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

The striking idea here is simple: two countries in one day, with Latvia’s grand Rundale Palace balanced by Lithuania’s deeply personal Hill of Crosses. Add Bauska Castle, a border photo, and a small-group ride, and you get a full day far beyond Riga’s Old Town.

I like the freedom built into the stops. You can climb Bauska’s viewing tower, walk Rundale’s gardens at your own speed, and leave your own cross at Kryžių Kalnas if you wish. Guides such as Jānis and Viesturs also add local stories, snacks, humor, and useful advice along the way.

The trade-off is the schedule. Eight hours goes quickly, and much of the day is spent on the road. Weather also matters, especially at Rundale, where rain can spoil the gardens. Bring good shoes, rain gear, and your own lunch if you want more choice than the palace café provides.

Key points before you book

• Two countries in one outing: See major Latvian sights, then cross into Lithuania for the Hill of Crosses.
• Small shared group: The vehicle holds no more than eight people, making conversation with the guide easier than on a large coach.
• Rundale Palace is the main time stop: You get two hours for the palace, gardens, and lunch.
• Bauska Castle entry is included: The 30-minute stop includes access to the newly renovated viewing tower.
• The Hill of Crosses is personal and unusual: You have about an hour to wander and may add your own cross.
• Plan for practical limits: The tour starts at 8:00 a.m., lunch costs extra, and the order of stops can change.

A two-country day from Riga

This is one of the easiest ways to reach several important sights outside Riga without arranging separate buses, taxis, or rental-car routes. You meet at Riga Free Tours on Reformācijas Laukums at 8:00 a.m. and return to the same central meeting point after roughly eight hours.

The tour uses an air-conditioned vehicle and carries a maximum of eight people. That small size matters. You are not lost in a crowd, and it is easier to ask Jānis, Viesturs, or another assigned guide about Latvian customs, food, daily life, and the places passing outside the window.

The ride itself forms part of the day. You cross rural Latvia, make the short border stop at Eleja, and enter Lithuania before returning to Riga. The route order may change, so do not build your day around visiting the Hill of Crosses at a particular hour.

The tour has earned a 4.9 rating from 225 ratings, with 98 percent recommending it. More useful than the numbers is what they point to: the strongest part of the day is usually the guide’s narration and the relaxed small-group atmosphere. The level of historical detail can vary, so ask questions if you want more than a broad introduction.

Bauska Castle and its renovated tower

Bauska Castle is usually a short opening stop, with about 30 minutes to explore. From the outside, the ruined medieval fortress has the sort of dramatic appearance that invites comparisons to a fantasy film set, but the real appeal is its position and atmosphere.

You receive admission to the castle tower, including access to the freshly renovated viewing area. Use the time for photographs, a quick look at the fortress remains, and views over the surrounding area. This is not a long museum visit, so you should think of it as a compact introduction rather than a full study of the castle.

The short stop works well at the start of a packed day. You get a sense of Latvia’s defensive past without using the hours needed at Rundale Palace. If you enjoy detailed castle interiors, however, 30 minutes may feel brief.

Wear shoes with a firm sole. You will be walking around old masonry and uneven areas, and the tower visit is more enjoyable when you are not worrying about every step. The castle tower entrance is included, so there is no extra admission decision to make once you arrive.

Two hours at Rundale Palace

Rundale Palace is the visual centerpiece of the Latvian portion of the outing. Often called Latvia’s little Versailles, it offers grand rooms, formal gardens, and a sharp change of mood from Bauska’s fortress ruins.

You have two hours here, which gives you room to see the palace and spend time outdoors rather than simply racing through the entrance hall. Palace and garden admission are included in the tour price. An audio guide is also available, and bringing headphones is a smart tip if you want more detailed background while exploring.

I like the amount of free time here. The guide can explain the place and help you get oriented, but you are not required to stay beside the group for every room. You can focus on architecture, take photographs, walk the gardens, or use part of the stop for lunch.

Food is not included. The café at the palace may be convenient, but the menu can feel limited if you want a light meal. I would bring a sandwich or snacks, especially if you have dietary preferences or do not want to spend your palace time waiting for food.

Weather is the main concern. Rundale’s gardens are a major reason to visit, and wet weather can make them less appealing. The tour continues in rain or snow, so pack an umbrella or waterproof jacket rather than assuming the day will stay dry.

The Latvia-Lithuania border at Eleja

Eleja is a brief five-minute photo stop at the Latvia-Lithuania border. It is not a sightseeing visit in the usual sense, but the signs offer a fun record of crossing between the two countries in a single day.

The stop is optional. If you want the photograph, have your camera ready because five minutes passes quickly. If you would rather remain in the vehicle, this is not a major attraction you will regret missing.

The border stop also gives the day a clear sense of place. You are not simply visiting a Lithuanian attraction from Riga. You are physically moving between Latvia and Lithuania, then returning to Riga later the same day.

The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania

Kryžių Kalnas, or the Hill of Crosses, is the most unusual stop and often the most emotional. For about an hour, you walk among an enormous collection of crosses placed by people over many years. The effect is difficult to reduce to a single explanation. It is part religious site, part memorial, and part personal offering.

You have time to explore on your own. Look closely and you will find crosses of many sizes and styles, along with small offerings and photographs. You may also bring a cross and add it to the growing collection, though doing so is entirely optional.

This stop rewards quiet attention more than a rushed checklist. The guide can give context, but the place works best when you allow yourself time to walk, look, and form your own response. Several guides also use the drive to explain local culture and the meaning of the site.

There are practical limits. The hill is outdoors, and the ground may be wet or uneven. Good walking shoes are important, especially after rain. If you want strong photographs, allow time to look beyond the first path and notice the changing density of crosses.

What the guides add to the day

The guide can make or break a long shared ride, and this tour receives especially strong praise for its people. Jānis is often described as friendly, punctual, entertaining, and full of stories about Latvia. Viesturs is also noted for his humor, local knowledge, and care with individual needs.

Expect more than a series of drop-offs if you engage with the guide. The strongest guiding includes stories about Latvian food, Easter traditions, mushrooms, local words, and ordinary life. Some guides provide bottled water, small snacks, coffee stops, or little tasting surprises. These touches help break up the driving without changing the basic format of the tour.

The amount of formal historical detail may vary. One visitor found the commentary less precise on dates and names, while other accounts describe the narration as thorough and clear. If you want a lecture-level explanation at every stop, a private tour may suit you better. On this shared trip, ask questions and use the Rundale audio guide for extra detail.

The guide also manages the clock. Bauska, Rundale, the border, and the Hill of Crosses require careful timing, and several people appreciated that the day stayed on schedule. Listen closely when the return time is explained, especially if you use headphones at the palace.

Is the $157 price good value?

At about $157.28 per person, this is not a bargain-priced local outing. It is a full-day, two-country trip with a small group, air-conditioned transport, parking, Bauska tower entry, and Rundale Palace and garden admission included.

The value comes from combining several costs and planning tasks into one day. You do not need to work out the cross-border route, arrange a car, find parking, or buy separate tickets at the castle and palace. A group of no more than eight also gives you a more personal setting than a large sightseeing bus.

Lunch is the main extra expense. Bring your own food if you want to save money or prefer something light. You should also budget time and energy rather than judging the price only by the number of attractions. This is a long day with substantial driving, not four leisurely visits close together.

For a solo visitor, the price can make particular sense because the transport and route are already organized. Couples and small groups should compare it with the cost of renting a car, fuel, parking, admission, and the effort of driving an unfamiliar route. The tour is also useful if you want a guide’s local perspective rather than a self-drive day.

How to prepare for the eight-hour outing

Start with practical clothing. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a waterproof layer or umbrella, and a small day bag. The castle grounds, palace gardens, and Hill of Crosses are all outdoor-heavy, and the tour operates in rain or snow.

Pack lunch or substantial snacks. You can eat at Rundale if you wish, but the café may not have the light or varied choices you want. Water and occasional snacks may be supplied by the guide, but I would not rely on that as a full meal plan.

Bring headphones for the Rundale audio guide. Keep your phone charged for border photographs and palace grounds, and pay attention to the guide’s meeting instructions when you are given free time.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation at its Riga meeting point, but the supplied information does not promise a specific level of step-free access at every stop. If mobility is a concern, ask the provider before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The tour requires a minimum number of participants, so if it cannot operate for that reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this tour?

You should book it if you want an efficient day beyond Riga and like variety. The mix is strong: a ruined castle, a palace, a border crossing, and a striking Lithuanian religious site. You also get free time instead of being guided step by step through every minute.

It is especially well suited to solo visitors, first-time visitors to Latvia, and anyone without a car. The small group makes it easy to meet other people, while the guide supplies a steady thread of local context during the drive.

Think twice if you dislike early starts, long rides, changing weather, or fixed return times. The Hill of Crosses and Rundale gardens are outdoor experiences, and the full route cannot be rushed without losing part of its appeal.

My advice is to book this as a broad, memorable introduction to the countryside around Riga, not as a specialist architecture or history course. Come prepared with lunch, walking shoes, and an open schedule. If Jānis or Viesturs is leading, expect a friendly day with plenty of local conversation, but remember that the exact guide and order of stops may vary.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Riga Free Tours, Reformācijas Laukums, in central Riga.

What time does the tour begin?

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

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including travel time, and returns to the original meeting point.

How many people can join the shared ride?

The group has a maximum of eight participants.

Which countries does the tour visit?

It visits Latvia and Lithuania, with a stop at the Latvia-Lithuania border.

Is admission to Rundale Palace included?

Yes. The Rundale Palace and gardens ticket is included.

Is Bauska Castle admission included?

Yes. Entry to the Bauska Castle viewing tower is included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you can buy food at Rundale or bring your own.

Can I leave a cross at the Hill of Crosses?

Yes. You are welcome to add your own cross, but it is optional.

What happens if I need to cancel?

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