From July-October each year, visitors can walk through 19 of the magnificent State Rooms and explore the Palace's Garden. During most of the year Buckingham Palace is the office and London residence of The King and Queen. But since 1993, during the summer months, the palace is open to the public.

You cannot simply "walk into" Buckingham Palace for a casual visit; it is a highly secure working royal residence and access is strictly controlled. However, you can visit the State Rooms during the "Summer Opening," which in 2026 typically runs from early July to late September. During these months, the public can purchase tickets to walk through the 19 spectacular State Rooms used by the King for official entertaining. Outside of the summer season, the Palace is generally closed to the public, except for a limited number of exclusive guided tours (such as the East Wing tours) that are held on selected dates during winter and spring. These tours must be booked months in advance and cost significantly more (around £100 per person) than the standard summer entry. For those who just want to see the exterior, you can walk right up to the famous black and gold gates at any time for free, which is where most tourists view the Changing the Guard ceremony. In 2026, security remains "airport-style," with full bag scans and metal detectors for all ticket holders entering the grounds.