We’ve been lucky enough to visit both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, and if you’re choosing just one, here’s the truth: they each offer totally different vibes. One is all royal polish and public pomp. The other? A living piece of medieval history. Here’s how Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle compare—so you can pick the experience that fits you best.
Get To Know The Traveling Taylors!
👑 Buckingham Palace: The Crown’s Public Face
Visiting Buckingham Palace is like stepping into the center of royal attention. It’s all about elegance, tradition, and pageantry.
- Location: Central London, near Green Park.
- Vibe: Polished, formal, ceremonial.
- Highlights: The iconic balcony, Changing of the Guard, and beautifully decorated State Rooms (open July–Sept only).
- Good for: Travelers who love regal glamour, British pageantry, and staying within London.
🎫 Heads up: You can’t visit the palace interior unless you’re there during the summer opening, and photography is not allowed inside.
🏰 Windsor Castle: The Royals’ Real Retreat
In contrast, Windsor Castle feels like the place where real royal life happens. It’s older, quieter, and brimming with history.
- Location: In Windsor, about an hour from London.
- Vibe: Historic, grand, slightly mysterious.
- Highlights: St. George’s Chapel, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, State Apartments, royal tombs.
- Good for: History lovers, architecture fans, and anyone craving castle vibes and countryside charm.
🌳 Bonus: It’s next to The Long Walk, one of the UK’s most scenic royal strolls—perfect for a post-tour wander. Comfortable shoes are essential when exploring cities on foot, and many travelers recommend supportive walking sneakers like these for full days of sightseeing.
📅 Accessibility & Timing
Buckingham Palace
- Limited access—interior visits only July–September.
- Easy to combine with other London attractions.
- Best for short visits or those with limited time.
Windsor Castle
- Open year-round (except royal closures).
- Requires about half to a full day, including travel.
- Best for day trips and deeper exploration.
🗓️ Your vibe check: Want quick royal energy? Go Buckingham. Want depth and time to wander? Windsor all the way.
Because sightseeing often means lots of photos and videos, having a reliable travel backpack like this one makes it easy to carry your camera gear and accessories.
📸 Photo & Experience Highlights
Buckingham Palace
- Best exterior shots are at the front gates.
- Changing of the Guard is a must-see.
- Gardens are beautiful but access is limited.
Windsor Castle
- Dramatic photo ops from The Long Walk, castle walls, and inside the grounds.
- You can explore far more of the property, and it feels immersive.
📷 Our take: Windsor Castle offers more for the camera and the soul. If you enjoy filming your travel experiences, a tiny wearable camera like this one is a great way to capture hands-free POV footage while walking through iconic locations.
🎯 Which One Fits Your Travel Style?
| Travel Style | Go Buckingham Palace If… | Choose Windsor Castle If… |
|---|---|---|
| 🏙️ City Explorer | You’re staying in London | You’re open to a scenic day trip |
| ⏰ Short on Time | You only have a few hours | You’ve got half or a full day to explore |
| 🏰 History Buff | You love modern royal events | You’re into medieval castles and deep history |
| 📸 Photo Seeker | You want classic London pics | You want landscape, architecture, and variety |
| 👑 Royal Watcher | You follow royal news and state events | You’re curious about royal life and rituals |
If you’re visiting both palaces, attaching an Apple AirTag like this one to your bag or luggage can give you peace of mind in case something gets misplaced.
👑 Two Palaces, Two Vibes
Both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle are unforgettable—but they speak to very different sides of royalty. If you’re after formality, fame, and London energy, Buckingham Palace is your spot. But if you want rich history, gothic chapels, and castle magic, Windsor Castle wins—no crown required.
Still can’t decide? You can do both in one trip! Start with Buckingham’s summer opening, then escape to Windsor the next day for a totally different royal encounter.
Share your thoughts with us! Leave a Comment!