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 unmissable things to do in London. Who doesn't remember the Foot Guards in their red coats and bearskin hats?
What's more, when the Royal Family goes on holiday, 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 discover 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 most iconic ceremony of the British monarchy 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.
During the 2.5-hour tour, you will visit key locations such as Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Downing Street, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and St James's Park, before taking up position 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 outside and does not include a visit to the interior of 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.
Interior Tour of Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard - Limited Time Availability!
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 most famous royal palace in the United Kingdom.
If you want to experience the splendour 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 background information thanks to your guide.
Recommended if... you want to enjoy the symbolism and elegance of the British monarchy 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:
- Westminster Tour with Buckingham Palace Tickets — From €83
- Tickets to the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace — From €20
- Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle Tour — From €161
Each of these experiences offers a different perspective on royal life and British history, whether inside the palace, in its stables or in combination with other royal residences.
What is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace?
What is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace?
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 (the ones in red uniforms with huge 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 great fun!
What will you see at Buckingham Palace?
What will you see at Buckingham Palace?
After watching 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. Such luxury and 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 staircases leading 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 theatres, 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 wished to meet with a guest in private before a large reception and to rest with her family.
- Picture Gallery: A small gallery that houses 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 your guide and heading to the tea ceremony.
Enjoy afternoon tea, a British classic
At the end of the tour of Buckingham Palace, we left and met up again with our guide for a stroll through beautiful St James's Park, the most beloved park of the English, before going to enjoy the famous British afternoon tea at a nearby hotel.
There we were able to sample a wide variety of sandwiches, cakes, tarts and homemade scones with jam and a thick cream called clotted cream, as well as a selection of delicious teas to drink on their own, with milk or with lemon. After immortalising the feast for our social media (another very 21st-century tradition), we set about sampling all the delicacies of this very special afternoon snack. 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 advise at the time of booking of any allergies or specific dietary requirements.
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Why is the changing of the guard in London worth seeing?
The spectacular nature of the palaces combined with military formality, the parade, the colourful uniforms of the soldiers and the music of the military band is a sight to behold and something that really catches the eye.
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 display is usually cancelled.
To stay up to date with last-minute cancellations in real time, check out the London Changing of the Guard Twitter profile.
Isabel's Traveler Tip
Although the event starts at 11 a.m., there is usually a lot of movement well before that, 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 see the changing of the guard in London?
The best views are at the Victoria Memorial in the centre of the roundabout in front of the palace gates.
To get here, either at the top of the steps of the monument or at the front, you will need to arrive early because the street is closed off and no more people are allowed into the area.
As many people crowd in front of the palace gates, I do not recommend standing there as you will not be able to see the parade properly unless you are in the front row. This is quite difficult to achieve, although not impossible.
What else is there to see in London?
With its cosmopolitan and modern character, London is a fascinating city that has something special that everyone loves and finds captivating. You could visit it several times and still be surprised 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 essential 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 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 would like 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 on the best excursions and tours in London, which will show you the different sides 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 discovering. Click on the article The best day trips from London to see all the fantastic getaways you can enjoy during your trip to the British capital.