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

The most unusual part of this Riga day trip is how much ground you cover in eight hours: medieval ruins, a grand palace, a roadside border stop, and the haunting Hill of Crosses in Lithuania. You get a quick taste of two Baltic countries without changing hotels or arranging several separate rides.

I like the small group size, capped at eight, and the freedom built into each stop. I also like the personal touch offered by guides such as Jānis and Viesturs, who have added local food, Latvian traditions, snacks, drinks, and extra photo stops to the day. The main drawback is the long amount of time on the road, and the open-air sites lose some appeal in rain.

At a glance

• Two countries in one day: Visit Latvia and make a short crossing into Lithuania.
• Three main sights: Explore Bauska Castle, Rundale Palace, and the Hill of Crosses.
• Small shared group: The vehicle holds no more than eight people, making conversation and questions easier.
• Free time at each stop: You are not marched from room to room or kept on a tight guided walk.
• Border photo opportunity: Stop at Eleja for pictures with the Latvia-Lithuania signs.
• Useful local extras: Guides may provide water, snacks, small drinks, and extra stops when time allows.

Why this day trip works from Riga

Riga is a fine base for exploring Latvia, but the capital tells only part of the story. This excursion takes you into the countryside, where castles, manor culture, border villages, and religious traditions give you a broader sense of the region.

The route also solves a practical problem. Bauska Castle, Rundale Palace, and the Hill of Crosses are not close enough to make an easy public transport loop in one day. With parking, entry tickets, and an air-conditioned vehicle included, you can concentrate on the sights instead of working out several connections.

The group limit matters. A full coach would make this route feel like a checklist, but a maximum of eight people leaves room for conversation. Guides have been able to stop for coffee, local snacks, border photographs, or an extra castle when the schedule allows.

The tour begins at 8:00 a.m. at Riga Free Tours on Reformācijas Laukums in central Riga and returns to the same meeting point. The advertised eight hours includes driving time, so this is a full day rather than eight hours spent at the attractions.

Bauska Castle and its Game of Thrones look

Bauska Castle is the first major stop, with about 30 minutes set aside. The fortress sits where two rivers meet, and its broken stone walls and tower give it a dramatic appearance. Some people compare the setting to a television fantasy castle, but the real appeal is simpler: you get a striking medieval ruin with open views and plenty of good photo angles.

Entry to the freshly renovated viewing tower is included. From above, you can look across the surrounding countryside and see why this was a useful defensive site. You also have time to walk around the fortress remains and photograph the walls.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick look, not a full museum visit. If you like reading every display or spending time inside historic buildings, this stop may feel short. The tour treats Bauska as a compact introduction to the region rather than the main event.

The timing also makes sense. You are still early in the day, and the palace and Hill of Crosses need more time. Bring shoes that can handle uneven ground, since this is a castle ruin rather than a polished urban attraction.

Rundale Palace, Latvia’s little Versailles

Rundale Palace receives the longest stop, about two hours. This is the grand centerpiece of the Latvian side of the route, with ornate interiors, formal gardens, and a very different mood from Bauska’s rough stone ruins.

The palace is often compared with the grand residences of St. Petersburg. That comparison helps set expectations: you are coming for decorative rooms, courtly design, and a sense of aristocratic scale. The gardens add another layer, especially in good weather, when you can leave the palace and walk among the formal plantings.

Your ticket covers the palace and gardens, and you explore at your own pace. An audio guide is available, and bringing headphones is a smart move. The guide on the road gives a useful overview, while the palace audio tour lets you spend more time on names, dates, rooms, and details that a shared group visit cannot cover.

Two hours gives you a fair amount of freedom. You can focus on the palace, spend time outdoors, or divide your visit between both. In wet weather, the gardens may be less inviting, so pack an umbrella or rain gear if the forecast looks poor. The palace remains worth visiting in bad weather, but the outdoor part is naturally less enjoyable.

Lunch is not included. You can eat at the palace, but food choices may be limited, particularly if you want something light. I would carry your own lunch or snacks rather than rely entirely on the café. This is one of the few practical weaknesses in an otherwise tidy day plan.

Crossing into Lithuania at Eleja

The border stop at Eleja takes about five minutes. It is brief and optional, but it adds a pleasing sense of place to the day. You can take a photograph with the Latvia-Lithuania signs and mark the moment you move between the two countries.

Do not expect a staffed border checkpoint experience. This is a quick roadside photo stop, not a formal border tour. Its value comes from the simple fact that you can stand in Latvia and Lithuania on the same outing, then continue toward the Hill of Crosses.

The precise order of stops may change. Some departures visit the Hill of Crosses before Rundale Palace, depending on the day’s plan. That is usually not a problem, but keep a little flexibility in your schedule if you are planning a specific meal, drink, or onward connection.

The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania

The Hill of Crosses is the emotional heart of the day. For about an hour, you walk among thousands of crosses placed on a small hill outside Šiauliai. They range from tiny personal tokens to large wooden crosses, rosaries, and memorial pieces.

This is not a conventional monument with one clear story. It is a place built from individual acts of faith, remembrance, and identity. The sheer number of crosses can feel overwhelming at first, then strangely quiet as you notice the personal messages and handmade details.

You are welcome to bring and leave your own cross. That choice is entirely yours, and you do not need to add anything to appreciate the site. The paths allow you to wander at your own pace, stop for photographs, and take in the changing shapes around you.

The ground can be uneven, and the site is outdoors. Comfortable walking shoes are important. Rain, wind, or cold can also change the experience quickly, so dress for the forecast rather than the calendar.

An hour is a sensible amount of time for most people. You can see the main area without rushing, though those who want to inspect every corner could easily stay longer. Since this is a shared group outing, you will need to return to the vehicle on time.

The guide makes the difference

The strongest part of this experience is the guide-led time between stops. Jānis has been praised for combining Latvian history with stories about daily life, local food, Easter traditions, mushrooms, and Latvian words. That sort of commentary helps connect the monuments to ordinary life.

Viesturs has also led this route, with a friendly approach and a willingness to answer questions. Guides may provide bottled water, snacks, small drinks, and suggestions for places to eat. One guide even added an unscheduled stop when the timing allowed.

This is not a formal lecture delivered at every monument. At Bauska and the Hill of Crosses, you should expect an overview and then personal time. At Rundale Palace, the included audio guide can supply more detailed information.

That balance suits many people. You get local context during the drive, but you are not tied to a guide’s every step once you reach the attraction. If you want an intense, academic explanation inside each site, a private tour would likely suit you better.

Comfort, timing, and the small group setting

The air-conditioned vehicle is important because the route includes a good deal of driving. The total duration is about eight hours, and travel time is already included. You should expect a busy day with several stops rather than a slow palace-and-gardens outing.

A maximum of eight people is a real advantage. It is easier to hear the guide, ask questions, get in and out of the vehicle, and make a brief extra stop. It also creates a more social setting for solo visitors, who can otherwise find day trips awkward.

The tradeoff is that this remains a shared ride. You do not control every departure time or choose exactly how long the group stays at each place. The driver needs to keep the day moving, particularly because the route crosses an international border.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The tour starts near public transport in central Riga, then returns to that same meeting point. Pay close attention to the guide’s instructions at each stop, especially if you use headphones while exploring on your own.

Is the $157.28 price good value?

At $157.28 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see one Latvian palace. The value appears when you count what the price combines: transport from Riga, parking, Bauska Castle tower entry, Rundale Palace and garden admission, a small group, and a second country added to the route.

Arranging the same day independently would mean comparing transport to Bauska, Rundale, and Lithuania, then fitting everything into the opening hours and return journey. That may save money for a confident planner, but it costs time and leaves little room for delays.

The tour is especially good value if you want a straightforward way to reach the Hill of Crosses from Riga. It also works well for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who prefer local explanation over a large coach.

Food is the extra cost to plan for. Lunch is not included, and the palace café may not suit every appetite. Carrying food also protects your schedule, since you will not need to search for a meal during the two-hour palace stop.

Weather and the best way to prepare

Weather can shape this day more than the guide or the route. Rundale’s gardens and the Hill of Crosses are both outdoor experiences, and rain can leave you cold and wet. Bring waterproof clothing, an umbrella, and shoes with a firm sole when the forecast is uncertain.

Do not assume poor weather will cancel the tour. The stated plan runs in rain or snow, so you should be ready to visit the locations as scheduled. If you dislike outdoor sightseeing in wet conditions, choose your date carefully and check the forecast before booking.

Pack headphones for the Rundale audio guide, water, snacks, and a lunch you will actually enjoy. A small cross is optional if you want to leave one at the hill. Keep your phone charged for the border stop and the many photo opportunities.

Who should book this Riga day trip?

I would choose this outing if you have several days in Riga and want to see more than the capital. It gives you a useful mix of architecture, ruins, countryside, religion, and local stories without requiring an overnight stay.

It suits solo visitors particularly well because the small vehicle encourages conversation. It also suits people who prefer a relaxed day with free time rather than a tightly scripted walking tour.

Families and older visitors should consider the walking surfaces and the need to get in and out of the vehicle several times. Most people can participate, but the Hill of Crosses and Bauska Castle are not fully indoor, flat-floor attractions.

I would hesitate if your priority is a long, detailed museum lecture or a leisurely afternoon in palace gardens. The route covers a lot, and the travel time is part of the bargain. It is best understood as a broad introduction to Latvia and a memorable first look at Lithuania.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want three distinctive sights in one day, value a small group, and like the idea of crossing briefly into Lithuania from Riga. The Hill of Crosses gives the day its emotional weight, while Rundale Palace supplies elegance and Bauska adds medieval atmosphere.

Skip it if you want to linger at one site, avoid several hours in a vehicle, or need guaranteed sunshine for outdoor visits. For most people with limited time in Riga, though, the combination is hard to arrange as neatly on your own. Bring lunch, dress for the weather, and leave room for the guide to add a local surprise.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, including the driving time between Riga and the sights.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Riga Free Tours, Reformācijas Laukums, in central Riga. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

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

How many people can join the shared tour?

The vehicle holds a maximum of eight participants.

Does the tour visit two countries?

Yes. The route visits Latvia and crosses into Lithuania for the Hill of Crosses. There is also a short stop at the Latvia-Lithuania border for photographs.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so bringing your own food is a practical choice. You may also have time to eat at Rundale Palace.

Are admission tickets included?

Yes. The price includes Bauska Castle tower entry, Rundale Palace and gardens admission, parking fees, and transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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