Riga Day Trip: Rundale Palace, Hill of Crosses & Bauska Castle

Summary

Hill of Crosses whispers faith Rundale Palace glows gold Bauska Castle stands watchful

You’ll travel from Riga through rolling fields and border towns to three Baltic landmarks: medieval Bauska Castle, ornate Rundale Palace with its French gardens, and finally Lithuania’s haunting Hill of Crosses. Alongside a local guide and fellow travelers, you’ll hear stories that linger long after — and maybe find yourself quietly moved by what you see.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Hill of Crosses, Rundale Palace, Bauska Castle

• Drive from Riga to Hill of Crosses
• Explore Hill of Crosses site
• Drive to Rundale Palace
• Tour Rundale Palace and gardens
• Drive to Bauska Castle
• View Bauska Castle exterior and surroundings

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Riga to Rundale Palace, Hill of Crosses & Bauska Castle?

The tour lasts a full day with about 2 hours at Rundale Palace and 1 hour each at Hill of Crosses and Bauska Castle.

Is entry included for Rundale Palace and Bauska Castle?

Yes, entrance fees for both are included in your booking.

How far is Hill of Crosses from Riga?

It takes roughly 90 minutes by car from Riga to reach the Hill of Crosses.

Are guides available in multiple languages?

Yes, your driver/guide speaks several languages during the tour.

Is hotel pickup included on this day trip?

The tour includes pickup arrangements; check details when booking.

Can infants or small children join this group tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the trip.

What happens if fewer than 3 people book?

If fewer than 3 join, you can upgrade to a private tour or receive a full refund.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No set lunch is included; vegetarian options can be arranged if requested ahead.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable transport by air-conditioned minivan or business class 4WD with live commentary from your multilingual guide. Entry fees for both Rundale Palace and Bauska Castle tower are covered too — just bring some euros if you want extra museum access inside Bauska. Pickup is arranged before departure so you don’t have to worry about getting lost first thing in the morning.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Riga just after sunrise — not quite awake, coffee in hand, the city still quiet behind us. Our guide, Kristaps, kept the mood light with stories about Latvian winters and why his grandmother swears by birch sap. The drive was long enough for the countryside to sneak up on you: flat fields, little clusters of houses with smoke curling up, then suddenly — Bauska Castle rising between two rivers. I remember the chill off the water as we walked up; someone’s dog barked at us from across the bank. Inside the old stone walls, there’s this echo that follows your steps. I tried to imagine knights stomping through here but mostly just heard my own boots and a kid giggling somewhere upstairs.

The next bit was a blur of winding roads and sleepy villages until we reached Rundale Palace. It’s called Latvia’s “Little Versailles,” which sounded like a stretch until I saw those gardens — neat rows, fountains catching sunlight, roses everywhere. Kristaps showed us where Catherine the Great once visited (he winked like he’d been there himself). The palace halls felt heavy with old perfume and polished wood; I pressed my palm against one of those carved doors just to feel how cold it was. We had about two hours to wander — enough time for me to get lost in a maze and then find my way back by following laughter from another group.

After that came the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania. It’s hard to explain what it feels like standing there: thousands and thousands of crosses tangled together, some tiny and handmade, others big enough to lean on if you’re tired. The wind rattled little tin hearts tied to some of them. A woman passed by whispering a prayer in Lithuanian; I caught her eye and she smiled at me — just for a second but it stuck with me all day. Kristaps said people come here from all over Europe just to leave something behind. I didn’t expect it to feel so alive somehow.