and Savannah?

Five days: three in Charleston and two in Savannah.

What is the best time to visit Charleston and Savannah?

Spring, from March to May, when the flowers bloom, and fall, from October to November.

Do I need a car in Charleston and Savannah?

Historic centers can be explored on foot; a car helps for Charleston’s plantations, for Tybee and for the trip between the cities.

Can you visit Savannah as a day trip from Charleston?

You can do it in a long day, but ideally stay overnight in Savannah: it’s about 175 km, two hours by car.

What time zone are Charleston and Savannah in?

Both cities use Eastern Time: UTC−5, and UTC−4 from March to November.

Explore other destinations Search by state and city

Charleston and Savannah

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip