Riga to Vilnius: Bauska Castle, Rundale Palace & Hill of Crosses

Summary

Latvia to Lithuania by road with castles, palaces and sacred hills

You’ll travel from Riga to Vilnius with stops at Bauska Castle’s riverside ruins, explore ornate Rundale Palace gardens, and walk among thousands of crosses at Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses. Expect honest moments—like grabbing lunch from a local bakery or pausing in silence on the hill—that stay with you long after you arrive in Vilnius.

What’s the experience like?

The day didn’t start exactly as planned — I nearly left my passport in the hotel room in Riga (don’t do that). Our driver, Janis, just grinned when I came running down the steps, out of breath and apologizing in three languages. The van was warm and smelled faintly like coffee and someone’s perfume. We set off for Vilnius with a handful of us chatting quietly, rain tapping on the windows. I hadn’t expected to feel so much like I was leaving something behind already.

Bauska Castle was our first real stop. It sits right where two rivers meet — you can hear them if you stand still enough, which I did for a minute while the others took photos. The guide explained how one part was built by the Livonian Order (I’m still not sure who they were exactly) and another bit later for some duke. The old stones felt cold under my hand. There were schoolkids running around inside; their voices bounced off the walls and made everything feel less museum-y somehow.

After that we rolled through flat fields to Rundale Palace. I’d seen pictures but didn’t expect all that gold trim or those weirdly perfect gardens (even though it was drizzling). Our guide pointed out some Italian architect’s name — Rastrelli? — who also did something big in St Petersburg. I got lost for a second staring at faded frescoes on the ceiling; someone laughed because my umbrella blew inside out when we stepped outside again. Lunch was sandwiches from a bakery in a small Latvian town — nothing fancy but honestly better than most “included lunches” on tours.

The Hill of Crosses is hard to describe without sounding dramatic. It’s just this little hill covered in thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of wooden crosses, rosaries tangled everywhere, even little notes tucked into the grass. The wind there smells like wet earth and candle wax. A Lithuanian woman passed us quietly and touched one cross before moving on — she nodded at me but didn’t smile exactly. I still think about that moment when everything went quiet for a minute.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Riga to Vilnius via key landmarks

• Visit Bauska Castle complex
• Explore Rundale Palace and gardens
• See the Hill of Crosses monument

Top questions

Is this tour from Riga to Vilnius one-way?

Yes, it starts in Riga and ends in Vilnius.

Are entrance fees included for Bauska Castle or Rundale Palace?

The tour includes transportation and a guide or guidebook; entry fees are not specified.

How long does the trip take?

The trip lasts about one day with several sightseeing stops along the way.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; departure is from a central point in Riga.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No set lunch is included; there are opportunities to buy food along the way.

Do I need my passport for this Riga to Vilnius transfer?

Yes, you must bring a valid passport for border crossing.

Are infants allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap; specialized seats are available.

How often does this day trip run?

The tour runs on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday each week.

What’s included

Your journey includes comfortable transportation between Riga and Vilnius with room for luggage, plus either a live guide or a detailed guidebook so you can explore Bauska Castle, Rundale Palace, and the Hill of Crosses at your own pace before arriving in Lithuania’s capital city.