More about: Changing of the Guard and Buckingham Palace Tours
Visiting Buckingham Palace and watching the changing of the guard is one of the most typical and essential things to do in London. Who doesn't remember the Foot Guards in their red coats and large bearskin hats?
What's more, when the Royal Family goes on vacation, the gates of Buckingham Palace are opened to visitors for a few weeks each year, between the end of July and the beginning of September. If you've always wanted to see the British Royal Family's residence and its unique escort, here's everything you need to know and the best tours to see it.
London Tour with the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace
Experience the Changing of the Guard in front of Buckingham Palace with an expert guide
Join this walking tour through central London and witness the British monarchy's most iconic ceremony from a privileged location.
There's no better way to see the Changing of the Guard than with this guided city tour, which takes you to the main historical sites in central London and ends right in front of the palace, just in time to witness the ceremony.
For 2.5 hours, you'll visit key locations such as Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Downing Street, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and St. James's Park, before positioning yourself at one of the best spots to watch the changing of the guard without the crowds and with historical context.
The guide will explain every detail of the ceremony, its symbols and protocols, as well as the history of the palace and the British monarchy, making it ideal for both first-time visitors and lovers of history and royal traditions. Please note that this tour is entirely outdoors and does not include a visit inside Buckingham Palace.
Recommended if... you want to ensure a complete and well-located experience to enjoy the Changing of the Guard, accompanied by an expert guide who will tell you everything as you explore the surroundings of Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace Tour and Changing of the Guard
Enjoy the Changing of the Guard and enter Buckingham Palace in a single visit
A unique experience available only a few months a year: witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony and step inside the UK's most famous royal palace.
If you want to experience the splendor of the British monarchy from the inside, this guided tour with entry to Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard is the most complete and exclusive option. Not only will you see the Changing of the Guard ceremony from a privileged vantage point, but you will also have skip-the-line access to the interior of the palace, something that is only possible for a few weeks a year.
The tour begins with an expert guide who will explain all the details of the changing of the guard (Foot Guards or Horse Guards), its history, protocol, and curiosities. After the ceremony, you will enter Buckingham Palace to explore its majestic State Rooms, including the Ballroom and an exhibition of masterpieces personally selected by the King.
Inside the palace, you will have an official audio guide, as live commentary is not permitted, but you will arrive with all the context thanks to your guide.
Recommended if... you want to enjoy the symbolism and elegance of British royalty to the fullest in a unique experience that combines ceremony, art, and heritage in the heart of London.
Other tours to visit Buckingham Palace
In addition to the classic exterior tour and the Changing of the Guard ceremony, there are other ways to explore Buckingham Palace and its royal spaces. Here are some options that combine history, culture, and access to the interior of the palace in different formats:
- Tour of London with Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace — From $20
- Tickets to the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace — From $24
- Excursion to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle — From $185
Each of these experiences offers a different perspective on royal life and British historical heritage, whether inside the palace, in its stables, or in combination with other royal residences.
What is the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace?
This is a military ceremony held at the main entrance to Buckingham Palace to relieve the guards responsible for the security of this palace and St. James's Palace, another palace located very close to the residence of the British Royal Family.
The changing of the guard in London is performed by a special section of the British army called the Queen's Guard (those in red uniforms with large fur hats), whose mission is to protect the head of state, Queen Elizabeth II.
If you book a tour to see the changing of the guard, you will enjoy a spectacular parade where you will see regiments of guards on foot and on horseback accompanied by a military band playing both traditional and contemporary music to liven up the show. I was very surprised that the musicians played songs by The Beatles, Star Wars, and The Lion King in the middle of a military parade. It was so much fun!
What will you see at Buckingham Palace?
After attending the changing of the guard in London, it's time to visit Buckingham Palace inside. We knew this was an exceptional opportunity, as it is only open to the public for a few weeks a year, so we were intrigued by what we would see behind its doors.
On this tour of Buckingham Palace, you won't see the private quarters of the Royal Family, but you will see some of the rooms that make up the State Rooms, where Queen Elizabeth II holds her public audiences and receives her guests at official events.
I must confess that the tour of this part of the Palace is absolutely spectacular. What luxury and what wonderful decoration! It's everything you'd expect to see when you imagine what a monarch's home would be like. It doesn't disappoint at all.
- The Grand Staircase: Majestic stairs that lead to the State Rooms of the Palace. Look at the walls! You will see some portraits of the Royal Family.
- The Throne Room: Decorated with red velvet inspired by old theaters, this room contains the chairs used at the coronation of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1953. It is also where photographs are usually taken at royal weddings.
- White Drawing Room: One of the most regal and beautiful rooms in the Palace, used by the late Queen when she wanted to meet with a guest more privately before a large reception and to relax with her family.
- Picture Gallery: A small gallery that brings together some of the most outstanding paintings in the Royal Collection. It is currently used as a waiting room for guests or for small receptions.
- The Ballroom: One of the largest and most beautiful rooms you will see during the tour of Buckingham Palace. Royal banquets, balls, and investitures are held here.
- The Buckingham Gardens: The tour ends in the Palace gardens, where you can take a pleasant stroll before meeting up with the guide and heading to the tea ceremony.
Afternoon tea, a British classic
At the end of the tour of Buckingham Palace, we leave and meet up again with our guide for a walk through beautiful St. James's Park, the most beloved park of the English, before going to have the famous British afternoon tea at a nearby hotel.
There we were able to sample a variety of sandwiches, cakes, pies, and homemade scones with jam and a thick cream called clotted cream, as well as a selection of delicious teas to enjoy on their own, with milk, or with lemon. After immortalizing the feast for our social media (another very 21st-century tradition), we proceeded to sample all the delicacies of this very special afternoon tea. Everything was delicious!
The afternoon tea ceremony was the perfect ending to a day where we experienced the most "British" side of our trip. The atmosphere was fantastic and we felt right at home. When we finished, we said goodbye to Amber, who was very kind and attentive to the group. I would repeat this experience without hesitation!
Useful information about this activity
- 4-hour tour of Buckingham Palace followed by afternoon tea at a nearby hotel.
- Guided walking tour in English and audio guide at Buckingham Palace.
- For the traditional tea ceremony, please notify us at the time of booking of any allergies or specific dietary requirements.
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Why it's worth seeing the changing of the guard in London
The spectacular palaces combined with military formality, the parade, the colorful uniforms of the soldiers, and the music of the military band make this a sight to behold and something that attracts a lot of attention.
Several countries in Europe hold solemn changing of the guard ceremonies in front of their royal palaces (such as Norway, Denmark, Monaco, and Spain), but England's is the most popular of all and has turned this ceremony into a tourist attraction. So I didn't want to miss it for anything!
When can you see the changing of the guard in London and how long does it last?
The parade lasts approximately 45 minutes and takes place every day at 11 a.m. in June and July. The rest of the year it is held every other day (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) except when it rains, as the exhibition is usually canceled.
To stay up to date with last-minute cancellations in real time, check out the Twitter profile of the changing of the guard in London.
Isabel's Traveler Tip
Although the event starts at 11 a.m., there is usually a lot of activity much earlier, so I recommend arriving at the palace around 10 or 10:15 a.m. to get a good spot.
What is the best place to watch the changing of the guard in London?
The best views are from the Victoria Memorial in the center of the roundabout in front of the gates of Buckingham Palace.
To get here, either at the top of the steps of the memorial or at the front, you'll need to arrive early because they close the street and don't allow more people into the area.
Because many people crowd right in front of the palace gates, I don't recommend standing there as you won't see the parade well unless you're in the front row. And achieving that is a bit difficult, though not impossible.
What else to see in London?
With its cosmopolitan and modern character, London is a fascinating city that has something special that everyone likes and finds captivating. You could visit it several times and it would still surprise you on every trip.
If this is your first visit, I recommend reading the post The best things to see and do in London to find out about the must-see tourist attractions. You can do the route on your own or admire the city from a tourist bus.
This is one of the most typical experiences to have in London and, although it may seem a bit touristy, it's one of the best ways to discover the city, either by taking the complete bus tours or hopping on and off whenever you want to explore an area on foot. If you want to know more about this activity, don't miss the article on sightseeing bus tours in London.
Would you like to know what else you can do in the city? Take a look at the article The best excursions and tours in London, which will show you the different faces of London and its monuments in a variety of ways.
Finally, London is a huge city with a lot to offer, but its surroundings are also worth spending at least one day of your trip exploring. Click on the article The best excursions from London to see all the fantastic getaways you can take advantage of during your trip to the British capital.