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

Two countries, one long day. This compact trip from Riga links Rundale Palace and the Hill of Crosses, with Bauska Castle and a quick border photo stop along the way. I like the small group size, capped at eight, and the mix of grand architecture, ruins, countryside, and a deeply personal religious site. The main drawback is the pace: eight hours includes all driving, so this is an ambitious outing rather than a slow, leisurely day.

The $157.28 price is fair for a shared ride that includes admission to Bauska Castle tower, Rundale Palace and gardens, parking, and an air-conditioned vehicle. I also like the freedom at each stop. You get time to explore at your own speed, though the palace café may not suit every appetite, so bringing food is sensible.

Key points to know before booking

• Two countries in one day: See southern Latvia and cross briefly into Lithuania without arranging separate transport.
• Small-group transport: The shared vehicle holds no more than eight people, making conversation and questions easier than on a large coach.
• Rundale Palace is the centerpiece: Allow two hours for the palace, gardens, photos, and possibly lunch.
• The Hill of Crosses is personal and powerful: You may add your own cross to the thousands already gathered there.
• The order may change: The day can begin at the Hill of Crosses rather than Bauska Castle, depending on the operator’s plans.
• Bring walking shoes and rain gear: You will be outside at several stops, and wet weather can limit the gardens and photo opportunities.

Why this Riga day trip is worth your time

Riga has enough art nouveau façades, cafés, and old-town streets to fill several days. Still, southern Latvia gives you a better sense of the country beyond its capital. This trip reaches two major cultural sites in Latvia, then crosses into Lithuania for one of the Baltic region’s most unusual places.

The day begins at 8:00 a.m. from Reformācijas Laukums in central Riga. That early start matters. You have a lot of ground to cover, and the driving time is already part of the eight-hour schedule. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the group limit of eight keeps the day more personal than a standard coach excursion.

Guides such as Jānis and Viesturs have been praised for keeping the schedule moving while adding stories about Latvian food, customs, daily life, and local traditions. The strongest part of the guiding is not simply a list of dates. It is the extra context during the drive, when the countryside passes by and you can ask questions.

The style is relaxed rather than academic. If you want a detailed lecture at every monument, a private guide may suit you better. If you want a friendly introduction, useful commentary, and time to look around on your own, this format works well.

Bauska Castle: ruins, river views, and a short first stop

Bauska Castle is scheduled as a 30-minute stop, with admission to the renovated viewing tower included. The castle complex combines fortress ruins with a restored section, giving you both weathered stone and a more complete sense of the original structure.

The tower is the main reason to visit. From above, you can take photographs of the castle remains and the surrounding countryside. The ruins have a dramatic appearance that some people compare to a television fantasy setting, though the real appeal is simpler: this is a compact medieval site with a striking position and plenty of texture for photographs.

Thirty minutes goes quickly. You should expect time for the tower, a quick look around, and photographs, not a full museum visit. If you move slowly, have mobility concerns, or want to study every wall, this stop may feel brief.

That short timing is not necessarily a flaw. Bauska is an opening taste of the region, while Rundale Palace and the Hill of Crosses receive more time. I would treat it as a photo and orientation stop rather than the main event.

Rundale Palace: the grand centerpiece of the day

Rundale Palace receives about two hours, making it the most substantial stop. Often called Latvia’s little Versailles, it offers ornate interiors, formal gardens, and a clear contrast with Bauska’s defensive stonework.

The palace ticket and garden entry are included. You can walk through the rooms at your own pace and use the included audio guide if you want more detailed background. Bring headphones if you prefer listening privately, since advance advice for this trip specifically recommends them.

Two hours gives you a reasonable visit, but it is not unlimited. You need to divide your time between the interior and gardens. On a dry day, I would make the gardens a priority. They add space and color after the more formal palace rooms, and they provide some of the best photo opportunities.

Rain can change the experience. The palace remains worth seeing, but wet weather may discourage you from spending much time outdoors. Bring an umbrella or proper rain clothing if the forecast looks unsettled. The visit continues in rain or snow, so weather preparation is your responsibility.

Lunch is not included. You can eat at the palace, but the food selection may be limited, especially if you want something light. I would pack a sandwich or snacks and use the café only if its choices suit you. Several guides also provide water, and some have offered local snacks during the drive, but you should not rely on that as a meal plan.

The palace is where the tour offers the best value. Admission is covered, you get enough time to see the main areas, and the guide’s commentary can give the building a local setting before you explore independently.

Crossing into Lithuania at Eleja

The border stop at Eleja lasts about five minutes. It is not a major attraction, and you should not expect a long break. Instead, it is a quick chance to photograph the Latvia and Lithuania signs.

This small stop has symbolic value. You are not simply hearing that the trip reaches another country. You are physically crossing the border and marking the moment with a photograph. For anyone collecting country visits, it is a fun extra.

Keep your expectations in check. There is no substantial sightseeing time here, and the stop may depend on the day’s timing and road conditions. It works best as a brief punctuation mark between the Latvian sites and the Hill of Crosses.

The Hill of Crosses: a place to slow down

The Hill of Crosses, or Kryžių Kalnas, is the most unusual stop and often the most emotional. You receive about one hour to walk among an enormous collection of crosses, many of them small, handmade, or personal.

The site is not a polished monument with a single viewpoint. Its impact comes from the sheer number of objects and the stories they suggest. Crosses have been brought here for prayer, remembrance, gratitude, and hope. You can look closely, take photographs, and place your own cross if you wish.

The hour is usually enough for a thoughtful walk, but the ground may be uneven. Wear sturdy shoes, especially after rain. The site is exposed, so a waterproof jacket can make a major difference in comfort.

You do not need to be religious to appreciate the place. The Hill of Crosses also reflects identity, memory, and quiet resistance. Your guide can provide useful context, but the most meaningful part may be the time you spend walking without commentary.

Some versions of the day visit the Hill of Crosses first, even though the advertised order places Bauska Castle first. That change is not a problem in itself, but it means you should avoid making firm plans around the sequence. The operator may adjust the route to keep the whole day running well.

What the guides add to the experience

The guide can make or break a day with this much driving. The best feedback centers on Jānis and Viesturs, who are described as friendly, punctual, entertaining, and generous with information.

Expect stories about Latvian history and culture during the road sections, along with practical suggestions about food and places to stop. Some guides have also shared Latvian words, Easter customs, traditional dishes, and local stories about everyday life. Those details help connect the major sights to the country you are passing through.

Jānis is especially noted for clear explanations and good timekeeping. Viesturs has been praised for humor, warmth, and helping people who needed extra care getting in and out of the vehicle. That personal attention is easier in a group of eight than on a bus carrying dozens of people.

The tour is not a fully guided walk inside every site. At Rundale Palace, the audio guide covers detailed information. At the Hill of Crosses and Bauska Castle, you receive time to explore on your own, with the guide offering context and answering questions.

If you want more detail, ask questions. The shared format works best when you take part rather than simply listening through headphones. A private trip would be better for someone seeking a formal, highly detailed history lesson at each stop.

Transport, timing, and the small-group advantage

The journey ends back at the same central meeting point in Riga. You spend much of the day in an air-conditioned vehicle, and parking costs are included. Since travel time is built into the eight-hour duration, do not think of this as eight hours at the attractions.

The group limit of eight is important. You can usually get in and out faster, ask the guide questions, and hear the commentary without the noise of a large bus. It also makes the day a good choice for solo visitors, who may find a small shared group more sociable.

The tradeoff is that the route has less flexibility than a private car. You cannot simply add an hour at Rundale Palace or skip a stop because the schedule belongs to the whole group. Extra stops may sometimes be possible, but they should be treated as a bonus, not a promise.

Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bauska Castle includes a tower, Rundale Palace requires time on your feet, and the Hill of Crosses is best explored on foot. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the day is still active enough that a sore knee or limited mobility may affect how much you enjoy it.

Is $157.28 a good price?

At $157.28 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see southern Latvia. It is a reasonable price if you value convenience and want several major stops handled in one day.

The price includes transport, parking, Bauska Castle tower entry, and tickets for Rundale Palace and its gardens. You also avoid the work of comparing separate bus routes, arranging the international border crossing, and coordinating opening times.

The value is strongest for a first visit to Riga when you want to see beyond the capital but do not have several days for independent travel. It is also useful for solo visitors, since private transport would cost much more.

Lunch is extra, and you should budget for that or bring your own. The price also buys efficiency rather than a slow pace. If you prefer spending half a day at one palace, this is not the right structure.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Book ahead if your Riga schedule is fixed. The experience is often reserved about a month in advance, and the minimum number of participants applies. If the tour cannot run because that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Wear layers and check the forecast the night before. Rain can reduce the pleasure of the Rundale gardens and make the Hill of Crosses muddy or uncomfortable, though all planned stops still go ahead in wet or snowy weather.

Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Rain gear or an umbrella
• Water and a packed lunch or substantial snacks
• Headphones for the Rundale Palace audio guide
• A small cross only if you wish to leave one at the Hill of Crosses

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, so keep that deadline in mind.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a broad taste of the Baltics in one day. It suits people who enjoy castles, palace interiors, unusual cultural sites, photography, and local stories without needing every minute to be formally guided.

It is particularly useful for first-time visitors to Riga, solo visitors, and anyone who wants to add Lithuania without changing hotels. The small vehicle and friendly guiding make the long route feel more manageable.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, long road sections, fixed group schedules, or outdoor stops in uncertain weather. Families and people with limited walking ability should also consider the tower, uneven ground, and amount of time spent getting in and out of the vehicle.

Final verdict: book it if you want range, not leisure

This is a strong day trip for seeing several very different places in one sweep. Bauska Castle supplies the ruins, Rundale Palace brings elegance, the border stop adds a little travel fun, and the Hill of Crosses provides the emotional center.

I like the small group, the included admissions, and the chance to explore independently. I also like that guides such as Jānis and Viesturs bring local food, language, customs, and humor into the road time. Just pack lunch, dress for the weather, and accept that the schedule is brisk.

Book it if you want two countries, three major sights, and a useful introduction to southern Latvia without renting a car. Skip it only if you would rather give one place a slow, unhurried day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Riga Free Tours, Reformācijas Laukums, Centra rajons, Riga, at 8:00 a.m. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including all driving time between Riga and the attractions.

How many people can join the tour?

This is a shared ride with a maximum of eight participants.

Are admission tickets included?

Yes. Bauska Castle tower admission and entry to Rundale Palace and its gardens are included. Parking fees are also covered.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You may have time to eat at Rundale Palace, but bringing your own food is recommended if you want more choice.

Can I leave a cross at the Hill of Crosses?

Yes. You are welcome to bring and leave your own cross if you wish.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.