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

A single day takes you from a medieval fortress in Latvia to a striking religious site in Lithuania, with a grand palace in between. The Hill of Crosses is the emotional heart of the trip: thousands of crosses crowd a small hill, each one tied to faith, family, memory, or resistance.

I like the small group, limited to eight people, and the way the day combines major sights with simple extras such as a border photo stop, local snacks, and occasional coffee breaks. I also like that Rundale Palace admission, gardens, and the Bauska Castle tower are included, so the $157.28 price covers more than just transport.

The trade-off is a long, tightly timed day. You have about eight hours including driving, and the order of stops can change. Rain can also limit your enjoyment of Rundale’s gardens and the Hill of Crosses, so bring proper outdoor gear.

Key points before you book

• Two countries in one day: See southern Latvia and make a short visit to Lithuania from a Riga base.
• A genuinely small group: The shared vehicle carries no more than eight people, making questions and schedule changes easier.
• Rundale Palace is the centerpiece: Allow two hours for the palace, gardens, and lunch.
• The Hill of Crosses is personal, not polished: You can walk among the crosses and leave one of your own.
• Guides make a real difference: Jānis and Viesturs are frequently praised for local stories, humor, and keeping the day on time.
• Pack for weather and food: Lunch is not included, and the palace café may have limited light options.

Why this Riga day trip works

Riga is an excellent base for exploring Latvia, but the capital only tells part of the Baltic story. This outing gets you into the southern countryside and across the Lithuanian border without asking you to arrange several buses, train connections, or separate entrance tickets.

The route also has a useful rhythm. Bauska supplies fortress ruins and a tower view. Rundale brings polished interiors and formal gardens. The Hill of Crosses changes the mood completely, replacing royal decoration with a crowded, handmade monument of faith and remembrance.

You leave Riga at 8:00 in the morning and return to the same central meeting point at Reformācijas Laukums. Since driving time counts within the roughly eight-hour duration, you should think of this as an efficient overview rather than a slow country holiday.

The group size matters. With a maximum of eight people, the ride is more intimate than a large coach excursion. Guides can answer questions during the drive, make a short photo stop, or offer an extra stop when time allows. Several guides, especially Jānis and Viesturs, are praised for adding stories about Latvian food, traditions, daily life, and even local mushrooms.

That personal style is part of the value. You are not simply dropped at a series of gates with a printed schedule. At the same time, this is still a shared trip, so the group’s pace and interests affect the day.

Bauska Castle and its 30-minute tower stop

Bauska Castle is the briefest stop, with about 30 minutes allocated. It is a photo stop at a dramatic site where a medieval fortress ruin meets a later Renaissance section. Some people compare its appearance to a fantasy film set, and the comparison is easy to understand when you see the masonry and open surroundings.

The included Bauska Castle tower entrance is useful because it gives you more than a roadside photograph. You can climb to the recently renovated viewing tower, look over the surrounding area, and explore parts of the fortress ruins.

Thirty minutes goes quickly. I would use the first few minutes for the tower, then spend the remaining time on photographs and a short look around the ruins. Do not expect a full museum visit or a detailed guided tour of every room. This stop works best as a sharp introduction to southern Latvia, not as the main event.

Wear shoes with a steady grip. The trip includes walking at the castle and later at the Hill of Crosses, and the ground may be wet or uneven after rain.

Rundale Palace, Latvia’s grand showpiece

Rundale Palace receives about two hours, making it the most substantial stop. Often called Latvia’s little Versailles, it gives you a taste of courtly design, formal gardens, and palace interiors without requiring a separate trip from Riga.

Your ticket covers the palace and gardens. You can set your own pace inside, take photographs where permitted, and use the time for lunch at the palace if you choose. An audio guide is available at Rundale, and bringing headphones is a smart idea. The audio option supplies the detailed room-by-room information that a short group introduction cannot provide.

I would begin with the palace interiors while your attention is fresh. Then walk through the gardens if the weather is decent, leaving enough time for food and a final look at the grounds. The gardens are an important part of the visit, but rain can make them less appealing. One poor-weather outing lost much of its garden time because of wet conditions, so a waterproof jacket and compact umbrella are worth packing.

Lunch is not included. The palace restaurant or café may be convenient, but the food selection can feel limited if you want something light. You can bring your own food, though the tour information does not promise a dedicated picnic arrangement. Ask your guide about the practical options on the day.

The two-hour allocation is a good compromise. It gives you time to see the main palace areas and gardens, but it does not allow a slow, scholarly study of every detail. If Rundale is your main reason for booking, a private or separate visit would give you more freedom. For a day trip that also includes Lithuania, the timing is fair.

The Latvia-Lithuania border at Eleja

The border stop at Eleja lasts about five minutes and is optional. You can get out for a photograph beside the Latvia and Lithuania signs, then continue on.

This is a small moment, but it adds a playful sense of crossing countries. You do not need to organize a separate border visit, and it gives you a clear visual marker of the route. The stop is not a major attraction, so keep your expectations modest. It is a quick photograph, not a town tour or an extended break.

The order may change. The Hill of Crosses has been visited first on some departures, with the palace and castle later in the day. That is not a problem in itself, but it means you should not build a rigid plan around lunch times, daylight, or buying a drink in Lithuania.

The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania

The Hill of Crosses is the reason many people choose this excursion. It is a Catholic pilgrimage site covered with crosses of many sizes, from small personal offerings to larger family memorials. The effect is unusual and powerful. You can spend an hour walking the paths, looking closely at inscriptions, and trying to take in the sheer number of objects gathered there.

This is not a neatly arranged monument. The crosses overlap, lean against one another, and fill the space in a way that can feel both intimate and overwhelming. The site’s meaning comes from the individual acts behind the collection, not from grand architecture.

You are welcome to bring your own cross and add it to the hill. That option makes the visit more personal, though there is no pressure to do so. You can simply walk, observe, and take photographs.

Allow time for quiet. The Hill of Crosses is easy to rush because the tour has a schedule, but its impact grows when you stop looking at it as one large sight and notice individual crosses, names, and messages.

The paths and ground can be uneven. Good walking shoes are essential, particularly in wet weather. You should also expect exposure to the elements, since this is an outdoor visit. The one-hour stop gives you enough time for a meaningful look, but not an unhurried pilgrimage.

Guides, vehicle, and the feel of the day

The guide is central to this experience. Jānis is praised for clear explanations, humor, personal stories, and keeping the schedule moving. Viesturs is also singled out for being friendly, attentive, and willing to help people with mobility concerns when getting in and out of the vehicle.

The strongest part of the guiding style is the material between the sights. You may hear about Latvian traditions, food, Easter customs, local words, and everyday life as you drive through the country. Bottled water, snacks, and small tasting surprises have also been provided on some departures.

The tour is offered in English. Since it is a shared ride, the conversation depends partly on the group. You can ask questions directly, and guides are prepared to provide more detail when you show interest. Rundale’s audio guide is the better tool for visitors who want extensive palace facts.

A small group does not guarantee a private tour. You still need to return to the vehicle on time and follow the agreed schedule. The day works best when you enjoy a little structure and do not need to control every minute.

Is $157.28 a fair price?

At $157.28 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see one Latvian attraction. It becomes more reasonable when you count what is included: air-conditioned transport, parking fees, Bauska Castle tower entry, Rundale Palace and garden admission, a small group, and a full day of driving across two countries.

The route would be awkward to reproduce independently in one day. Public transport between Bauska, Rundale, and the Hill of Crosses would require careful planning, and taxis could quickly cost more than the tour. The group size also gives you a more personal ride than a large sightseeing bus.

The price is less attractive if you only want Rundale Palace. In that case, a separate visit may offer more time and a lower total cost. It is also worth checking your own appetite for a packed schedule. You are paying for range and convenience, not a leisurely stay at each location.

The tour is usually booked around 34 days ahead, which suggests you should reserve early if your Riga dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The activity requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for low numbers can result in another date or a full refund.

What to pack for this eight-hour outing

Keep your day bag practical. I would bring:

• Waterproof shoes or sturdy walking shoes
• A rain jacket and umbrella
• Headphones for the Rundale audio guide
• Water and snacks
• Lunch, if you do not want to rely on the palace café
• A small cross, only if you would like to leave one at the Hill of Crosses

The operator provides an air-conditioned vehicle, but weather protection is still your responsibility once you step outside. Rain can affect the gardens, castle paths, and hill walk, while a warm, dry day will make the entire route easier.

The meeting point is Riga Free Tours at Reformācijas Laukums in central Riga. The activity ends back there. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transport. Most people can take part, but the combination of castle access, outdoor walking, and a full day in a vehicle may be tiring if you have difficulty with uneven ground or getting in and out.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you have at least two days in Riga and want to see more than the capital. It is especially useful for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who want company without joining a large coach.

It also suits anyone interested in the wider Baltic region. The border crossing is brief, but visiting Lithuania gives the day a broader purpose. You see how the two countries fit together geographically while experiencing very different places on each side.

Families with older children may appreciate the castle tower and the simple thrill of visiting two countries in one day. People focused on gardens should check the weather and understand that Rundale’s outdoor areas may not be enjoyable in rain.

I would not choose it if you want a slow, expert-led examination of every historic detail. The group format gives you local explanation and flexibility, while the audio guide at Rundale supplies extra depth. A private trip would be better for a very specific schedule or specialized interests.

Should you book this Riga to Lithuania day trip?

Book it if you want three distinct experiences in one day: a ruined castle, a grand palace, and a moving outdoor pilgrimage site. The combination is stronger than any single stop, and the small vehicle, included tickets, and capable local guides make the logistics easy.

Skip it if you dislike long drives, fixed departure times, or outdoor sights in uncertain weather. Also skip it if Rundale Palace deserves a full day by itself.

For most people with limited time in Riga, I think the tour earns its price. Pack lunch, wear good shoes, bring rain gear, and keep your schedule flexible about the order of stops. If Jānis or Viesturs is leading your vehicle, expect a day shaped as much by local stories and conversation as by the formal sights.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

What time does the tour depart?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity returns to the original meeting point in central Riga.

How long does the experience last?

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

How many people can join the shared tour?

The group has a maximum of eight participants.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you can choose to eat at Rundale Palace or bring your own food.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. Admission to the Bauska Castle tower, Rundale Palace, and its gardens is included.

Can I leave a cross at the Hill of Crosses?

Yes. You are welcome to bring and leave your own cross, though you can also visit without doing so.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.