Get up to €50 off your staySubscribe and get up to €50 off your next stay
Browse and explore the best travel guides in Baltimore.
Baltimore is Maryland's largest city, a historic port on the Chesapeake Bay with a gritty, independent character. Its revitalised Inner Harbor is the centre of visitor life, home to the National Aquarium, historic ships and waterfront promenades linked by water taxis to the neighbourhoods around the harbour.
History is everywhere. Fort McHenry is where the defence against British attack in 1814 inspired the Star-Spangled Banner, cobblestoned Fells Point dates back to the 18th century, and Mount Vernon is home to the first major monument to George Washington. The Walters Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art are both free, and the American Visionary Art Museum celebrates self-taught artists. Edgar Allan Poe lived and is buried here.
Baltimore is famous for Maryland blue crabs, Orioles baseball at Camden Yards and lively neighbourhoods such as Federal Hill, Canton and Hampden. Hotels are good value compared with nearby Washington, DC, which is about an hour away by train.
Country
United States
Region
Maryland (independent city)
Population
~565,000 (city), ~2.8 million metro
Elevation
Sea level to ~140 m (Inner Harbor near sea level)
Time Zone
EST (UTC-5), EDT (UTC-4) in summer
Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Language
English
Nearest Airport
BWI (Baltimore/Washington International), ~15 km
Airport to City Centre
~35 min by Light RailLink; ~20-25 min by taxi
Typical Cost Level
Mid-range
Transport Pass
MTA day pass via CharmPass app; Water Taxi day pass
Spring (Mar-May)
4-24°C (39-75°F)
Summer (Jun-Aug)
20-31°C (68-88°F)
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
7-24°C (45-75°F)
Winter (Dec-Feb)
-3 to 8°C (27-46°F)
Get the latest deals, new destinations, and travel tips delivered straight to your inbox.
No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
April to June and September to October are the best times to visit Baltimore, with comfortable temperatures for exploring the harbour on foot. Summer is hot and humid but is peak season for crabs and baseball at Camden Yards. Winters are cold but quiet, with lower hotel prices.
The Light RailLink is the cheapest way from BWI Airport to downtown Baltimore, taking around 35 minutes. Trains from BWI Rail Station reach Penn Station in about 15-20 minutes, and a taxi or rideshare takes around 20-25 minutes.
The Water Taxi is the most enjoyable way to get around Baltimore's harbour neighbourhoods. The Inner Harbor, Fells Point and Federal Hill are walkable, and the Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink and buses cover the rest. A car helps for outlying neighbourhoods and day trips, but you can manage without one downtown.
Two to three days is a good amount of time for Baltimore. That covers the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry, Fells Point and the free art museums. Add a day for Annapolis or Washington, DC.
The main tourist areas of Baltimore are generally safe, but the city has higher crime rates than many US destinations. The Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Mount Vernon and Canton are busy and popular with visitors. Stick to well-known areas, avoid walking alone late at night in unfamiliar neighbourhoods, and use a taxi or rideshare after dark.
On trip1, you can book hotels across Baltimore and pay with over 50 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC. trip1 covers 3 million+ hotels in 190+ countries, making it easy to find and book accommodation with crypto.
The Inner Harbor is the most convenient area to stay in Baltimore, close to the aquarium and waterfront. Fells Point has cobblestone streets, historic pubs and harbour views, Federal Hill offers bars and skyline views, Mount Vernon is the cultural district around the Washington Monument, and Hampden is known for quirky shops and restaurants.
Maryland blue crabs are the food to try in Baltimore, steamed with Old Bay seasoning or made into jumbo lump crab cakes. Also look for pit beef sandwiches and Berger cookies, and visit historic Lexington Market for local favourites.
Entry rules, stay length and passport validity by nationality.
