Tower of London vs Buckingham Palace: Which to Visit First?

Both are royal, both are essential, but Tower of London and Buckingham Palace are very different experiences with very different booking quirks. Here's which to prioritise.

Tower of London

Open year-round, daily. Tickets £33-40. What you see: the Crown Jewels (genuinely spectacular), the White Tower (William the Conqueror's original castle), the Beefeater Tour (included with entry, brilliant guides). Allow 3-4 hours.

Booking: skip-the-line tickets available year-round. Even at peak times, the Crown Jewels queue inside the Tower can be 30-45 minutes. Arrive at opening (9am) to do the Crown Jewels first.

Buckingham Palace

Open July to September only (10 weeks a year). Tickets £30-35. What you see: the State Rooms used for official receptions, the Throne Room, the Picture Gallery (with Vermeer and Rembrandt). Allow 2-3 hours.

Booking: open dates sell out months in advance. If you're visiting July-September, book the moment dates go live (typically March). The Royal Mews and Queen's Gallery have separate (cheaper) tickets available year-round.

Which to visit first?

If you're in London July-September: Buckingham Palace is the rare booking, do it first. The Tower runs all year.

If you're in London any other time: Tower of London. Buckingham Palace State Rooms aren't an option, so visit the Royal Mews (carriages) and the daily Changing of the Guard outside instead (free).

Combo verdict

Most travellers can do both in a 4-5 day London trip. They're at opposite ends of the city so don't try to do them the same day. Spread across two days for better pacing.

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