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

The most striking part of this day trip is the two-country sweep. You leave Riga’s Old Town in the morning, cross into Lithuania for the Hill of Crosses, and return through southern Latvia with two elegant or rugged castles along the way. It is a lot of ground in eight hours, but the route gives you a sharp look at the Baltic countryside beyond Riga.

I like the small maximum of eight people, which makes a long day in a vehicle much easier than a full coach tour. I also like the mix of places: Rundale Palace gives you polished rooms and gardens, while the Hill of Crosses is raw, personal, and difficult to forget. The main consideration is the pace. You spend much of the day driving, and rain can take the shine off the palace gardens and outdoor castle stops.

Key points to know before booking

• Two countries in one day: See southern Latvia and make a short visit to Lithuania without arranging separate transport.
• Small shared group: The vehicle carries no more than eight people, making it easier to ask questions and keep the day moving.
• Three very different sights: Bauska Castle offers ruins and a tower, Rundale Palace brings grand interiors and gardens, and the Hill of Crosses is a powerful religious site.
• Admissions are covered: The price includes the Rundale Palace and gardens ticket, Bauska Castle tower entrance, parking, and an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Bring food and rain gear: Lunch is not included, and the palace cafe may have limited light choices. The outdoor stops are still visited in poor weather.
• Guides add local color: Jānis and Viesturs are praised for their humor, stories about Latvian life, practical help, and ability to keep a full day on schedule.

Why this is a strong day trip from Riga

Riga is a rewarding city, but Latvia’s character becomes clearer once you get beyond its Art Nouveau streets and Old Town lanes. This tour gives you that chance without the trouble of renting a car or working out regional bus connections.

The route combines major sights with small details. You may hear about Latvian food, Easter customs, local words, daily life, and the country’s past as you drive. Guides such as Jānis and Viesturs are also willing to answer questions and adjust the rhythm of the day when time allows.

The small-group format matters here. A full day with several stops can feel tiring in a large coach, especially when you need to hear meeting instructions and return to the vehicle on time. With a maximum of eight people, the ride feels more personal, and it is easier to make a short photo stop at the border or pause for coffee.

The itinerary is sometimes run in a different order from the one described here. The Hill of Crosses may come first, with the Latvian sites later in the day. That change does not alter the main sights, but it can affect your expectations about lunch, opening hours, and the order of the day.

Bauska Castle and its tower view

Bauska Castle is usually a brief stop, about 30 minutes, so think of it as a focused visit rather than a full castle tour. The site includes fortress ruins, a restored section, and a freshly renovated viewing tower. From above, you can take in the surrounding countryside and get the best photographs of the stop.

The ruined walls give Bauska a rougher feel than Rundale Palace. Some people compare its dramatic appearance to a television fantasy fortress, though the appeal is simpler: stone walls, open sky, and a sense of a defensive site that has weathered time.

The included tower entrance is important. You are not paying extra for the main viewpoint, and the short visit is built around getting up, looking around, and taking photographs. You will not have much time for a slow museum visit, so keep your camera ready and listen carefully for the return time.

Bauska is also a good reminder that Latvian heritage is not only about grand interiors. The castle stop supplies the sturdy medieval counterpoint to the refined palace that follows.

Two hours at Rundale Palace

Rundale Palace is the longest stop, with about two hours to use as you wish. This is the centerpiece for anyone who likes architecture, formal rooms, gardens, and palace design.

Often called Latvia’s little Versailles, Rundale has the polished look of an aristocratic country residence. You can explore the palace rooms, walk through the gardens, and take photographs without the pressure of a tightly guided room-by-room visit. An audio guide is available at the palace, and bringing headphones is a useful tip if you want more detail while exploring independently.

The freedom is one of the best parts of this stop. You are not tied to the guide for every room. You can spend longer on the interiors, head outdoors if the weather is pleasant, or simply move at your own pace.

Two hours sounds generous, but it passes quickly if you want both the palace and the gardens. On a dry day, plan your time before entering. If the gardens matter most to you, do not spend the entire visit indoors.

Lunch is also possible at Rundale, but it is not included. Food choices at the palace cafe may feel limited, particularly if you want something light. I would bring a snack or a packed lunch, especially if you have specific dietary needs or prefer not to use your sightseeing time waiting for food.

Rain is the main weakness here. The palace interiors remain worthwhile in wet weather, but the gardens are less inviting, and photography becomes harder. Pack waterproof clothing rather than relying on a small umbrella alone.

A five-minute border stop at Eleja

The Eleja stop is short, about five minutes, and completely optional. It gives you a chance to photograph the signs marking the Latvia-Lithuania border.

This is not a major attraction, and you should not expect a formal border crossing experience. It is a quick geographical marker, useful for the simple pleasure of saying you visited two countries in one day.

The stop also helps make the trip feel like more than a circuit of Latvian castles. If you enjoy collecting small travel moments, the border photograph is a fun addition. If you would rather stay warm or save time, you can remain near the vehicle.

The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania

The Hill of Crosses is the emotional center of the excursion. You have about an hour to walk among the crosses, take photographs, and consider the meaning of the place.

There are too many crosses to count, and they vary in size, material, and appearance. The effect is not polished or orderly. It is crowded, intimate, and deeply personal, with individual acts of faith gathered into one remarkable site.

You are welcome to bring your own cross and add it to the collection. That option is entirely personal. You can also simply walk around and observe. Either way, allow time to take in the site rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.

The ground may be uneven, and the visit takes place outdoors, so sturdy walking shoes are sensible. The site can also feel very different in sun and rain. In wet weather, waterproof shoes and a jacket will make the hour far more comfortable.

The Hill of Crosses gives the tour a meaning that the castles alone would not provide. Bauska and Rundale explain power, architecture, and the past. The hill brings the focus back to ordinary people, memory, belief, and personal expression.

What the ride is like

The tour begins at 8:00 a.m. at Riga Free Tours on Reformācijas Laukums in central Riga’s Old Town area. It ends at the same meeting point after roughly eight hours, with driving time already included.

You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a shared group of no more than eight people. That is a useful middle ground: more social than a private car, but far less crowded than a large bus.

The schedule is full, so punctuality matters. Guides keep the day moving, and missing the agreed return time at a stop can affect everyone. Pay attention to instructions, especially if you use headphones while exploring independently.

The ride may include water, snacks, coffee stops, or small local treats, depending on the guide and the day. These extras are not listed as guaranteed inclusions, so consider them pleasant additions rather than part of the contract.

Jānis is often praised for his humor, local stories, and ability to explain both the sights and everyday Latvian life. Viesturs is also described as warm, helpful, and attentive, including when a member of the group needed extra care getting in and out of the vehicle. The guide can make a real difference on a driving-heavy excursion.

Is the $157.28 price good value?

At $157.28 per person, this is not the cheapest possible way to see southern Latvia. It is also not just a simple ride from Riga. The price includes transport, parking, Bauska Castle tower admission, and the Rundale Palace and gardens ticket.

You are paying for convenience as much as entry tickets. A rental car would require driving across two countries, checking routes, finding parking, and managing the timing yourself. Public transport would take more planning and may not connect these four stops neatly in one day.

The strongest value comes from the combination of access and group size. You see Bauska, Rundale, Eleja, and the Hill of Crosses without arranging separate transfers. You also get a local guide who can fill the long road sections with context and practical advice.

The price makes less sense if you want a slow visit at one site. Rundale receives two hours, Bauska only 30 minutes, and the Hill of Crosses one hour. This is a wide-ranging introduction, not a deep examination of every room, ruin, or garden path.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see more than Riga but have only one free day. It suits solo visitors especially well because the small shared group makes it easy to meet people without the formality of a large coach.

It is also a good choice for first-time visitors to Latvia who want several strong contrasts in one outing. You get royal architecture, medieval ruins, a border crossing photo, and a powerful religious site.

The tour works for people who enjoy local conversation. The guides do more than point out buildings. They may discuss traditional food, customs, Latvian words, and daily life, giving the drive a human side.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, long vehicle rides, or fixed schedules. I would also think twice if your main goal is a slow garden visit at Rundale. The day is efficient, but it is not leisurely.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The tour operates in English and is near public transport at the Riga meeting point.

Weather, timing, and useful preparation

The tour runs in rain or snow, so check the forecast and dress for outdoor time. A waterproof jacket, comfortable shoes, and a small umbrella can make a major difference.

Bring lunch or a substantial snack. You may choose to eat at Rundale, but the cafe may not suit every appetite, and lunch is not part of the price.

Keep your schedule flexible if possible. The tour requires a minimum number of bookings, and the operator may need to change the date if that minimum is not reached. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, while late cancellations and late changes are not refunded or accepted.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking point about 34 days before departure. That suggests you should reserve early if the day fits tightly into your Riga plans.

Should you book the Bauska, Rundale, and Hill of Crosses tour?

Book it if you want maximum variety in one day and prefer having transport, admissions, and a local guide handled for you. The Hill of Crosses is the emotional highlight, Rundale is the visual treat, and Bauska adds a compact dose of medieval atmosphere.

Skip it if you need a relaxed pace or want a detailed guided visit inside every attraction. The day covers a lot of territory, and the schedule leaves limited time at Bauska.

For most visitors with one open day beyond Riga, I think the combination is worth the price. Bring food, wear shoes that can handle wet ground, listen carefully to the meeting times, and leave room for the guide to add a small local surprise along the way.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, including travel time.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Riga Free Tours, Reformācijas Laukums, in Riga’s central district.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Riga.

How many people can join the shared tour?

The group has a maximum of eight people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Are admission tickets included?

Yes. The price includes the Bauska Castle tower entrance and the Rundale Palace and gardens ticket.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should bring food or plan to buy something at Rundale Palace.

Can I add a cross at the Hill of Crosses?

Yes. You are welcome to leave your own cross there if you wish.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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