It's highly recommended that you see Buckingham Palace. This famous structure dates back to 1703, making it one of London's oldest landmarks. If this is your first-time visiting London, you will miss out if you don't stop by the palace the British royal family calls home. The palace has a prime location in the heart of London, only steps away from some of the city's most well-known landmarks, such as Big Ben, the River Thames, Trafalgar Square, St. James Palace, and many more. After the obligatory photo op in front of the palace's renowned front, explore the palace's 775 rooms, including 92 offices, 52 monarch and guest bedrooms, 188 servant rooms, and 19 and 78 baths. Here are the top tours of Buckingham Palace you should take.

Changing of the Guard Ceremony Tour

This choice combines a tour of Buckingham Palace with detailed, guided information on the Changing of the Guards ritual, providing the best of both worlds for those curious about the royal house. During select times during the Changing of Guards, knowledgeable advisors will place visitors at the finest vantage spots and give them headphones to hear the instructive commentary. Then, go directly into an audio tour of Buckingham Palace's famous staterooms without waiting in any of the massive lineups. Beginning on the streets outside the palace, the approximately two-and-a-half-hour walking tour provides an intriguing glimpse into the past.

Buckingham Palace State Rooms Tour

The State Rooms of Buckingham Palace are open to the public for ten weeks every summer, starting mid-July and ending at the end of September. The royal family uses the palace's 19 State Rooms, created by architect John Nash, for official occasions and entertaining guests. Famous artworks from the Royal Collection are shown here, such as those by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Canaletto, together with exquisite porcelain sculptures, furniture, & crystal chandeliers. The audio tours cover the palace grounds' south side and the Throne Room, the White Drawing Room, and the Ballroom. The duration of a tour is around two hours. If you'd like to extend your time at Buckingham Palace, you may pay extra to see the Royal Mews, which houses the palace's stables.

Palace and Windsor Castle Day Trip

This trip will give you a background on the royal family by the end of the day as you visit two palaces in a single day. The first leg of the 8.5-hour trip begins in Central London, where you'll be picked up inside an air-conditioned vehicle and taken to Buckingham Palace. You may take an audio tour of the elaborate State Rooms throughout the summer. Year-round, an exhibition called Queen Victoria's Palace details the palace's evolution from a private home to a functional royal residence. The next stop is Windsor Castle and the church where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married, St. George's Chapel. Tours typically end in Harrod's, a luxury department store in the heart of London. Keep in mind that food is not included in the package.

Palace Tour, Including Afternoon Tea

After seeing the palace, there's no better time to relax with traditional afternoon tea in London. This four-hour excursion includes a guided audio tour of a State Rooms and skips the queues. Then, you'll stroll around St. James Park with your guide before enjoying a traditional afternoon tea service complete with scones, cakes, and other sweet treats in a sophisticated setting with views of the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace. In addition, your guide will educate you on the history of tea in England. Wear sturdy shoes since there will be a lot of walking involved in the trip.

Tour for Small Groups to Buckingham Palace and State Rooms

This option offers a comprehensive walking tour of the sites near Buckingham Palace, perfect for those who prefer a more customized visit. Narrated for four hours, the trip travels through Piccadilly Circus and passes by the Spencer House (Princess Diana's childhood home), Clarence House, and St. James Palace in Westminster, England. The next step is to visit Trafalgar Square & Buckingham Palace to watch the Guards change. Listen to an audio guide around the State Rooms after the ceremony (during the summer). There is room for up to 14 people on this intimate tour.

London's Royal Private Family Tour

Making history engaging and relevant for kids is difficult, but this trip does it perfectly. Six locations are visited throughout the tour's two hours, including a stop at Leinster Gardens so that children may enjoy themselves on the playground. Stops at Kensington Palace, the Albert Monument, and Hyde Park, accompanied by a narrated tour, provide tourists with an insider's look at the royal family (and its secrets and scandals). There is a pause for refreshments at one of the parks, and the guides incorporate participatory games like treasure hunts and quizzes for the youngsters. The trip finishes in Buckingham Palace, where the focus will give you more details. The journey is also free for children under the age of 10.