Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarch in London. With over 775 rooms, it serves as a working palace and a stunning example of neoclassical architecture. The palace is famed for the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which attracts thousands of visitors. The surrounding gardens are the largest private gardens in London, boasting beautiful landscapes and a variety of flora. Visitors can explore the State Rooms during the summer months, which display priceless art and historical artifacts, providing insight into British royalty and history.
What each source says
- Google Places 4.5 186,557
- Viator 4.4 55,814
- Tripadvisor 4.5 29,753
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-21.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Beautiful Garden Access The palace gardens offer a serene, well-maintained escape from London's urban hustle, perfect for a relaxing stroll or picnic, and often feature unique botanical displays and wildlife.
- Excellent Visitor Support Staff throughout the palace and grounds are consistently praised for being friendly, helpful, and welcoming, with many offering great historical insights and specific assistance for those with accessibility needs.
- Iconic Cultural Experience Watching the Changing of the Guard ceremony is a must-see traditional event that captures the essence of British military precision, heritage, and spectacle in a truly memorable way.
- Informative Audio Guides Every ticket includes a high-quality, easy-to-use audio guide that offers engaging historical context for each room, allowing visitors to tour at their own comfortable pace without feeling rushed.
- Stunning State Rooms The State Rooms feature opulent interiors, priceless art collections, and royal artifacts, providing an unforgettable look into British history and monarchical life for those visiting during summer opening months.
Criticised
- Chaotic Viewing Experience Due to massive crowds and barricades during ceremonies, getting a clear line of sight to the guards is challenging, often resulting in frustration for those who didn't arrive extremely early.
- Extreme Crowd Density Major events like the Changing of the Guard are incredibly crowded, often requiring arrival an hour or more in advance just to secure a view over the fences.
- Restrictive Visitor Logistics There are no restroom facilities available until the very end of the tour, and strict airport-style security requires early arrival and specific, sometimes cumbersome, handling of backpacks and bags.
- Seasonal Availability The State Rooms and formal palace tours are only open to the public during limited summer months, meaning tourists visiting outside this window cannot see the interior living spaces.
- Strict Photography Ban Photography is strictly prohibited throughout the entire interior of the palace, which disappoints many visitors hoping to capture memories; official souvenir guidebooks are the only way to retain visual records.
The longer read
Buckingham Palace is an iconic London landmark, offering two primary ways to experience it: viewing the exterior with the Changing of the Guard ceremony, or touring the interior State Rooms during their limited summer opening season. For the Changing of the Guard, credible visitor feedback emphasizes that arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes early is essential to secure a view along the fence. Without this advance planning, crowds and barriers often obscure the event, leading to significant disappointment. While the architecture and history are undeniably impressive, be prepared for substantial crowds, pickpocketing risks in dense areas, and standing for the duration of the ceremony. Those looking for a more relaxed architectural experience often find evening visits, when crowds are thinner, better for photography and viewing the Victoria Memorial.
For those planning to go inside, pre-booking tickets for the State Rooms is non-negotiable, as they sell out well in advance and are only open for a short window, typically July through September. The tour is self-guided and accompanied by a free, informative audio guide that allows you to move at your own pace through the opulent rooms. Visitors consistently praise the grandeur of the interiors, the world-class art collection, and special exhibitions, often noting that it feels like a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, there are strict operational rules: photography is strictly prohibited inside the building, backpacks must be carried by hand, and there are no restroom facilities available until the very end of the tour, which can take 1.5 to 2 hours. Accessibility is well-handled for those with mobility issues, provided you arrange for the alternative route upon arrival.
Regarding the garden access, visitor sentiment is mixed. While the gardens are vast and tranquil, many reviewers felt the standard admission was underwhelming because large sections are off-limits unless you purchase a separate, premium guided tour. The garden cafe is a popular spot to relax at the end of the tour, though it is frequently crowded with long queues for food and drinks. If you have flexibility in your schedule, purchasing tickets directly through the Royal Collection Trust is recommended, as it often provides the option to have your ticket stamped to allow free re-entry for an entire year. Whether you choose to prioritize the free exterior ceremony or pay for the premium interior tour, the consensus is that Buckingham Palace requires careful logistical planning regarding transport, ticket booking, and crowd management to ensure a positive, comfortable visit.
A synthesis of third-party reviews supplied by Mindtrip travel index. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 303 123 7300
- Website
- rct.uk/visit/buckingham-palace
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| Thu | 11:00 - 17:00 |
| Fri | 11:00 - 17:00 |
| Sat | 11:00 - 17:00 |
| Sun | 11:00 - 17:00 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.5 against a median of 4.6 across the 13 venues we hold for Westminster, and the most-reviewed of them.
Still deciding?
- What are the main attractions or rooms visitors can see inside Buckingham Palace?
- When is the best time of year or day to visit Buckingham Palace for fewer crowds or special events?
- How much does it cost to visit Buckingham Palace and are there any discounts or packages available?
- What is the historical significance of Buckingham Palace and how has it been used over time?
- What other attractions or points of interest are located near Buckingham Palace in London?
Where this comes from
Venue records are drawn from the Mindtrip travel index, which aggregates place data and review signals from Google Places, Tripadvisor and booking providers. Ratings are reproduced per source rather than merged into a single number. Distances to nearby venues are computed here as great-circle distances between the published coordinates, not walking or driving routes. Comparison figures are medians computed across the venues we hold for the same neighbourhood or city.
Source: Mindtrip travel index, captured 2026-08-21.
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.