A visit to the Buckingham Palace
I would say that a visit to the Buckingham Palace, when visiting London for the first time, it is probably on everyone's list. I don't think it is the first thing they want to see but I would say that it is pretty high on the list.
People are always very curious, because there is always the chance that the Royal Family is just chilling inside and I guess people like that idea of being so close to the British Royalty.
The Palace itself, specially because we only get to see it from the outside, in my opinion is very underwhelming.
But it is in a great area and obviously all around the Palace the spaces are very tight and beautiful. Everything looks really pretty.
The surroundings of the Palace always look pristine obviously, only "the best" for the Royals. But now you are asking yourself.
Is it really worth it to go and visit the Palace? In my personal opinion, I would say that is not a must. But we will get into it later.
You need to know that when you go to visit the Palace basically what you are going to see is the building, the windows and the Kings Guard, standing there.
If you are here for the first time, it can be fun the idea of seeing it but there are way more cool and interesting places and things to be done in London.
So specially if you come with limited time. You might want to skip visiting the Palace. It is always crowded and there's not much to see.
Something that happens and some people would say it is worth it, is the Kings Guard change ceremony.
I can't tell you much about it. Because I did not go to watch it when I came here on Holidays the first time, and after 12 years living in London, I still did not go to watch.
But I would say that if you are planning to visit the Buckingham Palace and you come with time, at least, do it at the day and time that the Guard Change happen. You can check their official website to get all that information.
And since you are there, just take some time to walk the gardens around because those are pretty. But once again, not even the best gardens you can visit in London. They are always very crowded.
Maybe now I am a little bit to desensitised to this place and maybe that's why I have this opinion about the Buckingham Palace. But one thing I can tell you. First time I was in London for holidays, I came with a friend that knew the city already, and he took me there because he thought I would like to see it.
Was very underwhelming to me, I got there, I looked at it and I thought: "okay, can we go and see something else now".
Even the first time I saw it, I was not too impressed by the Palace.
If you are coming with someone that have visited London, or come to visit someone that you know that live here, ask them their opinion. Because they will presume that you want to see the Buckingham Palace, so they probably will suggest you to go there.
But know that deep inside, that they probably know what better places to go and visit but they will take you there, because they will think that you want to go.
Are some of the details around the Palace Beautiful. Yes they are but you also can see some details like this all over London. So this is not something exclusive to the Buckingham Palace.
Please don't get discouraged to visit this place if there is really something you feel like you want to see, for whatever reason. This is obviously just the opinion of one person, and I am just here to let you know what do you get when you arrive there.
Don't want you to go with all those expectations, to then get disappointed. As I said, if it is part of your itinerary and you really feel that will make your London trip better, go.
Also a big warning, when visiting London. Be careful with your phone and obviously pickpockets! Unfortunately, there are a lot of phone snatching and theft going around, specially in touristic areas where people are caught out of guard.
In conclusion, if the Buckingham Palace it is on the top of your bucket list of places to visit, by all means, give it a go.
If you are going to see it because it everyone else does, and you think it is an essential place to go. Maybe skip it, there are way better places that you can see and enjoy more.
If there are any other places around London that you are curious to discover and know more about, let me know in the comments down below and I might go visit, photograph and share the experience in here with you.