Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace featuring a castle, heritage architecture and skyline
Britain’s most famous home, the luxurious personal residence and workplace of Queen Elizabeth II, is open to all.

The official home of British royalty since 1837, Buckingham Palace is the epicenter of Britain’s constitutional monarchy. It’s walls have witnessed innumerable state decrees, lavish banquets and foreign dignitary receptions.

First erected as Buckingham House for the Duke of Buckingham in 1705, the palace has expanded through the centuries. Today, it’s one of the most visited sites in the world.

Cross the threshold of Buckingham Palace into the Grand Hall and admire the curving marble staircase decorated with portraits hung by Queen Victoria. Decorated with gold-accented candelabras and sovereign reds, the Throne Room is used for royal gatherings and receptions. This is the room that leads to the East Front Balcony, where Prince William and Catherine Middleton shared a kiss in front of the world following their wedding in April 2011. 

While neither an art gallery nor a museum, the palace’s private art collection rivals many national museums. Discover furniture crafted for kings and heirloom artwork from masters such as Rembrandt. 

The palace has more than 700 rooms. During August and September, when Queen Elizabeth II makes her annual visit to Scotland, 19 magnificent State Rooms are available for touring. These rooms showcase many pieces of art from the royal family’s private collection. There is an admission fee, which includes an audio tour, and pre-booking your visit at the Buckingham Palace web site is essential. As a guide, if the royal flag is flying atop the palace, the Queen is home.

Complete your London experience by catching the iconic Changing the Guard ceremony, which begins promptly at 11:30 a.m. on scheduled days. Most tourists have little luck in their efforts to distract the stoic soldiers. From the palace, take a leisurely stroll to Hyde Park, the affluent Kensington district and Green Park.

Alternatively, take the Underground train to the parks, all just a couple of stops away. 

The Buckingham Palace is located in the city of Westminster. You can catch a bus from London, and St. James’s Park is the nearest Underground station. Guided tours of the State Rooms are available daily in August and September.

Reviews of Buckingham Palace

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
506
" "5 - Excellent 50.398406374501995%
4 - Good
405
" "4 - Good 40.33864541832669%
3 - Okay
70
" "3 - Okay 6.972111553784861%
2 - Disappointing
9
" "2 - Disappointing 0.896414342629482%
1 - Terrible
14
" "1 - Terrible 1.3944223107569722%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
17 Mar 2020

Go early or you wont see the changing of the guards

5/5 - Excellent

Brenda
2 Sep 2019

If open, go to the visit of the State Rooms, it is very worthwhile.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
1 Aug 2019

Buy tickets beforehand at Gate A for timed ticket or if you want to go to the Mews you can buy a package there and queue was shorter. Arrive at gate C about 10 minutes before time, as you are called forward for your time. The gates are to the left of Buckingham Palace front and just around the corner.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
4 Jun 2019

crowded

4/5 - Good

Mandy
3 Jun 2019

It's iconic, how could you not go to Buckingham Palace when you go to London? You stand outside the gates. The building is remarkable. You can see the iconic guards dressed in red with their big black fluffy hats. If you are lucky, you can see the changing of the guard. Even if you don't, there is always one marching around back and forth. This is more of a relaxing venue as there isn't much to do but just look. Hyde park is nearby, so you can go get an ice cream and relax on the grass after seeing Buckingham Palace!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
29 May 2019

Look up the time of the changing of the guard to see it!

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