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

The most memorable part of this day trip is the sharp change in mood between its stops. You begin with a Latvian castle and a graceful palace, cross briefly into Lithuania, then reach the Hill of Crosses, a strange and moving collection of thousands of religious symbols. Two countries in eight hours makes this an efficient way to get beyond Riga.

I like the small group of no more than eight people, which gives the ride a personal feel instead of a big-bus routine. I also like the freedom at each stop. You receive background and practical guidance, then have time to explore, take pictures, or simply sit with the place.

The main drawback is the pace. This is a full day with substantial driving, and some stops are short. Weather also matters, especially at the open-air Hill of Crosses and in Rundale’s gardens. Bring good shoes and rain gear, and do not expect a long, slow visit at every site.

Key Points at a Glance

• The Hill of Crosses is the emotional center: You get about an hour to walk among the crosses and leave one of your own if you wish.
• Rundale Palace gets the longest visit: Two hours allows time for the palace, gardens, and lunch.
• Bauska Castle is a compact opening stop: The included tower entrance gives you views over the castle ruins and surrounding countryside.
• The group stays small: The shared ride has a maximum of eight people, making it easier to ask questions and stay on schedule.
• Lunch is your responsibility: The palace has a restaurant, but bringing food gives you more choice and avoids wasting sightseeing time.
• The route may change order: The Hill of Crosses and Bauska Castle can be visited in a different sequence from the advertised order.

Why This Day Trip Works From Riga

Riga is a rewarding city, but Latvia’s best-known day-trip sights sit outside the capital. Reaching Bauska, Rundale, and the Hill of Crosses independently means sorting out transport across rural areas and an international border. This outing handles the driving and admission arrangements in one compact day.

The price is $157.28 per person. That is not a budget bus outing, but it includes parking, an air-conditioned vehicle, the Bauska Castle tower, and entry to Rundale Palace and its gardens. With a maximum of eight people, you are paying for a more manageable ride rather than a large coach.

The trip starts at 8:00 a.m. from Reformācijas Laukums in central Riga and returns to the same meeting point. Travel time is included in the eight-hour total, so the day is carefully timed. Guides keep the group moving, but they also tend to allow short breaks, photo stops, and occasional extras when the schedule permits.

Guides such as Jānis and Viesturs are praised for explaining Latvian customs, food, local life, and the places along the road. Jānis, in particular, is known for combining clear information with personal stories and humor. The day can feel more like a conversation with a local than a formal lecture.

Bauska Castle: A Short Stop With Good Views

Bauska Castle is usually a 30-minute visit, so think of it as a concentrated introduction rather than a full museum tour. The site combines the remains of a medieval fortress with a later section that has been restored. Its towers and rough stone walls have the sort of dramatic look that invites comparisons with a television fantasy set.

Your included admission covers the freshly renovated viewing tower. Climbing up gives you a useful sense of the castle’s position and the surrounding area. You can also explore the fortress ruins and take photographs from ground level.

Thirty minutes is enough for the tower and a quick walk, but not enough for a leisurely examination of every corner. If you prefer to read every display or spend a long time inside historic buildings, this stop may feel brief. For most people, its value is visual: a strong opening stop, some fresh air, and a quick look at a Latvian castle outside Riga.

Wear shoes that handle uneven ground. The tour information specifically points to the ruins, tower, and photo opportunities, so plan for walking rather than a simple roadside view.

Rundale Palace: Latvia’s Grandest Interior Stop

Rundale Palace receives about two hours, making it the most substantial stop on the Latvian side. Often called Latvia’s little Versailles, the palace offers decorated rooms, formal gardens, and a sense of royal scale that contrasts sharply with the castle ruins at Bauska.

I like the balance here. You can go inside for the palace visit, spend time in the gardens, and pause for lunch without being rushed through in a few minutes. The palace also has an included audio guide, and bringing headphones is a smart move if you want the detailed commentary without holding a device to your ear.

The gardens are an important part of the visit. In good weather, they give you room to walk and photograph the palace from different angles. In wet weather, though, the gardens may be less inviting, and you may choose to spend more time indoors. The tour still runs in rain or snow, so pack accordingly rather than relying on a perfect forecast.

Lunch is not included. There is a restaurant at the palace, but the available food may suit a substantial meal better than a quick, light snack. I would bring something simple if you have dietary preferences or want to protect your sightseeing time. You can also use the palace restaurant if convenience matters more than choice.

A practical note: vehicles park a short distance from the entrance because of site rules. That means you should be ready for a short walk before reaching the palace itself.

Crossing Into Lithuania at Eleja

The border stop at Eleja is only about five minutes, but it adds a pleasant sense of occasion. You can take a photograph with the Latvia and Lithuania signs and mark the fact that this is more than a standard Latvian day trip.

Do not treat this as a major attraction or a formal border visit. It is a brief roadside photo stop, and it may be skipped by anyone who prefers to remain in the vehicle. Its appeal is simple: in a few minutes, you can say you visited two countries in one day.

The route order may change. Some departures visit the Hill of Crosses first, then return through Latvia, while others follow the sequence of Bauska, Rundale, the border, and the Hill of Crosses. The sights remain the main point, but you should avoid making firm plans around the exact order.

The Hill of Crosses: A Place You Feel Before You Understand

The Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai is the day’s most unusual stop. For about an hour, you can walk among crosses packed closely across the hill. They range in size and style, and the sheer number creates an experience that is difficult to reduce to a quick photograph.

I find the site works best when you give yourself time to walk slowly. Look at the small personal crosses as well as the larger clusters. Some visitors bring a cross of their own and add it to the growing collection. That is optional, but it can make the visit feel personal rather than purely observational.

The site can be emotional, even for people who are not religious. Its meaning comes from the mixture of private grief, hope, faith, and remembrance represented by so many individual objects. Your guide can provide context, but the hour is mainly yours to explore at your own pace.

This is also the most weather-exposed stop. Much of the experience involves walking outside, and the ground may be wet or uneven. Good walking shoes are more useful here than smart clothes. A rain jacket or umbrella can make the difference between a thoughtful visit and a quick retreat to the vehicle.

One hour is a sensible amount of time for a first visit. You can see the central parts, take photographs, and pause without feeling that you have missed everything. You will not examine every cross, of course, but the site is too large and dense for that to be realistic anyway.

The Ride, the Guides, and the Small-Group Feel

This is a shared ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, with up to eight people. That format matters. The vehicle is small enough for conversation, and the guide can respond to questions more easily than on a large coach.

The strongest part of the service is the guiding between the stops. Jānis is praised for explaining Latvian history, traditions, dishes, and everyday life, while also keeping the mood relaxed. Viesturs is also associated with the tour and is known for a friendly manner and useful local information.

The guide may provide bottled water, snacks, or small local treats. Those extras are not the core reason to book, but they help make a long day in a vehicle more comfortable. One guide also used short tasting surprises during the trip, adding a local touch without turning the outing into a food tour.

Timing is handled carefully. You receive enough time at the main sights, and the guide keeps an eye on the return schedule. Some departures have included an extra stop when time allowed, but you should view that as a bonus, not a promise. The advertised four stops are the reliable plan.

The shared format does require flexibility. You are traveling with other people, and the group must return to the vehicle on time. If you want to spend three hours in Rundale, skip Bauska, or linger at the Hill of Crosses until sunset, a private trip would suit you better.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

A little preparation will improve the day:

• Bring comfortable walking shoes for Bauska Castle and the Hill of Crosses.
• Pack rain gear, since the tour operates in poor weather.
• Bring headphones if you want to use the Rundale Palace audio guide.
• Consider bringing lunch or snacks, especially if you want light food or have dietary needs.
• Keep some flexibility in your schedule in case the operator needs to change the tour date because the minimum number of participants is not reached.
• Arrive at the Riga meeting point before the 8:00 a.m. departure.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transport in Riga, but the important practical detail is the early start and the need to return to the same central meeting point.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who Should Book This Excursion?

I would choose this tour if you want a strong first look at Latvia beyond Riga and like the idea of adding one Lithuanian sight without changing hotels. It suits solo visitors, couples, and small groups who value local conversation and efficient transport.

It is especially good for anyone who wants variety in one day: a ruined castle, a grand palace, a border crossing, and a powerful religious site. The contrast keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

I would think twice if your main interest is detailed museum interpretation. Rundale has an audio guide, but the tour itself is designed to give you an introduction and free time, not a long expert lecture at every site. A private outing would offer more control and more time for questions.

Should You Book It?

Book it if you have one free day in Riga and want to see places that are difficult to reach together by public transport. The small group, included admissions, and strong local guiding make the $157.28 price reasonable for a long cross-border day.

Just set the right expectations. This is an efficient overview, not a slow architectural study. Bring food, prepare for changing weather, and accept that the route order may shift. If you do that, the combination of Rundale Palace and the Hill of Crosses gives you a memorable look at two very different sides of the Baltic region.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Riga Free Tours, Reformācijas Laukums, Centra rajons, Riga, Latvia.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity returns to the same meeting point in Riga.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including driving time between the stops.

How many people can join the shared ride?

The tour has a maximum of eight participants.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can bring your own food or buy lunch at Rundale Palace.

What admissions are included?

The price includes the Bauska Castle tower entrance and the Rundale Palace and gardens ticket. Admission to the Hill of Crosses is also included.

Can I leave a cross at the Hill of Crosses?

Yes. You are welcome to bring and leave your own cross, though this is optional.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.