2 countries! Hill of Crosses, Rundale Palace and Bauska castle

Cross-border sightseeing can be surprisingly easy. This small-group day trip from Riga gives you a useful mix of castles, palace rooms, and a deeply moving religious site across Latvia and Lithuania, all in about eight hours. With a maximum of eight people, the outing feels more personal than a large coach excursion, and guides such as Jānis and Viesturs have earned warm praise for their humor, local stories, and careful timekeeping.

I especially like the chance to visit Rundale Palace and the Hill of Crosses in one day, since reaching both by public transport would be awkward. I also like the flexible feel: you get free time at the major stops, a photo opportunity at the Latvian-Lithuanian border, and sometimes an extra short stop or local snack along the way.

The main drawback is the pace. You cover a lot of ground, and the day depends on road conditions and the group staying on schedule. Rain can also limit your enjoyment of Rundale’s gardens and Bauska’s outdoor ruins, so pack proper weather gear rather than trusting a hopeful forecast.

Key Points Before You Book

• Two countries in one outing: Travel from Riga through southern Latvia and into northern Lithuania.
• A moving hour at the Hill of Crosses: Walk among thousands of crosses and leave one of your own if you wish.
• Two hours at Rundale Palace: Explore the ornate rooms and gardens at your own pace, with admission included.
• A small vehicle and small group: The shared ride has a maximum of eight people, making questions and conversation easier.
• Border photo stop: Pause at Eleja for pictures beside the Latvia-Lithuania signs.
• Bring food and walking shoes: Lunch is not included, and the palace café may have limited light choices.

Why This Riga Day Trip Works

Riga is a fine base for exploring the Baltics, but much of Latvia’s character lies beyond the capital. This outing takes you through the countryside to a grand palace, a medieval fortress, and one of the region’s most unusual sacred places.

The appeal is not just the number of sights. It is the contrast between them. Rundale Palace presents courtly elegance and carefully planned gardens. Bauska offers broken walls, a tower, and a more rugged medieval setting. The Hill of Crosses is not polished or arranged for easy sightseeing. It is crowded with personal acts of faith, memory, and hope.

At $157.28 per person, the price is not a bargain basement bus ride. Still, it covers the vehicle, parking, Bauska Castle tower access, Rundale Palace and garden admission, and the convenience of returning to central Riga. For a full day with two countries and several major sights, I consider the cost reasonable, especially if you value a guide and do not want to work out the transport connections yourself.

The maximum group size of eight is important. You are still sharing the ride, but you are unlikely to feel lost in a crowd. Guides have been praised for providing bottled water, snacks, local treats, and occasional breaks, although these extras should be viewed as pleasant additions rather than guaranteed inclusions.

Leaving Riga for Southern Latvia

The meeting point is Riga Free Tours at Reformācijas Laukums in the city center, with departure at 8:00 in the morning. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, and the stated eight-hour duration includes the driving time.

That last detail matters. This is not eight hours spent walking through three sites. Some of the day passes on the road, though the ride also gives your guide time to explain Latvian culture, food, customs, and countryside life.

Jānis is often singled out for his easy manner and entertaining stories. Viesturs has also been praised for being warm, flexible, and attentive, including helping a passenger with a sore knee get in and out of the vehicle. The quality of the day depends partly on your guide, but the strongest pattern is clear: this company’s guides tend to add local conversation rather than simply shuttle you between entrances.

The order of stops can change. Some departures visit the Hill of Crosses first, while others follow the sequence of Bauska, Rundale, the border, and the Hill. That is not a problem in itself, but it means you should avoid making firm plans around the exact time you will reach Lithuania.

Bauska Castle and Its Medieval Ruins

Bauska Castle is usually a short stop of about 30 minutes. It combines the remains of a medieval fortress with a more intact section that includes a recently renovated viewing tower.

You have time to climb the tower, explore the ruins, and take photographs of the surrounding area. The castle’s broken stone walls and open setting give it a rougher, more dramatic feel than Rundale Palace. Some people compare its appearance to a fantasy television set, though the real attraction is its compact, weathered character.

The stop is brief, so think of Bauska as an introduction rather than a full museum visit. You will not have hours to study every detail, and the outdoor parts are less enjoyable in heavy rain. Good shoes help, especially around uneven surfaces and old masonry.

The included tower entrance adds value here. You are not paying extra just to get the best view, and the climb gives the stop more purpose than a quick roadside photograph. If the schedule places Bauska at the end of the day, it can also serve as a pleasant final burst of fresh air before the drive back to Riga.

Rundale Palace, Latvia’s Grand Showpiece

Rundale Palace receives the longest scheduled visit, about two hours. That is the right amount of time for a first visit because you can see the palace interiors, walk through the gardens, and still pause for lunch.

The palace is often compared with the grand residences of St. Petersburg. Its formal rooms, decorative details, and carefully laid-out grounds provide a sharp contrast to the rough fortress at Bauska. I like this part of the day because it shows a more refined side of Latvian history without requiring you to spend an entire day inside a single estate.

Admission to the palace and gardens is included. An audio guide is available at Rundale, and bringing headphones is a smart idea if you want more detailed information while moving through the rooms. Your tour guide provides broader context during the drive and around the stops, but the audio material can give you a closer look at individual rooms and historical details.

You control your time inside. Some people will want to inspect the interiors carefully, while others will prefer a faster visit followed by the gardens. If the weather is dry, do not rush outside. The formal grounds are an important part of the experience, not merely an optional photo stop.

Lunch is not included. There is a restaurant or café at the palace, but several people found the menu limited, with heavier meals and few light choices. I would bring something small from Riga, especially if you prefer a quick sandwich or have dietary needs. You can still buy lunch at Rundale if the available food suits you.

The palace is also where the weather matters most. Rain does not cancel the visit, but wet paths and uncomfortable clothing can make the gardens less appealing. Pack an umbrella or waterproof layer, and do not assume that a warm forecast in Riga means dry conditions farther south.

A Five-Minute Stop at the Latvia-Lithuania Border

At Eleja, you can stop for photographs beside the Latvia-Lithuania border signs. The stop takes about five minutes and is optional, but it gives the day a fun geographical marker.

This is a photo opportunity, not a full border visit or a separate attraction. You will not spend meaningful time exploring Eleja, yet the stop helps make the two-country promise feel real. It is also a quick chance to stretch your legs before continuing toward Lithuania.

Because the tour crosses an international border, carry the identification and travel documents you normally need for your trip. The provided information does not describe border procedures, so follow the guide’s instructions on the day.

The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania

The Hill of Crosses, or Kryžių Kalnas, is the emotional center of the excursion. You have about one hour to walk around the site, examine the countless crosses, take photographs, and add your own cross if you choose.

It is difficult to prepare for the sheer density of the place. Crosses of different sizes fill the paths and rise in layers around you. Some are simple wooden pieces, while others carry names, prayers, or personal messages. The effect is not grand in the palace sense. It is intimate, crowded, and at times startlingly moving.

Give yourself time to walk without trying to photograph everything. The site invites quiet attention, and many people find it more affecting than expected. You do not need to be religious to appreciate the human stories represented by the crosses, though you should act respectfully and avoid treating the hill as a novelty alone.

Leaving a cross is optional. If you want to do so, plan ahead and bring one from Riga or buy one before the visit if you find a suitable opportunity. The tour description confirms that you are welcome to leave your own, but it does not promise that crosses will be sold at the site.

The ground can be uneven, so wear comfortable walking shoes. One hour is enough for a meaningful visit, but not enough for a long, unhurried exploration of every path. If the tour visits the hill early in the day, you may appreciate having the palace afterward for a calmer change of mood.

The Guide Makes the Difference

This is a guided ride, but it is not designed as a formal lecture at every site. The best guides add stories during the drive, answer questions, explain local traditions, and help the day feel connected rather than like three unrelated stops.

Jānis receives repeated praise for his explanations, friendliness, and ability to keep the schedule moving. He has also shared details about Latvian food, Easter customs, daily life, mushrooms, and local words. Viesturs is praised for humor, patience, and a willingness to make the day comfortable for the whole group.

You should ask questions if you want more detail. At some sites, you may be given time to explore independently rather than receiving a long guided walk. That arrangement suits people who like freedom, but it may disappoint you if you expect an expert beside you for every room and path.

Rundale’s audio guide helps fill that gap. If you want a highly detailed historical presentation at every stop, a private tour may suit you better. This shared outing is strongest as a friendly introduction with local commentary and personal exploration.

Timing, Comfort, and Group Size

The ride uses an air-conditioned vehicle and includes parking fees. With no more than eight people, the vehicle is smaller than a standard coach, and the group can usually move between stops without the slow boarding process of a large tour.

The tradeoff is that eight hours is a full day. You are combining several sites separated by road travel, so this is not the outing for someone who wants a slow morning or long meals. The pace is generally described as well organized, but you should return to the vehicle on time and listen carefully when the guide gives meeting instructions.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation at its central Riga meeting point. If you have mobility concerns, contact the provider before booking, since castle ruins, tower access, garden paths, and the Hill of Crosses may involve walking on uneven ground.

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is normally provided at booking, though reservations made within one day of departure are confirmed as soon as possible, subject to availability.

What to Pack for a Better Day

A few simple preparations can make this outing much more comfortable:

• Bring a packed lunch or snacks if you want light food or a quick meal.
• Wear sturdy walking shoes for the castle grounds and Hill of Crosses.
• Pack rain gear. The itinerary continues in rain or snow.
• Bring headphones for Rundale’s audio guide.
• Carry the travel documents you need for crossing between Latvia and Lithuania.
• Keep your phone charged for border, castle, and palace photographs.
• Leave room in your schedule in case the stop order changes.

The provider has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the fee is not refunded for late cancellation. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, so if that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who Should Book This Day Trip?

I would choose this tour if I had several days in Riga and wanted to see beyond the capital without renting a car. It is especially useful for solo visitors and small groups who want company, transport, and a guide while still having personal time at the sights.

History fans will appreciate the combination of fortress ruins, palace interiors, and a site shaped by generations of personal devotion. Photographers will find plenty of variety, from Bauska’s stone walls to Rundale’s formal rooms and the dense visual pattern of the crosses.

I would hesitate if you dislike long rides, changing weather, or a fairly full schedule. I would also think twice if your main goal is a slow, detailed study of Rundale Palace, since two hours must cover both the museum and gardens.

Should You Book It?

Book this Riga day trip if you want an efficient, friendly introduction to southern Latvia and a first taste of Lithuania. The strongest reasons are the small group, included admissions, good local guides, and the unusual combination of Rundale Palace and the Hill of Crosses.

Pack lunch, wear walking shoes, and expect the order to change. If you can accept a full day on the road, this is a well-priced way to connect three very different places, with enough freedom to make the experience feel like your own.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Riga Free Tours, Reformācijas Laukums, in central Riga, at 8:00 am. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including all travel time between Riga and the stops.

How many people are in the group?

This is a shared ride with a maximum of eight participants.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so bringing your own food is a practical choice. Food is available at Rundale Palace, though the options may be limited.

Are admission tickets included?

Yes. The price includes the Bauska Castle tower entrance, Rundale Palace and garden admission, and parking fees.

Can I leave a cross at the Hill of Crosses?

Yes. You are welcome to bring and leave your own cross at the Hill of Crosses if you wish.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.