Buckingham Palace, London

Buckingham Palace serves as a splendid reminder of the monarch's continued importance in British culture. If you visit during August or September, you'll have the opportunity to tour the palace's opulent staterooms. The queen receives and entertains guests and conducts special ceremonies in these spaces. Many of the furnishings date back to the 1830s, when King George IV transformed Buckingham House into a palace. On your tour, you'll learn how the monarch uses each of the 19 staterooms, hear colorful history relating to these spaces, and see numerous works in the British royals' art collection. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, because the tour lasts from 2-2.5 hours and stretches out over 0.8 km (0.5 miles). Photography is not permitted inside. If you visit outside of August and September, you can still watch the changing of the guard outside the palace. Take a look at our London trip itinerary planner to schedule your visit to Buckingham Palace and learn about what else to see and do during your holiday.