Hill of Crosses & Rundale Palace Day Trip from Riga

Summary

Latvia to Lithuania day trip with castles, palaces and the Hill of Crosses

You’ll travel from Latvia to Lithuania in one day—exploring Bauska Castle’s towers, wandering Rundale Palace gardens without crowds, and standing among thousands of crosses at the Hill of Crosses. With transport handled and entry tickets included, you’ll have space to slow down and notice small moments along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The day started with us piling into a van just outside Riga — I was still finishing my coffee when we pulled up at Bauska Castle. It’s got this kind of Game of Thrones vibe (our guide joked about it first), but what really stuck with me was how the morning mist clung to those old red bricks. We climbed the new tower — a bit winded by the top, honestly — and I remember touching the stone, still cold from the night. There were only a few other visitors around so it felt like we had it to ourselves for a minute.

After that, we rolled through flat fields until Rundale Palace appeared out of nowhere. The guide called it “Latvia’s little Versailles” — not wrong. The palace is all gold trim and pastel walls, but I liked wandering the gardens best. You could smell roses even though it was almost lunchtime. Some folks grabbed lunch in the café; I just sat on a bench for a bit, watching an older couple argue gently over which way to go next. It made me laugh because they reminded me of my grandparents.

Crossing into Lithuania was less dramatic than I thought — there’s just a sign and suddenly you’re somewhere else. We stopped for photos at the border (someone tried to jump between both sides for a picture; didn’t quite stick the landing). Then came the Hill of Crosses. It’s hard to describe until you see it: thousands upon thousands of crosses packed together, wood and metal clinking in the breeze. Our driver explained people bring their own crosses or buy one from locals selling them nearby. I stood there for ages trying to take it all in — there’s something heavy but hopeful about that place.

I didn’t expect to feel so moved by a pile of crosses on a hill, you know? But even now I can remember how quiet everyone got walking through them. If you’re thinking about this day trip from Riga or Vilnius, don’t rush it — let yourself linger where you need to.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit castles, palace, and Hill of Crosses

• Photo stop at Bauska Medieval castle
• Climb renovated viewing tower
• Explore fortress ruins
• Visit Rundale palace and gardens
• Free time for lunch at palace
• Stop at Latvia-Lithuania border for photo
• Visit Hill of Crosses in Lithuania
• Add a cross to Hill of Crosses (optional)

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Riga to Hill of Crosses?

The total duration is about 8 hours including travel time between sites.

Are entry tickets included for Bauska Castle and Rundale Palace?

Yes, your ticket covers entrance to Bauska Castle Tower and Rundale Palace with its gardens.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No set lunch is included but there’s free time at Rundale Palace where you can buy lunch if you wish.

Can I bring my own cross to leave at Hill of Crosses?

Yes, you can bring your own cross or purchase one from local sellers onsite.

Does this tour include transportation?

Yes, comfortable air-conditioned transport is provided throughout the day.

Is there a minimum number of travelers needed?

The tour runs if at least 3 people are booked for that day.

Is this shared or private transportation?

This is a shared ride with other travelers joining you on the tour.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted during this experience.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable shared transportation with professional drivers, entrance tickets for both Bauska Castle Tower and Rundale Palace plus its gardens, all parking fees covered—and plenty of free time at each stop so you can explore or grab lunch as you like before returning in the evening.