Buckingham Palace is the beating heart of British royalty, the place where national celebrations and royal moments unfold like clockwork. Walking down The Mall and getting a glimpse of the palace is something every traveler should tick off their list. Should you just snap a selfie and call it a day, or dive deeper with a tour? Let me save you the guesswork. I’m here to break down the best Buckingham Palace tours this year—and why they’re 100% worth it.
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Should You Take a Tour of Buckingham Palace?
Short answer: Hell yes, you should take a tour of Buckingham Palace. But, yeah, I get it—The Tour Guy is a tour operator, so that might sound a little biased. But hear me out.
Buckingham Palace might not have the ancient castle vibes of Windsor, but it’s been the epicenter of British royal life for over a century. In today’s world of televised events, that famous balcony facing The Mall is practically iconic. You’ve seen it—the royal family waving to throngs of people after monumental events like weddings, coronations, and everything in between. It’s as famous as Juliet’s balcony, but with a lot more pageantry.
Right now, King Charles III is chilling at Clarence House while the palace gets a facelift (don’t worry, it’ll be back in all its glory by 2027). But Buckingham Palace is still the nerve center of the monarchy, with all the admin work and royal biz happening behind those gilded gates.
For anyone who’s a fan of the royal family—or just a sucker for history—this place is pure gold. A tour gives you a chance to dive deep into its cultural and historical significance, and trust me, it’s a lot more interesting than just snapping a pic and calling it a day.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our guide to Buckingham Palace for more info.
Which Buckingham Palace Tours to Take?
There are several options if you want to tour Buckingham Palace. The staterooms are only open ten weeks a year, so interior visits can be hard to find, but we have daily options that cover the Palace from the outside and take in the key ceremonies, like the ‘Changing of the Guards’.
Our best Bucking Palace tours are as follows:
- The Buckingham Palace Royalty Tour
- London Walking Tour with Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace
- London in a Day Tour with Westminster Abbey, Tower of London & Buckingham Palace
The Buckingham Palace Royalty Tour
The Buckingham Palace Royalty tour is a fantastic and fascinating way to dive deeper into both the history of the Palace and the institution of the monarchy.
For most of the year, the State Rooms and Throne Room are closed to the public, but those rooms are open for ten weeks each summer. Tickets sell out quickly, but your space is guaranteed with this tour.
Your expert guide will lead you through St. James Park, originally a swamp turned into a hunting lodge by Henry VIII that remains a bastion of green tranquility surrounded by the concrete jungle of London.
Then, up the Mall, the royal mile of road leading to the Palace, used for the Changing of the Guard and Royal processions.
Your guide will lead you through security and into the Palace, where you will be given a personal audio guide to lead you through the magnificent State and Throne Rooms. Undoubtedly one of the best Buckingham Palace tours to take.
Note: The opening dates for 2024 have yet to be confirmed by the Palace, so be sure to bookmark this page and return towards the end of 2023 to find availability.
Highlights:
- Walking tour of St. James Park and the Mall
- Admission ticket to Buckingham Palace
- Audio guide for palace tour
- A friendly, local guide
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our guide to Buckingham Palace for more info.
London Walking Tour with Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace
Where should you stand to get the best view of the Changing of the Guards? What time should you arrive to make sure you don’t miss anything? What is the significance of the ceremony? All of this and more is answered with this London walking tour.
With this fascinating tour, you will get an in-depth tour of Westminster Abbey without spending hours in line like the rest of the crowds. Your expert guide is like a walking encyclopedia of all things London. They will entertain you with stories of the Abbey’s long history and the historical figures who have played a significant role in its history.
Thoroughly awed, you’ll stroll through the former hunting lodge of Henry VIII, St James’s Park, before finding the perfect spot to watch the Changing of the Guard. With Buckingham Palace in the background, your guide will regale you with stories of the Palace and the monarchy.
A perfect tour to introduce you to the wonderful history of London.
Highlights:
- Skip-the-line walking tour of Westminster Abbey
- Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sundays, weather permitting)
- Fun, knowledgeable local guide
- Maximum group size of 15
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our guide to Best Tours of London to Take and Why
London in a Day Tour with Westminster Abbey, Tower of London & Buckingham Palace
Want to see London’s most iconic attractions in just one day? This action-packed London-in-a-day tour makes the most of your time in this historic city.
You’ll start with a tour of Westminster Abbey before strolling through leafy St James’s Park on your way to Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guards. Then see the famous balcony were the royals are so often seen during public events and hear countless stories of the monarchs who have lived here.
You’ll also have time to explore the Tower of London, gain access to the crown jewels, see 10 Downing Street, and so much more.
This in-depth tour lets you skip the line to see London’s best sites without the long wait, and you’ll even get to take a boat ride along the River Thames. A perfect way to see many of London’s highlights if your time in the city is limited.
Highlights:
- Skip-the-line entry and tour of Westminster Abbey
- Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace
- Boat ride down the River Thames by clipper
- Access to the Crown Jewels, White Tower and more
- Passionate local guide
- Maximum group size of 15
- Skip-the-line Tower of London admission
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our guide to Top Things to See at Buckingham Palace
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