4.5 ·
Discover Buckingham Palace, the monarch's working London residence. Watch the red-coated Foot Guards and marching band perform the Changing of the Guard, or admire the grand neoclassical facade from St James's Park.
Reasons to go
Full description
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of the British sovereign since Queen Victoria moved in in 1837, and its balcony remains the backdrop for royal appearances at coronations and jubilees. Most of the 194,000-plus reviewers come to see the building's grand neoclassical facade and railings from St James's Park or the Mall rather than to go inside, since the State Rooms open to the public only in summer; the real draw for many is the Changing of the Guard, with its marching band and red-coated Foot Guards.
At a 4.5 rating it's an essential London stop, best treated as a scene to witness rather than a museum visit unless you've timed it for the summer opening.
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of the British sovereign since Queen Victoria moved in in 1837, and its balcony remains the backdrop for royal appearances at coronations and jubilees. Most of the 194,000-plus reviewers come to see the building's grand neoclassical facade and railings from St James's Park or the Mall rather than to go inside, since the State Rooms open to the public only in summer; the real draw for many is the Changing of the Guard, with its marching band and red-coated Foot Guards.
At a 4.5 rating it's an essential London stop, best treated as a scene to witness rather than a museum visit unless you've timed it for the summer opening.
Duration
30 min
Best time
morning, lunchtime, afternoon, early evening or evening
Intensity
Moderate walking
Good to know
Reviews
Amazing royal palace to visit and see from outside. There's the change of the guard during some hours or days (not usre) so if you plan well, it can be even more interesting. The gardens just before the palace are also quite gorgeous. A must visit when in London.
Sidónio Sousa
1/5📍 Nearby spots
London · 🏛️ Landmark · 🚶 1 min walk
Buckingham Palace: The State Rooms Entrance Ticket
2h
London · 🏛️ Landmark · 🚶 2 min walk
Queen Victoria Memorial
10 min
London · 🍸 Drinks · 🚶 8 min walk
Dukes Bar
1h30
London · 🏛️ Landmark · 🚶 9 min walk
Bomber Command Memorial
10 min
London · 🌳 Nature · 🚶 9 min walk
St James's Park
1h
London · ☕ Coffeebreak · 🚶 10 min walk
Formative Coffee
25 min
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