Long-distance travel in the pre-modern world was expensive, slow, uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous. Only the rich could undertake long journeys purely for pleasure, but many who traveled for other reasons (merchants, mercenaries, soldiers on campaign, emissaries on state business, people visiting religious sites, etc.) took time off to see the local sights.

The earliest Greek account of a historical voyage for pleasure names the Athenian lawgiver Solon, in the 6th century BCE, who is said to have visited Lydia and Egypt in order to see their marvels (Herodotus, Histories 1.30). In the 5th century BCE, the Greek historian Herodotus visited Egypt, where local priests told him about the history of the land's monuments and an interpreter accompanied him on a visit to the pyramids to translate inscriptions for him (Herodotus 2.124-125). By the 3rd century BCE, guidebooks for travelers detailing interesting and historical sights to be found around the Mediterranean were a popular genre of literature. The only one to survive today is the Description of Greece by Pausanias, but we know of many others, including guides to Italy and Sicily.

Tourism became even more popular under the Roman Empire, when travel around the Mediterranean was somewhat easier and safer. Many wealthy Romans made a tour of famous historical and artistic sites in Greece. Egypt also remained a popular destination, and the ancient monuments of Egypt are covered in Greek and Latin graffiti from ancient tourists. One surviving papyrus document details the preparations for a visit to Egypt by a wealthy Roman, including making sure there were tasty morsels to feed the crocodiles so they would put on a good show (P.Tebt. 1.33).