Rundale Palace & Bauska Castle tour from Riga: Private day trip

Two centuries of Latvian power in one afternoon: Baroque palace and medieval fortress

A private full-day tour from Riga visits Rundale Palace and Bauska Castle, an hour's drive south, with hotel pickup and an English-speaking driver who provides basic historical context and restaurant advice. The tour does not include a licensed guide or museum tickets. You arrange those separately, though a professional guide can be booked in advance for an additional fee. Winter hours vary by site, and the driver will suggest alternatives if any location is closed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit castles and palace near Riga

• Drive from Riga to Bauska Castle
• Visit Bauska Castle museum and surroundings
• Drive to Rundale Palace
• Visit Rundale Palace museum and gardens
• Driver advises local restaurants for lunch

The experience

Rundale Palace is the centerpiece: a Baroque summer residence built between 1736 and 1768 for Ernst Johann von Biron, Duke of Courland, and designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the Italian architect who built the Hermitage and Peterhof in Russia. The palace sits on grounds with formal gardens. Bauska Castle, reached the same day, is a two-part ensemble: the older Livonian Order Castle from the 15th century survives as ruins, while the late 16th-century residence of the Kettlers, the Dukes of Courland, stands intact. Both sites sit within an hour of Riga, so the drive itself is short.

Your driver handles the route and can point you toward ticket offices and lunch spots, but does not provide detailed historical narration. If you want a licensed guide at either site, arrange that in advance when you book. The operator can coordinate it for a separate fee. Museum entry is your own cost. The minivan is air-conditioned and seats up to three or up to seven passengers depending on which option you choose, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Bring bottled water for the day, though water is provided.

Check opening hours before you go, especially in winter: some sites close on certain weekdays. If a location is shut, your driver will suggest other sites nearby to fill the remaining time. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• transport by air-conditioned minivan.
• English-speaking driver who provides basic information and restaurant recommendations.
• bottled water.
• specialized infant seats if needed.

Options for this experience

2 options

Group of up to 3 passengersUp to 3 per booking · 10:00Includes pickup

Group of up to 7 passengersUp to 7 per booking · 10:00Group of up to 7 passengers, pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to16h before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Baltic Transfers and Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the three-passenger option if you're traveling as a couple or small family and want a more intimate pace. The seven-passenger option works for a larger group or when you want to share the cost. Either way, the private vehicle means you set the rhythm at each site instead of following a group schedule, and you can linger at whichever palace or castle holds your interest longer.

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Top questions

What is inside Rundale Palace that I'll see?

Rundale Palace is a Baroque residence with rooms, furnishings and decorative details from the 18th century, plus formal gardens surrounding it. Entry is by ticket, which you purchase on arrival. A licensed guide can be arranged separately if you want detailed interpretation of the rooms and their history.

How much of Bauska Castle is still standing?

Bauska Castle is two structures: the Livonian Order Castle from the 15th century remains as ruins, while the Kettlers' residence from the late 16th century is a complete building. Both are part of the same ensemble and both are open to visit.

Do I need to book the driver and the museum tickets at the same time?

No. The driver and transport are part of your booking. Museum tickets are separate and you buy them when you arrive at each site. If you want a licensed guide at either palace or castle, tell the operator when you book the tour and they will arrange it for an additional cost.

What happens if a site is closed when I arrive?

Winter hours vary by location and some sites close on certain weekdays. Your driver will know which sites are open and can suggest alternatives nearby to keep the day full. Check the sites' schedules before your tour date to plan which one you most want to see.

Is lunch included, or do I need to find a restaurant myself?

Lunch is not included, but your driver will recommend local restaurants and can direct you to them. You choose where to eat and pay for your meal separately.